Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Choosing an Antenna
• Method 2 of 2: Connecting an antenna
• Tips
• Warnings

Want to get rid of the cable but enjoy watching local TV channels? Broadcasting stations transmit their programs in the MW and UHF bands both in the old analog form and in the new one - in the form of digital and HDTV signals. To pick up this signal, you will need an antenna. We will show you how to connect it. Read on!

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Choosing an Antenna

1. 1 There are several options. Rabbit ears, multi-beam antennas and massive antennas used in remote areas. Choose the one that best suits your requirements.
   • Rabbit ears have two telescopic bars that can be extended. They are optimized for VHF reception. Although such an antenna is better than nothing, it is still not the best solution for good signal reception.
   • A multi-beam antenna is the most common option and will serve you well. These are the antennas you usually see on rooftops and on masts. They consist of several elements, each of which is longer than the adjacent one. This antenna design prevents signals that come along a different path (such as echoes) from being received, focuses on a specific signal, and acts like an electronic version of a magnifying glass. These antennas come in a variety of sizes.
   • Large antennas are fine if you live in a remote area in a valley behind a hill or other serious obstruction, where you may need a large antenna to pick up the signal as best as possible. But don't buy more antenna than you need to do it. Really large TV antennas are for remote areas. If you are not that far away, you may receive a signal that is too strong, resulting in signal distortion or interference and crosstalk from signals received from far away.
2. 2 Use the engine. If you are in a location where one channel, for example, is transmitted from the north and another from the west, you may need a motor so that you can turn the antenna beam towards the station's transmitting tower.
   • If the turning angles are slightly different or the stations are very close, you shouldn't have a problem. If the steering angle differs by more than 30 degrees, you will most likely need an engine, depending on how far away the stations are. If you don't have an engine, but are willing to climb onto the roof and turn the antenna every time you change the channel, you will soon be looking for an engine to do the job!

Method 2 of 2: Connecting an antenna

1. 1 Determine how to connect the antenna to your TV. It will probably be the so-called F connector or round with a thread and a small hole at the end. There are older types of connectors, such as the Belling Lee connector or flat connectors, but the F connector is best for digital signal.
   • Please note: If you have an old-style connector, go to a radio or TV store and buy the appropriate adapter.Digital TVs have a dedicated digital input, usually labeled "DTV" or "DTT". They will not be able to directly connect older types of connectors.
2. 2 Connect the antenna to your TV using an RF coaxial cable (also known as an "F" cable). There are two main types: screw plug and regular plug. Both are fine, but the screw connection is more reliable.
3. 3 Set up your TV. Using the settings menu of your TV (read the operating instructions for specific operations), set the signal reception to "From Antenna" or "Through the Air."
   • Some TVs have more than one input: make sure you are using the correct input during setup. If you have cable TV and multiple inputs, you can use one for the cable and the other for the antenna.
4. 4 Adjust the antenna. Scan all TV channels to see which channels are in the receiving range. If you see a blurry picture, turn the antenna so that the signal is clear.
   • Please note that some antennas are electrically operated so you don't have to climb onto the roof to adjust the antenna.
   • Digital TVs may have dedicated menu options for full scan and manual scan. To optimize the position of the antenna, you should perform a full scan every time you change its position. Each time, write down all the settings, do a full scan and count the number of channels found.
5. 5 Identify all broadcast sources. Find the broadcast source of each channel (distance and angle) using the corresponding map of your area. If all channels are transmitted from the same direction (within 20 degrees), then it is better to use a directional antenna.
   • If you need different settings to receive different signals, then write down not only the number of received channels after scanning, but also which channels.
   • Determine the main parameters you need and write them down.
   • To add all channels to your TV menu, do a manual scan after each tuning and aim the antenna appropriately for each channel you are watching.
   • Some TVs memorize channels that are received well enough for a clear picture. You can use this when looking for broadcast sources.

Tips

• You can buy a better antenna for outdoor use. You can also purchase a steerable motor that will rotate the antenna to the optimum position for each channel.
• If you need to route the cable, make sure you are using a double-shielded coaxial cable with two layers of foil and two layers of braid around the dielectric (these are part of the cable). This will give you better signal quality and reduce interference - which means good picture reception!
• Cable TV companies also use RF cable to transmit their channels. You can buy a simple switch to connect your cable TV and antenna to the same input at the same time.
• In the USA, the FCC website contains maps of the reception of signals of stations for most American cities, as well as the range of signals.
• The VCR also has an RF connector on the back, usually even two. If you want to have a VCR connected, connect the RF antenna to the entrance VCR to send the signal directly to the VCR.
  • The VCR also has a built-in tuner for channel selection and a mini-transmitter called a modulator. It outputs a low power radio signal to the output of the VCR.
  • You can configure this modulator to transmit different channels. The signal will go through the RF cable connected to the connector Exit and go to the tuner of your TV.
  • Tune in to the channel you have selected to transmit in the modulator.Leave your TV tuned to that channel and use your VCR's remote control to select channels.
• A better place to buy an antenna is electrical wholesalers. There you can buy the same antennas used by the installers. In addition, you can learn more about antenna pointing techniques.

Warnings

• Please note that in most countries analogue transmitters are turned off in favor of using a digital signal. Therefore, you will have to buy a digital tuner to receive the TV signal using an antenna.
• Beware of any satellite dish shaped antennas said to receive hundreds channels without having to pay for cable TV and uses "RF technology". This is just a deceptive way to describe any antenna. You will only be able to receive broadcast channels within the range.