Analogue and digital signal strength
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Many people ask why they can receive an OK analogue picture, but need to upgrade their aerial to get Freeview, or sometimes get perfect Freeview reception when the analogue picture is very poor.
The digital signals are currently broadcast at low power (this will change as switchover happens) to prevent interference with the existing analogue signals. Thankfully most Freeview boxes can work with these weak signals. The following list shows the strength of the digital signal compared to the analogue for the 80 Freeview transmitters.
Expr2
Aberdare: 15%
Angus: 2000%
Beacon Hill: 1%
Belmont: 1.43%
Bilsdale: 1.15%
Black Hill: 4%
Blaenplwyf: 1.66%
Bluebell Hill: 8.88%
Bressay: 10%
Brierley Hill: 1.22%
Bristol Kings Weston: 4.5%
Bromsgrove: 1550%
Brougher Mountain: 0.5%
Caldbeck: 0.82%
Caradon Hill: 0.76%
Carmel: 2%
Chatton: 4.16%
Chesterfield: 1.8%
Craigkelly: 2%
Crystal Palace: 2%
Darvel: 2%
Divis: 0.49%
Dover: 1%
Durris: 2%
Eitshal: 0.8%
Emley Moor: 0.93%
Fenham: 1%
Fenton: 0.5%
Guildford: 1%
Hannington: 4%
Hastings: 18.3%
Heathfield: 1.2%
Hemel Hempstead: 2%
Huntshaw Cross: 3.66%
Idle: 2%
Ilchester Crescent: 4%
Keelylang Hill: 1%
Keighley: 0.91%
Kilvey Hill: 3.83%
Knock More: 1%
Lancaster: 1.83%
Lark Stoke: 416.66%
Limavady: 0.8%
Llanddona: 1%
Malvern: 10%
Mendip: 1.83%
Midhurst: 1.25%
Moel-Y-Parc: 0.41%
Nottingham: 1.85%
Olivers Mount: 9.1%
Oxford: 1.6%
Pendle Forest: 18.2%
Plympton: 9.15%
Pontop Pike: 1.93%
Pontypool: 6%
Presely: 0.83%
Redruth: 1.85%
Reigate: 1500%
Ridge Hill: 2%
Rosemarkie: 10%
Rosneath: 2%
Rowridge: 4%
Rumster Forest: 1.33%
Saddleworth: 1.8%
Salisbury: 6.9%
Sandy Heath: 1.83%
Selkirk: 6%
Sheffield: 1%
Stockland Hill: 1%
Storeton: 2550%
Sudbury: 2.01%
Sutton Coldfield: 0.8%
Tacolneston: 2.66%
The Wrekin: 1%
Torosay: 0.62%
Tunbridge Wells: 1%
Waltham: 1.8%
Wenvoe: 1.16%
Whitehawk Hill: 3.67%
Winter Hill: 1.83%
5:15 PM
i cant get a strong enough signal on my sons digital tv the strength is not strong enough what can i do to improve the signal strength?
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8:34 PM
You can try an amplifier,but only helps in marginal places. Or have a better aerial.
If you post your postcode; either top right or here, or in Brian's link above, you will know where you are starting from.
Or here - which I understand but Brian does not favour - not sure why?
UK digital TV reception predictor
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2:56 PM
Doncaster
I have moved to a new house. Postcode DN3 3FS.
I have retuned my telly after moving and will only pick up 10 channels, however we can't figure out where the aerial actually is. We have looked in loft and on roof but only thing on roof is sky dish.
What would be my best option of trying as it picks up 10 channels but says signal bad when check the signal via the television?
Thanks
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Ruth's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Ruth: Perhaps there isn't an aerial and the poor signal you have is being picked up by the cable you have connected to the TV's aerial input.
What about other equipment such as a PVR or another television? Do they find more channels?
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12:20 AM
Ruth - you have a decent signal so Dave is probably right.
UK digital TV reception predictor
Can you contact previous occupants?
I think old satellite used ordinary Coax connectors rather than the new F style.
Might be easiest/cheapest to get a Freesat box.
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2:32 PM
will my aerial/signal strength affect my Sony Freeview HD box? It keeps turning itself on and off.
I've sent it for repair and I'm assured it was working ok.
The only thing I can think of is an aerial upgrade
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4:10 PM
Since the changeover, our freeview signal has been pretty good. But in good sunny weather, we lose all the BBC channels. Since this is dependant on the weather, it cannot be a hardware fault. Is there any way this can be solved? We currently have a standard aerial and freeview box.
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5:15 PM
Irena Abbott: As far as rectifying the situation is concerned then in most cases no! but though a better assessment of the situation could be made with knowledge of your location, a post code or one from somewhere nearby, as this would then enable the signal levels expected at your location to be assessed using the trade reception predictor.
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6:50 PM
Halifax
Irena Abbott.As JB38 righfully states if you provide a full postcode preferably or a nearby location as such to ascertain reception possibilities at your abode then we can equip you with further valuable advice and assistance.
As for what you described i would look up inversion effect as the most likely culprit as high pressure being currently above most of the UK still can play havoc with digital TV reception as well as what is left of analogue TV in the North East of England and Northern Ireland/Ulster (also Republic of Ireland/Eire) for the remaining 1 month or 2 until Wednesday 24 October 2012.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage