Installing and placing an indoor antenna is genuinely a super handy task. But getting more channels with that, you know, is challenging.

So, how to get more channels with an indoor antenna?

Simply put – you need to find the sweet location to place the antenna. It should be faced toward the signal tower to pick up maximum frequencies. It would help if you avoided obstacles between the tower and the antenna to avoid interference.

But that’s not all! You need to know where and how to handle an indoor antenna effectively.

Scroll down and get the tips for more channels with your indoor antenna.

Indoor Antenna: How do they work?

People nowadays are more likely to have digital accessories that would be shortcuts and hassle-free. So, why is it not for a TV antenna?

However, an Indoor antenna is a smaller piece of accessory that came and erased all the hassles of handling the outdoor one. It picks up electromagnetic signals from the nearby broadcast station. Then, it transfers the data to your television.

Here are some facts about indoor antennas

✔  Most indoor antennas are extremely thin. Installation and handling are very much easier than the outdoor antenna. You can move and set the flat indoor antenna without any hassle.

✔  Less expensive. Even an over-the-air indoor antenna broadcast can be fine without paying for it.

✔  Less powerful as well! Indoor antennas typically have a range of about 30-50 miles. In contrast, an outdoor antenna can pick frequencies from 60-100 miles of range.

When do you need an indoor antenna?

Indoor antennas are weaker. So, it’s not wise to use it in an area with a large distance station. Here, an outdoor antenna suits better!

Using an indoor antenna would be worthwhile if your place has a closer station. Also, If your apartment building doesn’t facilitate outdoor antennas, you can’t help but need the indoor one.

So, what if you put your indoor antenna outside?

Indeed, mounting any antenna outside works better to get more signals. If you can set up your indoor antenna on the roof, it will pick up better frequencies.

But the fact is- indoor antennas are not designed to get wet or freeze or to fight against extreme UV rays. So the antenna will rust and tear out faster if you use it outside.

Installing tips for indoor TV antenna

Modern indoor antennas mostly come with a flat design that you can easily install high on a window.

Many of them include mounting accessories like adhesive. In case it doesn’t, you can use poster putty or masking tape to set the antenna. However, using duct tape can mark the wall; better to avoid it.

You will sometimes need a longer coaxial cable than the antenna. However, it depends on the distance from your TV to the best reception zone. The antenna must be in a position where it can pick up the frequencies perfectly.

After getting all the accessories, connect the spare end of the cable to your TV. Screw it tightly and set the tuner to scan for available channels.

So, you are all set now with the installation. Unfortunately, that’s not all! If you don’t get enough channels, you’ve more to go.

Let’s see how to get more channels with an indoor antenna, shall we?

 

How to Get More Channels with an Indoor Antenna: 10 Ways to Go

Getting all channels clearly – It’s, indeed, the most challenging task while dealing with an indoor antenna. However, following the steps below, you can easily complete this task.

1. Look for the best reception zone.

You need to find a sweet spot for the antenna to set up. It’s the location from where your antenna can pick up the maximum frequency. Here, height is the most crucial factor in placing an antenna. The higher you can set it, the better you’ll have reception.

It’s better to spot it in the window or outside-facing wall. Putting it on a Patio door works wonders. Upstairs windows would be nice if your home has multiple stories.

Have skylight? Then move the flat antenna to it. It’s also a great spot to mount on.

However, all you need to do is- Move the antenna, change its position constantly and check if your desired channels are on the TV.

Remember- a single inch can create enough difference in reception. So, don’t lower the experimenting with placement.

2. Face it in the right direction

Considering the angle of the mounted antenna is essential. If yours is a directional antenna, try to face it toward the broadcast tower in your area. It feeds signals easily from that direction!

So, how can you find the direction of the tower?

It’s simple -look for an Antenna map for your location. You can do as follows:

⮚  Search for DTV Reception Maps or Station finder.

⮚  Enter your zip code or address

⮚  Click on the Stations’ call signs.

⮚  Notice the map to see where the signals are coming from.

Now face your indoor antenna towards the direction and hang it.

3. Avoid interference

You may face signal interference due to multiple obstructions between yours and the broadcast antenna. See the types of interferences that can lower the Chanel count of your TV.

• Electromagnetic interference

Devices having electric motors can lower the strong signal reception. Moreover, nearby electric equipment like computers, LEDs, heaters, refrigerators, DVD players, stereo equipment, and even a solar flare can cause a hamper.

  Quick tips: Unplug nearby electric equipment except for the TV power and antenna for a test. Then see whether it’s working or not! If you notice improvements, turn on the devices one at a time and see what’s causing the interference.

Try to keep these devices far away from the antenna. Also, avoid keeping poorly shielded machines aside from the indoor antenna.

• Multipath interference

Large obstructions like a large tree, hills, a shed, or a neighbor’s brick wall beside your window can lead to weak signal reception to your OTA antenna. Even a passing airplane or vehicle can distort the signal as well.

Quick tips: Move the antenna from its original location, far away from the obstructions. Move it as high as you can. If possible, remove obstacles to avoid these.

• More potent signal interference (4G and 5G)

Your Freeview antenna reception can be affected if you live near a 4G or 5G mast transmitting service. In turn, you may get blurry pictures, signal loss, poor sound even missing channels while watching television.

The 4G or 5G signals can be stronger than your TV signals. So, if your antenna can’t filter these signals, the TV signals will be distorted.

Quick tips: Try an antenna with a 4G signal filter to eliminate the 4G interference issues.

4.Try LTE Filters

If you don’t have an antenna with a signal filter, you can use a LET filter separately.

Having a cell tower in the nearby area causes receiving flakey TV signals. With a LET filter, your indoor antenna can receive clear signs and improve the reliability of channels.

Maybe you’re thinking – Would this LET filter distort your cell phone network?

To be clear, these Filters only affect the signals running between the TV and the antenna. So don’t worry about your phones or tablets.

However, your internal antenna might need different signal filters depending on the location and condition. It’s because LET filters work for various frequencies.

5. Rescan

Regular rescanning would be very effective if you want more broadcast channels.

It could happen- the broadcast has moved their station with a new frequency, but your antenna is still waiting for the previous signals. Or, you scanned for channels in cloudy or rainy weather. However, these incidents can lead to a lower channel list.

Here, the only solution is – Rescan your TV channel at least once a month.

A rescan would also help you get some digital subchannels with popular channels.

So, How to rescan?

It actually varies depending on which TV brand you’re using. But all you need to do is find the control that claims to scan or tune channels.

Start by pressing the menu or setup button on the TV remote. Look for Channel Scan or Tune control over there. Once you find the control, you may tune channels automatically or manually.

By automatic scanning, your TV will search through all the channels.

So, rescan to get your favorite channels with new frequencies.

6. Upgrade the TV Tuner

The tuner is part of your TV that receives the signals. It might have a built-in tuner if yours is a newer television.

However, sometimes the built-in tuner could be better in quality. You can purchase a dedicated tuner to improve the receiving quality of your indoor HDTV antenna.

7. Use better coax cable.

Indeed, having an extra-long cable slightly reduces the TV signal. But, at the same time, a longer cable will help you reach the sweat spot facing toward the transmitter tower.

We recommend RG6 cables. It has better shielding and insulation and gets higher frequencies.

Sometimes, electronic noise gets coupled to the coax cable shield, and it causes interference. As a solution, you can touch its outer metal part to soil or any metal that goes to the ground.

Now notice the magic! The time you touch it to the ground, all interference will stop. Thus, you can get better reception by quieting the noise.

8. Adding or removing Reflector

Reflectors, basically, block the signal paths and reflect them in opposite directions.

If all your TV singles come from one direction, you should use a reflector behind the internal antenna. It may lower the channel loss. You can try metal baking sheets and pie tins as a reflector here.

But, if the signals come from different directions, try to avoid using a reflector. It would block some signals coming toward the antenna. Some antennas have built-in reflector grids. Try to remove the reflector portion if yours has any!

9. Adding or removing amplifier

Signal Amplifiers or boosters are used to boost the signal in case of a weak signal connection.

A powered amplifier will only work better if you have nearby strong stations. Because an amplifier causes the strong signals to swamp out the weak ones. So, try removing the built-in amplifier if the location is not far from the broadcast tower.

However, an amplifier could be a helping hand if you live in a weak signal area. Using a distribution amplifier in an area far away from the station is, indeed, a wise decision.

10. Use two antennas or get a VHF one.

If your TV signal comes from different directions, try two antennas simultaneously. It might help to get more channels.

For that, you need a coupler for combining the two identical types of indoor antennas. After combining, set them in different directions to get all the signals. However, you must buy two antennas, a coupler, and extra coaxial cables! Such an expensive way, isn’t it?

Sometimes, getting a VHF antenna works better for finding some signals. Your antenna can feed the VHF frequencies if the station is close enough.

Try to find out whether your nearby station is VHF or UHF. If it’s a VHF or Hi-V station, you would better go for a VHF-optimized antenna.

Conclusion

Searching about how to get more channels with an indoor antenna for a rural area application isn’t worthwhile! But if you have a closer station and facing disturbance in getting channels, you should keep searching. Our tips and tricks will help you get more channels with your existing internal antenna.

However, a typical and cheap antenna can make your tasks harder. Try to pick the best one to enjoy watching your favorite channels without having disturbance!