Best Tips for Indoor HDTV Antenna Reception

Indoor Antenna Tips for Over the Air HDTV Reception

All of us are looking for ways to save a buck here and there. Minimize your cable or satellite bill by receiving your TV and HDTV stations from the local broadcast towers for free. The major key to receiving a quality picture is the antenna. Most of us don’t want to be crawling around on the roof putting up an ugly outdoor antenna, but you may get a great HDTV picture with just an indoor antenna.

Here a few tips on how to choose and setup an indoor antenna:

Rule of thumb: If you under 20 miles from the local broadcast towers(s) you should be able to use an indoor antenna. Go to antennaweb.org select "Choose an antenna", then enter your zip code. It will list all the stations broadcasting in your area. It will also tell you the distance between your home and the broadcast tower(s), and the orientation in degrees from due north to those towers. Click on the "Show Digital Stations Only" (just above the station listings). You will now see only the digital stations (see below). Find the "Frequency Assignment" of these stations, it is in the far right side of the list.

If all the local digital stations in the 20 mile range are above number 13, you only need a UHF antenna. Otherwise you will need an antenna designed for VHF reception too. On a traditional rabbit ears antenna (see below), the two telescopic “ears” are the VHF antenna and the metal circle is the UHF antenna.

If you need more than one connection, don’t use a passive cable splitter, it will cut you signal gain by as much as half. Use a powered amplifier with multiple outputs instead, such as the RECOTON 4-Way Video Signal Amplifier (shown below right).

Point you antenna in the direction of the broadcast tower. Try to put the antenna in a window or area with minimum obstructions. You don’t want brick, rock, trees or other buildings in the path to the broadcast towers.

Try using an unamplified antenna if possible. It gives you more flexibility on placement of your antenna.

If you have a stationary antenna like the Zenith Silver Sensor, try angling it about 30 degrees up in the direction of the signal(s).

Get a quality cable to attach to your antenna, with enough length to be able to move it around the room, at least 15-20 feet.

Give yourself several days to test the best position for your antenna and test at different times of the day. What may be a strong signal in the morning may be weaker at night and visa versa.

If you need only UHF and you are within 10 miles of the broadcast tower(s), then try a double bow tie ($5 at Radio Shack)

or any old antenna from around the house.

There is no guarantee you will get all of your local stations with an indoor antenna. Transmitter signal power and obstacles between you and the tower(s) are key variables in getting a steady, quality digital picture. Atmospheric conditions such as fog, rain or snow can also affect reception.

Above all, have some fun and be creative with your antenna placement. Remember, you are getting your HDTV free!

For more antenna information, go

here.