Boards.ie freeview coverage map??

dellWlan

Just thinking a one stop shop for freeview coverage might be of use for people trying to get a set up for freeview south of the border. So rather than a plethora of threads asking can I get freeview in cork etc… we can create a simple list of (semi)confirmed coverage areas. So if you have a freeview set up south of the border post your

Location: town & county incase of confusion

Transmitter: divis, kilkeel etc…

Aerial setup: loft/rooftop grouped/wideband yagi/log/contract a link to buy might be useful if you have one

And receiver. Maybe strength and quality reading could be useful.

Trying to keep it to a minimum for ease of searching through but if you have any relevant info to add like you live at the top of a mountain if you're getting a signal unusually far south. Or you're using an array of aerials or something like that.

anyway just a thought.

Edit: we might try not to start asking about coverage in your area but take it that If anyone has a setup that they'd post it here.

Sponge Bob

ask > http://www.mpeg4ireland.com/map

dellWlan

Sponge Bob wrote: »

ask > http://www.mpeg4ireland.com/map

Doesn't cover FREEview transmitters. Or not that I can see.

JonathonS

http://www.ukfree.tv/maps.php

dellWlan

JonathonS wrote: »

http://www.ukfree.tv/maps.php

What assumptions are made with that map? Is it based on a standard rooftop aerial?

A number of houses particularly one off housing in the south would have very large aerials or pole mounted aerials tethered to the ground or both capable of recieveing a signal further south than Dundalk I'm sure.

It was more real world examples I was looking for.

PauloMN

Great idea imo. Much more use that those maps, which are not accurate at all as far as spillover goes for Freeview. Would be really useful to get actual reports and have them in one place.

As soon as I have time at the end of the month, once the ASO is complete and everything is on full power, I'll give you a Freeview report from Trim (hopefully).

munchkin_utd

I was thinking along the same lines myself.
My parents in Cavan are only 15km from the border and have Freeview since their faulty ariel was fixed last january.
That though isnt really interesting seeing as they are inside the official map that is quoted above.

What would be interesting and what is the point of the OPs post is to see how far down the country folks can comfortably get a signal.
i.e. is Longford the limit or Athlone or even further south?

antomack

My parents live just outside Roscommon town and thay are able to pick up Brougher Mountain. Since Oct 10th they are receiving CH28 perfectly, while CH29 and CH33 are pixelated sometimes and fine at others, but hopefully this will improve on 24th.

Not sure on what the aerial is, it's been in place for at least 20 years looks similar in size to a Triax Unix 100. I think it's a wideband version. It's mounted on the top of an old P&T pole.

TV is a 32" Panasonic from about 4/5 years ago.

mrdtv2010

I agree. Once the NI DSO is completed next week this information should be collated and assembled for all to see. The character and quality of the high power DTT overspill is completely different to analogue for a number of reasons:

a) Low-power DTT operating from 1998 -2012 in NI was a poor proxy for what a high power DTT signal would perform like.

b) The large number of NI relays now providing DTT is extending the overspill coverage eg Kilkeel, Strabane, Londonderry/Derry, Camlough etc

c) Current receivers are vastly superior to the 1998 DTT receivers

d) Digital, unlike analogue, is perfect out to the edge of the service area

e) Many of the new transmitters, particularly PSB muxes, are using omnidirectional antennas at the TOP of the masts.

f) The coverage is designed to replicate analogue but the ACCESS is right out to the edge of the service area, unlike analogue. This is the key difference.

Whilst this may be a very pleasant surprise to many in Ireland it was a) obvious from the impact of the Welsh DSO in the South-East apart from the CCI issues between Mount Leinster & Preseli and b) the same story was unfolding throughout the rest of the UK in the DSO phase.

Equally those using Clermont Carn in Northern Ireland may see a vastly improved service from 1300 on the 24th for exactly the same reasons.

This development is likely to be good news for aerial installers in the overspill areas and bad news for Sky, UPC etc in the overspill areas. Already Digital UK have run out of Freeview HD receivers for the over-75s in NI and Freeview HD receivers are the ONLY choices in overspill areas.

galtee boy

Up to a few years ago, I could understand this obsession with dragging in tv signals terrestrially from NI and indeed Wales, but since the five UK terrestrial channels and indeed most other UK channels worth talking about, went FTA on satellite, why do people still use gigantic and unsightly masts on their rooftops and back gardens to drag down signals from NI ? I've seen some horrendous looking masts with huge long stays, around north Co. Laois, Kildare, West Dublin etc and I'm sure there's plenty more all over the midlands northwards. A simple dish and fta receiver, for a once off relatively small fee, gives the same result with even more channels, both tv and radio and a combo box will add Saorview. The reception will be far more reliable , especially for those at the outer reaches of the overspill terrestrial signal. And one more huge advantage, is being able to select whatever UK region you want and not be tied to all the variations that go on with BBC NI and UTV.

bluezulu49

dellWlan wrote: »

Just thinking a one stop shop for freeview coverage might be of use for people trying to get a set up for freeview south of the border. So rather than a plethora of threads asking can I get freeview in cork etc… we can create a simple list of (semi)confirmed coverage areas. So if you have a freeview set up south of the border post your ]


Location Monkstown, Co. Dublin
Transmitter Kilkeel
Aerial Chimney mounted with masthead amplifier c 25 years old
Receiver Digihome DI 1180 STB. Signal level 72% quality 100%

mrdtv2010

galtee boy wrote: »

Up to a few years ago, I could understand this obsession with dragging in tv signals terrestrially from NI and indeed Wales, but since the five UK terrestrial channels and indeed most other UK channels worth talking about, went FTA on satellite, why do people still use gigantic and unsightly masts on their rooftops and back gardens to drag down signals from NI ? I've seen some horrendous looking masts with huge long stays, around north Co. Laois, Kildare, West Dublin etc and I'm sure there's plenty more all over the midlands northwards. A simple dish and fta receiver, for a once off relatively small fee, gives the same result with even more channels, both tv and radio and a combo box will add Saorview. The reception will be far more reliable , especially for those at the outer reaches of the overspill terrestrial signal. And one more huge advantage, is being able to select whatever UK region you want and not be tied to all the variations that go on with BBC NI and UTV.

This, is true but multiset distribution is more expensive than terrestrial. Quatro or octo LNBs, multifeeds etc. DISEQ switching etc. No daisychaining off a master distribution system, unless you have a full IRS system ( I do and it costs £££££). And compared to Freesat and Sky combo boxes are primitive in their GUI and EPGs.

bluezulu49

galtee boy wrote: »

Up to a few years ago, I could understand this obsession with dragging in tv signals terrestrially from NI and indeed Wales, but since the five UK terrestrial channels and indeed most other UK channels worth talking about, went FTA on satellite, why do people still use gigantic and unsightly masts on their rooftops and back gardens to drag down signals from NI ? I've seen some horrendous looking masts with huge long stays, around north Co. Laois, Kildare, West Dublin etc and I'm sure there's plenty more all over the midlands northwards. A simple dish and fta receiver, for a once off relatively small fee, gives the same result with even more channels, both tv and radio and a combo box will add Saorview. The reception will be far more reliable , especially for those at the outer reaches of the overspill terrestrial signal. And one more huge advantage, is being able to select whatever UK region you want and not be tied to all the variations that go on with BBC NI and UTV.

It appears to me that in my location at least the availability of freeview overspill has provided me with the holy grail of digital tv, both Saorview and Freeview on a single 7 day epg operated by one remote control.

recyclebin

galtee boy wrote: »

Up to a few years ago, I could understand this obsession with dragging in tv signals terrestrially from NI and indeed Wales, but since the five UK terrestrial channels and indeed most other UK channels worth talking about, went FTA on satellite, why do people still use gigantic and unsightly masts on their rooftops and back gardens to drag down signals from NI ? I've seen some horrendous looking masts with huge long stays, around north Co. Laois, Kildare, West Dublin etc and I'm sure there's plenty more all over the midlands northwards. A simple dish and fta receiver, for a once off relatively small fee, gives the same result with even more channels, both tv and radio and a combo box will add Saorview. The reception will be far more reliable , especially for those at the outer reaches of the overspill terrestrial signal. And one more huge advantage, is being able to select whatever UK region you want and not be tied to all the variations that go on with BBC NI and UTV.

As far as I can see there are a few channels on Freeview that are not FTA on satellite.

They are Dave, Really, Yesterday, Quest and S4C Clirlun.

lawhec

dellWlan wrote: »

Just thinking a one stop shop for freeview coverage might be of use for people trying to get a set up for freeview south of the border. So rather than a plethora of threads asking can I get freeview in cork etc… we can create a simple list of (semi)confirmed coverage areas. So if you have a freeview set up south of the border post your

Location: town & county incase of confusion

Transmitter: divis, kilkeel etc…

Aerial setup: loft/rooftop grouped/wideband yagi/log/contract a link to buy might be useful if you have one

And receiver. Maybe strength and quality reading could be useful.

Trying to keep it to a minimum for ease of searching through but if you have any relevant info to add like you live at the top of a mountain if you're getting a signal unusually far south. Or you're using an array of aerials or something like that.

anyway just a thought.

Edit: we might try not to start asking about coverage in your area but take it that If anyone has a setup that they'd post it here.

That's a contradiction for what you're asking in a coverage map - you have to have a number of fixed values with (ideally) only one variable for a coverage map to be reliable. That's why almost all coverage maps display coverage in terms of field strength or expected signal strength for a given type of aerial, height above ground and downlead loss.

What I think you're asking for is a map plot of reception reports. That can work to a decent extent for plotting reception reports of satellite reception since the changes in field strength over a short distance e.g. 50 miles, from any particular broadcast satellite (at least in Ku or C bands) would be fairly small whereas there can be a tremendous difference between reception conditions just a 1/4 mile apart when it comes to terrestrial reception. Add into the factor that most variables concerning satellite reception are fairly linear e.g. dish size, dish needs to be focusing on a satellite with an unobstructed view and so on, compared to the many different scenarios that occur in terrestrial reception e.g. different types of aerials, interference from other transmitters, location of receiving aerial, local topology etc. I wouldn't consider a terrestrial equivalent to be reliable especially for fringe reception.

A few years ago I did generate some coverage maps using Radio Mobile, though it's been ages since I've used it and I've probably lost in memory how to configure it to give accurate results - it isn't the most user-friendly of software. If I get the chance I might install and fiddle about with it in due course.

lawhec

galtee boy wrote: »

Up to a few years ago, I could understand this obsession with dragging in tv signals terrestrially from NI and indeed Wales, but since the five UK terrestrial channels and indeed most other UK channels worth talking about, went FTA on satellite, why do people still use gigantic and unsightly masts on their rooftops and back gardens to drag down signals from NI ? I've seen some horrendous looking masts with huge long stays, around north Co. Laois, Kildare, West Dublin etc and I'm sure there's plenty more all over the midlands northwards. A simple dish and fta receiver, for a once off relatively small fee, gives the same result with even more channels, both tv and radio and a combo box will add Saorview. The reception will be far more reliable , especially for those at the outer reaches of the overspill terrestrial signal. And one more huge advantage, is being able to select whatever UK region you want and not be tied to all the variations that go on with BBC NI and UTV.

I'd agree with your point when it concerns such set ups that brought in scratchy analogue pictures using 20 metre guyed poles or 30 metre masts/towers - however those obtaining reception with more modest receiving set ups are still worth chasing providing the end reception is not heavily dependent on weather & atmospheric conditions, where time will tell how reliable that will be. In terms of channels available on Freeview and not on FTA 28 East, and vice versa, the Freeview "exclusive" (i.e. encrypted on satellite) channels are arguably more broad appealing than most of those on satellite that are not on Freeview; apart from the CBS boutique, some music & international news stations and maybe the Travel Channel, most other stations either serve ethnic communities, niche interests or shopaholics. The only other exception would be for reception of a BBC or ITV regional station out-of-area which isn't a major concern for most people.

That's not to mention the technical advantages that have already been listed by others here.

lawhec

lawhec wrote: »

I'd agree with your point when it concerns such set ups that brought in scratchy analogue pictures using 20 metre guyed poles or 30 metre masts/towers

Loosely related, but while you mentioned it...

I was out with my grandmother yesterday when a Saorview advert came on. She asked me if she needed to do anything but didn't think she did. I told her no, as she has UPC, and that only people with aerials are affected. She told me how my grandfather had a huge aerial installed on their house in the 1960s (most likely 405) and she was afraid that it would come down in high wind. She still seems to be apprehensive about aerials to this day.

Richard

recyclebin wrote: »

As far as I can see there are a few channels on Freeview that are not FTA on satellite.

They are Dave, Really, Yesterday, Quest and S4C Clirlun.

Although S4C is only available from Welsh transmitters.

dellWlan

lawhec wrote: »

That's a contradiction for what you're asking in a coverage map - you have to have a number of fixed values with (ideally) only one variable for a coverage map to be reliable. That's why almost all coverage maps display coverage in terms of field strength or expected signal strength for a given type of aerial, height above ground and downlead loss.

What I think you're asking for is a map plot of reception reports. ……I wouldn't consider a terrestrial equivalent to be reliable especially for fringe reception.

Let's call it a (very) rough guide so. Might prompt someone to investigate further if they see someone down the road has it.

lawhec

dellWlan wrote: »

Let's call it a (very) rough guide so. Might prompt someone to investigate further if they see someone down the road has it.

I'm not dismissing the idea - it certainly has merit, but it needs to have a good amount of constants for it to work effectively. Even someone "down the road" can have a significantly different result for terrestrial reception. Kazoo106 has at least taken the coverage map idea on in the Northern Ireland DSO sticky thread.

munchkin_utd

maybe a map with isobar type lines for strength or that would be difficult but a simple indicative map say with little flags or coloured aerials to indicate the reception at a point in the country could be a goer?

Green indoor antenna ("rabbit ears") signifies good indoor or attic arial reception
Green outdoor antenna signifies successful reception with a normal outdoor aerial.
Green transmitter mast type yoke signifies someone with a gigantic aerial getting reception.

And the same with amber and red versions for when someone has reception that is on the borderline (like currently my folks with the channel 5 stuff which mostly is grand but can have bad days) or has no reception.

munchkin_utd

anyhow, heres someone receiving Freeview a good distance down south

medoc wrote: »

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this;

I decided to "fire up" the old BBC aerial just to see what I might get on it. It was unused for years since we went freesat. Surprisingly I am now receiving All the BBC channels on ch28 and UTV 4 5 etc on ch22. I'm located just south west of Tullamore so this should mean reception across the north midlands is highly possible to any that still have their BBC aerials and Amps etc still intact. I tried this few months ago without success

although if folks could receive BBC on their analogue aerial then its no surprise that the freeview is now a runner.

BostonB

Can anyone get Freeview in Dublin? West Dublin?

PauloMN

As promised....

Had some time today to mess about a bit with an old UHF aerial I have here. It's a piece of crap basically, a wideband SLX job I got in Maplin years back (overpriced bacofoil rubbish). Had a masthead preamp somewhere, but could not find it. Stuck if up on a 15 foot pole beside my house and pointed it in the general direction of Divis (very similar direction to CC from my house, so used my CC antenna as a guide).



Feed it with multiple pieces of crappy Maplin coax I had lying about and plugged it into my LG (MPEG4 so I get Saorview, but no T2). No joy, zilch. It was stopping on Divis channels during the auto-tune, so I knew it was getting something, just not enough signal to render the channels. Seeing as I couldn't find my preamp, I chance my arm and plugged this yolk inline with the coax just before the TV and tried again:



and voila:



Getting the main channels from Divis, but missing 23 (as others have also found) and 24 (although maybe this is because my TV has no T2 - these seem to be the HD channels). Not nearly as much breakup as I expected given the crap test setup - some channels are perfect with no breakup, others have a small amount of breakup every so often:



Getting Saorview on 54 on the back of the aerial also from Kippure I think.





All in all, a worthwhile exercise to see is it worth me spending a few quid on a proper group A antenna, preamp and diplexer to add to my current group C/D setup that's used for Clermont Carn Saorview - I'd add the group A to the existing pole I have:



Lots of houses around here have existing huge UHF antennas pointed at Divis, so I guess all these are getting perfect Freeview also, given I could get it with a crappy setup.

jeltz

Thats great.

I thought for a moment, what about a rear mount Antiference DX8A, easy to squeeze in on the pole but then since the wideband thing already works perfectly well why not save your money and get a variable gain masthead and use that SLX.

The amp and the height of the chimney would make the signal quality leap up. The diplexer would cut out everything above Group A. I've used some pieces of carp over the years, you might not go out to buy the SLX these days but it will still be ok.

Your neighbours aerials are doubtless oversized now the power has been turned up.

jeltz

That SLX thing is a Unix 52 W with a different reflector.

You can find the specs online if you need to compare any other aerial to it.

FREETV

The Blake JBX 21A is the aerial from the Blake range which will give a better result in Trim, my Dad has an older bigger aerial than that even but crappy brown coax cable was used from the attic down to the tv points. They are fairly strong looking aerials but overpriced. I would also use a blue Triax 34db Group A variable gain masthead amp which works very well for me with a Vision power supply unit would do the job. I wouldn't use any satellite cable under the spec of Webro WF100 though.

PauloMN

jeltz wrote: »

Thats great.

I thought for a moment, what about a rear mount Antiference DX8A, easy to squeeze in on the pole but then since the wideband thing already works perfectly well why not save your money and get a variable gain masthead and use that SLX.

You must have read my mind, that is almost exactly the antenna I have been thinking of buying, but just wanted to check if the whole Freeview thing was viable for me before spending cash. Seems it is. The one I've been eyeing is the Antiference XG8/A.

I take your point about using the SLX (or Maxview, whatever it is - it's one or the other) but I really believe in using the proper antenna for the job, especially as I'm around 130km from the TX site. Based on graphs I've seen comparing wideband gain figures to grouped antenna gain figures, I reckon a grouped antenna at the bottom of group A would give me around 2db extra gain over a similar sized wideband antenna, which is a huge benefit at the fringe of coverage. Widebands seem to drop off quite a bit at the bottom of group A, so I think a dedicated group A would be a good purchase for me. The fellow who put up my group C/D for Clermont Carn thought I was mad for not putting up the SLX, but the contract C/D is much stronger, smaller and more suitable for the job (as seen by the full scale signal I get from CC).

I took the SLX down from my previous house, and the elements were all bent simply from birds landing on it. They are ridiculously weak, I can't believe that were ever deemed suitable for purpose tbh.

jeltz wrote: »

The amp and the height of the chimney would make the signal quality leap up. The diplexer would cut out everything above Group A. I've used some pieces of carp over the years, you might not go out to buy the SLX these days but it will still be ok.

Agreed on the height and mast-head amp. I reckon I'd get another 10 feet at least putting an antenna on the pole, and amplifying the signal up there rather than down at the telly where I did for the test should make the world of difference.

jeltz wrote: »

Your neighbours aerials are doubtless oversized now the power has been turned up.

Yep, you can see the remains of one in particular in one of my photos... HUGE big widebands, a lot of which are wrecked. Depending on where they are located in the town, they are not required anymore for digital.

So the shopping list is:
- Antiference XG8/A
- Masthead amp (variable gain, probably Proception from what I've read would be best)
- Diplexer (I'd join the Freeview and Saorview feeds after the masthead amp, I reckon putting the Saorview feed through the amp would cause it to overload)

and I already have a roll of good quality coax to use. Plan will be to feed the diplexed signal to a distribution amp and around the house.

PauloMN

FREETV wrote: »

The Blake JBX 21A is the aerial from the Blake range which will give a better result in Trim, my Dad has an older bigger aerial than that even but crappy brown coax cable was used from the attic down to the tv points. They are fairly strong looking aerials but overpriced. I would also use a blue Triax 34db Group A variable gain masthead amp which works very well for me with a Vision power supply unit would do the job. I wouldn't use any satellite cable under the spec of Webro WF100 though.

The problem I have with an antenna like that is the sheer size, and I've already got my radio antenna on top of the pole, hence I need an end mounted TV aerial. I'm on a slight hill where I am with no near obstructions to the north, so based on the results with the crappy setup I had earlier on, I reckon I can get away with a smaller group A. That JBX21 looks to be about 3 metres long!

Good info on the Triax amp, that sounds the biz and even better if specifically for group A.

FREETV

PauloMN wrote: »

The problem I have with an antenna like that is the sheer size, and I've already got my radio antenna on top of the pole, hence I need an end mounted TV aerial. I'm on a slight hill where I am with no near obstructions to the north, so based on the results with the crappy setup I had earlier on, I reckon I can get away with a smaller group A. That JBX21 looks to be about 3 metres long!

Good info on the Triax amp, that sounds the biz and even better if specifically for group A.

It is a long aerial but it will be more effective in the wintry weather, heavy rain, snow, fog etc from the nearby River Boyne, just a thought, up to you but I would erect it on a new pole on the other side of the chimney, at least a ten foot one, my Dad is on a bit of a hill but I may lift his aerial a few feet higher either by getting a fifteen foot pole or guying a joined one for him. His aerial is at the gable end of his house. There are very high trees a few miles away out the Navan Road. With that aerial the gain would be more increased than a shorter, smaller one.

jeltz

PauloMN wrote: »

The fellow who put up my group C/D for Clermont Carn thought I was mad for not putting up the SLX, but the contract C/D is much stronger, smaller and more suitable for the job (as seen by the full scale signal I get from CC).

Good call. That is what I would do as the signal is so strong. I don't know why some people knock contracts they are fine in good signal strength areas, loads have been up for 30+ years.

That is a good strong chimney lashing, ideal for several aerials.

PauloMN wrote: »

I took the SLX down from my previous house, and the elements were all bent simply from birds landing on it. They are ridiculously weak, I can't believe that were ever deemed suitable for purpose tbh.

I LOL'ed at that. It may not last 30 weeks let alone 30+ years!!!

I wonder if the birds have sore feet after landing on those sharp x?

PauloMN wrote: »

So the shopping list is:
- Antiference XG8/A
- Masthead amp (variable gain, probably Proception from what I've read would be best)
- Diplexer (I'd join the Freeview and Saorview feeds after the masthead amp, I reckon putting the Saorview feed through the amp would cause it to overload)

and I already have a roll of good quality coax to use. Plan will be to feed the diplexed signal to a distribution amp and around the house.

Yes about two thirds more gain with the Group A aerial. Since the SLX is carp yet works that should be a good margin I think. If you have Freesat anyway I wouldn't worry about a possible outage once or twice a year that may never happen.

Note the Antiference XG8A is a cradle mount 130cm, I have the Antiference XG9BK which is identical. They are essentially the same as the Blake DMX10A which I also have. Blake is cheaper but is more eyecatching due to the extra plastic holding the x so has potential to be more of an eyesore. Both have big reflectors.

The Antiference DX8A is the rear mount 110cm with a more compact reflector so could go under the existing contract, or you could move them around so it is above the contract and keep the radio aerial on top. The other two are cradle mounted which should go on top and would leave the problem of what to do with the radio antenna.

I would get the rear mount DX8A but go with the DMX10A or XG8A if you wish, none of them will let you down.

PauloMN

jeltz wrote: »

Good call. That is what I would do as the signal is so strong. I don't know why some people knock contracts they are fine in good signal strength areas, loads have been up for 30+ years.

That is a good strong chimney lashing, ideal for several aerials.



I LOL'ed at that. It may not last 30 weeks let alone 30+ years!!!

I wonder if the birds have sore feet after landing on those sharp x?



Yes about two thirds more gain with the Group A aerial. Since the SLX is carp yet works that should be a good margin I think. If you have Freesat anyway I wouldn't worry about a possible outage once or twice a year that may never happen.

Note the Antiference XG8A is a cradle mount 130cm, I have the Antiference XG9BK which is identical. They are essentially the same as the Blake DMX10A which I also have. Blake is cheaper but is more eyecatching due to the extra plastic holding the x so has potential to be more of an eyesore. Both have big reflectors.

The Antiference DX8A is the rear mount 110cm with a more compact reflector so could go under the existing contract, or you could move them around so it is above the contract and keep the radio aerial on top. The other two are cradle mounted which should go on top and would leave the problem of what to do with the radio antenna.

I would get the rear mount DX8A but go with the DMX10A or XG8A if you wish, none of them will let you down.

Well noted, yes I need the end-mounted one, so the DX8A is the one for me - thanks!

Where's the best place to source a good pre-amp? Trying to source that Triax 34db variable one that Freetv mentioned - hard to find a supplier for them.

FREETV

PauloMN wrote: »

Well noted, yes I need the end-mounted one, so the DX8A is the one for me - thanks!

Where's the best place to source a good pre-amp? Trying to source that Triax 34db variable one that Freetv mentioned - hard to find a supplier for them.

Here is a link with the Triax masthead amp, get one quickly because they are a discontinued model, The inside metal cover needs to be covered front and back with some silicone grease, sold in Motor Factors, it is prone to start corroding because of moisture, heat from your chimney etc getting inside. ATC Supplies is a Trade supplier, however if you ring him he may sell you one. http://www.atcsupplies.com/ProductDetails.aspx?Mode=ViewDetails&ProductCode=TK1YSL&pID=164

HappyHarry

Is the Blue one better than this one: http://www.vanjak.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30354

Edit: I see the blue is is group A, which is no use to me for Preseli anyway.

Your link above to the blue one is broken, think it's this: http://www.atcsupplies.com/ProductDetails.aspx?Mode=ViewDetails&ProductCode=TK1YSL&pID=164

I have a roll of TX100 I assume this is good enough?

FREETV

HappyHarry wrote: »

Is the Blue one better than this one: http://www.vanjak.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30354

Your link above to the blue one is broken, think it's this: http://www.atcsupplies.com/ProductDetails.aspx?Mode=ViewDetails&ProductCode=TK1YSL&pID=164

I have a roll of TX100 I assume this is good enough?

Yes that cable is perfect for the job, the blue one is specifically for the Group A frequencies and so would be the one to get for Divis etc. The other is for a wideband aerial or for using as a one way cheap but effective distribution amp in the attic to one room. I fixed the link above. Thanks. I wonder will he sell you one? ATC Supplies have got the Triax TA34B masthead amp also. Vanjak are strictly Trade only.

Peter Rhea

PauloMN wrote: »

Trying to source that Triax 34db variable one that Freetv mentioned - hard to find a supplier for them.

You don't need a 34dB amplifier, unless you have a really long cable run from the aerial & are going to split the signal between 2 or 3 houses worth of tvs.

HappyHarry

What db rating masthead amp would you recommend for a large aerial pointed to a UK transmitter 150km away (mostly sea path)?

FREETV

Peter Rhea wrote: »

You don't need a 34dB amplifier, unless you have a really long cable run from the aerial & are going to split the signal between 2 or 3 houses worth of tvs.

He doesn't but it is a variable amp and works very well so he could use 24db for instance instead.

FREETV

HappyHarry wrote: »

What db rating masthead amp would you recommend for a large aerial pointed to a UK transmitter 150km away (mostly sea path)?

It all depends on the lenght of your downlead really but the Triax one or any variable masthead preamp close to it would suffice.

Peter Rhea

HappyHarry wrote: »

What db rating masthead amp would you recommend for a large aerial pointed to a UK transmitter 150km away (mostly sea path)?

Can't be specific, without knowing the signal level available at the aerial (you'll only get a proper reading of this with professional equipment) & also the cable runs & any splits in the system.

In the absence of this info, I'd go for one of the more generally available variable wideband amps.

FREETV

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Can't be specific, without knowing the signal level available at the aerial (you'll only get a proper reading of this with professional equipment) & also the cable runs & any splits in the system.

I'd go for one of the more generally available variable wideband amps.

What about 4G interference next year Peter? Would the modern wideband masthead amps which are fully screened still be prone to interference?

Peter Rhea

Doesn't matter about the screening. If the aerial picks up a signal within the amplifier's passband, it will be amplified along with everything else. It's another reason not to use unnecessary levels of amplification.

I didn't say the grouped amps. weren't a good idea, only that I wouldn't go out of my way to source one if it wasn't going to offer much benefit over an easily available wideband version. Filters should soon be available for 4G & amplifiers will be produced with the potential problems in mind too.

FREETV

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Doesn't matter about the screening. If the aerial picks up a signal within the amplifier's passband, it will be amplified along with everything else. It's another reason not to use unnecessary levels of amplification.

I didn't say the grouped amps. weren't a good idea, only that I wouldn't go out of my way to source one if it wasn't going to offer much benefit over an easily available wideband version. Filters should soon be available for 4G & amplifiers will be produced with the potential problems in mind too.

Sound advice Peter. Hopefully most people will not need to buy a filter.

HappyHarry

Lead from Aerial to main TV point is 20ish meters. No split at the moment but potentially putting a second TV near where the cable comes in from the Roof. The signal strength I don't know. For testing I'm connecting in just before the combiner so just 3-4m from the aerial.

I guess you are saying there is not much point in over amplifying a poor signal, just amplifying a reasonable signal so it will survive the internal cable and splitting better.

I'll buy an amp and power supply and see if I can get anything on the Freeview Boxes signal meter with the Triax Supergain 18W. If I can pick something up on the boxes meter I'll get a bigger group B aerial.

FREETV

HappyHarry wrote: »

Lead from Aerial to main TV point is 20ish meters. No split at the moment but potentially putting a second TV near where the cable comes in from the Roof. The signal strength I don't know. For testing I'm connecting in just before the combiner so just 3-4m from the aerial.

I guess you are saying there is not much point in over amplifying a poor signal, just amplifying a reasonable signal so it will survive the internal cable and splitting better.

I'll buy an amp and power supply and see if I can get anything on the Freeview Boxes signal meter with the Triax Supergain 18W. If I can pick something up on the boxes meter I'll get a bigger group B aerial.

That is the sensible thing to do. Have you tried the Divis transmitter near Belfast from your location?

HappyHarry

FREETV wrote: »

That is the sensible thing to do. Have you tried the Divis transmitter near Belfast from your location?

I'm asking for a relatives house in South Wexford, so 280km from Divis with big hills in the way ;-) Think I'll stick with Preseli! altough there is a 450m hill in the way close to Preseli, I'm hoping it's close enough and Preseli is high enough that it won't be a major problem.

FREETV

HappyHarry wrote: »

I'm asking for a relatives house in South Wexford, so 280km from Divis with big hills in the way ;-) Think I'll stick with Preseli! altough there is a 450m hill in the way close to Preseli, I'm hoping it's close enough and Preseli is high enough that it won't be a major problem.

Grand, it says Dublin City under your handle so I wasn't sure.

jeltz

HappyHarry wrote: »

I guess you are saying there is not much point in over amplifying a poor signal, just amplifying a reasonable signal so it will survive the internal cable and splitting better.

Always get a high gain variable amp. You can always turn it down but if you end up needing more gain you will be paying out for another amp.

The minimum gain with a variable gain amp isn't high enough to worry about as you are miles from main transmitters, you are not even going to think about putting in an attenuator cause you won't need one.

dellWlan

Getting all the freeview channels bar com4 channel 23

Large roof mounted wideband yagi aerial with the signal amplified and split 4 ways before the reciever

just on the navan side of kells

using an i-can easy hd

its most likely the bad weather but could mount leinster be interferring with channel 23 even in kells?

jeltz

dellWlan wrote: »

Getting all the freeview channels bar com4 channel 23

Large roof mounted wideband yagi aerial with the signal amplified and split 4 ways before the reciever

just on the navan side of kells

using an i-can easy hd

its most likely the bad weather but could mount leinster be interferring with channel 23 even in kells?

Mount Leinster is unusually high at over 900m and very powerful so Kells is close enough to receive interference. That is why the engineers didn't want to use E23 or E26. The traditional method of using stacked aerials may be the only way to null it out.

dellWlan

jeltz wrote: »

Mount Leinster is unusually high at over 900m and very powerful so Kells is close enough to receive interference. That is why the engineers didn't want to use E23 or E26. The traditional method of using stacked aerials may be the only way to null it out.

excuse the ignorence but how exactly does that work? surely any aerial for recieving the group a channels would be affected or is it some way of nulling the signal coming from the wrong direction??

edit:just googled it and see it narrows the acceptence angle. is that it? probably won't bother as its for the inlaws and the channels on com4 aren't great so could live without it. Thanks though