How To Get Free TV In Rural Areas

Five Star Outdoor Digital Amplified Hdtv Antenna

GREATEST DISTANCE

With the ability to capture signals from up to 200 miles away, the Five Star Outdoor Digital Amplified HDTV Antenna is a good option for anyone really living out in the sticks. In addition to its impressive distance, this family home-ready antenna can also supply up to five individual TVs out of the box. Youll also find a motorized mechanism which allows the device to turn about 360 degrees to maximize reception of the DTV/VHF/UHF signals. Additionally, this positively reviewed antenna is made from waterproofed material to withstand whatever the world throws at it.

How To Get Fast Internet In Rural Areas: Why Arent Isps Investing In Infrastructure

Broadband infrastructure has costs associated to it which Internet service providers are not yet willing to spend. Broadband lobby groups are arguing that Internet service is similar to utilities such as electricity, gas distribution, roads, and water and sewer networks. So, the government should give ISPs more money.

Free Satellite TV Scams

You might have come here looking for information on how to get free satellite TV programming – the kind that usually requires a subscription from DirectTV, Dish Network or some other commercial satellite TV provider. I’ve written about the “Satellite TV on PC” scam — software that promises to give you access to thousands of premium satellite TV stations on your PC for a one-time cost of $49. Don’t fall for it. These “free satellite tv downloads” will NOT get you free MTV, VH1, or any other subscription satellite channels. Read my related article Free Satellite TV on PC for the whole story. There are similar scams advertising gadgets that promise to give free access to cable TV shows.

You’ve also may have heard there are special satellite receivers you can use, along with ‘FTA keys’ that are downloaded from various and nefarious sources on the Internet, and that this will enable you to decode and view those encrypted premium channels.

That might be true. But even if I had that kind of information, I’m not here to explain how to illegally pirate a satellite or cable television signal. The little bit I’ve read on that topic leads me to believe that it’s rather geeky, and requires a constant effort to stay one step ahead of both the satellite providers and law enforcement. I’d much rather pay for my subscription, sleep well at night, and not have to bother with loading a string of hexadecimal digits into my set top box before every show.

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Multidirectional Or Directional Antennas

Multidirectional antennas are designed to pick up signals from any direction. Theyre typically flat, shaped like rectangular sheets or discs that can be easily mounted on a window. If mounted properly, they can tune into any station within range, regardless of whether the stations positioned north, south, east, or west.

Multidirectional antennas are the most common kind of TV antenna. Almost all indoor antennas are multidirectional, and many outdoor antennas are as well. Theyre easy to set up, and dont require knowing where each station is. They arent perfect, though multidirectional antennas are weaker than directional antennas, so their ranges are much shorter.

Directional antennas are, well, directional. They tend to be shaped like fins, arrows, or tubes, and need to be pointed toward the stations theyre tuned to. This means they need to be adjusted to properly get signals from stations, so youll need to plan carefully when mounting them. Their ranges can be much, much farther than multidirectional antennas, though, letting you tune into weaker and more distant stations if the antenna is pointing at them.

Directional antennas generally must be mounted outside, so theyre better suited for houses than apartments. Pointing toward the station isnt nearly as effective if the antenna is blocked by a wall.

With that in mind, we’ve selected a variety of the best antennas you can use for a number of different scenarios.

Antennas Direct Clearstream 4v TV Antenna

MOST VERSATILE

The Antennas Direct ClearStream 4V TV Antenna claims to be the best in its class. It can be mounted inside or outside your home and is capable of receiving full HD and 4K signals. The device includes a built-in amplifier and comes with a 20-inch mast with a pivoting base to accommodate both horizontal and vertical mounting. The antenna also comes in a number of different models depending on the distance from your home to the signal source. One thing to note about this well-reviewed antenna is that it is not supplied with any additional coax cable.

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Watch Local Channels Online

You may be able to watch your local channels online from your computer if you have Internet access.

Big local stations such as:

• CBS
• NBC
• ABC

Often offer free online viewing of the shows they air. However, the ability to live stream shows on national networks such as these may or may not be available to you depending on different factors.

For instance, when I tried to watch live shows on ABC from my home computer, the site told me that live streaming wasnt available in my area.

Other sites, such as CBS, offer free viewing of some shows as well as a live streaming service that allows you to watch all local CBS shows from your computer at home.

Paramount+ , for example, offers live streaming of their channel starting at $4.99 per month. However, the service may or may not be available in your area.

Best Rural Cable Internet: Xfinity

Max download speeds: 502,000 MbpsData caps: 1,200 GB

• Limited availability in rural areas
• Degraded signal over distance

The best internet service most rural areas can hope for is cable, and Xfinity has the widest availability of them all. The Comcast-owned company has coaxial lines running through 40 states, with particularly thorough coverage of the Rockies.

Unfortunately, cable internet from any brand is a rarity in most rural areasso if its available within your ZIP code, we recommend it, especially if its Xfinity. Youll get nearly all of Xfinitys internet plans if youre fortunate enough to have rural Xfinity coverage, and the provider has maximum download speeds of 1.2 Gbps.

One big but: the downside of cable internet from any provider is the fact that the data doesnt travel long distances well. The farther away from a cable providers service point you are, the more degraded the signal that eventually reaches you. So even if you can get cable service, it may be weaker and slower version than advertised.

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How We Tested The TV Antennas

Much like real estate, how well a TV antenna works is based on location, location and location.

We tested the antennas in two main locations: in midtown Manhattan just a half-mile from the broadcast antennas on the Empire State Building — albeit obscured by other buildings — and in suburban New Jersey, 9 miles from the closest broadcast towers. Depending on your location, you might receive broadcasts from multiple antennas. Hills or large buildings in the way will have an effect on frequency range and reception of TV channels.

We situated each antenna in the same spot and connected it to the Channel Master DVR Plus, which gives signal strength data as well as a total channel count. We used two different metrics to determine which TV antenna performed best. The first was a raw measure of the number of channels it could detect, while the second involved a number of predetermined “problem channels.” For these, we consulted a list of channels culled from various forums, for both testing areas, and gauged how well the antennas pulled in each channel.

Move The Antenna Outside

Antennas such as the Antop TV antenna can be used both indoors and outdoors. When you place it indoors, depending on the obstacles, the signal-pulling capacity of the device is hampered greatly.

You can try hoisting the antenna on a mast on your roof. If you’re using an RCA, check the app to know where the signal is the strongest.

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Byone Amplified Outdoor Antenna With Omni

as of October 2, 2021 1:15 pm

Features

• New Concept Design Modern and upgraded outdoor antenna, the compact size reduces wind load, providing much better signal reliability on windy or rainy days. Anti-UV coating and waterproof/snowproof design allow shielding for minimum interference
• 360 Degree Omni-directional Reception Receive signal from all directions, no need to rotate, no need the remote control as traditional huge outdoor antennas required to change the receiving direction for better signal. The receiving ability and materials are far better than Yagi antennas
• Save Your Installation Fee Tools-free and easier installation. Compared with big size traditional yagi antenna, this modern antenna is much easier to install by our included accessories
• Never Pay Expensive Cable or Satellite Fees again 1byone Omni-directional tv antenna can pull in all of your local news, sitcom, kids and sports programs in full HD to any digital-ready TV, VHF/UHF/FM, VHF: 87.5-230MHz UHF: 470-862MHz
• Longer Cable, Easier Setup Our included 20-foot coaxial cable makes it easy for you to place the amplified antenna in the area with the best reception, especially useful for customers whose TV’s are not near windows

Features:

• Built-in Amplified Antenna Gain: 21-23dB for VHF 26-28dB for UHF
• Impedance for this antenna is 75
• Power Supply Input is AC 110V 60Hz
• Power Supply Output is DC 12V 100mA
• Comes with a 24-month warranty.

Antennas Direct Clearstream 2v TV Antenna

For a 60-mile TV antenna, the ClearStream packs a lot of punch in this sophisticated device. It comes with exclusive VHF & UHF elements that provide quality reception and range in rural areas.

This 2V antenna can help you save your budget on entertainment. Cable TV and satellite TV cost a handsome amount of money, even before you subscribe to the streaming services.

But TV antennas receive those signals for free, and only the best indoor antenna for rural areas deliver those hyped shows in remarkable quality.

That’s right the Antennas Direct ClearStream can not only pull signals from a 60-mile range but also deliver a picture-perfect 1080p resolution!

Multipath interference, compression, and other factors that decrease the picture quality in cable TV are no match for this bad boy.

Moreover, most rural regions are not in close proximity to broadcast towers. And then, there are thick foliage and different roofing materials that can dwindle down the antenna’s reception quality. But this robust antenna by Antennas Direct responds to a wide frequency range.

Additionally, the accommodating beam angle is wide enough, which makes it possible for you to sit back, relax, and not rotate the panel at all!

Highlighted Features

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Amazon Fire TV Recast

Our list of “problem” channels in Manhattan was WABC 7.1 , WNET 13.1 , WPIX 11.1 and WNJB 58.1 . In addition we added popular channels CBS 2.1, WNBC 4 , and WNYW 5 .

While the results will vary depending on where you live and how far you are from TV towers, we found that the best-performing models received more of the most popular channels as well as local channels and additional radio broadcasts and Spanish-language stations.

Most of the TV antennas are based on the same rectangular design, but there was one important consideration: the cable. Did the antenna have a long, high-performance coaxial cable or, even better, a detachable one? You’ll be sticking one of these in your window, which could be a long way from your TV, so longer is better.

It’s worth noting that some of these antennas — the 1byOne and the Channel Master Smartenna Plus — include gain-boosting amplifiers. While the 1byOne will also work without the amp attached, the Channel Master won’t. Based on our experiences in a number of locations, however, amplifiers offer a wildly unpredictable signal strength benefit. If you can’t get TV reception with an indoor antenna, a gain amp may not actually help you, and in other cases, it could make your reception worse by overloading channels that already have a strong signal.

Several antennas in our list include a powered amplifier, but use thoughtfully, as these may actually make a strong signal worse.

Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For Hdtv Antenna For Rural Areas

Browse the top-ranked list of Hdtv Antenna For Rural Areas below along with associated reviews and opinions.

Browse the top-ranked list of Hdtv Antenna For Rural Areas below along with associated reviews and opinions.

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Rca Outdoor Yagi Satellite Hd TV Antenna

BEST OVERALL

The RCA Outdoor Yagi Satellite HD TV Antenna is a tried-and-tested answer to receiving bill-free channels, including CBS, NBC, FOX and ABC. The antenna comes backed by over 7,500 five-star ratings from Amazon users and can receive signals up to a maximum distance of 70 miles away. The device sports a pre-assembled design to minimize the amount of installation required. It also features a durable design which is great for either attic or outdoor mounting.

Antennas Direct 8 Element Bowtie The Bad

The only issue with this antenna is the range. Having only 45-miles as the range means that those that live rurally will not get much use out of this unit.

The lack of range will not affect everyone, and those that are about to take advantage of the benefits of this piece will find themselves with a high-quality receiving piece of equipment that looks kind of cool too.

Antennas Direct 8 Element Bowtie Cons

• Only le range45-mi

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Viewtv Outdoor Amplified Antenna The Bad

Some people may want an antenna that can be used both indoors and outdoors, but that is not what this antenna is all about. So, if that is something you are looking for, then you need to keep reading.

The only other drawback of this unit is that you will have to purchase a mounting rod separately, which makes this not as budget-friendly as other options.

Even with the few issues that have arisen this antenna is still an excellent choice for anyone looking for rural television capabilities that offer high-quality HD options.

ViewTV Outdoor Amplified Antenna Cons

• Not suitable for anything but outdoor use
• Mounting rod not included

What Internet Speed Can I Get In Rural Areas

You can usually get internet speeds of at least 25 Mbps from satellite internet providers HughesNet or Viasat in rural areas, although 12 Mbps or slower is the fastest available speed in some rural locations. The fastest internet speeds of 1 Gbps and higher are from fiber and cable providers, which arent available in rural areas.

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Best TV Antenna For Rural Areas

By Cristian González | 16/05/2021 · Best Products

If you are looking for the best tv antenna for rural areas, you have come to the right place. The perfect TV antenna gives you the ability to watch your favorite shows and movies in the best quality. Long-range TV antennas are necessary for a flawlessly crisp picture in rural areas.

Most Dear editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Learn more.

We chose the best antenna for rural areas based on mile range, indoor and outdoor usage, price, and performance. Based on our research and customer reviews, here are the best three TV antennas for rural areas.

Factors To Consider While Purchasing A TV Antenna

Just knowing the best TV antennas present in the market is not enough you need to know which TV antenna is best for you. To find out which TV antenna can actually meet your requirements, you need to know the major features that you should consider in an antenna.

In the buying guide, we have compiled the key features that you should be checking in an antenna to know if you should be buying it or not.

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Are There Enough Digital Broadcast Stations In Your Area

Your first step is to go to TVFool.com and determine how many local digital broadcast stations are in your area: www.tvfool.com And click the link: “Check Your Address for Free TV” Enter your local data to receive a simple, intuitive chart of the local TV stations, as well as the compass direction to each . With a medium-size rooftop rotating antenna, you will able to view all of the line-of-sight television stations in the green and yellow of the TV Fool channel listing chart -without the use of an external signal amplifier. Line-of-sight means that the transmitter tower of the television station are visible from your rooftop antenna, even if binoculars are required to actually see each transmitter tower. Local line-of-sight stations are noted by a “LOS” under the “Path” column, of the television listing’s “Signal” column. After doing this, some have opted for free digital broadcast, with as few as only two or three television stations in their remote, rural area, and dropped their cable TV subscriptions. If the broadcast television stations plotted on the circular chart are from more than one direction from your home, then you’ll also need to install an outdoor antenna rotator with an indoor consol .