Which aerial for freeview

Our full review reveals why it deserves our recommendation. Ticking all the boxes from signal reception to its 4G filter and HD compatibility, this aerial was a winner in our tests. To find out which aerial it is, read our full review. Looking for an aerial that's good at picking up strong and weak signals?

This one could be the one for you. It might be a bit pricey but its performance proved to be worth it in our tests. Even Best Buy indoor aerials sometimes can't get good TV reception in your home. This can be down to a number of external factors, such as the position of your home in relation to other buildings.

See our guide on how to set up an indoor aerial for tips on placement and troubleshooting. You get a good range of SD and HD channels, but you'll need to have a satellite dish installed on your home to receive the service if you don't already have one. For more information, check out our What is Freesat? Digital TV channels and radio stations are grouped into six bundles, called multiplexes, that are transmitted at different frequencies across the TV band.

Poor reception in one part of the TV band could mean you miss out on some, if not all, channels carried on a multiplex. Best Buy indoor aerials perform well across the whole TV band, so you should receive the channels available on every multiplex. A good aerial should give you at least the first three channels, although the latter three can depend on where you live.

The Digital UK website has a useful guide showing what reception you can expect in your area, or check the Freeview website for Freeview channels at your address. Due to the way some 4G and 5G mobile services are delivered in the UK, there's a chance — albeit a very small one — that they could interfere with your Freeview TV picture.

This disruption is possible because the MHz band now used for 4G sits right next to the spectrum used for Freeview and the MHz band for 5G is the same one used for Freeview.

Homes in areas that use higher frequencies to deliver TV channel multiplexes, notably channels 59 or 60, are most susceptible to interference from 4G and 5G. Many indoor TV aerials that we test come with a 4G filter already fitted. If you want to check whether you could be affected by 4G and 5G interference, Digital UK has a postcode coverage checker that shows if your area uses channels 59 or Simply select 'detailed view' to get more information.

Choosing the right aerial for your home can be difficult, as there are quite a few to choose from. Whether you're looking for specific features or the best build quality, we've taken a look at aerials from some of the biggest manufacturers, to tell you exactly what they offer and things to look out for.

One for All makes a wide range of indoor aerials, and the SV is one that offers a few handy features. It's a loop aerial, meaning it consists of a circular loop and typically won't require specific angling. It has a 4G filter to block interference from mobile signals and is 12V power compatible, so can be taken away from home and used in a caravan or boat.

It has a lot to offer but we've seen aerials that are much cheaper than this one. Is it worth your money? All in all, this aerial is similar to the other ones in how it performs, and is one of the better-priced ones.

With good overall reception, this is a very good indoor aerial, it just requires a bit more tuning, and the design is kind of bulky though it looks like something out of the original Star Trek.

One of the more expensive aerial in this roundup, you would expect a higher-than-average performance, but that is not always the case with this model. The flat design is nicer than others, and the aerial can either be mounted on the wall with the flimsy plastic bolts supplied , or hidden away. Like most aerials, the bottom line really depends on the coverage in your area.

Cord Busters' Best Indoor Aerials Editor's Choice. Our Rating. Excellent range and performance at a higher price point. Unique double-sided design, comes with a detachable signal amplifier. Good reception and a unique design. Periodic one direction aerial with a variable amplification dial. Built-in signal amplification and 4G filtering, at a higher cost. Table of Contents. Also need a Freeview Set-Top Box? Read our guide — and our best YouView boxes review.

Best Overall. Great reception Flat — mount on the wall or place on your TV cabinet Excellent price Detachable signal amplifier included. Build quality a bit flimsy Doesn't come with a stand. Excellent performance but slightly higher priced. Excellent reception 4G Filter Flat and easy to mount Excellent cable length 4. A bit pricey Not very pretty. RGTech Monarch 50 Review. Flat, unique double-sided design with a detachable signal amplifier.

Good reception Mid-range price Detachable amplifier included Unique design with two colours. Build quality a bit flimsy The amplifier needs a USB power adapter Won't help in a bad coverage area.

Biling 4K Indoor Aerial Review. Good reception Up to 10 miles Unique, impressive design Excellent price. Might need rotating and re-tuning Short cable length Needs signal booster for more than 10 miles.

Unlike the other services, all the predictions of DAB coverage are for indoor coverage. Fading and Hissing. If you normally can receive a service, but you are now finding it is fading, or you can hear hissing, this could be down to one of three things.

The first is a fault with the local FM transmitter. If not, then you will need to check the radio and aerial to confirm they are both working properly. However, if you are using a frequency you have preset and there is no radio service on that frequency in your location, then the RDS may not work.

At that point you will need to tune your radio until you find a signal. If you are having continuous reception problems check your car aerial for damage. If you have an extendable aerial make sure it is fully extended to give the best possible reception.

Local Radio Travel News. The RDS system is set up to detect local radio travel news. The way to turn traffic announcements on and off on varies between radios. Check you car manual for yours. Electrical Interference. Interference to MW or LW reception in a car can sometimes happen when the engine is running. This can be due to various things including poor earth connectors, faulty or corroded HT leads and uncompressed spark plugs.

This can cause whining on the radio, which rises and falls with engine speed. It has also been known for the engine management system EMS to cause problems.

The simplest test is to turn off your engine and see whether it goes away. The buzzing and clicking lasts from a few seconds to a minute at a time. Switch off heating systems and see whether the problem goes away. If the problem persists when you turn the heating system back on, the problem could be with the thermostat, which may need to be repaired or replaced. To find out if a particular switch is causing the problem, try turning the lights off one at a time. Many people are now using low power LED lights instead of the more traditional varieties.

However, if the original light used a transformer rather than directly running off the mains, it is possible the transformer is causing the interference. This is because the transformer would have been designed to operate at the higher power and not the lower power the LED lights use.

This has the potential to cause electrical interference. Street lamps. Street lamps can sometimes cause buzzing and crackling sounds on your FM radio. Keeping a note of when each lamp comes on and goes off will help to identify whether this is the cause of your interference. If it is, contact your local council. Passing traffic. A faulty or uncompressed engine can cause a distinct buzzing 'whine' which varies with engine speed - motorcycles tend to be the worst.

Try to move your radio away from the street or use an external aerial. Electric motor. An electric motor is used in many appliances such as electric lawnmowers, washing machines, drills and hairdryers etc.

A faulty motor can cause electrical interference. Check any appliance with an electric motor by moving your radio away from it to see whether the sound improves. If you have several appliances with electric motors you may need to turn them all off and try the above one at a time. With all of these potential causes, it is worth keeping a log for at least two weeks to determine whether there are any patterns or trends to the interference. This can be due to:. Reduced transmitter power. Use our transmitter tool to see whether your local transmitter is currently affected by maintenance work.

Stereo Signal. Try moving the radio to another position, such as near a window, higher up, or another room. If you get hiss when listening to a stereo signal try switching to mono.

Stereo reception needs a stronger signal than mono. If you have a portable radio you will be able to pick up more of the receivable signal if your telescopic aerial is fully extended. If you have an external or loft aerial check they are functioning correctly. Tuning to the wrong transmitter. Use our transmitter tool to check you are tuned to the best frequency for your area, as you can often pick up more than one signal.

Very occasionally, the weather, usually high pressure, can result in a weakened signal. There is nothing anyone can do about this and the only answer is to wait for the weather to change. For more information see our guide on how weather can affect radio reception. Help receiving TV and radio. Reception and interference main navigation Menu.

Television aerials There are three main factors to consider when discussing television aerials - polarity, group and location. Polarity This is not as complex as it sounds. Aerial types Horizontal and Vertical Aerial Group To help boost reception, an aerial can be manufactured to receive a specific range of frequencies. Location The best place for an aerial is at a height of ten metres, mounted outside without anything between the aerial and the transmitter.

Indoor Indoor portable aerials tend to come in two varieties, mini replicas of external aerials and wire loops. Check out our tools Use our problem assistant to help you diagnose problems with reception and interference View tool. Check the status of the transmitter you are using and find out TV and radio channels and frequencies View tool. My DAB reception has started to drop out, is this due to poor reception? How can weather affect DAB reception?

Tuning Most DAB radios can be tuned easily at the touch of a button. Telescopic aerials Telescopic aerials on portable radios should be fully extended to receive a good signal. Outdoor aerials An externally mounted aerial can be attached to many types of DAB portable radio and hi-fi systems.

Cables and Connectors If you have an external aerial, a radio signal will always lose some of its strength as it passes along the cable and through the connectors. Works and Warnings Check whether there are any known works or warnings that might be causing the problem. Tuning DAB uses multiplexes to group services together. External aerials It is important to check the cables and the aerial for damage and that they are operating correctly.

Damaged Cables Water can get into external cables and can cause reception problems. Car Radios Radio reception can drop out when on the move due to changes in topography.

Weather Radio signals can be affected by fine weather including high pressure. Lost reception of one or more station within a multiplex If all other stations are working ok and you have just lost one station. If your car radio is showing no signal or no service for a station you usually receive, this could be down to one of the following things: DAB Transmitter Fault If you know your location, you can use our transmitter checker to see whether there is a problem. Interference Poor DAB reception can also be caused by equipment used in the vehicle.

Topography When travelling in the car, your signal can be affected by natural features of the land, for example, hills, valleys, rivers, etc. How to find these services It is best to re-tune your radio when they are broadcasting, so it will store the station in its memory. Checking for problems Check cables and leads within your property to ensure the problem is not a simple installation fault. Electrical interference There are differences between a reception problem and one caused by electrical interference.

Why is this? My Television reception is usually good in the day, so why does my television reception sometimes deteriorate in the evenings? Why are subtitles sometimes delayed or out of sync? Why am I receiving a voice commentary over my picture. What is this, and how can I turn this off? Freeview Help Guides What is a good Freeview installation? Aerials There are all kinds of aerials available on the market and some which are specific to certain frequencies.

Height Your aerial should be as high as possible pointing towards the transmitter with the best signal. Loft and indoor aerials If you live close to a transmitter or can get a strong TV signal, then it could be possible to use an aerial in your loft or an indoor portable aerial. Cable and connectors A television signal will always lose some of its strength as it passes along the cable and through the connectors.

Amplifier These are not recommended unless absolutely required as they can introduce unexpected reception problems. Polarisation Depending on the transmitter you are using, your aerial elements will need to be mounted flat horizontal or on its side vertical.

Qualified Installer We cannot recommend individual installers. Troubleshooting your Freeview Television reception Basic Installation It is important to check that your installation is intact. Works and Warnings Check our Works and Warnings section to see whether there are any known problems. Transmitter faults Using our Transmitter Checker , check your transmitter is not undergoing any work. Weather Television signals can be affected by fine weather including high pressure atmospherics and the only solution is to wait for the weather to change, you should not retune during this time.

Trees During wet weather, when covered in moisture, all trees can have an appreciable effect on signals. Manual Retune A manual retune is more effective than an auto-retune as it only tunes your television to the transmitter your aerial is pointing towards. Interference If you are still having problems, it is possible an unwanted signal is the cause.

Qualified Installer We cannot recommend individual Installers. How to check your cables for water damage If possible, check the external cable for any signs of damage, such as cracking and tears. Damaged cables can cause reception problems and can allow water into your installation. Find the cable that goes from your aerial or satellite dish into your television, radio or set top box and unplug it. This may be from a socket on the wall or a direct cable through the wall.

If you are using a satellite dish to receive your television, you will also need to check the LNB and cap for any signs of water damage. You may need to instruct a qualified installer to assist you with this. If it is a direct cable, check for any obvious signs of water or a green build-up on the connector. If it is from a wall socket check both the connector on the cable and on the wall socket for any signs of water or green build-up. A green build-up is a sign that water has at some point got into your installation.

If you find water damage then it is likely that the cable will need replacing by a qualified aerial installer. How to better my signal using an amplifier or attenuator When to use an amplifier A signal amplifier should only be used as a last resort when the television signal is weak.

Problems using amplifiers Amplifiers themselves are a common source of reception problems. Masthead These fit directly under an outside aerial and usually the best type of amplifier to fix weak signals.

Set-back These fit between the aerial socket in the wall and your television. Distribution These split the TV signal from a single aerial and allow the signal to be sent to several different televisions in the building. Combined amplifiers Some amplifiers are a mix of the above.

Attenuators When to use an Attenuator If you are experiencing pixellation or picture break up, it may be that your signal is too strong as this often presents itself similarly to a weak signal. Problems with television and radio services in North Yorkshire and Teesside What's happened at Bilsdale transmitter? What if channels do not come back following the retune?

Essential engineering work affecting listeners in the north of England FM radio at Holme Moss has been undergoing antenna re-engineering works since the 29th June.

Engineering works. Image credit: mb Latest Radio works and warnings Problems with television and radio services in North Yorkshire and Teesside What's happened at Bilsdale transmitter? Why can I hear a foreign radio station? Why is medium wave reception worse at night?

Radio Help Guides Troubleshooting FM radio B asic Installation It is important to check your installation is working properly and that your radio is in the best possible position. Works and warnings Check whether there are any known works or warnings that may be causing the problem. Transmitter faults and frequencies Use our Transmitter Checker to check the transmitter is not undergoing any work and to see which FM radio services you can receive from your location. Hi-Fi radios If you are using a Hi-Fi tuner and stereo reception is hissy, but mono is fine, your aerial may not be powerful enough.

Weather FM radio signals can be affected by fine weather including high pressure and the only solution is to wait for the weather to change, you should not re-tune during this time. Pirate Radio In some urban areas Pirate Radio can be a problem. Distorted S and Z sounds sibilance This can happen when your radio receives more than one signal.

Twittering and whistling This often sounds like birds tweeting and happens if there is another frequency being transmitted near the one you are listening to. Hissing and fading This normally means that the signal you are receiving is not strong enough. Buzzing, clicking and pops This may mean an electrical item in your home or nearby, is interfering with the reception of your FM radio and is causing the buzzing, clicking or pops you can hear. Distortion - fuzzy, gritty, scratchy sound This is commonly caused by the FM signals being bounced off objects or hillsides and reaching your radio by different paths.

Humming If you are hearing a hum it is often linked to an issue with your mains adapter. What to do If your radio is a portable, try moving the aerial to different angles. You could also try a different position in the room.

Works and warnings Check whether there are any known works or warnings that might be causing the problem. Weather AM reception can vary a great deal from day to night because of differences in the atmosphere.

Radio reception problems due to high pressure. This is known as co-channel interference The effect can last from a few hours to a few days and can cause intermittent effects on the service during that time.

What to do: There is nothing that can be done but to wait until the weather changes. Works and warnings Check our works and warning page to see if there any current weather problems. What type of radio aerial do I need? AM Radio A radio which can tune to medium and long wave services usually has an aerial built in, which you cannot see.

FM Radio in the car Fading and Hissing If you normally can receive a service, but you are now finding it is fading, or you can hear hissing, this could be down to one of three things. Aerials If you are having continuous reception problems check your car aerial for damage. Radio Reception Help Guides Buzzing and clicking on your Radio Thermostat The buzzing and clicking lasts from a few seconds to a minute at a time. Light switches To find out if a particular switch is causing the problem, try turning the lights off one at a time.

Street lamps Street lamps can sometimes cause buzzing and crackling sounds on your FM radio. Passing traffic A faulty or uncompressed engine can cause a distinct buzzing 'whine' which varies with engine speed - motorcycles tend to be the worst. Electric motor An electric motor is used in many appliances such as electric lawnmowers, washing machines, drills and hairdryers etc. Hissing and Fading on your FM radio This can be due to: Reduced transmitter power Use our transmitter tool to see whether your local transmitter is currently affected by maintenance work.

Stereo Signal Try moving the radio to another position, such as near a window, higher up, or another room. Aerial If you have a portable radio you will be able to pick up more of the receivable signal if your telescopic aerial is fully extended.

Tuning to the wrong transmitter Use our transmitter tool to check you are tuned to the best frequency for your area, as you can often pick up more than one signal. Weather Very occasionally, the weather, usually high pressure, can result in a weakened signal.