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

OTA DTv	- is FREE
You need	- an Antenna - a Digital Television - or tuner / viewing device
Get	- Major Networks - Local TV Stations - Entertainment Channels
Resolution	- Ultra High Definition (UHD / 4k TV) - High Definition (HD) - Standard Definition (SD)
Audio	- Multi Channel Surround Sound - Stereo - Mono
Information	- TV Channel, Network, - Program/Guide, Rating - Resolution, Audio Type - Signal Strength, RF Channel
CC	- Closed Caption

Most TV stations broadcast a High Definition (HD) signal (ATSC 1.0). A few stations broadcast an Ultra High Definition (UHD) signal (ATSC 3.0), a UHD (4k) NextGen television is needed for reception. A few UHD TV channels are encrypted () and Content Protected. Most stations that broadcast a UHD signal also simulcast an HD signal on a different RF channel and usually from a different tower. The TV channels (displayed) stay the same, but your TV may need to be rescanned. Currently the number of UHD broadcast is small, and not growing very fast.

Nationwide Broadcast

BROADCAST SIGNAL	Channels		Market Cities
	TV	RF
HD ATSC 1.0	30,000+	7000+	500+
UHD 4k ATSC 3.0	440	122	90

76 UHD TV channels are encrypted
August 2023

Televisions that get over-the-air broadcast will have an ATSC 1.0 tuner for HD signals, or an ATSC 3.0 tuner for UHD and HD signals. The television will also have on the back or side a coax connector labeled RF In or Ant or Antenna. You will need to setup your television for over-the-air reception after you connect an antenna.

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 .

Picture resolution is as good as or better than cable or satellite TV. Cable and satellite operators often compress local channels before re-broadcasting. The compression reduces picture quality. Compressing signals opens up more bandwidth and allows providers to squeeze in more channels nobody watches.

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

Smart Televisions
These televisions can be connected to the Internet for streaming video. Many HD TV's and all UHD (4k) NextGen TV's have this feature.

UHD (4k) NextGen TELEVISIONS
ATSC 3.0 Standard
Some broadcast use the ATSC 3.0 Standard to transmit an Ultra High Definition (UHD) 2160 ppi (4k), HD, or SD, signal. The signal also has enhanced audio and better reception. Some TV channels have additional content and video (optional) from an internet connection.

Encrypted TV Channels
Some UHD TV channels are encrypted. Televisions (UHD) 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.

There are 2 types of encryption;

• Digital Rights Management (DRM)
  Also referred to as Content Protection.
  • Programs that can be recorded can only be replayed from the DVR / Tuner that recorded it.
  • Broadcasters have the option to prevent recording, or set an expiration date on a recording.
  • Prevents rebroadcasting.
• Subscription Service
  Not currently used.
  This is pay TV, by the month or by the program(s). An Internet connection is required to download a decryption key as often as needed. The legality is in question. Spectrum allocated for TV broadcast is mandated by the Federal government to be Free for anyone to receive.
  
  Evoca TV network tried selling a monthly subscription service for $25 per month from January to December of 2022. They had stations in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Michigan. The service had local channels, some cable channels, and RSN's (Regional Sports Network). They didn't generate enough revenue to sustain operations and shut down on December 31st, 2022.

SUMMARY

High Definition (HD) televisions can not decode a UHD broadcast signal. A NextGen UHD (4k) TV will decode both UHD and HD signals. A TV channel in UHD has 2 to 3 times higher resolution compared to High Definition. A screen size less than about 40 inches diagonal will not see much if any difference between a UHD and HD picture.

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 network identification.

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

RF CHANNEL
The broadcast RF channel is the signal your antenna receives and television processes. Broadcast channels will be in either the VHF or UHF frequency band. Each RF channel carries 1 to 10 or more TV channels. The broadcast signal modulation uses either the HD (ATSC 1.0) or UHD (ATSC 3.0) 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 network sub channel (e.g. 59-3 or 59.3). A TV channel will have a fixed maximum resolution of 480 (SD), 720 or 1080 (HD), or 2160 4k (UHD) for NextGen UHD televisions.

* During the transition from analog to digital virtually all existing stations kept their old analog channel number as their station TV channel main (first) number.

FREQUENCY BANDS
Virtually all home antennas sold today are designed to receive UHF signals. Many antennas get both UHF (RF 14-51) and VHF (RF 2-13), two antennas are built into one assembly. In some cases a UHF antenna will receive a VHF signal at reduced power, but still strong enough for reception. Most TV broadcast are in the UHF band, 80% nationwide. Also see Tech section / Frequency.

ANTENNA RANGE
The antenna type (gain) is a major factor that determines range.

ANTENNA DIRECTION
Your antenna should be pointed in the direction of the broadcast towers, and have a relatively clear path to the towers. TV signals are Line-of-Sight, large obstructions (hills, buildings, trees) can reduce or block reception.

OUTDOOR TV ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITED
The Federal Communications Commission prohibits outdoor TV antenna restrictions.

Masts higher than 12 feet above the roofline may be subject to local permitting requirements for safety purposes.

• 2017 Spectrum Auction Results.
• St Louis area TV Stations.

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