Freeview help

Ok in the next coming months i am going to be buying a Digital freeview box for my elderly next door neighbour.

I seen a few boxes go for £40-£50 at places like Argos.
Now here is my next question. He has a aerial on his roof but because i dont have a freeview box i cant test it. So i need to get a installer out to test it for me. If a new aerial is needed what sort of price am i looking at.

I can get digital tv as i have checked the postcode. From the Sutton Coldfield Mast but this is 14 miles away will it be ok.

Thanks alot.

[SMHarman]

The freeview site has a postcode checker that is pretty reliable.

www.freeview.co.uk

FREEVIEW covers your area for the postcode XXNN NXX ** but you probably need a new type of aerial.

The search indicates that FREEVIEW covers your postcode but as well as an box (or integrated digital television) you probably need a new type of rooftop aerial.

Why a different aerial?

Because FREEVIEW signals in this area use a different transmitter or frequency than your existing analogue television. Unless you already have one, you need a different type of rooftop aerial for digital reception. We recommend a "wideband" aerial.

[Angua]

You should be ok, if you do have to change the aerial Argos do some from 20 to 45 quid. There may be a service locally that will fit the aerial at a reasonable cost because your neighbour is elderly (check your local councils website).

Word to the wise, make sure the aerial is complete (no parts missing) before anyone goes up the ladder to fit it.

Originally Posted by Angua

You should be ok, if you do have to change the aerial Argos do some from 20 to 45 quid. There may be a service locally that will fit the aerial at a reasonable cost because your neighbour is elderly (check your local councils website).

Well i rang up a few installers and got quoted from £65 to £130

[Angua]

Originally Posted by Angelus

Well i rang up a few installers and got quoted from £65 to £130

Try having a chat with someone (a roofing contractor might do as well) who comes into the garage where you work and explain the situation regarding your neighbour you may find they will help at a reasonable cost.

Originally Posted by Angelus

Well i rang up a few installers and got quoted from £65 to £130

Sounds a good price

Make sure, if possible, that the airiel installer is a member of the Confederation of Airiel Installers (CAI) the trade body that oversees professional work done by it's members, the link here will see if one operates in your area:

http://www.cai.org.uk/asp/installer.asp

[altis]

If you're only 14 miles from Sutton Coldfield then I'd suggest you'll get a good signal with a piece of wet string. Check out your signal path by:

If you don't know it already, work out your grid reference using:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/
Submit your postcode and then, at the bottom of the map, you'll see a link called 'Click here to convert/measure coordinates'. Follow that and you'll see your Landranger grid reference on the row marked 'LR'. Copy that and then go to:
http://www.tellyaerial.co.uk/
Click the tab for Technical Info and then click on Terrain Mapping. Pop in the grid reference, select your transmitter and away you go. It draws a profile of the ground between you and the transmitter. Ideally, there should be no obstacles above the red curve.

Base ngr of SP023824
Base height is 161.1 m above sea level
Base aerial is 10 m above ground
Distant station NGRSK113003
Distant station height 165.7 m above sea level
Distant aerial 226 m above ground
Distance between stations 12.4 miles (20 km)
beam heading of distant station27

[altis]

From the diagram, it looks like you should have a very good signal. Sutton Coldfield is a very powerful transmitter.

PS.

To get the diagram you'll also have to click on the "To view the terrain between your home and the transmitter please click here to be redirected to MEgALiThiA" link.

[Martin]

I remember when i first got Ondigital and my aerial was naff they changed it for free...... those were the days!

[Matthew]

Tesco have a new box for £29.95 or something like that at the minute, we have the same model but got it a while ago so paid a lot more for it.

[altis]

If you do need a new aerial then I'd suggest you look for something called a log-periodic. These work over a wide band and are often recommended for digital TV (unless you live in a very poor signal area).

Thanks for the help guys

[nffc]

SC can be received in Nottm so you're fine.

And it's grouped too IIRC.