Installing a satellite dish can help you enjoy better TV services, like a clearer image or a wider spectrum of services. However, if you want to maximise the use of your satellite dish, you will have to find a good spot for it. This spot means to also determine what’s the best direction for the satellite dish. As you are about to find out, it’s recommended to position a satellite dish toward the south, so that it receives signals coming from that direction. Why is this happening? You’ll find out all about it in the coming lines.

No matter how useful this article will be for most readers, those living in New Zealand, Australia and other countries around the southern hemisphere may find this content confusing. Because you already live near the Equator, the direction for your satellite dishes is not south. For the rest of us, who live in the northern hemisphere, the satellites we need to enjoy TV services will revolve around the Equator. These satellites orbit around the Equator and have the same rotation speed as the Earth, which is extremely useful for us. This way, we can constantly track the satellites, without having to use special devices.
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So, no matter what kind of TV services you want to enjoy, if you live in the northern hemisphere, you will have to make your satellite dish point toward the south. This will ensure the best signals from satellites, which translates into great TV services. What you need to adjust is the elevation and azimuth, based on the kind of services you want to enjoy. Also, you may have to pay attention to the size of the satellite dish you are looking to use. Depending on the TV services you want to have on the TV, choose a satellite dish of adequate size, capable of receiving a signal from the desired satellite and TV transmitter.

So far, we talked about the northern hemisphere and how satellite dishes have to be positioned over here. But what about the southern hemisphere? How should satellite dishes be positioned in this part of the globe? Considering that satellites orbit around the Equator and you are located south of this invisible line, satellite dishes will have to point north in this case.

​However, if you live very close to the Equator, then the dish will have to simply point toward the sky, being positioned in an upward manner. So, instead of mounting the satellite dish on your house’s wall, it would be best, in this case, to mount it on the top of your house.

Let’s say you have a satellite dish and you’re looking for the best place to mouth it. While placing it on the outside, where the signal is the strongest, is the best way to go, you should also find a location that will ensure a maximum-strength signal. As mentioned earlier, making your satellite dish point toward the south is how you can make this happen. So, it is recommended to install the dish on a wall facing the south. Determine the cardinal points in the case of your house and see which of its walls is facing the south. This will be the best position for installing your satellite dish.

If you select a south-facing wall, you should not encounter any troubles when installing the dish. The most problematic part of the process may be the installation of the coaxial cable. But, apart from this, everything should run smoothly. What are the problems that may appear during the installation process of the satellite dish? Well, for example, the south wall, where the dish should be mounted, is on the opposite part of the house from where you want to install the receiver. What does this mean?

It means that the living room of your house, where the satellite receiver should go, is located in the north part of the house. In this case, you will have to figure a way to have cables going from the receiver to the satellite dish. These cables should go around the house, through the loft, or anywhere else you consider suitable.
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However, mounting a satellite dish on the south wall is not always the best option. For instance, if there are large trees blocking the signal in that part of the house, you will have to find a better location for the dish. Do your best to have the dish pointing toward the south, while avoiding the blockages created by the nearby trees.

 There are situations in which the options for mounting a satellite dish are rather limited. This happens in the case of those living in the city, where signal problems may appear from all over, due to large buildings and other impediments. So, what if you need to install your satellite dish on the north wall? Is this even possible? The answer is yes, you can make this happen, but with a few things in mind. Considering that you will mount the dish on the opposite direction of the azimuth, you will have to make the dish go over the building. This means that you will need to install proper brackets that will help the dish go over the building, capturing signal coming from the right direction.

To do this right, it’s recommended to use “K” and “T” wall brackets. Also, get a pole that has a diameter of 2 inches, which is sturdy enough to prevent the dish from wobbling. This can lead to poor signal, so it is worth making the dish as stable as possible. How to tell what’s the best height for the pole that will hold the dish? You will have to consider a few things before deciding upon this aspect. First, you will need to determine the height required to pass the object you want to clear and find out the height, on the sky, of the satellite you want to get signal from. Use these two pieces of information to determine the best height for your satellite dish.
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Don’t install the satellite dish at a height that is more than you need. The higher the dish will stand, the higher is the risk for it to move under the action of the wind. If this happens, you will experience a bad signal on days with bad weather, which is undesirable. So, take the roof of the house, steep of the wall, existent trees in the proximity of the dish, and other possible obstructions into account. For example, a roof that is rather short will not require a tall mast. In this case, get a mast that is sufficient to raise the dish above the roof, considering there aren’t any other obstacles in its way. Maintain the height to a minimum for as much as it is possible and there won’t be any issues. Also, it is worth will working out the route in for the twin coax cable. 

Although it may seem like a simple process, paying attention to each of the steps required to install a satellite dish can make a huge difference. From getting a high-quality signal to keeping the dish safe against damages and bad weather, the installation process can have an impact on all of these. Don’t consider sufficient to simply mount a satellite dish on top of the house, pointing toward the sky. If you do so, you’ll realise that your TV shows no image or the image is poor and unstable.

Positioning the satellite dish in the right direction will allow you to enjoy top quality TV services for very many years to come. So, it may be worth taking the time to determine the best location for your satellite dish. Also, make sure it is mounted correctly and all screws are tightly fixed. Pay extra attention to cables as well, as they are most prone to a variety of damages. If you don’t think you can handle this part on your own, it is always worth calling in an expert.

​You will pay some money on the installation process, but at least you will know that it is done right. There are more than enough cases in which satellite dishes or aerials fell from their position, which means that installation was not done right. The biggest risk, in this case, is significant damage to the dish, which may put you in the situation of having to buy another dish.

A TV is easy to understand when you look at it from the front. But once you turn it around and face its back, things can get rather complicated. There are a few ports at the back of the TV that serve a variety of purposes. If you want to know what each of them does, it is worth reading the explanations mentioned below. This way, next time you want to perform a set-up process on your TV, & instead of calling a TV installation expert, you’ll know what to do.

It is impossible to miss the SCART connection because it is usually rather large and hangs on the outside. Regarding its functionality, the SCART connection is located in an inferior position compared to an HDMI connection. But, even so, it used to be one of the most used connections of a TV. What was it used for? People utilized this connection to install satellite receivers, DVD players, and other types of devices. The SCART connection is also known as Euroconnector, as it used to be very popular in Europe.

In the USA, this type of connection never managed to gain too much terrain. The fact that it was created in Europe is also reflected by the name of the connection, as SCART comes from the French “Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs”. If you use this type of connection and you’ve lost the sound but the image appears to be fine, or the other way around, it may be due to the fact that the SCART has moved from its position a little. Also, if you want to move your TV on the wall, a SCART connection won’t fit in the back, as it is too large for this.

​These days, this is probably the most used type of input in the case of TVs. When you want to connect any audio-video equipment to your TV, an HDMI input will make it happen. The modern TVs that can be found in stores today have more than one HDMI input available. This is due to the fact that HDMI inputs can be used for both audio and video and because we tend to use a number of pieces of equipment at once with our TV. Because it is so popular and used, the technology behind this type of connection is constantly improved. So, in the future, it will be able to transport even more data than today, being even more effective. This is why this type of connection is recommended in most cases.

​This type of input is available only in the case of smart TVs, as this connection allows the TV to gain access to the Internet. This connection is also known as RJ45 or 8P8C. What’s interesting is that even “non”-smart TVs, belonging to the previous generations, featured an RJ45 connection. This was used not to watch movies online, but to access local internet connection for software updates.

Also known as the Tos-link, the optical output is used for connecting digital audio equipment to the TV. So, with its help, you can enjoy soundbars, amplifiers, and AV receivers together with our TV. This way, the experience of watching a movie or listening to our favourite music will be much improved.

​This connection is a rather small and discreet one, compared to other types of connections, so you may need a bit of time to find it. Another aspect you need to remember about the optical output is the fact that it can take up to 5.1 audio systems. If you want to enjoy larger systems, like a 7.1 system, you will have to use an HDMI connection for it.

The auxiliary output, also known as a headphones jack, is useful when looking to connect a pair of headphones or other audio equipment to your TV. This connection is composed of an audio cable with one analogue channel, which means that the sound quality provided by this connection is much better.

​Thus, compared to a coax or Toslink connection, the aux connection will offer higher sound quality and is more recommended when looking to enjoy a better sound. It is worth mentioning that many TVs will mute their own speakers when the aux output becomes active. So, you should not be surprised if this happens in your case as well.

​This particular connection works very similarly with the Toslink connection, as it was made to support audio devices like a 5.1 audio system. However, there are differences between a digital coax output and a Toslink one. The main thing that separates the digital coax connection from the rest is that a conductor cable serves as a path for the digital audio signals, while the Toslink uses a fibre connection. So, if you want to add a piece of audio equipment to your TV or DAB Radio, you can use the digital coax output, as it is capable of supporting AV receivers, soundbars, or surround systems.

This type of input is rather popular and used these days, is provided by a wide range of gadgets. So, it’s no wonder that modern TVs also offer this type of input. In fact, people prefer buying TVs that can offer this feature, as it can be used for a variety of purposes. For instance, you can connect a USB memory stick to your TV with the help of this input and see photos, videos, or listen to music this way.

​Besides this, the USB input can be used to connect an external storage device or hard drive to the TV, which can help you record data provided by your TV. It is also possible to utilise this input to connect your TV to the available Wi-Fi unit, which will enable you to enjoy online streaming services on the TV. Of course, new generation TV has a built-in Wi-Fi receiver, so there’s no need to use a USB input for a wireless adaptor. If you have this kind of TV, you’ll be able to use this input for other purposes.

​When it comes to TV ports, the RF connection can be placed on the most used list. The RF connection is a radio frequency connection in the UK and Ireland, it can provide Freeview and other similar services. Because of this, it is not uncommon to find TVs that have a separate screw in the existent RF connection, which will allow a direct connection to the satellite dish you’re using. It is worth mentioning that the compatibility with Freesat is determined by the model and mark of TV you are using, as not all models allow such compatibility, in spite of the separate screw they may have installed.

There are TVs that feature one set of white and red phono connections and TVs that provide several sets of these kinds of connections. These connections can be used for sound only. These connections exist because they are meant to accompany the connections destined for video signals alone.

​However, some TVs will feature a set of phono connections for connecting supplementary sound systems. You just need to make sure that each additional device, whether it is used for video or audio, is connected properly. If not, you’ll end up with a TV that will provide an image, but no sound.

Standing for Digital Video Input, the DVI input serves only for connecting digital video devices with the TV. This type of input existed before the HDMI connection came around, but you can still make good use of it if there are no HDMI connectors available on your TV.

​You can use a DVI-HDMI adapter for connecting a DVI input, which saves you from having to use a special DVI cable. However, if you want to use this particular connection you should know that it provides images only. For sound, you will need to use audio cables that are separate from the DVI connection.

​This is not a common kind of connection that can be seen on all TVs. This is due to the fact that the VGA connection is mostly used to connect the TV with a computer. VGA means Video Graphics Array and it can provide only video connections. Just as it happens with many types of connections that were once popular among TV users, the VGA output was exceeded by the newer and improved HDMI connection. Considering that the VGA connection is rather bulky, having two side screws meant to keep things in place, no wonder people opted for the more versatile and discreet HDMI.

​If you have advanced TV setting knowledge, you can easily use the RS-232 connection to make these settings happen. In terms of aspect, the RS-232 output looks very much like the VGA connection, so it won’t be that hard to notice. What does it serve? This connection is utilised for more complicated connections, like integrating the TV within a system meant for home automation or for controlling the TV with the help of a computer.

​Did it occur to you that TV aerials can be used for more than just capturing signals coming from a TV service transmitter? If you enjoy listing to the radio, you may be interested to know how to use your TV aerial to connect to the radio. It is worth mentioning that a TV aerial can help you connect with an FM and DAB radio, due to reasons that will be presented further into this article from Digitec.

Before you even get to using a TV aerial to get radio signals, you first need to know about things about how things work. So, when it comes to the emitting frequencies, radios use different frequencies than TV aerials. This is why your TV signal is not interfered with by radio broadcasts. Radios broadcast in the Very High-Frequency band or VHF, while TV aerials use the Ultra High-Frequency band, or UHF. The differences in broadcasting frequencies mean that different antennas are required to get TV and radio. Also, due to the used frequency band, radio aerials are usually higher than TV aerials.
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But, even so, it is possible for TV aerials to get more than the frequency it was designed to capture. How can this be possible? Well, with slight adjustments, a TV aerial will be capable of getting signals beyond the purpose it was created for. More precisely, if you place a metal plate on the roof of your house, on a higher place, your TV aerial will begin to get a variety of frequencies it wasn’t capable of finding before. In this case, if there are any radio frequencies around, you may have the chance to get them with your TV aerial alone.

When you install a quality TV aerial, it is set in the ideal direction for capturing signals from the main transmitter or the closest transmitter that can provide a clear and undisputed signal. The same happens when installing a radio aerial. So, in most cases, these two aerials have to point toward different directions in order to get the best signal. This is why some TV aerials won’t be able to get a good radio signal, in spite of the fact that there’s a great radio signal in the area. In other words, you cannot point one single aerial in two different directions, to get the best of both signals.

Fortunately, radio frequencies are lower than those required for TV service broadcasting, which means that they are capable of travelling on longer distances and can cover wider areas. If we are to translate this, it means that your TV aerial doesn’t have to be perfectly positioned in order to get a radio signal. Due to this, installing radio aerials is not always necessary to get FM and DAB radio signals. Instead, Omni-directional poles were used, as they are capable of getting signals from all over the place, without the need to position them in a particular direction.

It is very important to take into account the polarisation of the transmitter you are about to use. So, when installing your antenna, it is important to consider the polarisation of the transmitter you are planning to use. In other words, if you’re trying to get signal from a transmitter with horizontal polarisation, you will have to install the antenna on its side, so that its elements will point sideways, in a horizontal manner. If the polarisation is vertical, then you will have to make sure the elements of the antenna are pointing upwards. For this, you may have to rotate the antenna to 90 degrees, until the polarisation is a vertical one.

When installing your antenna, it is very important to pay attention to this aspect. A polarisation done in an incorrect manner will be translated into a poor signal from the preferred transmitter. A tip would be to avoid installing an aerial upside down, as it will turn into a pool filled with rainwater when the weather is bad. This will lead to water logging both the aerial and the coaxial cable.

What are the polarisation used by radio signals? This piece of information is needed so you’ll know how to install your aerial to enjoy radio signals as well. Thus, it is worth noting that FM radio transmitters use horizontal polarisation and DAB radio transmitters use vertical polarisation. And when it comes to terrestrial TV transmitters, they can utilise both polarisation.

​It all depends on the type of transmitter, so it is possible to get both signals by using one single polarisation of your aerial. In general, the main TV transmitters will be horizontal and relay transmitters will be vertical. Of course, there are exceptions to these rules. This is why you need to get sufficient information about the transmitter you are about to use.

There are cases in which an amplifier, added to the TV system, may increase your chances to get a radio signal. However, if you want to try this method, you should know that not all amplifiers work. You need to opt for one that is capable that goes beyond the bands used by radio frequencies. If it can’t do this, you’ll just get a filtering of radio signals instead of actually capturing one.

​A downside of this method is the risk of overloading your TV’s distribution equipment or tuner. When the equipment experiences a signal overload, the signal that will reach your TV will be of poor quality. This means that the TV will display images with visible pixels and blocks.

This is a rather simple method and may grant you access to a number of digital radio stations. If you’re not that picky, aiming for a particular radio station, or are curious about what you can find, it is worth using your Freeview TV guide. You just need to open the Freeview TV guide and start your search at channel number 700. Browse through the available channels that start with this channel and above and see if the finds suit your tastes. If they do, you don’t need anything else to enjoy good radio music, news, shows, and anything else these stations may broadcast.
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The only thing you may not enjoy that much is listening to the music provided by the radio station through the speakers of your TV. No matter how modern your TV is, we all know that these speakers don’t always offer the best audio quality. But, a decent soundbar or surround system may solve this problem for you. Also, you’ll be able to use such gadgets when watching a movie, for improved experiences.

It is worth mentioning that there are aerials made to get both TV and radio signals. If you want to enjoy them both while buying one single aerial, look for models that can do both. Ideally, you should get an aerial that gives you the possibility to add a supplementary power supply, which will improve the strength of the signal. As we discussed earlier, a signal overload is not something to look forward, so more power added to the aerial will allow you to enjoy both without unwanted issues.
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However, it is worth mentioning that these all-in-one aerial types are not the best. There are cases in which the TV signal can be compromised, not offering the level of quality you’d hoped for. But, when you can’t install two aerials and none of the previous methods work in your case, this may be your best shot.

Indoor radio aerials look like pieces of wire, but, in reality, they are authentic aerials. In many cases, you don’t need anything else to find the radio station you enjoy the most. By simply moving its position, gradually making it point toward a different direction, you will notice an improvement in the signal you enjoy. And all of this is possible without the need to connect your indoor aerial with the outdoor, TV aerial. It is a method with lower risks because you can’t disturb the TV signal in any way.

But, if you want to enjoy DAB radio and not FM radio, an indoor aerial won’t do much for you. When looking for DAB radio frequencies this way, the signals you’ll get may be of poor quality or you may not be able to locate all the stations you would like to find. In this case, connecting to an outdoor aerial is the only way to solve the situation.
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But, before making the connection with the aerial installed outside, try to see if you can get a better signal in a different room of your house. Maybe there are rooms where the indoor aerial works better, due to their positioning. Usually, the higher the floor is, the better the signal should get. So, if you have a house with multiple stories, try looking for a radio signal at a superior level. The results might be better than what you expect.

Nothing lasts forever and this is also valid for TV aerials. Of course, you don’t have to worry about purchasing a TV aerial each year. But, because they are placed outside the home and are exposed to all kinds of weather, it is normal for them to get damaged in time. So, what’s the average lifespan of a TV aerial?

Just as it happens in the case of other products, the lifespan of a TV aerial is influenced by the quality of the item. If the aerial is made to last, being manufactured out of high-quality materials, it will last longer than usual. But, if the product is a cheap one, you’ll have the unpleasant surprise to notice it failing in just a few years. In the article that follows you will find everything you need to know about this subject. Maybe it will help you look for more reliable aerials, which don’t need replacement too soon.

A rooftop aerial is subjected to a wide range of conditions. It rains and snows on them, wind challenges their position, the scorching sun of the summer heats it up, and branches of nearby trees threaten to hit it. Such an aerial can withstand quite a few challenges over the years. Not to mention that they may end up being struck by lightning. So, how many years will an aerial like this last? If the aerial is of reliable quality and it is installed by a professional, it can last anywhere between one and two decades.

Yes, you can have an aerial installed on the roof of your home for the next 20 years without issues. There are cases in which people used the same rooftop aerial even for 30 years, so they can last for impressive periods.
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Unfortunately, an aspect that diminished the lifespan of a rooftop aerial is not being installed by an experienced professional. Many people believe that it is not that hard to set an aerial on a rooftop. But, when this is a DIY project, there are many things that can go wrong. However, in the majority of the cases, the cable and fixings are the ones that get damaged sooner than the aerial itself.

There are two aspects that can diminish the lifespan of an aerial or antenna. The antenna is cheap and made without regard to the latest standards. Or the aerial or antenna has been installed by someone who is not professional or by yourself, as a DIY project. No matter how handy you may be, there are things you may overlook due to your lack of experience in this sector. Under these circumstances, you cannot expect your aerial to last 10 to 20 years.

For example, if you want to buy an affordable aerial, which is not made to answer to the needs of the professional market, you should seriously consider installing it in a loft, rather than on the roof. Inside a loft, an aerial is more protected and its lifespan may be prolonged. Otherwise, you may notice the aerial get damaged or fall apart in a rather short period.

How soon can a cheap and poorly installed aerial break down? You’ll be stunned to know that it can fall down as soon as within one single month from its installation on the roof. So, next time you consider the price of an aerial or aerial installation high, think twice before doing this part yourself.

​In the worst-case scenario, you may have to spend additional money to get a new aerial. If you want to install the TV aerial on the roof of the house, cutting costs is not a good idea, not even when it comes to parts. The aerial should be able to withstand any kind of weather without an issue and without generating any additional costs any time soon.

Even if you opt for a good quality aerial or antenna, its installation can lead to a series of problems that may end up damaging the aerial. So, if you were willing to invest in a good quality aerial, get a professional to fix it in place properly pointing to the correct TV transmitter and it will work fine for decades. Regarding installation problems, here are some that can trigger issues in time.

• The aerial was installed at great heights

Some homeowners may have their houses surrounded by trees, so they will want to make sure that the aerial’s signal is not affected by the trees. However, installing an aerial too high without respecting a set of rules may diminish its lifespan. An aerial mast should be used for aerials that are planned to go higher than usual. Just make sure the aerial mast is large and sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the aerial in any weather conditions.

• “U” or “V” bolts that are too tight

This is probably one of the most common issues when installing a TV aerial. Out of the desire to make sure that the aerial is well-fixed, many tighten the “U” or “V” bolts way too much. In time, this will damage the mast and weaken it. Using a ratchet spanner, especially for the top bolt, will prevent this from happening.

• When the aerial is struck by lightning

These are rare cases, but they can happen, especially during a more violent electrical storm. Unfortunately, TV aerials cannot survive the strike of lightning and are, almost always, damaged for good, requiring a replacement. When a high voltage goes through the components of an aerial, it causes severe burns, beyond the possibility of making any kinds of repairs.

• Outdated technology

If a TV aerial lasts for extended periods, it is very possible for its technology to become dated. This may explain why you can’t enjoy all the available TV services in your area. Of course, do bear in mind that frequencies can change in time, so performing a TV tune once in a while will ensure that you have the right frequencies for the broadcasted TV services.

As mentioned earlier, TV aerials installed in lofts have a longer lifespan because they are not exposed to the weather. Also, they cannot be struck by lightning, as they are covered by your house’s roof. It’s true that lightning can ruin the entire electrical system of a house or at least severely damage it, but the chances for this to happen are more reduced.

But, even if the loft looks like a more suitable place for your TV aerial, it is not recommended to do so. If you wonder why there are a number of reasons to choose otherwise. In general, lofts are at a lower height than chimneys, for instance, which means that there could be signal issues. Besides this, the signal will have to work its way through walls and roof tiles to make it to the aerial, which can also trigger issues in the quality of the TV services you want to enjoy. You may even experience no signal whatsoever.
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Then you should also bear in mind that installing the aerial in the loft will mean subjecting it to a set of interference, coming from other equipment present inside the house. For example, by simply turning on the hoover than triggering the appearance of pixels on your TV’s image. A TV antenna that is installed outside, on the rooftop, on the highest possible point, will provide a clear signal no matter what kind of activities are going on inside the house.

Any certified professional or company that provide services of installation for TV aerials must offer a warranty certificate for their work. This way, you can be sure that, at least for a period, you won’t have any issues with the installation of the antenna. But, again, a cheap aerial could create problems sooner than planned, no matter how well the installation has been done. The cheap materials present in the structure of the aerial may break down sooner than the average. This is why the warranty for an aerial installation is 1 to 2 years, depending on certain conditions. Of course, if the installation is done correctly, the aerial will last much more than this.
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It is also possible to find companies that offer 3 to 5 years of warranty, but this usually happens for an additional cost. In other words, it would be like paying for an extra insurance policy for your aerial. If it is worth taking these costs depends entirely on you and how much you invested in the TV aerial. But, as a general rule, if you’re hiring an experienced and reliable professional and choose a good quality aerial, the equipment should last for very many years to come.

Finding the best TV transmitter in your area means enjoying better TV services and shows, and reducing, if not even eliminating, the risks of signal disturbances and interruptions. Even if you’re already using a TV transmitter, it is still worth reading this post, as you may find out something new on this topic. It is possible to discover useful information that will furthermore help you improve the way you enjoy the available TV services in your area.
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For example, many people had to choose between pointing their TV aerial toward better signals or toward more TV channels or services. Did this ever happen to you? What would you choose, quality or a broader spectrum of services? Even if you apparently set the antenna in the right direction, you may experience blurred signals due to obstacles in its way. It may be a tall nearby building or even a tree. In this case, you will have to adapt your strategy and redirect your TV aerial. So, continue reading the article and see how you can improve the quality of your TV-related experiences or find solutions to existing problems.

It’s difficult, if not even impossible, to find the best TV transmitter if you don’t have sufficient information about them. So, it is worth knowing the different types of TV transmitters you can find and the differences between one another.

The most important TV transmitter is the main transmitter, which is usually the one that usually covers an entire area. More precisely, the main transmitters are located approximately 35 miles apart from one another, as they are capable of transmitting signals over longer distances than compared to relay transmitters. If you want to get all the TV services available in your area, it’s best to go for the main transmitter.

In spite of the fact the TV transmitters are rather powerful and capable of broadcasting TV signals over large surfaces of land, sometimes it is not possible to use them. This usually happens when the shape of the landscape, a high number of trees, or existing tall buildings in the area come in between your TV and the main transmitter. Thus, the signal never reaches your TV aerial due to large obstacles. To help those that cannot receive a signal from the main transmitter, relay transmitters were positioned in strategic points, allowing everybody to reach the signal, regardless of geography and obstacles. Of course, the frequency of receiving relay transmitter signals will be different.
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If you’re tempted to think that relay transmitters are the same, it’s time to know that there are also Freeview Lite transmitters. Many relay transmitters are part of this group. Unfortunately, the bandwidth for TV signal shrunk over the years, as large parts of it were sold for the 4G network and, recently, for the coming 5G technology. This means that they can only provide half of the available TV services, as there isn’t sufficient room for them to offer a full range of services.

Did it ever occur to you that you can use your postcode to find out TV transmitters? Well, if this is new information to you, it’s time to try it out. You will need not just your postcode, but also house number, for more accurate positioning. Use this data with the TV transmitter checker and allow it to find the closest TV transmitter in your area. This will unravel the TV services you will be able to enjoy in the area where you live as well. Of course, this is what happens in most cases. There are cases in which things are not that simple.

You see, even if the suggested TV transmitted is nearby, a large building in your proximity can come in between you and enjoying a clear signal. What does this mean? It means that you won’t be able to use that particular transmitter because the quality of the received signal will be undesirable. This will take you back to searching for a transmitter, more precisely one that will provide a much better signal. Or you have the possibility to use the suggested transmitter, but settle for a lower number of TV services. This can be possible by realigning the aerial so that you get a better signal, although this may mean that you won’t be able to enjoy all the services provided by the transmitter.
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In spite of the fact that it may sound simple, there is one major downside to using postcodes when looking for TV transmitters. And that’s the fact that you will find out about the most likely transmitters and not all the transmitters in your area. So, if you want to have alternatives, you’ll need to use more than one method to detect them. In other words, if the postcode-based search method returns one suggested transmitter, it doesn’t mean that there is only one in your area. There might be more, especially relay transmitters, which might work better. Thus, it is worth giving them a shot as well, once you manage to find them.

Checking out the aerials utilised by your neighbours is another good method that will take you closer to the best TV transmitter in your area. Ideally, you should already have an idea about your local transmitters, as this method will allow you to determine which transmitters are most used. Take a look at the aerials of more than one neighbour.

​If you see several aerials pointing toward one single direction, then you might just find the most used transmitter. But, if you notice that the aerials of several neighbours are pointing in different directions, like each searching for a different transmitter, then it’s an indication that you’re living in an area with poor signal. This happens when a TV user lives in a border area, which is around the outer limit of a transmitter’s signal.

If you see several high-gain aerials pointing toward a direction and a couple of smaller aerials set in a different direction, then there must be one main transmitter nearby, but also a relay transmitter, like a Freeview Lite transmitter. Again, the Freeview Lite transmitter will offer fewer TV services, but its signal may be of better quality for some users. Those that have high-gain aerials may have been fortunate enough to get a signal from the main transmitter in the area, enjoying a more generous offer of TV services.
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As a tip, look for the aerial polarisation and how it has been mounted on the aerial. This will offer even more clues that will lead to the identification of the main transmitter or, at least, the most used transmitter in the area. This is, as a general rule, the one that provides the best signal for the provided TV services.

As mentioned earlier, finding the nearest TV transmitter doesn’t mean that you’ll manage to enjoy the highest-quality signal. Yes, it is desirable to enjoy a wide range of TV services, but if the signal is poor, you won’t properly enjoy all these services. This is why many TV users prefer opting for a transmitter that provides a better signal, even if this means fewer TV services.

Ideally, you should do your best to align your TV aerial in the direction of the main transmitter. This is usually the best solution in terms of signal and available TV services. Doing so is even more important if you can’t seem to find a relay transmitter nearby, one that may represent a better option than the main transmitter. You should bear in mind that, in many cases, a relay transmitter may be much closer to your location than the main transmitter.

However, it is worth installing your aerial in the direction of the main transmitter instead. It’s not because the relay transmitter is not offering good quality signal, but because the main transmitter provides more TV services. So, if you have the chance to get a great signal from the main transmitter, in spite of the fact that it is further away, then you will also gain access to more TV services as well.

So, whenever possible, try to aim for the main transmitter, even if you have a relay transmitter closer to where you live. Main transmitters emit stronger signals, so there’s the chance for your aerial to get them if it is properly aligned. If this is a success, your TV will offer a higher number of TV services. Relay transmitters should be used only when there’s no way to get the signal emitted by the main transmitter. After all, this is why relay transmitters were installed in the first place.
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As a conclusion, when looking for the best TV transmitter in your area, do your best to find out as many as possible, if not all available in your area. This way, you will locate the main transmitter and existent relays, having the possibility to choose the one that works best in your case.