BUCYRUS — Bucyrus area resident Scott Dunford’s passion for electronics and music began when he was a young boy.
“I created my first broadcasting station when I was 10 years old. I absolutely love electronics, and music, of course,” said Dunford, the guitarist of the band The Haz Benz who was once a member of local bands Sinister Midget and the Midnight Riders. He also plays occasionally with the Rolling Hams.
After working at Bill’s TV and Burby’s in the 80s, Dunford opened his own business, Scott’s Antenna, in 1989.
He has weathered the storm and shifted gears over the years with the many changes that have happened in the communications and broadcasting industries.
“From 1991 to 1996, business was good then the satellite companies took over. My business went to almost nothing and it was still analog then. In the last few years, it has become digital so it’s a whole new ballgame and it’s starting to go. It means free local service for people,” said Dunford. “All the local programming you can receive on your television is free with no monthly payments. Columbus, Toledo, Fox with all the games, such as OSU.”
Dunford said some of his customers can get stations further away, like Cleveland and Toledo, along with the ones that are based closer, such as Columbus stations.
“It depends on the height of your antenna,” Dunford said.
Dunford said once people pay the cost to have an antenna installed, they will receive local stations such as 4, 6 and 10.
“And each one of those channels has other channels with it, such as 4.1, 4.2, 4.3,” Dunford said. “It is all high-definition and it is not a compressed signal which means it provides a better, clearer picture.”
Dunford said Crawford County is a great area for antenna usage.
“It’s a centralized area,” Dunford said.
The initial and only cost is the installation provided by Dunford.
“The price can go anywhere from $300 to $600 or more, depending on the quality of antenna you choose to get,” Dunford said. “There are $100 antennas that are comparable to $200 antennas that will do the same job. Boosters are also inexpensive along with the coax that is needed.”
Dunford keeps the cost of installation down for his customers by operating his business on his own, eliminating overhead costs.
“I don’t have any employees but sometimes my son or another person will help me with larger jobs,” he said.
He said installing an antenna is one of the best values around.
“I enjoy saving people money and making them happy,” said Dunford, who also uses his artistic ability to create signage for local businesses as a hobby.
For more information, contact Dunford at Scott’s Antenna at 419-310-4776.