Internet and TV

[Sir Henry]

My cell phone is all I’ve used for internet and TV however it’s never been great and now it’s slower than molasses in the winter.

I can’t get high speed fiber internet or cable. So I’m stuck with telephone lines and satellite. I’m wonder what I should get and what equipment I’ll need. I currently don’t even own a TV.

All I want to do is post on a few forums, spend to much money on Amazon and watch the news and weather.

I’m also thinking of getting a local cellular number so I may switch from Verizon which I’ve had for 20 plus years.

[tcpip95]

Take a look at Starlink. This is Elon Musk's satellite "Internet for Everyone" plan.

https://www.starlink.com/

[JEBar]

while traveling in our camper we use Verizon MIFI for internet and Dish network for TV .... along with them we use Verizon's cell phone service .... it ain't cheap but it does work well for us

[Sir Henry]

I’m thinking CenturyLink DSL for internet and not sure about TV.

[GFK]

I have used DirectTV for about 20 years. Started out at around $30 a month. Grew to around $145 (AT&T took over). But, I think there are cheaper plans. We had one of the premium plans. Yet, it did not include Internet. I mention it, because it supposes to provide service for most places. And, it has been reliable over the years.

We use Verizon's and AT&T's hotspots for the office. The plans are unlimited. The Verizon's plan is about $40 a month. I think AT&T is similar. As for speed, they are around 25 Mbps, which has been good for a couple of computers and other mobile devices for network access, video conferences and devices updates without issues. Between the two, AT&T's hotspot (Nighthawk) has been more reliable. It has been on since the start of our responds to the pandemic (Spring of 2020). And, I have not had an issue with it. The one from Verizon, it has stopped responding on a few occasions.

I considered dropping DirectTV and my Verizon’s Internet connection and just going with AT&T wireless. But, AT&T wanted a 2-year commitment. So, I dropped DirectTV and Verizon and went with Comcast, which did not want a commitment and came out $100 ahead.

[BigAl52]

I told Dish and Direct see ya later. I have Century link DSL at my house. It works ok. Its there base DSL plan I think about 12 MBPS. I had an antenna put up in my attic for local stations. I get like 69 channels on it. Where you are there probably isnt any very close. I then bought a roku box. It works great with the dsl. Its all internet tv. You get a lot of free channels and if you want a few other channels you can subscribe to those also. No contacts and easy to use. I like it alot.

[BigAl52]

Gene you might also check with Tmobile they have an internet plan now for 50.00 a month that looks pretty good.

[Sir Henry]

I told Dish and Direct see ya later. I have Century link DSL at my house. It works ok. Its there base DSL plan I think about 12 MBPS. I had an antenna put up in my attic for local stations. I get like 69 channels on it. Where you are there probably isnt any very close. I then bought a roku box. It works great with the dsl. Its all internet tv. You get a lot of free channels and if you want a few other channels you can subscribe to those also. No contacts and easy to use. I like it alot.

I bought an antenna and it doesn’t show any strong signals. Haven’t hooked it up to a TV yet.

I’m thinking I don’t want to be the richest corpse in the cemetery and should just get what I want. Verizon is great except they throttle me back. I wanted to post several times today and couldn’t. With CenturyLink it might not be all that fast but it’s never slow either. The sellers here had it for two people and they said it never was slow. They also had Dish TV. The dish is still on the roof and all I have to do is sign up.

[BigAl52]

Whatever works for you. I had a grudge with dish as they had conflict in the works with Altitude network which broadcasts the Avalanche games. When I decided to sign up for 2 more years in 2018 they knew I was signing up because I could watch the hockey games. Shortly there after they took that channel out of the line up over the dispute with Altitude. When my time was up I told them Im done and left and the reason why. I now watch the games via a live stream and have for a couple years.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

With an Antenna, it's important to get the right one. I have great luck with this brand here (link below). It pulls in 25 Channels and I just use it inside. They will even work with you to sell you the right one and will also send you charts and info of your particular area. I've never spent a penny on TV all through the years and have saved many multi-$1000's. I also have a Roku box that gets tons more TV through the computer, also free.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/clearstr ... ennas.html

[Sir Henry]

Whatever works for you. I had a grudge with dish as they had conflict in the works with Altitude network which broadcasts the Avalanche games. When I decided to sign up for 2 more years in 2018 they knew I was signing up because I could watch the hockey games. Shortly there after they took that channel out of the line up over the dispute with Altitude. When my time was up I told them Im done and left and the reason why. I now watch the games via a live stream and have for a couple years.

I think I’ve had a grudge with the world for most of my life. Now I just want to enjoy the years I have remaining. I sure feel better about the world living in Wisconsin.

[Sir Henry]

With an Antenna, it's important to get the right one. I have great luck with this brand here (link below). It pulls in 25 Channels and I just use it inside. They will even work with you to sell you the right one and will also send you charts and info of your particular area. I've never spent a penny on TV all through the years and have saved many multi-$1000's. I also have a Roku box that gets tons more TV through the computer, also free.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/clearstr ... ennas.html

A lot of the homes I saw listed in Wisconsin had big outdoor antennas that were on high poles. Some going up at least 50 to 100 feet. I’ve gone online and it says I only have three stations within 35 miles of me. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and go satellite. It’s not like it will make me go hungry or miss the rent.

[cooperhawk]

We live back in the woods and far enough out in the country that a regular antennae was not practical. I had a 10 foot dish for years before Dish came into being. We use Dish in our home and on the road as well. It costs a bit, but we like it. Don't leave home without it.

[GeoBoy]

With an Antenna, it's important to get the right one. I have great luck with this brand here (link below). It pulls in 25 Channels and I just use it inside. They will even work with you to sell you the right one and will also send you charts and info of your particular area. I've never spent a penny on TV all through the years and have saved many multi-$1000's. I also have a Roku box that gets tons more TV through the computer, also free.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/clearstr ... ennas.html

A lot of the homes I saw listed in Wisconsin had big outdoor antennas that were on high poles. Some going up at least 50 to 100 feet. I’ve gone online and it says I only have three stations within 35 miles of me. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and go satellite. It’s not like it will make me go hungry or miss the rent.

Gene, make sure you have a power booster on your tv antenna. I live 22 miles from the local tv stations and use a MoHo flat antenna in my cellar window and I get 40+ tv stations.

[Hatchdog]

I have Century LInk DSL for internet and it runs $53 per month. It works great for us, simple internet use like this website and streaming TV is fine. For TV we have Dish and it’s stupid expensive. We have the 250 channel package only because that’s the only way I can get the golf channel. You mentioned the news and the weather, you can do that for a lot less than the $150 I pay per month. If you want local news and weather they do charge extra for the local channels.

[GFK]

One thing that helped us to kick DirectTV to the curb was Firestick. The software is included with most SmartTVs. And, all that is required is an Internet connection. There are lots of free shows. And, there is even a news station that I don't mind watching (NewsMax). Firestick can also be purchase as a separate unit. But, the device don't seem to last as long. I think the first one lasted for a couple of years.

[markiver54]

I don't know of anyone who likes AT&T/Direct TV, however, that is whaI have. Would love to ditch them because of the cost.
I value having my local channels and some others that my package offers, but I do pay for it!
Where you are, I personally would recommend one of the satellite service providers. JMO.
Yes, I'll say it again; I hate AT&T.

[BigAl52]

We live back in the woods and far enough out in the country that a regular antennae was not practical. I had a 10 foot dish for years before Dish came into being. We use Dish in our home and on the road as well. It costs a bit, but we like it. Don't leave home without it.

Thats a good song Coop.
The preacher man says it's the end of time
And the Mississippi River, she's a-goin' dry
The interest is up and the stock market's down
And you only get mugged if you go downtown
I live back in the woods you see
My woman and the kids and the dogs and me
I got a shotgun, a rifle and a four-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

[Sir Henry]

I bought a TV today and I get 15 channels on ten minutes of adjustment. I’m thinking if I get a better antenna and put it up higher I’ll get more stations. For the amount of TV I watch it will be good enough. I’ll sign up for CenturyLink for internet tomorrow.

[Ernie]

Got a tower antenna here you can have. I don't watch tv.