Snap Crackle and Pop
 

That's about the description of various Freeview channels on my Ferguson
digital tuner.

It's about three years old, have they improved ? should I get a new one ?

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.

We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Could this be causing the problem ?

Have I really got to put the aerial outside ?

Ordinary terrestrial signal never had these problems with the aerial in the
roof space, surely digital TV technology isn't weaker and cannot cope where
the old signal could ?

Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Not just my iPhone that does it my work colleagues do it as well.

My old Windows Mobile handset was just as bad.

In a nutshell it's all crap, we've now started watching TV over the
internet, doesn't seem too bad and never get any interference not like on
Freeview.

Could my problems be solved by getting a more modern Freeview receiver ?

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In message , Jim
wrote

Could my problems be solved by getting a more modern Freeview receiver ?

Probably not.
What is the quality of the aerial down-lead that you have connected to
your quality gold plated aerial?
http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/articles/coax-cable-quality-hmdi-m.html


--
Alan
news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

"Jim" wrote in message
...
That's about the description of various Freeview channels on my Ferguson
digital tuner.

It's about three years old, have they improved ? should I get a new one ?

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.

We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Could this be causing the problem ?

Have I really got to put the aerial outside ?

Ordinary terrestrial signal never had these problems with the aerial in
the roof space, surely digital TV technology isn't weaker and cannot cope
where the old signal could ?

Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Not just my iPhone that does it my work colleagues do it as well.

My old Windows Mobile handset was just as bad.

In a nutshell it's all crap, we've now started watching TV over the
internet, doesn't seem too bad and never get any interference not like on
Freeview.


I take it your region hasn't gone through DSO yet. We are in the process of
going through DSO in the North-West of England at the moment and I can tell
you that DSO changes everything.

Your current problems MAY be solved by upgrades/repositioning aerial/cable
but my advice would be to sit tight and wait for DSO. Until then use
either/or analogue/internet/satellite/cable.


Could my problems be solved by getting a more modern Freeview receiver ?


Unlikely, but no harm in trying someone else's Freeview box.

Sheila

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

"Sheila" wrote in message
...

"Jim" wrote in message
...
That's about the description of various Freeview channels on my Ferguson
digital tuner.

It's about three years old, have they improved ? should I get a new one ?

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly
the audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.

We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Could this be causing the problem ?

Have I really got to put the aerial outside ?

Ordinary terrestrial signal never had these problems with the aerial in
the roof space, surely digital TV technology isn't weaker and cannot cope
where the old signal could ?

Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Not just my iPhone that does it my work colleagues do it as well.

My old Windows Mobile handset was just as bad.

In a nutshell it's all crap, we've now started watching TV over the
internet, doesn't seem too bad and never get any interference not like on
Freeview.


I take it your region hasn't gone through DSO yet. We are in the process
of going through DSO in the North-West of England at the moment and I can
tell you that DSO changes everything.

Your current problems MAY be solved by upgrades/repositioning aerial/cable
but my advice would be to sit tight and wait for DSO. Until then use
either/or analogue/internet/satellite/cable.


Could my problems be solved by getting a more modern Freeview receiver ?


Unlikely, but no harm in trying someone else's Freeview box.

Sheila

There are people on here that know more than me but it sounds like you have
pointed out a problem at the start.

The amp is needed why.

If the aerial is any good the signal should be OK without an amp. If the
location of the aerial means that an amp is needed then you have the aerial
in the wrong place.

a 25db amp is boost around 500 times so the signals local to you are
getting a big boost straight into the front end of your receiver causing
desencing . The TV signals are very weak compared to the local signals and
even with the boost are probably not very clean so any more noise on the
signal will cause the problems you describe.

Try moving the Aerial and remove the amp or reduce the gain as required.
then see what you get.

In my experience amps are not always a good thing..

I went to a house once where they had a amp and a problem with the TV. I
retuned the TV and found a "Chanel" where ALL the channels were on at the
same time. My aerial colleague called and fitted a huge attenuator and all
was OK.( he charged around £5 as a favor to me).

Seems a cowboy rigger had fitted a hi gain 18 element aerial on a very tall
, large pole and put a big gain amp on it . as it is in my area I know a 10
element would suffice but the customer had paid lots of money for this
install.

Gary

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We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Oh good grief!

Bill

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

"Bill" wrote in message
...
We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Oh good grief!
Bill


I was thinking something more obscene than that

Steve Terry
--
Get a free Three 3pay Sim with £2 bonus after £10 top up
http://freeagent.three.co.uk/stand/view/id/5276

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At 02:57:50 Mon, 16 Nov 2009, Bill wrote in article 9aGdnatsy6QyIp3WnZ2
:
We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Oh good grief!

Dunno nothing about Maplins aerials but I do know that a decent aerial
in a loft space can work well for Freeview using a mast-head amp in a
marginal reception area.

Until recently though, I could only get a good signal on channels 56 and
65 - channels 59 and 62 being so weak as to be almost useless.

I was about to give up hope of getting BBC 4 on Freeview when I thought,
what if I move the aerial to the other side of this beam? So I moved
the aerial about two feet sideways and it made all the difference...
What were the weaker channels are now the strongest and reception is
rock solid across the board.

UHF is funny stuff.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In article ,
John Legon wrote:
At 02:57:50 Mon, 16 Nov 2009, Bill wrote in article 9aGdnatsy6QyIp3WnZ2
:
We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Oh good grief!

Dunno nothing about Maplins aerials but I do know that a decent aerial
in a loft space can work well for Freeview using a mast-head amp in a
marginal reception area.

It all depends on what the roof is made of - and which band you are using.
Red concrete tiles can attenuate the signal by 30dB on upper Band V. And
then you have the fact that the aerial isn't looking over the rooftop next
door but through its roof, too.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

You have to ask yourself several questions.
How much did they spend of the budget on making the aerial look gold and
did it really make it corrode more slowly?
Did you scrimp on the downlead quality
which transmitter are you aiming at and are you sure you are aiming in the
right direction

Also, you need to realise unless your region switched over, the digital
signal is weaker than the analogue.


I'm a bit surprised at the manner of the interference. An unsuppressed lawn
mower near here completely locks up the box so clicks sound almost like the
interference is coming up the mains to me.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"Jim" wrote in message
...
That's about the description of various Freeview channels on my Ferguson
digital tuner.

It's about three years old, have they improved ? should I get a new one ?

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.

We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Could this be causing the problem ?

Have I really got to put the aerial outside ?

Ordinary terrestrial signal never had these problems with the aerial in
the roof space, surely digital TV technology isn't weaker and cannot cope
where the old signal could ?

Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Not just my iPhone that does it my work colleagues do it as well.

My old Windows Mobile handset was just as bad.

In a nutshell it's all crap, we've now started watching TV over the
internet, doesn't seem too bad and never get any interference not like on
Freeview.

Could my problems be solved by getting a more modern Freeview receiver ?

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

"Jim" wrote in message
...

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.

We have a top of the range aerial from Maplins, one of the gold coloured
ones, inside the roof space with a 25db mast head amp

Get the aerial outside. And see if you can do away with the masthead amp
altogether.
The losses in loft space for UHF signals can be very high. So even though
you are using a high gain aerial its going to struggle to do a good job from
inside.
The mast head amp is going to amplify not only the signals you do want, but
also the ones you don't..... like the hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars
passing by in the street etc.
Adding an amp to a system only serves to amplify the interference in most
cases, so if its not needed, get rid of it. Sticking an aerial in the loft
with a booster is a nice idea, but its never the best option unless you live
in very high signal areas where you can afford the massive losses that come
with such an installation.
Fit high quality coax, with double screen, CT100 satellite coax or similar
as interference can also enter through the coax feed if the quality is
compromised.

Have I really got to put the aerial outside ?

Yes, ideally. No aerial in a roofspace will ever perform as good as an
aerial well placed outside, no matter what type of aerial it is. Unless it
is not possible, then get it installed outside. You`ll be suprised at the
improvement in signal strengh. You may find that it works well even without
the preamp. If it does then don't use the preamp.

Ordinary terrestrial signal never had these problems with the aerial in
the
roof space, surely digital TV technology isn't weaker and cannot cope
where
the old signal could ?

Unless you are in an area where Digital Switchover has happened, then your
digital signals are on much lower power than the analogue ones. Think about
it....

In a nutshell it's all crap, we've now started watching TV over the
internet, doesn't seem too bad and never get any interference not like on
Freeview.

Could my problems be solved by getting a more modern Freeview receiver ?

Maybe, or maybe not. I dont have access to your installation to see how
good or bad it is.
Sounds to me like you don't understand much about how UHF RF works. Your
first step is to get the aerial outside, as high as possible with decent
coax and try not to use the masthead preamp unless it is really needed. As
I said before, they amplify everything, even the interference you don't want
in some cases.

You have never said when you are located and what transmitter you use. The
first part of your postcode 'ie S30 3' and the transmitter you are getting
the signals from would be most helpful.
Hills between you are the transmitter can seriously affect the signal to
you, so that is another thing to think about.

Hope that helps.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

You have never said when you are located and what transmitter you use.
The
first part of your postcode 'ie S30 3' and the transmitter you are getting
the signals from would be most helpful.
Hills between you are the transmitter can seriously affect the signal to
you, so that is another thing to think about.

Hope that helps.


This is a very good point.
If the OP lives in an area where all channels are in group A then his Maplin
Gold-o-vision special will be better replaced with a good quality group A
aerial. Even in areas requiring a wideband aerial there are far better
aerials than these.

Is the masthead amplifier a fully screened, low noise version? If not it may
be adding to the problem.

In any case getting the aerial outside will help enormously. Even moving a
neighbours aerial onto lowest corner of the eaves from the loft enabled a
22db masthead amplifier to be removed and the stuttering and crackling
disappeared with it. In his case the aerial had to be moved for a loft
conversion to take place. The improved TV reception was a bonus.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

OK folks here goes..

The aerial was a top of the range High Gain something or other with a CAI
test certificate, can't remember what make just now, but it was the best one
they had and it said suitable for loft installation. Wideband as I recall.

The fact that it was gold colored/plated with something was really
irrelevant, I just wanted the best I could get as putting it outside was
going to be very tricky.

It has to point just shy of the gable end so it looks through the roof tiles
at an acute angle. I could maybe move it but it worked fine when I
originally sited it, worked very well indeed, no problems whatsoever, it
has gotten gradually worse

....or the transmissions have gotten weaker/worse/more troublesome ..which Is
was I am suspicious about.

My down lead is air spaced solid copper foil shielded, I had a drum left
over from when I played around with satellite some years back, it's high
quality.

As it is in the roof I bought a new 25db gain amp from a local installer
that I know, I've been using amps on loft based aerials for years with
terrestrial signals without any problems whatsoever.

I usually go for high gain as I'm quite a way from the only transmitter that
I've got a clear run at.

The local one is behind a hill and some distance away and I don't get a good
signal from that, everyone in this locale points their aerials the same as
me.

I get perfect terrestrial reception and yes we have *not* gone DSO yet.

Digital Freeview used to be very good when I first installed it all a few
years back but of late it has got very poor, generally each time they have
done an update.

Are the signals as strong now as they were a few years back ?

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In article ,
says...

OK folks here goes..

The aerial was a top of the range High Gain something or other with a CAI
test certificate, can't remember what make just now, but it was the best one
they had and it said suitable for loft installation. Wideband as I recall.

The fact that it was gold colored/plated with something was really
irrelevant, I just wanted the best I could get as putting it outside was
going to be very tricky.

It has to point just shy of the gable end so it looks through the roof tiles
at an acute angle. I could maybe move it but it worked fine when I
originally sited it, worked very well indeed, no problems whatsoever, it
has gotten gradually worse


If it originally worked well, it's the reason for the deterioration you
need to be looking for

...or the transmissions have gotten weaker/worse/more troublesome ..which Is
was I am suspicious about.

Extremely unlikely although, if you name the transmitter concerned, I'm
sure someone on here will be able to confirm that for you, either way.


My down lead is air spaced solid copper foil shielded, I had a drum left
over from when I played around with satellite some years back, it's high
quality.

But is it still high quality? Have you inspected the cable run for
subsequent damage, kinks, etc? It is very easy to turn a length of high
quality cable into low quality!

Your original post made quite a thing about (local) interference
problems. A high quality cable run should keep it out ...

(And check all connectors while you're at it.)


As it is in the roof I bought a new 25db gain amp from a local installer
that I know, I've been using amps on loft based aerials for years with
terrestrial signals without any problems whatsoever.

I was about to query the need for the amp before you posted this - now
there is no need, as you previously stated that you don't need one (or
else it couldn't have worked in the first place).

I usually go for high gain as I'm quite a way from the only transmitter that
I've got a clear run at.

You should only ever use a high gain amp if you NEED a high gain amp -
you obviously do not!


The local one is behind a hill and some distance away and I don't get a good
signal from that, everyone in this locale points their aerials the same as
me.

The UK is filled with transmitters, hills and houses - particularly the
latter. I don't think anyone here is sufficiently telepathic to work out
exactly which house, hill and transmitters you are talking about.

You've previously been asked to pin down your location by providing part
of your postcode - just omitting the last letter will give a reasonably
accurate location without anybody being able to identify you - but you
have failed to do so.

If there are any particular factors affecting your area, someone may
know what they are but, if you insist on playing the 'somewhere in
England' card, you might as well talk to the wall - at least it knows
your location!


I get perfect terrestrial reception and yes we have *not* gone DSO yet.

Pardon? I thought the whole point of your post was that you were having
problems with Digital TERRESTRIAL Television reception!

Digital Freeview used to be very good when I first installed it all a few
years back but of late it has got very poor, generally each time they have
done an update.

This implies that the deterioration is progressive - have you checked
for other progressive changes - such as trees in your line of sight, for
example?

Are the signals as strong now as they were a few years back ?


They are in MY house - with my 40 year old loft aerial (but NOT the
original cable).

Wouldn't have a clue about YOUR house!
--

Terry

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Jim wrote:


OK folks here goes..

The aerial was a top of the range High Gain something or other with a
CAI test certificate, can't remember what make just now, but it was the
best one they had and it said suitable for loft installation. Wideband
as I recall.

The fact that it was gold colored/plated with something was really
irrelevant, I just wanted the best I could get as putting it outside was
going to be very tricky.

It has to point just shy of the gable end so it looks through the roof
tiles at an acute angle. I could maybe move it but it worked fine when I
originally sited it, worked very well indeed, no problems whatsoever,
it has gotten gradually worse

...or the transmissions have gotten weaker/worse/more troublesome
..which Is was I am suspicious about.

My down lead is air spaced solid copper foil shielded, I had a drum left
over from when I played around with satellite some years back, it's high
quality.

As it is in the roof I bought a new 25db gain amp from a local installer
that I know, I've been using amps on loft based aerials for years with
terrestrial signals without any problems whatsoever.

I usually go for high gain as I'm quite a way from the only transmitter
that I've got a clear run at.

The local one is behind a hill and some distance away and I don't get a
good signal from that, everyone in this locale points their aerials the
same as me.

I get perfect terrestrial reception and yes we have *not* gone DSO yet.

Digital Freeview used to be very good when I first installed it all a
few years back but of late it has got very poor, generally each time
they have done an update.

Are the signals as strong now as they were a few years back ?




Maybe your amplifier is malfunctioning. It could have been cooked over a
period of time in your roof space. I know that mine can be like a sauna
during the summer. Open it up and see if there are any electrolytic
capacitors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolytic_capacitors

on the PCB and check if they have popped their tops and/or started
leaking. There were a load of dodgy elec caps that went on the market
maybe about 7 years ago that found their way onto lots of motherboards.
They failed early causing all sorts of problems. These dodgy caps may
have found their way into other products.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

....snip...

Maybe your amplifier is malfunctioning. It could have been cooked over a
period of time in your roof space. I know that mine can be like a sauna
during the summer. Open it up and see if there are any electrolytic
capacitors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolytic_capacitors

on the PCB and check if they have popped their tops and/or started
leaking. There were a load of dodgy elec caps that went on the market
maybe about 7 years ago that found their way onto lots of motherboards.
They failed early causing all sorts of problems. These dodgy caps may have
found their way into other products.

They found there way into some Netgear routers so I imagine they are
widespread.

Paul DS

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

I get a crap analogue signal if I remove the amp, I think I'm on Ridge
Hill, I'm just south of Gloucester.

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SO630333

Seems that they are doing work anyway.

I was about to query the need for the amp before you posted this - now
there is no need, as you previously stated that you don't need one (or
else it couldn't have worked in the first place).

Lost me on that one Terry..?

As for DSO I guess I don't really know what I'm on about...I though that I
read somewhere that when they switch the analogue off then the Digital
signal would get better, I guess that DSO doesn't refer to switching the
analogue off does it..

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

"Jim" wrote in message
...
I get a crap analogue signal if I remove the amp, I think I'm on Ridge
Hill, I'm just south of Gloucester.

Does the aerial point NW to Ridge Hill or SW to Mendip? Do you get Midlands
region or West region programmes?
For Ridge Hill wideband is essential until DSO when group A will be a better
choice again.



http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SO630333

Seems that they are doing work anyway.

It appears so. I think you're pushing it with a loft aerial down there
though.


I was about to query the need for the amp before you posted this - now
there is no need, as you previously stated that you don't need one (or
else it couldn't have worked in the first place).

Lost me on that one Terry..?

As for DSO I guess I don't really know what I'm on about...I though that I
read somewhere that when they switch the analogue off then the Digital
signal would get better, I guess that DSO doesn't refer to switching the
analogue off does it..

DSO is switching off the analogue, and digital transmission power will be
ramped up when this happens - late 2011 I think.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

On Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:10:10 -0000, Jim wrote:

As it is in the roof I bought a new 25db gain amp from a local installer
that I know, I've been using amps on loft based aerials for years with
terrestrial signals without any problems whatsoever.

I usually go for high gain as I'm quite a way from the only transmitter that
I've got a clear run at.

You are essentially clueless. Your solutions have only worked by luck
before. You cannot make up for lack of signal out of the air by putting
a ****in' great amplifier in.

Are the signals as strong now as they were a few years back ?

They're stronger than they were a few years back.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In article ,
Bill wrote:

I can't see why a masthead amp would have electrolytics on board.

i'd expect one - to act as a 'reservoir' for the power.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

At 07:52:40 Wed, 18 Nov 2009, charles wrote in article 50bc06f479charl
:
In article ,
Bill wrote:

I can't see why a masthead amp would have electrolytics on board.

i'd expect one - to act as a 'reservoir' for the power.

The dc "reservoir" will be in the PSU...

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In article ,
John Legon wrote:
At 07:52:40 Wed, 18 Nov 2009, charles wrote in article 50bc06f479charl
:
In article ,
Bill wrote:

I can't see why a masthead amp would have electrolytics on board.

i'd expect one - to act as a 'reservoir' for the power.

The dc "reservoir" will be in the PSU...

and there should be another one at the 'use' end of the cable run.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In article ,
says...

I get a crap analogue signal if I remove the amp, I think I'm on Ridge
Hill, I'm just south of Gloucester.

Ah! "You think ..." but you're obviously not certain ...

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SO630333

Has it not occurred to you that anybody able to give you detailed advice
about you particular problem will already know exactly where Ridge Hill
is, and the area it covers? For what it's worth, your link tells me that
RH is 188km NW of me. How does that help YOU?

Sorry to labour the point, but it is YOUR location that is important!
Many people have asked for similar advice to you in the past and have
been happy to give accurate information. As a result, someone will often
respond who lives in the locality, has relatives there or who has done
work there and is familiar with local reception conditions which, in
some places, can change considerably over quite short distances. They
can then offer constructive advice - sometimes proven solutions. I don't
guarantee that someone WILL be able to do that in your particular case
but you aren't exactly helping are you? You are simply wasting
everybody's time if you don't improve on the rather vague "just south of
Gloucester". The small scale map your link refers to shows Bath as "just
south of Gloucester" (its only about an inch on my screen) but I don't
think that is what you meant ...

Seems that they are doing work anyway.

I was about to query the need for the amp before you posted this - now
there is no need, as you previously stated that you don't need one (or
else it couldn't have worked in the first place).

Lost me on that one Terry..?

Your post said: "it" (I assume you meant the aerial) "worked fine when I
originally sited it, worked very well indeed, no problems whatsoever."

You then mention the deterioration which has happened since, before
referring to the 25dB amplifier. I assumed from this that the amplifier
was introduced in a effort to restore the original performance.

As for DSO I guess I don't really know what I'm on about...I though that I
read somewhere that when they switch the analogue off then the Digital
signal would get better, I guess that DSO doesn't refer to switching the
analogue off does it..

DSO refers to Digital Switch Over but it goes hand-in-hand with ASO -
Analogue Switch Off.


--

Terry

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

At 09:23:41 Wed, 18 Nov 2009, charles wrote in article 50bc0f4992charle
:
In article ,
John Legon wrote:
At 07:52:40 Wed, 18 Nov 2009, charles wrote in article 50bc06f479charl
:
In article ,
Bill wrote:

I can't see why a masthead amp would have electrolytics on board.

i'd expect one - to act as a 'reservoir' for the power.

The dc "reservoir" will be in the PSU...

and there should be another one at the 'use' end of the cable run.

Well, I'm surprised! It seems that the base bias circuitry can include
a low value electrolytic.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

"charles" wrote in message ...
In article ,
John Legon wrote:
At 07:52:40 Wed, 18 Nov 2009, charles wrote in article 50bc06f479charl
:
In article ,
Bill wrote:

I can't see why a masthead amp would have electrolytics on board.

i'd expect one - to act as a 'reservoir' for the power.

The dc "reservoir" will be in the PSU...

and there should be another one at the 'use' end of the cable run.

Well, I'm surprised. It does seem, though, that some masthead amps
do use a low value electrolytic in the transistor base bias circuitry.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Forget it guys,

Many thanks to those of you who tried to help me without resorting to
insulting diatribe..

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Jim said...

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.


Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Have you checked that all the ring mains circuits in the house have a
good earth, from what you say it would seem that the house wiring is
acting as a giant aerial, picking up interference and passing this on
to the head amp and other appliances.

Have you checked the downlead for continuity, it may have suffered wear
and damaged the shielding.


The digital signal is pretty robust. For a couple of years I was in a
basement flat and used one of these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29193

It was hung on the wall about 3-4 feet above ground level and was
looking through a narrow gap in a row of houses at Sandy Heath 21 miles
away, I used it with several cheap'n cheerful boxes which usually
showed about 10-20% signal strength on a good day and never had any
problems with interference or breakup. I don't think it's your STB,
something is strange with your setup.






--
Ken O'Meara
http://www.btinternet.com/~unsteadyken/

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

On Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:48:11 -0000, Jim wrote:

Forget it guys,

Many thanks to those of you who tried to help me without resorting to
insulting diatribe..

Take the advice then.
Seeing as you have already decided to leave your head up your arse (and in
all reality you had already decided this before you asked the question),
there is not much anyone can do.
Goodbye.

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

In article , {$mrtickle$}
@nospam.demon.co.uk says...

In , "Jim" wrote:

Forget it guys,

Many thanks to those of you who tried to help me without resorting to
insulting diatribe..

We haven't managed to get off square one yet - our hands are tied due to
your perplexing refusal to specify your location. I can't really put it
more politely than Terry Casey has. :-(

Thank you Mike - at least I tried!

I suppose that Bill's two word response to the original post summed it
all up, really. The whole thing was such an unthinkable mess that it was
well nigh impossible to give any sort of meaningful advice and, I
notice, that many of the regulars here who are usually only willing to
provide virtually instant, helpful, practical advice kept well clear of
Jim's mess.

However, many people DID attempt to offer advice - but they also needed
to ask questions. Jim asks questions - everybody else only expected to
provide answers.

If Jim would take the time to go through the archives of this group and
pick out previous requests from more reasonable people who, unlike Jim,
were willing to answer simple requests to clarify their particular
problem, he would see for himself what a massive amount of free,
professional advice is available here. Of course, he won't. He is
convinced that he is right and it doesn't really matter whether he is in
the Sea of Tranquility or 'somewhere in England'. He's asking the
questions and all he wants are answers. If he doesn't agree with any of
the answers, it's not HIS fault ...

--

Terry

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Incidentally I intend to investigate a hypothosis shortly. It is that
reflectors longer than 0.5 wavelength and with more than four rods are a
sales gimmick. I'll report back.

Bill

Sounds interesting. What is the allegation re these reflector systems?..
--
Tony Sayer

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Many thanks Ken,

I'll check the downleads..and the earth, sounds very likely, though I'll
most likely need the services of an qualified electrician to do that
properly I guess.
I have such a person in mind..

Jim.


"UnsteadyKen" wrote in message
m...
Jim said...

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly
the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.


Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Have you checked that all the ring mains circuits in the house have a
good earth, from what you say it would seem that the house wiring is
acting as a giant aerial, picking up interference and passing this on
to the head amp and other appliances.

Have you checked the downlead for continuity, it may have suffered wear
and damaged the shielding.


The digital signal is pretty robust. For a couple of years I was in a
basement flat and used one of these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29193

It was hung on the wall about 3-4 feet above ground level and was
looking through a narrow gap in a row of houses at Sandy Heath 21 miles
away, I used it with several cheap'n cheerful boxes which usually
showed about 10-20% signal strength on a good day and never had any
problems with interference or breakup. I don't think it's your STB,
something is strange with your setup.






--
Ken O'Meara
http://www.btinternet.com/~unsteadyken/

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

As an aside...are the transmissions different power for different channels ?

It's usually the same channels which are affected by this, 'Dave' in
particular, this is by far the worst offender.

Though I seem to recall it was OK up until one of those updates a year or so
back. I think it all started after that.

Hmm.. having a quick look around the net it seems that poor peformance of
'Dave' is not uncommon.

'Dave Ja Vu' works OK though...perhaps that's why they have a 'Dave Ja Vu' ?

I'll borrow my mate's signal alignment meter and jump up in the attic and
try a realignment.

Jim.



"Jim" wrote in message
...
Many thanks Ken,

I'll check the downleads..and the earth, sounds very likely, though I'll
most likely need the services of an qualified electrician to do that
properly I guess.
I have such a person in mind..

Jim.


"UnsteadyKen" wrote in message
m...
Jim said...

Hair dryers, mobiles phones, cars passing by in the street, just about
everything you can think of seems to interfere with the signal, mainly
the
audio, it just chirrups, clicks and generally drives us all barmy.


Then again all our mobile phones cause all sorts of things to crackle
and
pop within the house, not just the telly.

My iPhone seems to be the main culprit, makes the clock radio upstairs
go
bonkers even when my iPhone is downstairs twenty or thirty feet away.

Have you checked that all the ring mains circuits in the house have a
good earth, from what you say it would seem that the house wiring is
acting as a giant aerial, picking up interference and passing this on
to the head amp and other appliances.

Have you checked the downlead for continuity, it may have suffered wear
and damaged the shielding.


The digital signal is pretty robust. For a couple of years I was in a
basement flat and used one of these:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29193

It was hung on the wall about 3-4 feet above ground level and was
looking through a narrow gap in a row of houses at Sandy Heath 21 miles
away, I used it with several cheap'n cheerful boxes which usually
showed about 10-20% signal strength on a good day and never had any
problems with interference or breakup. I don't think it's your STB,
something is strange with your setup.






--
Ken O'Meara
http://www.btinternet.com/~unsteadyken/

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Jim said...

As an aside...are the transmissions different power for different channels ?

A simple answer is, from the point of view of your aerial; yes.

The Muxes/channels you are trying to receive are on 6 frequencies
ranging from 642Mhz to 810Mhz which is why you need a wideband aerial.
The gain of the aerial varies according to the frequency so the signal
strength will vary with the channel

You have problems with Dave which is on channel 42 Mux C at c 642Mhz
which is the lowest frequency, but can get daveJavu ok which is on
channel 45 Mux D at c 666Mhz which probably means that your aerial is
not quite wideband enough as it does not have enough gain at the bottom
of its range.

The different muxes are broadcast from aerials on the mast at different
heights, see:
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/ridgehill/ridge-hill4.php
which shows the Ridge Hill transmitter, the third photo down shows the
Freeview aerials, the group of 4 white oblong things in the middle of
the pic. So one or more of the aerials may be hidden from your aerial
peeping round the gable of your house while the old analog aerials may
be higher up or lower down, I'm not sure but I should think they are
right at the top, which would explain why you get good analog but poor
Freeview.

All these little variables add up to good reception of some channels
and some being poor or terrrible.

You should also note that on this page about Ridge Hill:

http://www.aerialsandtv.com/ridgehilltx.html

it mentions...
Ofcom report a small amount of attenuation on all the transmissions to
the South East.

This is one of the reasons why establishing your exact location is
important and why people got so aeriated when you kept it quiet:-)


--
Ken O'Meara
http://www.btinternet.com/~unsteadyken/

Snap Crackle and Pop
 

Excellent stuff Ken, thank you, you're a gentleman.

Jim.

"UnsteadyKen" wrote in message
m...
Jim said...

As an aside...are the transmissions different power for different
channels ?

A simple answer is, from the point of view of your aerial; yes.

The Muxes/channels you are trying to receive are on 6 frequencies
ranging from 642Mhz to 810Mhz which is why you need a wideband aerial.
The gain of the aerial varies according to the frequency so the signal
strength will vary with the channel

You have problems with Dave which is on channel 42 Mux C at c 642Mhz
which is the lowest frequency, but can get daveJavu ok which is on
channel 45 Mux D at c 666Mhz which probably means that your aerial is
not quite wideband enough as it does not have enough gain at the bottom
of its range.

The different muxes are broadcast from aerials on the mast at different
heights, see:
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/ridgehill/ridge-hill4.php
which shows the Ridge Hill transmitter, the third photo down shows the
Freeview aerials, the group of 4 white oblong things in the middle of
the pic. So one or more of the aerials may be hidden from your aerial
peeping round the gable of your house while the old analog aerials may
be higher up or lower down, I'm not sure but I should think they are
right at the top, which would explain why you get good analog but poor
Freeview.

All these little variables add up to good reception of some channels
and some being poor or terrrible.

You should also note that on this page about Ridge Hill:

http://www.aerialsandtv.com/ridgehilltx.html

it mentions...
Ofcom report a small amount of attenuation on all the transmissions to
the South East.

This is one of the reasons why establishing your exact location is
important and why people got so aeriated when you kept it quiet:-)


--
Ken O'Meara
http://www.btinternet.com/~unsteadyken/