Digital TV antennas have greatly evolved since the olden days where antennas would be placed on top of TVs and we would manually attempt to adjust it in order to establish a great connection. Over-the-air television is the term used to define television signals that are transmitted by your local television transmission. These signals have been transmitted using digital signals for the past decade, contrarily to the analog signals, used previously. There is no limit to the distance a TV signal can travel, however, the signal becomes weaker as it spreads out and the land hinders the signal. Transmitters able to cover a longer range are more powerful in order to achieve better resolution.
Antenna’s Range
The range of a TV antenna is its ability to receive a signal from the broadcast from a given distance. Indoor antennas are inferior and have a shorter range than outdoor antennas due to the possible interference triggered by other electronic devices in your home. Long-range TV antennas are recommended if individuals live in suburban and rural locations, or even in settings where certain factors will significantly affect the signal, such as tall buildings, trees, or hills. Truth be told, the average range in reception is about 60 to 80 miles, under normal conditions.
If you have embarked on a journey researching for the best antenna to get, you must have realized already that the current market offers you a diverse range to choose from. It is vital that you have some knowledge on the basics, from knowing about the range signal of an antenna to safe installation tips as mentioned by experts on this website, in order to make a well-informed decision. Antennas differ in shapes and sizes, each intended for a particular situation, therefore it is vital that you complete thorough research before you decide on the one that would suit your needs the best.
The Basics
The Transmitters
No one antenna or antenna type will deliver excellent TV reception in every location. The main factors determining reception are the distance and direction from the TV station transmitters to your home. The transmitter’s power and the height of its tower also matter. If you live within a few miles of the transmitter, and the signal route is unobstructed, an indoor antenna may provide you with good enough reception. However, the further you move away the weaker the signal becomes, making HD antenna selection an important consideration to strengthen the signal.
TV stations vary from each other
As mentioned previously, the location of where you live is important but so is the signal and height of tower broadcasted by different tv stations and this will have an impact on the signal you get. In conclusion, two different channels, within the same distance, using the same receiving antenna potentially differ in results due to the elevation of the transmitting antenna and the frequency and output power of the transmitter.
The Height of your TV antenna
You may not consider this when thinking about your TV reception but the curvature of the earth contributes to how far a TV signal can travel, as do hills and trees. A TV signal is superior when the broadcast antenna and the receiving antenna have what is known as a line of sight. This can be difficult to achieve if obstructions are in the way of the line of sight. If this happens an antenna larger than the range in miles indicates may be required. When buying an antenna you should always buy one bigger than you intend to and consider installing one outdoors rather than indoors. The higher the receiving antenna is installed, usually the superior its performance. To achieve great results you should install the antenna above your roofline or facing away from the house, ensuring it faces the direction of the transmitters.
Consider Obstructions
A good piece of advice to consider before getting your antenna and to know whether you will have a good range signal is by considering the weather in the location where you live, particularly considering how windy it can get. This is because wind and TV signals travel across the earth in a similar way. For example, if your home is encircled by a condensed forest you will have less wind than a home located in the middle of an open field. The same goes for TV signals, as the more obstructions around you the less range signal you will be able to get.
Location
Where you live will be a contributing factor to how good the range signal you receive is. As previously mentioned, the higher the antenna is the better range signal and reception. For this reason, living on a hill would be ideal, but if you do not, you should ensure that you invest in an antenna that can be installed high up outdoors. Analyze your elevation in comparison to the land around your home. Oftentimes fluctuations in elevation are so small and gradual they are unnoticeable. You could even be living on a hill in a deep valley and not realize it.
There are many contributing factors to a good signal, and it is important that you, as the consumer, are knowledgeable and aware of some of the basics of TV signal behavior which will have an impact on range, in order to make a decision.
