If your TV has been losing reception, you are not alone. Recent reports by the Consumer Technology Association show that over 40% of consumers have had problems with their TV aerial in the past year. This includes poor picture quality, patchy reception, and interference brought about by poor TV Aerial Installation.
Many people assume that the problem has something to do with their signal strength and think that a simple change in location will fix it. However, the cause of a poor signal is actually more likely to be a broken or faulty TV aerial. This can be due to a number of factors. It could also be a problem with the TV itself.
How A TV Aerial Works
A TV antenna or aerial uses electromagnetic waves to transmit information. Electromagnetic waves are produced when electricity flows through a wire. These waves move with a certain frequency, known as the resonant frequency of the antenna. The resonant frequency determines the type of information that can be transmitted through aerial – radio signals in the case of an FM antenna and television signals for TV aerials.
Since the TV aerial transmits information with a specific frequency, it does not work properly if this frequency is changed. The electrical response of an antenna can be affected by rain or anything else that falls on it, which can easily harm its performance. Sometimes the signal may not travel through the aerial all the way to your TV. This is known as ‘tuning’ issues and may be caused by any number of things – such as poor weather conditions or interference from your neighbors’ TVs. The following are some reasons why your aerial may not be working as it should:
Problem With The TV Connection
Just like any other appliance in your home, TVs can suffer from wear and tear over their lifetimes. Even when the TV seems to work properly with a good signal, there are still things that can go wrong with the antenna.
There are all sorts of issues that can stop a TV from getting a decent signal. The main reason TV aerial signal loss happens is when the aerial cable is damaged or corroded by water, or when the connection inside the television is corroded by any build-up of dirt and grime over time.
When this happens, it’s important to have read and understand your television’s user manual to find out what sort of tools you need to fix it yourself. If you can’t find your user manual at the moment you can always search for online manuals like Manualsnet.com. Online manuals are free and full of useful information that can help you with your product. If you’re not confident enough, then you can also seek assistance from an expert.
Incompatible Digital Decoder
You can check with the digital TV guide to see if your channels are broadcast in analog or digital. Some older TVs only have analog outputs, but newer models may have both. This will be clearly marked on the user guide that came with your TV, and you should find out whether it sends a digital signal or an analog one. You can also try contacting your service provider to see if they offer any analog channels.
Faulty Antenna
You may have an antenna that is faulty or has become damaged in some way. There are color-coded wires within the aerial and if they have been damaged, they can affect the signal. If you suspect this is the case, you should contact your service provider as soon as possible so that it can be replaced or repaired.
Old Aerial
Your aerial may lose its effectiveness due to aging or overuse. A typical aerial can generally be used for around 10 years before it needs to be replaced. If the aerial is an older one, it may not function properly anymore.
Poor Weather Conditions
Weather conditions may affect your signal quality. If it is snowing or raining heavily, the signal will be harder to pick up and you may experience problems with your reception. This is particularly true if you live in an area which has very wet or snowy weather for much of the year such where TV aerials often get damaged by heavy rain or wind. If you are using your aerial outside, it should be protected from the elements.
Poorly Positioned Aerial
If this is the case, you will need to move it to an area where there are fewer obstructions such as trees and buildings that can block the signal. If you are using an older type of aerial that requires wiring into your TV, you may need to upgrade it so that the signal can be picked up digitally. This will generally require a new aerial and wiring so you should contact your service provider for advice on whether this can be done.
