How to know if I can get VHF signal

Hi...my first post here.

We haven't had a TV for some years but are shopping for one now. The options these days are a bit overwhelming but my main dilemma is figuring out whether or not I can get a VHF signal where I live...Golden Bay, near Takaka on the So. Island.

There are no local TV dealers here and I can't find anyone who knows about the VHF strength here. If I do an address search on the "Freeview" site, it says I can't get service in my area, but if I look at the map on the same site, it shows that I am very likely to get a good signal. The only Freeview installer I can find doesn't "think" I can get a signal, but obviously doesn't know for sure.

Do any of you know where I should go from here? Is there some kind of device that measures the strength of a VHF signal? Who would have one or where would I look?

Thanks in advance.

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Permalink Reply by Bel @ Freeview on December 29, 2015 at 15:36

Hi Tom, VHF isn't used anymore, UHF is used for broadcast TV to 87% of NZers. You can find out if you can get that type of coverage (Freeview|HD) here: http://www.freeviewnz.tv/get-freeview/get-freeview/

At a guess, at Golden Bay, you'll need to go for a Satellite Dish for reliable reception. You can talk to the installer you've already spoken to and ask him to try a UHF aerial for you but he won't be able to tell before he does. If he can't get UHF going for you, he can always put in a satellite dish for you (or check your existing one to make sure it's working properly and aligned correctly).

Now the TV.

You can get a Hybrid TV now, which is what I'd recommend, more info here: http://www.freeviewnz.tv/faq-library/freeview-satellite/hybrid-tv/ - with one of these you can use it regardless of what antenna you end up using, and they can be used anywhere so handy if you ever end up moving (although why would you!? You're in Golden Bay!!!).

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on December 29, 2015 at 16:33

There is no VHF TV in NZ. It is now only UHF or Satellite depending on your location. The Freeview coverage map does indeed show most of the Takaka Area has good coverage but there's likely to be many dead spots. Check with your neighbours and see if they have UHF antenna or Satellite Dish. Your old VHF antenna is now just scrap metal and useless.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Laing on December 29, 2015 at 17:59

My mistake...meant UHF, but typed VHF. Thanks for catching that. I'll do a tour of the neighbourhood to see if I spot any UHF aerials. Unfortunately, our nearest neighbor is almost a kilometer away so even if they do have aerials, there's no guarantee that I'd have a signal here.

As a backup, I'm considering buying a Samsung J5500 which has both the satellite and UHF decoders (or whatever those things are called).

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on December 29, 2015 at 19:19

As a backup, I'm considering buying a Samsung J5500 which has both the satellite and UHF decoders (or whatever those things are called).

A wise choice. It has both UHF and Satellite tuners so you don't need a separate STB for Satelllite use if you can't get UHF. It can also record to an external USB Hard drive too.