What do these boxes do? and some other questions too...

Pyro Boy

Ok I have uploaded some of the boxes in my attic and I just want to know what each one does I have labeled them 1,2,3,4

Ok now my other questions:

I'm living in M onaghan near the town (5miles away) and can receive freeview however the signal comes and goes and was wondering what aerial I should be getting to get the best signal. I've read some of the posts here about different bands but still I'm not sure what one to get.
I've included the details on what the reception is like on the TV and where it is picking up the signal from, I can only pick up channel 34 . Also have a picture of the aerial used for bbc at the moment, is it any good and would I get more channels if I did upgrade my aerial?

channels on freeview http://www.myimg.us/images/11.02.10/15083.jpg

current aerial http://www.myimg.us/images/11.02.10/15084.jpg

signal strength http://www.myimg.us/images/11.02.10/15085.jpg

heh...
You've a contract aerial,the cheapest under the sun in an attic.
Get a proper group A aerial and put it outside and you will have continous uninterupted freeview.
You lose up to 20db being inside.
I know you have a masthead amp but that will also boost an outside aerial.
The boxes are usual masthead amp powersupply,combiners/diplexers etc.
Nothing to worry about.

Just put the aerial on a chimney or discretely at a gable end that has a view to Brougher mtn near Enniskillen and you'll be fine!

Tom Slick

I'm also near that part of the country. Divis transmitter (Belfast) may actually give a stronger signal, though 1 of the multiplexes (Sky News, Dave, E4+1 etc.) is outside group A.

How do you watch RTE? Box no.3 is a diplexer for combining a VHF aerial with the one pictured. Is it still there?

Nos. 2 & 4 are amps. No.1 is the power supply for these. Whoever wired these has left a lot of the inner cable exposed.

Tbh if he's getting that decent a signal level from a loft aerial , albeit powered,I'd not be changing over to Divis.I'd just be mounting it outside discretely at a gable end with the existing gear.

If it's north monaghan it's uniquely surrounded by NI to the north,the east and the west which must give it lovely choices but Brougher's yer only man by the looks of things.
The amp mightn't be needed after the power is multiplied by 10 at dso.

Tom Slick

Those channels (Film 4, Yesterday, ITV4 etc.) are the ones carried by Divis on Ch34 (I should have looked closer the 1st time).

Is that a group B aerial? (Yellow bung)

PauloMN

Lol was thinking to myself wtf is the masthead amp doing in the attic.... then I saw the aerial "install"! Good signal strength considering the setup.

holidaysong

Tom Slick wrote: »

I'm also near that part of the country. Divis transmitter (Belfast) may actually give a stronger signal, though 1 of the multiplexes (Sky News, Dave, E4+1 etc.) is outside group A.

That mux on channel 48, will it be moving back to a group A channel following the analogue switch off?

lawhec

holidaysong wrote: »

That mux on channel 48, will it be moving back to a group A channel following the analogue switch off?

Yes. PSB muxs to be on E21, E24 & E27, COM Multiplexes to be E23, E26 & E29.

Tom Slick

AFAIK, there may also be extra muxes (interleaved spectrum), though not sure of the channel allocations. Believe these are "left over" frequencies following switchover and could be used for (possibly limited) tv coverage.

I think channels 30 & 48 are being considered for Divis, subject to their impact on other transmitters.

Pyro Boy

Tom Slick wrote: »

How do you watch RTE? Box no.3 is a diplexer for combining a VHF aerial with the one pictured. Is it still there?

Nos. 2 & 4 are amps. No.1 is the power supply for these. Whoever wired these has left a lot of the inner cable exposed.

Watch RTE from another aerial (looks the exact same as the one I posted) using VHF ....I think monaghan is the last station with vhf transmitter (can't get TV3)

Would the excess of wire affect the signal or is it just best practice to cut it short?

Deleted User wrote: »

If it's north monaghan it's uniquely surrounded by NI to the north,the east and the west which must give it lovely choices but Brougher's yer only man by the looks of things.
The amp mightn't be needed after the power is multiplied by 10 at dso.

Haven't tried Brougher direction yet was only pointing at Divis so far

As regards of getting a new aerial is this one a good brand ? or have you any other suggestions.

At some point in the future I might be getting freesat (depends on how good the freeview goes) , could I then used the new aerial for Saorview when that comes online?

Thanks for all the comments

Tom Slick

Pyro Boy wrote: »

Watch RTE from another aerial (looks the exact same as the one I posted) using VHF ....I think monaghan is the last station with vhf transmitter (can't get TV3)

That wouldn't be a VHF aerial, but I suppose if it's a strong signal it probably works anyway.

Would the excess of wire affect the signal or is it just best practice to cut it short?

It could create interference within the boxes (the wires act like small aerials) or even just come into contact with something it shouldn't.

Those amps & diplexer seem to be old unscreened type (maybe UHF amp has some screening, going by photo), so wouldn't be the best for DTT.

Pyro Boy

Pyro Boy wrote: »

Haven't tried Brougher direction yet was only pointing at Divis so far

I stand corrected!
Thats a good reason why I put in the word "if".

Same advice applies though.
Stick with the one you are on! oh and put the aerial outside!

Pyro Boy

Tom Slick wrote: »

That wouldn't be a VHF aerial, but I suppose if it's a strong signal it probably works anyway.



It could create interference within the boxes (the wires act like small aerials) or even just come into contact with something it shouldn't.

Those amps & diplexer seem to be old unscreened type (maybe UHF amp has some screening, going by photo), so wouldn't be the best for DTT.

So should I replace them? And what about the wire it looks very old too.

Tom Slick

Pyro Boy wrote: »

So should I replace them? And what about the wire it looks very old too.

I'd only replace anything relating to VHF reception if I had no alternative.

The cables you can replace as a matter of course whenever you get new aerial(s). Not sure if they're going to upgrade Monaghan tx for DTT, depending on where you are you might get Clermont Carn (Ch53 vertical polarisation) or Cairn Hill (Ch47 horizontal).

Monaghan would be in the same channel group as Clermont, or we might have to wait for Saorsat.

Pyro Boy

Ok does anyone have any suggestions on a band A aerial and where to buy one from?

And any suggestions on what aerial to get to pick up saorview? whenever it gets to Monaghan. I tried looking at saorsat and freesat combined on the other forum but it's too early to buying it I think.

Tom Slick

Pyro Boy wrote: »

Ok does anyone have any suggestions on a band A aerial and where to buy one from?

Locally, Oriel Electric in Glaslough St. should be able to sort you out.