Hi,

My mother is having her chimney breast re-rendered. This will involve
taking down the TV aerial which is currently strapped to it. Given that
it's 30 years old, and was never much good in the first place, it seems
like a good time to put up a new one. Luckily it's a bungalow, so I
hope there'll be no Rod Hull incidents.

She's not exactly a high-end user. She does have a freeview box these
days which she likes, and obviously she needs to be ready for the
digital switchover. She's in sunny Southend (SS2) where the digital
signal is currently marginal. She does currently get a digital signal,
but some channels are a bit shaky.

I was going to add a TV aerial to my next\Screwfix order. I'm inclined
to go for this one complete with masthead amp:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...87814&id=75506

Or might I be just as happy with this one (no masthead amp, therefore a
bit easier to install, and a bit cheaper):
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88127&id=30515

I'm aware of the need for decent CT100 cable. I was planning on getting
some of this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88279&id=10633

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

Repost in uk.tech.digital-tv and ask for Bill Wright.

Peter Crosland

"Martin Pentreath" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

My mother is having her chimney breast re-rendered. This will involve
taking down the TV aerial which is currently strapped to it. Given that
it's 30 years old, and was never much good in the first place, it seems
like a good time to put up a new one. Luckily it's a bungalow, so I
hope there'll be no Rod Hull incidents.

She's not exactly a high-end user. She does have a freeview box these
days which she likes, and obviously she needs to be ready for the
digital switchover. She's in sunny Southend (SS2) where the digital
signal is currently marginal. She does currently get a digital signal,
but some channels are a bit shaky.

I was going to add a TV aerial to my next\Screwfix order. I'm inclined
to go for this one complete with masthead amp:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...87814&id=75506

Or might I be just as happy with this one (no masthead amp, therefore a
bit easier to install, and a bit cheaper):
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88127&id=30515

I'm aware of the need for decent CT100 cable. I was planning on getting
some of this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88279&id=10633

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.


Whilst I'm sure that many people on this group can and will give you a good
answer, I would recommend that you ask the question over in
news:uk.tech.digital-tv maybe marking it ATTN: Bill Wright - he's an aerial
rigger supreme and a very helpful guy.

Steve

In article , Peter
Crosland writes
Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

Repost in uk.tech.digital-tv and ask for Bill Wright.

Peter Crosland



Yes Mr Wrights the man


http://www.wrightsaerials.co.uk


That look's like a Maxview and should be avoided Triax and Antiference
are much better makes from CPC

Use a good quality CT100 type cable and aerial height is a very good
thing.

That said, you don't or aren't, always best served by a Wideband aerial
sometimes if you can use one a grouped aerial is a better bet.

Any idea which transmitter you use?. There you could use Crystal palace
from Sarf lunnon or possible bluebell hill from the other side of the
Thames estuary or possible Sudbury in Suffokle?....
--
Tony Sayer

"Martin Pentreath" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

My mother is having her chimney breast re-rendered. This will involve
taking down the TV aerial which is currently strapped to it. Given that
it's 30 years old, and was never much good in the first place, it seems
like a good time to put up a new one. Luckily it's a bungalow, so I
hope there'll be no Rod Hull incidents.

She's not exactly a high-end user. She does have a freeview box these
days which she likes, and obviously she needs to be ready for the
digital switchover. She's in sunny Southend (SS2) where the digital
signal is currently marginal. She does currently get a digital signal,
but some channels are a bit shaky.

If the aerial points at Crystal Palace a Blake DMX10A may be a better option.

(High gain Group A aerial)

I bought one from http://www.ctva.co.uk/ on Leigh on Sea

(Not that I live anywhere near there!)


--

Michael Chare






I was going to add a TV aerial to my next\Screwfix order. I'm inclined
to go for this one complete with masthead amp:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...87814&id=75506

Or might I be just as happy with this one (no masthead amp, therefore a
bit easier to install, and a bit cheaper):
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88127&id=30515

I'm aware of the need for decent CT100 cable. I was planning on getting
some of this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88279&id=10633

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

Thanks for advice so far. I am going to seek out Mr Wright in
uk.tech.digital-tv.

Martin Pentreath wrote:

Hi,

My mother is having her chimney breast re-rendered. This will involve
taking down the TV aerial which is currently strapped to it. Given that
it's 30 years old, and was never much good in the first place, it seems
like a good time to put up a new one. Luckily it's a bungalow, so I
hope there'll be no Rod Hull incidents.

She's not exactly a high-end user. She does have a freeview box these
days which she likes, and obviously she needs to be ready for the
digital switchover. She's in sunny Southend (SS2) where the digital
signal is currently marginal. She does currently get a digital signal,
but some channels are a bit shaky.

I was going to add a TV aerial to my next\Screwfix order. I'm inclined
to go for this one complete with masthead amp:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...87814&id=75506

Or might I be just as happy with this one (no masthead amp, therefore a
bit easier to install, and a bit cheaper):
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88127&id=30515

I'm aware of the need for decent CT100 cable. I was planning on getting
some of this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88279&id=10633

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

I paid over £150-00 for a new aerial two years ago and it has made some
difference to the TV set I have in my hobby room, but not much to the
main TV downstairs. What makes matters worse, is a very tall tree that
is growing in the line of path, about 2/3 hundred yards away, to our
local transmitter. When it rains, downstairs TV struggles to get a
signal. When it more than rains, it does not work at all.

In retrospect, I wish I had gone for a basic dish that lets you watch
the free channels from the satellite. I believe it costs about £100-00
to buy and whatever to install.

Dave

On Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:17:28 UTC, tony sayer wrote:

That look's like a Maxview and should be avoided Triax and Antiference
are much better makes from CPC

Also Televes...got two from CPC and they are both great!

--
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
Avenue Supplies, http://avenuesupplies.co.uk

In article , Dave
writes
Martin Pentreath wrote:

Hi,

My mother is having her chimney breast re-rendered. This will involve
taking down the TV aerial which is currently strapped to it. Given that
it's 30 years old, and was never much good in the first place, it seems
like a good time to put up a new one. Luckily it's a bungalow, so I
hope there'll be no Rod Hull incidents.

She's not exactly a high-end user. She does have a freeview box these
days which she likes, and obviously she needs to be ready for the
digital switchover. She's in sunny Southend (SS2) where the digital
signal is currently marginal. She does currently get a digital signal,
but some channels are a bit shaky.

I was going to add a TV aerial to my next\Screwfix order. I'm inclined
to go for this one complete with masthead amp:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...87814&id=75506

Or might I be just as happy with this one (no masthead amp, therefore a
bit easier to install, and a bit cheaper):
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88127&id=30515

I'm aware of the need for decent CT100 cable. I was planning on getting
some of this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88279&id=10633

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

I paid over £150-00 for a new aerial two years ago and it has made some
difference to the TV set I have in my hobby room, but not much to the
main TV downstairs. What makes matters worse, is a very tall tree that
is growing in the line of path, about 2/3 hundred yards away, to our
local transmitter. When it rains, downstairs TV struggles to get a
signal. When it more than rains, it does not work at all.


Trust this link works...

http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/Resourc...0reception.pdf


In retrospect, I wish I had gone for a basic dish that lets you watch
the free channels from the satellite. I believe it costs about £100-00
to buy and whatever to install.


Can be even cheaper than that if you DIY it!....
Dave

--
Tony Sayer

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.

Bill Wright has given you the best advice over on uk.tech.digital-tv.

Dave

If the aerial points at Crystal Palace a Blake DMX10A may be a better
option.

(High gain Group A aerial)

I'd probably avoid a banded aerial. No-one knows what is going to happen to
frequencies after the changeover.

I live in a fairly weak signal area and went for a Televes DAT75. Only
problem with it is the size, although they do a smaller DAT45.

The DAT75 totally maxes out the signal level on every multiplex, though. You
could probably get TV on Mars with it.

Christian.

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
...
If the aerial points at Crystal Palace a Blake DMX10A may be a better
option.

(High gain Group A aerial)

I'd probably avoid a banded aerial. No-one knows what is going to happen to
frequencies after the changeover.

So far I have not seen any proposal to change CP from Group A and digital switch
over is not due for another five years os so. There was a draft plan/proposal
published in uk.tech.digital-tv not long ago, and it showed CP remaining as
Group A.


--

Michael Chare

In article , Michael Chare
wrote:

digital switch
over is not due for another five years os so.

I think you will find that phase 1 is in 18 months time. South coast and
Borders region are first, then rolling inland.

--
AJL Electronics (G6FGO) Ltd : Satellite and TV aerial systems
http://www.classicmicrocars.co.uk : http://www.ajlelectronics.co.uk

tony sayer wrote:

In article , Dave
writes

Martin Pentreath wrote:


Hi,

My mother is having her chimney breast re-rendered. This will involve
taking down the TV aerial which is currently strapped to it. Given that
it's 30 years old, and was never much good in the first place, it seems
like a good time to put up a new one. Luckily it's a bungalow, so I
hope there'll be no Rod Hull incidents.

She's not exactly a high-end user. She does have a freeview box these
days which she likes, and obviously she needs to be ready for the
digital switchover. She's in sunny Southend (SS2) where the digital
signal is currently marginal. She does currently get a digital signal,
but some channels are a bit shaky.

I was going to add a TV aerial to my next\Screwfix order. I'm inclined
to go for this one complete with masthead amp:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...87814&id=75506

Or might I be just as happy with this one (no masthead amp, therefore a
bit easier to install, and a bit cheaper):
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88127&id=30515

I'm aware of the need for decent CT100 cable. I was planning on getting
some of this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...88279&id=10633

Any advice or tips from those who've been there gratefully received.


I paid over £150-00 for a new aerial two years ago and it has made some
difference to the TV set I have in my hobby room, but not much to the
main TV downstairs. What makes matters worse, is a very tall tree that
is growing in the line of path, about 2/3 hundred yards away, to our
local transmitter. When it rains, downstairs TV struggles to get a
signal. When it more than rains, it does not work at all.



Trust this link works...

http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/Resourc...0reception.pdf

I haven't looked at all of the link, but what I have read supports my
experience.

In retrospect, I wish I had gone for a basic dish that lets you watch
the free channels from the satellite. I believe it costs about £100-00
to buy and whatever to install.



Can be even cheaper than that if you DIY it!....

Yes, I was in Maplin today and saw a DIY dish kit for £99-99. I might
just be tempted later in the year. There was a satellite beeper (to find
the signal) for £14-99. Cheap at half the price :-)

Dave

In message , Dave
wrote

Yes, I was in Maplin today and saw a DIY dish kit for £99-99. I might
just be tempted later in the year. There was a satellite beeper (to
find the signal) for £14-99. Cheap at half the price :-)

If it was a Maplin's deal then you could probably find the same
equipment for half of their price.

Maplin were never cheap but since they have become a 'toys for boys'
outlet their products are even more expensive (even in the special offer
'sale' catalogues the send out).
--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

"Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics)" wrote in message
. ..
In article , Michael Chare
wrote:

digital switch
over is not due for another five years os so.

I think you will find that phase 1 is in 18 months time. South coast and
Borders region are first, then rolling inland.


I was refering to Crystal Palace which serves London!


--

Michael Chare

In article , Alan
writes
In message , Dave
wrote

Yes, I was in Maplin today and saw a DIY dish kit for £99-99. I might
just be tempted later in the year. There was a satellite beeper (to
find the signal) for £14-99. Cheap at half the price :-)

If it was a Maplin's deal then you could probably find the same
equipment for half of their price.

Maplin were never cheap but since they have become a 'toys for boys'
outlet their products are even more expensive (even in the special offer
'sale' catalogues the send out).

Yes quite they do seem to have become quite expensive.....


--
Tony Sayer

Alan wrote:
In message , Dave
wrote


Yes, I was in Maplin today and saw a DIY dish kit for £99-99. I might
just be tempted later in the year. There was a satellite beeper (to
find the signal) for £14-99. Cheap at half the price :-)


If it was a Maplin's deal then you could probably find the same
equipment for half of their price.

Maplin were never cheap but since they have become a 'toys for boys'
outlet their products are even more expensive (even in the special offer
'sale' catalogues the send out).

Point taken :-)

Thanks

Dave

The message
from tony sayer contains these words:

Yes quite they do seem to have become quite expensive.....

Ten way mains adaptor I bought in a local shop for £8. Maplin, identical
item - £29.99.

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

So far I have not seen any proposal to change CP from Group A and digital
switch
over is not due for another five years os so. There was a draft
plan/proposal
published in uk.tech.digital-tv not long ago, and it showed CP remaining
as
Group A.

Indeed. And then they might release the extra frequencies for HD on a
different band in 10 years time. It only costs a dB or two to have a
wideband, and it is very good insurance.

Christian.

In article , Christian
McArdle writes
So far I have not seen any proposal to change CP from Group A and digital
switch
over is not due for another five years os so. There was a draft
plan/proposal
published in uk.tech.digital-tv not long ago, and it showed CP remaining
as
Group A.

Indeed. And then they might release the extra frequencies for HD on a
different band in 10 years time. It only costs a dB or two to have a
wideband, and it is very good insurance.

I think you'll find in general Christian, its more than that in a lot of
instances!..

Christian.



--
Tony Sayer

It only costs a dB or two to have a wideband, and it is very
good insurance.

I think you'll find in general Christian, its more than that in a lot of
instances!..

Not necessarily. Indeed, take the Blake DMX10A (Band A) mentioned earlier.
According to Blake, it has 12.89dB gain, just 0.29dB more than the DMX10WB
(Wideband) at 12.60dB.

Obviously, you could go for a genuine wideband log periodic rather than a
Yagi. These definitely have lower gain figures. However, the gain doesn't
tell the whole story, as the log periodic has a much smoother response
spectrum and smaller side lobes and so can often provide better performance
in actual service.

Christian.

In article , Christian
McArdle writes
It only costs a dB or two to have a wideband, and it is very
good insurance.

I think you'll find in general Christian, its more than that in a lot of
instances!..

Not necessarily. Indeed, take the Blake DMX10A (Band A) mentioned earlier.
According to Blake, it has 12.89dB gain, just 0.29dB more than the DMX10WB
(Wideband) at 12.60dB.



Well the Yagi array isn't a very wideband device to start with!, and no
matter what you do you simply cannot change that!...

Obviously, you could go for a genuine wideband log periodic rather than a
Yagi. These definitely have lower gain figures. However, the gain doesn't
tell the whole story, as the log periodic has a much smoother response
spectrum and smaller side lobes and so can often provide better performance
in actual service.

In some circumstances.. but I think you'll find people such as Bill
Wright who spend at LOT of time on practical installation, will
recommend a grouped aerial for difficult reception cases over either a
log or the abortion known as a wideband Yagi.....

Christian.



--
Tony Sayer

tony sayer wrote:
[snip]

You lot ought to x-psot to uk.tech.digital-tv or
whatevetr it'sgh called, and taLK to Mr.
Wright.

On 2006-06-05, Christian McArdle wrote:
It only costs a dB or two to have a wideband, and it is very
good insurance.

I think you'll find in general Christian, its more than that in a lot of
instances!..

Not necessarily. Indeed, take the Blake DMX10A (Band A) mentioned earlier.
According to Blake, it has 12.89dB gain, just 0.29dB more than the DMX10WB
(Wideband) at 12.60dB.

This is not a valid comparison for receiving group A signals. Because:

1. TV aerial gain is not constant over its rated bandwidth

2. "Official" aerial gain figures are usually the peak gain value

3. Peak gain for a WB aerial is typically at the top end of the UHF band

4. Group A frquencies are at the bottom end of the UHF band so you
will not get close to the WB aerial's "official" gain figure for
signals in group A.

In actual practice the DMX10WB will be 3 or more dB worse *for signals in
group A* than the DMX10A. If you are receiving a grouped set of signals
it is certainly true that a matching grouped aerial will be better than
a wide band aerial.

Right now with many parts of the country only marginally covered until
the transmitter power is increased by region over the next few years an
aerial that has 3 dB better gain may make the difference between good
and poor reception.

--
John Phillips

John Phillips wrote:


Right now with many parts of the country only marginally covered until
the transmitter power is increased by region over the next few years an
aerial that has 3 dB better gain may make the difference between good
and poor reception.

I'd settle for a digital feed that didn't randomly have digital errors
on it, on different MUXes on different days..

Bags of signal level is no use if what is being fed to the transmitters
is garbage..

1. TV aerial gain is not constant over its rated bandwidth

Indeed, which is one of the reasons why the apparently lower gain log
periodics perform well against transmitters with a wide frequency band
compared with a Yagi, which is always a bit of a compromise for this.

However, even 3dB really isn't that much in the scheme of things. You'd have
to be really in a properly marginal area to make that 3dB really count. I'd
prefer to fit a wideband aerial with a few extra directors than go for a
smaller aerial banded to a frequency range that might change or be expanded
for HDTV and, thus, require replacement in 5 years time.

Indeed, this is exactly what I did by putting up the DAT75. From a marginal
area where not all multiplexes should be receivable, I get them all on full
signal with a remarkably good error rate. I will continue to get any new
services, whether they be DVB-T after the changeover or HDTV in five or ten
years time.

Christian.

On 2006-06-06, Christian McArdle wrote:
1. TV aerial gain is not constant over its rated bandwidth

Indeed, which is one of the reasons why the apparently lower gain log
periodics perform well against transmitters with a wide frequency band
compared with a Yagi, which is always a bit of a compromise for this.

I agree. A LP has a good broadband match that the tuned yagi cannot
equal but you do get low gain from the LP. A LP is the aerial of choice
in a strong signal wideband situation.

However, even 3dB really isn't that much in the scheme of things. ...

I might agree in an analogue system. However in a digital TV system,
although the "digital cliff" between working and not isn't quite as bad
as some say, 3 dB can in practice be very significant for performance.

... You'd have
to be really in a properly marginal area to make that 3dB really count. ...

Unfortunately the extent of the "amplified extra high gain aerial"
region at http://www.wolfbane.com/articles/ukdcmap.htm shows that many
will indeed be in that marginal situation until the DTTV power levels
go up at analogue switch-off. The "amplified" bit only gets you a 3 dB
or so improvement in link budget over "extra high gain".

... I'd
prefer to fit a wideband aerial with a few extra directors than go for a
smaller aerial banded to a frequency range that might change or be expanded
for HDTV and, thus, require replacement in 5 years time.

Indeed, this is exactly what I did by putting up the DAT75. From a marginal
area where not all multiplexes should be receivable, I get them all on full
signal with a remarkably good error rate. I will continue to get any new
services, whether they be DVB-T after the changeover or HDTV in five or ten
years time.

Yes. I investigated the gain vs. frequiency of the DAT45 and DAT75 in
the Televes data book. They are remarkable, if big and heavy, aerials.
For some they will be the solution. However in a group A area the
group A Blake DMX10A is as effective as the wideband DAT45 and much
smalller/lighter (and cheaper). The DAT75 is another thing if you can
accommodate it.

--
John Phillips

In article , John Phillips
writes
On 2006-06-06, Christian McArdle wrote:
1. TV aerial gain is not constant over its rated bandwidth

Indeed, which is one of the reasons why the apparently lower gain log
periodics perform well against transmitters with a wide frequency band
compared with a Yagi, which is always a bit of a compromise for this.

I agree. A LP has a good broadband match that the tuned yagi cannot
equal but you do get low gain from the LP. A LP is the aerial of choice
in a strong signal wideband situation.

However, even 3dB really isn't that much in the scheme of things. ...

I might agree in an analogue system. However in a digital TV system,
although the "digital cliff" between working and not isn't quite as bad
as some say, 3 dB can in practice be very significant for performance.

... You'd have
to be really in a properly marginal area to make that 3dB really count. ...

Unfortunately the extent of the "amplified extra high gain aerial"
region at http://www.wolfbane.com/articles/ukdcmap.htm shows that many
will indeed be in that marginal situation until the DTTV power levels
go up at analogue switch-off. The "amplified" bit only gets you a 3 dB
or so improvement in link budget over "extra high gain".

... I'd
prefer to fit a wideband aerial with a few extra directors than go for a
smaller aerial banded to a frequency range that might change or be expanded
for HDTV and, thus, require replacement in 5 years time.

Indeed, this is exactly what I did by putting up the DAT75. From a marginal
area where not all multiplexes should be receivable, I get them all on full
signal with a remarkably good error rate. I will continue to get any new
services, whether they be DVB-T after the changeover or HDTV in five or ten
years time.

Yes. I investigated the gain vs. frequiency of the DAT45 and DAT75 in
the Televes data book. They are remarkable, if big and heavy, aerials.
For some they will be the solution. However in a group A area the
group A Blake DMX10A is as effective as the wideband DAT45 and much
smalller/lighter (and cheaper). The DAT75 is another thing if you can
accommodate it.


Wouldn't give one of them rooftop room.! If I needed more gain than what
a standard Yagi could give then I'd phase Two of them together!...

--
Tony Sayer

The DAT75 is another thing if you can accommodate it.

Wouldn't give one of them rooftop room.! If I needed more gain than what
a standard Yagi could give then I'd phase Two of them together!...

All I can say is that the DAT75 works very well in practice. Where I live,
almost all aerials point towards Crystal Palace, as the correct transmitter
(Hannington) is a fair distance away on the other side of a hill and
suppresses the digital signal in our direction. Typical contract UHF aerials
give a very poor digital performance on Hannington. The DAT75 gives 100% on
the signal meter on every multiplex.

Whilst phasing two Yagis together might get you a nice aerial, it would be a
lot of work compared to buying the DAT75, which is a bit like 3 Yagis
sharing a dipole and reflector.

Christian.

John Phillips wrote:

On 2006-06-06, Christian McArdle wrote:
Indeed, which is one of the reasons why the apparently lower gain log
periodics perform well against transmitters with a wide frequency band
compared with a Yagi, which is always a bit of a compromise for this.

I agree. A LP has a good broadband match that the tuned yagi cannot
equal but you do get low gain from the LP. A LP is the aerial of choice
in a strong signal wideband situation.

A well-designed log-periodic _should_ give a good broadband match, but
many of the commercial designs don't. Note that the relevant CAI/DTG
aerial benchmarking standard (Standard 4) only requires the aerial to
have 6 dB return loss at the feedpoint (VSWR = 3), which is the same as
for the Yagi-derived types.

Also note that the gains of "wideband Yagis" at the bottom of the band
is not necessarily higher than for a log: e.g. a Standard 2 Group W Yagi
is only required to have 7 dBd gain over ch. 21-36, which is exactly the
same figure as for a Standard 4 log. (More reading in
http://www.dtg.org.uk/publications/b...rk_aerials.pdf)

However, even 3dB really isn't that much in the scheme of things. ...

I might agree in an analogue system. However in a digital TV system,
although the "digital cliff" between working and not isn't quite as bad
as some say, 3 dB can in practice be very significant for performance.

Quite agree - it all depends on how near your are to the cliff edge.
During the "equalisation" programme many transmitter powers were doubled
(+3 dB) which brought about worthwhile reception improvements for a lot
of people. Similarly for the change from 64-QAM to 16-QAM for four of
the muxes, which is worth about 4 dB of link budget.

Unfortunately the extent of the "amplified extra high gain aerial"
region at http://www.wolfbane.com/articles/ukdcmap.htm shows that many
will indeed be in that marginal situation until the DTTV power levels
go up at analogue switch-off.

I've always thought that Wolfbane should be taken with a very large
pinch of salt.

The "amplified" bit only gets you a 3 dB
or so improvement in link budget over "extra high gain".

Hmm, a masthead amp can be worth quite a bit more than that. Typical
system without a preamp will have about 4 dB feeder loss (including
flylead) and 6 dB STB tuner noise figure (some better, some worse), so a
typical system noise figure seen at the antenna o/p is ~10 dB. Put in a
decent preamp (NF = 2 dB) with only modest gain (say 10 dB) and the
system NF will come down to under 4 dB. That (with the usual assumption
that the antenna noise temperature is 290 K) gets you a 6 dB improvement.

--
Andy