Active antenna recommendation for inside roof

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Niel

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#111201 27-Oct-2012 09:33

We finally have a TV which can pick-up Freeview DTT. Time for getting an antenna. Being a new house, I do not want to install a traditional antenna so I'm going for one of those active box antennas. And to make it an even cleaner install, I'm putting it inside the roof cavity. We have clay tiles.

Can anyone recommend a model that is not ridiculously expensive (i.e. not from Dick Smith) which will be good for what I want to do? We are in Pakuranga, Auckland (flat area near the plaza) and signal comes from Waiatarua (can't see Sky Tower and Remuera). Someone with experience of doing this in my area would be great. Budget is definitely below $100, aiming for $60 mark. Wiring is done, I just need the antenna and there is a power point inside the ceiling.

Thanks.

You can never have enough Volvos!

cyril7

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#707336 27-Oct-2012 09:52

Hi, I recommend you stay with a conventional yagi or broadside array, and just use a splitting amp (Kingray SA162F or similar) to help with distribution. I regularly put yagi in suitable roofs, not hard to fit if the space is right.

Cyril

B1GGLZ

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#707374 27-Oct-2012 10:59

cyril7: Hi, I recommend you stay with a conventional yagi or broadside array, and just use a splitting amp (Kingray SA162F or similar) to help with distribution. I regularly put yagi in suitable roofs, not hard to fit if the space is right.

Cyril

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No reason why you can't put a standard UHF antenna inside the roof if it's clay tiles. Just not suitable under metal roofs.
This one should work OK.

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/element-aerial-freeview-p-457.html

although this is even cheaper and may work OK

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/active-flat-panel-indoor-aerial-freeview-p-77.html

Niel

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#711495 3-Nov-2012 19:44

I got a cheap 43 element antenna from TM for about $35 delivered, comes with the F-connector I needed for our pre-wired house. Just dropped it on the ceiling in the general direction, and getting 50% signal strength. Only C4 and TV3+1 break up when it rains, so pretty impressed. Will get my wife to check the signal strength while I rotate it, next time I'm in the ceiling. But looks like I do not have to get a hokey stick to mount it to a truss. Thanks guys.

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B1GGLZ

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#711616 4-Nov-2012 09:07

You could try hanging it from the trusses with some string. Might improve signal slightly by moving clear of the woodwork and ceiling. Good result though and no exterior visual pollution.