Aerial cable [domestic TV installation]

So, is this
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...15&WorldID =2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...&source=15&Wor
ldID=2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?



Cheaper at

www.screwfix.co.uk
or
www.tlc-direct.co.uk


--
Woody

harrogate2 at ntlworld dot com

"harrogate2" wrote in message
...

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...&source=15&Wor
ldID=2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?



Cheaper at

www.screwfix.co.uk
or
www.tlc-direct.co.uk

CAI approved, and Sky endorsed, this must be good stuff
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...78915&id=10633 ?

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
"harrogate2" wrote in message
...

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...&source=15&Wor
ldID=2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?



Cheaper at

www.screwfix.co.uk
or
www.tlc-direct.co.uk

CAI approved, and Sky endorsed, this must be good stuff
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...78915&id=10633 ?

And, would this be any good
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...14374&ts=79084 ?

I'm only suggesting screwfix bits 'cos I have a £20 voucher.

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...15&WorldID =2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?


How much cable do you need. If you're not looking for 100m then you can get
excellent quality 10m length offcuts here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...57791 02&rd=1

I personally wouldn't touch that aerial from Screwfix. At least try and
source from a well known aerial manufacturer, such as Antiference or Triax.

Tell us what you are planning if you need more in depth advice.

"GameBashers | Carpy" wrote in message
.. .

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...15&WorldID =2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?


How much cable do you need. If you're not looking for 100m then you can
get
excellent quality 10m length offcuts here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...em=57457791 0
2&rd=1

I personally wouldn't touch that aerial from Screwfix. At least try and
source from a well known aerial manufacturer, such as Antiference or
Triax.

Tell us what you are planning if you need more in depth advice.

I'm planning to install a new aerial that must be able to feed 3 TVs.
I currently have an old aerial that must be about 20 years old. Old wiring
too.
This feeds a Triax masthead amp (Well, nearly masthead. It's as close as I
could get), then off to TV #1.
TVs #2 and #3 are fed from a separate aerial (also old) and Maxview amp.
The analog pictures are near perfect on all TVs, although #2 and #3 can't
get Ch.5.
TV #1 has a Freeview box, and most channels are also perfect. Some have
breakup when matey and moped go down the road. BBC1/2 and ITV are good, but
the 'lesser' channels have a lower signal strength.
TV #2 also has a freeview box, but this is far from good reception.
Both aerials point to Crystal Palace.

My plan was to replace the main aerial (feeding Triax amp) with a wideband
unit. Still feeding the Triax amp, and then possibly to a 4 (or 8) way
distribution amp. I also note that Screwfix have one of these for £15. Each
ouput from the dist. amp would feed one TV.
I thought about a wideband aerial because, although I'm currently using
Crystal Palace (group A), I might try Hannington instead (groups B or E - I
think).
I now have access to a good ladder, and I don't mind heights as long as the
ladder doesn't wobble too much.
As I may have mentioned before, I was trying to use my Screwfix voucher, but
if their stuff is crap (maybe the coax is ok), then I'll go elsewhere. But
I'm not paying some £140 (last quote) to come and fit just the aerial.

Any comments?
TIA

So many spelling mistakes, so little time.
To clarify; The last quote I got for an installer to come and fit an aerial
was £140. This didn't include any amplifiers or wiring to secondary TVs.

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
"GameBashers | Carpy" wrote in
message
.. .

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...15&WorldID =2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?


How much cable do you need. If you're not looking for 100m then you can
get
excellent quality 10m length offcuts here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...em=57457791 0
2&rd=1

I personally wouldn't touch that aerial from Screwfix. At least try and
source from a well known aerial manufacturer, such as Antiference or
Triax.

Tell us what you are planning if you need more in depth advice.



I'm planning to install a new aerial that must be able to feed 3 TVs.
I currently have an old aerial that must be about 20 years old. Old wiring
too.

So you need to buy the 100m drun from Screwfix. That should use the £20
voucher nicely. Make sure you get the CAI approved cable (PH100).

This feeds a Triax masthead amp (Well, nearly masthead. It's as close as I
could get), then off to TV #1.
TVs #2 and #3 are fed from a separate aerial (also old) and Maxview amp.
The analog pictures are near perfect on all TVs, although #2 and #3 can't
get Ch.5.
TV #1 has a Freeview box, and most channels are also perfect. Some have
breakup when matey and moped go down the road. BBC1/2 and ITV are good,
but
the 'lesser' channels have a lower signal strength.
TV #2 also has a freeview box, but this is far from good reception.
Both aerials point to Crystal Palace.
My plan was to replace the main aerial (feeding Triax amp) with a wideband
unit.

Group A would be much better than a wideband for Crystal Palace
..
Still feeding the Triax amp, and then possibly to a 4 (or 8) way
distribution amp. I also note that Screwfix have one of these for £15.
Each
ouput from the dist. amp would feed one TV.

You need to be careful here. I wouldn't recommend amplifying with the (non
masthead) Triax amp, then going straight out into another distribution amp
(unless of course you're an electrician in which case directly chaining 100
amplifiers in a line is perfectly acceptable........sorry couldn't resist).

If after fitting your shiny new Antiference / Triax aerial + 4 way / 8 way
amplifier, you find the signal levels are not sufficent, then consider a
lowish gain masthead amplifier (fitted onto the aerial mast, not in the
loft). The Philex SLX amplifiers on Screwfix are better than some available,
and in your situation would do the job fine, although if you are going for a
6 way or 8 way I would recommend an Antiference A261L or A281L. These will
provide line powering for a masthead amplifier should you need one, and use
F connectors rather than the usual "coax" plug type connectors. If you
wanted to add DAB or FM to the system at a later date the amp can accomodate
this.


I thought about a wideband aerial because, although I'm currently using
Crystal Palace (group A), I might try Hannington instead (groups B or E -
I
think).

Whats the reason for thinking Hannington would provide a better signal.
Where do other aerials point towards? This is really where you need proper
test equipment to measure the available multiplex levels. You may find that
the extra gain provided by a Group A aerial over a wideband, may make all
the difference in your situation.

I now have access to a good ladder, and I don't mind heights as long as
the
ladder doesn't wobble too much.
As I may have mentioned before, I was trying to use my Screwfix voucher,
but
if their stuff is crap (maybe the coax is ok), then I'll go elsewhere. But
I'm not paying some £140 (last quote) to come and fit just the aerial.

£140 isn't unreasonable assuming the rigger was going to supply and fit a
decent 18 element aerial / high gain aerial on a 10 or 12 foot mast, fit a
new dual lashing + corner brackets to the chimney.and of course align the
new array properly.

Just noticed you say you only want to connect 3 TVs to the aerial.

Why would you consider a 6 way / 8 way amp? Sounds like a 4 way would be the
best solution, with one output spare for a future TV point. Remember to
terminate any ununsed outputs on the amp.

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
So, is this
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSear...U=150836&N=401
the same as this
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...15&WorldID =2
&doy=18m3
?
Or anywhere better/cheaper?

"GameBashers | Carpy" wrote in message
.. .

"Grumps" wrote in message
I'm planning to install a new aerial that must be able to feed 3 TVs.
I currently have an old aerial that must be about 20 years old. Old
wiring
too.

So you need to buy the 100m drun from Screwfix. That should use the £20
voucher nicely. Make sure you get the CAI approved cable (PH100).

Except that I need to spend £45 to get the £20 discount.

This feeds a Triax masthead amp (Well, nearly masthead. It's as close as
I
could get), then off to TV #1.
TVs #2 and #3 are fed from a separate aerial (also old) and Maxview amp.
The analog pictures are near perfect on all TVs, although #2 and #3
can't
get Ch.5.
TV #1 has a Freeview box, and most channels are also perfect. Some have
breakup when matey and moped go down the road. BBC1/2 and ITV are good,
but
the 'lesser' channels have a lower signal strength.
TV #2 also has a freeview box, but this is far from good reception.
Both aerials point to Crystal Palace.
My plan was to replace the main aerial (feeding Triax amp) with a
wideband
unit.

Group A would be much better than a wideband for Crystal Palace

Agreed.

Still feeding the Triax amp, and then possibly to a 4 (or 8) way
distribution amp. I also note that Screwfix have one of these for £15.
Each
ouput from the dist. amp would feed one TV.

You need to be careful here. I wouldn't recommend amplifying with the (non
masthead) Triax amp, then going straight out into another distribution amp
(unless of course you're an electrician in which case directly chaining
100
amplifiers in a line is perfectly acceptable........sorry couldn't
resist).

With my new ladder, I can get the Triax masthead amp on the mast now. The
screwfix (sorry to keep mentioning their products) 4 (or 8 way) amp supplies
masthead amp power too. Currently my masthead amp is fed from a standard
12Vdc power supply (Wall-wart, not the special one for this type of amp).
Triax gave me details on how to modify their amp to allow this.

If after fitting your shiny new Antiference / Triax aerial + 4 way / 8 way
amplifier, you find the signal levels are not sufficent, then consider a
lowish gain masthead amplifier (fitted onto the aerial mast, not in the
loft). The Philex SLX amplifiers on Screwfix are better than some
available,
and in your situation would do the job fine, although if you are going for
a
6 way or 8 way I would recommend an Antiference A261L or A281L. These will
provide line powering for a masthead amplifier should you need one, and
use
F connectors rather than the usual "coax" plug type connectors. If you
wanted to add DAB or FM to the system at a later date the amp can
accomodate
this.

Is there a good online shop for Aniference?

I thought about a wideband aerial because, although I'm currently using
Crystal Palace (group A), I might try Hannington instead (groups B or
E -
I
think).

Whats the reason for thinking Hannington would provide a better signal.
Where do other aerials point towards? This is really where you need proper
test equipment to measure the available multiplex levels. You may find
that
the extra gain provided by a Group A aerial over a wideband, may make all
the difference in your situation.

The predictors on Wolfbane suggest that the field strength would be higher
from Hannington.
Most aerials point to CP, but some have aeirals pointing both directions.

I now have access to a good ladder, and I don't mind heights as long as
the
ladder doesn't wobble too much.
As I may have mentioned before, I was trying to use my Screwfix voucher,
but
if their stuff is crap (maybe the coax is ok), then I'll go elsewhere.
But
I'm not paying some £140 (last quote) to come and fit just the aerial.

£140 isn't unreasonable assuming the rigger was going to supply and fit a
decent 18 element aerial / high gain aerial on a 10 or 12 foot mast, fit a
new dual lashing + corner brackets to the chimney.and of course align the
new array properly.

And use decent coax.

Thanks for the comments.