251 replies to this topic

[mtv]

spilla, on Oct 9 2008, 04:39 PM, said:

I bought this antenna(Cat No. L4016 if the link doesn't work) from DSE today, and while it works marginally better than my original rabbit ears, it still can't receive a decent channel 7 or 10 signal on my Media Center (whereas my old STB could get all stations perfectly on just rabbit ears).

Will the Jaycar antenna work any better?

Unlikely

[mceboy]

komachi07, on Oct 3 2008, 10:37 PM, said:

I just thought to share the information on new digital UHF antennas I found in Japan.

I live in unit in Hurstville, NSW. I bought a digital TV, but my bed room doesn’t have a TV aerial on the wall.
As I found it’s expensive to have new TV aerial on my bed room wall from TV antennal on the roof, I was looking for an indoor antenna.

Recently I traveled to Japan and found several new type of indoor antenna for digital TV are introduced. So I bought one of UHF indoor antennas for digital channels by YAGI (Approx. AU$35).  I wasn’t expecting much as I learned from this forum that indoor antenna is the last resort, but it works! I can now watch all digital channels without changing the position of the antenna at all!

The YAGI antenna I bought is called “UwPA” (http://www.yagi-ante...uwpa/index.html Note: Japanese website.) It uses Twin Panel Method. You can also install it in the balcony as an outdoor antenna if the reception is weak indoor. As you can see on the website, it’s stylish and compact. I really love the antenna !

The another UHF antenna by YAGI called ‘DUCA’ looked better than UwPA as it uses semi-circular method catching signals 360 degrees.  (http://www.yagi-ante...duca/index.html Note: Japanese website.) The price was approx. AU$55. I wanted to buy this one as well for the digital TV in my living room, but couldn’t hand carry them both.

UwPA might work perfectly because of the location where my unit is, but I believe it works better than a rabbit ear indoor antenna.
I hope these antennas will be sold in Australia soon ! Or are they already introduced in Australia as well?

Damn I want one! Too risky to buy from JP (if you even can) and then to see it doesn't work.. glad it works well for you though, good find!

[mceboy]

mceboy, on Oct 10 2008, 11:38 PM, said:

Damn I want one! Too risky to buy from JP (if you even can) and then to see it doesn't work.. glad it works well for you though, good find!

Hmm.. Amazon Japan has them, but if they're anything like Amazon US they won't send it here.
Still too risky.. just gonna have to twist the landlords arm to put up a proper outdoor aerial methinks.

[alanh]

MCEBoy,
From the few English characters in the Website these antennas are designed for channels 20 upwards.
If you look at the transmitter list in Get the Best Reception, Sydney the following areas have UHF only signals. They include Kings Cross, Northern Beaches, Manly/Mosman and in analog only Woonora. Illawarra is high powered and you may be getting ABC, SBS, Prime, WIN and Southern Cross from there.

How well they work depends particularly on the location, surroundings the terrain and the transmitter power.

Omnidirectional antennas are a bad thing because you cannot reduce the reflections from other angles which increases the number of errors in the reception. If the errors are frequent enough you get a no signal message.

AlanH

[timmie1]

I'm thinking of getting a new HDTV to replace my current 'tiny' tv in the bedroom, but don't have a wall aerial socket there.  Rather than getting an installation from the roof antenna cabled to the bedroom, would one of these rabbit ears/L4074s etc work to get HD reception?

This Yagi one sounds great, can anyone get this in Oz?  
I'm in Lindfield, Sydney.

[mtv]

timmie1,

An indoor antenna may be ok in your location, which is approx 5 klm from the main Willoughby/Artarmon transmitters.

However, do not buy one which has an amplifier, as the signals will already be very strong.

Using an amp will cause signal overload, causing corruption of the digital signals, resulting in no reception.

An L4017 from Dick Smith would be a better choice in my opinion.

[timmie1]

Thanks for this, shall try it out next week for a low cost option!

Edited by timmie1, 28 January 2009 - 09:36 PM.

[timmie1]

timmie1, on Jan 28 2009, 10:35 PM, said:

Thanks for this, shall try it out next week for a low cost option!

Bought the 4017 as per your recommendation and works well for everything except Channel 9!
thanks for the suggestion though, as $19.99 from DSE was much better than the much more expensive amplifier option.
  Will post my reception problem in the other thread.

[PKK]

I have a few cheap and not so cheap indoor antennas bought over the years. Most works upstair but none works downstair satisfactory in the living room. Sometimes a truck pass by and signal is interrupted. Bought a $19.95 Crest amplifierd antenna from HN before Christmas and it is the best so far. Black in colour and good looking too. Strange it can't be found in their website. Could be a discontinued item. Some say don't use amplifier but I really need a little boost to get a steady picture. I am close to Artarmon and should be strong in signal. Not sure why.

Edited by PKK, 04 February 2009 - 04:29 PM.

[traumatic]

Hi all.

I've just moved to Como, WA and there is no external tv aerial plug in my bedroom. I have a new HD lcd tv. Which indoor antenna will work best in your opinion? I am on the second floor overlooking Collier Park golf course. I just tried the $89 Jensen amplified HDTV Antenna and only got ch9 & SBS. I'm going to try the Jaycar next and then the L4074 from DSE.

Thank you all immensely for your advice. Cheers.

Edited by traumatic, 19 February 2009 - 12:47 PM.

[charlesc]

PKK, on Feb 4 2009, 05:28 PM, said:

Bought a $19.95 Crest amplifierd antenna from HN before Christmas and it is the best so far.

So how is the reception with the Crest?  
Good reception most of the time, or just not quite as many problems as with the other ones you tried?

[dshan]

I recently came across this YouTube video on how to make an indoor antenna for DTV reception from wire coathangers, etc. It's obviously for the USA, but I was wondering if the same approach (particularly the lengths, dimensions, etc. given in the video) would/might be work in Australia too? Specifically I'm talking Northern Beaches Sydney (apartment) receiving the North Head repeater UHF DTV channels.

[motomartin]

I hope some clever Aussie antenna guy can replicate the coathanger aerial for all Aussie FTA channels.

someone start with Sydney, please  

Edited by motomartin, 20 March 2009 - 09:43 AM.

[mtv]

It's all about location.

If you are lucky to be in an excellent signal area, just about any indoor antenna can work.

I have proven this with an unfolded paper clip inserted in the antenna socket on a Healing STB (in a UHF signal area).

Unfortunately for the majority, indoor antennas are generally not suitable for digital reception.

[bellotv]

mtv, on Mar 20 2009, 11:41 AM, said:

It's all about location.

If you are lucky to be in an excellent signal area, just about any indoor antenna can work.

I have proven this with an unfolded paper clip inserted in the antenna socket on a Healing STB (in a UHF signal area).

Unfortunately for the majority, indoor antennas are generally not suitable for digital reception.

Yes Yes Yes

Unfortunately the general public have no conception of this at all.
Last week I had to do give a demonstration of Communications technology for the local high school Yr11.Did a trial test in the science block and no worries 70-80dBuV signal measured outside. Was directed to class room about 100metres away and the signals were less than 30 dBuV inside the class room.

Now 70-80dBuV is a very large signal were some digital decoders will show "no signal" and if you amplify it, will result in disaster,and 30dBuv is at the other end of the extreme were you will get "No signal".

There is no way of saying  XX brand of rabbit ears is OK and  ZZ brand is not as it all  depends on the signal at YOUR INDIVIDUAL LOCATION.

[kimba_lee]

I'm so glad I read this, I was about to go and buy one of those fandangled indoor antennas from Bunnings for $109.

My reception from the Antenna on the roof goes in and out, I tried all the stuff with the regular rabbit ear types and the best reception I get is in the middle of the room.  
I have a lot of interference as I am surrounded by other flats.

I saw this as a new one coming out soon can some of the more technically minded take a look at its specs and let us know whether it may be an option.

http://www.bigpictur...V_Antenna.shtml

Also is there a difference in receiving HD to SD. I only really care about SD as I have no HDTV.

[alanh]

kimba_lee,
Since the HD and SD signals are carried in a single signal it makes no difference.

I think this is a US site and their terrestrial DTV is different to us making this antenna not suitable for us.

There is many indoor antennas which are either the same as each other or useless.

Go to the Geographic Viewers’ Forum,which is near the bottom of the main forum’s home page. Select your region and read the pinned post “Get the Best Reception”. Please post any further correspondence in that strand for all in your region to see. I will see it anyway. You could also search your location in that strand for others in your area.

The answers depend on what transmitters you are trying to receive and what you are using now to receive the signal.
So on the appropriate forum state your location and whether you are using a roof antenna, indoor antenna or from an antenna system in a block of apartments.which is near the bottom of the main forum’s home page. Select your region and read the pinned post “Get the Best Reception”. Please post any further correspondence in that strand for all in your region to see. I will see it anyway. You could also search your location in that strand for others in your area.

The answers depend on what transmitters you are trying to receive and what you are using now to receive the signal.
So on the appropriate forum state your location and whether you are using a roof antenna, indoor antenna or from an antenna system in a block of apartments.


Having surveyed all of the types commonly available in the shops I only recommend the ones in the first post. See the links.

Australian Building Codes Board Digital TV Antenna Systems

AlanH

[charlesc]

alanh, on May 2 2009, 09:28 PM, said:

There is many indoor antennas ...

Go to the Geographic Viewers’ Forum which is near the bottom of the main forum’s home page. Select your region and read the pinned post “Get the Best Reception”. Please post any further correspondence in that strand for all in your region to see. I will see it anyway. You could also search your location in that strand for others in your area.

The answers depend on what transmitters you are trying to receive and what you are using now to receive the signal.
So on the appropriate forum state your location and whether you are using a roof antenna, indoor antenna or from an antenna system in a block of apartments.which is near the bottom of the main forum’s home page.
Select your region and read the pinned post “Get the Best Reception”. Please post any further correspondence in that strand for all in your region to see. I will see it anyway. You could also search your location in that strand for others in your area.

The answers depend on what transmitters you are trying to receive and what you are using now to receive the signal.
So on the appropriate forum state your location and whether you are using a roof antenna, indoor antenna or from an antenna system in a block of apartments.

A bit of duplicated cut-and-paste in a convoluted answer here.

It doesn't come across very well as a piece of advice.

Edited by charlesc, 03 May 2009 - 08:17 AM.

[charlesc]

SPAM reported

[robbo19800]

Hi all, I live in a cabin (tin roof and walls)in a caravan park in Melbourne's Northern suburbs (in between Somerton and Epping). I am unable to use a outdoor antenna and have not had much luck with indoor antennas. My rabbit ears with a very short cable which i cant really move pick up SBS sometimes if i can get them in the right spot but as soon as i move an ince or try to set them somewhere i lose all signal. I bought the L4074 from Dick Smith and tried many positions including sticking it on a window but only got SBS and lost signal after about 10 seconds.
I have a wall socket but it doesnt seem to go anywhere as there is no aerial on my roof however my tv does pick up all channels but as soon as i plug the stb in i get no signal.
Can anybody reccomend a good indoor aerial or the best way to setup a set of rabbits ears.
Cheers
Rob

[alanh]

Robbo,
Read Get the Best Reception, Melbourne and read the links including Transmitters, then indoor antennas link.
Note signals do not pass through metal, so the antenna needs to be outside or near a window on the eastern side.

AlanH

[robbo19800]

alanh, on May 26 2009, 07:46 PM, said:

Robbo,
Read Get the Best Reception, Melbourne and read the links including Transmitters, then indoor antennas link.
Note signals do not pass through metal, so the antenna needs to be outside or near a window on the eastern side.

AlanH

Hi alan, Thanks for the quick reply, Have read the indoor antenna thread as well as the info on getting best reception but i couldn't make a lot of sense out of it. I am thinking that my nearest transmitter is the one on the como tower and that i should be using a H4 antenna. Am i on the right track?
cheers
rob

[alanh]

Rob,
The table shows V5 is the antenna for Com
Most indoor antennas are not designed for vertical polarisation. I suggest you go to the V5 Link and use a phased array, put a longer cable on it and put it outside.

If you move around a lot, I would go to the caravan link instead of V5, however these antennas are more of a compromise and as a result are not as sensitive.

AlanH

[mEh.]

Hi everyone,
I recently bought a Leadtek USB TV tuner,  and seeing that the included antenna couldn't pick up anything at all, I went to Dick Smith to purchase an indoor antenna, the L4017.

However, I am a bit confused at to why I cannot get any reception for channels 7 and 9.
Seeing that I can get full bars of reception for 10, ABC and SBS (7 out of 7 dots) with the antenna rabbit ears placed horizontally, and pulling them out to max length, why can't I get any reception at all for channels 7 and 9 (I get 0 or 1 dots out of 7)?

I live in the South Eastern suburbs (Keysborough/Springvale South area) of Melbourne if this helps, and I position the antennas to be perpendicular to around North-East (I'm not sure which transmitter this is, but I am assuming it is either Ferntree Gulley, or Mt Dandenong.

Cheers.

[mtv]

mEh., on Jul 14 2009, 12:30 PM, said:

Hi everyone,
I recently bought a Leadtek USB TV tuner, and seeing that the included antenna couldn't pick up anything at all, I went to Dick Smith to purchase an indoor antenna, the L4017.

However, I am a bit confused at to why I cannot get any reception for channels 7 and 9.
Seeing that I can get full bars of reception for 10, ABC and SBS (7 out of 7 dots) with the antenna rabbit ears placed horizontally, and pulling them out to max length, why can't I get any reception at all for channels 7 and 9 (I get 0 or 1 dots out of 7)?

I live in the South Eastern suburbs (Keysborough/Springvale South area) of Melbourne if this helps, and I position the antennas to be perpendicular to around North-East (I'm not sure which transmitter this is, but I am assuming it is either Ferntree Gulley, or Mt Dandenong.

Cheers.

Firstly, indoor antennas are generally unreliable for digital reception, so the best results are obtained from installing an external antenna optimised for digital reception, on the roof.

In some circumstances, this can be difficult. eg: rental properties, apartment complexes, etc.

USB-type tuners are also less-sensitive than STB and integrated tuners, so they require very good signal strength and quality to function reliably, which once again, makes indoor antennas even less likely to provide reliable reception.

7 and 9 are most likely using the channel 7 tower on Mt Dandenong whereas the other stations are using the channel 10 tower and NTL (ABC) towers, also on Mt Dandenong, so the signal patterns may vary enough to make a difference to your reception.

The extendable rods on your indoor antenna should each (in theory) be about 40cm long and not fully extended.

You will need to experiment with antenna rod length and placement of the antenna, possibly adding an extension cable to position the antenna in a better location, as there may also be reflections happening in the room where you currently have the antenna, causing digital errors.

An amplified antenna may also be a better option (also available from DSE).

Without accurate signal measurements, it's impossible to know what is likely to work and what isn't. (as mentioned, a roof-mounted antenna designed specifically for bands 3 and 4 is the best solution).