19 replies to this topic

[{RainmakeR}]

Hi all,

I'm very new to this whole digital TV thing, so bear with me.    We live in Banks (deep south Tuggeranong) have an existing antenna that is pointing towards Black Mntn, I believe.  Most of the digital channels are coming in fine through my AVerTV DVB-T card except for Prime which shows three bars of reception but stutters on and off really bad.  Which one is Tuggeranong Hill?  Should I redirect our antenna there?

Cheers,

{R}

[kenneth]

Is your antenna "Digital Ready"? ie. Does it say it can pick up all the UHF and VHF Channels (Including VHF12).

Don't bother moving a VHF antenna (unless it is a combo antenna (ie. VHF/UHF in one)) to Tuggeranong Hill (it's above Calwell) as there are only UHF Tranmissions comming off Tuggeranong Hill.

Also, Tuggeranong Hill currently has the following networks (I am listing them with the Channel Names for each channel on the network):
ABC (746.5 MHz) - ABC TV Canberra, ABC TV (2,3,4) (Where brackets is the numbers on each channel), ABC HDTV and ABC DiG Radio.
SBS (732.5 MHz) - SBS Digital 1, SBS Digital 2, SBS EPG, SBS HD, SBS Radio 1 (The SBS radio we get in Canberra) and SBS Radio 2 (Sydney and Melbourne on FM, in Canberra on Digital TV).
Win (788.5 MHz) - Win TV Canberra

Soon to Tuggeranong Hill (once the Government "Red Tape" is cut. Hopefully on before Christmas):
Prime (809.5 MHz) - Prime TV Canberra, Prime View 1, Prime View 2.
SC10 (767.5 MHz) - SC10 Canberra

What brand is your antenna if you can't tell us if it can go up to VHF12.

If you have a combo antenna, it may not be suitible for your area.

Gadget should know what to do.

Also, VHF12 is on the each of the pickup-able VHF channels therefore it isn't the most reliable channel to get transmissions from.

[gadget]

{RainmakeR}

If your antenna is pointing towards Blk Mtn then you should be able to see the Tower. Some areas of Banks are line of sight to Blk Mtn, others aren't. If the antenna is any more than 2 years old it won't be cut for ch 12. The combination antennae pre digital were cut for CH 6 to 11 VHF. You can try to relocate the antenna to another position on your roof, lower the antenna on the mast or fit a stand-off bar if not already fitted. The only thing we have noticed with ch 12 is a difference in signals when we mount the antenna direct to the mast, by fitting a stand-off bar this moves the rear elements away from behind the mast, thus improoves signals. A site survey is the only real way to find the correct location for an antenna. This can be done by you, with someone watching the screen below, or you can have a technician with the correct test equipment do it for you.
Good luck
gadget

[{RainmakeR}]

Thank you both for your helpful and prompt replies.  I don't know much about antenna, all I know is that it was there when we bought the house, it's pointing towards Black Mntn (I believe, and might *just* be able to see it from the roof, can't from the ground - we are up the side of the east hill in Banks), and that it's one of the 'arrow' shaped ones (a long spikey shaft with a V shape at the end pointing away from the transmission source).

I shall endeavour to see what I can do myself about it, otherwise I'll arrange for someone to come and have a look and perhaps test the signals.  Thanks for your help and info.

Cheers,

{R}

[gadget]

The antenna you described sounds like a UHF yagi, this would mean you are getting your analog reception from Tugg Hill.
Please disregard what I said in my previous post, it does not apply.
You are picking up the Blk Mtn channels with that antenna, it is not designed to receive such signals. If you move it you will affect the analog channels.
Best tip is to have a antenna installed for Blk Mtn and leave that one alone, or wait for all channels to transmit from Tugg Hill and do a rescan.
gadget

[gclark8]

You could put up an LPV345HV at 45 deg for Blk Mtn and have both....  

[{RainmakeR}]

Hi Gadget,

From memory (I'm at work at the moment) it looks kinda like this (but not identical - same shape anyway):

http://www.omenmedia...img/antenna.jpg

It looked to me like it was pointing towards Black Mountain but perhaps it is pointed towards Tuggeranong Hill?    Is there a map image somewhere that shows where Tuggeranong Hill actually is (I'm fairly new to that area)?

So Tuggeranong Hill is transmitting analog and digital at present EXCEPT for the digital versions of Prime and Ten, is that correct?

Cheers,

{R}

[gadget]

Quote

So Tuggeranong Hill is transmitting analog and digital at present EXCEPT for the digital versions of Prime and Ten, is that correct?

Yes that's correct, and that is a UHF ONLY antenna.
Tugg Hill is the closest to you, it has a transmitter on it, look for a single pole with a white section on the top 1/4 of it.

George likes to throw the LPV345HV at me every chance he gets. He'll get his, what goes around comes around.
gadget

[gclark8]

Quote

George likes to throw the LPV345HV at me every chance he gets. He'll get his, what goes around comes around. 

Got 2 of them at the moment.      But what if it works?

[gadget]

Quote

DTV Forums Member


Group: Members
Posts: 666
Member No.: 6
Joined: 16-August 03

Hmmm
Feeling a little bit devilish tonight?

[tmc2004]

kenneth, on Dec 17 2003, 08:58 PM, said:

Is your antenna "Digital Ready"? ie. Does it say it can pick up all the UHF and VHF Channels (Including VHF12).

Don't bother moving a VHF antenna (unless it is a combo antenna (ie. VHF/UHF in one)) to Tuggeranong Hill (it's above Calwell) as there are only UHF Tranmissions comming off Tuggeranong Hill.

Also, Tuggeranong Hill currently has the following networks (I am listing them with the Channel Names for each channel on the network):
ABC (746.5 MHz) - ABC TV Canberra, ABC TV (2,3,4) (Where brackets is the numbers on each channel), ABC HDTV and ABC DiG Radio.
SBS (732.5 MHz) - SBS Digital 1, SBS Digital 2, SBS EPG, SBS HD, SBS Radio 1 (The SBS radio we get in Canberra) and SBS Radio 2 (Sydney and Melbourne on FM, in Canberra on Digital TV).
Win (788.5 MHz) - Win TV Canberra

Soon to Tuggeranong Hill (once the Government "Red Tape" is cut. Hopefully on before Christmas):
Prime (809.5 MHz) - Prime TV Canberra, Prime View 1, Prime View 2.
SC10 (767.5 MHz) - SC10 Canberra

What brand is your antenna if you can't tell us if it can go up to VHF12.

If you have a combo antenna, it may not be suitible for your area.

Gadget should know what to do.

Also, VHF12 is on the each of the pickup-able VHF channels therefore it isn't the most reliable channel to get transmissions from.

Hi all,

Not sure what is meant by this post as I am in Calwell and have been receiving all channels in digital since I bought my Grundig Xentia Digital integrated TV back in August. Prime TV Canberra, Prime View 1, Prime View 2 and SC10 are up and running (they must be because I watched the RWC on Prime in WS digital on all three channels).
Maybe I have misunderstood something here but receiving all perfectly on same antenna as used for analogue TV .

Rgds
Bruce

[gadget]

Yes Bruce, you can be lucky and receive DTV from an analog antenna, you'll receive DTV with a wet rag blowing in the wind if the signals are right. But if the signals aren't good enough then picture and sound drop outs are just waiting to happen.
The original question was regarding Prime reception, we have been exploring the whys and what fors since.
Being in Calwell can you tell me where your antenna is pointing?
Thanks
gadget

[tmc2004]

My UHF antenna is pointing more or less south at what I presume is Tuggeranong Hill about 1 - 2 Kms away.
This probably explains why I don't have any problems because the analogue picture was always good anyway.
My neighbour was in the market for a digital tv recently but didn't buy one because the guy selling them told him that there was no digital reception in Tuggeranong Valley!
He was most surprised when he saw ours.

Bruce

[gadget]

Yes, it does sound like a Band 5 UHF antenna, the reception your receiving is either a mix of Blk Mtn and Tugg Hill, or Blk Mtn is being picked up by your antenna. This is not a bad effort considering the difference in freq. The sales people only repeat what they're told. Reception is possible in most parts of Canberra, be it reliable or not, that is the question.
I suggest a site survey if in doubt, but then I would, being an installer.   gadget

[{RainmakeR}]

Hi again all,

Well I got a quad-shielded fly lead yesterday and guess what...?  I'm getting Prime digital...  

Yes my antenna is definately pointing to the pole on Tuggeranong Hill.

Anyone know what my best option (i.e. minimal signal degradation) is for splitting the signal from the wall so that one cable goes to the PC and the other goes to the TV (for analog)?

Cheers,

{R}

[gadget]

Rainmaker
There's a few factors to consider when it comes to splitting the signal. Best way for you is to purchase a F Type Splitter and make a dummy lead, plug it in line to your DTV device and check the picture quality, if it's still good run the 2nd outlet.
Or if in doubt refer previous post.  
gadget

[prb2]

gadget et al

I live in Fadden and have just connected a UEC DTT 270i quite successfully however I cannot receive Prime at all.  All other channels have perfect reception (except for the odd "pixel-twitch".  Reading the trail above, I believe that my antenna is pointing at Mt Taylor, so I'm not sure where my reception is coming from.

I guess the very first question I need answered is whether Prime is transmitting in digital?  The DBA reception locator web page says due Dec 2003 for Prime, but the assumption now made from reading is that they must be transmitting in digital?

I have tried in the past to point my antenna at Tuggers Hill unsuccessfully, even with a signal amplifier connected.  I have other TVs running off the main antenna.  The analog reception has never been great and prime has always been the worst.  At one point, Prime was completely unwatchable but recently it just improved.  Did they do something to the signal?

Anyway any suggestions on how I can receive prime, without upsetting the other TVs?

prb2

[gadget]

prb2

Can you describe your antenna to me? It would be unusual to be using Mt Taylor as it is for Weston Creek area. Any signals you would be getting from it would be "very" poor. Where in Fadden are you? Most of Fadden uses Tugg Hill for reception. Are you able to tune the UEC manually? If so I can give you the CH / FREQ you require.
Prime is up and running from Black Mtn & Tugg Hill, I have no problems with either signals.

gadget

[prb2]

Gadget

(what a great handle!)

It is a fairly standard but old UHF antenna that looks like fish bones.

I'm in the bend on Bugden avenue opposite the water storage tank.  As such I do not have line of sight of Tuggers hill which was always the problem for receiving analog.  As you say picture quality has been poor, especially on Prime and ABC.  Ten, Nine and SBS are OK.

I think I can tune the DTT manually.  The menu has an "Antenna Install" option and I can change the settings and then select "Tune DTT".

I am thinking that I may need to physically point my antenna to Tuggers.  Given that digital signals do not fade as analog does, would this be the best option.  However this will affect my other TVs.  Of course if this works, I could purchase another antenna and connect separately....

prb2

[gadget]

prb2

Move house.

Your area has always been a "very very poor" area for analog reception. A fellow installer mounted an antenna system to the reservoir many many years ago, he then ran a land line down to a house and connected a few in line. Created a few problems for himself and the people he hooked up, seems like Urban Services didn't like it much.
The antenna you describe sounds like a wideband UHF, most common one is a 43 element. If I was to do a site survey I would be looking very hard at Tugg Hill. I know the analog signals from Blk Mtn are crook so the Digital ones could be the same. But one must not rule anything out. Spin the antenna and see what you get from Tugg Hill, at the end of the day a site survey with the right equipment may be required.
Tugg Hill Ch / Freq
SBS UHF 57, 752.5
ABC UHF 59, 746.5
SC Ten UHF 62, 767.5 Not Transmitting Yet
Win UHF 65, 788.5
Prime UHF 68, 809.5
You could even try to dial up the Ch / Freq's without spinning the antenna, see what you get.
Good luck
gadget