TV aerial help

[Dru]

I am installing a TV aerial for the first time.

it is on a ground floor extension. They just want to be able to get free view.

As the main aerial is a long distance away I was looking to install a second aerial on the extension which would feed only the new TV point in the extension.

I was informed that I would just need to pull a coax cable from the new aerial to a coax socket.

I have done so, but when it comes to installing the aerial outside I can only find huge aerials to install, the same as the style you find on most rooftops, which is not what I want as it will be in the back garden and look unsightly.

The only small one I can find is a caravan style one which says it needs a clear line to the mast which isn't blocked by trees and I imagine this one wont suffice to get the full range of digital signals.

I have found a couple but they need a power supply which I never installed as I thought it wouldn't be required.

Does anybody know of a small one or have any ideas of a solution which doesn't involve extending the cable to the main aerial?

All help is very much appreciated as I am currently left with a cable at a knockout box and the other end hanging out of the wall with no solution apart from putting a massive oversized aerial in the garden

Thanks

 

[Richard Burns]

Probably the first thing to say is this is the sort of thing you should have planned before starting the job.

Unless you are in a very high signal area then any small aerial will need boosting.
The power supply is normally positioned close to where the cable comes into the house and since it should be near the television there should be a power point nearby that you can use to power the amplifier.
Then you could try something like this.
Unfortunately in order to get a good signal the aerial needs to be large, there are some indoor aerials (that need power) available but they are not very good at getting a decent picture.

 

[Octopus]

Didn't you like the responses from your original thread?

http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk...ctrical-forum/93688-tv-aerial.html#post983873

 

[Dru]

Murdoch - no. I was just asked what the signal strength was like.

Richard Burns - basically my only real option is too install a big aerial then?

 

[Dru]

I have a double socket next to the coax socket, but the TV will need to be plugged into it and a freeview box and the TV will be wall mounted to cover these sockets so any sort of plug in extension to make way for another plug to go in wont be anygood

 

[Richard Burns]

You are painting yourself into a corner by not permitting any variation with what you have.
The only other alternatives I can think of is to install another double socket above/beside the existing one or change the existing double socket to a three gang socket or use a converter socket.

If you will not make any accommodation and you do not know if you have a strong signal (if you have then you may be able to use a small aerial without a boost) then you can do nothing else than install a large aerial.

 

[Dru]

I know mate - rookie error. i'm inexperienced in aerials.

How can I check the signal strength?

 

[Richard Burns]

Plug in TV use the TV menu to get to signal information or such like and see what the strength is, or use a signal strength meter.

 

[Guest77]

I know mate - rookie error. i'm inexperienced in aerials.

How can I check the signal strength?

You could try holding a Banana up in the air whilst cooking toast

 

[Dru]

I'm going to have to revert to plan b and joint the cable and extend it to the main aerial on the loft.

School boy error, last time I make it though.

Appreciate your help mate

 

[Octopus]

I'm going to have to revert to plan b and joint the cable and extend it to the main aerial on the loft.

School boy error, last time I make it though.

Appreciate your help mate

Just make sure you have the budget for a decent splitter amp and a 13A socket handy!

 

[Dru]

There is only 1 TV currently fed from the aerial. Will I still need an amp if I'm only adding 1 more?

 

[Octopus]

There is only 1 TV currently fed from the aerial. Will I still need an amp if I'm only adding 1 more?

That will depend on the aerial and the strength of the signal.

In our last pad I added a TV aerial via a simple splitter for the main bedroom and compromised the lounge signal.

£160 and a new TV aerial courtsey of the local specialist later normal service prevailed!

 

[Guest77]

I have 3 tvs connected to the main aerial inside a 30 amp JB here and all 3 tvs have a good picture lol, however if I was installing more than one tv supply in someones house I would use an amp JMO

 

[Dru]

MDJ you have them connected inside a JB? Not even a splitter?

 

[Guest77]

MDJ you have them connected inside a JB? Not even a splitter?

Yes but I am an experienced Electrician and know what I am doing, it doesn't always work either, I recommend an amplifier, but I am telling the truth about my TV system here.

 

[Dru]

Lol I'm not going to be trying that don't worry. I've done a bit of research and have hopefully found a decent splitter that in going to try first. Should that fail then I'll have to install a socket and amp.

 

[driverman]

Reading another thread here....TV guys were saying due to digital signals......generally amps are now not required in most areas, just splitters.