UHF freeview HD in washington valley, Nelson.

I have just put up a UHF aerial and faced it towards Mt Campbel, have tried pointing it toward Kaka hill but no dice. I seem to be getting intermittent signal, and initially could get good reception on 1 & 2 with bad 3,4, prime etc now i can't get 1 & 2 at all and the others are pretty minging.

Should I play around with my position/height some more?

Will a mast head amp help with my signal or a better aerial?

chur

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Permalink Reply by Brad Beddek on January 7, 2014 at 7:07

Thanks guys, I can't actually see Kaka.... Little hill in the way.

Permalink Reply by Brad Beddek on January 19, 2014 at 15:20

Righto, got the VHF aerial off from the top of my mast, put the UHF up the top and pointed it approx 60deg nor/east (kaka) now only picking up channel 32, which I assume is coming from kaukau in wellington?

Permalink Reply by nzdtv.com on January 19, 2014 at 15:34

Parts of Washington Valley have a signal path directly into Wellington. But there still must be something wrong if you are not easily loading all the Kaka hill transmissions.

can you post a google map location?

Do you have a VCR or any other device that use a RF modulator output? if so turn them off, in fact unplug them.

Permalink Reply by Brad Beddek on January 19, 2014 at 15:58

my cable is running alongside the cable for the satellite dish, would that affect it?

can't post a point on google maps, 147 washington road nelson is my address.

Permalink Reply by Biggles on January 19, 2014 at 16:45

Definitely must be something wrong because if you go a bit further up the road from your place you can see Kaka HIll. You should be getting a really good signal. The only CH32 near Cook Straight are Kaukau and new Plymouth, neither of which you should be able to receive. What brand and model of TV are you using? What signal strength and quality are you getting and have you tried manual tuning?

nzdtv.com said:

Parts of Washington Valley have a signal path directly into Wellington. But there still must be something wrong if you are not easily loading all the Kaka hill transmissions.

can you post a google map location?

Do you have a VCR or any other device that use a RF modulator output? if so turn them off, in fact unplug them.

Permalink Reply by Brad Beddek on January 19, 2014 at 17:21

I'm gonna call someone on monday :/

Permalink Reply by nzdtv.com on January 19, 2014 at 18:05

I have couple of those Hills antennas they are low gain and the baluns on both mine got water in them. have you looked in the balun? mine were both corrodded out.

I think it might be new antenna time..

A coathanger should get it where you are.

Permalink Reply by Brad Beddek on January 23, 2014 at 15:30

Had the professionals around..... turns out we're in a dead spot, cause we're so close to kaka and right behind a ridge we just aren't going to get UHF without a whole heap of mucking around. Aerial guy moved our satellite dish to the back of the house to help clear some tree's out the front, a new LBN and re-wired with the new cable that I bought for the UHF and bingo we have freeview. It ain't HD but at least we can vegetate in front of the tele now.

Chur for all your suggestions and blah

Permalink Reply by Biggles on January 23, 2014 at 16:44

Very interesting outcome. Just shows really unexpected bad spots in good areas do exist.

You could always move house I suppose for HD.

Permalink Reply by nzdtv.com on January 23, 2014 at 22:21

Bizzare conclusion, since you had the channels at the start.

The signal gain of that antenna you are using is pretty low. In fact as I said originally those old Hills are useless you should have no problem with a better antenna? which installer did you use? and why have they put you onto the low quality satellite service when a better antenna would sort it.

Permalink Reply by Biggles on January 24, 2014 at 9:58

I agree. The antenna you have is useless for a fringe area. Certainly seems worthwhile perservering to try and get UHF HD. I would think that one of these antennae which are designed to work in your conditions would be OK. Might still need to find a "sweet" spot on your roof though. You also have two transmitters to try for.

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/large-phased-array-aerial-freeview-p-...

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/large-triple-folding-structure-aerial...