Despite the proliferation of computers, tablets, and smartphones, many people still watch their entertainment on television. This is especially true when it comes to live sports, the news, and late-night shows. In fact, practically every home in the United States has a television.
If this describes your habits, then you should think about installing a television antenna. A TV antenna is going to receive channels from broadcast stations, so you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite shows for free.
Of course, you’ll still need to buy an antenna. In this guide, we’ll go over what an antenna is, what it does, and what’s involved with installing a TV antenna. So keep on reading and we will take you through everything that you will want to know!
What Is An Outdoor TV Antenna
As the name suggests, a television antenna is going to be installed on the roof. This way, you will be able to receive signals from nearby broadcast towers.
Because it is so high up, an outdoor antenna will not have to worry about combating a bunch of structures, such as trees, roofing materials, walls, and buildings.
These antennas are great because they get better reception than indoor antennas and have greater exposure to broadcast stations.
If you live in a small town that isn’t close to any broadcast towers, then your best bet for receiving available signals is with an outdoor TV antenna.
You can install this kind of antenna on your roof, a tripod, or even your deck.
With that said, you should make sure that yous can for available channels before you start installing anything.
For people who can’t access their roof or live in an apartment building, you should think about getting an attic television antenna.
If you are not comfortable with installing an outdoor television antenna on your own, then you should think about contacting a professional installation company. Companies like Install My Antenna take care of all of the work for you and at affordable prices.
TV Antenna Basics
Before we go over how to install an antenna on your roof, there are some things that you first need to understand about antennas. Let’s go over them below.
VHF Vs. UHF
When you buy an antenna, you’ll need to choose between UHF or VHF. While you might just want to choose both, you’ll still need to know what these terms actually mean.
Currently, there are very few VHF channels while there is a growing number of UHF channels. A lot of television antennas are able to pick up both kinds of channels.
Also, a lot of local stations used to use VHC signals but are now moving toward using UHF digital signals. This is mainly because both kinds of signals can’t exist in the same space.
Switching to digital signals is your best choice at the moment. It’s going to preserve your access to current stations and also give you the ability to access a lot of other television stations that aren’t available as analog signals.
How To Install Outdoor TV Antenna
If you are planning on mounting an outdoor TV antenna, you should know that most antenna manufacturers provide a detailed set of instructions on how to install the device. Because you’ll be going onto your roof, you need to make sure that you have a good ladder, too.
If you aren’t comfortable with going onto your roof, then you should definitely call a professional. It is not worth taking the risk if you’re not comfortable.
1. Do your Research
The first thing that you need to figure out is the right placement for positioning your television antenna. There are a lot of sites on the internet that will give you the information that you need about the nearest broadcast towers in your area. Just put your address in and you’ll be good to go.
You can also ask your neighbor or a friend to help you.
2. Install Mounting Bracket
Before you climb up onto the roof, you should read the instruction manual that came with the mounting kit. You will need to secure the bracket onto the roof.
Use screws to do this.
3. Position The Antenna Pole
Now it’s time for you to place your antenna pole. Just slide the pole onto the antenna sleeve. Adjust the device and make sure that it faces toward the broadcast station.
4. Test And Tune
Now is a good time to run a test. Ask a friend to turn on the television inside and see if everything works properly. You can move the antenna around until you find the perfect position.
5. Secure All The Wires In Place
Once you have the antenna in the right place, you need to secure everything down. Use screws and bolts to do this.
You’ll also need to fix the grounding wires across the roof. You probably want a professional to help you with this part.
The Importance of Knowing What’s Involved in Installing a TV Antenna
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of what is involved in installing a TV antenna. As we can see, a lot of work is involved with this task. So you need to make sure that you are very careful and precise.
You also shouldn’t be afraid to call a professional if you feel out of your element.
Make sure to check out the rest of our site for more helpful articles!
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