Glossary of Terms
Amplifier - signal booster
Antenna - European/U.S. term for an aerial
Attenuator - Used to reduce signal strength
Booster - see amplifier
CAI - Confederation of aerial industries, organisation representing manufacturers, installers and misc interested parties.
CATV - Community aerial TV, TV distribution network covering a neighbourhood, town or city
Chimney lashing kit - The method of securing an aerial to a chimney
Coax coupler - Enables 2 coax plugs to be joined
Coax plug - Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to TV etc
Coaxial cable - aerial lead
COB - Coaxial outlet box, surface mounted to window sill or skirting board
Combiner - see diplexer
DAB - Digital Audio Broadcast
DAB - Stereo digital radio reception, alternative to FM. Greater offering of channels
DAB Aerial - enhances DAB reception
dB - The decibel is a term used in signal measurement
Diplexer - combines 2 or more aerials into a single coaxial lead
Dipole - The element is connected to the downlead and receives signal from the director and reflector elements
Director Element - A series of tuned elements that are forward of the dipole
Dish pack - The external part of a Sky installation
Distribution amplifier - signal booster for 2 or more TV's or radios
Downlead - cable connecting aerial or dish to TV, Radio or set top box
DTT - Digital terrestrial TV
F connector - Terminates coaxial cable for insertion to Sky box etc
F coupler - Enables 2 f connectors to be joined
Fascia mount - The method of securing an aerial to a soffit
FM - Stereo analog radio reception, alternative to DAB
FM aerial - enhances FM reception
Freesat - Sky Broadcasting subscription free package
Freeview - Digital terrestrial TV offering from UK's mainstream broadcasters
Ghosting - Repeat image(s) on analog TV caused by reflected signal
Grid aerial - A TV aerial with 2 or more connected dipoles and a grid reflector
Grouped aerial - A TV aerial that will receive a segment of UHF channels
High-gain aerial - Multi-element aerial having 32 elements or more
IRS - Integrated reception system a system providing UHF, Sky and radio and enables connection of individuals Sky boxes
LCD - Liquid crystal display, flat panel TV providing an alternative to plasma
LNB Quad - device that converts & sends reception to 2 - 4 Sky boxes via coax cable
LNB Quattro - Dish mounted device that converts & sends reception to multi-switch
LNB solo - Dish mounted device that converts & sends reception to 1 Sky box via coax cable
Loft mount - The method of securing an aerial internally
Magic Eye - Enables Sky box to be controlled from other room(s)
MATV - Master aerial TV, a UHF reception distribution system
Multiplexer (mux) - Groups of Freeview channels are broadcast on single UHF channels known as a multiplexers
Multi-switch - apartments etc to facilitate operation of Sky set top boxes from one dish
Outlet plate - Flush outlet plate mounted to back box or patrass
Pixellating - Mosaic/frozen effect on digital TV caused by defective signal
Plasma - Flat panel TV providing an alternative to LCD
Polarity - UHF signal is transmitted on either horizontal or vertical polarities
Pre-amplifier - signal booster installed on aerial (a PSU is also required)
PSU (power supply unit) - Converts mains voltage to 12v, used to energise pre-amplifier via downlead
Reflector element - The element situated rearmost on an aerial
Set back amplifier - signal booster located adjacent to TV
Set top box - Sky box, Freeview box, DVD player or VCR
SMATV - Satellite master aerial TV, Sky/UHF reception distribution system
Splitter - passive device that supplies signal to 2 or more TV's
TETTRA - terrestrial trunked radio. Used by police etc
Tetra filter - Blocks interference caused by tetra transmissions
Top-up TV - Pay as you view digital terrestrial TV
UHF - Terrestrial TV reception
VHF - Previously redundant frequency bands 1,2 & 3. Part of band 3 is now used for DAB
Wall Bracket - The method of securing an aerial to a wall or facing
Wideband aerial - A TV aerial that will receive UHF channels 21-68
Yagi - Any aerial that has a dipole, director and reflector elements