Can any one advise please Phased array or Tripple folding structure?

Can any one advise please Phased array or Tripple folding structure?
We have just moved in to a property that has a sat dish set up.. I can see many uhf aerials on neighbours places but note they also have sat dishes on very house so I don't hold much confidence any of them are using UHF..
My closest neighbour said he had a crap reception when he tried UHF.

We are behind a hill and have no line of sight. When I enter address in here http://www.freeviewnz.tv/coverage
It says I should get coverage.
when I first tried using a triple folding structure type aerial, I got nothing.

Since then I have extended my aerial from 2m's to 3.6m's
I have added a masthead amplifier.

Now Im told I have the wrong aerial. I am told I need a phased array which would be best for my situation where there is no line of site. Should I take my new aerial back and go out and buy a new Phased array one before assembling it to see what happens?

Any advice please?

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 13:27

According to this I have been sold the wrong aerial.

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/aerial-guide-i-49.html

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 13:29

I just want to make it clear. I have not tried getting a reception since I have added mast head amp and extended my aerial up to 3.6m.. I am just wondering whether I stick with the aerial I have now, or swap it for a phased array before attempting to get it working? cheers..

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on March 23, 2015 at 13:42

Whereabouts in Auckland are you and which Transmitter is your antenna pointing at? There aren't many places in Auckland where you won't be able to receive UHF. Obviously it's best to try with the antenna you have first as it should probably work. The extra height probably makes no difference but you may need to get a Pro in with the right gear to figure out the best antenna to use and it's best location if you really are in a poor signal area.

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 13:51

Im in a gully, just behind the crest of a hill out of line of sight of the Waitakere transmitter.. (in Glenfield) , and am aiming at the Waitakere transmitter.
Same direction as all my neighbours.

I have no faith in installers. I keep being told to follow what the neighbours do. but if its not working for them, then whats the point in following them..

I have used google earth to verfy and work out exactly where my aerial needs to be pointing, and have had a tech check the best spot ( he walked all over the roof with his tester)

So all should be good to go if its going to work. I have even bought new cable.. But am told by the manufacturer of phased array, that this is the aerial I should be using.. Not the one I am currently trying to use. Can anyone tell me, how much of a difference will using a phased array make??????

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 14:13

This here states quite clearly I need to go phased array.. I cant understand why no techs recommend this aerial with my set up.. Only people who have said it was the one to be using is the manufacturers.. Who's right?

http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/aerial-guide-i-49.html

One of my issues Is I want to go back to the co that sold me this aerial and tell them they sold me the wrong one, and that I want a refund. But I want to be sure of my facts first.. Hope that makes sense guys..

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on March 23, 2015 at 14:28

In that case I'd be inclined to go with the phased array plus masthead amp. The difference between the two is basically the phased array is a wide beam so gathers in more signal whereas the triple fold is possibly higher gain but narrow beam which makes it harder to work behind obstacles. Depending on your exact location you may possibly get a signal from Pinehill?

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 14:36

cheers... Will a phased array give a lesser quality picture.. I just wonder why if they are so great, every one doenst use them instead of the other types they use?

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 17:02

Also, if I need a phased array, which one.. Appears there are different one's with different db - gains or what ever that is.. Do I buy the cheap ones or do I look at buying the more expensive ones, the ones off trademe, the ones from Jaycars? What model? what am I looking for? Does size make a difference, should I buy the physically biggest I can find..
?

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 18:23

There has been something that has really been bugging me about phased array. Finally figured out what it was.. What is the trade off? Why isn't it used all the time in all situations if it is so great at picking up reception. There must be some sort of trade off? Anyone know the answer to this?

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on March 23, 2015 at 19:12

The quality of the picture is the same no matter what antenna you use. With digital TV you either get an HD picture or you don't. Unlike analogue where the quality varies with signal strength and outside influence such as reflections causing ghosting.

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Permalink Reply by Edster on March 23, 2015 at 20:05

cheers, and this says that phased arrays are really no good with digital TV's.. Might bite the bullet and get up and try the uhf that I currently have.. If what you are saying is the case Biggles, then I might as well try it first.. If it works then it works..

http://www.communications.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/222833...

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Permalink Reply by Biggles on March 23, 2015 at 21:52

Well that's not quite what it say's. They are still good for UHF digital in hilly terrain and with obstructed signal paths. Over in OZ most Cities don't suffer the same problems with hills obstructing signals like in NZ. Something to do with the lack of Volcanoes I guess. Don't forget also that OZ still uses VHF as well as UHF for Digital TV and NZ uses only UHF. The main reason for using Phased Arrays is to make use of the wider signal capture area to overcome the path obstacles. There's actually quite a few in my area (Birkdale) where they have line of sight with Waiatarua. The article is correct though regarding quality. It's not the signal strength that matters but the quality of the signal. With analogue it was only strength that mattered.