Digital Radio Aerials

Hi-Fi tuners might have trouble getting all services using a simple wire antenna. If convienient, it's worth testing your TV aerial with your tuner. To do this you'll probably need an adapter, which is cheaply available from shops such a Maplin (stock code QQ71N). If this gives satisfactory results, then you could split the feed from your TV aerial permanantly. Kitchen-style radios should work satifactorily, although they may work better when they're near a window.
If this doesn't work, you should consider installing a DAB antenna on your roof or in your loft. In the majority of cases a "dipole" aerial will produce the best results with the least effort. This type of aerial will receive signals equally from all directions which is important as different DAB services often come from different transmitter sites. You should be able to buy a DAB Dipole for around £20 (price guide only.) Your local aerial erector should be able to fit it, (price guide around £80.) You shouldn't buy a radio which is unable to use a separate aerial.

Digital TV Aerials

Aerials are manufactured to differing standards. This shows up in the price, the mechanical construction and the electromagnetic performance. The aerial has to receive a number of different signals from the required transmitter in an even manner. It also has to reject unwanted signals from the side and back as they would cause interference and could ‘swamp’ the wanted signals. All of this becomes even more important when you want digital reception. A digital aerial is manufactured slightly differently and makes use of a balun - a technical word for balancing the signal. In all cases good quality aerials and cable are the best bet!

Will an analogue aerial work a digital set top box (’Freeview’)?
Yes and No - It will if the received signals are clean and above a certain threshold and the analogue signal and digital signals are balanced. In practice this means if you normally have trouble free reception (a good channel 5 is an excellent indicator) you can just plug in and view. In a lot of cases this is what happens.

Well I’ve got a good Channel 5, I bought a Freeview box and can only watch some of the channels, so why is that?
This is where the signal balancing comes in, the analogue signals have to be in a certain range and the digital signals also have to be in a certain range. This is why using the correct aerial really matters. Cable and connections are also very important. Double screened quality cable should be used in one run, with no joints and good connections. This should go straight to the set top box and any splitters or extensions fitted after.

I can’t get channel 5, does this mean no Freeview?
Not necessarily, you may be receiving from a relay with no digital. It may be possible to fit a new digital aerial and pick up from the nearest digital transmitter or your local relay carries digital but not Channel 5.

To avoid all the hassle employ a professional aerial installer who will supply and fit a digital aerial if necessary, measure the signals, balance the signals and make sure everything is right. Ask them to provide a site survey if you think you might have problems and want to know before you buy. A full signal analysis can be made and recorded and they will be able to give a definitive answer - either - yes it will or no it won’t work.