Tailgating: OTA TV in Ames and generators

**Omaha Cy** · 10-16-2012, 07:13 AM

Curious if anyone in Ames uses over the air signal out in the lot and precisely how many channels you can pull in? I know of some people who can also pull in FX in places like Perry, which is good with the Big 12's games on FX each Saturday.

I think eventually I'll get another HD receiver and dish set up to use at the games, but in the meantime I'm looking for a little football to watch out in the lot, and curious what I could pull in just on antennae alone.

Next question....thinking tax return time is going to be a good time to get a honda quiet generator. Wondering if 1,000 watt model is sufficient to run a TV or 2, with direct tv receiver. For something I'll probably only use like 8 times a year, I'm on the fence about doling out the extra $500 or so, to get the 2,000 watt model. If 1,000 watts will get us by, then I'm all for it.

**CyGrad04** · 10-16-2012, 08:19 AM

Don't know about the over the air reception, but the 1000 watt is fine for tvs/ stereos, but I would not plan on using any cooking appliances.

I used to run a 40" tv and direct tv with a 450 watt inverter(pretty ghetto), switched to a 2000 watt generator now. With the 2000 watt we seem to plug in whatever we want and it always works.

**VeloClone** · 10-16-2012, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by CyGrad04

Don't know about the over the air reception, but the 1000 watt is fine for tvs/ stereos, but I would not plan on using any cooking appliances.

I used to run a 40" tv and direct tv with a 450 watt inverter(pretty ghetto), switched to a 2000 watt generator now. With the 2000 watt we seem to plug in whatever we want and it always works.

If there is ever a chance that someone will bring a roaster full of meat to your tailgate you will want the 2000 watt Honda. Everytime the roaster kicks on you can hear our generator ramp up to take the load. A 1000 watt model wouldn't handle it.

Personally, if I am making the investment I want one that will handle the needs down the road.

**zmanzbo** · 10-16-2012, 09:26 AM

You will be able to get 8+13 in to watch some games. But channel 5 was basically impossible to get in. We tried lots of different all with similar results.

We switched to this and wish we would have sooner!

Tailgater - Portable Satellite TV Antenna - Take TV Outdoors With DISH!

**alarson** · 10-16-2012, 09:50 AM

As veloclone said, probably best to go for the 2000. Yamaha makes good quiet ones as well, we use the 2000 watt one from them.

As for tv, highly recommend one of these. We used to mess with a manual dish setup every saturday, which meant spending awhile listening to signal strength meters and that fun stuff. This little guy? We plug it in, and before we can get the TVs attached its already found its satellite and is ready to go.

Winegard Carryout Automatic Portable Satellite TV Antenna

**isuno1fan** · 10-16-2012, 10:02 AM

Get a Honda for the generator...nothing else compares

**VeloClone** · 10-16-2012, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

Get a Honda for the generator...nothing else compares

+1

Your tailgate will thank you and your tailgating neighbors will thank you. The Honda quiet generators rule.

**alarson** · 10-16-2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

Get a Honda for the generator...nothing else compares

The yamahas are just as good. Go with one of those two brands though, definitely don't be that guy with the loud generator.

**CyFan61** · 10-16-2012, 10:14 AM

I have used this antenna in the past: Amazon.com: RCA ANT1400R Multi-Directional Digital Flat Passive Home Theater Antenna-White: Electronics

I would put the TV in the bed of a truck and place the antenna on top of the cab. In the student tailgating lot, it works pretty well. Like someone else mentioned, you pick up CBS and NBC fairly consistently but ABC is more of a crapshoot.

**NickTheGreat** · 10-16-2012, 12:31 PM

Where does FX come from OTA? I thought that was a cable channel.

And remember YOUR generator goes in YOUR tailgate. Don't be the dbag who puts his generator away from his spot because it's too loud.

**keepngoal** · 10-16-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by NickTheGreat

Where does FX come from OTA? I thought that was a cable channel.

And remember YOUR generator goes in YOUR tailgate. Don't be the dbag who puts his generator away from his spot because it's too loud.

**terryk** · 10-16-2012, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by VeloClone

+1

Your tailgate will thank you and your tailgating neighbors will thank you. The Honda quiet generators rule.

Last time i checked the Yamahas were a few dbs lower. Both are proven performers.

**justcynn** · 10-16-2012, 06:35 PM

Get a group 27 or 31 deep cycle battery, a $30 inverter and a newer LCD tv. You should be able to run a 32" tv for several hours. This is what I used to do with direct tv, worked great, no noise, no gas to carry and much cheaper.

**alarson** · 10-16-2012, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by justcynn

no noise, no gas to carry

FWIW, using one of the yamaha 2000s, its very quiet, and on a full tank it has run for us from 7am to 11pm, despite running 2 tvs, satellite receivers, and automatic dish, crock pots, etc. We carry around extra gas 'just in case', but its rarely needed.

**ISUFAN80** · 10-16-2012, 07:29 PM

Can anyone else elaborate on their problems getting abc5 to come in. I live in Ft.Dodge and off and on for the past six months it comes in pixelated or sometimes not at all. All other channels 8 and 13 and 17 all come in crystal clear hd. I emailed abc5 and was pleased to get a call from the guy that runs the station.

He said that it is my antenna and that I needed to replace something on it but can't remember what it was. I have been thinking on gettting a new antenna but at 150 bucks I do not want to spend the money and still get crap picture on abc5.

Any ideas ? Has it always been this way in ames ? The station is only 15 miles away from there I think.