Why your new LED may not beam all free-to-air channels?
Your shiny, new TV is worth very little if it’s not transmitting free-to-air channels
You may set your new TV up with Austar or Foxtel but based on your location and whether you receive satellite or cable TV, you may miss out on the great free-to-air channels. Now, why would anyone give up on the freebies?
Okay, but where do you start?
The humble antenna is where it all begins. Not just TV, mobile phones, radio and Wi-Fi rely on transducers or antennas which are calibrated to receive a specific frequency range. For that, every device needs a specific category of antenna; the same applies to digital reception as well.
So, now you need a “digital” antenna?
No; because there is no separate “digital” antenna that can solve the issue. However, altering your antenna setup may help fix digital TV reception problems. Take a look at the following frequencies:
- Analog VHF – 64.25MHz to 143.75MHz and 175.25MHz to 228.75MHz
- Analog UHF – 478.25MHz to 819.75MHz
- Digital VHF – 175.25MHz to 228.75MHz
- Digital UHF – 520.25MHz to 819.75MHz
It’s evident digital TV frequencies are a subset of analog transmission. What this means is that existing antennas won’t have trouble receiving digital signals. But, older antennas usually have a limited capacity and pick up a small frequency range. In addition, recent retuning and the availability of new stations render your faithful antenna obsolete in broadcasting the new TV channels that are set to different frequencies.
Ideally, where do you fit the antenna?
Your location decides where your antenna stays. The roof is the best spot, aligned in the direction of the nearest TV tower. If you stay near a transmission tower, you can place the antenna indoors, in the living room or under your roof. But be careful about certain building materials which reflect electromagnetic waves. So for this setup to work, find a good spot in your house.
Do you still have problems?
You may have bought an antenna with the right specification but still experience problems with digital reception. The best option is to call an antenna expert who will be better equipped to solve wiring problems or advice you about the right booster box for amplifying the signals.
