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Atmospherics (merged) (Part 3) |
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#1251 |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
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Quote:
Hi Jack,
No, 96.6Mhz is busy here in Lincoln, due to Heart Northampton being on that frequency. Your friend won't receive UHF TV on an FM3, because that is designed for Band II (87.5Mhz-108.0Mhz). He'll need a high-gain UHF aerial. When a "lift" is on, UHF TV reception from Bilsdale gets all over the UK. In times gone by, The Channel Isles transmitter used to receive ITV from Stockland Hill (Devon) and re-broadcast it. On occasions, Bilsdale (on the same frequencies) used to cause co-channel interference with incoming signals from Stockland Hill. Digital TV can travel long distances. I have received German TV, here in Lincoln -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxR7PLeMbPo Of course, with digital TV, it's a case of all or nothing (digital cliff effect), so reception is either perfect or non-existent. Good luck with your 4 metre pole. It will certainly improve reception during "flat" conditions. If you keep to vertical polarization, you'll most likely receive The Netherlands and Belgium. Try 102.7Mhz RADIO538 from The Netherlands (Lopik) or 95.7Mhz Radio 1 from Belgium (Egem). Chris. I did hear from another friend in Lincoln that TFM was receivable there, I didn't receive it when I went there myself but I've heard that it is possible. Didn't think you'd get Heart Northampton from there. Are you able to receive Heart Bedfordshire on 96.9 or is Viking too strong? Good video there about the German TV being received, I know it's possible but very hard. I have never had any foreign channels on TV - Digital or Analogue! Here in Billingham I have received VRT R1 on 95.7 and I also received it up on the White Cliffs in Dover, Kent. 102.7 is going to be hard because we have Star Radio on 102.8 up here, although it's not local so it should be easy enough to null out. I'll have a search anyway, see what I can find. I am hoping to have my tuner modified soon with more narrow filters so once that's done and I have the 4m pole set up it should make good DXing. |
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#1252 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln (Belmont/Waltham TXs)
Posts: 2,344
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Quote:
I didn't think he would get TV on that antenna as I know about it being tuned to 87.5 to 108. Still, he wants an antenna like mine now because I received RTL 102.5 yesterday. Only problem is he lives in a flat so he couldn't put an antenna up, which is a shame because I think from some parts of Tonbridge you can receive French radio in flat conditions.
I did hear from another friend in Lincoln that TFM was receivable there, I didn't receive it when I went there myself but I've heard that it is possible. Didn't think you'd get Heart Northampton from there. Are you able to receive Heart Bedfordshire on 96.9 or is Viking too strong? Good video there about the German TV being received, I know it's possible but very hard. I have never had any foreign channels on TV - Digital or Analogue! Here in Billingham I have received VRT R1 on 95.7 and I also received it up on the White Cliffs in Dover, Kent. 102.7 is going to be hard because we have Star Radio on 102.8 up here, although it's not local so it should be easy enough to null out. I'll have a search anyway, see what I can find. I am hoping to have my tuner modified soon with more narrow filters so once that's done and I have the 4m pole set up it should make good DXing. I'm not hearing anything on 96.6Mhz, I guess because both TFM and Heart Northampton are battling it out. I hear Real Radio on 100.7Mhz, even though my outside aerial doesn't point north! You're right about 96.9Mhz, all I hear is Viking. I have a preset for BBC R2 88.6Mhz stored on my Blaupunkt Casablanca CD52 radio. This is for a transmitter near Sandy Heath, called Bow Brickhill. I believe 96.9Mhz Heart Bedfordshire comes from Sandy Heath. During "lifts" I sometimes receive digital TV from Sandy Heath. Very often I'm alerted to this because of enhanced reception from Bow Brickhill BBC R2. Here's a picture of both FM (3 element, horizontal) and UHF (multi-element, vertical) aerials I use. They are non-rotatable -> http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...6/100_3027.jpg (Photo taken on a cold and frosty February day, this year). The FM aerial is is pointing at Lille, France, roughly south-south-east. Reception on 94.7Mhz (BLUENORD) & 98.0Mhz (CULTURE) is available on most days, even in "flat" conditions. The TV aerial is pointing south-east, towards The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. It was using this aerial that I received the German station shown in my previous link. Chris. |
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#1253 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Hi Jack,
I'm not hearing anything on 96.6Mhz, I guess because both TFM and Heart Northampton are battling it out. I hear Real Radio on 100.7Mhz, even though my outside aerial doesn't point north! You're right about 96.9Mhz, all I hear is Viking. I have a preset for BBC R2 88.6Mhz stored on my Blaupunkt Casablanca CD52 radio. This is for a transmitter near Sandy Heath, called Bow Brickhill. I believe 96.9Mhz Heart Bedfordshire comes from Sandy Heath. During "lifts" I sometimes receive digital TV from Sandy Heath. Very often I'm alerted to this because of enhanced reception from Bow Brickhill BBC R2. Here's a picture of both FM (3 element, horizontal) and UHF (multi-element, vertical) aerials I use. They are non-rotatable -> http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...6/100_3027.jpg (Photo taken on a cold and frosty February day, this year). The FM aerial is is pointing at Lille, France, roughly south-south-east. Reception on 94.7Mhz (BLUENORD) & 98.0Mhz (CULTURE) is available on most days, even in "flat" conditions. The TV aerial is pointing south-east, towards The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. It was using this aerial that I received the German station shown in my previous link. Chris. Was it ever possible to get 103.7 from Lille? I think that's Inter. I know Lincoln City Radio is on 103.6 now so it would be impossible in your location now I guess. |
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#1254 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between wigan and St Helens
Posts: 1,942
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Quote:
Hi Jim,
You can't put an absolute figure to it which is probably why no one has answered. There are a number of factors - one is how much power the station puts into the 57kHz sub-carrier - another is how clean the signal is. There is a pirate on 87.5 MHz which gives RDS on a very low signal whereas at other times strong DX signals just don't respond. For me a general rule of thumb is that if the signal is noise free mono it ought to produce an RDS code on RDSspy and using a computer software interface to the tuner will give you better sensitivity than that of the tuner. David Sittingbourne I agree with Dave there's a Manchester pirate Blitz fm and that RDS's on a noisy signal where the BBC/Commercial stations need a lot more signal before RDS comes through. A tuner modified for RDSspy will as Dave has said produce a PI code before the receiver will. Andy |
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#1255 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln (Belmont/Waltham TXs)
Posts: 2,344
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Quote:
Love that photo, but looks cold! I find it interesting you're able to get France Bleu on 94.7, it's a decent station actually, I've been able to listen on tropo here in Billingham and also when I was in Dover, plus I can hear France Bleu on 864 Medium Wave at night. I might receive it when I put my antenna up on a high pole but not sure as I am probably more blocked by the North York moors.
Was it ever possible to get 103.7 from Lille? I think that's Inter. I know Lincoln City Radio is on 103.6 now so it would be impossible in your location now I guess. Despite the North York Moors being in the way, I reckon you'll still be able to receive Lille, especially during Tropo. You'll need the aerial to be horizontally polarized though. With the aerial in H polarization, you could try for Langenberg, Germany on 106.7Mhz (1Live), as that gets out pretty well. It's not so easy for me, because of Smooth Radio 106.6Mhz from Waltham, knocking on its door. Even though I've modified my Sony ST-SB920 with narrow filters, it's a tall order to receive stations that are only 100Khz away. My best radio for selectivity is a Blaupunkt Casablanca CD52 (with SHARX). This allows me to hear Lille (CULTURE) 98.0Mhz, next to Sutton Coldfield (RADIO 1) 97.9Mhz. Although LCR is only 12 Watts on 103.6Mhz, it's so close (1.5 miles away), that I can forget Lille on 103.7Mhz. I've only lived in Lincoln for a couple of years, so don't know what reception of 103.7Mhz was like before LCR started. In very strong Tropo I have received Lille (MUSIQUE)? 88.7Mhz, next to (local) Belmont (BBC R2) 88.8Mhz, using my Blaupunkt! Chris. |
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#1256 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Hi Jack,
Despite the North York Moors being in the way, I reckon you'll still be able to receive Lille, especially during Tropo. You'll need the aerial to be horizontally polarized though. With the aerial in H polarization, you could try for Langenberg, Germany on 106.7Mhz (1Live), as that gets out pretty well. It's not so easy for me, because of Smooth Radio 106.6Mhz from Waltham, knocking on its door. Even though I've modified my Sony ST-SB920 with narrow filters, it's a tall order to receive stations that are only 100Khz away. My best radio for selectivity is a Blaupunkt Casablanca CD52 (with SHARX). This allows me to hear Lille (CULTURE) 98.0Mhz, next to Sutton Coldfield (RADIO 1) 97.9Mhz. Although LCR is only 12 Watts on 103.6Mhz, it's so close (1.5 miles away), that I can forget Lille on 103.7Mhz. I've only lived in Lincoln for a couple of years, so don't know what reception of 103.7Mhz was like before LCR started. In very strong Tropo I have received Lille (MUSIQUE)? 88.7Mhz, next to (local) Belmont (BBC R2) 88.8Mhz, using my Blaupunkt! Chris. Well earlier this evening I braved the rain and wind and put my antenna into vertical, pointing south east directly towards to Egem, Belgium. I didn't get anything from there but I have a fairly clear, listenable signal from Lincs FM at 102.2. I think I also had R2 on 88.8 earlier from Belmont. Just checked and I am getting R2 at 88.8. I am quite impressed so far anyway, hopefully I'll get RDS when I get the antenna on the 4m pole. 106.7 is going to be hard as we also get Star Radio on 106.8, hopefully I can null that out. I wish I could null out 103.2 actually which is also Star Radio as I want to try and get Invicta FM/Heart Kent on 103.1. Forgot to mention about your video, that channel was WDR, I can get that on my satellite dish at 19.2 East. |
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#1257 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between wigan and St Helens
Posts: 1,942
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Quote:
Hi Chris,
106.7 is going to be hard as we also get Star Radio on 106.8, hopefully I can null that out. I wish I could null out 103.2 actually which is also Star Radio as I want to try and get Invicta FM/Heart Kent on 103.1. Forgot to mention about your video, that channel was WDR, I can get that on my satellite dish at 19.2 East. Good luck with the 4 M pole I hope it's a scaff pole. Andy |
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#1258 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Isn't Star radio is on 107.9 as I receive it during tropo since Dune fm went off air.
Good luck with the 4 M pole I hope it's a scaff pole. Andy 4m pole is a ground mount, I'll need to get some guy cables to make sure it doesn't topple over in windy weather. I am hoping to try and receive BBC Suffolk on 103.9 at some point. |
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#1259 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 201
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Quote:
I agree with Dave there's a Manchester pirate Blitz fm and that RDS's on a noisy signal where the BBC/Commercial stations need a lot more signal before RDS comes through.
A tuner modified for RDSspy will as Dave has said produce a PI code before the receiver will. Andy So it's very much "how long is a piece of string" scenario then. I'm not using a conventional receiver - I am using a communications reciever (Icom R8500) which then feeds a several Mhz wide signal centred on 10.7Mhz on it's IF out port. This in turn feeds a software-defined radio, which sends 1.3Mhz of bandwidth to my PC in I/Q (digital) form where I can see the whole bit of spectrum at once and tune on any part of it decoding in a variety of modes including WFM. Some decoding software has an RDS decoding facility where I can see the PI code. Thanks again |
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#1260 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln (Belmont/Waltham TXs)
Posts: 2,344
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Radio Australia 11.945 Mhz
Hi folks,
Since there isn't any Band II FM radio or UHF TV DX, I decided to have a tune around the Short Wave band. The Equinoxes are the best times of year to get good reception from the other side of the world. Here's what I received this morning at 08:00 BST and 09:00 BST -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GJhGkG8Hw0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLLdYDo5iLw Chris. |
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#1261 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln (Belmont/Waltham TXs)
Posts: 2,344
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Quote:
Hi Chris,
Well earlier this evening I braved the rain and wind and put my antenna into vertical, pointing south east directly towards to Egem, Belgium. I didn't get anything from there but I have a fairly clear, listenable signal from Lincs FM at 102.2. I think I also had R2 on 88.8 earlier from Belmont. Just checked and I am getting R2 at 88.8. I am quite impressed so far anyway, hopefully I'll get RDS when I get the antenna on the 4m pole. 106.7 is going to be hard as we also get Star Radio on 106.8, hopefully I can null that out. I wish I could null out 103.2 actually which is also Star Radio as I want to try and get Invicta FM/Heart Kent on 103.1. Forgot to mention about your video, that channel was WDR, I can get that on my satellite dish at 19.2 East. When I checked for any DX last night, the conditions were as "flat" as a pancake, so I wouldn't expect that you'd receive anything from Europe on FM Band II. I wasn't even getting my usual suspect (Lille). I'm sure that putting your aerial on a 4 metre pole will help, especially during "flat" conditions. Yes, I can get WDR on 19.2 E as well, but that's cheating .Chris. |
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#1262 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Hi Jack,
When I checked for any DX last night, the conditions were as "flat" as a pancake, so I wouldn't expect that you'd receive anything from Europe on FM Band II. I wasn't even getting my usual suspect (Lille). I'm sure that putting your aerial on a 4 metre pole will help, especially during "flat" conditions. Yes, I can get WDR on 19.2 E as well, but that's cheating .Chris. |
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#1263 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NW England
Posts: 6,792
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Quote:
My 4 meter pole has arrived.
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#1264 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Whitchurch, Hampshire, England
Posts: 4,323
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How are you setting up the pole Jack? Is it just going to be used from ground level or will it be roof-mounted?
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#1265 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
I bet that was an exciting delivery. Did the delivery driver have a big smile on his face?
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How are you setting up the pole Jack? Is it just going to be used from ground level or will it be roof-mounted?
So far I am impressed with the new results. I can get Lincs FM on 102.2 with the RDS coming in and out, Viking FM and BBC Humberside also get RDS. Pictures are on my website gallery: http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=159 http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=160 http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=161 http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=162 |
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#1266 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln (Belmont/Waltham TXs)
Posts: 2,344
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Alert - Elements Wrong Way Round!
Quote:
LOL! it was left with the neighbours! I was at college!!!
I've set it up on the ground as I want to take it out in the caravan. However the part of the garden where I have set it up is slightly higher than the rest of the garden. I'll upload some pictures. So far I am impressed with the new results. I can get Lincs FM on 102.2 with the RDS coming in and out, Viking FM and BBC Humberside also get RDS. Pictures are on my website gallery: http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=159 http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=160 http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=161 http://jack-bromby.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=162 You have your FM3 elements the wrong way round. The "Director" (smallest) should be nearest to the "Dipole" (loop). The "Reflector" (longest) should be at the opposite end to where it is now. This is how Matt (FMbandscan) had his FM3, until I told him about it. He's noticed an improvement in reception since the elements were attached correctly. The correctly assembled aerial should look like this -> http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...6/TriaxFM3.jpg You should notice a great improvement in reception. The aerial needs to have the shortest element directed towards the transmitter, once you've correctly assembled it. Chris. |
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#1267 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Jack,
You have your FM3 elements the wrong way round. The "Director" (smallest) should be nearest to the "Dipole" (loop). The "Reflector" (longest) should be at the opposite end to where it is now. This is how Matt (FMbandscan) had his FM3, until I told him about it. He's noticed an improvement in reception since the elements were attached correctly. The correctly assembled aerial should look like this -> http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...6/TriaxFM3.jpg You should notice a great improvement in reception. The aerial needs to have the shortest element directed towards the transmitter, once you've correctly assembled it. Chris. lol. Well it's a bit late to be doing it now so tomorrow after college I will put the elements on the right way round and then see if there's any improvements. If this is how it works now then I look forward to seeing how it works when I fix it.
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#1268 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between wigan and St Helens
Posts: 1,942
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Quote:
107.9 is for Cambridgeshire, but we have one in the North East, well we have several frequencies for it in the NE. 102.3, 102.8 103.2, 103.5, 106.8 it's crazy having all them frequencies.
4m pole is a ground mount, I'll need to get some guy cables to make sure it doesn't topple over in windy weather. I am hoping to try and receive BBC Suffolk on 103.9 at some point. I have to agree it is crazy for one station hogging all those frequencies. Andy |
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#1269 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lincoln (Belmont/Waltham TXs)
Posts: 2,344
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Quote:
Oh I am such an idiot
lol. Well it's a bit late to be doing it now so tomorrow after college I will put the elements on the right way round and then see if there's any improvements. If this is how it works now then I look forward to seeing how it works when I fix it.Don't worry, I don't think Triax show instructions of the constructed aerial. I just know from experience, regarding which elements go where. The improvements you'll notice are -> 1) More gain when the aerial is correctly directed to a wanted transmitter. 2) Better nulling of unwanted transmitters (from a different direction). Cheers for now, Chris. |
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#1270 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom
Posts: 848
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Quote:
Oh I am such an idiot
lol. Well it's a bit late to be doing it now so tomorrow after college I will put the elements on the right way round and then see if there's any improvements. If this is how it works now then I look forward to seeing how it works when I fix it.As Chris said, don't worry I did exactly the same thing as you, but you will definitely notice a difference when you get them the right way round!
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#1271 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
Hi Jack,
Don't worry, I don't think Triax show instructions of the constructed aerial. I just know from experience, regarding which elements goes where. The improvements you'll notice are -> 1) More gain when the aerial is correctly directed to a wanted transmitter. 2) Better nulling of unwanted transmitters (from a different direction). Cheers for now, Chris. I wondered why Yorkshire Coast wasn't coming in on 103.1, Star Radio on 103.2 was too strong I could hear Y Coast but it was bad signal. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow correctly ![]() Still got Lincs FM coming in on 102.2, crystal clear. It's a decent station actually. |
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#1272 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between wigan and St Helens
Posts: 1,942
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Quote:
Oh I am such an idiot
lol. Well it's a bit late to be doing it now so tomorrow after college I will put the elements on the right way round and then see if there's any improvements. If this is how it works now then I look forward to seeing how it works when I fix it.I rerouted my aerial cables on Saturday day and when I was connecting the 3 fm cables to the tuners the last would not work I found out I had got the wrong cable it was an unused one that goes to the tv area. As I keep being told I have too many cables in here but since I put 2 extra cables in I can have my Satellite cables back for satellite use. Andy |
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#1273 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom
Posts: 848
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Quote:
Still got Lincs FM coming in on 102.2, crystal clear. It's a decent station actually.
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#1274 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Billingham, Teesside
Posts: 878
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Quote:
No your not an idiot you just made a mistake as we all do from time to time and you will see an improvement when it's put right .
I rerouted my aerial cables on Saturday day and when I was connecting the 3 fm cables to the tuners the last would not work I found out I had got the wrong cable it was an unused one that goes to the tv area. As I keep being told I have too many cables in here but since I put 2 extra cables in I can have my Satellite cables back for satellite use. Andy Quote:
Tell me I didn't just read that please!!!
![]() ![]() it just seems to be play alot of the songs that I like.
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#1275 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Between wigan and St Helens
Posts: 1,942
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Quote:
True, it's through mistakes how we learn.
Wow it's actually stopped raining here after 2 days solid heavy rain. Andy |
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lol. Well it's a bit late to be doing it now so tomorrow after college I will put the elements on the right way round and then see if there's any improvements. If this is how it works now then I look forward to seeing how it works when I fix it.
