Help with installing a TV antenna on roof

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isaiahp

28 posts

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#198168 29-Jun-2016 10:04

I'm going to try keep this short but basically I have moved into a new house and the TV wasn't picking up any channels.

After trying a few different options, it wasn't until I got up on the roof I noticed that the cable had been cut just short of the antenna.

There is also no connection on the antenna for the cable to run into either.

My question is what equipment do i need to reconnect the cable? I'm guessing I will need to buy some new cable and rejoin it at the break to extend it to the antenna and then attach it someway?

I have posted a pic of the antenna if it will help.

Any help would be appreciated

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#1582481 29-Jun-2016 10:26

You do not need the bottom antenna at all, you could remove that completely.

The Top (UHF) antenna should have a point for connecting the cable. Ideally you would run a new RG6 coax cable from there to your TV/Distribution point.

Or, get a new UHF antenna and replace them both.

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richms

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#1582502 29-Jun-2016 10:59

The UHF one on the top would have the connection to one of the prongs just infront of the reflectors at the back.

It may have fallen off so not be there anymore, those antennas just have all those bits clip onto them.

You can lose the bottom one, unless it is helping out with FM reception, but if that is ok where you are with just a piece of wire and doesnt need to be connected to an outdoor antenna, remove the lower VHF antenna, it will just get in the way, make more noise in the wind and birds love sitting on them and pooping on the roof.

Richard rich.ms

isaiahp

28 posts

Geek

#1582580 29-Jun-2016 12:30

The old cabling runs into the side of the house so it's almost impossible for me to run a new cable directly to the distribution point without tearing apart my walls. The only option I see would be to rejoin the broken cable

We still have sky working through the satellite aswell but since we only have basic channels i'd rather use the UHF receiver if it was possible

KrazyKid

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#1582591 29-Jun-2016 12:40

I'd probably buy a set of RG6 Male/Female ends. You can get self crimping ones - there are easiest to install. Then fit them to the existing cable and the antenna. (I assume you may need to fit some coaxial cable back to antenna?) .

Then once tested and all working I would seal the join in a plastic box with silicon/tape to make it excessively watertight. If you hide this out of sight of the ground it should work and not look ugly.

isaiahp

28 posts

Geek

#1582718 29-Jun-2016 15:24

I went up and had another look and there is no connection point on the antenna at all. Would anyone know how to connect the coaxial to the antenna then or what equipment i would need to purchase

isaiahp

28 posts

Geek

#1582719 29-Jun-2016 15:24

I went up and had another look and there is no connection point on the antenna at all. Would anyone know how to connect the coaxial to the antenna then or what equipment i would need to purchase

isaiahp

28 posts

Geek

#1582720 29-Jun-2016 15:25

Also yeah the cable that had been cut is not long enough to reach the antenna. Its currently sitting in the gutter a couple meters away from the antenna

Oblivian

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#1582742 29-Jun-2016 15:42

Doesn't look to be a hills unit then..

http://www.hillsantenna.com.au/common/HillsAntenna/files/RB31110%20Iss2%20SFX.pdf

That indicates the back panel has a receiving panel in it... Lincrads is a similar one. Not small tag screwed into the side of it? And if you remove the lower antenna, slide the UHF down there goes your cable length issue :)

B1GGLZ

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#1582746 29-Jun-2016 15:46

isaiahp: Also yeah the cable that had been cut is not long enough to reach the antenna. Its currently sitting in the gutter a couple meters away from the antenna

The top antenna (UHF) normally has a screw connector (f29 type socket) for the co-ax. If it doesn't or you cant find it then I suggest getting a new antenna. Also once you remove the bottom antenna the other one probably doesn't need to be so high on the pole. You would be far better off though with a new antenna and new co-ax as the old co-ax is probably not rg6, will be in poor condition and no longer suitable for Digital reception unless you are in a strong signal location.

trig42

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#1582788 29-Jun-2016 16:07

B1GGLZ:

isaiahp: Also yeah the cable that had been cut is not long enough to reach the antenna. Its currently sitting in the gutter a couple meters away from the antenna

The top antenna (UHF) normally has a screw connector (f29 type socket) for the co-ax. If it doesn't or you cant find it then I suggest getting a new antenna. Also once you remove the bottom antenna the other one probably doesn't need to be so high on the pole. You would be far better off though with a new antenna and new co-ax as the old co-ax is probably not rg6, will be in poor condition and no longer suitable for Digital reception unless you are in a strong signal location.

Which going by that massive UHF antenna, the OP may not be.

richms

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#1582855 29-Jun-2016 17:06

Those long ones were used for directionality, not for gain, a small flat panel antenna will have almost as much gain as those.

The big one went in when sky UHF and analog tv was a thing and ghosting was a problem. Multipathing is not an issue for most digital reception.

Richard rich.ms

oxnsox

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#1582867 29-Jun-2016 17:46

If the cables been cut and sitting out in the weather, it will have had drink. (More so if it's resting in the gutter)
In which case it should be replaced as it will fail over time

isaiahp

28 posts

Geek

#1582910 29-Jun-2016 18:54

Yeah all these problems do sound plausible but I'd rather not rush to get a new antenna until I've tested to see if this old one still works. Surely there has to be a way to connect a coaxial cable to the antenna?

Spyware

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#1582911 29-Jun-2016 19:02

http://www.supremeantennas.co.nz/view/baluns-diplexers-combiners/baluns/

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ajw

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#1582912 29-Jun-2016 19:03

See if you have any reputable TV aerial installers in your area. See if you can get a free quote to fix the existing aerial and wiring. A signal test will also be part of this equation.

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