Aerials

Andrew,

Covenants are quite common, particularly on new constructions, it's an attempt to keep the place looking 'neat and tidy' whilst properties are still being sold.

One usually finds the agreements are not enforced once the developers have sold all properties, since most people need aerials, and they rarely perform adequately within the roofspace.

My advice temporarily would be to obtain the best antenna (most directional / highest gain) that will fit in your roofspace and can still be turned, then experiment with positioning for best results, or obtain the help of a professional aerial installer.

It is entirely possible that the best reception may not be with the antenna directly aligned with the direction of the transmitter.

It's not ideal, since your building structure will be within the near-field of the antenna, affecting it's performance (beam pattern / matching etc.).

I currently use a loft mounted antenna with good results, but that's beacause on a clear day I can see the Wrotham antenna mast, which is my local transmitter!

Andy.

P.S. With many local authorities it is possible to apply for 'Covenant Consent' to alter the property in a way which would normally be prohibited by a restrictive covenant, I would suggest seeking professional advice first though, as to how to make the case in a way that is most likely to be successful. Any radio amateur, who is also a member of the RSGB (Radio Society of Great Britain) may be able to help here, as they offer assistance with antenna planning applications for radio amateurs. I'm not sure if non-amateurs can obtain membership, but contact details can be found here: -

www.rsgb.org

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

[This message was edited by Andrew L. Weekes on THURSDAY 22 March 2001 at 13:55.]

I'm not sure how enforcable it is but the management company recently stopped someone transferring their covenant to the new owners until they replaced their windows (the previous owners had changed the style of the windows without the management companies concent).

My reception area seemes to be quite poor as we live in quite a serious dip.

Does anyone know of a company which can assist in this. I hope not to spend a fortune as I only intend to live in the house another year or so.

Andrew,

Had a quick look at the RSGB site, and their planning permission guidelines ar FOC to members - a couple of colleagues of mine at work are members, I'll ask if they will obtain some info for me.

Andy

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

The only people who really know the score about Aerials used with Naim tuners are Ron Smith in Luton. - it may be worth phoning them for a chat even if you don't pay for them to come down to Kingston to install something.

I've got a friend who lives in Kingston and had the same dilema - he ended up with a Ron Smith circular 5 inside his loft feeding his NAT-03. Part of the problem is that if you want to point your aerial towards Kent there's a great big hill in the way! My big aerial on the roof was scuppered by my other half so I ended up squeezing a galaxy 17 inside the loft (it was a big squeeze!). I figured this was a better solution than something much smaller outside on the chimney - although I have heard that and extra 6 feet of height equates to a doubling of aerial gain and also gets the aerial away from roof joists etc that would interfere with it. May be worth searching out a simple H shaped 2 element job and hoping none of the neighbours notice!

Phil

Ron Smith are some of the most helpful and knowledgable people I've met with regard to domestic antenna installations.

I'm certain if you ring them they'll freely offer advice.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

Does anyone have contact details for Ron Smith ? Website / Tel No ?

Thanks guys, you are all very helpful !

Ron Smith - 01582 736561

I picked up a cheap Ron Smith Galaxy 17 on eBay, and I'm about to get the house to hold it up in the sky. Unfortunately, there are far too many loose pieces for me to figure it out, so I'm going to need help. Who might I call to install an FM antenna? Would any TV antenna installation expert understand the issues involved, or should I go looking for someone else?

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Mike

I'd suggest a call to Ron Smith - I'm sure they could fax you over the basic assembly instructions - I've also got a Galaxy 17 which arrived in bits, but I recall the assembly instructions were all on one bit of paper - unfortunately I don't think I have them anymore otherwise I'd fax/email.

As for putting it on the roof you need to be careful who you get to do it. A galaxy 17 is a very different beast from a regular TV aerial. A few pointers - if the installer has actually heard of Ron Smith aerials this helps, 2nd ask what kind of masts they use - they should be steel not aluminium which isn't up to the job, 3rd ask what kind of cable they use - if I recall CT100 (or was it CT125?) is what Ron Smith recommend finally probe them for their knowledge of the local conditions - hills that get in the way, that kind of thing. That should give you a good feel for whether they know what they're doing. Another approach is to phone a few trusted local hi fi shops and ask which installers they use/recommend.

Phil

I called Ron Smith who tells me he can send me a Circular 5.

Has anyone installed one of these things and is it very hard (I'm not very good at DIY). Ron seemed to be convinced that it was very easy to do (I'm not all that convinced though).

There is an aerial up there at the moment which is for the TV which drops down into the living room (which is where my tuner is). Since this is all connected up can I use the drop cables from this or would that be a waste of time ?

Suggestions and help please !

The cost ain't the problem - its the fitting it. The cable runs down inside the walls and comes to one of those rather twee plates that you plug the aerial into. Domestic bliss is not had by running the cables along the skirting boards - especially as we've just had the house re-decorated !

I've actually got that assembly page now, but it seems rather obtuse (for someone who's never put up an antenna before). Also, I'm concerned more about the mounting than the assembly. The G17 is a directional antenna, so it needs to have a "motor-rotor" with remote control, etc. Considering all that's involved, I would be better to leave it up to a professional.

Most of the stations in the area transmit from the CN Tower, to which I have a direct line of site from the roof of my house. Toronto is pretty flat, and everything tends towards Lake Ontario, so hills will probably not be an issue.

Also, thanks for the "interview questions". They'll come in handy.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Careful with that rotating aerial. These things are BIG. I had a Ron Smith (can't remember the model) on a rotator and it was nightmare in high winds. You don't just need a strong mast/wall/chimney, but the rotating shaft will need bearings to support it's length.
My neighbours were not amused, and it blew down eventually.

I'll investigate it further before going for the rotor. Worst case scenario: I fix it pointing at the CN-Tower, and catch Hamilton, Windsor and Detroit in the same general direction.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Mike,

if you can see the tower then the '17 may give you far too much signal.

You might find you can point at one of the other transmitters and still get your main stations at full strength??

Note Juan above has a five-element Ron Smith, and needs 18dB of attenuation just to avoid overloading his input.

cheers, Martin

Yes, I had considered that. I originally purchased the antenna because it was a "deal" and I thought I might be able to use it (if not now, then maybe in 10 years when I move out "into the country" ). Before actually hooking it up, I'll probably try a regular whip antenna, to see if that's good enough.

At my office (which is just under a mile from the CN Tower, albeit through a bunch of tall buildings), I can use a four-foot piece of multi-stranded speaker wire, and the signal comes in loud and clear. My new house is just over 6 miles as the crow flies, so the signal will be 1/36th as strong. It doesn't have to travel through the tall skyscrapers, though, so who knows what the difference really will be.

As far as pointing it somewhere else, I've been told that the G17 is very selective, and that by pointing it away from the CN Tower it will effectively ignore it. It's got a 45 degree zone of acceptance, so maybe I'll point it south to Buffalo (across Lake Ontario), which might leave the CN tower just outside the "sweet spot".

Another option is to put it into my attic. Unfortunately there is currently no way to get up there. Since access hatch would be useful, perhaps I'll blast a hole in the ceiling and take a look.

In the end, I'll probably have to experiment with it to see what will work best.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

There are positive advantages to having 'too much gain' and using an attenuator to reduce the signal.

In any given installation the feeder cable will pick up a small amount of signal, longer feeder cables make this situation worse resulting in multipath problems.

Since the feeder cable pickup is a constant in any given installation, by having more gain at the antenna and attenuating at the receiver you will reduce the feeder cable pickup by the amount of attenuation, and also provide more stable impedances to the antenna / receiver and an element of isolation between the two. All of these effects are wholly advantageous.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes
alweekes@audiophile.com

That's an interesting point.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Mike,
You said:

quote:

---

Another option is to put it into my attic. Unfortunately there is currently no way to get up there. Since access hatch would be useful, perhaps I'll blast a hole in the ceiling and take a look.

---

Before blasting, you should look harder. I go into people's attics on an almost daily basis (I specialize in making homes more energy efficient) and have yet to find a home without an access door or hatch. sometimes it is an outside panel or occasionally a false ceiling in a closet. I've also been in a home where ceiling tile was put in for cosmetic reasons and covered the access.

Ron The Mon

P.S.
If you do blast, only use a quarter stick of dynamite as a half or full stick is too much.

Actually, it was the experienced home inspector who spotted the deficiency. We both checked all of the possibilities that you mentioned, without any luck.

Anyway, I'm starting to lean towards a stationary mast on the roof, as I'm sure the extra height is a good thing.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-