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So traditionally separate antennas (or on outdoor antennas separate sets of elements on a single support boom) have been used to receive the VHF and UHF channels.
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It is difficult to design a single antenna to receive such a wide wavelength range, and there is an octave gap from 216 to 470 MHz between the VHF and UHF frequencies. The above frequency bands cover a 15:1 wavelength ratio, or almost 4 octaves. The wavelength of a radio wave equals the speed of light (c) divided by the frequency. In the previous standard analog television, used before 2006, the VHF and UHF bands required separate tuners in the television receiver, which had separate antenna inputs. Radio waves in these bands travel by line-of-sight they are blocked by hills and the visual horizon, limiting a television station's reception area to 65–95 km (40–60 miles), depending on terrain. The boundaries of each band vary somewhat in different countries. In most countries, television broadcasting is allowed in the very high frequency (VHF) band from 47 to 68 MHz, called VHF low band or band I in Europe 174 to 216 MHz, called VHF high band or band III in Europe, and in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band from 470 to 698 MHz, called band IV and V in Europe. The standard today is 75 Ω coaxial cable, which is less susceptible to interference, which plugs into an F connector or Belling-Lee connector (depending on region) on the back of the TV.
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Earlier antennas used a flat cable called 300 Ω Twin Lead. The antenna is connected to the television with a specialized cable designed to carry radio current, called transmission line. The purpose of the antenna is to intercept radio waves from the desired television stations and convert them to tiny radio frequency alternating currents which are applied to the television's tuner, which extracts the television signal. The most common types of indoor antennas are the dipole ("rabbit ears") and loop antennas, and for outdoor antennas the yagi, log periodic, and for UHF channels the multi-bay reflective array antenna. Outdoor antennas are more expensive and difficult to install, but are necessary for adequate reception in fringe areas far from television stations. They can also be mounted in a loft or attic, where the dry conditions and increased elevation are advantageous for reception and antenna longevity. Television antennas are manufactured in two different types: "indoor" antennas, to be located on top of or next to the television set, and "outdoor" antennas, mounted on a mast on top of the owner's house. Terrestrial television is broadcast on frequencies from about 47 to 250 MHz in the very high frequency (VHF) band, and 470 to 960 MHz in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band in different countries. Television reception is dependent upon the antenna as well as the transmitter.
#TV ANTENNA TV#
A television antenna ( TV aerial) is an antenna specifically designed for use with a television receiver (TV) to receive over-the-air broadcast television signals from a television station.