Manual

4
Federal Communications Commission · Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau · 445 12
th
St. SW. Washington, DC 20554
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) · TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) · Fax: [phone] · www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs-bureau
• Antennas typically need to be oriented or “aimed” to get the best signal from the desired station.
While adjusting your antenna, it may be helpful to access the “signal strength meter” on your digital-
to-analog converter box or digital television to determine whether your adjustments are improving
the signals’ strength. The signal strength meter is usually accessed through the menu feature on
your remote control. Refer to the owner’s manual of your device for detailed instructions on how to
access its signal strength meter. Remember to do another channel scan after you have adjusted
your antenna. For outdoor antennas, a rotor that re-orients the antenna can improve performance,
particularly when trying to receive stations that transmit from different locations.
• If you are unable to get satisfactory reception with your current indoor antenna, you may wish to add
a clip-on bow-tie element (see picture above) or obtain a combination indoor antenna that includes
features for reception of both VHF and UHF signals and/or an amplifier to boost the received signal.
• Generally, an outdoor antenna will get better reception than an indoor antenna.
• If you are near a station’s broadcast tower, reception of that station, as well as other stations, can be
impeded by strong signal “overload.”
• If you decide to replace or upgrade your outdoor antenna, websites such as www.antennaweb.org
provide information on the locations of broadcast transmitters and the types of outdoor antennas
appropriate for the stations you wish to receive. If you need assistance with upgrading your antenna
system, check with a local antenna retailer or antenna installer.
• If you are not receiving certain digital TV stations, this does not necessarily mean there is a problem
with your antenna or receiver. Check with the TV station to find out whether they are planning
changes that will improve reception.
• To check for the DTV signals that are available at your location, use the DTV Reception Maps
available at www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/dtvmaps/
.
For More Information
For more information about the DTV transition, go to www.fcc.gov/digital-television. For information
about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer website at www.fcc.gov/consumers, or
contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-
FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
###
For this or any other consumer publication in an accessible format (electronic ASCII text, Braille, large print or audio),
please write or call us at the address or phone number below, or send an email to [e-mail]
.
This document is for consumer education purposes only and is not intended to affect any proceedings or cases
involving this subject matter or related issues.
Last Reviewed: 3/11/14