[Dave^]

I'm looking to switch from Virgin TV to Freeview (built into TV).

We don't have an aerial at the minute, so I need to get one.

I've had a quick look, and they cost anywhere between £25 and £60..... are the more expensive ones any better?

Can anyone recommend any good ones or ones to avoid?

Thanks!

ETA - it'll be outside, attached to the Chimney.....

[GaryB]

A postcode would make it easier to suggest the appropriate grouped or wideband aerial for your location.

Good brands are Antiference, Televes, Blake, Philex, Triax. There are many others.

Generally avoid the DIY shed own brands and anything that claims to be a "Digital" aerial. There is no such thing.

Good advice at:

Aerials & Television - Aerials

ATV`s Choice Of Aerials

[Gavtech]

GaryB's first line above, highlights the most important issue.

You need to do a little research so you are armed with the knowledge of which parts of the waveband the current freeview muxes are being broadcast in your area ... and moreover, what changes are scheduled in the future - dependent on your areas Pre/post DSO status.

You do not want to make the mistake of getting an aerial that will work now but have muxes that will move 'out of band' later and be un-receivable by your new aerial.

[Dave^]

I'm in Bradford, and have a choice of two transmitters, Idle and Bradford West....

[fernandez]

Using the first part of the Bradford postcode BD12, Wolfbane reports this

UK digital TV reception predictor

entering an exact postcode will bring better results

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by Dave^

I'm in Bradford, and have a choice of two transmitters, Idle and Bradford West....

Bradford West is tiny (12.5W) relay carrying only analogue transmissions

[fernandez]

Idle is Freeview but very low power looking at this
Freeview on Idle TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV + switchover advice, since 2002
with the output given as 10W

Emley Moor according to Wolfbane is 10KW

[Dave^]

Thanks guys....

It's all jargon to me!!

And I thought I was tech savvy!!!

Wolfbane gives me a choice of Emley (Amplified Extra High Gain) or Idle (Log Periodic)....

Does this mean i should be aiming at Emley? it's fricking miles away.....

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tech/...shire_v2.2.pdf

[grahamlthompson]

Originally Posted by Dave^

Thanks guys....

It's all jargon to me!!

And I thought I was tech savvy!!!

Wolfbane gives me a choice of Emley (Amplified Extra High Gain) or Idle (Log Periodic)....

Does this mean i should be aiming at Emley? it's fricking miles away.....

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tech/...shire_v2.2.pdf

Emley Moor might be miles away but it's a much more powerfull and taller transmitter. In your case it sounds as if the log-periodic and Idle would be the better option. I would go for the log-40 as shown on ATV aerials site and add a masthead amp afterwards if you still get some picture breakup. Sadly even a few feet one way or the other can make a big difference so even Wolfbane is going to be just an indication. Log periodics don't have a lot of gain but they can work with surprisingly low field strengths thanks to their excellent noise rejection.

[Dave^]

Excellent...

Thanks for that....

[Adrian_F]

Note that if using Idle then your aerial will have to be mounted with it's elements in a vertical position as opposed to Emley Moor which requires the elements in a horizontal position.

.