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Planning Your Installation

 

We are more than willing to give advice to those actually purchasing from us.  

Could those only seeking information please just ring an aerial installer local to them or try calling reception advice on 08700 100 123 (BBC) or 0844 881 4150 (ITV).

 

This page is not intended as a comprehensive guide to planning your

whole installation, the individual subject pages will (more or less) provide that.

It is a reminder of the order you should approach things and where to find the

information on the relevant points, if you haven`t got time to read the whole site !

 

Arguably the most important decision is choice of aerial because it is only at the

antenna that the vital signal quality can be attained, but this is dependent on which transmitter you`re on and your signal strength, see below.

 

The first thing to decide is which transmitter to use, see the article on this subject.

Once you have identified the transmitter(s) check if we have a page dedicated to it,

if not look on Digital Transmitters Nationwide. Both these pages will give information on

the aerials we recommend for the relevant transmitter(s).

If your transmitter is not listed on either source check the generalised article on Which Aerial For Which Transmitter. For radio aerials see FM/DAB and, if applicable, Diplexers.

 

The next step is to know the signal strength in your area and hints on this can be

found in the applicable article.

This is important not only for aerial choice but also if you are planning to run more than

one TV from your antenna.

 

Unless you already have satellite quality cable installed (which you know is in good condition) the downlead should be changed as a matter of course. The choice of cable is easy because we only stock one type, and that is the best, i.e. H109, or its equivalent, because they keep changing the name !  

The only choice is what colour do you want, Black, Brown or White ? !

Also see  The Importance Of The Cable And The Routing Of It.

 

Poles are available in 3ft, 6ft and 10ft lengths. For help on deciding on pole height

see Use Of Longer Poles, or to research cranked poles or "standoffs" (usually to clear

the eaves above the install) consult the relevant highlighted links. Once pole height has

been decided next comes the bracket, try consulting Which Bracket For Which Pole.

Also see Wall or Chimney Mount ?

 

Are you going to feed more than one TV (and/or radio) ? If so, knowledge of your signal strength is also very important so you can decide if you should use a splitter or if you need an amplifier.

If you are in a poor reception area an aerial amplifier may help, but is a mains amp or a "mast head" more appropriate ?

Whatever you decide, when it comes to a poor signal area, remember the golden rule,      

  "aerial more important than amplifier" !

 

For hints on general installation points, and how not to do it, see Cowboys` Locker.

Also see Patrick Holdaway`s article on using Google Earth to line up an aerial.

 

Unsure if you`ve included everything you need in your order ? See TV Aerial Kits or try using this sequence, which follows the route of the signal from start to finish !

Aerial, Cable, Splitters and/or Amplifiers and/or Diplexer (if required), Pole,

Bracket, Wall Screws/Plugs/V Bolts or Chimney Lash Kit, Cable Clips, Hole Tidy, Plug(s).

 

Finally see Online Shop or Mail Order