Poor reception (attic installation)

slave1

Hi guys,

Had an attic ariel installed with splitter and using cable per pictures.
Reception was fine when I only had one TV hooked up, I now have 3 TV's hooked up and another one shortly.
On TV1 the quality varies between mid 20's and high 40's and strength in single digits, other TV's are blocky or nil reception but do get a picture the odd time. TV1 also goes the odd time.
I'm not a massive Saorview viewer so don't keep track, perhaps there's no reception more often, perhaps not, I don't know.

Installation was by recommended installer and as I said was fine upon installation in January this year, proving annoying more that anything else as I've added more Saorview TV's to the house.

I'd really like to keep an attic ariel if at all possible, don't mind changing some of the gear if I can keep the attic installation.
Based in Athlone.

Any recommendations or comments appreciated.

Regards

Ariel



Splitter



Cable

The Cush

Try a distribution amp instead of the splitter e.g. http://www.tvtrade.ie/tv-distribution/tv-distribution-amplifiers.html

slave1

Thanks for reply, no power connection in the attic unfortunately, just lights...I can think further about running a long trailing socket though if needs be.

The Cush

slave1 wrote: »

no power connection in the attic unfortunately, just lights...I can think further about running a long trailing socket though if needs be.

Masthead Amplifier (4 Way) with remote power supply via one of the cable feeds from the rooms, mounted close to the aerial

Example http://www.tvtrade.ie/variable-gain-uhf-masthead-amplifiers.html (power supply http://www.tvtrade.ie/proception-1-way-12v-power-unit.html)

Antenna

There's also unnecessary signal loss using that 8-outlet passive splitter for your 3 (or 4) TVs - even though there is nothing connected to the unused outlets there will still be extra loss on the outlets in use on a passive (non-amplified) splitter.

You would have less signal loss with a passive splitter to match the number of TVs (3 or 4)

slave1

Thanks, I did question the need for an 8way splitter (I think 6 should cover all future needs) however the installer said that each Soarview device had powered connection which means the 8way was okay as each device would have ample power to take a signal...

Peter Rhea

slave1 wrote: »

the installer said that each Soarview device had powered connection which means the 8way was okay as each device would have ample power to take a signal...

The 'antenna power' or 'active antenna' on receivers is only a power supply, usually 5 volts. It can be used to power some of the masthead type amplifiers, mentioned above. On its own, it doesn't do anything for the signal.

SpaceTime

Get a double socket installed in the attic. There should be a few circuits running through it for sockets anyway and typically an electrician should be able to install one for you without any fuss.

Far safer than using trailing sockets.

Peter Rhea

As was mentioned already, there is no need for a 'local' power supply.

slave1

Thanks guys, I think I'll connect TV1 directly to the ariel to diagnose whether the splitter is an issue, if I'm still getting weak reception then an amplifier won't be able to work magic I assume...

slave1

Okay, TV1 (closest to ariel so shortest cable run) was unusually high floating between 70%-85% quality and 9% strength via splitter, I connected this TV to ariel with an f type joiner and quality at 100% and strength at 46% so I think that marks the splitter as culprit.

I can replace the splitter with this guy and simply wire a long lead for power, I checked the attic and there's just lighting rings up there, no sign of power cables (house 43 years old). I prefer to spend a couple of quid on getting an 8 way rather than 6 just to future proof.

I assume a 46% strength is good enough guys, yes/no?

Thinking long term I intend to get the attic spray insulated (the type that goes onto the underside of the roof felt), when this happens will this impact my signal and therefore I should think again before spending now.

Oh and thanks for replies...

Peter Rhea

slave1 wrote: »

I can replace the splitter with this guy and simply wire a long lead for power, I checked the attic and there's just lighting rings up there, no sign of power cables (house 43 years old). I prefer to spend a couple of quid on getting an 8 way rather than 6 just to future proof.

Those 8-way & 6-way amps have a 'full' output with 18dB gain (the others are 5dB). This can be used to extend the system by running a single cable to a splitter, say at the other end of a spread-out house, rather than have to run individual cables all the way back to the amplifier.

You can do this with any amplifier, 'full' output or not, provided the input signal & amplifier gain combine to give you a signal you can usefully split.

The Cush

slave1 wrote: »

I assume a 46% strength is good enough guys, yes/no?

Thinking long term I intend to get the attic spray insulated (the type that goes onto the underside of the roof felt), when this happens will this impact my signal and therefore I should think again before spending now.

That depends on what 46% represents, signal quality is the important figure. Only a proper professional meter will tell you how good or bad the signal arriving at your aerial is.

As regards the spray insulation the more stuff you put between the aerial and transmitter the more difficult for the signal to get to the aerial. How much it will attenuate (reduce) the signal I can't say perhaps you should consider moving the aerial outside.

Antenna

slave1 wrote: »

Installation was by recommended installer

slave1 wrote: »

Thanks, I did question the need for an 8way splitter (I think 6 should cover all future needs) however the installer said that each Soarview device had powered connection which means the 8way was okay as each device would have ample power to take a signal...

Recommended by who ?

Some would use the word 'clueless' for an installer thinking that a passive splitter was some type of amplifier powered by the receivers

slave1

Antenna wrote: »

Recommended by who ?

Some would use the word 'clueless' for an installer thinking that a passive splitter was some type of amplifier powered by the receivers

Live and learn my friend...

BuzzG

Would the name not give it away 'passive'

slave1

Thanks guys, have ordered a 8 way amp so will update when received and installed...

slave1

Finally got around to fitting this guy, annoyingly short lead so I used a connector and some extra flex to wire up to power.
Result!
100% quality and strength hovering between 54% and 58% so happy camper with three TV's now hooked up and another one shortly.
Thanks guys for the recommendations and advice.