Categories: Outdoor

6 Hacks on How to Boost Antenna Signal

Published by
James marcus

Whether you’re living on the beach in Sydney or kilometers away from the nearest town in the outback you’ve got to settle down and watch TV sometimes.

But if you’re relying on a TV antenna, you’ve likely run into static once or twice.

That pixelating and glitchiness that always seems to come at the best part of your favorite show.

You might’ve been living with it for years. Just hoping it won’t pop up during a crucial cricket match.

But you don’t have to live like this forever. There are a few tips and tricks you can try to boost your antenna signal and ban pixelation forever.

Just follow these six tips on how to boost antenna signal and never fret again.

How to Boost Antenna Signal

There are a myriad of reasons you might be getting a bag signal. From antenna placement and angle to materials in your home that cause interference.

But there are a few easy steps you can take today to get a solid antenna TV signal.

If you aren’t particularly tech-savvy or don’t consider yourself a DIYer, it might be time to call the professionals.

But if you feel up to it, follow this easy and quick guide to improve antenna reception.

Ditch the Foil

While it was a cheap remedy in the old days of rabbit ears, that foil on your digital antenna probably isn’t doing much good.

By attaching tin foil to your antenna, you were, in theory, increasing the reception by extending the antenna.

If you were lucky, and the foil happened to mirror incoming radio frequencies, this might have worked in the past. On the other hand, it was just as likely to mess up your reception for other channels.

Instead, it’s probably time to look for a stronger antenna or follow the rest of this guide to get better TV reception.

Reset Your Digital Tuner

This 5-minute fix may be all it takes to get better TV reception.

A digital tuner converts your incoming signal into a digital format your TV recognizers. But from time to time broadcasters will change their metadata which can interfere with your tuner’s ability to understand the signal.

Your digital tuner may be using this older data and therefore isn’t getting the correct channel information.

The easiest way to reset a tuner is to follow these quick steps:

  • Disconnect the coaxial cable from your TV
  • Run the channel scan on your TV
  • Turn off and unplug you TV and/or converter box
  • Reconnect all connections
  • Do one more channel scan

This may fix all your problems with just a few steps.

Raise That Antenna

If a reset didn’t help it may be time to take a closer look at your antenna.

The number one reason most people lose signal loss is that their antenna doesn’t have a clear line of sight to the transmission towers.

Ideally, your antenna should be the highest thing on your property, excepting a lightning rod.

This will ensure the signal isn’t bouncing off another building, tree, or mountain and fragmenting. Obstacles create opportunities for the signal to split and arrive “out of phase,” with your antenna causing issues.

Experts usually recommend installing an antenna at least 10 to 20 feet off the ground. And the roof of your home is usually the best option.

Re-aim Your Antenna

Whether you’re using a uni- or multidirectional antenna it doesn’t do any good if it’s not pointed at a transmission tower.

If you are experiencing poor reception an easy fix is to readjust your antenna. Even a few degrees can make a difference.

Simply enter your address here and find your closest transmission tower. Then it’s as simple as using your smartphone’s compass to point it directly at the tower.

It will likely be a little trial and error to find the perfect spot. But once you’re getting a straight signal you shouldn’t experience any loss.

Try a Booster

Even if you’ve heightened and straightened your antenna it may not be enough. The signal may just be too far away or too weak to get a clear picture.

That’s where an antenna booster or TV amplifier can help.

While many of the devices on the market now are essentially plug-and-play it still requires proper installation.

Incorrect installation can exacerbate issues or cause new signal interference or overload and distortion. Furthermore, incorrect installation can even affect mobile phone signal interference.

So here it might be time to call a professional installer to check the signal and installation.

Mount a Second Antenna

Maybe your antenna is working just fine, but it’s not able to pick up a signal from several different towers.

That means it’s time to install a second directional antenna.

This will make sure you are getting signals from several transmission towers and your TV will choose the best signal for each station.

It’s important to ensure you aren’t stacking antennas or building them too close to each other because that comes with its own set of headaches.

Ideally, you want to have at least 1 to 2 meters between antennas. Then you simply attach them together using a coaxial signal combiner.

One key is to make sure you are using the same length of coaxial cable between both antennas and the combiner to avoid phase problems.

When setting them up, be sure to install and check both antennae independently from each other before attaching them to the combiner. Simply run a channel search for both then combine them.

This will teach your TV to use both signals while prioritizing the best from both.

When All Else Fails: Call an Expert

Did you follow this how to boost antenna signal guide and still seeing issues?

When all else fails, it’s probably time to call someone who knows exactly what they are doing.

You might’ve gotten a little better reception by using this guide but it’s still not perfect. Or maybe lugging a bunch of heavy equipment onto your roof just isn’t your cup of tea.

Either way, there’s no harm in calling someone out to fix your problem.

You can get a free quote on our website just by entering your address and phone number. Then a qualified and licensed technician can get your set working right quickly and easily.

This post was last modified on 12/10/2023 01:55

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

Share
Published by
James marcus

Recent Posts

DIY Turmeric Scrub for Hyperpigmentation

For all my beauties with dark inner thighs, armpits, bikini area and spots, etc, this…

1 year ago

Top 15 Cook Interview Questions and Answers

Are you a passionate cook aspiring to embark on a rewarding culinary journey? Whether you're…

1 year ago

What Color Walls Go With Grey Kitchen Cabinets [Schemes]

Discover the perfect wall colors to complement your grey kitchen cabinets, creating a harmonious and…

1 year ago

10×10 Kitchen Remodel Cost: Everything You Need to Know

Generally, a 10×10 kitchen remodel ranges from $15,000 to $45,000, but several factors could cause…

1 year ago

How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost?

Sleek and durable, quartz countertops are the latest trend in kitchen and bathroom renovation. Comparable…

1 year ago

Australian IKEA Kitchen Design & Installation Costs

IKEA kitchens are designed to be as simple as possible to assemble and install yourself.…

1 year ago