Did you know you can access sports games and TV shows for free when installing a TV antenna?
Consumers spend hundreds of dollars a year, subscribing to various streaming platforms. Unfortunately, you can’t even watch live shows or sporting events unless you pay for the premium subscriptions. Installing an antenna will prevent you from missing out on your favorite shows or falling behind.
Read below to learn how to install an indoor TV antenna and start clicking through your new channels!
Select Your Antenna
When most people think about TV antennas, they imagine the rabbit-ear style.
Dipole (rabbit-ear) antennas are the most common for homes since they are easy to adjust. They are also one of the most affordable options on the market. Look, Yagi, and Log-periodic antennas are also available.
Depending on the antenna you select, it may need to be directed toward broadcast towers. Multidirectional antennas are more reliable since they can pull signals from every direction. If you live in an urban area, multidirectional antennas are recommended.
Even if you have a smart TV, you’ll need an antenna to access local channels. Take a look at some of the options mentioned above to see which antenna will meet your needs.
Find the Best Antenna Location
The antenna you buy will decide your placement options, but most people have a few choices to select from.
The walls and windows are great for holding antennas since they are less likely to be surrounded by the interface. Certain building materials and rooms may block reception. If you don’t want your antenna outside or on the walls, you could install it in your attic.
You must turn your TV on while finding the right placement, otherwise, you could waste time and energy installing it in a “dead zone.” If you need to adhere to your antenna in the house, you can use poster putty, which is much more reliable than tape.
Go online and check local antenna point apps so you know which way your antennas need to be facing. A compass and Google Maps can help you find the best position. This process tends to take the most time since it consists of trial and error.
You can purchase a digitrak system to improve your installation process and signal.
Connect Your TV & Antenna
When you open your antenna box, it will likely come with a coaxial cable included.
Coaxial cables may be attached or detached from the antenna, depending on which style and brand you go with. Make sure your TV and antenna are close enough so the cable isn’t stretched or at risk of unplugging. You can coil up and attach the excess cable to the back of your TV or DVR box.
After all the pieces are in place, you can turn on the TV and set your tuner to local channels. The TV should automatically scan your area for signals.
Once everything is in place and you’ve confirmed the signal by flipping through channels, you can screw the cables into place. The screws should be tight to prevent them from pulling out, especially if you need to move your antenna.
What about Flat Antennas?
Flat antennas are a wonderful solution for finding reception, and they won’t disrupt your home’s decor.
Flat antennas can be fixated on your windows, but keep them as far away from magnetic items as possible. You can use packing or double-sided tape to fixate your antenna on the windows or walls. Some people get better reception on the walls if there is a metal window frame.
You’ll have to insert the cable to the antenna and TV so the channels can transfer to your screen.
If you put your antenna in a bad spot for reception, you’ll struggle to find any of the local channels. Once you are happy with the placement, click through all the channels to ensure you won’t have any issues.
Try to avoid windows that are blocked by trees or bushes. These items outside can prevent your antenna from getting reception.
Channel-Flipping Tips
Indoor antennas are great for pulling in local channels, but the number of channels you get may vary.
If your channel tuner is built into your TV or an external box, you’ll have to go into settings. In the settings, you must go to the tuning section and activate the Auto setting for finding channels. Built-in tuners tend to get more channels, but your home’s location will also play a role in reception.
Sometimes, antennas may pull signals from other cities and states if they aren’t facing the right towers. Make sure you look at Google Maps to find which tower your antenna is pulling the signal from. If you’re in the city, you may also get additional channels because of the various towers in your area.
Pixelated images, jumpy movements, and black screens will indicate if your antenna isn’t connecting. You should get a 20 to 30-mile range for your channels. If you live in a remote area, your channels will be limited.
Install Your Indoor TV Antenna & Save Money
As long as you get a decent reception, you can watch your shows and sporting events without having to spend much money.
Aside from paying for the antenna, you won’t have to pay any monthly fees to watch live broadcasts. This is a great feature when the internet goes down, as it’s much more reliable for getting the local news. By following these steps, you can install your indoor TV antenna and start clicking through the channels.
Be sure to check out our site for more info about the types of antennas and how to make the best use of your tech!
