Q: I have been told to buy a TV, an antenna, move the set and subscribe to cable. I thought I just needed a converter box. What do I do?— Nancy Clary, Conifer
A: Yours is a problem that so many people who rely on free over-the-air television are running into. The conversion to all-digital broadcasting hasn’t been as easy as first thought.
Though Congress has delayed the Feb. 17 transition date to June 12, that’s not clearing up confusion among consumers.
The simplest thing to do first is to decide how well your TV receives the analog signals of your favorite local stations. If they’re pretty clear, then you might only need to install the converter box — the set-top mechanism that will allow your TV to pick up digital signals.
But if you have a set-top, rabbit-ears antenna, with a UHF loop or bow tie, you might want to upgrade to a roof- top or attic antenna. This should improve your signal dramatically (presuming you get the actual station feeds and aren’t reliant on a rural translator; those come with their own issues).
With snow on the roofs of many mountain homes, it might not be feasible to install an antenna yet. Consider the attic variety, which actually work as well.
There’s a good bit of info about antennas at and which type you might need. Check out for additional help in picking the right one.
Be sure to purchase from a store that will allow an exchange or return so you’ll avoid paying for more than one.
A handyman in your area — local newspapers might list a few in the classifieds — might be able to help with basic installation. Be sure to note any homeowner-association covenants that pertain to antennas.
David Migoya wants to answer your questions. E-mail consumertips@ denverpost.com or write to Consumer Shopping Bag, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202.
