Can I have a little advice RE: masthead amplifiers please?

I'm in Wynyard running off Burnie, and currently I get between 79%-89% signal at 4.5dB (I'm running of a HTPC so those numbers might be slightly off but probably pretty close, and don't ask me my SNR as the reported figures from the PC are wrong).

Now especially in light rain and wind I get a botchy picture, and obviously at 4.5dB I'm probably sitting right on the border of getting digital or not. I am looking and putting up a masthead amplifier, unfortunately the places in Burnie which stock them can only tell me which ones they sell more of, not what they can do or whether they will suit my needs.

So does anyone have any recommendations as to a good reliable masthead amplifier? Only real restriction I have (other than price) is my main tuner card with a feedback loop doesn't support a short circuit (not entirely sure what this is, but the fact that it was mentioned in the specs leads me to believe having a TV antenna/amplifier with a short circuit is a real possibility).

Thanks

Can I have a little advice RE: masthead amplifiers please?

The most appropriate masthead amplifier is usually determined by measurements obtained from the antenna in use, assuming it is correctly selected & installed in the first place.

Without these, my advice would not be much better than what you already have, particularly since the figures you have posted mean nothing as they are not relative to anything.

You have asked for advice previously, & I suggested trying to receive Table Cape when it began transmission: Have you tried this at all, or is there a reason you cannot?

The most appropriate masthead amplifier is usually determined by measurements obtained from the antenna in use, assuming it is correctly selected & installed in the first place.

Without these, my advice would not be much better than what you already have, particularly since the figures you have posted mean nothing as they are not relative to anything.

You have asked for advice previously, & I suggested trying to receive Table Cape when it began transmission: Have you tried this at all, or is there a reason you cannot?

I have done TC but my signal and dB was no better (and at the time TC seemed a little flaky, so I continued off Burnie, besides the in-laws up the road are off TC and at times their signal cuts out and their install was done by a professional). I know at some point I will need a new antenna, but I am looking for an interim solution until we renovate our lounge room at which point I will replace the antenna and have cable run through the walls.

For an amplifier to work correctly, the input to the amplifier from the antenna, must be above minimum signal strength & quality limits.

I spend a lot of time in poor signal areas getting that part of the equation right, utilising a selection of antennas & enhanced measurement techniques.

I suspect from your description, an amplifier may not help.

If you still wish to try an amplifier, see if you can get it on a return basis if it does not help you out.

dasnorts,

It sounds like you need to get someone out to do a site survey, before you spend money on amp's which may or may not fix your problem. I have not heard of anybody having trouble with Table Cape signal so I woulod strongly suggest giving it a try again, see if there are any improvements. Don't forget to do a box rescan once you swing the antenna around!

Cheers

Dave

dasnorts,

It sounds like you need to get someone out to do a site survey, before you spend money on amp's which may or may not fix your problem.

Dave

On that note anyone got some suggestions or contacts for this sort of thing? Just had an elderly gent on the phone who lives in the hole at Elizabeth Town (near the rural fire brigade building) who is having reception issues.

He can get ABC and SBS digital off Gardner's Ridge but it can be a bit flakey apparently.

Naturally can't get any digital off Barrow, but can get analogue most of the time.

Because I do PC repairs and the like he assumed I could also do digital TV stuff, :-) but it is a bit out of my bailiwick.

Perhaps a "site survey contacts' thread would be a good idea?

On that note anyone got some suggestions or contacts for this sort of thing? Just had an elderly gent on the phone who lives in the hole at Elizabeth Town (near the rural fire brigade building) who is having reception issues.

He can get ABC and SBS digital off Gardner's Ridge but it can be a bit flakey apparently.

Naturally can't get any digital off Barrow, but can get analogue most of the time.

Because I do PC repairs and the like he assumed I could also do digital TV stuff, :-) but it is a bit out of my bailiwick.

Perhaps a "site survey contacts' thread would be a good idea?

Atomicali,

I have just provided a resident in the church next to ETC cafe with an Optus Aurora package via an installer in Launceston, who has done a site survey to get Imparja and Seven Central. If you are interested in his number, please PM me, otherwise, I think Marc (M'bozo) operates in that area, so maybe he can help you.

Cheers

Dave

On that note anyone got some suggestions or contacts for this sort of thing? Just had an elderly gent on the phone who lives in the hole at Elizabeth Town (near the rural fire brigade building) who is having reception issues.

He can get ABC and SBS digital off Gardner's Ridge but it can be a bit flakey apparently.

Naturally can't get any digital off Barrow, but can get analogue most of the time.

Analogue also from Gardners Ridge, no doubt.

Worked in Elizabeth Town a couple of weeks ago, 2 out of 3 were successful. The 2 good ones were up Samuel St near Bonney St, so height above terrain is a factor. The 3rd one behind the raspberry farm was Gardners Ridge only.

Using mySwitch & the fire station address (5816 Bass Highway) suggests Gardners Ridge only, for reception. It also suggests the commercial stations will be available from Gardners Ridge at some point.

I'll be in Moltema Tuesday, Launceston Wednesday. Would have time to look at it for him, unless he's found someone else in the meantime.

Marc.

Edit: I don't do Aurora installs. I can no longer get a mast up high enough to satisfy ABA58 requirements.

Edited November 25, 201015 yr by M'bozo

Analogue also from Gardners Ridge, no doubt.

Worked in Elizabeth Town a couple of weeks ago, 2 out of 3 were successful. The 2 good ones were up Samuel St near Bonney St, so height above terrain is a factor. The 3rd one behind the raspberry farm was Gardners Ridge only.

Using mySwitch & the fire station address (5816 Bass Highway) suggests Gardners Ridge only, for reception. It also suggests the commercial stations will be available from Gardners Ridge at some point.

I'll be in Moltema Tuesday, Launceston Wednesday. Would have time to look at it for him, unless he's found someone else in the meantime.

Marc.

Edit: I don't do Aurora installs. I can no longer get a mast up high enough to satisfy ABA58 requirements.

Cheers for that M'bozo especially the myswitch website was not aware of that, hopefully it is accurate.

Will have to chat with my bro and see if he has a lead time for the digital install on Gardner's Ridge (he is in charge of Wins digital roll out AU wide). Haven't been up there for 6 months as the ABC and SBS transmitters seem to be behaving themselves, I do a bit of "first in maintainer" stuff for Broadcast Australia at Gardner's Ridge and Mt Claude (Sheffield).

As for Moltema, that's next door to me so to speak, but I can see Barrow so get perfect reception from there with a little Fracarro antenna on the roof.

What is the best stop to get off of the Route 60 in order to go to Target in White Plains?

What is the best stop to get off of the Route 60 in order to go to Target in White Plains?

The stop on Martine and Mamaroneck. Should have Googled it!!!

Edited December 7, 201015 yr by HillsTas

Hi everyone,

Is anyone having a bit of trouble with WIN from Mt Barrow? It has random drop out and pixelation problems. It started yesterday afternoon and got worse. It appears to have got a little better today but it still drops out on occasions. The weather really isn't helping it but it seems to have high Bit Error Levels and they happen out of the blue and in waves.

Last night I had to watch the cricket in analogue because it wasn't watchable. Analogue on 58" Plasma isn't exactly nice either but at least it didn't drop out.

I checked out Ts Reader and Continuity Errors were in the thousands! TEI errors were also similar. I don't really know what all this means but none of the other stations have any of these errors.

I might give WIN a call if it continues.

Regards

Alista

Not had any trouble in Devonport.

Nor phone calls from disgruntled customers.

Although I'm forming the opinion, some people put up with this kind of interference, for whatever reason.

My apologies if this post is in the wrong area...but here goes..this is my first time

I used to be a radio and TV tech many years ago and then changed to software writing so digital tv is well out of my league.

I cannot get 7 mate, GO and GEM in Burnie Tasmania. I am coming off the round hill transmitter ( Burnie Tasmania )and using a Fracaro 7 element universal antenna, using Quad shield coax

However, my LG RH397D DVD recorder picks up all the Digital ABC, SBS, WIN, Southern Cross, Eleven, etc with 100% signal quality

The recorder is displaying channel 70 for 7mate, channel 80 for GEM but saying HD service not available

I have tried to get information on what Round hill is transmitting but nothing conclusive to determine wether those missing channels are being transmitted or not.

Just trying to determine wether my dvd recorder supports these missing channels,

the specs are

Analog: PAL B/G colour system

Digital: DVB-T Standard compliant

Anyone have any ideas ???

DraXoin,

7Mate, GEM and ONEHD, ABC24 and SBSHD are all HD program streams. You have an SD receiver so it is unable to decode HD program streams. So your recorder is unable to receive these signals.

The only option is to buy either an HD recorder or an HD STB set to an SD output. Your existing recorder will need to have the yellow, red and white sockets for a recording input.

Open the installation menu and do a system reset followed by a channel scan and wait until it has finished by itself. This will find all existing SD programs.

AlanH

DraXoin,

7Mate, GEM and ONEHD, ABC24 and SBSHD are all HD program streams. You have an SD receiver so it is unable to decode HD program streams. So your recorder is unable to receive these signals.

The only option is to buy either an HD recorder or an HD STB set to an SD output. Your existing recorder will need to have the yellow, red and white sockets for a recording input.

Open the installation menu and do a system reset followed by a channel scan and wait until it has finished by itself. This will find all existing SD programs.

AlanH

Ahhhhh thank you, I thought that would have been the issue but wasn't 100% sure

Thanks again for your help

DraXoin,

7Mate, GEM and ONEHD, ABC24 and SBSHD are all HD program streams. You have an SD receiver so it is unable to decode HD program streams. So your recorder is unable to receive these signals.

The only option is to buy either an HD recorder or an HD STB set to an SD output. Your existing recorder will need to have the yellow, red and white sockets for a recording input.

Open the installation menu and do a system reset followed by a channel scan and wait until it has finished by itself. This will find all existing SD programs.

AlanH

Went out and bought a new HD box, solved everything. Thanks again for your valuable help

many thanks

Dean

Is the Fracarro LP34F B3/4 Log Periodic Antenna, DTV compatible ?

these are the specs, I am sure it is but would like to make sure.

Fracarro LP34F VHF (Band 3) & UHF (Band 4) Log Periodic Antenna with F Type Connection.

Bands:

b3 (vhf) b4 (uhf)

Bandwidth:

b3: 174-230MHz (Ch5-12)

b4: 470-606MHz (Ch12-37)

Gain:

b3: 9.5dB

b4: 11dB

Front to Back Ratio

b3: 21dB

b4: 25dB

Return Loss

b3:-18dB

b4:-15dB

Dimensions:

boom: 115cm

elements: 86cm

Please note this is a Band 3 & Band 4 Antenna.

The reason I ask is that sometimes it's 100% and then it flickers and freezes when the signal is showing Good BUT there is one long element at the back that has fallen off and dissapeared after the kids found it. I believe this to be part of the VHF side and figure it shouldn't affect the DTV signal...but then perhaps it could.

I am wondering if they are fiddling with the signal for refining perhaps ?

I am in Burnie Tasmania

thanks in advance

Dean

Is the Fracarro LP34F B3/4 Log Periodic Antenna, DTV compatible ?

LP34F will receive both analogue & digital channels in the correct area, eg mainland capital cities, however, not for trying to receive signals from Mt Barrow, Round Hill or Table Cape.

These transmitters require a B4/5 antenna, ie a LP45F or similar, alternatively a phased array with the same coverage.

For Mount Barrow, horizontal polarisation is required, for the other transmitters, vertical polarisation. And the correct location on your property for optimum signal reception.

Having read your posts, what issue are you having, either with the LG recorder, or the HD set top box?

LP34F will receive both analogue & digital channels in the correct area, eg mainland capital cities, however, not for trying to receive signals from Mt Barrow, Round Hill or Table Cape.

These transmitters require a B4/5 antenna, ie a LP45F or similar, alternatively a phased array with the same coverage.

For Mount Barrow, horizontal polarisation is required, for the other transmitters, vertical polarisation. And the correct location on your property for optimum signal reception.

Having read your posts, what issue are you having, either with the LG recorder, or the HD set top box?

Not having any trouble with the LG dvd recorder, thats not HD compliant as Alan responded to that topic so we bought a new HD set top box and is feeding through the AUX port into the recorder.

One back radial is missing after the last huge storm we had here about 3 weeks ago but I figure this to be on the VHF side and was wondering if it would affect the digital signal. I am sure it wouldn't...but I am way out of touch with radio and tv now as I gave it up 5 years ago and now program logic controllers instead.

Signal drops in and out causing freezing and glitching, but today it's 100% and stable. There is nothing blocking the antenna such as trees etc and have a clear view of the transmitter.

I wonder if they are fine tuning the signal or experimenting with the signal.

previously some channels where cutting in and out while other ones where remaining perfect but today all are fine.....for now

thanks

Dean

I wonder if they are fine tuning the signal or experimenting with the signal

Unlikely.

Suggest:

1) Your reception system is lacking in some respect,

2) You have tuned your devices incorrectly.

Cheers,

Marc.

Unlikely.

Suggest:

1) Your reception system is lacking in some respect,

2) You have tuned your devices incorrectly.

Cheers,

Marc.

Yep, indeed, I am now wondering if there is a faulty joint at the antenna, I will get up when the rain stops. It's possibly a dirty connection, the weather is hell on those joints. Thanks for your help, I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again for your help, my main issue was the missing radial.

Thanks again for your help, my main issue was the missing radial.

Unlikely to be an issue.

More likely, you are not tuned to the correct channels, particularly if:

You are above the surrounding terrain,

You have performed an automatic tune on your devices.

Hi everyone,

Is anyone having a bit of trouble with WIN from Mt Barrow? It has random drop out and pixelation problems. It started yesterday afternoon and got worse. It appears to have got a little better today but it still drops out on occasions. The weather really isn't helping it but it seems to have high Bit Error Levels and they happen out of the blue and in waves.

Last night I had to watch the cricket in analogue because it wasn't watchable. Analogue on 58" Plasma isn't exactly nice either but at least it didn't drop out.

I checked out Ts Reader and Continuity Errors were in the thousands! TEI errors were also similar. I don't really know what all this means but none of the other stations have any of these errors.

I might give WIN a call if it continues.

Regards

Alista

I've had this in Ulverstone for a couple of weeks now, I receive directly from Barrow. Did you call WIN Alista?

Not had any trouble in Devonport.

Nor phone calls from disgruntled customers.

Although I'm forming the opinion, some people put up with this kind of interference, for whatever reason.

I Agree, it is fairly intermittent and some people would not even notice.

Hi everyone,

Is anyone having a bit of trouble with WIN from Mt Barrow? It has random drop out and pixelation problems. It started yesterday afternoon and got worse. It appears to have got a little better today but it still drops out on occasions. The weather really isn't helping it but it seems to have high Bit Error Levels and they happen out of the blue and in waves.

Last night I had to watch the cricket in analogue because it wasn't watchable. Analogue on 58" Plasma isn't exactly nice either but at least it didn't drop out.

I checked out Ts Reader and Continuity Errors were in the thousands! TEI errors were also similar. I don't really know what all this means but none of the other stations have any of these errors.

I might give WIN a call if it continues.

Regards

Alista

I have the same problem with WIN. Never had any problems before until about a month ago when it all started. And its still like it now. All other channels are perfect. Just seems to be WIN, GO and there other one. I am just outside Devonport with antenna pointing to MT Barrow.

Do WIN transmit at a lower power than all the other stations ? Even though my STB says the signal strength is 98% and signal quality is 85% but it's got distorted sound half the time and lots of pixilation on and off.

What have WIN done to cause this ? Because something has changed for the worse what ever they have done ?