How a TV Antenna Works

Although many people have a digital TV antenna at home, a lot of us have no idea how it works. This article discusses the how a digital TV antenna works in simple, basic terms.
 

In order to understand how a digital antenna works, it's important that you understand how a television transmission signal works. A television station transmits its signal containing its programming in a straight line. This line is called the 'line of sight'. Because the earth is not flat, televisions aren't usually able to pick up that signal. A digital antenna helps the television to pick that signal up as long as it falls within the range of the source.

Unlike a digital cable which sends television programming directly to your home, local TV stations will send out a broadcast allowing any digital TV antenna within the range to pick that up. Usually, 80% of all households are able to pick up at least five digital stations free of charge. The television signal is then converted into audio and video information which is displayed later on.
 

Signals and Reception

HD signals are sent primarily along the ultra-high frequency or UHF band. The range within which the antenna can pick up the signal is usually 60 to 75 miles. If, however, an obstacle is present such as a tree or a building, a signal bounce known as a 'multipath' can occur, which may cause the signal to arrive at your antenna multiple times, causing cancellation. Correctly installing your HD antennas to receive all channels broadcasted by local antennas is a must, so make sure you get proper installation or repair done to fix your TV reception problems.

Types

HD antenna types include the common mast-mounted, aluminium array antennas seen on numerous roof tops. Modern HD TV antennas are made to receive UHF signals primarily, compared to the more dated models, which received very high frequency or VHF signals only. There were other types which included powered "V"-shaped units for equipment rack or table-top mounting. The last one requires an AC outlet to work properly. Outdoor designs have an aesthetically pleasing square-shaped antenna that mounts similarly to satellite dishes.

Quality

Over-the-air broadcasts, which are received by the antenna, are actually of a higher picture quality compared to a satellite television or cable. Most people think the opposite is true, reasoning their belief on the notion that since the signals are sent over the air, the quality deteriorates as the signals reach the antenna. When a television station broadcasts over-the-air, the information is sent completely uncompressed which results in a better looking and sounding picture than a high quality cable box.

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Top 5 entertaining TV shows of 2014

It's time to catch up on 2014‘s TV highlights so far. The year is actually almost at an end. That calls for a review to jot down some of the best shows produced, entertaining viewers all over the world. Follow through our 5 entertaining picks of Digital TV.

House of Cards
 

House of cards came back with a fantastic second season where Kevin Spacey shows off his over-the-top arrogance and edgy intellect once more. This American political drama television series premiered on February 2014. The series is undeniably captivating and really exposes our mixed feelings about Frank Underwood and his manipulative political tactics.

Game of Thrones
 

How can this possibly be avoided? A spectacular adaptation from George R.R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, the first of which is titled, 'A Game of Thrones'. This series has attracted record numbers of viewers on HBO, although several aspects of it has received criticism which includes frequent use of violence. Till now, four seasons have been released and they've all managed to draw in viewers of a large number. Start watching if you haven't and you surely won't be disappointed.

Silicon Valley
 

This has certainly made it big as candy for the tech guys. Silicon Valley is an American television sitcom centred on six men that start a company. It took off on April 6 and has turned heads since for its brand of geeky brand of comedy. Receiving widely positive reviews since its premiere, Metacritic has scored it an 84 on 100 taking its basis on the views of 36 critics including TV Guide, USA Today and Time. Silicon Valley has proved itself worthy and looks like we could get a few more seasons out of this fan favourite.

The X Factor (Australia)
 

Everybody knows about the X Factor; the producers have not been shy about marketing and advertising it. One of the most popular reality TV programs this year, X Factor isn’t necessarily high-end entertainment, but it keeps fans watching and isn’t a lot of work like some of the other drams on this list. Although it hasn't received a high user rating, it's very popular and has served as fabulous entertainment so far.

Community
 

With an IMDb rating of 8.6, this has brought in humour, drama and suspense all together in its remarkably entertaining set-up. IT premiered on NBC on September 17 2009. The series follows a group of students at a community college in the fictional locale of Greendale, Colorado.

Our list of favourites are far from complete. As new seasons come up often, the excitement shifts from one show to another making pauses in older seasons. Looking back now, it seems like the ever-evolving industry, viewer demands and the installation of digital TV antennas in most homes, have brought in a complete make-over in the world of entertainment for viewers.

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The Importance of Taking Care of Your TV Antenna

The TV antenna is the primary piece of equipment that has the job of making sure you have good quality television reception. For the best result, an antenna is placed high on the roof of the house, which unfortunately exposes it to various hazards that can potentially damage it. Another option is using an indoor aerial, often called ‘bunny ears’ – however they rarely achieve perfect quality reception especially in the HD digital era. 

A quality digital roof antenna can last 10 years or more, but it needs to be installed correctly and in the optimal position for the best reception. A full replacement of an antenna can be quite costly, so it is important to take great care of your TV antenna and ensure it is repaired when needed. 

Over the years of service and being exposed to the elements all day every day, a TV antenna will gradually decline and this obviously has a negative effect on the reception. Bad weather can play a big part in this. Generally, antennas are installed with a lightning arrestor to protect from thunder or any charged particles. Ideally, home owners will need to inspect that light arrestor from time to time as it can easily become loose or even broken. An antenna is galvanised by default, which is why no insulation is needed. However, as time passes the galvanised coating fades away, which can leads to poorer reception. Noticing this and acting accordingly can help improve the lifespan of the unit significantly. It’s certainly worth inspecting your TV antenna system periodically and ensuring it is kept in good health. If you find that it is damaged or not performing as expected, a specialist can repair it for you.

Of course, proper safety measures should be taken whenever you’re up on the roof inspecting the equipment. Checking up on your antennas is important, but no one should be doing so without taking proper precautions or if they are not in good condition to do so. Rod Hull, a British entertainer from years ago, is one of many that have fallen off their roofs and suffered injuries. In this case, Hull was fixing his antenna to watch a soccer match and his fall proved fatal. If you are doing so please be careful!  

The best way to keep your antenna in the best condition is to check up on it from time to time. You don’t have to be an expert to do that, but if you’re not up to the job or feel as if it is time for a repair, call the experts. On the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas, Local Bloke Antenna Services are here to help you out with leading antenna installation services. So call us for any and all of your needs.

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Simple solutions to TV Reception Problems

You’re at home watching your favourite soap opera, and things are heating up. You love the characters, and two of your favourite ones seem to be falling in love. You think that they might kiss during this episode. They share a romantic moment, and look into each other’s eyes. He reaches out to push her hair behind her ear and… The television’s out! Now you’ll never see them kiss. Bloody signal.

If this scenario sounds familiar, then you know that uninterrupted reception is important. Reception problems can make even your favourite program frustrating to watch. While using an antenna instead of a cable service is a great way to save money, reception problems can make you regret that decision. You can fix these problems by having your TV antenna professionally installed. While it may be tempting to try and fix it on your own, most individual homes don’t have the tools needed to even diagnose the problem. Calling a professional will give you access to the full suite of tools and techniques you need to fix your reception problem. You’ll never have to miss a crucial television moment again!

Diagnosing the Problem: Signal Detection

Professional antenna installers will figure out the source of your problem, and the best way to fix it. They’ll start by using a signal meter, a device that can cost up to thousands of dollars, to determine what signal strength you can receive and the best direction for your antenna. After the diagnosis, the antenna installers can help you decide what to do to fix your reception problems.

Possible Solutions

It may be that fixing your reception problem was as simple as changing the antenna’s position. In many cases, more drastic measures are needed.

Signal Boosting

Your antenna installer may recommend the installation of a signal booster or amplifier to fix your reception. This is a great time to have an antenna expert on hand, since they can recommend and install the best signal booster for your particular reception problem.

Antenna Replacement

Not all antennas are made equal. Some antennas provide better reception at low signal strength, while others work better with higher signal strength. Excellent antenna installers will have many types of antenna available, and can help advise you on which is best for your home.

Other Upgrades

Reception problems are a good opportunity to upgrade to HD service or go digital (if you haven’t already). Sunshine Coast is switching over to all digital broadcasting soon, so prepare now to make sure you aren’t left behind during the switch. Professional antenna installers can put in the new digital set top box for you while they are fixing your reception problems. Some installers can bring a top box for you, even one set up for HD service. Because they are antenna experts, professional installers can make sure everything is working properly for the best reception possible.

Finding a Professional Antenna Installer in Sunshine Coast

 

Look for installers with the “get ready for digital TV” logo on their site. This logo means that they are an officially endorsed antenna installer and can help you with your reception problems. Companies that provide installation are preferable to individuals: with a company you are more likely to find punctual, safe, and friendly service. To reduce costs, look for companies that can provide antennas, signal boosters/amplifiers, and help you with other services such as outlet cabling. Some companies will “beat any written quote” or offer pensioner discounts, ensuring a great price. When in doubt, it never hurts to call, and many companies will be happy to consult with you about fixing your reception problems