Help to know what to look for with UHF aerial problem

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Help to know what to look for with UHF aerial problem

NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#171692 27-Apr-2015 23:16

Hi. UHF aerial is quite old. I live north of Otaki and aim at Wharite I believe.
Been excellent reception for years. Just last week we had bursts of heavy rain. As the rain burst happened, we would get pixelation on the screen. As soon as rain died down, came back to normal.
Tonight we have had quite a bit of rain and we have now lost all signal. I shone a torch up and looks like aerial hasn't moved in the wind. I will head up to there to have a look next fine day. I thought before heading up into the 'danger zone' I would do two things here.
1) Admit I am a total noobie when it comes to aerials. Had nothing to do with them.
2) Ask what I should look for. I imagine a moisture problem.... What things should I look at?
Thank you so much for any helpful ideas. I really appreciate it.

Jaxson

8006 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1292708 28-Apr-2015 08:15

Hi,

It might take some time, but you will be able to fix this, or get pointed in the right direction, by the helpful folk here.

A picture speaks a thousand words as they say, so personally I'd suggest getting up there and taking a few photos to show the members here what type of aerial you have, the type of cable connecting it back to the TV, and the connection type on the end of this cable.

Some background info can be useful too, as in how many TV's/or other devices you have connected to this aerial?

If water is to blame, then you'd expect to see some corrosion at some point in the system. You may have to pop open the cover at the aerial location, which may require a screw driver depending on how it's connected. Be careful if going up on a roof in this weather, and let someone know what you're up to. Stay away from power lines if they are present near your house. Safety first basically.

Once we can see what you are dealing with, we'll be able to help further.
Oh and welcome to Geekzone if this is your first post

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NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1292756 28-Apr-2015 09:48

Cheers for the warm welcome! I had a look in daylight this morning from ground level. Looks like a bit of 'green growth' on the back 'grill' 'grid' whatever it's called. lol. I have woken with a toothache, so that will first priority. Hopefully I'll get up there just before dark or tommorrow.
Thanks again. I will take a photo. Basically, just comes in to Tivo and then from there to TV. No other connections.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1292769 28-Apr-2015 10:09

Sounds like water ingress into the co-ax cable or the balun box. You won't know what it is til you get up there but could be time for a new antenna and maybe new co-ax.
Modern antennae don't last very long particularly in salt laden atmosphere. Mines been up now for about 7 years (Auckland) and is looking rather rusty and corroded. I would say about 10 yrs max and they'd need replacing.

martyyn

1960 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1292782 28-Apr-2015 10:22

I'm interested to know how you get on. I'm at Otaki Beach and was told there was no chance of getting a UHF signal even though almost every house has one. The quality of DVB-S is doing my head in on a large tv.

Wharite is the other side of P North isn't it ? How close do you need to be to get a signal ?

NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1292794 28-Apr-2015 10:32

My dad actually put it up there as a gift. When he put it up the aerial had to be on a high peak and on the other side of the house from where the lounge is. So co-ax cable is really long across the roof.
Since then the line of pine trees we were trying to get through have been cut down. So I can bring it back to above lounge. I guess co-ax draped across the roof in sun and rain must perish over time as well. Thanks everyone. I can imagine unscrewing the balun box it will be wet a corroded.
I have seen aerials in shops around $100. On trademe, similar looking ones are only $35 or $40. Does ayone know if they are similar quality of cheap imports. hard to know how much markup shops put on.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1292805 28-Apr-2015 11:01

NZBloke:
I have seen aerials in shops around $100. On trademe, similar looking ones are only $35 or $40. Does ayone know if they are similar quality of cheap imports. hard to know how much markup shops put on.

Shop around for an antenna. They vary wildly in price. Good selection here
http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/digital-terrestrial/terrestrial-aerials-c-11/conventional-aerials.html

Dick Smith have an installation kit at $99 which is quite often on special as low as $50.
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/antennas/dick-smith-hd-uhf-outdoor-antenna-pack-dsnz-l4735

NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1293838 29-Apr-2015 20:10

Wow! Shopped around today after seeing antenna was rusted. Saw Dick Smith have them for $109. Clicked on it to see the picture close up and online today only… $29!!!!!!! Get a spare one people if yours is a little old….. :)

martyyn

1960 posts

Uber Geek

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Subscriber

#1294075 30-Apr-2015 10:04

Nice find :)

Even if I cant get anything, at that price I can put a temp solution together to have a play at the very least.

Cheers

NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1295815 2-May-2015 17:38

Got this antenna… http://matchmaster.co.nz/domestic/uhf-antennas/02mm-mdu43 Which seems set up for horizontal, not vertical. i.e. the box that cables plug into it says point downwards, (stop rain I am guessing) but vertical it sits sideways unless I drill holes. (Unless I am missing something).
I have just realised something though. the coax from old UHF went into a splitter box. Not sure if the other was standard aerial and/ or sky dish. But from the splitter box to the Tivo is a white cable. Is that satellite cable? Will the white cable work direct from UHF to Tivo? or do I need to swap with black coax. If I do, it means crawling under the house in a tiny muddy squeeze! :(

Eitsop

581 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1295816 2-May-2015 17:42

Check your cable is RG6, not the older RG59.. since it sounds like its an old install of RG59 .. I would guarantee an improvement with newer cable..
RG6 is cable the use for satellite installs as well.. bit thicker than RG59

Dean

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1295826 2-May-2015 18:12

Loosen the two nuts on the clamp, slide it off, turn it 90 degrees & put it back on.

NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1295829 2-May-2015 18:24

Brunzy: Loosen the two nuts on the clamp, slide it off, turn it 90 degrees & put it back on.

Yeah, I did that with the clamp, but the box the lead goes into is screwed into a hole on the main bar. So the box sits sideways which means leads go in at the side. If the leads go in from underneath, they might be a little more sheltered from rain. :)

NZBloke

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1295830 2-May-2015 18:33

attewell: Check your cable is RG6, not the older RG59.. since it sounds like its an old install of RG59 .. I would guarantee an improvement with newer cable..
RG6 is cable the use for satellite installs as well.. bit thicker than RG59

Dean

Thank for that advise. How do I tell which I have? I have the white cable that is plugged into my Tivo at the moment and a roll of black coax. I thought there might be printing every metre showing the type of cable, but nothing.