Loft aerial & wiring

IB81

Hi all, not sure if this should go in the TV forum, but here goes anyway..

I’m a complete techie amateur, have recently moved in to a house and have been trying to figure out the previous owner’s aerial and wiring set up. I think I have just about got my head around it now, but need some advice if you would be so kind?

There is an aerial in the loft, which feeds a power pass mast head splitter/amp (like this: amazon dot co dot uk/Proception-Variable-Aerial-Masthead-Amplifier/dp/B00TST0BS0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1538055426&sr=1-4-fkmr1&keywords=proception+masthead+splitter). It took me days to realise why I was getting no signal around the house, but, to get power to the amp, in a room I don’t desperately need an aerial signal to (at the moment) I have connected an old Sky receiver box to one of the outputs from the splitter/amp (into the dish input 1 connection in the Sky box). I can now receive freeview signal to my (old-ish) tvs in each of the other outputs in rooms around the house.

This seems a bit cumbersome to me, so my question is, is there a better way of getting power back to the amp? Do more recent tvs have an f-type aerial connection to use for signal as well as sending power back up to the amp?

The aerial in the loft is currently precariously balanced, so I will obviously need to fix it more securely. I was thinking it would be best (and highest) if I can attach it to a rafter. Are all of the available brackets fully adjustable, so that even if it is screwed to an angled rafter, the aerial will be able to be adjusted fully to get the correct H/V orientation and pointing in the right direction? Anyone have any loft-fixing kit/bracket recommendations?

Finally, while I was doing all this I got thinking about Freeview HD. I read that as long as the current Freeview reception is strong enough, all I would need is a Freewiew HD box or compatible (more modern) tv, and I would be able to receive the HD quality channels. But I’m confused.. Does the HD signal come down the same cables/connections etc as now? No need for HDMI cables?

Sorry for the long post, but any help/advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Deleted User]

Do you need the amplifier? Perhaps it was needed before Freeview went digital and now is redundant. Try bypassing it completely. Yes, the HD channels come via the same aerial (presuming it's correct for your location) and down the same co-axial cable.

Check your coverage at: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/operations/about_the_coverage_checker to see what sort of signal you should be getting.

IB81

Thanks for your reply Colin. I think if I remove the amp, I would need to replace it with just a splitter, which may still need power from one of the outputs?

stator

You don't need to use a Sky box to power your masthead amplifier, you can buy a separate power supply. Or there are amplifiers that you can use that will send the power back up to the masthead amplifier.


This is a power supply for a masthead ampl:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/labgear-screened-masthead-amp-power-supply-12v/80459


This is a splitter that also provides power to the masthead amplifier:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/labgear-6-way-distribution-amplifier/8567X?kpid=8567X&ds_kid=92700024372740594&ds_rl=1248181&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249481&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_pTB2dfb3QIVRFXTCh2ufw3REAkYASABEgJnbfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=COHY89rX290CFYPV1QoduYkP3g


(you can get cheaper ones, and ones with fewer outputs)


Regarding Freeview HD, yes you just need a new box. The existing wiring all stays the same. Most places get good HD signals, but it's always possible that your HD signal might be weaker than your standard one in your area.


TVs don't have F-connects, they almost always have standard aerial connectors. You can buy F-connect to co-axial plug adapters in many places.



Regarding aerial fixing, most of the kits you can buy are not very flexible. You can adjust them up and down and swivel but you have to get the mounting pole straight, so that you can adjust it easily.
If your aerial doesn't have a mount bracket on it already then you need this
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p83800
and something like this
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p12491
or this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/labgear-tv-aerial-loft-fixing-kit/34394

IB81

Perfect, thanks Stator! Sounds like I just need to replace the Sky box with a power supply.. and try to find a suitable place for the aerial bracket!


Thanks again.