We've recently moved, to the arse end of nowhere - rural Herefordshire.
Finally, we've got the TV out and plugged it in.

It's the same TV and same (Humax) freeview box we had at the old place,
with no problems. Obviously, it's a different aerial setup, with two
boosters in the bedroom.

With them both turned off, there's 0-10% signal strength, according to
the box's setup.

With (either) one turned on, there's 25-30%.
With both turned on, there's 65-75% signal strength.

I can go through the auto tune, and get the usual hundred or so channels
pop straight up.

BUT.

I can't actually get anything. The signal quality shows zero. No channels
populate in the guide. The clock doesn't come up with a time/date.
Nothing.

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step? I
don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?

Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.

Adrian presented the following explanation :
Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.

Digital / analogue it is the same so far as the antenna is concerned.
The only difference might be the band/s the antenna needs to cover for
digital.

Have you considered satellite?

On 12/06/13 21:21, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Adrian presented the following explanation :
Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.

Digital / analogue it is the same so far as the antenna is concerned.
The only difference might be the band/s the antenna needs to cover for
digital.



With the proviso that a very weak analogue signal may still display
*something*, but once a freeview signal drops enough it will just pack
in. Sounds like a ****ed or misdirected aerial or duff coax to me.

Are there any neighbours nearby? Take a look where their aerial points.

first check online to see where your possible transmitters are then cut down
the current one and try a good quality one of your choice.
Also look what others are doing in the area. If there are lots of dishes
one can suspect reception is a challenge.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Adrian" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?

Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.

On 13/06/13 08:57, Brian Gaff wrote:
first check online to see where your possible transmitters are then cut down
the current one and try a good quality one of your choice.
Also look what others are doing in the area. If there are lots of dishes
one can suspect reception is a challenge.
Brian

+1



--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

Adrian put finger to keyboard:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?

Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.

Don't think anyone's mentioned yet - but a single-band aerial (if you're
picking up from a single transmitter) will grab a better signal than a
wideband. If your aerial elements vary in width as they go along the
spine, or if you've got one of those X-shaped arrays, then it is not
optimal.

On 13/06/13 11:19, Scion wrote:
Adrian put finger to keyboard:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?
Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.
Don't think anyone's mentioned yet - but a single-band aerial (if you're
picking up from a single transmitter)

There are 5 muxes and they live on different frequencies. You cant use
a narrow band aerial.



--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

The Natural Philosopher put finger to keyboard:

On 13/06/13 11:19, Scion wrote:
Adrian put finger to keyboard:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?
Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked
with digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.
Don't think anyone's mentioned yet - but a single-band aerial (if
you're picking up from a single transmitter)

There are 5 muxes and they live on different frequencies. You cant use
a narrow band aerial.

Sorry, meant Group not Band.

On 13/06/13 12:42, Scion wrote:
The Natural Philosopher put finger to keyboard:

On 13/06/13 11:19, Scion wrote:
Adrian put finger to keyboard:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?
Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked
with digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.
Don't think anyone's mentioned yet - but a single-band aerial (if
you're picking up from a single transmitter)
There are 5 muxes and they live on different frequencies. You cant use
a narrow band aerial.
Sorry, meant Group not Band.
Well a group *is* wideband. Mytransmitter goes from 634 Mhz to 785 Mhz.

I think the final INTENTION is to get them all FAIRLY close together,
but that span to me is still 'wide band'
a 'group' really means 'down the bottom' 'up the top' 'in the middle' or
'all over the muckin place'

Anyway a reputable site will tell you which 'band' applies to 'your'
transmitter.

At low signal; strength what you PROBABLY want is a highly directional
aerial with good forward gain and low gain round the back and edges. You
probably are less concerned about in band flatness and sidelobes.

I personally wanted very GOOD sidelobes because I am in a medium signal
area and by biggest problem was over the horizon interference from 'Le
continent'

But I didnt need gain.


-- Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the
least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and
where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or
succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the
confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000, Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?

Should add - there's no way of knowing if the aerial's ever worked with
digital. TTBOMK, there's never been a freeview box here before.

Does FreeView there use frequencies outside the old analogue ones?

--
*Eat well, stay fit, die anyway

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

Adrian explained on 6/12/2013 :
BUT.

I can't actually get anything. The signal quality shows zero. No channels
populate in the guide. The clock doesn't come up with a time/date.
Nothing.

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step? I
don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Amps boost both the signal and the background noise, so as you found
strength is not everything. The best place for an amp, is at the
antenna, so it is only working on what the antenna receives rather than
extra noise the cable might pick up and introduce.

If the antenna and cabling looks old, replace it/ mount it higher/
check the correct aim to your local transmitter/s on line, check
whether H or V.

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:19:23 +0100, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

If the antenna and cabling looks old

The cabling looks new and looks to have been done well. I've not been up
a ladder to the aerial. Yet. But from what I've seen from the ground, it
doesn't look as ancient and ****e as many.

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:02:18 +0000 (UTC), Adrian
wrote:

I can't actually get anything. The signal quality shows zero. No channels
populate in the guide. The clock doesn't come up with a time/date.
Nothing.

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step?

You could try putting your postcode or location into my reception
checker. Drop the marker on the Google map onto your aerial location,
and then choose either Find the nearest or Find the likeliest from the
Transmitter choices. Then compare the Signal Profiles to see what may
be obstructing the signal ...

http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/Audi...Calculator.php

Also, try the official Digital UK one ...

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

.... (choose detailed view).

I
don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently? Seriously, you should
consider it. As 4G rolls out, Freesat may be the best option for many
people.

If you don't mind revealing your postcode, might be able to give more
specific advice.
--
================================================== =======
Please always reply to ng as the email in this post's
header does not exist. Or use a contact address at:
http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/JavaJive.html
http://www.macfh.co.uk/Macfarlane/Macfarlane.html

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently? Seriously, you should
consider it.

A snob? Remembers the time when dishes where only to be found on
council sink estates...

As 4G rolls out, Freesat may be the best option for many people.

4G aside Freesat gives better quality pictures and more choice than
Freeview. I've yet to watch any Freeview without the 'orrible
compression artifacts being noticable enough to be annoying.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 12/06/2013 21:42, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently? Seriously, you should
consider it.

A snob? Remembers the time when dishes where only to be found on
council sink estates...

As 4G rolls out, Freesat may be the best option for many people.

4G aside Freesat gives better quality pictures and more choice than
Freeview. I've yet to watch any Freeview without the 'orrible
compression artifacts being noticable enough to be annoying.

If it really is the outer sticks, then maybe you could put a dish
somewhere other than slapped on the side of the house? E.g. on a plinth
behind a hedge.

--
Rod

On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:

You could try putting your postcode or location into my reception
checker. Drop the marker on the Google map onto your aerial location,
and then choose either Find the nearest or Find the likeliest from the
Transmitter choices.

Hmm. All bar "Lat/Long" and "World Place Name" are greyed out for the
transmitter location.

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently?

grin No.
For the amount of TV we watch (minimal - the fact we've been here a month
and only just got round to trying it all says a lot), the ballache and
expense of buying and installing a dish, cabling, decoder, PVR is all
just total overkill. Or, at least, that's my gut feel.

As 4G rolls out

4G? I thought that was mobile phones... Does it mean there'll be
something worth watching on? Bear in mind our TV has a tube...

If you don't mind revealing your postcode, might be able to give more
specific advice.

My email address is legit.

On Jun 13, 8:33*am, Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:
You could try putting your postcode or location into my reception
checker. *Drop the marker on the Google map onto your aerial location,
and then choose either Find the nearest or Find the likeliest from the
Transmitter choices.

Hmm. All bar "Lat/Long" and "World Place Name" are greyed out for the
transmitter location.

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.
Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently?

grin No.
For the amount of TV we watch (minimal - the fact we've been here a month
and only just got round to trying it all says a lot), the ballache and
expense of buying and installing a dish, cabling, decoder, PVR is all
just total overkill. Or, at least, that's my gut feel.

As 4G rolls out

4G? I thought that was mobile phones... Does it mean there'll be
something worth watching on? Bear in mind our TV has a tube...


4G will interfere with Freesat in some areas. People who are affected
will be offered a free replacement - freesat or cable.

--
Halmyre

On 13/06/13 09:03, Halmyre wrote:
On Jun 13, 8:33 am, Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:
You could try putting your postcode or location into my reception
checker. Drop the marker on the Google map onto your aerial location,
and then choose either Find the nearest or Find the likeliest from the
Transmitter choices.
Hmm. All bar "Lat/Long" and "World Place Name" are greyed out for the
transmitter location.

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.
Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently?
grin No.
For the amount of TV we watch (minimal - the fact we've been here a month
and only just got round to trying it all says a lot), the ballache and
expense of buying and installing a dish, cabling, decoder, PVR is all
just total overkill. Or, at least, that's my gut feel.

As 4G rolls out
4G? I thought that was mobile phones... Does it mean there'll be
something worth watching on? Bear in mind our TV has a tube...

4G will interfere with Freesat in some areas. People who are affected
will be offered a free replacement - freesat or cable.

ITYM interfere with freeVIEW.

essentially all you need to do is get a better STB or booster that has
proper filtering.

4G is near freeview frequencies, but not near enough to be an insoluble
problem.

Unlike transmissions recieved through a windfarm full of whirling
dervish carbon fibre blades..


--
Halmyre


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

Unlike having a nuclear, or any other, power station between you and
the transmitter, which would probably block the signal completely.

What a fatuously irrelevant thing to say. If you can't contribute to
a TV thread without bringing wind turbines into it, you should
definitely be taking something for your paranoia.

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:14:26 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:

Unlike transmissions recieved through a windfarm full of whirling
dervish carbon fibre blades..
--
================================================== =======
Please always reply to ng as the email in this post's
header does not exist. Or use a contact address at:
http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/JavaJive.html
http://www.macfh.co.uk/Macfarlane/Macfarlane.html

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:03:16 -0700 (PDT), Halmyre wrote:

4G will interfere with Freesat in some areas.

cough Freeview.

People who are affected will be offered a free replacement - freesat or
cable.

They will first be offered a filter but the technical challenge of
building one that will allow the highest required TV channel through
and provide enough reduction to the 4G signals just above is not
minor.

I doubt anyone will get cable, that is a pure pay system isn't it? So
would incur on going charges to the 4G operators, that ain't going to
happen. Freesat is £50 for the kit and a couple of hours labour
for someone to install with no on going costs.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 13/06/13 09:25, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:03:16 -0700 (PDT), Halmyre wrote:

4G will interfere with Freesat in some areas.
cough Freeview.

People who are affected will be offered a free replacement - freesat or
cable.
They will first be offered a filter but the technical challenge of
building one that will allow the highest required TV channel through
and provide enough reduction to the 4G signals just above is not
minor.
well that depends on who you are. It is actually totally trivial and
costs pence.

But of course pence are pence, and you don't put things into STBS TVS
and boosters that you dont need to - or didnb't need to.

I doubt anyone will get cable, that is a pure pay system isn't it? So
would incur on going charges to the 4G operators, that ain't going to
happen. Freesat is £50 for the kit and a couple of hours labour
for someone to install with no on going costs.

indeed, and a bloody eyesore compared with a loft aerial.


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

In article
s.com, Halmyre scribeth thus
On Jun 13, 8:33*am, Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:
You could try putting your postcode or location into my reception
checker. *Drop the marker on the Google map onto your aerial location,
and then choose either Find the nearest or Find the likeliest from the
Transmitter choices.

Hmm. All bar "Lat/Long" and "World Place Name" are greyed out for the
transmitter location.

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.
Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently?

grin No.
For the amount of TV we watch (minimal - the fact we've been here a month
and only just got round to trying it all says a lot), the ballache and
expense of buying and installing a dish, cabling, decoder, PVR is all
just total overkill. Or, at least, that's my gut feel.

As 4G rolls out

4G? I thought that was mobile phones... Does it mean there'll be
something worth watching on? Bear in mind our TV has a tube...


4G will interfere with Freesat in some areas.

How?..

BY what mechanism?..

People who are affected
will be offered a free replacement - freesat or cable.

--
Halmyre

--
Tony Sayer

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:19:08 +0100, tony sayer
wrote:

In article
s.com, Halmyre scribeth thus
On Jun 13, 8:33*am, Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:
You could try putting your postcode or location into my reception
checker. *Drop the marker on the Google map onto your aerial location,
and then choose either Find the nearest or Find the likeliest from the
Transmitter choices.

Hmm. All bar "Lat/Long" and "World Place Name" are greyed out for the
transmitter location.

I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.
Why so anti, one hit you on the head recently?

grin No.
For the amount of TV we watch (minimal - the fact we've been here a month
and only just got round to trying it all says a lot), the ballache and
expense of buying and installing a dish, cabling, decoder, PVR is all
just total overkill. Or, at least, that's my gut feel.

As 4G rolls out

4G? I thought that was mobile phones... Does it mean there'll be
something worth watching on? Bear in mind our TV has a tube...


4G will interfere with Freesat in some areas.

How?..

BY what mechanism?..

People who are affected
will be offered a free replacement - freesat or cable.

--
Halmyre

He clearly meant to say Freeview.
How could Freesat be a replacement for Freesat?

--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

On 13/06/13 08:33, Adrian wrote:

Go here as a first step

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/coveragechecker/

Enter your house an postcode.

That will tell you what frequency your *new* aerial will need to cover
and which direction to point it in.

If as sounds likely judging by the booster, signal is weak, the very
best aerial and the very best cable is likely to be needed, mounted as
high as you can get it.

The fact that the channels seem to be recognised is hopeful.

But I have never found that channels that are recognised don't end up in
the playlist.

Let us know what transmitter you are on, and (roughly) where you are,
mindful of the need for net security..

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:08:08 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Let us know what transmitter you are on, and (roughly) where you are,
mindful of the need for net security..

Ridge Hill is the transmitter that DigitalUK suggests - and that ties
with Harry's suggestion of "near Much Marcle".

Hay on Wye is our nearest town - we're a bit east, half way up a hill
over the river.

On 13/06/13 09:15, Adrian wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:08:08 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Let us know what transmitter you are on, and (roughly) where you are,
mindful of the need for net security..
Ridge Hill is the transmitter that DigitalUK suggests - and that ties
with Harry's suggestion of "near Much Marcle".
What does digital UK suggest in terms of likely signal strength and quality?

Hay on Wye is our nearest town - we're a bit east, half way up a hill
over the river.
Hmm. Using that info does not give me the results you are quoting :-)


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:08:08 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Let us know what transmitter you are on, and (roughly) where you are,
mindful of the need for net security..

Ridge Hill is the transmitter that DigitalUK suggests - and that ties
with Harry's suggestion of "near Much Marcle".

Hay on Wye is our nearest town - we're a bit east, half way up a hill
over the river.

which side of the river?

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

On 13/06/2013 09:15, Adrian wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:08:08 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Let us know what transmitter you are on, and (roughly) where you are,
mindful of the need for net security..

Ridge Hill is the transmitter that DigitalUK suggests - and that ties
with Harry's suggestion of "near Much Marcle".

Hay on Wye is our nearest town - we're a bit east, half way up a hill
over the river.

How much of a "bit" East? By my reckoning you should have a nearby Welsh
DTV relay station practically sat on top of Hay on Wye at Clyro.

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SO204432

vs

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SO630333

Local topography can make a very big difference to which of your options
actually work. My parents set in Manchester can (very annoyingly) see
the Welsh channels from Moel y Parc in an antenna sidelobe 60 degrees
off the main axis to Winterhill with enough signal to totally confuse
Panasonic TVs now that the Welsh station is running on full power and
using low band frequencies that are found first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moel-y-...2012_-_present

A default retune all fills up important mainstream stations with their
Welsh version since the stupid Panasonic firmware puts the first found
on the master location X and the second on 80X. I understand this very
common problem is well known in Manchester telly menders circles.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:33:51 +0000, Adrian wrote:

As 4G rolls out

4G? I thought that was mobile phones...

googles a bit
Ah, gotcha.

I don't think that's going to be an issue round here. We barely get GPRS.
Hell, we barely get a phone signal.

That's because it can be used all over the world, and the UK options
are only relevant, and therefore only become enabled, to someone who
enters a UK location for the receiver. You could, of course, have
read the instructions on the page to discover that for yourself.
However, try this for Hay-On-Wye (used to love that area):

http://tinyurl.com/kg6yaxb

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:33:51 +0000 (UTC), Adrian
wrote:

Hmm. All bar "Lat/Long" and "World Place Name" are greyed out for the
transmitter location.
--
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On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:21:02 +0100, Java Jive wrote:

That's because it can be used all over the world, and the UK options are
only relevant, and therefore only become enabled, to someone who enters
a UK location for the receiver.

That was after I entered the postcode.

Eh? What browser are you using?

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:44:35 +0000 (UTC), Adrian
wrote:

That was after I entered the postcode.
--
================================================== =======
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http://www.macfh.co.uk/Macfarlane/Macfarlane.html

On Thursday, June 13, 2013 8:33:51 AM UTC+1, Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:23:12 +0100, Java Jive wrote:
I don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

For the amount of TV we watch (minimal - the fact we've been here a month
and only just got round to trying it all says a lot), the ballache and
expense of buying and installing a dish, cabling, decoder, PVR is all
just total overkill. Or, at least, that's my gut feel.

We have satellite but mainly because of the superior (to DAB) radio sound quality and the foreign stations.

Robert

Adrian wrote:
We've recently moved, to the arse end of nowhere - rural Herefordshire.
Finally, we've got the TV out and plugged it in.

It's the same TV and same (Humax) freeview box we had at the old place,
with no problems. Obviously, it's a different aerial setup, with two
boosters in the bedroom.

With them both turned off, there's 0-10% signal strength, according to
the box's setup.

With (either) one turned on, there's 25-30%.
With both turned on, there's 65-75% signal strength.

I can go through the auto tune, and get the usual hundred or so channels
pop straight up.

BUT.

I can't actually get anything. The signal quality shows zero. No channels
populate in the guide. The clock doesn't come up with a time/date.
Nothing.

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step? I
don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Have a look and see what the neighbours have aerial-wise and direction that
they're pointing. If no neighbours, unless you have a head for heights,
get a man in. If your neighbours have freesat, that might be your only
option too.

The fact that you have two amps shows that the system is naff and needs
sorting.

Tim

In article ,
Adrian wrote:
We've recently moved, to the arse end of nowhere - rural Herefordshire.
Finally, we've got the TV out and plugged it in.

It's the same TV and same (Humax) freeview box we had at the old place,
with no problems. Obviously, it's a different aerial setup, with two
boosters in the bedroom.

With them both turned off, there's 0-10% signal strength, according to
the box's setup.

With (either) one turned on, there's 25-30%.
With both turned on, there's 65-75% signal strength.

I can go through the auto tune, and get the usual hundred or so channels
pop straight up.

BUT.

I can't actually get anything. The signal quality shows zero. No channels
populate in the guide. The clock doesn't come up with a time/date.
Nothing.

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step? I
don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.


You say there are two boosters in then bedroom. Are you sure? and if you
are, what kind are they? Very likely one is simply a power supply for a
"booster" at the aerial. Possibly that has died - it can easily happen
during a thunderstorm. Or poosibly there's another box which was removed
in error by the removal men.

Why not ask the people from whom you bought the house how they made it all
work? It isn't always easy in "Rural Herefordshire".

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

Adrian wrote:

Thoughts? Aerial ****ed/pointing wrong way/ancient? Best next step? I
don't want a satellite dish. Don't even suggest it.

Try a full re-tune (or factory default reset).
Next, if you can discover which cable comes from the aerial to the first
amp, you could connect that cable directly into the TV and see what you
receive (having re-tuned again). However the first 'amp' is likely not
to be an amp but a power supply unit for an amp that's up on the aerial
or in the loft. So try feeding the telly from the output of that
'amp'/PSU. It could be that the second amp has a (common) fault whereby
it 'appears' to work but mangles the data.
It's unlikely that the aerial will be producing absolutely no signals,
so if all this fails I'm guessing the aerial is disconnected in some way.

Bill

On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:47:19 +0100, Bill Wright wrote:

Try a full re-tune (or factory default reset).

Did that. It found all the channels.

Next, if you can discover which cable comes from the aerial to the first
amp, you could connect that cable directly into the TV and see what you
receive (having re-tuned again). However the first 'amp' is likely not
to be an amp but a power supply unit for an amp that's up on the aerial
or in the loft.

No, it's a pair of amps. Vision brand, no model number visible. Coax
comes into one, out and into the other, then out. Switching either/both
on makes a BIG difference to the signal strength.

Neither - 0-10%
One - ~25%
Both - 65-75%

Just no signal quality.

I'll have a rummage to see if I can get the aerial to connect directly -
but the bit that comes out the wall is cut-to-length.

On 13/06/2013 08:36, Adrian wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:47:19 +0100, Bill Wright wrote:

Try a full re-tune (or factory default reset).

Did that. It found all the channels.

Next, if you can discover which cable comes from the aerial to the first
amp, you could connect that cable directly into the TV and see what you
receive (having re-tuned again). However the first 'amp' is likely not
to be an amp but a power supply unit for an amp that's up on the aerial
or in the loft.

No, it's a pair of amps. Vision brand, no model number visible. Coax
comes into one, out and into the other, then out. Switching either/both
on makes a BIG difference to the signal strength.

With respect, that does not really tell you they are a pair of amps.
Inline PSUs look pretty much the same as some amps, and the coax needs
to loop through them so that they can feed power up it to a remote
preamp nearer the aerial.

Neither - 0-10%
One - ~25%
Both - 65-75%

Just no signal quality.

Can result from too much amplification, plus a number of other causes. I
know you have tried one and then both, but have you tried just the
second amp on its own?

I'll have a rummage to see if I can get the aerial to connect directly -
but the bit that comes out the wall is cut-to-length.




--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

John Rumm wrote:
On 13/06/2013 08:36, Adrian wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:47:19 +0100, Bill Wright wrote:

Try a full re-tune (or factory default reset).

Did that. It found all the channels.

Next, if you can discover which cable comes from the aerial to the first
amp, you could connect that cable directly into the TV and see what you
receive (having re-tuned again). However the first 'amp' is likely not
to be an amp but a power supply unit for an amp that's up on the aerial
or in the loft.

No, it's a pair of amps. Vision brand, no model number visible. Coax
comes into one, out and into the other, then out. Switching either/both
on makes a BIG difference to the signal strength.

With respect, that does not really tell you they are a pair of amps.
Inline PSUs look pretty much the same as some amps, and the coax needs to
loop through them so that they can feed power up it to a remote preamp nearer the aerial.

Neither - 0-10%
One - ~25%
Both - 65-75%

Just no signal quality.

Can result from too much amplification, plus a number of other causes. I
know you have tried one and then both, but have you tried just the second amp on its own?

Also don't forget to take the Belling plugs apart and check to see that
there isn't a "whisker" of copper braid shorting things out. You wouldn't
half kick yourself if you missed this common cause of a duff signal.

Tim