The Watering Hole

As most of you know, I am on the slowest connection possible, currently logged on at 14.4 kbps, without images loaded automatically.  The phone company says there is nothing wrong with my telephone line even though they have not been out here to check it while i was here even though they said they have.  I would like to go to DSL but the lack of quality phone line keeps me from trying it.

I recently bought a digital to analog converter box for my rabbit eared connected TV.  I usually receive only three channels and that is pushing it.  With the box, I cannot even watch TV through it because of the poor signal.  Does anyone know what kind of outside antenna I can buy to bring in a decent signal without having to buy a directional antenna and motorized rotor?  I don't watch a lot of TV but when I do, I would like to at least see it and hear it without a lot of dropouts.

My google searches have turned up nill.

Keebo — Aug 29, 2008As most of you know, I am on the slowest connection possible, currently logged on at 14.4 kbps, without images loaded automatically.  The phone company says there is nothing wrong with my telephone line even though they have not been out here to check it while i was here even though they said they have.  I would like to go to DSL but the lack of quality phone line keeps me from trying it.

I recently bought a digital to analog converter box for my rabbit eared connected TV.  I usually receive only three channels and that is pushing it.  With the box, I cannot even watch TV through it because of the poor signal.  Does anyone know what kind of outside antenna I can buy to bring in a decent signal without having to buy a directional antenna and motorized rotor?  I don't watch a lot of TV but when I do, I would like to at least see it and hear it without a lot of dropouts.

My google searches have turned up nill.

Holy crap!  14.4kbps??!!!   I haven't seen those speeds for 15 years!  

I'm not sure what to tell you, except to maybe look into satelite for both your TV and Internet.

What third-world country did you say you lived in?  :D

CraigBert — Aug 29, 2008 What third-world country did you say you lived in?  :D

Vancouver Island, Can uh duh ???? ;D

Bad communicatins but he gets great views of the earth :)

Keebo, I got you fixed up...and it's not expensive.

I have Dish Network and the gov forced them to drop our local stations.
We were bummed to say the least but it wound up being a good thing.

Go here.
Antennas Direct.
http://www.antennasdirect.com/index.html?_s_ref=r49PbgH1S&kw=antennas%20direct&creative=2197363785&gclid=CNzzro-Qs5UCFQYdswodzTzoQQ

I have the DB4.
These are Digital, UHF, HD antennas. All networks to include PBS are picked up on this antenna.
I now have 11 digital, HD stations that are picture perfect...1080i if you have a TV that can handle it.
Guess what?
I don't pay a dime for them.
You may want the bundle which would include your cable, signal amplifier, and mount for the antenna.
Trust me, that's a steal and they work great and the instructions are dirt simple.

Of course, you have to be within 50-60 miles and preferably not in a mountain valley with the stations broadcasting from the other side. :D

The hook up was too simple.
Mount it to the top of your house, the way you see small satellite dishes mounted.
You screw in the cable, run it through your attic, and either wall fish the cable or go through the ceiling to your TV.
Or, you could run the cable down the outside wall then under your house and up through the floor if you have that setup.

Now this is where you can differ from my set up.
My Dish receiver has an input that I screw this cable into.
I then press auto program or search for these channels. It does it automatically.
After that...they're on the same menu that my sat channels are on only a different color code.

OK, if you don't have a satellite.
Your TV has to have a digital tuner or you can use the box that you have.
You then follow your TV's or digital box instructions as to how to access those channels.
I would say it would be as simple as changing channels, nothing more.

Anyway, I hope this helps. :)

Randy

http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html

Hey Keebo.  I guess that satellite is the best way to go for you.  I have Direct TV and am really happy with it.  It has to be a real gully washer for me to lose service.  My cable was out more than satellite, when I had that shit.

I checked the Direct TV site and they do offer internet service as well.  It's based on the local providers for your area, so you'll have to find a deal from someone up there.  If you got the basic TV package and added internet, it shouldn't cost you a hell of a lot more than what you are paying for your 14.4 shit.

You just need a good view of the southwest sky.  From Fingers pic, It looks like you've got that covered. :D

Oh...if you're looking for Sat net...Hughes Net is out there but it ain't cheap.
You have to buy much of your gear.
That's not what they advertise but when you get ready to buy, they'll let you know.  ;D
But...it beats dial up for damn sure.  ;D

Randy

Most of the time, because of the competition between providers of satellite, you can find an installer that gives you all of the equipment just for signing with them.  You usually have to sign a contract of a year or two.

You just have to shop around to find out who's screwing who in your area. :D

HAHHA....ain't that the damn truth.  ;D

Randy

Poor Keebo...  He's been trying to read all the replies, but since he's only using 14.4 he's only seen the first couple of words so far...  ;D

Yeah....I can see each sentence popping up after a minute or so.  ;D

Randy

CraigBert — Aug 29, 2008Poor Keebo...  He's been trying to read all the replies, but since he's only using 14.4 he's only seen the first couple of words so far...  ;D

LMAO!!

strategery — Aug 29, 2008I have Dish Network and the gov forced them to drop our local stations. We were bummed to say the least but it wound up being a good thing.

I know this is off-topic, but being the broadcast nut that I am, I don't know anything about them having to drop any local stations by federal law - I know they had to drop distant networks (meaning NBC, ABC, etc. from other markets) a couple of years ago because of a court decision, so you couldn't get the NY or LA affiliates, but that didn't affect local stations where they are available.

Can you explain what you're talking about?
Tripper

yeah, the fed got pissed at them because they were offering local stations while the cable companies were pitching a bitch.

I tried to get a waiver and was told hell no by my local stations in Columbus, GA.

Now Direct TV can give you any local station they choose, but they went the route of the ass kisser.  ;D

Doesn't sound too fair, does it? :D

Anyway, my HD stations are even better than my HD channels on my Dish Network because they are generation 1 signal.
My HD channels on my Dish are beautiful but my locals are even better.
Hey....and they're FREE! :D

Randy

Keebo — Aug 29, 2008I would like to go to DSL but the lack of quality phone line keeps me from trying it.

You get phone service then you can get DSL. Simple as that, as long as the phone company has a setup for it near you. Go and get yourself a newer modem some of them are accelerated and have better speed.

Thanks a lot for your replies, guys.  And the humor :) .

I'll have a look at that link at work on a T1 tomorrow, Randy.  Thanks.

I'm not sure if I am ready to go full blown satellite service yet, Dean.  Like I said, I'm not much of a tv viewer but the faster internet service does sound enticing.  My luck would be that I would have bad reception out here in the sticks.

DBM, I had asked my provider last year about DSL and he wasn't very optimistic about how fast it would be for me after I explained my phone line woes.  He also said I would have to switch phone service with his company which I was not too inclined to do.

BTW Craig, tonight I am connected at a blistering 16.8.

desertbluesman — Aug 29, 2008[quote author=Keebo link=1219987795/0#0 date=1219987794]I would like to go to DSL but the lack of quality phone line keeps me from trying it.

You get phone service then you can get DSL. Simple as that, as long as the phone company has a setup for it near you. Go and get yourself a newer modem some of them are accelerated and have better speed.


The bold part is the important part. We didn't have any advanced phone features (not even fucking VOICE MAIL) in my neighborhood available AT ALL for the first five years of its existence (we've been here 1 1/2)...and now AT&T has installed fiber and we can get the AT&T U-Verse stuff including the absurdly fast AT&T internet stuff. Of course I'm in a two-year deal with DirecTV (which I actually dig), so we're not doing it right away, but the internet stuff is tempting.

Tripper

Keebo — Aug 30, 2008 BTW Craig, tonight I am connected at a blistering 16.8.

Whoa!  Hope you've got a seat belt on!  ;)

Randy, thanks to you I now have 11 crystal clear channels.  I hooked up the DB4 today and I am extremely happy with the results.  I have 3 out of the four major broadcast networks with NBC being the exception.  My tin foil laden rabbit ears are now a part of history.

Thanks a lot for your suggestion.  Now if I can only figure out a way to adapt it to internet service :) .