how to build a digital to analog tv converter antenna

Reception is likely to vary by channel, depending on the location and broadcast power level of a given station. Most areas currently have access to at least a few digital stations, so see how well you can pull in digital signals.

When you get a converter box, try it as soon as possible.But if they're snowy, you might have trouble. If they're fairly clear, odds are you might be OK. That will give you some indication of the reception you can expect with digital signals. If you have an analog TV but no converter box yet, you can test UHF reception for analog channels 14 and higher, provided any are broadcast in your area.You don't have to wait until next year to get an idea right now as to what kind of reception you can expect after the transition. If you're really on the fringes-either too far from a tower or with too many obstacles in the way-you'll see a black screen that says 'Weak or no signal.' If you're getting marginal reception of digital signals, both the picture and sound might freeze or break up to the point that it's not watchable. With analog stations, a weak signal can still yield a watchable picture-it might be snowy or have ghosts, but you'll get a continuous picture and uninterrupted sound. The all-or-nothing nature of digital broadcasts also comes into play.

So getting good UHF reception can be more difficult than pulling in VHF, affecting your ability to get digital broadcasts.

(However, digital stations in some areas may move to the VHF band next February, when analog channels vacate their station frequencies.) The UHF band is more directional than VHF and more sensitive to obstacles (such as trees, tall buildings, and mountains) that lie between your antenna and the broadcast tower. Most analog stations are in the VHF band, channels 2-13, while digital signals are transmitted mainly over the UHF band, 14 and higher.

Digital TV offers potentially better picture quality and more channels than analog over-the-air broadcasts, but getting digital signals might not be as easy as plugging a converter box between your antenna and TV.

How to build a digital to analog tv converter antenna