Installing an antenna in your home is an easy task, but getting a great TV reception may seem like an impossible thing to do. These days we are used to HD channels and when we get anything less than that, we feel like our world is falling apart. If you are struggling with mediocre or bad TV signals, you know that just turning your television on may raise your blood pressure.
There are some things you can do to improve the television signals and to improve the reception. Check out these tricks, try them out and you will be able to watch more channels, and chances are, they will all be high definition.
1. Keep the antenna away from metal
This is something that people debate about all the time. Some users say that when they put a metal hanger next to the antenna, their reception gets far better and they are able to see more channels.
Nevertheless, experts say that metal can cause interference in the signal and that with time it will even get more distorted. You should keep any type of metal at least 5 feet away from the device and if you have metal bars installed on your windows, you should place the antenna away from it.
2. Don’t be afraid to change things
People think that when they put the antenna in one place, they should never change its location. Experts advise that the location and the positioning of the antenna is the most important part when it comes to good TV reception.
Position it as high as you can and try to see if the signal gets better when the device is laying down or if shows better results when it is positioned vertically, suggests tv-aerials-uk.co.uk. Another thing you can do is change the rooms and windows. This may take a bit of time, especially if you have a lot of windows in your house, but the hour you spend testing things out now, will save you a lot of stress in the future.
Do these things as soon as you get a new device and see which placement works the best for you. Make sure that the antenna is pointed to your provider’s broadcast tower and that there are not things that are standing in the signal’s way.
3. Get rid of the short cables
The placement of the unit makes the biggest difference, but you may not be able to put the antenna near the window or in the other room because of your short cables.
This is a mistake that most people make. They put the device on the top of the TV, use short and thin cables and they wonder why the reception is so bad. Electronic interference is a serious problem when it comes to reception, but we will talk about that later. Now let’s focus on the cables.
If you are using a rooftop antenna, make sure it is positioned correctly, and that the equipment is not damaged. Many users report that they checked the cables and the antenna itself after trying everything else. Start with that and check this link to see the difference a professional installation can make.
After you’ve positioned the rooftop or the indoor unit, you will need to use longer and better cables in order to get better reception. Use thick cables that won’t get damaged with use. Don’t change the place of the antenna, let it sit near a window and close to the ceiling. Get longer cables so you can connect it to the TV and you will see the difference in the television signal right away.
Install a skylight
As we’ve mentioned before, the placement of the antenna is crucial and if you want better reception, you need to put it as high as possible. Objects, walls, and everything else that stands in between the antenna and the broadcast tower will affect the signal.
To make sure that you will get the best possible signal, you should invest in a skylight and put the device right under it. This way, the device can be put horizontally, it will be basically in a window and there will be nothing to interfere with the signals.
Users say that if you want to turn your indoor antenna into a rooftop one, you can do it when you place it into the skylight. They also report that you may get extra channels and that you will be able to watch prime HD TV. Just make sure to find a cable that will be long enough and be careful not to trip on it. It is better if you put it up the wall, so it takes no space and it won’t get damaged.
Keep the antenna away from other devices
Many people think that the closer your antenna is to the TV, the better. However, electronic interference may disrupt the signal and your reception will go from bad to worse.
Remember the times when the antenna was placed on the TV? Well, that time is long gone and we know better now. Keep it as far away as you can from the TV, router, modem, or any other electronic device you have in your home. You don’t have to place it in a separate room, just try to place it a few feet away from other devices.
One thing you can do to test things out is to unplug all devices, except for the television, and see if the reception gets better. Chances are, it will. Then start plugging things in and see if anyone of them causes unwanted interference. If you notice that the router, the DVD or even the speakers are causing signal disruptions, change the location of the device.
Have you ever tried any of these tips? What helped you the most with your reception? Users say that you should try several things and that you should check which one brings you the best results.
Even though people have mixed options when it comes to amplifiers and metals, you should check what helps your device. When installing the antenna in high places, make sure you are protected and if you cannot finish the task on your own, it is better to call a professional service than to risk your life.
