RTE channels gone to pants - need an aerial

yop · 21-03-2010 11:44PM #1

Lads,
I only have freeview sky and been using an old "long" aerial for RTE thats probably 15 yrs old but in the last few weeks the RTE has gone to hell.

I am based 5 miles from Castlebar on the Westport road if thats relevant!

Now I have one of the square aerials which I can get very good RTE2, TnaG and snowy TV3 but I can't get RTE 1 off this!

So my question is I suppose, is there an RTE specific aerial I can get, does it need a booster??

I have the current square and long aerials feeding into a distribution box which feeds off to 8 points.

I intend now also to get an aerial/sat combiner as I wish to send SKY down to 2 other freeview boxes.

Thanks

Galway · 22-03-2010 12:28AM

yop wrote: »

Lads,
I only have freeview sky and been using an old "long" aerial for RTE thats probably 15 yrs old but in the last few weeks the RTE has gone to hell.

I am based 5 miles from Castlebar on the Westport road if thats relevant!

Now I have one of the square aerials which I can get very good RTE2, TnaG and snowy TV3 but I can't get RTE 1 off this!

So my question is I suppose, is there an RTE specific aerial I can get, does it need a booster??

I have the current square and long aerials feeding into a distribution box which feeds off to 8 points.

I intend now also to get an aerial/sat combiner as I wish to send SKY down to 2 other freeview boxes.

Thanks

I would imagine you are receiving your channels from the Castlebar relay on Croaghmoyle Mountain. This relay changed from VHF band 3 to all UHF in 1999. The 'long' aerial was used for when it broadcast RTEs 1 and 2 on VHF band 3 -as this is no longer the case this aerial can now be taken down. The 'square' aerial you mention is known as a 'grid' aerial and is a UHF wideband aerial. This relay broadcasts RTE1 on channel 29, RTE2 on channel 33 and TG4 on channel 23. The reason you have not been able to get RTE1 tonight is that this channel has been off air (it is now back on from Castlebar). TV 3 is not provided from this relay but I believe it is transmitted from the very low power rickety deflector system for the town from the same mountain top (this could be the weak picture you are getting but you need to check the transmit channel). You should not need to amplify the signals from the 3 Irish stations from the Castlebar relay as it transmits on power of 9kw. If you wish to get TV3 you will need a group C/D UHF aerial to try to bring it in from either the main Truskmore transmitter (Sligo) on channel 63 or from the main transmitter on Maghera mountain on channel 66 on the Galway/Clare border.You will probably need a masthead amplifier (booster) for TV 3 from either of these two main transmitters. The signal from Maghera gets into to parts of Mayo so you may be lucky. You already have a distribution amplifier feeding 8 points, you will need a quad LNB for your dish as you cant juts split a single satellite feed and to feed other boxes.

yop · 22-03-2010 11:00AM

Galway wrote: »

I would imagine you are receiving your channels from the Castlebar relay on Croaghmoyle Mountain. This relay changed from VHF band 3 to all UHF in 1999. The 'long' aerial was used for when it broadcast RTEs 1 and 2 on VHF band 3 -as this is no longer the case this aerial can now be taken down. The 'square' aerial you mention is known as a 'grid' aerial and is a UHF wideband aerial. This relay broadcasts RTE1 on channel 29, RTE2 on channel 33 and TG4 on channel 23. The reason you have not been able to get RTE1 tonight is that this channel has been off air (it is now back on from Castlebar). TV 3 is not provided from this relay but I believe it is transmitted from the very low power rickety deflector system for the town from the same mountain top (this could be the weak picture you are getting but you need to check the transmit channel). You should not need to amplify the signals from the 3 Irish stations from the Castlebar relay as it transmits on power of 9kw. If you wish to get TV3 you will need a group C/D UHF aerial to try to bring it in from either the main Truskmore transmitter (Sligo) on channel 63 or from the main transmitter on Maghera mountain on channel 66 on the Galway/Clare border.You will probably need a masthead amplifier (booster) for TV 3 from either of these two main transmitters. The signal from Maghera gets into to parts of Mayo so you may be lucky. You already have a distribution amplifier feeding 8 points, you will need a quad LNB for your dish as you cant juts split a single satellite feed and to feed other boxes.

Thanks for all the details, loads to digest there!!!!

I will dump that aerial now for sure.

On the 8 point amplifier there is a UHF and a VHF, I presume that is dead now? Or is it any point in getting another grid aerial and feed it down the VHF input that can be used to pick up a better RTE 1/2 signal?

I have the quad LNB, now to get some roll of sat cable and get the 3 extra feeds into the house.

I have seen combiners mentioned here to will bring the sat and terrestial cables together on one of these and feed them down to the 3 rooms that will need freeview boxes.

Thanks very much

Bob_Harris · 22-03-2010 02:47PM

yop wrote: »

On the 8 point amplifier there is a UHF and a VHF, I presume that is dead now? Or is it any point in getting another grid aerial and feed it down the VHF input that can be used to pick up a better RTE 1/2 signal?

The UHF and VHF inputs on the amp are most likely filtered, so plugging a UHF aerial into the VHF socket will basically do nothing, because no UHF signal will pass through the VHF socket.

If you are going to the trouble of setting up an aerial at this moment in time you might consider future proofing yourself and making sure whatever setup you choose works with Irish DTT / Saorview which officially launches later this year.

yop · 22-03-2010 03:03PM

Bob_Harris wrote: »

The UHF and VHF inputs on the amp are most likely filtered, so plugging a UHF aerial into the VHF socket will basically do nothing, because no UHF signal will pass through the VHF socket.

If you are going to the trouble of setting up an aerial at this moment in time you might consider future proofing yourself and making sure whatever setup you choose works with Irish DTT / Saorview which officially launches later this year.

Thanks very much Bob.

My new TV (a samsung) seems to have picked up RTE DT stations, of course nothing coming through, but when I tuned in the tv they have now appeared. I didn't think the inbuilt tuner would work.

I have boosters for the UHF aerial, 1 a black/grey box and the other a white one with a power cable.
Where should these go with regards the 8 point distribution box?

thanks

Galway · 22-03-2010 08:41PM

yop wrote: »

Thanks very much Bob.

My new TV (a samsung) seems to have picked up RTE DT stations, of course nothing coming through, but when I tuned in the tv they have now appeared. I didn't think the inbuilt tuner would work.

I have boosters for the UHF aerial, 1 a black/grey box and the other a white one with a power cable.
Where should these go with regards the 8 point distribution box?

thanks

If, as you say, your tv is picking up DTT channels it suggests your UHF grid aerial is getting these from either Truskmore (Sligo) on ch 53 or Maghera (Clare) on ch 48. Can you let me know which UHF channel the DTT is coming in on? Dont junk the VHF band 3 aerial yet in case you need to pick up RTE 1 and 2 on analogue from Truskmore or Maghera. If you decide to to pick up your analogue from Castlebar you wont need the Band 3 aerial tho. TV 3 on DTT is currently showing a test card so you will need to bring it in on analogue from either Truskmore or Maghera - see my previous post. Another UHF aerial will be needed - group C/D - and this can be combined with the grid aerial which is receiving from Castlebar by using a groupised diplexer (also known as an A-E combiner) PM me and let me know what you need and I can point you in the right direction.

The input on UHF masthead amplifier should be connected to the output of the grid aerial ( or the combined output of the grid and group C/d UHF aerial should you decide you want TV3) and the output to the downlead going to the 8 point distribution amplifier in the attic. The masthead amp should be mounted outside a metre below the aerial on the pole. Check your distribution amplifier it may provide 12Volts dc to power an masthead amp so making a separate power suppy unnecessary. If not, you need to connect the power supply input to the downlead from the roof and then the output to the UHF input on the 8 point distribution amp.

yop · 22-03-2010 11:03PM

I retuned the TV this evening and its picking up RTE1, RT2, TnaG, RTE News and the radio stations all on digital scan. Pictures are 100% perfect.

I setup the aerial and disconnected the VHF and the pics are a good bit better.

Galway · 22-03-2010 11:07PM

yop wrote: »

I retuned the TV this evening and its picking up RTE1, RT2, TnaG, RTE News and the radio stations all on digital scan. Pictures are 100% perfect.

I setup the aerial and disconnected the VHF and the pics are a good bit better.

Great but what UHFchannel or frequency are the DTT channels coming in on?This is to determine what transmitter you are picking the DTT from. It isnt Castlebar as they DTT is not active there yet.

yop · 22-03-2010 11:25PM

Galway wrote: »

Great but what UHFchannel or frequency are the DTT channels coming in on?This is to determine what transmitter you are picking the DTT from. It isnt Castlebar as they DTT is not active there yet.

Sorry I dont know how to check

There is a "DTV" button on the TV, when I hit this it shows up the channels
The TV is a Samsung LE26B350, it has an inbuilt tuner so not sure if its that which is picking these up!!!!

http://www.samsung.com/baltic/consumer/detail/productPreviewRead.do?model_cd=LE26B350F1WXBT&group=tv-audio-video&type=television&subtype=lcd-tv&subsubtype=

Whats weird is that I have another (3 yr old) Samsung as my main TV and I went and tuned the digitals channels in there and all I am getting is audio.

emaherx · 22-03-2010 11:54PM

your older Samsung TV is only MPEG2 capable hence no video. That TV would require a STB (Set Top Box) or CAM (Conditional Access Module) to receive RTE Digital.

The Samaung TV with Picture is MPEG4 capable. IF you set that TV to UK settings instead of IRL you will also receive Digital text and full 8 day Guide.

yop · 23-03-2010 12:21AM

Ah, that wud add up. Ok yes I have the guide already and top notch pictures. Will these pics remain or are they only testing i wonder?

Where would I get my hands on the CAM? There is a cam slot at the back of the TV.

Thanks

emaherx · 23-03-2010 08:55AM

For CAM look here http://http://www.saortv.com/shop/terrestrial-accessories/cat_14.html

CAM slot should be at side of TV if it has one. Not all TV's with CAM slots are fully compatibale with these modules.

Are you receiving Digital or analouge text service? If it s the old style Aertel then set your TV to UK settings to receive the Digital Text.

yop · 23-03-2010 10:13AM

All the digital channels gone this morning so it was possibly a test.

emaherx · 23-03-2010 11:06AM

Although it is just a test. Digital channels should still be transmitting.
Most likely your intermittant reception is down to weather conditions and Aerial problems.

I had perfect reception of NI Analog channels including channel five in Navan yesterday. snowy picture this morning. Some times I can receive Digital from NI also.

A better Aerial or alignment may sort out your reception problems or possibly a mast head amp. you said that your reception of analog has gotten worse recently, so I would suspect that aligmnent may be your issue. Also check any external combiners for uhf/vhf or Amps for water damage.

yop · 23-03-2010 12:56PM

Will do

I think the root of my problem is the aerial is inside!

I have a brand new grid aerial, the booster is wired to this about 3ft away. It improved my signals (terristrial) by about 40% when I set it up last night. So the pics have improved.

Maybe I need to bite the bullet and move the lot outside onto the gable (live in the sticks so bar trees and few hills its clear).

gtg60 · 23-03-2010 01:01PM

yop wrote: »

Will do

I think the root of my problem is the aerial is inside!

I have a brand new grid aerial, the booster is wired to this about 3ft away. It improved my signals (terristrial) by about 40% when I set it up last night. So the pics have improved.

Maybe I need to bite the bullet and move the lot outside onto the gable (live in the sticks so bar trees and few hills its clear).

Outside is always better, you may not even need the masthead amp any more.

Galway · 23-03-2010 07:22PM

yop wrote: »

Will do

I think the root of my problem is the aerial is inside!

I have a brand new grid aerial, the booster is wired to this about 3ft away. It improved my signals (terristrial) by about 40% when I set it up last night. So the pics have improved.

Maybe I need to bite the bullet and move the lot outside onto the gable (live in the sticks so bar trees and few hills its clear).

Is your grid aerial facing north / north west or south. south east? That will determine if your DTT is coming from Truskmore (Sligo) or Maghera (Clare), I would doubt it getting in there from Cairn Hill (Longford) - north east direction/

yop · 23-03-2010 11:32PM

Galway wrote: »

Is your grid aerial facing north / north west or south. south east? That will determine if your DTT is coming from Truskmore (Sligo) or Maghera (Clare), I would doubt it getting in there from Cairn Hill (Longford) - north east direction/

The aerial is facing North to North East.

Galway · 24-03-2010 12:34AM

yop wrote: »

The aerial is facing North to North East.

Probably Truskmore (Sligo) on channel 53 for DTT then, your aerial would have to be more north-east/east for Cairn Hill (Longford) on ch 47.

yop · 24-03-2010 10:41AM

Thanks.

There was no digital reception last nite (it was raining) but this morning it was back (sunny morning) but with "blocky" interference.

Galway · 24-03-2010 01:35PM

yop wrote: »

Thanks.

There was no digital reception last nite (it was raining) but this morning it was back (sunny morning) but with "blocky" interference.

Your aerial is probably not aligned on the relevant DTT transmitter.

Mayo Exile · 24-03-2010 04:52PM

Yop, it would be great if you could identify the UHF channel number you are getting DTT on. Plllleeeaaasssssee!!!! Check the TV manual if possible.

Then we could identify where its coming from. Could be that the Castlebar relay is being upgraded. If DTT is on 22, 26 or 32 it could be Castlebar.

yop · 24-03-2010 05:18PM

Will do.

I will have a look tonite if I can at the DT menu, have to go to a funeral first, but will get back onto you again later on.

Galway · 24-03-2010 11:33PM

Mayo Exile wrote: »

Yop, it would be great if you could identify the UHF channel number you are getting DTT on. Plllleeeaaasssssee!!!! Check the TV manual if possible.

Then we could identify where its coming from. Could be that the Castlebar relay is being upgraded. If DTT is on 22, 26 or 32 it could be Castlebar.

No theres NO DTT presently from Cbar. I get signals from Maghera, Cairn Hill and Cbar at my location and the DTT is only on from Maghera and Cairn Hill. I strongly suspect he is gettin it from Truskmore on ch 53 as he says the aerial is facing north/north east at his location.

Mayo Exile · 25-03-2010 12:27AM

Galway wrote: »

No theres NO DTT presently from Cbar. I get signals from Maghera, Cairn Hill and Cbar at my location and the DTT is only on from Maghera and Cairn Hill. I strongly suspect he is gettin it from Truskmore on ch 53 as he says the aerial is facing north/north east at his location.

Darn! Hopefully over the summer then. Interesting if it is Truskmore. Analogue reception from there was blocked in alot of central and western Mayo by hilly areas in Sligo.

yop · 25-03-2010 01:08AM

Ok lads, picked up 9 services on channel 48 there at 12am.

Does that give any more details?

Sorry more details.

Channel Frequency Bandwidth
48 690000khz 8mhz

Mayo Exile · 25-03-2010 01:25AM

yop wrote: »

Ok lads, picked up 9 services on channel 48 there at 12am.

Does that give any more details?

Sorry more details.

Channel Frequency Bandwidth
48 690000khz 8mhz

Thats Maghera in Co. Clare I believe. Point your aerial south for this. Maghera must be strong at your location as your aerial is in the attic, plus its pointing the wrong way and you are still getting something!

If you do point your aerial south, you can then check for TV3 (analogue) on channel 66 as Galway has already said above.

Galway · 25-03-2010 10:45AM

yop wrote: »

Ok lads, picked up 9 services on channel 48 there at 12am.

Does that give any more details?

Sorry more details.

Channel Frequency Bandwidth
48 690000khz 8mhz

Yep thats Maghera, the DTT from there is certainly reaching into areas well beyond the analogue service area. If you want TV3 - which will be on analogue channel 66 (as the DTT keeps radiating a test card!),. a good group c/d Yagi aerial with masthead amp should get you acceptable pictures plus rock solid DTT. A UHF group C/D aerial is better than a grid here. You can combine the outputs of the grid and the C/D aerial into one download with an A to E diplexer whch will get you RTEs 1 & 2 (channels 29 & 33) and TG 4 (23)from Cbar and TV 3 (66) and TG 4 (68) from Maghera. (RTEs 1 & 2 are on VHF band 3 from there). Aerials should be horizontally polarised in both cases. The DTT from Maghera will come in on Ch 48. The Maghera aerial needs to face south/south east and the Cbar grid north/north west.

yop · 25-03-2010 11:56AM

Thanks,
I have 2 grid aerials currently. So I need another (A UHF group C/D ) to get the DTT from Maghera.

I must do some research on them as its gone a little over my head at this stage!

I might have a diplexer at home I think somewhere.

But thanks for the advice.

Galway · 25-03-2010 02:11PM

yop wrote: »

Thanks,
I have 2 grid aerials currently. So I need another (A UHF group C/D ) to get the DTT from Maghera.

I must do some research on them as its gone a little over my head at this stage!
I might have a diplexer at home I think somewhere.

But thanks for the advice.

Well if you have a 2nd grid you can use that so, but they take up more space on the mast pole and so the Cbar aerial would have to be mounted lowered down than if you used a Yagi type UHF c/d aerial at the top for Maghera which would give better gain. Your diplexer needs to be able to combine channels 21-35 and 40-68.

RTE channels gone to pants - need an aerial

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