Trees affecting tv signal

diamond_dave

Sorry if not the correct category to post but I'm having trouble with my tv signal due to the trees close by. The picture pixelates on most channels but BBC is fine. The ariel is in the loft but I guess that I need an amplifier/signal booster. The transmitter is not too far away but every year when the trees come into leaf the problem becomes worse. Can any engineers out there recommend a decent booster as I've googled it and am a bit baffled. Don't want to climb 30 odd feet onto roof to fit ariel on chimney!  many thanks.

Neil_Jones

If the issue only occurs when deciduous trees grow new leaves, then that automatically implies the tree's leaves are causing the issue.  All you can do is either move the aerial or prune the tree.  The issue will continue to occur every year until one or both actions are done, and will return once the tree grows again to the height is is now.

You can't put a booster on "this" side of the tree.  There is nothing to boost.  The signal is not getting through the tree.  You can't boost what's not there.

If you don't own the trees and they're not on your land (ie council land or council owned) the only other option is to move your aerial.

Mister_G

Putting the aerial outside on the chimney will probably give you 10-15dB more signal.  If you do not want to do this yourself, then you can get an aerial installer to do it for you.  Probable cost £100-£150 depending on how difficult it would be.


If the signal is marginal, you may get away with one of these, but no guarantee.:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Labgear-KIT125V-13-25dB-Variable-Amplifier/dp/B00KHTMEY4

Neil49

I had that issue at my old house and an external aerial with a booster helped considerably but there were still times when the problem came back, usually when the leaves first came out. 

An alternative, if you continue to get problems is to buy an Internet based stick such as Now tv, Roku or Amazon Fire stick. These start at around £20 and you can get BBC, Itv, Channel 4 and 5 all live (plus a few others) and plenty of options via catch up. Your tv needs an hdmi input for these to work. 

Rodders53

Leaves on trees can match the wavelength(s) = frequency(ies) of the UHF TV signals and cause attenuation and/or reflections of the signals.  Normally with some affected more than others.  Other than cutting back / removing the trees alternative aerial positions can be tried, and a different type of aerial might help, such as the grid aerial https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/aerials/yagis-double-yagis-tri-booms-and-x-beam-aerials#grid-aerials

https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/questions/freeview/what-is-the-effect-of-trees-on-reception

I once visited a location where reception through trees was better than from a quality broadcast style log periodic on the survey vehicle.  It's possible an amplifier might be needed on the mast as the grid is low gain.  Positioning an aerial lower so that it points under the tree branches can also work, if that results in a less-obstructed view to the transmitter.