Freeview DVTB-T 2 of 3 MUXs Only

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MikeAqua

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Topic # 89615 6-Sep-2011 10:30

I installed Freeview Terrestrial in the weekend, with partial success only. Specifically I have TVNZ and TV3 et al Channels good, and the Prime/Maori/Trackside group are dectable but not viewable. I understand from searching the forum this means I am not picking up the Kordia MUX.

I am in Nelson, in "very likely" coverage area, with clear line of sight to the Mt Campbell transmitter which is 40km away and 1300m higher than our house.

I removed the old VHF and installed a new antenna - I am too new to post a link but its a Dick Smith L4735.

I used an F-crimp fitting and using sheildked RG-6 I have run the feed directly to a wall plate which has a saddle and clamp style termination, then via a 1.5M PAL lead to the TV, which is a Freeview Ready Sony Bravia.

I have spent a lot of time experimenting with aerial direction and I am confident its correct.

Any help appreciated, but the two main things puzzling me at the moment are: -

1) Is 40km too far for an unamplified signal?
2) The elements on my aerial are X-shaped, but they are vertically compresed so they look kind of like and x wing fighterand I am unsure if this makes them vertical or horizontal polarity.
(My neighbours all have rod style vertical elements and according to wikipedia Mt Campbell is vertical polarity).

Mike

Jaxson

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Reply # 517369 6-Sep-2011 10:42

Are you sure you haven't got the inner core touching the outer braid/shielding anywhere?

Personally I much prefer to bring the aerial all the way to the TV and forget the wall plates, especially if it's not a F crimp version etiher. Is your new RG6 cabling 'Sky rated'?

Have you tried the other polarity as a test?

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 517431 6-Sep-2011 12:12

MikeAqua:
2) The elements on my aerial are X-shaped, but they are vertically compresed so they look kind of like and x wing fighterand I am unsure if this makes them vertical or horizontal polarity.
(My neighbours all have rod style vertical elements and according to wikipedia Mt Campbell is vertical polarity).

From your description it sounds like you have mounted your aerial horizontal instead of vertical.
Should look like an x wing on its side and not in level flight.
The reflectors should look like an open book standing vertically.

MikeAqua

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Reply # 517525 6-Sep-2011 14:14

Thanks for the helpful posts.

I'll try the polarity first. Clearly I have it wrong, its a 5 minute job, and based on reading the threads on this forum it will make a significant difference to how much signal the antenna picks up.

I can bypass the wall plate and go straight into the TV, so I'll do that too, just having trouble tracking down a crimpable plug that will work with the push in PAL socket on the back of my TV.

The cable is sky approved RG6, purchased from a sky installer and I'm confident in my crimp at the aerial end, as I was very careful to lay back all the outer wires and its a snug crimp.

Mike

B1GGLZ

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Reply # 517534 6-Sep-2011 14:33

MikeAqua: Thanks for the helpful posts.

I can bypass the wall plate and go straight into the TV, so I'll do that too, just having trouble tracking down a crimpable plug that will work with the push in PAL socket on the back of my TV.

I use screw on f connectors and an f socket to Pal plug adaptor. $4.90 at Jaycar. Works fine.