The Comprehensive Guide to TV Aerials is essential for ensuring high-quality TV reception. However, choosing the right type of TV aerial is a process that requires careful consideration of factors like location and signal strength. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge necessary to choose a suitable TV aerial, assemble and mount it, and overcome challenging reception conditions.
Indoor TV Aerials
The ideal type of TV aerial for your home depends on where you live and the quality of your television signals. In strong signal areas, an indoor or loft aerial can provide adequate reception. But in more challenging locations, an outdoor or amplified TV aerial is typically required. The types of outdoor TV aerials available vary by size and gain. Yagi aerials are suitable for suburban and urban areas, while log-periodic aerials offer flexibility in picking up a range of different signals. Grid aerials are also effective, providing robust reception for all channels. High-gain TV aerials are the ideal choice for households situated in rural areas, or those with obstructed line-of-sight to broadcast towers.
Before you decide on an aerial, use a local TV reception map tool to see what channels you can expect to receive from the nearest transmitter. The map can help you determine the best direction to point your TV aerial in and whether it’s possible to improve your reception by adjusting the height of the aerial. Also consider how nearby buildings, trees, and weather may interfere with your signal.