Help with Freeview, aerials?
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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Ray Reed10:57 AM
Thanks again for our suggestions. I would reiterate that the problem only surfaced in recent weeks after using the current set up successfully for many months and the previous TV for many years. Jm F, same problem on the channels you mention. Can anyone suggest or recommend an RF engineer of some sort in my area who could investigate the problem perhaps with spectrum analysers, etc?
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Steve5:17 PM
Rau - You said your problems started in April. That was when a lot of places converted to digital only, with increased power and new frequencies. So soething related to that it at minimum a serious possibility.
You have a strong signal. Wolfbane - notoriously conservative - says you need only a set-top. Have you tried one?
Have you compared notes wiith neighbours?
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Thursday, 23 June 2011
M
Mike Dimmick4:19 PM
Ray Reed: You say this is happening on multiple TVs, fed from one distribution amplifier. Have you checked the amplifier's power supply? http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/articles/whatsat-201006.pdf
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Mazbar5:46 PM
Ray i know nothing about your line of work, there is a lot more to fitting a aerial than most people think. Just call a local aerial rigger to come out and check everything with a proper meter this will cost you money but it will solve your problem.
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Friday, 24 June 2011
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Ray Reed1:59 AM
New Malden
Steve, I've now tried taking the front elements and reflector off the loft aerial to drastically reduce the gain with no affect. Also bought a basic set top aerial to try which just about gets a useable signal in one position. It may have reduced the problem a little but I'm not sure, if it has it's not by much. I do still wonder if it has anything to do with the increase to full power in other areas. My immediate neighbours get their TV via Virgin cable. I haven't canvassed any others, yet.
Mike, I tried bypassing the amplifier in the early stages of investigation and even ran a coax cable out of the loft direct to a TV in case there was a problem with the down lead, no change.
Mazbar, I think I'll have to admit defeat and do as you suggest.
Many thanks to all for your interest and suggestions. Please feel free to comment if anything else occurs.
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Ray's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Steve10:34 AM
Ray - you have (?) tried a different TV to make sure it really IS the signal?
I often comment that what you most importantly pay a TV aerial man for is his local knowledge.
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jb3812:21 PM
Ray Reed: An aspect of what you mention is a bit puzzling, that is when you say that these effects can be seen on two LCD sets and also on an old CRT type, which I take it might be fed from a set top box.
The area I really find puzzling is, that if a problem is cause by anything connected to the signal being received, e.g: overloading or anything else if it comes to it, the symptoms seen portrayed when trying out the same signal on different pieces of equipment are never exactly the same, as various brands cope differently when dealing with a signal problem, that is of course provided they do NOT use the same chassis.
I would be interested in knowing the result of trying out what Steve has suggested, as I suspect that overly complex reasons are possibly being thought about for whatever is responsible for your difficulties.
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Saturday, 25 June 2011
J
Jm F8:04 PM
Ray Reed: Possible options for RF interference on digital TV include things like taxi transmitters, though your aerial would need to be fairly close to any offending transmit antenna.
Power line adapters for carrying internet signals around mains wiring are another option for interference, though I've not seen any yet that interfered directly with digital or analogue TV.
Your suggestion of a spectrum analyser test seems like the next logical step to identify what's going on.
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Friday, 1 July 2011
J
Jay1:00 AM
Its the TV, I have removed all other tv leads, and switched off everything near.
With no cables other than the aerial lead, we still have issues.
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jb383:16 PM
Jay: It would appear that you are virtually on the doorstep of the Whitehawk Hill transmitter, and although admittedly herringbone patters are more associated with analogue TV interference, the exceptionally powerful signal you are receiving could be causing severe instability in the tuners RF circuitry, this necessitating the use of an attenuator in line with the aerial input.
Purely for a test, try a short piece of wire in the TV's aerial socket, if the signal at your location is overpowering you might well get results with the wire.
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