View Full Version : Freeview with no aerial?..
BarnUnit
09-01-2011, 16:20
Hey, just bought a new T.V with freeview built in, but I am in a listed property with no aerial cable and was wondering if a set top aerial would suffice.
I put my postcode into www.wolfbane.com and received the following results:
Transmitter = Black Hill
1 (PSB 1): UHF - 41, ERP W - 20k
BBC A
2 (PSB 2): UHF - 47, ERP W - 20k
D 3 & 4
A (COM 1): UHF - 44, ERP W - 20k
SDN
B (PSB 3): UHF - 51, ERP W - 20k
BBC B
C(COM 2): UHF - 55, ERP W - 20k
Arqiva A
D (COM 3): UHF - 65, ERP W - 20k
Arqiva B
Gp - E
Pol - H
OS grid ref. - NS828647
Field dBµV/m - 55
Distance miles - 13
Bearing degrees - 91
Antenna (suggestion) - Hi-Gain
I was hoping someone would be able to interpret them for me as I genuinely have no idea what it is I'm looking at.
Also advice on best aerials would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
as you need a Hi-Gain a set top aerial will not be good enough
I would say using a set top aerial at that distance would require it to be positioned in a window with direct and unobstructed line of sight to Black Hill. A rooftop aerial is the best bet in all situations, as indoor aerials can be an absolute pain with people moving about and household electrical interference.
Is there anything stopping you putting a 'rooftop' aerial in the loft?
AFAIK you don't need listed building consent to put a 'normal' UHF TV aerial on the roof of a listed building.
James_Watt
09-01-2011, 18:53
Hello BarnUnit.
The restriction on a listed building regarding aerials, would be to do with external ones.
According to the information you supplied indicates you require a 'Group E' aerial mounted in a 'Horizontal' plane pointed in the direction of the Transmitter Site (Black Hill).
I suggest you get an aerial of suitable size (fits comfortably in the roof space, e.g. 18 element) and add a Pre-Amplifier (470-890MHz) to make up for the signal loss caused by the roof.
I use a Group C/D and Pre-Amp for my situation. It is a standard one (not erroneously called a 'Digital aerial') When I checked my Post Code for suitability, I was informed "Not Available For Your Area". Pile of poo!! I've had Freeview for 7 years!!
Good luck with your purchase, please let us know how you get on.
Kind regards James
LSainsbury
09-01-2011, 19:20
An indoor aerial will not work at all - been there - done it - tried it - twice. Both times - hardly any signal to get a good signal. You'll need a roof aerial (or aerial in the loft).
I'm not against loft aerials, but they come with their own pitfalls (metal water tanks and lead work). If you decide to DIY a loft aerial install, I would go for a High gain Group B aerial. Group E aerials are harder to get hold of and can be more expensive. You would probably lose the Mux D channels until June when Black Hill goes fully digital, and then all channels will fall neatly into Group B. Try without a pre-amp first. You can always install one afterword if you need to.
thedavid2007
08-04-2011, 04:59
I have 2 philex megaboost aerials in my loft and get all freeview channels. The signal quality is excellent. These aerials have a masthead amplifier and power supply. You can connect up to 4 freeview set top boxes to the aerial. Don't buy from B&Q as they are about £45 upwards. You can get them online elsewhere for £17.
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