UHF TV Reception FAQs

• Separate UHF and VHF antennas, with their own down leads. This will produce better pictures, than combination types of antennas.
  
  
• The nearest transmitter may not always produce the best picture at your location. Mountains, trees, and man made structures in the transmitted path will affect your picture. Consider you local geography in choosing the proper transmitter for reception and be sure you antenna is pointed directly at it.
  
  
• The higher the antenna, the better the reception. Outdoor antennas are superior to indoor types. Usually, the biggest UHF antenna, or one with the most elements is best. VHF antennas are larger, but do nothing for receiving UHF television. You must have an UHF antenna.
  
  
• A preamplifier or "booster" will usually help a "snowy" picture but will not remove "ghosts."
  
  
• Preamplifiers or "boosters" must be mounted on the antenna for maximum effectiveness.
  
  
• Be sure your preamplifier will amplify UHF signals.
  
  
• Most antennas are 300-ohms as are television sets. The flat twin lead type wire can be used to connect the two directly. Twin lead must be run on 4 to 6 inch standoffs away from metal, and never taped to mast or pipes. Never coil up excess lead. Cut it away. Excess line coiled in the wall or behind the set can cause signal loss and interference. Twin lead can also act as an antenna causing "ghosting."
  
  
• The round coaxial type cable has a little more loss, but that may be offset by other advantages. It may be run inside metal pipes, taped directly to the mast, and stapled to the house. Be careful not to crush or deform.
  
  
• Coaxial cable is 75-ohms and must be matched to the 300-ohm antenna and television set by a balun or matching transformer. Be sure the balun is designed to pass UHF. There could be a 90% loss of signal if it is VHF only.
  
  
• Feeding multiple TV sets or VCR's, is best done by an amplified splitter to make up for the loss incurred by splitting. Never just hitch two sets together without a properly matched splitter designed to pass UHF.
  

Additional Antenna Information
For more information on antennas, see:

• Cable and Master Antennas
• Poor Reception and Antennas

Vermont Public Television's Transmitters
Please see the Vermont coverage maps for the location of all our transmitters and translators. This will help you decide which of them will best work for your location.

If you have any further questions please give us a call at (800) 639-7811.