Columbus GA HDTV: Stations, Antenna Selection and Installation

Columbus GA

Watch this 8 minute HDTV Movie from the Consumer Electronics Association
Getting the most from America's New High-Definition Television System is simple and inexpensive. All you need is an antenna with a Good Converter Box for your TV. No need to buy a new set or service to enjoy everything digital NOW.

"Multicasting" allows TV stations to broadcast up to six channels in the space of their old one. Channel 9, for instance, is now Channels 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, etc. Cable and Satellite services would have you believe they have what you need to watch the new HDTV system. But that's only part true...

TV services compress the signals and leave out many new channels to save space for their other $ervice$. To get full local HDTV video with stereo you'll need to have an antenna... and be amazed how many "RF Channels" there are. And how much better everything looks over-the-air!

Our goal is to help you transition to HDTV. Listed here are what's out there and how to tune into it. Where you live in your town and which channels you want to watch, selected from an accurate "RF Channel" list, are keys to finding the perfect antenna! Your missing channels... and more to come!

Columbus GA HDTV Channels
Station Chan. RF Channel Network WRBLDT 3.1 15 CBS WRBLDT2 3.2 15 CBS WTVMDT 9.1 47 ABC WTVMDT2 9.2 47 Ind WLTZDT 38.1 35 NBC WXTXDT 54.1 49 Fox WXTXDT2 54.2 49 Ind WLGADT 66.1 31 CW
All 8 of these new channels, and many more, are Free! No cable or satellite is needed for any of them. Just select an Antenna, using the instructions below, to receive crystal clear HDTV signals Free in the Columbus Area.

Antenna Selection Guide
If you've copied the list of RF Channels for Columbus, you're ready to find the perfect antenna. The CEA, Consumer Electronics Association, and NAB, National Association of Broadcasters, created the AntennaWeb to help you do just that. Free! For us non-experts, a working example of it is presented here.

NOTE that all TV stations will be transmitting on different channels then they are now. But to avoid confusion, the new tuners allow a station to keep its old channel number while automatically switching you to its new RF Channel. Some of them could be VHF RF Channels; most will be UHF.

"Licensed" channels on your RF Channel List numbered less than 14 are VHF, but there are NONE in Columbus. In general, they would need a broader antenna than the UHF channels; the ones numbered 14 and up. You won't need a VHF antenna in Columbus.

Most can use an Indoor Antenna which will work with an old TV with a Converter Box, or new HDTV with an "antenna in" post on the back. Some will need Outdoor Antennas. Whichever your situation, find a store with someone who uses the antenna(s) you plan to buy... or one with a good return policy!

PRESS HERE to use the Antenna Selection Guide

AntennaWeb.org's Front Page

Example Street Level Map and Station Table from AntennaWeb.org

EXAMPLE... We'll use a site near Tampa:
ENTER... 11565 66th Ave, Seminole, FL, 33772
on the Pop-Up form to get:

Stations and Antenna Types
Channel Lists below are arranged by ease of reception, with the strongest stations, which need the smallest antennas, at the top. To find the antenna for this example, record the color codes of channels you want for use on the "Color Codes" Charts below.

Select Digital Stations Only then press the "View Street Level Map" bar to build the Compass Orientation map at right. You need to point your antenna in the listed directions to receive various channels. A rotor can be used, and would be needed here, even in a nearby city, for staggered and distant stations.

...Select Digital Stations Only for This Example ...

Cross-checking this Table with Tampa's RF Channel List reveals a shortage of stations on the Table. Likewise, several channels under "Frequency Assignment" will expire, and WEDU is not on Channel 13. You're better off using RF Channel Lists to determine which antenna types, VHF or UHF, to use. If you have any doubt, check TVFool.com (see the "Real RF Channel List," below) for a second analysis.

Finally, note that many channels, such as the ones with decimal 2's, 3's and 4's on the RF Channel List, are missing from the Table. You'll find omissions elsewhere. Cable and Satellite Services omit most of these new channels completely. You'll need an antenna to see them!

At this point you should have a pretty good idea of what sort of antennas we'll need in our Example, both by Color Code and VHF/UHF.

Example HDTV Channel Lists from TVFool.com

Antenna Color Codes
To get Free HDTV Over-the-Air signals you need an Antenna; Color Coding Shows Reception Strength. Typically, the closer you live to signal towers, the better will be the signals you receive. Within 15 miles, an Indoor Antenna, sometimes with a pre-amplifier, may be used (in the Green and Light Green Zones).

Small Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		The smallest of TV antennas receive from all directions.
APPEARANCE		Good looking home interior designs.
USE		For use where signal strength is high and with No pre-amplifier.

Medium Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Larger and slightly more powerful, may be placed in interior attic.
APPEARANCE		These antennas include novel stick, wing shaped or disk antennas.
USE		An amplifier is recommended for 20 feet long, or more, cables from the antenna, or when more than one TV or VCR is used by a single antenna located AWAY from reflecting structures or in valleys.

Large Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Bigger in size, these antennas receive more signal power. Better for greater distances from signal source and areas with low signal strength. May work well in interior attic.
APPEARANCE		Styles include element antennas. These antennas can be used to reject simple ghosting.
USE		When mounted at rooftop heights (30 feet) outdoors, amplified antennas can be used in light green color code areas away from reflecting structures or low areas.

ALL OUTDOOR ANTENNAS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
FOR ALL ANTENNA WORK OUTSIDE YOUR HOME.
CONSUMER DATA PROVIDED HERE IS TO KEEP THEM HONEST!

Small Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Picture quality is excellent when no signal reflecting structures are around.
APPEARANCE		Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE		Suitable for far edge of light green color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used in these areas if the area is free of signal reflecting structures and is not in a low area.

Medium Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Most popular rooftop antenna because of its modest size.
APPEARANCE		Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE		If there are ghost producing reflective structures near TV receiver antenna location, this kind of antenna is best for yellow, green, light green and red color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used with the blue color code.

Large Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION		Large antennas used in weak signal areas for maximum possible TV reception.
APPEARANCE		Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE		Can be used in any color code area, but requires an amplifier and roof mounting for blue and violet color codes.

      THE ANTENNA FOUND FOR THIS EXAMPLE NEEDS TO HAVE:
        A: A Small Directional UHF Antenna pointed 10° magnetic, and
              B: A Large Directional UHF/VHF Antenna pointed between 92-95°

If ALL of the Stations you want to watch are within 15 miles, USE INDOOR ANTENNAS.
But, all are more than 24.4 in the example, so "Antenna Installation" is the next step!

Antenna Installation

Having done the Example ENTER YOUR ADDRESS or ZIP CODE

HDTV Info HDTV in Another City
Advanced Airwave: Analysis, Markets, Channels, Rules, Sales