Antennas receive signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. With antennas, you can now receive signals even in the remotest of the places, which was not possible with wiring.
Proper antenna installation ensures seamless transmission of signals, enabling you to watch hundreds of channels on your television. But it’s the installation part that’s tricky. That’s why you need an expert to install the antenna. However, you cannot leave everything in their hand and act ignorant. There are many things that you must know to have the perfect antenna installation.
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| Antenna Installation |
5 Antenna Installation Tips ideas
Types of antenna
The antenna can be classified under two major categories, indoor and outdoor antenna. As the name suggests, indoor antennas are the ones that are installed inside the house, while the outdoor ones are installed in the out in the open. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and you have to select the one that suits your requirement and position.
- Indoor antennas- These are generally installed in places with high signal coverage and when you don’t have access to the roof. For instance, multiple apartments don’t allow access to the roof, and residents are left with no choice but to opt for indoor antennas. The installation process is very easy and does not require any major tools. One of the major drawbacks of indoor antennas is that the signal strength is weak. Thus the picture quality is low.
- Outdoor antennas – These are installed in the open, say on the roof or the balcony. In this case, the signal strength is satisfactory, one of the main reasons users opt for it. The installation process is a little more complex than the indoor antennas, and you might need a technician for the job.
Check for signal
Before fixing the antenna at a position, always check for the signal strength beforehand. One of the simplest ways is to connect the antenna to the T.V., fix it in the desired position and check the picture quality. If the signal quality is optimum, fix the antenna in that very position to complete the antenna installation process. Otherwise, keep adjusting it until you receive the perfect signal.
Checking the signals initially is crucial as you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle later and enjoy the viewing experience.
High-quality cables
You must only use high-quality cables to connect the antenna with the T.V. experts recommend using double screened coaxial cable to ensure high-quality transmission of the signal. Also, try to keep the cable as short as possible and avoid any sharp bends. You can also fasten the cable to poles using a wire to negate the effect of wind on it.
Keep the antenna surroundings clear
To receive undisturbed signals, you must ensure that the area around the antenna should be clear. You should keep at least 75 cm of the area around the antenna clear of any structure as it may obstruct the signal. Also, ensure that no metal objects or power lines are passing nearby. Electrical cables can interfere with the signal and affect its strength and the picture quality.
Check the neighbour’s antenna
One of the simplest ways of finding out the direction to point the antenna, your neighbour’s antenna, is of great help. Just check the direction it’s facing and point yours towards the same direction. It’s a quick way of finding a good signal without the need for a spectrum analyzer.
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Conclusion
Some of you might be able to install an antenna on your own after reading this article. Those who would still prefer a technician know a lot more about antenna installation and cannot be easily fooled. So, the next time your technician is up there working, you wouldn’t be clueless anymore and can check if they are doing their job properly.