Antiference Earthlink 'QUICK-FIT' Bond

Any installers on here tried this earthing arrangement?

I'm a bit put off by the "push on" F connectors but apart from that it would
save quite a bit of time installing earthing bars.

Anyone tried it?

"Carpy" wrote in message
. uk...
Any installers on here tried this earthing arrangement?

I'm a bit put off by the "push on" F connectors but apart from that it
would save quite a bit of time installing earthing bars.

Anyone tried it?

Yes we changed over to them about three months ago. One result was that I
contacted Anti to tell them that about one in 200 had a fault. They were
aware of it and new stock is OK. The fault was that one of the two springy
pins that grip the inner of the 'f' male moved to one side after one
insertion, making further insertions hit and miss. Other than that -- OK I
guess. The push-ons are OK because they are really tight. In fact you have
to push them fully on very firmly.

If you need to take them off the switch use a broad flat screwdriver as a
lever.

You can get 10mm yellow lucars to make up your own links, from RS.

Here's another Anti problem. I don't know what they're doing about it.
Here's part of the email I sent:

1. There seems to be a little peculiarity in the behaviour of the AMS 516S
multiswitches. The samples I have here (bought from Grax over the course of
the last few weeks) have, with the terrestrial gain control at maximum, gain
of about 5.5dB, which is 2.5dB more than the quoted figure. However, with
the gain control at maximum a fault condition exists. Slight background
disturbance is visible on analogue pictures. This consists of a generally
noisy effect, with perhaps less structure than ordinary cross modulation. It
is most easily seen on dark areas. This is a subtle effect: I am not talking
about gross interference. Reducing the gain on the multiswitch's control by
about 2.5dB (or one third of a turn) clears the fault, and it is by turning
the control backwards and forwards this small amount whilst observing the
result on the screen that the fault can be made more obvious. I must stress
that this fault is nothing to do with the level of the signals per se; the
effect is just the same whether the output level is 0dBmV or 25dBmV. (These
figures are analogue video, with five analogue channels and six multiplexes
carried). The effect is not caused by out-of-band signals. All my tests have
been done with a cluster filter in front of the multiswitch, or with a
signal generator. I also added VHF FM and DAB signals at quite high levels
and found that the fault was unaffected. The fault is present whether or not
satellite IF is connected, and is unaffected by any DC load imposed at the
satellite IF inputs. So far I have seen the fault in ten units out of ten. I
must stress that this isn't causing me any grief; I have simply backed off
the gain of all the units by 3dB, which takes down to the level that I
planned for. But I thought you ought to know.

And here's a letter I sent to a management agent tonight:


1. Block including 26 Xxxxxxx Mews
The resident is pretty annoyed that he can't get Sky+ or Sky HD in a brand
new flat. I've explained that the system does not allow for it without
considerable work/expense and referred him to you. In the roofspace the
system head end comprises a multiswitch only. The multiswitch is mounted on
a board which is laid loose on the floor. The mains outlet is also
unsecured. The board has earth bonding cable linking all inputs/outputs.
However the earth bonding cables are not connected to the building earth.
Nor is there any earth connection at the main supply. The method of
connecting the individual coaxial cables to the earth bonding uses a metal
strip which has along its length a series of saddles. Each saddle clamps
down on one or two cables. In order for the earth contact to be made it is
of course necessary to remove the outer insulation from the coaxial cable at
the point where it is to be clamped. In this instance, this has not be done
at any of the cables. The multiswitch is wet to the touch due to
condensation dripping off the under surface of the roof above. This does not
appear to be affecting its operation but obviously if it stays as damp as
this for very long it will deteriorate.

Bill

And here's a letter I sent to a management agent tonight:


1. Block including 26 Xxxxxxx Mews
The resident is pretty annoyed that he can't get Sky+ or Sky HD in a brand
new flat. I've explained that the system does not allow for it without
considerable work/expense and referred him to you. In the roofspace the
system head end comprises a multiswitch only. The multiswitch is mounted on
a board which is laid loose on the floor. The mains outlet is also
unsecured. The board has earth bonding cable linking all inputs/outputs.
However the earth bonding cables are not connected to the building earth.
Nor is there any earth connection at the main supply. The method of
connecting the individual coaxial cables to the earth bonding uses a metal
strip which has along its length a series of saddles. Each saddle clamps
down on one or two cables. In order for the earth contact to be made it is
of course necessary to remove the outer insulation from the coaxial cable at
the point where it is to be clamped. In this instance, this has not be done
at any of the cables. The multiswitch is wet to the touch due to
condensation dripping off the under surface of the roof above. This does not
appear to be affecting its operation but obviously if it stays as damp as
this for very long it will deteriorate.

Bill


When you write those do you include "and contrary to regulation such and
such" or "not in compliance with BS whatever" etc?..
--
Tony Sayer

"tony sayer" wrote in message
...
And here's a letter I sent to a management agent tonight:


1. Block including 26 Xxxxxxx Mews
The resident is pretty annoyed that he can't get Sky+ or Sky HD in a brand
new flat. I've explained that the system does not allow for it without
considerable work/expense and referred him to you. In the roofspace the
system head end comprises a multiswitch only. The multiswitch is mounted
on
a board which is laid loose on the floor. The mains outlet is also
unsecured. The board has earth bonding cable linking all inputs/outputs.
However the earth bonding cables are not connected to the building earth.
Nor is there any earth connection at the main supply. The method of
connecting the individual coaxial cables to the earth bonding uses a metal
strip which has along its length a series of saddles. Each saddle clamps
down on one or two cables. In order for the earth contact to be made it is
of course necessary to remove the outer insulation from the coaxial cable
at
the point where it is to be clamped. In this instance, this has not be
done
at any of the cables. The multiswitch is wet to the touch due to
condensation dripping off the under surface of the roof above. This does
not
appear to be affecting its operation but obviously if it stays as damp as
this for very long it will deteriorate.

Bill


When you write those do you include "and contrary to regulation such and
such" or "not in compliance with BS whatever" etc?..

Sometimes.

Bill

Whilst on the subject of Antiference multiswitches, what is the concensus on their gear vs equivalents from Televes, etc?

Bill Wright wrote:
"Carpy" wrote in message
. uk...
Any installers on here tried this earthing arrangement?

I'm a bit put off by the "push on" F connectors but apart from that it
would save quite a bit of time installing earthing bars.

Anyone tried it?

Yes we changed over to them about three months ago. One result was that I
contacted Anti to tell them that about one in 200 had a fault. They were
aware of it and new stock is OK. The fault was that one of the two springy
pins that grip the inner of the 'f' male moved to one side after one
insertion, making further insertions hit and miss. Other than that -- OK I
guess. The push-ons are OK because they are really tight. In fact you have
to push them fully on very firmly.

If you need to take them off the switch use a broad flat screwdriver as a
lever.

You can get 10mm yellow lucars to make up your own links, from RS.

Here's another Anti problem. I don't know what they're doing about it.
Here's part of the email I sent:

1. There seems to be a little peculiarity in the behaviour of the AMS 516S
multiswitches. The samples I have here (bought from Grax over the course of
the last few weeks) have, with the terrestrial gain control at maximum, gain
of about 5.5dB, which is 2.5dB more than the quoted figure. However, with
the gain control at maximum a fault condition exists. Slight background
disturbance is visible on analogue pictures. This consists of a generally
noisy effect, with perhaps less structure than ordinary cross modulation. It
is most easily seen on dark areas. This is a subtle effect: I am not talking
about gross interference. Reducing the gain on the multiswitch's control by
about 2.5dB (or one third of a turn) clears the fault, and it is by turning
the control backwards and forwards this small amount whilst observing the
result on the screen that the fault can be made more obvious. I must stress
that this fault is nothing to do with the level of the signals per se; the
effect is just the same whether the output level is 0dBmV or 25dBmV. (These
figures are analogue video, with five analogue channels and six multiplexes
carried). The effect is not caused by out-of-band signals. All my tests have
been done with a cluster filter in front of the multiswitch, or with a
signal generator. I also added VHF FM and DAB signals at quite high levels
and found that the fault was unaffected. The fault is present whether or not
satellite IF is connected, and is unaffected by any DC load imposed at the
satellite IF inputs. So far I have seen the fault in ten units out of ten. I
must stress that this isn't causing me any grief; I have simply backed off
the gain of all the units by 3dB, which takes down to the level that I
planned for. But I thought you ought to know.

And here's a letter I sent to a management agent tonight:


1. Block including 26 Xxxxxxx Mews
The resident is pretty annoyed that he can't get Sky+ or Sky HD in a brand
new flat. I've explained that the system does not allow for it without
considerable work/expense and referred him to you. In the roofspace the
system head end comprises a multiswitch only. The multiswitch is mounted on
a board which is laid loose on the floor. The mains outlet is also
unsecured. The board has earth bonding cable linking all inputs/outputs.
However the earth bonding cables are not connected to the building earth.
Nor is there any earth connection at the main supply. The method of
connecting the individual coaxial cables to the earth bonding uses a metal
strip which has along its length a series of saddles. Each saddle clamps
down on one or two cables. In order for the earth contact to be made it is
of course necessary to remove the outer insulation from the coaxial cable at
the point where it is to be clamped. In this instance, this has not be done
at any of the cables. The multiswitch is wet to the touch due to
condensation dripping off the under surface of the roof above. This does not
appear to be affecting its operation but obviously if it stays as damp as
this for very long it will deteriorate.

Bill

"Malcolm Herring" wrote in message
...
Whilst on the subject of Antiference multiswitches, what is the concensus
on their gear vs equivalents from Televes, etc?

Despite the problem I mentioned I like them. I've tried most types. None of
them are perfect, but I particularly dislike Spaun.

Bill