Truskmore ghosting

Galway

I have just done a installation for a family member 8 miles south of Ballinrobe (Mayo),

I am getting a lot of ghosting on channel G RTÉ2 from Truskmore and some on channel 60 TV 3. None really noticeable on channel I RTÉ1 nor TG4 on channel 63. The signals are being combined and amplified in a UHF/VHF variable gain masthead amp (Johansson). Proper sat quality cable has been used. The aerials in use are for Band 3 a 6 element W/Band (those goldy Italian ones) and an Alcad channels 43-69 UHF 10 element (not a contract)

I get 39 - 40 dbuv on the Band 3 channels and 33 approx on the UHF ones, prior to amplification, as the signal is below threshold a masthead amp is needed.

I have tried repositioning the Band 3 aerial and turning the gain down, but that has just impaired the Band 3 reception and the ghosting on channel G is still there.

I propose to swap the Band 3 W/band for an Antiference Lp7 log periodic as these are supposed to be more effective at combatting multi path reception (i.e. ghosting) and the Alcad for a Triax Unix 53 c/d UHF aerial.

Any advice from professionals etc who have had this problem would be appreciated. Its odd that channels I and channel 63 are ok.

snaps

Im in Ballinrobe myself. Castlebar is usually used for RTE, Net 2, TG4 and Truskmore for TV3. The wideband grid aerials are the most common aerial used in this area as they are supposed to reduce ghosting.

I know that Truskmore/Castlebar really drops away south of Ballinrobe and dont forget as well there are a lot of mountains in the way!

Did you try Maghera? Maghera uses VHF & UHF so you should be OK with that setup? I know in Tuam, most people point their aerials south for Maghera and not North for Truskmore.

Also just to note, recently there has been horrific atmospherics here, interfearing with signals. On Friday i lost all Irish radio in the car and it was replaced with Spanish/French stations!

Galway

snaps wrote: »

Im in Ballinrobe myself. Castlebar is usually used for RTE, Net 2, TG4 and Truskmore for TV3. The wideband grid aerials are the most common aerial used in this area as they are supposed to reduce ghosting.

I know that Truskmore/Castlebar really drops away south of Ballinrobe and dont forget as well there are a lot of mountains in the way!

Did you try Maghera? Maghera uses VHF & UHF so you should be OK with that setup? I know in Tuam, most people point their aerials south for Maghera and not North for Truskmore.

Also just to note, recently there has been horrific atmospherics here, interfearing with signals. On Friday i lost all Irish radio in the car and it was replaced with Spanish/French stations!

Thanks for the reply. The location I am referring to is the on the Finny road out of Clonbur. Cbar isnt an option as for some reason TG4 on channel 23 doesnt come in at all, the direction is across the Partry mts so thats prob why. Maghera is weaker than Truskmore as there is a hill in the way - none of the aerials in the village itself which is the other side of the hill are using Maghera - all are facing Tmore, & are using masthead amps. The Truskmore signal is coming in strongest but still needs amplification, the direction is straight across Lough Mask but slightly to the right. The deflector from Balla can be received looking out straight across Lough Mask. I need to maximise the signal on TV3 so thats why a grid wasnt used, so I may need a higher gain group C/D yagi like a Triax Unix 52, which is supposed to reduce ghosting as is the LP7 Log periodic for Band 3 I propose to use. A grid cant be used for Cbar and Truskmore as the signals are too far apart and although grids have a wide angle of acceptance, there are limits. I guess another option is higher pole to try and clear the obstruction thats causing the ghosting - trees I suspect, in the distance. Its odd that the ghosting is worse on RTÉ2 channel G and some on Tv3 channel 60 with none on RTÉ1 channel I nor TG4 channel 63.

snaps

Galway wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. The location I am referring to is the on the Finny road out of Clonbur. Cbar isnt an option as for some reason TG4 on channel 23 doesnt come in at all, the direction is across the Partry mts so thats prob why. Maghera is weaker than Truskmore as there is a hill in the way - none of the aerials in the village itself which is the other side of the hill are using Maghera - all are facing Tmore, & are using masthead amps. The Truskmore signal is coming in strongest but still needs amplification, the direction is straight across Lough Mask but slightly to the right. The deflector from Balla can be received looking out straight across Lough Mask. I need to maximise the signal on TV3 so thats why a grid wasnt used, so I may need a higher gain group C/D yagi like a Triax Unix 52, which is supposed to reduce ghosting as is the LP7 Log periodic for Band 3 I propose to use. A grid cant be used for Cbar and Truskmore as the signals are too far apart and although grids have a wide angle of acceptance, there are limits. I guess another option is higher pole to try and clear the obstruction thats causing the ghosting - trees I suspect, in the distance. Its odd that the ghosting is worse on RTÉ2 channel G and some on Tv3 channel 60 with none on RTÉ1 channel I nor TG4 channel 63.

Yes i know that area well. I would say the ghosting is due to the terrain, with reflected signals being received. Is there a relay at Mamm??

Galway

snaps wrote: »

Yes i know that area well. I would say the ghosting is due to the terrain, with reflected signals being received. Is there a relay at Mamm??

Yes but I am the other side of it and its far too weak @ 20 watts!

Should not all four channels be ghosting so? Its only channels G and 60 theres a problem with.

snaps

Just checked my channel 60 from Truskmore (TV3) and yes Ive got ghosting on that.

I don't have a VHF setup as i only am using the trial DTT system now and Castlebar, Truskmore and Balla (deflector) gave me everything i needed on UHF!

Galway

snaps wrote: »

Just checked my channel 60 from Truskmore (TV3) and yes Ive got ghosting on that.

I don't have a VHF setup as i only am using the trial DTT system now and Castlebar, Truskmore and Balla (deflector) gave me everything i needed on UHF!

Any ghosting on channel 63 TG4 from Truskmore?

snaps

Galway wrote: »

Any ghosting on channel 63 TG4 from Truskmore?

Im getting TG4 on channel 23 from castlebar on analogue!

But channel 63 is giving slight ghosting

Galway

snaps wrote: »

Im getting TG4 on channel 23 from castlebar on analogue!

But channel 63 is giving slight ghosting

Well Im guess I am going to have to upgrade the aerials to try and minimise the ghosting. I had none on RTÉ1 or TG4 and Castlebar isnt an option at the site. Btw Cbar analogue is received all over Tuam and beyond as far as Ballybrit on the Tuam road, so is getting well further than the intended service area.

Galway

I replaced the 7 element Band 3 aerial with an antiference LP7 and the UHF with a Triax Unix 52 C/D. I have eliminated the ghosting on RTÉ 2 Ch. G and the pictures have improved on Tv3 ch 60 and TG on 63. The VHF channels have suffered a bit on the gain side with the LP7 but the ghosting on RTE 2 is minimised. I think Truskmore isnt on full power as they are in the process of commissioning the new taller mast. The DTT on channel 53 gave me a pass on the meter so I am not going to lose any sleep over the analogue for now with the DTT going official in the Autumn and cheaper STBs hopefully becoming available.

sligojoek

RTE have announced an outage tomorrow 14th to facilitate the changeover to the new mast.

Galway

sligojoek wrote: »

RTE have announced an outage tomorrow 14th to facilitate the changeover to the new mast.

That will hopefully mean improved reception on VHF Band 3 channels G and I.

sligojoek

Galway wrote: »

That will hopefully mean improved reception on VHF Band 3 channels G and I.

Hopefully is right. I'm near the transmitter but in the shadow of another mountain and can just about get RTE1 & 2. TV3 & TG4 are non-existent from the old mast. I can see the tip of the new mast from my back yard so hopefully I should be able to get them all this evening. Fingers crossed.

Is the new mast up and running yet and if so what are the differences in reception?

byrnefm

zorro2566 wrote: »

Is the new mast up and running yet and if so what are the differences in reception?

I don't think it is - and if it is, it's not at full power as the reception along the south coast near Killybegs has not improved yet.

byte

Was chatting to an RTE engineer the other week and he said it's not ready yet. Easily a few months more he reckoned.

lawhec

Analogue TV reception from Truskmore has been worse than usual in the last few weeks here, TG4 in particular. Haven't had the chance to check digital reception.

sligojoek

It's much the same as it always was here. RTE1 and 2 are OK TV3 and TG4 are awful. If the new mast was active, I'd have an improvment in signal cos I can now see it peeping it's head over the mountain between Truskmore and me.