One of the first things I had to figure out when adding an antenna point to my home was the cost. I didn't want to spend more than $300, but I also didn't want to skimp on quality. Antennas can range anywhere from $30 for a simple indoor model to over $200 for a high-quality outdoor type. I aimed for something in the middle range that would offer good reception without breaking the bank.
I also had to think about the specifications of the antenna. Signal strength and frequency range were on my mind. The typical TV antenna picks up VHF and UHF frequencies, and I needed one that could cover the high VHF (RF channels 7-13) and UHF (RF channels 14-51) ranges to make sure I got all the channels I wanted. I spent hours comparing different models online, and finally narrowed it down to one that specified a 55-mile range, which seemed perfect for my suburban location.
Of course, specs don't always tell the whole story. I recalled reading a news article about a family in Kansas who invested in a high-spec antenna but struggled with interference from nearby cell towers. That reminded me to check local interference sources. I live near a small airport, and planes can sometimes mess with signals. So, I made sure my chosen model had built-in filters to minimize signal interference.
Installing it was a whole different ball game. I thought about bringing in a professional, which would have added about $100 to my budget. But then I saw a video from an antenna company, where an expert showed how easy it could be if you follow a few steps. A crucial point was getting the elevation right. Most experts suggest mounting the antenna at least 30 feet off the ground for optimal reception. Luckily, I have a two-story house, so I was able to mount it on the roof without too much hassle.
Running the coaxial cable from the antenna to the TV also required some planning. The average cost for high-quality coaxial cable is around 50 cents per foot. Measuring the distance from the roof to the TV room was about 50 feet, so I needed to budget an extra $25 for the cable itself. I went for an RG6 model because it has less signal loss compared to the older RG59 types.
I didn't consider the weather factor at first, but then I remembered reading a report about how outdoor antennas can degrade faster in harsh conditions. If I planned for this antenna to last me 10 years, I couldn't just pick any model. I opted for one with a weather-resistant casing and a built-in amplifier. Sure, it cost me around $50 more, but it was worth it for the peace of mind.
One surprising hurdle I encountered was local regulations. I had no idea some communities have rules about where you can install antennas. Mine required that antennas not be visible from the street. This forced me to mount it on the side of the house instead of the roof. It posed no real issues for signal reception but added a bit more complexity to the installation.
Post-installation, I had to set up the antenna for optimal performance. Most models recommend pointing the antenna towards the nearest broadcast tower. For this, I used a free online tool that showed me the directions of all nearby towers. A quick check revealed that the nearest one was 15 miles northeast. Rotating the antenna to face that direction improved the signal strength significantly, by about 30%.
While the antenna installation wasn't exactly a walk in the park, the effort and cost were justified. My reception was crystal clear, and I got more channels than I'd initially expected. For instance, 25 channels came through beautifully, compared to the 10 I received with my indoor model. Now, if anyone asks me about adding an antenna point to their home, I have a lot more insights to offer based on both research and personal experience.