[mythtvnz] Freeview-T UHF Antenna in strong signal area

[Curtis Walker]

On 20 April 2012 22:45, Johan Schuld <johanschuld at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Continuing on my recent post about making my Nova-TD500 work properly, I have now observed the following.
>
> 1: HVR4000 = Perfect reception on all Channels
> 2: Nova-TD500 = Poor reception, barely watchable
> 3: HVR2000 = Reasonable reception, however TV3 is very bad or does not even work.
> 4: Set Top Box = Perfect reception on all Channels
>
> Which makes me think that possibly it's "Dual" cards that need a better signal than a single tuner card, although to me it seems a bit unlikely.
>
> Anyway, as I have identified that my antenna, antenna position and cable are all in average condition, I decided to do the whole thing properly and replace the antenna and possibly add a masthead amp.
>
> I live in Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland where UHF signal strength is supposed to be quite strong as it's close to the transmitter. Our house is fitted with a medium/low-gain antenna (kinda like this one, but maybe even smaller: http://www.freetv.co.nz/webapps/p/61418/52840/306850). No masthead amp, no diplexer fitted (so just one antenna connected). However, an VHF antenna above it. Line of sight very blocked by a big and dense tree 10m from the antenna.
>
> Now I'm not an antenna expert but I know enough about them to know these things can be quite critical. Simply fitting a high-gain antenna (a long one) with a masthead amp might just create a too strong signal. Well, at least with analog that was the case so I assume digital will have similar issues(?)  so I'm wondering what the right plan of attack is.
>
> If I look around the area, some houses have the really small antenna like we have, and some have a big high-gain antenna. I wonder if the big ones are placed because of similar DVB receiving issues? But they are a bit too expensive to just try it out. So I was thinking the following, in order of preference/trying out.
>
> 1: Get a medium/high gain antenna and mount and cable it properly. Get rid of the soon to be useless VHF antenna.
> 2: Put a mast head amp in. (I like the Kingray ones)
> 3: Relocate the antenna to the other side of the house which has line of sight and effectively divides the required cable length by 3 at least.
>
> Are there any antenna experts here which can comment?
>
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I'm no antenna expert, but a couple of thoughts:
1) It's more than just signal which can be affecting the various tuner
cards' performances - drivers and firmware being a potential biggie.
2) Getting rid of VHF aerial and tree could help. I however, I assume
you don't want the VHF aerial for FM radio reception, and that the
tree won't be movable.
3) Options 1 and 3 sounds reasonable and cheap. Probably save cash on
option 2 for now.