Apr 18
14
This case study shows an example of a quality, long?lasting Freeview TV aerial installation carried out on a cottage in Bradford. The property was in an area with weaker TV reception, so a standard aerial would not have delivered a stable, break?free Freeview signal.
Our local aerial fitter selected and installed a high gain aerial specifically to compensate for the lower signal levels on site.
Customer Requirement
The owner wanted a one?off installation that would last for years without constant call?backs. Because the cottage roof was tiled and the location was slightly exposed, the customer also wanted the equipment to look tidy and to be fixed in a way that would not damage the slates.
Equipment Used
To deliver a durable installation we used:
- Galvanised wall/chimney brackets – these resist corrosion and hold their strength over time.
- Aluminium mast – lighter than steel and will not rust, ideal for a long?term install.
- High gain UHF aerial – selected to improve signal capture in a weaker reception area.
- Roof ladders – to access the fixing point safely without breaking or cracking any roof slates.
By using galvanised and aluminium fittings the aerial system will not rust or stain the wall/roof, and the customer can more or less forget about it once it’s up.
Why a High Gain Aerial Was Needed
Signal around this part of Bradford is not especially strong. A basic indoor aerial or even a small outdoor aerial would have led to picture break?up, missing channels, or problems when the weather turned. A high gain aerial has a larger boom and more elements, so it is better at pulling in weaker signals. By fitting a high gain model and aligning it carefully to the serving transmitter, we were able to deliver a solid Freeview level on the test meter.
Digital Compatibility
The aerial we fitted is fully compatible with all current UK digital TV services delivered over terrestrial TV, including:
- Freeview
- BT TV (where Freeview channels are received via aerial)
- TalkTalk TV (where Freeview channels are received via aerial)
That means the customer can plug the feed into a TV, PVR, or ISP?supplied TV box and still receive the broadcast channels without needing to change the aerial again.
Installation Method
Our engineer set up roof ladders to reach the mounting point safely. This is important on cottages and older houses because direct foot traffic on the slates can easily cause damage. The aerial was mounted on the aluminium mast, the mast was fixed to the galvanised bracket, and all fixings were tightened and checked for movement. The coaxial cable was routed down neatly, clipped, and brought into the property at the agreed entry point.
Result
- Strong, stable Freeview signal in an area of weaker reception
- No picture break?up on test
- Long?life installation thanks to galvanised bracket and aluminium mast
- Roof slates protected because access was done using roof ladders
Conclusion
This installation is a good example of why the right aerial and the right materials make a big difference, especially in low?signal areas. By using high?quality, non?rusting components and a high gain aerial, the customer now has a system that should give many years of trouble?free reception.
If you need a Freeview TV aerial installed or an old aerial repaired, get in touch and we can carry out the same standard of work on your property.
