Page 1 of Thanks: I`ve Now Got a Great Freeview Signal Booster

I`m getting a tired arm from holding the tv ariel up so the kids get reception on all of the channels. Some work fine albeit with lowish signal strength (BBC1 & 2) but others not at all unless i hold the ariel. I guess I need a digital signal booster so can anyone with experience recommend a decent one please?

M.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 9th February 2005, 09:23

There is not a real digital booster available, Use a standard amplifier from argos as it will do the same.

The problem you are having will most likely carry on regardless of the amplifier, You need a good aerial in a good position realy.

Just been through this same scenario a couiple of weeks ago. We decided to put our Freeview ox that wasn`t getting used in the bedroom, but didn`t want the hassle of fixing up a permanent aerial.

We were lucky that we get most channels even with a set top aerial from Poundland (amazing aerials for the price - we bought 3). :)

Problem was it wouldnt pick up ITV, Channel 4 ot ITV 2, and a few other less useful channels, so we looked for an amplieifed aerial. There are quite a few about that say they do analogue and digital, we`ve tried two and took them back before we found the third that is great.

The first one we tried with great expectations was the 4 way aerial booster from Argos, it had a gain control to vary the boost. It was worse than the £1 aerial from Poundland...abysmal, so I took it back. Then we got a One for All amplified aerial from Currys (£20), from Currys, it`s also in Argos too I`ve just noticed, we just happened to see it when we were in Currys. IT too was abysmal despite looking like it would be up to the job. That one went back too.

I had been after one in Maplins for £20 but it was out of stock. It`s just gone on promotion there now for £15 though, but glad I didn`t get it there, as I saw it in our Tesco Extra the other night for £9.99

The model is a Philex SLxA amplified set top aerial, and it works brilliantly. You have to carefully move it around until you find just the right position to get all the channels properly, even tiny movements make a difference. But once you get it right it`s spot on, it has a nice blue LED which shines on the ceiling too, looks like an alien in the dark...lol :)

I`d try that one first, from Tesco, if you have an Extra department (the big electrical section). :)

I bought exactly the same one from Tesco for my girlfriend she is now able to pick up all channels inc topup TV (e4 was a real problem before) def best amplified ariel I have tried to date!

Thx very much HD462 :) i``ll have a look online as i doubt my nearest Tesco in sidcup sell aeriels..... :/

M.

Ordered one yesterday afternoon (3pm) from Maplins for £17.49 delivered as couldn`t find this one on the Tesco`s website. Postie woke me up at 7am with it !!!! Plugged it in and what a super job it does, i`ve gone from no signal to about 80%+ on every channel now. :D

My only gripe is a very low level buzz that the aerial emits bit like a dimmer switch but much quieter which means it needs to be unplugged when the tv`s not in use (haven`t had time to look for an on off switch yet.

Thanks very much and I`ll vouch for this unit if anyone else needs one, be carefull to make sure that you get the SLxA model and not the SLuA which is cheaper though.

M.