Antenna Television/Troubleshooting

The following is a guide for troubleshooting common issues encountered with antenna television.

Interference Issues
Interference can affect digital TV signals and cause intermittent or missing reception of channels. The sources of interference include electronics, such as TVs and other devices, which emit electromagnetic signals. Metal objects like roofs, window screens, and rebar inside walls can block or reflect signals. Radiant barriers, made of reflective insulation materials, can also interfere with TV signals. To detect interference, turn off electronics and try repositioning the antenna away from interfering objects. If issues persist, consider using a roof antenna for better signal reception.

Older TVs or TVs with No Tuner
Some older analog TVs and certain new TV models may lack the necessary tuner to receive OTA (over-the-air) channels. To overcome this limitation, you can purchase a digital converter box with a tuner that connects to your antenna and outputs the signal to your TV. These converter boxes often offer features like real-time recording and programmed time recording, and some provide limited EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data from broadcasters. Make sure the converter box or DVR is compatible with your TV, either through HDMI or analog RCA inputs. Examples of digital converter boxes include the Mediasonic HW-150PVR, iView 3500STII, and Ematic AT103B. Alternatively, you can consider using an OTA DVR that includes a built-in tuner for recording and playback of OTA channel.

TVs with Broken Coax Connectors
For TVs without a working coax connection, such as older analog TVs or newer models without built-in tuners, the solution is the same for older TVs: use digital converter boxes or OTA DVRs. These devices are available with HDMI connections, allowing them to be connected to the TV, and have built-in tuners that enable the reception and recording of OTA channels.

TVs with no HDMI, RCA, or Coaxial Connectors
If you are using an old television set, from the 1950s to the 2000s, additional equipment besides a converter box may be required. Some options include:


 * HDMI to RCA Audio Video Converter
 * HDMI-to-Composite Converter
 * YPbPr Component to HDMI Converter
 * HDMI to Component Video Converter with Audio Output
 * RCA Compact RF Modulator
 * RCA Matching Transformer

Projection Screens
A digital converter box or an OTA DVR are required to use an antenna with a projection setup. Both are available with HDMI connections and the necessary tuner.

Receiving No Channels
If you have connected your antenna but are not receiving any channels, there are several things to check:


 * Ensure the TV is set to scan for channels on the Antenna or Air input, not Cable. If it is set to Cable, you won't be able to pick up any broadcasts.


 * Check if there are nearby towers by generating a Reception Report. This will help determine if there are available channels in your area.


 * Make sure to perform a channel scan on your TV. If you cannot find the option to scan channels or if you have an older TV, it may lack the correct tuner or have no tuner at all. In such cases, using a digital converter box or OTA DVR with a tuner is recommended. Refer to the section on "Older TVs" for more information on using digital converter boxes.


 * In rare cases, a TV with a functioning tuner may not work properly or have a faulty tuner. Again, the solution would be to use a converter box or OTA DVR with a tuner.

Receiving Only Some Channels
When considering antenna reception, it's important to note that VHF channels are typically weaker than UHF channels. Therefore, if your reception report indicates the presence of VHF channels, it's crucial to select an antenna that is suitable for both VHF and UHF signals. Most indoor antennas perform better at UHF frequencies than VHF.

Mounting the antenna at a higher location can enhance reception since obstacles like trees, houses, and buildings can obstruct signals. The reception report will indicate whether a channel is a one or two edge channel, meaning you don't have a direct line of sight to the tower. In such cases, the likelihood of receiving those channels is significantly lower compared to channels marked as LOS (line of sight) on the report.

Ensure that you aim the antenna in the correct direction using the information provided in the reception report. The first chart in the report assists in aligning the antenna toward the appropriate towers. Your location is at the center of the chart, and the red N signifies magnetic north. If you have channels in different directions, review the reports to identify which channels you want. Sometimes, if the strongest channel is in the opposite direction, you can aim the antenna toward the weaker channels and still receive the strong channel from the backside. In some cases, rabbit ear antennas may perform better indoors than flat antennas.

Losing Channels
New obstructions such as new buildings recently constructed, or changes in weather or leaves on trees can all affect your ability to receive channels. Ensure your antenna is facing the right direction, then rescan for channels. If you have an outdoor antenna, inspect all connections to make sure they are undamaged. Also verify that the antenna is pointed in the correct direction.