Dome aerial

[Pocster]

You can tell it’s Sunday as I think about a multitude of things !

I don’t want a traditional roof Aerial . AFAIK I can’t put one in my loft as the foil backed celotex will not help a signal .

 

looking at this type of thing 

 

https://www.diy.com/departments/tristar-outdoor-dome-digital-tv-aerial/571249_BQ.prd?ds_rl=1272379&ds_rl=1272409&ds_rl=1272379&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6N6FzcLW5wIVCbrtCh24SQHREAQYBSABEgImvPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Are they any good ? . Presume unlike a traditional aerial you don’t orientate - just plug in and go ?????

Edited February 16, 2020 by pocster

[ProDave]

What sort of signal strength do you get?  You can only try it and see but it will be nowhere near as good as a proper aerial.

[Pocster]

Just now, ProDave said:

What sort of signal strength do you get?  You can only try it and see but it will be nowhere near as good as a proper aerial.

No idea ! . The house next door ( which we use to own ) needed a booster ...

Might take a punt . Stick it on a long stick and see if signal is stronger at front / rear or side of property .

[Temp]

Never tried one. However Aerial theory was one of my courses at university some 40 years ago (which means I've forgotten most of it!).

 

An awful lot depends on where you are in relation to the transmitter and if there are any local conditions that need special measures. If the transmitter is close and in line of sight a small conventional (cheaper) aerial might be all you need.

 

First thing I noticed is that it has a built in amplifier/booster. That's not necessarily a good thing because amplifiers not only amplify the wanted signal but they add noise and amplify unwanted signals. It probably needs an amplifier to make up for its small size.

 

The normal rules of aerial selection...

 

Right type and size of aerial.

Pointed in the right direction.

As high as necessary/possible.

 

Then if that doesn't work perfectly then address the reason why. For example if the signal is weak  a bigger or higher aerial is the first thing to try. Only if you cannot fit a bigger/higher aerial should you use an amplifier. If the problem is interference from another transmitter then you might need a more directional aerial (high gain in the direction of the wanted transmitter and low gain in the direction of the unwanted transmitter.

 

There is a lot to be said for finding a local aerial installer with a lot of experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pocster]

Punted for 30 quid - can always return .

Stay tuned ( groan ? )

[Temp]

Good source of info is this site. 

 

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/planning-your-install

 

Possibly too much info. 

 

As a starting point they suggest a Log36..

 https://www.aerialsandtv.com/product/log-36-aerial-pre-wired-c-w-1ft-of-self-amalg-tape

or Yagi..

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/product/yagi-18k-aerial

 

With the elements either horizontal or vertical to suit the transmitter (most are horizontal).

 

Perhaps try the post code checker here and then scroll down and select detailed view. 

 

https://www.freeview.co.uk/help

 

Which transmitter(s) does it suggest? How far away?

Signal strength Good/Green? 

Bearing to transmitter? Check any trees or buildings in that direction?

 

[Pocster]

5 minutes ago, Temp said:

Good source of info is this site. 

 

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/planning-your-install

 

Possibly too much info. 

 

As a starting point they suggest a Log36..

 https://www.aerialsandtv.com/product/log-36-aerial-pre-wired-c-w-1ft-of-self-amalg-tape

or Yagi..

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/product/yagi-18k-aerial

 

With the elements either horizontal or vertical to suit the transmitter (most are horizontal).

 

Perhaps try the post code checker here and then scroll down and select detailed view. 

 

https://www.freeview.co.uk/help

 

Which transmitter(s) does it suggest? How far away?

Signal strength Good/Green? 

Bearing to transmitter? Check any trees or buildings in that direction?

 

The freeview checker suggests it’s good . Though a 2 storey build ; 1 level is below ground so ‘height’ might be an issue .

[Onoff]

+1 on aerialsandtv. 

 

I went with a specific Band A Yagi here in the end. Vastly superior to the "WB", wideband tat you get from the DIY sheds. If you're in a weak or fringe area I'd go band specific everytime. Just check what your transmitter puts out. 

 

Mind I've made a few aerials along the way. My favourite is the corner reflector/ trough antenna. Still got 2 neighbours running on these that I made, one in sheet ali and one in galv mesh. Can integrate well on a gable end with just the top and bottom "wings" and dipole visible. Windage can be a problem. The ones I've done are horizontally polarized to suit the transmitter.

 

 

I'm unfortunate being at the lowest elevation of all of us. My Yagi is on a pole about 100' from the house if not more.

[MAB]

Using some quality cable made all the difference to the poor signal from my loft aerial.....WF100 / CT100 grade of cable and not the standard stuff sold in DIY stores:-

(other colours also available)

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/product/black-cable

https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/cable-connectors-and-leads/the-three-main-types-of-coax-cable#copper-foil-satellite-grade-cable