Analogue Signal from Northern Ireland

Rashers72

OK, I am a complete novice when it comes to this, so Mods move if you feel it belongs somewhere else.
Basically, live in a housing estate in North Country Dublin, and have roof top aerial pointing up to the Mournes. Has served me very well for the last 10 years. Picks up 8 channels.
I found out that this signal is due to be switched off before end of 2009.
So what are my options?
I don't want to pay monthly fee's to Sky etc.
I was always happy with the existing 8 channels I received, so any more would be a bonus, but the cost is the main restricting factor.
Also can anyone recommend a good installer for the North County region?
PS - NTL is available in my estate, but I am not interested in their set up re extra boxes (+ charges) in rooms etc.
Thanks in advance!

weepee

This is just an idea ok.

As the North is going digital, Im wondering if you had a 'Freeview' box with a digital aerial, would that solve your problem ?

ardmacha

I found out that this signal is due to be switched off before end of 2009.

Where did you find out this information? This is 2009 and if NI was to lose its analogue signal then this would be widely known. I think NI will not switch until 2012 or so at the earliest.

greendom

Nothern Ireland won't lose it's analogue signal till 2012 so you'll have until then to think about alternatives

http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/transmitters/dso.shtml

weepee

Thats three years to save up for a digi aerial, the yellow tipped one, they're pretty expensive.

John mac

weepee wrote: »

Thats three years to save up for a digi aerial, the yellow tipped one, they're pretty expensive.

whats the difference between them ?

from what i have picked up here any normal uhf aerial will do. ~€30 ish i would have thought.

weepee

John mac wrote: »

whats the difference between them ?

from what i have picked up here any normal uhf aerial will do. ~€30 ish i would have thought.

In parts of Belfast it can be difficult to pick up a watchable signal off a 'Freeview' box, and the transmitter is above the city of Divis Mountain.

North Dublin is about what, 50-60 miles from the Mournes, two large towns [Dundalk-Drogheda] in between, and the Cooley Mountains.

There is a lot of chances for interference. Check out a 'Freeview' box first,
they aint that expensive, about £20, and see how it goes with your present set up.

sesswhat

Unless you are getting your UK channels from Divis (Horizontal aerial, BBC1 on C31) you won't be able to get Freeview with the current setup anyway.

Richard

Get a dish and any FTA sat box and you'll get all the main UK channels.

weepee

sesswhat wrote: »

Unless you are getting your UK channels from Divis (Horizontal aerial, BBC1 on C31) you won't be able to get Freeview with the current setup anyway.

I wasnt aware that Divis was the only transmitter pumping out digi signals.

sesswhat

Only three in NI, and if his aerial is pointed at the Mournes, Divis is the only one he has any chance of picking up.

weepee

sesswhat wrote: »

Only three in NI, and if his aerial is pointed at the Mournes, Divis is the only one he has any chance of picking up.

Right. I wonder if the Mournes would block a Divis signal,100 mile is a 'weak' signal tho.

watty

There is no such thing as a Digital Aerial.

Also AFTER 2012 Analogue Switch off up North, the signal will be more powerful. But a 60cm dish and Freesat receiver is far better.

Digifriendly

watty wrote: »

There is no such thing as a Digital Aerial.

Also AFTER 2012 Analogue Switch off up North, the signal will be more powerful. But a 60cm dish and Freesat receiver is far better.

Agree totally with this - very few problems with breakup in picture if you go down satellite route. I live about 15 miles as crow flies from Divis and suffer breakup in my DTT signal from time to time. Admittedly this is mostly due to foliage in summer but I got satellite installed almost 4 years ago and only breakup has been when there was a heavy fall of snow and this quickly cleared up. So I would always recommend the satellite route if possible. The only downside are the few channels on Freeview that are not FTA on satellite e.g. Dave, Sky Sports News etc.

Rashers72

Thanks all - it was a TV aerial installer in Wexford, who told me Wales was switching off all on Aug 16, but he reckoned all the UK would have to switch by end of 2009. He must be wrong!

The Cush

Rashers72 wrote: »

Thanks all - it was a TV aerial installer in Wexford, who told me Wales was switching off all on Aug 16, but he reckoned all the UK would have to switch by end of 2009. He must be wrong!

Region by region until end of 2012 http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch