Trying to install channels on goodmans ld1962d. Not sure what active antenna is. No channels are found when we have aerial in or out.

Check for antena cable plug condition, normaly 80% of low quality of antena signal, is conection on antena plug (inside)

1st open antena plug, check for condition/connection of cable.
2nd check for each part of cable well connected, and no wires crossed on middle cable
3rd check same to the other end of cable.
4rd check the signal on diferent tvs around house (if available)

if this general you dont have aerial signal in your house, check for your TV provider (cable) to test your arial signal.(Normaly this maybe a cable broken outside house).