How to Boost Your Indoor TV Antenna Signal?

They may seem like outdated technology, but television antennas are more current than ever. If you want to “cut the cable” and you are not interested in hiring a streaming service, then you must necessarily have one to see any of the open signal stations. Sure, it’s no longer about the old V-shaped telescopic rods that tested your patience, but today they look more like a sheet of paper. And, in case you didn’t know, some even offer you high-quality broadcasts. If you want to know how to boost the signal and install on and enjoy all its advantages, here we tell you.

When installing it, a person must find the best location in the house for the best reception. This requires a little time and work, but it is well worth the signal upgrade. Sometimes moving it across the room adds three or more channels to the television.

Instructions for signal boosting

– Make sure the antenna is firmly connected to the TV or digital converter with a coaxial cable. Scan the channels through your digital television or converter set. View local channels are available in your area. Go through your channels and write the channel numbers you receive down on a piece of paper.

-Draw a star next to the channels you have written that are receiving an excellent signal. Change the channel to the weakest channel the TV receives. Raise it high, near the ceiling. Check if the television is receiving a stronger signal on that channel.

– Rotate it in different directions. Watch TV very closely to detect changes.

– Location closest to a window or other area in the room if the signal is still weak. Walk around the room with it, watch TV for any changes in reception. Continue this process until you find a place that gives good television signals.

-Look at the paper and re-examine it. Check each channel and that the reception is still good. If all channels have good reception, keep it where it is. If some of the channels went, keep moving it until you get better reception.

-Move the wire of the surrounding antennas once a good signal arrives. Sometimes it makes reception better. Scan the channels once more once the reception is at the best level.

Tips and Warnings

-When adjusting it, it is a good idea to get someone to help. One person adjusts it and the other person writes or changes the channel. Scan channels frequently during this process. Some channels will not show until you re-browse. If you do not have anyone who can help you or who is reliable enough, our recommendation is to turn to professionals with years of experience, such as mikeharrisaerialandsatellite.co.uk. They will finish the job much faster and more efficiently.

-Connect the coaxial cable from the antenna to a booster amplifier and then tie the booster to the television or digital converter for a stronger signal. It increases the signal strength as it happens on television, which gives you a better image.

Which type do you use?

One reason for poor reception could already be the wrong choice of type – there are indoor, outdoor and roof models. Not all areas have such a strong reception that a small indoor is sufficient. Sometimes it has to be attached to the house wall. But how do you find out which is the right one?

The official information are all over the internet – all you need to do is enter your zip code, and the page will show information on the quality of reception in your area, including a recommendation for the best model. In general: In large metropolitan areas, an indoor antenna is often sufficient, in smaller cities and in the country it often has to hang outside.

Improve reception with an indoor

Often it makes sense to simply adjust the small indoor one a few meters – and the picture is clean again. Take a close look at where it is – the proximity to windows usually gives the best reception quality. Unfortunately, the cables of the indoor models are often quite short, but for a few dollars you can get an extension from a specialist dealer or in the online shop.

You should also make sure that there are no other electrical devices such as smartphones or computers nearby, as these can also cause interference.

A  distinction is also made between active and passive models. Active ones require additional current – which many models draw from the receiver – and amplify the signal. That too can provide better reception. If you buy a new one, you should go directly to the active antenna, which is often only a few dollars more expensive.

Improve reception with an outdoor antenna

If the indoor antenna is not enough, you should use the outdoor one. You can attach this to the wall of the house or on the balcony. The antenna has to be laid from the outside into the receiver on the television using a long cable. So it’s best to use models with flat cables that also fit under a door. So you save yourself unsightly drilling.

Sometimes, setting up an outdoor antenna can be more complicated than just placing it. According to tvaerialinstaller, if you are uncertain about positioning your antenna or it simply doesn’t work and you cannot see anything on your TV, you can always seek professional assistance.

You should also pay attention to the direction from which the signal is coming in your region – i.e. where the next tower is – and align the antenna accordingly.

As with the indoor, a distinction is made between active and passive models. If the tower is in sight, a passive type could be enough if there are not too many houses or trees in the way. Otherwise, you should also use active ones.

Improve reception with roof models

If the external antenna is also unsuccessful, the last solution is the roof antenna. If you live in a tenement house, you must ask the landlord before installation. If you still have an old antenna from the era of analog television on the roof, you can theoretically still use it – but you should remove some filters or amplifiers, as these can lead to interference.

Here too, as with the external antenna, an alignment in the direction of the transmission tower is important. However, you should consult a specialist here – work on the roof can be very dangerous.

Conclusion:

We hope our guide helped you. Almost always some of these actions help. Just be careful while doing all this and if you are unsure of your skills, better call in the professionals.