Make A Wi-Fi Antenna

How TO Make A Wi-Fi Antenna Out Of A Satellite Dish

In our modern times, there are quite a few different ways for you to enjoy your favorite TV shows. To be able to enjoy TV channels or content you need to be able to connect your TV set to a local internet connection or you need to be able to receive a broadcast TV signal.

Those who use internet connections to stream content often connect to the internet via Wi-Fi connection and can then view content from specific websites or streaming channels with which they subscribed. A TV box, smart TV or computer is required for streaming so you can log onto specific sites and view content. You can also learn how to make a wifi antenna out of a satellite dish to save money on your conversion to streaming.

Those who connect to a specific broadcast signal use a TV antenna or satellite dish to receive the broadcast signal after which they can watch specific channels broadcasted by the broadcasting signal they connect to. A decoder is usually used to allow you to switch between different channels broadcasted by the TV station.

Why people are ditching traditional satellite TV

Up until a few years ago, most people used satellite connections to connect to certain TV stations. Satellites enable you to view certain paid TV channels. But these channels are becoming increasingly expensive resulting in more people seeking out alternative methods to enjoy TV content.

Internet streaming

Wi-Fi connections are often leveraged to enjoy content. People can visit certain websites such as YouTube to view content or they can log into streaming channels such as Netflix to watch movies and TV shows. Internet streaming also allows you to connect to live streaming sports channels if you know where to look. Internet streaming is a great way to enjoy TV but it does have a few drawbacks such as the following;

You usually need to sign up with a website to be able to enjoy their content. Many channels are quite affordable compared to satellite dish.
One of the biggest downsides to streaming is that Wi-Fi connections are often slow and result in sluggish and interrupted streaming.
Internet networks are often down and can make it impossible to view content at some times
Free streaming sites are also full of bogus advertisements and spam that aren’t suitable for younger viewers.
It can be challenging to locate certain content like news or sports that are often viewed on TV channels.
Without an uncapped internet connection, streaming can be incredibly expensive and these uncapped subscriptions can be pricy too.

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Antenna TV viewing

One of the best ways to watch TV is through a TV antenna. There are lots of areas in the U.S. as well as other countries that have numerous free broadcast TV stations that you can tap into for entertainment. Besides the fact that these channels are free, viewers also love them because modern advanced TV antennas offer better quality viewing without any interruptions and you can enjoy real-time shows such as news channels without a hitch. The chance of experiencing slow networks is next to none and TV channels or broadcasting channels are hardly ever down.

Another plus side to over-the-air TV is that you have the right to erect an antenna to receive programming. A law set up by the FCC’s rule that homeowners and renters have the right to view over-the-air TV and prevent the HOAs from blocking your antenna deployments. Basically, this means that you have the right to invest in an antenna so you can connect to over-the-air TV channels for entertainment.

The only true downside to antenna TV is that you could be limited to the number of broadcast signals you can reach based on your location. If you do want to connect to paid TV channels you will enjoy viewing more affordably but still need to pay the channels fees.

Yes, You Can Transform Your Satellite Dish into a Wi-Fi Booster

Before we go into detail about TV antennas, we are going to discuss how to make a wifi antenna out of a satellite dish. Internet streaming can be very appealing and if you already have an uncapped internet package then you are probably very keen on this method of watching TV.

It is, however, important to take note that with a Wi-Fi antenna lone, you will only be able to leverage free Wi-Fi hotspots unless you subscribe with a host that gives you access to these types of connections. Free Wi-Fi networks are often sluggish and risky where paid networks can be quite pricy.

How to make a Wi-Fi antenna out of a satellite dish

To be able to connect to the internet you need to connect via a wireless internet connection or cable connection. If you are tired of paying too much for satellite TV and want to start using your uncapped internet package to stream then pay attention because we are now going to show you how to transform your old dish into a Wi-Fi antenna.

Wi-Fi antennas can be highly effective because you don’t lose signal via interferences in coaxial cables. The signal is often much stronger and the view much better.

Step 1

The first step for transforming your satellite dish is to remove the LNB unit (antenna unit) and extension arm of the satellite dish. Remove the LNB unit from the arm.

Step 2

Replace the LNB with a wireless USB Wi-Fi adapter and secure the adapter to the extension arm. Now reassemble the extension arm to the dish.

Step 3

Plug a USB cable into the Wi-Fi adapter and connect the other end to your computer, modem or router. If you use a router, you will need to connect the computer to the router via cable or Wi-Fi connection.

Step 4

Position your dish outside. It is best to point your dish in the direction of Wi-Fi hotspots with strong signal strength.

Step 5

If the computer doesn’t automatically connect to the internet you will need to install adapter software. These drivers can be downloaded from the internet after which the computer will take you through the process of setting up your wireless connection.

Step 6

Now you can connect to available free Wi-Fi channels or connect to your networking host. Your signal will be much stronger than via cable.

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How to Enjoy Over-Air-TV

Over-air-TV is the only way to enjoy watching TV free of charge. Using an antenna to watch TV can save you a lot of money every year while still allowing you to enjoy many of your favorite channels. More and more people are starting to switch over to this method because it isn’t just free, it is also perfectly legal. Here are the steps to help you enjoy over-air-TV by using an antenna.

Determine the available channels

Before you buy an antenna, it might be wise to find out what channels you will be able to reach in your region and to figure out which ones you want to watch. To do this you can visit TV Fool and get access to TV databases with a typographical map. These maps will give you a better idea of the type of signals you can reach from your house and gives info on how strong the signal will be. TV Fool is a website where you can enter your web address after which you will receive a full chart with a list of all available TV channels you should be able to reach.

Decide on what channels you want to watch

Next, you need to choose the best channels to watch. Stations with poor signals can be a waste of time. If the signal is too weak, you will have a hard time getting a proper view and audio will be distorted. Make a list of all stations that have a strong signal. Do some research on these channels to find out what type of programs are broadcasted and pick those you are most interested in.

Choose the antenna you need

Now that you know what you want to watch, it is time to choose the right type of antenna. There are two major types of antennas you can consider;

Indoor antennas – These antennas are smaller in size but are limited when it comes to reaching and quality view. Typically, these antennas are only suitable for channels with strong signals. For optimal indoor signals, you do need to put your antenna in a window where the signal is at its strongest.

Outdoor antennas – These antennas are larger and have a much greater reach. Outdoor antennas can pick up weaker signals and they offer much better quality viewing. Outdoor antennas can be used inside though and many do install them in attic areas if they find that the signal is sufficient. The antennas do however work much better outdoors. Outdoor antennas do need to be pointed in the broadcasting stations’ direction.

All in all, it is probably better to invest in an outdoor antenna. These antennas will enable you to reach a greater variety of stations and will result in a much better quality view.

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More about outdoor antennas

You will probably have your hands full at choosing the best outdoor antenna. There is a vast variety of types and styles available on the market today. Understanding more about the main features of these antennas can help you make a better decision as to what to buy.

Consider the channel number

Identifying the TV station’s real channel number can help you choose the right antenna. TV channels are mostly spread across three frequency brands;

VHF-Low – Usually channels 2 – 6
VHF-High – Usually channels 7 – 13
UHF – Usually channels 14 – 51

Antennas are often designed to cover only certain frequencies. Some cover one, others cover two and some can cover them all but not all antennas can receive all frequency brands.

Consider the channels you want to watch and try to identify the frequency brand you need before you buy an antenna. Alternatively, you can simply stick to antennas that do cover all frequency bands.

The signal format doesn’t matter

Don’t be fooled by marketing companies that advertise antennas as HD or Digital. There is no format for signals. The only thing that will make a difference in the quality of your signal is the quality of the antenna you buy and the distance between you and the broadcasting station.

Range claims are useful

Antenna manufacturers often include range claims for their antennas. There is no real way these companies can guarantee that you will catch signals for channels in that range but these ranges are good for identifying antennas with long-distance receptions. Good antennas typically advertise longer-range distances. For example; those that advertise a range of 65 miles are better than those with 30-mile ranges.

A signal amplifier can be handy

If you are based far from the channels you want to watch then a signal amplifier can be a handy investment. It is always best to invest in a strong antenna because the antenna will be responsible for the most signal. To reduce break-ups an amplifier can be installed in addition to your antenna.

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Final Verdict

Both antenna TV and streaming has some shortcomings but if you combine these services you can reap a whole lot more benefits at a fraction of the cost of cable TV. Investing in a good TV antenna can be a worthy solution to get free entertainment for the rest of your life while transforming that old satellite dish into a Wi-Fi booster can help you enjoy quality streaming so you can still catch your favorite TV series and movies at any time that suits your schedule.

Converting to these alternative sources might seem challenging but once the conversion is done with, you will reap loads of benefits and save thousands of dollars every year from now on without having to sacrifice your enjoyment of entertainment.