How to Keep Good TV Reception at Home

1. DON'T USE CHINESE MOULDED FLYLEADS

These cheap, Chinese-made TV antenna cords are the most popular think behind a TV set. Unfortunately, where the metal coupler and the plastic join in these cables, there is little support not to mention the gauge inside the cord itself is very fragile and very temperamental. Stepping on, bending, pulling, tugging or any slight abuse can destroy the performance of these cords immediately. Heck! They sometimes even come faulty straight out of the $2 shop packet! These are the first thing to check for when you have bad TV reception. We often, often, often (yes I said that 3 times to get your attention) go out to TV reception repair jobs and just replace these dodgy cables to fix the problem.

2. DON'T LET YOUR KIDS/HUSBAND/WIFE/D.I.Y 'SO CALLED EXPERT' TOUCH YOUR CABLES

Can you see what's wrong with the connections/cables used below? Is there something missing? Something not right? Did something plug in the wrong spot? Or perhaps the wrong cable used? Do you even know what all the connections are used for and what they do? If you didn't know immediately then you ought to not touch this stuff or you may affect the quality of your TV picture and sound.

3. DON'T MOVE INTO AN OLD UNIT WITH 'DAISY CHAINING'!

Don't move to an old unit with Daisy Chaining

Okay, so this one is a bit harsh. In the '50s older buildings were wired up in what's called a Daisy Chain fashion. The illustration below sort of explains how and what this is. Basically, if your building has daisy chain wiring..your TV reception can be a luck of the draw since you could be at the start of the TV signal chain or at the end. The further you are along, in the chain the weaker your signal will be. To fix this; basically, the building needs a digital upgrade which means new coax cable & installation. An Overhaul. Digital Upgrade. You should call a professional like AntennaPros to fix it.

4. DON'T GET MAD THAT BIRDS ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS! SO WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT BIRDS?

We've heard all the tricks and bought all the gadgets. The bird zappers, the bird whirley firleys, gadget this, gadget that, one million zip ties, plastic snakes, fake cats, fake eagles you name it. For most of these methods, the birds are too smart; the others are just not cost-effective. Birds will continue to roost where they want to roost. You either need to have no roost or supply 240 volts of electricity to your roof! (Which is illegal).

5. DON'T KINK/BEND YOUR TV CORD AT THE WALLPLATE

TV Cabinets, beds, wardrobes and other furniture are responsible for damaging and kinking many, many TV cables causing signal deterioration. You won't be the first or the last that this happens to and that is why you should use the right-angle TV cables.

6. DON'T LET YOUR SOLAR PANEL COMPANY RELOCATE YOUR TV ANTENNA!

We're sure solar panel guys are great at what they do which is to save you $ on electricity and install solar panels. Unfortunately, the TV antenna sometimes is in a position that interferes with optimal performance/positioning of the solar panels. All too many solar companies are moving the TV antenna or satellite dish as a service to their customers only to find out that a few months down the track they've done something and the customer ends up paying for it anyway.

7. DON'T USE LONG TV CORDS OR JOIN SEVERAL TV CORDS TOGETHER

When you don't have a TV point exactly where you want/need it - what do you do? You get a giant, the great big long cheap cord from bunnings or dick smiths or dig up your ugly pile of spaghetti of cables from the garage and join a bunch together, right? Here's what you should do. If you must insist on not getting a TV point installed where you want it to be; at least get yourself one, good quality TV antenna cable. Obviously, in all situations you ideally have a new TV point installed; have no cords running across the floor that you could trip on and everything looks neat & tidy. (Note to Tennants: if you are to have your landlord/real estate pay for this. This can be a little tricky. Give us a call. We have experience with getting these sorts of things accomplished).