All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Lindsey: Although I realise that you are using a communal aerial, but for a test if you can get hold of one try using a set top aerial just in case the signal level from the communal aerial is a fraction too high for your TV's tuner, if a set top aerial is found to work then you will have to purchase an attenuator to place in line with your TV's aerial socket, these costing around £4.00 or so.
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Antony: I think you are probably correct in your assumption that the coax from the lounge is likely to go to the bedroom socket then is linked at that point then up to the loft / roof.
Of course, if the cable that feeds the bedroom socket plate does not have enough slack to allow inspection behind it then that could indicate that the coax to it has been pulled from its other end, and one wonders for what the the reason? as the sockets installer must have had enough slack on the cable to connect it up in the first place.
Before you call anyone to check it out though, you should try your TV on the bedroom socket just in case its the link from there to the lounge that's broken.
As far as the coax connection to the actual aerial is concerned, all I can really say is although it cannot be classed as an every day occurrence its obviously something that can happen.
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J: If the reception was OK with the 30cm piece of wire then that means that the signal level obtained from the main aerial is grossly excessive, but by you being virtually next door to the transmitter its not really surprising.
A way you might get around the problem without using any attenuator is by going into the loft and disconnecting the coax from the aerial all together, but leaving about 75mm of the coax inner protruding from the braiding, and with the braiding folded back onto the coax outer cover.
Try that and give an update on the results.
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J: I also meant to add, that if the 75mm of coax works OK but you find that the signal strength is still sitting at 10 then its really best in the interests of picture stability to get it down to 9, so unfold the braiding that was doubled back over the coax cover, twist it together so that it doesn't unravel, then slide an old piece of coax cover over the braiding and connect the end of the 75mm protruding inner to the end of the coax braiding but leave both in sitting a loop fashion.
That action should reduce the level very slightly, as strength 10 is the last point before instability and 9 allows a safety margin.
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g.baseley: This could be caused by you receiving a signal at a level that's verging on being excessively powerful, so if you use any form of booster then it has to be by-passed, if though you do not use a booster then for a test try using a set top aerial, giving an update on results.
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Mary Middleton: Judging by the various directions that the aerials are seen facing in your area strongly suggests that its a problematic one for reception, and so it depends on where your particular aerial is pointing at.
The reception predictor indicates your best options for reception as being from either Crystal Palace or Oxford, Crystal Palace having the edge over Oxford on the main PSB stations (BBC / HD / ITV) but with the commercials being indicated as variable on a permanent basis, whereas Oxford indicates OK on five of the six multiplexes and with the remaining one (ArqB) being variable.
If you are not sure where you are receiving from carry out a signal check on BBC1 and note the mux channel number associated with the indication, if its from Crystal Palace it will be Ch23, whereas if Oxford Ch53. Once completed select ITV and carry out another signal check on it and likewise as before noting the mux channel seen indicated, Crystal Palace being Ch26 and if Oxford its Ch60.
Of course its not guaranteed that reception would ever be perfect in your area, and in cases like that Freesat scores every time.
Anyway, maybe you could give an update on findings of the channel test.
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Steve: No problem! and pleased to hear that you have discovered the problem and everything is now back to normal.
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Mary Middleton: As Dave lindsay has said your two main PSB stations (BBC and ITV) are tuned to different transmitting stations and with that likely being the reason for part of your reception difficulties.
However although I realise that Hannington is indeed closer to you it doesn't appear as being very promising as far as reliability of reception is concerned, and that's why I purposely did not bring it into the equation.
The reason I say this is, that even although it presently indicates in the green (good)for reception its not near so good as the other two stations mentioned, and worse! as from June four of its six muxes dips into the category of variable reception, which in plain simple terms means that glitches can be expected, the muxes concerned being - ITV1 / HD service / SDN (ITV3 etc) / ArqA (Pick TV, Dave etc) and so I dont think its best to plan for reception from that station because of this, even allowing for errors in the predictions made.
Another aspect concerning Hannington being, that as Dave Lindsay has also mentioned it does appear on the face of it as though a clear line of site exists between Hannington and you, but! the signal path plotter does not take trees and other types of obstructions into account and your area is one where you cannot travel far without coming across trees no matter what direction you travel, and so I personally take these type of signal path plotters with the proverbial pinch of salt, albeit admittedly that they are handy for indicating if any hills are in the way.
By the way just for your info to assist in judging where your aerial is facing: Hannington is @ 205 degrees / 21 miles - Crystal Palace @ 103 degrees / 43 miles - Oxford @ 336 degrees / 16 miles.
If any Sky dishes are near you then they face roughly 155 degrees, as you could use them as an approximate guide for direction.
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Nick: I can assure you that it doesn't matter that much whether its behind the reflector or about 8 feet or so under the mast, as I can guarantee you that it will not in reality make any difference.
Its just a pity that it doesn't have any names on it though as otherwise I would have checked on its spec, and especially why it seemingly responds so quickly to slight voltage reductions as most dont.
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Friday 27 April 2012 12:11PM
Eric Hayman: Your PVR uses a Vestel T825 chassis which are notorious for problems caused by the new transmission modes that came into being at switch over, but this problem has been known about for a considerable time now and with Vestel having broadcast an over air download during June / July of 2010 to overcome these problems, so on your PVR press - Setup / configuration then look down the list to see what software version you are using as V13 is the latest.
Just a second point, you should also ensure that your signal isn't excessively high as you are located at only 6 miles or so from the transmitter and a slightly over the top signal can make the problem you refer to worse, and so if you use any type of booster bypass it, or if you don't use a booster then just for a test try a set top aerial.