uhf aerial adventures

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kiwiace

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Topic # 123249 30-Jun-2013 20:29

just struggling to replace an old UHF aerial that was working but slowly died of rust (channels dropped off gradually). before that it was working well with a masthead amp and a cable run to the tivo.

I have a cheap jaycar replacement aerial up, pointing about the same way (and facing the same way up, I think...)

It needed an f-connector cable (didn't have one), so I chopped the end of our unused sky cable, and used that for the short run to the kingsray uhf amplifier

I think it is screwed on OK (the f connector), and I stripped the other end of the cable and attached to the Kingsray amp OK. but I'm getting nothing. (ie tivo won't find any channels). tried realigning and fiddling with connections. Thinking about it now, I may have the gain on the masthead amp set too high (but tried turning amp power off, still nothing).

Starting to look like a "good marks for trying but time to call the experts" ... but anyone got any obvious tips/solutions? thanks heaps!

(I suppose it could possibly be the kingsray that failed in the storm somehow... in which case I could try f-connecting the current output of that amp straight to the uhf aerial, if I don't need an amp anyway)

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 847590 1-Jul-2013 08:54

Turning the amp power off will result in no signal at all as it effectively blocks any signal passing thu the amp. The power must be connected to pass and/or amplify any signal from the antenna.
Check all your connections.
What sort of co-ax runs from the amp to the Tivo? You may need a run of new rg6.
Unlikely the gain at max would be the problem.
First thing to try is run the co-ax (preferably new rg6) direct from the antenna to the Tivo i.e. bypass the amp. If that results in more signal strength being needed then investigate the amp.
If all that fails get in a Pro.

Skolink

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Reply # 847984 1-Jul-2013 23:24

I tried one of those cheap Jaycar X-Yagi type aerials and it was hopeless. I took it back for a refund. A decent Yagi will cost double ($120) but it may save you alot of frustration (esp later when the Jaycar one falls to pieces).

kiwiace

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Reply # 850231 6-Jul-2013 18:53

Thanks everyone. Hard to get up and work on it (since working all daylight hours, plus windy wet roof). but today have tried fiddling with balun, taking kingsray out of the equation, realigning antenna - tivo still finding nothing. 95% sure that the original problem was with the antenna (it was very rusty and most of the channels disappeared for good once I went up and touched the rusty bits in the old balun).

So I tend to blame the jaycar antenna. I might try rigging the balun from it onto the old antenna (which was very similar shape, slightly longer) and wiring it back into the kingsray. otherwise its the professionals

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 850237 6-Jul-2013 19:20

It could of course be the Tivo that died?
Might pay to check it too.
Can you try it somewhere else in a known good location.
A friend's or relative's house perhaps?
Or try another STB or TV in your house?

Dratsab

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Reply # 850271 6-Jul-2013 22:01

Have you tried checking (with a meter) to make sure there's no shorts anywhere in your cabling joints?

kiwiace

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Reply # 850439 7-Jul-2013 14:56

thanks all - I think meters and things are going beyond my (near zero) skill level, so I am trying to call a tech. unless someone on here has the right sort of gear and would like to come and have a go in hataitai (happy to pay something fair)

cheers