If you own a television, understanding how to use satellite dish as TV antenna can help you take advantage of free-to-air channels.
Generally, a TV antenna captures over-the-air signals, enabling free-to-air channels without a satellite/cable subscription.
However, using a satellite dish as a TV antenna is not easy, but it allows you to repurpose the dish for that purpose.
This involves repositioning the dish, removing the low noise blocker, and linking a coaxial cable to your television.
Today’s article helps you understand how to use the satellite dish as a television antenna. Let’s get rolling!
Understanding Satellite Dish and TV Antenna
A satellite dish is a receiver that captures signals from satellites in orbit around the Earth.
After capturing the signals from the satellite, the dish converts them into video and audio for television reception.
Therefore, for the dish to capture signals from the satellite, you must align it well and even subscribe to a service provider.
Conversely, a TV antenna is simply an over-the-air receiver that receives broadcast signals from a transmitter on the earth’s surface.
In most cases, the transmitter belongs to local television stations that allow you to watch free-to-air channels without subscriptions.
Surprisingly, the antennas can only receive signals of a certain frequency.
And while satellite dishes are larger and need accurate aiming, antennas are more compact and can be indoor or outdoor.
Although they both receive signals, you can’t directly use satellite dishes to replace television antennas without a major repurposing.
Can You Directly Use Satellite TV As a TV Antenna?
(A satellite in orbit)
No! You can’t directly use satellite TV as a TV antenna since the two employ different technologies to serve different functions.
While television antennas capture signals from transmitters on the Earth’s surface, satellite television functions on a satellite orbiting around the Earth.
Another major difference is that satellite TV relies on a dish with a receiver that receives encrypted signals.
Conversely, a television antenna operates on unencrypted over-the-air signals available in your local area for free.
However, it is possible to modify a satellite and repurpose it to work as a television antenna, although it is a complex process that requires some serious expertise.
Benefits of Using Satellite Dish As TV Antenna
(A digital TV antenna)
You can repurpose and modify your satellite dish to work as a TV antenna. This move will bring the following benefits.
Wide Coverage
When we talk about satellites, we are talking about something far away in space. Satellite dishes receive signals that travel long distances and cover a larger area.
Therefore, modifying and repurposing your satellite dish means receiving signals from transmitting towers from very far.
As such, you will expand your access to many television channels.
Long Range Coverage
One challenge of TV antenna, especially the indoor option, is the low signal reception strength.
These antennas usually won’t capture signals traveling from far distances.
Therefore, repurposing your satellite antenna to support your television means you will receive signals from far distances without challenges.
Surprisingly, you might capture all signals outside the range of a normal TV antenna.
Better Signal Quality
Satellite dishes receive signals that travel all the way from space and still manage to achieve the best quality.
Therefore, repurposing your dish as a TV antenna means you will still receive high-quality signals even in places with obstruction and interference.
Signal Amplification
(A roof with a television aerial)
All satellite dishes come with low noise blockers (LNBs) and in-built amplifiers to improve signal reception.
Therefore, using your satellite dish as a television antenna means receiving weak over-the-air signals and amplifying them to the required standard.
Cost-effective
Why would you purchase a new TV antenna for your television if you already own a satellite dish?
You can easily repurpose or modify your current satellite dish to serve the function of a TV antenna.
As a result, you will save the money you would have spent on buying a new antenna and use it on something else.
Versatility
You can repurpose your satellite dish to act as a TV antenna but still maintain the functionalities of a satellite dish.
This means you will access the free over-the-air channels and still receive satellite TV channels.
Therefore, you will be spoilt for choice on what you can view for entertainment.
Step-by-Step Guide To Using Satellite Dish As TV Antenna
(A technician installing a satellite antenna)
Below are steps to repurpose your satellite dish as a television antenna.
Assess compatibility: Since not all satellite dishes have repurpose features, check if yours has the relevant frequency range for terrestrial broadcasting.
Determine signal direction: This is the time to identify where the local broadcast tower is using smartphone apps and online tools that provides signal strength information.
Reposition the dish: Align the satellite toward the broadcast tower. You can use a compass to tilt or rotate the dish in the right direction.
Remove Low Noise Blocker (LNB): The LNB is a satellite dish component receiving satellite signals, and you must remove it before repurposing the dish.
Therefore, find online instructions or consult the user manual on removing the LNB.
Install a coaxial cable: Get a coaxial cable to your satellite dish’s output port to transfer the signals from the dish to the TV.
Scan channels: After installing the cable, scan the channels on your television for your television to store all the available over-the-air programs.
And if you don’t know how to go about it, refer to the user manual.
Fine-tune the alignment: Check for the signal quality; if it is not up to standard, you can fine-tune the alignment.
Finally, you can test the signal quality for the available channels.
FAQs
How can I use my old satellite dish as an antenna?
The truth is that using an old satellite dish as an antenna is possible but requires knowledge and expertise.
You must remove LNB, reposition the dish, and connect a reliable coaxial cable between the dish and the television.
Finally, you scan the channels and even test the signal quality to see whether everything is fine.
What is the difference between a TV antenna and a satellite dish?
Although you mount a TV antenna and a satellite dish on the ground, the former receives signals from a transmitter on the Earth’s surface.
Conversely, a satellite dish will receive accurate signals from a satellite orbiting the Earth.
Moreover, since a TV antenna is compact, you can install it indoors or outdoors, while a satellite can only be outside.
Final Remarks
Look around, and you will notice many satellite dishes in use to support television.
What you don’t know is that some satellite dishes undergo repurposing to act as television antennas.
Generally, using a satellite dish for this purpose offers wide and long-range coverage, thus offering better services than TV antennas.
