Reception Tips & Warnings

This is a guide that will be ongoing, to help identify and solve reception problems with HDTV antennas.

Please note: when purchasing a TV antenna, the amount of channels after an install doesn't necessarily deem an item defective and no guarantee is made or implied of how many channels are picked up (if any) as it's different with every install due to several, highly impactful variables. Many factors influence the amount of TV channels received and results may vary greatly and will be highly dependent upon area, mounting position/location, the type of station(s) (i.e. normal or very low power stations), the directions of stations, man made and/or terrain obstructions blocking the path or shielding out the signals, improper installation, the condition and quality of other equipment added to the install (i.e. cabling, signal amplifiers. splitters, external tuners), install loss, and so forth, will all greatly impact the result. For example, mounting antennas indoors, inside apartments, condos, or homes with concrete, brick, or rock/stone walls or with metal / aluminum siding will inevitably create reception difficulties. These materials will greatly block out stations from reaching an outdoor mounted tv antennas as well, if such structure is impeding the necessary path to the tower(s). The best method to mitigate nearby man-made obstructions with an outdoor antenna is to mount it high enough, (if possible) such that neighboring structures are not blocking it's path toward the necessary direction of the TV towers.