Freeview Cable help

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snonoz

80 posts

Master Geek

#208810 28-Feb-2017 15:58

Please excuse the stupid question but Im trying to DIY myself a quick terrestrial freeview setup and it's not working for me!

I think it's my ignorance on Coaxial cabling thats stopping me... I accidentally discovered that a mysterious aerial outlet in my lounge is actually getting UHF Freeview but the cable ends 7m short of where the TV is (originally moved the tv closer to check it works). I bought this cable to go from freeview plug end to tv and doesn't work :(

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=404056

Is this cable wrong? Or can I not just plug in an extension?

Please help - quite urgent as I bit the bullet and got sky taken off and it happens today and I've just splashed out on a MyFreeviewPlus box (T2200)... Eek no tv soon!!

Rickles

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#1727765 28-Feb-2017 16:20

Why doesn't it work? viz, wrong connectors each end, or what?

What cable do you use for the test? Use same style plugs/connectors.

snonoz

80 posts

Master Geek

#1727768 28-Feb-2017 16:27

Rickles:

Why doesn't it work? viz, wrong connectors each end, or what?

What cable do you use for the test? Use same style plugs/connectors.

The TV is getting no signal with the above extension cable plugged into it, but works fine when plugged directly into the cable that comes into the room.

All connectors are right for connecting - all Coax male/female (no F Type)

Rickles

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#1727785 28-Feb-2017 16:43

That's interesting

RunningMan

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#1727786 28-Feb-2017 16:43

snonoz:[snip]I accidentally discovered that a mysterious aerial outlet in my lounge is actually getting UHF Freeview

I think this is the key. Is there actually an antenna connected to this mysterious outlet? It is quite possible that whatever is connected to the back of that outlet is working sufficently as an antenna to give you a signal, but there is enough loss in the extension cable to drop below the usable threshold.

It's possible a brand new cable is faulty, but pretty uncommon - Dynamix are generally pretty reliable.

snonoz

80 posts

Master Geek

#1727804 28-Feb-2017 16:59

RunningMan:

snonoz:[snip]I accidentally discovered that a mysterious aerial outlet in my lounge is actually getting UHF Freeview

I think this is the key. Is there actually an antenna connected to this mysterious outlet? It is quite possible that whatever is connected to the back of that outlet is working sufficently as an antenna to give you a signal, but there is enough loss in the extension cable to drop below the usable threshold.

It's possible a brand new cable is faulty, but pretty uncommon - Dynamix are generally pretty reliable.

I think you might be right with that thought dammit. I was assuming there must be an aerial inside the roof (seems unlikely but weirder things have happened in this house!). The mystery cable runs up the outside of the house and up into the eave. The broken rusty UHF aerial on the outside has a cable running down a different side of the house and underneath the house and comes out nowhere (can't get under the house to investigate that). Have just had to brave some spiders and look inside the roof space and I see nothing like any aerial so looks like Im a bit stuck for now.

Guess there's no aerial attached and it's residual reception - disappointing as it looked really great on the TV! Off to find a new UHF aerial and long coax!

RunningMan

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#1727805 28-Feb-2017 17:00

If it's just a length of coax picking up a signal, you must be in a reasonable signal area - one of the various indoor antennas or even a set of bunny ears might work just fine.

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Rickles

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#1727816 28-Feb-2017 17:17

Where are you (suburb), and where is nearest TV mast? You never know, an indoor rabbits ears might just work.

snonoz

80 posts

Master Geek

#1727821 28-Feb-2017 17:22

Rickles:

Where are you (suburb), and where is nearest TV mast? You never know, an indoor rabbits ears might just work.

I'm in Waterloo, Lower Hutt - so Baxters Knob or Kaukau I guess - by the direction all the newly installed neighbours aerials point...

snonoz

80 posts

Master Geek

#1727832 28-Feb-2017 17:45

Well you're right - some 20+yr old rabbits ears are working (but no Prime). Not ideal but gives me some time so find myself another UHF aerial and a good deal on about 25m of coax and a bloke who likes being on the roof!

Who knew a piece of crappy coax would've got me freeview! Thanks for the help guys :)

ZollyMonsta

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#1727853 28-Feb-2017 18:08

snonoz:
Rickles:

Where are you (suburb), and where is nearest TV mast? You never know, an indoor rabbits ears might just work.

I'm in Waterloo, Lower Hutt - so Baxters Knob or Kaukau I guess - by the direction all the newly installed neighbours aerials point...

I'm in Boulcott and pointing to Fitzherbert.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."