Digital TV in Australia uses both VHF (Very High Frequency) (Channels 6-12) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) (Channels 28-51) bands, with frequencies varying by location, but generally operating between roughly 170 MHz to 230 MHz for VHF and 470 MHz to 694 MHz for UHF, allowing multiple channels (like ABC, Seven, Nine, Ten, SBS) to share a single frequency block via digital multiplexing.
In the US, a TV channel is a 6 MHz wide chunk of bandspace. The bottom edge of the over-the-air channel 2 is 54 MHz and the upper edge is 60 MHz. Within this 6 MHz space is a video carrier, a color carrier, and an audio carrier.
If you are experiencing picture break up or missing channels, your problem might be a reception problem and not due to interference. Therefore, you may just need to manually re-tune your television, this can often solve a number of common problems.
How to Manual Tune channels?
For digital TV in Australia, you generally need a UHF antenna, often a combination UHF/VHF antenna, depending on your location; use the government's mySwitch website to check your local transmitter's frequencies (VHF channels 6-12, UHF 28-51) and get tailored advice before buying, as location dictates if you need VHF (metro, closer signals) or UHF (regional, longer distances) or both. A high-quality Yagi or Log Periodic antenna is standard, with higher placement and 4G/5G filters recommended for best results, says Jim's Antennas and antennasnearme.com.
Free-to-air (FTA) channels not working usually stems from antenna issues (wrong type, direction, or damage), bad cabling (loose/corroded connectors, old cables), or incorrect TV settings (wrong input, retail mode, needs channel rescan). Start by checking connections, power cycling devices, retuning your TV for channels, and inspecting your antenna's direction/condition; use tools like mySwitch to verify antenna setup and consider a signal booster or professional help if needed.
No, digital TV isn't being globally discontinued; in fact, countries finished switching from analog to digital years ago (like Australia in 2013). However, specific older digital formats (like MPEG-2 in Australia) are being phased out for newer ones (MPEG-4/DVB-T2) for better quality, and some providers are removing free-to-air TV from fiber networks to upgrade infrastructure, pushing users to antennas or streaming, but the core digital broadcast standard (ATSC 1.0 in the US) will continue for several more years.
Your TV may be receiving interfering signals.
Consider moving the antenna, making sure it is not placed near metal objects or other antennas. If this is not successful, your signal may be too strong and may require the use of an attenuator.
You can watch free-to-air (FTA) TV in Australia without an antenna by using a smart TV or streaming device (like Hubbl or Fetch) and accessing the dedicated apps (ABC iview, 7plus, 9Now, 10 Play, SBS On Demand) over the internet, which stream live channels and catch-up content. This requires a good internet connection and a compatible device, allowing you to bypass traditional aerials for digital TV.
Disconnect the HDMI cable from your source device and the TV and then reconnect making sure the connection is secure. If the issue continues, try using a different or new HDMI cable. Connect your source device to a different HDMI port on your TV, and then change the TV input to match the port used.
Take a look at all the FREE HDTV you can get with a RCA digital antenna. Enter your ZIP code to the left and see a list of the broadcasters in your area and which RCA antenna is right for you. Nine out of ten households in the United States can receive free digital and HDTV signals with the proper antenna.
This step will vary from TV to TV, so consult your TV's manual or online instructions for how to do this. In general, though, setting your TV's input to "TV" and flipping through channels should do the trick. If you know your local channels' exact numbers, try navigating to one of them with your TV's input set to "TV".
Freeview is digital TV channels that are subscription free. Freeview channels are available on EE TV through your TV aerial (on the TV Box Pro), you can also watch a selection of subscription free channels via your broadband internet connection (on the TV Box Pro and TV Box Mini).
VHF Two-Way Radio Frequencies
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has designated that frequencies from 136-174MHZ will be assigned to land mobile radios. VHF frequencies are well suited for use outdoors where maximum range is required and there are little to no obstructions.
There are exceptions. Digital TV signals were not exclusively broadcast over UHF frequencies. So, when you see those TV antennas with the circular, loop-like elements, those are often designed to pick up UHF signals. The longer, straight elements are usually for VHF.
You don't need an aerial just to use a smart TV. You only need an aerial if you plan to enjoy live television broadcasts. Other features, such as streaming, can be accessed with just a simple internet connection.
Australia's free-to-air (FTA) channels include public broadcasters ABC and SBS, plus commercial networks Seven, Nine, and Ten, offering HD and digital multichannels like 7Two, 9Gem, 10BOLD, plus streaming apps (ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, 10play) for catch-up and live viewing, accessible via antenna or these apps, providing a wide range of entertainment, news, and lifestyle content.
TV signal-related issues can be caused by a broken device in the antenna system, such as moisture penetration in the antenna's symmetrical housing, or damage to connections and cables. Network devices can be damaged during thunderstorms.
Verify that the TV is set to the correct input for using an antenna. Verify all connections are secure and are on the correct ports. If the antenna is mounted outdoors, make sure there is no water in the connectors on the coaxial cable.
Physical obstructions such as buildings, trees, and terrain can block or reflect radio waves, leading to signal loss, distortion, or interference. Just like when there's an accident on the road extending your commute, a physical obstruction can get in the way of a radiofrequency signal.
Genuine cable replacements must deliver live channels, including local networks, news, and sports in real-time. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Fubo meet this standard by offering 50-100+ live channels with cloud DVR functionality.
Smart TVs can combine both Freeview (via aerial) and streaming apps, giving viewers the best of both worlds. This trend suggests aerials will continue to be relevant, especially in homes where diverse and cost-effective viewing options are preferred. In conclusion, TV aerials are not being phased out anytime soon.
The two main issues with TV problems are poor reception and interference. In most cases, the cause of problems will be due to poor reception, not interference. A basic thing to check is whether the problem is unique to your set or house, or if the neighbours are having problems too.