Freeview reception.

[styley]

Our aerial was always broken from its bracket and pointed towards the ground and when it used to rain certain freeview channels would lose signal. Recently I went up to fix the aerial and now we lose certain channels during the day (mainly the 2 music ones and the channel 5 ones). The thing is they're gone for a few hours then come back on. Would this be a problem that perhaps the aerial isn't lined up properly? I'm confused as to why they work perfectly at one time then completely gone the next.

[Tim Baxter]

You and me both mate! I live on a FV fringe area but at times get excellent signals but with no apparent explanation as to why certain multiplexer signals fade occasionally.

If you had no fade before I would suggest first repositioning your aerial, check those around you and see which way they point. Also if you use the info button on your FV remote it shows the signal strength. You need voice/radio/telephone communication between you swinging the aerial and a body watching the signal strength. Just rotate the aerial slowly until you get the best signal on the weakest multiplexer signal.

If that doesn't sort it you then need to check your cable and connexions as the fall might have crimped the cable or loosened the connection to the aerial.

Good luck.

[pug100]

Hi,
The problem with digital tv reception is that in order for it to work it continually masks errors ( like CDs do ). You then only see a problem when the amount of errors become too many to correct. For this reason you will need monitor the pictures over a few minutes to make sure the signal is consistent whilst aligning the aerial.

I too have problems on the more compressed channels such as TMF and The Hits.
There should be somewhere on your system a signal strength / quality meter. Quality should always be on 100% if not the picture breaks up. Signal strength should be at least 40% for consistent pictures and sound.
With my reception BBC 1 is the best channel and it never drops below 45% but TMF is usually 38% at best to 25%.
Here are a couple of links that may help sort your reception out.

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/reception.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/