Getting RTE from Wales

ajm184

I'm trying to gain a stronger signal from RTE (especially RTE 2) which i am trying to pick up from a uhf aerial across the sea on the mid wales coast, many people pick up RTE in the area, however despite numerous boosters and attempts its been a struggle to get a decent signal, which is a big problem when the Sunday Game rolls in. Is it simply the fact that the signal has to travel a good 60-80 miles across the sea that means we get a weak signal, or could anyone advise on a way that i can boost this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

AJ.

sirlinux

What transmitter are you trying for, if it's mount leinster rte 2 is on vhf and it's also screened to the east(or at least it used to be) which could be a problem for you.

Ulsterman 1690

mount leinster rte 2 is on vhf and it's also screened to the east(or at least it used to be)

Mt Leinster is partially screened to the east (on the VHF channels anyway)
Kippure is fairly omnidirectional

despite numerous boosters and attempts its been a struggle to get a decent signal

What kind of aerial are you using ?

How many elements ?

How high ?

rlogue

The best bet would be to use Kippure, with RTE 1 on channel E and RTE 2 on channel H. However as this transmitter uses Band III rather than UHF for these two channels you will need a high gain Band III aerial, horizontally polarised, and a Band III capable TV. TV3 and TG4 are broadcast on UHF and you would need a group C/D aerial horizontally polarised for these channels.

If you only have a UHF capable TV then the Three Rock transmitter would be OK but the signal will be much weaker than that from Kippure. RTE 1 is on channel 29, RTE 2 on channel 33, TV3 is on channel 35 and TG4 is on channel 55. The aerial will need to be horizontally polarised.

A list of transmitters and their location is at http://www.irish-tv.com/irishtrans.asp

Adds: It might be worth trying to scan a Freeview receiver if your aerial is pointing at Three Rock. The four Irish terrestrials are currently being broadcast FTA in DVB-T from this site. A high gain Group A aerial, horizontally polarised would be needed. I am not sure if the DTT transmissions are restricted towards Wales, but it might be worth a try.

lucernarian

A high-gain group C/D would be needed for the DVB-T broadcasts from Three Rock. Channel 54. I've found that I can pick up the multiplex even when the analogue broadcasts are only managing black and white and lots of fuzz. The digital coverage is quite good and it would be worth giving it a try.

Ulsterman 1690

actually rereading the original post it looks like the OP is recieving from Three Rock.

Given a VHF capable TV and VHF aerial Kippure would be a far better bet as Three Rock is limited to 25 Kilowatts.

Only downside is if one wants all four channels they need a VHF and a UHF aerial

Other alternative is to stay with Three Rock and try freeview Irish DTT transmissions are speced for much higher power than those in the UK so there is a good chance of seeing something