Originally Posted By: KenK
A year or two ago we finally made the switch from getting television off a simple rooftop antenna to using DirecTV (cable is not available in my area).

Overall the experience has been very positive, though certainly more expensive. Being in the Chicago area we can even get the local TV stations via the satellites.

One of the big unexpected things I've experienced with satellite TV is the complete loss of a signal during heavy precipitation (rain or snow).

In the past the local television stations were my primary source of foul weather information. Now they simply can't be depended on to play a part. Instead we have to rely on viewing internet radar maps and listening to local radio stations. Unfortunately, it seems that the best local radio stations during severe weather are the AM stations (WLS, WGN), but during thunderstorms those become very difficult to hear due to the static (from lighting).

My weather radios have some information, but they don't seem to offer up-to-the-minute news like the the TV stations do.

Eventually I may try to run a second coax cable from an antenna on the roof so that I can once again switch to local over-the-air broadcasts, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Maybe someday I'll be able to get real-time TV station broadcasts from the internet.



The best way around here IS a weather radio...in this area(TN), you hear warnings and watches as soon as they are issued from the weather service....trying to keep up by using TV or the internet may be a bust, b/c if you lose power, TV and internet are useless...unless you have a battery powered TV(until 2009). I work in the TV field, and the less people between you and the weather service, the better...because the meteorologists are using the weather service websites and weather radios to prepare their forecasts in case of a dangerous weather situation...so why not be prepared to get your info straight from the source as soon as they get it? There are many hand-crank radios out there that work well in emergency situations, and a battery powered scanner or CB works good...Ham radios are another good source...especially if you can communicate with other operators in your area for a "man on the ground" report. Even those cheap motorola walkie-talkies have access to NOAA radio..(Ch. 1, I believe). From having to be out during these "adverse weather" situations..all these sources have been handy and potentially life-saving. I hope this helps...