Ana Weaver
Installing an antenna in the attic sounds like a great idea. One question probably has immediately crossed your mind: can the antenna in the attic attract lightning or will I have all the channels?
You can be safe, if the antenna in your attic is well placed, there will be no problems. Antennas are very often placed in the attic for several reasons. One of the most common causes is aesthetics. Many do not want to spoil the look of their house with an antenna on the roof, so the attic is ideal for something like this. If you live in a building where there is a tenant assembly that does not allow the installation of an outdoor antenna, the problem is solved again- the attic. Another reason: if your house is in a very windy area, so the outdoor antenna cannot be installed, the solution to this problem is to install it in the attic.
However, installing a TV antenna in the attic is not as simple as it seems at first glance. This project can take you an entire weekend. That is why it is very important that this project is well planned. From the site www.tv-aerials-uk.co.uk they warn of certain mistakes during this work which is very often repeated and can create big problems for you. In the following text, we warn you about the most common mistakes when installing an antenna in your attic, which you must take into account. Let’s go step by step.
You were not interested in the construction of your roof.
In order not to buy in vain and bother about installing the antenna in your attic, check what your walls and your roof are made of. Wall construction and building materials located inside the walls and roof of your attic can interfere with the TV signal by up to 50%. Did you know that a brick wall can reduce the signal by up to 8 decibels?
It may not sound like much but it is enough to get annoyed by the interruption while watching your favorite TV content. There are also systems for isolation from external influences, as well as metal surfaces that can also interfere with the signal. Another thing that can affect the signal is the aluminum foil that is placed to reflect heat. All this can affect the efficiency of your TV signal, even if you buy the highest quality antenna possible.
You didn’t think about the surroundings
You have installed the antenna in your attic and it seems to you that you have followed the whole procedure, but the signal is still very poor. What’s happening? It simply did not occur to you to think about the settlement in which you live and whether there are other, higher antennas in your area. If the houses are in a straight line or of unequal height, there is a possibility that your signal will be disturbed. You need to take care of the level of your antenna.
Accordingly, you will know what type of antenna you should use, as well as whether this project is functional at all. If your antenna is set too low in relation to the nearby antennas or to the surrounding houses, there will be big problems, so you could once again consider installing it on the roof.
You bought an indoor antenna
One of the most common mistakes is buying an indoor antenna. Just because an antenna is inside the walls of your house does not mean that you need an internal antenna. The antenna that needs to be installed in your attic is the one intended for the outside. They are designed to have better reception and greater gain and range than many indoor antennas.
Also, external antennas can bypass the sources of interference that exist in your attic. So, before you buy an antenna, evaluate the environment and the condition of your attic well. If you are unsure, ask professionals or people who work at the store where you bought the antenna.
You start the installation process without preparation
You bought an antenna that you haven’t unpacked yet and went to the attic with basic tools. But only then do you see that the cable is missing, maybe the connectors or that the antenna just can’t fit in your attic. So that things would not be so complicated, make preparations and collect all the tools.
Let’s go in order: the first thing you need to do is check the space. Measure the space and determine where the antenna can be placed. If you have a window on your roof, plan to keep the antenna as close to the window as possible. Then throw yourself into checking out the extra material that came with your antenna. See if something is missing. What tools do not forget the drill, the appropriate wrench, screwdrivers of different formats and stuff the like? If you have the opportunity, call some friends to help you.
Do something like this for the first time in your life
You’ve never dealt with these things before. It makes it pretty simple, and you still have the instructions. Don’t do that! While you want to take care of your home on your own and dedicate time to repairs, this is not for play and relaxation.
These are quite sensitive details. There are a couple of points that will be unclear to you, such as: do you need an amplifier, is the antenna directed properly, is it grounded. If you do not have experience, you will not know how to regulate these things. Therefore, we warmly recommend that you travel to professionals to help or advise you. Don’t take too many risks with this.
At the very end to summarize: there are a large number of mistakes that you need to take into account. Without good preparation, analysis of the entire attic, the environment, but also your needs, you do not enter this process. Also, if you are unsure and do not know how to work with electricity, do not engage in this process on your own. Wherever you live, we are sure that there are professionals in your city who will take care of every item, and you can relax and enjoy your TV channels. Electricity is definitely not something to play with.