Brand new aerial:How much signal strength can I expect?

[gonzoking]

Just had a brand new high gain aerial installed today and I haven`t been overly impressed with the signal strength. Before the picture was unwatchable and it has improved 100 fold over that, but my problem is my Goodmans freeview box is telling me my digital signal strength is about 50%. Am I being unreasonable in expecting more signal than this, the freeview picture is ok although it is pixellating a little at times, and watching the usa/ czech game it is better to switch off the box and watch the analogue as the players look sharper.

The main point into my lounge the guy did not replace the socket or the cable in the wall both of which must be 30 years old, will this of made any difference?

If its relevant my installer has put in:
*Televs high gain dig aerial
*4 way uhf amplifier
*ct 100 coaxial cable.

Any help much appreciated.

[SamRadford]

What are the units of measurement for your signal strength. Percentage of what? Doesn't mean much.

the guy did not replace the socket or the cable in the wall both of which must be 30 years old, will this of made any difference?

It certainly might of. Of you got any double screened cable with which to replace it? If you ofn't then you could buy some and simply run it upstairs and connect it temporarily as a test, without the wall plate.

[gonzoking]

When I say 50% this meant that the signal strength on the channel bar is at about half way, self evident I would of thought. As I don`t have any pro measuring equipment this is all I can go on.

[clockworks]

What SamRadford means is that the signal strength readings are pretty much meaningless, since they aren't quantified.
The important reading is signal quality. This actually shows the error rate. If quality is 100%, the picture will be as good as it gets, even if the signal strength is 50%.

[wandgrudd]

Originally Posted by gonzoking

Just had a brand new high gain aerial installed today and I haven`t been overly impressed with the signal strength. Before the picture was unwatchable and it has improved 100 fold over that, but my problem is my Goodmans freeview box is telling me my digital signal strength is about 50%. Am I being unreasonable in expecting more signal than this, the freeview picture is ok although it is pixellating a little at times, and watching the usa/ czech game it is better to switch off the box and watch the analogue as the players look sharper.

The main point into my lounge the guy did not replace the socket or the cable in the wall both of which must be 30 years old, will this of made any difference?

If its relevant my installer has put in:
*Televs high gain dig aerial
*4 way uhf amplifier
*ct 100 coaxial cable.

Any help much appreciated.

Need some more info.

1. Area you live
2. Size of pole aerial mounted to.

wandgrudd

[gonzoking]

I live on the west side of bath, in BA1, the aerial is pointed at the Mendips transmitter. The mast is 12 ft high.

[gonzoking]

Oh, and on my freeview machine there is no signal quality reading.

[Nick_UK]

Originally Posted by gonzoking

Oh, and on my freeview machine there is no signal quality reading.

Pity. That's the important one. Signal strength isn't so relevant on digital TV, as others have already said.

[wandgrudd]

Originally Posted by gonzoking

I live on the west side of bath, in BA1, the aerial is pointed at the Mendips transmitter. The mast is 12 ft high.

That sounds ok to me have you asked any body local what there reception is like?

Might just be that freeview is not yet in your area as the mast and aerial sound ok to me (sorry)