To receive over-the-air digital television signals, you will need a digital TV or a digital-to-analog converter box for your analog TV. To obtain the digital signals available in your area, use the scan feature on your digital television or converter box.  If you receive duplicate channels during the scan process, delete the weakest signal. The TV Channel Guide shows the channels available in your area. 

The quality of the pictures you receive is related to the equipment and installation used to receive the signals.  A good quality outdoor antenna is required to receive over-the-air television signals. The antenna should be securely mounted outdoors and pointed toward Met Rec’s translator site serving your area.  If your antenna and coaxial cable is more than ten years old, it may need to be replaced. Systems that split signals may experience reduced signal quality. RG6 coax cable is recommended (RG59 coax cable may not work in all areas). 

Helpful Antenna Installation Guidelines from Antennas Direct

Outdoor antennas are recommended for receiving Met Rec’s over-the-air television signal.  The type of antenna needed varies depending on which translator site you are using to pick up signals.  Generally, larger antennas work best to receive over-the-air television signals in rural areas, especially in those areas served by VHF signals.  Rabbit ears, small digital antennas, flat “paper” antennas, and attic installations are typically not sufficient to receive the over-the-air television signals and are not recommended.  RG6 coax cable is recommended for antenna installations. 

• For information on how to install an over-the-air television antenna, please watch this video.
• Antennas are available locally and at several on-line sites, including Solid Signal, which carries antennas and packages with mounts, coax cable and pre-amps. 
• Antenna Ratings 
  • Low band VHF receives channels 2-6
  • High band VHF receives channels 7-13
  • UHF receives channels 14-69
  • The Gunnison area requires a VHF/UHF combination antenna that receives low band VHF channels (2-6), high band VHF channels (7-13) and UHF channels (14-69).
  • Crested Butte, Pitkin, Waunita and Gateview areas require a VHF/UHF combination antenna that receives high band VHF and UHF. 
  • Crested Butte South, Jacks Cabin, Monarch, Parlin & Sapinero areas require a UHF antenna although a VHF/UHF combination antenna will work as well.
  • The Powderhorn area requires a high band VHF antenna, although a VHF/UHF combination antenna will work as well. 
  • The Sargents area requires a VHF antenna capable of receiving low band VHF channels. A VHF/UHF combination antenna will work as long as it is rated for low band VHF channels.
• Outdoor VHF/UHF Antenna Recommendations:  These examples of outdoor antennas will work to receive Met Rec’s over-the-air television signals.  Please be sure to choose the antenna rated appropriately for the area from which you are receiving signals. Also, if you are splitting signals between more than one TV, choose a larger, channel specific antenna. Larger “boom” style antennas work best in areas that are receiving VHF channels. 

• • Antenna Craft model AC 5884. Rated for channels 2-69. Good for all areas.
  • Antenna Craft model AC 9. Rated for channels 2-69. This is the smallest antenna recommended; best used if you are near the translator site with line of sight access to signals. 
  • Channel Master model CM3020. Rated for channels 2- 69. Good for all areas.
  • Channel Master model CM2018. Rated for channels 7 – 69. Not recommended for Gunnison; good for areas that do not require low band VHF.
  • Channel Master Digital Advantage models 45, 60. Rated for high band VHF & UHF. Not recommended for Gunnison; good for areas that do not require low band VHF.
  • Channel Master Suburban Advantage. Rated for channels 2-69. Good for all areas.
  • Winegard model HD7084 & HD8200. Rated for channels 2-69. Good for all areas.
  • Winegard model HD7694P, HD7679P & 7698P. Rated for channels 7-69. Not recommended for Gunnison; good for areas that do not require low band VHF.
  • RCA model ANT 751R NOT recommended. This antenna, sold locally, is not recommended as it is too small to provide reliable signal delivery.
• UHF Antennas
  • GE Model 24792
  • Eagle Aspen

Download the TV Guide in PDF here.

This summer and fall Met Rec is making upgrades to the television system. Some of the upgrades will require that viewers re-scan their television to receive the signals. We highly encourage viewers to re-scan throughout the summer and fall as we continue to upgrade the system.

2016 Television Viewership Survey Report (PDF)

2020 Television Viewership Survey Report (PDF)