HD TV Debacle

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Wasn't beefing but trying to emphasize that the cost of HDtv and perephials can get out of hand quickly.:D
 
So I took the plunge before I was flushed.

Back in August I called and got those gubberment coupons and went and bought a converter for ma TV. Brought it home, hooked it up and turned it on. (remember- no cable). Did a scan for available channels and found - 2! Ok, maybe anntenna is crappy so I switched with a better one I had stashed. Channel scan and - 3 channels!

The bulb over my head was starting to glow and now I realize that as much as they talk about those of us that use rabbit ears and analog, its not just a converter box you need - you also need an antenna!

Hit the Wal-Mart and bought a $30 anntenna. Brought it home, hooked it and a channel scan - 3 channels!

Went to Best Buy and bought a $40 antenna. Brought it back, hooked it up and did a scan - 3 channels!

Ok, enough of the generic chain stores. Went to Radio Shack bought a $50 antenna. Brought it back, hooked it up and scanned channels - 4 channels!
(mind you, 3 out of these 4 channels are Christian Worship channels including one in Spanish!)

Now I'm pissed.

I need to know what type of antenna I need and not the advice of some pimpled part-time High School student at Target! The World Wide Web!!!
I do a search on Google and one little thing catches my eye (cheap b@stard that I am :)). A YouTube video on how to make an HD antenna with coat hangers for $5!!!!

So one Sunday with nothing to do I watch the video, write down the particulars and gather up the items. After about 2 hours I have made myself from a 4 foot length of 2x4 wood, an antenna with 16 coathanger pieces sticking every whichaway in my living room. Hook it up and scan the channels------

34 channels!!!!

Now how to explain this to the In-Laws?
 
Hey, I need the link to that YouTube 2X4 and Coat Hanger antenna!!! I too refuse to pay for cable as the little television I watch it is not worth it.
 
Is this what the Antenna looks like? And do I need to wear a Aluminum Foil hat while watching the TV;)
 

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You could probably just mount that puppy straight on the wall, and tell everyone its "modern art". Might even get some offers for it, if you're lucky. :lol:

Have you checked the website Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY ? Haven't searched for HD antenna hacks, but I'm purty sure that if they're anywhere, someone's posted one on there.
 
One thing I notice in that pic, Buck, it loks like the coathangers are coated. The video said to sand off the coating which I did and it worked.
 
:lol:

I'm just glad you non-technical folks are not allowed to redeem multiple HDTV coupons. I was one of the sorry Aholes who actually submitted for a coupon and threw it away hoping in vain that it would reduce the number of gov't handouts.

Alas... twas not to be so. :sad3:
 
Well, here is the link. Have fun! :)

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Actually that is not my antenna, I just pulled the picture off the internet. And no, I'm not sheltered just a cheap bassturd. Why would I pay a bunch of money for a new TV, Cable or Dish, new Antenna when I can rig up some Rube Goldberg device and watch my three or four hours of TV every week?
I'm not a member of the Cheap Bassturds Club for nothing you know;)
 
Its not gonna get all the channels and you have to move it to the best spot. I'm trying to see if other material besides coathangers might have a better reception. But it still is better than the store-bought crap that I got.
 
I wouldn't spend too much on the Antenna project just yet. You may get better reception on many of those channels once all the stations switch over?
 
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