Owning a TV set gets you better connected with the recent activities happening in the world. With many stations to choose from, you are well informed about what is happening in the world.
However, the challenge comes in when you experience poor reception or get poor-quality images. In this guide, we shall look at the different types of aerials and how to have them professionally installed, how-to DIY the aerial installation and factors affecting the aerial installation.
Before we proceed, let’s look at the different types of aerials and the installation process. They are:
- Indoor aerials.
This is a good option when there are no outdoor /rooftop aerials.
Step1 – Choose the right indoor aerial.
When making this purchase, it’s good to know how strong the location of your home’s signal reception is. This will help you choose a suitable aerial. For instance, there are aerials with amplifiers to help pick the weak signals.
Step 2 – Getting set-up
It‘s essential to recognise the task’s complexity before embarking on the installation. However, installing an indoor aerial is very easy and the steps are usually straightforward.
Follow the following steps to ensure you get the best connection.
- Plugin the coaxial cable into the aerial, then position the aerial close to the TV.
- Ensure to place the aerial in the highest place possible inside your home, far from any metallic objects as they can interfere with the reception.
- If the signal is still shaky, try placing the aerial next to the window. In addition, it’s advised to keep the transmitter parallel to the aerial.
- Finally, after every repositioning, ensure to scan your TV to receive the new signals. Additionally, it’s important to note that indoor aerials are omnidirectional, meaning they can receive signals from a 360-degree angle.
Step 3 – Confirm all the channels.
Depending on where you live, you may miss out on some channels. Some of the channels you should have are BBC One, BBC One HD and ITV. If the channels mentioned do not appear, reposition your aerial and scan your TV again.
Step 4 – Securing the aerial.
After finding the optimal position for your aerial, you can use some adhesive velcro pads to hold it down. In addition, some aerials can be mounted on the wall which makes the positioning easier especially if you wish to conceal it from children or shield it from external like the wind and accidental knocks.
The upsides of having an indoor aerial are: You incur lower costs as you can set up by yourself. Additionally, it’s easily portable around the house. On the other hand, the downsides are that concrete walls can interfere with the signal reception and do not work in areas with weak signal reception.
- Outdoor aerials.
Installing an outdoor aerial can be a hassle, especially when running the coaxial cable down the antenna to your TV. However, It’s worth noting that a tradesperson can mount the aerial for you. Moreover, you can still DIY if you’re up to the challenge.
Step 1 – Shop for a suitable TV aerial.
Outdoor antennas are typically directional. That means they are designed to only receive their signal from a specific direction rather than 360 degrees.
Step 2 – Find the right spot for your antenna.
Position your antenna parallel to the transmission tower line to minimize interference. If you are unsure which way is the transmission tower, check the direction of other antennas in your neighbourhood.
Install 10 – 20 feet off the ground. Besides, when installing on a metal roof, mount it on a mast at least one metre above the roof to minimize interference.
Step 3 – Mount your aerial.
Before you decide to go up the roof, ensure all your tools are working correctly. Also, assemble the aerial before going up to mount it.
There are three places outside your home where the aerial can be mounted. These are:
- Rooftop Installation
- Attach your tripod base or base mount to your rooftop.
- To hold it firmly, consider securing it with guy wires.
- Ensure to attach them to solid wood like attic rafters
Wall Installation
- A wall mount bracket is necessary as it holds the mast three inches from the wall.
- Space the wall brackets apart for better stability as you attach them to the wall.
- Chimney Installation
- Ensure the chimney structure is stable before mounting the aerial.
- Although the chimney is commonplace for people to attach their aerials, the smoke affects your aerial’s hardware and signal reception quality over time.
In all three installations, ensure the aerial is mounted perfectly vertical to avoid any signal disruptions.
Step 4 – Run your TV’s cable.
The coaxial cable can cause signal interruption and loss. Therefore, take care during installation and connection. In addition, the cable should be long to avoid bending or twisting on the edges.
Next, attach the cable to the mast but not too tightly, affecting the waterproof sheath. Finally, connect the coaxial cable to your TV, avoiding any bends to minimize the effects of signal loss.
Step 5 – Scan your TV
After the cable is attached to your TV, scan for channels. If there are insufficient channels, try repositioning your antenna until your desired channels are found.
- Loft aerials.
It’s suitable for homeowners who do not want to clutter their exterior/interior or areas where outdoor aerials are restricted. They are installed in three easy steps.
Step 1 – Find a space that isn’t bust to avoid crashing into it every time you’re in the attic.
Step 2 – Place the aerial in your attic as you read the manual’s instructions.
Step 3 – Scan your TV and discover the channels. If there are none yet, reposition until desired channels appear.
Some of the advantages of using a loft aerial are: They are not exposed to elements like wind, dust, smoke and rain. In addition, they are more accessible to install – no roof climbing. Finally, they can be hidden in your attic.
However, loft aerials may not work from your attic if you have a metal roof. Subsequently, the signal may be weaker compared to an outdoor aerial because of the roof.
Safety tips when installing an outdoor antenna
Of all the places to place your aerial, the roof is the trickiest. Any slight wrong footing and the whole process would result in serious bodily injuries in a hospital, which others may be permanent.
- Check your surrounding and get familiar with the installation site.
While at this, check for safe areas to step on and the risky spots to avoid.
- Look out for power lines.
- Check for overhanging branches or hornets/wasp nests.
- Put on safety gear like helmets, gloves and rubber shoes for the best roof grip. In addition, carry some insect repellent.
How to scan your TV
- Press the menu button on your remote control or your setup box(STB)
- On your screen, select set up from the menu. However, if you can’t find this option, check your users’ manual for instructions on scanning.
- Choose antenna, then channel scan or auto scan. Then your TV will automatically scan and find new channels and may take a few minutes.
- Channels will automatically be saved.
