TV Aerials

Posted by: Rock Steady on 28 February 2006

Anybody know anything about aerials!

When I first moved into my new house 2 years ago, the previous owner took the TV aerial with them when they moved

So we had a replacement one fitted, its an in the attic job, the reception on this on channels 1-4 was good and occasionally pixelated on 5 (using a cheap freeview box and a booster).

Well over time the signal got steadily worse, so that Channel 5 became unviewable.

So I got a bloke in who replaced the aerial with a new digital one, and I also upgraded to a Sony hard disk recorder with built in freeview decoder.

Well the signals even worse now, cant really get 5 at all, even 4 is pretty shaky.

Is there anything I can do?
Why would my signal get worse over time ?

Posted on: 28 February 2006 by Derek Wright

Has there been any building work between you and the transmitter.

Water in the aerial cable perhaps, loose connections in the booster, aerial lead connections shorting between the platted conductor and the centre core.

Booster power supply failing.

Wind displaced the aerial.

How far are you from the transmitter?

Posted on: 01 March 2006 by AV@naim

Did he use CT100 cable through out?

Posted on: 01 March 2006 by BigH47

So this guy fitted a new aerial and left you with a worse picture? I would say he has not aligned/set it up properly. You shold get a great improvemnt with the newer aerials.My LiteOn DVDR degrades the signal a little compared to the VCR it has replaced.

Howard

Posted on: 01 March 2006 by Big Al

There are so many variables with TV reception that all most of us could offer is conjecture.

If you use a good local hifi dealer, he or she will very likely know of or use a competent aerial installer, given the importance of AV in the hifi market nowadays.

I was recommended a guy by the Audiofile at Bishops Stortford, and to say he was an aerial enthusiast is an understatement! However, I did end up with (albeit at a price) a decent aerial set-up.

My point is, if you get a professional doing the job, it may cost, but you will get decent results. I think you will be recommended to get an outside aerail if possible,though.

Allen

Posted on: 06 March 2006 by tpm45

My aerial socket is situated in a corner and I want everthing in the centre for obvious reasons. Can I track the wall and add an extra bit of cable via one of those joining things?? or should I replace the entire cable so their is no break, would the picture be poor or just a slight drop off on quality.

Would appreciate any answers before I start digging holes in the wall.

Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Quasimodoh!

Big Al,

I live in Stortford and the audiofile also gave me an aerial installers name, I was thinking of giving them a call, were you happy with the service / recommend them?

Quasimodoh!