We are Finchley Aerials and Satellites. Our job is to separate a tuning problem from faulty reception, explain what your equipment supports and leave the agreed channels working. We keep usable aerial equipment rather than treating every blank screen as a reason to replace it.
Give us channel names, not just a signal percentage
Your set's signal bar is a clue, not a complete diagnosis. A high reading can accompany poor quality, and different televisions calculate their displays differently. We measure the broadcast groups, called multiplexes, at the socket and compare their quality. Several missing programmes may belong to one affected group rather than several separate faults.
Before a visit, note whether the picture breaks into squares, freezes or never appears. Tell us if recordings are affected as well. We check reported transmitter disruption before assuming the fault belongs to your house, particularly when neighbours have noticed the same change on the same day.
Check interference around the A41 and M1 corridor
Parts of Hendon near the major roads can need investigation for mobile-band interference. That is a reason to test, not a diagnosis based on your postcode. We inspect screening and amplifier behaviour, then compare measurements with suitable filtering where the evidence warrants it. A filter is not a universal cure for missing channels.
Adding a booster without checking the incoming signal can make reception worse. We look at whether an existing amplifier has excessive gain, has lost power or is being overloaded. The recommendation might be a connection repair or a distribution adjustment rather than a larger aerial on the roof.
Choose a transmitter for the channels you actually want
Crystal Palace is our first reception option to assess at many Hendon addresses. We still measure at the building: trees, neighbouring roofs and the aerial position can change the result. We compare reception across the required multiplexes rather than accepting a good picture on one programme as proof that everything is sound.
Where Alexandra Palace provides an alternative, its smaller service selection matters. We explain that limitation before suggesting a different alignment. Tuning cannot retrieve a channel that the chosen relay does not transmit. We discuss the available choice with you before any aerial position is altered.
Follow the feed through an older house
In Hendon's semis, the lounge and upstairs television may have quite different cable routes. We trace splitters, powered distribution units and room leads, checking where quality changes. An old extension under a carpet or a loose plug can affect one room while the main set continues to work normally.
If outside cable has deteriorated, we show you the affected section and agree a replacement route. Around Sunny Hill Park, as elsewhere, roof access and the condition of the mounting come before an alignment decision. We do not ask you to climb up or move an aerial to help with diagnosis.
Brent Street flats and shared reception
A communal outlet needs a different investigation from a private roof aerial. We test the lead and socket serving your flat, then establish whether the same broadcast group is missing elsewhere. That helps separate your own equipment from a fault upstream in the building's distribution system.
We need permission and access before adjusting communal equipment. Ask the managing agent who maintains the system and whether a locked cupboard or roof hatch is involved. We can explain our findings so the responsible party can authorise appropriate work; we do not alter a shared amplifier simply to improve one television.
An HD screen and an HD tuner are different things
If standard channels remain but HD services are absent, we check the model specification as well as reception. Freeview HD requires DVB-T2 support. A screen labelled HD-ready may display an HD input without having the necessary terrestrial tuner. A compatible separate receiver can sometimes avoid replacing the screen itself.
Once reception is stable, we tune the intended transmitter and check the resulting guide. Where supported, manual tuning helps avoid unwanted duplicates. We also connect compatible recorders correctly, test a short recording and explain any restrictions on watching one service while recording another.
Keep catch-up problems separate from aerial problems
Freeview Play's supported catch-up features use broadband; ordinary aerial broadcasts do not. If live programmes work but apps fail, we examine the network connection and the device's software support. Changing the aerial will not reconnect a television to a router whose wireless details have changed.
We demonstrate the guide, live viewing and available catch-up functions separately. You enter personal account details yourself. Before leaving, we explain the controls and any remaining equipment limitation, so an unavailable app is not confused with a reception fault on the next evening's viewing.
Arrange practical help in NW4
Ring 0800 206 2385 free or message WhatsApp 07595 292534 with your postcode, television model and missing channel names. We take enquiries Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm, and offer same-day help when possible. Our on-site working day can continue until sunset, subject to safe access.
Our base is Britannia Road, Finchley N12 9RU, and we bring 25 years' experience to reception work. Advice is free. We explain the proposed work and provide a fixed written quote, with your approval needed before chargeable repairs begin. Mention shared access or parking restrictions when arranging the visit.