How to Boost Your Indoor TV Antenna Signal
Have you been thinking about swapping your annoying and pricey cable service for an indoor TV antenna that enables you to watch free over-the-air TV? If so, the number one thing that will determine your signal strength is your location, amongst other small tweaks to your antenna. Not only does it matter where you place your antenna, but where you live is also a factor.
When people talk about having an indoor TV antenna, most people think of the old-school rabbit ears that were used back in the day and took a lot of tinkering with to receive a halfway decent picture on your television. Even though there haven't been major advancements in antenna technology, in 2009 the broadcasts themselves switched from analog to digital making it really easy to reliably receive crystal clear HD picture quality with an antenna.
Receiving ideal reception using your indoor TV antenna can be very easy in many cases but in some instances, it can be challenging depending on how far you are located from the transmission towers, geographic conditions, and obstructions to line of sights such as buildings, walls, and trees. Don't worry, there are a few things you can do to boost your indoor TV antenna signal for ideal reception.
Here are a few tips on how to boost your indoor TV antenna signal:
Higher is Better
When thinking about where the ideal place is to set your indoor TV antenna the best advice we have is to go high. As stated above, the height of your antenna is one of the most critical factors in getting the best reception. We recommend you place it on a wall near the ceiling or near a window. This small change in placement can be a determining factor between good and poor reception.
Eliminate Interference
If you feel like you're not getting the best reception, it could be caused by other devices interfering with your signal. To find which device is causing the interference to unplug all computers, gaming systems, stereo equipment, etc.
Next, you will need to unplug all of your TV connections except for the power and the antenna. Once you have done that you are free to re-test your signal. If you find that your signal has improved, start plugging in each device you unplugged one by one to find what's causing the interference.
When you find what electronic equipment is causing the interference, the best option available to you is to move that equipment further away from your antenna. If you find that the equipment that is causing the interference is essential for your viewing experience you might need to move your antenna into another room. All you need to do is get a longer cable to reach your TV.
Purchase an Amplifier
If you live further away from the television transmitter towers (over 20 miles) you should invest in an amplifier to accompany your indoor TV antenna. If you live close to a television transmitter tower, buying an antenna amplifier can make your situation worse due to the amp making the signals stronger than the television will accept.
If you are not sure if an amp would be the right call for you just look into if your signals have weak signal reception in your area. If you can't find if your signals are strong or not use this guide by Channel Master. It will tell you what stations you receive and the signal strength as well. If just one or several of your channels have low signal there are a number of amplifiers you can choose from.
Experiment and Try New Things
The last thing you can do is experiment and find what works best for you and your location. It is important to know that not all indoor TV antennas work the same in every household. Your situation is unique and so is your broadcasting signal. A great tip to remember how to boost your indoor TV antenna is that location is key. If nothing else works, try and move your antenna to a higher location and see what happens.