The main factors affecting the reception of terrestrial TV broadcasts are the distance between the transmitter station and your TV, and natural obstructions between the transmitter and the reception antenna. The more demanding the conditions, the more is required from the receiving antenna.
It may be impossible to receive any tv-signals with a poor antenna on the boundaries of the coverage area. A poor antenna is also more sensitive to changes in the environment and weather as well as to seasonal changes.
We recommend you to contact a local antenna specialist when installing and pointing your TV antenna. They have the necessary devices to measure the best location and direction for the antenna.
Regulation sets minimum standards for TV reception
Traficom’s Regulation 65 sets minimum requirements for antenna reception systems of TV broadcasts. The Regulation specifies what kind of reception antennas, antenna masts and amplifiers should be used and how. Furthermore, the Regulation contains quality requirements for cabling and antenna sockets used in antenna reception systems.
The higher antenna gain, the better reception. The gain of a UHF antenna must be at least 12 dBd (14 dBi). On the boundaries of the coverage area the gain of the antenna may be 15 dBd (17 dBi).
A separate antenna amplifier should only be used if it is really needed. Traficom’s Regulation 65 contains provisions on antenna requirements.
Traficom recommends contacting an antenna specialist for antenna installations! It is the antenna specialist’s expertise to choose the place for the antenna and the composition of the system as well to install the antenna system and make related measurements. The antenna specialists shall also document their work and give a report of it to the client.
The antenna must be placed sufficiently high in free space at least 5 metres above the ground. On the boundary of the coverage area, the antenna should be placed in free space at least ten metres above the ground. The housing company is responsible for the antenna system.
An appropriate antenna system is crucial because of the increased number of television channels. The tv antenna must cover channels 21 - 48, or frequency band 470 - 694 MHz.
TV antenna direction
Point your TV antenna in the direction of Digita’s transmitter station. If there are several alternative transmitter stations, point your antenna in the direction of the transmitter station providing the best signal.
Television transmitter location maps:
Multiplexes A, B, C, E, D and F in the UHF frequency band (Digita’s transmitters) (External link)
Local multiplex of Ostrobothnia in the UHF frequency band (SveaTV's transmitters) (External link)