|
 Television has come full circle for me. How's that you may ask? Let me explain.
Our
old black and white TV only got two local stations with the rabbit ear
antennae on top of the set. Channel 2 and Channel 7 were the only local
offerings. On a good day we could get 5, 9 and 12 out of the nearest
big city. Of course the picture was "snowy" and we had to keep fiddling
with the vertical and horizontal roll knobs. Fortunately, most of you
don't appreciate the hassle in dealing with vertical and horizontal
picture roll.
Then
the industry had a breakthrough. The newest technology of UHF
transmission came into being and we were really excited to hear that
channel 14 and 22 were available. Only one thing prevented us from
getting the channels. We needed a combination vhf-uhf antenna. Just the
rabbit ears wouldn't get the uhf stuff. Dad invested in the new antenna
and pretty soon we were stoked with TV stations. We could watch 4
locals and 3 fuzzy ones, all in Black and White.
The next breakthrough was Color broadcasting. There wasn't anything better than watching Star Trek in color.
Jump
ahead 40 years. I have tried both of our local cable providers. I was
lured by the "bundling" promo only to find that soon after subscribing
the rate was jacked up. Sure I could watch 150 different channels. For
me, it was a vast and desolate wasteland. I had bought a new HD set,
but to view HD by cable required a special box that was a monthly
add-on. I was approaching $100 a month to watch my own TV.
So
I made the big decision. I dumped the cable provider, bought my own HD
rabbit ears and now receive FREE HD broadcasting. Did you notice the
key word "FREE"? To my amazement and delight, Dothan offers three HD
channels (4.1, 4.2, 4.3), WJHG has three channels (7.1, 7.2, 7.3), and
a continuous weather channel (7.4), WMBB (13.1) is there with their own
weather channel (13.2), and WFSU offers PBS and the Legislative channel
(56.1 & 56.2); all free and in HD. It's a great picture.
I
understand Fox (channel 28) is also broadcasting in HD but I haven't
been able to get that one tuned in yet. Not to worry though. I can see
28, 34, 51 and all the other local channels in analog, until February
,09 when analog broadcasting is discontinued. By then I will probably
invest in a better antenna and rotor (to aim the antenna maximizing
signal strength).
So
now you see how I have come full circle. Back to free, over-the-air
television broadcasting with a superior picture. And you know what? I
am less the couch potato. I get to see almost all I want to view, and
what I can't see I don't miss. I'm healthier, and with the rising gas
prices, $100 a month wealthier, and I think, a whole lot wiser.
Who needs cable anyway?
Images used by creative commons permission from *USB* and Pingnews.com
|
