dumb TV antenna question

[Trav]

Thanks all.

I had a look on the weekend. I definitely have a masthead amp in the loop, but no power supply. I removed the amp from the loop and the reception immediately improved. Out of sight improvement on 7 and 9, but 10 was still pretty poor. I get ABC and SBS through foxtel, so I am not worried about them.

Of my two antenna sockets in the house, one was working well and the other was diabolical. I followed the cable through, thinking there might be some kind of break etc in the wire. I found the photo at the bottom. I couldn't beleive it. It looks like they hvae ripped it out of a light fitting. So it looks like I need to go and buy some new cable this week as this join was halfway along.

I think I might invest in a digital receiver - that should clear the remaining image problems for me. The main issues are now with ghosting, not poor reception.

Trav

[Iain]

That join looks OK to me
If the cable is OK get two F connectors and a joiner and put it back together, if it's crap just replace it with RG6 quad, when we go full digital it will be to your advantage.

[Trav]

Thanks Iain. Am I right in understanding that you need a special crimping tool in order to put an F connector on the coax? Or can I just do it with pliers? Also, does it matter where the silver shielding goes?

Thanks

Trav

[Iain]

Get twist on connectors and beware of the foil, some is insulated on one side and you will not get a connection.
I always remove the foil for this very reason, also make sure that the connectors match the coax as RG6 and RG59 are different diameters, and quad is thicker again so be sure to ask for the right one.
The joiner is a standard fitting and will connect either.
The type of coax should be stamped on the outer shield.
If you send me a PM with your address I will send you a couple of connectors and joiners, I still have a few.

[outback]

Trav, I think your'e just being fussy now.

[Barry_White]

Thanks Iain. Am I right in understanding that you need a special crimping tool in order to put an F connector on the coax? Or can I just do it with pliers? Also, does it matter where the silver shielding goes?

Thanks

Trav

Trav a set of RG6 crimping pliers will set you back about $30.00. Both Dick Smith and Bunnings carry them. If this is a permanant home and you want it to work properly I would use RG6 cable and use F Connectors you can buy proper cable strippers also from Dick Smiths.

Attached are pics of Wall Plates, F Connectors, Crimping Pliers a Cable Stripper and an F Connection Splitter.

[Trav]

Thanks Bazza

It is a permanent home (for a few years at least) - so I think I will invest in new cable and appropriate tools.

Outback - I know . Sometimes I just ask for the unreasonable. Like being able to see which team is actually batting in the cricket.

Trav

[Trav]

I had a closer look at the cable last night. It seems to be RG 75 - I did a search but didn't come up with anything.

How does this compare to RG 6 or even RG 59?

Thanks

Trav

[Barry_White]

I had a closer look at the cable last night. It seems to be RG 75 - I did a search but didn't come up with anything.

How does this compare to RG 6 or even RG 59?

Thanks

Trav

Trav

Nothing compares to RG6. It was developed for the digital era and is the only cable used by the professionals.

It is quad shielded. The other stuff will work but the difference in cost is minimal.

It is a whole system when used with F connectors.

When I built my house the only thing that was available was single shielded cable. About 2 years ago I rewired my house with RG6 and all F connectors.

I have eleven TV points in the house and I set it up with a distribution amplifier in the the roof. The signal comes into the house straight into the Video Recorder and then out of the video up to the roof to the distribution amplifier and from there it goes to the various TV points through out the house. I even have one in the garage/workshop which is detached from the house.

The benefit of this is I can watch a Video or Pay TV at any point in the house from the one source.

[Iain]

Congratulations to the previous owner
RG75 is 50 ohm coax for two way radio work, complete mismatch here I'm afraid.

[Trav]

Thanks Baz and Iain.

Sounds like I need to get some new coax this wekeend too!

Cheers

Trav

[Trav]

would ahve run the coax this weekend except it bucketed wqith rain all bloody day.

Perhaps next weekend.

Iain - your package arrived - thanks.

Trav

[Trav]

I finally got around to buying some RG6 quad shield the other day to replace the dodgy coax cable in the roof. I ran a new line down direct to the TV and the picture is not almost perfect. A little ghosting etc, but nothing a bit of fiddling with the antenna won't fix.

That means I can watch the cricket on the weekend. What a relief!

Particular thanks to Iain, Barry and Benny for their help on this one. Iain - your package was perfect - I need to chase it all through the walls yet, so I will hang onto the cutter until then.

One further question if I may. Is there any reason I shouldn't use the excess RG6 cable to make a few fly leads? They certainly must be better than the dodgy ones I have now.

Also, will RG6 work as a digital coax cable (ie to carry digital audio from my DVD player to the amp) or is it not suited to this type of application. I only hvae 2 optical inputs on my amp, but want to connect my foxtel and PS2 through these connections, and perhaps use the digital coax for the DVD player. But only if the quality is the same.

CHeers

Travis

[Iain]

Yes and Yes.
In fact some of the skinny white fly leads are so crappy that anything can get in, digital coax leads are the same, in fact, some will sell you 'digital coax' at mega bucks and it is exactly the same, you can get RCA plugs for coax or just get a 'F' to RCA adapter and use the same fittings as you have now.

[Trav]

Brilliant

Thanks mate. Have a good weekend. Roll on the cricket!

Trav