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, and viewers, keeps on growing.

How Over-the-Air TV Works

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 Radio Frequency RF channel in either the VHF or UHF Frequency Band. Each RF channel contains 1 to 20 TV channels.

BROADCAST TOWER
TV Station Antenna up to 1000 kW ERP Range 30 to 60+ Miles RF Channel - VHF or UHF Band TV Channel(s) - HD or UHD Signal Some towers have multiple antennas and RF channels.

Reception
You need --	Antenna VHF / UHF or UHF Band Preamp Optional
--	HD Television - High Definition Signals - Most stations signals are HD
or	UHD NextGen 4k Television - Ultra High Definition - Also receives UHD Signals
Receive --	Local Stations / Legacy Networks Entertainment Networks
Audio --	Surround Sound, Stereo, Mono CC (Closed Caption)
Information --	TV Channel / Network Resolution / Audio Type Program / Guide / Rating Signal Power / RF Channel

HD and UHD Broadcast Signals

Most TV stations broadcast a High Definition HD (ATSC 1.0) signal. A few stations broadcast an Ultra High Definition UHD (ATSC 3.0) signal. A Next Gen 4k UHD television is required for reception. Some UHD TV channels are Content Protected (see below). Stations that broadcast a UHD signal usually simulcast an HD signal on a different RF channel and usually from a different tower.

UHD broadcast started increasing in 2020, but greatly slowed in 2024. Less than 2% of TV channels use a UHD signal. There is not much public interest. However interest in HD broadcast, and the number of channels, is growing, especially as streaming prices go up. Also see Digital TV / TV Types.

US Broadcast

SIGNAL	TV Channels	Markets
HD ATSC 1.0	31,640	526
UHD ATSC 3.0	537*	84 39 States

* 145 Channels are Content Protected .
31 December 2024

Digital Television

Televisions that receive over-the-air TV will have on the back or side a coax connector for an antenna. After connecting an antenna you need to go to the TV Menu and Scan for Channels. It may take a minute or more to complete the scan. Sometimes when a TV station adds a new channel the TV will need to be rescanned.

TV COAX CONNECTOR
- LABEL - Air / Cable Antenna DTV/TV RF

Setup TV for Over the Air
1 - Go to: TV MENU 2 - Go to: Channel Setup 3 - Select: Air or Antenna 4 - Select: Scan for Channels

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 .

TELEVISIONS TYPES
HD and UHD 4k Next Gen

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

Smart Televisions
Many HD and all UHD televisions are Smart TV's that can stream Internet video. Many have additional features that can increase security risks. See Smart Televisions.

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

Content Protected TV Channels
Some UHD broadcast stations have one or more TV channels that are Content Protected using the Digital Rights Management (DRM) encryption standard. Broadcasters can prevent recording, or set an expiration date on a recording. Programs that can be recorded can only be replayed from the DVR / Tuner that recorded it. Broadcasters can also Block the viewer from using Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Ad-Skip. Some televisions made before 2022 may not have a decryption key, but you should be able to download and install an update.

Broadcast Internet
A few UHD TV channels require an Internet connection. The TV channel is interactive and gives the viewer more options. It also allows broadcasters to track viewers. An over the air signal AND Internet connection are required to get the channel.

Also see Digital TV / Television Types page.

TV and RF Channels

The early Analog TV stations (1947 to 2009) used their FCC licensed RF Channel number as their TV channel. One TV channel per RF channel. A Digital Broadcast RF channel can contain multiple TV channels. A TV channel has 2 numbers, the first number is the station main number, the second number is the sub channel. The main number is the old analog TV channel number for stations that use to be analog. It may or may not (probably not) be the same as the broadcast RF channel number.

RF CHANNEL
The Radio Frequency RF Channel represents the TV station broadcast frequency. The RF Channel will be in either the VHF or UHF frequency band. The signal modulation format will use either the HD or UHD standard. A Next Gen 4k TV is required for a UHD signal. Each RF channel contains 1 to 20 TV channels.

TV CHANNEL
Each TV channel, also called virtual channel , has 2 numbers. The first number is the 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.

Antennas

An indoor antenna usually 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. 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. Mast 12 feet or less above the roofline cannot be restricted. Mast higher than 12 feet may be subject to local permitting requirements for safety purposes.