Interference on TV

[crankedup5]

For the past week or so our TV picture has been pixilated / breaking down momentarily. This comes and goes, yesterday the picture was perfect . Could it be atmospherics ?
If that is the problem is it worthwhile to get a booster of some sort? Thanks.

[Mr Pointy]

If there are no transmitter changes or work going on then it's more likely to be a poor or degrading joint in the cable losing signal as the aerial gets buffeted in the wind - either a break or water is in the joint.

[Regbuser]

This ^
And the dish losing alignment over time due to persistent wind and rain.

[Doofus]

We've had it too. And it's windy.

[crankedup5]

Thanks chaps, time to call the aerial fitters in?

[Doofus]

Well I'm not going to. It'll pass.

[crankedup5]

Just had a look at price guide £150

[megaphone]

crankedup5 said:

Just had a look at price guide £150

Yes, the going rate for someone to come to your house and climb up high on your roof to fit a new aerial and drop lead is £100-150.

Parts are about £30 so you could always do it yourself and save some money.

[Johnnybee]

megaphone said:

Parts are about £30 so you could always do it yourself and save some money.

[crankedup5]

^^^^^^^
Exactly, sometimes it’s worth paying out even if it pains a little

[crankedup5]

Just to close this thread, aerial installer came to day and gave my system a once over. Some tuning tweaks and installation of a powered amplifier up on the masthead. £173 ker ching.

[Doofus]

crankedup5 said:

Just to close this thread, aerial installer came to day and gave my system a once over. Some tuning tweaks and installation of a powered amplifier up on the masthead. £173 ker ching.

Just to properly close this thread, as promised, I didn't call anyone. The interference has gone. £0 ker chong.

[megaphone]

crankedup5 said:

Just to close this thread, aerial installer came to day and gave my system a once over. Some tuning tweaks and installation of a powered amplifier up on the masthead. £173 ker ching.

If the signal was good a week ago then I'm surprised you now need a masthead amp. Has the transmitter changed?

[shtu]

Bit late to the party, but for future reference this is one of the best sites for information on this topic, despite it's godawful structure.

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/

[TheInternet]

megaphone said:

Has the transmitter changed?

No. Most likely things just needed a refresh, but by the sounds of it that would cost about the same.

Edited by TheInternet on Friday 11th November 19:10

[crankedup5]

megaphone said:

crankedup5 said:

Just to close this thread, aerial installer came to day and gave my system a once over. Some tuning tweaks and installation of a powered amplifier up on the masthead. £173 ker ching.

If the signal was good a week ago then I'm surprised you now need a masthead amp. Has the transmitter changed?

A few hundred meters up the road we have a water tower which is decorated on top with dozens of transmitters. Aerial guy said that could be the cause of the interference. wether that’s B/S or not I don’t know. Anyhow, the tele seems to be OK now with no interference. Bloody expensive to have a simple fault fixed though.

Eta I did see that the signal strength was only at around 49% pre power amp, now sits at around 98%-99%.

Edited by crankedup5 on Saturday 12th November 16:26

[TonyRPH]

You probably just needed a 4G filter, especially if you have a lot of mobile phone masts nearby, which your comment about the water tower would suggest.

Any current aerial amplifier should already have a 4G filter built in, and that's likely why your problem was solved by the fitment of one.

Most TVs / set top boxes have a signal quality & strength indicator which can be quite reliable, did you check that before calling out a fitter?

[carl_w]

crankedup5 said:

Just to close this thread, aerial installer came to day and gave my system a once over. Some tuning tweaks and installation of a powered amplifier up on the masthead. £173 ker ching.

Masthead amp only compensates for noise/loss of signal in the coax between the aerial and the TV. If lack of signal is a problem, the masthead amp just amplifies the noise.

There's no substitute for more metal in the sky.

[megaphone]

My be a new 5G transmitter has just gone live on the water tower.

[sunbeam alpine]

crankedup5 said:

Just had a look at price guide £150

Cranked, I'm surprised that you would flinch at this price.

Elsewhere on this site you're very vocal in favour of workers earning more...