Factors That Restricts Your TV Reception

Poor picture quality can be frustrating at times since it can deprive you of the opportunity to watch your favorite show. TV reception problems can be caused by different factors; you should be aware of them so that you can take appropriate measures to deal with these problems. The following are some of the factors that can restrict your TV reception:

Antenna Factors 

The quality of the antenas tv plays a crucial role in determining the nature of the reception that you can receive on your television set.  It's one of the most common digital TV signal problems. Conventional and digital TV antennas are the common types of available signal receivers, and they significantly determine the quality of reception you get on your television set.  

Conventional antennas are good as long as they are set in the right direction. On the other hand, digital TV antennas are designed to give you outstanding picture quality. To learn about the best TV antenna that can give you quality reception, you can hire TV Antenna experts who are knowledgeable in this area. Experts can also adjust your TV antenna accordingly so that you can get the best picture quality. 

• The Positioning and Frequency of the Antenna 

The other factors that can restrict your TV reception pertain to the positioning of the antenna. When the aerial is not in direct alignment with the broadcast signal, beam loss is likely to occur. Even when you have a high-quality TV antenna installed at your place, you may not get a quality signal if it is not properly aligned.  

The channel frequency can also restrict the signal on your TV, so you need to consult experts to overcome this type of problem. Antenna gain varies up or down depending on the channel frequency. If you are within a high-frequency zone, then you are likely to enjoy high-quality reception while the low-frequency zone can restrict it.  

• Your Home’s Walls 

Indoor antenna factors can restrict your TV reception. For instance, appliances, floors, roofs, walls, furniture ceilings, as well as other items inside the room where the antenna is mounted, can reduce the signal. Metal backed insulation on the walls or ceilings can reflect the signal which leads to poor picture quality being received on your television. The thickness of the walls and insulation can also restrict your TV reception, so you can consider an external TV aerial in this case, but not before you consult a professional in this field first. 

• Type of Terrain and Building Structure

The type of terrain around your home can greatly impact the quality of the signal that your television can receive. The area between the TV antenna and the broadcast signal should be clear of obstacles that can obstruct the best reception on your TV set. Moreover, the area surrounding the antenna should be clear of obstacles so that the signal is not disrupted. 

High-rising buildings can affect the quality of the signal that you get on your television. For example, if your house is surrounded by a block of flats or tall trees, you are likely to receive a poor signal. In such a scenario, you can consider choosing a powerful TV antenna to improve the quality of reception. 

If you live in a low-lying area or closer to a mountain range, then there are likely chances that the signal will be obstructed by the nature of the terrain. In the same vein, people who live in higher places are likely to enjoy better reception on their television sets. Extended height for the TV aerial can help improve the quality of the TV reception in your home.

Factors such as mountains and hills and antenna close to the ground affect the quality of reception that you get. Physical barriers obstruct the signal path which in turn affects the quality of reception received in a particular area. Only experienced experts in the field of TV antenna installation would know how to address this problem. 

• Distance

The distance between the broadcast station and the signal receiver is another factor that can restrict your TV reception. For example, when there is a big gap between the broadcaster and the receiver, then the quality of reception can be compromised by the lower frequency. People who live further away from the broadcast signal are likely to experience reception challenges compared to those living closer to the broadcast tower. 

• Ground Clutter

Large structures closer to a TV antenna can lead to considerable loss of signal. It can also be observed that tall trees consisting of thick foliage lead to a greater loss of signal. The signal can significantly improve in winter when the trees shed foliage. 

Metal mesh and wire are other materials that can block a signal especially if the largest opening inside the mesh is less than the wavelength. Solid metal generally lowers the strength of the signal though it is not blocked completely. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the area surrounding the TV antenna is free of any clutter. This is the main reason why TV aerials are placed on top of roofs.

• Radio Horizon  

The elevation of the broadcast tower together with the height of the tower itself plays a pivotal role in determining the radio horizon. This is the area that is covered by the signal but usually extends to distant areas that you can see with your eyes. Normally, areas that are outside the radio horizon do not get a radio signal or get a poor one. 

The radio horizon depends on the height of the tower. For a 15-meter or 50 feet tower, the radio horizon is 10 miles while a tower of over 600 meters/2000 feet covers up to 60 miles. The radio horizon can be increased by erecting the broadcast tower on the highest ground. On the other hand, the strategy of elevating the receiving antenna can also help improve the signal strength. 

Different factors can restrict your TV reception, so you need to understand different measures that can help address the challenge of the limited signal. The elements of distance and barriers between the broadcast tower and the receiver have a significant impact on the quality of TV reception in a certain area.  

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