RCA Signal Finder 4+

It’s easy to use, but it’s not too handy unless your geography knowledge is so poor you don’t even know where you are; if you have even a vague idea of what state you’re in and where a city big enough to have TV stations is, you don’t need this. It’s nice not to have to enter details into the app other than your address, so there’s no need to look for confusing device specifics. The map is fun to watch and has satellite and hybrid options. It’s unclear if the app keeps and monetizes your information. In the help section, it’s irritating to see that a professional company doesn’t know the difference between “to lay” and “to lie” or between “was” and “were,” as in this example: “...with phone flat in front of you as if it was laying on a table.” While the map is fun, it’s not a really useful tool, and the bad grammar is cringe-worthy.

First, the app performed as advertised... to an extent. Here are the drawbacks I found:
-It left out some stations I know are out there
-The call letters and not the channel are listed. If you want to know the channel, you’ll need to go to the station’s website.
The relative signal strength is listed in decibels (db). Unfortunately, the app doesn’t explain the the more negative a signal is, the weaker it is. (A -20db signal is weaker than a -10db signal. Also, the measurements are logarithmic.... -20db is NOT half as strong as -10db.)
-You are asked to enter a complete address, which could be sold to junk mailers. I put in an address of a nearby government building.
On the positive side, the app did not ask for any kind of model number to be entered.

If the app Dev would update the database and include channel numbers, and get rid of the address requirement, this would be really good app.

I live between two major markets and was unsure which towers would be closer (it could go either way, depending on which side of town the towers were placed; in my experience they are in outskirts, not downtown). This app was recommended by Wirecutter, so I gave it a try. Here’s What I really liked:

1. It does not collect data
2. It provides information specific to my address
3. I could choose which channels I am interested in getting (i.e., CBS/KENS because they are the one broadcasting the Superbowl today)
4. I got a visual of all the towers, labeled with the station names
5. There is an indicator ray starting at my house on the map. It turns from red to green when you line up with a tower… this made it really easy to choose the best window for my needs.

The “helpful” review that this app is worthless if you know basic geography was just wrong. Depending on which station/market I want, optimum placement really could be any side of my house.