Before your TV antenna stops working, there are a few ways to tell it’s starting to break. Some common signs that your antenna needs repair include:

• A repetitive “no signal” issue

• A redundant “searching” issue

• Increased signal issues during a cloudy or rainy day

• A sudden drop in signal strength, regardless of the weather

If you’re experiencing these problems, you’ll want to ensure that your cables are still in good shape and have not deteriorated. In addition, check to make sure that your cables are firmly in place at the wall outlet. Finally, check the position of your antenna to ensure there are no obstructions in its path. If you’ve checked your antenna thoroughly and are still having these problems, a repair is most likely needed by an antenna technician. 

The cost to repair your TV antenna is around $200 for the average homeowner. However, charges could be as low as $60 or as high as $450. Factors such as multidirectional or unidirectional, indoor or outdoor, and amplified or non-amplified all play an essential role in determining the cost of your repair. For example, outdoor antennas cost more on average to repair than indoor ones, much like amplified antennas cost more to repair than unamplified ones. 

If your TV antenna is good quality and was installed by a professional, you can expect it to last between 10 and 20 years without needing repair or replacement. This can vary based on your geographic location, weather conditions, and antenna location. 

Yes, in general, raising your TV antenna will improve your reception. Besides raising the location of your antenna, you should try putting it by a window. In fact, you can have the same antenna but get double the channels or more if it's in the best location. The highest spot to put a TV antenna will be on your roof, and the tallest type of outdoor antenna is a tower.