Tv Aerial Opinion

christo82

Hey, I need to replace my current aerial and was wondering had anyone any experience with this aerial and whether it's worth the money?

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5352069/Trail/searchtext%3EAERIAL.htm

Thanks

Vince Cable

Flimsy & overpriced; this Unix 52 is a better equivalent or you may not need such a large aerial at all if it's just for Irish channels.

12 element

Don't buy an aerial from Argos they're terrible and overpriced. I presume you will be pointing it at 3 rock? Will you be using it for digital only or analogue and digital?

lucernarian

Skerries? If you pick up the NI channels, you might want to wait until 2013 before you make a purchase. Kilkeel may be easier to pick up digitally but it may also not work at all so an expensive aerial would be a waste of time. It's hard to tell exactly what will happen until we draw closer to ASO.

A group B Unix 52 will be a good option if you can get some sort of NI reception in your area currently. Clermont Carn will be strong enough to tolerate use of a Group B aerial for RTE 1, 2 and all the digital broadcasts in the future however analogue TV3 may be slightly fuzzy in comparison/

christo82

I do get the Irish channels(analogue and Saorview) atm, though the analogue TV3 and TG4 are almost unwatchable. The Saorview is reasonable steady but does go off sometimes and breakup. I also get the NI British channels on analogue. I would really be looking for a reliable signal from Saorview and a reasonably good picture on NI analogue. Though I know analogue will be going off in 2012 in NI.

12 element

Any chance of freeview channels where you are I wonder?

lucernarian

No freeview in Skerries. Anything received would be due to weather conditions. How strong are the NI analogue channels currently? Would they be strong enough to support any Teletext/Ceefax for example?

Assuming what's being used is a grid (bowtie) aerial, I am suprised to hear TV3 is almost unwatchable. I suggest that you try replacing the entire length of cable rather than replacing the aerial just yet. This can make a massive difference on channels. You really shouldn't be having any problems with receiving TV3 and TG4 in Skerries unless you don't have an outdoors aerial.

How old is the existing aerial, amp and cable used for your house?

christo82

The NI channels are pretty good with Teletext, just get a bit fuzzy especially in Summer. The aerial I have currently is the most basic aerial you can get. Looks like this http://www.tvtrade.ie/black-wide-band-uhf-aerial.html.
I think I've had that for about 6 years, the wiring would be alot older than that. I'll look into replacing that first then and see how I get on.

thx

12 element

The contract aerial is doing well lasting that long! They're not the best, some don't even have a balun in them. If your going up on the roof replacing the cable I'd say your as well replace it with a new one. I don't know if you'll need something as big as a 52 element aerial but it won't hurt either. Alcad do nice 19 or 45 element aerials.