In Australia free-to-air (FTA) TV is transmitted in two different bands: Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF). VHF receives channels 6-12, while UHF receives channels 28-51.
As different bands receive different channels, the antennas required for these two bands are quite different.
Before you can select the best TV antenna for Sydney or Greater Sydney you will need to find out the frequency that your nearest broadcast tower is operating in, and whether or not that frequency requires a UHF or a VHF digital TV Antenna:For Greater Sydney the Artarmon tower (VHF) is the main transmitter and covers most of the Metro areas. Kurrajong (UHF) is the main tower in the Northwest and Razorback (UHF) is the main transmission tower in the Southwest.
If you are receiving a signal from the Artarmon transmission tower (VHF, channels 6-12), George from Jim’s Antennas Sydney recommends using a Matchmaster DR3006 antenna. This antenna performs well for the majority of homes in the area. However, if a higher gain antenna is required. George will use the Hills Silver Bullet or Black Arrow.
For those receiving a signal from either the Razorback or Kurrajong tower (which are both UHF Horizontal transmitters) George recommends using the Matchmaster gx 400 as it comes with a lifetime manufacturer warranty and has an inbuilt low pass 4G LTE filter.
If living in a poor reception area such as Bilpin or if you have multiple FTA TV points you may need to add an amplifier to your antenna system or have your antenna installed on a higher mast. These additional pieces of equipment will help achieve an acceptable level of signal and significantly improve your viewing experience.
For those who live close to transmitter towers, an attenuator may be required to reduce the incoming signal. While having a strong signal is often thought of as a good thing, a signal can actually be too strong. If it is too high it will cause pixelation or can burn out your TV’s tuner. Typically a good signal strength is between 60-65dBuv.
In areas close to the beach, George and his team also prefer to use galvanised mounts and aluminium antennas to avoid rusting and corrosion.
When choosing an antenna we always recommend going for an Australian made product, as they have been specifically designed for our weather conditions.
The preferred brands of the Jim’s Antennas Sydney team include Hills, Matchmaster or Digitek.
Not only does each brand produce antennas and aerial equipment that can withstand strong winds, hot sun and salty air, but they also generally offer better warranty periods and conditions compared to their overseas counterparts.
If you are currently researching new TVs, you would have noticed that majority of brands have designed them to be […]
Graham of Jim’s Antennas Mackay & District is known for going that extra mile for his clients, particularly those situated […]
In today’s world, where technology is an integral part of our daily lives, the importance of having a reliable home […]
A quick answer to this complicated question is that there isn’t a specific antenna that is considered the ideal solution.The […]
