The Tech Loft

Perfect Gift Ideas for the Cord-Cutter in Your Life Searching for the perfect gift for a cord-cutter in your life? Whether it's for Christmas, a birthday, or any occasion, here are some fantastic gift ideas that cater to those who’ve ditched traditional cable and embraced streaming and free broadcast TV. Gifts Under $50 1. Over-the-Air TV Antenna Every cord-cutter should have an Over-the-Air (OTA) antenna to enjoy free, live local broadcasts. For those living in urban areas, a compact indoor antenna is a great choice. If your recipient is in a suburban or rural area, consider a larger outdoor antenna for better reception. Not sure if the antenna will work at their address? Use an online tool to check for available broadcast signals in their location. 2. Streaming Service Gift Cards Almost every major streaming service offers gift cards that can be used for new subscriptions or to extend existing ones...

My over the air setup is very basic and anyone can get involved and start receiving FREE HDTV in their homes. What I have done is write this ota buyers guide based on my ota setup which is currently up and running. When I first began receiving over the air TV, my setup was the following (October 2006): Channel Master 4 Bay Antenna –  http://amzn.to/1XWD4if  *I no longer use Channel Master 2 Way Splitter/Amplifier –  http://amzn.to/1WIAzgT I had my antenna hanging in the attic and had it fed into a amplified splitter. Not sure if my setup was correct but it worked. I placed the amplifier near the antenna so the signal was strong as if traveled to my TV. Think back, I should have added a pre-amplifier…which are supposed to be installed at the antenna. Oh well…live and learn, but it worked. In 2012 we moved into our new house which was a 5 minute drive SOUTH of where we lived. After living in the new place for 3 years, I’ve finally got off my ass and installed...

Ditch the Cable Bill: My Journey to 30+ Free HD Channels in Ontario I started exploring Over-the-Air (OTA) broadcasts back in 2004 while living in Temperance, Ontario (just west of Oak Ridges). Back then, I used a Channel Master 4-Bay antenna and was thrilled to pull in 22 channels. Fast forward to today, and I’m back in the game—proving that cord-cutting is more viable than ever in 2026. The DIY Attic Installation After moving in 2012, I spent a few years "antennaless" due to the complexity of the new house. My previous setup involved a simple air return vent run, but this time I had to get creative. I finally took action and mounted a high-gain antenna in the attic, running the cable outside the house and back into the basement electrical closet. Pro Tip: Attic installs are great for protecting your gear from Ontario winters, but remember that roofing materials can reduce signal strength by 1...

Another friend of mine has erected an antenna in front of his house. Pulling 30 channels, he too will pull the plug on his cable and move off the ‘cable grid’. I also found the following ‘OTA Manifesto’ in my Inbox a few days ago. Please read: “Comrades, One home at a time, one neighbourhood at a time, we will slay the Rogers dragon, and lift the citizens of this great nation from the slumber of monopolistic tyranny!  The corporate CEOs will swing by their necks from the antennae that will rise from every homestead!  The myriad Indians employed at abroad call centres will return to their slums with their heads held high! Onwards and Upwards! Death to Monopoly, Freedom to the Viewers!”

This post may be the most helpful post I’ve ever written for residence of Toronto and for many Canadian cities along the US/Canadian boarder. I know for a fact that when someone walks into a BestBuy of Futureshop here in Canada looking for an HDTV they are told that to take advantage of the crip clear picture you have to either subscribe to Bell ExpressVue or Rogers Digital Cable. To all my Canadian friends out there, that is a load of shit (for most of the nation)! Forget the big cable and satellite companies, ‘rabbit ears’ will get you even better HDTV reception. Since I live near Toronto, this topic will discuss receiving FREE TV in and around Toronto. So let’s get on with it shall we? In the US, the deadline has been given to all broadcasters that they must now broadcast digitally and turn off their analogue signal. So what signal are we talking about? Good old UHF and VHF. Yes, the technology our grandparents used when they came to this country is coming bac...