You Know You Are Old When

[masscity]

Our antenna was next to the west upstairs window, one channel, but the wind would sometimes move the antenna. Me being

the oldest I would adjust the pipe holding the antenna. My Dad would stand at the base of the stairs while I had the pipe

wrench on the pipe turning until we had a picture. Of course in the winter and its 20 below or maybe a blizzard made it fun.

 

[WinterDeere]

Thinking back to the 1970's, mom had us unplug the TV every time where was a major storm, having had a few acquaintances who lost TV's during storms. I was just a young kid, so did as I was told.

But I think she missed the issue, as it seems the point of entry for a lightning strike is more likely the aerial standing on your chimney or attic, than the power mains. We never disconnected the antenna.

 

[masscity]

I live in the house I grew up in and I still have two lightning rods on the house.

 

[Runner]

I kept the TV on for tornado detection:

The “Weller Method” of TV-Tornado Detection - IowaWeather.com

Learn more about this technique that used to identify tornadoes by comparing the strength of TV signals on two channels.

iowaweather.com

However, I think this has pretty much been disproved now.

 

[Oaktree]

Many years ago radio/TV repeaters were installed on the mountain summits and as long as there is a clear line of site to the mountain, TV reception is great.

I was wondering if that might have been the case. I've noticed on road trips out west many FM stations list a whole bunch of repeaters when they do their hourly ID.
There used to be a couple tv stations that broadcast from Mt. Washington, but they moved years ago.

 

[WinterDeere]

I was wondering if that might have been the case. I've noticed on road trips out west many FM stations list a whole bunch of repeaters when they do their hourly ID.
There used to be a couple tv stations that broadcast from Mt. Washington, but they moved years ago.

I accidentally pressed the damn Sirius button on my car stereo yesterday, by accident, I don't maintain a subscription. But it got me thinking, "how are they even still in business?"

My thinking or assumption was that, with unlimited cellular and smart phones, anyone can stream any content they want from any streaming service, without paying a few hundred dollars per year to Sirius. I think the last quote I had from them was something like $300 per year to cover our three vehicles, which is highway robbery, esp. since they advertise at least as much as free FM radio these days.

But I'm working from a northeastern US perspective, the probably most densely-populated corner of our continent, where you're never far from a good WiFi or HD FM signal. I'd forgotten about the western states, where I guess you could go miles or hours without reliable high-speed reception. Are Sirius or other satellite services more popular, out there?

 

[JethroB]

I accidentally pressed the damn Sirius button on my car stereo yesterday, by accident, I don't maintain a subscription. But it got me thinking, "how are they even still in business?"

My thinking or assumption was that, with unlimited cellular and smart phones, anyone can stream any content they want from any streaming service, without paying a few hundred dollars per year to Sirius. I think the last quote I had from them was something like $300 per year to cover our three vehicles, which is highway robbery, esp. since they advertise at least as much as free FM radio these days.

But I'm working from a northeastern US perspective, the probably most densely-populated corner of our continent, where you're never far from a good WiFi or HD FM signal. I'd forgotten about the western states, where I guess you could go miles or hours without reliable high-speed reception. Are Sirius or other satellite services more popular, out there?

Maybe because Sirius makes it nearly impossible to cancel their service. Crooks almost.

 

[deserteagle71]

I was wondering if that might have been the case. I've noticed on road trips out west many FM stations list a whole bunch of repeaters when they do their hourly ID.
There used to be a couple tv stations that broadcast from Mt. Washington, but they moved years ago.

Exactly! Here is a list of the PBS mountaintop repeaters (they call them Translators) for just my section of northern Nevada. But the PBS station itself is on the University of Nevada campus in Reno.

 

[LouNY]

I accidentally pressed the damn Sirius button on my car stereo yesterday, by accident, I don't maintain a subscription. But it got me thinking, "how are they even still in business?"

My thinking or assumption was that, with unlimited cellular and smart phones, anyone can stream any content they want from any streaming service, without paying a few hundred dollars per year to Sirius. I think the last quote I had from them was something like $300 per year to cover our three vehicles, which is highway robbery, esp. since they advertise at least as much as free FM radio these days.

But I'm working from a northeastern US perspective, the probably most densely-populated corner of our continent, where you're never far from a good WiFi or HD FM signal. I'd forgotten about the western states, where I guess you could go miles or hours without reliable high-speed reception. Are Sirius or other satellite services more popular, out there?

I use the Sirius XM in my truck all the time and my wife uses hers in her vehicle.
Streaming is very problematic in my area of the Northeast with lots of dead and drop out areas. Even the Sirius has a few small drop out areas.

 

[ultrarunner]

Maybe because Sirius makes it nearly impossible to cancel their service. Crooks almost.

Friend is nerve deaf and Sirius won't leave him alone...

It was in the new car he bought and he told sales not to sign him up for free trial but someone at the Dealer did...