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    Antenna TV Setup

    Free local channels in HD. One-time $30 cost. No monthly bill.

    What you can get

    In most US cities, an antenna picks up 20-50 channels for free:

    • ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS — all the major networks in HD (better picture than cable in many cases).
    • Local news at 5, 6, and 11.
    • Classic-TV channels — MeTV, Antenna TV, Heroes & Icons (Andy Griffith, MASH, Star Trek, Bonanza).
    • Court TV, Bounce, ION, Grit, Comet — movies and reruns.
    • Spanish channels — Telemundo, Univision.
    • Live sports — most NFL games on Sunday afternoons.

    Step 1 — Check what you'll get at YOUR address

    Different cities get different channels. Look up your address first.

    FCC channel finder (free)

    Or try AntennaWeb.org or the free "Antenna Point" app — they show a map of which TV towers are nearest you.

    Step 2 — Pick the right antenna

    • Live within 25 miles of TV towers (most cities)? A flat indoor antenna is fine. About $25-$40. Brands: Mohu, ClearStream, RCA, 1byone.
    • Live 25-50 miles out? Get an "amplified" indoor antenna or a small attic antenna.
    • Live 50+ miles out (rural)? An outdoor or attic antenna. Higher cost, $80-$150, but pulls in distant signals.
    • Don't fall for "1000-mile range" antennas online. The most an antenna can really pull is about 80 miles, and only with line-of-sight.

    Step 3 — Plug it in

    1. Connect the antenna's coaxial cable to the back of your TV — the round threaded connector labeled "Antenna" or "RF In".
    2. Plug the antenna's power adapter into a wall outlet (if it's amplified).
    3. Place the antenna near a window or as high up as possible. Higher and farther from metal = better.
    4. Aim it generally toward the TV towers in your city (the FCC map from Step 1 shows direction).

    Step 4 — Scan for channels

    1. On your TV remote, press Input or Source.
    2. Pick "Antenna" or "TV" or "Air".
    3. Press Menu → look for "Channel Setup" or "Auto Tune" or "Channel Scan".
    4. Pick "Antenna" (NOT "Cable").
    5. Press Start. The TV scans 5-10 minutes — finds every channel it can reach.
    6. Done. Use the channel up/down buttons to flip through.

    If a channel is missing or fuzzy

    • Move the antenna to a different window or higher on the wall.
    • Run another channel scan after each move.
    • Try a different room — sometimes the back of the house works better than the front, depending on which way towers point.
    • If only one channel is bad, the tower may be pointed away from you — nothing you can do.

    Pair it with free streaming

    An antenna gives you live local TV. Free streaming apps (Pluto, Tubi, Roku Channel) give you on-demand. Together — total cable replacement, $0/month.

    Antenna TV Setup — Free Local Channels Without Cable | TekSure