Indoor TV Antenna Suggestion - Variable Coverage Area

archieduh on 15/04/2023 - 18:52

I haven't used Freeview TV for years but wanted to now.
Years ago I was living at a different place and was able to get aerial TV using this small Crest indoor antenna.
When I connected it now (after spending hours finding it in the garage) it shows absolutely nothing.
So was wondering, if it is malfunctioning.
And then I looked up the address at mySwitch and found out that the signal coverage is "variable" amber at my current address and was strong green at my previous address.
It shows the nearest TV tower is 11km and other is 28km. Which makes it out of range for this antenna that I have (tough I was expecting at least some pixels to show up).

Does anyone have any suggestions if an indoor antenna can help me get any reception?
Can't use outdoor antenna as I am renting.

Electrical & Electronics TV Antenna

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 15/04/2023 - 19:35
    +2

    Just stream with fire tv, google tv or similar.

    • archieduh on 16/04/2023 - 19:53

      I miss channel surfing, sometimes I don't want to watch anything but just change channels as therapy :)

  • sumyungguy on 15/04/2023 - 19:37
    +1

    Next step: source an amplified antenna from a reputable store - so you can return if it doesn't help

    • slacker on 15/04/2023 - 20:28
      +2

      An amplifier won't work if the signal is poor. An amplifier near the antenna can help with long cable runs or multiple outlets. But it won't make a bad signal better. Think of a TV amplifier as like turning up the volume on your radio. If you have good reception this will work well but if the radio has poor reception, turning up the volume will amplify the noise as well as the signal. It won't sound any better.

      Many years ago when I used to rent I solved my TV reception problem by purchasing a standard TV antenna (like you see on roofs) and installing it in the roof space. I ran a cable down through the man hole to my TV. On rental inspection days I pulled the cable back into the roof space to hide it. A little messy having the cable hang down from the man hole but it worked well. Of course this only works if the roof is tiled. Metal roofs will block the signal.

      • sumyungguy on 15/04/2023 - 20:31
        +1

        In my situation, an amplified indoor antenna picks up everything where a passive is useless, so I'm only suggesting it as a simple no-cost next step

  • revheadgl on 16/04/2023 - 09:55
    +2

    I had no luck with indoor amplified antennas where I live. It's just in a bad spot.So I just Chromecasts with Google TV throughout the place.

  • archieduh on 16/04/2023 - 10:01

    Thanks all for the replies.

  • screensaver on 16/04/2023 - 12:41
    +1

    I am looking at a camping type TV with an antenna, and a battery, because Foxtel is removing free to air. I hope it works at my location

  • DemocracyManifest on 16/04/2023 - 12:55
    +1

    At a relatives house I have one of these connected to cheap rabbit ears and it works well, they can’t get anything without it in the middle https://www.selby.com.au/brands/kingray/gme-kingray-17-5v-ac…

    I got it originally to see if their old roof antenna was still alive but the cabling must have been chewed by a rodent or similar

    I don’t know the reason why this set up works over a ‘powered antenna’ which doesn’t do shit

  • Milovan on 16/04/2023 - 19:41
    +1

    In my experience it doesn't matter so much what antenna but where the antenna is placed so play around with where you put the antenna, what direction etc

    That said I've gotten good results from this antenna

    https://www.amazon.com.au/TV611JENSEN-JENSEN-Adjustable-Indo…

    Free returns from Amazon if it doesn't work.

    • jollyrogga on 17/07/2023 - 14:07

      Thank you I am going to cop this and try it myself. I've recently moved and the apartment only has one port in each room (which is where the Foxtel is connected) so will need an antenna to get free-to-air HD channels.

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