[ubuntu-uk] Freeview

[Jai Harrison]

Hey guys (and girls),

I've been looking into FreeView today and the switch for my area isn't
until 2011 (a LONG, unbearable way away). Freeview.co.uk reports my
area is without any FreeView whatsoever while DigitalUK says that I
can receive some channels now.

It also says I'll suffer from a poor reception, that an aerial upgrade
may be required and that I will have 47 TV channels/radio stations in
orange status ("variable reception"). These are as follows:

    * BBC ONE
    * BBC TWO
    * BBC THREE
    * CBBC
    * BBC NEWS 24
    * BBCi
    * BBC FOUR
    * Cbeebies
    * BBC Parliament
    * The Community Channel
    * BBC Radio 1 (radio)
    * 1 Xtra BBC (radio)
    * BBC Radio 2 (radio)
    * BBC Radio 3 (radio)
    * BBC Radio 4 (radio)
    * BBC Radio 5 Live (radio)
    * BBC Five Live Sports Extra (radio)
    * BBC 6 Music (radio)
    * BBC 7 (radio)
    * BBC Asian Network (radio)
    * Five
    * QVC
    * UK Gold (subscription only)
    * bid tv
    * price-drop.tv
    * UKTV Style (subscription only)
    * Eurosport (subscription only)
    * SETANTA Sports (subscription only)
    * Five US
    * Five Life
    * TopUp Anytime1 (subscription only)
    * TopUp Anytime2 (subscription only)
    * TopUp Anytime3 (subscription only)
    * Teachers' TV
    * Television X (subscription only)
    * Teletext Holidays
    * Teletext Games
    * Heat (radio)
    * Mojo (radio)
    * UKTV History
    * The HITS
    * Dave TV
    * Virgin 1
    * TMF
    * Ideal World
    * Film 4
    * ITV 2+1
    * BBC World Service (radio)
    * The Hits Radio (radio)
    * Smash Hits! (radio)
    * KISS (radio)
    * Magic (radio)
    * Q (radio)
    * oneword (radio)
    * SMOOTH RADIO (radio)
    * Kerrang! (radio)
    * 4TV Interactive

What I would like to know is what my chances are of receiving these
channels at a "watch-able" quality. What exactly "variable reception"
means in terms of quality. How come there's no ITV or C4.

I'm not easily able to attach an aerial to the roof but a friend
suggested this:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=115127&doy=2m11&C=SO&U=strat15

I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. I figured that some people
on the mailing list would have a better idea than I do. Thanks for any
help any of you can provide me with :)

Jai