Do I really need a high gain saorview aerial?

gebbel

I'm thinking about getting this aerial:

http://www.tvtrade.ie/outdoor-high-gain-uhf-tv-aerial-kit.html

But I would like to know if it is really needed. I'm in Drogheda and the aerial will be pointing towards one of the Dublin transmitters. Where I live is low enough relative to the surroundings and this, as well as the distance to the transmitter, was making me believe such an aerial is needed.

Many thanks

Peter Rhea

Only way anyone can be sure of what aerial you need, is to test the signal at your location. Otherwise it's just guesswork.

Those grid aerials aren't particularly high-gain either.

zg3409

Have you used the saorview signal checker to see which direction is recommended for you

http://www.saorview.ie/what-is-saorview/make-the-switch/coverage-map/

An outdoor aerial is normally recommended. If you have not done it before it might be best to let a professional install it as climbing on roofs and making up leads is not for everyone.

Saorview only covers the basic Irish channels. If you want UK ones in drogheda a dish might be needed, depending on location. A good local installer should be able to tell you if you might get a signal from the north, depending on where you live.

gebbel

Thanks, yes the coverage checker map recommends Dublin. Can't get a signal from North of me due to the topography and buildings near me. The installer just told me to get an aerial and he will install it.

zg3409

gebbel wrote: »

Thanks, yes the coverage checker map recommends Dublin. Can't get a signal from North of me due to the topography and buildings near me. The installer just told me to get an aerial and he will install it.

Is this an aerial installer? I have never heard of an installer asking a customer to buy the aerial, especially as sometimes different aerials are needed depending on exact conditions, number of TVs etc?

gebbel

Yeah it's a guy recommended to me by a mate. I'd say he is more a handyman but he can put the aerial up, I just have to choose it. I don't want to buy one and end up wishing I had spent a few quid more on a better type.

zg3409

Make sure you get cable, connectors. Also you may need a chimney or wall bracket, u bolts a pole etc. It might be worth phoning the online company so you get everything in one go.

ardmacha

You probably need a similar aerial to your neighbours, so look around.

mad turnip

I'm in a second story bedroom and a simple floating wire picks up saorview (Swords area) no aerial needed at all.

Peter Rhea

gebbel wrote: »

Yeah it's a guy recommended to me by a mate. I'd say he is more a handyman but he can put the aerial up, I just have to choose it. I don't want to buy one and end up wishing I had spent a few quid more on a better type.

Hopefully you won't end up wishing you got in a proper installer too. Bear in mind that this 'handyman' more than likely won't have any kind of test equipment or even a basic understanding of what he's trying to achieve, beyond 'point the aerial, get a picture on the telly'.

FREETV

Hi, you will need to know which Transmitter has the strongest signal at your area and the two transmitters are on different frequencies.
You will need either a large Unix type aerial or a Yagi type, both will need to be high gain, those grid aerials aren't high gain, are wideband and are fairly crap to be honest for fringe reception. I have one here on the chimney and I bought a few different aerials and they are all much better.
They were only good for areas with a strong to medium signal during the analogue days and were used primarily for anti-ghosting.

Three Rock Transmitter is on Channel 30 so a Group A aerial will be needed along with a variable gain low noise masthead amplifier.
However Kippure Transmitter is much higher above sea level and is on Channel 54 at the moment so you will need either a high gain Group C/D aerial or a large wideband one and a suitable masthead amp.
The higher up you have the mast the better and guying a twenty feet long mast with steel wire rope is advised as it will move in the wind. You may get away with a ten feet long or fifteen feet long two inch hot dipped galvanised pole. Any thinner than that will buckle eventually in gales.
Webro WF100 satellite cable is a good buy.

Kippure may be your best bet in your area as it is much higher up and is at the same rated 63,OOO Watts. RTENL recommend that an aerial is up at least 35 feet from the ground as that is what the service is designed for

Peter Rhea

FREETV wrote: »

You will need either a large Unix type aerial or a Yagi type, both will need to be high gain, those grid aerials aren't high gain, are wideband and are fairly crap to be honest for fringe reception.

You seem pretty sure of yourself as to what the OP will need: have you been out to their house & measured the signal? How do you know they're in a fringe area?

Ronnie Raygun

Good ol' FREETV & his one-size-fits-all "everything I know about aerials" post.

Hope the handyman can handle erecting a 20ft guyed mast. :rolleyes:

Peter Rhea

FREETV wrote: »

RTENL recommend that an aerial is up at least 35 feet from the ground as that is what the service is designed for

They don't 'recommend' that at all. Here is what they have to say in their Saorview FAQs:

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.

Now, for all I know they may assume the same 10 metre (32.8 feet) aerial height as the UK coverage planners but, there are a lot of single-storey dwellings in this country that would require a substantial mast to get to that height & for no good reason if reliable signal can be found lower down.

Duiske

FREETV wrote: »

RTENL recommend that an aerial is up at least 35 feet from the ground as that is what the service is designed for

I must send them this pic of my high tech set-up. Rabbit ears hanging from TV in spare room. One of the "ears" is actually broken. Have a perfect signal. :P

Ronnie Raygun

Peter Rhea wrote: »

for all I know they may assume the same 10 metre (32.8 feet) aerial height as the UK coverage planners

I think 10 metres is the minimum height for ground cover/clutter recommended by the ITU for field strength calculations.