Don’t you just love uninterrupted TV viewing time? You may have snagged a great deal on your cable TV package but, are you maximizing it by having the best reception? Are you able to access all promised channels?
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What your cable TV antenna must have to get the best reception
Your TV signal has 2 main components – signal power and signal quality. These two are separate entities, meaning, your signal power does not necessarily ensure the quality of your cable TV signal. There are a lot of other factors that contribute to the quality of the signal that your TV is receiving.
First, you must have the right antenna depending on the compatibility with your TV transmitter and your location. You will either need a VHF (Very High Frequency) or UHF (Ultra High Frequency) antenna.
You must also check how your TV antenna is mounted, its mast and alignment. Properly installed antennas get the best reception. Your antenna must be mounted at the right height and has unobstructed alignment with your transmitter to get the best reception.
A TV antenna booster or signal amplifier can also help in improving your TV reception but you must still see to it that your TV antenna is properly installed and that it is in the best possible location with the best reception in order to get the optimum signal. If you have an antenna booster and still get poor reception, you either relocate your cable TV antenna or call a professional technician and have it checked for defects.
In any case that you are pulling these off by yourself, here are some tips that might help you in installing your TV Antenna. We recommend you call a professional though for safety and perfect installation.
Common TV Antenna Parts To Check When Fixing TV Signal
Now that you have checked the placement and installation of your cable TV antenna, you must also check the following cable TV antenna parts that are crucial in receiving radio frequencies responsible for the quality of your TV signal:
Lead-in Cable
The lead-in cable is the cable connecting your antenna to another device in your cable TV antenna system set-up. As it is the main cable, it should be heavy-duty and weather-resistant especially in Australia. It should withstand extreme heat or typhoons. It should also be thick enough with at least four layers of shielding to avoid interference or unwanted RF signals.
High Isolation RF Splitter
The high isolation splitter is a device that lets you connect several TV units into your antenna. It comes as a simple 2-way splitter to as many as 8-way splitters. Remember, every time a signal is split, it loses power that is why you have to look for high isolation splitters that do not have one port impact another.
Outlet Cabling
Your outlet cabling is also important to gain the best reception. It is the cabling that runs from your splitter to the TV outlet or wall plate (a power point that allows you to plug in a short patch from the TV to the wall). To get the best reception you must have the right cable and right distance between devices.
TV Tuner
Perhaps the most important piece to get that quality signal is the TV tuner that is inside your TV unit or a separate set-top box tuner. It is so important that even if you have the best signal because of your location, but you have a defective tuner, nothing goes right with your whole cable TV antenna set-up. If you have a defective tuner, you either get the separate set-top box or buy an entirely new TV!
These are just some of the things to consider to get the best reception for your cable TV antenna. You may check these out yourself but it is still always best to consult with a professional TV antenna installation technician.
Simple Remedies for Signal Interruption
If you experience signal interruption during the wee hours or if it is not possible to reach a cable TV technician, you can do some simple steps to get back that good TV reception.
The first thing you will check is the placement of your cable TV antenna. Aim it to the nearest broadcast tower. Check for obstructions like metal items, tree branches, etc. You can also adjust the height of the antenna, make it higher to pick up better reception.
Put your antenna on or near a window or anywhere with the least obstructions in or outside the house.
More often than not, these simple remedies can bring back your cable TV antenna signal immediately. If the problem persists, it is still advisable to have your antenna checked by a professional technician.
Sydney Cabling is your friendly neighbourhood cable TV technician in Sydney. With Sydney Cabling, you can be assured that all your cable TV antenna concerns are handled by licensed professional technicians that are efficient with services that truly give value for your money.
