menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Freeview

 

 

Click to see updates

Freeview reception - all about aerials

Your ability to receive all the Freeview transmissions depends on the suitability of aerial: the design style, "group" and its physical location.

Your ability to receive all the Freeview transmissions depends
published on UK Free TV

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?
Why are all TVs on sale not digital?1
Do I still have to pay for a TV licence?2
I had perfect channel 5 reception - until I got a digital TV box!3
I Have a Pocket Tv For taking out so I can keep up with news and sport. Will thi4
The pictures from my digital box are all green!5
In this section
Loft aerials1
Do I need to buy a booster?2
How to receive Freeview on your PC3
Indoor aerials4
Whole house digital TV5
Connecting it all up6

Comments
Thursday, 4 January 2018
MikeP
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

10:13 PM

AnandLeo:

An indoor aerial is only likely to work for you if you live very close to a main transmitter. As you have not given a full post code we have no idea where you are in relation any of the over 1000 transmitters used for Freeview.

As StevensOnln1 states, a dish does not receive Freeview but could receive Freesat as long as you used a satellite receiver connected to it. Nearly all satellite installations use a screw-on 'F' connector and not a push in coaxial connector.

So please give your full post code and clarify what connections you have coming into the room in use.



link to this comment
MikeP's 3,056 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 12 June 2018
D
Dan
2:47 AM
London

Hi we have been using a standard inside aerial and had all freeview channels until recently that is ! Now we cant get 94 and 96 Any help appreciated

link to this comment
Dan's 4 posts GB flag
Dan's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
D
Dan
2:48 AM
London

Hi we have been using a standard inside aerial and had all freeview channels until recently that is ! Now we cant get 94 and 96 Any help appreciated se95rg Eltham

link to this comment
Dan's 4 posts GB flag
Dan's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
MikeP
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

3:12 PM

Dan:

You are just 9km away from the very powerful Crystal Palace transmitter, so you should be getting very good reception. There is a chance that the signal being received could be too strong, so please will you check what the reported signal strengths are on your TV set. It should not be any greater than 85%.

Further, the work done at Crystal Palace a few weeks ago changed the aerial requirement so that now a wideband type aerial is needed to get all channels (the 'old' Group A aerials cannot receive the new Channels 55 and 56 at all well). So you may need to have the aerial changed, contact the Freeview Helpline on 0808 100 0288 as tou may qualify for a free replacement aerial if you do not also have a satellite or cable system available.



link to this comment
MikeP's 3,056 posts GB flag
Wednesday, 13 June 2018
D
Dan
1:45 PM
London

Dan: MikeP so the two channels in question are 87 country and 94 pbs America So following your advice to check the signal strength i have gone to manual search on tv menu on search type Digitsl aerial and checked channel 54 and 55 where the two missing channels are supposedly located signal quality 0 and signal level 0

link to this comment
Dan's 4 posts GB flag
Dan's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
MikeP
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

6:42 PM

Dan:

Then your aerial is an old Group A type that was used for Crystal Palace but is no longer suitable. It needs to be replaced by a wideband type, prteferably a log-periodic. Call the Freeview Help line on 0808 100 0288 as you may qualify for a free replacement of your old aerial.



link to this comment
MikeP's 3,056 posts GB flag
Saturday, 28 July 2018
G
gillgill
7:36 PM

Hi ,the reflector on my basic tv aerial( my roof is fat) is loose and flapping a lot in the wind.The noise can be heard even with the windows shut! and is effecting my sleep.
How would I fix the reflector to the pole so it is secure please.Many thanks gill


link to this comment
gillgill's 1 post GB flag
Sunday, 29 July 2018
MikeP
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

3:21 PM

GillGill:

The refector does not attach to the pole but the aerial arm instead and its position is very critical. It would be best, and safest, to replace the aerial with a new wideband type to ensure it is in good condition, working correctly and suitable for all future transmissions as there are planned changes due to happen over the next several years. Only a wideband aerial design will cope with the numerous changes expected.

link to this comment
MikeP's 3,056 posts PT flag
S
steveP
sentiment_satisfiedGold

8:02 PM

Hi gill2

Are we to take it that the TV reception itself is fine; just the noise is annoying? If not, ignore this and follow MikeP's wise advice.

But if so you may be able to work out the cause of the problem and mend it

Clearly your fat roof should go on a diet?

But if it is also a flat roof does that mean you have easy and safe access to it?

Just work out which bit is loose and screw, glue or tie it so it is not.

link to this comment
steveP's 1,173 posts GB flag
Monday, 30 July 2018
S
steveP
sentiment_satisfiedGold

12:05 AM

I just noticed MikeP's comment (12 June) about the strength of the Crystal Palace Transmitter.

I used to own a house on Herne Hill - a couple of miles north and facing CP.

When I let it out a tenant asked where the TV aerial sockets were. This confused me as I did not know. On reflection, we did not have an aerial at all. Not even indoors. TVs just WORKED.

Post digital TV was more demanding. A screwdriver in the aerial socket was needed.

link to this comment
steveP's 1,173 posts GB flag
Select more comments

Your comment please
Please post a question, answer or commentUK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.