Mo. man, angered over digital switch, shoots his TV set

bnd.com ^ | 02/20/09 | KSDK

[antiRepublicrat]

What crowded enviroment?

Like where he lives, small streets, houses packed together. Take that in consideration with the range of a bullet.

[TomB]

According to this story, the house is at the southwest corner of Ball and Daugherty streets in Webb City.

Using Live Search Maps, you can see that it is a typical suburban area. Lots of houses. Definitely not a place to discharge a weapon, especially if drinking.

Try this link. It may get you close to the area.

[antiRepublicrat]

This man would have no legal problems right now if the bullet had gone through the wall and hit one of my kids.

I would be the one with legal problems though.

[Centurion2000]

So that’s where Elvis retired.

[hockea]

Long term Flagstaff residents may remember the band “Chuck Wagon and the Wheels” played the zoo club and had a song “You shot the TV but you wuz aiming at me”

[Tunehead54]

ping? ;-)

[Las Vegas Dave]

I'll think about it... < /thinking >

[Tunehead54]

Where are you in relation to the city? You may need an amplified antenna - my experience in the Tampa Bay and now Orlando area has been great for the "normal" big 3 channels plus lots more - rain or shine.

Right now my $50 Radio Shack antenna is just above the gutter (not high) and I get lots`of HD channels - ask Las Vegas Dave for help - be sure to tell him I sent you! ;-)

[ltc8k6]

I have tried different antennas, including amplified ones.

I get lots of perfect channels too, but most of them are on a 90% duty cycle...which is what is so frustrating. They are fine 90% of the time, and then suddenly totally gone for a while. Usually just exactly when you want to see something.

This would be fine with analog signals becuase you wouldn’t totally lose everything. The digital cliff makes digital signals very frustrating.

I won’t be watching the broadcast digital anyway, unless something unusual happens. I don’t need it, and I am glad I won’t be relying on it.

BTW, at my Aunt’s house in Philly, the broadcast digital channels have exactly the same frustrating behavior...

She was going to have it on an extra TV in the back room, but gave up in frustration at the random drop outs.

[algernonpj]

Belated thanks.

I have 2 question before I contact Las Vegas Dave:
Is your antenna indoor or out door?
Which make and model did you get from Radio Shack?

[Las Vegas Dave]

If someone is replacing an outdoor antenna, they should, no make that a must replace the wire with new wire, preferably coax.

[Tunehead54]

Its an outdoor antenna. Inside it needs a short patch cable (and an AC plug) behind the tv for the "booster".

The Radio Shack catalog # is: 15-2186

I use it kind of like a hobby to get an HD signal to record various shows in HD like Heroes to my PC without filling up the DVR. As I also have cable I cannot say it doesn't go "out" periodically but that's not been my experience with this antenna. See also Post #69.

Here's a link: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2253765&CAWELAID=107595301

I thought I paid $50 but maybe it was $60 - get it locally and save the S&H. Hope this helps. ;-)

[algernonpj]

Thanks so much for the info.

This looks like it is indoor/outdoor; I live ~ 20 mi from NYC & I need indoor, but it looks like its small enough to place right in a window.

The Radio Shack close to me carries it and has it in stock.

I’ve eMailed Las Vegas Dave, so I’ve cc’d him on this to get his input since per you ‘he’s the man’ on antennas.

Thanks again

[Tunehead54]

As I understand things even a glass pane can reduce signal so to the extent you can point towards the transmitters outside you’ll do better.
Ask Dave for the link to transmitter location site - with a 16” drill bit and a little silicone you can mount the antenna outside on the “right” side of the house and then just run a little coax to the tv - just a suggestion ... ;-)

[Las Vegas Dave]

You have freepmail!!

Please see my new tagline below, that the freepmail mentions near the end %^)

[Las Vegas Dave]

The Rat-Shack antenna that Tunehead54 owns, has a power gain rating of 20Db, but also loss, If you select this, check on the stores return police before you purchase....!

And be wary of obstacles that block the signal, IE: hills, buildings, trees, etc...

[Las Vegas Dave]

The Rat-Shack antenna that Tunehead54 owns, has a power gain rating of 20Db, but also loss, If you select this, check on the stores return police before you purchase....!

And be wary of obstacles that block the signal, IE: hills, buildings, trees, etc...

[Las Vegas Dave]

To all:

Sorry for the double post... server problem of some sort....?

[algernonpj]

Thanks for more info.

Dave has eMailed me some web sites to check, so I have more research to do. Based on the zip code you enter, one of them produces a list of all the available channels and their compass reading plus strength of antenna needed. Although this is for outdoor antennas it’s some valuable info.