KDL32WD756 weak TV Signal intermittent

[GarlicBill]

Typically during winter months especially during bad weather our TV doesn't receive a signal, message appears saying TV is not tuned. This happens during different times in the day. Without retuning and late at night the signal is usually fine and many channels are ok. Not sure whether we need a signal booster or a new TV aerial. Any comments will be welcomed.

[daveyh64]

Indoor or outdoor aerial. If it is outdoor is it in good condition?

Water ingress in the cable can cause loss of signal.

Does the aerial plug connect to the TV firmly.

Is the TV aerial plug in good condition, over time the solid copper core connection to the plug may

have loosened, it may be worth cutting the cable back and making a new connection.

When setting up the TV did you perform an auto tune, if so it may be worth trying a manual tune

to make sure the TV is tuned to the most suitable transmitter.

Click on this link, https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/detailed-transmitter-information

Enter your postcode and house number, press check.

The next page will show a table with your nearest transmitters with 'most likely' first.

Further down will be a tables of the transmitters and their broadcast information.

Go to the first one which will be the 'most likely' take a note of the numbers under the N in a black circle.

These numbers refer to the multiplexes (mux) the transmitter broadcasts.

Each mux carries several different TV channels and radio stations.

Take the aerial out of the TV.

Go to Settings and navigate to Auto Tune/ Search and with the cable out start the search.

This will remove all channels from the TV.

Reconnect the aerial cable.

Now go to Settings and navigate to Manual Tune/ Search.

Enter the first mux number and press Search, when done press Save.

Do this for all 6 mux numbers.

When entering the mux number note the Strength and Quality meters.

Ideally the Signal strength should be less than 100% too high and

this can cause interference and signal drop outs.

A variable attenuator reduces the signal strength reduce to about 90-95%

The Quality meter should be 100%.

If that don't work then it is time for a new aerial.

[royabrown2]

@GarlicBill 

Have you got, or had, a mystery box, in one of the bedrooms say, with aerial cables in and out, and mains, for no obvious purpose?

And it is switched off, or disconnected? Put it back and put it on.

[GarlicBill]

Dear DavyH, Many thanks for your detailed reply. Have followed your suggestions to the letter and it all points to a new aerial being required. The signal quality is pretty poor.

Best Wishes, Bill

[GarlicBill]

Dear royabrown2, Thanks for your reply, we've never had a mystery box. Working through the suggestions from DavyH we've decided its a new aerial and probably new cable.

Best Wishes, Bill

[GarlicBill]

UPDATE - Thanks to all contributors.

Our Aerial was fixed to the chimney stack. The aerial cable came down the roof but was placed between our and next door's roof, the cable where it passed over the last roof tile, rubbed and frayed. The roofer found 3 area's where the cable was frayed. He replaced the frayed parts of the cable and relaid the cable so that it was secured on our roof, the cable is now visible. He also fitted a new TV aerial, similar to the one he took down. The TV was reprogrammed with many more channels available, and we were able to receive HD TV programmes - for 2 days! Now the TV has reverted back to showing HD programmes broken up and not watchable.

It cost £75 and we are back to square one, with only a few programmes available in Low Res.

[royabrown2]

@GarlicBill 

I guess he missed the 4th one 😢

And I hope when you say ‘roofer’, that you mean an aerial specialist?

As he should have known to replace the whole cable, not tinker with bits of it, which is probably why the repair hasn’t lasted.

But you aren’t quite back where you were though? You have a brand new aerial, even though, unless the previous one was badly corroded or some other fault found, there was no clear motive for the replacement.

[SkyNet404]

You may also want to check the signal levels and quality before getting one, and try a full reset as well, maybe it just needs a nudge.

[GarlicBill]

Tonight 8 Feb., did a full reset and manual tune, Signal level 47 , Signal Quality 100%.

Reconnected the aerial and had access to HD channels. Switched off TV and on again still had access to HD channels.

May be the TV needed a nudge... If I lose HD channels again,  I'll tighten up the connectors. Many Thanks.

[Piscie]

Hey @GarlicBill, brilliant! Thanks for updating the thread, signal quality 100% means that the aerial is working properly, hopefully you won't lose the HD channels again.