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ahmad

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#59137 28-Mar-2010 09:07
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We are looking for a solution to get UHF in a second room. An indoor splitter and running cabling to supply a second TV is an idea but would prefer not to have wires running between the two rooms which are a hallway apart if possible. 

I have read up some old threads but have a few questions about indoor UHF aerials.

I have already tried VHF bunny ears but this was not successful. However I know our house in Dunedin has direct LOS to the transmitting tower hill. 

1. Does LOS refer to the property you are trying to receive the signal from or the antenna itself? ie. Does the antenna need to be pointing out a window directly at the tower? Or does it just need to be inside a house that has LOS?

2. There seem to be three "UHF indoor aerials" on the Dick Smith website. Some "powered". Which are "better? Are there problems that powered ones can introduce? I read some suggestion of this but it was not elaborated on. 

3. Aside from the DSE $40-60 options does anyone know of any cheaper options?

4. How much would a 10-15m coax cable to extend the current aerial signal cost to buy or make?

5. Any idea how much it might cost a aerial installer to split my signal and create a new wall outlet in the second room?

Any answers would be much appreciated :)

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richms
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  #312109 28-Mar-2010 17:45
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UHF indoor from the $2 type shop worked for me when plain bunny ears failed. Just cut off the VHF parts since they are redundant on a TV nowdays.




Richard rich.ms



nbroad
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  #312295 29-Mar-2010 09:49
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I bought one of these and it works ok on a samsung with built in freeview. I am in Palmerston North cannot actually see the transmitter from my house, there are a couple of trees and houses in the way.
I pointed it out the window in the correct direction and used the built in signal strength and error count meters on the TV to fine tune the orientation. It works fine but if I knock the antenna slightly off line then I have to 'fine tune' again.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=274263186

Cheers.

KFB

KFB
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  #312313 29-Mar-2010 10:19
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The line of sight refers to the transmit and receive antennas. UHF signals are quickly attenuated and distorted passing through or bouncing off walls, folliage etc.
A small outside antenna with line of sight will perform much better than any flash inside antenna.
Some houses have cladding or lining that will produce a serious shielding to UHF signals.
Unfortunately UHF does not "bend" as well as the lower frequencies, anthough it does penetrate apertures better due to the shorter wavelengths.

Your best course is to have one good antenna outside, with a quality coax feed to a good quality spltter to share the signal between the rooms. There will be a 3db loss (in a perfect world) of signal due to splitting and if the signal is now too degraded to share, it is better to improve the signal by using a an antenna with more gain, the second best move is to boost the signal with a mast head pre-amplifier.

Best regards,
Keith

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