I've bought a new 43 Element TV Aerial from Maplins and a cable kit. I've made up the cable and tested it with the aerial by plugging it into my AV unit for radio reception and it works perfectly.

My local digital transmitter is approx 3/4mile from home and can be seen with no obstructions in the way.

When connected to the TV (freeview built in) it doesn't pick up any tv channels, however when I plug in the (found in the eve's) signal booster the TV picks up 54 channels

Now for the problem. I can be watching a channel with a full signal yet it looses the signal and will not display any channel without re-scanning for channels (this doesn't always work).

I'm pretty confident that its a problem with the signal booster but as I've never done anything like this before I'm looking for some advise before I go out an spend some more money.

Matthew

This might help you Matt.

Sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad for you!

Cheers.

Apparently the local mast is a Freeview Light Transmitter along with EE & Vodafone sharing the mast. Sounds like the booster is causing more problems than its worth

At 3/4 mile I would expect to not be using a booster at all, I get perfect freeview from a tiny aerial on the roof of the house I rent. No booster and the transmitter is a good 5 to 6 miles away. At 3/4 mile a small aerial and no booster should do a perfect job, make sure its setup correctly with regard to polarisation as well. Typically main transmitters are horizontal, whereas relay transmitters are vertical.

Might also be worth checking that you are actually picking up from the correct transmitter. Find out the RF channel numbers that the local transmitter uses, and do a manual scan of one of those channels and see if you get anything.

It's also possible that you are putting too much signal into the TV, so try without the booster and possibly try a small attenuator inline.

This may help you as well, http://www.digitaluk...overagechecker/

Use the detailed view and it will tell you what signal to expect from each multiplex, it will also tell you what polarisation your aerial should be (H or V).

Unfortunately there is a new can of worms with the release of 4G which will/can affect the signal.

As already mentioned as your so close to the transmitter you may need an attenuator. I would say your aerial is too big seeing as your 3/4 mile away.

The only real way to understand how much signal your getting and the quality is with a meter (this will take out the guess work of direction and if you have too much signal. I am sure you need around 45-55dBu anything more will swamp the tuner and behaves like you don't have enough signal).

We're about 6 miles from the mast. When the new aerial was fitted and three old aerials removed (£90) t he fitter said throw away the booster you don't need it. Something like 154 stations (including radio).

Still nothing on though:-)

We're about 6 miles from the mast. When the new aerial was fitted and three old aerials removed (£90) t he fitter said throw away the booster you don't need it. Something like 154 stations (including radio).

Still nothing on though:-)

Same for me, I can see the Wenvoe mast.

At 3/4 of a mile, just holding the coax lead up should give you plenty of channels (I have done it myself with the mast about 2 miles away in LOS - a 43 element is totally over the top - it will be so narrow focused a slight breeze will knock it out of alignment, and when in alignment it probably gives so much signal your receiver overloads and blocks it.

I ditched my scrap metal antennas and bought a couple of electronic panel jobs that sit up in the loft, just face them in the general direction and away you go.

This may help you as well, http://www.digitaluk...overagechecker/

The results of my digital checker

The results of my digital checker

Looking at that you need to point it towards Emley Moor as it has the most multiplexes populated.

Emley Moor mast isn't in view from our house as there is a large hill in-between us, not sure if that will make any difference?

Freeview Terrain

Freeview Mapping

It's not always about line of sight, on the first checker you used all your multiplexes on Emley Moor are 99%. The new 4G signal could effect you as you are very close to the transmitters.

In fact Wenvoe for me only gives me 100% on the BBC muxes My checker

At a low cost ,maplin do a a signal alignment tool. Lots of LED , showing more as you home onto signal. I'd suggest you won't need any amplifier if that close to mast. I'm 20 miles away from a powerful transmitter and get a 80-90% signal .

Agree too much signal.

I'm not that far from Millhouse Green and don't have an ariel just the co-ax going to where the ariel should be!

All channels off emley moor, never a problem.

Added to my last post, I'd suggest you get a Maplin cheapo signal alignment meter and check signal strength . I'm not up on digital stuff, but on the old analogue , excess signal levels could lead to LOTS of problems .

It was too much signal.

My brother in law came down from York for a visit with his family so I asked him to bring his tools with him (electrical god), he did and within a few minutes he had replaced all the connectors to what he recommended and put a new aerial up and hay presto fully working Freeview

I hate to say "I told you so", but I TOLD YOU SO!! :-P

I hate to say "I told you so", but I TOLD YOU SO!! :-P

I don't mind saying it either but 'I also told Matt so' but that was about 17 hours before you.

Sorry mate, I missed that link you provided; I withdraw my "ITYS" and will give you the honour.

Sorry mate, I missed that link you provided; I withdraw my "ITYS" and will give you the honour.

Lol. Nice one GG - it's gratefully accepted.