| Some Guidelines to improve Reception Quality | | | | antenna which can receive signals only from one |
| To receive HD signals via satellite or cable might be | | | | direction and is shielded from signals coming from |
| the best choice as far as image quality is concerned | | | | other directions. The antenna has to point in the |
| but there are thousands of possible individual | | | | direction of the next transmitter. If different channels |
| situations where OTA (Over the Air) would be the | | | | broadcast from different transmitters your antenna |
| only option. In this case you would need an OTA | | | | must be equipped with a motor to rotate it in |
| antenna to receive RF signals in HD format which | | | | another direction if you change channels. |
| come from an earthbound station and are | | | | If you have a nice big antenna and it's position the |
| transmitted through the atmosphere. | | | | roof or balcony is relatively unobstructed, yet have a |
| If this applies to you there are some rough guidelines | | | | weak signal you can employ an amplifier. But make |
| which will help to make the best out of your OTA | | | | sure you really need it. If you receive an already |
| set up. But be aware that every location has it's own | | | | strong signal and it is still passed through an amplifier |
| issues. Settings which work splendidly in Chicago, | | | | your TV image might become distorted. If you live |
| Illinois might not work at all in Phoenix, Arizona, not to | | | | close to a transmitter station an amplifier is most |
| talk about Quicksand, Kentucky. So if you adhered to | | | | probably not necessary. |
| all the following suggestions and still can't receive | | | | There are different technical specifications to an |
| OTA HD signals or only in bad quality ask for help in a | | | | amplifier which might be confusing. Most important is |
| local TV shop or call your local TV station. | | | | the amplification factor in db. Note that the db-figures |
| First and most important: You NEED an antenna and | | | | indicate a logarithmic scale. 10 db means the signal is |
| if you are at all serious about picture quality you need | | | | 10 x, 20 db means 100 x, 30 db means 1000 x |
| an OUTDOOR antenna! Unless there is a situation | | | | amplification etc. High quality outdoor antennas should |
| which absolutely makes installing an outdoor antenna | | | | have db values of 15 - 20 or even higher. |
| impossible do not settle for an indoor antenna. And if | | | | Then there is the noise figure. This should be a low |
| you live more than 70 miles from the nearest | | | | number. If you compare different amplifiers brands, |
| transmitter an outdoor antenna is your only chance | | | | the one with the lower noise figure is of higher |
| to receive a signal at all. | | | | quality. |
| Unlike waves in the visible spectrum radio waves do | | | | The distortion figure indicates how much the signal |
| penetrate barriers but there is a considerable loss in | | | | character is changed by the amplification process. |
| signal strength. The clearer the signal comes through | | | | The less the better, of course. |
| to your antenna the better your reception will be. | | | | More advanced (and expensive) amplifiers even |
| The same principle applies when it comes to the | | | | compensate for the technical fact that a signal of |
| height in which you place your antenna. If you would | | | | higher frequency loses more of it's strength when |
| perform a test you would recognize that your image | | | | passing through a coax cable than one of lower |
| quality improves when you place your antenna higher. | | | | frequency. This effect is is made up for by a higher |
| The reason is that the wave has to go through less | | | | boost of higher frequencies. |
| and less barriers travelling from the transmitter to | | | | If there is absolutely no way how you could mount |
| your antenna. On lower levels it might get obstructed | | | | an outdoor antenna you'll have to fall back on an |
| by houses, trees, lampposts etc. | | | | INDOOR antenna. In this case testing is the best way |
| Next to it's placement the antenna size is of major | | | | to come to an optimum reception. This would include |
| importance. The bigger the better. Antennas consist | | | | testing different OTA antenna brands (come to an |
| of several dipole elements. The distance between the | | | | agreement with your retail store that you can take |
| two poles within one element should ideally be 1/2 of | | | | several antennas home to test. Then buy the model |
| the signals wavelength. Channel 2 e.g. transmits on a | | | | which delivers the best picture and return the others) |
| 6 m wavelength which requires your antenna to | | | | and different positions in the house. A possibility of |
| measure at least 3 m in diameter. TV antennas | | | | placing it in the attic would definitely increase your |
| contain several dipole elements with varying length to | | | | chances of a good reception, even if it would require |
| cover the whole range of broadcasted wavelengths. | | | | longer cable connections to your TV room. Also try |
| Secondary Signals might pose a serious problem to a | | | | different positions within the room. Put it somewhere |
| perfect reception of your HD signal. These come | | | | away from the TV set, computers or other digital |
| about by the wave being reflected by objects near | | | | processors otherwise it might come to interference |
| the antenna. These reflections arrive at the antenna | | | | distortions. |
| with a phase shift compared to the directly received | | | | If all fails, even after you have checked for local |
| signal which can lead to interferences with serious | | | | specialities, you still have cable and/or satellite dishes |
| distortions of your TV image. If secondary signals are | | | | as alternatives. |
| a problem in your area you might need a directional | | | | |