It was a weekend of engineering.

I finally got reliable over-the-air digital TV.  The Dish Network DVR box has an input for an over-the-air antenna. I’ve been wrestling with getting a good over-the-air digital TV signal. These signals are very directional.  You have to figure out how to point your antenna — and then point it directly at the transmitter tower. The problem: WRAL, WTVD, WNCN and WRAZ are all in one direction.  WUNC is in another direction.  Watching shows on different channels requires an antenna rotation.

A USB TV tuner I bought a couple of years ago came with a small, telescopic, omnidirectional antenna.  Fully extended, it’s only about 7 or 8 inches tall.  I connected it to the DVR, and it works marvelously!  Every channel comes in steadily and reliably.

I’ve been paying $5 a month for local channels on Dish Network.  I’m guessing that over-the-air capability was an FCC requirement.  I doubt Dish Network would voluntarily invite people not to spend $5 a month for something most could get for free.

So, the key is an omnidirectional antenna!  Your results may vary.  I invested about $45 in a weird RCA antenna that looked like a white plastic tile. It’s unusual and expensive, so it must be good, right? Well, it didn’t work well, at all.

I also turned on the XM Radio Saturday afternoon and listened to a lengthy interview with Dolly Parton.  She’s either a genuinely, remarkably down-to-earth, delightful person, or she’s one of the most brilliant scamsters of our time.

UPDATE: After a day of perfect reception Sunday, it failed miserably Monday.  My DVRed “Judge Judy” episodes looked like a jigsaw puzzle.  Digital TV fail.  Will advise.  Over.