Freeview aerial comparison

[DIYspanner]

Which is likely to provide a better signal output for a given transmitted Freeview signal?

The Raptor log-periodic OR this tri boom.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Which is likely to provide a better signal output for a given transmitted Freeview signal?

The Raptor log-periodic OR this tri boom.

Reading the data, this tri boom.

 

[DIYspanner]

I was considering running a cable for an upstairs TV but a signal splitter, even just two way, reduces the signal out to 50% of that from the aerial.

Considering the price of decent signal amplifiers, may as well get a 2nd aerial so each TV has its own signal. Stacked vertically, I believe 2ft spacing between the two for horizontal polarization.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I was considering running a cable for an upstairs TV but a signal splitter, even just two way, reduces the signal out to 50% of that from the aerial.

No, worse than that..

Considering the price of decent signal amplifiers, may as well get a 2nd aerial so each TV has its own signal. Stacked vertically, I believe 2ft spacing between the two for horizontal polarization.

Twice as many antennas, means twice as much chance of one failing, apart from looking uglier. Next door obviously has four outlets, because they have four TV antenna on the roof. I have the option of up to 8 outlets, from my distribution amp, but only 5 are in use, all fed from the one antenna.

 

[endecotp]

a signal splitter, even just two way, reduces the signal out to 50% of that from the aerial.

Unless you have very low signal strength where you are, it will be fine.

The RF input circuitry just amplifies the signal to the level it needs.

 

[flameport]

The Raptor log-periodic OR this tri boom.

Both will receive signals.

The difference is when a slight breeze arrives.

The Raptor will be fine.
The other mess will be ripped down in seconds and destroyed, along with the car it falls onto.

Those tri boom affairs are novelty pieces sold to the gullible who believe that lots of extra metal parts at jaunty angles are a good thing.

 

[Lucid]

Which is likely to provide a better signal output for a given transmitted Freeview signal?

The Raptor log-periodic OR this tri boom.

On paper, the tri-boom, but real world it'll be different.

Aerials such as the tri-boom have peaky gain. That means the highest gain is usually in a narrow frequency band somewhere towards the upper end of the frequency range. If some of your local muxes are lower in the band then you won't be getting "12dB" gain.

Secondly, "12dB" is a vague spec. It should be either dBi or dBd. The difference is theoretical vs real world. The dBi measure is theoretical. The dBd measure is real world. dBi gives the higher figure, and so marketing people ue that because bigger looks better, right? The thing is that the aerial will never achieve it. It requires reception characteristics that no one can ever achieve in a real installation. Your "12dB" aerial is really a "9.8dB" gain aerial, but only at X MHz.

More importantly, a £16 tri-boom mounted outside is going to last you about 18 months before bits start dropping off it. If you live near the coast, call it 12 months. They're junk.

The Raptor aerial isn't your best choice either. It is designed for the frequency range we used before the 700MHz clearance. It still picks up from 700 to 800MHz. The LTE filtering doesn't start until 800MHz. We now use UHF channels C21 to C48 (474~690MHz). The Unispectra aerial goes up to UHF channel C60 (786MHz). If you have local 4G/5G phone masts using 700~790MHz then the Raptor will pick up this as interference.

If you want the strongest signal, go shop at Aerials and TV (ATV). Get a Log from them. They test the brands and only stock the best.

 

[Rodders53]

Location Location Location
Already asked for by me in your cable thread ...

Signal prediction tools allow estimates of signal levels. Then gain/loss calculations can be done.

From that we can see if a 6-8 dBd gain log periodic will suffice outside (or with roof materials losses as you seemed to be suggesting in that cable thread...)

And you already had a 12dB gain aerial in that loft!!!

Bangs head on wall.

My Televes DAT45 triboom worked fine and nearly pulled in the local TV mux for Norwich ex Tacolneston, when I lived in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft. The Televes were built like tanks.

 

[DIYspanner]

I get my TV signal from Pontop. According to Freeview for my post code, all channels from Pontop have good signal.

I've read that a loft aerial can expect a 30% reduction in signal strength compare to an outside mount.

 

[ericmark]

The Raptor log-periodic

I know on the Falklands we did have problems with Raptors and aerials, a standard UK aerial will not stand two Johnny Rooks (Cara Cara birds) fighting on the aerial, so we had to build our own Raptor proof aerials, often ½ inch pipe, folded dipole in a yagi beam. But here in the UK I have not as yet seen the likes of red-tailed kites fighting on aerials. Would be a great photographic opportunity.

In the UK however the winds do seem to be getting higher, and we need to consider wind resistance, not just for the aerial but for damage it can do to whatever the aerial is connected to. The same goes for weight of snow.

So if you need Raptor proof aerials, then a loft aerial if it will work, does seem a better idea, as to for how long we will need aerials is something else I must freely admit I do not use freeview any more, freely seems to have taken over.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

But here in the UK I have not as yet seen the likes of red-tailed kites fighting on aerials. Would be a great photographic opportunity.

Lots of them around here, there is always one or two, every time you look up. They only appear to land, in local trees, never see them on rooftops, or antennas.

 

[ericmark]

Lots of them around here, there is always one or two, every time you look up. They only appear to land, in local trees, never see them on rooftops, or antennas.

Yes loads around here, they follow the local steam heritage railway as it frightens wild life causing it to run, the veranda on the carriages

allows one to watch their antics as the train travels, unless you travel first class, those carriages don't have a veranda. I assume your talking about red-tailed kites? Not seen the Johnny Rook in the UK, they like a laugh, yes a bird with a sense of humour, they will steal fencing tools, cameras, or anything else left unguarded, just for the fun of the chase, if you fail to chase them, they get fed up and leave it.