Spruce Creek South | Over-the-Air Antenna

All U.S. full-power analog TV broadcasts were required by law to end on June 12, 2009 and switch to digital TV broadcasts.

Why is digital TV better than analog?

Digital TV signals are more efficient technology. A digital transmission requires less bandwidth when compared to a similar Analog signal. This allows a television station to broadcast more channels and more High Definition (HD) channels over the same airwaves, giving you more variety of programming with better quality.

In simplistic terms, each Network Broadcast Channel is assigned a frequency to transmit their programming. Let’s call that frequency a pipe that has a certain diameter. The Digital TV signal is like a dimmer control, the higher the quality of the program, the more room in the pipe is needed to be broadcast, the lower the quality, the more channels the broadcaster can transmit within that pipe. As a result in the Over-the-Air (OTA) broadcast channels now have segmented sub channels.

Example: receiving CBS on channel 6, the digital designation is 6.1 (1080i HD). 6.2 Dabl Television Network (480 Standard Definition [SD] basically the equivalent of traditional television broadcasts) is an American lifestyle-oriented digital multicast television network owned by the CBS Television Distribution subsidiary of ViacomCBS. 6.3 Cozi TV Television Network (480 SD) and so on.

Since moving to Spruce Creek South in December of 2018, I’ve set down this path to educate myself on the way to receive Network Broadcast Channel Over-the Air and have found it’s not as easy in more suburban areas but definitely achievable.

Some technical information:

4K vs. UHD: What’s the Difference?

Moving to Spruce Creek South in December of 2018 from, let’s say, a larger city and cut the cord back in 2015. Even in larger cities, the ability to cut the cord and reliably receive Network Broadcast Stations is a challenge. The fact is, if you’re not close to a transmitting tower your ability to receive broadcast network stations decline as the distance from the tower increases.

Contrary to the previous analog transmission of broadcast network stations, digital transmission obstacles include the curvature of the earth, walls, frequency interference from small engines and LED lighting. Even fog will disrupt your ability to reliably receive Network Broadcast Stations.

The higher the antenna, the more broadcast network stations you will receive and better the quality and stability of the signal.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule  rule (47 C.F.R. Section 1.4000) has been in effect since October 1996, and it prohibits restrictions that impair the installation, maintenance or use of antennas used to receive video programming.  The rule applies to video antennas including direct-to-home satellite dishes that are less than one meter (39.37″) in diameter (or of any size in Alaska), TV antennas, and wireless cable antennas.  The rule prohibits most restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal.

The rule applies to individuals who place antennas that meet size limitation of less than one meter (39.37″) in diameter on property that they own or rent and that is within their exclusive use or control, including condominium owners and cooperative owners, and tenants who have an area where they have exclusive use, such as a balcony or patio, in which to install the antenna.  The rule applies to townhomes and manufactured homes, as well as to single family homes.

Advanced Satellite & Antenna Service is a family owned business located in Ocala who install over-the-air antennas here in Spruce Creek South.

From their website:

Established in 1996 we are family owned and operated and specialize in Dish Network and DirecTV satellite systems for your home or small business. We also provide HDTV off air antenna systems using high quality equipment such as Channel Master and Winegard. We also carry a full line of SONY,LG and Samsung televisions and products. We believe in customer satisfaction and have experts standing by 7 days a week from 8am-8pm to help you with your television questions and solutions.

(352) 694-7977

http://advancedsatellites.com/

*** My recommendation is that you insure to have Advanced Satellite & Antenna Service install a lightning rod to the antenna mast and/or properly ground the mast to the house electrical ground. ***

August 11, 2021

Posting Advanced Satellite & Antenna Service to install a over-the-air antenna, I felt some responsibility, although I take no responsibility, when a resident of Spruce Creek South committed to have them install the antenna. Contacted Advanced Satellite & Antenna Service before their appointment to insure the installer would have the correct equipment to insure it was done up to, from my experience and research, my expectations, not the paying customer whom had never had an antenna installed. When speaking to Mike and Shelley, the owners of the company, a year ago and again speaking to Shelley and the installer, Jimbo, at no time was it conveyed that the price quoted did not include taxes or that the quoted price was “plus taxes.” We’ll get back to that.

Committed to the installer Jimbo and the resident that I would be there for the installation to observe.

Advanced Satellite & Antenna Service provided the antenna, antenna mast, signal booster, coaxial lightning suppressor, coaxial, grounding block and wire, hooking up to a single TV.

Have to say that when Jimbo arrived, he was very professional, had the equipment and tools needed to install the antenna quickly and efficiently as possible. As noted above of the porous nature of the land here in Spruce Creek South, I do not feel that sticking the mast in the ground, mounting to the eve of the house was a long-term good way to install the mast. (When erecting my first outdoor antenna here in Spruce Creek South, I did just that and when replacing mast with the final one used today, I found that the mast had sunk in the ground, resulting in the eve mount supporting the mast bending down as the mast sunk into the ground and the reason for me to put the concrete block under my mast, as pictured above.) Although Jimbo, after speaking with him the previous day wanted to do just that, I insisted that he mount it on a 12″x12″x2″ concrete pad. He did not want to do that but did agree to dig a hole for the mast and pour concrete around the mast. Just like a fence post, which we agreed to use that avenue.

Instead of mounting the coaxial lightning suppressor on the mast, Jimbo chose to install it inside the cable box. Inquiring that the cable would be grounded but not the that mast, he would need to ground the mast, at which he replied that would be an additional charge. ?Really? He was told that ground the mast and coaxial cable was included in the installation price, he took a self tapping screw into the mast and wrapped the ground wire around it. (Additional charge?)

After the mast was installed and properly grounded I observed that there was no cap on the hollow mast. Concerned of water accumulating inside the mast asked if there was a cap for the mast. Nope. Asked to have a hole drilled into the mast to drain at least some of the water.

For the most part it was a great experience until paying the bill and, surprise,  “plus taxes.” Hey, I understand that taxes have to be paid. It just seems up here in Central Florida you have to be aware of these cavorts. Most seniors are on fixed incomes and to have an antenna installed is not a inexpensive project. Every dollar is budgeted. Although this particular installation was relatively easy. No running coaxial cable throughout the house, climbing in the attic or determining where to place the antenna. Placement was predetermined specifically in mind of ease of access to both the cable box and the grounding rod of the house. Between the “additional charge” and then when contacting Mike the owner conveying the issue that “plus taxes” was NEVER mentioned and him complaining about his problems of being audited, it is obvious of the short game.

Instead of accepting the fact of taxes never being disclosed, Mike made an exceptional experience a bad one.