AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – In the age of streaming services and countless channels, you might think that TV antennas are about as relevant as a cassette tape.

But you know what? The tried and tested antennas of yesterday are making a comeback and are no longer just for your grandparents.

Television antennas can do what none of the other devices you use to bring programs into your home can.

Not only do you get the best picture on your TV, but it’s also free.

• Free TV, baby: Who needs a monthly subscription when you can get local channels for free? Depending on where you live, you can swim in a sea of ​​free entertainment, from sitcoms to sports. Just like in the days before cable, everything broadcast over the antenna is free.

• Short message: Stay informed! If the internet goes down during a storm (or, let’s be honest, just because), your antenna will keep you up to date with local news and weather reports. Many internet providers have experienced outages in recent months. As long as you have power to run a television, an antenna will provide local news and weather reports.
• HD clarity, no squinting required: Today’s antennas are optimized for digital signals and deliver high-resolution images that will make old rabbit ears blush. In my test, a TV with an antenna from the 1980s received 17 local TV channels, while a new “so-called” HD antenna received more than twice as many.
• Inexpensive: You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent antenna. You can find TV antennas online and in some stores for under $20. Most good quality models cost $30 to $50.

Choosing your antenna

• Indoor vs. Outdoor: Indoor antennas are like house cats – they’re easy to care for and easy to cuddle. Outdoor antennas are more like adventurous dogs that require a little more effort but offer better reception. While an indoor antenna can pick up a signal from a tower 35 miles away, outdoor antennas can “see” towers more than 60 miles away.
• Location, location, location: For best reception, place your antenna near a window and point it at the nearest TV towers. If you don’t know where the TV towers are, you can find them on the website www.antennasdirect.com using a postcode tool. I was also impressed with their customer service in helping you decide which antenna is best for your home.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment: Reception can be fickle, so try different locations and positions until you find the sweet spot. Your antenna might surprise you with its hidden talents.

Avoid antenna scammers

• Extreme demands: If an antenna promises to receive stations from a million miles away, it’s probably just air. Blame the curvature of the earth, not your gullibility.
• Cable ducts? Not so fast: Don’t fall for antennas that claim to unblock cable channels like ESPN or CNN. They’re paid, my friend.
• Too good to be true: If an antenna ad sounds like it was written by a used car salesman, stay away. Stick with reputable brands and realistic promises.

TV antennas are a relic from the past that gives your entertainment system a modern boost.

They offer free channels, emergency broadcasts, and HD picture quality without breaking the bank.

And don’t forget to check for new channels regularly.

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