HDTV Sets, and older TV Sets connected to Converter Boxes, will have three choices for live signals after February 17, 2009: Cable, Satellite or Free Over-the-Air programs. Each has its advantages, but cable and satellite strip and compress their signals and omit many NEW local programs to conserve bandwidth.
If you'd like to watch these new programs, or any local programs in complete HDTV detail, you need to add an antenna. This site describes how to choose one, depending on where you live and which channels you like. The "HDTV Channels" Link, below, lists your new channel numbers under RF Ch. Just copy that list for now...
Different ways of obtaining other FREE digital signals will be posted here.
Station Channel Network
Detroit
WJBKDT 2.1 Fox
WJBKDT2 2.2 Fox
WDIVDT 4.1 NBC
WDIVDT2 4.2 Ind
WXYZDT 7.1 ABC
WXYZDT2 7.2 Ind
WXYZDT3 7.3 Ind
WMYDDT 20.1 MyN
WMYDDT2 20.2 MyN
WPXDDT 31.1 i
WPXDDT2 31.2 Ind
WPXDDT3 31.3 Ind
WPXDDT4 31.4 Ind
WADLDT 38.1 Ind
WADLDT2 38.2 Ind
WKBDDT 50.1 CW
WTVSDT 56.1 PBS
WTVSDT2 56.2 PBS
WTVSDT3 56.3 Ind
WWJDT 62.1 CBS
WWJDT2 62.2 CBS
WWJDT3 62.3 CBS
WWJDT4 62.4 CBS
WWJDT5 62.5 CBS
All 24 of these new channels, and many more, are Free! No cable or satellite is needed for any of them. Just select an Antenna, using the instructions below, to receive crystal clear HDTV signals Free in the Detroit Area.
Antenna Selection Guide
If you've copied the list of RF Channels for Detroit, you're ready to find the perfect antenna. The CEA, Consumer Electronics Association, and NAB, National Association of Broadcasters, created the AntennaWeb to help you do just that. Free! For us non-experts, a working example of it is presented here.
NOTE that all TV stations will be transmitting on different channels then they are now. But to avoid confusion, the new tuners allow a station to keep its old channel number while automatically switching you to its new RF Channel. Some of them will be VHF RF Channels; most will use UHF.
Stations on your RF Channel List numbered less than 14 are VHF. In general, they need a broader antenna than UHF channels; the ones numbered 14 and up. Since HDTV is 91% UHF, you probably won't need a bulky VHF Antenna at all.
Most will need an Indoor Antenna which can work with an old TV and Converter Box or new HDTV with an "antenna in" post on the back. Some will need Outdoor Antennas, others several. Whichever your situation, find a store with someone who uses the antenna(s) you plan to buy... or one with a good return policy!
AntennaWeb.org's Front Page
EXAMPLE... We'll use a place near Tampa: ENTER 11903 67th Ave, Seminole, FL, 33772, or just the Zip for partial results, on the Pop-Up form to get: The address you entered was located at Street level. Stations and Antenna Types
The Channel List below is arranged by ease of reception, with the strongest stations, which need the smallest antennas, at the top. To find the antenna for this example, record the color codes of channels you might like for use on the "Color Codes" Chart shown below.
Select Digital Stations Only then press the "View Street Level Map" bar to build the Compass Orientation map at right. You need to point your antenna in the below listed directions to receive various channels. A rotor can be used, and would be needed here, even in a nearby city, for staggered and distant stations.
...Select Digital Stations Only for This Example ... Careful checking reveals only 10 digital stations on the Table while Tampa's RF Channel List shows more. Likewise, some which appear on the Table (under Frequency Assignment) will expire. One channel listed, 13, is totally in error. You're better off using RF Channel Lists to determine which type of antenna, VHF or UHF, is needed. If you have any doubt, consult TVFool.com for further antenna analysis.
Finally, note that many channels, such as the ones with decimal 2's, 3's and 4's on the RF Channel List, are missing from the Table. You'll find that there are omissions on many Tables. Cable and Satellite are missing most of them completely. You'll need an antenna to see them!
At this point we should have a pretty good idea of what sort of antenna we'll need in our Example, both by Color Code and VHF/UHF.
Antenna Color Codes
To get Free HDTV Over-the-Air signals you need an Antenna; Color Coding Shows Reception Strength. Typically, the closer you live to signal towers, the better will be the signals you receive. Within 15 miles, an Indoor Antenna, sometimes with a pre-amplifier, may be used (in the Green and Light Green Zones).
Small Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION
The smallest of TV antennas receive from all directions.
APPEARANCE
Good looking home interior designs.
USE
For use where signal strength is high and with No pre-amplifier.
Medium Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION
Larger and slightly more powerful, may be placed in interior attic.
APPEARANCE
These antennas include novel stick, wing shaped or disk
antennas.
USE
An amplifier is recommended for 20 feet long, or more, cables from the antenna, or when more than one TV or VCR is used by a single antenna located AWAY from reflecting structures or in valleys.
Large Multi-Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION
Bigger in size, these antennas receive more signal power.
Better for greater distances from signal source and areas with low signal strength. May work well in interior attic.
APPEARANCE
Styles include element antennas. These antennas can be used to reject simple ghosting.
USE
When mounted at rooftop heights (30 feet) outdoors, amplified antennas can be used in light green color code areas away from reflecting structures or low areas.
ALL OUTDOOR ANTENNAS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU HIRE A PROFESSIONAL FOR ALL ANTENNA WORK OUTSIDE YOUR HOME. CONSUMER DATA PROVIDED HERE IS TO KEEP THEM HONEST!
Small Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION
Picture quality is excellent when no signal reflecting structures are around.
APPEARANCE
Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE
Suitable for far edge of light green color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used in these areas if the area is free of signal reflecting structures and is not in a low area.
Medium Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION
Most popular rooftop antenna because of its modest size.
APPEARANCE
Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE
If there are ghost producing reflective structures near TV receiver antenna location, this kind of antenna is best for yellow, green, light green and red color code areas. Amplified antennas with rooftop mounting can be used with the blue color code.
Large Directional Antennas
DESCRIPTION
Large antennas used in weak signal areas for maximum
possible TV reception.
APPEARANCE
Multi-element rooftop antennas.
USE
Can be used in any color code area, but requires an amplifier and roof mounting for blue and violet color codes.
THE ANTENNA FOUND FOR THIS EXAMPLE NEEDS TO HAVE:
A: Medium Multi-directional VHF Antenna pointed 10° magnetic, and
B: Large Directional UHF/VHF Antenna pointed between 92-95°
C: NO 129° NEEDED BECAUSE "B" SEES TAMPA's ABC
If ALL of the Stations you want to watch are within 15 miles, USE INDOOR ANTENNAS. But, all are more than 24.4 in the example, so "Antenna Installation" is the next step!
Having gone thru this Example - ENTER YOUR Detroit Area Address or ZIP Code
Note on Detroit: The RF Ch. List for Detroit-Lansing-Flint indicates that only two RF Channels, 7 and 10, are VHF on the new HDTV line-up. Their Status is "Application," however, meaning that they will expire on February 17th, 2009. When that happens there will be no VHF signals for HDTV in the Detroit Area... so no one will need a VHF antenna, just a simple UHF antenna. Note, too, that most homes are within 15 miles of the stations, so indoor antennas should work just fine!
DETROIT AREA
EXAMPLE... We'll use a 
Careful checking reveals only 10 digital stations on the Table while 
