Will an aerial booster improve my freeview reception?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV No, an amplifier won't normally help with a Freeview signal. Can I suggest the following:
1. If you can raise the aerial up by an extra metre or so;
2. Check the direction of the aerial and that the it is either "vertical" or "horizontal" as required.
3. Check that all the connectors and cables are in good condition, look especially for stray wires from the outer shielding on the cable being loose;
All questions
In this section
Sunday, 15 April 2012
J
jb388:13 PM
Andrew: You really have to provide your location (pref: post code or one from near by) for anyone to be able to answer that type of question, as although a weak signal could be the cause, but on the other hand it could also be caused by a signal that's too strong, as the symptoms experienced can be exactly the same in both these situations.
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R
richie8:20 PM
Newmarket
i have just got a new tv for the bedroom, i have put a new ariel in the loft exclusively for the tv and i can only recieve 10 channels im missing all bbc 5* 5 usa and a few others my signal is low would a signal booster improve my signal and allow me to recieve the missing channels the signal is coming from sandy heath as im in newmarket and i should be able to get all channels thanks.
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richie's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
J
jb389:32 PM
richie: 5* & 5USA are on the SDN mux which is presently operating on low power until May 9th and so a booster is likely to assist the reception of this particular channel, but you should be able to have good reception of the BBC channels as they are already operating on high power, this making me suspect that something might be amiss with your aerial set up.
Does your loft have modern roof insulation? as sometimes that can dampen the signal if it contains any traces of metallic elements, if though this does not apply then I would try moving your aerial a few feet at a time across to the other side of the loft, leaving your TV on its signal test screen whilst making any alterations so that you get instant feedback of the result of your actions.
Although mentioning about the booster, I would refrain from purchasing same at present and concentrate on the positioning of your aerial.
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Tuesday, 17 April 2012
R
richie9:17 PM
Newmarket
richie: iwill give it a try thanks 4 ur help.
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richie's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
M
mole1:25 PM
hi
I did a retune as instructed on my humax 9200t and now have only 12 freeview tv channels (had 40+ before) according to postcode check I am on the Hannington transmitter and from the coverage map looks very patchy for my location. Although 5mins walk away I was on the mendip one and had alot more channels. Is there anyway I can point my (in the roof aerial-I know crap but in rented house)-towards the mendip transmitter? would this make any difference?
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K
Kate2:06 PM
London
Just moved house to n12 0bt, previous tenants had no issue with signal with freeview but my box cannot see any BBC channels, e4+1 and viva, tried a booster, picture us back but breaking up, will a higher increase booster get to the level of signal BBC use? What is the strength required?
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Kate's: ...
G
Gerry King5:13 PM
Where has half our digital transmission gone?
I live at HP108EB, on top of a hill, getting best signal from Hannington for last 27 years. We have been getting digital for several years but from 18 Apr have lost half the channels.
I run 3 loft aerials (no chimney) all with signal boosters feeding 7 sets. Excellent reception on all 5 non-HD MUXes until last week when picture disappeared at just before 1am on 18?th. Now cannot get anything on COM4 (Ch41), COM5 (Ch44) and sometimes on COM6 (Ch47). [TV receivers show full signal strength but poor signal quality].
My understanding was that trans power would increase on / after digital switchover, so what has happened to signal quality? Please explain / suggest solution.
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Gerry King: I hate to tell you this, but I think that the Chepping Wycombe relay transmitter has spoiled your party.
Digital UK Tradeview predictor thinks that the Hannington PSBs are "good" at your location, but the COMs are all "poor". Unfortunately it doesn't give away why it thinks that the COMs are so bad.
However, if you go to this page UK TV Frequency map - channel C41 (634.0MHz) before switchover map | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice it shows that Chepping Wycombe is co-channel. Its radiation shows that it throws its signal out to its north east.
The channels allocated to the COMs aren't as good as those given to the PSBs. There is more compromise with them. Hannington's COMs are at half transmission power with respect to its PSBs. This example shows why; that is the three channels are "re-used" by this relay transmitter in an area where its PSBs are probably satisfactory.
As Hannington and the interfering transmitter are inline with one another, there is nothing you can do with respect to a better aerial that will reject the unwanted signals (from another direction) or a makeshift shield made of chicken wire and kitchen foil.
Based on the predictor, the next-best transmitter to pick up the COMs from is Crystal Palace. Two are "poor" and one is "variable". Unless it can be pinned down why Digital UK thinks that two are worse, e.g. another interferer, and the interfering signal can't be avoided, then maybe there is an outside chance of receiving these from Crystal Palace.
I'm not sure how accurate Wolfbane is. However, I put in your post code and selected the DX box which means that it returns everything, including the weakest of the weak at your location:
UK digital TV reception predictor
The only transmitter that is listed by Wolfbane that is co-channel with Crystal Palace's COMs is Rowridge. So perhaps it is Rowridge that is degrading the result from the DUK predictor.
Directional aerials differ in sensitivity to a signal, depending on the direction of that signal. So it may not necessarily mean poor reception. However, it may be the case that an external aerial may be necessary. Or then again, you "may" (it's a "try it and see" thing) get sufficient signal from Crystal Palace in your loft, and it may also be a location where there is nothing (or negligible signal) from Rowridge.
For DIY aerial information, see www.aerialsandtv.com
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Gerry King: I'm not sure how effective an external aerial for Hannington might be. I appreciate that you said that you have no chimney, but it may be the only way.
Chepping Wycombe was co-channel with Hannington's COMs when it was broadcasting analogue. It completed switchover last Wednesday. Also, Hannington's COMs have remained on pre-switchover power and using pre-switchover antenna until recently. C41 and C47 changed in the early hours of 18th, which is probably why you lost reception at that time.
Perhaps one of the pros could offer their thoughts on this. I wonder, why might the analogue not have affected the apparently lower power Hannington COMs, yet now it is digital, it seemingly obliterates reception?
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Wednesday, 25 April 2012
M
mole9:04 AM
As an update to my post of "mole
Tuesday 24 April 2012 1:25PM" I've tried manual re-tuning to the mendip transmitter but still could only find 10 tv channels. Also tried with a signal booster but still the same result. Postcode is sp78pt - seem to be on the edge of two transmitters. Shall be up in the loft this eve having a rumage around with the aerial :(
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