Internal aerial - tips to increase reception?

dulpit

Hey all,

We have a pretty crappy Tesco internal TV aerial (looks something like this: http://www.tesco.com/direct/technika-46db-amplified-aerial-black-and-white/209-4178.prd?skuId=209-4178&pageLevel=) and when it's locked in our signal on Saorview is perfect. The problem is it's super-sensitive, if something is set down next to it, or if it gets moved a little or even if someone is sitting next to it or not, the reception can go.

Is there any tips on how to improve the reception with these things? It's already plugged into a booster thing, and we aren't in a situation where we can get a bigger/better aerial...

The Cush

That's the problem with indoor aerials, they are susceptible to local interference. Maybe move it to another location in the room or another room. The only real way around it is an attic or outdoor aerial.

This from RTÉNL

Can I Use An Indoor Portable Aerial, Rabbits Ears?

RTÉNL does not recommend the use of indoor portable aerials. They are too susceptible to localised physical and electrical interference. Terrestrial transmission of television, analogue and digital, is designed and built around rooftop reception.

It will be possible for over 50% of the population to receive SAORVIEW with an indoor portable aerial. However on a house to house basis there are many factors than impact on the effectiveness of a portable aerial. For example the orientation of your house, the location of the television in the house, the construction materials, the insulation materials, the proximity to neighbouring houses, walls and obstructions will all impact reception.

An outdoor aerial, positioned as high as possible, pointing towards the appropriate transmission site, with no local obstructions is recommended and will give the best results.

JOSman

+1

JRH

When i was helping a friend setup their tv ... the indoor aerial they were using for analog rte was poor / marginal for saorview ... but this little aerial i brought along was stable ...
could be worth a shot for the price of it ..


http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Olympik-X1-Indoor-TV-Aerial-UHF-Digital-RRP-9-99-/110604864507?pt=UK_ConElec_TVAerials_RL&hash=item19c0904bfb

watty

What is with you and eBay?
That's available as low as €6 in the Irish street and already recommended as the best value internal aerial on the Sticky.

If it doesn't work you need an external aerial outdoors, or possibly an external aerial in the attic.

dulpit

watty wrote: »

What is with you and eBay?
That's available as low as €6 in the Irish street and already recommended as the best value internal aerial on the Sticky.

If it doesn't work you need an external aerial outdoors, or possibly an external aerial in the attic.

€6 in stores? Where would I find one? (I'm in Cork)

JRH

watty wrote: »

What is with you and eBay?
That's available as low as €6 in the Irish street and already recommended as the best value internal aerial on the Sticky.

If it doesn't work you need an external aerial outdoors, or possibly an external aerial in the attic.

Ebay ... easier than hoofing round the shops .. its the modern way

But none i know of that cheap in Galway anyway ...

watty

I buy lots on eBay, but not at a premium.

Compton

watty wrote: »

I buy lots on eBay, but not at a premium.

You've got to be joking. How is £7.00 delivered a premium?

watty

It's 50% more than the cost in a Limerick shop.
These are cheap, simple effective indoor aerials.

More importantly why is an Inferior "one for all" in Tesco about €34 Euro and the Tesco own brand "copy" €54?

lasno

Hi Watty, I need one of these for a neighbour could you tell me what shop has this aerial? pm me if it is not allowed to name shop here.

Many thanks

Mearings

This aerial is on ebay for £3.99 + £2.75p&p.
I bought one in a local 2euro shop for use with a FM tuner, ok.
No idea how it works for tv reception but at least it won't break you.

uck51js9zml2yt

I got an internal aerial in argod for €6.49.

I assume argos have reached cork:D

dulpit

lasno wrote: »

Hi Watty, I need one of these for a neighbour could you tell me what shop has this aerial? pm me if it is not allowed to name shop here.

Many thanks

This as well please.

I couldn't be arsed using Ebay to be honest, instant gratification ftw...

STB

dulpit wrote: »

Hey all,

We have a pretty crappy Tesco internal TV aerial (looks something like this: http://www.tesco.com/direct/technika-46db-amplified-aerial-black-and-white/209-4178.prd?skuId=209-4178&pageLevel=) and when it's locked in our signal on Saorview is perfect. The problem is it's super-sensitive, if something is set down next to it, or if it gets moved a little or even if someone is sitting next to it or not, the reception can go.

Is there any tips on how to improve the reception with these things? It's already plugged into a booster thing, and we aren't in a situation where we can get a bigger/better aerial...

To answer your question.

You need to move the aerial itself onto a window cill. You may have to buy a length of coax to junction/extend the existing aerial lead to get it back to the TV.

Positioning is everything. on top of the Tv, middle of the room = no.

Window Cill = Yes.

dulpit

STB wrote: »

To answer your question.

You need to move the aerial itself onto a window cill. You may have to buy a length of coax to junction/extend the existing aerial lead to get it back to the TV.

Positioning is everything. on top of the Tv, middle of the room = no.

Window Cill = Yes.

It's on the windowsill

Sam Russell

STB wrote: »

To answer your question.

You need to move the aerial itself onto a window cill. You may have to buy a length of coax to junction/extend the existing aerial lead to get it back to the TV.

Positioning is everything. on top of the Tv, middle of the room = no.

Window Cill = Yes.

Position is everything, but each location is different. In my bedroom, the best place is infact below the TV, facing the middle of the room and not pointing in the general direction of the transmitter. The aerial is home made from a wire-coathanger, a small lump of wood, and a length of brown co-ax that is not fit for anything else. I get a quality reading of 83% under the TV. Near the window it varies around 40% - 50% with breakup. These figures just go to show what a black art reception of UHF is.

The basic rule is 'Try it - you might be surprised.' Also, use the TV or STB to give signal and quality figures as this will allow you to find the best location as you cannot do it by eye.

dulpit

Hey, sorry to bump this thread, but does anyone know where I could get one of these aerials in a brick & mortar shop in Cork?

Cesium Clock

dulpit wrote: »

Hey, sorry to bump this thread, but does anyone know where I could get one of these aerials in a brick & mortar shop in Cork?

Try a shop that sells metal coat hangers :rolleyes:

Sam Russell

dulpit wrote: »

Hey, sorry to bump this thread, but does anyone know where I could get one of these aerials in a brick & mortar shop in Cork?

.... or get some clothes dry-cleaned.

penelope2012

My first post but have to say thanks for saving me from dumping the rabbit ears! I am in the unhappy position of having 6 unsuitable tv's for saorview and I am one of those still deciding whether to get set top box or new tv's and holding off on changeover! I am posting here as at the moment I have a tv working from rabbit ears in my bedroom - not only does it pick up the regular rte, tv3 and Tg4 stations but I can pick up BBC1 and Channel 4 as well and they are good enough to watch. Is there a small chance that this tv will work with an indoor aerial after changeover? I ask as most new tv's do not have a port to connect the indoor aerial to so I am wondering what kind of internal aerials the thread is about.

Your thoughts would be welcome!

The Cush

penelope2012 wrote: »

I ask as most new tv's do not have a port to connect the indoor aerial to so I am wondering what kind of internal aerials the thread is about.

Your thoughts would be welcome!

All TVs have the same RF input for use with indoor/outdoor aerials, doesn't matter if the signal is digital or analogue . Who told you different?

Peter Rhea

What part of the country are you in to get UK channels on an indoor aerial?

dulpit

penelope2012 wrote: »

My first post but have to say thanks for saving me from dumping the rabbit ears! I am in the unhappy position of having 6 unsuitable tv's for saorview and I am one of those still deciding whether to get set top box or new tv's and holding off on changeover! I am posting here as at the moment I have a tv working from rabbit ears in my bedroom - not only does it pick up the regular rte, tv3 and Tg4 stations but I can pick up BBC1 and Channel 4 as well and they are good enough to watch. Is there a small chance that this tv will work with an indoor aerial after changeover? I ask as most new tv's do not have a port to connect the indoor aerial to so I am wondering what kind of internal aerials the thread is about.

Your thoughts would be welcome!

Indoor aerials or outdoor aerials all have the same connector at the end (coaxial cables) so it shouldn't matter a whit if you use an indoor or outdoor aerial...

I've also read elsewhere that if you have a good picture on TV3 on analogue then it'll work fine for Saorview...

Antenna

regarding the Technika 46dB Amplified Aerial:

dulpit wrote: »

Is there any tips on how to improve the reception with these things?

DO you know what transmitter you are receiving from?

If the transmitter transmits with Vertical rather than Horizontal polarisation position that technica aerial like this instead so that the base is vertical:
(placing it on top of a plastic box may improve matters)




BTW the two rods are for VHF-TV/FM radio/DAB radio, not UHF so extending them would not improve UHF reception.
THe loop between the rods is the UHF aerial and has maximum pickup broadside to it


Also I assume you have tried turning the gain down on its built in signal booster in case it is up too much.

dulpit

Antenna wrote: »

regarding the Technika 46dB Amplified Aerial:


DO you know what transmitter you are receiving from?

If the transmitter transmits with Vertical rather than Horizontal polarisation position that technica aerial like this instead so that the base is vertical:
(placing it on top of a plastic box may improve matters)




BTW the two rods are for VHF-TV/FM radio/DAB radio, not UHF so extending them would not improve UHF reception.
THe loop between the rods is the UHF aerial and has maximum pickup broadside to it


Also I assume you have tried turning the gain down on its built in signal booster in case it is up too much.

I will try all of this when I get home, nice one...

penelope2012

I am in County Roscommon but near Mayo our house is on a height so that may help. I looked again this morning and can get clear picture in colour with perfect sound on BBC1, clear picture with less than perfect sound C4, less clear picture and good sound BBC2. I can also see utv at times too. It is not connected to anything just has the indoor aerial (the straight type).
P.

Peter Rhea

Your original question concerning the tv aerial input has been answered anyway, unless it's some kind of American twin lead setup you have.

penelope2012

dulpit wrote: »

Indoor aerials or outdoor aerials all have the same connector at the end (coaxial cables) so it shouldn't matter a whit if you use an indoor or outdoor aerial...

I've also read elsewhere that if you have a good picture on TV3 on analogue then it'll work fine for Saorview...

Of course that makes sense I will definitely be holding onto any indoor aerials I can find!! I get an excellent picture on TV3 from the indoor aerial so will be trying that when I get set up for Saorview.:)

dulpit

Antenna wrote: »

regarding the Technika 46dB Amplified Aerial:


DO you know what transmitter you are receiving from?

If the transmitter transmits with Vertical rather than Horizontal polarisation position that technica aerial like this instead so that the base is vertical:
(placing it on top of a plastic box may improve matters)




BTW the two rods are for VHF-TV/FM radio/DAB radio, not UHF so extending them would not improve UHF reception.
THe loop between the rods is the UHF aerial and has maximum pickup broadside to it


Also I assume you have tried turning the gain down on its built in signal booster in case it is up too much.

Finally got a chance to play around with the aerial yesterday, turning it sideways seems to have fixed all my problems, so nice one!

Eugbug

dulpit wrote: »

Hey all,

We have a pretty crappy Tesco internal TV aerial (looks something like this: http://www.tesco.com/direct/technika-46db-amplified-aerial-black-and-white/209-4178.prd?skuId=209-4178&pageLevel=) and when it's locked in our signal on Saorview is perfect. The problem is it's super-sensitive, if something is set down next to it, or if it gets moved a little or even if someone is sitting next to it or not, the reception can go.

Is there any tips on how to improve the reception with these things? It's already plugged into a booster thing, and we aren't in a situation where we can get a bigger/better aerial...

If you are using an aerial like this with telescopic dipole rods which is also designed for use on VHF, you need to experiment with the length of the rods. For VHF the rods should be pulled out fully, but the Saorview signal is broadcast on UHF so try shortening both rods to get the best signal. Putting the aerial up into the attic is probably the best solution to increase the signal. Also there are transmitters at Mullaghanish and Dungarvan and if you are in the extreme east of Cork, Dungarvan might be giving a better signal so point your aerial this way!