Cable or satellite TV?

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

I searched the thread and came up with nada, so...

I was reading Pinshooter's SHTF story and it set me wondering.

If the SHTF, wouldn't satellite be more reliable? It seems that a gen to power the TV and box would work where a power failure at Concast would cut you off.

I'm ignorant on how the cable company sends out the signal over the lines. I assume it requires power or at least, power is needed to convert the downlink into a signal that can be sent along the cable.

School is in session...

 

[bigg cheese]

Unless you have a power conditioner for the generator, don't do it. Other than that, it's a toss-up on what the problem is. Big earthquake? If you can point your dish on your own, use that, because fissures in the ground tend to rip buried cable.

If there's a tornado or other top-side issue, your dish might have blown away.

The problem is, that's just on your receiving end. Who's to say that the HQ's for each's broadcasts aren't down too.

Radio is your best bet.

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

I guess I need to clarify. Electrical power outage is all I'm talking about.

Sorry for the pooorly worded question.

 

[bigg cheese]

ah, that's much simpler . Satellite.

Depending on the size and duration of the outage, cable equipment en route to you could be down too.

 

[mrjarrell]

Satellite, for sure. Ours is on an APC and, when the power has gone out before, we've had access to TV. Mind you we just use the APC time we're given to shut everything down properly, but it does work. If you have a power source it will still work.

 

[woowoo2]

Antenna and a small cheap set.
Make sure it has a digital tuner.
Most of your local broadcasters should be able to stay on the air via generator.