Is it possible to convert a single aerial socket (used for Freeview reception) to a double socket to use as an fm aerial for the radio in my home cinema system.I am unable to receive a signal via the built in aerial. If so, would I lose any of the Freeview signal, I receive a very weak signal for Freeview but can still get all the available channels.
Twin aerial socket
First off.
FM and TV use very different frequencies. An aerial designed for Tv reception will receive b' all at FM frrequencies. in fact you will probably pick up more signal via the downlead!
Secondly.
There is no guarantee that your TV aerial is pointing in anything like the right direction for radio. Not all radio and TV transmitters are co-sited. And not every radio station you can receive at your location will share a site either.
Thirdly.
Using a passive splitter when you already have weak Freeview reception is not a good idea. All passive splitters attenuate the signal by some degree or another. The metal bodied types with F Type sockets on tend to be the best. Those horrible white plastic Y shaped jobs should be put up against the wall and shot
They should certainly never ever cross the threshold into your home and go anywhere near your TV lead.
Basically you are in a no win situation. Your TV aerial is totally unsuited for radio. And you are likely to make your TV reception much worse. If you want to improve radio reception by far the best option is to install a proper aerial designed for the job.
You can get units to combine radio and TV aerials at the masthead and splitters to separate out the signals in the living room. But they may introduce a bit of loss. So you have to weigh up the possible consequences to your TV reception over running a separate aerial lead for radio.
FM and TV use very different frequencies. An aerial designed for Tv reception will receive b' all at FM frrequencies. in fact you will probably pick up more signal via the downlead!
Secondly.
There is no guarantee that your TV aerial is pointing in anything like the right direction for radio. Not all radio and TV transmitters are co-sited. And not every radio station you can receive at your location will share a site either.
Thirdly.
Using a passive splitter when you already have weak Freeview reception is not a good idea. All passive splitters attenuate the signal by some degree or another. The metal bodied types with F Type sockets on tend to be the best. Those horrible white plastic Y shaped jobs should be put up against the wall and shot
They should certainly never ever cross the threshold into your home and go anywhere near your TV lead.Basically you are in a no win situation. Your TV aerial is totally unsuited for radio. And you are likely to make your TV reception much worse. If you want to improve radio reception by far the best option is to install a proper aerial designed for the job.
You can get units to combine radio and TV aerials at the masthead and splitters to separate out the signals in the living room. But they may introduce a bit of loss. So you have to weigh up the possible consequences to your TV reception over running a separate aerial lead for radio.
While I agree totally with chrisjr, have you tried connecting the radio to the TV aerial? You might just be lucky, in which case an amplified splitter might save fitting an FM aerial.
It's a long shot, admittedly, but you may be surprised.
It's a long shot, admittedly, but you may be surprised.
ive got..... a largish tv aerial in my loft...... which goes into a twin booster.....
then 2 separate leads... one goes to my tv
the other goes into my stereo.
and I actually get great recepion on my TV and great reception on my stereo (for both DAB and FM) I probably just struck lucky - as a TV aerial shouldnt really help for radio reception at all.
why dont you test your existing aerial in the back of your stereo? it may or may not be any good - but worth a try.
If it works.... simply get a twin booster (<£10) and put it down at the back of your TV allowing you to have 2 connections from your aerial.
If not... you could try a diplexer. allowing you to have tv and FM down one lead. you could get a dedicated FM aerial in your loft or wherever.
then 2 separate leads... one goes to my tv
the other goes into my stereo.
and I actually get great recepion on my TV and great reception on my stereo (for both DAB and FM) I probably just struck lucky - as a TV aerial shouldnt really help for radio reception at all.
why dont you test your existing aerial in the back of your stereo? it may or may not be any good - but worth a try.
If it works.... simply get a twin booster (<£10) and put it down at the back of your TV allowing you to have 2 connections from your aerial.
If not... you could try a diplexer. allowing you to have tv and FM down one lead. you could get a dedicated FM aerial in your loft or wherever.
