# How Should You Use mySwitch to Plan a TV Antenna? Turn mySwitch coverage, transmitter, direction, polarisation and frequency fields into an evidence-led antenna plan. Canonical HTML: https://www.brisbanecctvexperts.com.au/guides/how-to-use-myswitch-before-choosing-tv-antenna/ Markdown twin: https://www.brisbanecctvexperts.com.au/guides/how-to-use-myswitch-before-choosing-tv-antenna.md ## Direct answer Enter the complete address and record the predicted transmitter, direction, polarisation and frequencies. Use those fields to plan equipment and onsite tests, not as a reception guarantee. ## Overview mySwitch provides an official address-level prediction that should be verified against the actual receiving position. ## Full article ## mySwitch Turns an Address Into a Reception Plan mySwitch is the Australian Government’s digital television reception tool. Enter a full street address to see predicted coverage, the suggested transmitter, broadcast frequencies, antenna direction and polarisation. Those details give an antenna installer a testable starting point. The output is not a guarantee that a particular antenna will work at every point on the property. Computer modelling cannot fully account for one roofline, tree, new building, internal wall, local interference source or damaged cable. Use mySwitch to form a hypothesis, then verify it onsite. For design and installation, take the results to [digital TV antenna installation in Brisbane](/services/digital-tv-antenna-installation-brisbane/). ### Short answer Open [mySwitch](https://myswitch.digitalready.gov.au/), enter the complete street address, select the exact property and record the predicted coverage, transmitter, direction, polarisation and channel frequencies. Do not buy an antenna from coverage colour alone. Match the equipment and position to those fields and confirm with measurements at the property. The ACMA’s [reception troubleshooting guidance](https://www.acma.gov.au/tv-reception-problems-and-fixes) points viewers and installers to mySwitch for local transmitter and coverage information. ## The Five Fields Worth Saving | mySwitch field | What it helps decide | What it cannot prove | |---|---|---| | Coverage prediction | Expected reception difficulty | Signal at a specific roof or room position | | Suggested transmitter | Which source to test first | That another transmitter is never useful | | Direction | Initial antenna bearing | Final alignment without measurement | | Polarisation | Horizontal or vertical element orientation | Antenna condition or mounting quality | | Channel frequencies | Required broadcast range and tuning | Cable and interference performance | Take a screenshot or record the values. Search results can change as planning data is updated, and a technician needs the details—not just “mySwitch said good”. ## Step-by-Step mySwitch Workflow ### 1. Use the complete address Enter street number, street name, suburb and state. A suburb-centre result is too broad for property design. Select the exact address suggestion where available. For multi-unit properties, confirm the street address and unit context. The prediction describes external coverage, not the condition of the building’s shared MATV system. ### 2. Review the coverage category Coverage is modelled. A stronger category supports the expectation that a suitable external installation can work, but it does not remove the need to assess building loss, interference and distribution. A weaker or variable prediction does not tell you to buy the highest-gain booster. It tells you the receiving position and transmitter choice require careful testing. ### 3. Identify the predicted transmitter Write down the transmitter name. Brisbane-region properties can have different viable paths depending on terrain and location. An antenna aimed in the same direction as a neighbour’s may still be using a different source or serving a different building height. ### 4. Record direction and polarisation Direction is the initial bearing from the property. Polarisation tells whether receiving elements should be horizontal or vertical. Both matter. Do not climb onto a roof to turn an antenna. Use the data for quote preparation and onsite alignment. ### 5. Record the channel frequencies The frequency list helps select an antenna designed for the services in use and supports manual tuning or missing-channel diagnosis. It is more precise than “digital antenna” or “all channels” marketing. ### 6. Compare the prediction with symptoms If mySwitch predicts good coverage but only one room fails, focus on the branch, outlet and fly lead. If every TV fails, check shared components and external conditions. If one channel group is absent, match it to the listed frequency. ## How mySwitch Helps Choose an Antenna ### Band coverage The antenna must receive the broadcast frequencies used by the chosen transmitter. Avoid selecting equipment solely by its advertised distance or “digital” label. ### Directionality A directional antenna may help favour the intended transmitter and reject unwanted paths, but it requires accurate alignment. A broad design may be useful in other conditions. The address data begins that choice; onsite quality measurements finish it. ### Polarisation The physical orientation of the antenna elements should match the broadcast. Incorrect polarisation can reduce usable signal even when the compass direction looks right. ### Position mySwitch provides a path, not a mounting point. Roof shape, construction, trees, terrain and safe mast locations affect the actual choice. ### Distribution load The prediction says nothing about the number of outlets, splitter loss or cable runs inside the property. Add those requirements to the installation design. ## Three Mistakes to Avoid ### Buying by coverage colour alone Coverage quality does not specify antenna construction, mounting, cable path or number of outlets. ### Treating the compass bearing as a DIY roof instruction The prediction is a planning input. Exterior work involves height, structural and electrical-clearance risks, and alignment should be verified across services. ### Adding gain before testing A modelled weaker area does not prove a booster is needed. Amplification may help a clean low-level signal but can worsen overload or interference. Read [masthead vs distribution amplifier](/guides/masthead-vs-distribution-amplifier/) before choosing gain. ## Using mySwitch for Missing Channels Record the frequencies for each expected network group. When some channels are missing, compare: - which services share the missing group; - whether every TV and outlet has the same result; - the tuner’s stored or manually selected frequency; - broadcaster notices; - measurements across the cable path. The [missing free-to-air channels guide](/guides/why-some-free-to-air-channels-are-missing/) turns that information into a fault map. ## Using mySwitch in a Quote Request Send: 1. exact address; 2. predicted transmitter; 3. direction and polarisation; 4. listed channel frequencies; 5. property type and roof material; 6. number and location of TV points; 7. existing antenna, splitter and amplifier details; 8. current working and failing channels; 9. permission or shared-building constraints. Final antenna type, position and quote still depend on the property. The model does not determine safe access, material quantities or repair scope. ## When the Prediction and Reality Differ Do not force the installation to match the model. Verify the address, then check whether: - a building or vegetation blocks the predicted path; - the antenna is aimed at another transmitter; - the property uses shared infrastructure; - cable or connector loss owns the symptom; - electrical interference is present; - another transmitter provides the more stable measured result. Document the measured reason for departing from the prediction. ## Keep the Prediction With the Finished System Save the mySwitch result with the installation or assessment record. Include the date, address, transmitter, polarisation and channel list, plus any measured reason for using another transmitter or position. This gives future repair work a starting assumption that can be checked rather than rediscovered. If the property later adds TV outlets, extensions, solar equipment or substantial nearby construction, compare new symptoms with the saved plan. The external prediction may remain the same while the property’s cable losses or interference environment changes. For a rental or shared building, send the relevant output to the owner or manager with the fault record. It can help separate external reception planning from a private outlet or common distribution issue without presenting the model as guaranteed proof. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is mySwitch free? Yes. It is a public Australian Government reception-planning service. ### Does it tell me which antenna model to buy? No. It provides coverage and transmitter characteristics. Equipment choice also depends on the property, mounting, cable path and distribution. ### Can I use only the suburb instead of my address? Use the full address. Reception predictions and transmitter paths can vary within a suburb. ### Does a good coverage result guarantee indoor reception? No. Walls, glazing, local interference and room position can change an indoor result. ### Why does my antenna point away from the predicted direction? It may use another transmitter, receive reflections, be misaligned or predate current conditions. Verify the actual services and measurements before changing it. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is mySwitch free? Yes. It is a public Australian Government reception-planning service. ### Does it tell me which antenna model to buy? No. It provides coverage and transmitter characteristics. Equipment choice also depends on the property, mounting, cable path and distribution. ### Can I use only the suburb instead of my address? Use the full address. Reception predictions and transmitter paths can vary within a suburb. ### Does a good coverage result guarantee indoor reception? No. Walls, glazing, local interference and room position can change an indoor result. ### Why does my antenna point away from the predicted direction? It may use another transmitter, receive reflections, be misaligned or predate current conditions. Verify the actual services and measurements before changing it. ## When this service may fit - You want to understand the decision before asking for a quote. - You are comparing options and need a practical way to narrow the next step. - You have a fault, concern, or planning question that affects camera count, placement, recorder, app access, or privacy. - You want to send better details so the recommendation is based on the property, not guesswork. ## What the planning covers ### Plain-English answer The guide should make one CCTV decision easier without hiding the important caveats. ### Quote relevance Each guide points back to the service page it supports. ### Decision factors The page highlights the variables that change the answer: layout, cabling, lighting, recorder, network, storage, or legal caution. ### Next step When the guide reaches its limit, the customer should know what to send for a sharper quote. ## Options and trade-offs | Option | Best for | Watch out | | --- | --- | --- | | Use the guide only | Early research and simple understanding. | The property may still change the recommendation. | | Get a Quote | When camera count, layout, or install path needs a real answer. | Send details instead of guessing. | | Book repair/help | App offline, no recording, blurry footage, or poor night vision. | Changing settings blindly can make diagnosis harder. | ## Property fit ### Homes Entry, driveway, side access, remote viewing, legal/privacy basics, and package decisions. ### Businesses Counter, stock, staff/customer areas, recorder storage, and manager access. ### Commercial sites Custom layout, storage, cabling, access control, and multi-user review needs. ### Existing systems Troubleshooting, repair, recorder, app, and upgrade decisions. ## Common mistakes - Using guide content as a substitute for property-specific planning. - Choosing camera count before listing the areas to cover. - Ignoring recorder, storage, and app handover. - Treating legal/privacy basics as legal advice. ## What to send for a quote - Suburb and property type. - The decision or issue you are trying to solve. - Areas to cover, photos, existing equipment, or app screenshots where relevant. - Whether you want install, repair, upgrade, app setup, or planning help. ## Related public pages - [Digital TV Antenna Installation Brisbane](https://www.brisbanecctvexperts.com.au/services/digital-tv-antenna-installation-brisbane/) - [TV Antenna Installation Brisbane](https://www.brisbanecctvexperts.com.au/services/tv-antenna-installation-brisbane/) - [Indoor or Outdoor TV Antenna: Which Fits the Property?](https://www.brisbanecctvexperts.com.au/guides/indoor-vs-outdoor-tv-antenna/) - [Contact](https://www.brisbanecctvexperts.com.au/contact/) ## Brisbane CCTV Experts contact details - Phone: [1300 269 162](tel:1300269162) - ABN: 22 644 399 959 - Email: [sales@brisbanecctvexperts.com.au](mailto:sales@brisbanecctvexperts.com.au) - Office: Unit 8, 68 Bryants Road, Shailer Park QLD 4128 - Hours: 24 hours, 7 days - Quote: [Request a quote](https://book.servicem8.com/request_booking?uuid=019f5583-51fe-74ac-9621-cc7e13c7ec2b) Specific insurance, review, project, accreditation, warranty, licence-number and fixed-pricing claims should only be relied on where visibly verified on the canonical public HTML page.