The boob tube has gotten better

Lets talk TV. A television set really does not serve any important  purposes on the homestead. And if this one goes, there will be no more to replace it. BUT, I do occasionally watch the news, even though each time I swear I will never turn on that sensationalized babble again, and there are about two programs we enjoy watching for recreation in the evening. So we still keep this 20 + year  old relic around. Years ago we  had satellite TV, and it was amazing the amount of hours you could be hypnotized into wasting just flipping through channels when you could be doing something much more productive. And for losing track of time in front of the box you have to pay very large premiums these days.  I have friends greatly in debt who feel that having cable is a necessity (?!). I shake my head at that one.  But there are ways you can keep a variety of channels available for your viewing pleasure and possible channel  surfing addiction for free. Yes free.

Now if you have a fairly modern TV, a digital converter is built into your TV. But for those of us with fossils, you will need the converter box. Remember when the government gave you a certificate to get one for free? Hope you did.

Just a side note - when you live off grid you look at everything differently. See this non assuming little light that is on the converter box. Most people would never give it a thought. But I have amped out this little light and found it uses 5 watts. While that may not sound like much to some, that adds up to a big difference in a 24 hour period should you accidentally leave it on. It is a  noticeable difference in battery storage come morning. And even if the box is switched off, it lights up a yellow light. Why does off need a light? A conspiracy by the electric company for you to use power even when the appliance is off, hummm ;) Anyway, this is why you should have all your appliances hooked up to a power strip that you can switch off, ending all phantom power draws.

Now I have heard many people complain that they just do not get any channels with just the converter box. Here is the secret. You need to get yourself a one time purchase of a digital antenna. They range in price but cost less than a month of cable or a dinner out with your family. You will receive instructions in the box to go to a web site that shows you which direction you should point the antenna in your area to receive which stations.

Before the antenna we got two stations. After the antenna we now receive feeds from all over the tri-state area. They seem to add new channels all the time, but at this point we receive:

ABC, CBS, NBC, CW,  and FOX

A 24 hour move channel. It shows mostly modern b and  old movies, but does have a few good ones.

A 24 music video channel

A 24 hour country music video channel

Feeds from both West Virginia and Ohio.

3 different PBS channels.

A 24 hour kids cartoon channel

A healthy living channel

Two retro TV channels that show TV series from the 1960's through 1980's. 

One channel that shows syndicated modern TV series and a few movies.

Three religious channels

And all with crystal clear reception for FREE.

So if you feel that tossing the TV is to radical for your family, just know that there are  many stations out there that can still give your index finger a good workout.