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If you want to save money by stopping your pay TV subscription, but still want to get the best TV viewing experience, then you would want to invest in the right digital TV antenna. But you won’t get the results you seek just by purchasing the antenna; you should also have it properly installed and maintained by professionals.

Use this step-by-step guide to learn how to get free yet excellent HD using a home digital TV antenna.

Step 1: Choose the right digital TV antenna

It’s a fact: Not all digital TV antennas are the same. You need to pick an antenna that suits your location, fits your lifestyle, and gets the channels you want.

●       Determine what channels are available in your area

The first step to finding the right digital TV antenna is to figure out what channels you receive at home. If you are living near a metropolitan area, you will most probably have several options, which can include the biggest network affiliates.

There are third-party resources you can take advantage of that use your address to yield all the available channels in your area and show how strong they are. This will give you an idea of whether you can be able to watch your favourite local shows or sporting events or not.

●       Pick the right antenna for your geography and channels

After knowing what channels are available, the next thing to do is to look at your options. Often, the correct choice of antenna depends on where the signals are coming from. There may be signals that come from one direction while others can come from different directions.

If all the available channels are just originating from a single direction, a directional antenna can be the best solution. But if you have different networks coming in from various directions, an omnidirectional antenna is a better solution.

Another important consideration is the antenna’s ability to pick up VHF channels, UHF channels, or both. Determine if a digital TV antenna that receives UHF only is fine in your area. Otherwise, you need to opt for one that receives VHF. Though there are some antennas that work on both, chances are, these models are only better at one and not so much on the other.

Step 2: Ensure proper placement

Digital TV antenna placement is crucial in getting the best image and sound quality. Thus, a professional digital TV antenna installation is highly recommended. Professional installers are equipped with the right knowledge, skill, and tools to properly set up your digital TV antenna so you can enjoy a superb TV viewing experience in no time.

TV reception will depend mainly on the terrain, broadcast towers, and surroundings. Generally, these pros will try different locations and directions to pinpoint the best location for your digital TV antenna. Also, they will position it higher to achieve a clear line-of-sight to the sky. Lastly, they will point the antenna in the direction where the towers are located.

Step 3: Improve your signal (Optional)

If, even after proper antenna placement, the image and sound quality are not superb yet, additional efforts are necessary to boost your signal. If, even after proper antenna placement, the image and sound quality are not superb yet, additional efforts are necessary to boost your signal. That’s why, on the contrary, people would go for Freesat installation instead.

●       Use a longer coax cable

A signal can be enhanced if you add a bit of coax cable. Make a semi-loose coil between your TV and the digital TV antenna because this can help a lot, especially if you are experiencing finicky or weak channel reception. But you must not leave the cables exposed – aside from being unsightly,rats and mice can gnaw on them.

●       Consider a signal booster

Otherwise known as an amplifier, a signal booster is a device that harnesses a signal, transmitting it to add an electrical push. This way, the signal can travel farther, providing more consistency to sounds and images. Though most digital TV antennas have built-in amplifiers, this can also be bought as a standalone product if your antenna isn’t equipped with it.

●       Periodically re-scan for channels

If you have scanned for channels during bad weather, chances are, you’ll be getting new stations if you scan for channels periodically. Moreover, broadcast stations sometimes relocate to new frequencies or alter their transmission power, so you may get stations that were not available before.

Ditching your pay TV and shifting to a digital TV antenna is a good way to enjoy a free, clear TV viewing experience. You just have to choose the right antenna and have it installed professionally. In fact, the pros can even help you buy the most suitable digital TV antenna for your area and configure your newly bought digital TV.

So don’t hesitate to make this significant investment – this is a sure-fire way to ensure TV viewing satisfaction.

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