Does my aerial need replacing?

Kimberley

I have a built in Freeview TV. I get most freeview channels but i cannot get channel 5 or BBC3 which are two channels i would love to get. There are some others i cannot get also but my neighbours can. My TV picture also flickers sometimes, you know like when you have an indoor one and you have to keep adjusting it because the screen goes all funny.

Is it the aerial or my TV? It's probably an obvious answer which i probably already know but i'm just checking before i spend out on an aerial repair.

Conor_3

Looks highly like you need a new aerial. Many people do because even though the aerial covers the bands, the cable is quite lossy and suffering from age.

Kimberley

Ok thanks thats what i thought but wanted to know before i bring in a repair man

Inactive

You may well not need a new aerial, it may just need re-aligning.

Also some Freeview tuners are more sensetive than others, that may explain, in part why your neighbours can get channels that you cannot.

My TV Aerial is over 30 years old, I live in a " No Freeview " area, yet I get all channels perfectly.

carol_a_3

I have that problem too, get some Freeview channels through my box but no Channel 5 which my daughter is upset about now Neighbours has gone over there.

Mine is the original aerial in the loft from 23 years ago but the loft is a bit dangerous to access now since re-insulating and they've put it right across the joists so you can't see where you're walking!

Rikki

I can't get BBC1, BBC2 Or BBC3 through the freeview television, so I just switch back to normal viewing to pick up 1 & 2.

Inactive

carol_a wrote: »

I have that problem too, get some Freeview channels through my box but no Channel 5 which my daughter is upset about now Neighbours has gone over there.

Mine is the original aerial in the loft from 23 years ago but the loft is a bit dangerous to access now since re-insulating and they've put it right across the joists so you can't see where you're walking!

A loft aerial will never work as well as an external aerial, you would better served by an external aerial.

carol_a_3

When this estate was built it was written in the deeds that no external aerials were allowed, there are loads of satellite dishes on people's walls now though so don't know if that still stands or not.

BenL

Have you got the signal passing directly to the TV or through some other equipment.

I sorted out my parents new LCD TV/Freeview this weekend and the video the aerial was router through blocked a lot of freeview signals.

Moving the videos default output channel didn't cure the issue either.

In the end the video is going on freecycle and a V+ box getting moved from the sports lounge to the main lounge.

isofa

carol_a wrote: »

When this estate was built it was written in the deeds that no external aerials were allowed, there are loads of satellite dishes on people's walls now though so don't know if that still stands or not.

Those are known as covenants, and usually stand for 10 years after the build, although each build can be different.

External aerials will no doubt get a better signal, but I personally don't like external aerials, especially if you live in an attractive green area. We have a 10 year old standard loft aerial and certainly not in the best freeview area, but with our Sony's we get all the freeview channels, only in bad weather do one or two drop out, but very rarely.

Try a good quality internal aerial first, and make sure it is aligned correctly, Maplin do a wide range, and it's quite easy to do yourself if you are happy playing around in the loft, but put some boarding up there! There is no electricity involved, so it's perfectly safe - and much cheaper than getting an aerial man in, and this is MSE

Kimberley

BenL wrote: »

Have you got the signal passing directly to the TV or through some other equipment.

The aerial goes straight from the TV into the wall, i've had a look outside and it seems the line is attached to an old Sky dish. Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost because i don't want to be ripped off being a single women and all?

Thank you to everyone