Real HDTV  Tampa/Sarasota
HDTV Networks
Watch this 8 minute HDTV Movie 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 and a reliable Tuner/Converter Box for your existing TV. You can tune everything digital right now. No need to get cable, satellite or a new set to enjoy Free HDTV.

"Multicasting" allows stations to broadcast up to six new channels in the space of their old one. Channel 9, for instance, is now RF Channel 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, etc. Cable and satellite would have you believe they have what you need to enjoy the new digital channels. But that's only part true...

Cable and satellite compress and leave out most RF 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!

Our goal is to help you transition to HDTV. This site describes what's out there and how to tune it. An example of selecting an antenna type for one place near Tampa (see Map) is included.

Find the Keys to enjoying your new HDTV System!
Map: Tampa Bay/Sarasota HDTV Tower Locations
Tampa Bay's New RF Channels
Station     Channel  RF Channel Network


 
 
 
 
 

  WEDUDT
  3.1
  54
  
  PBS
 

 

  WEDUDT2
  3.2
  54
  
  Ind
 

 

  WEDUDT3
  3.3
  54
  
  Ind
 

 

  WFLADT
  8.1
  7
  
  NBC
 

 

  WFLADT2
  8.2
  7
  
  NBC
 

 

  WTSPDT
  10.1
  24
  
  CBS
 

 

  WTSPDT2
  10.2
  24
  
  CBS
 

 

  WTVTDT
  13.1
  12
  
  Fox
 

 

  WUSFDT
  16.1
  34
  
  PBS
 

 

  WUSFDT2
  16.2
  34
  
  PBS
 

 

  WUSFDT3
  16.3
  34
  
  PBS
 

 

  WUSFDT4
  16.4
  34
  
  Ind
 

 

  WCLFDT
  22.1
  21
  
  Ind
 

 

  WFTSDT
  28.1
  29
  
  ABC
 

 

  WFTSDT2
  28.2
  29
  
  Ind
 

 

  WMORDT
  32.1
  19
  
  Ind
 

 

  WTTADT
  38.1
  57
  
  MyN
 

 

  WTTADT2
  38.2
  57
  
  MyN
 

 

  WWSBDT
  40.1
  52
  
  ABC
 

 

  WTOGDT
  44.1
  59
  
  CW
 

 

  WFTTDT
  50.1
  47
  
  Tel
 

 

  WVEADT
  62.1
  25
  
  USI
 

 

  WXPXDT
  66.1
  42
  
  i
 

 

  WXPXDT2
  66.2
  42
  
  Ind
 

 

  WXPXDT3
  66.3
  42
  
  Ind
 

 

  WXPXDT4
  66.4
  42
  
  Ind
All 26 of these channels, and more, are Free! No cable or satellite needed. Just select an Antenna, using the instructions below, to receive crystal clear HDTV signals Free in the Tampa Bay Area.

FCC DTV ENGINEERING MAP

Antenna Selection Guide

To find the perfect antenna, first list the RF Channels in the closest large city 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! For non-experts, a working example of it is presented here.

NOTE that all TV stations will be transmitting on different channels then they are now. But to avoid confusion, the new tuners allow a station to keep its old channel number while automatically switching you to its new RF Channel. Some of them will be VHF RF Channels; most will use UHF.

RF Channels on your list numbered less than 14 are VHF. In general, they need a broader antenna than UHF channels, the ones numbered 14 and up. Since HDTV is 91% UHF, you probably won't need a bulky VHF Antenna at all.

Many will need an Indoor Antenna which can work with an old TV and Converter Box or new HDTV with an "antenna in" post on the back. Most will need Outdoor Antennas. Whichever your situation, find a store with someone who uses the antenna(s) you plan to buy... or one with a good return policy!

PRESS HERE to use the Antenna Selection Guide
AntennaWeb.org's Front Page

Example Street Level Station Map from AntennaWeb.org - Press for Larger Scale EXAMPLE...  We'll use a site in Seminole:
ENTER... 11565 66th Ave, Seminole, FL, 33772
on the Pop-Up form to get:

Stations and Antenna Types
Channel Lists below are arranged by ease of reception, with the strongest stations, which need the smallest antennas, at the top. To find the antenna for this example, record the color codes of channels you want for use on the "Color Codes" Charts below.

Select Digital Stations Only then press the "View Street Level Map" bar to build the Compass Orientation map at right. You need to point your antenna in the listed directions to receive various channels. A rotor can be used, and would be needed here, even in a nearby city, for staggered and distant stations.

...Select Digital Stations Only for This Example ...
 

RF Channel Lists used in the ExampleCross-checking this Table with Tampa's RF Channel List reveals a shortage of stations on the Table. Likewise, several channels under "Frequency Assignment" will expire, and WEDU is not on Channel 13. You're better off using RF Channel Lists to determine which antenna types, VHF or UHF, to use. If you have any doubt, check TVFool.com (see the "Real RF Channel List," below) for a second analysis.

Finally, note that many channels, such as the ones with decimal 2's, 3's and 4's on the RF Channel List, are missing from the Table. You'll find omissions elsewhere. Cable and Satellite Services omit most of these new channels completely. You'll need an antenna to see them!

At this point you should have a pretty good idea of what sort of antennas we'll need in our Example, both by Color Code and VHF/UHF.


Tampa's HDTV Channel List from TVFool.com
Tampa Area Note: The RF Ch. List for Tampa indicates that only two RF Channels, 7 and 12, are less than 14. That means that they are the ONLY VHF Channels on the new HDTV Line Up. They will be the only two channels needing broad VHF antennas around Tampa. The rest need only slender UHF antennas!

Antenna Color Codes

To get Free HDTV Over-the-Air signals you need an Antenna; Color Coding Shows Reception Strength. Typically, the closer you live to signal towers, the better will be the signals you receive. Within 15 miles, an Indoor Antenna, sometimes with a pre-amplifier, may be used (in the Green and Light Green Zones).


HDTV Antenna Color Codes
 Small Multi-Directional Antennas
Small Multi-Directional HDTV Antennas
DESCRIPTION   The smallest of TV antennas receive 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.
CONSUMER DATA PROVIDED HERE IS 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 ON THIS CHART WHICH WILL WORK IN OUR EXAMPLE ARE:
A: A Small Directional UHF Antenna pointed 10° magnetic, and      
B: A Large Directional UHF/VHF Antenna pointed between 92-95°
If the Stations you want to watch are within 15 miles USE Indoor Antennas
Having gone thru this Example - ENTER YOUR  Complete Address or ZIP Code

  ANTENNA INSTALLATION
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONVERTER BOX FOR YOUR TV
IS CABLE DTV WORTH IT?         OTHER CITIES' DTV
Indoor Antennas  TV Airwave: Analysis, Rules, Sales