My high gain aerial can't get all the Freeview channels I expected
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV You need a "wideband" aerial rather than a high gain one (see all about aerials). Also, if you use a signal booster in the setup, this can cause problems with digital signals.
Can I suggest that you try the following:
1. Check that all the connectors are OK, in particular that there are no stray wires and that both the outer shield and inner wire are connected;
2. If you are using any signal boosters, turn them off;
3. Check to see if you have anything like a VCR connected via a UHF fly lead - sometimes these can changed to use channels such as 68.
4. If you have a wideband aerial, if you can try raising it up an additional metre;
See also all about aerials.
All questions
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Thursday, 1 December 2011
J
Jonathan Ashenden8:10 PM
Southampton
Hi, (rowridge)
I have 2 aerials in my loft.
the first one is a knackered old thing with about 10 straight bars going across and leads downstairs. this gives perfect picture in the living room. The 2nd is a new fancy hi gain thing with many x-wing style bars going across and a couple of large reflector things on the back and goes to my bedroom and this gives me about 4 channels - bbc1, 2, 3 and cbbc. I also use a booster but without it i even lose the 4 channels.
How do I solve this bizarre problem? I've looked around a few websites but not solved anything. My best guess is something about a wideband aerial. Is a wideband aerial similar to my knackered old thing. do I need one of those? or do i have to wait til march next year and everything will instantly work out?
its not the tv (tunes perfectly downstairs) or cable i use (tried 3 cables) and cant run another lead off the original knackered old thing.
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Jonathan's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Friday, 2 December 2011
M
Mark Fletcher1:11 AM
Halifax
Jonathan Ashenden,Southampton.Yer first loft aerial you described as a "knackered old thing" giving perfect reception in yer living room,is it coloured red at the tip,if so its a group A aerial and as Rowridge mast is currently and remaining a group A transmitter as such only group A aerials,never a group W wideband aerial should ever be fitted on a group A transmitter in poor reception or marginal areas within Rowridge itself.Which nicely comes to the point you mentioned about yer second loft aerial,which appears what you stated to be a newish X-Beam type aerial is it coloured black at the tip,then that will be a group W wideband aerial as such,and the wrong aerial come to that for a group A mast like Rowridge in a poor/marginal area.You do not need a group W wideband aerial as such on Rowridge,but only group A aerials.Look up the ATV (Aerials and Television) of Sheffield website,you will find that a group A Yagi 18A aerial,X-Beam XB16A for outdoor mounts or an X-Beam XB10A for loft mounts are recommended options in your locality.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Jonathan Ashenden: I second Mark's suggestion to look at the ATV website for loads of information on aerials.
It is worth bearing in mind that when switchover has happened, the transmission power will be increased. This means that any improvements/changes you make to your aerial setup are only of benefit pre-switchover as you current one *might* work after switchover.
After switchover, Rowridge will broadcast horizontally and vertically (it only does the former now). You will be best advised to re-orientate your aerials to vertical after switchover so as to have the greatest chance of getting the commercial multiplexes as they will be on lower power horizontally than vertically.
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Wednesday, 7 December 2011
J
Jonathan Ashenden3:19 PM
Southampton
Bought the XB10A. Fingers crossed!
I'll give update when it arrives.
Anyone want to buy a fancy wideband aerial?
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Jonathan's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Friday, 16 December 2011
B
brian6:27 PM
I have strange issue. I have roof top ariel pointed at winter hill (WN60PZ). Between ariel and transmitter is a row of trees so I boost the signal with an amp that also splits the feed to three rooms. One in the bedroom, one in the kitchen, one in the front room).
The bedroom and kitchen recieve all channels full strength. The TV in the front room only receives small number of channels. I've swapped all cables, TVs, and booster ports and results are always the same. The channels I do receive in the living room TV (BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, ITV3, Pick, yest, Film4) all have 100 signal strenth and quality. Can anyone help??
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M
Mazbar7:01 PM
Brian in standish you should have great signal even with the trees have you moved your main tv to another point to check the tv is ok if the tv is fine on the other points it is your aerial point dont forget to retune when you move the tv. If it works on the other point your cable could be faulty on your main tv hope this helps c and a aerials ormskirk
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J
jonathan ashenden8:49 PM
XB10A works perfectly. Thanks to Mark Fletcher and Dave Lindsay for your help.
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jonathan ashenden: Good to hear that you got it sorted.
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jonathan ashenden: Out of interest, have you mounted your XB10A on the roof or in the loft?
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