Understanding DTT signal loss
Signal loss on your Yagi aerial is a frustrating problem that can occur suddenly or worsen gradually. Identifying the cause enables effective intervention and prevents the problem from recurring.
Symptoms of signal loss
- Completely black screen with the "no signal" message
- Pixelated or frozen picture that deteriorates over time
- Loss of certain channels while others still work
- Intermittent reception that varies by time of day or weather
- Cut or out-of-sync audio
Possible causes
Aerial-related causes
- Misaligned aerial due to wind or an impact
- Broken aerial elements (rods, reflector)
- Advanced corrosion of metal elements
- Loose or tilted mast altering the reception angle
Cable-related causes
- Damaged coaxial cable: cut, severe kink, water ingress
- Oxidised or loose connectors
- Faulty splitter no longer distributing the signal correctly
Amplifier-related causes
- Faulty amplifier following a power surge or storm
- Amplifier power supply cut off (unplugged, tripped circuit breaker)
- Overloaded amplifier due to an excessively strong signal near a transmitter
External causes
- DTT transmitter changes: frequency change, maintenance work
- New obstacle between the aerial and the transmitter (construction, vegetation)
- Temporary extreme weather conditions
Our intervention
Our technicians follow a rigorous protocol to identify and correct the cause of signal loss:
- Signal measurement at the aerial with a professional field strength meter
- Signal measurement at the indoor sockets to detect in-line losses
- Complete visual inspection of the installation from the rooftop
- Systematic testing of each component (cable, connectors, amplifier, splitter)
- Repair or replacement of faulty components
- Final verification of reception on all channels
How to avoid signal loss
- Have your installation checked every 2 to 3 years
- Replace the coaxial cable if it is more than 15 years old
- Install a surge arrester to protect the amplifier
- Check the aerial condition after every episode of strong wind
Contact Elecprium on 06 95 62 24 33 for immediate repair. Free quote in the PACA region.