TV Aerial Help!

debitcardmayhem

you could connect one of the down leads direct to the aerial cable using a female coax coupler and see if that makes a difference, thus probably pointing the finger to the amp/distribution box , but I would check all the down leads in turn .

ann_droid

Hi
Start here perhaps....
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/56383/central_v2.2.pdf
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/56622/yorkshire_v2.2.pdf


ID your/the transmitter you want to point at.


Locally   https://ukfree.tv/maps/itv/3

There are a dozen or more with assorted channels and strengths.
Hopefully your TV will have a settings section where the signal strength is displayed, and gentle rotation of the aerial will be noticeable.

ann_droid

""The aerial is fixed in location so can't be turned""

If it was on a mounting pole/bracket it could.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=aerial+mounting+bracket&t=brave&ia=web

Oneye12

""The aerial is fixed in location so can't be turned""

There is no point in fixing the aerial to a pole to rotate - it was fixed at loft apex as there would be no need to rotate unless transmitter sites have changed / moved.

ann_droid

They change.
https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/detailed-transmitter-information
https://www.freeview.co.uk/sites/default/files/2019-11/2020_Central_Date_Release.pdf

Originally it was Sutton Coldfield only, on very very low power.  
OnDigital was unavailable at my location, despite me buying a suitable TV, later ITV Digital worked for while.
Finally Freeview and more channnels and masts and more choices.

I have several to choose from. Lark Stoke being a "recent" addition (2013).

Most Likely Transmitter Sutton Coldfield
Alternative Transmitter Lark Stoke
Alternative Transmitter Waltham

Then it is the polarity and channels available.

There were big changes in 2018, so re-tuning and re-positioning is likely to be the answer.

Nottinghamshire:-
 Nottingham aka Nottingham UHF 7, Eastwood, 

Rodders53

Location very nearby postcode needed to use Freeview prediction tools.  Then we'll know the transmitter.
A problem for 3 years may be due to the 700MHz clearance regimes, and a new aerial rather than an old grouped one is needed (and would have been supplied foc) at that time?

Lots of talk of Midlands, but I can't see the OP saying that's where they live?

GrumpyDil

I think people are assuming location as if you look at the booster it is branded from a Nottingham company. But yes no confirmation of location from the OP. 

ErolGirl

Haha yes guys sorry I am on the Isle of Man!! So its a bit of an awkward one for us...We had someone come around to look at the problem, but he told us we need to go to Satellite and didnt even check any of our equipment! bit annoying!! 

Heedtheadvice

Firstly the Fringe electronics amplifiers are good. However as noted above it does look a bit corroded so some of the tests advised might be worthwhile. I cannot see if that particular amplifier is one of the best providing amplification as well as multiple outputs so in the fullness of time it might be better replaced but other areas to concentrate on.

With digital signals (Freeview being of that type) you get a signal level that is either good (and works), is marginal (and is intermittent and variable as transmission and reception factors, sun spots, weather etc varies) resulting in variations of ' ok', pixellation, channel loss, variability between channels. Or too bad and just does not work.

For whatever reason your tvs seem to be getting a marginal signal.

Your antenna is not the best for signal quality. A higher gain one might be useful. It indicates (having been working fine, being small and indoors) that you are getting reception from one of the local IOM transmitter that only have the limited channels of Freeview lite. I too have that. They are more local transmitters with a more budget service. Annoying but true. So it seems that you are not getting reception from the more distant mainland transmitters (Lancashire, Cumbria, Wales or N Ireland). You can get all channel access via internet. Or indeed Freesat.

First step is see where it is pointing e.g Douglas, Ramsey or one of the others. Make sure that you are pointing at the best transmitter for your locatio see https://www.freeview.co.uk/help/what-transmitter-receive-signal (I hope it works for IOM addresses, if not there will be other sources of info). Confirm your antenna (long axis)  is pointing there and is in the correct orientation.(H -littlebars on antenna horizontal, V they need to be vertical) .

Ifone of your tvs has a setup function showing signsl strength use that and make small positional adjustment to your antenna to maximise the signal.

Some  may say that all that is pointless as you say it had been working well.   The above will help you maximise   signal and sometimes (since it was working well) Transmitter changes have taken place as well as channel reallocations.

After that, without equipment and the expertise it is difficult to diagnose and fix a specific problem and you are really into suck it and see areas! You can however buy signal strength meters fairly cheaply!

There used to be an IOM forum that dealt with tv matters and had some good posters who might be able to help but failing that you might just be best calling in a local specialist!!

ann_droid

Hi
Just to cover / re-iterate ..................

http://www.astra2sat.com/freeview/freeview-muxes-isle-of-man/

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Glenmaye

and this maybe totally useless.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/tv-aerials/cat4740012