TV Aerial for multiple outlets

[jimmymcfarrell]

Not the usual sort of topic of discussion I suspect however I’m confident there’s probably lots of people on here able to answer this.
I need a TV aerial for a block of bed sits serving approximately 60 outlets. The current system is all in good condition other than the aerial and it was all upgraded around the time of the digital switch over so decent double screened coax via boosters & splitters on each floor. I’m going to assume (rightly or wrongly) that this is all good, so my question is purely and simply about selecting the right aerial. The existing one is in bits having been under constant attack by seagulls however it’s taken them at least a decade to damage it to the point where it no longer works and when fitted it all worked fine.
When choosing an aerial for an installation like this is there anything I need to consider beyond the sort of thing I would normally fit in a domestic property or will that sort of aerial be sufficient for this as well. The old aerial doesn’t look any bigger than a normal domestic type one.
Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[Vinny]

If you can work out what was there originally - just replace that - it worked well enough that no-one complained.

Otherwise, ask an aerial (ideally local) specialist as it depends on SO many things to get right, daft as that may sound - just a simple mish-mash of metal twigs.

 

[jimmymcfarrell]

If you can work out what was there originally - just replace that - it worked well enough that no-one complained.

Otherwise, ask an aerial (ideally local) specialist as it depends on SO many things to get right, daft as that may sound - just a simple mish-mash of metal twigs.

That would be the sensible option yes. However as is often the case I can see my arm getting twisted to come up with some sort of solution for a replacement without the added cost of involving a sub contractor.
And if nothing else I’m curious how a professional would spec an aerial for this installation. What factors do they need to take into account and would an off the shelf solution likely be chosen or would it be made to suit?

 

[Vinny]

Subbie costs? Why? Find a local online and advice should be free.

My understanding is that every aerial is OTS, but based on local knowledge to know what to get OTS. And local knowledge counts for a great deal.

Consult a local aerial specialist - simple. design-wise, they may be, but simple in application they are not.

 

[davidsrsb]

If you can work out what was there originally - just replace that - it worked well enough that no-one complained.

Otherwise, ask an aerial (ideally local) specialist as it depends on SO many things to get right, daft as that may sound - just a simple mish-mash of metal twigs.

The frequency band used by digital TV has shrunk over the years, as the top end got handed over to cellular, so the original aerial would not be ideal now.

 

[dweezil]

If the existing launch amp and splitters are all ok just replace the aerial.

Good time to check the local transmitter specs for best orientation and aerial type.

There's not usually much benefit from anything more than a simple Yagi 18 at about £35.

Aerialsandtv provide a vast amount of info and links to transmitter specs, can be a long interesting read once you're on the site.

 

[zippy]

Being in a fringe reception area I paid for a professional install and added a 4-way splitter/amp. Works a treat and worth paying for the install instead of mucking about myself.

 

[dweezil]

Being in a fringe reception area I paid for a professional install and added a 4-way splitter/amp. Works a treat and worth paying for the install instead of mucking about myself.

I was standing in a 4 tonne forklift bucket with OH on the forklift controls learning that being surrounded by a big lump of ferrous bucket doesn't help secure a clear compass reading.

Worth paying for the install instead of mucking about myself!

Perfect signal now from Xtal Palace, 60 miles further away than our local signal but there's a big walnut tree in the wrong spot.

 

[jimmymcfarrell]

Subbie costs?

Im an electrician, I work for a maintenance company & this is a job subcontracted from another, bigger, national maintenance company on behalf of their client on behalf of a charity / local housing company. Madness I know that work in my town gets passed halfway around the country with however many people taking a share of the profits on the way before it actually gets back to the person in that town who will do the work, but that seems to be how the world works these days. So as you can see we’re already several rungs down the ladder and if it’s not something we (I) can do, we would just decline rather than look to find someone who could. Madness I know but that’s politics way beyond my pay grade.

I can certainly fit a replacement aerial of a similar (or better) type than is already there.
I remember when the digital switchover happened all the local authority flats in my town had complete new systems installed and ideally I’d source something similar however information of what was fitted isn’t easy to find.

 

[davidsrsb]

A lot of this was a scam, there is no such thing a special aerial or amplifier for digital TV and The UK has been UHF only for a very long time

 

[dweezil]

A lot of this was a scam, there is no such thing a special aerial or amplifier for digital TV and The UK has been UHF only for a very long time

Had to correct a letting agent on this, someone had him believe that all properties needed new aerials.

The old aerial i fitted in 1979 still works well.

 

[davidsrsb]

The only reason for a new aerial was for MATV systems that also distributed FM radio and now had to carry DAB

 

[jimmymcfarrell]

The only reason for a new aerial was for MATV systems that also distributed FM radio and now had to carry DAB

Is that what the other 2 aerials I often see on the mast containing the TV aerial is for. Where I’ve been paying attention to what’s fitted on blocks of flats now I’ve noticed lots have a mast with a TV aerial as well as a 2 small antennas, one that looks like 2 C’s almost forming a circle and another that’s just 2 flattened U’s forming a straight line oriented vertically (so parallel to the mast); so guessing these are for radio reception? But why 2?

 

[cctaylor]

@jimmymcfarrell My guess is the vertical aerial is for DAB. DAB is broadcast with vertical polarisation. The other aerial is probably a VHF/FM onmi-directional.


https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/fm-and-dab-radio shows a few different aerials towards the bottom of the page.

The site is also a great resource and quite he has entertaining comments about aerial installers who wear Stetsons and ride horses.