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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    45
    Posts
    452

    Thumbs down TV reception.....

    Hey all,

    Some of you may know i just knocked out a dividing wall in my place to open a living room up (looks fantastic BTW, you would never know it was there ) but with the removal of the wall my TV reception has gone from bad to worse...... a fix for my dodgy reception is long overdue anyway.

    I will need to install an outside aerial but am weighing up the pros and cons of DIYing it.

    Do you think it is worth getting the pros in to do it (ie run the cables, install sockets and get a decent aerial/positioning etc) or do you think you can do just as good a job DIY for a lot less? ie using components etc from bunnies or the equiv?

    Just after a little feedback...

    Cheers
    Joel

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Perthish
    Posts
    82

    Default

    Make sure you use RG6 cable. That is the standard for Digital TV.RG-11 for longer (+30 m) runs, as it has less loss, but more cost.
    Ummmm, what was the question?

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    5,014

    Default

    How do you feel about dancing around on your roof?

    Personally, that's a job I'd leave to the pros. Manly because I'd want to be sure that everything worked properly and lets face it you aren't going to pay the antenna guy until it does.
    Whereas you might end up spending a lot of time stuffing around because you've never done it before and still not end up with good reception.

    That said, it's not rocket science either.

    I'd just prefer to have the peace of mind of knowing I could call someone to come and fix it if somehow it stuffed up.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Between a rock & a hard place (vic)
    Posts
    898

    Default

    Had one installed last year. The bloke took up some sort of ghost-busters equipment and danced around while it whirred and hummed. From all that he determined what aerial would be best for the signal strength/quality and the best spot & height to install it. Have to say he did a good job. Chasing the cable was the hard part.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    65
    Posts
    417

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    We got the pros to do and have great reception.

    Another thing you might want to consider is whether you want multiple points eg lounge, kitchen, bedroom etc - better to think about it now and get it done properly.

    Cheers
    The Numbat is a small striped marsupial whose whole diet consists of termites.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
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    ...
    Posts
    7,955

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    It's not difficult as long as you're not afraid of heights and have a good ladder. But if you're at all concerned to climb 2 1/2 stories( like I did ) then don't do it and get a professional in.

    Rewired the original antenna from one point to four points ( with splitters ) in the house and installed an extra antenna to an additional two points. Used a compass to line up the second with the original antenna.

    If you are doing it yourself use a compass to check the direction of the antennas in your street to work out optimum orientation, saves a lot of fiddling about.


    Peter.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    45
    Posts
    452

    Default

    Thanks for the feedback all.....

    Given all that I think I will just pay someone to do it.... not cause Im afraid of heights (spent most of last weekend installing gutterguard, what a PITA that job is!) just cause I wouldnt sure on the right orientation for the aerial (or the right type for that matter)....

    those who have had one installed of late.... what would you expect a fair price to be?

    Cheers
    Joel

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    5,773

    Default

    How long is a piece of string?
    Nobody realy wants to pay for a TV antenna. But remember a good instalation will outlast many TV's.
    It depends very much on the situation & the desired result.
    I've been out of the domestic antenna business for some time but, there have always been & always will be those who will tell you $129 or something rediculous. I don't believe you can do a dillegent job with decent hardware for a basic instalation in a good reception area for less than $250.
    Extra points, amplifiers, taller masts....... a hard job with lots of goodies could easily go $600-800 :eek:
    You need to talk to a good installer.
    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    65
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    417

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    We have a good line of sight to Black Mountain (we are high up in the suburb) and got a number of points put in. I believe it cost in the order of $250 to $300 mark. Have never regreted it as we have great reception.

    If you live in one of the suburbs that dont have good reception - you might pay more. A phone call mentioning yoiur suburb and whether you have line of sight to one of the towers (depends where you live) should give you an indication of cost.

    Cheers
    The Numbat is a small striped marsupial whose whole diet consists of termites.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Dardanup W.A.
    Age
    72
    Posts
    240

    Default

    Joel, we just went through the "what to do" bit and decided on a satellite dish.
    The dish we got for nothing from a house re-locator. They are about $20 from a salvage yard. The decoder box was $200 new (Topfield), the cable was about $20, the Free To Air card was $120 and I did the installation myself. I thought it would be a matter of try it first then pay someone, but it actually went fairly well. The only difficult part was lining up the dish, but with the aid of a military compas, a protractor and the wife watching the TV set and yelling to me we had it done in under 30 minutes.
    We are really happy with our decission as we get loads of radio stations that we have never had access to before and the obvious perfect picture. There is also the benefit of Time Shifting. If I want to watch something at a different time I just tune in to another state. (SBS and ABC only)
    Just food for thought....

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Perthish
    Posts
    82

    Default

    I Love a Happy Ending.

    Doesn't it make you feel good when you say "Bugger it. I'll give that a go!" ?

    I try and say that once a weekend. I mostly get it right, but every now and again it goes "pear-shaped". That's life, I guess.

    Good on ya.
    Ummmm, what was the question?

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    forest. tasmainia
    Age
    90
    Posts
    1,586

    Default

    My roof.
    Last edited by ptc; 30th June 2006 at 11:02 PM.
    p.t.c

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Parkdale Vic
    Age
    72
    Posts
    32

    Default

    Dear Ptrott
    what an interesting idea. Can you provide further details? Nothing illegal with your idea?
    George

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Dardanup W.A.
    Age
    72
    Posts
    240

    Default

    George, there isn't really much more to tell. Caravaners have been watching Sat. TV with dishes on their vans for years. As long as you but the Free To Air (Optus Aurora) card from a licensed retailer there is nothing ilegal about it. It is there for the public to view, and listen to.
    http://users.bigpond.net.au/goldway/tvsatellite.htm
    Check out the above web site for some info. There is plenty more on the net if you search.
    If you want to set up the dish yourself this calculator will help http://www.satsig.net/ssazelm.htm

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