If you can’t get enough of your favourite box sets, the chances are you want a crisp and sharp picture for your viewing pleasure. The advent of HD coupled with a HD antenna makes it easier than ever to get a cinema quality picture in your own home.
If you are looking to install a HD antenna, you might assume that you need to call a professional to do it. If you aren’t very handy around the house or you don’t know your caulk from your cabling, having an expert installer might be the way to go. However, if you fancy giving it a go yourself, you can install a HD antenna on your own by following this step by step guide.
1. Look At Your TV Manual
Many new makes of television have a specific section in their accompanying manuals providing suggestions for appropriate HD antennas. Check your manual for such guidance.
2. HD Antenna Decision
You must choose a high quality HD antenna to suit your needs. Do some research into the transmission tower that provides you with the best coverage. This is the signal that you need to tap into. An inferior antenna can be a false economy. Yes, it may be cheaper but you could be in for a lifetime of viewing discomfort. Instead, go for a reputable make of HD antenna to provide reliability when viewing HD content.
3. The Direction Of Your Antenna
Don’t assume that you can look at the other properties around you for guidance on the direction your aerial should be facing. Head online and check out popular channel compass headings. Look for a best fit approach to receive coverage from the most popular HD channels that will be in your listing.
4. Mounting Kit
Secure the mounting bracket to the roof of your property securely by following the guidance that came with your mounting kit. Use specific roofing screws and the silicone caulk from your toolkit. This will seal your mounting kit and prevent water damage from rain and other precipitation.
5. Antenna Installation
If you need to assemble your own antenna, follow the instructions that came with your aerial. Alternatively, you may have an already constructed antenna.
On your mounting bracket, there should be a clear position where the mounting pole from your antenna should fit. Secure this by releasing the tightness of the bolts on the mounting bracket sleeve. Tighten the bolts to secure the mounting pole in place.
When attaching the HD antenna onto the pole, slide the sleeve of the antenna over the pole until the top is secured. Check your compass point and move the antenna to the direction you wish it to be in. Leave the bolts a little loose to pinpoint the direction further if needed.
6. Cables
Run a loose coaxial cable that is not secured from the output terminal to the back of your flatscreen HD TV. Try to tune in your channels and make sure that all of your listings are present. It’s a good idea to get somebody else to do this while you remain with the antenna. Keep retuning the TV as you finalise the position of your aerial. When happy, it’s time to secure the antenna and cabling in place with your nail gun and nails.
7. Earth Everything
Drill a hole into the attic space of your home and secure a grounding block to the side of the house. Ensure that one end of the coaxial cable is coming from the antenna and the other is at the grounding block. Then, get another section of coaxial cable and run this from the grounding block to the inside of the home. Earth this by attaching the interior end to a cold water pipe.
8. And finally…
Run the coaxial cable to your HDTV so that it reaches the relevant input. Turn on the TV and enjoy seeing your menu of channels and enjoy cinema-quality viewing in the comfort of your own home.
