fuzzypumper Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 Hi All, I'm in Melbournes Eastern suburbs and am wondering if anyone else been expirencing Ch7 picture breakup/freezing & audio dropout issues the past few months on SD & HD? I have no issues with Channel 2,9,10 & SBS with SD or HD which have 100% signal according to STB meter. But Ch7 SD&HD seems to vary signal between 85-100% which isnt really low but is having an effect on picture watchabilty. I have an older Teac HDB820 STB and really dont know if this is the problem or a ch7 transmission issue. Just as a indicator I do remember this issue began when the Footy season started and I began watching CH7 more often, or it could have been there before and I just didnt realize due to my limited viewing. Any ideas?
digitalj Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 fuzzypumper, you need to improve the signal being received for channel 7, to do this, get an antenna technician out to check the installation, make sure the technician is able to measure things like BER.
alanh Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 fuzzypumper This is a Melbourne Specific Problem Read Get the Best Reception, Melbourne and read the links. Please post any further posts in that strand. AlanH
fuzzypumper Posted July 1, 2008 Author Posted July 1, 2008 (edited) Thanks for your replies. Initially I thought I had too much signal because I have 2 year old high gain multi element antenna which is larger than what I need according to to selection charts for my area but I thought it would be better to have more passive signal than less as I could always attentuate easily. But I noticed today the signal is staying at a steady 100% on ch7 with no picture quality issues and its noticebly less windy today in Melbourne compared to last night. So Im beginining to think I may have a loose or element or connection on one of the elements or a cable/connection issue outside. Physically the Antenna looks intact and in great condition from the ground. I'll wait for a good day to take a closser look. Edited July 1, 2008 by fuzzypumper
charlesc Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Initially I thought I had too much signal ... Unfortunately without measuring it properly with a digital field strength meter, it would be hard to know whether you do or don't. You could try inserting an attenuator in the antenna cable to the STB. There is a thread over here discussing that a bit. SEVEN (digital CH6) in the metropolitan areas is the lowest channel. It would be at the lower end of your antenna reception range. Or rather, should be if you have a newer style 'digital' antenna. These are not designed to receive below CH6, and will receive a bit higher to get CH11 and CH12. If your existing one has the very wide elements at the rear, it is likely to pick up impulse noise. This would tend to affect most channels though. It is probably unlikely that a broken element or two would give problems with only one channel. However it may be best to replace it.
fuzzypumper Posted July 2, 2008 Author Posted July 2, 2008 I just had a look at antenna and its an ARLEC 512(arent they ANTSIG?) VHF/FM/UHF combo, Fringe type which apparently does Ch2-12, 20-35, It has 5 antenna elements. It seems to have most of the bands covered, although just realized I may have mounted it upside down compared to the arlec web site pics which probably makes no difference. I'll give the attenuator a go next time reception is an issue.
digitalj Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 I just had a look at antenna and its an ARLEC 512(arent they ANTSIG?) VHF/FM/UHF combo, Fringe type which apparently does Ch2-12, 20-35, It has 5 antenna elements. It seems to have most of the bands covered, although just realized I may have mounted it upside down compared to the arlec web site pics which probably makes no difference.I'll give the attenuator a go next time reception is an issue. your antenna should not pick up signals below VHF 6 to minimise Impulse noise, Suggest getting a new one.
fuzzypumper Posted July 2, 2008 Author Posted July 2, 2008 Ok then DigitalJ, I shall consider this as very possibble issue & still give the attenuator a go too. Having said that I dont seem to have any channel troubles running the 4 PC Digital Tuner cards in the study which are connected to a 4 element analogue band antenna (Brand unknown, 15years old, Bunnings or Jaycar purchase, Has orange plastic insulators)????????? I think you know what my next question is going to be? In the event I have to get a new digital only antenna and considering I live in the Eastern suburbs, Melb (close to the dandenong transmitters), which one? Also as I need to keep the other antenna anyway (to feed the other analogue Tuners and FM devices) and the requirement to mount the new digital only antenna on the same mast pole, how far away from the other antenna should it be mounted?
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