Freeview aerial installation
 

I had Action Aerials install an aerial on my house yesterday. Man took one look at house and said should be able to get it in loft. Detached house with easy access so NO REASON not to put on roof!

House has all wiring as new. Told me if he put it up outside will use a DM15 and amp booster as I am in poor reception area for digital. If in loft for same price will give me best aerial DMX15 and booster. He checked loft and said excellent signal on his reader no point putting on roof. Said as long as as good OK.

15 mins later installed by tying it up with two cable ties on rafters! Bent two back rods of aerial to do this and front touches felt in roof, but he said all fine reading excellent.

All tuned in all channel between 50% and 100% in diginox signal reader.

When he went and we watched ITV 50% on box, it pixellated about 10 times in an hour only split second each time. Sky news fine and no pixels 100% signal all times.

Is it normal for freeview channels to pixel now and again?

Have I been conned re. loft and stronger aerial?

Get feeling he didn't want to take ladders of van. I have rang co. told them not happy, they are sending same engineer back Wednesday to discuss? If still not happy I need to call them again!

Any advice? THANKS

PS £200 paid in total!!!

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

any pixellation is due soley to the aerial placement,unfortunately it sounds like hes had you over,i would insist a different engineer visits as this guy is gonna be annoyed at you (however wrongly) for complaining,for £200 you should have no pixellation.:(

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

No installer worth his salt would put an aerial INSIDE a roof unless you live right next to the transmitter. You'll lose an enormous amount of signal thru the bricks, tiles or whatever. An aerial booster will not make up for the loss. It will simply amplify the noise as well as the signal. TVs are designed to work with very small signal levels but what they need is a good signal to noise ratio. This can only be achieved by having a good aerial in a good location. The only use for an aerial booster is to overcome signal loss thru a long downlead - and for this it must be at the aerial end.

£200 - You were ripped off mate!

There's some useful information in this thread:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/26...view-help.html
In particular, you might check out the terrain mapping from your nearest transmitter to your house. You'll be able to see if the height of the aerial will make a big difference to the signal.

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

as been said NO aerial should be placed in the loft as this will affect the signal.

we charge anywhere between £120 and £200 depending on what is needed

we also use high gain aerial's mainly XG8 which is for london

best thing to do is look at other aerial's around your local area and see what they are like.

what kinda pole 5Ft/10Ft/16Ft
are they any mastheads on these other aerial's (be a small box on the pole)


just the other day we was working a 2 story building and to get a decent signal we had to put it on a 22Ft pole to look over some trees

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

lol what a scank. A mate of mine fits aerials and he told me how much they cost wholesale lol . He fits em as a favour to me as I fix his pcs etc free. So I get people who are not so well off who needs one he fits it charges me nowt then I charge 50 quid ;)

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

When looking for a aerial installer use a C.A.I approved installer as you have something to fall back on :)

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Well, according to the Action Aerials website, they are a CAI member. But on the CAI website, they're not listed. Curious. :erm:

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

I would report them as they might of been but had it revoked .My mate had to do tests and they came out and checked his work before they gave him cai approved status:)

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

They are on CAI under Skyforce Ltd.

He did all the tests in the loft and said you will 100% get same signal in here as out there. Outside would be smaller aerial, inside larger 52 element one. I have mast amplifier, about 2 metres below aerial (4 way box on loft floor) and then box in bedroom plugged into aerial sending the powere up...he said?

The aerial is facing same way as others on estate and I have a very high pitched roof so it is right up high. It has roof felt and tiles in front of it and inner walls about two metres away each side.

They are now coming Wednesday to discuss my problems!!! If same man he isn't going to change it is he?!

I take it I then complain to CAI.

As I said it is held on rafters with two cable ties and actual end two prongs (if thats what they are called) actually touch roof felt!

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Not many installers put them in the loft now and should have a bracket not tie raps i would take pics incase you have to get cai involved .:)

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Hmm well I get all freeview channels fine from Belmont, 50 miles away, off an telecam aerial on top of my bookcase. I suppose it depends where you are, but a roof aerial is always preferable. If we had one, I might be able to get local broadcasts from Waltham, instead...

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Itd be better if you could loft the aerials, but if you did, I guess many engineers would go bust!

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

The bent aerial tied on with cable ties and touching the felt....a typical 3.30pm Friday installation. They are coming back Wednesday to discuss. Not holding out much hope, have emailed complaint to CAI and copied Action Aerials in, surely this is so bad they should come back Wednesday and just fit it outside???



https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/06/12.jpg

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/06/13.jpg

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

£200? For a loft aerial?


Back at my parents' house, in an area which wasn't covered by Freeview according to the postcode checker, I paid about £100 to have a new aerial put up, nice outdoors high gain aerial on a mast...perfect reception.

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

So this national company are taking the p? Although did include 4 point head amp and plug in amp thing next to point.

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

I have showed this to my mate i cant repeat what he said .Did he use a digi meter ? it is a very poor install :td:

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Yes he had a machine in the loft that showed readings and when he switched a button the screen had the actual TV pictures on. He said 100% same as you'd get outside with next aerial down for same price.

I have DMX10 in loft outside would have been DM15.

So on Wednesday I take it I should be saying all advice (Freeview & CAI) websites say it should be roof mounted?

If as expected they say not cahnging I have to go to CAI? As no other options left?

Thanks for help everyone:)

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

How much would the aerial and other bits cost ?
As I see it you could have fitted that yourself and saved a packet, if you were just after a loft aerial >>>>>>>>>> http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5352526.htm

Keep the photos for future reference.

---------- Post added at 12:33 ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 ----------


How did you pay? if you do not mind me asking, if you do just tell me to sod off ;)
If you have paid by credit card there is section 75? someone correct me if wrong, but the credit card company could also be liable.
Another port of call could be trading standards department in your local area.

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

twice i have tired to install freecoms dvb-t usb stick & both times it takes my cd-rom & my dvd drivers out
ie it corrupts them so i have to restore the system "any ideas" anyone !

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Rip. Off.

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

thank you nffc for that info

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

Credit card payment. But I remember trying to use that law and making them liable when I bought a car and they said take us to court also...Mastercard!

I will wait and see what they say on Wednesday first, not holding out much hope though. Having watched TV today through it Sky News no glitches in 30 mins, nothing on Sports news 30 mins, BBC1 5 freezes of a split seond over an hour viewing.

I am not expecting a good outcome Wednesday, probably wont even turn up! Ideally aerial will be reinstalled outside. If not CAI next is only option, then local radio consumer show and trading standards.

How far from the actual aerial should the mast amplifier be? Mines about 2 metres of cable away, does it lose effect the futher it is?

Only asking as if aerial moved and amp left where it is it will be about 5 metres away! Or can cable from TV points be joined to new cable and run to a new positioned mast amp?

Cheers

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

2 metres of cable sounds fine. 5 should be no problem either. The amp shouldn't be right next to the aerial 'cos this can cause interference.

Looking at the picture again, it seems that the whole weight of the aerial is supported by two tywraps round the ends of two elements of the reflector. That seems pathetic. I suppose the tight run of the cable is to stop the aerial sagging too much! And I wonder if the transmitter is *exactly* at 90 degrees to your roof.

Here's some info from the Beeb. They seem a little more forgiving of indoor aerials - if you have a strong signal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/info/..._tvaerials.pdf
http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/info/..._digitaltv.pdf

Do you know which is your transmitter:
http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/transmitters.html

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

The coax shouldn't have been routed as it has been against the bottom element of the reflector as this will affect the performance of the aerial.

Re: Freeview aerial installation
 

So will they turn up Wednesday after this to CAI and cc'd to company.........?

CAI

Thank you very much. I will be in touch after Wednesday if I do receive a satisfactory outcome. I did ask the company on Friday night to send a differnent engineer to the original installer, but they couldn't promise this would happen.

Attached are two photographs of how my aerial was installed. I paid £200 for this poor installation by one of your members. I have a slot lined up on a BBC local consumer programme to discuss this later this week as luckily they are covering digital TV switchover, therefore they were very interested in my professional installation experience.

These pictures show how my aerial has been :-

Tied to loft beams with two cable ties that actually bend the top reflectors
Coax cable is trailing over the bottom reflectors
The aerial rests on my roof felt at one end
No local installer would place an aerial in a loft in my location due to reception quality, I have explained below why I accepted a loft aerial following the engineers advice, but later research has shown I was misadvised
Yours sincerely






> Dear
>
> We are sorry to hear of your complaint against one of our member companies.
> I have forward this onto them for their immediate action.
>
> Best Regards
> > Administration Secretary
> Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers
> Communications House
> 41a Market Street
> Watford
> Hertfordshire
> WD18 0PN
> Tele: 01923 815500
> Fax: 01923 803203
> Email: office@scte.org.uk

Email to CAI (17/6/07)



I had an aerial installed by Skyforce Ltd on 15/6. I believe I have been misled by the technician who carried out the work as upon doing research after the installation, the aerial should never have been fitted in the loft in the area I live in, even with the mast amplifier as I live in a poor reception area. I live in a detached house where there is not a problem fixing an outside aerial.



The installer said I may as well have the DMX10 fitted in the loft instead of a cheaper aerial outside (DM15 - £30 less), as he could do them for the same price and the reception would 100% be the same (I would be getting the best aerial in my loft for the same money as a cheaper aerial outside). I have pixilation of picture roughly every 10 minutes on BBC1, BBC2 and ITV currently, seems to be more frequent at times. I presume I would not have this issue if my aerial had been correctly roof mounted.



I agreed at the time for the loft installation because of what was explained to me above, that I would get same reception in the loft as outside, it was only after doing research that everyone says no installer should have fitted my aerial in the loft (CAI website, Freeview and other aerial companies).

The company have agreed to send an engineer to look at the aerial on Wednesday 20th, very likely the same person. I have been told to express my issues to them. I will obviously do this and I appreciate them responding positively to date. I actually first reported the issue on the evening of the 15/6 when my signal completely failed. Wednesday is the first day I am available for a visit.

Additionally the aerial has been bent to hold it onto the rafters and is held by two cable ties. One end of the aerial actually touches the roof felt. I am sure this is not a satisfactory installation. I have photographs if required of the bent aerial and of it pressed into my roof felt.

I will be in touch following Wednesday's visit if I do not get a satisfactory outcome to this issue.

[Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Man has been back moved aerial to roof and all is fine...well almost.

I get 100% reception on all Digital channels including about 10 I never even received via the original loft aerial.

Only thing I get very distorted picture of is BB2 analogue signal, yet I got this fine via loft. Why would this be?

Thanks for any help, I have a direct line to CS manager now so just wondered what this BB2 issue is before I ring to complain yet again!

Re: Aerial install latest
 

Is it fine through digital ?

Re: Aerial install latest
 

For those that are lost, the previous thread about this saga is here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/64...tallation.html

Hornet, do you know which transmitter your aerial is pointing at?
There's a list of them here:
http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/transmitters.html

Re: Aerial install latest
 

Just to expand on the post by Altis, you can find out your transmitter by putting your postcode into this checker.

Re: Aerial install latest
 

Sandy Heath and Oxford one is 23 miles and other 24 miles.

I have gained 10 digital channels not listed for my postcode on freeview that I didn't have via loft install. Plus my digital box receives the ALL at 100% mark. Used to receive Sky news at this level, but BBC1,2 ITV, 4 channels were 50% to 75%.

Get analogue fine on everything except BBC2, yet used to get BBC2 analogue fine in loft.

Aerial is now pointing slightly more left than straingt in loft.

Is it just one of those things or do I need to get them back again should I be getting analogue BBC2 fine?

Cheers

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I can't see any reason why you shouldn't receive BBC2 well on analogue.

It looks like you may be pointing at Sandy Heath (near Bedford). Of the two, this is the more powerful transmitter 1 Megawatt for analogue vs 500 MW for Oxford. The digital channels are also stronger - all 20 kW vs 10, 8 and 6 kW for Oxford.

The range of frequencies used will put great demands on your aerial - whichever transmitter is used. For Sandy Heath they range from channel 21 to 67 and for Oxford it's 27 to 68. The maximum range available is 21 to 68 so you'll definately need a wideband antenna (colour coded black).

BBC2 on analogue is on channel 63 from Oxford and 27 from Sandy Heath. These are not off the end of the range as I was expecting. It seems that, instead, that your aerial is so good that you are picking up some interference from yet another transmitter. Do you see wavy lines on the screen or just snow. I suggest that you try fine tuning the TV to see if you can get a better signal.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Wavy lines on one and snow on the other as two 2's have tuned in! So is it worth getting them back or just leave it. I have the top aerial they do with mast amp :)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Great! That gives us a lot of information. The wavey BBC2 will be the 'real' one that you're looking for. The snowy one will be coming from a distant transmitter. Another channel from the distant transmitter will be interfering with your local BBC2.

Which channel is the wavey BBC2 on?
Which channel is the snowy BBC2 on?

And I guess a rough idea of your location would be useful - eg. nearest town or village.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Grainy BBC2 is 44

Wavy BBC2 is 27

Perfect BBC1 is on 31.

Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Looks like you're lined up on Sandy.

The wavy pattern on BBC2 analogue is because the idiot from Action Aerials doesn't have a clue what he's doing & probably doesn't even have a decent spectrum analyser to see what the problem is on CH27.

My guess would be the amplifier is being overloaded with the strong analogue signals. Try fitting a 6db attenuator on the end of the cable before it goes into the amplifier. This will almost certainly cure the problem completely.

A decent installer would test this & know exactly what the problem is in about 1 minute. Where do they get these idiots from?

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Will this affect the other cahnnels though? Does it mean he should come back and reposition the aerial really? Or would that not help. He said he only worried about lining it up to the best digital signal.

Are you saying I need to fit something to my 4 way amp in the loft or the part that is in the plug socket next to the aerial point, which it is then connected too?

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Fit a 6db attenuator onto the aerial cable, in the loft, just before it goes into the 4 way amplifier. You can get one of these from Maplins, or buy from the internet. You'll need to go into the loft and disconnect the aerial cable (from outside aerial) from the 4 way amplifier to see what kind of connector it has. You'll need to buy an attenuator with this same connection type. It's either going to be F type (screws on) or the usual Belling Lee (normal coax plug pushes in).

If it's not the amplifier being overloaded then it's going to be RF inteference and I'd be a bit worried about what this is doing to the BER (Bit Error Rate) of the digital muxes.

If you're worried about the analogue signals then you might want to get them back to sort it out, but if you've got Freeview everywhere then it's not as much of an issue assuming the Freeview signals have been measured correctly and are robust.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Try something like these, the adjustable ones will probably be better.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I am getting more stressed now over action aerials.

I've watched CH4 for about an hour through digital and BBC1 (digi box again) both glitched/pixelated about three times for a second over the hour, so about 6 freezes in two hours.

But BBC2 analogue has now corrected itself, picture 100% fine, haven't touched anything????

My digi boxes one in bedroom one in lounge used to read 50% for CH4, BBC1 and glitch every 10 mins. Sky Sports news, three and news were always 100% and still are. NOW ALL CHANNELS are 100% signal on both boxes yet I'm still getting odd freezes/glitches.

I have quiried why my aerial is roof level and not a foot higher like other 100 or so on estate, I was told no house opposite me like all of the others, I look up a road. Therefore no need to be a foot above my own roof. Also reading son techs machine show aerial sited fine.

Is my signal too strong and that is why I am still getting digital glitches or should my aerial be raised a foot?

When I complained about BBC2 they said call us Friday when you've had a chance to see if everything else OK, which is fair enough.

Engineer today said I am losing a lot of signal strength in my internal cables as in the loft the signal on his reader is very strong, yet at TV points it is losing a lot. These are two seperate cables, I am sure he was basically saying any more complaints and we'll say your wiring is the problem!

Help please before I have to call on friday again! I am tempted to say look its still not working just come and get all your stuff and refund me!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

You can't rely on him saying the signal is "strong" on his "reader" in the loft. Strong doesn't mean anything. There's a lot more involved than the strength.

What's the actual field strength on each multiplex?
What about the C/N ratio (carrier / noise ratio)?
What's the CBER (bit error rate before correction)?
What's the VBER (bit error rate after correction)?
What's the gain of the amplifier?
What's the stated maximum output of the amplifier?
What's the actual maximum output of the amplifier?
How much are the cable runs (to TVs) attenuating the signal?

To do it properly you need to know all the above, and that's just for the Freeview. If he's saying the signal is "strong" in the loft (after the amplifier), but then weak at both the TV points, then there's something majorly wrong which he should pick up on.

Sometimes the cable which feeds the TV point might have a nail through it, or it might have been cut and plastered over by the builders etc, but not both cables......

Worst case scenario even if you have the worst possible (poorest quality) cables run to the TV points, you won't lose enough to turn a strong signal into a weak one.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

So what could it be thats is still causing picture freeze every 20 mins or so?

Signal too strong with amp?

Aerial needs to go up 2 to 3 ft so it is above my roof line?

Picture fine on all dig channels and then freezes for a split second in most programmes watched.

He showed me the 4 digital lines on the reader and they were all above a line e said they should be above on both TVs, just lost a bit of strength by the time they reached downstairs, but nort enough to cause a problem.

As I said all signals on set top box now constant 100%.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Most likely the signal is overloading the amplifier but could be one of may things. It's pixellating for a reason! Sounds like the guy had some kind of cheap & nasty measuring device too. I don't hold out much hope for you!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I'd follow carpy's advice and try an attenuator between the aerial and the amp. Before you go shopping you'll need to check the connector to the amp to see if it's an 'F'-type or ordinary coax. If this solves everything then I'd let the matter rest. Though you might want to send a snotty letter to Inaction Aerials and the CAI.

If that doesn't sort it then get them back in again. You're paying top whack so you should be getting a top quality service.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

They are coming for a third time Saturday. Different engineer to take a look. Say they have no idea why its doing it. Freezes two or three times and hour.

They did says atmospherics currently bad and my internal cable is noted as an issue. I again said two different cables and not mentioned on loft install!!!

What power attenuator should I buy and my stuff is all screw in so do I need F type?

Cheers

---------- Post added at 16:35 ---------- Previous post was at 16:24 ----------

Just found box they left I have a WFAV 425 Wolsey 4 O/P variable gain wideband masthead amplifier and power supply

Says typical gain (dB) 12 to 25
Noise figure <2.5

Turn this off I just get snow!

Additionally I have a 56 element aerial.

But I do live in a very poor reception area, I've been told when getting phone quotes from local installers.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

If they're coming again then I wouldn't mess with it any more. Just write down all the issues that you have eg. wavy BBC2 analogue and all the lockups.

If they're screw in fittings then those'll be 'F'-types.

If you're known to be in a poor reception area (and I'm not suprised since you live on the borderline between two transmitters) then why on earth did they install in the loft in the first place? I hope you get better joy next time - you've certainly worked for it.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

3rd time lucky Saturday?

So how often does picture freeze when watching freeview, I presume its not 100% perfect?

I'm beginning to think there maybe electrical interferance in my walls where cables are next to each other or is this not possible?

Freezing has decreased though but still 2 or 3 times an hour.

BBC2 analogue 100% fine since this am, no idea why as haven't retuned or touched anything...transmitter issue yesterday?

Is it very likely given 25DB amp and high gain aerial that I am too powerful?

One more thing I've rememberred is sometines on the analogue channels I'm getting white spark type flashes over the picture for a few minutes!

Cheers

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Done properly there shouldn't be any pixellation at all. It sounds to me like you've got a problem with electrical inteference possibly an earth loop problem. The white sparks on analogue is a dead giveaway.

If you can, turn off the central heating system for a few hours and the problem will probably disappear.

Presumably there is no power socket in your loft, hence the use of a 12v masthead.

You could try moving the PSU to another room, though you might need to swap a few cables on the amplfier if it only allows remote powering via one specific output.

What else is in your loft, nearish to the amplifier? Central heating / electrical stuff?

Now it could well be that this problem isn't with the aerial / amplifier and is down to the poorly screened cables in the walls picking up the inteference. If this is the case though they should say so and explain it properly.

The 25db masthead amplifier is a 2 stage amplifier and much more prone to picking up unwanted signals than a single stage although this isn't usually a problem.

Good luck on Saturday.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

In the loft there is a cable to the light. Cable is near amp.

So is it not likely that the amp/aerial are too strong.

The white sparks on analogue are rare and usually on start up of any channel, seem to go after about 2 mins.

Tonight watched 2 hours of digibox TV and had two split second freezes it is definatley better now the aerial is on the roof.

I just want them to say why what is happening is happening. I presume if left it wont short/damage anything, because if it is my own electrical interferance that is OK compared to being ripped off, but how do you trust the people who put it in the loft!!!?

So you think aerial height going up 2 or 3 foot wouldn't help?

Additionally he did show me the digital read out in the loft, bedroom and lounge and the 4 signal lines he told me he uses to decide if digital signal OK were above the 50% line constantly, he could not explain freezes every 10 mins.

Now things have improved with outside aerial, what does that mean it could be as the amp hasn't moved, the aerial has. Less freezing, but still once or twice an hour whatever channel I'm on now, yet all digi signal stregnths are 100% they were 50-75 from loft.

I'm beginning to think I'll be stuck with this and hope it improves when digital switchover happens or will that not help my problems?

SO AM I LEFT WITH :-

Internal interferance

Poor cables installed by builder x two

Too strong signal due to amp -(what annuator should I try 6db, 3db?)

Aerial too low as it is at roof line, could go up 2 or 3 foot to be as high as others on estate

Is the above the only likely causes now?

THANKS FOR ALL ADVICE, I can't believe a week of aerial install has turned into such a hassle!!!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Just thought of one last thing the bent reflector was just straightened in front of me. I was told it will not make any differance to anything.

It looks very slightly bent on roof, but are they right that its just a reflector and no interferance will be caused?

Thanks

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Any advice before tomorrow's third call....am I right with the options above of whats wrong possibly?

Cheers

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Don't worry about what might be wrong. Just list all the things that you notice as a viewer.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

It was only picture freezing every 30 mins or so. But tonight the upstairs digi picture now has white sparks on Cbeebies. None downstairs though.

Engineer coming at 8.30am :)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Sounds like a possibility

Almost certainly contributing!

You shouldn't try anything let them measure first and see if required

Probably not a problem but good aerial placement is the key to a relable installation

I doubt it! Let us know when he actually turns up......

Did you try turning off the central heating for a few hours to see if this cures the problem? Kill the whole thing at the power socket & then get watching some TV. It will probably work fine after you've turned the central heating off.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Just watched three hours of digibox TV CH4, ITV and ITV2 one 1 second loss of sound no picture problems at all :) So could it just be atmospherics over last two days?

My boiler only comes on a couple of hours a day to heat water, or is it doing something even when inactive?

Thanks very much for advice.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Turn the central heating off...........

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

This morning I am getting white sparks on digital TV upstairs (nearest amp). Seems to last 10 mins of switching on and then goes, all channels.

So I will be telling guy

Picture freezes for split second about once an hour (both TVs)

Upstairs Picture freezes completely sometimes and can be solved by turning to another digi channel and turning back. (box? or interferance)

White sparks on upstairs digi picture first 10 - 15 mins of switching on


So the outcome will be????

Cheers again

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Arrived at 9am.

Has changed the following :-

Mast amplifier now outside at base of aerial (was on loft floor)

Has added a two way splitter to loft and screwed it to beam. The mast amp used to do this job also.

Has moved aerial back so it faces the way it used to in loft did this with analyser and said 45db is what he has to get and what he has got.

Changed my cabling from wall point the set top box as said it was rubbish.

Stayed 10 mins and watched TV no break up.

ONLY WORRY WAS BBC1 and BBC 2 signals strength on box back to 75% (were 50% in loft and 100% before he came) Quiried this he said not an issue as hos analyser says all fine. All other channels as before at 100% on my box.

He said still could get picture break up as I am exactly same distance from Oxford and Sandy Heath and they can't move my house!!!

So far watched about 20 mins and lost a millisecond of sound :(

Mast head amp still being powered from bedroom plug and TV point.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Just noticed the back element is bending down, its the main one on the box at the back.

Will this cause problems....surely I don't need them back a 4th time? :(

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/06/5.jpg

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

It won't be helping that's for sure, but the main thing is whether the TV is working ok or not.

You can ignore the signal strength readings from the Freeview tuners as they aren't an accurate indication by any means.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Same picture freezing now and again. The elemnt doesn't look broken through binoculars in anyway and comes of the main box, it wouldn't meant to be like that though would it?

If that element (is that the correct term is wrong) I miust be within my rights to say I want a full refund, come and remove your aerial. No one should need 4 attempts to do this surely?

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

That's the folded dipole.

If you were warned before the installation began that the reception might not be perfect then I wouldn't think you're entitled to a refund.

Let this be a lesson not to use the big firms in the Yellow Pages with a huge advert and lots of supposed local 0800 numbers.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

What you are saying its meant to be bent?

Surely after three attempts and leaving me with a busted aerial they are not entitled to a 4th chance.

County court says Ive got to allow reasnable chance to fix!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Well it's not actually folded on this one.........

Good luck whatever you do. Just don't use these clowns again!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Carpy sorry to not understand are you saying the the element that is bent downwards in meant to look like that or not?

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

No it's not meant to be bent. It should be the same as the other side. Whether it's making a difference or not is impossible to tell.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I have tried to look at the part trhough inoculars its a mystery as the plastic housing all looks as it should, I cannot see where or how it has been bent.

Is it of major importance that this part is straight? As I've had enough of this on going aerial saga?

Picture still freezes about once an hour for a split second, but would that be that bent down part?

Anyone, thanks

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

It's not a mystery how it is bent. It's been bent by someone or something leaning on it and bending it.

How can we possibly tell over the internet whether or not the bent dipole is causing your problems? It could be caused by that. or it could be one of 1000 other things.

As I've said many times now though it's probably your central heating system causing RF inteference but you're too bloody busy peering up at the aerial with your "inoculars" to try my suggestion of turning it off.

You shouldn't have used Action Aerials in the first place. You shouldn't ever use the large firms who pretend to be local IMO. I would hazard a guess you chose Action Aerials because they gave you a cheap price over the phone and you fell for it.

If you've got a case for a refund it's not going to be because part of the aerial is slightly bent, it will be because you were misled about what to expect from the installation, as I have said before. However if the problems are originating from local RF sources then I wouldn't hold out much hope for a refund.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Carpy cheers for the advice. I am on the radio tomorrow talking about the whole experience so we shall see if they like a bit of adverse publicity :)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

FINALLY ALMOST THERE!!!

Just rang to say they will take it down and give me a full refund!!! Only now got to hope they can get the outside fixings out without destroying my house :(

He did say can we offer you a financial incetive to keep the aerial, I said no, but am now wondering what was on offer?!

He also said no bent element would cause problems and that all freeview TV breaks up on average once an hour!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I would imagine they would have offered some kind of part refund whilst still allowing you to keep the aerial etc.

I'm glad you've almost got it resolved, and I hope this whole experience hasn't put you off Freeview for good! Rest assured there are a few aerial firms who do take pride in their work, and would be more concerned than even you should there be an ongoing problem with one of their installations.

I just hope that if you do decide to call another firm in, that you don't choose another large subcontracting firm. This doesn't necessarily mean that all small local firms are good either! Recommendation is the only way forward if you ask me.

Good luck whatever happens.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Cheers Carpy

Wife wants me to risk telling them refund me 50% and you can leave it there. As she is quite happy with perfect analogue picture and the odd hourly second freeze on digi. Don't want to risk going backwards though and losing my full refund!

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

They will almost certainly accept that offer.They'd still be in profit and wouldn't have to send someone to take it down either.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

good grief! :disturbd:

I would just let them take the whole thing down and then try to get a recommendation from word of mouth... (try the local pub, or newsagent)?

Else you could save a bundle and do it yourself!? You should know whereabouts an aerial works best by now :LOL:

saying that - you should know that wives are not to be argued with, and that is probably a good idea. ;)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

:) Its gone this morning!!! Now need money back on card!

They have left my two coax cables joined to a splitter in the loft and out of the splitter is a coax cable of 10 meteres.

Now on the cheap can I buy a high gain aerial and connect it to this cable? Easily myself? How do I do it anyone?

Also can I just buy an amp and plug it in downstairs where thay had it?

If I only want to connect one TV will I have less need for the amp? Also if I just disconnect one from the splitter willl that be enough to give full power to the one still connected? Or does the splitter have to go?

Cheers

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

"On the Cheap"

I think that says it all!:dozey:

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Been reading about problems with freeview and how usually any loss of picture (pixellation and freezing) is down to the aerial. I have a bit of a problem in that i live in an apartment block with approx half being lived in - 14 floors and 80 apartments. Its a new block with 'brand new' aerial on top (according to the management company!). I've mailed them asking, which is how i know.

When i complained they said they'd received no other complaints about freeview viewing, but it seems to be weather related. If the slightest bit of drizzle starts, i lose all channels except BBC and Sky 3 :dozey:. The management company tell me the block is activated for Sky, so basically this is my alternative. Firstly, i don't watch enough TV and secondly i can't really afford Sky. Is there any tests i can run on my own freeview box to find out if it is functioning ok? (although its weird how i only have problems when its bad weather - which we've had a lot of recently).

Once i have my ammunition, i can start asking other owners if they have had problems and take it forward with the (tight!) management company to get it looked at.

Thanks for any help :)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

It may well be a problem with water getting into the cable system between the aerial and your STB.

There'll be a page in the setup menu that displays the signal strength and signal 'quality' - usually with a bar graph display. I suggest you keep having a shufty at this and, on a bad day, take a photo (without flash). Let us know what the figures are and we might consider your possible actions.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

OK, it a little drizzly outside at the moment and as usual i've lost all channels apart from BBC and Sky 3. Below is a pic i've taken as you suggested. I hope you can see it ok, but if not there is a tiny line of red on the bar graph way before the no. 1 :rolleyes:

If it is as you suggested, then the water has a very long way to go to my STB because i'm on the 3rd floor of 14.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Mmmm... not so much attenuated as completely disappeared!

Are you sure you're looking at the right channel. If you are, then grab another photo of when it's working properly. Then it's time to tackle your landlord again.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Right, rain has stopped and no wind and below is a pic of my best channel BBC1 signal strength - is that poor signal strength? Could you confirm its more than likely the aerial thats at fault? TIA :)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I very much doubt that it's a faulty aerial. Does it move when it rains? I think not.

As I said before, it's most likely water getting into an amp somewhere. Whatever, it's not your problem. All you have to show is that the rain affects your signal and those two photos should do the trick.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I don't know if it moves, i'm not brave enough to go and look :erm:

But thanks for your advice, i'll get onto the management company :)

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I thought i'd better confess i think my freeview box may have been to blame for the poor signal, picture quality and lack of channels. A friend gave me a new freeview box today and i have loads more channels - including Setanta 1 which i thought was subscription only?? Because we have a shared aerial for the whole block of apartments, is it possible that one person has subscribed and we will all receive it via freeview?

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

No. The card in your friend's Freeview box is subscribed to the Setanta channel - or the box and card are clones of others that are.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

or it was just a fluke and you just so happened to tune in while they were having a "free 5 minutes".

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Seems you could be right! :rolleyes:

Action Aerials
 

Has anyone had dealings with Action Aerials?? I have had nothing but trouble since they left. My wife in my absence signed the cheque for £220 for one aerial and booster, when they initally quoted £120!
The old equipment was left on my drive,along with cabling and the new one has started to fracture as it blows around like it's made of rubber.. As for their customer service, nothing but excuses and no return calls. Had to get the CAI involved. Or have I caught them on a bad day??

Re: Action Aerials
 

You'll find them being discussed here.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/64...tallation.html

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

I see from a later post you seem to have it sorted anyway but I thought i'd still mention this incase it helps in the future.

If the satellite dish is already there and working then in theory you could just either buy an Ex Sky box off ebay and use a FreeSatallite from sky card (Decrypts certian channels) or buy a freesat box and connect it to the satellite output.

I'm pretty sure the Freesat boxes pickup their signal from the same constellation as SKY and can be used with a dish originally installed for sky.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Constellation isn't quite the right description! The Sky and Freesat packages are spread across the Astra 2 group of satellites and Eurobird 1. The Astra 2 satellites are in orbital positions known as 28.2E. Eurobird at 28.5E. Close enough for a minidish to pick up.

However, I think the original poster is looking at Freeview - Terrestrial Television.

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

they were but they also said that the Management company mentioned the sky availablity.

So its a cluster of sattelites?

Re: [Merged]Freeview aerial installation
 

Just fitted a £17 freeview box for my 88 year old father, he's only been getting 4 channels for donkeys years via Bromsgrove transmitter ( no ch5 ) connected it up & it loaded 50+ channels all at full signal strength from Sutton Coldfield transmitter with the loft aerial we fitted in 1962!! can't drag him away from the TV now,lol

Re: Action Aerials
 

I have just had ealings with action aerials I booked them Monday for soemone to come and move my wiring they confirmed sunday night they would be here in the morningas I am having an extension built. No one turned up i had to ring them to find out what was happening they just said an engineer had let them down they said they would come tuesday they did not turn up no phone cal so we rang again they said they could not come when i rang to see what was going on all I got was lets move on no apology nothing I have cancelled tomorrows appointment

Re: Action Aerials
 

book another company

Re: Action Aerials
 

---------- Post added at 18:01 ---------- Previous post was at 17:55 ----------

Today is 13th December 2011 and I had an aerial moved from one side of the house to the
other on 1 SEPT 2011. I have since asked them to come back and rectify receiving channels as reception is v.poor. I first asked 21 Nov 2011 and have been given FOUR dates the Fitter will attend. ALL calls were cancelled on the day1!! I've told them that I am going to employ a local fitter and send them the Invoice. They do not have the courtesy to reply. I am going to report them to the Trading Standards of my local Council. They have picked on the wrong person to ignore. Years on and they are still conning people ie they have taken my money but have not carried out the necessary work.

Re: Action Aerials
 

It's the age old problem with installers. Action along with many of the bigger installers, franchise out their work to local engineers. The ad's you see may look local, but it's worth a bit of searching to see whether the company is really local. I actually used one of these companies a while ago following several recommendations & they done a superb job. Yet I've seen on several forums from people in other areas that have had problems with this same company.

At least with this company, you called the local engineer direct and arranged a 4 hour timeslot for a visit. Action, on the other hand, have been using a central booking system for several years.

The best bet is go on a recommendation. Failing that, go for a CAI plus company that uses benchmarked equipment, offers a guarantee of at least 12 months, and is prepared to quote for the work without obligation. Get them in, is the van in good order? Is it tidy? Do they use the correct methods for securing the ladders? Go up and do a signal test with a meter & not just a fleeting glance at the roof & "oh you'll need a ##**!!! up here mate, or you will have trouble". Yes, most of these guys are rough & ready outdoor types, but ones that do the job well are invaluable.

Re: Action Aerials
 

Dreadful - don't go near them.

They promised to send someone round today - nothing.
Rang them 4 times and was assured the installer was on their way.
Nothing. Rang a fifth time, was put on hold for a minute and then told "Sorry, we ran out of time." Didn't bother to ring me.
They wasted my day.

Don't go near them. They are either dishonest or stupid - either way. They certainly lack any observable sense of being able to deliver a service or on anything they promise

Re: Action Aerials
 

I found action aerials website online. They stated on there web site that they charge 59.99 to fit a digital aerial. There web site claims there are no hidden costs, so i phoned up and booked appointment for someone to come and fit it. I asked the woman on the phone is the cost going to be £59.99 she replied yes so i booked it. When the aerial engineer came out the first thing he said without even looking at my roof and the place were the aerial was going to go is "it will cost you £105 pounds" he then went on to explain i needed a bigger aerial and bracket because i lived on a hill. I said i thought you was meant to get better signal on a hill. He then hummed and rrrr and said that a 2ft tree in my garden will course me interverance, bear in mind this 2ft tree in 28ft below my roof and were the aerial would be fitted. I then said your website said £59.99 he said that i didnt read the small print so i went online and showed him his advertisment there was no small print. And in big writing on action aerials website it said no hidden costs. He said they had not changed the website costs which is bull. Action aerial are BAR HUMBUGS they were willing to rip of a single mother the week before xmas. PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM ACTION AERIALS THEY ARE LIARS