Grand Rapids Locals

[dirtyzachattack]

After some searching i found here that the Grand Rapids locals are supposed to be available come May.

Here is my dilemma. I just moved all of my equipment into a wire closet. In the past, I used a set of bunny ears and set them on top of our TV to receive the locals OTA.

However, when I set up the closet, I did not run a coax wire for the bunny ears. I didn't really want the ugly-ness of the antenna in our nice clean looking living room.

My original plan was once the NHL season was over (because we have Center Ice), I would switch to Direct TV because they offer the locals in HD.

My question(s): How reliable is that website? Should I really expect the locals to be available in May? And if so, will I need to order any additional equipment or will they just appear?

Thanks..

 

[old corps]

I'm GUESSING that you currently have a dish or dishes aimed at 110, 119 and 129. If so, you'll have to get another dish to see 61.5. That's my situation here in the Flint area, where HD locals were recently added. Although 129 prgramming is mirrored on 61.5 the one big exception is Fox Sports Detroit/HD. It is ONLY on 129. So if you wanna watch the Tigers lose in HD youll need to keep 129. Dunno WTH they had to put the locals on 61.5???

Kinda dumb, huh?

Ed

 

[cummingsje]

I live in Swartz Creek and just had a 500 added to see 61.5. IF we ever get Sci-Fi HD i for one would go with the HD only package. I could get rid of my older dish (pointed at 110, 119 and 129) if it weren't for FSD HD not being mirrored on 61.5.

 

[jhusted]

Question.... Having to get another dish to get locals seems stupid, why Dish makes you do that is stupid..... Ok, my question, if I need to have this other Dish for my Locals will dish install it for FREE (I hope)?

 

[cummingsje]

Question.... Having to get another dish to get locals seems stupid, why Dish makes you do that is stupid..... Ok, my question, if I need to have this other Dish for my Locals will dish install it for FREE (I hope)?

I just had them out a couple of weeks ago to add mine. I was able to get the 2nd dish at no charge and no further commitment. Some have been able to this others haven't. Good luck!

 

[jhusted]

So I will need a 2nd Dish? great....

 

[dirtyzachattack]

Thanks for all the great info.

I guess I'll wait it out - NHL playoffs go on for awhile, and maybe by then there will be an answer.

It's unfortunate I have to get a second dish - But, what can you do.

 

[dirtyzachattack]

And it also appears that Direct TV does not have all of the locals available. Apparently *from what I have researched* they do not offer NBC and ABC. I don't know how truthful that is, but it looks that way

 

[shibby191]

And it also appears that Direct TV does not have all of the locals available. Apparently *from what I have researched* they do not offer NBC and ABC. I don't know how truthful that is, but it looks that way

ABC is offered as is CBS and Fox. NBC is the only one not offered in HD (it is in SD) because they are owned by LIN.

 

[GRExpert]

Correct, E* will have all 4 networks "soon" and D* doesn't not have Ch. 8 NBC in Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo

 

[thedamaja]

I'm guessing if you pull the locals on rabbit it ears you must be reasonably close to the towers.

Have you considered purchasing a small outdoor antenna and a couple diplexers? This would give you all the locals available and use the existing cable run to your dish receiver. It may also be cheaper than the second dish option and less sightly depending on what you buy.

 

[dirtyzachattack]

I actually have an external antenna on my dish for that very reason - But I was never to get it working. That's why I resorted to the bunny ears.

Newegg.com - WINEGARD SS-2000 16" Square Shooter HDTV Antenna

that's the antenna I bought. But from day one, it never worked. I don't know if I got a bad unit, or if I don't know how to set it up.... But it never worked, which is why we went to the rabbit ears approach.

 

[shibby191]

Those "attach to your dish" type antennas are typically all junk. I'd rather have bunny ears.

My suggestion is to stop by the AVS Forum and go to the Local HD forum and find the thread for Grand Rapids. Thousand and thousands of posts from people right in your area that can give you tips on what antennas are good or bad and much more.

 

[jrlead]

I bought the "Aria Special" antenna from Bursma Electronics for about $70.00 Pick ups 31 local channels with out a problem. The antenna is located in my garage not on my roof.