Right location of television antenna

Before eternally mounting the antenna for digital television reception it is a good idea to perform a quick view survey to find the spot with the best signal. Moving the antenna one way or another just a few feet can make a wonderful difference in the success of the antenna installation. Digital television is a little different than analog TV. With analog TV climax signal strength was the most important factor for good reception and creating a good picture. With digital TV peak signal strength is not the most important factor for good function. This means that the old methods for finding a location and aiming a TV antenna will not give the best results. In choosing a permanent location for digital TV antenna look at a couple of mounting locations.

Methods for testing the best antenna location:

The terrestrial digital receivers internal signal strength indicator and conventional analog TV pointing method are best in all testing. Place the antenna in a high location with as few obstructions in front of behind or to the sides of the antenna as likely. Optimally the antenna needs to be at least 30 feet above the ground pointed straight in the line of sight of the broadcast antenna. Connect the antenna to digital TV tuner with a good quality transmission line. Gradually rotate antenna on mounting mast in both directions until the highest signal strength is achieved. Check all digital TV channels to make sure the signal is good on all channels. Watch digital TV channel for a few minutes to make sure picture is consistently stable without freezing, fading or breaking up. If picture is stable securely mount antenna per enclosed mounting instructions.

Tips:

For best results, do not run signal through diplexers. Run new RG6 coaxial cable from antenna location directly to digital TV receiver. Tune the analog TV to a UHF TV channel that is on the same broadcast tower or tower location as the digital TV stations one trying to receive. If there is no information can call the local TV stations engineering department and ask them. Slowly rotate antenna or walk spot area with antenna while monitoring the analog TV. Find the location that has a stable picture with the least amount of ghosts.