Do I need a better antenna?

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Do I need a better antenna?

1 | 2 | 3

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#1041019 9-May-2014 19:01

MikeAqua: Oops, I was looking at the wrong piece of paper in my earlier post.

The programme sorting function on my TV shows the following channels and services:

33: TV3, FOUR, C4, Al Jazzera, The Shopping Channel, Te Reo,
41: ONE, 2, ONE+1, 2+1
47: Maori, Prime, Trackside, Choice TV, Sommet Sports, TVSN Shopping, First Light

Manual Tuning doesn't find anything at all 35 or 37. My manual tuning function is limited. I can't force it to a particular channel. All I can do is enter a start channel and a search direction.

OK
33,41,47 would be correct then for Mt Campbell. It appears your restack must be happening leater in the year. I was looking at the new frequencies in the chart.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#1041039 9-May-2014 19:12

P.S. Your Sony Bravia must be different to mine (EX720) which will easily allow Manual tuning channel selection, I checked it today. I go to Manual Tuning and select the channel thats highlighted. I'm then able to up or down change the channel selected and watch the signal/quality bars indicate signals. There is also the option to scan up or down. I see though that the i-manual online now is considerably different to mine.

Apsattv

2460 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 727

#1041174 9-May-2014 22:30

Are your neighbours using KAKA hill or MT Campbell?

Apsattv

2460 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 727

#1041225 10-May-2014 01:43

Can you post a photo of your install?

MikeAqua

8036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3827

#1042145 12-May-2014 11:58

Excuse the delayed response, immediate neighbours all pointing at Mt Campbell.

I'll snap a photo of the aerial this afternoon.

Mike

trig42

5893 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2100

ID Verified

#1042193 12-May-2014 12:38

Do you know anyone with a freeview UHF set top box you can borrow? Just to check that it isn't the Bravia at fault.

Is there a software update available for your TV?

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

MikeAqua

8036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3827

#1042302 12-May-2014 13:51

I have two TVs. Both experience the same problem. The other TV is Samsung. It's newer but seems to be less tolerant of a poor signal. I've swapped the TVs around to see if the difference between them is due to cabling but this makes no difference.

I should point out that the problems are mostly experienced on sky channels. I get blips and minor break ups on other channels but have serious problems with sky channels early morning and late viewing.

Mike

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#1042307 12-May-2014 13:54

MikeAqua:
I should point out that the problems are mostly experienced on sky channels.

Hold on Sky is off a satellite dish, freeview HD is off a UHF aerial. Fixing the aerial wont fix any Sky problems...

Do you have any photos?

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#1042353 12-May-2014 14:45

MikeAqua: I have two TVs. Both experience the same problem. The other TV is Samsung. It's newer but seems to be less tolerant of a poor signal. I've swapped the TVs around to see if the difference between them is due to cabling but this makes no difference.

I should point out that the problems are mostly experienced on sky channels. I get blips and minor break ups on other channels but have serious problems with sky channels early morning and late viewing.

OK. This is all new info. Thought we were talking about FreeviewHD only from Mt Campbell. You never mentioned Sky before.
How have you got your Sky decoder connected to the TVs?
If you are using a modulator that could be the source of all your problems.

MikeAqua

8036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3827

#1042417 12-May-2014 15:55

No Sky decoder. Just Sky free to air channels i.e. Prime, Choice etc. Apologies for causing confusion.

Mike

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#1042576 12-May-2014 19:06

MikeAqua: No Sky decoder. Just Sky free to air channels i.e. Prime, Choice etc. Apologies for causing confusion.

Now I'm really confused. I thought we were talking about FreeviewHD, then you mention Sky channels but no Sky decoder.
Just to clarify:
I think you are talking about the channels, one of which is owned by Sky, and the Mux they are transmitted on is the JDA mux (CH47)? They are not Sky channels.
No satellite involvement?
Vertically polarised UHF antenna only? No satellite dish? Any splitters? DVD Recorder?
Your reception may change later in the year anyway as two of the muxes (ch41 and 47)are due to be restacked in Nelson.
http://freeviewforum.co.nz/tip/rf

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

MikeAqua

8036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3827

#1043040 13-May-2014 14:21

Yes the JDA group of services. I didn't realise that was the correct terminology, apologies for the confusion. It is UHF channel 47 that is problematic. The other two channels get the occasional bit of clutter and pixelation but nothing major. 47 will drop out or be totally unavailable at times

It shows as 75% of the signal strength of the other two channels, and is prone to drop put in inclement weather (either at our place or on Mt Campbell). This is bit of pain as I mostly watch TV when the weather is poor anyway.

It's much worse on one TV but swapping locations of the TVs doesn't change this.

I don't have photo of the set up sorry.

Description: -

The DSE antenna as per link in post 1
Mounted on a 1.4m galv-steel pole set on ridge of roof (roof is colour steel).
Compression crimp, self sealing F-type connector to RG6 cable
RG6 cable to two way splitter under house (hex crimp F type terminations)
More RG6 cabling to wall plates (hex crimp f type terminations)
Short RG6 leads to TV's (hex crimp f type terminations)
F - type - 75 ohm adaptors on TVs

I've just bought a signal strength meter so I'll check if there are signal reductions in any part of the system. Pre-UHF the same cabling terminations and leads were was splitting satellite signal to 3 set top boxes no problem.

B1GGLZ:
MikeAqua: No Sky decoder. Just Sky free to air channels i.e. Prime, Choice etc. Apologies for causing confusion.

Now I'm really confused. I thought we were talking about FreeviewHD, then you mention Sky channels but no Sky decoder.
Just to clarify:
I think you are talking about the channels, one of which is owned by Sky, and the Mux they are transmitted on is the JDA mux (CH47)? They are not Sky channels.
No satellite involvement?
Vertically polarised UHF antenna only? No satellite dish? Any splitters? DVD Recorder?
Your reception may change later in the year anyway as two of the muxes (ch41 and 47)are due to be restacked in Nelson.
http://freeviewforum.co.nz/tip/rf

Mike

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#1043057 13-May-2014 14:46

Not knowing your location personally, from the above I'd suspect (in no particular order):

1) the antenna is not sufficient/suitable for your location,
2) the antenna is as good as it gets and you'll need an amplifier at that location,
3) you have a faulty device such as the splitter,
4) you have one or more dodgy connections, of which there are many in your location,
5) the cable you have is not ideal.

It's all about detecting a fine signal as best you can and then protecting it right through the distribution path from capture to consumption.

Personally I'd look at removing the splitter and replacing this temporarily with a cheap straight male to male f connector piece.
It really is a diagnoses case of stepping through the system piece by piece now.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 136

#1043091 13-May-2014 15:31

Jaxson: Not knowing your location personally, from the above I'd suspect (in no particular order):

1) the antenna is not sufficient/suitable for your location,
2) the antenna is as good as it gets and you'll need an amplifier at that location,
3) you have a faulty device such as the splitter,
4) you have one or more dodgy connections, of which there are many in your location,
5) the cable you have is not ideal.

It's all about detecting a fine signal as best you can and then protecting it right through the distribution path from capture to consumption.

Personally I'd look at removing the splitter and replacing this temporarily with a cheap straight male to male f connector piece.
It really is a diagnoses case of stepping through the system piece by piece now.

I'd go along with all this 100%.
Definitely temporarily remove the splitter and test direct from antenna to one TV. Just use an f -f joiner in place of the splitter.
The antenna should be up to the job as it's direct line of site but would be worth trying a better one.
It should all work without an amp in direct line of site but that can't be guaranteed. I'm 20km line of site to Waiatarua with a similar antenna and still get a bit of pixellation now and then with 100/100 signal/quality. I suspect aircraft reflections. When I first installed I could get a picture with just a bit of wire stuck in the TV socket.
The splitter is the most likely culprit in the mix. Needs to be a good quality UHF type in diecast box with f terminals. Sounds like it is.
However I probably wouldn't spend any money yet until the channels get restacked later in the year and all above CH40 diasappear. Might resolve itself then.
IMO a masthead amp would be last resort if all else fails.
Have you checked with neighbours if they have the same problems in bad weather? That could prove if it's just you or a local problem (poor reception area). Already found a dead spot in Nelson on another thread in similar circumstances (nearly line of site but no signal even on a Pro's meter).

MikeAqua

8036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3827

#1043095 13-May-2014 15:41

Cheers for the tips.

I have tried removing the splitter and substituting a connector - it doesn't help.

Just had a thought about the antenna though. Does it matter if the long axis of the reflectors is parallel or perpendicular to the elements?

Jaxson: Not knowing your location personally, from the above I'd suspect (in no particular order):

1) the antenna is not sufficient/suitable for your location,
2) the antenna is as good as it gets and you'll need an amplifier at that location,
3) you have a faulty device such as the splitter,
4) you have one or more dodgy connections, of which there are many in your location,
5) the cable you have is not ideal.

It's all about detecting a fine signal as best you can and then protecting it right through the distribution path from capture to consumption.

Personally I'd look at removing the splitter and replacing this temporarily with a cheap straight male to male f connector piece.
It really is a diagnoses case of stepping through the system piece by piece now.

Mike

1 | 2 | 3