General discussion & info about South Walton, Florida.

All About SoWal

Advertise or find a business, discuss business.

Business & Services

Jobs

Festivals, classes, gatherings, activities.

Events & Music

Food & Dining

Marketplace

property, realtors, builders, development, infrastructure ...

Real Estate

Long Term Rentals

Vacation Rentals

SoWal Lounge

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert

In the old days, Jan 2009, I used to get ch 4, 7, 13, 28, and 56 -- all were analog. Then, the switch came, or i should say the fake switch came, and ch 13 changed to digital, so I had to buy a converter box to see it. Ch 4 remained in perfect reception (still analog). Ch 7 switched to broadcast at half strength, but was broadcasting in digital and analog. My reception of ch 7 change for the worse.  Ch 28 and 56 seemed to also disappear, not sure what was up with that. After the most recent, and complete switch to digital, I now receive ch 13, but only at times, and when I do, the digital interruption is so great at times that I cannot hear a thing, other than sounds as if someone was drowning under water. I gave up. Ef em all. The tech guys at Ch 4 said that I need to buy separate antenna for each channel, since the towers are located in slightly different areas, but as I told him, I was receiving all of them without any trouble, nor having to readjust my antenna, when they were analog.  

Seriously, I am looking forward to reading more books. The last few times I've turned on my one channel, when I can get it, I've seen the Orange Glow infomercial and a (ch13 TV - Panama City) TV auction where they were auctioning items like used boats, sofas, and other used stuff.  I'm not sure what they are doing at ABC, but they must have lost a huge audience and ad money.

In the old days, Jan 2009, I used to get ch 4, 7, 13, 28, and 56 -- all were analog. Then, the switch came, or i should say the fake switch came, and ch 13 changed to digital, so I had to buy a converter box to see it. Ch 4 remained in perfect reception (still analog). Ch 7 switched to broadcast at half strength, but was broadcasting in digital and analog. My reception of ch 7 change for the worse. Ch 28 and 56 seemed to also disappear, not sure what was up with that. After the most recent, and complete switch to digital, I now receive ch 13, but only at times, and when I do, the digital interruption is so great at times that I cannot hear a thing, other than sounds as if someone was drowning under water. I gave up. Ef em all. The tech guys at Ch 4 said that I need to buy separate antenna for each channel, since the towers are located in slightly different areas, but as I told him, I was receiving all of them without any trouble, nor having to readjust my antenna, when they were analog. 
 
Seriously, I am looking forward to reading more books. The last few times I&#039;ve turned on my one channel, when I can get it, I&#039;ve seen the Orange Glow infomercial and a (ch13 TV - Panama City) TV auction where they were auctioning items like used boats, sofas, and other used stuff. I&#039;m not sure what they are doing at ABC, but they must have lost a huge audience and ad money.

TechPyle

Beach Lover

Chanel 4 is now UHF and may require a better antena.
 
I get channels 4.1 4.2 4.3 13.1 13.2 very well
Channels 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4 most of the time with the 7 channels being the hardest to recieve.
 
If you had weak reception of an analog channel than you will probably not be able to recieve the digital channel.
 
Digital will either give you good reception or none at all.
 
The auction on 13.1 that you saw was for the Panama City Marine Institute and is a yearly event.
More info on P.C.M.I. at [URL]http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/uwnwf/org/4700159.html[/URL]

Chanel 4 is now UHF and may require a better antena. 
 
I get channels 4.1 4.2 4.3 13.1 13.2 very well 
Channels 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4 most of the time with the 7 channels being the hardest to recieve. 
 
If you had weak reception of an analog channel than you will probably not be able to recieve the digital channel. 
 
Digital will either give you good reception or none at all. 
 
The auction on 13.1 that you saw was for the Panama City Marine Institute and is a yearly event. 
More info on P.C.M.I. at <a href="http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/uwnwf/org/4700159.html" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/uwnwf/org/4700159.html</a>

So, now I need to go buy an external UHF channel, and a long ladder, to climb up on the roof and install, in order to receive ch 4, and an extra external vhf antenna to point towards ch 7? Seems rather pricey. If Ch 4 wants to get to me, I think THEY need to buy my antenna. Same for Ch7. They both worked well on analog, and both channels said that my TV would work fine if I bought the converter box. They were wrong.

dmarie

[quote="Smiling JOe, post: 579011"]So, now I need to go buy an external UHF channel, and a long ladder, to climb up on the roof and install, in order to receive ch 4, and an extra external vhf antenna to point towards ch 7? Seems rather pricey. If Ch 4 wants to get to me, I think THEY need to buy my antenna. Same for Ch7. They both worked well on analog, and both channels said that my TV would work fine if I bought the converter box. They were wrong.[/quote]
 
It is so aggravating!  I probably watch too much TV anyway, but I do have a few select programs - like the Today show, for one.  Well no longer!!  I can't get 4 or 7 but can get 13.  Used to be, in the "old days," I couldn't get 13 but could get 4 and 7.  Go figure.
 
SJ, I have a 20' ladder you're welcome to borrow.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Smiling JOe">So, now I need to go buy an external UHF channel, and a long ladder, to climb up on the roof and install, in order to receive ch 4, and an extra external vhf antenna to point towards ch 7? Seems rather pricey. If Ch 4 wants to get to me, I think THEY need to buy my antenna. Same for Ch7. They both worked well on analog, and both channels said that my TV would work fine if I bought the converter box. They were wrong.</blockquote> 
It is so aggravating! I probably watch too much TV anyway, but I do have a few select programs - like the Today show, for one. Well no longer!! I can&#039;t get 4 or 7 but can get 13. Used to be, in the &quot;old days,&quot; I couldn&#039;t get 13 but could get 4 and 7. Go figure. 
 
SJ, I have a 20&#039; ladder you&#039;re welcome to borrow.

When Ch 4 pays for my new uhf antenna, I'll give you a call to ask for the ladder. Thanks. (I'm not holding my breath.)

When Ch 4 pays for my new uhf antenna, I&#039;ll give you a call to ask for the ladder. Thanks. (I&#039;m not holding my breath.)

florida girl

Beach Fanatic

Having been through several hurricanes, when the power goes out for a week, we use a tv band radio to hear news reports, etc.  What happens then when there is no electricity to run the digital converter  boxes?

SoWal Insider

[url=http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx]AntennaWeb[/url] SJ, this may help you with signal strength issues

<a href="http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">AntennaWeb</a> SJ, this may help you with signal strength issues

[quote="Bob, post: 580133"][URL="http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx"]AntennaWeb[/URL] SJ, this may help you with signal strength issues[/quote]
 
 
Bob, Thanks for the link.  This looks like it might be helpful.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Bob"><a href="http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">AntennaWeb</a> SJ, this may help you with signal strength issues</blockquote> 
 
Bob, Thanks for the link. This looks like it might be helpful.

Well, with stupid and embarrassed look on face, I must now admit that my previous gripe about my problem with "weak signals" was on my end.  BIG SURPRISE THERE!  Upon climbing onto the roof (one-story, but I don't like heights!) for the second time (first time was to trim tree branches),  I twisted and cranked the [EMAIL="#@$%"]#@$%[/EMAIL] out of the antenna and was able to turn it significantly.  I now receive most all channels.  Sweet!
 
BTW SJ it's a 24 footer!

Well, with stupid and embarrassed look on face, I must now admit that my previous gripe about my problem with &quot;weak signals&quot; was on my end. BIG SURPRISE THERE! Upon climbing onto the roof (one-story, but I don&#039;t like heights!) for the second time (first time was to trim tree branches), I twisted and cranked the <a href="mailto:#@$%">#@$%</a> out of the antenna and was able to turn it significantly. I now receive most all channels. Sweet! 
 
BTW SJ it&#039;s a 24 footer!

[quote="Bob, post: 580133"][URL="http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx"]AntennaWeb[/URL] SJ, this may help you with signal strength issues[/quote]
 
Bob, your post was very helpful.  Made me understand that I need to pay attention to antenna direction and sure 'nuff, it worked.  Thanks so much!!

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Bob"><a href="http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">AntennaWeb</a> SJ, this may help you with signal strength issues</blockquote> 
Bob, your post was very helpful. Made me understand that I need to pay attention to antenna direction and sure &#039;nuff, it worked. Thanks so much!!

Gidget

Right now we don't have our tv connected to anything while we are in apartment in Destin and we get zip. Nada.  That's ok as I haven't had time to watch lately.

[U]BUT[/U] when we get out to BMB [I]will we be able to just turn on tv (it is digital rather new set) and get ANY local channels or are you guys saying that even to get say public tv I will need an antennae on top of my house[/I]? 
 
 Sorry for confusion....

G

Right now we don&#039;t have our tv connected to anything while we are in apartment in Destin and we get zip. Nada. That&#039;s ok as I haven&#039;t had time to watch lately. 
 
BUT when we get out to BMB will we be able to just turn on tv (it is digital rather new set) and get ANY local channels or are you guys saying that even to get say public tv I will need an antennae on top of my house? 
 
 Sorry for confusion.... 
 
G

My guess is that you will need an external antenna to receive any channels.

Is anyone else having trouble with the digital reception?  [I]When [/I]it does come in, the picture goes out and I get a "weak signal" notice.  There are many times I can NOT get anything at all!  Anyone else with this problem?  It's rather annoying.  :bang:

Is anyone else having trouble with the digital reception? When it does come in, the picture goes out and I get a &quot;weak signal&quot; notice. There are many times I can NOT get anything at all! Anyone else with this problem? It&#039;s rather annoying. :bang:

Digitial vs analog

Grayton BeachCam

Dune Allen BeachCam

Seagrove Beach SkyCam

Inlet BeachCam

Miramar BeachCam Majestic Sun

Santa Rosa BeachCam

Walton County Fair

Queens of the Tiles: Mahjong at Ovide

Live Music @ Fish Out of Water

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton

International Coastal Cleanup Day Was A Success In South Walton

Merchants Of Alys Beach Announce New Dining & Shopping Options

No beachcams yet

More cams

Include enough context for a reply on the first pass: who you are, what this is about, and anything time-sensitive we should know.

Write a clear note and we will route it fast

SoWal Contact Form

What helps the SoWal team reply on the first pass

Use these links when your request already has a clear destination.

Prefer a direct route before you write?

Use this when you are not sure where your request belongs and need the SoWal team to route it.

Questions, corrections, and quick help

Share newsworthy updates, corrections, community tips, or photography that can improve SoWal coverage.

Story tips, local leads, and photos

Reach the team for business visibility, partnership planning, or other commercial opportunities.

Listings, sponsorships, and business requests

Use this path for media coordination, press follow-ups, or requests that need a communications contact.

Press outreach and interview requests

Tell us what you need and how to reach you.

Send your note here and the SoWal team will route it appropriately.

Choose the quickest route for your message

Forum account areas

Log in to view member profile, alerts, messages, watched content, bookmarks, preferences, and staff tools.

Member-only forum areas use your SoWal forum account.

Use your forum username or email to post, reply, follow threads, and manage your account.

Log in to the forum

Log in to the SoWal forum

Find people and visit their public forum profiles.

Members

Enter the six-digit code sent to {email}.

Check your email

Join the conversation

Welcome to SoWal

Sign in to SoWal

Signature preview

Ads support our local stories, BeachCams, and community guides. If you use an ad blocker, allow SoWal, then check again.

Help keep SoWal local

Your feedback helps us make SoWal better.

How was this story?

Get local stories, events, and South Walton highlights in your inbox.

Stay close to the coast

Choose whether SoWal may use optional cookies. Necessary cookies keep the site working.

Your privacy, your choice

Site navigation

Submenu

Bite-sized stories, curated itineraries, and community events delivered to your inbox on the regular.

Digitial vs analog

Latest conversations

Write a reply

Cars of 30A At Alys Beach: Event Highlights & Photo Gallery

Sixth annual Run Watersound At Watersound Town Center October 24, 2026

Support Our Parks: The 2026 Friends of Camp Helen Pumpkin Patch Is Open

Annual Events and Festivals in South Walton