Digital info re TV

[Dot]

I can't seem to find the right link for info on the digital info for TV's.
I would like to know,What do you do if you have just an ordinary antenna but a dig tv?

[RussellB[SA]]

I can't seem to find the right link for info on the digital info for TV's.
I would like to know,What do you do if you have just an ordinary antenna but a dig tv?

From my understanding there's buggy all difference unless you selling them. The transmission frequency doesn't change just because the signal is digital..

My two bobs worth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[BruceS]

Yes I agree with you Russell.
In fact in our town I've noticed that the height of the antenna's aren't anywhere near as high as they used to be. Everone is pulling them 60ft towers down.
Depends on your existing one I guess. If it's an old 1960 job it'll probably need replacing. (corrosion, bird poop etc etc)
Are you talking house or MH Dot?

[Dot]

The "for sale" one Bruce, shall get G to check things out re poop and rust etc. Thanks fellas

[oldtrack123]

Hi

Actually there are differences
Signal strength is the key factor
Many in marginal reception areas will find that while the old antenna MAY have been OK just a bit of poor quality at times.
With digital you may completely loose the signal ,with nasty sounds, squeals etc occurring eact time.
Some who got ALL the analogue stations ok could find they need a NEW high gain/strength Digital Antenna

Generally the signal will lock on or it will drop completely out but will even be weather dependent.
Good heavy rain between you & the transmitter can wipe out a signal completely.


PeterQ

[Dot]

So that means someone has to have a look so I have sent an email off to the local lad to come when he is able to do a job. Thanks

[TassyJim]

Dot,
TV antennas are designed for specific frequencies (or a range of frequencies).
That means that an antenna which suits one area might be useless at receiving channels in a different location.

When we went digital, the big chiefs tried to keep the channels for digital close to the old analogue one so we wont have to get a new antenna.
In some areas, this is not the case and new antennas nay be required.
The big chiefs also decided that new TV's have better receivers and the coaxial cable that is used now is much better that the stuff from 20 years ago so the signal strength needed for acceptable reception is lower.
This is not good news for those who were stretching things to get good analogue signals.

Now that the change to Digital is nearly over, there are more changes happening.
Most reception areas will have some of the digital channels changed to bring all the channels close together. This will make designing antennas easier (and cheaper). You will still have to be sure to get the correct antenna for your area and for the MH, you will still need an "all band" antenna.

Picking a town at random - Strathalbyn

The digital channels are all spaced close ch 41 to ch 45 and vertically polarized.
Strathalbyn is one of the lucky areas when the channels will NOT change again.
Residents who live a bit out of town might have better luck receiving Adelaide TV which is all VHF and horizontally polarized. (VHF means big antennas but good for long range)
Horizontal means more places for the crows to perch.

The two antennas are very different in design and the different polarity would mean there is little chance of using the same antenna for both.

Jim

[BruceS]

For Dot & others reading this take notice of Jim's comments & make sure you get his wonderful little program that his signature links to. It is VERY valuable information for most of us that may be in strange areas at times.
When we first got Digital in our home area most new antennas sold & installed were the ones like this.

pointant.jpg

After a while it became accepted that these square looking ones were much better..... especially if they pointed 10-15 degrees upwards into the air a bit.

squreant.jpg

[Dot]

And thank you Jim for totally scrambling this old girls grey matter "a tad more", I shall get the old fella to read and head after he finishes clearing all the "JUNK" I have sorted from around his shed.

[Greynomad]

Jim,
With the iPad, iPhone and Macs being so popular OTR these days, is there any chance of a Mac version of your Nomad's Almanac in the near future?