bao Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 (edited) Hi all We are in need of an antenna installer. Our existing Fracarro antenna has been great for about 4 years but lately we've been getting interference with Channel 7. We have strong signal strength on that channel but something's spiking the signal, probably passing traffic. The company that installed it, PerfectTV, was excellent. Unfortunately they seem to have gone out of business. (I'd be delighted to hear if this isn't the case!!) What I am after is someone who I can pay to get up on the roof and find me the strongest signal, not just walk onto my property and tell me straight away - "you need a new antenna and a taller mast". Anybody care to recommend someone in the Inner West of Sydney? I've tried Mr Antenna and Nu-life, looking for someone different to be honest. bao Edited May 17, 2008 by bao
alanh Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 Bao, You would be better off posting in the Sydney Viewers' forum which is near the bottom of the home page. Also read "Get the best reception" post to ensure you get a digital antenna. AlanH
charlesc Posted May 17, 2008 Posted May 17, 2008 ...in the Inner West of Sydney Bao, please PM me. I do site surveys and installations in the area. I can come over and see what you need, and take digital meter readings on-site. That should help pinpoint where the problem lies, then we can fix it as required.
bao Posted May 18, 2008 Author Posted May 18, 2008 thanks guys. Alan - we have a Fracarro digital antenna already, it's been excellent given our very difficult location. Charles, I will pm you.
Sidor Posted May 18, 2008 Posted May 18, 2008 Anybody care to recommend someone in the Inner West of Sydney? I've tried Mr Antenna and Nu-life, looking for someone different to be honest. do not touch Mr Antenna at all ...
mtv Posted May 18, 2008 Posted May 18, 2008 Fracarro antennas are great performers. I have used them predominately for installations for many years.
jrickta Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 Fracarro antennas are great performers.I have used them predominately for installations for many years. Would you use any of the fracarro UHF phased arrays for dtv? Or would you use a WISI or another brand which has an f type connection?
mtv Posted July 15, 2009 Posted July 15, 2009 Would you use any of the fracarro UHF phased arrays for dtv? Or would you use a WISI or another brand which has an f type connection? Yes... I use Fracarro PU4A's frequently, which have an F connector.
jrickta Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 Yes... I use Fracarro PU4A's frequently, which have an F connector. Do they? Cool! I was going according to the Laceys Cat. Thanks mtv for your response
mtv Posted July 16, 2009 Posted July 16, 2009 Do they? Cool! I was going according to the Laceys Cat. Thanks mtv for your response Lacey's haven't updated their catalogue yet, so the current catalogue shows the older screw/saddle balun. Apart from the F balun, the phasing bars have had a slight change in design on the updated model... a good performer.
jrickta Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 Lacey's haven't updated their catalogue yet, so the current catalogue shows the older screw/saddle balun.Apart from the F balun, the phasing bars have had a slight change in design on the updated model... a good performer. So is the preamp for this antenna f type aswell?
mtv Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 So is the preamp for this antenna f type aswell? That's the only negative for the new model... the balun is sealed, so you can't install a preamp in it, like the older model.
jrickta Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 That's the only negative for the new model... the balun is sealed, so you can't install a preamp in it, like the older model. So would you have to replace the balun with the old one if you can still get it? And then install the preamp? Or use a different model antenna that allows the installation of the preamp? Thanks for replying, I prob should just ring laceys!
mtv Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 So would you have to replace the balun with the old one if you can still get it? And then install the preamp?Or use a different model antenna that allows the installation of the preamp? Thanks for replying, I prob should just ring laceys! The spacing of the phasing bars is different, so the older balun won't fit. I understand Lacey's have requested Fracarro to provide a preamp version of the F balun. I think the Alcad is still available with preamp balun. As you said, probably best to ring Lacey's to check.
I am not a duck Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 Or use a different model antenna that allows the installation of the preamp? That's what I did when standalone PBU's for the PU4A's became unavailable, unless you wanted to wreck a DA4/0 or DA5 assembly. (Plus I had issues with moisture leakage into the balun housing of the PU4, eventually killing the pre-amp.) I use the lacey's ALCAD AP-369 with a BR105 pre-amp, if required. The Alcad is a much better antenna for weak signals in my experience, anyway. I don't have an issue with the Alcad screw/saddle connections, as I also use Hills Ultimax 36 antennas, and have not been able to discern any noticeable perfomance difference between the two. There is a price difference, though.
jrickta Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 I rang laceys they said the preamp is longer available for the PU4A which M'bozo stated above. They said the screw and saddle version is still available for the PU4A though. The f type was the PU4AF which I am sure you guys already know. They said to use the Alcad AP369 with the BR105 preamp. Hey M'Bozo I posted in your island antennas attachment strand. Any chance you could check it out? Thanks for your reply's guys
I am not a duck Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 Hey M'Bozo I posted in your island antennas attachment strand. Any chance you could check it out? answer
scorpio1503559530 Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 Lacey's haven't updated their catalogue yet, so the current catalogue shows the older screw/saddle balun.Apart from the F balun, the phasing bars have had a slight change in design on the updated model... a good performer. Balun on log periodic antenna? Sorry for my ignorance, but could you please explain. I thought that the logs are truly 75 ohms and therefore there's no need for balun. Cheers scorpio
mtv Posted July 17, 2009 Posted July 17, 2009 Balun on log periodic antenna? Sorry for my ignorance, but could you please explain. I thought that the logs are truly 75 ohms and therefore there's no need for balun. The model in question is the PU4A, which is a phased array, not an LP.
scorpio1503559530 Posted July 21, 2009 Posted July 21, 2009 The model in question is the PU4A, which is a phased array, not an LP. Sorry. Too much obsessed with LPs.
jrickta Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 Has anyone had any probs with the PU4A reflector rusting?
mtv Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 Has anyone had any probs with the PU4A reflector rusting? I haven't
MrShorty Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 do not touch Mr Antenna at all ... hah whats wrong with Mr Antenna? Except for having to pay for them to come in for a quote... Im in need of a new antenna or a repair of the old one as the cable has snapped of ours - which might mean its too old. Anyone tried Jim's Antennas or know of any reputable installers? I noticed a few fellas in this forum also do antenna work - anyone able to come around and gimme a quote? In Ryde/Eastwood area Cheers
digitalhome Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 I have been to a number of jobs after installations by Mr Antenna. That should give you an indication why people on here don't favour them a great deal.
charlesc Posted August 4, 2009 Posted August 4, 2009 I think there would be good and bad with those types of franchises. Ultimately it would get down to the person doing the install, and/or the company approach to getting their people to do a good install. If the pressure is on them to be in and out really quickly (like many of the Foxtel type installs), then you tend not to get great attention to detail.
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