The best location for a TV aerial is one that offers clear line-of-sight to a transmitter tower, with no obstructions. This may be the roof of your house or in a window. Antennas that must be aimed include directional antennas and these will get better results when they are pointed in the direction of the broadcast tower rather than away from it. Uni-directional antennas should work well regardless of their orientation.
To find the location of your nearest broadcast tower, the TV station’s website. Most stations will list their call letters and broadcast area, which should be helpful in identifying the location of the tower.
It’s tougher to position indoor antennas, as they cannot be placed outside. Getting the best reception from an indoor antenna is sometimes a matter of trial and error, but it’s always worth trying to place it in the most effective location. When you need advice on TV aerial repair Bristol, visit Aerial Installations.
The number of obstacles between the antenna and the broadcast towers will also play a role in how well it performs. Thick walls, buildings and even trees will all degrade the digital signal, so fewer obstructions are better. It is also a good idea to try to keep the antenna away from magnetic metals such as radiators and burglar bars, although this is not always possible, depending on space available.
Placing an antenna as high as possible is particularly true for amplified indoor antennas. As high as possible above ground level to get the most over-the-air channels, but this is not always practical depending on the height of your home. If you are struggling with reception, consider TV aerial repair Bristol.
Each time you move the antenna, be sure to run a scan in order to see how many and which channels are picked up. If you have a multidirectional antenna, try pointing it in different directions and then doing a channel scan to see which are the strongest.
Finally, it is a good idea to keep the antenna wires away from other cables such as those for internet or telephone lines. These can also degrade OTA signals. Running cables between a TV or DVR should be kept short as a longer cable might degrade the incoming signal. By following the above tips, you should be able to get a great reception for the TVs in your home.