Cant get any TV channels

[TXDC]

I'm new here and don't even know what all the abreviations are. I haven't been able to get even regular channels since the gov. made TV go digital. I bought a 46" Samsung TV with built-in HD tuner and the little black boxes for the other TVs and I can't even get the local Air channels consistently. I've tried all the digital sattelite companies, but they are just too expensive for me as I am living on my disability/retirement. I'm going nuts and am so angry they took away our analog services. I've been using just a small indoor antenna, but they are worthless. There is a monstrous two story house next to me that blocks my signals. What can I do? What is the most economic way to go to just be able to get all available channels. I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and should be able to get some Air channels, however, most of them are now in Spanish.

 

[Wescopc]

I'm new here and don't even know what all the abreviations are. I haven't been able to get even regular channels since the gov. made TV go digital. I bought a 46" Samsung TV with built-in HD tuner and the little black boxes for the other TVs and I can't even get the local Air channels consistently. I've tried all the digital sattelite companies, but they are just too expensive for me as I am living on my disability/retirement. I'm going nuts and am so angry they took away our analog services. I've been using just a small indoor antenna, but they are worthless. There is a monstrous two story house next to me that blocks my signals. What can I do? What is the most economic way to go to just be able to get all available channels. I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and should be able to get some Air channels, however, most of them are now in Spanish.

You will probably get more help with your question over here:
Digital Over the Air (OTA)
Bob

 

[Mr Tony]

moved thread to the OTA section

 

[jmc98]

I'm new here and don't even know what all the abreviations are. I haven't been able to get even regular channels since the gov. made TV go digital. I bought a 46" Samsung TV with built-in HD tuner and the little black boxes for the other TVs and I can't even get the local Air channels consistently. I've tried all the digital sattelite companies, but they are just too expensive for me as I am living on my disability/retirement. I'm going nuts and am so angry they took away our analog services. I've been using just a small indoor antenna, but they are worthless. There is a monstrous two story house next to me that blocks my signals. What can I do? What is the most economic way to go to just be able to get all available channels. I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and should be able to get some Air channels, however, most of them are now in Spanish.

in west fort worth i can get 15 to 20 channels using an indoor antenna with amplification and if i get lucky i can get most all of them can you put the antenna outside if so look into getting this antenna winegard hd1080 it a small unit and should work perfect for you

 

[boba]

I'm new here and don't even know what all the abreviations are. I haven't been able to get even regular channels since the gov. made TV go digital. I bought a 46" Samsung TV with built-in HD tuner and the little black boxes for the other TVs and I can't even get the local Air channels consistently. I've tried all the digital sattelite companies, but they are just too expensive for me as I am living on my disability/retirement. I'm going nuts and am so angry they took away our analog services. I've been using just a small indoor antenna, but they are worthless. There is a monstrous two story house next to me that blocks my signals. What can I do? What is the most economic way to go to just be able to get all available channels. I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and should be able to get some Air channels, however, most of them are now in Spanish.

Arlington is virtually due west of the broadcast towers on Cedar Hill. You should be able to receive over 50 digital sub channels most still in English. Last year when the transition was taking place there were programs for people like you with disabilities where help was FREE. I don't know if there is anything still in existence. Try contacting channels 4,5,8 or 11 they should be able to refer you to some help receiving their signals.

 

[TheTechGuru]

I'm new here and don't even know what all the abreviations are. I haven't been able to get even regular channels since the gov. made TV go digital. I bought a 46" Samsung TV with built-in HD tuner and the little black boxes for the other TVs and I can't even get the local Air channels consistently. I've tried all the digital sattelite companies, but they are just too expensive for me as I am living on my disability/retirement. I'm going nuts and am so angry they took away our analog services. I've been using just a small indoor antenna, but they are worthless. There is a monstrous two story house next to me that blocks my signals. What can I do? What is the most economic way to go to just be able to get all available channels. I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and should be able to get some Air channels, however, most of them are now in Spanish.

You should be getting tons of channels in the multiplex.

Put your address into this signal finder: TV Fool

You need a outdoor antenna. I think you need a omnidirectional antenna like Winegard MS2002 Metrostar VHF/UHF Amplified Omnidirectional TV Antenna (MS-2002) - Winegard - MS-2002 -

Also, while many places you can get away with a UHF only antenna I believe the metroplex still uses some VHF-Hi signals. I'm thinking WFAA does. So you need your antenna to cover UHF and VHF-Hi, it does not need to cover VHF-Lo as that is no longer used and was given to the public service band I think.

 

[boba]

You should be getting tons of channels in the multiplex.

Put your address into this signal finder: TV Fool

You need a outdoor antenna. I think you need a omnidirectional antenna like Winegard MS2002 Metrostar VHF/UHF Amplified Omnidirectional TV Antenna (MS-2002) - Winegard - MS-2002 -

Also, while many places you can get away with a UHF only antenna I believe the metroplex still uses some VHF-Hi signals. I'm thinking WFAA does. So you need your antenna to cover UHF and VHF-Hi, it does not need to cover VHF-Lo as that is no longer used and was given to the public service band I think.

Use zipcode 76010 on TVFOOL for Arlington, TX. Broadcasters are shown as 11-14 miles away with 30 shown in green, basically all in 1 direction so an omnidirectional antenna would not be a good choice. VHF channels 8/9/11 are still in use so a VHF/UHF antenna is best but a UHF Bow Tie antenna will probably work on the VHF-HI channels at 14 miles.

 

[TheTechGuru]

Use zipcode 76010 on TVFOOL for Arlington, TX. Broadcasters are shown as 11-14 miles away with 30 shown in green, basically all in 1 direction so an omnidirectional antenna would not be a good choice. VHF channels 8/9/11 are still in use so a VHF/UHF antenna is best but a UHF Bow Tie antenna will probably work on the VHF-HI channels at 14 miles.

He is already using a indoor antenna without success.

This should do the trick and it can be bought at most local RadioShack's Antennacraft HBU22 High-VHF/UHF Antenna : Outdoor Antennas | RadioShack.com

 

[Mr Tony]

that HBU22 should work fine. I had one here in Minneapolis (I'm 27 miles away from towers) and it worked fine. Same boat as the OP...2 stations on VHF Hi the rest on UHF
I ended up upgrading to a HBU33 for a couple low powered stations