Many are not aware of how much free TV is available using a TV
antenna. There is a handy site that lets you know how many TV
channels you can expect to see using an antenna. There is some
overlap of stations and some not in English or for shopping
only, but there is variety. A number of local stations have
begun adding sub-channels, such as Laff, PBS, CW Network,
Escape, GRIT, Cozi, Retro TV, Movies!, Go, ME TV, This TV,
Justice Network, Weather, Bounce, and more. In fact, there are
over 130 new, free, over-the-air stations coming during the next
year.
Obviously all antennas
are not equal and outdoor are better than indoor for receiving
more stations. LINK
By typing in my zip
code, I find that there are 112 free over the air TV stations,
not including sub-channels available, providing I use the
correct antenna. They are sorted by antenna color code, with the
easiest and cheapest type first.
Yellow - A Small
Multi-Directional Antenna is recommended in Yellow color code
areas. Signal strength is highest, so small antennas that
receive signals equally well in all directions work very well.
Indoor antennas work very well in Yellow color code areas, which
are usually 10 to 15 miles from the TV station transmitter. Many
indoor antennas have a range from 30 to 50 miles.
Green - A Medium
Multi-Directional Antenna is recommended in Green color code
areas. Signal strength is still good, but weaker than in yellow
areas. An amplified indoor antenna may also work in Green color
code areas, which can be up to 30 miles from the TV station
transmitter.
Light Green - A Large
Multi-Directional or Small Directional Antenna is recommended
for Light Green color code areas. Signal levels are weaker, so a
larger omnidirectional antenna or a directional antenna is
needed to receive signals effectively, which can be up to 30
miles from the TV station transmitter.
Red - A Medium
Directional Antenna is recommended in Red color code areas.
Signal strength is weaker, and directional antennas are needed
to pick up signals. These are the most popular antenna types due
to their modest size and effectiveness 30 to 45 miles from the
TV transmitter site.
Blue - A Medium
Directional Antenna with an Antenna Preamplifier or a Large
Directional Antenna is recommended for Blue color code areas.
Signals are weaker, so larger antennas or antennas with
amplification are needed to receive TV signals effectively. TV
antennas in the blue color code area may also need to be
installed on a tower or high rooftop to pick up distant
channels, which can be 45 to 60 miles from the TV station
transmitter.
Violet - A Large
Directional Antenna with an Antenna Preamplifier is recommended
for Violet color code areas. These are areas farthest from the
TV station transmitting towers, and need the largest antennas
and best preamplifiers to pick up TV signals effectively, which
can be 60 miles or more from the TV station transmitter. TV
antennas in the Violet color code area may also need to be
installed on a tower or high rooftop to pick up distant
channels.