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How To Make a DIY TV aerial or Satellite Flying Lead?

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DIY TV aerial or Satellite Flying Lead

Having a TV antenna installed for your television is a great way to enjoy the perks of digital entertainment! With this equipment, you can receive satellite signals from television stations, and have the chance to watch the news and even your favourite TV shows! If you wish to buy one, you should also know how to choose the right kind of TV antenna.

Although, if you are on a budget and would instead use a low-cost alternative, not to worry because Aerialforce provided simple steps on how to make a satellite flying lead to get free channels!

COAT HANGER TV ANTENNA

This simple and easy DIY project can be done in any house around the UK. You won’t need to buy new materials, because you can find coat hangers and paperclips lying around in your home!

Materials you need:

  • emery board/ sandpaper
  • used metal coat hanger
  • scotch tape
  • small piece of a metal paper clip

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Steps:

  1. Scrap off the layer of your coat hanger by rubbing the sandpaper or emery board on the surface of the coat hanger. Keep rubbing the sandpaper or emery board until the coat hanger becomes bare metal.
  2. Uncoil the hook of your coat hanger and twist it until the wire joint becomes open and unbent.
  3. Next is to get the small paper clip and bend it until it turns into an S-shaped. The short end must be bent at a 90-degree angle while the bent portion should be 1/4 inch long. You will plug this section to the coaxial cable connector on your TV.
  4. Behind your TV, you will find the coaxial connector. Once you see it, place a scotch tape over the end of the coaxial connector to avoid the paperclip from shorting the centre and outer rim of the connector.
  5. Get the small S-shaped paperclip and plug the short 90-degree bent section of it into the centre hole of the coaxial antenna connector.
  6. With the uncoiled coat hanger, connect it onto the metal paperclip.
  7. For this to work, set up your TV menus and select ‘antenna input’. After, this will automatically scan for available channels.

DIY HDTV ANTENNA

If you are up for a more complicated house project, you’ll probably like this next DIY antenna!

Materials you need:

  • 2 x 3 inches wooden board with a length of 22 inches
  • 18 screws (not deeper than your choice of wood)
  • Balun – is a type of transformer used in a television antenna to balance signal output.
  • Copper Wire
  • Disposable Grill or any aluminium window screen
  • Pencil
  • Power drill
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape Measure
  • Wire Cutter

Steps:

  1. Lay the wooden board horizontally and mark lines from left to right with a pencil at the 2-inch mark, the 7.25-inch mark, the 12.5-inch mark, and the 17.75-inch mark. Once done, draw a 1-inch gap down the middle of the marked lines to have eight intersecting points. These points will be your guide holes for later.
  2. Get the copper wires and measure it to 14 inches and cut eight portions of the same measure.
  3. Each wire must be bent halfway making it 7 inches long for each side. By doing this, the wire must be in the shape of a ‘V’, while the ends must be 3 inches apart. Note: these measurements are crucial for the antenna to perform well!
  4. Drill the eight guide holes (from step 1) and attach the centre (bent portion) of the V-shaped wire to the board using the screws and washers. After, each V-shaped wire must extend and point outward from the board. Your board must look like it grew several pairs of legs.
  5. For the following step, screw the two disposable grill tray behind your antenna using two screws. Then, from the centre (bent portion) of the copper wire, join them together with a wire by crisscrossing (‘X’ shaped figure) the left and right end section, and leaving the middle part parallel. Unlike the left and right end section, the central part’s wires must not touch each other.
  6. Strip a segment of insulation from the two middle wires so that attaching it to the balun will be easy. If you are not sure how to do this, there will be an instruction that comes with the balun after your purchase.
  7. Attach the balun to the two middle wires, and use a coaxial cable to have the antenna connected to your HD television.
  8. As a final step, you will need to find the nearest TV transmitter to align your homemade antenna.

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PVC PIPE SATELLITE FLYING LEAD 

This DIY satellite flying lead is best to put outside of your home! If you have enough space for this PVC antenna, this will be a perfect project for you.

Materials you need:

  • Copper Tubing
  • Electric drill
  • PVC pipe
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape Measure

Steps:

  1. Using the 1/2 inch copper tubing, bend a half-circle in a 26-inch diameter and add 1 inch extra on each end. Press each end and turn them outwards. After, form another half-circle with the same measurements and turn it inwards.
  2. Add a new piece of 1/2 inch PVC to each connection to bolt the pressed edges to two of the PVC ends for the middle to fit into a slot supporting the entire body. You will see that there is no electrical contact between the two pieces of copper tubing except for the 300 ohms matching transformer.
  3. Dart the cross to a 2 inch PVC end cap and use a lock washer or double nuts to tighten its grip. After, stick the cap to a 20-foot piece of 2 inch PVC pipe.
  4. The next step will be to attach the 300-ohm matching transformer to the two pieced copper tubing. Link the cable to the transformer, tape and run down the 2 inch PVC pole.
  5. Then, shove a piece of pipe to the ground and set the antenna pole over it and securely put it above levelling your roof. If you go higher than 20 feet, you will need to use guy wires. Also, if you used a metal pole, make sure to have it grounded to the ground rod with the use of your electric meter.

With these simple homemade antennas, you can get free tv channels in your flat without the expensive cable subscription. If you like to try out these projects, feel free to work on it!

Be advised that these DIY antennas can be poor in quality especially when you live far away from broadcast television stations. However, this list of projects is a creative and cheap way that works!

Despite not getting high over-the-air receptions, good quality pictures, and the best tv signals, these DIY antennas can make your tv experience much better compared to not having one.

Although, if you want to get unlimited tv channels for your home, you may want to hire professionals like Aerialforce engineers to do a TV Aerial installation. You’ll surely get high-quality videos, strong TV reception, and good cable service.

Need professional help? Call Aerialforce now for same-day installations!

How Much Is Aerial Installation in Manchester?

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manchester

Manchester is one of the many places where a lot of people choose to use aerial TV for their television experience. Manchester’s location and geography is ideal and relatively great for enjoying high-quality signals whether it’s for Freeview, Sky, or Freesat. 

Consequently, many customers avail satellite and aerial services in Manchester, including aerial installations and aerial repairs. If you’re ever planning on having a satellite or aerial installation and you live in Manchester, availing aerial installation Manchester services is the best way to go! While you may get cheaper quotes from outside, you would have to pay for their transportation costs and of course, there will be a long wait. Local aerial installers can attend to your property within the day.

Availing aerial installation manchester services is a great choice as it ensures you excellent quality of service. If you live in Manchester, aerial services are one call away thanks to Aerialforce, saving you from the stress brought by the installation of a TV aerial.

  1. Standard Price for TV Aerial Installation Services
    • What Defines a Standard Installation?
    • Factors That Affect Installation Costs
  2. Why is it Better to Hire Professionals for TV Aerial Installation in Manchester
    • DIY Aerial Installation Can Cause You to Spend More
    • Doing Aerial Installations on Your Own is Extremely Risky
    • Knowing the Best Type of TV Aerial in Your Area in Manchester Can Be Tricky
    • Manchester Professional Engineers Know Best about Aerials Manchester
  3. Other Services You Can Avail Alongside Aerial Service

If you want to estimate the prices first before you go call and avail the services of professional engineers and installers, you came to the right place! Many factors may affect services for installation of aerials Manchester. Here, we provided you with a guide on the prices of installation services in Manchester and why availing such services is actually cost-efficient!

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Standard Price for TV Aerial Installation Services

There are definitely many factors that may affect the price of installation services in Manchester. Cost of installations may vary from one location to another. Just like in any other products, companies will offer different costs or rates for their services. Still, there is a standard cost for these kinds of service.

What Defines a Standard Installation?

The cost of installations, first and foremost, may vary based on the installation requirements. The more complicated the installation needs to be done, the more costly it can get. Most companies have a standard where they can base the price of the installations on. 

The common standard for aerial services and installation includes installing an aerial up to 32 elements in size. A standard installation also involves a TV aerial installed on a chimney stack or wall with the need of a bracket 13 inches in size at most.  The cable should externally run the new one room and should not exceed 18m in length. The property should also be two stories in height at most. Finally, the installation can be completed in under two hours.

The industry standard cost for professional installation of TV aerials is £250. This cost mostly depends on the materials (which is around £150) and the cost of work/labour (which is around £100). Of course, the actual cost will depend more on many factors, but this could still be useful enough if you’re just estimating the cost of installation services. Just compare your situation to the standard, and you can get a rough estimate of the prices. To get a more accurate price, feel free to contact or call an aerial company and ask for price estimations.

Factors That Affect Installation Costs

Materials and work/labour are the most significant factors that affect TV aerial and satellite dish installation costs. However, these are just two of the many variables that affect the prices of digital TV aerial services in Manchester. The location of your property also plays a big part. If your home’s location in Manchester has a strong reception of signals like Freeview signals or Freesat signals, then professionals can finish their work quicker and much easier. 

On the other hand, if your home’s location in Manchester has weak reception of TV signals such as Freeview or Freesat, then professionals may work double-time to install the aerial. The cost of TV aerial services and installations may also become more expensive as better materials are required to get better quality of Freeview and Freesat signals. For instance, higher gain aerials, better amplifiers, or bigger masts may be required to improve the quality of such signals.

The setting of your home also affects the difficulty of installation of TV aerials. For example, if you prefer attic installation rather than a rooftop installation, then the price may get higher depending if there is a need to introduce a new electric outlet, need to hide wires, etc. The weather conditions will also definitely affect the cost of TV aerial services.

Aside from the materials, the TV aerial itself is obviously a big factor on the cost. There are different types of TV aerials, and the best type of digital aerial depends on your location. TV aerials as well as satellite cost differently. The method of installations may also depend on the type of digital aerial. The three main kinds of TV aerials: indoor aerials, outdoor aerials, and loft aerials. We will not go into detail about this one, but if you want to know more and determine the best TV aerial for your home, then read our article!

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Why is it Better to Hire Professionals for TV Aerial Installation in Manchester

You might be thinking that installing your TV aerial on your own is better and cheaper. After all, why bother hiring people for aerial installation services in Manchester when you can just Google a DIY TV aerial installation?  Well, there is a reason why many customers still avail aerial services in Manchester. 

DIY Aerial Installation Can Cause You to Spend More

Yes, you read that right. You may end up spending more money by doing a DIY aerial installation. TV aerial installation, and any other installations like satellite dish installation and TV installation, is best left to the professionals. Aerial installation may look simple at first, but aerials and satellites are very delicate and sophisticated objects that should be installed carefully.

If you don’t install your aerial and satellite system the right way, you’ll end up with poor TV signal reception. A wrong installation or careless mistake may break your aerial or satellite causing you to buy another one. Moreover, satellite and aerial repairs due to mishandling may be more expensive than the actual installation itself. 

Doing Aerial Installations on Your Own is Extremely Risky

To get the best signal reception in Manchester, satellites and outdoor tv aerials are usually recommended. Satellites and external or outdoor digital TV aerials Manchester are usually installed in a high area. Installing one may need going to the roof of your property or reaching a high spot on the wall of your home using a ladder. 

If you don’t have the right skills and equipment, you may not just end up spending money for aerial repairs. You may also end up paying hospital bills for accidental injuries you incur on yourself. Go the safer route and contact Aerialforce instead.

Knowing the Best Type of TV Aerial in Your Area in Manchester Can Be Tricky

There are several types of digital TV aerials and satellite systems in Manchester. In some areas, having an indoor digital TV aerial may be the best choice for optimal signal reception. On the other hand, many areas in Manchester require external or digital TV aerials for the best signal reception. These are just some of the many types of digital TV aerials. Satellite systems may even be a separate discussion.

Buying the most expensive TV aerial doesn’t guarantee high quality signal reception in Manchester. If you get one without professional advice or help, you may end up wasting money as your TV aerial or satellite is not cost-efficient.

Manchester Professional Engineers Know Best about Aerials Manchester

Asking for professional help and services for your digital aerial installation is the best choice. Professional engineers, thanks to their years of experience, offer you the best services to give you the best viewing experience at home. 

A TV aerial engineer is also skilled and well-knowledgeable about the different aerials Manchester choices and which one is the best for your home. Aerial services from professionals also usually come with other services such as TV installation, Freesat installation, and repairs, so if you ever need help, give Aerialforce a call!

Other Services You Can Avail Alongside Aerial Services

Aerial engineers have years of experience in satisfying customer’s aerial and digital TV needs. Aside from aerial installations in Manchester, they also work to offer different services to provide you with the best digital television experience. People who need help with their TV aerials also usually ask for help in their Freeview, Sky Magic Eye, or Freesat Installation. 

Since Freeview usually comes hand in hand with TV aerials, professional aerial engineers in Manchester also offer to optimize their customer’s television system to receive the best possible Freeview signals and get the best Freeview television channels in Manchester. Problems regarding the quality of Freeview signal reception as well as missing Freeview channels are also solved by these professionals in Manchester

Aside from Freeview, professionals in Manchester can also offer their service in other installations such as satellite dish installation and Freesat installation.  Satellite Dish also comes hand in hand with Freesat, so many also avail the service of Freesat installers. Unlike Freeview which usually works with TV aerials, Freesat works via Satellite System. 

You can get over 200 channels in Freesat with your satellite dish, as opposed to the Freeview’s 70 channels. Hence, Freesat is great for getting a few extra channels via satellite. However, the television experience can still feel lacking for some customers because of the limit on channels. Other customers today who are not satisfied with Freeview or Freesat reception avail the service of Sky and its magic eye.

Aerialforce engineers in Manchester can provide help installing brackets for your TV wall and help you with TV wall mounting. They can also fix your coax cable if it needs fixing and do repairs on other parts of your TV system such as your antenna, tuner, etc. Aside from cable, TV aerial, satellite dish, and any other digital television-related service, professionals can also provide service in installations of CCTV systems at your home. Contact one and they will be there as soon as possible.

There are definitely different kinds of television service you can avail in Manchester, so feel free to call and contact us through phone or email. If you ever need assistance for any aerial, satellite dish, Freeview, Sky, and problems of the like, contact Aerialforce at 0330 173 2901 or book online now!

What Is A Sky single feed mode?

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Sky Remote

There are many types of home entertainment systems that are available in-store for customers with different demands. An average house would set up a hard-wired internet connection, pay for aerial installation services. If you are on a budget, having a TV service installed may be the most affordable entertainment set up.

Installing an entertainment system to your home is one of the many ways to be able to relax and enjoy at your own pace! Whether it’s to share a moment with your family or friends after a long day of work, or binge-watch the recordings of your favourite show alone, you will be pleased to use a well-functioning home entertainment system with Sky!

As you choose to have a Sky+ HD box at your flat, there are just some things that you should know and understand when you will only have one single cable to your Sky+ HD box.

  1. What is a Sky Single Feed Mode?
  2. How Do I Change My Sky Box To Single Feed Mode?
  3. Can I connect my Sky box to my home WiFi?

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What is a Sky single feed mode?

Standard Sky boxes usually function using two cable feeds coming directly from your satellite dish. With this, it will allow you to watch a show, and record another one simultaneously. However, some circumstances may not be possible to get a second cable feeding into your Sky+ HD box.

This is where the Sky Single Feed Mode option enters the topic. The Sky Single Feed Mode is one of Sky’s latest updated features on their new Sky+ HD DigiBoxes. It’s a setting on your Sky box that should be set so your leisure time won’t be interrupted with sudden technical issues, or screen error messages. That being said, when you connect your satellite PVR with only one cable, you would not be able to record one program and watch another, or record two programs simultaneously.

The Single Feed Mode is highly useful for communal satellite installation since it can be impossible to have a second cable feeding your Sky+ HD box. It should also be noted the Single Feed Mode option only works for Sky+ HD Box, and not for Sky+ Box. 

How do I change my Sky box to single feed mode?

Here are the simple steps to set your Sky+ HD Box to single feed mode without the help from your technician:

  1. Your Sky cable must be plugged into Dish Input 1, and not Dish Input 2.
  2. Click the ‘Services’ button on your Sky remote control.
  3. On the ‘Services’ screen, press 0, 0, 1, and then press ‘Select‘ button onto your remote control. Doing this will open your Sky installer Menu on the Sky+ HD box.
  4. Once the Sky Installer Menu opens, go to ‘Setup’ and scroll down to ‘Single Feed Mode’ and switch it from ‘Off‘ to ‘On’ and click the green button on your remote control to save the settings.
  5. A warning message will pop out from your screen that will tell you that you are changing to Single Feed Mode.
  6. Press the green button and ‘Select‘ on your Sky remote control to continue.
  7. Just wait for a few minutes as your Sky box restarts. Once done, the single feed mode will now be activated for your use.

Additionally, if you wish to connect a second satellite signal to the Sky box, follow the reversed process above to turn off the single feed mode again.

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Can I Connect my Sky Box to the Internet?

Of course! You can either connect your Sky box through a wired connection, or a wireless connection.

Wired connection:

  1. Using the Ethernet cable, plug one end of its end into the Ethernet port behind your Sky box.
  2. Then, plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into one of the available ports behind your router.
  3. After these two simple steps, your Sky box will now be connected to your chosen broadband.

Also, the Wired Connection is a more recommended way of connecting your Sky box to the internet to ensure that your network connection will be faster and stronger.

Wireless Connection:

For Wireless Connection, you can either connect using the WPS buttons or by using your WiFi password.

When connecting with WPS:

  1. Hold and press the WPS button of your router until it flashes, then quickly click on the WPS button on your Sky box.
  2. The wireless light on your Sky box will flash then will turn into a solid amber colour once you are finally connected.

When connecting with WiFi Password:

  1. Press ‘Services’ on your sky remote then select Settings, and under Settings, choose Network.
  2. Click the Connect with Password option, and choose the WiFi Network and input your password.
  3. Once done, your Sky box will now be connected to the internet.

Have other problems? Aerialforce can assist you!

If you have other concerns about your home entertainment system, reach out to us at Aerialforce so we can give you a hand! Other than TV Aerial maintenance and installations, we also provide CCTV, locksmith, and satellite services. With us, you don’t have to worry about any of your appliances. Call us on 0330 173 8667 or book our services online if you wish to reach out to us.

Cost of Aerial Installation in Glasgow

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Aerial installation

Every home entertainment system starts by identifying how you are going to use it in the future. Planning on movie night with family and friends? Catching-up on the latest game with your best mates? Binge-watching reruns of your favourite shows? What you choose to do with your digital TV will determine your setup. 

If you are looking for affordable entertainment, nothing is more budget-friendly than TV aerials. You can enjoy Freeview and access hundreds of thousands of hours of FREE TV shows and movies. All you need is a Freeview aerial installed.

TV aerials tend to be customised according to your home’s needs, much less your city or town. So installations in London will be very different from the ones in Glasgow. Having an idea about how much your TV aerial installation costs can help you narrow down your potential technicians and work with the ones that give you the best value for your money.

How Much Does It Cost To Have A Freeview Aerial Installed In Glasgow?

The cost of an aerial installation in Glasgow is around £60-£200 for indoor aerials and £85-£220 for outdoor aerials. And the rate for a technician, during working hours, is around £50-£150. The rate accounts for their time, skills, tools, and commute. Two of the main factors that affect it are time and complexity. 

If your job takes up more than 2-4 hours, you may need to pay the higher end of the range since their hourly rate adds up. If you want more than one TV access point, that affects the price as well. It calls for more parts and custom work. Not all homes are made the same, so your installers will have to figure out a plan on the spot. 

The rest of the bill accounts for materials like the TV aerial, coaxial cable, amplifier, splitter, mount, etc. These vary according to how many access points you need. When you only need one access point, you only have to consider the TV aerial price. For a more comprehensive list, you can consult the table below:

Type of Aerial

Cost 

Indoor Aerial 

£10-£40

Outdoor Aerial

£35-£50

*The prices here are taken from Currys PC World, and they are subject to change. For an exact quote, always contact a sales representative or customer service.

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How Much Does It Cost To Install A Roof Aerial In Glasgow?

Glasgow is considered a hilly city, so outdoor aerials are a popular choice. You can pick between two different types, a wall-mounted or a roof-mounted aerial. A wall-mounted unit is installed on the side of your exterior wall. It is the easier and safer option between the two because all you need is a ladder and even ground. Your technician doesn’t have to worry about falling over, and can focus on the TV aerial installation.

A roof-mounted aerial, on the other hand, can be dangerous. Even the most experienced technicians can have problems if the environment is not right, with pitched roofs being especially difficult. Should they lose their balance or have a weak grip, it can lead to a horrible accident. However, it is one of the best ways to get a digital TV signal. 

While a wall-mounted aerial can get rid of the interference from signals inside the house and layers of brick and concrete, there is a high chance of interference and obstruction from other sources. Trees, posts, buildings, houses, passing cars, radios all affect your TV signal. Given its position, a rooftop aerial doesn’t experience this type of interference as much. Besides taller buildings and passing birds, not much will obstruct your TV signal.

Considering all those factors, the final price of a rooftop aerial in Glasgow should be around £200. If you need more access points or have other complications, it can go upwards to £250-£300. 

What Affects The Price of An Aerial Installation In Glasgow?

There are 3 things that affect the price of aerial installations in Glasgow:

  • Location and Terrain

Glasgow is a major city in the north and is the 3rd most populous area in the UK. There is bound to be plenty of obstruction from other buildings and homes. The terrain is not the easiest to work with either. The uneven landscape creates more obstructions for the nearby TV transmitters. Since the location and terrain presents a challenge, technicians have to put more care into the antenna’s position and angle.

  • TV Aerials

Not all TV aerials are created or priced equally. Indoor vs outdoor, short-range vs long-range, brand a vs brand b, model x vs model y–each category can increase or decrease the unit’s total price. Most homes in Glasgow may have to settle for a long-range, outdoor aerial, and that can be pricey. 

If you have never bought an antenna before, learn how to navigate the different options available with our blog: A Comprehensive Guide for TV Antennas. 

  • Aerial Installer

The next thing to consider is your aerial installer. In such a crowded place like Glasgow, you are sure to find all kinds of companies and freelancers. You can find an aerial installer at any price point, but you can’t always account for their quality. 

There are two ways you can get an expensive installer–based on their experience or their company. The first is pretty self-explanatory–the more experience they have, the better they are, the higher their hourly rate. People want hassle-free jobs, with quick solutions and service. You may have to pay the premium, but if it means a job well done, why not right? 

The second is based on the company. Their size, VAT-registration, and type of company may affect the prices of each job. If they are small and not VAT-registered, their rates may be cheaper, but they do not have the same-level of self-preservation nation-wide companies have. Since these large companies have more to lose, you are likely to get more consistent service with experienced technicians at a higher price point.

Considering these 3 factors, the cost of installing an aerial in Glasgow might match the prices in London, despite everything else being cheaper. The uneven terrain, outdoor aerials, and emphasis on experienced aerial installers all contribute to this. Glasgow calls for top of the line aerials and technicians to ensure that locals can get decent TV reception. At the end of the day, you have to see this as an investment. When done right, you can enjoy free TV for days on end!

How To Decide On An Aerial Installation Service

When you compare different companies in Glasgow, pay attention to their services, track record, quote, and reviews. Use these criteria to compare different companies in the city until you settle on the best one. 

If you are unsure about who to work with, consider Aerialforce. Aerialforce is a nation-wide service that offers aerial installations and repair services along with TV wall-mounting. If you just moved to Glasgow and are looking for the complete package, Aerialforce can have your TV aerial installation along with your TV wall-mounting on the same day. You can book our services online or call us on 0330 173 8058!

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Must-Have Local Services After Moving House

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moving house

Congratulations!

So you’ve finally moved. You can now throw away your extensive and long moving house checklist. You have successfully pulled it off. Hopefully, there weren’t any problems.

Unfortunately for you, you can’t celebrate and invite your family and friends over just yet. It’s now time to pull up your post-moving house checklist. You read that right. Groan if you want, but you know that it must be done. 

One of the major items that should be on your post-moving house checklist is compiling a list of the local servicemen in the area. Here we have listed down the essential must-have local services once you have moved houses. Why local? Because they know the lay of the land more than you and can propose small tweaks in your plans that will help it better fit the neighbourhood. Additionally, their proximity to your property would mean reduced waiting time and costs.

Entertainment System: Aerial Engineer

Having a fully-functioning entertainment system is the first step towards settling in your new home. Being in a new area can be quite a stressful time. Having a comfortable space where you can relax and unwind after a long day is essential. Your entertainment system does not have to be a full-grown home theatre. It just needs to receive TV reception so you can watch your favourite shows. And no, you don’t need cable!

If it’s your first time in the UK, you must know that the country has Freeview. Freeview is the biggest TV platform in the UK, used in 18 million homes. It provides 95% of the nation’s most popular shows for FREE! If you want to have free TV programming, look for a local Aerial engineer. Call them immediately so you can set up your TV.

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Home Security

According to the Office for National Statistics, the total police recorded crime increased by 3% for the year in England and Wales. If this statistic disturbs you, then you might want to invest in home security. When you’re in a new location, it’s understandable that you feel uncomfortable sleeping at night. What can help you is knowing that you and your family is safe and secure.

We’ve listed down two of the best ways to improve your home security.

Locksmith

If you’re moving into a place that other people have lived in before, it might be best for you to change the locks. By doing this, you can ensure that only you will have a copy of your keys. And while you’re changing your locks, splurge a little bit and choose industrial strength locks to keep out intruders. Have your local locksmith change your locks immediately after you’ve moved.

CCTV

CCTVs act as a visual deterrent to burglars by sending the message that your property has surveillance. While it doesn’t turn crime away 100%, it works most of the time. And in the unfortunate event that your house does get broken into, you can use the footage to find out the perpetrators. Video footage may also be used in court as evidence. Read here which type of CCTV is best to install for your property. Once you have decided, call your local CCTV installer for more information.

Internet

What is a house without Wi-Fi? Unless you want to live in the Dark Ages, one essential house commodity you must have installed is your internet. Check around the neighbourhood on what the best Internet service provider is for your area. In fact, you can have your Internet connected before you move in, so you don’t have to deal with servicemen inside your house while you are unpacking all of your stuff.

Waste Disposal

If you just had your new place refurbished and renovated, then one thing you need to think of next is how you’re going to dispose all of your waste. Construction materials, demolished walls, old furniture. What do you with all of these? You can’t just leave them on the curb outside the streets. It would be best to have the number of your local skip hire to clear the rubbish for you. By doing this, you can come in to your new house all clean.

Plumber

Safety is key to living harmoniously inside your new place. If you’re moving in a previously lived-in home, it would be best to contact your local plumber to give your plumbing system a once-over. They can assess the state of your plumbing system and identify any problems that you might face. Additionally, they can determine whether there are parts of your plumbing system that must be repaired or replaced before they break down. You don’t exactly want to wake up in the middle of the night with a plumbing emergency like a broken boiler or a burst pipe, do you?

Emergency Phone Numbers

The number one rule of safety is to know all of the emergency phone numbers in the area. If you can’t find the details online, ask the number from your realtor or landlord. It’s imperative that you know the local number of the nearest police station and fire department. Also, you must know the contact details of your utilities providers such as the water department, gas company, and power company.

It’s another task that’s being added to your already gargantuan list of tasks, but it’s worth in the long run. Maintaining your new house will be easy once you’ve gotten familiar with your local servicemen.

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TV Aerial Installation Cost: London

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Aerial installation

While TV aerials are considered as a cost-effective solution for home entertainment, there is a bit of investment involved with its installation. Your location, aerial model, and desired set up can all contribute to the final bill. Here we will discuss the price for installing a TV aerial and the factors that affect it. Since the cost varies, most of the numbers mentioned here are ballpark figures.

How Much Does It Cost To Get An Aerial Fitted In London?

Generally, a new TV aerial installation costs (London) about £150-£200. The price is inclusive of the labour and materials needed for your set up. For a detailed breakdown, refer to the table below: 

Item

Indoor Aerial Installation

Outdoor Aerial Installation

Aerial

£10-£50

£15-£80

Additional Supplies (coaxial cable, splitter, mount, adhesive tape, etc.)

£10-£15

£30-£50

Labour

£100-£150

£150-£200

Total 

£120-£215

£195-£330

* Prices reflected here for the TV aerial and the additional supplies are rounded up from the common models available at retailers like Amazon, Currys, and Argos. The prices may change over time.

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If you are wondering what type of TV aerial you should get, you can check out our blog: A Comprehensive Guide for TV Antennas

The average cost to have an indoor aerial installed is £120-£215, while an outdoor is £195-£330. There may be a large gap between the amounts listed here, but that only proves how difficult it is to narrow down. 

The aerial installation for a small one-bedroom flat will differ from one for a house with multiple TVs on different levels. And places near TV transmitters can settle for cheaper aerials because they don’t need a high gain model to get a better signal. See? It is a matter of figuring out what you need. At the end of the day, these ranges are here to give you an idea of how much it costs. 

If you are set on getting a TV aerial installed, start sending your enquiries to companies like Aerialforce for a free quote. You can fill out our online form with the details of your job to accurately assess your needs. 

What Affects The Cost of My TV Aerial Installation? 

Many things will affect the total cost of your installation, namely your service provider and your home. Nothing affects the final bill more than these 2.

Your Service Provider 

London is a naturally competitive place, and that extends to trade work as well. You can have your pick from freelancing engineers to established companies. While there is an industry-standard, their setup can greatly affect the overall cost of your aerial installation. Consider these factors:

Are you working with a newbie or an expert technician?

An apprentice must always be compensated for their work, but their prices tend to be more forgiving. The quote might be cheaper but at the cost of their inexperience. When you book an experienced aerial installer, you can rest assured that they will be able to avoid rookie mistakes.

Are you working with a small company or a large one?

Working with a small company means every transaction is greatly valued. However, it means their aerial installers are in short supply. To cover all overhead costs with a small team is not easy. They may factor that into their TV aerial install. However, a large company has an excellent pool of technicians. Since they have the human resources and set up to respond to immediate requests, some of their quotes might be more competitive. 

Are they a VAT-registered company? 

A freelancing TV aerial installer doesn’t make enough to be a VAT registered company. It means their prices don’t have the additional 20% and can price their services lower. However, as soon as they get more clients, that will quickly change, so you can’t expect to pay for VAT-free services for long.

What do they prioritise when installing an aerial?

Every TV aerial company has an angle, and while it is great to find a cheap, convenient aerial installation that gives you the best picture and audio quality, that is often not the case. To beat the industry-standard means making sacrifices. They might not always be on call or have the best installation. 

If they are a convenient service that you can book and hire on short notice, there are usually added fees. You can usually tell what kind of company they are based on what they choose to advertise and how they respond to your enquiries. 

Your Home 

The next thing you have to consider is your home. Even if their services are cheap, it can’t be helped when you have a more complicated setup. Consider these factors: 

Where do you live?

Some areas just get poor signal given the location and terrain. Your aerial technician may need to work around the clock for this job to make sure your TV aerial can get the right channels. Your TV aerials installation may need an aerial pole, signal amplifier, and other devices. In these types of situations, you can say goodbye to the average cost, since you need to factor in the price of the additional devices.

Where is the nearest TV transmitter, and how far are you?

Indoor and outdoor aerials have different ranges and the larger the range, the more expensive the aerial. If you happen to live near a TV tower, then you can make do with a very affordable indoor aerial. Most of Central London can use this since Crystal Palace is one of the city’s major TV towers. However, if you live in the outer part, you might look into an outdoor aerial installation with a high gain aerial to make sure you get your Freeview channels.

You can learn how to find the nearest TV transmitter to your postcode here.

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How Much Does It Cost To Install A Roof Aerial?

Outdoor aerial installations are split between a roof aerial and a wall-mounted aerial. For the wall-mounted installation, it is relatively easy to attach the brackets with the right tools. However, the stakes are higher for a roof aerial. Roof aerial installations can be anywhere upwards £200, depending on how many TV points you have and the type of building you are mounting it on. It is a pricey investment, but it also provides the biggest pay-off in terms of TV signal. 

How many TV points do you want in your house?

Since there are plenty of affordable TV models on the market, it isn’t strange for a home to have more than one. If you want to connect them all to your aerial, you will need more materials and time, so it can be more expensive. 

Are there any obstructions/ interference they have to work around in your neighbourhood?

The other thing aerial installers look at is the complexity of the setup. While dealing with the mess of cables is one thing, signal interference is another. Wi-fi, radios, posts, trees, passing cars, buildings–these call count as an obstruction that can affect your TV reception you receive. Your technician will need to play around with different setups to make sure you get the best signal.

How Long Does It Take To Install A TV Aerial?

Installing a TV aerial can take from 2-4 hours on average. However, take that range with a grain of salt. If you need an indoor aerial and live near a TV transmitter, it might only take an hour. But if you need a roof aerial and connect it to multiple points in the home, then it might be closer to 6 hours. When you book a professional aerial technician, it is best to block off half a day to ensure the job is done right the first time around. 

Is It Easy To Install A TV Aerial?

TV aerials are DIY-friendly, but there is a lot of patience involved. It is easy to assemble the device and connect the wires since most manuals are very comprehensive. The challenging part is getting the TV signal. The position and angle is everything and done improperly, you will be receiving weak TV reception.

If you have an outdoor aerial, it becomes even more difficult. Your attention is now split between getting the best signal and making sure you don’t fall off the roof. You also have to be mindful of how this affects your neighbours. It is very dangerous to attempt on your own if you aren’t trained.

In summary? It depends. When you have an outdoor setup, it might be better for everyone involved if you hire a professional aerial engineer. They have the tools and experience necessary to make sure it is a hassle-free job.

If you are looking for an aerial installer in London, Aerialforce has your back! We have an excellent team who can answer your call on the same day. Besides new aerial installations, we also provide TV repairs and satellite installations. You can book our services online or call us at 0330 173 8482!

How To Connect A Soundbar To Your TV Using An Optical Cable

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tv soundbar

If you’re the type who appreciates sound on your TV just as much as the picture, then you would appreciate the soundbar. By simply hooking it up to your TV, you will be able to help improve your overall TV viewing experience. 

Do you own a soundbar and don’t know how you can use it on your TV? Or are you just looking for ways to upgrade your TV’s audio? Regardless, you came to the right place! You can now stop searching “how to connect soundbar to tv with optical cable” on Google. We’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we will be showing you how to connect your soundbar to your TV with an optical cable, and helping you deal with all kinds of connectivity issues that you may encounter while doing so. 

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Pros and Cons About Using A Soundbar

If you’re still unsure on whether using a soundbar is the right decision for you, I’ve come up with a pros and cons list for your perusal. 

Pros of a Soundbar

  • It is affordable
  • Setting it up is extremely straightforward
  • The audio quality is infinitely better than that of a TV speaker 
  • You don’t need extra devices to make it work
  • The soundbar is compact 

Cons of a Soundbar

  • Not ideal for a large room in terms of sound coverage
  • Limited upgrade options
  • More expensive models do not necessarily mean better quality
  • Placement or location may affect the reach of the sound
  • Size may limit options for placement or installation, TV wire organisation, etc.

Understanding The Optical Cable 

The soundbar can easily be connected to your TV using a wide array of methods, including wireless or Bluetooth, HDMI, ARC, AUX cord and of course, the optical cable.

All of these methods have only one goal, and that is to transfer electrical signals from one device to another via analogue or digital channels. And while the optical cable port is often neglected on our media devices, it is one of the most reliable and effective methods of transmitting sound or audio signals between devices. 

These digital optical audio cables, which were first manufactured in the early 1980s by Toshiba, makes use of laser light to transmit audio signals from Point A to Point B. However, despite the age of optical cables as a technology, these cables remain second only to the HDMI cable in terms of delivering high-quality sound. 

The only difference between the two? The HDMI cable can deliver Digital Theatre System HD (DTS HD) audio and Dolby audio, which is found on Blu-ray, while the optical cable cannot.

So, if you find that you cannot use your TV’s HDMI port, or simply have an old television that does not have the HDMI ARC (audio return channel) port, the optical cable is a worthy alternative you would want to use. 

How To Connect The Soundbar To Your TV

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to connect your soundbar to your TV with the optical cable:

  1. Check if your optical cable is ready for use. Look for a fitted plastic cap on both ends. If you find one, remove it. Your cable should be ready then. These two identical ends will connect to both your TV and soundbar.
  2. Look for the Digital Audio Output optical port behind your TV. Once you find it, connect one end of the optical cable into the port. 
  3. Next, locate the Digital Audio Input optical port on your soundbar. Once you find it, plug the other end of the optical cable into the port.
  4. Make sure the soundbar optical cable has been inserted correctly, as this will help transmit the optical signal between the TV and soundbar. 

Once you have physically connected the two devices, make sure that they are both set to transmit and receive signals from one another. 

  1. Set your soundbar to Digital In (D-IN) mode. To determine if it is already in Digital In mode, check for it on the LED light or a digital display indicator. 
  2. At this point, the TV should automatically feed the audio signals to your soundbar. However, if this is not the case, you may want to check the inbuilt audio from the speaker. This should be switched off.
  3. If your TV still does not feed the audio signals to your soundbar, you may have to manually mute your TV speaker in your TV’s audio menu for it to work. Here’s a quick guide on turning off your speakers from Bhupinder Tube, a tech vlogger from the UK 

Final Thoughts

Installing and integrating a soundbar into your TV system is quite simple and easy. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps, and soon you’ll be enjoying your favourite programme with improved sound quality! You don’t even need the technical know-how to set it all up!

Meanwhile, if you are planning an entertainment centre overhaul, and are considering spending some time and money on this project, you may want to contact us and book an expert from Aerialforce to help you plan and set everything up! 

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What Is A Masthead Amplifier and How Do I Install It?

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tv amplifier

Nobody likes getting poor TV reception. That much is true. Fortunately, dealing with weak signals isn’t as difficult as it seems. Several different devices have been developed to help address this issue. One example is the masthead amplifier, which is determined to be one of the most effective ways to boost your TV signal. 

What Is A Masthead Amplifier and How Does It Work?

A masthead amplifier is a device used to boost a TV signal at the TV aerial, where it is at its strongest. It absorbs the signal received by aerial and sends it through the coaxial cable and to the TV, already amplified. 

Masthead amplifiers are connected to a power supply through an uninterrupted coaxial cable. Most domestic tv masthead amps require a 12V DC, or a 5V DC power supply to work, while non-domestic settings, like a block of flats and other communal systems, may best work with an 18V or 24V DC power supply. 

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Most Common Classifications of Masthead Amps

To determine the best masthead amplifier to use for your TV system, you must have an idea of how they are usually classified. Here are the most common ways TV masthead amps are generally classified:

  1. Frequency Band

In the past, masthead amps operated on UHF for channels 21-69. However, the release of 4G, which migrated the operation of channels 60 to 69 on the 800Mhz band, has limited the reach of a masthead amplifier to channel 60. Additionally, 5G signals have also emerged, which means the migration of channels 50-60 on the 700Mhz band. 

Due to this, masthead bands that pass only through certain frequency bands exist. If you’re worried about getting a masthead amplifier that has access to certain frequency bands only, you don’t have to worry as wideband masthead amplifiers exist!

  1. Amplifier Output Count

When you have multiple TV units, it is much advisable to install multi-output versions of the masthead amplifier. As an alternative, you may also opt to use a single-output masthead amplifier and install a splitter to connect to your other TVs. 

Some multi-output masthead amplifiers will require you to keep the power supply unit (PSU) connected to one particular output, but this is ot always the case. Some masthead amps will allow the PSU to be connected to any output. 

  1. Signal Gain

There are different makes and models of masthead amplifiers in the market. That means a particular masthead amplifier may output signal at a greater or smaller level than others. A TV masthead amplifier with fixed gain runs at about 10db. Meanwhile, masthead amps that have variable gain would often run between 15dB to 27dB. 

Masthead amps with variable gain are best used in areas with weak signal strength or when there is a high-output passive splitter connected to it. The adjustability in gain is also helpful in balancing the system when needed.

Do take note, though, that most masthead amplifiers will have a maximum input and output. Going over this limit can cause an overload that may result in a faulty amplifier, pixelation and loss of TV reception. 

  1. Power Consumption

As mentioned above, masthead amplifiers need to be connected to a PSU  for it to work. The most common masthead amps run at 5V, 12V, 18V and 24V DC power supply depending on their make and purpose. 

Installing Masthead Amplifiers

Now that you’re aware of the different types or classifications of masthead amplifiers, it is time to start installing one. Here are some tips on where to install your amplifier and PSU, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to install your masthead amp!

Where Do I Install The PSU?

While instilling your masthead amplifier’s PSU, it is important to put it at a location where it is safe from getting switched off or unplugged often. It is, thus, advisable to install the PSU in the loft or attic, or within a cupboard. Alternatively, you may also place it behind the TV, but you must come up with a solution to ensure the power supply does not get cut off. 

Make sure to install the PSU into its own socket, rather than into an extension socket or adapter. By doing so, you are effectively minimising the risks of it getting accidentally switched off or unplugged.

Where Do I Install The Masthead Amplifier? 

For optimum performance, the masthead amplifier should be installed as close to the aerial as possible, with it being connected by at least a metre of coaxial cable. As its name implies, it is most ideal to be tied, strapped onto the TV aerial mast or pole. 

Masthead Amplifier Installation Guide

  1. Use a coaxial cable to connect your TV aerial to the input terminal on your masthead amplifier.
  2. Prepare an uninterrupted coaxial cable and install it between the amplifier and the PSU. Connect it to the output of the masthead amplifier. 
  3. Connect the other end of the second coaxial cable into your PSU and plug it into the power main. 
  4. Connect a coaxial cable from the output of your PSU  to the input of your TV or distribution system. 
  5. Enjoy!

For a visual guide, here is a video from TVTradeDave who specialises in video guides for TV, Saorview and CCTV.

Problems You May Encounter After Installing Masthead Amplifiers

  1. Faulty Electrical Wiring

Just like any electrical device, the power supply of a masthead amplifier can become faulty. In fact, the PSU is usually where issues occur. In such instances, you may simply replace the faulty device.

  1. Disconnection From PSU

If there is no signal where the masthead amplifiers are in place, check if the power unit is plugged in and switched on. This is also a common mistake most TV owners make. Simply plug the power supply back in and turn it on to start enjoying your TV again!

  1. Not Enough Power Reaching The Masthead Amp

Wall-plates and splitters may prevent the power from reaching the masthead amp. This usually happens when the wall plates and splitters do not allow DC to pass through. To fix this issue, use equipment that allows both to do so. 

  1. Signal Overload

You do not always need an amplifier for your TV. If you are receiving moderate to strong signals and add a masthead amplifier, the signal will be too strong. This, in turn, may overload your TV and ruin your viewing experience rather than improve it. 

  1. Weather

Always remember to weatherproof your masthead amplifier. Whether you seal it shut with tape or put a protective covering around it is up to you. What’s important is that you protect it from water, wind and other debris that it may encounter. 

If you are unsure about installing a masthead amplifier to your TV aerial, you may also consider contacting an Aerialforce engineer or any professional aerial engineer to help you out!

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How to Update Sky Box

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Sky Box Software Updates

Sky Boxes receive software updates from time to time. Software updates are delivered through satellite to make changes in your Sky Box. These changes are usually improvements to the performance of your Sky Box such as new exciting features and bug fixes for system problems so you should welcome them with open arms. However, updating can be quite a tedious process if you don’t know how. That is why we have created this article to help you on how to update your sky box.

Sky Boxes, whether it is a Sky+ HD box or a Sky Q box, get updates and install them automatically. However, these Sky Boxes become unreliable and glitches when they are switched off or disconnected for a long period of time. For instances like this, you have to manually update them.

How to Update Your Sky Box Manually

Due to the advancement in TV technology and the rise of TV on-demand, manually updating your Sky Box seems to be a thing of the past. However, there are some instances where you still need to update it manually before you can watch with your TV. Here is a guide on how to manually update Sky Box to the latest software. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for both the Sky+HD box and Sky Q box.

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Updating Your Sky+HD Box

You can download your Sky Com Software Update for your Sky+HD box by following the instructions below:

  1. Press the standby button using your remote.
  2. Switch off the Sky+HD Box and disconnect it from the power supply. Also, turn off the other devices connected to the box. Wait for at least a minute.
  3. On the top panel of the box, press and hold the backup button. While pressing the backup button, turn the power supply back on.
  4. Keep pressing the backup button until the box resets. You’ll know this when all four LEDs in front of the box light up. You should now see the software update screen on your TV screen.

Note: If all the four LEDs still do not light up even after pressing the backup button for 30 seconds, repeat this step. If the lights still do not appear, it is best to ask for professional help. Aerialforce has Satellite TV Engineers all over the UK who can help you with your Sky Box.

  1. Do not disconnect the Sky+HD Box from the power supply or satellite dish while the software is updating. Doing so may cause permanent damage to your Sky Box. While waiting for the search and download to finish, we advise you to switch the TV to another screen to avoid screen burn.

Note: The software update screen will stay on the screen for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the download finishes. If the download seems to be stuck, try disconnecting the Sky Box from the power supply. Wait for 5 minutes, then repeat all the steps.

  1. You will know the software update has finished when the four LED lights disappear. The box will then switch to standby.
  2. Wait for at least 3 minutes before switching the Sky+HD Box back on. A green LED will light up on the front panel of your box. You can now watch your favourite shows and videos on your TV.

Updating Your Sky Q Box

You can download the Sky Q Software Update for your Sky Q box by following the instructions below:

  1. Go to the Settings of your Sky Q box. Under the System Info, highlight Software version.
  2. Choose Setup. 
  3. Start the download by clicking Software download.
  4. The search and download take about 10 minutes to finish. Make sure that the box is not turned off or disconnected from the power supply while the software is updating.
  5. You can check the status of the Software update by going to the Settings. Choose System Info then highlight Software version.
  6. When it says “Software update successful” it means your Sky Q Box is now updated to the latest software version. You just need to wrap up your download by pressing the Standby button on your remote.
  7. Your box will then restart. Once it restarts, follow the on-screen instructions. Your Sky Q Box should then be on the latest software version, and you can now watch your favourite shows on your TV.

Note: If you are seeing hard disk error messages on your screen, you need to know how to reboot Sky Q Box. Hard disk errors prevent your TV to set or play videos and recordings. It may also hinder your TV to search for features like videos on demand. Click here to learn how to reset q box.

If these steps do not work, you may be dealing with a bigger problem. We advise you to ask for professional help and leave these problems to the experts. Aerialforce has Satellite TV Engineers who have years of experience in offering same-day satellite TV services.  Just search our site or contact us, and we’ll be there to assist you right away.

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A Comprehensive Guide On Loft Aerials

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As digital TV continues to develop, many people have become much more particular on what type of aerial they want to use together with their television. Beyond the burden of having to choose between Freeview TV, Freesat TV, Sky TV and many more, people are also now talking about what kind of TV aerial best suits their home TV set up. 

On their list of options are some of the usual suspects such as outdoor TV aerials, rooftop TV aerials and indoor TV aerials. Some even do without TV aerials all together and spring for a satellite dish instead. However, in recent years, another type of aerial has slowly been making some buzz, and that is the loft aerial. 

As its name suggests, this involves mounting or installing an aerial in the loft, attic or roof space of a home. This type of aerial has emerged as society became more and more conscious of the aesthetic of the facade of their home, and how outdoor and rooftop aerials would ruin it. 

However, as it is true that outdoor aerials look too clunky or out of place outside an aesthetically optimised home, most homeowners who opt to take this approach do not take into consideration the height and position an aerial should be placed in order to produce the best TV picture quality as possible. 

That is why if you are considering loft TV aerial installations, it is vital that you get everything right. Any small mistake or miscalculation could result in poor reception or low signal strength. This, in turn, will result in a poor TV viewing experience. 

To help ensure that you are able to enjoy your TV programmes fully while making use of loft aerials, we’ve come up with a guide that tells you what you should know when it comes to loft TV aerial installations.

Additionally, to help you decide if a loft TV aerial is truly what you want, we’ve also included a list of the pros and cons of using one.

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Things To Consider Before Installing A Loft TV Aerial

As mentioned above, a small miscalculation could totally ruin your TV viewing experience. That is why, if you are planning on installing a TV aerial in a loft space, you may want to consider the following:

What Is Your Loft Made Of?

Yes, your wall and roofing materials play a part in the success of your loft tv aerial installation. Foil lining, in particular, will only make your attempts at installing an aerial in your loft futile. This is because the foil lining would only reflect the signal away, which means it will never reach the aerial in the first place. 

The same thought applies if you have metal sheeting or solar panels on your roof and walls. 

How Far Away Is The Nearest TV Transmitter? (And In Which Direction Is It Located?)

Loft antennas are usually best suitable for households that are, at most, 15 miles away from the nearest transmitter. However, because aerials are made for different transmitter distances, make sure you are using one that is appropriate for the distance between your house and the transmitter.

Also, make sure to find out in which direction the transmitter is located. As it is with any kind of TV aerial, it is crucial that you put it in a location where it will more likely receive tv signals. You wouldn’t want your antenna facing East when the TV transmitter is located West. That would just make it more difficult for your aerial to receive signal.

Is The Line Of Sight Path Clear?

It is vital to find a position for your aerial where the line of sight path to the TV transmitter is as less obstructed as possible. Such obstructions can come in the form of nearby hills, buildings and even tall trees!

Otherwise, TV reception problems may occur, especially when the weather conditions cause the trees to move around more. TV fluctuations due to an obstructed line of sight can happen even if you live near the transmitter!

Are There Sources Of Interference In The Vicinity?

Interference can come in the form of material objects like metallic objects including pipes and water tanks in and around your loft, which can eventually detune the aerial. 

Impulse noise interference is also pretty common with loft aerials. This means you would be experiencing low signal level, momentary picture freezing, or what is commonly known as your TV picture breaking up. To avoid this, it is advisable to use a log periodic TV aerial, which was designed and developed to reject interference from the side and back of the antenna.

Where Will You Be Placing The TV?

The distance between your aerial and your TV is also crucial to determine.

While this wouldn’t necessarily affect the signal strength on your TV, it is essential for you to be able to identify how much and what kind of coaxial cable you need to connect your aerial to your HD TV or set-top box.

What Kind Of Antenna Do You Need?

Using the right kind of antenna or TV aerial is also crucial to the success of your loft TV aerial installation. As mentioned above, you will want an antenna that is able to block out as much interference as possible, while also picking up even weaker TV signals. 

To ensure good TV picture quality, consider using high gain aerials, or the aforementioned log periodic TV aerial. 

A pro-tip: While an indoor aerial would probably work when installed in your loft, you may be better off using an outdoor aerial for optimum results. 

Advantages Of Using A Loft Aerial

Aside from its aesthetic advantages, which have been mentioned above, here are some reasons as to why you would want to consider a loft TV aerial:

  1. While almost all aerials are waterproof, a loft TV aerial is totally weather-proof. It is safe from strong winds, torrential rain, lightning and UV degradation from the sun which can all cause it to deteriorate much faster.

  2. Because it will be protected from the elements, you wouldn’t have to purchase one that is made of extremely sturdy materials. Less sturdy materials = Lower costs.

  3. A loft antenna is almost always as efficient as an outdoor antenna. Loft aerials, however, are much cheaper to install as compared to the alternative. 

Disadvantages Of Using A Loft Aerial

  1. While it will be close to the signal levels delivered by an outdoor aerial, it just won’t be the same. No matter how optimum the positioning of your tv aerial is, it will still be confined within walls and a roof, thus dampening the tv signals even just a bit.

  2. As discussed quite repetitively in this article, due to the restrictions provided by the wall and roofing materials, even the smallest difference in the alignment, height and positioning of your loft aerial can affect signal strength and tv reception.

  3. The level of attenuation is high, and it could go even higher when the roof tiles are wet or covered by snow. High attenuation can result in poor TV reception.

  4. There are limitless possibilities of interference from objects, wiring, and fluorescent lights in the vicinity of the aerial.

Additional Tips

If you are set on using a loft tv aerial for your HD TV, here are some tips you may want to consider in order to improve your viewing experience:

  • While installing your aerial, have a portable digital compatible TV to accurately locate the location with the best signal quality on all channels.

  • Use a signal attenuator to assist in aligning your loft aerial. An attenuator will make the TV picture noisy, so find the alignment which will produce the least picture noise. Remove the attenuator when the alignment is complete.

  • Use a loft aerial bracket to secure your aerial. 

  • Adjust your loft aerials from the weakest TV channel, or the TV station on the highest UHF channel number.

  • Once you have mounted the aerial, the end furthest from the coaxial cable should be titled up by a degree horizontally for optimum results.

Just like any other kind of TV aerial, a loft aerial has its advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on where you are located and how much interference and obstructions are around you. 

If you are unsure on whether a loft tv aerial is for you or if you are in need of loft aerial installations, do not hesitate to call a professional to help you out. 

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