In recent years, you may have read and heard a lot about the digital switchover currently underway in the UK. As a result, whether this means you should contact someone to carry out a TV aerial installation for you may be something you are keen to learn.
The old analogue system is currently in the process of being replaced with a digital signal across the country – but how does this affect you?
If you use a satellite or cable service on each of your television sets at home, then it is unlikely that you will need to have a new aerial fitted. Similarly, if you watch television through a digital service then you will probably not require a new aerial; however, it may be worth checking so that you can enjoy optimum performance from your boxes.
Do you have poor reception? If this is the case then it may be that when the nationwide switchover reaches your home town it will improve. If this does not happen then you could consider contacting electricians for their advice.
However, if the switchover has not yet reached your property and the reception on your set is distorted, then the fault may lie with your aerial and it could require replacing once your old analogue signal is turned off.
There are a few ways that you can discover if you need a new aerial without getting an expert opinion, which may allow you to find out if you require the services of an electrician.
First, turn on your set and analyse how snowy it looks. If it is so grainy that it is difficult to enjoy the image then you could need a new aerial. Another way to test this is by looking on Teletext to carry out an aerial test on each of the major terrestrial channels – if more than four white blocks are missing a replacement could be necessary.
If you are thinking that fitting a new aerial is something you can tackle yourself, then you may wish to think again. If you are not a qualified electrician then this has the potential to be an extremely dangerous piece of DIY.
To begin with, it is likely that you will have to scale your property to reach the roof in order to fit the device and this poses many risks – not least of all falling off the top of your home.
Furthermore, you will need to have knowledge of where the aerial should go, what direction it should face, how high it should be fitted to the mast, what cable is required and whether or not you need an amplifier.
And if you were hoping to save some money by fitting a lightweight aerial made of cheaper material, this could also be a mistake as heavy wind, a snowfall or a resting bird could all cause it to break.
On top of all this, you will need to ensure that your television sets are picking up the signal as you position your aerial. All in all it could be cheaper and undoubtedly safer and easier to contact a professional to do the job for you.
But before you begin your search for electricians to carry out the work, remember they must be properly qualified to do it. When you speak to someone, check that they are a licensed Registered Digital Installer.
Such a professional has the skills necessary to fit your aerial, identify any reception issues and work safely at height and they will have also undergone a criminal record check – all of which can give you peace of mind.
However, it may be the case that you are happy with your reception and aerial but have been considering expanding your television package in order to get more channels.
If this is the case, you could think about a satellite dish installation – whether you want to fit your old dish to a new property or you have recently purchased the device.
But again, this is a job that could be better left to the professionals. Although you do not have to work on top of your roof, you will still need to spend a fair amount of time up a ladder, which can be dangerous.
In addition, the process of putting together the satellite dish can be awkward and once this is done you will need to spend time making sure that it is positioned in exactly the right direction – typically facing south-east in the UK with the Low Noise Block-downconverter set to horizontal.
Should you fail to do this, then the dish is unlikely to be able to pick up the signal from the satellite and deliver it to your set, meaning your efforts will have been wasted.
However, if you are a subscriber to a particular television package, it is likely that your provider will offer an installation and repair service, while you could also consider hiring a qualified professional in your area.
If you want to enjoy great television, then why not get looking for your nearest registered electrician today?
