TV Aerials Leeds FAQs

 Here are the TV Aerial reception questions we are asking the most at TV Aerials Leeds. 

What is the best TV Aerial for free TV?

There isn't one single Aerial that's the best TV Aerial. The TV Aerial that's best for one location isn't necessarily the best choice at another location. In most location you'll need a TV Aerial designed to receive both VHF and UHF TV signals > . A large number of TV Aerials on the market are designed for the reception of UHF TV signals but not VHF. Be aware that many of these Aerials falsely claim to be for both VHF and UHF TV signal reception.  Many of the major network channels now broadcast a VHF TV signal. Make sure the Aerial you choose receives all digital TV channels. Learn how to recognize the difference between a VHF and UHF TV Aerial >. The best TV Aerials will perform equally well for the reception of VHF and UHF TV signals.

Is there a difference in TV Aerials?

Yes, no doubt there is a big difference in TV Aerials. Marketing departments would have you believe that tiny Aerials work as well as large Aerials. That omnidirectional Aerials work as well as directional TV Aerials. Indoor Aerials work as well as outdoor Aerials >. None of this is true. The difference between one TV Aerial and another will determine the end result. Everyday we have to tell people something no one wants to hear, you have the wrong TV Aerial. 

How high should a TV Aerial be mounted?

TV signals are received best when the signal path from the TV station transmitting Aerial to the viewers receiving Aerial is unobstructed. The more obstruction in the signal path the weaker the TV signal becomes. At many locations it will be difficult to obtain a totally unobstructed signal path using any reasonable means. How high should a TV Aerial be mounted is determined by signal path obstruction more than any other factor. The first 20 to 30 feet is usually critical. A height of 20 to 30 feet will usually get the Aerial above most ground clutter obstructions.  Signal obstruction is one of reasons why indoor Aerials struggle > to maintain a strong signal even when the location is near to the TV station transmitting tower. TV station transmitting towers are very high in the air. Some TV towers are over 2,000 feet high.  Most towers are around 1,000 feet tall give or take a few hundred feet. The further the viewer location is from the transmitting Aerial tower the higher the receiving TV Aerial must be to maintain a good signal.  

Do you need a TV Aerial for each TV?

No, TVs can share the signal from the same TV Aerial. To supply multiple TVs from the same Aerial requires a signal splitter and usually a signal amplifier. Setting up the signal distribution system properly > is very important. Done correctly one TV Aerial can supply dozens of TVs with a signal just as good as when the Aerial supplies only one TV.

What is the longest range TV Aerial?

I think a better question is, how far do TV signals travel? On average a TV signal will travel 60 to 80 miles and still provide a reliable and usable signal. The factors that will affect TV Aerial range are, distance to the transmitter, obstructions in the signal path, the output power and the broadcast Aerial height of the TV station and the TV Aerial in use to receive the signal.  The more honest I am about Aerial range the fewer Aerials I sell. I would be willing to go out of business before I lie to you about TV Aerial range >.  

What's the best amplifier for a TV Aerial?

When it comes to TV Aerial signal amplifiers > more isn't always better. To much signal strength or to little signal strength always equals poor TV reception.  This is one reason why I hesitate to recommend a TV Aerial with a built-in amplifier. One size amplifier doesn't fit all and you will be forced to use the amplifier that's built into the Aerial. Sometimes reception is best if you have no amplifier at all. 

What's the best Aerial cable for digital TV? 

The best all around cable for a TV Aerial is RG 6 cable > with a solid copper core center.  Good quality Aerial cable costs a little more but it's well worth it. Quality cable will lasts longer, it will carry the TV signal better and it will be flexible. You can use a magnet to determine if your Aerial cable has a solid copper core or has a steel wire core coated with a thin layer of copper.  Copper clad Aerial cable has a steel wire coated with a thin layer of copper and the steel will be attracted to the magnet. Solid copper Aerial cable will not be attracted to the magnet.  

Can you hook up multiple TVs to one Aerial? 

Yes, it requires a signal splitter to hook up multiple TVs to one TV  Aerial. The signal splitter > will have one coax cable input connection and multiple output connections.  A signal splitter does cause the signal to become weaker. The more times the signal is divided by the signal splitter the greater the signal loss becomes. The signal loss created by the splitter can be overcome without affecting the quality of the reception. See below. 

Does splitting a TV signal weaken the signal? 

A signal splitter does weaken the TV signal. The more times the splitter divides the signal the greater the signal loss becomes. This signal loss is called "insertion loss". The proper signal amplifier > installed in line on the Aerial side of the signal splitter will compensate for the insertion loss of the splitter and the quality of the TV reception will not be affected. Splitting the TV signal is not a bad thing as long as it;s done properly using the correct signal amplifier. 

Does the length of coaxial cable affect signal?

Yes, the longer the coaxial cable length is the greater the signal loss becomes. This loss can be overcome with the use of a pre-amplifier.  A pre-amplifier is a two part unit >.  The amplifier portion of the pre-amplifier installs near the Aerial. The second part is called the power inserter. The power inserter installs indoors and requires an electrical outlet.  The power inserter doesn't amplify the signal it provides low voltage operating power to the pre-amplifier near the Aerial via the coaxial cable. Both the pre-amplifier and power inserter have coaxial cable input and output connections.  When the signal is amplified using a pre-amplifier near the Aerial the signal loss of the coaxial cable will not affect the quality of the reception.  

TV Aerials Leeds

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Leeds

Yorkshire

LS11 5SS

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