Mend > Televisions

new aerial not receiving digital?

Multi point aerial system already installed when we moved in. Have change existing aerial for a UNIX 52 flashy aerial thinking i'd get an even better picture through the top boxes [3 in all] No! we get bad pixilating [breaking up] or showing NO Signal on most digi channels. The cable from the new to the old is connected by an external box [new] for VHF-UHF 0-860 MHz. I'd post picy if I new how. The surplus of the cables are looped and taped to the aerial pole. I know all about the old saying 'If it aint broke then don't fix it' but thought I'd get a better picture. We're in West Sussex on the coast and main transmitter station is I.O.W and aerial set in same position as the old one. Someone did tell me I need a 'Brighton aerial [Don't ask] giving the stronger signal but it won't be picked up on an ordinary aerial. Any suggestions other than 'You should have left it alone' or 'I told you it won't work'.
Got nagged by e'r in doors to fit the new one as sometimes the digi's did pixilate on the old aerial. Now she's peeved the new one is worse. She now want's to waste more dosh going out and getting another aerial. At that point I put my foot down on e'r ead and said NO! the old one goes back on if I have to.

rob
April 2007

UNIX UNIX 52 flashy Video, Televisions Aerial Not Digital

A sat locator is unlikely to work because they work on a different frequency to terrestrial. BTW, your aerial isn't in the loft is it? DVB-T doesn't often work very well with loft aerials. Just noticed that you have excess cable too. Long cables and tight turns in cables cause problems with coax.

t
April 2007

Thanks to all. I have a booster aerial is plugged in to it in the loft and powered by socket below in utility room. As it is causing problems I'll get my mate to check the signal with his sat locator if he can. If no better results I'll put the old aerial back.
bob

bob
April 2007

It is extremely unlikely that an unboosted aerial can drive three DVB-T STBs. If the box that you describe is unpowered it will make things even worse by causing further attenuation. I suggest that you get an aerial booster and using the signal strength meter on one of the STBs line your aerial up for maximum signal. BTW lots of people near the south coast use Rowridge (iOW) because you can get an uncluttered signal from it.

t
April 2007

Here's the link I left out...

http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/tx_s.html

Cobweb
April 2007

It is a misconception that a Wideband aerial is 'always' best for Digital reception. For instance, from the Whitehawk Hill (I don't know if that's your local transmitter), all digital multiplex's are in the group C/D range anyway (vertical polarisation), in which case a group C/D aerial would give better results.

Check here for correct group and polarity.

In the end it usual does work out cheaper to have an experience aerial installer, first as last.

Cobweb
April 2007

Try adding a signal booster to your system....... it worked for me, I had no signal at all without one, now I get them all .

Pete
April 2007