TV and Antenna for condo without cable or internet

[henni]

We have a seldom occupied condo and would like to allow one or two visitors for a week or two to have access to local TV channels.

There is no internet, no cable, no modem, nothing and we don't see a need to have such as visitors are very rare (an occasional relative).

What current, cheap, small screen TV would work with "rabbit ears" to pickup the local OTA channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) ?

 

[dishdude]

Pretty much all TVs have a built in tuner that will allow you to receive OTA channels. Best Buy currently has a 32" Insignia for $69.99 that sounds perfect for what you're looking for.

Plug your address in to see how far you are from the broadcast towers to see if an indoor antenna will work - https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php

 

[97prizm]

We have a seldom occupied condo and would like to allow one or two visitors for a week or two to have access to local TV channels.

There is no internet, no cable, no modem, nothing and we don't see a need to have such as visitors are very rare (an occasional relative).

What current, cheap, small screen TV would work with "rabbit ears" to pickup the local OTA channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) ?

GE model 48732 antenna. I bought an inexpensive flat antenna and it worked so-so even with a booster. I picked up the GE from Walmart as it said something about enhanced signal l pick up or more channels and they aren't lying. My parents were impressed how many over the air channels it picked up. I may go back and get a second one.

 

[dishdude]

Yeah and those flat antennas suck. Almost all channels these days are UHF, the link I sent above will show if the channels you are looking for are UHF. If so, a UHF only antenna will also yield better results.

 

[Hall]

Without knowing where the local TV towers are, no one can answer this.

 

[macarose]

Go on Youtube. Find Antenna Man.

 

[Leo99]

Without knowing where the local TV towers are, no one can answer this.

All local stations broadcast over the air. You need a newer antenna to receive it. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/High-Gain-An...-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[AutoMechanic]

Any TV would be fine for your case. As for channels with an antenna I recommend the app AntennaPoint I used it to determine the antenna for me to get. I ended up with a GE antenna can’t remember the model.

 

[Hall]

All local stations broadcast over the air.

I'm aware. If the OP's local TV stations are 83 miles away, they'd need a different antenna than if the towers were 11 miles away.

You need a newer antenna to receive it. Something like this:

No, you don't. The antenna on that antenna tower on the side of that elderly couple's home that's been there for 48 years will receive OTA TV signals. There's no such thing as a "digital TV antenna" either, that's just marketing gibberish.

 

[opus1]

Any chance there's a master antenna for the building? When I bought my townhouse, there was a master antenna that fed to all of the units in the building.

 

[Paco Pena]

If you are in a strong signal area even a bare length of copper wire will pick it up. You can pick up an inexpensive antennae for a few bucks and if you put it in a good signal direction especially in a window you might be surprised what you can get. Even good ones are reasonably priced compared to cable.

Paco

 

[y_p_w]

All local stations broadcast over the air. You need a newer antenna to receive it. Something like this:

There's nothing specific about digital TV channels that needs any kind of special antenna. Obviously a real outdoor antenna works best, but I see almost none of them these days.

I'm seeing pretty good results with a Phillips branded indoor antenna with rabbit ears and a loop.

https://www.target.com/p/philips-modern-hd-passive-antenna-black/-/A-53242267

My dad bought this tiny little thing that needs to connect to a USB-A power source. Tried extending it with a USB power adapter and a cable with a splitter (could have also used a cable extender) and it didn't really help. The Phillips passive antenna is much better and resists interference better. Someone walking next to the antenna can cause the signal to go batty.

 

[Leo99]

There's nothing specific about digital TV channels that needs any kind of special antenna. Obviously a real outdoor antenna works best, but I see almost none of them these days.

I'm seeing pretty good results with a Phillips branded indoor antenna with rabbit ears and a loop.

https://www.target.com/p/philips-modern-hd-passive-antenna-black/-/A-53242267

My dad bought this tiny little thing that needs to connect to a USB-A power source. Tried extending it with a USB power adapter and a cable with a splitter (could have also used a cable extender) and it didn't really help. The Phillips passive antenna is much better and resists interference better. Someone walking next to the antenna can cause the signal to go batty.

I guess I was taken in by the marketing hype they announced they were no longer going to broadcast regular TV OTA and switching to HD OTA.

 

[SC Maintenance]

GE model 48732 antenna. I bought an inexpensive flat antenna and it worked so-so even with a booster

Are you using it indoors or out? Says its water resistant?

I bought years ago a boosted loop antenna with rabbit ears. It would get nothing indoors. Tried moving it outdoors and I got a couple. I am about 30 miles, but there are also lots of trees. Maybe this thing outdoors would help. I am not willing to put up a giant antenna outside but I could maybe mount something like that to the eaves or something?

 

[97prizm]

Are you using it indoors or out? Says its water resistant?

I bought years ago a boosted loop antenna with rabbit ears. It would get nothing indoors. Tried moving it outdoors and I got a couple. I am about 30 miles, but there are also lots of trees. Maybe this thing outdoors would help. I am not willing to put up a giant antenna outside but I could maybe mount something like that to the eaves or something?

This is indoors near a window. Picks up 50% more channels than my old just flat antenna. I've been really surprised.

 

[y_p_w]

I guess I was taken in by the marketing hype they announced they were no longer going to broadcast regular TV OTA and switching to HD OTA.

They're just reusing the same VHF and UHF frequencies that were used for analog TV. VHF does OK with rabbit ears and UHF needs a loop antenna.

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Television_Frequencies

I do remember when I had audio receivers or tuners, FM worked OK with a wire antenna, but AM needed a loop antenna in the back. FM audio uses a small portion of the VHF spectrum. I also had a few radios that used to be able to receive TV audio when it was analog.

An outdoor antenna would be ideal. I remember when Radio Shack used to sell really good ones.