2. An antenna or aerial is used to send and receive radio
frequency signals. It is usually divided into two categories.
The first category consists of the directional antenna. Also
called bidirectional or quad directional, a directional
antenna gets signal response from a single source only.
Surprisingly, it offers better reception from a weak signal
source. This source can be a TV broadcast station. The
second category consists of the omnidirectional antennas.
These do not have to be pointed at a given direction in
order to work. Unfortunately, they demand a stronger signal
from a broadcasting station. The omnidirectional has indoor
and outdoor applications.
3. For instance, it can be used to boost internet signals for Wi-Fi
devices. Because of having poor signal responses,
omnidirectional aerials should be boosted with an amplifier.
The amplifier is a recent invention that has made the
omnidirectional aerial so popular. You can think of an
amplifier as a directional antenna that uses a
technologically advanced processor to filter the sound on a
signal of an existing omnidirectional antenna. Prior to
buying an aerial, you should know the purpose you want it
to fulfill. Perhaps you want it to boost the performance of
your TV or mobile devices.
4. Outdoor antennas will obviously offer you the best
performance than indoor types. The latter are usually tiny
and made to be put on top of a TV set or next to it. The
former are big and are designed for the roof or attic
regions. Because of their bigger surface area, they are able
to receive stronger waves than the tiny indoor equipment.
So they offer a higher gain (a measure of signal strength an
antenna can deliver to a tuner). Indoor equipment performs
poorly not only because it is small but also because of the
interference it receives from walls and movement of
humans in the house.
5. The best types of outdoor antennas are HDTV (high definition
TV). To receive a clear digital TV signal, you should get
yourself a HDTV aerial. This one will receive all HD
channels you would love to watch. Note that HD signals are
conveyed along the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) band.
With both regular and HDTV aerials, you will get signal
bounce or multipath because of tall buildings, trees and
other objects. Multipath causes the wave to reach your HD
antenna many times and at different intervals. To reduce
this problem you should have your equipment fixed as high
as a position can allow. Note that your HDTV will receive
both analog and digital signals.
6. There are amplified and non-amplified products too. Which
ones do you want? If you are having poor signal reception,
you need a product that will overcome height, size and
distance challenges. Amplified antenna options are known
to boost the gain. Both indoor and outdoor amplifiers exist.
They can be bought for existing equipment. If you want to
buy a new aerial, many modern types have built-in
amplifiers. There is one you should know though, about an
amplifier. It will amplify both the noise and the signal. If they
are overwhelmed by strong waves, your reception will
become worse. Thus you are advised to use these
supplemental devices when it is really necessary.