A Complete Guide for Antenna Repairs

DIY antenna repairs happen a lot more than they should. Not just because homeowners are trying to save some money (although that’s part of it). Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out if you can do an at–home fix or whether professional help is needed.

So, we’ve put together this complete guide to getting the antenna repairs you need in your home. We’ve designed this guide specifically for homeowners, but don’t worry – if you’re a renter and/or living in an apartment, we’ve covered what you need to know in our antenna repair guide for apartments.

Before you repair an antenna, here’s what you need to know…

Does Your Antenna Have a Problem?

Some signs your antenna has a problem and might need a repair are:

The “Searching…” message on your TV instead of seeing a channel
No signal
Signal regularly drops out then comes back again
Losing some of your favourite channels that you used to be able to watch
Signal problems during rainy or windy weather
A sudden change in the quality or reliability of your signal

Read more in our previous article all about the signs you need an antenna repair.

What Are Some Common Antenna Problems?

If you’re experiencing some of the signs above, the problem could be:

Bad antenna positioning – Your antenna needs to face the right direction to get a good signal, so if it’s been bumped or there have been some changes to your local environment, it might need repositioning
Broken antenna outlet – If your connector has come loose, you’ll struggle to connect to the antenna properly
Deteriorated antenna cable – The cable between your antenna and TV wall point can wear out over time and reduce your signal quality
Broken lead between your TV and TV outlet – Over time, leads deteriorate, get bumped, broken, bent, or even chewed on (if you have furry residents)
Broken antenna – Sometimes, antennas break due to things like strong winds, hail, tree branches, birds, a cheeky roof possum, or – if you’re unlucky – your neighbour’s kid’s drone
Old antenna – If your antenna is old, it may be due for an upgrade to a newer digital antenna

Things You Can Check Yourself

You may not need to call an antenna repair professional right away. Firstly, you can do a few checks yourself to figure out what the problem might be.

Inspect the antenna– Go outside and check (from the ground) what your antenna looks like. If it looks bent, broken, knocked over, or isn’t pointing in the same direction as your neighbours’ antennas, then that’s probably your problem.

Check your connections– Head back inside and make sure your flylead is properly pushed into the back of your TV and the TV wall point. If you’re able to push it in a little more, try turning on your TV and see if that fixes your problem.

Inspect your cables– Check the condition of your flylead and any visible sections of your antenna cable (particularly on your external walls). If you can see any damage, that could be the problem. If your flylead is damaged, you should be able to pick up a replacement yourself at your local electronics store. Simply unplug the damaged lead, then plug the new one into your TV and TV wall point. If your antenna cable is damaged, that’s another matter (one you’ll need to leave up to the professionals).

Check your TV– In some cases, the issue is the TV itself. One major clue to this will be if you have two TVs connected at TV points but only one is experiencing issues. If you have a spare TV, try plugging it in at the same TV point where you’ve been experiencing problems. If the problems go away, you’ll need to either book a TV repair technician to assess your TV and replace the relevant parts or take it as a sign to upgrade your TV.

If you can’t see any issues from the above checks, that’s okay. Sometimes the problem isn’t clearly visible – particularly if it’s inside your internal wall or ceiling. An antenna repair professional will know how to check every factor and will have the tools and equipment to do it safely.

Why You Shouldn’t DIY An Antenna Repair

Whether or not you’re able to identify the problem and what’s causing it, you should never DIY your antenna repair (except for replacing a broken flylead and checking the flylead connections). Here’s why you shouldn’t DIY:

It’s not safe – First and foremost, antenna repair is a dangerous job if you’re not experienced because it can involve electricals, heights, and other hazards
It’s important to do a proper job – With an antenna repair, even the smallest detail can affect the result and long-term safety
You need the right tools – If you’re looking to save money, DIY is not the way to go because you’d need to invest thousands in getting the right equipment to diagnose potential problems and then fix them
You need the right parts – If you need a special part to repair your antenna, it can sometimes take weeks to order it in, whereas an antenna man should have the parts on hand and ready to go
It takes time – If you’re not experienced, it’ll take you a lot longer do each step, which is why even many qualified electricians (who understand the safety aspects and have the tools) will hire a professional to do their own antenna repairs much more efficiently

There are plenty of home repair jobs you can do yourself, but antenna repair isn’t one of them.

Typical Antenna Repair Costs

Antenna repairs can cost anywhere from $95 to $550 depending on:

What you need to be done
The size and type of antenna
The size and type of house
The length of your cable
The position of your antenna
Where you’re located
How complex the job is likely to be

Just to give you an idea, here are some rough prices for different antenna repair services:

Repair type	Cost
Antenna re-attachment or adjustment (approx. 1 hour)	$95
Antenna upgrade and installation	$260-$550
New antenna cable installed	$80-$350
New TV flylead (not including installation)	$15-$40

Beware of companies who quote you on your antenna repair without asking lots of questions and/or visiting your home first. The only way to get an accurate quote for your service is if your technician can see the problem and knows what parts and labour is needed to get everything up and running again.

What to Look for in an Antenna Man

Before you book an antenna repair specialist to fix your antenna, go through this checklist to make sure they’re the best person for the job:

Offers free quotes – Because you shouldn’t have to pay for something that doesn’t fix your problem
Fast service – You shouldn’t have to wait to get a call back or a quote, and you shouldn’t be left waiting weeks to book a service
Extensive experience – Our technicians are backed by 35+ years’ experience
Insurance – Sometimes the unexpected can happen, and your technician should be insured in case it does
Quality parts – Any parts used on the job should be backed by warranties and locally made where possible
Local – Your antenna man should be located within your local area so they’re familiar with the geographical region and can be there in a jiffy

You’ll be happy to know that our technicians at Install My Antenna proudly tick all the boxes. So, if you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast or any surrounding areas, we can help!

Ready to Book Your Antenna Repair?

Knowing as much as possible about your antenna is the best way to make an informed decision if repairs are ever needed. So even if you’re not currently experiencing a problem, it’s a good idea to be ready and read more into why hiring a professional is beneficial for antenna repairs. Hopefully, this guide has helped to equip you for potential issues both now and in the future.

And when you’re ready to get a professional in, you can call us on 1300 800 123 for a free quote or to book in your antenna repair and get your TV antenna working again as soon as possible.