I need to replace the antenna on a small tv. If I use a longer one, would it give me better reception?

Question

I need to replace the antenna on a small tv. If I use a longer one, would it give me better reception?

Answer 1

you will until FEB 2009-- then you will have no reception at all when everything goes digital (if the tv is analog ) if its digital it will still work-- otherwise you need a converter box-

Answer 2

TV antennas will work for analog or digital signals.

That said, longer is not necessarily better. Antennas are designed for the frequencies that they are intended to receive. The outdoor antennas you see on towers or roofs of houses typically have multiple cross bars because each is intended for a different part of the frequency range. The specific design takes that into account as well as geometry to maximize directional reception and/or rejection of reflected signals.

With "rabbit ear" antennas like on most small portable Tvs reception of some stations may be better if the length of the antenna is reduced rather than lengthened. You have to experiment ... but note that another staion may require longer, so usually people just pick a certain length and leave it there.

If you want better reception you really need to get a better (not longer) antenna, and mount it high and outside if possible. See the link for some info.