Amplified antennas may actually make matters worse, as they amplify electrical noise and signal reflections (which cause digital reception problems) just as much as they amplify the desired signal. Even some indoor antennas which are listed as being capable of VHF reception have such poor performance with VHF signals that they are virtually useless. Also, many of the indoor antennas being sold work for UHF signals only and are not capable of receiving VHF signals. Are indoor VHF/UHF antennas really any good?Ī: Rabbit ears and other types of indoor antennas which sit on or near the TV are notoriously unreliable. Move the antenna for maximum reading on the signal meter. Tune in the channel you are having problems with, then press the menu button on the TV remote control and follow the instructions in your TV owners manual to use the signal strength meter in your TV. The on-screen signal meter is accessed through the menu system of your TV. The days of just moving an antenna and watching the screen for best picture are gone!Īll new flat screen TVs have a built in signal meter which is used for antenna aiming. How do I aim an antenna for digital television?Ī: Times have changed. These are usually installed on the roof or wall mounted with the antenna mast extending above the roof line. (Digitenna antennas are available from professional antenna installers). Outdoor antennas such as the Clearstream 2MAX or antennas made by Digitenna would be suggested. Random signal reflections and absorptions may also drastically degrade the performance of an attic antenna. Attic antennas may work in some situations, but there may be as much as a 2/3 loss of signal by installing the antenna in an attic as opposed to a rooftop or outdoor wall mount installation. 8, 2018), and 68.1, it is very likely that the antenna you are using is not working with VHF signals.Ī: For proper digital TV reception, a traditional VHF/UHF rooftop antenna (with the typical metal rods sticking out horizontally) is by far the best choice. If you are not properly receiving channels 10.1, 36.1 (as of Jan. It is entirely possible to have an antenna which may work with UHF TV signals, but does not work with VHF signals (or vice versa). 8, 2018), and WIWN Channel 68.1 are all transmitted in the VHF band (as are many other digital TV stations across the country). WMVS Channel 10.1, WMVT Channel 36.1 (as of Jan. Your antenna must be working properly for both VHF and UHF signals in order to receive all over the air digital TV channels in Milwaukee. Q: Why is it important to use an antenna that has the capability of receiving both VHF and UHF signals?Ī: Milwaukee TV stations transmit at VHF frequencies and UHF frequencies. This is simply how digital transmissions work. There is no such thing as a snowy picture or ghosts with digital. In the digital world, the picture from an insufficient antenna becomes pixelated, freezes, or is just not there at all. In the old days of analog TV, a poor quality signal from an insufficient antenna translated into a snowy picture, or a picture full of distortions (picture fading, ghosts, etc.). Pixelation, or a "No Signal" or "Weak Signal" error message on your screen is a sign of an insufficient antenna. At times, I may also see a "Weak Signal" or "No Signal" error message on my screen.Ī. When trying to receive Milwaukee digital TV channels over the air with an antenna, I see a picture which freezes, has little squares in it (pixelated), or is not there at all.
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