Tired of spending too much money on your Satellite TV bill? Well for around $50 you can purchase and easily install an HDTV Antenna that will give you quality HD TV programming. Of course you will not get as many channels as before using DirecTV, but there are hundreds of channels available broadcast into the airwaves for free from the stations you already know and love. This is a tutorial for most people who can no longer afford the cost of satellite television. Cancelling DirecTV or Dish Network will save you from $75 to $300 dollars a month. Admit it, most of the channels that you are paying your hard earned dollars for are completely worthless. Cancel the service, buy an HD Antenna, and get Netflix. You will not miss most of the TV you watch and you will be saving mountains of money per year. So ditch the monthly bill and follow our tutorial below for saving your money…
Step 1: CANCEL SATELLITE TELEVISION
Step 2: Buy an HD (High Definition) Television Antenna.
Here is the HDTV Antenna we purchased from Amazon for around $50 dollars.
(You may also need a coax cable splitter, antenna amplifier signal booster, or new coax cable)
Step 3: Remove the cone and place the HD Antenna on your existing Satellite Dish.
Step 4: Install the U-bolt that is included with the antenna and secure it tightly in place.
Step 5: Connect the already existing coaxial cable to the HD Antenna.
(The cable is already going from your TV from the dish, so just disconnect and re-attach to the hd antenna)
Step 6: Check all connections to make sure everything is secure and tight.
Step 7: There should already be a coaxial cable going into your home from the roof.
If it was disconnected then look along the side of your home for a connection like this and plug back in.
Step 8: The next process involves finding out which direction in the sky your local channels are in.
You will need to point your antenna in a certain direction for best reception depending on where you live.
Go to Antenna Web, FCC DTV MAPS, or Antenna Point and type in your info to find out which way to point your HDTV antenna.
Once you have the correct direction located, point your antenna/dish in that direction.
Step 9: Turn on your TV and set it to “Antenna” and let it “Find” the available free stations.
Then check the signal meter to see if it is strong.
If all is good you are done! Free HDTV!
HDTV That is broadcast free is from 720p to 1080p HD quality!
Of course you do not need an old dish to install a new HD Antenna.
You can install one in your attic too if you desire.
But remember that HDTV Antennas work best when attached to a roof and there are no obstructions.
Here is a small chart for “how to connect and combine signals from 2 antennas facing different directions” if needed.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Joseph,
Is it possible you are connecting the wrong cable?
You went into the TV and chose ANTENNA not cable and ran a channel scan?
There may have been extra or numerous cables, be sure you are using the right one.
-RR
I just replaced my DISH with an antenna. I hooked up the coax from the DISH, but when I went to program it, the TV did not recognize the antenna. It said an antenna was “unavailable”. Have you come across this before?
I would check the antenna, but it should pick up a tower 15 miles away, as it is a 45 mile antenna.
Am I missing something?
Is it possible to use a Dish network satellite with Direct tv receivers to go camping?
You can’t split HD signal like analog signals or old cable television. You will need a powered splitter or get an antenna for each TV.
http://www.amazon.com/Bi-Directional-Amplifier-Splitter-Booster-Passive/dp/B000WDR94U
I am going to head up to the roof and do this today.
#1 remove LNB from dish network satellite/tripod.
#2 attach new antenna just like your pics
#3 here is where my question is. I haven’t been up there yet – but I imagine the dish bracket is grounded – i see the grounding wire on side of my house. that is great! but, do i need to ground the antenna too???
Does it matter because it is now attached to the dish bracket with that metal u thing?
Don’t want to blow up or set on fire my house or tv’s.
Ruth,
You could hire a “basic” handyman. This is an easy process and can be done with minimal time and only having to buy a few inexpensive parts.
-RR
For those of us not talented enough to do this ourselves, what kind of person do you hire to do it and where do you find them??!! Would it be a regular electrician or is there some sort of specialist ?Thanks!!