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Our preferred model of Yagi18 Aerial, which is available in A, B, C/D, K and E groups.

Our preferred model of XB10WB Aerial whilst at our test site.

Careful examination of

the picture will reveal Emley Moor transmitter

on the horizon !

If using a 10ft pole with this aerial we advise the use of the 2” variety

(note how the cradles are fitted perpendicularly to the dipoles/directors)

DM Log Periodic Aerial

The strong construction of the aerial allied to the substantial carton in which it is supplied makes this the ideal log periodic for us to

supply Online / by mail order !

Only available in wideband.  

(c/w clamp for poles up to 2”)

Log 40 Aerial

The perfect aerial for medium

or medium to poor signal areas,

pictured whilst on test up at our

test site. These 40 element Logs

are only available in wideband.

(c/w clamp for poles up to 2”)

If there is such a thing as a “universal aerial” (which there isn`t, but bear with me....) this is it.

In most cases you can`t go far

wrong with a Log 40, particularly

if you need a wideband aerial.

If you`re still short of gain then try adding a variable gain (capable of being turned down to a low level) mast head amp.

It`s reassuring to see that

the BBC use Log Periodics !

Here`s one on the site of the

Belmont transmitter.

Most repeaters (which have

a clear view of their main TX)

use Logs to receive their

signals. In many cases they

also use Logs to transmit the

signals as well ! This is clearly

shown in the picture on the

above link.

Note the missing elements.

This was probably caused

by ice falling off the mast.

When it comes to aerial choice, remember the basic rule (which the broadcast authorities also use...),

if you can use a Log, use a Log !

ATV`s Choice Of Aerials (And Why We Chose Them.....)

The subjects on this page are listed in the following order :

ATV`s Choice of TV Aerials & The Great Wideband Debate (including Benchmarked aerials)

Our Aerial Recommendations                                                                 

Aerial Dimensions

Major Transmitters (and which aerials they require) (also see Digital Transmitters)

ATV`s Aerial Tests now have their own page

(Also see ATV`s choice of FM / DAB aerials)

We are more than willing to give advice to those actually purchasing from us.  

Could those only seeking information please just ring an aerial installer local to them or try calling reception advice on 08700 100 123 (BBC) or 0844 881 4150 (ITV).

ATV`s Choice Of Aerials & The Great Wideband Debate

Whether to use a wideband or not is a source of much debate. The CAI and the BBC recommend the installation of wideband aerials. For most installs, i.e. those in strong or medium signal strength areas, we agree with them and advise the installation of one or

other of the Log Periodics, which are wideband anyway. If your transmitter is a wideband

we would (obviously) also advise fitting a wideband even if you live in a marginal signal area. So far so good.

However if you live in a poor reception area and your transmitter is grouped, many of

those in the aerial industry, diverge quite markedly from this blanket wideband advice.

As shown on the Aerials page (amongst others) a grouped antenna will give you

significantly more signal, and even the BBC agree with this, see middle of page 2 on

the linked PDF. In fact a little further down the same page they advise the fitment of a

“high gain” aerial for areas of low signal strength. But if you are on a B group transmitter,

a K group transmitter and (especially) an A group transmitter there is no such thing as a

high gain wideband aerial. What is the explanation for this inconsistency ?

Well, being a cynic I think it`s yet another example of the modern trend to “pass the buck”.

It`s easy for “the powers that be” to recommend widebands because they cover themselves if (and it is an if...) they ever decide to start transmitting out of band in the future.

But it isn`t them who have to put up with a potentially weaker signal. It isn`t them who have to try and explain to a customer that they should put up with a poor picture with the excuse that “your signal should improve at DSO, by the way, how do you want to pay, cash or cheque ?”. The customers usual answer ? I think you can guess. Maybe we should invite the BBC or CAI down to make excuses to the customer for us. What do you think their answer to our request would be ? I think you can guess. Haven`t I just said that ?

You see, wideband aerials in a marginal signal area ? It isn`t that simple......

The post DSO frequencies have now been released by Ofcom so you can check for

yourself whether you may end up needing a wideband in the foreseeable future, though we have added the information to our site where relevant. As for HDTV the most likely

outcome (recommended by Ofcom in Apr 08) is that one MUX (probably MUX4 / MUXB)

be given over entirely to HDTV, and the programmes which were originally on it then squeezed onto the other 5 MUXES. Note how this would not require any more wideband aerials to be installed than are currently required, or not required as the case my be....  

At the end of the day, even if at some indeterminate point in the future more frequencies

are added out of band, all you have to do is diplex another aerial onto your system, it really isn`t a big problem !

Finally, we are often asked whether our recommended aerials are “CAI Benchmarked”.

The simple answer is that some are and some aren`t. Why ? Well, as with wideband

aerials, this is not a simple question..... We agree that any attempt to encourage the manufacture and sale of better quality aerials is a good thing. Furthermore, of the aerials

we have experience of which are benchmarked, they are of good quality. But, and it`s a significant but, just because an aerial is not benchmarked does not mean that it is in any way inferior. Quite apart from the fact that there are four different levels of Benchmarking

(so you have to be specific about what you mean) most grouped variants of the same

model of aerial are not Benchmarked whilst the wideband version is Benchmarked !

Bearing in mind that at any particular frequency the grouped model will perform better than the wideband, sometimes by a large margin, this seems somewhat bizarre. With a bit of background information the reason is not hard to comprehend. It costs the aerial manufacturers up to one thousand pounds to put an aerial through the Benchmarking process so they will only do this for products which they will sell a fair number of and/or make a fair bit of money on. When you realise that widebands outsell grouped aerials by a large margin (most aerial suppliers - to the public - and all DIY shops only sell widebands) it all becomes clear.

In short, a version (usually the wideband) of all our recommended aerials is Benchmarked.

But, as far as I`m concerned, it`s irrelevant. I`ve done my own tests thanks.

Our Aerial Recommendations

We sometimes get people asking to buy “the best aerial you stock, regardless of cost”.

Unfortunately, contrary to what others may tell you (particularly if they`re trying to sell

you an expensive antenna.....), there is no such thing as a “best aerial”. It all depends on the signal strength in your area and (if you`re in a poor spot) which transmitter you are on.  

Basically I have made a decision to only stock the best aerial of each type that anyone might require, and days of testing (by my good self) ensures I can say this with a certain amount of authority. Therefore the simple answer is that all of our aerials are the best !

Quite apart from anything else, remember things aren`t always what they seem.

The Log Periodics are amongst our cheaper aerials but if you live in a strong or medium signal area they are the best aerials to use, “better” than our XB16WB at £55.00 !

Similarly if you live in a marginal area but can utilise a grouped antenna, a grouped Yagi18 at £25.00 is more suitable than the aforementioned XB16WB, despite being £30 cheaper !

After much experimentation and research we have settled on five types of aerial.

DM Log Periodic Wideband (For good signal areas) £25.00

Log 40 Log Periodic Wideband (For medium to medium/poor signal areas) £25.00

Yagi18A / B / CD / K / E (For poor signal areas) £25.00

XB10 Wideband (For poor signal areas) £32.50

XB16A / B / K / Wideband  (For the most marginal signal areas) £55.00

See our advice for which aerial to use with which transmitter.

We recommend Log Periodics for good or medium reception areas as they have even gain characteristics across the band, decent anti-ghost properties, low wind loading,

efficient impulse noise suppression and (some) are physically strong in construction.

Unfortunately they are only available in wideband and have relatively low gain, though the

Log40 is better in this respect and is suitable for medium or medium/poor areas.

The Log is one of the best antennas, particularly for digital (Freeview), which is why we

and the broadcast authorities, use them wherever possible.  

For gain figures see test results.  For dimensions see table.

Approx wind loading (at 80mph) = 40N / 45N (greater if vertically polarised)

In poor areas of reception we recommend our grouped Yagi18 or, if you have to

go wideband, our XB10WB. Despite being significantly smaller ( = less wind loading)

the A and B (and K ?) grouped Yagi18s will blow away any wideband aerial.

The versions we stock perform very efficiently, are well made, have "baluns" and

elevation adjustable clamps. (Both supplied clamps for poles up to 2”)

For gain figures see test results  For dimensions see table.   

Yagi18 Approx wind loading (at 80mph) = 75 / 80N   (greater if vertically polarised)

Examples of the major transmitters which can utilise a grouped Yagi18 are listed below.

XB10 Approx wind loading (at 80mph) = 85N  (slightly greater if vertically polarised)

Due to wind loading considerations if fitting to a 10ft pole we advise using the 2” variety.

Finally in the weakest signal areas we would fit or sell the XB16 in wideband, group A, group B or group K. These are X-Beam type antennas but they are still of reasonably

strong construction, unlike some of that type.   (c/w clamp for poles up to 2”)

The XB16 is the highest gain aerial we have tested and I was amazed at how much signal

it brought in. At 7ft 8” long it`s a pretty big beast though !

Note, even the XB16WB does not give high gain at the bottom of the frequency range,

there is no wideband aerial that will. If you must have a wideband, and you require more

gain at the bottom of the band, you`re best option is to diplex an A group with an E group,

or even an A group with another (high gain) wideband if you already have one of these.

For gain figures see test results  For dimensions see table.

Approx wind loading (at 80mph) = 85N  (slightly greater if vertically polarised)

Due to wind loading considerations if fitting to a 10ft pole we advise using the 2” variety.

XB16A Aerial at our test site

Aerial Dimensions

Below is a table with all the (approximate) dimensions of the antennas that we sell.

The wind loading figures are our own estimates, though we don`t think they`re that far out !

It should be borne in mind that vertically polarisng an aerial will increase its wind loading.

We have given two figures for the length, one is that from the first (front) element to the reflector and the other is the overall length of the boom. The XB10WB can be mounted on the end, so the boom is extended to allow for the fitting of a clamp. I have to say I would

not normally recommend fitting an aerial of any appreciable size “on the end” as it will obviously put more strain/twisting forces on to the pole and its bracket. End mounting aerials can exert a very high torque and this was exceptionally annoying when we were undertaking aerial tests whilst there was wind about ! That said if you are restricted in how you can mount an antenna and you live in a sheltered area then it`s always an option.

Log Periodics, my favourite aerials, are also end mounted but as can be seen from the

table their wind loading is relatively low.

The dimensions for the reflector(s) are for the whole (double) unit.