Give $20 off Tablo 4th Generation OTA DVRs to your friends and you get a $20 gift card for every successful referral*.

The latest Tablo news along with tips to maximize your free TV experience. 

VHF vs. UHF – Why OTA TV Antenna Frequencies Matter

TV TOWER

Over-the-Air (OTA) TV signals are distributed across two different frequency bands: UHF (Ultra High Frequency) and VHF (Very High Frequency). While most OTA TV antennas on the market are designed to capture both frequencies, some – especially certain ‘flat’ indoor types – are optimized primarily to capture UHF channels. If you’re having trouble receiving one or two channels even though you’re close to your local broadcast towers, it may be because your OTA TV antenna is not designed to pick up VHF frequencies.

What are VHF and UHF OTA TV Frequencies?

In the US and Canada, the VHF television band occupies frequencies between 54 and 216 MHz and the UHF band between 470 and 608 MHz.

In general, VHF channels are numbered 2 to 13 and UHF channels 14 to 36.

However, the channel’s physical broadcast frequency is not always reflected by the channel number you see.

For example, channel 6 in Richmond, VA has a ‘virtual channel’ (i.e. channel number) of 6 on your TV or Tablo DVR, but is broadcast on a ‘transmit channel’ of 25.

While it is possible that stations broadcasting in the VHF band to have a ‘virtual channel’ number in the UHF channel range (14+), this is rare.

How Can I Tell If I Need a TV Antenna That Supports Both UHF & VHF?

As mentioned above, OTA TV channels between 2 and 13 are often broadcast on the VHF band so it’s best to start by reviewing your local channel lineup to find out which channels are broadcasting your favorite networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and the CW.

For example, in Dallas, viewers might believe they could miss out on popular networks like FOX (KDFW) and ABC (WFAA) when using a UHF-only TV antenna.

But just because a channel has a ‘virtual’ or advertised channel number lower than 14, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s broadcast on a VHF frequency.

The best place to confirm the TV channel’s frequency is via the FCC’s website at: https://www.fcc.gov/media/television/tv-query

You can search for station information by city or by call sign.

As you can see, FOX affiliate KDFW’s ‘virtual’ channel is 4 but its ‘transmit’ channel is 35, so you won’t need a VHF-capable TV antenna to receive it.

However, ABC affiliate WFAA has both a virtual and transmit channel of 8 which is indeed on the VHF band.

OTA TV Antenna Shopping Tips

If you want to access TV channels available in both VHF and UHF frequencies in your area, inspect the features list on the packaging or online listing of the TV antennas you’re considering, to ensure they include support for both UHF and VHF bands.

Very few ‘flat’ indoor antennas like the one below do support VHF signals.

If there’s already a TV antenna mounted on your roof and you’re not sure what brand or style it is, antennas with VHF capability generally have long prongs and are quite large in size, whereas UHF-only antennas are slightly smaller and have shorter prongs or loops.

Most outdoor antennas will have both long and short prongs, or prongs and loops and therefore will support both frequencies. However, cord cutters with channels in the VHF low spectrum (2-6) may need an even more specialized antenna with very long prongs to recieve those stations.

Found this post helpful?

Check out these tools and posts on Over-the-Air TV antennas, OTA signals and reception next:

Last updated Apr 08, 2022

Related Blogs

Get the latest from Tablo.

Signup to get the latest product and over-the-air TV  news delivered right to your inbox. 

How to restart your phone/tablet

Sometimes, just restarting your smartphone or tablet can clear up issues with apps. The links below will provide detailed instructions on how to force close your Tablo app. 

Apple iPhone

Android smartphones 

Most Android smartphones and tablets can be restarted by holding the POWER button and then selecting RESTART or POWER OFF and RESTART from the POWER OPTIONS menu.

NOTE: Newer Samsung devices require you to hold the POWER/SIDE button and VOLUME DOWN to make the POWER OPTIONS menu appear. On the Google Pixel 6, hold the POWER and VOLUME UP buttons.

How to force close your Tablo app?

Sometimes, just restarting the app can fix things. The links below will provide detailed instructions on how to force close your Tablo app. 

Apple iPhone/iPad

Android smartphones/tablets 

Need help with the final steps?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.  Follow the steps in the video below for a full walkthrough of the remaining parts of the Tablo setup process.

Tablo Logo White

Please enter a valid address. 

We recommend entering your full address for the most accurate results. 

Sorry, no results. Please check your zip code.

Getting your channels...

You can get channels for free!
( over-the-air channels and streaming channels )

This is an estimate only. Actual broadcast TV channels received may vary based on TV antenna location, reception, topography, and other obstructions. Streaming channels require an internet connection. View the Channel Details Report for specifics of each channel and to help determine what antenna is needed. 

Reception alert:  Based upon the location you entered, you may not get many of the major networks.  As a result, Tablo may not be the best fit for you.  Please enter your full address above for best accuracy. 

Major Local Broadcast Channels

Major networks you know that have live sports, major events, local news and more. 

Entertainment and Lifestyle Channels

Sports Channels

News Channels

Movie Channels

Family and Kid Channels

En Español

Additional TV Broadcast Networks

Internet Streaming TV Channels

Internet-based free streaming channels .