Sound Advice: Antenna makes cord-cutting easy

First, determine the size and type of device you need.

Tribune News Service
February 2, 2024 at 2:15PM

Q: Who makes a good TV antenna? I want to cut the cord — no more cable TV for me! I have a one-story house and can use an outdoor antenna if necessary.

A: An outdoor antenna is definitely the way to go. Channel Master and Winegard are my go-tos for outdoor antennas. But first, we need to determine what type and size antenna you need.

Cord-cutters can visit antennaweb.org and fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps to see which channels can be received in their area. Your ZIP code shows that with a medium-sized directional antenna you can get 181 channels from 41 stations broadcasting near you. This is because with digital television, a single station can transmit multiple channels. These extra channels are frequently vintage programming channels such as Comet, MeTV and Buzzr.

The Channel Master ULTRAtenna 60 directional antenna (channelmaster.com) has a 180-degree field of view. Using two ($99 each) with a JOINtenna OTA combiner ($29) yields 360 degrees of coverage without a rotator. I am a strong proponent of hiring an experienced antenna installer to do the job, especially when cutting the cord because you will be depending on the antenna a great deal.

Big TV deals

Through Feb. 11, TCL (tcl.com) is running the best large TV deals I have ever seen. The gigantic 98-inch S Class is reduced from $4,999 to $1,999, and the high-end Q Class 85-inch Q6 is only $899, which is a standout value and perhaps a more usable size for most consumers than a 98-inch set. Other offers are available on smaller TCL TVs, as well, but I highly encourage you to go as big as you can. You won’t regret it later.

Another sale

If you missed one of the holiday offers on RF skin-tightening devices, your time may be now. The Amiro S1 goes far beyond a typical RF device in its ease of use, speedy application time and rapid results. It incorporates red light therapy, and you can slide it over your face using gel like an ordinary RF machine, but it also offers a unique “stamping mode” that utilizes face masks with grids.

In stamping mode, the S1 uses higher power and a special energy distribution pattern to penetrate deeper and differently to produce even more collagen more quickly. To use stamping mode you wash your face, apply the mask and put the device head on the starter grid. After six seconds it will vibrate and you move it to the next grid. Full treatment takes about five minutes.

If you do not want to use a mask every time, you can use stamping mode every week or two and the regular RF mode at other times. With better results achieved more quickly and easily, it is easy to see why the Amiro S1 is $799, though other quality machines are under $400. A Valentine’s Day promotion with the code AMIROS1 at amirobeauty.com reduces the S1 price to only $419, a discount of almost 50%.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.

about the writer

Don Lindich

See More

More from Variety

card image

Highlights for Sept. 26-Oct. 2 include PJ Harvey, ELO, Cowboy Junkies, Jimmy Webb, Morris Day & the Time, the Family Stone and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.