All posts by Adrian
Below are all of Adrian's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Chris.SE:
Thanks for the info - brilliant.
I have tried a filter and it had no obvious affect.
Using the log-periodic-group-k aerial, I assume I'd retain the masthead amp as we are in a known weakish signal area ?
Also, is it the case that the aerial does not need an elevation adjustment ?
Our current bracket is a fixed elevation = horizontal and at a mounting height of about 3m; transmitter is at 252m and is 16Km away.
Thanks.
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Chris.SE:
Hi,
It was a 4G filter, and probably over 5 years ago.
We haven't had a postcard but i have spoken with RestoreTV today and the outcome was there are no active Tx near us but are sending me an external filter to be fitted before the masthead amp.
I used your Prediction page with our lat/long and it comes up with Kendal, but no mention of Winderemere so am guessing this tool somehow is ignoring the 120m large hill (about 1Km distance and +90m above our height) between us and Kendal.
Looking at a simple plot of elevation between us (30m) and Windermere (252m), we just about have line of sight, but for one peak probably just getting in the way about half way to the mast. We have had reliable reception across the 3 UHF channels for long periods of time and I always used to watch sport in high definition channels.
After i checked the aerial, cable and connections and tried to re-align last Sunday - we got all channels no loss of picture quality.
By Monday am we'd got picture blocking/pixelation on CH44, 47 and had lost CH 41 altogether - not even listed in the TV Signal test page.
As of this morning 09:30
CH47: Signal=100% Quality range 54% - 66%
CH44: Signal=100% Quality range 33% - 46%
As of this morning 10:30
CH47: Signal=100% Quality 100%
CH44: Signal=100% Quality range 48% - 56%
Tried auto retuning to see if CH41 would be picked up, but it wasnt.
Thanks
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Chris.SE:
just got back onto this:
I checked the DC supply on load and was +12V at the amp B1226 , which is fixed gain = 26dB (I think).
I also had less than 100% signal by splitting it between a DVR and the TV, with TV signal less than 100%.
The quality was very poor, sometimes less than 35%, which makes me suspect the amp and / or PSU or cable.
The install is circa 16 years old so could be dried out capacitors ?
Can you recommend a masthead amp ?
I was thinking https://www.blake-uk.com/new-products/class-1-1way-high-gain-uhf-masthead-amplifier-1-input-1-output27db.html
I then dont need the separate masthead filter.
thanks,
Adrian
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Chris.SE: Am pleased to report back that the new aerial (28 element LP Group K) plus new masthead amp and psu from Blake all works with signal level now 97% and quality =100%.
Blake also offered really good tech support, confirming choice of aerial for my location.
Thanks for all your help to give me confidence to do this DIY.
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Monday 6 November 2023 9:27AM
Hi,
I have a 2007 aerial that is in good condition for it's age but over past 2 years or so has been more prone to poor reception - seems worse in cold clear mornings bizarrely. It has 14 elements (all same), a driver and 2 reflectors and is receiving from a Free-view Light Transmitter at Windermere with vertical polarization UHF channels 41,44 and 47. A masthead amp is fitted at the aerial and is clean and dry. The cable is also in good condition and the clamp connections are good. We are about 10 miles from the transmitter. We cannot use any other transmitter, eg Lancaster, due to hills.
I would like to fix this myself, especially as I can access the aerial easy & safe with a step ladder.
I am hoping that a new aerial will tip the reception from being good 75% of the time to all the time but not sure which to choose.
Can you recommend any products, or pointers so that I can best choose ?
Apart from checking the TV signal/quality/picture is there a cost effective test equipment that can help with alignment ?