Cord Cutting Guide

Step 1: What programs do you watch?

Make a note of all the programs and shows you love to watch. Out of the hundreds of channels you are charged for with a cable/satellite subscription, the average person only watches 17 channels, and most of them can be viewed for free with a TV antenna. You can expect to find most of the major networks like NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, PBS, and many more, along with a bunch of other networks like MeTV, TheCW, ION, Cozi TV, Univision – broadcast in Full HD picture and sound.

When selecting an online streaming service, don’t pay for free broadcast channels that are already available in your area when using an antenna. Most streaming services charge a premium of $50 plus dollars per month for these channels.

Step 2: Locate your local broadcast towers

Visit RabbitEars.info on your computer or mobile phone for the most accurate broadcast tower information available.

1. From the menu bar navigate to Tools > Signal Search Map.
2. Click Get Location then Go.
3. Determine the number of channels available at your location.
4. Using the information provided determine the best antenna to use as well as the best direction to point your antenna.

You may also try downloading and using a phone app to help determine where your broadcast towers are located. We recommend the following apps.

• Antenna Point
• DTV Antennas

Step 3: Choose the right antenna for your location

Not all locations are created equally, so be diligent when choosing the right antenna for your location. Although the average individual can throw anything on their roof and get some type of signal with some channels, having the correct antenna will get you the most channels and strongest signals.

Although most areas will work with any old UHF-only TV antenna, other locations like Prescott Valley and surrounding areas work better with a VHF-low antenna (pictured to the right).

The antenna to the right is a Channel Master Masterpiece 45 and is available locally at Tuff Techies or online at Channelmaster.com.

Step 4: Install your TV antenna

Our team has successfully installed 100’s of TV antennas and know how to do it right every time. Here’s a short outline on how to install a TV antenna.

1. Mount the antenna as high as possible on the same side of the house as your junction box (this is usually the same location where your internet is).
2. Connect a coax cable from the antenna on the roof to a grounded splitter inside your junction box.
3. Connect every TV to a coax cable inside the house.
4. Scan for over-the-air channels on all TVs.

Step 5: Connect your TVs and scan for channels!

This is both the fun part and the easy part!

Navigate to your TV settings and run a full channel scan. You will need to do this on all TVs. In most areas, you will get 30-60 free local channels. With that said, some channels will be doubles because some stations broadcast in both standard and high definition.

Looking for a channel guide? Channel guides are provided by the TV and each TV will be different. Old TVs tend to have bad or non-existent channel guides, while newer TV will have better ones.

Pro tip: If you want a better channel guide or the ability to record, there are many suitable options to choose from.

Step 6: The last step is to call your cable or satellite provider and cancel your subscription!

Once you finally get a person on the phone they will do everything they can to keep your service active. They will do things like; offer you a discount, or transfer you multiple times, or leave you on hold forever. But don’t give up, stand firm and cancel!

Pro tip: Remember to keep your internet service! Only cancel your TV service.

That’s it! Now you’re watching over-the-air, HDTV – for FREE!