The antenna signal is the most important thing when it comes to TV channels and the quality of reception. If the signal is good, you will be able to watch all of your favorite shows without any issues. However, if the reception is bad, you may experience the channel freezing, low quality, or even white noise.
If you are experiencing bad reception and if you want to boost the TV reception, there are a lot of different things you can try before calling your provider. Follow these tips and you will notice a difference right away.
Indoor or Rooftop Antenna?
There are two main models when it comes to modern devices and they offer you different possibilities. When it comes to the indoor type, they are not as good as the outdoor ones, but you can easily move them from one place to another, they are more affordable and they are easy to replace.
The rooftop or the outdoor ones are a bit more expensive, but they are better when it comes to signal strength and TV reception. When installing them, you need to be really careful and position them in the right direction. For these models, you should use a professional service that will help you set everything up correctly.
As indicated by this company, after you’ve chosen the type of antenna, you need to choose the brand and the model, and they can help you out.
There are a lot of different options available on the market and some brands cost more than others. Usually, the more expensive ones are better, but that may not always be the case. The easiest way to find one which one is the best for you is to test them out. Talk with the seller and see if you have a test period and if you can change the model if it does not work for you. This is usually available with the indoor models, since they are easier to install, but you can also ask about the rooftop options.
When it comes to selecting the type of antenna, consider many factors, one of them being your location. Think about the city you are living in, do you live in a small village like Ilmington or a bustling centre like Coventry? In places like Ilmington, a satellite dish will get you more channels with the TV transmitters so far away. However, in places like Coventry, a TV aerial will be fine. If you are allowed, outdoor aerials tend to get a better signal.
Choose the best spot
The placement of the device is the most important thing when it comes to the signal and the reception. If you want to be able to watch all the channels you want, and if you want to have an HDTV, you need to be smart when placing the antenna.
Forget about putting it on the TV or near other electronic devices. Experts suggest that this is the biggest mistake people make. If there are any electronic devices, including the TV, modem, router, and even household appliances near the antenna, they will cause interference in the signal and you get a terrible reception.
Find a place where the device will be at least 4 feet away from other appliances and put it as high as possible. It is said that the higher the antenna is, the better reception you are going to get. Choose a place that’s near the window and if you have the option, install a skylight in your home.
If you have a rooftop model, then put it as high as possible, just make sure you are safe when doing this. Services like AerialExpress can help you find the right position for the device and they can install it in a professional manner that will take a lot less time than you’d need to do it on your own.
Users report that metal can either boost the signal or that it can drastically lower it. Some people say that when they put a metal hanger near the antenna, the reception is better and the channels are clearer. Others, however, report that anything metal, including the handlebars on the window, disrupt the signal and that it is better to keep the device as far as possible from anything made of this material. Check to see which option is better for you, but don’t add any wires to the device itself and don’t open the box to try and change things.
Signal Strength Meter
One thing that will help you the most is the signal strength meter. It usually comes with the device itself, but if you don’t have it built into the antenna, you may want to buy it. They don’t cost a lot and they will save you a lot of time when choosing the best spot.
Depending on where you place the device, you will be able to see if the reception is good or bad and leave it there or change the position.
Users report that placing the antenna horizontally helped with the TV reception, so you should check both options before you find a permanent position.
It is recommended to scan for new channels every time you change the position or the location of the device, and the strength meters can help you finish the task faster. Instead of scanning every single time you aim the device in a different direction, you can just check the meter and see how’s the signal.
Aim the antenna in the right direction
Not many people know this, but the direction of the antenna is as important as the location of it. In some cases, you won’t even have to change the location if the direction is right.
This begs the question, where should you actually point the device? Well, this depends on your location and where your provider’s broadcast towers are. You can find this information online, or you can just talk to your provider. The reason why you should do this is that the signal gets better when there’s nothing in its path. If there are too many walls between the antenna and the tower, the reception will not be as strong and you may experience interruptions.
There are a lot of things you can try when you want to boost the signal. In most cases, the users don’t place the antenna in the right position and they allow too many things to interfere with the reception.
If you want to get the best reception possible, choose the right provider, ask for professional help when it comes to installing the device, and don’t be afraid to test different options.
