Saorview Aerial

macbog

I recently bought a DIY kit for UK free to air and Irish digital from Satellite.ie . I also bought a compact wide band aerial from them . My problem is I can only receive Irish terrestrial channels on one tv . I have two Ferguson Ariva Combo 120. I have 1 coaxial cable coming from the aerial to a splitter and then 1 cable to each combo box but I can only receive Irish channels on 1 tv . I had to set up a seperate aerial in the attic for the second tv . I live in a strong signal area. Sorry for being so long winded but I'm new to this.

The Cush

Where is the first aerial located? The aerial may not be able to supply enough signal to the 2 receivers via the splitter. Maybe replace the splitter with a 2-way distribution amp.

Also recheck all connection to the TVs.

Peter Rhea

macbog wrote: »

I have 1 coaxial cable coming from the aerial to a splitter and then 1 cable to each combo box but I can only receive Irish channels on 1 tv .

What kind of splitter? You didn't mistakenly use one for splitting/combining terrestrial & satellite signals?

macbog

The Cush wrote: »

Where is the first aerial located? The aerial may not be able to supply enough signal to the 2 receivers via the splitter. Maybe replace the splitter with a 2-way distribution amp.

Also recheck all connection to the TVs.

The main aerial is located outside , for the second tv I just split coaxial cable in the attic and tied it to the rafters and have a perfect signal . Will try the distribution amp . Thanks for your help much appreciated .

macbog

Peter Rhea wrote: »

What kind of splitter? You didn't mistakenly use one for splitting/combining terrestrial & satellite signals?

No. Terrestrial and satellite are separate

The Cush

macbog wrote: »

No. Terrestrial and satellite are separate

I think Peter was asking if you're using the wrong type of splitter, maybe a satellite/terrestrial splitter/combiner instead of a terrestrial only-in/terrestrial only-out type?

macbog

The Cush wrote: »

I think Peter was asking if you're using the wrong type of splitter, maybe a satellite/terrestrial splitter/combiner instead of a terrestrial only-in/terrestrial only-out type?

To be honest with you I'm not sure but I think after looking at both links you posted it's a combiner. Had a look at the splitter and it says STV 203

The Cush

macbog wrote: »

To be honest with you I'm not sure but I think after looking at both links you posted it's a combiner. Had a look at the splitter and it says STV 203

Is there any frequency range mentioned on the splitter/combiner, like 0-862 MHz (terrestrial) and 950-2500MHz (satellite)?

Ronnie Raygun

macbog wrote: »

Had a look at the splitter and it says STV 203

How many outputs does it have? A 3-output splitter might not divide the signal power equally.

zg3409

I assume this is the splitter you have.

Ideally you should use one with two outlets only and connect the aerial to the in connector. As hinted at already the more outlets you have the less signal that arrives at each one. Also if one outlet is not connected to anything this can "upset" the splitter meaning it will drop even more power.

With an ideal splitter with 2 outlets 50% of the signal will go to each outlet. With a 3 outlet splitter the best you could expect is 33%.

A 2 outlet splitter may solve your problem, assuming it is not faulty cabling or some other reason. However if your current setup is working OK, I wouldn't bother.

macbog

The picture of the splitter posted by zg3409 is the same as the one I had . I took your advice and got a passive 2way splitter ( 2772T ) but it still don't work. The combo box I have is a Ferguson 120 ( not an approved saorview box ) it seems to me each box need a separate aerial weather that be a coat hanger in the attic or a proper saorview aerial .

macbog

I've changed it to a 2way splitter but still don't work .

macbog

Yep that's the one I had but changed it to a 2way . Still no joy

The Cush

Have you tested each receiver at the other TV point?
Have you rechecked the connections from the splitter to the "faulty" point?
Have you tried a distribution amp?

macbog

Yes I've switched the receivers around and they worked fine , I've checked the connections and they seem ok . Maybe a distribution amp is the way to go . I've followed your link in a previous post and when I go about getting one I'll know what I'm talking about "I think". Thanks for your help much appreciated .

Ronnie Raygun

If you're really in a strong signal area, have a half decent aerial installation & no overly long cables in your system, you should be able to feed 2 tvs without any amplification.