freeview reception

[edward_5090219]

has anybody tried using a freeview box with mounted status 315 aerial. if so what type of results does this give.

i have tried this with caravan at home in good reception area but get no signal report on tv.

any sudgestions

 

[Clubman1]

I have a Status Vision Plus 530/5 ariel (directional) fitted and it works well with Freeview box. A silly suggestion, I know but have you tuned in your Freebox your local area? This has caught me out a couple of times. You need to retune the box to every area you use it in.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

The digital Freeview service requires a really clean (low noise), high strength signal to work properly.

The 315 is an omni-directional aerial, which is designed to pick up signals from all around - so you don't need to align the aerial.

Your 315 omni-directional aerial will receive all the competing signals from other TV transmitters in the same region, plus any reflections from buildings or hills. And because the aerial is physically small, it doesn't capture a strong signal, so the integrated amplifier will boost all the signals it picks up (and adds it's own bit of electronic noise as well).

Freeview needs a strong signal with low noise, the output from the 315 has loads of noise and competing signals - not too much chance of success - as you discovered at home.

SOLUTIONS:

Upgrade the 315 to the Status 350 directional version, which needs to be aligned with the transmitter but does reduce competing reception from other directions. Not tried but it stands a chance of working.

Or buy a cheap roof type TV aerial and mount this on a pole - these work - but are very ugly.

And finally use the 315 aerial for a game of frisbee - probably quite good as a frisbee disk.

Robert

 

[john_5040735]

Hi Edward - freeview pickup can be very good in a strong signal area, otherwise its usually poor. Buy a digital compatible directional arial.

John

 

[354]

Hi Edward - freeview pickup can be very good in a strong signal area, otherwise its usually poor. Buy a digital compatible directional arial.

John

We have used our freeview box with our Status ariel, sometimes with great results and othere times with little or no reception, as has been said it depends on the strength of the signal.

 

[Richard_5040072]

Hi Edward

We use a Freeview box with some success in most areas, using a basic Status aerial plus the built in amp. As rob_jax says, it does require a strong signal and many sites are deep in the countryside where the signal is often poor.

However, given a decent signal strength and retuning the box to the local transmitter, you should be OK.

There have been many cases documented on this forum, where the cabling to the Status has been very poorly fitted and terminated and it would be worth checking that in your van.

Best wishes

Clarky.

 

[RogerL]

A caravan aerial is only about 3m above ground level. The freeview DTT coverage maps published by DTG and Wolfbane assume a 10m high external domestic roof aerial. This difference in height makes a huge difference to the signal quality.

One estimate has been given that over 60% of campsites in the UK can't, and won't ever, get an adequate digital signal.

When the analogue signals start to be switched off, 2008-2011, most caravanners will be forced to get satellite equipment or go without.

 

[adrian_5081108]

I know this is slightly different but i have freeview in my lorry. I use an omnimax ariel and most of the time get a good picture. As said before you do have retune as you move around the country and some areas are better than others for reception. On the whole it is worth it and gives you a bit more variety.

Ade