Headford, Galway - New Aerial Recommendation

dodgyleg

Hi All,
Existing UHF aerial has taken a battering in the winds a few weeks ago here in headford so its time for a new one. I wasn't able to pick up TV3 and RTE2 was very sketchy on the old aerial (installed by pervious houseowner!). I'd like to get these channels as well and have the aerial suitable for DTT.

Anyone recommend an aerial suitable for the above and where to purchase? Any help gratefully recieved. If have to get VHF aerial to get TV3 would a combined yoke be better than 2 separate aerials?

Ta in advance,

D.

Galway

Do you know what direction your aerial(s) is/are facing?

Do you have a VHF band 3 aerial and a UHF one?

cnocbui

I recently upgraded my antenna with excellent results. I had to get it from the UK, though. The details are in this thread http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=60110587&postcount=15

snaps

i live a few miles north of you and just have a cheap 10 element uhf aerial pointed at castlebar for perfect reception of all 4 irish channels plus i am getting DTT from both truskmore (Sligo) and maghera (Gort) very strong. The best thing for you to do is see what your neighbours are using (I know castlebar drops off very quick) and you may need to get a vhf and a uhf pointed at maghera in clare, But bear in mind VHF will soon be switched off so check before buying diplexer, vhf aerial etc as a straight uhf may just do the trick for castlebar

Galway

VHF band 3 isnt going to be switched off any time soon. you will still need 2 aerials if you go for Castlebar for Rte 1 & 2 and TG4 and another to get TV 3 from Maghera or Truskmore. The signal quality output from Castlebar isnt the best and not as good as a main transmitter like Maghera or Truskmore. Castlebar relay isnt that well maintained - the TG4 used to be ropey at best - has improved of late but now RTE 2 isnt the best. I can compare Maghera, Cairn Hill and Castlebar (3 separate aerial installations) and CB is noticeable inferior.

DTT from Maghera has been off for the last 4 days or so.

You would need an set top box for DTT - it is only a test and not a proper service as yet so no official boxes available yet.

Sponge Bob

no tv3 means the signal came from Cornamona to the west or Tuam/Abbeyknockmoy to the east .

Find a neighbour with tv3 first

Galway

In Headford area TV 3 more likely to be coming from Maghera (co. clare) on channel 66

snaps

I get all 4 irish channels off castlebar on 1 single uhf aerial, but chance tv3 being received from truskmore which sits directly behind castlebar from me.

Mike 1972

VHF band 3 isnt going to be switched off any time soon.

2012 maybe.

Would Headford be too far west for Cairnhill (4 channels -one aerial) ?

would a combined yoke be better than 2 separate aerials?

Combined VHF/UHF aerials are not that common in Ireland. They arent as good as seperate aerials but may be good enough for Maghera if the signal in Headford is strong enough (not well up on that part of the world to be able to say for sure)

Galway

Headford is in the Maghera service area, u should get castlebar but no TV 3, and the quality of the output from Croaghmoyle Mt there isnt always the best (CB is a relay, albeit a high power UHF one on 9kw), You can try cairn hill (longford) but i fear ur too far west unless you went for a large high gain group B aerial plus a mashead amp of up to 35db gain. Truskmore main transmitter (Sligo) is a possibly but requires same aerials as for Maghera - VHF band 3 + UHF group c/d, so there little point if Maghera is the highest signal in your area. From my recollection, most aerials in Headford are receiving from Maghera, except those being used for the Balla deflector for UK channels, Castlebar will come thro on these too, but remember.. no TV 3 from CB!