Using an Antenna to Receive Our Broadcasts

PBS39 (39.1), Create TV (39.2), France24 (39.3), PBS39 Extra (35.1), and WORLD (35.2)

Purchasing an Antenna:

Many antennas look similar, but they are not! If you plan to purchase an antenna, you should note the markings on the box for what the antenna is designed to receive. Some antennas simply say "HDTV" antenna. Other antennas list that they cover VHF, when in fact they only cover High VHF. PBS39 and all our stations are High VHF stations. However, a High VHF antenna will have poor reception of Low VHF stations, like 6-ABC.

An antenna that covers all bands will either list that it is built for Low VHF, High VHF, and UHF, or list the frequencies covered, 54Mhz to 216Mhz (Low) and 470Mhz to 700 Mhz (High). To receive the most channels with one antenna, an all-band antenna that covers Low VHF, High VHF, and UHF is a good bet, but will also be the most expensive.

To receive our stations, most antennas specified for High VHF or VHF should work, given you select the proper gain antenna for how far you are from our broadcast tower on Allentown's south mountain. An excellent resource to check the distance and other helpful antenna information is https://www.antennaweb.org/

Installing an Antenna:

This is the part that will require some trial and error. The general rule is that you place the antenna in your home, closest to the broadcast tower. For a helpful guide to install your antenna, here is an excellent article: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/how-to-buy-and-install-an-hd-antenna/

Tuning in Lehigh Valley Public Media stations:

Once you have installed your antenna, most likely you will have to scan the channels using the menu on your television to find all the over-the-air programming available. Once the scan is complete, you can find PBS39 at frequency 39.1 and PBS39 Extra at frequency 35.1.

NOTE: Lehigh Valley Public Media does not endorse any specific brand or type of antenna. We recommend that you find the solution that works best for your particular situation.