Loss of channels on TV furthest from Aerial

debitcardmayhem

This site is a wealth of info, here is their link for Sandy Heath https://www.aerialsandtv.com/sandytransmitter.html

[Deleted User]

martinb29 wrote: »

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Colin_Maybe, we are right on the edge of the Anglia transmission area (and Sutton Coalfields) so signal strength is an issue. Not thought of putting up a second aerial on the same pole.

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I'm guessing you have used the coverage checker at DigitalUK?

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

martinb29

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

I'm guessing you have used the coverage checker at DigitalUK?

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

Yes mate, it shows us right on the edge of the Anglia coverage (NN11 2JS), We can get Sutton Coalfields if the aerial in redirected. I am told that being on high ground Sutton C is a slightly better signal but local news etc doesn't cover Northants so the whole road are pointing towards Sandy H.

My Panasonic TV gives me Signal Level & Signal Condition, the following are on channel 12 (Quest)

Without the second booster SL48% & SC62%
With the second booster SL81% & SC62% & with the front plate bypassed SL26% & SC93%. Strange that the "level" dropped
Changing fly lead and port on first booster made no difference.
BBC news, channel 231, showed level 95% and condition100%


I then found second booster had a gain button on it that was set to low so I set this to high and got the following on channel 12
Level 59%
Condition 100%


I assume the answer is to get both numbers as high as possible or is "level" more important that "Condition"?


I could get an aerial installer in but having run an Electrical shop I have heard constant stories how they want to up sell, rip out the old and install completely new and I could do that myself if needed.

debitcardmayhem

If by condition they mean quality then that is more important imho in this digital age

[Deleted User]

martinb29 wrote: »

Yes mate, it shows us right on the edge of the Anglia coverage (NN11 2JS), We can get Sutton Coalfields if the aerial in redirected. I am told that being on high ground Sutton C is a slightly better signal but local news etc doesn't cover Northants so the whole road are pointing towards Sandy H.

My Panasonic TV gives me Signal Level & Signal Condition, the following are on channel 12 (Quest)

Without the second booster SL48% & SC62%
With the second booster SL81% & SC62% & with the front plate bypassed SL26% & SC93%. Strange that the "level" dropped
Changing fly lead and port on first booster made no difference.
BBC news, channel 231, showed level 95% and condition100%


I then found second booster had a gain button on it that was set to low so I set this to high and got the following on channel 12
Level 59%
Condition 100%


I assume the answer is to get both numbers as high as possible or is "level" more important that "Condition"?


I could get an aerial installer in but having run an Electrical shop I have heard constant stories how they want to up sell, rip out the old and install completely new and I could do that myself if needed.

BBC1 is on a different multiplex to Quest and given your marginal location re. signal levels it's no surprise you're losing some channels from weaker multiplexs. Channels 20 & 21 (Drama & 5USA) are on the same multiplex as Quest so you should have the same issues.

Condition is more important and the higher the level on both the better but there's no point in having a high signal if it just comprises of a high level of noise.

Amplifiers are used to boost the signal over a longer cable run but still need a decent signal to start with, nothing can make a poor signal better other than a (possibly) better aerial than you have and/or a better line of sight on the transmitter (presuming you're within range in the first place). The usual caveats on cable/connnector quality and of course the quality of the decoder in the TV/box itself.

martinb29

Thanks Colin_Maybe, yes the problem started with channels 21 & 12 (not sure about 20) but then loosing all the others, as per my original post, prompted me to post here.
I think there are some coincidences here. The retune for 12 & 21 and then me removing the second booster that lost me all the others.
I have never been sure of the quality of my aerial but have not been confident/knowledgeable enough to purchase a good suitable one to replace it with, in case I buy a "pup".
So I suppose the final question is-can anyone recommend a good quality aerial for my region, if no better I can always use it as a second aerial anyway. I think a wideband is recommended for Sandy Heath.

debitcardmayhem

martinb29 wrote: »

Thanks Colin_Maybe, yes the problem started with channels 21 & 12 (not sure about 20) but then loosing all the others, as per my original post, prompted me to post here.
I think there are some coincidences here. The retune for 12 & 21 and then me removing the second booster that lost me all the others.
I have never been sure of the quality of my aerial but have not been confident/knowledgeable enough to purchase a good suitable one to replace it with, in case I buy a "pup".
So I suppose the final question is-can anyone recommend a good quality aerial for my region, if no better I can always use it as a second aerial anyway. I think a wideband is recommended for Sandy Heath.

Look at my earlier post Sandy Heath https://www.aerialsandtv.com/sandytransmitter.html


They will tell you which aerials are suitable

[Deleted User]

martinb29 wrote: »

Thanks Colin_Maybe, yes the problem started with channels 21 & 12 (not sure about 20) but then loosing all the others, as per my original post, prompted me to post here.
I think there are some coincidences here. The retune for 12 & 21 and then me removing the second booster that lost me all the others.
I have never been sure of the quality of my aerial but have not been confident/knowledgeable enough to purchase a good suitable one to replace it with, in case I buy a "pup".
So I suppose the final question is-can anyone recommend a good quality aerial for my region, if no better I can always use it as a second aerial anyway. I think a wideband is recommended for Sandy Heath.

If you can (fairly) easily replace your aerial then the site listed by @debitcardmayhem looks as good as any (there's a ton of them out there).

Given your location I think I'd jump to the XB16K https://www.aerialsandtv.com/onlineaerials.html#XB16K one and try it without any amps or splitters first. Then try the 4 way splitter/amp. https://www.aerialsandtv.com/ampsandsplitters.html#AmplifierOrSplitter is worth reading at the very least in regards to the splitter or amp debate.

This is presuming that your present aerial isn't up to the job as I don't know what it is exactly.

ianto11

Hi,

From my own experience...I had a very poor signal due to a hospital with data comms equipment on the roof close to my property in line of sight of the transmitter.
I now have a log periodic aerial with an adjustable gain masthead amp ( more chance of amplifying a good signal, inline amp further away from aerial amplifies any interference also....and signal is always "cleanest "closest to aerial)

I fitted an "F" type connector splitter to feed the the 3 TV's (not a satellite system, but I like the positiveness of the "F" type connectors)
I also changed all the coax to WF100 which I believe is the lowest loss available regardless of "reasonable " cable runs......ie not 100's of metres.

And often secondary amps just compound the situation, 1st amp amplifies the signal and noise, 2nd amplifies the "amplified" signal...and the noise.

Just my tuppenceworth ( showing my age now )

martinb29

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

If you can (fairly) easily replace your aerial then the site listed by @debitcardmayhem looks as good as any (there's a ton of them out there).

Given your location I think I'd jump to the XB16K https://www.aerialsandtv.com/onlineaerials.html#XB16K one and try it without any amps or splitters first. Then try the 4 way splitter/amp. https://www.aerialsandtv.com/ampsandsplitters.html#AmplifierOrSplitter is worth reading at the very least in regards to the splitter or amp debate.




This is presuming that your present aerial isn't up to the job as I don't know what it is exactly.

Thank you for the info, counting the X elements on mine I think its got 9 + reflector so the XB16K seems the next upward stage. As its on a chimney stack and its a bungalow changing it is not a problem but think I will need to get another lashing kit as the wind factor of 125N maybe more that the current one will hold. Will let you know how it goes, thanks again