Parabolic digital tv antenna

Types of a parabolic digital TV antenna

Trying to look for a parabolic digital TV antenna that suits a business's needs may require knowing the various types available in the market. Here are some of the common types of parabolic antennas.

• Mesh – This antenna has crisscrossed patterns on the antenna surface. The pattern makes the antenna lightweight and more rigid compared to other types. When there are strong winds, the antenna can withstand because of the mesh pattern. A mesh parabolic antenna can be painted if a TV antenna needs to be mounted on a pole or roof for signal capturing. The pole or roof is usually, in this case, the color white, which is the natural shade of a mesh antenna. Furthermore, a mesh antenna can be used together with other radio frequency (RF) amplifiers to boost the signals of other frequencies.
• Solid – Compared to a mesh antenna, a solid parabolic antenna is smoother and heavier. It also has a higher strength and a better efficiency to reduce or eliminate any noise that may be caused by the rain or the wind. A solid antenna may capture signals faster, but it is advised to use it in locations with less or minimal wind. When combined with the right RF amplifier, the solid antenna can be used to receive and transmit signals in the UHF, VHF, and other desired frequencies.
• Offset – With the offset design, the feedhorn does not obstruct the reflected signals. This design helps improve the gain of the antenna and makes the overall efficiency of the antenna faster. Satellite dishes mostly have offset antennas.
• Dual-feed – This type of parabolic antenna has two horns or feed points that help improve the performance of the antenna. The two feed points make the antenna capture the signals from different directions that help improve the overall efficiency and gain of the antenna. The signals received from the two horns are combined electronically or physically to make it appear as if they are coming from a single feed point. This makes the dual-feed antenna sharper and better at resolving more instantaneous differences between the two signals, especially for systems using satellite communications or radar.
• Prime-focus – This type of antenna has a single feed point or horn that is located in line with the focus point of the parabola. Satellite dishes tend to have this design. It helps minimize the loss of signal and provides better efficiency. In this antenna, the feedhorn is partially illuminated at the focus of the parabola, which collects and transmits the signals to and from the parabolic reflector.

Function and Features of Parabolic Digital TV Antenna

Parabolic antennas for digital TV have become popular in recent years due to the rise of high-definition channels. They are designed to capture signals from broadcast towers and deliver clear reception of various channels. Here are some key features of these antennas:

• Parabolic reflector: The curved shape of the antenna increases gain and directivity, allowing better signal capture from distant towers.
• Mounting options: Most antennas come with mounting poles, brackets, or straps for securing them to rooftops, masts, or walls.
• HD reception: These antennas are designed to receive digital signals that can be displayed in high definition on compatible TVs.
• Built-in amplifier: Many models have amplifiers that boost weak signals for clearer reception, especially in areas far from broadcast towers.
• Weatherproof construction: They are made using durable materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions without corroding or getting damaged.
• Multi-directional capability: Some antennas can receive signals from multiple directions without needing to be rotated for optimal alignment.
• Low noise figure (NF): This characteristic refers to how much internal noise the antenna adds when amplifying a weak signal; a lower NF means better receiver sensitivity and clearer pictures.

Uses of the Parabolic Digital TV Antenna

The parabolic antenna has become a preferred TV antenna due to its capability to capture distant signals with high quality. These antennas are increasingly being used in the following areas:

• Rural areas: The primary purpose of a parabolic antenna is to receive signals. This explains why these antennas are mostly used in rural settings where broadcasting signals are weak or far away.
• Marine applications: Parabolic antennas can be found on boats and ships for communication and entertainment purposes. They are used in boat races and other competitive water sports to track the participants and relay signals. Also, fishermen use these antennas to track the signals of TV boats and fishermen to enhance their catch experiences.
• Backup signal source: In case of failure, emergency response facilities use parabolic antennas as a backup signal source for communication and alerts. The antennas are highly reliable and can be depended upon in matters of public safety.
• Secured communication: Military facilities use parabolic antennas for secured communication. The antennas can also be used for surveillance and monitoring.
• High frequency applications: Applications that require the use of high frequency to transmit signals use parabolic antennas. These can include satellite uplinks and downlinks, satellite communications, and broadband services.
• Remote installations: Places like radio telescopes and scientific research facilities use parabolic antennas to achieve signal reception in remote areas for experimental purposes.
• Communication systems: Systems which rely on precise directional signal transmission, including point-to-point linkages, cellular networks, and satellite communications, utilize parabolic antennas.
• Aerospace applications: For applications where space is limited, such as on an aircraft, parabolic antennas are used because of their small size. Space exploration, as well as satellite tracking and communication, uses the antenna.

Additionally, the antenna is used at sporting events to link TV broadcasting and in the automotive industry for car navigation and tracking.

How to choose parabolic digital TV antennae

• Frequency Range:

  A parabolic antenna for TV receives signals at a given frequency range. Check the specifications to see if the antenna can receive VHF, which is between 54 and 88 MHz and where channels 7 to 13 are located, and UHF, which is between 470 and 698 MHz. Make sure that the antenna can receive frequencies used by local broadcasters.

• Direction:

  TV antennas can be marked as multi-directional or omni-directional. These antennas can receive signals from multiple directions without having to turn the antenna. Parabolic antennas are primarily designed to receive signals from one direction. Conduct thorough research about the directional TV antenna to ensure that it matches the location of the TV signals.

• Antenna Mounting:

  Mounting antennas on roofs usually results in clearer views of the surrounding area. Roof-mounted antennas are mostly used in areas with tall trees, hills, or buildings that can hinder line-of-sight to the TV tower. However, roof-mounted antennae are more susceptible to bad weather. Pole, tower or mast-mounted antennas can be mounted on a sturdy poles or towers that are at least 10.16 cm above the roof line. If using a married-mount roof antenna, it should be mounted on a secure part of the roof in a flat area. An attic antenna can be installed in any attic as long as it is not obstructed. The TV antenna can be mounted on an exterior wall with the bracket attached to the wall studs for a wall-mounted antenna.

• Antenna Size:

  Parabolic antennas for TV with larger elements will usually have a longer range. Larger antennas are better suited for receiving weak signals or when the TV tower is far from the viewing area.

• Mounting:

  The antenna can come with mounting hardware for a pole, tower, drop or wall mount. Ensure that a suitable location is available for the type of mount included.

• Element Count:

  The number of elements that make up the antenna reflects the size of the antenna. An antenna with a greater amount of elements will usually have a greater range. Rotating antennas give the option of changing the direction to ensure the best reception possible.

Parabolic digital tv antenna Q & A

Q1: How does a parabolic antenna work?

A1: A parabolic antenna works by reflecting signals received from a wide area toward a focal point where the receiver is located. The shape of the antenna concentrates the signals at the receiver, providing better gain and directivity. The integral feed antenna has a dipole antenna at its focal point that receives and transmits signals.

Q2: Does a satellite dish work as a TV antenna?

A2: A satellite dish can receive signals from satellites and provide television channels, but it cannot be used as a regular TV antenna to receive terrestrial broadcast signals. Dishes and antennas are different in that dishes are designed to receive signals from satellites far overhead, while antennas receive signals broadcasted from towers within a certain radius around the dish. An auxiliary part, a digital TV tuner, may be required to convert the signal to a compatible format for the TV.

Q3: What is the downside of a dish antenna?

A3: Dish antennas have a few downsides. They can be more expensive to install and maintain than other types of antennas. Dish antennas also require a clear line-of-sight to the satellite, which can limit installation options. Dish antennas may experience signal degradation during inclement weather, such as heavy rain or snow. Finally, they can be bulky and unattractive.

Q4: Can I use a dish antenna for local channels?

A4: It is possible to use a dish antenna to receive local channels, but it depends on the specific type of dish antenna and satellite equipment used. Satellite dishes are primarily designed to receive signals from satellites for pay TV services, which usually do not include local broadcast channels. However, shows from local networks can be viewed if an over-the-air tuner or additional receiver is added to the setup.