All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Heyder: As you have obviously verified that the eyes are working OK plus the fact of having a good strong signal in the kitchen suggesting that your cabling is also OK, then this is inclined to indicate that the problem is either being caused by something connected with the new booster box, or if not is associated with the length of the cable run, that is "if" (as I am still not sure) the Sky boxes RF2 output is being fed through the booster / splitter for distribution into other rooms?
Another point to note being, that although the magic eyes red LED might well be lit (this operating purely on DC) it does not necessarily guarantee that the coded IR return from same is getting back to the Sky box., this in my opinion being the cause of your problem.
However, should the RF2 output be fed through the booster then purely for test purposes remove the RF2 input from the Sky box "on the booster / splitter" and likewise removing the output port connection on the booster that's used to feed the signal down to the kitchen and link both together, in other words the RF2 travels up to the loft then immediately returns to the kitchen without passing through anything, because if the magic eye still fails to operate after having bypassed the amp then that strongly points to the length of the cable run as being responsible.
Even the aforementioned possibility could be checked by (in the loft) connecting the magic eye into the feed that comes up from the Sky boxes RF2 and trying to change channels on the Sky box from the loft, this obviously easier to check if someone is viewing the TV in in the lounge in order to supply verbal feedback, remember though that the eyes output does not require to be coupled into a TV in order to operate as the I.R signal is passing "down" the cable and into the box.
Maybe you could indicate the model number of your new booster / splitter.
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Timothy: Interference of a pulsed nature is notoriously difficult to deal with at the receiving end without the aid of a spectrum analyser to determine the nature of the interference, as it can either be caused by harmonics from some form of RF device operating on another frequency altogether, or alternatively if the offending signal is of a spike nature (or series of) it generally emanates from mains powered electrical switching systems or other sources such as brush type electric motors as used in most domestic appliances, other sources being gas central heating systems as they incorporate a number of electric solenoids which adds inductive load switching into the equation resulting in a larger spike if not suppressed properly at source.
The problem being, that the latter (electrical contacts) cause "broad spectrum" interference not only of an airborne nature but also low frequency that can travel along the mains cabling, although this is relatively easy to check on with the aid of a small portable radio of the LW / MW / FM variety.
The procedure is to set the radio on LW then tune to the side of Radio4 (198Khz) followed by turning up the volume until background noise is heard then place the radio near to mains cabling or a 13amp socket, because should any mains borne interference occur this will show up on the radio as a loud tearing noise.
It should be noted that in some instances FM is more sensitive to certain types of interference as it shows up as a screeching sound over the background white noise (hiss), the procedure being exactly the same except that the radio is set on FM and tuned to a station free spot before fully extending the aerial rod and turning up the volume.
As far as band pass filters are concerned, these are very unlikely to make any difference to your problem unless the interference was pinpointed to being of an RF nature, which of course it might be if no evidence is found to the contrary on the portable radio, as in that case even such as a 4G filter "may" help albeit that this cannot be guaranteed.
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Anne Clayton: As you do not appear to reside in an isolated location then the obvious question would be, have you as yet checked with any of your neighbours to find out if they are being similarly affected?
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Ann Williams: If indeed you are referring to a Freesat (dish) system then any problems with lost channels etc are always caused by something associated with the receiving end of the equation.
Without having knowledge re: the model number of the box involved, but go into the signal check screen and make sure that both strength and quality are level pegging at around a minimum of 50%+ , as what you have reported could suggest that the dish is slightly out of alignment.
By the way, can it be assumed that you are "not" on a communal dish system?
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PaulN : Although you have now rectified your problem, but purely for info purposes transformers used in boosters etc are all fitted with miniature thermal fuses strapped to the outer windings on the primary side of the transformer and are usually covered by a layer of tape.
All you might notice is a small lump under the outer covering of the primary windings.
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STEVE WILKINS: Just checked Belmont and the signal from same is being received at normal strength / quality down here in Stamford which is located at approximately 50 miles from the station.
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Sandra: Should you be referring to Freeview? then ITV1+1 (33) is on the same mux transmitter as ITV1, whereas with Freesat its on 112.
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STEVE WILKINS: My particular location is covered by the Waltham transmitter, signals from the local Stamford transmitter being biased to cover the properties along the waterfront areas and not much further, however purely for signal checking purposes my Freeview equipment is loaded with Belmonts and Sandy's PSB muxes and stored in the 800 range and my reply was with reference to Belmonts PSB muxes on Ch's 22 - 25 - 28.
Rechecked before replying and they are still OK.
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Wednesday 6 November 2013 9:07PM
Richard: To add to that said by Dave Linsay, you can find out the bearing of any transmitter that is considered to be within range by clicking on "Digital UK tradeview " seen on the six choice box on the right hand side of your posting.