Antennas Direct | TV Transmitter Locator and Mapping Tool (2024)

Our mapping tool will allow you to view the TV transmitters in your area. Using this tool, you will see the radius patterns showing the distance ofcoverage between your location and the broadcast towers. The towers are shown by black markers on the map, and you can click on each tower to see the affiliate, band, latitude, longitude, and heading for each transmitter. Certain variables unrelated to the antennas performance can affect reception, such as terrain, tall buildings, and trees. Call our Connection Crew or chat with us online if you need assistance with choosing the best TV antenna for your location.

The Antenna Point App

Find the best direction to aim your HDTV antenna with our NEW app!

Antennas Direct | TV Transmitter Locator and Mapping Tool (2)

Antennas Direct | TV Transmitter Locator and Mapping Tool (3)

Tips for the Transmitter Locator Tool

  1. Check to see if the digital channels in your area broadcast on the UHF or VHF band. Look at the column heading in dark blue for UHF or VHF. If the Affiliate channels are for high-frequency VHF stations (Channels 7 – 13), you will need a VHF antenna. Check out our ClearStream 1MAX, ClearStream 2MAX or ClearStream 4MAX HDTV antennas based on their range. For UHF (Channels 14 - 51), you will receive crystal clear reception with any of our other antennas.
  2. Determine how far your antenna will be from the transmitters. Use the Heading listed in the results below and a compass to aim your antenna towards the towers. The antenna you choose should be based on the tower located farthest from your location.
  3. You might need a uni-directional or multi-directional antenna. In some cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, all stations are broadcast from one central area; the Empire State and GE Buildings in New York, the Sears Tower or Hanco*ck Building in downtown Chicago, and Mt. Wilson in Los Angeles. In other cities like St. Louis, the transmitters are scattered around the city. Check the Black markers on the map, and if all of your desired stations are transmitting from the same area or within 20° of each other, you can use a uni-directional antenna: Check out the Element Uni-directional long range antenna. If the transmitters are positioned more than 20° apart, it is best to use a multi-directional antenna. All of our antennas indicate whether they are a uni-directional or multi-directional antenna.

"; //show info window google.maps.event.addListener(marker, "click", function() { infoWindow.setContent(getmyzip); infoWindow.open(map, marker); }); if (circles) { //add the mileage radius circles circle1 = new google.maps.Circle({ map: map, //radius: 104607, //65 miles in metres, radius: 112654, //70 miles in metres fillColor: "#AA0000", strokeWeight: 1, strokeColor: "#0000A0", strokeOpacity: "0.4" }); circle1.bindTo("center", marker, "position"); circle2 = new google.maps.Circle({ map: map, radius: 80467.2, //50 miles in metres fillColor: "#BBFF00", strokeWeight: 1, strokeColor: "#0000A0", strokeOpacity: "0.4" }); circle2.bindTo("center", marker, "position"); circle3 = new google.maps.Circle({ map: map, radius: 56327, //35 miles in metres fillColor: "#EEAAFF", strokeWeight: 1, strokeColor: "#0000A0", strokeOpacity: "0.4" }); circle3.bindTo("center", marker, "position"); } $("#radius").on("change", function() { //show/hide circles if ($("#radius").prop("checked") == true) { //circle1.setRadius(504607); circle1.setRadius(104607); circle2.setRadius(80467.2); circle3.setRadius(56327); console.log("testing success"); } if ($("#radius").prop("checked") == false) { circle1.setRadius(0); circle2.setRadius(0); circle3.setRadius(0); } }); if (lattytude != "") { newcoords = newcoords.toString().replace(/\(|\)/g, ""); newzippy = newcoords.split(","); } else if (addy != "") { //only if addy is not empty 10-26-17 addycoords = addycoords.toString().replace(/\(|\)/g, ""); newzippy = addycoords.split(","); } else { //get coords from our database with the zip code entered by user zippyLocation = getitright.toString().replace(/\(|\)/g, ""); // 5-23-18 newzippy = zippyLocation.split(","); } $.getJSON("custom/transmitter-combo-query.php?zip=" + xippy + "&latty=" + latbyzip + "&longy=" + lngbyzip + "&action=mapping", function(json1) { //draw lines if (lines) { line = []; $.each(json1, function(key, data) { polyline = new google.maps.Polyline({ path: [new google.maps.LatLng(newzippy[0], newzippy[1]), new google.maps.LatLng(data.lat, data.lng)], strokeColor: "#FF0000", strokeOpacity: 0.7, strokeWeight: 2, geodesic: true, map: map }); line.push(polyline); }); } $.each(json1, function(key, data) { //show the transmitters latLng = new google.maps.LatLng(data.lat, data.lng); getmycity = data.city; getmycallsign = data.call_sign; getmystate = data.state; getmyband = data.channel; if (getmyband >= 2 && getmyband <= 13) { getmyband = "VHF"; } if (getmyband >= 14) { getmyband = "UHF"; } var start = new google.maps.LatLng(latbyzip, lngbyzip); var end = new google.maps.LatLng(data.lat, data.lng); var heading = google.maps.geometry.spherical.computeHeading(start, end); if (heading < 0) { heading = heading + 360 } getmycontent = "

" + getmycallsign + " " + getmycity + ", " + getmystate + "
Band: " + getmyband + "
Lat: " + data.lat + "
Lng: " + data.lng + "
True Heading: " + heading.toFixed(2) + "°

"; transmarker = new google.maps.Marker({ clickable: true, position: latLng, title: data.city, icon: { path: google.maps.SymbolPath.CIRCLE, scale: 8.5, fillColor: "#000000", fillOpacity: 0.6, strokeWeight: 0.4 } }); transmarker.setMap(map); google.maps.event.addListener(transmarker, "click", (function(transmarker, getmycontent, infoWindow) { //display infowindow for transmitters return function() { infoWindow.setContent(getmycontent); infoWindow.open(map, transmarker); }; })(transmarker, getmycontent, infoWindow)); }); }); //show/hide lines $("#lines").on("change", function() { if ($("#lines").prop("checked") == true) { for (i = 0; i < line.length; i++) { line[i].setVisible(true); } } if ($("#lines").prop("checked") == false) { for (i = 0; i < line.length; i++) { line[i].setVisible(false); } } }); //*************GET TV LISTINGS****************** var dataString = "zip=" + xippy + "&latty=" + latbyzip + "&longy=" + lngbyzip + "&action=tvlisting"; //alert(dataString); $.ajax({ type: "POST", data: dataString, url: "custom/transmitter-combo-query.php", success: function(response) { $("#success").html(response); } }); //*************GET RECOMMENDED ANTENNAS****************** var dataString = "zip=" + xippy + "&latty=" + latbyzip + "&longy=" + lngbyzip + "&action=antennas"; $.ajax({ type: "POST", data: dataString, url: "custom/transmitter-combo-query.php", success: function(response) { $("#suggestions").html(response); } }); // thisUrl.searchParams(xippy); return false; } //ends doOtherStuffWithAddress function return false; }); // end $(document).on("click", "#submit", function() { });

If you need further assistance with choosing the best digital TV antenna for your location, call our Connection Crew or use our Contact Form.

Antennas Direct | TV Transmitter Locator and Mapping Tool (2024)

FAQs

How do I find the best location for my TV antenna? ›

If possible, try placing the antenna in or near a window, provided you don't live in an apartment building where your view consists of a neighboring building's brick wall. The second best choice is an external wall that faces the broadcast towers.

Is there an app to locate TV antenna towers? ›

With Antenna Point, aiming your TV antenna is easy! The map in the app will display transmitting towers along with the distance from your home to each tower. Antenna Point will identify your location and provide the TV antenna coverage area within 35-mile, 50-mile, and a 70-mile range pattern.

Does aluminum foil boost an antenna signal? ›

By attaching tin foil to your antenna, you were, in theory, increasing the reception by extending the antenna. If you were lucky, and the foil happened to mirror incoming radio frequencies, this might have worked in a past case. On the other hand, it was just as likely to mess up your reception for other channels.

How do I find the best signal for my TV antenna? ›

To improve the number of free channels you get with a flat antenna, set it up as close to an outside wall or, better yet, a window, as you can. For maximum results, use an online transmitter locator, like the free ones offered by Antennas Direct or TV Fool, to figure out where the signals in your area are coming from.

How to boost antenna signal? ›

10 ways to improve OTA antenna reception
  1. Adjust The Position. ...
  2. Switch To An Outdoor Or Attic Antenna. ...
  3. Keep The Cable Away From Power Cords. ...
  4. Upgrade Your Cable Splitters. ...
  5. Install An Antenna Rotator.

Which direction do I point the antenna? ›

Face the front of the antenna toward the broadcast towers. Even multi-directional antennas require this to achieve the best possible reception.

What blocks an antenna signal? ›

Just like cell phone and satellite radio signals can't penetrate parking garages, concrete and rebar construction, or mesh stucco walls can block Over-the-Air TV signals. Over-the-Air antennas should never be placed in basem*nts, or in windows with metallic film, security bars, or mesh as this will obstruct signals.

Why does touching an antenna improve reception? ›

If you improve reception by standing near or touching the radio or antenna, your system is telling you it needs a better antenna. A rotorized (pointable) antenna is preferable to a stationary antenna.

Do magnets affect antennas? ›

A magnetic field won't do anything to affect the antenna tuning , but the material that the magnet is made of will affect the tuning if it's close enough.

What antenna picks up the most TV channels? ›

Best TV antenna

For the best overall TV antenna, it's hard to beat the capable Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro. It boasts a built-in amplifier for suburban areas that may need a boost to get the most channels and an integrated signal-strength meter that helps you find the optimal spot for pulling in channels.

Why is my antenna not picking up local channels? ›

Your antenna may not be high enough.

If things like trees, hills, or buildings are between you and the broadcasting tower, then the signal might be interrupted and unable to reach your antenna, which would cause you not to see any stations.

Which direction should I point my TV aerial? ›

The aerial needs to be placed in the same position as the TV transmitter. Because most of the TV transmitter are horizontal polarized it would be best to start putting the aerial in a horizontal position. One For All aerials receive vertical as well as horizontal signals.

How do I find out if a TV antenna will work in my area? ›

Use this program to check for the DTV signals that are available at your location. Enter your address in the box below and click Go! The DTV coverage map will list all stations in your area.

How do I check my TV reception in my area? ›

With no extra gadgets, the best way to test for TV signal strength is to have all the channels listed in the TV guide website. They already took into account the loss for your area. If it says you should get 122 channels, but you only get 80, then the signal strength is weak.

How to make an antenna for TV work better? ›

Distance, obstacles, antenna type, the number of antennas in use, and TV tuner sensitivity all affect TV reception. Improve reception by removing obstacles, checking antenna connections, running a channel scan, or using a signal amplifier. Consider trying a new antenna.

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