I am in Gap without cable and live up on the hill. I set up the converter box and have a decent indoor antenna. I can only get 5 channels (2 wgal, 3 public service). Shouldn't I be able to get CBS and ABC without investing in an outdoor antenna????

If you mean WHP and WHTM, both their digital transmitters are running on very low power for whatever reason (check the FCC regs for what they're licensed to broadcast with) so it doesn't seem like anything short of a magician will get a signal far outside of Harrisburg unless you've got a 10 story outdoor antenna.

I agree totally with what a few others have said...they pretty well glossed over the need for a decent antenna when they were flogging converter boxes relentlessly.

I'd be interested in hearing from those in the area who are getting good reception from their antenna. What kind are you using and what height do you have it outside or inside? Do you have to rotate the antenna or can it be stationary?

I have digital antenna in my attic in Leola. I get 8-1, 8-2, 15, 21-1,21-2, 33, 43 very clear with occasional breakup- like a couple of seconds every 15 minutes to several hours. Trying to find best location, direction to minimize breakup. Also get 49-1, 49-2 but they break up all the time and I don't like their programming in any case.

My set is 32" analog with convert box. I am a netflix person, but like commercial tv for special events, but overall hate the ads, so go netflix route. For my situation I view the switch as a positive.

The converter box costs me about $20 with coupon. Antenna which came with internal amplifier was about $40. And a few bucks for cable, etc. Well under $100.

First thing first. This transition is NOT a conspiracy to get you to switch to cable. They are just using all the confusion to their advantage. To those of you having reception problems or wanting to know of other peoples experiences, I will tell you mine.

First thing to do is decide what channels you want to receive. Use tvfool.com or dtv.gov to get the direction of the transmitter and the band that the signal is being broadcast on so you know if you need an antenna upgrade. If you have long cable runs a preamp is a good idea. Since dtv signals are very directional the further you are from the signal, consider a rotator for a roof mounted antenna. Be careful not to get caught up in the HD antenna confusion. An existing rooftop antenna should be fine if it's in good condition and large enough for the signal you are trying to receive. Indoor antennas are only good enough if you are within 15 to 20 miles of the transmitter and are not blocked by large trees, buildings or hills. I live in Ephrata with a clear view to the south and west. At this point I am still using my Channel Master 8 bay UHF antenna. The Ephrata hill blocks some of the signal from Philly but I still get most of the channels just fine. I lost channel six as they went to VHF 6 post transition. With the antenna pointed towards Philly I am still receiving channels 8, 43, and 27 from the back of the antenna. Channel 15 comes in no matter how I point it since it's so close. From time to time a few Baltimore channels come in from the side. I plan to add a rotator soon so I can point it directly at the transmitter I want to receive. I received all the major channels from Baltimore when I had it turned that direction before the transition.

My opinion is cable should be scared of over the air digital tv. Now that I receive all these channels free in glorious HD for the cost of an antenna and some rg6 cable I would consider not paying cable for tv if the budget gets tight.