The technical quality of radio and television signals is influenced by the quality of either the individual or community reception system used. Some practical tips, together with the main rules to be followed, give the possibility of installing the appropriate reception system in terms of the different types of service offered.
The best results are obviously obtained by resorting to the help of specialized installers who offer guarantees in terms of reliability and training.
Analogue Terrestrial Television
Terrestrial television, whether analogue or digital, can be received through Rai Way's terrestrial network which extends throughout the national territory thanks to its facilities and installations and especially to its transmitter stations which are scattered in over 2.300 sites located in cities and on planes, slopes and mountains and are typically mounted on towers or posts so as to extend the range of coverage as far as possible.
The TV signals broadcast through the installations positioned throughout network infrastructures are received by a receiver system that is normally made up of one or more antennas for VHF and UHF, a video signal mixer and a coaxial cable for connection to the TV set.
The antennas must be installed in such a way as to receive the best possible signal, be directed towards the transmitter station and with the elements positioned either horizontally or vertically (polarization) according to the indications listed on radio and TV frequency tables. It is always advisable to install them outdoors.
Search frequencies for Tv and Radio Reception 
The mixer, which mixes the signals coming from the antenna, must have low signal transfer attenuation rates and have the inlet feeders adequately separated.
The cable must guarantee minimum signal loss, especially at high frequencies, and must be installed in such a way as to avoid bottlenecks and folds. If, once the installation is connected, the image appears to be disturbed, it will be necessary to also install an amplifier, making sure that it is placed as close to the antenna as possible.
Digital Terrestrial Television
Digital broadcast terrestrial TV uses a network infrastructure entirely similar to the one for analogue transmission and consequently it can also use the same receiver system.
Conversion from analogue to digital TV requires users to install a digital receiver, i.e. a Set-Top Box or STB (also called decoder), in order to be able to continue using their old TV sets. The Set-Top Boxes for digital terrestrial TV reception currently on the market are not yet fitted with satellite decoders and therefore, in order to receive both digital terrestrial and satellite TV signals, it is necessary to install two different devices.
There are two types of Set-Top Boxes currently on the market:
- interactive set-top boxes capable of receiving television programmes and of using new digital TV services
- non-interactive set-top boxes, also called zappers, which are only capable of receiving TV programmes
In order to receive multimedia/interactive services transmitted along with TV programmes, the interactive STB uses a MHP (Multimedia Home Platform). This platform is based on an open standard allowing for interoperability. This means that a single MHP STB offers the possibility of using the services transmitted by any broadcaster and, conversely, that the services transmitted by a broadcaster can be received with any MHP STB.
It is sufficient to connect one's conventional TV set to a Set-top box (or decoder). The decoder is then connected to the antenna input and to the TV set by means of a SCART connector (a connector similar to the one used to connect the videotape recorder and the satellite decoder).
In most cases, it is not necessary to replace one's terrestrial receiver antenna (the standard antenna) as digital terrestrial TV radio reception systems are identical to the ones used in analogue reception.
Search frequencies for Tv and Radio Reception
Current (band III, IV and V) antennas and dish distribution networks inside residential units, if fitted with the required interface devices (connectors, splitters, amplifiers, mixers/demixers, attenuators, filters, etc.), are also suitable for digital reception. However, in some cases, it might be necessary to mount an additional dish, for example if there is no antenna for the band frequency on which the signal is propagated.
For detailed information on the digital terrestrial system: www.dgtvi.it .
Terrestrial radio
In order to obtain high-quality audio in domestic reception, it is advisable to use specific antennas connected to a synthesizer with good selectivity performance.
Also in cars, especially if driving through areas with a high concentration of private transmitters, which are therefore more subject to problems of interference, in order to obtain a good audio it is necessary to use modern receivers that are endowed with sufficient selectivity and digital tuning. In the case of particularly weak or disturbed FM signals, it can be possible to improve the quality of reception by switching to mono sound.
It is nonetheless advisable to purchase a RDS car radio so as to be able to listen to the desired programme while driving without having to change the frequency: this system in fact automatically selects the best-quality signal.
To find out the frequencies on which it is possible to listen to RAI radio programmes, consult our online database.
Search frequencies for Tv and Radio Reception
The satellite
In order to receive RAI's satellite radio and television programmes, it's not necessary to buy a new TV set. It is sufficient to install a dish antenna and a satellite decoder. Satellite decoders currently on the market are not integrated into digital terrestrial Set-top Boxes yet which means that, in order to receive both satellite and digital terrestrial broadcasts, it is necessary to install two separate devices.
This equipment must subsequently be connected to your standard TV set just as you would do for digital terrestrial reception while the dish antenna should be placed on a balcony or on the roof and tilted in direction of the Hot Bird satellites according to the pointing data as these vary from region to region.
Search pointing parameters
It is also necessary to install appropriate cables for satellite signals and dish antennas of the required size: to receive RAI programmes in Italy and in most of Europe, dish diameter should be of at least 50-70 cm even if larger dishes assure better quality and a lower risk of signal loss with particularly intense rainfall, especially in the case of community antennas.
It is possible to find the technical specifications and in-depth trials of different equipment and brands on specialist magazines.
