Aerial Trouble

[Rob]

Having trouble with my freeview ive got a normal roof ariel yet my freeview box says the signal is never more than 50%.

I recently bought an LG lcd with freeview built in and half the channels werent detected or watchable. Is this down to the ariel?

Was looking to get maybe a HD box but they all seem to need a sataleite!

 

[Zambezi]

If adjusting the aerial does not improve the signal then you may need to upgrade it to a "digital" aerial. If you look on the Freeview website, they have a postcode signal quality checker thingy.

Freesat HD uses a satellite dish, you can use a normal Sky dish if you have one.

 

[ericmark]

There is no such think as a freeview aerial. However many freeview transmissions are slotted into available slots and until the change over one may need a wide band aerial to receive them.

There are sites which will tell you what is required for your area.

In North Wales where I live to receive Winter Hill the English station no change is required but to receive Moel-y-Parc the Welsh transmitter a wide band aerial is required.

 

[EddieM]

it probably is the aerial but you need to check the coverage in your area. You cannot get HD thru freeview due to the lack of bandwidth.

 

[Lectrician]

If you wait a few months until your areas digital switchover you will find the digitial signal will be increased hugely.

Wait until then before you shoot your aerial or distribution.

 

[kkynaston]

Most freeview reception problems can be resolved without a new aerial.
(Incedently there is no such thing as a digital aerial and don't let anyone in a diy shed tell you there is)

I've done a couple of installs where the plug on the end was not connected properly. The outer cores were just cut back and not used in the makeup of the plug (Its called a belling lee). Went from 1 channel found to 70

Try buying a new plug and follow this guide. Clicky

Also check the downlead from the aerial for damage or water ingrees.
If any are apparant then replace the lead from the aerial down.

Get some good quality double shielded coax. (In the sheds its sold as satellite cable but is much better than their brown aerial coax)

 

[Lectrician]

And use foam dyalectric as opposed to air spaced for use outdoors, and infact prefferably throughout.

 

[Rob]

Thanks guys.

Im decorating the room so Ive replace the aeriel socket and renewed the cable to the TV (4 mtrs) and followed kkynastons guide to the plugs (previous spark had done it slightly different) and now freeview and TV channels working perfectly

Thanks again