TV reception in Shoal Bay
Free-to-air TV in Shoal Bay comes from the Port Stephens local translator at Nelson Bay, 4.1 km to the W (bearing 261°). It broadcasts on UHF (channels 28–51) channels 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, vertically polarised.
A standard-gain UHF antenna pointed W and mounted vertically (elements upright) gives reliable reception for most homes.
Pockets of Shoal Bay shadowed from Port Stephens can use the Anna Bay translator (9.6 km SW, UHF channels 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, H polarisation), which needs a UHF antenna pointed the other way, a common cause of "wrong antenna" reception faults after DIY installs.
The regional main transmitter (Newcastle, 62.3 km WSW) is generally not usable here without a high-gain installation; the translator is the intended service.
Channels from Port Stephens
| Channel | Service | Frequency (MHz) | Band | Polarisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | NBN28 | 529.5 | UHF | Vertical |
| 30 | ABC30 | 543.5 | UHF | Vertical |
| 31 | SBS31 | 550.5 | UHF | Vertical |
| 32 | NEN32 | 557.5 | UHF | Vertical |
| 33 | NRN33 | 564.5 | UHF | Vertical |
Transmitter data © Commonwealth of Australia (ACMA), CC BY 4.0. Predicted reception; terrain and local obstructions vary.
TV channels and frequencies in Shoal Bay
Shoal Bay is served by the Nelson Bay transmitter, 4.1 km W (bearing 261° true). It carries the multiplexes below, so a UHF-only antenna is required. Data updated 13 July 2026 (ACMA).
| Network | RF channel | Centre frequency | Band | Polarisation | Channels (LCN) | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nine (NBN)NBN28 | 28 | 529.5 MHz | UHF | Vertical |
| |
| ABCABC30 | 30 | 543.5 MHz | UHF | Vertical |
| - |
| SBSSBS31 | 31 | 550.5 MHz | UHF | Vertical |
| - |
| 7NEN32 | 32 | 557.5 MHz | UHF | Vertical |
| |
| 10NRN33 | 33 | 564.5 MHz | UHF | Vertical |
|
Retune guide for your TV: Samsung · LG · Sony · Hisense · TCL · Panasonic · all brands
See the full Nelson Bay transmitter page, or look up channels and frequencies for another suburb.
Source: ACMA licensed broadcasting transmitter data (© Commonwealth of Australia, Creative Commons Attribution licence). Logical channel numbers maintained by site. Report an error
Pointing your antenna in Shoal Bay
- Point towards
- 261° true (248° magnetic)
- West
- Use the magnetic figure with a compass or phone.
- Distance
- 4.1 km
- to Nelson Bay
- Line of sight
- Obstructed
- antenna 6 m above ground
From the centre of Shoal Bay the path to Nelson Bay crosses high ground 1.5 km away that rises 33 m above the line of sight.
Antenna elements: vertical.
- Anna Bay, 9.6 km at 229°, has a path from here blocked by terrain 1.2 km away.
- Raymond Terrace, 33.2 km at 283°, has a path from here that grazes terrain 3.3 km away.
The path check uses bare ground at about 30 m resolution. Buildings and trees are not included. See the antenna direction tool to check another address or antenna height, or how to read these results.
Elevation: AWS Open Data Terrain Tiles. Australia terrain data © Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2017. Transmitter positions and antenna heights: ACMA licensed broadcasting transmitter data (© Commonwealth of Australia, Creative Commons Attribution licence). Magnetic declination from WMM2025. Report an error
TV Antenna Services in Shoal Bay, New South Wales
Looking for reliable TV antenna installation or repair in Shoal Bay? Our trusted and reliable technicians provide professional TV antenna services throughout Shoal Bay and surrounding suburbs.
Whether you need a new digital TV antenna installed, an existing antenna repaired, or a TV signal booster to improve your reception, we've got you covered. We understand the unique signal conditions in the Shoal Bay area and recommend the best solutions for your location.
We offer same-day service in Shoal Bay where available and provide upfront, transparent pricing with no hidden fees. You can take comfort knowing that we have been performing TV antenna installation services since 1981, and have some of the best TV antenna technicians in Australia.
Our Services in Shoal Bay
- Antenna installation
- Antenna repair
- Antenna system servicing
- TV antenna amplifiers
- New TV points
- TV tuning
- MATV installation & maintenance
5-Day Weather Forecast for Shoal Bay
Once you have made a booking, please be aware that due to health and safety obligations, our scheduled works may be impacted by adverse weather conditions on the day of installation. Check your weather forecast for Shoal Bay above.
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Nearby Suburbs We Service
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