Indoor saorview aerial possible? Fermoy

micks_address · 01-01-2023 9:00pm #1

Hi folks,

At the in-laws outside fermoy cork and set up an amiko mini hd box for them. All good on the satellite front but no saorview aerial. Would there be any sense trying an indoor aerial or would a rooftop aerial be only option? I've tried the saorview signal checker and it says either mitchelstown or fermoy transmitter.

Thanks,

Mick

The Cush · 01-01-2023 11:48pm

Impossible to say sitting on the other side of the internet because the signal where you locate the aerial will be specific to that location.

How far away is the house from the Fermoy transmitter, transmitter power, any natural obstructions between the house and transmitter?

If the Fermoy transmitter is near enough but probably on low power it might be worth testing an indoor or basic outdoor contract aerial in the attic.

Iirc the Saorview coverage checker data is modelled on an external aerial mounted 10m agl.

micks_address · 02-01-2023 12:12am

Thank you for the reply. Are the likes of these aerials any use?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BLS52HB7?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

This is what the saorview checker gives me based on eircode

micks_address · 02-01-2023 12:17am

I should also say they have an aerial that brings in saorview in another room from the roof but it's not feasible to easily run a cable from it to the room with the amiko box and they don't want the cost of getting someone to run a other cable from the rooftop aerial

dxhound2005 · 02-01-2023 12:28am

Mitchelstown is 500 Watts, Fermoy 50 Watts, both low power.

https://2rn.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2RN-DTT-Television-Transmission-Network-Sept-2019-Rev.1.2.pdf

Another version of the coverage map can be seen on this site. As Cush says, coverage maps are based on having an external aerial. Only way to find out is to try an indoor one to see if it works. If there are nearby neighbours, they might have some knowledge.

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Mitchelstown

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Fermoy

micks_address · 02-01-2023 12:45am

This is probably a daft question but would an indoor aerial have a better chance of working given there's already an aerial on the roof? Can an indoor aerial grab signal from the roof aerial?

dxhound2005 · 02-01-2023 1:04am

Probably the opposite, depending on who did the installation. If an indoor aerial was sufficient, there would be no need for one on the roof. The indoor one will only get whatever signal is coming into the room, not the roof. Moving it around while looking at the signal quality menu would be the usual way of seeing what location in the room is best, if there is enough signal.

Check the menu to see what channel numbers are being received from the roof signal, to confirm which transmitter. And the menu to see the signal quality and strength.

winston_1 · 02-01-2023 1:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054268#Comment_120054268

That advert is rubbish and should be pulled. The laws or physics and the curvature of the earth do not allow an aerial to receive UHF signals 480kM away.

It is not possible to quote aerial performance by distance as there are so many variables, transmitter power, local obstructions, height, you name it.

The Cush · 02-01-2023 8:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054292#Comment_120054292

A new cable doesn't have to be run back to the roof.

Would it be possible to run a cable from the existing TV point to the new TV point or from somewhere else along the existing cable run? A small amplifier might be required to give the signal a boost to the new TV point.

The Cush · 02-01-2023 8:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054382#Comment_120054382

No.

The aerial on the roof is just a passive receiving aerial that intercepts the transmitted signal and sends it down a cable.

micks_address · 02-01-2023 11:33am

Thanks folks, I don't mind buying an indoor aerial for them and trying it the next time we visit which won't be for a month or so anyway. What indoor aerial would give the best chance of success? I don't think there's anywhere local open today I'd get an aerial to try.

Cheers,

Mick

Slightly Kwackers · 02-01-2023 12:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054995#Comment_120054995

If you have a TV with signal strength information on the tuning pages and you are able to find a coax plug and cable, connect the cable to the plug and on the opposite end strip out and separate the inner cable and the braid.

The braid and inner needs to be at right angles to the cable, like a cross without the top bit and about 11 cm each. You will find it easier if you tape these "dipoles" to someting none metallic such as a 22cm length of dowel.

This is a basic 1/4 wave dipole and will indicate some king of signal if any indoor aerial stands a chance. It is not as presentable as the stuff you see on Ebay, but will work.

You will need to rotate and move it to find a signal assuming there is one available. Invite a few friends, the procedure can provide a lot of amusement for onlookers :-)

After years in the TV trade, I can honestly say that although I saw quite a few being used in the UK, very few indoor aerials gave a watchable performance in the analogue days. My city had a local UHF TV repeater too and I worked within fifteen or so miles of its location.

The odd one or two customers seemed to have success with a coathanger pushed into the aerial socket, which technically was too big for UHF and had no proper ground plane, but you can never apply hard and fast rules when it comes to signal propagation where there are many obstacles and reflective surfaces.

The other thing to bear in mind with indoor aerials is that most are designed to attract customers and not a signal. The other point is, there is no such thing as a digital aerial, just in case you are swayed by the technical advertising.

Capt'n Midnight · 02-01-2023 1:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054328#Comment_120054328

Rough maps

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Fermoy 33, 36 , Vertical

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Mitchelstown 40,43, Horizontal.

micks_address · 02-01-2023 1:15pm

Thanks won't get to try that today. Might just see if I can find an installer locally and pay them to sort it out. Feels like indoor option be flaky at best. Hopefully won't cost a lot to run a cable from an existing aerial setup.

Thanks for all the replies,

Mick

sham58107 · 02-01-2023 1:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120054456#Comment_120054456

Got one of these, thought smaller and only about 20 euro from Amazon ,(cant do link sorry ),for TV in back bedroom ,works perfectly for all saorview channels and option to plug into usb on TV ,so no power outlet needed, I am in Meath so may be nearer to transmitter ,but as I said no problems at all

Buffman · 02-01-2023 2:32pm

Just FYI OP I've successfully used an outdoor saorview aerial in the attic in the past where for various reasons people didn't want it on the roof.

micks_address · 02-01-2023 5:22pm

Cheers folks back in Dublin now. I might buy one from Amazon and try on our own TV. Have a aerial on the roof but be interesting to see if it would work.

Reviews of the one I linked to seem good on Amazon but looks overpriced. If was my own house would get it done to roof aerial but older folks can be bit peculiar about these things.. they'd rather go without the channels than have someone out to sort it but if I can get an indoor solution they don't care.

Anyone have recommended buy for 'best' indoor aerial if that's even a thing?

winston_1 · 02-01-2023 8:02pm

What happens in Dublin has no bearing on what will happen in Cork. Different transmitter, different channels, different signal levels etc.

As I said the one you linked to:

"That advert is rubbish and should be pulled. The laws or physics and the curvature of the earth do not allow an aerial to receive UHF signals 480kM away.

It is not possible to quote aerial performance by distance as there are so many variables, transmitter power, local obstructions, height, you name it."

If it had good reviews they are fake. Did any of them receive stations 480kM away?

If you must try an indoor aerial get a Telecam TCE2000. DON'T get the amplified version.

micks_address · 02-01-2023 8:12pm

Seems like telecam are discontinued? Also why not amplified?

Our house in Dublin is about the same distance from kippure that they are from the transmitter in cork. I know won't be great comparison but curious if it would even work

Thanks,

Mick

The Cush · 02-01-2023 10:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120056183#Comment_120056183

Check out these

https://cpcireland.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CompareProductsDisplay?catalogId=15002&storeId=10181&langId=70&catentryId=65335537,65335549,65041003,65001594,65003688&pageType=PLP

moceri · 02-01-2023 10:18pm

Aerial in the attic will work fine. You could also add a masthead amplifier to send a 12V signal to improve reception in a weak signal area.

Something like this....https://www.freetv.ie/saorview/amplifiers/

micks_address · 03-01-2023 12:26pm

It might be worth having a sticky or something on indoor aerials and advice on where they might/not work in general. I've ordered one to try in my own house and will see how it goes. If it works ill try in the inlaws whenever im down again.. i know it might work in my house and not there.. but will give it a go anyway. Thanks for all the replies and advice.

cml387 · 03-01-2023 12:32pm

Just FYI the Fermoy booster is located close to the old railway station

winston_1 · 04-01-2023 12:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120057085#Comment_120057085

OK in that case go for an Antiference Silver Sensor.

Amplifiers are designed to overcome the loss on a long run of coax downlead which you don't have on an indoor aerial.

On an indoor aerial they are a waste of time, money, and electricity. They will just amplify all the local noise so you get louder noise and no improvement of s/n ratio.

winston_1 · 04-01-2023 12:32am

Forgot to add the link.

https://cpcireland.farnell.com/antiference/sensor/set-top-silver-sensor/dp/AFSENSOR

micks_address · 12-01-2023 3:28pm

Hi folks,

Just a follow up on this.

I purchased this from Amazon

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/aw/d/B007RB0L1S?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Before I seen the link for the other ones..tried it in my house in Dublin.. yes I know it's not fermoy.. picked up signal that looks pretty strong if placed in the right position. If I turn off the amplifier it picks up nothing.

Cheers,

Mick

winston_1 · 13-01-2023 12:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120098710#Comment_120098710

That is because a switched off amplifier passes nothing, not that it proves it is required. The test is to bypass the amplifier. 49dB is a ridiculous amount of gain for an amp, think of all that local noise amplified bu 49dB. Oh and there is no such thing as a digital antenna.

cml387 · 13-01-2023 9:29am

That looks like SKY news you're watching. If it is then it's not Saorview.

Glaceon · 13-01-2023 9:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120101621#Comment_120101621

Sky News has been on Saorview for a couple of years now.

cml387 · 13-01-2023 9:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120101624#Comment_120101624

My bad, sorry😐️

micks_address · 13-01-2023 10:17am

tried it by passing the amplifier - you can plug the aeriel directly into the tv.. and i can get some reception but it breaks up.. the amplifier is having some positive effect.. ultimately i need to test this in cork which i might not be there again for 6 months so who knows! curious if the antiference would be better or worse or the same.. sans amplifier but different design

Indoor saorview aerial possible? Fermoy

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