[Airborne]

I wish to upgrade my rooftop TV Aerial - getting breakup of picture on some channels (particularly BBC 1 and 2 incl HD).

I would probably install the new aerial myself. I have a Loft based TV Splitter as I have 2 other sets in other rooms. I may upgrade this as well.

I only know of one or two makers - such as Antiference and Philex which can be purchased from Argos or Amazon online.

Grateful for comments on recommended manufacturers.

[joshua_welby]

Originally Posted by Airborne

I wish to upgrade my rooftop TV Aerial - getting breakup of picture on some channels (particularly BBC 1 and 2 incl HD).

I would probably install the new aerial myself. I have a Loft based TV Splitter as I have 2 other sets in other rooms. I may upgrade this as well.

I only know of one or two makers - such as Antiference and Philex which can be purchased from Argos or Amazon online.

Grateful for comments on recommended manufacturers.

For a start, you need to install a Wideband Aerial so that you are future proofed if they are any frequency changes in your area and install it on your roof and not in your Loft, as you get a better reception from outside

[Winston_1]

There is no such thing as an HD aerial. Wideband aerials are not suitable in many cases. In particular wideband aerials should not be used in group A areas as their gain at the low channels is very poor. The only exception is log periodic types which have a fairly even gain throughout the band.

The aerials from Argos, B & Q, Maplin, Screwfix, etc are generally poor build quality and wideband so don't go there.

There are at least two dealers and experts on these forums who could supply a decent aerial and other bits.

Satcure.
ATV Aerials.

[Chris Frost]

If one of my customers said they were losing signal on BBC1 & 2 then I wouldn't be thinking they need a booster or a new aerial at all.

The digital channels are broadcast in groups that are known as multiplexes - Mux for short. Stations that have to achieve almost total UK coverage are broadcast with the highest power. These are the muxes that include BBC1 & 2. If you are getting break up on the strongest channels, but still receiving the weaker ones okay then the aerial is probably okay.

A good first step with any of these kind of vague and spurious problems is to do a "first time install" tuning. This will clear the existing channel memories and retune from fresh.

Next, have a look at the signal strength. Not every TV and Freeview box measures to exactly the same level, so use a bit of latitude here. But essentially you need only about 75% signal strength and then as much signal quality as possible. Quality is the most important one. It's a measure of signal against background noise. The better the signal quality then the more signal you have versus background noise. This is why boosters aren't a universal fix. If you have a lousy low powered signal then a booster will make it a lousy high powered signal.

If you find your signal strength at max then you might have too much signal and that can be just as bad as too little. An attenuator can reduce the signal level if required.

If these aren't the issues or you are still having problems then check your cable. Coax doesn't last forever; particularly outdoors. If the outer sheath is worn through or cracked then water can get in to the cable. Also look for areas where the cable goes through a tight corner. Sharp bends can create a notch filter that affects some signals but leave others untouched.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

If one of my customers said they were losing signal on BBC1 & 2 then I wouldn't be thinking they need a booster or a new aerial at all.

Obviously it depends on the exact situation - but one multiplex been far lower than the others is more likely to require aerial work than anything else. If all multiplexes are low, but only one below the digital threshold, then a better aerial or a masthead amplifier is most likely to be the correct solution.

But as always, with aerials local knowledge is king!

[Chris Frost]

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Obviously it depends on the exact situation - but one multiplex been far lower than the others is more likely to require aerial work than anything else. If all multiplexes are low, but only one below the digital threshold, then a better aerial or a masthead amplifier is most likely to be the correct solution.

But as always, with aerials local knowledge is king!

I'm sorry Nigel, but did you actually read the OP? Did you miss the bit where he said he's losing BBC1 & BBC2. These are the NATIONAL stations.... .i.e. out of all 6 muxes in total it is these muxes (BBC A, D3&4, BBC B/HD) that are the ones that will definitely be broadcast with the HIGHEST power.

The other muxes carrying the crappy shopping channels may well be on an equal power footing (e.g. Crystal Palace, Winter Hill, Emley Moor, Mendip). But can you honestly say that you know of a transmitter that gives greater power to the muxes carrying Gay Rabbit, Gems TV and QVC Beauty than it does to the main BBC and ITV channels? Here's a list so you can check it if interested. Here's a breakdown of channel by mux

So are you really suggesting that even if the OP's local transmitter does have stepped power, that he's actually going to lose the channels on the highest power first???

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

I'm sorry Nigel, but did you actually read the OP? Did you miss the bit where he said he's losing BBC1 & BBC2. These are the NATIONAL stations.... .i.e. out of all 6 muxes in total it is these muxes (BBC A, D3&4, BBC B/HD) that are the ones that will definitely be broadcast with the HIGHEST power.

Yes I read it, most multiplexes are the same power anyway, and having different power multiplexes makes no difference to my answer (as the differences aren't that great).

EDIT:

Just read my previous post, were you perhaps confused by my use of 'lower' which referred toi the received signal, NOT the multiplex transmitter power.

[Chris Frost]

I'm not convinced, Nigel. Feels to me like you're wriggling.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Chris Frost

I'm not convinced, Nigel. Feels to me like you're wriggling.

Not 'wriggling' at all, nothing to 'wriggle' about

[niall campbell]

perhaps if we can wriggle a postcode out of the OP ?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by niall campbell

perhaps if we can wriggle a postcode out of the OP ?

Even a postcode only helps if you have local knowledge, losing one multiplex could be something as simple as a slight alignment issue?.

[ProDave]

Originally Posted by Airborne

I would probably install the new aerial myself. I have a Loft based TV Splitter as I have 2 other sets in other rooms. I may upgrade this as well.
.

Tell us more about that splitter?

If it's a passive splitter then that could well be your problem.

Start by replacing it with a powered distribution amplifier. That alone may solve your problems.