The basic connection: where the aerial plugs in and what you need

Your TV has a socket labeled RF in, aerial in, or antenna in — usually on the back panel. The aerial cable screws or pushes into this socket. If your TV is new, you may need to locate this port because modern sets often hide it on the rear or side. Check your TV's manual or look for a diagram printed on the back panel itself.

The aerial itself is the wire or rod that receives broadcast signals. It connects to your TV with a coaxial cable — the same type used for cable television, with a metal connector on each end. One end screws into the TV's aerial socket. The other end connects to your aerial, which may be a straightforward indoor rod, a flat paper-thin panel, or an outdoor antenna mounted on your roof or in your loft.

You do not need any other equipment to make this connection work. No box, no subscription, no app. The signal travels directly from the aerial to the TV's built-in tuner.

Key Takeaways

  • The aerial cable screws into the RF in socket on the back of your TV — this is a standard connection that requires no additional equipment.
  • Indoor aerials work best if positioned near a window or high on a wall, and you may need to rotate or adjust them to find the strongest signal.
  • If your TV does not find channels after connecting the aerial, run the auto-tune function in your TV's settings menu — this scans for available broadcasts in your area.
  • Outdoor aerials pick up signals from farther away and work better in areas with weak broadcast coverage, but require professional installation in most cases.
  • If you have cable or satellite TV already, you can connect both the aerial and the cable box to your TV using different input sockets.

Indoor aerials: positioning and signal strength

An indoor aerial is a rod, loop, or flat panel that sits on top of your TV, on a shelf, or mounted to a wall. The quality of the signal depends on where you place it. Height matters — the higher the aerial, the better it usually receives. A position near a window or on an outside wall picks up stronger signals than one in the middle of a room surrounded by walls.

After you connect the aerial cable to your TV, run the auto-tune function. This is usually found in Settings, then Channels or Tuning. The TV scans for available broadcasts and stores them in memory. If the scan finds few or no channels, try rotating the aerial slowly while watching the signal strength meter on screen. Most TVs show a signal bar or percentage during tuning — move the aerial until you see the strongest reading, then leave it in that position.

Indoor aerials work well in urban and suburban areas where broadcast towers are close by. They perform poorly in rural areas, in buildings with thick walls, or if you are far from transmitters. If you live more than 20 miles from the nearest broadcast tower, an outdoor aerial is usually necessary.

Outdoor aerials: when you need one and what installation looks like

An outdoor aerial mounted on your roof or in your loft receives signals from much farther away than an indoor model. It is the right choice if you live in a rural area, in a valley, or behind hills that block broadcast signals. Outdoor aerials also work better in areas with many tall buildings that reflect or absorb signals.

Installing an outdoor aerial requires running a coaxial cable from the antenna down through your walls or along the outside of your house to the TV. This is not a straightforward plug-in job — the cable must be secured, protected from weather, and routed through walls or conduit. Most people hire a professional installer for this work. The cost varies by region and by how difficult the routing is, but expect to pay between £100 and £300 for a basic installation.

If you already have an outdoor aerial installed (from a previous owner or a satellite dish), you may be able to reuse the existing cable and just swap the antenna. Check whether the cable is in good condition — water damage or cracks in the shielding reduce signal quality. A professional can test the cable and advise whether it is worth reusing.

Running the channel scan and troubleshooting weak signals

After connecting your aerial, your TV will not show channels until you run a channel scan. Go to Settings, then look for Channels, Tuning, or Antenna Setup — the exact name varies by brand. Select the option to scan for channels or auto-tune. The TV will search for all available broadcasts and store them. This usually takes two to five minutes.

If the scan finds very few channels or none at all, the problem is usually signal strength, not the connection itself. Try these steps in order: move the aerial higher, move it closer to a window, rotate it slowly while watching the signal meter, or try a different room. If you are using an indoor aerial and still get poor results after repositioning, you may need an outdoor aerial or a signal booster.

A signal booster (also called an amplifier or preamplifier) is a small device that plugs into the aerial cable between the antenna and the TV. It strengthens weak signals. Boosters cost £20 to £60 and can help in areas with moderate signal weakness, but they cannot create a signal where none exists. If the aerial receives almost nothing, a booster will not fix it.

Connecting both an aerial and a cable or satellite box

If you have cable TV or satellite TV and want to also use broadcast channels through an aerial, you can connect both. Your TV has multiple input sockets — HDMI ports for modern devices and an RF in socket for the aerial. Connect the aerial cable to the RF in socket and the cable or satellite box to an HDMI port (or to the older SCART socket if your TV has one).

Your TV will then have two sources: the aerial broadcasts and the cable or satellite channels. You switch between them using the input or source button on your remote. Some TVs allow you to combine them into a single channel list, but this depends on your TV model and your cable or satellite provider. Check your TV's manual or contact your provider to see whether this is possible.

If you want to record broadcast channels through the aerial, you will need a separate digital recorder or a TV with built-in recording. Most modern smart TVs do not record to internal storage, so you would need an external USB hard drive or a dedicated recorder connected to the aerial.

Cable quality and when to replace it

The coaxial cable connecting your aerial to your TV degrades over time, especially if it is exposed to weather or bent sharply. Signs of a failing cable include channels that cut out randomly, a signal that gets worse on humid days, or a signal that improves when you wiggle the cable. If you suspect the cable is the problem, try a new one — they cost £5 to £15 and are straightforward to swap.

When buying a replacement cable, look for one labeled RG-6 or RG-59 with proper shielding. The connectors should be brass or gold-plated, not bare copper. If the cable runs outdoors or through damp spaces, buy one rated for outdoor use — these have better waterproofing. Screw the connectors on firmly but do not over-tighten, as this can damage the threads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my TV does not have an RF in socket?

Older TVs and some modern smart TVs may lack an aerial socket. If your TV has HDMI ports but no RF in, you can use a digital TV tuner box — a small device that connects to the aerial and outputs to HDMI. These cost £30 to £80 and work with any TV that has HDMI.

Can I use the same aerial for both TV and radio?

No. TV aerials receive UHF signals, while FM radio uses VHF. You need separate aerials for each, or a combined aerial designed for both bands. If you want both services, ask a professional installer which type suits your area.

Do I need to pay for channels received through an aerial?

No. Broadcast channels received through an aerial are free. You do not need a subscription or a contract. Some channels require a TV licence in the UK, but this is a separate legal requirement, not a payment to the broadcaster.

Why does my signal get worse when it rains?

Water in the air and on the cable absorbs radio signals. This is normal and usually temporary. If the problem is severe, it suggests the cable or connectors are corroded or the aerial is positioned poorly. A professional can test the system and recommend improvements.

Can I connect multiple aerials to one TV?

Most TVs have only one RF in socket, so you cannot connect two aerials directly. However, you can use a splitter to combine signals from two aerials before they reach the TV. This is rarely necessary and usually only helps if the aerials point in different directions to catch signals from distant transmitters.