Over the Air Digital TV
and How to Get it
OTA DTv

Get free TV with just an antenna. Pickup major networks, local stations, and a growing number of entertainment channels. Over 100 TV channels are available near large cities, over 70 channels near mid size cities, and over 30 channels near small cities. The number of Over the Air networks keeps on growing.

A TV station will transmit up to a 1000 kilowatt signal over the air (OTA) from a broadcast tower. The station's tower antenna is typically mounted 300 to 2000 feet above the ground. Coverage range varies with tower antenna height and power. Range is typically 60 miles or more for full power stations, to around 30 miles for low power stations. Towers are often concentrated in or near a city. Television transmitters are on an FCC licensed RF channel in either the VHF or UHF Frequency Band. Each RF channel contains 1 to 10 or more TV channels.

BROADCAST TOWER

Over Air TV	- FREE
You need	- Antenna - Digital Television
Receive	- Major Networks - Local TV Stations - Entertainment Channels
Resolution	- Ultra High Definition (UHD) - High Definition (HD) - Standard Definition (SD)
Audio	- Multi Channel Surround Sound - Stereo - Mono
CC	- Closed Caption
Information	- TV Channel, Network, - Program/Guide, Rating - Resolution, Audio Type - Signal Strength, RF Channel

Most TV stations broadcast a High Definition (HD), signal. A few stations broadcast an Ultra High Definition (UHD) signal, a UHD TV (4k NextGen) is needed for reception. Stations that broadcast a UHD signal usually simulcast an HD signal on a different RF channel and usually from a different tower.

Broadcasters have the option to determine when they switch to a UHD signal, there is no deadline. However, a few special interest groups are encouraging the FCC to mandate a switch by a set date, and the sooner the better. The UHD standard allows broadcasters to Content Protect (see below) a TV channel. Currently the number of UHD broadcast is small, and not growing very fast.

Nationwide Broadcast

BROADCAST SIGNAL	Channels		Market Areas
	TV	RF
HD	31,000	7100	500
UHD	460	123	83

99 UHD TV channels Content Protected ()
As of 2023

Televisions that receive over-the-air broadcast will have on the back or side a coax connector labeled RF, Cable/Air, Antenna, or something similar. After connecting an antenna the television will need to be setup for over the air reception.

RECEPTION
All Digital TV's receive a perfect picture or no picture. A signal that is weak but above the TV minimum has the same picture as a strong signal. Signal power that is slightly below the televisions minimum gets a pixilated picture. Just a few decibels (dB's) below the minimum the picture disappears. See TV Minimum Signal .

REMOTE CONTROLS
Televisions come with either a Full Remote or an On Screen Remote. On Screen remotes have fewer buttons and are used to navigate to all selections using the screen. There are no direct control buttons such as numbers to go to a channel, go to previous channel, or view channel info (number, station, program and description).

TELEVISION TYPES
There are 2 basic types of televisions, High Definition (HD) and Ultra High Definition (UHD). A UHD television, also called 4k Next Gen, is required to receive a UHD Broadcast. The television specifications should list the TV System standard.

HD TELEVISIONS
ATSC 1.0 Receiver
An HD BROADCAST maximum resolution will be either 1080 or 720 ppi (pixels per inch). An HD TELEVISION maximum definition (resolution) will be either 1080 or 720 ppi (HD). The television will adjust the broadcast to fit the screen. Many TV channels are in Standard Definition (SD) 480 ppi.

UHD 4k NextGen TELEVISIONS
ATSC 3.0 Receiver
These televisions also receive UHD broadcast signals that can have TV channels in 4k Ultra High Definition (2160 ppi). The signal also has enhanced audio and better reception characteristics.

Content Protected TV Channels
Some UHD signals have one or more TV channels that are Content Protected using the Digital Rights Management (DRM) encryption standard. Programs that can be recorded can only be replayed from the DVR / Tuner that recorded it. Broadcasters can prevent recording, or set an expiration date on a recording. They can also Block the viewer from using Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Ad-Skip.

UHD Televisions manufactured after 2022 should have an authorized tuner with a built-in decryption key. An Internet connection is not required. Televisions without a key should, but might not, be able to get a key by downloading (from the Internet) and installing a software update.

Broadcast Internet
A few UHD broadcast TV channels only contain data to get an Internet stream. The broadcast signal contains pointing data to an Internet stream and display parameters. If the over the air signal OR the Internet stream is lost, the channel is lost.

Also see Digital TV / Television Specs page.

SMART TELEVISIONS
Many HD and all UHD televisions are Smart TV's that are capable of streaming Internet video.

The early Analog TV stations (1947 to 2009) used their FCC licensed RF Channel number as their Station TV channel. One TV channel per RF channel. Digital broadcast can contain multiple TV channels in one RF channel, and use 2 numbers for TV channel.

Over the Air TV has 2 types of channels, broadcast RF channel, and displayed TV channel.

RF CHANNEL
The broadcast RF channel is the signal your antenna receives and television processes. The signal will be in either the VHF or UHF frequency band. The signal modulation format will use either the HD or UHD standard.

TV CHANNEL
Each TV channel, also called virtual channel, has 2 numbers. The first number is the broadcast station TV channel, followed by a sub channel (e.g. 10-3 or 10.3). In numerous cases an RF channel is shared by another broadcaster and will have a different first (main) TV channel number.

An indoor antenna generally works for TV towers within 20 or 25 miles. Obstructions such as hills, structures, and trees will reduce or prevent reception. Outdoor antennas have much greater range, but must be properly installed for best reception. Most antennas are directional and must be pointed in the general direction of the towers. Some antennas come with a built-in or detachable preamp to improve a weak signal. A preamp can be added to any antenna.

OUTDOOR TV ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITED
The FCC prohibits outdoor TV antenna restrictions for mast that are 12 feet or less above the roofline.

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