New TV Aerial

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How old is yours, is the software update to date? Is the cable dodgy where it goes into the port at either end? Maybe the TV needs looking at.

Ours is quite new and works fine hardwired to the router via 24 way switch.

 

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Assuming you have a Freely TV with connections to both a router and an aerial.

On unplugging the co-ax, what services do you actually lose?

 

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Buy One For All SV9455 Amplified Outdoor TV Aerial | TV aerials | Argos https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9532380?clickPR=plp:15:22

Are these outdoor amplified things any good?

 

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Buy One For All SV9455 Amplified Outdoor TV Aerial | TV aerials | Argos https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9532380?clickPR=plp:15:22

Are these outdoor amplified things any good?

If you already live in a strong signal area, and the room in which you plan to use the aerial faces the transmitter, and there are no significant obstructions in line of sight between the aerial and the transmitter, and it helps if its sitting next to a window, then sure, it'll look like it's doing magic. But honestly, in the same situation, you could hang up a metal coat hanger and get a picture.

The test is when all the ducks are not in a row. That's when you find out that a tiny bit of metal plus an aerial amp with massive gain isn't a winning combination.

If you want to nail it first time, get a Log aerial for outside. Here's link: https://www.aerialsandtv.com/product/log-36-aerial-pre-wired-c-w-1ft-of-self-amalg-tape

 

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OK. Time for an update.

We have just had our old porch redone.

When I say porch, I mean "bit of roof over the front door."

The co-ax running to the den TV went oven the old porch on its way to the den via the amp in the garage.

I asked the builder the leave the cladding off, so I could run some cables, primarily for lighting, but also a co-ax to replace the standard brown stuff running to the amp and on to the den TV.

So I ordered a part roll of this stuff, which arrived yesterday.

I stripped out the old brown stuff, using it in places to fish the new stuff through. I have decommissioned the amp in the garage, so the cable now goes straight through unbroken from the foot of the chimney breast to the den TV.

I was thinking I'd have to drill though the wall with the new cable, but i had a massive stroke of luck. The old cable went through an air brick, under the floor and into a dry wall, where conscientious me had put a clip in.

Fast forward many years, a laminate floor has gone down, we have decorated, blah, blah....

Well, I thought, I'll give it a go...

So I removed a box behind which the co-ax was running and gave it a tug.

The cable outside didn't move.

One HUGE tug later, the clip was dislodged and the cable was free.
I tied the new one on and dragged it through.

Bingo!

Next to sort out the other end.

I'd fitted an IP66 box outside with the feed from the roof coming in and two co-ax cables going out:

One to the lounge TV
And of course the one to the den TV.

These were connected with a menagerie of co-ax plugs, a splitter a lead and a connector.

I stripped all that out and replaced it with this:

So between the menagerie of connectors that used to inhabit that box, the amp in the garage and an extension to the co-ax in the den because it was too short to reach the socket on the replacement TV, I have eliminated 3 joints and made the remaining ones infinitely better.

So I shall wait and see if I get any drop outs or break ups.

Thank you everyone for your help so far.

But before I go, a bit of porch porn...

Yes, I know, we need to replace the old step. And the driveway...and the garage door...and the cladding...

Once you have one thing done, it has a knock-on effect!