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Antenna Angling – The Sport of Capturing Local HDTV Signals
The thought of old-fashioned antennas makes one remember many frustrating moments before cable and satellite were introduced. Although antenna angling for the best HDTV signal may still be achieved best with the help of a partner, it will not require you to experiment with combinations of aluminum foil and string.
Antennas are now being made just for HDTV signals to achieve the best transmissions possible. If you live in or around a large city, then you should be able to get tons of HD channels. However, even if you live in rural or suburban area, you might be able to pick up a lot of stations, too. Make sure that you check your TV guides, broadcast station websites and newspapers to find out which high definition stations are available in your general area. With a powerful antenna and the right positioning, you may be able to pick up more stations than you think. Learn how to capture the best signal by reading your manual and by following these helpful tips.
The first key is to keep in mind that your HDTV set or receiver probably has a signal-strength meter included. Once you get into your HDTV's signal strength menu, you can experiment with the reception. The goal is usually to achieve signal strength of 60 or higher. Locking into one station will hopefully mean that you have most of your HD stations at the same level. If one channel is strong, but another is weak, see if you can angle your antenna so that it picks up the signal somewhere in the middle, so each station is received. Balancing your antenna somewhere within 30 degrees of each station should help you pick up the best of both transmissions. If you are unable to find a good average between the two, consider buying an additional antenna, or one that includes a rotator, so that you switch easily between the stations. The rotator will automatically find the best reception, and an additional antenna will assure the same. Just be sure that you investigate a few other possibilities before you start to run back to the store to buy more equipment.
A tower or station that is too close (within five miles) can actually cause you to have poor reception, rather than an excellent one. Find out where your local broadcasting stations are located, so you can determine whether you are too close or not. If you are within the five-mile radius, you can solve the problem by purchasing an attenuator. This will reduce the effects of the extra-strong signal. In this scenario, you probably will not need to purchase anything more than the attenuator. Just enjoy your HDTV programming.
Other interferences, which will keep you from a perfect reception, will come from the broadcasting stations' transmission of FM radio signals. Call your broadcasting station to find out what they are transmitting. They might be able to tell you if a lot of other HD viewers are getting interference, too. If you determine that you getting crossed signals, then try purchasing a FM Trap from your electronics’ store to take care of the problem. If you have not purchased an antenna, or you can return the one you do have, see if you can get one which already has the FM Trap built-in to it.
Something that may not come to mind when trying to get your signal right is that your old TV set may have the answers you need. Remember that HD signals are coming from the same place that the regular, analog ones are. If you can pick up these signals easily with your old TV or portable TV, then you should be able to pick up your HD one, too.
Similar to the old-fashioned antennas, having a friend or neighbor around to help you adjust your signal is often the first thing to check when you can't seem to get the reception right on your own. Adjust the antennal while they monitor the signal-strength meter, or vice versa. This should save you some time. The antennas today are much more sophisticated than before. You should be able to find the right angles and degrees after a few tries. However, if the problem persists, try a few of the other recommendations and you should have your HDTV signal perfect in no time. |
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