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Tips on How to Boost Indoor Antenna Signals
Television and the internet have proved to be very helpful during the last couple of months when the whole world went under a lockdown. When you are stuck at home and you cannot access television you might become frustrated. This is where an indoor antenna comes to your rescue. You can get perfect signals and channel access with a good quality indoor antenna. Sometimes, getting the right signal while using an antenna can prove very complicated and frustrating. In this article we will learn how to boost indoor antenna signals.
As we know, the best place to place your antenna should be as high up as possible, like on the roof. But in a situation where you can’t place an outdoor antenna on the roof, you might decide to use the indoor antenna.
Reasons behind Weak TV signals
There can be weak indoor antenna signals due to various reasons some of the reasons are described below:
- Location is the number one reason behind a weak indoor TV antenna signal. The antennas are already placed indoors so it is important to choose the right indoor location.
- Another reason is the height of your indoor antenna. If you don’t have minimum sufficient height then you will surely get weak signals.
- Different digital interference in your room can cause weak signals. It is important to find these devices and remove them from the room where your indoor digital antenna is placed.
- Location where you place an antenna is important but it is also very important to see if your locality and house location supports indoor antennas. Some of the locations are just not good for any antennas and specifically for the ones that are placed inside. This is why the location of your room is a big reason behind weak TV antenna signals.
- Another important reason behind weak TV signals is poor quality of cables that you’re using. If you are using poor quality and faulty cables then you might get weak signals and poor quality of audio video digital TV.
This might not be effective especially if you do not know the right tips and guidelines that can help improve the signal while using the indoor antenna. So without further ado, I am going to share some relevant tips on how you can improve your signal using the indoor antenna.
Let us take a closer look.
Tips on How to Improve your Indoor Antenna Signal
The basic thing about using an indoor antenna is all about the location. But location can also be determined by other factors. Let us look at some tips on how you can get the best reception in your home.
1. Know what is causing the problem
First of all, you need to identify what is causing the problem. If you are getting weak or grainy signals then it is a sign of weak antenna signals which you can boost with the help of an antenna booster. But if there is total audio and video cut then it is a sign of full signals breakage and you cannot fix it by using any indoor antenna booster.
2. Try out different locations in your home
As I mentioned, the location of your indoor antenna is the biggest factor that influences your reception (other factors may include the type of antenna, amplifier and some more).
If you are thinking that using indoor antenna height settings wouldn’t make any difference then you are wrong. For the indoor antenna a few centimeters height can make a big difference.
Where you place your antenna will also determine the number of channels you get. A better place to put your antenna is against the windows or facing walls. Experiment on different placement to find the perfect spot where you can get an excellent signal.
While trying out different locations, marking out the areas you have tried using sticky notes or tapes will make it easier to find a better location.
You do this so you don’t have to go back to the same location again.
3. Point your antenna towards the transmission towers
To get maximum reception, you should position your antenna to face the transmission tower in your city or town.
Every state has a location where they place transmission towers. Direct your antenna to the pole where the transmission tower is located (either north or east, whichever).
If you do not know where the transmission tower in your city is, try searching using a station folder map.
4. Go higher up
Another effective trick of getting a better antenna signal is to go as high as possible. Raise the antenna towards the roof.
5. Get a long cable
If the cable that comes with the antenna is not long enough to get to the window, then consider using a longer cable.
Try extending the antenna towards the window to see if you might need an outdoor antenna. But, note that you should not use an overly long cable as this might reduce the strength of the signal that reaches your appliances.
6. Get rid of electronic interference
Most times, other electronic appliances may be interrupting the reception you get using the antenna.
So, try to remove all other nearby DVD players, routers, desktops, and others. Just unplug them all and see if the signal gets any better. Isolate your antenna from nearby electronic equipment as they might interfere with the network. Routers especially will have a cumbersome effect.
7. Remove the amplifier
If your antenna comes with an additional amplifier attached to it (booster), then you should try to remove it.
Try to unplug the booster from the antenna and see if there is an improvement in reception. If not, put it back.
Most times areas with strong stations do not require antenna amplifiers as they might just cause swamping up of the reception.
So, if the case calls for such an action, remove the antenna from the amp and connect it directly to your appliance.
8. Add an Amp
If you are really thinking how to boost your indoor antenna signals, you might consider getting a signal booster. If your reception is terrible because your home is miles away from the transmission tower, then you should get a booster if you do not already have one.
This will improve the signal of your indoor antenna. There are multiple boosters available in the market. You can buy any one of the best amplifiers. It is important that you do your proper homework before buying an indoor antenna booster.
9. You need to eliminate the interference as well
Make sure that there are no other devices interfering with your TV antenna. To find which device is causing the interference, unplug all computers, gaming systems, stereo equipment. Next, you will need to unplug all of your TV connections except for the power and the antenna.
The next thing that you need to do is start plugging in those devices which you unplugged. Now check and see if plugging any device in is causing the signal troubles. This way you can easily identify what is causing the problem.
Now that you have identified what is causing the problem the next thing that you need to do is to move the trouble making device away from your antenna as much as you can. But if you think that the device is very important for your TV then you need to move the antenna away from that device.
Factors That Can Affect the Antenna Reception
Various factors lead to you suffering from poor reception while using an indoor antenna. You might not know about this but now, you should consider paying closer attention to them.
Take a look below.
Signal strength at your location
It is true that a small indoor antenna can help you save a lot of trouble and money that you pay for the cable. But if the signal strength at your location is weak then it is not worth it and you will probably end up getting no digital TV at all. So, it is very important that you check if there is signal strength at your location.
Know what works best for you
The truth about indoor antennas is that it does not work the same way in every home. You might learn how to boost your indoor antenna signals, but it is not useful if you don’t have weak signals. You might instead have a location issue.
So, find whatever works for you. It is possible that you might have an interference or you might need a booster for your indoor antenna signals. This is why there simply is no one solution for all the indoor antenna signal problems. Try new things and techniques and see what your unique and weak point is and find whatever works best for you.
The age and condition of your antenna
Experts have advised that an antenna should be upgraded every five years (especially television antennas).
A lot of factors and activities in your neighborhood can affect your antenna signal. For example, erection of new buildings or a situation where you have moved or changed residences.
The way your antenna has been set up
Your antenna setup can be a factor that can affect your antenna signal. For better reception and signal, the antenna should generally be mounted towards the transmission source. An antenna that has not been mounted properly cannot receive a strong signal, resulting in situations of poor or no signal at all.
When mounting or installing antennas, it is advised to hire professional installers to get the job done.
Antenna quality
The way new antennas are modeled to function is not much different from older models. The difference is that new antennas are modeled to permit focus on specific locations,
They can comfortably and easily accept transmission frequencies (VHF or UHF or both). But this can only be possible if they are positioned or facing the right direction.
Your location
Location is also a barrier to great signal reception. If the distance between your house and the transmitting tower is too much, your antenna may likely have issues getting a good signal or reception.
So, the closer you are to the transmitting tower, the better or more likely you are to have good reception or signal.
Cables and wirings
For example, in a situation of a TV antenna, if the connections between your TV and the antenna are not secure or connected properly, it could lead to poor signal reception.
In a case of using damaged or faulty connecting cables or wires, a poor signal would be the consequence. This is why you need to check all your cables and wirings. Remove the faulty lines and see if the situation with your weak signals has improved.
At the end one great tip for you is change your location. If nothing else works for you then simply change your location. That will definitely change signals quality.
Frequently Asked Questions About improving indoor signals quality?
How can I boost my indoor antenna signal?
You can try the following tips to boost your indoor antenna signals:
- Face your TV antenna towards the TV Transmitter
- Change the location for a quick fix
- Height of your indoor Tv antenna matters the most
- Check and see if you have got any digital interference
Does aluminum foil boost antenna signal?
Yes, Aluminum foil has been proven to boost your antenna signals. All you need to do is wrap your antenna in an aluminum foil and place it at the right location somewhere higher. Conductivity of your antenna will increase with the help of aluminum foil.
Are indoor TV antennas any good?
Yes, indoor antennas are good options for many people. These are simple and easy to install, you can easily fix them on your own and there is improved technology and quality of indoor antennas in the market. And if you’re wondering how to boost your indoor antenna signals then you can easily find ways to do that with an indoor antenna booster.
How high should I put my TV antenna?
It is important that you place your antenna at least 30 feet above the ground to get good signals. This height will give you clear and fast signals.
Do TV antenna signal boosters work?
Yes, TV antenna signal boosters work. The science behind the signals boosters is that they can reduce the signals loss. The loss can be because of cable resistance and because of the splitting of signals to multiple TV’s
Conclusion
Indoor TV antennas have improved in quality over the years, but due to various reasons you still might not get strong and clear signals. Lucky, you can boost your indoor antenna signals. Getting a good signal might not be a really difficult task after understanding the basics of how the signal works. So, if after all these, you are not still satisfied with your reception, then consider using an outdoor antenna. There are different techniques and factors that you can combine and see which works best for you.
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