Aerial question

Wicklowandy

http://www.tvtrade.ie/wide-band-grid-uhf-aerial.html

Would this aerial be suitable for saorview? (with adjustment)

Previously it was used to get bbc1/2, htv and s4c, and the reception was ok.

It hasnt been used in 10 years but it is in perfect condition.

Its for my parents house in rathdrum wickow. The estates on both sides of theirs show green on the saorview coverage map, but their estate is blank ( neither green nor red ) is the map accurate?

No near neighbours have saorview to check with them. Would it point to laragh, arklow or kippure?

I take it if this is not suitable, i need a group b aerial?

Thank you!

Ronnie Raygun

The coverage checker can't be guaranteed 100% accurate. Your best bet would be to wait until after Oct. 26th, when Mt. Leinster Saorview starts on UHF channel 23. You can check reception from there & Kippure. Unlikely you'll get any other site at that location.

The Cush

Wicklowandy wrote: »

http://www.tvtrade.ie/wide-band-grid-uhf-aerial.html

Would this aerial be suitable for saorview? (with adjustment)

Yes.

The Saorview coverage checker operates with in a conservative set of parameters according to RTÉNL, actual coverage might be different/better at your parent location than the coverage checker indicates.

The grid aerial is wideband so you will be able to check for coverage from different transmitters, Kippure or Mt Leinster seem to be the ones providing patchy coverage in the area. A proper digital meter would come in handy in this case.

If you do get a Saorview signal - great, if the signal is weak maybe a hi-gain grouped aerial might pull in a stronger signal (maybe adding a masthead amp if required). Information on Saorview frequencies and group aerials in this RTÉNL document - http://www.rtenl.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SAORVIEW-Frequencies-Rev-2.4.pdf

coylemj

How are your parents receiving TV today? I'd take a look at the direction the neighbours' aerials are facing - it doesn't matter if they're receiving Saorview or not. Most of the neighbours probably have both VHF and UHF aerials because they're receiving from Mt. Leinster or Kippure, chances are that they will also get Saorview from the same transmitter except the VHF aerial will then be redundant.

Wicklowandy

They have freeview by satellite. There rte1/2 stopped working suddenly a few months ago. There is two aerials (uhf and vhf) with two cables entering a red box(masthead amplifier?) and one cable from which plugs into a white box in the attic which then has leads for their sitting room and kitchen. I 'm not sure if the box in the attic is the power supply for the red box (masthead amp?) but when rte stopped working for them i tried the white attic box from my house and it made no difference.

I know the vhf aerial they used for rte is redundant. If anyone knows am i correct in thinking the red box is powered by the white attic power supply / distribution box?

If it is, and their aerial is suitable when adjusted, how would i check if the red box (masthead amp?)is working.

And if its faulty, what sort of masthead amp should i look for. Do i have to match it the white attic box?

Sorry, long winded and confusing....need to try and save them money they dont have.

Wicklowandy

Uhf aerial is pointing towards the coast, vhf towards laragh / kippure,

Most near neighbours the same ( none seem to have saorview) small number pointing towards mt leinster i think..

Ronnie Raygun

The red box is probably just a diplexer to combine the signals from both aerials. Or it could have an amplification function. The box in the attic could be a PSU or maybe a distribution amp.

I suspect Laragh VHF was switched off more than a few months ago, so the connection from this aerial (signal from Kippure) must have failed.

You'll just have to try as suggested above & see what you can get on UHF.

Wicklowandy

The input to the white attic box from the roof is labelled "amp." and leads to livingroom and kitchen are marked output 1 and 2. I dont know if that makes a difference?

The Cush

Wicklowandy wrote: »

The input to the white attic box from the roof is labelled "amp." and leads to livingroom and kitchen are marked output 1 and 2. I dont know if that makes a difference?

Yes, the white box could be the PSU for the mashead amp/UHF-VHF combiner, I use similar myself.

Now that VHF is/will be gone shortly it might be a good time to replace the existing unit with UHF masthead amp and test the grid aerial you have.

Wicklowandy

Thank you....can you recommend a suitable one?

The Cush

Wicklowandy wrote: »

can you recommend a suitable one?

Proception come to mind - http://www.blake-uk.com/promhd.aspx. Others may recommend brands they've used.

coylemj

The Cush wrote: »

Proception come to mind - http://www.blake-uk.com/promhd.aspx. Others may recommend brands they've used.

Does he really need an amp? The Laragh relay (25W) is only 8 kms from Rathdrum, shouldn't he just disconnect the VHF aerial, realign the UHF aerial to Laragh and shouldn't that give him a pretty strong Saorview signal without the need for an amp?

Wicklowandy

Thank you....is the laragh relayoperational for saorview?

Peter Rhea

The Laragh transmitter looks like it's down the other side of a hill (or mountain) from Rathdrum.

Seems to only have limited coverage in the valley around Laragh itself.

The Cush

coylemj wrote: »

Does he really need an amp? The Laragh relay (25W) is only 8 kms from Rathdrum, shouldn't he just disconnect the VHF aerial, realign the UHF aerial to Laragh and shouldn't that give him a pretty strong Saorview signal without the need for an amp?

Regarding the amp that's what I suggested above, check for the Saorview signal from all possible transmitters without the amp, this where a meter would come in handy. If the signal is good enough without amp -great.

The Saorview coverage checker recommends Mt Leinster/Kippure in the area, maybe Laragh will work too but he won't know until he gets up on the roof and checks for what's available with the correct aerial.

He didn't say what type of UHF aerial is on the roof or why he's replacing it with the grid.

winston_1

Wicklowandy wrote: »

They have freeview by satellite.

Impossible. Freeview is at the UK terrestrial system only receivable with an aerial.

Wicklowandy

The grid type is already on the roof, previously used for bbc1/2 , s4c, htv, but not used since parents fitted free to air box to satellite dish. They receive c4, bbc1/2/3/4, itv etc and a million shopping channels etc etc

Thanks for the advice..

Wicklowandy

The uhf aerial is fitted on the 18 ft mast the vhf aerial used to be on, with a new masthead amplifier and all new good quality cabling.

When adjusted for kippure, all i get is perfect quality welsh bbc 1/2/3/4, htv and welsh radio.

If this because the uhf aerial i am using is a wideband? Should i get a grouped aerial? Or would i be better trying for mt leinster?

All help appreciated. Location Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

Peter Rhea

Presumably you know which is the 'pointy' end of the aerial? Try Mt. Leinster on channel 23.

Wicklowandy

Its a uhf grid type aerial, currently pointed' towards kippure.

Ill try mt leinster now, thank you.

Its not pointing towards wales though and im still getting perfect welsh tv, with red button and all. Im just worried im picking everything up but what i want.

What would be a suitable grouped aerial, considering i dont know if the website is right recommending kippure. The old vhf aerials around here seem split, some are pointing to kippure, some to mt leinster. Thanks again

Peter Rhea

You probably know, then, with the grids, the (usually) 'X' shaped dipoles should be directed at the transmitter, with the reflector (screen of mesh or parallel elements) to the rear.

The aerial shown here is horizontally polarised & pointing left to right.

Wicklowandy

That was a question i was afraid to ask...knew i'd look stupid....! It is pointing like that and i set it using a compass (348deg) which ispointing nearly opposite where the bbc wales transmission is coming from....

Is the bbc being received because of the use of the wideband aerial picking signals up from behind it?

Peter Rhea

'Wideband' is simply a reference to the frequency handling abilities of the aerial. You must have a strong UK signal there if you can get reliable reception with the aerial facing the wrong way.

The Cush

If going for a grouped aerial which one will you require, a Group A for Mt Leinster or C/D for Kippure?

Which of the 2 transmitter sites are coming in strongest with the wideband grid/masthead amp?

Can you identify the UHF channel nos of the Welsh channels?

Wicklowandy

Peter Rhea wrote: »

You probably know, then, with the grids, the (usually) 'X' shaped dipoles should be directed at the transmitter, with the reflector (screen of mesh or parallel elements) to the rear.

The aerial shown here is horizontally polarised & pointing left to right.

Thank you peter, if you hadnt shown me that diagram, i wouldnt have realised h/v polarity on that aerial. Took aerial down, fought the joys of rust to change polarity, refitted and perfect saorview. Many thanks.

This is in an area where saorview is apparantly difficult. Parents very happy with that one, this novice sends thanks to all involved.