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Problems with signal over long cable run

  • 06-08-2013 3:27am
    #1
    hobnob101
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71 ✭✭


    Hi, I need advice. I can't get my aerial to work unless I hold the cable from the wall point to the tv.

    I've been using an amplified set top aerial for the last two years. The signal is not great and lately has been unwatchable.

    So I got a uhf aerial and put it in the attic. In the attic I get a good signal quality on my tv.

    The house is wired for multi-room satellite viewing (but no satellite is installed) so I attached the aerial to existing cable to go from the attic to the kitchen where a switch would go if I had the satellite equipment. I tested with a tv at this point and got a mostly good with the odd dip to medium signal quality.

    I then used another back to back f connector to attach the cable from the attic to one of the cables to the sitting room.

    At the sitting room I get a poor signal quality that sometimes slips into medium. Basically everything other than rte1 is unwatchable and even it is dodgy. The signal strength is still good though ( 97% ish).

    Here's the weird part. If I hold onto the standard tv cable going from the tv to the socket I suddenly go from 12 - 48% signal quality to 60 - 100% signal quality. I don't get it. I'm touching the plastic rather than an exposed wire.

    I have one of those cheap plug in amplifiers. If I get f to coax adapters and stick it in the attic should that help? Or is it likely to be some sort of grounding problem?

    All the rg6 cable is good quality. The only poor cable is the one from the outlet to the tv but they are all fairly standard ly crap I think.

    Thanks in advance for your advice


Comments

  • #2
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,851 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    hobnob101 wrote: »
    At the sitting room I get a poor signal quality that sometimes slips into medium. Basically everything other than rte1 is unwatchable and even it is dodgy. The signal strength is still good though ( 97% ish).

    Saorview signal quality is the important figure, it should be stable in the mid to high 90s. You're not getting a good quality signal at the aerial in the attic. Ideally the aerial should be mounted outside, away for any sources of interference or obstructions to the signal.


  • #3
    Seamus1964
    Closed Accounts Posts: 502 ✭✭✭Seamus1964


    I hate to say that but you should call professional TV installer to have look about it.
    If your equipment is sufficient enough for receiving signal but error is caused e.g. by simply bad connections or wrong setup you may pay anything between 40-75 euro call out fee.
    But you may need different setup altoghether like proper masthead amplifier and distribution box or whatever - you simply will overpay equipment you 'll buy just guessing if that helps to resolve problem. Signal meter from box-tv is not accurate and therefore not trusteable information source. You need somebody with prof.signal meter. Most loft mounted aerials works perfectly but because there is a lots of reflecting factors involved you need to position aerial using good signal meter not tv build-in meter.

    Aerial setup is not rocket science but may get more complicated when extra rooms and booster systems gets involved


  • #4
    Peter Rhea
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    hobnob101 wrote: »
    So I got a uhf aerial and put it in the attic. In the attic I get a good signal quality on my tv.

    . . . At the sitting room I get a poor signal quality that sometimes slips into medium. Basically everything other than rte1 is unwatchable and even it is dodgy. The signal strength is still good though ( 97% ish).

    Here's the weird part. If I hold onto the standard tv cable going from the tv to the socket I suddenly go from 12 - 48% signal quality to 60 - 100% signal quality. I don't get it. I'm touching the plastic rather than an exposed wire.

    I have one of those cheap plug in amplifiers. If I get f to coax adapters and stick it in the attic should that help? Or is it likely to be some sort of grounding problem?

    All the rg6 cable is good quality. The only poor cable is the one from the outlet to the tv but they are all fairly standard ly crap I think.

    If the wall socket is the push-in type, rather than an f-connector, maybe your holding the lead is just making a better connection at the plug?

    If you think the actual 'store-bought' flylead is the problem, you can make your own from a length of decent cable.


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