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Triax box for aerial

  • 30-12-2017 12:11pm
    #1
    muddled1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81 ✭✭


    I am hopeless at DIY/TV stuff. I had Saorview (through a receiver) working okay until one day the signal was lost (originally set up by a pro several years ago). Long story short am wondering f it's the Triax thingy as attached (sorry camera is ****e). It only says "Triax" on it - no model number, etc. Don't know what it's called. My questions are:
    1. What's the yoke called
    2. Is it easy to replace - don't want to pay someone

    I just got a smart tv but doesn't appear can watch Irish telly online with the apps. Am tired of waiting and watching on catchup. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!


Comments

  • #2
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    Looks like the power supply for a masthead amplifier, so could have failed, or the amplifier itself.

    The PSU is easily replaced, the amplifier is more than likely near the aerial, probably outside if that's where the aerial is.


  • #3
    muddled1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81 ✭✭muddled1


    Thank you Thurston?
    The aerial is in the loft - would that matter?


  • #4
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    The amplifier must be in the loft too then, so water ingress is unlikely to be the problem. Maybe someone just stood on a cable & disconnected it, or something like that?

    Anyhow, you could test the PSU by looking for 12 volts DC between the inner core & outer braid of the cable from PSU to amp. Some receivers can also output 5 volts DC to power amplifiers, but if it's a Triax amp fitted, I'd say it needs the 12 volts.

    If you just want to swap out the PSU, you need one capable of supplying the voltage & current needs of the amp, such as those shown here, & here. (You'll also need a couple of f-connectors for the cables.)


  • #5
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,048 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    muddled1 wrote: »
    I am hopeless at DIY/TV stuff. I had Saorview (through a receiver) working okay until one day the signal was lost (originally set up by a pro several years ago). Long story short am wondering f it's the Triax thingy as attached (sorry camera is ****e). It only says "Triax" on it - no model number, etc. Don't know what it's called. My questions are:
    1. What's the yoke called
    2. Is it easy to replace - don't want to pay someone

    I just got a smart tv but doesn't appear can watch Irish telly online with the apps. Am tired of waiting and watching on catchup. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

    Can you not plug the aerial lead into the TV and tune the TV to the Irish channels?

    .... or are you not within easy range of a Saorview transmitter


  • #6
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    Johnboy1951 wrote: »
    Can you not plug the aerial lead into the TV and tune the TV to the Irish channels?

    'Plug the aerial into the TV' is going to involve disconnecting input & output cables from the amp, & joining them, & disconnecting the input cable from the PSU, terminating & possibly extending it.

    And I doubt the installer just fitted the amp for the fun of it.

    Anyway, the problem might be nothing to do with the amp or PSU, could be something as simple as a damaged connection where the aerial plugs into the receiver.


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  • #7
    muddled1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81 ✭✭muddled1


    Johnboy1951 wrote: »
    Can you not plug the aerial lead into the TV and tune the TV to the Irish channels?

    .... or are you not within easy range of a Saorview transmitter

    No, am in the country, many, many miles away from the transmitter.


  • #8
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    That yoke is a masthead amp and psu in one and looks very basic one that cannot be adjusted. Its normally in a cover though.

    OP In the picture you supplied follow the power supply lead on the left to wherever its plugged in at the mains and disconnect it. Change the fuse in the plug to rule out that isnt the cause.

    Otherwise ripout that kit and just buy another kit.

    How these things work explained.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-l_-WFPNTo


  • #9
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    muddled1 wrote: »
    No, am in the country, many, many miles away from the transmitter.

    That's not necessarily a recipe for poor signal, depending on transmitter power, height of its transmitting aerials, & terrain between you & it. If your aerial was outside (& at a decent height), there would probably be no need for the amplifier, particularly if it's only feeding a single TV point.
    STB. wrote: »
    That yoke is a masthead amp and psu in one ...

    Masthead amp & PSU in one? What would be the point of that?


  • #10
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    Thurston? wrote: »
    Masthead amp & PSU in one? What would be the point of that?

    Given this is a loft aerial I am guessing that there is either no masthead amp or its on the same board or its on a connection box on the aerial itself.

    If the OP follows the RF cables in and out of that unit he should be able to supply us with pictures of what they are connected to.


  • #11
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    STB. wrote: »
    Given this is a loft aerial I am guessing that there is either no masthead amp or its on the same board or its on a connection box on the aerial itself.

    If the OP follows the RF cables in and out of that unit he should be able to supply us with pictures of what they are connected to.

    Well, if it was me installing, & assuming a lack of electrical outlets in the attic, I'd just fit a masthead, & plug a PSU in at the TV point.

    There's no need for any more pics., as far as I'm concerned anyway.


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  • #12
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    STB. wrote: »
    ... How these things work explained.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-l_-WFPNTo

    Look at this video, from the same guy. He thinks the current leakage from the PSU* is actually 'static' helping the aerial 'pull in' more signal & that it works differently to other amplifiers ...

    *Well AFAIA that's what it actually is.


  • #13
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    Thurston? wrote: »
    Well, if it was me installing, & assuming a lack of electrical outlets in the attic, I'd just fit a masthead, & plug a PSU in at the TV point.

    There's no need for any more pics., as far as I'm concerned anyway.

    If I was an installer, I wouldnt be leaving an electronics board exposed like that, especially given its a PSU at the vesry least.

    I guarantee you the masthead amp is on the loft aerial itself, boxed beside it or there is none. OP will know by the following the cables.


  • #14
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    STB. wrote: »
    If I was an installer, I wouldnt be leaving an electronics board exposed like that, especially given its a PSU at the vesry least.

    I guarantee you the masthead amp is on the loft aerial itself, boxed beside it or there is none. OP will know by the following the cables.

    Maybe OP took the cover off? And I don't know why you're so insistent the aerial is the type with integrated amplifier, or what real difference it would make to anything ...


  • #15
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    Thurston? wrote: »
    Look at this video, from the same guy. He thinks the current leakage from the PSU* is actually 'static' helping the aerial 'pull in' more signal & that it works differently to other amplifiers ...

    *Well AFAIA that's what it actually is.

    Yeah I watched it. The tingle.....:)


  • #16
    STB.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,380 ✭✭✭STB.


    Thurston? wrote: »
    Maybe OP took the cover off? And I don't know why you're so insistent the aerial is the type with integrated amplifier, or what real difference it would make to anything ...

    So we can assess what in his set up could possibly be the problem. He says he is not handy with this stuff, so I'd imagine he hasnt got a voltmeter. Following the rf leads is a start. "Hang on I've found another box".


  • #17
    Thurston?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭Thurston?


    STB. wrote: »
    So we can assess what in his set up could possibly be the problem. He says he is not handy with this stuff, so I'd imagine he hasnt got a voltmeter. Following the rf leads is a start. "Hang on I've found another box".

    Well there's a masthead PSU (Triax TP1285, if I'm not mistaken), so of course there's 'another box' somewhere ...

    If the cover is pulled back another bit, I'd say 'aerial in, 12V @100mA out' & 'signal out' labels will be visible.


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