freeview reception advice & recommendations

fwor

Just goes to show that assumptions (in this case that the log periodic refers to the separation between the dipoles) can lead you astray...

Thanks for the correction and sorry for also almost misleading VoucherMan.

Must admit, though I use them, I don't actually like the Maplin ones that much either - you only have to breath a bit too hard on the Baco foil dipoles and you've got a wonky and no doubt less effective aerial...

VoucherMan

Thanks to all for the comments. I'm gradually building my own layman's description of a log periodic. Something like

the elements get shorter towards the outer end of the aerial, giving a 'triangular' shaped antenna. - Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I've found a fairly local Maplin's store, so I can call in next time I'm in the area.
Are Maplin's staff fairly knowledgeable? If I go and ask for a log periodic aerial are they likely to know what I'm after?

Inactive

VoucherMan wrote: »

I've found a fairly local Maplin's store, so I can call in next time I'm in the area.
Are Maplin's staff fairly knowledgeable? If I go and ask for a log periodic aerial are they likely to know what I'm after?

If they are like mine, you will probably end up with a packet of washing powder;) , I avoid Maplins like the plague.

VoucherMan

Inactive wrote: »

If they are like mine, you will probably end up with a packet of washing powder;) , I avoid Maplins like the plague.

Hopefully I've picked up enough here to know what I'm looking for.
If not do you know of any other stores that sell them? I've tried Argos & Currys with no luck.

Inactive

eBay or any other online retailer, lot's come up in Google.;)

PS Argos do sell one, it isn't listed as Log Periodic, but it is.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5352526/Trail/searchtext%3EAERIAL+TV.htm

VoucherMan

I've noticed that both these are amplified aerials.

espresso wrote: »

This is an example of a log periodic sold by Maplin here

and

Inactive wrote: »

Argos do sell one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5352526/Trail/searchtext%3EAERIAL+TV.htm

Since I'm only 4 miles from the transmitter, according to Wolfbane website, I think I'll take my chances with a non-amplified one.

espresso

VoucherMan wrote: »

I've had a Humax PVR for a few years & usually have good reception, however sometimes the signal weakens or disappears altogether but only on channels from 1 or 2 multiplexes at a time (I'm not techie- so I hope it makes sense). Over Christmas it's been the main BBC TV group & the one with ITV2 +1, but sometimes I lose the Sky channels.
After reading a few other threads I'm guessing it's down to an inferior ariel??

I get my signal from Winter Hill - changeover scheduled for end of this year. When this happens and the signal, currently between 10% and 50% depending on where I look, is boosted is the reception problem likely to clear up?

Reading your OP again, I'm wondering if this could be due to engineering works on your TX see here also your digital switch over date is the end of next year in November 2009 when your Freeview power will increase from 10000W to 100000W, which is ten times stronger.

Log periodic aerials often have an amplifier to give them some gain as they have less than yagi type aerials over their wide frequency range. see here

VoucherMan

Thanks espresso. I'm actually on the Pendle forest relay http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SD825384 It just shows up as Winter Hill on the PVR.
Is the power increase passed on to relay transmitters? The Pendle Forest transmitter is only due a 10% increase, from 91w to 100w, so I don't know if I'll benefit from Winter Hill's increase.

and may I be the first to wish you a happy new year. :beer:

espresso wrote: »

also your digital switch over date is the end of next year in November 2009

You must have had a long sleep. http://www.calendardate.com/todays.htm:confused:

espresso

VoucherMan wrote: »

Thanks espresso. I'm actually on the Pendle forest relay http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SD825384 It just shows up as Winter Hill on the PVR.
Is the power increase passed on to relay transmitters? The Pendle Forest transmitter is only due a 10% increase, from 91w to 100w, so I don't know if I'll benefit from Winter Hill's increase.

and may I be the first to wish you a happy new year. :beer:

You must have had a long sleep. http://www.calendardate.com/todays.htm:confused:

Unfortunately you won't benefit from the power increase on Winter Hill on your local relay TX which is vertically polarised.

Apologies, I though that this thread actually started last year, happy new year to you also.

Moneymaker

For the record, a log-periodic is easy to recognise since it has no reflector element. It has several advantages and there's a page about it on the Satcure site. (Click on "Technical" then "8. What's the best Indoor/outdoor aerial ?"