How to Adjust Rabbit Ears

Well-Placed Rabbit Ears can Still be an Effective Solution

Although functional in a digital broadcast environment, a set-top antenna or "rabbit ears" face specific challenges that their rooftop brethren do not. Special consideration must be paid from the outset to television placement, since (even powered) rabbit ears do not have the surface area to counter terrestrial broadcast interference, such as multipath and elevation. Additionally, digital broadcasting provides an even slimmer margin for error. Provided a few steps are taken, and the correct antenna is selected from the outset, adjustment of rabbit ears can be a less-frequent and more effective process.

Things You'll Need

• Access to Antennaweb.org
• Coaxial cable (if not included with antenna)
• Notepad and pen
• Digital decoder (if used with analog television)

Instructions

Getting Reception

1. Consult www.Antennaweb.org to determine placement of outdoor antenna. Although the site does not consider indoor antennas, the signal still comes from the same place.

2. Ensure space has fewest amount of solid obstructions. Rabbit ears work best in areas with windows, absent additional bodies in between signal tower and television.

3. Connect coaxial cable from antenna to "ANT" (or similarly labeled) input on rear of decoder or television.

4. If external digital decoder used, plug into available AC outlet.

5. If antenna is powered, plug supplied AC adapter into available outlet.

6. If external digital decoder is used, connect coaxial cable from decoder to "ANT" input on rear of television.

7. Access decoder or television menu. Select option that scans for available over-the-air stations. This is typically the option labeled "AIR".

8. Note stations received. Also, note position of antenna at the time of signal scan.

9. Rotate antenna 5 degrees in either direction. Note antenna position; repeat channel scan.

10. Repeat Step 9 until satisfactory amount of channels are received.

Tips & Warnings

• Patience is required with this process. It is possible to receive on digital channel perfectly, while an adjacent one is choppy or non-existent. Remember to select a VHF/UHF antenna. Powered antennas cannot increase signal strength from the broadcast tower, and they do not provide additional protection against multipath (signal bounce).

• Avoid making coaxial cable connections after plugging in a powered antenna. Do not install an indoor antenna outdoors, unless unit is specifically designed to operate in either environment.

References

• AntennaWeb

Resources

• AVS Forum