Make Sure Your #PlanToRescan Goes Off Without a Hitch
Over the last several weeks, TV stations in dozens of communities have changed frequencies, requiring those who use an antenna to access free, over-the-air TV to perform a TV rescan. Because it’s relatively simple using the TV remote or converter box, the vast majority of TV rescans go off without a hitch. If you’ve tried to rescan, but are still not getting your channels, check out these tips and tricks to help guide you through it. And don’t forget that if you’re having trouble, your local TV stations can be a helpful resource for troubleshooting the issue.
Start With The Basics
- Make sure you perform the TV rescan AFTER your local TV stations change frequencies. You can find out if and when your local stations will be transitioning by clicking here. Make sure to also sign up for text and email alerts to know when you have to rescan your TV.
- Be sure your TV is set to the “antenna” input.
- Check all antenna cable connections to ensure they are tight and in good condition. Screw- or twist-type “F” connectors are the best option for all connections.
- Select Scan or Autotune from your TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process. Your TV will do the rest. This process usually takes a few minutes to complete.
- For all antennas, especially outdoor antennas, make sure that the elements are not bent, broken or touching.
Take It One Step Further
- A station might be temporarily operating at a reduced power to complete the transition work, which means you’ll need to wait for the station to resume full-power operations before your TV rescan will be successful. It’s no small task for a TV station to change frequencies. It involves specialized crews for transmitter and tower work, huge cranes and cooperation from Mother Nature to ensure weather doesn’t get in the way of scheduled frequency transitions. Contact your station directly and monitor its website and social media channels so that you can stay tuned to the station’s timing to resume full power.
- A station’s signal might have been marginal to begin with and any change in frequency may be enough to impact reception. In this case, move your antenna closer to a window that faces in the direction of the station’s transmitter site, and avoid placing it behind any furniture or walls. If possible, set up your antenna outdoors or in an attic. Make sure you perform the TV rescan again if you move your antenna. You might even be rewarded with channels you couldn’t receive before.
- In rare instances, a station may have changed bands from UHF to VHF, which means you may need a new antenna to ensure the signal can be received. To work properly, your antenna needs to be matched to the frequency of the station it is receiving. Since indoor antennas are usually small, they often don’t pull in VHF stations very well. You can find the type of antenna you need at antennaweb.com. If your station moves from UHF to VHF, you may need a large outdoor (or attic) antenna to receive service. The website rabbitears.info will give you an estimate of your signal level, as well as a mapping page that can help determine where transmitter sites are located and what kind of antenna you need.
Check Your Signal Strength and Mind Your Splitters and Amplifiers
- It’s helpful to find and use the signal quality/strength indicator available on your TV or converter box. It allows you to monitor a station’s signal level and can help you adjust your antenna to respond to any changes in weather or surroundings that may affect the quality of your reception. The signal strength display is typically found in the menu section of the TV. You can watch this display when adjusting your antenna to ensure you’re getting a steady and strong signal. Not all TVs have this feature.
- If you have a passive antenna (RF) splitter – which splits an incoming signal into two outgoing signals to feed two TVs – it will reduce the signal from your antenna. You may need to replace the passive splitter with an active splitter which will not reduce the signal strength. Passive splitters are sufficient for applications where the TV signals are strong; however, if you are relying on long-range pick up, an active splitter is the best option.
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