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So you’ve just spent your hard earned money on a brand new TV and home entertainment system, you’ve got the surround sound speakers set up, positioned the couch perfectly in front of the soon-to-be crystal clear hi-def screen and just one thing remains. Installing the antenna. You might not want to spend that extra money getting a professional around to get it up on the roof, and that’s fine, many people install antennas themselves, but bare in mind there are risks. If you follow these simple instructions you will be on your way to avoiding an antenna installation nightmare!
Choosing the right antenna
If you haven’t already bought your antenna make sure you get one that’s right for you and your family. If you live in a metropolitan area, you might not need the same strength of receptivity as those living in more rural areas. For instance, TV antenna installation in Melbourne is a different game to the one they play out in the country.
Talk to the sales people at the shop to make sure you are getting the right product, don’t just go for the most expensive, or for that matter, the cheapest. If you get the wrong product and need to change it over down the line, then you might be looking at a bigger outlay of cash than you first bargained for. There are multiple resources on the Internet that can help you compare the cost and features of most of the commercially available products.
It is possible to get indoor and outdoor antennas but these days, it is usually recommended that you get an outdoor type as they have much better receptivity and will ensure that you get the crispest picture.
Before you purchase a new antenna, it is worth double-checking to see if the old one is compatible with your new TV. In some cases, you may still be able to get a good signal without the need to buy expensive new equipment.
Installation
The first thing to remember when doing any kind of DIY work is that safety is paramount. Just because you’re not actually on a building site, it doesn’t mean that the same risks don’t apply. If you are installing an outdoor antenna, then that means you are going to be using ladders and walking on the roof. This can be particularly risky which is why we strongly recommend hiring a professional.
Clear the area on the ground where you will be sitting the ladder and make sure it has both feet firmly planted on the ground, or you might be getting a bit more time in front of the new TV than you thought.
You will also need a power drill and the relevant drill bits for the materials of your roof, if you are unfamiliar with the operation of power tools, then you are better off consulting an expert.
Your new antenna will come with detailed instructions and it is very important to read these carefully, not just get the gist of it, even if you have installed an antenna before, because many models have slight variations in installation method. If you don’t understand some of the technical details, then there are plenty of detailed guides on the Internet that will help you. It is much better to take a bit of extra time in the installation period and do it right than having to fork out more money later to have someone fix it when you should be kicking back enjoying the latest high definition entertainment! Do your research and consult the experts!