All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Mrs Loftus: It would be of assistance to anyone possibly replying if you stated what model of box you are referring to.
| link to this comment |
Freddie: Plus to what you will read on Briantist's link, you should be aware that the indications seen on most TV's when receiving a signal on the verges of being over powerful are liable to be totally inaccurate, as they are only a reference guide for that particular set and not by any means what you would obtain from a test instrument.
The aspect that misleads most people being, that the symptoms experienced in areas with exceptionally high signal strengths are "exactly" the same as when in the reverse of the situation, and the only way for any person to prove categorically if this is their problem (or not!) is to purchase (or borrow) a variable attenuator, as if this is inserted in line with the aerial socket of the TV and the signal strength observed with it set to its zero reduction position, then if when slowly advancing the adjuster the signal strength is actually seen rising rather than falling then that's the proof of an "over the top" signal being received, and something which causes instability in most equipments tuners hence the type of problems you mention.
| link to this comment |
P. Heron: If the direction the signal is being received from is via the side of the roof that the solar panels are mounted on, then it wont really make much difference what type of aerial you use, the only way around the problem being to mount the aerial on the gutter, should your building be suitable for that type of mount.
Its not easy to recommend an alternative aerial without knowledge of your Post Code, as that would have enabled the checking of the signal levels expected at your location.
| link to this comment |
lm: Thanks for the update! and which was indeed very informative as it puts things into perspective regarding the situation in your block, with not really surprisingly your findings of the factors attitude, that of following their usual reputation of being totally unhelpful and effectively side stepping any problems.
I will say though, that the figure quoted is what I would consider to be in the upper limits for what's getting done, with the thing I wondered about being exactly where the figure mentioned had came from? because now that the factor has clarified the situation from his point of view insomuch that the cost is being shared between your neighbour and yourself, I would be inclined to fish around for quotes elsewhere rather than automatically accept what you have been told.
Just out of interest, is the other flat you are sharing the aerial with on the same level as you? and if not is it you or them that's on the upper level?
| link to this comment |
lm: Sorry! forgot to answer your question regarding the aerial being split, if its done properly with the aerial being split via a powered two way splitter / distribution amp then nothing the person sharing will do can affect you, so maybe you could ensure from the installers that this is their intended way of doing things.
| link to this comment |
mike bourne: Considering you are 39 miles away from Waltham and located quite a bit to East of Spalding that's excellent for your area.
Its a wonder though that Belmont isn't just that bit superior, as its only 1 mile further away from you than Waltham but operates at 150Kw compared to Waltham's 50Kw. Albeit of course your aerial for Waltham would be facing 271 degrees whereas for Belmont it should be 341.
PS: Powers referred to being main Muxes.
| link to this comment |
lm: Well I fully realised the predicament you were in on trying to decide on the best policy to get over the problem without paying through the nose, so to speak! and I dare say that the other person who shares the aerial is probably quite pleased that you have organised everything, albeit that they also are having to pay out.
Regarding distances from the aerial, if the job is done correctly then the fact of you being closer to the aerial is neither here nor there, as that's the point of a powered distribution amp, matter of fact if the people who reside in the bottom flats had been involved then they wouldn't have noticed any difference either "if" its done correctly, and which I am confident you will ensure that it is armed with the info provided.
As you will obviously appreciate Kelvingrove covers various levels of ground, likewise good reception can never really be guaranteed in parts of Glasgow due to the numerous tall buildings, but if you had good reception before the aerial problem occurred then you should likewise do again, and which I would appreciate if you could give a final update on your findings once the job is completed.
| link to this comment |
stephan: The first obvious question would be "if" on the box you have went into the engineers menu and selected "power on" for that output.
This done by pressing "Services" then "4 - 0 - 1 - select" in a smooth sequence, or if a later box "Services" then 0 - 0 - 1 - select", the smooth sequence easier achieved if NOT looking at the screen whilst doing so.
If though you have already done that, then it can indicate a short circuit somewhere on the coax line, check the plugs in case a strand of wire from the screen is bridging onto the inner connection. Just have a check though that the TV being used is compatible for use with a magic eye, as some aren't, this done by observing if the eye lights up when you remove the TV's aerial plug.
| link to this comment |
Andy: Assuming that you are not a Sky subscriber, then if you purchased a Sky+ box you would not be able to record anything with subscribing to Sky for the dubious privilege of doing so.
If you purchased a Freesat twin tuner PVR then it requires two feeds from the dish for proper operation, but if you updated the LNB to a quad version (under £10.00 from e-bay sources) then two feeds could be used for the PVR, and the other two for Sky boxes in other rooms.
By the way, PVR's are not like Sky boxes insomuch that they do not have RF modulators fitted whereby you can feed a signal to another room and view it on an analogue TV
| link to this comment |
Thursday 10 November 2011 6:04PM
lm: Regarding the communal aerial, and which I know is quite common on tenement blocks around Glasgow as I have a friend that lives in similar circumstances just off the Victoria Road, but I have to agree with what Mike D said insomuch that rectifying the situation should really be the responsibility of the person(s) that had the communal aerial fitted in the first place, usually the building Factor.
That said though, it really hinges on what was stated on the original agreement, and should you have access to that I would have a good study at the document to see if anything is mentioned regarding the communal aerial system, if though you don't have the agreement then you should try and have a word with a neighbour in case they should have a copy. Of course if they do and the wording is stated in your favour, I fully appreciate the great difficulty in getting anything done when a request is made to a building factor, if my friends experience in the past is anything to go by.
Regarding your location, my reason for requesting this was to give me an idea of the type of signal you were liable to have been receiving before it ceased, with your G3 area being quite variable depending on whether you are located at the higher up area of Charing Cross or the much lower down level of Argyle Street / Finnieston etc, the former in many parts using Darvel whereas Argyle Street is mostly Blackhill.
Regarding the distribution amp, in these type of situations its usually sited in the loft and fed from the same mains supply that's used for the landings lighting, its unfortunate though that you are unable to make a check with your neighbours as this would have helped no end, but when I mentioned checking, I was thinking that if any workman had been in the loft for any reason he might have accidentally switched off the supply to the distribution amp at the same time as the light. (If of course its arranged that way!)
If you are on the upper floor is it possible to access the loft? because as well as checking what I mentioned regarding the distribution amp you could possibly have given a loft aerial a try out, although I have to be honest any say that if you are located in the lower Argyle Street areas then success is very doubtful.