251 replies to this topic

[w3dge]

alanh, on Nov 13 2007, 10:25 PM, said:

w3dge,
What total length did you use for the rabbits' ears.

Alanh

I believe i have about a 1 metre span end to end, but i'll check when i'm at home tonight.

[antennas today]

any amplifiers ??

[beeblebrox]

antennas today, on Nov 21 2007, 06:17 AM, said:

any amplifiers ??

As has been stated before, amplifiers cause more trouble than they solve for digital TV if not properly spec'd  for the signal conditions.

Indoor antennas are really only useful in very strong signal areas... and it's highly likely just because they worked with analogue doesn't mean they will be reliable with digital.

[aussiefan]

Does anyone know if wireless antennas works? I'm thinking of trying it.

Thanks.

[mtv]

aussiefan, on Dec 8 2007, 03:15 PM, said:

Does anyone know if wireless antennas works? I'm thinking of trying it.

Thanks.

What's a "wireless" antenna? (apart from radio  )

[aussiefan]

You don't =D ok, hehe

Here - Link, there's all types

[digitalj]

aussiefan, on Dec 9 2007, 07:32 PM, said:

You don't =D ok, hehe

Here - Link, there's all types

no, they're designed for 2.4GHz, and not only that, they don't feature the required output/plug to be able to connect to your tuner. TV is 174MHz minimum, 819MHz max, well below the 2.4GHz, TV would need an antenna that's probably at least 3 times the length.

[mtv]

aussiefan, on Dec 9 2007, 07:32 PM, said:

You don't =D ok, hehe

Here - Link, there's all types

As the description clearly states on the item shown in the link..

The antenna is for a computer wireless LAN.... absolutely nothing to do with indoor digital TV antennas.

So to answer your original question, aussiefan... Yes, they will work, if you need one for a wireless LAN,

NO, they won't work if you intend to use one for digital TV reception.

[kcsc]

Hi

I have a Topfield 7000 PVR connected to my rented house's roof antenna (rental means can't upgrade the roof antenna). This gives me excellent reception for ABC, 7, 9 and 10 but absolutly no SBS reception.

I can get "ok" SBS (and all other channels) reception with a DSE L4016 powered internal antenna connected to an ASA122P powered signal booster (just one or the other doesn't cut it - must have both to get SBS signal). This internal setup drastically reduces the quality of ABC, 7, 9 and 10.

My question is, is there a way to combine the two antenna feeds so I continue to get excellent recpeption for ABC, 7, 9 and 10, and the "ok" reception for SBS? I'd rather not have to physically switch aerial connections every time I want to watch SBS.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Glenndarwin]

What area are you in?
It may be possible to combine the two signals using a band selective mixer, but more info is required first.

[kcsc]

Glenndarwin, on Dec 30 2007, 02:17 PM, said:

What area are you in?
It may be possible to combine the two signals using a band selective mixer, but more info is required first.

Redcliffe, north of Brisbane. I assume I'd be recieveing transmissions from Mt Cootha.

Thanks

[alanh]

KCSC,
You can combine a VHF and a UHF signal using a diplexer which can be purchased at an electronics retailer for a small price.

AlanH

[spiceboy]

i live in an apartment on the lower north shore area (close to artamon / gore hill).  i tried the DSE L4074 and was unable to get any digital channels.  i then tried the Jensen TV621 (purchased from JB Hi-Fi for AUD 34) and am able to receive with good quality and good signal strength all of the channels for sydney listed in the “Australian TV Channel Allocations” – NSW200709Replacement.pdf document.  the only exception is channel 7 where the quality appears to drop off intermittently.

i also worked out that in my situation, the optimal signal quality and strength is received when the two rabbit ears of the TV621 antenna are extended to max length, parallel and vertical.  this could be due to reflections off surrounding buildings and other electrical / electronic inference.

[digitalj]

all,

Don't use the DSE L4074 as an indoor antenna, you'd be better off with a $2 set of Rabbit Ears, I've heard a few situations where the DSE L4074 gives nothing, but $2 Rabbit Ears give better reception.

Hope this helps you.

[digitalj]

spiceboy, on Dec 31 2007, 09:17 PM, said:

i live in an apartment on the lower north shore area (close to artamon / gore hill).  i tried the DSE L4074 and was unable to get any digital channels.  i then tried the Jensen TV621 (purchased from JB Hi-Fi for AUD 34) and am able to receive with good quality and good signal strength all of the channels for sydney listed in the “Australian TV Channel Allocations” – NSW200709Replacement.pdf document.  the only exception is channel 7 where the quality appears to drop off intermittently.

i also worked out that in my situation, the optimal signal quality and strength is received when the two rabbit ears of the TV621 antenna are extended to max length, parallel and vertical.  this could be due to reflections off surrounding buildings and other electrical / electronic inference.

in that area, you may need an attenuator to reduce signal levels, as they may be too strong, I'm 16km away from the transmitters and receive perfect digital signals on $2 rabbit ears with a STB that has a sensitive tuner, mine is a Digicrystal HDT-9300, much more sensitive than the TEAC I have.

[alanh]

Spiceboy,
I suggest you adjust the antenna legs to the lengths in the first post in this strand. You also may need an attenuator.

AlanH

[Brad74]

Hi guys,

After some help,  I was unable to create a new topic so am posting here.  Currently I am connected to foxtel Cable and have been since I moved in to this unit so have never needed an arial as I was using Foxtel for the transmission of ABC, 7, 9 and 10.   I just purchased as HDTV so I now am wishing to pick up HD signals.  Normally I would have an antenna installed but my problem is I am building a new house and will only be my current property for another 6-8 weeks so was hoping an indoor antenna would suffice for now.  I have ordered an antenna installation for my new address.

How do I know if signal strength is high enough to use an indoor antenna?

I am currently Located in Melton (40km west of Melbourne), the closest tower I can find on the spreadsheet is located in Melbourne (como building) which would be about 40km and not obstucted by natual terrain.  it is very flat between Melton and Melbourne.

Would an indoor antenna work?

[mickyj]

Hello,

I have a TV with an indoor antenna, A Pc with genlocking card + VCR and indoor antenna and a PC with a DTV USB fusion Nano and Indoor antenna.
I live in Valley view in South Australia and here is my experience

The best ....

DSE L4074 Digital Outdoor Indoor TV Antenna.

No rabbits ears to keep redirecting in new and wonderful directions.  Able to place in indoors or outdoors, small footprint, able to use a power injector to move it as far away as possible (To a window) without worrying about power placement. Receives all channels clearly in my area. Works well for all of the above applications.

And in order to worst .... (Of what I have tried)


DSE L4016 Indoor TV Antenna with Built-In Amplifier
Works ok. Channel 9 hard to get. ABC drops out. Have to keep redirecting antennas, keep hitting myself in the head. Keeps falling off the shelf. Pain in the neck design. Works better amplified but not a huge help. Works best on analogue for my TV and VCR. Barely works for DTV.

DSE L4005 UHF/VHF/FM Indoor Antenna
Ok for a TV or VCR on analgue. no good on DTV. Also very directional and a pain to get it working accross all channels.

L4069  Indoor TV Antenna with Built-in Amplifier
Worked so bad I returned it. I got fuzzy on analgue at best. DTV just showed me a frame every few seconds and then loses it completely.

I have my L4074 and whilst it is not perfect (Still have the occasional glitch on channel 9) it is far better than the rest in my area.
I have it roughly pointed to Mt Lofty in Adelaide.

Thanks to everyone for posting here as it is a combination of what I read here and tried, that lead me to the current unit.

Thanks

----------------------------------
Michael Jenkin (Mickyj.com)
Microsoft Small Business Server MVP

[alanh]

brad74,
Go to the "Get the best reception" post in the Melbourne viewers' forum which is near the bottom of the home page.
The VIC link should be read. Como is low powered. Your choices are Mt Dandenong or perhaps the South Central Victoria transmitters.
Use the bands suggested and my link to indoor antennas for the correct lengths.
Dick Smith indoor antenna

AlanH

[mtv]

mickyj, on Jan 5 2008, 03:26 PM, said:

Thanks to everyone for posting here as it is a combination of what I read here and tried, that lead me to the current unit.

Thanks

That's what these forums are all about... always pleased to see a good outcome.

[yeehou]

Probably an off-topic question, where can I find a $2 rabbit ears antenna? I live in Carlton Area, north side of Melbourne. I suppose the signal here is strong.

[bellotv]

yeehou, on Jan 11 2008, 09:07 PM, said:

Probably an off-topic question, where can I find a $2 rabbit ears antenna? I live in Carlton Area, north side of Melbourne. I suppose the signal here is strong.

An OP shop ,Garage sale ,trash and treasure.

[mtv]

yeehou, on Jan 11 2008, 09:07 PM, said:

I suppose the signal here is strong.

Carlton is generally poor for indoor antennas.

Only one way to find out.... try one.

[beeblebrox]

yeehou, on Jan 11 2008, 09:07 PM, said:

Probably an off-topic question, where can I find a $2 rabbit ears antenna? I live in Carlton Area, north side of Melbourne. I suppose the signal here is strong.

try jaycar in coburg or the city..

likely to not be very good unless you are up very high, ie 2-3-4 stories..  too many tin roofs to really be useful in most of carlton..

a good outdoor antenna and a lot of parts of carlton  the signal will boom in.(not all, some are really crappy like behind the old housing commis towers).

Edited by beeblebrox, 12 January 2008 - 02:33 PM.

[yeehou]

Bought the DSe L4074, can only detect channel 7, 9 and SBS, no luck on channel 10.

Might try the rabbit ears, I'm on fifth floor, hope it works.

I might talk to the building manager.

Edited by yeehou, 12 January 2008 - 05:29 PM.