All Australians, regardless of location, should be able to receive all or at least some free-to-air television channels. This may be over a satellite or terrestrial connection depending on the receiving equipment installed. If you are considering new antenna installation for your home or business, there are a number of factors to consider. Placement, location and equipment are the main considerations, and the decisions you make will largely affect the quality of picture received. 

Is Your Antenna Letting You Down?

If you are experiencing a poor TV reception, it could all be down to that metal structure on your roof -- your antenna. A poor antenna installation, an antenna that has not been maintained or broken equipment could mean that the images received are grainy, pixelated or worse, non-existent. 

Now that the entire country has switched over to digital TV, it could be time for an antenna check, especially if you are having trouble with reception or your antenna has been exposed to the elements for long periods of time without any maintenance checks. There are many companies offering antenna inspections and antenna installations and they will be able to give you professional advice on how to get the best reception in your area. Digital TV has introduced a host of new programmes, and a broken or faulty antenna could be coming between you and these great shows. 

There are a number of factors that an antenna installation company will use to assess your reception, including:

• Your location -- where you live can have a big influence on the quality of reception.
• Your equipment -- old or obsolete equipment could be letting you down. A good quality antenna, cable and fly lead should be all you need to get great picture quality. 
• The quality of your antenna installation -- it is essential that your antenna is placed outdoors and is pointing at the right TV tower
• Maintenance -- ensure that your antenna has no parts missing and is not rusty or broken

Location, Location, Location

Australians make their homes in a range of geographic regions across the country. Whether you live on the coast, in the hills or in an isolated outback area, your location will dictate the programmes and signal quality you will receive. It is important that you have your antenna fully optimised for the area in which you live. Your antenna installation company will be able to do this for you and will have years of experience in correctly setting up TV antennas for the best results. 

These are just some of the factors that go into planning the most effective antenna installation, and your antenna company will be able to give you expert advice on how to get the most from your equipment.