Freeview antenna for Hataitai

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lparkernz

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#115003 9-Mar-2013 22:25

Hi I live in Hataitai on the Mt Vic hill. There is no line of sight to Kaukau as the hill rises sharply behind the house. There is a small ridge in the way also to Fitzherbet blocking line of sight. Looking round the neighbours most seem to be pointing medium to large yagis in the Fitzherbet general direction or might be picking up reflections. Its would be a roof mount and about 12-15 m high from the road. Would a yagi or a phased array be better due to reflections and non-line of sight and medium or large?

Thanks.

ObidiahSlope

260 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#777532 9-Mar-2013 23:36

I live on the outer border of Freeview reception. I have a multi element yagi which works well but vehicles passing on the road outside cause signal bounce and and consequently picture freeze.

I asked an expert if installing a phased array antenna would solve my problem. His reply, "possibly."

He also said that reception in weak areas could be effected by VHF TV signals and with the switch off of analogue TV I might notice an improvement.

Seeing as I am in the South Island I have decided to wait to see if the near switch off makes any improvement before experimenting with phased array antenna.

This does not directly answer you question. I suggest you ask neighbours.

Obsequious hypocrite

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek
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#777554 10-Mar-2013 07:39

I'd have thought the transmitter on Kaukau would be more LoS for you? Just visited friends who have bought a house on Pembroke St in Northland. They are in a little valley with the Town Belt hill between them and Kaukau. Using the old VHF antenna on the roof pointing west, they get Freeview reception! It does break up occasionally, but I'm amazed they get anything. It will be replaced shortly.
Anyway my point is just buy an inexpensive antenna from somewhere you can take it back to if it doesn't do the job. Just don't buy the cheap one at Jaycar, it doesn't assemble properly.
I've seen some nice yagis with straight elements (not the wishbone type), or there is this one which I think I'll try to fix my reception problems.

cyril7

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#777558 10-Mar-2013 07:59

Hi, I know the area you are talking of and its a nightmare for UHF reception off KauKau or Fitz. Beware that some antennas there will be pointing back to a translator that sits on the western hill just above Kilbernie village, this carries no DVB services only analog.

As you may or maynot be aware I used to do antenna installs and used to work as a Tx tech for the old BCNZ, I also live a stones throw from you so give me a PM if you want some assistance, (ie brain, DVB Feild strength meter, cable and connectors).

You can get a pretty strong KauKau echo off the Strathmore hill above the airport, obviously this would just give you a massive multi ghosted analog response but does actually give a workable DVB response which can work with a strong echo. I did set an antenna for a guy up there not far from you a couple of years back, told him to give me a call if it played up, never heard from him and he only has Digital services.

Cyril

D1023319

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#777561 10-Mar-2013 08:37

cyril7: Hi, I know the area you are talking of and its a nightmare for UHF reception off KauKau or Fitz. Beware that some antennas there will be pointing back to a translator that sits on the western hill just above Kilbernie village, this carries no DVB services only analog.

As you may or maynot be aware I used to do antenna installs and used to work as a Tx tech for the old BCNZ, I also live a stones throw from you so give me a PM if you want some assistance, (ie brain, DVB Feild strength meter, cable and connectors).

You can get a pretty strong KauKau echo off the Strathmore hill above the airport, obviously this would just give you a massive multi ghosted analog response but does actually give a workable DVB response which can work with a strong echo. I did set an antenna for a guy up there not far from you a couple of years back, told him to give me a call if it played up, never heard from him and he only has Digital services.

Cyril

+1
I am in Moxham Av and Cyril7 solved my freeview access when other installers said it couldnt be done.