Whilst the work itself can be entirely achievable for a savvy DIY person, it will regularly involve working in an elevated position such as being on the roof of your property. Due to this, you must use extreme caution at all times and ensure that you have the relevant safety equipment beforehand. Additionally, it must be noted that whilst some installations are reasonably simple some may require detailed technical knowledge and specific tools so if you are unsure of anything make sure to contact a trained specialist. Antenna installation will alleviate any of these concerns but if you feel capable and willing to attempt the work yourself, we will look at a few key pieces of advice to make the work simpler.
Location
This can be one of the most important factors for determining the overall performance of your TV aerial. Different locations will receive different strengths of signal and if you live in an area with poor reception then choosing the correct location will be key to receiving the quality picture you would expect. The best location is having the aerial installed on the roof. Alternatively, you could place it within the loft where it will be sheltered from the elements. The standard of reception received will generally deteriorate the lower it is mounted so make sure to check the quality of the incoming signal to help you determine which location would be best.
Roof Mounting
Roof top aerials provide the best performance due to their elevated position and the lack of obstacles blocking their path. The higher the antenna mast reaches then the stronger the received signal will be. This, however, needs to be weighed up against the potential damage that the elements can cause to high masts as they can be battered by winds or tree branches etc. If an aerial can be mounted onto a gable wall it should prove to be reasonably simple whereas the chimney stack can be the most complicated. You will need a bracket to fix the mast to the building or chimney and a lashing kit to tie it in place. Always attempt to spread the load and use multiple brackets as one will cause excessive strain on the mast. When drilling into the building its best to always try to drill into the centre of the bricks and never use the uppermost three bricks. Test a number of positions before starting any installation work because a position that looks ideal to fit an aerial to may not provide the best signal. Test it before you begin to avoid undoing your hard work.
Loft Installation
If you have a reasonably strong signal in your area, then a loft aerial should suffice. It is possibly worth checking if this will work or not as it is generally simpler and safer to do than getting up on the roof. What you need to consider when installing a loft aerial is whether you have a metal roof. If this is the case, it will not work. Try moving the aerial around the loft to see what position is providing the best picture. Remember also to factor in where you place it if you use the loft space efficiently. It needs to be out of the way so you do not damage it so certain locations may not be particularly practical. As well as this, TV aerials are often much bigger than you think and they might take up more space than you first imagined.
