Thread: Which VHF anrenna?

I just checked the myswitch.digitalready site and to say its bloody confusing is putting it mildly.
According to the site, that antenna you show is totally wrong because the information shows that SBS is HORIZONTAL and everything else is VERTICAL and your antenna is currently Horizontal.
That needs sorting for a start before you do anything else.
I would seek advisement from the others but I would not be using a CA16 based on the myswitch site.
If you dont need a booster (MHA) dont instal it as they can be problematical for some but hang on to just in case.

If you havent already, go through the Myswitch site to see the type of antenna they recommend and have a look around your area to see if any are currently in use now.

Hmmm.. I have no antenna at the moment, new install as stated.

Antenna pictured is similar to what's on the neighbour's roofs, as stated.

To me it looks like a UHF antenna so buggered if I know how they're getting reception. Only SBS is currently UHF. 2, 7, 9, 10 are VHF.

All channels will be vertical pol after retune.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

Hmmm.. I have no antenna at the moment, new install as stated.

Antenna pictured is similar to what's on the neighbour's roofs, as stated.

To me it looks like a UHF antenna so buggered if I know how they're getting reception. Only SBS is currently UHF. 2, 7, 9, 10 are VHF.

All channels will be vertical pol after retune.

I guessed as much which makes the Myswitch site confusing.
Although its not always easy to be sure, I did think the antenna you showed was a UHF type which totally contradicts the myswitch site antenna recommendations.
About the only thing that sites says I believe is when the retune happens, SBS goes from UHF to VHF but as for what polarity is anybodys guess.

But to answer Gullivers comment, I thought that it was the 'Grand Plan' for ALL of Rural and Regional Australia to use the |UHF band for Digital TV but it seems not to be the case at all.

jkcqld, I am going to keep my boofhead out of this because I am not qualified to give technical advise but thats the oddest looking 'Combo' antenna I have ever seen.
Also with it being in the 'Horizontal' plane, at 78 km from the translator I would have thought there was no way it could pick up any Vertical signals BUT, it obviously IS !!!

I was hoping by now those very well qualified and experienced forum members may have posted their observations that may assist you to choose the correct antenna.

I just rechecked the coverage for Bathurst NSW which is close to me and is using VHF vertical both now in the future.
Having worked and shopped there as well as watching the Races on Mt Panorama for many years I am fairly familiar with the geography of the place and why they have stayed with VHF as it doesnt cover that big an area but one part of 'West' Bathurst where there is a fair portion of the population is sheilded from 'Line of Sight' of the translator by a fold on the land.
Maybe they stayed with VHF because it was more forgiving of the ground irregularities surrounding the transmission area than UHF is, I have no idea.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

Most neighbours seem to all have this Yagi type antenna. All pointing to Mt Goonaneman Tower - 78klms away, 338 degrees.

That is a UHF horizontally polarised antenna, probably being used for SBS reception only. If there is not also a VHF vertically polarised antenna somewhere, coupled with this one, I would be surprised. This UHF antenna will become redundant after retune.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

I've prewired house with RG6 cable. Will have 2x TVs, lounge & bedroom. Will also have Satellite TV which is sorted.

Is the satellite TV Foxtel?

Originally Posted by jkcqld

Friend donated this MHW34G Kingray amp which I'm hoping I can utilise to save a few dollars.

Might be handy, however, the frequency response of this amplifier at VHF is 44-230MHz, whereas digital television on VHF utilises the frequency range 174-230MHz. It is considered best to only amplify the frequencies of interest, to reduce the chance of interference on unwanted frequencies being amplified, & causing problems of their own.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

The antenna guy that installed our Satellite Internet suggested a but I feel it's kinda large (and ugly) at 2.2m x 1.4m.

The antenna you require can only be determined by a site test with a selection of antennas. If you are in a marginal area, other factors to consider are interference to, and loss of reception (amongst other things), caused by: Electric fences, high voltage distribution networks/substations, lightning. It may not be possible to overcome these issues with a terrestrial solution.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

He also recommended the Booster which I see filters 4G LTE but very little chance of that ever coming here.

Once the restack is completed, only the VHF input of the masthead amplifier would be used, so the UHF input could be terminated off. The VHF bandpass can be set to amplify the digital TV VHF frequency range by means of a link, so this would be the preferred amplifier.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

I've no way to measure signal strength etc but both neighbours (200mts away) have no issues with the above Yagi (one says Ch7 drops in&out) and we are slightly more elevated with clear line of sight to tower.

Knowing the available signal strength, and especially the quality of the signal, is always important, more so in an area of possible deficient reception. This will allow the best mounting position/antenna type to be found, and also to determine if a masthead amplifier is required.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

Roof is colorbond and I was hoping to mount the antenna near front corner on 1.4m hockey stick.

Any mounting decision would need to consider the weight of the antenna, bracing of the mast to prevent sagging / wind sway etc., & if nothing else, the best spot for the antenna, which may not be your preferred location. However, without measurements, this is a known unknown.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

Any other antenna options I could look at?

You could consider the CA8, it may be suitable. Otherwise, there are yagi/log periodic antennas around that may do the job, however, in a vertical polarisation situation, these would most likely need to be offset from the mounting mast, so that the mast itself does not become part of the antenna, and have an effect on the antenna's performance. This would then need to be factored in as part of the mast mounting/staying requirement.

Originally Posted by jkcqld

And, would the MHW34G Kingray amp be suitable?

Even though it uses a screw/saddle mounting arrangement for the coaxial cable termination, and covers more than the frequency range required, it may do in the interim, based on if it is needed in the first place.

Thanks for the reply.

The satellite is VAST.

I was thinking of the CA8, or Topline's equivalent. It may also suit the 1.4m hockey stick I have. If the CA8 is no good my supplier will swap for the CA16.

I'd say the signal will be pretty good as the neighbours have few issues with yagi type combos.

The neighbours are picking up all channels presently so I thought their yagi must be VHF/UHF combo.

How they are picking up every channel is a mystery with the H yagi. All except SBS are currently listed as VHF and V pol.