Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

This wikiHow teaches you how to select and set up an antenna for your TV.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Prepare

1. 

   Determine the TV antenna plug type. Almost all TVs have antenna inputs on the back or side of the unit; This is where you will plug in the antenna. There are two main types of inputs:
   • Coaxial RF connector - Looks like a cylindrical screw with a hole in the middle. This is the standard connector on most newer TVs.
   • IEC - Smooth cylinder with smaller cylinder inside. You can find this connection on older CRT TVs.
   • Look through the TV's instruction manual or look up the TV's model number on the network to confirm the antenna type again.
2. Find the nearest TV station. You can enter your location along with the keyword "broadcasting" into Google. This will help you know the type of antenna you need; for example, if the nearest station is quite far away, a traditional "rabbit ear" antenna is not a good idea.
   • If you are abroad, you can enter your address on http://antennaweb.org/Address to view a map of nearby TV stations.
   • The TV station position also gives you the direction to rotate the antenna when needed.

3. 

   
   
   Buy an antenna for the TV. If you do not have an antenna (or you have one but want to replace it with a stronger one), you can purchase it online or at your electronics center. We have the following options:
   • Flat antenna: This is the latest antenna type and requires very little tuning after being installed next to the TV. Flat antennas also have superior reach and reception compared to other traditional antennas.
   • "Rabbit ear antenna": a set of two "rabbit ears" telescopic antennas, this is one of the most commonly used in the home. The "rabbit ears" antennas are usually mounted on the back of the TV and are fine if you are near television stations.
   • Single beard antenna: consists of a telescopic antenna tree (also known as a monopole antenna). These are similar to the "rabbit ears" antennas in both function and placement.
   • Outdoor antenna (UHF - ultra high frequency): quite large, with many branches like herringbone and usually built on roofs or terraces. Outdoor antennas are great for establishing a long-range connection, especially if you live in the suburbs.

4. 

   
   
   Purchase an extension cable if necessary. Especially when building an outdoor antenna, you will need a coaxial RF cable to connect the antenna down to the TV. This cable is available online or at electronics centers.
   • If the TV does not have an antenna mount in the back, you need to purchase a short extension cable to place the indoor antenna.
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Part 2 of 2: Connecting an antenna

1. 

   
   
   Turn off and unplug the TV. Press the "Power" button on the TV, then unplug the power cord from the TV or electrical outlet. This is to ensure your safety if something goes wrong with the TV or antenna.

2. 

   Connect the antenna to the input. Find the antenna port on the back of the TV, then plug in the antenna cord and fix the connector securely (if necessary).
   • If you are using an extension cable, plug one end of the cable into the antenna, the other end connected to the input on the TV.

3. 

   Plug the TV back in and turn it on. Depending on your current channel, you may be able to watch TV programs from the local TV station.

4. 

   Find a channel. This process is different for each TV, so you should check the TV's manual or go online to learn how. But generally you just need to set the input to "TV" and scroll through the channels to find.
   • If you know the exact number of local channels, you can try to turn on one of them with the input setting of "TV".
5. Adjust the antenna as needed. If you are using a directional antenna such as a "bunny ears" or a rooftop herringbone antenna, you need to point the unit towards the TV station. You may also need to move objects indoors so that they do not block the antenna's connection.
   • Antennas sometimes have to rotate back and forth many times to get a good reception, so don't worry if the first setting is not correct.
   • Generally you rarely have to tune flat antennas because they are much more powerful than traditional and omnidirectional antennas.
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Advice

• If you have to rotate the antenna on the roof all the time, you should install an electric rotor so you can tune the antenna comfortably indoors.
• The RF input on the TV is also the input used for cable TV.
• If you pull cables outward or through the house, make sure you cover the line carefully. This will ensure a high quality transmission line for the TV, while also limiting the cable breakage or affected by environmental factors.

Warning

• Do not buy a satellite dish antenna with advertising gains hundreds channel with "RF technology" without you having to pay cable TV charges. This is a description that is intentionally confusing. You can only receive TV channels in range.