I want to share a customer’s experience (let’s call him Sean) using his OTA antenna to access NextGen television in Wake County. One barrier to accessing the latest and greatest signal is the lack of televisions with an ATSC 3.0 tuner. His application is kind of unique, but doable most times with a little know how.
Equipment:
- ULTRAtenna 60
- A 4-bay, phased array, multi-directional outdoor TV antenna with a reception range of up to 60 miles.
- Type: Outdoor
- Reception Pattern: Multi-directional
- Installation: Roof, Attic, Mast, Eave, Chimney
- Size: 36 x 25 x 5 in • Weight: 5 lb.
- 4K Television: TCL Roku 65”.
- HDHomerun Flex 4K
- Features 2 ATSC 3.0 tuners and 2 ATSC 1.0 tuners. It streams signals across your network to various devices through associated apps or Plex.
- Note: If ATSC 3.0 is unavailable, the tuner defaults to ATSC 1.0.
- HDHomerun app – Installed through the Roku app store to receive the signal.
- TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System(Deco M5)
- A reliable WiFi system for strong network performance.
ATSC 3.0 Station List (Raleigh, NC)
| Channel | Network | Call Sign | Quality |
| 104.1 | PBS | PBS NC1 | HEVC | HD |
| 105.1 | NBC | WRAL | HEVC | HD |
| 111.1 | ABC | WTVDNG | HEVC | HD |
| 117.1 | CBS | WNCNNG | HEVC | HD |
| 122.1 | CW | WLFLNG | HEVC | HD |
| 128.1 | RDC | WRDCNG | HEVC | HD |
| 140.1 | Univision | WUVCNG | HEVC | HD |
| 150.1 | Fox | WRAZ | HEVC | HD |
NextGen Television Enhances the Super Bowl Experience
Sean gets most of his media through streaming services but relies on OTA for local news and sports. While he uses services like the Disney+ bundle for certain events, marquee games like the World Cup and Super Bowl are viewed on his 4K living room television—the centerpiece for hosting guests. However, this TV lacks an ATSC 3.0 tuner.
The upcoming Super Bowl on February 9, 2025 will be broadcast on Fox, making it the perfect time to upgrade. Sean hesitated to replace his TV due to the cost-to-size ratio but found a solution with the HDHomerun Flex 4K. This device offers flexibility, network-wide access, and compatibility with future upgrades, allowing Sean to plan for new TVs over time.
Setting Up the HDHomerun for ATSC 3.0 in Wake County
Adding the HDHomerun Flex 4K to his network was simple.
- Attach the coaxial cable to the unit.
- Attach ethernet cable to the network.
- Attach the power supply to the unit.
- In a browser, open the location https://hdhomerun.local, scan for channels.
- Select the channels you want to use.
Using the HDHomerun app, Sean can now enjoy ATSC 3.0 content in higher quality throughout his home.
Looking Ahead: June 2027 Changes
Broadcast networks are considering encrypting ATSC 3.0 channels by 2027, which could complicate access for consumers. Unlike the HD transition, widespread distribution of converters may not occur. Until ATSC 3.0 tuners become standard in TVs, devices like the HDHomerun will remain a practical solution.
Fortunately, Raleigh stations are not currently using encryption, and ATSC 1.0 broadcasts will continue until at least 2027, potentially longer. This gives users like Sean ample time to refine their setups. For now, his 6-tuner network ensures seamless access to OTA content across multiple TVs without constant input switching—a convenient, forward-looking solution.
Sean’s experience highlights how tech-savvy consumers can enjoy the benefits of NextGen TV with minimal investment, especially in Wake County, enhancing their viewing experience for events like the Super Bowl and beyond.