Jason_dinAlt Posted June 2, 2008 Posted June 2, 2008 Not sure if this is the right area to ask this, if not im sure the mods will move it What sort of money am I looking at to get a 60 foot mast and fringe area antenna installed, I already have a hills amp that is still good. Currently I have a 91 element antenna on a 30 foot mast and all I can get is SCten, there is a mucking great hill in the way, everyone else in the area gets everything off sugarloaf okay with one of those phased array antennas, heck everyone else gets a watchable analog signal, but because of the hill we cant so I assume that it just needs to go higher. Im near alworth/booral
mtv Posted June 2, 2008 Posted June 2, 2008 I wouldn't automatically assume it's just a height issue, as you are comparing a yagi antenna to what you say others have success with, a phased array, so possibly a change of antenna would suffice. Phased arrays generally work better than yagi's where the signal path is obstructed. eg: your 'hill'. The present location of your existing mast may also not be optimal. Quite often, digital signals don't require the height that anaologue signals used to, however every location is different. The type of mast, type of roof, (if it's to be roof-mounted) complexity of installation etc can vary the cost considerably. The longest telescopic mast available is 50 feet (15M) which requires 20 guy wires for support, so if you need to go higher than that, you will require a tower. I would strongly recommend having a site test performed to determine exactly what you require. A typical 15M mast supply/installation is approx $1.5-2K including the now-mandatory use of an elevated work platform.
Ali AR Posted June 3, 2008 Posted June 3, 2008 (edited) Give Les a call he will be able to quote you and advise what sort of equipment you need. He did my antenna and i am very happy with it and his service. Les Field TV Service Digital TV Antenna Installations! Ph: (02) 4961 6393 Fax: (02) 4965 3699 Mobile: 0414 680 487 Email: lesftv@ozemail.com.au Wickham, NSW, 2293 Australia Edited June 3, 2008 by Ali AR
Jason_dinAlt Posted June 3, 2008 Author Posted June 3, 2008 I wouldn't automatically assume it's just a height issue, as you are comparing a yagi antenna to what you say others have success with, a phased array, so possibly a change of antenna would suffice.The longest telescopic mast available is 50 feet (15M) which requires 20 guy wires for support, so if you need to go higher than that, you will require a tower. We previously had a phased array antenna on the same mast and it was no better, a site test is probably the way to go as reception has never been good here. I was just guessing at the height, 50 feet is what a friend at allworth has with 20 guy wires, he said they telescoped it and a young kid climbed it to adjust it, i bet that doesnt happen anymore does it?
wahroonga farm Posted June 3, 2008 Posted June 3, 2008 (edited) I was just guessing at the height, 50 feet is what a friend at allworth has with 20 guy wires, he said they telescoped it and a young kid climbed it to adjust it, i bet that doesnt happen anymore does it? No You simply stuck up the first section, 'balanced' a step ladder across the ridge and leaning on the mast, and then grunted up each internal mast section from that point starting at the thinnest topmost with antenna and masthead, hanging on with a spare hand if needed. QED.But listen to MTV's advice. Higher isn't always the solution. It's all about the correct antenna in the correct location. And if your up to DIY get hold of a phased array (less than $80 for a goodun), make sure your masthead is also a goodun; attach it to a couple of meter aluminium mast and a long piece of string and wave it around your block. You may be surprised. Sheet! ... I can achieve DVB-t from Newcastle up at Gloucester at river level .... most severely obstructed and distance challenged. Edited June 3, 2008 by wahroonga farm
bellotv Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 (edited) Height is not always the answer. I have had a couple of jobs in analog black spots reciently where 30 foot masts were absolutely useless and in one job I got Channel BERs of 1E- 05 with the antenna only 3 foot off the roof.Another was 6 foot with CH BER 1E-03 ( not bad for a black spot) Up the 30 foot mast I could hardly get my meter to lock on any channel Position is absolutely the cruitial facter .You also need a way to find it.the best way is getting an antenna tech with a digital meter. You also need to think "out side the square" Get off the roof.Try all round your property .In many cases there are much better places than where your house is .You can easily push signal 60-80 meters through RG6 quad coax although there are logistics in burying it. Edited June 19, 2008 by bellotv
charlesc Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 ...Up the 30 foot mast I could hardly get my meter to lock on any channel bellotv, as a matter of interest, was that on the existing anntenna up the 30ft mast, or did you get your new antenna up there to check? I'm thinking that might have been tricky.
bellotv Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 bellotv, as a matter of interest, was that on the existing anntenna up the 30ft mast, or did you get your new antenna up there to check? I'm thinking that might have been tricky. Yes,I did lower It down after seeing a very broken antenna up there and thinking I was on a winner only to be dissapointed after raising the new gear to find it was **** .I then did what I should have done first and found a suitable spot on a 6 foot mast .Needless to say the customer was rapt to not need the butt ugly monster and told me to drop it down.( thank fully it was far inland and had suffered minimal corrosion over the years). Another was two adjacent buildings ,one had a new antenna system on a mast that was bearly locking,I did a roof walk and found perfect signals on a 3 foot tripod .Owner may now feed original place off the new lower antenna system. I think some installers approach difficult areas with a blanket tall mast mentallity without trying anything else first.
wahroonga farm Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 Big mast .... more money ..... great if you can get away with it
mtv Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 I think some installers approach difficult areas with a blanket tall mast mentallity without trying anything else first. Like those who rely entirely on theory and specs, rather than what actually works in the real world.
charlesc Posted June 20, 2008 Posted June 20, 2008 Like those who rely entirely on theory and specs, rather than what actually works in the real world. touché
Jason_dinAlt Posted June 24, 2008 Author Posted June 24, 2008 I had the site field strength survey done and the optimum area was 2 m aft (north) and 1.5 m below where the antenna originally was located, so thankfully I didnt need to go higher. Apparently where it was had the lowest signal strength anywhere on the roof above 2 m!!!! It has been relocated to the optimum position and it is now pulling in all newcastle digital channels without any problems so far. Even the mystar locks on all channels, and on my terrestrial digital box where previously the worse channel that would lock read 18 in signal strength now it reads 24, best channel is sc10 with 26, previously sc10 was 21 so the trouble and strife is now happy . Thanks for the advice fellas, it seems higher definately isnt always better
wahroonga farm Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 Happy ending. Good work and I guess you've found someone you can recommend.
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