Do Internal Antennas Work?

Indoor Antennas

If you plan on installing an internal antenna for your TV in Australia, there are several things you need to know before you can spend your money on purchase and installation. One of the most critical things to consider before installing an internal TV antenna is whether the antenna will work perfectly.

It's important to know this since it would be counterproductive to buy and install an internal antenna to find that it doesn't work effectively for your TV. So, do indoor TV antennas work? Just continue reading the article to learn more.

What To Know About Internal Antennas

Internal antennas also referred to as indoor antennas, offer you a better way to enjoy various channels from your television for free. You don't have to keep on adjusting your TV antenna so that you can get clear signals. They can pick up local broadcast signals, giving you better access to several television stations.

This digital TV antenna is an accessory to your television that helps pick up electromagnetic signals sent from the local stations. They transmit broadcast signals into data to your television to enable it to display the live broadcast. Instead of using a cable or satellite to get the signals, digital antennas use over-the-air broadcasts (OTA).

Over-the-air broadcasts are usually transmitted in crystal clear, uncompressed 1080i. This means you enjoy HDTV with the highest quality sound and picture available. However, it is essential to understand that due to your proximity (or lack thereof) to a broadcast tower or barriers that cut up the signal, the TV signal of some channels may be poor or non-existent in some areas.

What Do Internal Antennas Look Like?

Indoor TV antennas are available in various shapes. The most common shape is the simple flat square which you can quickly put on your TV stand or mount above your television. They are usually thin and blend more effectively with your internal décor or surrounding. The more conventional-looking digital TV antenna also features exposed wire and a mast that extends upwards. Each mast has a few circles on each side.

Do Internal Antennas Work?

Internal antennas work effectively if you have perfect reception and channels within your range. So, what you get depends on your location and the available channels. Because of the extra height, internal antennas have a higher chance of working in upstairs bedrooms than in downstairs living areas or lounges. It also helps if the transmitter is on the same side of the house as you will be installing your TV or aerial, as this will reduce the amount of signal that your property blocks.

A significant advantage of internal antennas is their ability to pick up sub channels belonging to the same station that transmits the broadcasts but is not the main broadcast. For instance, you may get a local channel 8 with subchannels 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3.

Where Should You Set Your Internal Antenna?

The best option is to set the antennae close to your television and plug the antenna into the coaxial cable port on your television. You can also place the antenna in other places, such as the attic or on your wall, using a TV wall mount. Your digital antennae can have a range of around thirty-five miles (56km) up to one hundred and fifty miles (241km).

How Do Internal TV Antennas Work?

Here is how internal antennas work.

Line of sight

Before understanding how antennas work, it's crucial to have an idea of how television signal transmission operates. Simply, television stations usually transmit a signal that contains all their programming in a straight line. However, the earth's curve, which generally changes up to eighty miles (128km) farther away from the transmission source, makes it hard to pick up the signal.

This is a challenge that is overcome using a digital antenna as it allows your television to be in a position to pick up the signal as long as it is within the range of the transmission source. The earth's curve doesn't affect the working mechanism of the internal TV antennas.

Broadcasting

Unlike digital cables, where TV programming is sent to your home directly through a cable, local TV stations usually send out a broadcast, and whoever is in that range can pick up the signals with no extra charges.

With a digital antenna, almost 80 per cent of homes in Australia can pick up at least five digital stations for free without distractions by physical obstacles. Your internal antenna will get the TV signal and convert it to video and audio information that is then displayed by your TV.

High picture quality

Over-the-air broadcasts (received by antennas) have higher-quality pictures than satellite or cable TV. A cable TV may provide many channels, but the visual information offered is usually compressed so that it can get transmitted via a cable into your home. When a TV station broadcasts over the air, you receive uncompressed information. This leads to higher-quality pictures and sound than the cable boxes can offer.

Getting Signal From Your Internal TV Antenna

To ensure that you get all the stations in crystal clear HD, you need to set your digital antenna properly. It is essential to ensure that you get the proper signal. This is important because with a digital signal, you either get a clear picture or fail to get the pictures.

Therefore, you need to place the antenna in the right spot to get the best from your internal antenna. Even with the most advanced internal antennas, you still need to work to ensure they are positioned perfectly to pick the proper signal. Here are some tips to help you.

Check the location of the broadcast towers

The most important thing is to ensure that you aim your internal antenna where the television transmission towers are located to enhance the reception. This is something you need to do even before buying an internal antenna. It is necessary to do this so that you can determine how strong your antenna should be to pick the stations you want to watch.

You should put the antenna facing that tower to get the best signal. If the tower is located far from your home, you need to pick an antenna with more strength to pick up as many channels as possible.

Place your internal antenna on or near a window

It is vital to place your antenna in an area without obstructions. Ensure there are fewer or no obstacles between the broadcast towers and the antenna. Bear in mind that ceilings and thick walls are obstructions, so place your antenna near or on a window to get the best results.

When placing your antenna on a window, take note of heat absorption from the sun. It's advisable to tape all sides of your flat antenna to ensure it doesn't warp or bend over time because this will negatively affect reception.

Set your internal antenna as high as possible

You need to place your internal antenna as high as possible to improve the reception. This is why outdoor antennas typically pick up more channels than internal antennas. Place your internal antenna as high as possible in your house for better signal reception, such as in upstairs bedrooms or lounges.

You should also ensure that it is as close to a window as possible. If the broadcast is far or your television is in the basement, you should place the antenna in the attic to allow it to receive signals more effectively.

Keep your internal antenna away from metallic surfaces

It is advisable to place your internal antenna away from metallic surfaces as they interfere with the signals and affect the reception. For instance, placing your antenna in a window with metal burglar bars can cause problems. Moreover, if you have a metal roof in your home, putting the antenna in the middle of the attic will bring issues with reception. So, check all the surfaces before doing the installation work.

Test different placements

It might seem like a good idea to position your internal antenna immediately and start searching for your favourite channels. However, you are advised to test different locations for your antenna to find the perfect position for it.

Each time you place it in a particular area, perform a channel scan on your television to find out the channels that come up. Once you are done, position it where you get the most channels, as this indicates that the signals are received more effectively there.

Pay extra attention to the wall you set it on

Your TV wall mounting expert should place your internal antenna on the wall perpendicular to the direction of the signal you wish to receive, your home construction, and all other variables around your house.

However, you can get better results if you move your internal antenna to an adjacent wall running at a 90-degree angle to your first wall. Placing it on an exterior wall can offer better results than mounting it on an interior wall since there are no walls for the signals to penetrate.

Advantages Of Internal TV Antennas

Internal antennas are beneficial in providing high-quality signals anywhere and everywhere. They are long-lasting because they are installed indoors; thus, you get full service. Note that you require a TV antenna installation company to help you set up your internal antenna, as this guarantees you will enjoy all the benefits of proper installation. Here are some of the significant benefits you enjoy.

Non-payment of cable bills

The most significant reason you need to invest in an internal TV antenna is the freedom to watch free access to several channels. Most people like cable TV because of the many channels offered. However, they have to pay for the channels they watch, which is not the case with indoor antennas. Having an indoor antenna helps save on your monthly spending since you don't have to pay to watch your favourite channels.

You enjoy continuous TV watching

The other benefit is watching all your favourite channels even when cables or satellite signals are unavailable or get weak. You are not affected even if storms or cyclones damage cables. Thus, you enjoy a high level of convenience when watching all the available TV channels.

An excellent way to become modernised

A digital TV antenna allows you to enjoy a modernised way of watching your favourite TV channels. They are easy to install and give your house a more modernised look.

Watch uncompressed HD signals

With a digital TV antenna, you will enjoy watching uncompressed high-definition signals, which translate to higher quality video and audio. This is unlike satellite and cable providers that offer compressed signals.

Access to out-of-market TV channels

A digital TV antenna allows you to access signals from several areas. You will enjoy watching free stations from many markets and multiple sub-channels.

Why Is Your Internal Antenna Not Working?

Different issues can make your internal antenna fail to work right. Here are some of the reasons and how to deal with the problems that may affect the working mechanism of your internal TV antenna.

Bad connection

The primary reason your internal antenna might not work well is a bad connection. If it is set up in the wrong way, your antenna will not be able to receive signals; thus, you will not receive high-quality pictures and audio. So, make sure that your antenna is plugged in well. For the best results, you need to hire a professional in the field to help do the installation.

Damaged antenna

It's also possible for your internal antenna to get damaged. Several things could result in a damaged antenna, including your pet, water, or it may get worn out with time. Thus, regular antenna repairs are necessary to keep your device in good condition.

Routine maintenance ensures that the issue is detected and fixed before it escalates. If you note that your internal antenna is not transmitting signals effectively, you should call a professional antenna installer to fix the issue.

External interference

External interference can also affect your antenna's performance. Some of the things that could interfere with its performance include electromagnetic interference or transmitter interference. In most cases, the interference happens when several transmitters broadcast the same frequency.

It is hard to fix such issues yourself since you need to understand the interference affecting your signal. As a result, you need to seek assistance from a professional antenna installer with a good understanding of all the things that might interrupt the signals and avoid them while doing the installation work.

Low-quality internal antenna

If you install a poor-quality internal antenna, you can expect its performance to be low, in addition to experiencing other problems. Therefore, installing a high-quality antenna that offers high frequency (VHF) or ultra-high frequency (UHF) is necessary.

It is better to pay more when buying and installing the antenna and getting high-quality signals than to invest in a low-quality digital antenna and fail to get the desired results. Seek advice from a TV antenna professional for more advice before doing the installation.

Location of your antenna

High-quality signals mainly depend on where you place your internal antenna. So, to enhance the signal quality, ensure that the antenna is placed in the correct location. Ensure there are no distractions by doing the correct wall mounting or putting it on or near a window. Check where the broadcast towers are located to place your antenna facing that direction for better signals.

Get The Best Signal From Your Internal Antenna

To get high-quality signals from your internal antenna, you should have it installed by a professional installation company near your residence. Professional antenna installers understand the working mechanism of the different types of antennas, so you can expect them to offer you the best services.

They perform high-quality antenna installation and offer high-quality TV wall mounts to ensure you enjoy all your favourite channels without distractions. In addition, they can also help with repairs and any other maintenance work you may need in the future. When hiring a professional installer, confirm they have vast experience and a good reputation in the industry.