Installing UHF Aerial

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annah

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Geek

Topic # 31689 26-Mar-2009 22:33

Hey there,

Not sure if this is technically in the right forum since its not actually about Freeview but couldn't find any other appropriate place.

We just tried installing a UHF aerial to our existing VHF aerial using a diplexer box.. specifically so we can pick up Prime. Tried tuning the TV but now all we get is very bad reception of TV3 on VHF high. Any ideas? We're not 100% sure on the installation of the diplexer since it didn't come with any instructions. Have googled a bit on the subject but only seem to get results which are for satellite dishes.

We're located in Otautau which is about 40 km west of Invercargill.

Cheers

Misha

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 203674 27-Mar-2009 09:31

Just a couple of days back a friend of mine had a similar problem which was finally ressolved by completely bypassing diplexer box (he went all freeview with the UHF aerial) Check youir diplexer box and make sure there are no shorts. Also, VHF and UHF inputs in the box should be clearly marked as well. If you bypass the box and connect the TV3 aerial directly to the TV and you get a good signal, then it is likely that your diplexer is faulty.

annah

25 posts

Geek

Reply # 203680 27-Mar-2009 09:49

We have a Freeview HD ready TV, but don't get the signal down here. We don't have a freeview box so can't go all Freeview. We only connected the UHF aerial, then tried to tune in. The VHF aerial isn't connected at this stage, could that be the problem? I don't see how it could be although I really have no idea what I'm doing installing aerials!

How do we check the diplexer box for shorts? And what do you mean by bypass the box?

sbiddle

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Reply # 203682 27-Mar-2009 09:54

If you plug the UHF aerial directly into the TV can you tune in Prime?

How far from the transmitter are you? Are you using a saddle clamp diplexer (with clamps over the exposed cable) or one that uses F connectors?

Being in a rural area trying to minimise signal strength is very important so you need good quality coax and should ideally be using F connectors for everything.

annah

25 posts

Geek

Reply # 203686 27-Mar-2009 10:06

Haven't tried plugging it directly in to the tv yet. Will give that a go

Not sure on how far we are from the nearest transmitter. I think there is one at Hedgehope, if so then we are probably between 50-70 kms from it. Could be more..

Not sure what type of coaxial we already had but never had any signal problems before installation of this new aerial. I did buy some extra cable to install the new one and it was of Sky quality. Assume thats good..

Spyware

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Reply # 203688 27-Mar-2009 10:07

UHF polarity from Hedgehope is vertical, unlike VHF which is horizontal, i.e., UHF elements should be perpendicular to ground rather than parallel.

Ross

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annah

25 posts

Geek

Reply # 203693 27-Mar-2009 10:19

Yes know about the vertical polarity, my dad and the guy from DSE both told me about that one.

Misha

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 203802 27-Mar-2009 21:56

See the comments above by sbiddle. What type of diplexer do you have? it may be worthwhile asking the seller of the box to explain how best to connect cables. Also, in the Waikato, often you can get TV3 and 4 analogue signal with the same aerial used for TV 1 and 2. But a dedicated TV 3 and 4 aerial gives a much better signal. Before HD terrestrial came along, I had 3 aerials TV 1 and 2, (VHF), TV3 and 4 (VHF) and Prime and Maori TV (UHF) all connected to a saddle clamp dipexer box and a single outlet cable going to the TV. May be you need to investigate this further and find out whether you need a different aerial for TV 3 and 4. But first, check out that diplexer box, Also, using F connectors and aiming the aerial in the correct direction will definitely help.

annah

25 posts

Geek

Reply # 203836 28-Mar-2009 08:29

I did explain to the guy at DSE what we had already and what we were planning to do and he told me everything I would need, which was the diplexer box and a connector, a RF connector Plug F Twist RG-6.

Spyware

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Reply # 203846 28-Mar-2009 09:22

Using twist on F types is NOT the way to go, short of being retarded you shouldn't use these connectors outside anyway. Either buy a crimping tool or get someone who knows what they are doing.

Ross

Spark FibreMAX using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+

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annah

25 posts

Geek

Reply # 203865 28-Mar-2009 13:11

We were just trying to do it ourselves first to save some cash before calling in a professional. It doesn't seem like that hard a job. The closest aerial installer lives in Invercargill so we'd have to pay him to travel out here, on top of paying him to do the job and it is also very likely that he would try and put the job until he had more than one job to do out here this way, meaning we would potentially have to wait some time until he came out.

tkr001

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Reply # 203899 28-Mar-2009 18:43

annah: We were just trying to do it ourselves first to save some cash before calling in a professional. It doesn't seem like that hard a job. The closest aerial installer lives in Invercargill so we'd have to pay him to travel out here, on top of paying him to do the job and it is also very likely that he would try and put the job until he had more than one job to do out here this way, meaning we would potentially have to wait some time until he came out.

Don't know what ypu paid DSE for all the stuff but I suggest you return it and pay Sky $145 to do it properly

http://skytv.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/skytv.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=213

annah

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Reply # 203946 29-Mar-2009 09:42

It was a whole lot less than $145

tkr001

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Reply # 203976 29-Mar-2009 13:46

sure but it doesn't work......better to get it done by someone who knows what they are doing.