My TV signal is gone - splitter problem?

Padraig Mor

Hi,

Hopefully someone here can help me! We have a "double aerial" on our roof which is distributed throughout the house by way of a 4 way splitter in the attic (Triax 347014 HTS4). This has a power pass feature (presumably to provide power to a masthead amplifier); the 'power box' of which lies forlornly on our living room floor. Presently, the system is solely used to feed the TV in our bedroom as we have Sky downstairs. Since we got the TV upstairs a few years ago, we had ongoing problems with the channels disappearing (we had RTE, UK channels as we were in South Coast TV area, but no TV3). A quick 'jiggle' with the aerial cable from the attic entering the power box usually sorted this, although we did notice that sometimes specific channels would disappear. When Saorview arrived, initially all was well (we have one of the Bush boxes) - we did lose signal but playing with the cable sorted this. However, it has now deteriorated to the point where we no longer receive any signal at the TV. I have stripped and re-inserted the aerial cable into the power box to no avail. I am presuming the problem is with the power box and/or splitter.

It makes no difference to me as I don't watch TV in bed. However, I am now getting serious gip from the wife over it so it's time to get it sorted! Anyone have any suggestions? Apologies also if my technical terms are a bit incorrect! Thanks for your help.

Peter Rhea

What kind of connectors are used? The correct way to wire the 'traditional' Belling-Lee type is here: http://www.megalithia.com/elect/bellinglee/index.html

Soldering the centre conductor is the only way to guarantee a good DC connection for powering an amplifier. Also, some of these plugs have a screw that clamps the inner cable conductor to the centre pin (no need for solder in this case), but some of these can cause a short to the outer plug body.

Padraig Mor

The splitter uses F connectors. The cable going into the power supply does not have a plug; the inner conductor is clamped directly to a circuit board inside the box. That link is interesting - thanks. Gonna check the connection tonight.

Peter Rhea

Maybe it's for an MMDS system? I don't know what SCTV used. Post a photo of the aerial & the PSU if you want to be sure.

Padraig Mor

Definitely not for MMDS. AFAIK it's just an "ordinary" aerial - most of the houses around here seem to have both aerials as well.

Rippy

I have seen many saddle and clamp connections poorly done.
Also PSUs do fail over time. If you have a voltmeter measure across the input side (saddle /braid =negative, centre core = positive) to see if you have approx. 12v.
Also masthead amp could have failed, or be overloading. May not be needed at all now. Also diplexer (not needed anymore) could be taking 20db from the mux.
If you are not sure or competent to safely get on your roof, call a local experienced aerial man.
http://www.saorview.ie/equipment/installers/
will lead you to registered installers.

Padraig Mor

Cheers Rippy. I have a voltmeter alright so will give that a shot. Roof work ain't for me though!

Padraig Mor

Rippy wrote: »

I have seen many saddle and clamp connections poorly done.
Also PSUs do fail over time. If you have a voltmeter measure across the input side (saddle /braid =negative, centre core = positive) to see if you have approx. 12v.
Also masthead amp could have failed, or be overloading. May not be needed at all now. Also diplexer (not needed anymore) could be taking 20db from the mux.
If you are not sure or competent to safely get on your roof, call a local experienced aerial man.
http://www.saorview.ie/equipment/installers/
will lead you to registered installers.

Voltmeter read 26V coming from the (12V rated) PSU - odd no?