Tv & Satellite

For the Trade

Start with the space you’ve got and how the job will be used, because that usually decides the spec before anything else. With tv aerials, the awkward jobs are the ones where the layout leaves you little room for a clean run or forces you to compromise on position. If the feed needs to stay discreet, an indoor or loft option may be enough. Where the signal path is less forgiving, you’re usually into outdoor gear or a high gain model. The wrong pick tends to show up later as call-backs, not on the first fit.

Types of Tv & Satellite

Indoor tv aerials are the quick answer when the feed is already strong and you want the least fuss. They’re the first to move when reception is marginal.

Loft tv aerials keep the kit out of sight and usually suit a decent attic space, though roof construction can still knock the signal about. Outdoor tv aerials give you the cleanest shot at the transmitter when you need a more reliable fix. High gain tv aerials come in when a standard tv aerial won’t hold up on a weak signal.

If you’re working across Domestic Electricals, that’s where the rest of the job usually gets specified around the feed rather than the room.

Selection Factors for Tv & Satellite

For tv aerials, start with how clean the feed needs to be and how much compromise you can take on the install. An indoor tv aerial suits a simple room feed where you want the least disruption, but you lose margin if the signal is patchy.

An outdoor tv aerial is the better call when you need a steadier result. It takes more work and leaves a more visible finish. Where the signal is weak or the run is awkward, high gain tv aerials are the first place to look. A standard tv aerial can end up back on the van. If the job also needs Telephone Accessories or Alarms & Sensors, sort those at the same time rather than coming back to the same circuit later.

Finish the Room

Once the aerial is fixed, the next call is usually the surrounding kit and finish. If the run is going into a loft or cupboard, get the fixings, brackets and cable management sorted now. That’s where most call-backs start.

On a cleaner job, the visible bits matter as much as the signal path, so keep the faceplates, leads and TV point hardware in the same spec. If you’re also covering alarms and sensors or telephone accessories on the same visit, line up the other domestic electricals before you leave the job.