what antenna and where

jaydub

I need some help,

funds are low, Chrustmas is a month away, I have the lend of a t.v and got some antennas out of a skip.... one works, it picks up RTE 1 and 2 really good. TV3 and Tna G are barely there...

I take it I need a different aeriel where do I get it, what does it look like and any other hints?

Sparky

TV3 and TG4 need a VHF aerial afaik.

Moved to Cable & Digital>>>>Terrestrial

Antenna

jaydub wrote:

=
I take it I need a different aeriel where do I get it, what does it look like and any other hints?

Where are you in the country?, very important info to supply with this question.

Sparky-s wrote:

TV3 and TG4 need a VHF aerial afaik.

You mean RTE1 and 2 need a VHF aerial in some parts of the country

jaydub

Hi ,

I seriously appreciate your response,

I am in donegal town, I hear certain areas outside the town piped tv can receive good signal on all irish channels and it is possible to pick up uk channels without C4.

I just think its worth experimenting with some antennas/cable/connectors without calling local TV guys to "stick the arm in"

I tried one of those plug in tv top rabbit ears from "ONE" I paid €40 in Argos for it and to be honest if I sat in front of the telly with co ax taped to my big toe I'd get a better signal!!!!

Ulsterman 1690

I have the lend of a t.v and got some antennas out of a skip

Im all in favour of recycling but.......:eek:

Mind you it is a rather damning indictment of €40 aerial out of Argos that the one you fished out of a skip works better. :rolleyes:

To answer your question though TV3 and TG4 are (like the UK channels) only transmitted on UHF
RTE1 and RTE2 are transmitted on UHF to about (give or take) a third of Ireland and VHF to the rest.

So its probable that if you want all four channels you need a VHF aerial (for RTE 1 and 2) and a UHF aerial (for TV3 and TG4)

By the sound of it the aerial you found in the skip is a VHF

If the aerial has a SMALL number (4 - 12 but usually no more than 7) LONG elements ("rods") its probably a VHF aerial (unless its one of the of those crappy things that sits on top of a TV)

If the aerial has a LARGE number (at least 10) of SHORT elements (Alternatively a large metal "grid" with two or four "crosses" in front ) its probably a UHF

watty

Those setup aerials are meary all junk.

byte

jaydub wrote:

Hi ,

I seriously appreciate your response,

I am in donegal town, I hear certain areas outside the town piped tv can receive good signal on all irish channels and it is possible to pick up uk channels without C4.

I just think its worth experimenting with some antennas/cable/connectors without calling local TV guys to "stick the arm in"

I tried one of those plug in tv top rabbit ears from "ONE" I paid €40 in Argos for it and to be honest if I sat in front of the telly with co ax taped to my big toe I'd get a better signal!!!!

Whereabouts roughly in Donegal Town?

Most parts of the town can receive both channels well, though you will probably need an external aerial to pick up TV3/TG4. The likes of Ardeskin however is sometimes hit and miss, due to the hill sometimes being in the way of the signal path (which comes from Truskmore, Sligo). Or an external aerial in the attic, if you're in a high-ish area like Drumrooske or The Glebe for example.

byte

Forgot to mention...

For TV3/TG4, you'll need a Group C/D aerial (will have green tips). Or if you've a grid aerial lying around.

For both RTE's a VHF (Band III) aerial is needed and then a UHF/VHF diplexer to combine both. The rabbits ears might do as the VHF aerial.

For the BBC's and UTV (not Ch4) you'll need a Free To Air satellite system. Lidl do these from time to time if you're on a budget.