Digital TV Signal Strength

economiser

I have had digital freeview for some 18 months and had good reception with my old loft aerial. Three times in the last months though I have had problems with signal strength, particularly on the ITV channels. Tonight there is almost a complete wipe out. All ITV (except ITV2+1), Ch4, Ch5, E4 and Film 4 (but not Film 4+1) together with many others although the BBC carries on regardless. Can anyone give me any idea as to what might be happening? Is it the weather? ITV say they have not had any reports of problems. Am I alone? I am in West Essex and receive signals from Crystal Palace.

Moneymaker

Well, I searched Google for crystal palace itv reception problems and it came up with a discussion here:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=584673

Frankly, the first thing I'd do is replace your "fly leads" with good quality fully screened type. These are often a cause of problems.

Some tips here: http://sam-radford.me.uk/freeview.htm

economiser

Thank you money maker, most interesting. I never realised things could be so involved. Could you explain the term "fly leads"? I have a single direct connection between the aerial and the set (approx. 6m run).

UPDATE! Thanks again but I think I have now located the meaning of fly lead.

economiser

I think these sites explain it:

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/digitaltv.html#mux

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/crystalpalacetx.html

albertross_2

rescanning can sometimes help

Farway

Very likely it is weather, with high pressure at the moment, nice sunny days etc, then that is the cause. I have the same problem

No doubt it could be resoloved, new arial, cable etc, but once the weather changes it will revert to normal

So unless you are really bothered about missing the trash currently on then I would save the money, get some nice wine in and use the high pressure to advantage by sitting in the garden with a glass or two :beer:

economiser

Just to report that Moneymaker's advice about the fly leads seems to have resoved the problem for less than a fiver.