Real HDTV    MINNESOTA
HDTV Networks

You might want to watch this 8-minute video from the Consumer Electronics Association

Getting the most from America's New High-Definition Television System is simple and inexpensive. You just need an antenna for sets made after 2007, and a Converter Box if you have an older TV. No need to get cable, satellite or a new TV to enjoy America's DTV Channels.

"Multicasting" allows stations to broadcast up to six new channels in the space of their old one. Channel 9, for instance, is now DTV channel 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, etc. Cable and satellite would have you believe they carry most of these new channels, but they don't...

Cable and satellite strip and leave out most broadcast channels to save space for other $ervice$. To get genuine HDTV just add an antenna and converter to your existing setup. You'll be amazed how many HDTV channels you can tune, and how much better everything looks over-the-air!

Find the keys to complete your HDTV System!

HDTV in Minnesota Map

Minneapolis/St. Paul HDTV Channels

Station    Channel    RF Channel Network
KTCADT 2.1 34 PBS
KTCADT2 2.2 34 PBS
WCCODT 4.1 32 CBS
KSTPDT 5.1 50 ABC
KSTPDT2 5.2 50 Ind
KCCODT 7.1 24 CBS
KMSPDT 9.1 26 Fox
KAWEDT2 9.2 18 PBS
KAWEDT3 9.3 18 PBS
KAWEDT4 9.4 18 PBS
KAWEDT5 9.5 18 PBS
KAWEDT6 9.6 18 PBS
KWCMDT 10.1 31 PBS
KWCMDT2 10.2 31 PBS
KAREDT 11.1 35 NBC
KAREDT2 11.2 35 NBC
KCCWDT 12.1 20 CBS
KTCIDT 17.1 16 PBS
KTCIDT2 17.2 16 PBS
KTCIDT3 17.3 16 PBS
KTCIDT4 17.4 16 PBS
KTCIDT5 17.5 16 PBS
KAWBDT 22.1 28 PBS
KAWBDT2 22.2 28 PBS
KAWBDT3 22.3 28 PBS
KAWBDT4 22.4 28 PBS
KAWBDT5 22.5 28 PBS
KAWBDT6 22.6 28 PBS
WUCWDT 23.1 22 CW
WUCWDT2 23.2 22 Ind
WHWCDT 28.1 27 PBS
WHWCDT2 28.2 27 PBS
WHWCDT3 28.3 27 PBS
WHWCDT4 28.4 27 PBS
WHWCDT5 28.5 27 PBS
WFTCDT 29.1 21 MyN
WFTCDT2 29.2 21 MyN
KPXMDT 41.1 40 i
KPXMDT2 41.2 40 Ind
KPXMDT3 41.3 40 Ind
KPXMDT4 41.4 40 Ind
KSAXDT 42.1 36 ABC
KRWFDT 43.1 27 ABC
KSTCDT 45.1 44 Ind
KSTCDT2 45.2 44 Ind
All 45 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 information below, to receive crystal clear HDTV signals Free in Minnesota.
Duluth/Superior HDTV Channels
Rochester-Mason City-Austin HDTV Channels

Antenna Selection Guide

To find the perfect antenna, first list the RF Channels around Minneapolis which you want to watch. The CEA, Consumer Electronics Association, and NAB, National Association of Broadcasters, created the AntennaWeb to help you with the rest. Free! An example of how it works is presented below.

NOTE that all TV stations are transmitting on different channels now. To avoid confusion, however, the new tuners and converter boxes allow a station to keep its old channel number while automatically switching you to its new RF Channel. Some of the new RF Channels are VHF but most are UHF.

RF Channels on your list numbered less than 14 are VHF. They need a broader antenna than UHF channels; the ones numbered 14 and up. Since HDTV is 91% UHF, you probably won't need to use a broad antenna.

Most can use an indoor antenna. They work just fine with older TVs using a converter box, and with all new TVs. You'll need an outdoor antenna if you're more than 15 miles from transmission towers, but most towers are located very near town and are powerful enough to reach you.


EXAMPLE...
PRESS HERE to use AntennaWebs Guide We'll use a site near Tampa, Florida
Select AntennaWeb.org  then ENTER:
11565 66th Ave, Seminole FL 33772


A Map appears, press Continue. Next a Channel List appears, press "Show Digital Stations Only," and this list appears. The strongest stations are at the top. Record the RF channels, with colors, you like. You'll need both for the Antenna Charts.

 

Cross-checking this List with Tampa's RF Channel List reveals a shortage of stations here, and WTSP is not on RF Channel 10, etc. If you have any doubts check with TVFool.com for another List, as below.
Tampa's HDTV Channel List from TVFool.com
Example Street Level Map and Station Table from AntennaWeb.org
What's important is for you to get-a-feel for where desirable stations are located and how far away they are. Since the stations in our example are greater than 15 miles away, we'll need an outdoor antenna. Only two of our RF channels are VHF (numbered less than 14).

Press "View Street Level Map" on your AntennaWeb Example Page to see the map at right. We'll need to aim our antenna(s) in those directions to receive the channels listed. A rotor could be used to receive both RF Channel 24, CBS in St. Petersburg, and all of the other RF Channels using one antenna.

The Color Code associated with each station is used to determine which antenna type we should use to receive it.

Antenna Color Codes

A Color Code represents an antenna's reception strength. Within 15 miles of stations an indoor antenna can be used (in the Yellow, Green and Light Green Zones). Farther away you'll need an outdoor antenna. Our Example calls for antenna types red, blue and violet. If we plan to use one antenna it would need to be a violet type to cover the others. Furthermore, two of our desirable RF channels are VHF, needing broader VHF antennas.

HDTV Antenna Color Codes
 Small Multi-Directional Antennas
Small Multi-Directional HDTV Antennas
DESCRIPTION   The smallest of TV antennas receive UHF and VHF RF Channels 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
Medium Multi-Directional HDTV 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
Large Multi-Directional HDTV 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.
THIS DATA IS PROVIDED TO KEEP THEM HONEST!

 Small Directional Antennas
Small Directional HDTV 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
Medium Directional HDTV 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
Large Directional HDTV 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.

ANTENNAS WHICH WILL WORK IN OUR EXAMPLE ARE:
A Small Directional UHF Antenna pointed 10° lead spliced into  
A Large Directional UHF/VHF Antenna pointed between 92-95°

 Or one Large Directional UHF/VHF Antenna with a rotor for pointing.

Having gone thru this Example - ENTER YOUR Minnesota Address or ZIP Code

Note on Minneapolis/St. Paul: The RF Channel List shows no VHF channels on the new line-up. So, there is no need for bulky VHF antennas, just slender UHF antennas in Minnesota. Indoors in the city!