While streaming services like Sling TV and YouTube TV are surefire ways to get decent live-streamed channels to all of your devices, good old-fashioned free-to-air broadcast channels still exist.That's right, if you're willing to use an antenna, you'll likely be able to access local TV channels without paying any kind of subscription fee. These include the likes of ABC, CBS, and NBC, along with local channels and any other channels that have a broadcast tower in the area.
The bad news? Even the best TV antennas can be a little trickier to use properly than a live streaming app like Sling TV, and you may need to play around with your antenna a little in order to get the best reception and access to the most.Thankfully, there are some universal tricks that can help you get the best reception from your TV antenna. Here are some things to try.
Step 1. Find out where the towers are (Image credit: AntennaWeb.org)Before you even set up your antenna, it’s worth finding out exactly where the towers are — as that information could inform the best placement for the antenna.
To do so, it’s worth checking an online tool, like AntennaWeb.org or ChannelMaster.com, that can help you locate the broadcast towers in your area.
These tools will point out where the towers are and how far away they might be, so you can aim your antenna in the right direction. If most of them are clustered together in one spot, that makes your job easier — just face the antenna that way and you’re set. If not.