Will an aerial booster improve my freeview reception?
No, an amplifier won't normally help with a Freeview signal. Can I suggest the following:
1. If you can raise the aerial up by an extra metre or so;
2. Check the direction of the aerial and that the it is either "vertical" or "horizontal" as required.
3. Check that all the connectors and cables are in good condition, look especially for stray wires from the outer shielding on the cable being loose;
Click here for the list of questions
Click here to ask a new question
Your comments: most recent posts are at the bottom
First comments 
Earlier comments ◊ Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
Gerry King: I hate to tell you this, but I think that the Chepping Wycombe relay transmitter has spoiled your party.
Digital UK Tradeview predictor thinks that the Hannington PSBs are "good" at your location, but the COMs are all "poor". Unfortunately it doesn't give away why it thinks that the COMs are so bad.
However, if you go to this page UK TV Frequency map - channel C41 (634.0MHz) before switchover map | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice it shows that Chepping Wycombe is co-channel. Its radiation shows that it throws its signal out to its north east.
The channels allocated to the COMs aren't as good as those given to the PSBs. There is more compromise with them. Hannington's COMs are at half transmission power with respect to its PSBs. This example shows why; that is the three channels are "re-used" by this relay transmitter in an area where its PSBs are probably satisfactory.
As Hannington and the interfering transmitter are inline with one another, there is nothing you can do with respect to a better aerial that will reject the unwanted signals (from another direction) or a makeshift shield made of chicken wire and kitchen foil.
Based on the predictor, the next-best transmitter to pick up the COMs from is Crystal Palace. Two are "poor" and one is "variable". Unless it can be pinned down why Digital UK thinks that two are worse, e.g. another interferer, and the interfering signal can't be avoided, then maybe there is an outside chance of receiving these from Crystal Palace.
I'm not sure how accurate Wolfbane is. However, I put in your post code and selected the DX box which means that it returns everything, including the weakest of the weak at your location:
UK digital TV reception predictor
The only transmitter that is listed by Wolfbane that is co-channel with Crystal Palace's COMs is Rowridge. So perhaps it is Rowridge that is degrading the result from the DUK predictor.
Directional aerials differ in sensitivity to a signal, depending on the direction of that signal. So it may not necessarily mean poor reception. However, it may be the case that an external aerial may be necessary. Or then again, you "may" (it's a "try it and see" thing) get sufficient signal from Crystal Palace in your loft, and it may also be a location where there is nothing (or negligible signal) from Rowridge.
For DIY aerial information, see www.aerialsandtv.com Gerry King: I'm not sure how effective an external aerial for Hannington might be. I appreciate that you said that you have no chimney, but it may be the only way.
Chepping Wycombe was co-channel with Hannington's COMs when it was broadcasting analogue. It completed switchover last Wednesday. Also, Hannington's COMs have remained on pre-switchover power and using pre-switchover antenna until recently. C41 and C47 changed in the early hours of 18th, which is probably why you lost reception at that time.
Perhaps one of the pros could offer their thoughts on this. I wonder, why might the analogue not have affected the apparently lower power Hannington COMs, yet now it is digital, it seemingly obliterates reception? moleWednesday 25 April 2012 9:04AM
As an update to my post of "mole
Tuesday 24 April 2012 1:25PM" I've tried manual re-tuning to the mendip transmitter but still could only find 10 tv channels. Also tried with a signal booster but still the same result. Postcode is sp78pt - seem to be on the edge of two transmitters. Shall be up in the loft this eve having a rumage around with the aerial :(
Diana AllenSunday 13 May 2012 12:15PM
I have a 'No Signal' sign on BBC 1, what can the problem be?
12.15 pm Sunday 13th Mayjb38Sunday 13 May 2012 1:49PM
mole: Mendip (@ 25mls / 310 degrees) according to the trade reception predictor should provide good reception right across all six muxes, and although you may have already done this but you should carry out a "factory reset" or "default setting) on your TV / box to delete anything that may already be stored in the memory before manually tuning in any of the muxes, these being Ch61(BBC) - 54(ITV) - 58(HD) - 48(SDN) - 56(ArqA) - 52(ArqB) the latter two being shown in this order on DUK's trade site, albeit the reverse of the indication on this site. jb38Sunday 13 May 2012 1:53PM
Diana Allen: Its quite impossible to offer any advice unless your location is known, this preferably in the form of a post code or at least one from nearby (a shop etc) as signals cannot be checked without this knowledge.
You could maybe also indicate the model number of whatever you are using for reception. ashleyMonday 11 June 2012 8:54PM
Paignton postcode is tq4 5hy, my freeview signal can go from 10 10 to no signal at all, yet the aerial hasn't moved? Please can you suggest what the problem could beashley: I think that the most likely culprit is the Clennon Valley relay transmitter being only a couple of hundred metres from you.
What the reason is for this happening warrants further investigation. It depends on whether your aerial points to the adjacent Clennon Valley transmitter or the one on Beacon Hill:
1. If your aerial points to Clennon Valley, then it will be vertical. Check that BBC One is tuned to UHF channel 52 (this information is usually given on the signal strength screen). Likewise ITV1 should be C48 and BBC One HD should be C56. If these are correctly tuned to Clennon Valley, then I suggest that the problem is signal overload and you need to fit an attenuator inline with the aerial lead. The fact that you have high signal strength which drops to nothing at times suggests that your receiver could be being overwhelmed by the level of signal.
Clennon Valley does not broadcast the Commercial channels which include ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Dave, Film 4 and others. If these are tuned in, then reception may be poor and they are coming from elsewhere.
2. If your aerial points to Beacon Hill, then it will be horizontal and pointing 34 degrees anti-clockwise of the Clennon Valley transmitter. The direction of Beacon Hill is 310 degrees.
With the aerial on Beacon, see if the receiver has tuned to Clennon Valley instead. Check the UHF channel that BBC One is tuned to by looking on the signal strength screen. Beacon is C60 whilst Clennon is C52. For ITV1, Beacon is C53 and Clennon is C48. For BBC One HD Beacon is C57 and Clennon is C56. DevsdevMonday 16 July 2012 1:58PM
We are in SE23 in London (SE23 1DL) and have just moved into a house with an aerial on the roof. It's on the highest point and looks to be pointing the same way as all others on the terrace (towards Crystal Palace).
We have just bought a Humax HDR-Fox T2 and the automatic search is resulting in only 10 channels (no BBC channels and one of the channels is "Gay Rabbit"(???)). I think the connector at the end of the aerial cable (don't know what it's called) is loose as we didn't find any channels at all until I moved the box and it pulled the wire a little taut, so this may be a problem. But repeated searches are still only delivering 10 channels. Will a booster/amplifier help us? Unfortunately I don't know what the previous occupants used to watch TV.
Also, can I change the connector at the end of the aerial without compromising the whole thing?
Thank you!stuart dbThursday 4 October 2012 10:14PM
Horsham recently I have lost signal or get really poor signal on c27 and c59. I am running on the original analogue aerial, and analogue booster, we have just moved in so I haven't had the chance to sort it out properly. Also could I have 2 aerial, into a booster or combiner, as some in the area can pick up crystal palace as well. I am currently picking up Midhurst. I could just get a freesat PVR, as the last people left the sky dish with twin outputs.stuart db: Generally speaking, aerials installed in the days of analogue for Crystal Palace and Midhurst will be fine as digital channels are within the former analogue channel groups. The booster may not be needed and it is worth trying without.
With an existing satellite dish, it is possible to add extra feeds (to other rooms). Quad-LNBs are available from online sources such as eBay.
It is possible to combine the feeds from two aerials providing that the UHF channels used by each permit. In the case of Crystal Palace and Midhurst this is possible as the former's are Group A and the latter's are Group C/D.
You need a diplexer:
Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales
The one that "splits" at C38 should do, whlist still allowing reception of C36 should the power that be ever decide that it will be used. KMJ,DerbyFriday 5 October 2012 12:10AM
stuart db: Further to Dave Lindsay's reply, if you have poor reception on C27 this is not really surprising, as this is the frequency for D3+4 from Rowridge. The frequency for this mux from Midhurst is C56. As the content is identical from the two transmitters most receivers will have ignored the stronger Midhurst signal if it is found that C27 from Rowridge has been stored. It is worth checking that the aerial group is suitable for Midhurst - most Midhurst aerials from the analogue days would be group C/D with a green stopper in the end of the boom. If the aerial has a red stopper it would indicate that the aerial is group A and is actually pointing to Rowridge, or was originally on Crystal Palace before being re-directed! Group 'A' aerials would give poor reception on Midhurst. GillThursday 8 November 2012 9:38AM
Burgess Hill I live in a ground floor flat RH15 , development of 4 blocks of 2storey flats and mine is the'end' one furtherest away from the communal aerial. Since 17th October I cannot get ITV3 properly, the channel which I watch more than any other,typically. When I switch on the picture either shows 'no signal' or sometimes is there but breaks up. Is this because I am last in line for the signal? GillThursday 8 November 2012 9:38AM
Burgess Hill I live in a ground floor flat RH15 , development of 4 blocks of 2storey flats and mine is the'end' one furtherest away from the communal aerial. Since 17th October I cannot get ITV3 properly, the channel which I watch more than any other,typically. When I switch on the picture either shows 'no signal' or sometimes is there but breaks up. Is this because I am last in line for the signal? candice Thursday 14 March 2013 4:04PM
London My free view box is showing no signal sign it is a recordable free view box. Is it the box or my location I'm confused please help! N200SN David ThomasThursday 2 May 2013 10:07PM
Twickenham Location TW13AL
Aerial mounted on chimney
Cable drops about 12m to splitter
1.5m cable to first TV & DVD recorder which works well.
2nd cable from splitter goes about 22m to 2nd TV. On this TV none of the Channels on the D3+4 multiplex (ITV1 Ch4 Ch5 etc) work properly.
Would an Amp help?
If so where should it be mounted?
BrianThursday 16 May 2013 9:40PM
I have 5 set top boxes that cost me a fortune. Kitchen, front room 3 in kids rooms. All went fine at first part of switchover except no bbc2 I went to the caravan in Belfast for advice said that when full switch over occurs signal will boost, and yes thanks it worked But over last weeks signal has just died. I have no reception or just no signal message or intermittent,. It's a flipping nightmare, I'm niw stuck with oads of set too boxes and paying licence but no TV did they turn signal down ???
Kids and wife mad, had to buy sky dish that I cat afford and now TV only in one room. HELPPPPPPP !!MichaelThursday 16 May 2013 10:29PM
Brian: Oh yeah they turn the signal down just for a laugh... NOT.
So if all of your boxes have stopped working for the past few weeks, and if they are all connected to the same aerial - don't you think there is a common problem there? Maybe your splitter/amplifier or aerial has a problem.
Of course it could be the transmitter, but a quick check with a neighbour who has Freeview would discount that.
A bit strange though to spend money on a satellite dish and then ask on a website for help, instead of getting an aerial installer out to help you!edith doris raeSunday 19 May 2013 12:48PM
Hi,post code m280bb is having difficulty receiving all bbc channels during bad weather.Do I need a new aerial or a booster added to my existing one?edith doris raeSunday 19 May 2013 12:51PM
i have a roof aerialjb38Sunday 19 May 2013 6:21PM
edith doris rae: You are one of many who have have made similar complaints since Winter Hills the recent switchover when its BBC transmitter dropped to Ch50, however if you can receive EPG (11)Pick TV OK then your problem could well be rectified by using an SLX brand booster such as sold by Argos (page number 603) item number 534 / 4235 @ £11.99.
If on the other hand you cannot receive (11) Pick TV then you would have to get your aerial upgraded.
updates
Automatic update every 1 minute
Now picks up Freesat advertising bu…
Incoming BBC news director promise…
Smart TV failing the connectivity t…
Local TV Association elects chair -…
BBC may charge Sky for content as r…
BT Tower is just a relic? Wrong: It…
Ariel - BBC Trust: Online must impr…
Google TV: silent but not forgotten…
Show: 
