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Freeview reception?

I want freeview but checked to see if it was available in our area by checking on their website with our postcode.
Unfortunately, our area does not qualify.

I have been told though if we upgrade our old aerial with a good quality digital aerial, we should recieve freeview!

Can anyone if this is true or not....

Thanks
paul
«13

Comments

  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It is often possible to receive freeview despite what the postcode checker says. The postcode checker will err on the side of the caution as it is better for them to tell a few people who would only be able to get it with a good aerial that they can't than to tell them they could and then have annoyed people calling up and complaining...

    I would start by asking the neighbours - one of them may well have tried themselves. Is your terrestrial signal decent quality?

    If you can't then you could consider setting a free-to-view satellite system.
  • save-a-lot
    save-a-lot Posts: 2,809 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi

    I tried the post code checker and found that we could not receive a digital signal for the freeview service - even tried a borrowed box to double check. The box scanned for a signal and we got 0% reception - not good. Anyway, looked at other options and found this...

    http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/

    a one off £150 fee to set up "Free Sat from SKY" - freeview via a satellite dish! It is excellent and the website lists out all the TV and Radio stations you can get.

    Hope that is helpful to you

    Phil
  • I think my aerial is good qualiy....
    At the mo I have sky which I need to stop as its working out quite expensive.
    But our 5 month old lad likes c-beebies which I believe comes on the freevew.

    Whats a free to view satelite system??

    cheers
    paul..
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    save-a-lot wrote:
    Hi

    I tried the post code checker and found that we could not receive a digital signal for the freeview service - even tried a borrowed box to double check. The box scanned for a signal and we got 0% reception - not good. Anyway, looked at other options and found this...

    http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/

    a one off £150 fee to set up "Free Sat from SKY" - freeview via a satellite dish! It is excellent and the website lists out all the TV and Radio stations you can get.

    Hope that is helpful to you

    Phil
    You can now buy a non-Sky set up like this from Maplins:

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?TabID=1&criteria=satellite&ModuleNo=48305&doy=27m12

    It is £80 although that doesn't include installation like the Sky one does.
  • If you already have Sky and can't afford it/don't want it anymore, you can pay a one-off £20 for a card and cancel your monthly subscription.
    "Some say the cup is half empty, while others say it is half full. However, this is skirting around the issue. The real problem is that the cup is too big."
  • save-a-lot
    save-a-lot Posts: 2,809 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you already have SKY you just need to buy the card -

    I already have digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?

    All you need to get access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a freesat viewing card which costs just £20.


    Look at their FAQ page http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/?pID=6

    Cheers
    Phil
    p.s. we have it solely for c-beebies!
  • save-a-lot
    save-a-lot Posts: 2,809 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Looks like we all posted the same reply at the same time :xmassign:
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    pauliepie wrote:
    I think my aerial is good qualiy....
    At the mo I have sky which I need to stop as its working out quite expensive.
    But our 5 month old lad likes c-beebies which I believe comes on the freevew.

    Whats a free to view satelite system??

    cheers
    paul..
    Have you had the Sky over a year. If so just cancel the subscription - the box and dish are yours to keep and you will all the same channels as freeview including CBeebies (except E4). A free to view satellite system is just a sky box without a subscription. :)

    (It is important to note here: do not throw away your card - some channels can only be accessed with a card, even a defunct one.)
  • Lorian
    Lorian Posts: 6,328 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    pauliepie wrote:
    I think my aerial is good qualiy....
    But how old is it - do you know if it's a wideband aerial?

    Like other say though - if you already have sky then cancelling your subs are the best way to get the free channels.
  • gizmoleeds
    gizmoleeds Posts: 2,232 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you already have Sky and can't afford it/don't want it anymore, you can pay a one-off £20 for a card and cancel your monthly subscription.
    I may be wrong, but I think a defunct Sky card will do the same thing.
    save-a-lot wrote:
    Looks like we all posted the same reply at the same time :xmassign:
    And then me as well :o :snow_laug
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