Hertfordshire Aerial Services Domestic & Commercial Installers

Hertfordshire's Web Site, is geared to providing information about Hertfordshire. It has excellent 'Business to Business' links as well has a good A-Z of Hertfordshire based companies

GMI Aerials Ltd
48 Beehive Lane
WELWYN GARDEN CITY
Hertfordshire
AL7 4BP


Tel: 01707 324638

Domestic TV/FM Aerials, Satellite,
MATV, SMATV, CCTV,
Remote Dish & Foreign Satellite Installations, Entry Systems

DIY TV AERIAL INSTALLATION v PROFESSIONAL TV AERIAL INSTALLATION

If you are installing a TV aerial yourself, this guide may save you time, money and injury.

It is fair to say that you are attempting this task either because you don't want to pay a TV Aerial Installer (or can't afford one), or you can't get a professional Aerial fitter at the time.

Because you intend to do it yourself and may not wish to climb on the roof, you may wish to consider installing the aerial in the loft.

Be mindful that if you live more than about 20 miles from a main UHF TV transmitter, the signal is unlikely to be perfect, especially on Freeview channels.

Let's assume you have no signal meter or other professional aerial installation equipment. Clearly you need to know the direction of the transmitter. It may be worthwhile asking a neighbour if they are having signal and reception problems, if they have a loft aerial, how good is the signal and where is it pointing.

If the signal is bad such as snowy graining and noisy – you are unlikely to improve it and your only route is a professional aerial installer to fit an external aerial.

If your neighbour's signal is good and it is worth your while doing a DIY Aerial installation, we need to get back to the question of a signal meter ... that you don't have! Your next best thing is a portable TV and a set-top aerial, you'll need to take this up to your loft. Ensure the portable TV you use will accept a Freeview box. You also need a compass.
Before you hump the portable TV up there, get the bearing to your TV transmitter by entering your postcode into the Wolfbane Digital TV Coverage Estimator and check the Freeview coverage maps for your area.

It is important to learn whether your local TV transmitter uses Horizontal or Vertical polarisation and the compass bearing from your location. TV aerial polarisation is defined in the Wolfbane 'POL' column. (do you still want to this this or call in an expert?)

Use the compass to discover the TV transmitter bearing from your property and install the portable TV aerial by moving it around your loft until you receive the best picture on EVERY channel whilst pointing it in the direction of the transmitter.If the set top TV aerial installation does provide good reception in your loft on every analogue TV channel, then a DIY indoor high gain aerial should provide excellent results.

Don't forget to check that the Freeview box works on the temporary portable aerial and that all multiplexes can be received. If DTT reception is poor in your attic, you will need to install an outdoor roof TV aerial instead and it will be wiser to contact a professional installer.

For analogue TV reception prediction coverage maps by UK postcode click here.
For Freeview TV reception prediction coverage maps by UK postcode click here.
For a full list of UK TV transmitters and the Freeview aerial group required for best reception click here.