Reception At Kings Park

[4Eyes]

Hi folks,

This is my first post.

I live at Kings Park and have an existing aerial with amp and 3 way splitter. Analog reception is pretty poor on ABC, ghosty on 9 and 7/SBS is ok.

Recently took delivery of an LG HD plasma and find digital reception less than perfect. Well... no channel 10 and intermittent (read pretty much no) channel 2 (ABC). 9 and 7 are magic but with the usual sound dropouts and a few pixelations.

I've had 2 fairly well known antenna installers out (names withheld for the moment to avoid flames) with quotes from $650 to $405 for a new combo (analog and digital) feeding all 3 points. Sheesh... I actually said to them before hand that I didn't want this... simply a new digital aerial to 1 point but without even measuring the signal strength they plucked figures out of the air. So ...

Question 1 - can anybody recommend a GOOD aerial crew?

Question 2 - having read these forums extensively I've become quite confused... is an aerial that feeds 2 analog tv's thru a splitter etc going to give me good reception on my pride and joy?

Question 3 - hmmm.. a little vague, but if I went to a digital only antenna (band 3-5?), am I going to get an acceptable pic on the the existing analog tv's? Analog on UHF maybe?

BTW, I pick up WIN and SC10 perfectly.

Thanks for any help.

Regards,

4Eyes

[meister]

Hi folks,

This is my first post.

I live at Kings Park and have an existing aerial with amp and 3 way splitter. Analog reception is pretty poor on ABC, ghosty on 9 and 7/SBS is ok.

Recently took delivery of an LG HD plasma and find digital reception less than perfect. Well... no channel 10 and intermittent (read pretty much no) channel 2 (ABC). 9 and 7 are magic but with the usual sound dropouts and a few pixelations.

I've had 2 fairly well known antenna installers out (names withheld for the moment to avoid flames) with quotes from $650 to $405 for a new combo (analog and digital) feeding all 3 points. Sheesh... I actually said to them before hand that I didn't want this... simply a new digital aerial to 1 point but without even measuring the signal strength they plucked figures out of the air. So ...

Question 1 - can anybody recommend a GOOD aerial crew?

Question 2 - having read these forums extensively I've become quite confused... is an aerial that feeds 2 analog tv's thru a splitter etc going to give me good reception on my pride and joy?

Question 3 - hmmm.. a little vague, but if I went to a digital only antenna (band 3-5?), am I going to get an acceptable pic on the the existing analog tv's? Analog on UHF maybe?

BTW, I pick up WIN and SC10 perfectly.

Thanks for any help.

Regards,

4Eyes

Welcome 4eyes

I live in Glenwood and have similar problems. 10 and 2 and SBS can cause pixalisation and drops outs.

I'm looking ito Band 3 and 4 Log Periodic Antennas at the moment (Fracarro LP34HV). I think some of the problems could be caused by the development going on in Bella Vista, which is between Artarmon and us

I'm interested in anyone in our area that may have solved similar problems.

Meister

[alanh]

All,

Read Get the Best Reception, Sydney and read the links.

If you get a band 3 & band 4 antenna(s) you can receive all analog stations except ABC analog. The ability of the antenna to receive this channel greatly adds to the breaking up of digital signals.

You need to find an antenna installer who will guarantee a Bit Error Rate of better than 1 error in 10 000 on all digital channels. If they cannot measure the BER, do not use them.

AlanH

[stahc]

oh oh here we go ......................righto henchmen fix bayonets.............................charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[4Eyes]

oh oh here we go ......................righto henchmen fix bayonets.............................charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chatswood63,

If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise...

alanh,

I have read the 'getting the best reception' thread (more than once) and that's why I'm so surprised that 2 different supposedly professional antenna installers a) didn't even have equiment to measure BER, didn't even measure signal strength and c) recommended using a combo aerial and redoing the whole house when I specifically requested them to do something else.

This is why I posted HERE looking for a recommendation for a known good installer. Along those lines, can you recommend any aerial installer in Sydney who can measure BER?

Meister,

Thanks for the welcome.

There's development everywhere up there around Glenwood. Quakers Hill, opposite the markets, Meurants Lane etc. A regular mushroom farm.

I think I'll go back to the 2nd crew and restate my requirements of a 2nd aerial, band 3 & 4 only and 1 point to the new DTV only. Leave the existing install alone.

[stahc]

chatswood63,

If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise...

alanh,

I have read the 'getting the best reception' thread (more than once) and that's why I'm so surprised that 2 different supposedly professional antenna installers a) didn't even have equiment to measure BER, didn't even measure signal strength and c) recommended using a combo aerial and redoing the whole house when I specifically requested them to do something else.

This is why I posted HERE looking for a recommendation for a known good installer. Along those lines, can you recommend any aerial installer in Sydney who can measure BER?

Meister,

Thanks for the welcome.

There's development everywhere up there around Glenwood. Quakers Hill, opposite the markets, Meurants Lane etc. A regular mushroom farm.

I think I'll go back to the 2nd crew and restate my requirements of a 2nd aerial, band 3 & 4 only and 1 point to the new DTV only. Leave the existing install alone.

you'll find out what happens if you slightly disagree with the experts here good luck.

i'm one suburb up sunnyholt road from you so i know what you're going through.

and i'll post if i want to thank you

[4Eyes]

you'll find out what happens if you slightly disagree with the experts here good luck.

i'm one suburb up sunnyholt road from you so i know what you're going through.

and i'll post if i want to thank you

chatswood63,

I've seen the 'feedback' when opinions diverge. Point taken.

Ok, so you're not far away... have you any recent experience with tv antenna installers?

That's nice of you to thank me for allowing you to post in this thread, but it is not my right to grant that permission. I am of the opinion that replies should be on-thread. Your initial comment made no sense whatever to me. Did I say something inappropriate? I suppose it may have looked like I started asking questions without doing my research here, but that's not the case.

Let's not get off on the wrong foot, eh.

4Eyes

[stahc]

chatswood63,

I've seen the 'feedback' when opinions diverge. Point taken.

Ok, so you're not far away... have you any recent experience with tv antenna installers?

That's nice of you to thank me for allowing you to post in this thread, but it is not my right to grant that permission. I am of the opinion that replies should be on-thread. Your initial comment made no sense whatever to me. Did I say something inappropriate? I suppose it may have looked like I started asking questions without doing my research here, but that's not the case.

Let's not get off on the wrong foot, eh.

4Eyes

no recent experience...........daughter goes to school at glenwood so i'll ask around.

no dig was meant at you..................can't help myself with the so called experts.....many a poster has been burnt in this section if they dare to disagree................. good luck mate

just off topic for a sec..................do you know any way into the area that doesn't involve getting hammered by roadwork 24hrs a day?

[meister]

4Eyes

I was going to do my antenna myself. I, like you had bad experience about 10 years ago, where i believe I was wrongly advised and sold a system over $1,000 which really wasn't much better than what I already had. Consult installers with the idea that they will give you the best solution and a reasonable price. However in my experience, you can do an equal or even better job by researching yourself.

I also read the "Get the Best Reception" links and my biggest question in Log Periodic or Yagi for our area. There seems to be conflicting advice on each. There seems to be more good referrals than bad for the Fracarro LP34HV so I was looking a buying one and installing it. Channel 10 has been almost unwatchable with pixalisation for the last couple of days, really prompting me to do something now.

I am totally digital, I went that way to reduce the ghosting which is is horrid on analogue where I am (near Hungry Jacks). With the cost of set top boxes that may be the way to you to go too, and concentrate on the best digital setup you can.

Meister

[aztec]

no recent experience...........daughter goes to school at glenwood so i'll ask around.

no dig was meant at you..................can't help myself with the so called experts.....many a poster has been burnt in this section if they dare to disagree................. good luck mate

just off topic for a sec..................do you know any way into the area that doesn't involve getting hammered by roadwork 24hrs a day?

Helicopter

[stahc]

4Eyes

I was going to do my antenna myself. I, like you had bad experience about 10 years ago, where i believe I was wrongly advised and sold a system over $1,000 which really wasn't much better than what I already had. Consult installers with the idea that they will give you the best solution and a reasonable price. However in my experience, you can do an equal or even better job by researching yourself.

I also read the "Get the Best Reception" links and my biggest question in Log Periodic or Yagi for our area. There seems to be conflicting advice on each. There seems to be more good referrals than bad for the Fracarro LP34HV so I was looking a buying one and installing it. Channel 10 has been almost unwatchable with pixalisation for the last couple of days, really prompting me to do something now.

I am totally digital, I went that way to reduce the ghosting which is is horrid on analogue where I am (near Hungry Jacks). With the cost of set top boxes that may be the way to you to go too, and concentrate on the best digital setup you can.

Meister

meister.....................just across the road from you.................channel 10 is the killer...........just so happens that mrs chats seems to love just about all their shows..............large explosions of rage here when 10 dissappears for no reason...............i think that a lot of it has to do with all the developement...........when we first moved in 10 years ago your area most of your area was just a paddock

[meister]

meister.....................just across the road from you.................channel 10 is the killer...........just so happens that mrs chats seems to love just about all their shows..............large explosions of rage here when 10 dissappears for no reason...............i think that a lot of it has to do with all the developement...........when we first moved in 10 years ago your area most of your area was just a paddock

Chatswood63

Yeah, it seems to go in waves. It was bad about 18 months ago which I put down to the cranes in the Woolworths or Resmed developments. Then it was sbs about a year ago, now it's channel 10 over the last week.

Are you using a band 3 and 4 optimised Antenna?

Meister

[stahc]

Chatswood63

Yeah, it seems to go in waves. It was bad about 18 months ago which I put down to the cranes in the Woolworths or Resmed developments. Then it was sbs about a year ago, now it's channel 10 over the last week.

Are you using a band 3 and 4 optimised Antenna?

Meister

not a hundred % sure.... just don't understand how it works perfectly for ages and then nothing.............will have to give it all a good check up before big brother starts.

not that i'm a fan but the grief here when 10 goes tits up and the ceo can't watch it kills me

Helicopter

now that would give the neighbours the shytes coming home from shiftwork ...........but solves the problem nicely

[4Eyes]

chatswood63,

Ok, we're cool. I do appreciate the advice though.

On the subject of traffic, I'm lucky in that I come in the back way from Richmond Rd or some days up Sunnyholt Rd and turn left at John Fretton m/c's. Living south of you has some advantages.

And speaking of paddocks, I used to live on Shanke cres at Kings Langley. In the early days horses and goats used to wonder over to eat our grass and plants. Got really annoying very quickly.

Meister,

I've checked into the Fracarro LP34HV via Laceys TV. It's only $67 and coupled with a roll of good RG6 might prove to be an interesting experiment. I'm considering literally connecting the coax to the antenna and throwing the roll off the roof and bringing it in thru the front door. I dunno how long I could stand shouting to Mrs 4 to rescan channels and/or eval reception. Hmmm... ? Maybe I'll just mount it on the existing short mast... sigh... I can see this being a long saga.

Good lively thread. Thanks for all the feedback.

Regards,

4Eyes

not a hundred % sure.... just don't understand how it works perfectly for ages and then nothing.............will have to give it all a good check up before big brother starts.

not that i'm a fan but the grief here when 10 goes tits up and the ceo can't watch it kills me

now that would give the neighbours the shytes coming home from shiftwork ...........but solves the problem nicely

[meister]

chatswood63,

Ok, we're cool. I do appreciate the advice though.

On the subject of traffic, I'm lucky in that I come in the back way from Richmond Rd or some days up Sunnyholt Rd and turn left at John Fretton m/c's. Living south of you has some advantages.

And speaking of paddocks, I used to live on Shanke cres at Kings Langley. In the early days horses and goats used to wonder over to eat our grass and plants. Got really annoying very quickly.

Meister,

I've checked into the Fracarro LP34HV via Laceys TV. It's only $67 and coupled with a roll of good RG6 might prove to be an interesting experiment. I'm considering literally connecting the coax to the antenna and throwing the roll off the roof and bringing it in thru the front door. I dunno how long I could stand shouting to Mrs 4 to rescan channels and/or eval reception. Hmmm... ? Maybe I'll just mount it on the existing short mast... sigh... I can see this being a long saga.

Good lively thread. Thanks for all the feedback.

Regards,

4Eyes

4Eyes

I'm going to get the Fracarro during the week (as Laceys are not far from work). I'mm just going to remove the old antenna and bolt the Fracarro on and reaim it at Artarmon. Im guessing I shouldnt need to rescan.

Channel 10 has become so bad my Tolpfield PVR just shows "scrambled service" message on the screen the whole time.

Let me know how you get on.

Meister

[4Eyes]

4Eyes

I'm going to get the Fracarro during the week (as Laceys are not far from work). I'mm just going to remove the old antenna and bolt the Fracarro on and reaim it at Artarmon. Im guessing I shouldnt need to rescan.

Channel 10 has become so bad my Tolpfield PVR just shows "scrambled service" message on the screen the whole time.

Let me know how you get on.

Meister

Meister,

Sounds like we're on the same track. I may have to order my aerial and get it delivered.

I mentioned rescanning as my current setup doesn't see 10 at all, therefore I'll have to rescan to see if it picks it up.

Oddly, thinking about it, aerials in the street seem to be pointing pretty much south (not exact without a compass, but approx parallel to Sunnyholt Rd) ... maybe that's half the issue and why I get WIN and SC10 so clearly.

Regards,

4Eyes

[meister]

Meister,

Sounds like we're on the same track. I may have to order my aerial and get it delivered.

I mentioned rescanning as my current setup doesn't see 10 at all, therefore I'll have to rescan to see if it picks it up.

Oddly, thinking about it, aerials in the street seem to be pointing pretty much south (not exact without a compass, but approx parallel to Sunnyholt Rd) ... maybe that's half the issue and why I get WIN and SC10 so clearly.

Regards,

4Eyes

4Eyes

I went down to Lacey's this afternoon and purchased the Fracarro. This compact unit. I'll get it installed over the next couple of days and let you know the results.

Most the antennas in my area point south east to Artarmon, yours will be a little more east than mine.

Meister

[meister]

4Eyes

Fitted the Fracarro this evening, pointed it at Artarmon and all channel 10 pixalisation is now fixed. All other channels are coming in strong and clear and so far zero drop outs on all channels. Best money I have spent in a long time.

Meister

[stahc]

4Eyes

Fitted the Fracarro this evening, pointed it at Artarmon and all channel 10 pixalisation is now fixed. All other channels are coming in strong and clear and so far zero drop outs on all channels. Best money I have spent in a long time.

Meister

miester..............it'll probably work for me..........what model did you get

[4Eyes]

4Eyes

Fitted the Fracarro this evening, pointed it at Artarmon and all channel 10 pixalisation is now fixed. All other channels are coming in strong and clear and so far zero drop outs on all channels. Best money I have spent in a long time.

Meister

Meister,

That's excellent news. I intend to get mine today.

What height did you mount yours?

Chatsy,

In case I get in b4 Meister, it's the LP34HV. It has quite a good rep and may be the answer to our issues in this neck of the woods. BTW, Meister is fully digital so that may be a consideration for you. I intend to experiment with mine just to the DTV and then maybe try replacing the current antenna that feeds the whole house.

Regards,

4Eyes

[stahc]

Meister,

That's excellent news. I intend to get mine today.

What height did you mount yours?

Chatsy,

In case I get in b4 Meister, it's the LP34HV. It has quite a good rep and may be the answer to our issues in this neck of the woods. BTW, Meister is fully digital so that may be a consideration for you. I intend to experiment with mine just to the DTV and then maybe try replacing the current antenna that feeds the whole house.

Regards,

4Eyes

all a question of funds..............and the ceo has 1st dibs................wants some timber floors 1st

thnks for the info guys

[meister]

Meister,

That's excellent news. I intend to get mine today.

What height did you mount yours?

Chatsy,

In case I get in b4 Meister, it's the LP34HV. It has quite a good rep and may be the answer to our issues in this neck of the woods. BTW, Meister is fully digital so that may be a consideration for you. I intend to experiment with mine just to the DTV and then maybe try replacing the current antenna that feeds the whole house.

Regards,

4Eyes

4Eyes/Chatsy

I mounted mine below the old one at a height of about 2m above the roof height then checked the picture. It was so good I just removed the old from above it and left it. I watched it all night (until about 1am) on all different channels and never had one drop out or pixalisation. I'm not saying it won't get the occasional one in the future, but at this stage it 1000% on the previous one. There is a light switch that normally causes a dropout when it gets turned on or off, and that does not even happen anymore. I'm guessing the old bands (5 and below) were picking that electrical interferance up as well.

The only downside i discovered was the FM reception has now suffered and is no longer crystal clear. I didnt think about that one beforehand, however that is less important. I might buy a band 2 Antenna and cable with RG6 it directly to my two amp tuners for FM only.

Let me know how you guys get on.

Meister

[4Eyes]

Meister,

That couldn't be simpler! Good for you. Current aerial is only 2 metres up but 2 'installers' (and I use that in the loosest sense) have suggested 5 metre installs. I'll be able to test it on the weekend.

Chatsy,

Gee... sounds like Mrs Chatsy rules the chicken coop there. I got the plasma as Mrs 4 is getting a new kitchen. It didn't start that way but just 1 too many visits to Homebase.... damn sales.

Regards,

4Eyes

[meister]

Meister,

That couldn't be simpler! Good for you. Current aerial is only 2 metres up but 2 'installers' (and I use that in the loosest sense) have suggested 5 metre installs. I'll be able to test it on the weekend.

Chatsy,

Gee... sounds like Mrs Chatsy rules the chicken coop there. I got the plasma as Mrs 4 is getting a new kitchen. It didn't start that way but just 1 too many visits to Homebase.... damn sales.

Regards,

4Eyes

Chatsy, you need to learn to sell. Tell Mrs Chatsy that for 70 bucks (assuming you do it yourself) she can watch all those favorite shows in comfort, whithout the stress of those picture breakups.

4Eyes

Well, I am always suspect about the motives of some installers, I think its more about value adding than problem solving. Guess they want to make it worthwhile, and its in a subject area that the average person can be baffled easily.

I would suggest just do what i did and bolt in on the mast as high as you can get to easily (and safely), point in the direction of Artarmon (if your not sure go to www.whereis.com put your address in go to map. They have a photo section there where you can see a satellite photo of your house, zoom out and find Artarmon, draw a line on the screen with a whiteboard marker, zoom in again and line it up with the houses across the street that corresponds with the line, then aim the new antenna from there)

Meister

[4Eyes]

Meister,

I'm having trouble getting to Lacey's during their business hours but maybe tommorrow.

That's a great idea for finding the direction without a compass.

4Eyes