Freeview reception - all about aerials
Updated 8th January 2014.
Your ability of receive all the Freeview transmissions depends on the suitability of aerial
- the design style,
- the "group", and
- its physical location.
Standard type - Yagi aerial
The standard type of TV aerial is known as the Yagi aerial. It is mounted on a pole, and consists of a rod with a reflector (shown green) at the back and many spiky elements (in grey) at the front. The connecting cable connects to the element nearest the reflector, known as the driver (shown in blue).
These Yagi aerials are directional and so pick up signals best from a transmitter that the rod points towards. The more elements the aerial has, the better it picks up a signal and becomes more directional.
A standard-type aerial is all that is required for digital TV reception in most places. These antennae have between 10 and 18 elements and a single reflector. These are recommended for new installations for good digital television reception, but will more often than not function perfectly in good reception areas.
Typically these aerials are designed to receive only some transmission frequencies - see "groups" below.
High Gain aerials
These aerials are designed for poor digital reception areas, and have two reflectors. For maximum signal strength, some digital high gain aerials have up to 100 elements. Since the switchover to digital-only transmissions back in October 2012, most UK households now have good quality digital TV signals.
A more expensive aerial is only required where the signal strength is low, but can often provide the whole Freeview reception where it might otherwise be impossible.
The CAI (that represents aerial installers) has four standards for digital TV aerials. The highest standard "1" is for homes on the fringes of coverage areas, intermediate standard "2" is suitable for use within the coverage area; minimum standard "3" is for good coverage conditions.
These aerials can be either wideband, or receive only selected frequencies - see "groups" below.
Grid
You may haved used a 'Grid aerial' for analogue reception, but as they are generally unsuitable for Freeview reception, they have now generally been replaced by the Yagi type. However in some places a Grid aerial installation may work for Freeview: otherwise replace with a standard Yagi aerial.
Indoor
Indoor aerials are generally not suitable for Freeview reception. In areas of good signal strength it is often possible to receive some transmissions. Even where an aerial works, people often find that may get interruptions to their viewing (or recording).Loft mounted
Loft mounted arrivals are not generally recommended for Freeview reception, as the roof tiles and plumbing will degrade the signal. Some compensation for this loss of signal can be made by using satellite-grade cable to connect the set top box to the aerial.Positioning
The best position for a TV aerial is mounted outdoors, as high from the ground as possible, pointing directly at the transmitter. The signal can be blocked by hills and tall buildings. It should be positioned away from any other aerials.Horizontal or vertical?
The transmitter will either use vertical mode which requires the elements of your aerial to be up-down, or horizontal mode which requires them to be level with the ground.Groups
Both analogue and digital television is transmitted the same group of transmission frequencies (known as channel 21 through to 60). A coloured marking on the aerial shows the group.To create the best possible analogue picture, TV transmissions from adjacent transmitters have been designated to several different groups of frequencies. By using an aerial that receives only the channels in the correct group, the analogue picture can be kept free from interference.
To receive Freeview transmissions from the same transmitter it has been sometimes necessary to use frequencies that are not part of the transmitter's normal group. When this has occurred, the aerial will need to be replaced with a "wideband" aerial (also known as group W) - one that covers every group.
As Ofcom is planning to move the TV frequencies again - perhaps as soon as 2018 - it may be wise to use a wideband aerial if you can to ensure you can keep viewing Freeview for many years to come.
Help with Television sets?
Sunday, 22 July 2012
J
jb3810:12 AM
Nottingham
Paul H: OK thanks, as that confirms that it was definitely Waltham that you were receiving from, me only being curious as although the Nottingham transmitter might appear to cover many areas including your own, in practice it doesn't very well hence why Waltham is used by many.
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jb38's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
S
Stephen P1:26 PM
the aerial is horizontal.
I suppose it would be, lying on the floor? (that is a joke)
Any idea why the lashing snapped? Wear from being loose perhaps? How old is the installation?
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Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Using intervideo software on TV card in my desktop pc, picked up all main channels here in South Africa, but had crackling hissing sound with poor pickup on channel broadcast on UHF. This using a small aerial. Setup a Yagi type on the roof, pointing transmitter towards red & white painted large gantry aerials high up on hospital roof opposite as large trees and adjoining gable wall blocks transmitter in line with b/cast tower unviewable. Some channels very clear at times but affected by wind etc. Any help much apprec. Thx truly - RW Johannesbg.
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Wednesday, 25 July 2012
S
Stephen P12:20 AM
Ralph: Not sure I understand!
Are there no local aerial fitters to consult?
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Friday, 27 July 2012
oh forgot to mention i have great signal strength poor signal quality anymore advice please am at a lost, cant affod to pay some one to come out and tell me yet again everything is fine ch52 has good signal strength but no quality at all
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Suzy's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
O
Online mastering6:49 PM
Hmm.. one thing for sure is that it is right when it says an internal aerial (even with an amplifier of 45dB gain) is not recommended with Freeview, unless your service transmitter is very close by you only get a few channels sadly. Must get the external antenna wired up.
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S
Stephen P8:37 PM
I actually managed with the wire loop on top of a TV in a location where no-one would have expected it to work. But the loop was facing a large wooden window with line of sight to the transmitter.
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Sunday, 5 August 2012
K
Keith10:13 AM
Hi up till about 1/8/2012 we had a good signal on our t.v sets which run through a amplifier in the loft the light is still on the amplifier but we have no signal at all any ideas please.
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M
Mark Fletcher11:34 AM
Halifax
Keith.We cannot be of any valuable assistance to you if you did not leave a full postcode preferably,or failing that a nearby location as such.The full postcode is to ascertain the reception probabilities at your end.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Keith: It could be that the light is on, but there is no one home. The light simply indicates power is getting to the light.
Try connecting the incoming feed from the aerial to one of the room feeds and see if you get anything.
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