large mesh antennae near kinswood

kinvara64

Hi , was visiting dublin at the weekend , and while on the luas travelling to heuston from tallaght i spotted a number of large (6 feet diameter approx ) mesh antenna on a number of houses near kingswood. They were like massive mmds antenna, pointing NE Direction . Any info please

kinvara64

No motive just wondering . ah well no harm in asking

Mike 1972

Not familliar with the location you mention but they could have been parabolic UHF aerials pointing at Divis or Kilkeel

Fuzzy Clam

Were there grid style UHF TV antennae fitted in front of the dishes?
I haven't seen the ones your talking about but, about 20 to 30 years ago, they were common enough in the country. Still see the odd one about. Some could be 20 or more feet across.

L1011

Based on the age of the houses and the direction they're pointing, they're almost certainly antennae for Northern Irish channels dating to before there was cable in Kingswood/Kilnamanagh (depending on which side of the line they were on).

My office is nearby so I'll take a look out and see if I can figure out what they are.

They are NI uhf aerials.
Theres one down this way pointed to presely. with the large mesh at the back of a grid aerial.

The mesh is suppose to cut out unwanted signal from behind.

old_aussie

The mesh is to reduce weight and wind drag, otherwise a strong wind will move it on the axis(pole)

No!

kinvara64

Thanks , they just caught my eye ,and am interested in all things tv related. and they just reminded me of a large mmds aerial. also they just seemed to be a cluster of them in kingswood . cheers

lucernarian

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Not familliar with the location you mention but they could have been parabolic UHF aerials pointing at Divis or Kilkeel

From other threads I've seen here and from seeing those aerials in the flesh, you're correct and right.

They are so large because of the relatively lower frequencies of UHF compared to satellite dishes. It works on the same principle at one. There's usually a 2 bay grid aerial pointing towards the much larger circular "mesh". I believe the mesh focuses the wanted signal on the small grid aerial part I believe.

I don't have a clue on the gain of them though.

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

From other threads I've seen here and from seeing those aerials in the flesh, you're correct and right.

They are so large because of the relatively lower frequencies of UHF compared to satellite dishes. It works on the same principle at one. There's usually a 2 bay grid aerial pointing towards the much larger circular "mesh". I believe the mesh focuses the wanted signal on the small grid aerial part I believe.

I don't have a clue on the gain of them though.

Just to add my 2d,s worth,could these "Dishs" be the old USA satellite "C" band? Probobly a silly idea,but without a picture who knows,if all else fails someone could wrap the door and ask?

lucernarian

Oh no, there would be no need to put C-band dishes on large poles unless there was a mountain or skyscraper blocking the view!

The UHF parabolic "mesh aerials" are lacking in metal and the wires and bars in it would be widely spaced apart. Such an aerial is meant to be used at a height so weight and windload considerations are large.

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Oh no, there would be no need to put C-band dishes on large poles unless there was a mountain or skyscraper blocking the view!

The UHF parabolic "mesh aerials" are lacking in metal and the wires and bars in it would be widely spaced apart. Such an aerial is meant to be used at a height so weight and windload considerations are large.

Sorry,missed the "Pole " bit,still it only cost me 2d

lucernarian

reboot wrote: »

Sorry,missed the "Pole " bit,still it only cost me 2d

Nicely put:D There's never harm in asking a question on a forum, forums are all about communication of all sorts and sharing knowledge. If we just (for example) used the search function to get an answer for every question possible, boards would be a much quieter place.

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Nicely put:D There's never harm in asking a question on a forum, forums are all about communication of all sorts and sharing knowledge. If we just (for example) used the search function to get an answer for every question possible, boards would be a much quieter place.

Thanks for that,I am now encouraged to move on ,and at least spend a penny.