Hi all.
I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3 and
probably a few others.
I took it back because it had a major fault.
I bought a new sagem receiver which displayed a signal strength
between 23 - 27 but this doesn't receive the ITV channels either.
Im on merseyside so can anyone say if their freeview box has
picked up these channels and what the signal strength they are getting.

Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables
to replace the old.
However, I would'nt know what a good or bad cable looked like to save my
miserable
life so I'm going to buy it myself and the monkey man can fit it for me.
So what spec of cable should I be looking for?
I had a digi aerial fitted last year but I probably need another one because
I want it/them
to feed 5 rooms in the house.

All manner of advice and tips required.

Thanks.

Arthur

Arthur2 wrote:
Hi all.
I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3
and probably a few others.
I took it back because it had a major fault.
I bought a new sagem receiver which displayed a signal strength
between 23 - 27 but this doesn't receive the ITV channels either.
Im on merseyside so can anyone say if their freeview box has
picked up these channels and what the signal strength they are
getting.
Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables
to replace the old.
However, I would'nt know what a good or bad cable looked like to save
my miserable
life so I'm going to buy it myself and the monkey man can fit it for
me. So what spec of cable should I be looking for?
I had a digi aerial fitted last year but I probably need another one
because I want it/them
to feed 5 rooms in the house.

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill Wright.

Peter Crosland

Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

Pete

"Pete Verdon" d wrote in
message ...
Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill
Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

Pete

I agree about the other newsgroup. I had good advice about mast head
amplifiers and distribution set-ups. The right cable is key. Also have you
checked you are aiming at the right transmitter (some were right for
analogue but others are carrying the digital multiplex I believe)

Arthur2 wrote:

I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3 and
probably a few others.
I took it back because it had a major fault.
I bought a new sagem receiver which displayed a signal strength
between 23 - 27 but this doesn't receive the ITV channels either.
Im on merseyside so can anyone say if their freeview box has
picked up these channels and what the signal strength they are getting.

Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables

I had a new aerial last year. £130 complete. We are in an area half way
between 2 transmitters (the worst, or best position to be in?), and told
the aerial man that terrestrial TV was fine from both, but Freeview was
sketchy, and worse in inclement weather.
He attached a meter to gauge signal strength, and said we were on the
wrong transmitter for the best freeview reception.

A new aerial pointing to the best signal cured all the faults, he even
attached the old aerial to the new upright so we could still keep the
West Mids terrestial TV if we required.
The new aerial was a totally different shape to the old one, and,
apparently, makes a difference to the signal picked up.

Well worth the price paid.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

In message , Arthur2
wrote

So what spec of cable should I be looking for?

You need good quality cable with 100 percent copper screening - go for
CT100, or equivalent. CT100 should be in the back of every reputable
aerial installers van as it's used for satellite installations.

http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/coaxcablequalityhmdim.htm

Did the aerial installer you used last replace the old aerial
down-lead? If not what you have may not be of the best quality and it
may have deteriorated badly over the years

You can check the 'quality' of the cable by just stripping back an inch
or so of the outer sheath and examining the screening braid and the 100%
copper foil beneath the braid.

No copper foil = worst quality cable - reject
Foil is silver in colour = medium quality cable - reject

http://www.amac.f2s.com/cable2/

I had a digi aerial fitted last year

Aerials for Digital and Analogue are no different however aerials come
with different specifications and a wideband aerial is often advertised
as a digital aerial. It may not be the ideal solution for your area.

but I probably need another one because
I want it/them
to feed 5 rooms in the house.

You are probably better off with a distribution amplifier of some kind
for this - either a masthead amplifier or perhaps something installed in
the loft.




--

Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:44:28 -0000, "Arthur2"
wrote:

Hi all.
I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3 and
probably a few others.
I took it back because it had a major fault.
I bought a new sagem receiver which displayed a signal strength
between 23 - 27 but this doesn't receive the ITV channels either.
Im on merseyside so can anyone say if their freeview box has
picked up these channels and what the signal strength they are getting.

Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables
to replace the old.
However, I would'nt know what a good or bad cable looked like to save my
miserable
life so I'm going to buy it myself and the monkey man can fit it for me.
So what spec of cable should I be looking for?
I had a digi aerial fitted last year but I probably need another one because
I want it/them
to feed 5 rooms in the house.

All manner of advice and tips required.

Thanks.

Arthur



Invest in some FT125 coax from maplin

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y


My freeview signal was 45%, I ripped out all the bog standard coax
between my aerial and my freeview box and replaced it with FT125.
Signal went up to 62%. No more dropouts or artifacts.

"Arthur2" wrote in message
...
Hi all.
I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3 and
probably a few others.
I took it back because it had a major fault.
I bought a new sagem receiver which displayed a signal strength
between 23 - 27 but this doesn't receive the ITV channels either.
Im on merseyside so can anyone say if their freeview box has
picked up these channels and what the signal strength they are getting.

Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables
to replace the old.
However, I would'nt know what a good or bad cable looked like to save my
miserable
life so I'm going to buy it myself and the monkey man can fit it for me.
So what spec of cable should I be looking for?
I had a digi aerial fitted last year but I probably need another one
because I want it/them
to feed 5 rooms in the house.

All manner of advice and tips required.

Thanks.

Arthur



You have a choice of two transmitters, Winter Hill or Storeton. Winter Hill
is the main one but doesn't cover some areas very well - Storeton is better
if you can get it. It needs a vertical aerial and the channels are on the
lower end of the band. Winter Hill causes loads of problems as you will
find ITV/QVC etc all break up as the output power is quite low and so are
the aerials. The BBC channels never break up, it depends on how much people
pay as to how high up the aerials go.

Don't get ripped off when having the aerial fitted. Make sure it is a
decent one - the coax should connect to the aerial via a small "F"
connector. The ones with screw terminals in a box go corroded after a few
years and water gets in to the coax. Fitters don't know how to waterproof
things. Self amalgamating tape should be used over the F connector, then
insulation tape. The coax needs to be "CT100" type, not the cheap copy sold
in electrical wholesalers. It's well screened and has a foil layer. If you
have the old brown coax then it's best binned, the outer jacket is affected
by UV and cracks after turning green!

For distribution get yourself along to B&Q and have a look how much the
amplifiers are as a guide.
Don't allow them to start fitting masthead preamps, the aerial should be of
sufficient size to do the job. Also watch out for interference from TETRA
systems nearby, go for an amplifier with a TETRA filter.

There are a few cowboys in the North West area when it comes to aerial
fitting. For a single aerial and coax in to the loft to an existing
amplifier or cable to one room, I would suggest paying no more than £130.
Anyone wanting more should break down the cost and give model numbers of
equipment, then you can check on the costs. Ignore recommended firms by
Trading Standards, it doesn't recognise a company that subcontracts others
to do a poor job!

The final thing is, there is no such thing as a "digital aerial", that's a
sales thing. Most aerials will pick up digital and analogue signals. If
you had one fitted last year then the corrosion i was on about or water
getting in to the coax has degraded your signal. Call the fitter back and
get him to sort it as it's unreasonable to last 12 months.

Bovvered? wrote:
....

Invest in some FT125 coax from maplin

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y

So which is better - ft125 from maplin @ £149 per 100m, or pf100 from
screwfix at £32.30 per 100m??


--
Mike Scott (unet at scottsonline.org.uk)
Harlow Essex England

Arthur2 wrote:
Hi all.
I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3
...
Im on merseyside ...

Maybe they've turned off ITV at the transmitter to justify Liverpool being
European Capital of Culture
--
LSR

In article ,
"john" john wrote:
Don't get ripped off when having the aerial fitted. Make sure it is a
decent one - the coax should connect to the aerial via a small "F"
connector. The ones with screw terminals in a box go corroded after a
few years and water gets in to the coax.

Ones with an F connector haven't been around long enough to know how long
they will survive. An F connector isn't waterproof on its own - and any
method you use to do so afterwards is unlikely to last forever.

The aerials on this house are some 30 years old and still working ok. In
London the Freeview channels are in the same group so a different aerial
isn't required.
I have seen the water in the co-ax thingie but careful positioning of the
cable at the aerial when installing should avoid this happening.

But I'm not against using a decent quality aerial - most cheap ones will
fall apart long before they should.

--
*I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
Mike Scott wrote:
Bovvered? wrote:
...

Invest in some FT125 coax from maplin

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y

So which is better - ft125 from maplin @ £149 per 100m, or pf100 from
screwfix at £32.30 per 100m??

One thing is certain - Maplin prices can always be beaten.

This is what I use (PF100) as I have a branch reasonably close:-

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Ind...ite/index.html

A better spec cable might be an idea if you're in a *very* poor signal
area or have longer runs than most.

--
*El nino made me do it

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Pete Verdon d wrote:
Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

He may be an expert on aerials (he probably is) but he's a pain in the
backside on other subjects! :-)

I do sometimes wonder if the whole 'Bill the aerial' thing isn't an
enormous con trick/troll.

I've been tempted (but haven't actually got around to it yet) to see
if his business really exists.

--
Chris Green

In message , Mike Scott
wrote
Bovvered? wrote:
...
Invest in some FT125 coax from maplin
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y

So which is better - ft125 from maplin @ £149 per 100m, or pf100 from
screwfix at £32.30 per 100m??


CT125 equivalent (FT125) will be marginally better than CT100 equivalent
(PF100) but the former is probably only required for exceptionally long
runs and at that price differential not worth the money.

Both have the same 100% copper screening. The CT125 cable will be
physically larger than the CT100.

At the top end of the TV frequency band the attenuation for 100m of
cable is around:
CT125 = 19dB
CT100 = 20dB

Rubbish cable = 38dB+

I would also go for the cables with the foam dielectric - they are more
robust.
--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote

Ones with an F connector haven't been around long enough to know how long
they will survive.

F plugs have been used on Satellite installations for some considerable
time.

An F connector isn't waterproof on its own - and any
method you use to do so afterwards is unlikely to last forever.

True
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/fconn.htm


--
Alan
news2006 {at} amac {dot} f2s {dot} com

wrote:
Pete Verdon d
wrote:
Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill
Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

He may be an expert on aerials (he probably is) but he's a pain in the
backside on other subjects! :-)

I do sometimes wonder if the whole 'Bill the aerial' thing isn't an
enormous con trick/troll.

I've been tempted (but haven't actually got around to it yet) to see
if his business really exists.

What you really mean is you have no sense of humour and constantly bitch
about the fact that Bill does.

Peter Crosland

In article ,
wrote:
Pete Verdon d wrote:
Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill
Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

He may be an expert on aerials (he probably is) but he's a pain in the
backside on other subjects! :-)

So killfile him.

I do sometimes wonder if the whole 'Bill the aerial' thing isn't an
enormous con trick/troll.

The world would be a sadder place without such characters.

I've been tempted (but haven't actually got around to it yet) to see
if his business really exists.

Two seconds worth of research would show him to be genuine.

--
*60-year-old, one owner - needs parts, make offer

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
Alan wrote:
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote

Ones with an F connector haven't been around long enough to know how
long they will survive.

F plugs have been used on Satellite installations for some considerable
time.

They have, but the construction of a satellite dish is rather different to
a folded dipole aerial.

An F connector isn't waterproof on its own - and any
method you use to do so afterwards is unlikely to last forever.

True
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/fconn.htm

They seem to talk about an untreated F connector giving problems after a
year or so. I doubt any screw connection aerial would fail in such a short
time if correctly installed. The actual contact pressure between any plug
and its socket is likely less than with a screw connection.

What it does come down to is how well the connection is protected from the
elements and there will be good and bad with both types.

--
*One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Peter Crosland" wrote in message
...
Arthur2 wrote:
Hi all.
I bought a ALBA freeview box that wasn't picking up ITV/ITV2 and ITV3
and probably a few others.
I took it back because it had a major fault.
I bought a new sagem receiver which displayed a signal strength
between 23 - 27 but this doesn't receive the ITV channels either.
Im on merseyside so can anyone say if their freeview box has
picked up these channels and what the signal strength they are
getting.
Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables
to replace the old.
However, I would'nt know what a good or bad cable looked like to save
my miserable
life so I'm going to buy it myself and the monkey man can fit it for
me. So what spec of cable should I be looking for?
I had a digi aerial fitted last year but I probably need another one
because I want it/them
to feed 5 rooms in the house.

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill
Wright.

[to the OP]
But FFS don't call him a monkey man.

--
Graham

%Profound_observation%

In article ,
scribeth thus
Pete Verdon d wrote:
Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

He may be an expert on aerials (he probably is) but he's a pain in the
backside on other subjects! :-)

I do sometimes wonder if the whole 'Bill the aerial' thing isn't an
enormous con trick/troll.

I've been tempted (but haven't actually got around to it yet) to see
if his business really exists.


It does..he's real..he's himself..take it or leave it!....

He' runs one of the best aerial rigging firms in the country employed by the
likes of Arquiva the company who are entrusted with actually transmitting
the programs!.

I think that sez rather a lot..



And he's unashamedly from Yorkshire .. which may explain rather a lot....
--
Tony Sayer

wrote:
Pete Verdon d
wrote:
Peter Crosland wrote:
Arthur2 wrote:

All manner of advice and tips required.

Take a look in uk.tech.digital-tv for the real experts such as Bill
Wright.

Bill is indeed one of the experts - see http://www.wrightsaerials.tv

He may be an expert on aerials (he probably is) but he's a pain in the
backside on other subjects! :-)

I do sometimes wonder if the whole 'Bill the aerial' thing isn't an
enormous con trick/troll.

I've been tempted (but haven't actually got around to it yet) to see
if his business really exists.

It does, and he is one of the last true engineer/craftsmen in his trade

In article , Paul Matthews
scribeth thus
Arthur2 wrote:

Anyway, I've decided to call decent aeriel fitter and have the best
components/cables
to replace the old.
However, I would'nt know what a good or bad cable looked like to save my
miserable
life so I'm going to buy it myself and the monkey man can fit it for me.

I wouldn't. Part of the point of paying a man to do a job is that you can call
him back if it does not work, If you ask him to fit your cable rather than use
his own, guess what will get the blame if there's a problem.

Better to find a decent fitter, who will just use decent cable anyway.

Now, how to find a decent fitter...


Yes perhaps you might just as well DIY .. the aerial trade has more
cowboys per square mile then almost any other;!...
P.

--
Tony Sayer