Reception Problem

[arfur sleep]

Moved into new (to us) house 3 months ago.
Big aerial on chimney stack, looks like a proper high gain one. This feeds to a junction box in loft to feed signal to other rooms (not used by us - previous owner had output in every room).

I have a signal amplifier between the wall output and TV in living room.

Problem is reception for Freeview signal can sometime be very blocky / weak yet at other times fine on the same channel. I've retuned the TV and the BT Vision box several times but no better.

Picture does get very blocky, breaks up completely on most channels during inclement weather (esp high winds).

Sound like a dodgy aerial and or connection to everyone? Suspect it'll be a case of getting a pro in to check and fix / install new aerial.

[NISMOgtr]

I have a similar problem. Upstairs Tv has choppy reception usually at night around 9pm - 11pm, but other than that it is smooth. The downstairs TV, which is on the same connection but split, is smooth all the time. Very odd and i have no idea why it's like this!

[pilbeam_mp62]

From what you have said, it appears that you are amplifying a signal that has already been weakened on its journey from the loft to the room where your TV is located. This could well be causing your intermittent problem with Freeview. I would consider putting the signal amplifier in the loft to boost the "clean" signal, and see if that helps. Good luck..

[Le TVR]

pilbeam_mp62 said:

I would consider putting the signal amplifier in the loft to boost the "clean" signal,

Absolutely this.
You want to have the amplifier between the aerial and the junction box.

[arfur sleep]

Le TVR said:

pilbeam_mp62 said:

I would consider putting the signal amplifier in the loft to boost the "clean" signal,

Absolutely this.
You want to have the amplifier between the aerial and the junction box.

Now why didn't i think of that!

I'll try that tonight providing I can find a socket in the loft...

[Engineer1]

get the splitter checked my parents had similar problems and it was something to do with the splitter

[arfur sleep]

Engineer1 said:

get the splitter checked my parents had similar problems and it was something to do with the splitter

Can actually bin the splitter as we don't need / use it so will connect aerial feed direct to amplifier and then down to the telly and see what happens.

Actually going to replace the aerial socket on the wall too as the one fitted is pretty old and feels loose in the mounting.

If all this fails then time for the professional

[shtu]

Putting the amp as near to the aerial as possible is a Good Plan.

After that, it's worth checking the aerial itself is suitable, and well-aimed at the right transmitter. I'm not a huge fan of "digital", ie, wideband, aerials, as they trade effectiveness for working across the whole range.

This site has some absolutely cracking info, well worth wading through.

http://www.aerialsandtv.com/aerials.html