Few things prove more frustrating than your TV reception going out. It’s doubly frustrating because it always seems to happen during your favorite show or right before a major sports event.
You know that dealing with it will involve some kind of TV antenna repair. Of course, that begs the question of how to repair tv antenna. There is good news on the repair front.
You can try several repairs on your own before you’ll need a professional on the job. Keep reading for antenna repairs that can get you back to your watching.
Start with the Cable Connections
When your TV signal goes out, one of the most common culprits is the RF or coaxial cables connecting your antenna to your TV. Even a slight bump of a loose cable can send your signal haywire. TV antenna cable repair in this situation means making sure all of the connections are firmly seated.
Get a New Cable
If you spot signs of wear or corrosion on the cable or the connections, you should replace the cable. Damaged or worn cables will provide poor signal transmission. If you have cables running from the antenna to a converter box and from the box to the TV, consider replacing both cables.
Adjust the Antenna Itself
If tightening the cable connections or replacing the cable doesn’t work, it’s time for a more dramatic step. You must adjust the antenna itself. For an interior antenna, try placing the antenna closer to a window.
For a roof-mounted antenna, you must go up onto the roof. You can try adjusting the direction of the antenna slightly and testing the TV. If that doesn’t work, you can also try elevating the antenna on a longer antenna mast. As you elevate the antenna, you typically see better signal reception.
Signal Booster
Another option you can try is a signal booster. These devices help amplify the signals the antenna receives. The improved signals provide much better quality images and audio on the tv itself.
You typically install the booster somewhere in between the antenna and the tv or converter box.
Call in Professional Help
When all else fails, you can always call in professional help. A basic online search for “TV antenna repair near me” should bring up some local service providers who can help. A tv antenna repair man can often diagnose if there is a deeper technical problem with your antenna or converter box.
Plan Out Your TV Antenna Repair
You should take a few minutes in the beginning and plan out your TV antenna repair strategy. Decide which steps you’ll take yourself and when.
Checking or even replacing cables can go fairly quickly by most homeowners. Installing a signal booster is also a homeowner-friendly task, though you might wait for the booster to arrive if you order online.
You may prefer leaving antenna adjustment and further diagnosing to a tv antenna repair man. Any work on a roof poses some risks.
Looking for some extra tech tips? Check out our Tech News section for tech tips for the home and office.