Chimney lashing kit A kit containing materials needed to secure an aerial to a chimney.
Coaxial cable The type of cable used to join a TV aerial or satellite to a receiver or television. Often abbreviated to 'coax cable'.
Coax connector The connectors used to attach coaxial cable to a television. These are not used for satellite where 'F' connectors are used instead.
Coax coupler Used to join together 2 coax connectors.
Combiner Combines two or more signals, allowing them to be sent down a single cable. For example, you could attach seperate leads for a TV aerial and a DAB radio aerial to a combiner, and then both signals would come out of the combiner through one lead.
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) A digital radio service, which has certain advantages over FM and AM. Some radio stations are only available through DAB, and it suffers from less interference than traditional radio. Unfortunately, it is unavailable in many areas. To recieve DAB you will need a DAB radio, and possibly a seperate aerial if the signal needs to be enhanced.
DAB Radio A radio capable of recieving Digital Audio Broadcasts (see DAB).
DAB aerial An aerial which recieves and enhances DAB radio signals. There is usually a small extendable antenna attached to a DAB radio, but in many areas this is not adequate to get a good signal and a seperate aerial is needed.
Db (Decibel) A signal measurement.
Digital Aerial Aerial/Antenna capable of receiving the new digital signal, providing more channels and enhanced services for the UK.
Diplexer Combines two or more aerial leads into one single aerial (coaxial) lead.
Dipole This element connects to the aerial down lead, receiving signals from the director and reflector elements.
Director element Forward of the dipole, these are a series of tuned elements.
Dish pack The satellite dish or external part of a sky installation.
Distribution amplifier When sending signals to two or more TV’s or Radio, this is the signal booster.
Down Lead This is the cable which connects the aerial or dish to TV, radio or set top box.
DTT Digital Terrestrial TV.
F connector Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to appliance.
F coupler Enables 2 f connectors to be joined.
Fascia mount Used to mount an aerial to a soffit.
FM Stereo analogue radio reception, alternative to DAB, but cannot receive all radio signals.
FM aerial Boosts FM radio reception.
Free View Digital Terrestrial TV, channels are provided by the UK’s mainstream broadcasters.
Ghosting Repeat images on analogue TV sets, caused by a reflected signal.
Grid aerial A TV aerial with 2 or more dipoles and a grid reflector.
Grouped aerial A TV aerial that will receive a segment of UHF (terrestrial TV) channels.
High-gain aerial Multi-element aerial that utilises 32 elements, or more.
IRS Integrated Reception System: A system providing UHF, Sky and radio, wich also enables connection of individual Sky boxes.
LCD Liquid Crystal Display: A flat panel TV, alternative to plasma screens.
LNB - Quad This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to multiple (2 - 4) Sky boxes via the Coaxial (Aerial) cable.
LNB - Quattro This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to multiple switches.
LNB - Solo This is a dish mounted device, which converts Sky signals to send the reception through to a single Sky box via the Coaxial (Aerial) cable.
Loft mount Internal aerial mounting.
Magic eye Device which allows the Sky box to be controlled from another room.
MATV Master Aerial TV: a UHF (terrestrial TV) reception distribution system.
Multiplexer - MUX This is where groups of Free View channels are broadcast on a single UHF channel. This is known as a multiplexer.
Multi-switch Controls one Sky dish receiving the signal for multiple Sky boxes, usually used in apartment buildings & hotels.
Outlet plate Mounted to the backbox or Patras, this plate is flush to the mount.
Pixilation Caused by a defective signal which produces a mosaic or frozen image on the screen.
Plasma Flat Panel/Screen TV which is an alternative to LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
Polarity The UHF signal is transmitted on either horizontal or vertical polarities.
Pre-amplifier The signal booster is installed directly on the aerial, with a power supply unit which is required.
PSU - Power Supply Unit This converts the mains voltage to 12v, and is used to energise the pre-amplifier via the down lead.
Reflector element Rear element of an aerial.
Set back amplifier Sits next to the TV and boosts TV reception signal.
Set top box Sits on top of the TV set - usually a Sky box, Free View box, DVD player or VCR.
Sky Sky digital satellite system providing access to hundreds of digital channels and a vast range of pay to view movies, interactive services and radio stations.
Sky+ Sky digital with recording facilities. Provides the viewer to control what they watch by pausing, rewinding and playing live TV! You can also record and watch 2 channels at the same time.
Sky HD Sky HD brings a new home viewing experience, providing images in much greater detail and vibrant colours, complete with full recording facilities as Sky+. HD Compatible TV & Subscription required to take full advantage of a Sky HD system.
Sky Free Sat Sky digital system providing access to a range of Free To Air channels, no monthly subscription required.
SMATV Satellite Master Aerial TV: Sky/UHF reception distribution system.
Splitter Splits signal to two or more TV’s.
Tetra Terrestrial Trunked Radio. Used by the Emergency Services.
Tetra filter Blocks interference from Tetra transmissions.
Top-Up TV Pay as you view Digital TV.
UHF Terrestrial TV reception.
VHF Redundant frequency bands 1, 2 & 3. Part of Band 3 is now used for DAB.
Wall bracket Secures an LCD or Plasma screen TV to the mounting surface.
Wideband aerial A TV aerial used to receive UHF channels 21-68.
Yagi A TV aerial that has a dipole, director and reflector elements.
