TV Horizontal Polarisation Vs Vertical Polarisation

[Richard_374377620]

Hi,

Following some good advice on these Forums I am looking at buying an external TV antenna. One question, there is an optional extra adaptor that allows the antenna to switch from horizontal to vertical polarisation - do I need/should I get this? My memory is that the UK is all Horizontal polarisation and Vertical polarisation is only used in some other countries - does anyone know the answer and whether it is worth getting the adaptor.

 

[Damian]

Riverside Caravan Park in Stratford on Avon has only vertical polarisation signals, presumably the rest of Stratford has the same.

I simply turned the aerial in its bracket to vertical, cost,2 mins.

 

[Richard_374377620]

Riverside Caravan Park in Stratford on Avon has only vertical polarisation signals, presumably the rest of Stratford has the same.

I simply turned the aerial in its bracket to vertical, cost,2 mins.

Thanks Damian, guess I do need to be able to rotate in the UK then.

Thanks

 

[PaulHull]

Same here in Yorkshire, point the aerial at any of the big ones (Belmont, Bilsdale or Emlay Moor) and the aerial is horizontal, but at the booster station near Scarborough it has to be vertical - don't under stand why it just does!

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The reason for having horizontal and vertical polarization is to stop the more powerful regional transmitters interferring with the local low-power boosters. Used to cause 'ghosting' and other unpleasant effects on analogue transmissions. Don't know if digital transmissions need the different polarization as they are more discriminating.

 

[GeorgeB]

Richard,

All main transmitters in the UK are horizontal polarisation & all relay transmitters are vertical polarisation.

Easiest way to find out which polarisation in the area you are staying in is to just look at the aerials in any local town or village & check out which way the aerials are pointing and which orientation the aerials are, rods horizontal = pointing towards a main transmitter, rods vertical = pointing towards a relay transmitter.

Most aerials are sold as horizontal polarisation so its probably worth getting the adaptor if its cheap enough.

Better still, ditch the terestrial analogue aerial & go digital satelite, once you've mastered the set up, yes it does get easier each time you set up! perfect picture every time!

 

[waffler]

We use a sat dish but a word of warning- you need to be able to see the satellite and that means no trees. The polarisation applies to analogue, freeview and even satellite. In the latter the dish is universal to you don't have to bother. Get the adaptor and also make sure it is a freeview aerial, the analogue goes off in the next four years.

 

[Richard_374377620]

Richard,

All main transmitters in the UK are horizontal polarisation & all relay transmitters are vertical polarisation.

Easiest way to find out which polarisation in the area you are staying in is to just look at the aerials in any local town or village & check out which way the aerials are pointing and which orientation the aerials are, rods horizontal = pointing towards a main transmitter, rods vertical = pointing towards a relay transmitter.

Most aerials are sold as horizontal polarisation so its probably worth getting the adaptor if its cheap enough.

Better still, ditch the terestrial analogue aerial & go digital satelite, once you've mastered the set up, yes it does get easier each time you set up! perfect picture every time!

Thanks George, yes have ditched analogue but have yet to go stella - don't want to pay too uch just to get an "acurate: weather picture. Ultimately I will go for a dish no doubt.