TV Ariel signal strength problem with freeview, advice and help needed before i go mad?

Question

We have freeview and are having a real problem with signal strength, picture on most channels shows 50% strength, but on others the signal drops and rises at randem from 70% to 0% and drives us mad, i have purchased a high gain ariel but think the problem may be directional, having looked at all the houses near, ariels are all over the place giving no local direction to point the ariel, so what is the best way to locate the optimum signal strength, and feed that signal to up to 4 tv's, help before i go mad and pull whats left of my hair out.

Answer 1

Some people have been affected by "Advertiser's Puff". There is NO SUCH THING as a Digital Aerial. This is just something that some aerial installers say to sell more aerials. You already have a High Gain one, and that is what you need (if it's the right Group or broadband).

First: is your downlead split to feed your telly's using a "passive" (unpowered) splitter? If it is then you could be suffering from reflections within the various branches of your cables. Try just using a single unbroken lead down to one television and see what happens.

The aerial will be optimised to feed a 75 ohm load and that can only be met by having a single lead (without branches) to a single receiver.
Splitting the cable causes conditions that can not only reduce signal strength but also cause distortions which affect digital signals more than analogue ones.

Second: look up your nearest transmitter. Use the link below to the BBC site for information. Note that you may be in a 'fringe' area and have to use one of their Repeater transmitters.
Check that you have the correct aerial group for that transmitter.

Ascertain the bearing of your house to the transmitter and then you can use an ordinary compass to check that your aerial is pointing in the right direction.

If you have high buildings, trees or building works in the way then you will have to find your next best transmitter. If your neighbours' are pointing all over the place then it's possible that they have had similar experiences.

Third: don't waste money on a 'booster amplifier'. If your initial signal is crap then that won't make any difference.

Fourth: once you have got a good signal with your single television then you should use a powered splitter to feed your other receivers. Get one from B&Q or Maplin.

If that doesn't work then get in an installer and ask him to use your existing aerial (to save buying a new one). He'll align it using a field strength meter (cast about £500 so don't go buying one yourself). He'll charge about £100 but at least you'll have a good working system with a guarantee.

Answer 2

You do need a proper Digital Ariel.Always better to consult a registered fitter for this the cost around £70.It is a difficult job without their expert help.You cannot even use the house next door as a marker.But even so you may need an amplifier.it is worth the cost in the end.

Answer 3

The Tank's answer is the best one. Remember also that the higher the aerial (strange how all these authorities on aerials don't even know how to spell it) the more signal you will receive. Consider raising it, say, another ten feet.

But please don't do a Roy Hudd...

Answer 4

weather can affect signal strength if your high gain aerial is not digital this could be a problem you can also get a signal booster cheap digiboxes can also be a problem
so maybe you need to get the best of everything

Answer 5

YOU MAY NEED A DIGITAL AREIL , COST OF FOR INSTULATION AND ALL £100 AROUND THAT