Good post and true. Some fringe stations were staticy but watchable. With digital, they are gone.
Digital is also very sensitive to the connectors used. A corroded or loose connector is fatal for some digital at some frequencies.
The first time I plugged in my converter I couldn't believe it. One digital station versus about ten analog.
And I have a 30 foot outdoor antenna - but it's older with no motor and it could probably stand to have all the coax replaced.
The FCC and broadcasters have to my knowledge said nothing other than "buy a converter" and everything will be fine.
If a forty-dollar converter is a problem for some, can you all imagine the caterwauling when it's suggested they need to erect a mast with a motorized antenna, purchase a signal booster, oh and get some high quality coax too?
“Digital is also very sensitive to the connectors used.”
Yep. You’re correct. Also putting in a splitter degrades the signal for the fringe stations even though it has no noticable effect on the analog signal.