Cord Cutters Guide To Free TV



Cord Cutters Guide To Free TV

Paying high monthly fees for Local TV Channels?

Here is what you need  for the ultimate install to watch Free TV from an over the air antenna in 5 easy steps. Installing an antenna system is easy, just don't fall off the roof!



1. A Basic TV Antenna
Unless you live really close to major urban areas without any obstructions, you may be able to get by with a smaller antenna connected directly to your TV. Antennas like the Mohu Leaf, or cheap Rabbit ears can do the trick.

Click here to learn which over the air channels come in by antenna for your area


If you scan your HD channels and come up blank. Don't automatically give up or assume you can't receive any free over the air channels. A larger antenna like a Winegard HD7084 can mean the difference between no free TV or a handful of your local network channels like CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and FOX in beautiful crystal clear HD. You want to place this type of antenna as high in your attic or up on a roof as possible for the best signal.

 Before you begin installing your antenna, you may already have a wire going to your TV set you can use from an unused DirectTV or Dish Network Satellite Dish. Simply remove your old dish, and install the antenna onto the existing pole. Hook the old wire to your new antenna and watch free TV and your done. You can rotate it and rescan to try and maximize your signal on weak or distant channels or buy a antenna rotator.  Otherwise proceed to Step 2.
2. Premium Cable TV Wiring
Your picture on your TV will only be as good as the wires carrying the signal from your antenna back to your television. Most older homes use the cheaper RG58 75 Ohm cables from back in the analog cable TV days. This skinny cheap coax wire was fine for back then, but now you need to use a better shielded wire for carrying the digital signal from your antenna to your television set. Some of the best wiring you can use now is Quad Shielded RG6.








  • High performance RG6 cable (also referred to as RG6/U cable, RG-6/U cable or RG-6 cable) for connecting a cable television (CATV), VCR, satellite receiver, cable box, digital router, cable modem, antenna, or other devices with RG6 F-type coaxial (RG6 F-pin coaxial) port
  • Quad shielded RG6 coax cable is the perfect choice for DirectTV and Dish Network systems at up to 3 GHz
  • Convenient and cost-effective 3-pack TV cables provide spare or replacement digital coaxial cables for different systems. Low profile metallic connectors ensure a secure connection and increase durability
  • Heavy quad-shielding consists of four layers of aluminum foil and braid shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI)
  • UL Listed RG6 coaxial cable has durable and flexible PVC jacket which complies with the CM and CL2 rating for the fire safety requirements.

It's important to use this same quality coax wire throughout the entire cable run. If you have a wall outlet, make sure to use the same cable and connectors from it to your TV.



3. Compression VS Crimping - High Quality Cable End Connectors
Not all cable ends are created equally. You may have used the cheap crimp on type F connectors in the past and they leave a lot to be desired. Why not wire your TV antenna system like a pro. Get yourself a bag of these compression quad F connectors. Your TV signal will thank you and you will get every last pixel you deserve.

  

You will also need to get a special crimping tool and coax wire stripper to make it easy to install these connectors. This is the same style cable ends professional installers use to install satellite antennas and cable TV systems. If you want the best signal, use the best wiring, cable ends and use the right tools to get the job done.

4. Cable TV Amplifier.
If you are splitting and running the TV cable to multiple televisions or you have a long run of wire going from your roof antenna to your television set, an amplifier will greatly help improve the signal.

 One highly recommended TV signal amplifier is made by Motorola and it is also commonly used by cable TV installers to improve TV picture quality. Click here to learn more.

5. Terminate Unused Cables and Splitter Connections
Using a F Type 75 Ohm Terminator on all unused ports for splitters or TV lines will improve your picture quality and keep signal interference at bay. These are cheap and should always be used whenever possible. You came this far to build the perfect home cable TV system, don't scrimp now. For a few bucks you can get a 10 pack here.


SAFETY FIRST
A properly installed antenna is a package deal, by following all five steps outlined in this guide you will have a picture perfect signal that should last trouble free for many years. 

 Just be safe, and if installing an antenna outside be sure to ground it properly for protecting your electronic gear from lightning. You will need to run your coax through a grounding block before it enters your home. From there, run a #10 solid copper wire to this grounding rod sunk 4' into the ground near by.











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