Morecambe is a seaside town in the City of Lancaster, Lancashire. Morecambe itself stretches from the south west coast of Cumbria to Fleetwood, Lancashire, taking in other coastal towns of Grange over Sands and Heysham. The headlands of the Bay offer beautiful, picturesque land and seascape views of the coastline looking across to the Lakeland mountains. 

Morecambe Bay is famous for its Cross Bay walks, however, The Bay has seen many tragic deaths due to the shifting water channels and quicksand.  In 2004, 21 Chinese cockle pickers lost their lives due to the incoming tides. The only way the Bay can be crossed safely is by using the organised cross Bay walks.

How did Morecambe get his name?  Back in the 19th Century, 3 fishing villages of Bare, Poulton and Torrisholme collectively became known as Morecambe. This occurred following the introduction of the railway and Harbour, around 1848.  As the railway expanded, settlements began to grow, and as they reached Bare, Poulton and Torrisholme, the settlement began to be known as Morecambe. More info 

Following the introduction of the railway, the town began to develop into a thriving holiday resort due to the attraction of visitors from Lancashire and Yorkshire.  Sadly, in the 1980s and 90s the town started to decline due to a number of setbacks that hit the town hard.  However, in recent years, Morecambe began to rejuvenate due to a redesign of the Promenade, art and statues situated around the town and the opening of Happy Mount Park that offers a number of activities appealing to families and children.

Morecambe is the hometown of many famous faces, and perhaps one of the most famous landmarks is the statue of Eric Morecambe which holds pride of place on the Promenade, which was unveiled by the Queen in 1999.

Driving directions from Digitec Aerials to Morecambe
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directions from Morecambe to Sunderland Point
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Read more here.

Sunderland Point is a small village and resides between the River Lune and Morecambe Bay in the city of Lancaster in Lancashire, with a population of less than 100.   The area is surrounded by creeks and marshes where beautiful views can be enjoyed over the River Lune.  Wildlife is plentiful and as many as 50,000 birds feed there. 

Originally Sunderland was a once thriving port and was used mainly for slave and cotton ships, but in the early 1800s its importance in the maritime world declined as other ports opened up, such as the docks at Glasson located on the opposite bank.  A rather sad sight of this small area of land is Sambos Grave – this area is said to be the final resting place of a young African slave boy who died in 1736 only 4 days after making it to land.  Flowers and messages are often left at the grave by visitors to the area.

Sunderland is a unique village as it is located on the mainland but is dependant on the tides for access.  The road is completely covered by the swirling tide twice a day during high tide, Sunderland Point can be accessed by car but only via a single-track road from Overton which is located 2.4 km away from Sunderland.  Residents have to adapt to life with the tides.  For example, children who attend the local school in Overton sometimes arrive late, or need to leave early, depending on the tide times. As aerial engineers we sometimes get call outs here, and we have to check the tides too.

Along the quay are a number of Victorian and Georgian dwellings which have been well protected against the weather. However, there are many properties at Sunderland Point that regularly suffer flooding.

Interestingly, the area was one of the locations used for filming a TV drama – The Ruby in the Smoke – in 2006 starring Julie Walters and Billie Piper.

Driving Directions from Digitec Aerials to Sunderland Point
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Driving directions from Sunderland Point to Glasson Dock
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Glasson Dock, or Glasson as it is also known, is a village in Lancashire, south of Lancaster and close to the River Lune.  It has a small population of around 600 people.

Glasson was originally a small farming and fishing village but in 1779 the Lancaster Port Commission decided to build a dock due to the difficulties shipping vessels had navigating up the River Lune to Lancaster. 

The dock opened in 1787 and was large enough to hold up to 25 merchant ships.  At its peak, Glasson was the largest port in the North West importing cotton, sugar, spices and even slaves from Africa and the Indies.  As the ships using the dock did not require much local labour, settlements around the dock did not increase significantly. 

The dock is still used to today albeit with a limited amount of commercial traffic.  Coal shipments are still transported to the Isle of Man and Western Isles of Scotland, and incoming cargo includes animal food and fertiliser which are stored in sheds on the dock.
There are some excellent, scenic walks to be enjoyed around Glasson Dock and surrounding areas. 

A cycle path has also been built along the former railway line that carried goods to Glasson Dock until it closed in the 1960s.  The cycle way runs past Lancaster through to Morecambe Bay where some of the best sea views can be enjoyed along the route.

From Digitec Aerials to Glasson Dock
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Driving directions from Glasson dock to Alcliffe
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Aldcliffe is a small Hamlet, 1.5 miles south west of the City of Lancaster and located on the east bank of the River Lune.  The name can be split into two, Ald which means old and clif meaning high ground, and traditionally would have been pronounced “Awcliffe”. We are often found working in this area of Lancaster.

Aldcliffe is steeped in history dating back before the Norman conquest.  Due to the connection with the River and it’s name also meaning “Old Settlement” it is quite likely that it was established prior to the Battle of Hastings.

This small Hamlet town has a mention in the Domesday Book where it was part of the Manor of Holton and owned by Earl Tostig.

There are some great places to visit around Aldcliffe including towns, villages, parks, waterfalls, lakes, woodlands, old mines, historic sites and ruins to name just a few!

Point of interest #1 Fairfield Nature Reserve Lancaster LA1 5UU

Point of interest #2 Arna Wood solar Farm 4 Arna Wood Barn, Aldcliffe, Lancaster LA2 0AE

Driving Directions from Digitec Aerials
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Driving directions from Aldcliffe to Galgate
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​Ok, well this is kind of an open ended question, since it depends on many different factors. What one person may imagine entails fitting an aerial compared to another may be poles apart. So, in order to answer this questions as best as possible, we need to set some parameters. These are:

1. The person installing the aerial is able bodied
2. They have at the very least the right equipment
3. They have the correct tools required
4. They have a basic understanding of how to make connections and set systems up.

So, once this is confirmed we can take a look at the 3 main type of aerials installations:

• TV Aerial installed within a loft or attic.
• TV Aerial installed on a gable end or wall outside.
• TV aerial fitted to the top of a chimney stack on the outside of the building.

A major consideration that needs addressing for anyone looking to install an aerial is can it be done safely and without risking life and limb. When it comes to doing any work off a ladder, extreme caution is required. This is particularly so when it comes to working off a ladder on any kind of roof. It is worth noting that the most common accident to happen in the home is a fall.

The TV Aerial: In order for a TV to provide glitch free viewing it needs a strong signal of good quality, with low interference. Interference will adversely affect a signal, and one way to deal with this is by using the right equipment. A good quality aerial with an inbuilt filter will help to pull in a good signal whilst reducing the noise interference.
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The Cable: Along with the aerial, a good quality coaxial cable is required. A decent cable will have a copper core with a good amount of braid made out of either copper or aluminium. It will also have foil shielding within it, all of which helps to reduce the effects of interference. Good coaxial cable also reduces the loss of the digital signals from the aerial head to the television.

Aerials installed within a loft: For new builds, most aerials are required to be fitted within the loft space. It is also where the internally fitted coax cable coming from the TV points is gathered usually by the loft hatch. This is by far the safest type of installation, as it only requires a step ladder to get into the loft.

The downside is that many loft installations will require a signal meter in order to know where the aerial gets the best signal. This is impossible to do without the meter and would mean that fitting it correctly is down to good luck rather than good judgement. For properties in a very high signal area, the chances of getting it right increase.

Once fitted in the right location, it is just a case of joining the cable to the exiting internal cables. This is done using either a passive splitter or a distribution amplified. So, this is definitely one that could be done by an amateur, if the circumstances are right.

Aerials fitted to an outside wall, fascia or barge boards: So, this is an installation with a lot of risks, & unless someone absolutely had to I’d advise against it. However, assuming the person doing the work is comfortable working off a ladder, and they know how to place them safely, then this can be done.

Factors to consider are lining up the aerial correctly, splitting signal if required and running cable into the desired rooms of the house. Again, if living within a strong signal area, and by that you can actually see the transmitter, then it is a simple job. If living in an area where the signal isn’t as strong, a signal meter maybe required. Along with a good understanding of how to read the meter & when and at what strength a signal if being split needs amplification.

Aerials fitted to a chimney stack outside: Although the principles of fitting the aerial remain the same, I would strongly advise against this kind of installation. Leave this to the professionals. It just isn’t worth the risk.

Conclusion

All of the installations carry an element of risk, some more than others, so what you want to ask yourself is ‘do I really need to risk my health or even my life just to save a few pounds’? By employing the services of a time served professional aerial engineer that is both insured and provides a warranty with his installation, you could save yourself a lot of time and potential trouble. I know what I’d recommend. Read this next.

Digitec Aerials
19 Wolseley Street
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3PH
01524 489188
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Freeview is the platform by which we receive all free to air TV channels for our region from a land based transmitter. In Lancaster it is possible to receive signal from two different transmitters. One is based near Nether Kellet close to Lancaster and the other is based near Bolton on Winter Hill. 

At one time, there used to be a larger selection of channels transmitted from Winter Hill, but nowadays there is parity. So, due to its location, most properties located in and around the Lancaster & Morecambe region tend to fair better from receiving their transmissions from the Kellet Transmitter.
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So, what type of TV aerial is best for Freeview? Well, there are many different designs and types of aerial that will work perfectly in receiving the frequencies on which Freeview is broadcast. So, it can therefore depend on some other factors other than just receiving the signal. Click here for advice.

For outdoor aerials having a lower wind load will lessen the likelihood of it getting damaged by the occasional storm. The lower the wind load the less stress it puts on the antenna, the mast and its’ bracket. More info here on whether the aerial needs to be on the roof.
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One type of aerial which is excellent for this is the Log Periodic TV aerial. These come in a number of sizes from the mini log measuring 40cm in length to the larger version at approximately 1 meter in length. These design of aerial are ideal for Freeview as they will pick up frequencies from 21 through to 60 Wideband or up to channel 48 & Frequency: 470-786MHz if a K-band version. Either version will work in the UK.

One major reason for recommending an aerial is how it holds up in the bad weather. Lots of aerials work well in bringing in a good quality signal. But, many aerials do struggle to keep water out of their systems. Allowing water to get into the coaxial cable itself. This is one area where the log periodic aerial is very popular amongst aerial fitters. They rarely go wrong, and virtually never allow water to penetrate it. It has proved to be a very robust and good quality antenna.

There are many different types of TV aerial to choose from, but as long as it is designed to receive the wideband signal, then it will be compatible with the signal on which Freeview is transmitted. The only thing to decide is if it is going outside on in a loft space. If it is going to be externally fitted, then going for the log periodic antenna would be my recommend to you.

Digitec Aerials
19 Wolseley Street
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3PH
01524 489188
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With many new build homes, it is part of the agreement that TV aerials are set up within the loft. However, there may be plenty of neighbouring properties with their antenna on the chimney stack or fixed to an outside wall or gable end. Why is this?

Firstly, TV aerials or antennas get their transmissions from land based transmitters. So in the Lancaster region, that would be either the Kellet transmitter or the Winter hill transmitter.

​When set up correctly, the aerial should be able to receive both a strong signal and one of good quality. However, this is hard to do without the right equipment that measures both signal strength and quality. A signal meter is used for this and is an aerial mans best friend. It is vital for lining up aerials so they receive the optimum signal from the desired transmitter. 

If the signal strength & quality is good enough, it is very possible for an antenna to receive a very good signal from within the loft. However, there would need to be a way of measuring that from within the loft. This is where the signal meter comes into its own. There can be many locations within a loft that do not get a good quality signal. Whereas other areas that do. It’s only by testing using the meter, that this can be ascertained.
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Sometimes though the signal isn’t quite strong enough. This doesn’t always mean an aerial cannot be fitted in the loft, since there are options available to remedy this. By installing an amplifier and connecting up the aerial, the signal will be strengthened and in many cases the quality too. If however, this doesn’t improve the signal enough, then the next option would be to fit it on the outside of the property somewhere.

​For signal strength and quality, particularly in areas where the signal isn’t quite that good, having the aerial installed outside is better. This can because the signal within a loft is reduced due to the roof material etc. In locations where the signal strength is strong, this doesn’t make much if any of a difference. But, in poor signal areas it makes a big difference.
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• The Antenna can be fitted on a long mast raising it in order to get a better signal
• It gets a better signal with less interference
• Can be easier to run extra points from

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• It never gets affected by the weather
• It doesn’t detract from the look of the property
• Easier to access if required

Conclusion

So, the answer to whether an aerial always has to be fitted on a roof is not always. However, it really depends on the location of the property and the available signal strength in that location. There are many good reasons why it can and cannot be installed within a loft. One way to find out would be check with a neighbour as to what they have. However, for a definitive answer it is best to ask a local aerial installer for his expert opinion. More info on watching TV without an aerial.

Digitec Aerials
19 Wolseley Street
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3PH
01524 489188
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Freeview is the platform by which TV channels such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & 5 plus many more can be view in real time. Normally, these would be received via an aerial that sends the signal down a cable into the television. The television would be tuned into the specific frequencies on which these TV channels are broadcast.

​With the Freeview platform comes a guide and automatic channel organisation that sets up the channels in a familiar order. This means BBC1 is always on the first channel, no.1, after that is BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and so on. The Freeview platform organises this so it is uniform throughout the UK, and makes it easier to find the channels people want to watch.

The good news is, it’s possible to receive Freeview on a TV without the need for a TV aerial. However, there are certain qualifiers to this. First, you would need a Smart TV, or a Freeview Box with Freeplay installed, and a fast, stable internet connection.

There is a downside, and that is that it is a case of logging into different channels and streaming their content as and when you want to watch it. For instance BBC iPlayer, ITV hub etc. Freeview play makes it easier to select these and see what’s on. However, it is more complicated than just flicking through the channels as one would with a live broadcast via a TV aerial.
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It is a good alternative if there is absolutely no way of getting a digital signal from a TV aerial. But it is a bit of a pain to use, and doesn’t offer the ease of use compared to receiving it through an aerial.

Another way, if the TV being used doesn’t have Freeplay installed on it is to stream the TV channels via a laptop or other device and to connect it to the TV. This is a good alternative, and can help reduce the cost since you wouldn’t need to go out and buy a smart TV. As long the TV’s have the ability to use a HDMI cable, and the laptop has that facility, then it is an easy set up.
Again, there would have to be a fast and stable internet signal, but most households have that these days.

Conclusion

So, although there is options to receive and watch Freeview without an antenna, it is by far the best way of receiving hassle free viewing. With the ability to instantly switch from on broadcasters channel to another without logging in and out a TV aerial still proves to be the best solution for watching Freeview on the TV.

Digitec Aerials
19 Wolseley Street
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3PH
01524 489188
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So, with the advent of smart TVs, there are multiple ways in which to watch TV. However, whether or not someone needs a TV aerial depends on what they want to watch on their TV and how they want to watch it. If unsure, you're welcome to contact us for advice.

With the Smart TV, there is the option of streaming various programs and channels on the TV that do not need a TV aerial. Platforms such as Roku, Netflix, Amazon, YouTube and others are available if there is a good enough internet connection.
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As well as these are the option of streaming standard TV channels via Freeview Play. This supplies all of the catch-up platforms such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, etc. With this way of watching TV, someone can log into the platform and stream the program they wish to watch, again via internet, but through the TV.

Although Freeview Play is very handy, it doesn’t come with the same ease of watching live television like it does from standard Freeview. With the standard Freeview, which is received via a good working aerial, there is the ability to simply change channels via the remote control. Plus, there are usually over a 100 different channels to choose from.

With Freeview, changing channel or channel hopping is easy. By a simple click on the remote control, the next live channel is shown on screen without the need to log out of one platform, and into another. This makes the whole process seamless and easy to use. It has its own guide showing programs to come, and also what is showing on other channels. 

If you watch a lot of TV and don’t want to have the hassle of logging into and out of different catch up accounts, then watching TV via an aerial is the way to go. The cost of getting a good quality antenna installed is easily balanced out with the convenience of Freeview TV. Plus, a professionally installed aerial of good quality, can last upwards of over 20 years. I know which way I’d go.

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Digitec Aerials
19 Wolseley Street
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3PH
01524 489188
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After the digital switch over there were millions of homes still using the old or now defunct analogue aerial. Many of which were still able to receive most if not all of the digital TV channels after the switch over. Depending on your location, the switchovers tended to happen between 2009 and 2012.
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Although there were still plenty of households now receiving the new digital signal via their analogue aerial. There were millions now unable to get all of the channels being broadcast. Why was this? Well it is hard to say for every instance.

One reason is that in areas where the signal strength isn’t that good and quality is limited, an analogue aerial would prove less effective in receiving the new signal being transmitted. Hence these homes may have received fewer channels than before or none at all.
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Alternatively, for homes in areas where the signal strength was good such as Lancaster, having an analogue aerial didn’t make that much of a difference. It could be said that you could receive a signal via a wire coat hanger, but we don't recommend this. Either way, in these areas an old analogue aerial would work with Freeview. So long as both signal strength and quality was good.

Along with the strength of a signal, the quality needs to be good to. In fact you can’t have one without the other if a good TV signal is desired. If the quality is poor, despite the signal strength, the picture on television would be unwatchable.
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Many households with the old analogue aerials that seemed to get most of the channels sometimes would never get the HD channels. This was only rectified by installing a decent wideband or full band antenna that is designed to receive the digital signal. 

One problem that would occur is the loss of a quality television picture due to interference. With the rise in popularity of Wi-Fi devices the analogue aerials struggled to cope with the interference. They would gradually become more and more compromised and the television picture would get worse and worse. The TV picture would become fractured at times to the point of a complete loss of signal all due to WIFI interference.
New Wide or Full band aerials designed for the digital signal have filters installed exactly for that reason. Also, the digital signal is less likely to be effected by WI-FI.

Conclusion

Although an old analogue TV aerial can work with the Freeview signal, it will depend on multiple elements. For trouble free viewing It is always best to get the proper equipment installed. For additional reading on the subject click here 

Digitec Aerials
19 Wolseley Street
Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3PH
01524 489188