Why no SABC HD on OpenviewHD??

There is no need for fancy antennas. Mostly, these are just scam devices. All you need is a wideband UHF antenna, pointed correctly and polarised correctly at the terrestrial transmitter serving your location, a TV with a DTT DVBT2 tuner in it and maybe a STB.
So before you go and buy anything, first do your homework. Find out what transmitters are available, where they are and what multiplexes the transmitters provide. That will tell you which channels are available, and also if they are encrypted or not.
THEN you will know WHAT to buy.
 
Last edited:
antenna.jpg

Piece of wire as antenna here in Durban.

Google maps measures distance to Alverstone tower to be about 32km and visible on horizon.
 
Last edited:
This example is so true. When we all studied "Radio reception as students", and expected the course to start with some heavy mathematics and a full rigorous set of formulas to design antenna systems, the professor started up with a statement about analogue tv reception ( in the UHF and VHF bands). He claimed, that with tv reception (which did NOT exist in SA at the time) that the way to see what your TV could receive was to switch it on and see what you get, Then stick a piece of wire into the antenna socket. Still nothing? Tie the wire to a steel window frame. Sill nothing? Time to panic and think about an antenna.
That is still valid now as it was then ...... for the UHF and VHF bands. As is demonstrated by the previous post.
 
I know this is a old thread but wanted to report back that I finally have digital tv reception with the Funke DSC250 indoor antenna. When I received it it did not work but noticed it should have an blue led on and then discovered that my tv's aerial port does not give power. Added an in line power supply and pointed it horizontally to the constantia side for perfect reception. Grabouw side picks up very weak
 
Sorry to hijack this thread - for DTT - If I pick up no channels - in CPT, do I then need one of those devices as well? Or is the service not working yet. I would think I could at least pick up a couple channels.
 
paul5186 said:
Sorry to hijack this thread - for DTT - If I pick up no channels - in CPT, do I then need one of those devices as well? Or is the service not working yet. I would think I could at least pick up a couple channels.
Click to expand...
Have you got a dtt receiver (decoder, not dstv or openview) or a built in dtt receiver in your tv? And how far do you stay from Constantia?
 
Tector said:
Have you got a dtt receiver (decoder, not dstv or openview) or a built in dtt receiver in your tv? And how far do you stay from Constantia?
Click to expand...

I have a series 7 Samsung TV with a dtt receiver - will double check but its only 2 years old, 4k and what not so one would think so. I stay as the crow flies +- 22km from the tower just past Milnerton. Would I need an external antenna? If so meh, just thought it would be a nice to have if I could pick it up.
 
paul5186 said:
I have a series 7 Samsung TV with a dtt receiver - will double check but its only 2 years old, 4k and what not so one would think so. I stay as the crow flies +- 22km from the tower just past Milnerton. Would I need an external antenna? If so meh, just thought it would be a nice to have if I could pick it up.
Click to expand...
You can try a normal piece of wire in your aerial input at the tv. If it doesn't pick up anything look back in this thread, I got myself a Funke indoor antenna from takealot. Hooked that up with a ellies in line power inserter and aligned it horizontally to where Constantia is from me. Pick up all the channels crystal clear and some in HD and I am in Somerset West and that is a longer way from Constantia than you are. The tv should have a DTT receiver built in. Remember if you auto search for channels to still pick terrestrial and not cable and digital and not analog. It should pick up the SABC channels on channel 38 and etv channels on channel 50. Hope you get it sorted! Let me know...
 
I can pick up 3 channels with a bunny ear antenna but the signal is so bad its stuck on one frame. Using the samsung series 6 smart tv. channel 39 8mhz used. Where can I get a good antenna?
 
elriconess said:
I can pick up 3 channels with a bunny ear antenna but the signal is so bad its stuck on one frame. Using the samsung series 6 smart tv. channel 39 8mhz used. Where can I get a good antenna?
Click to expand...
Yeah this is the problem with digital, you either have picture or not as opposed to somewhat of a picture with analogue. Requires a lot more coverage which they never thought about.
 
Swa said:
Yeah this is the problem with digital, you either have picture or not as opposed to somewhat of a picture with analogue. Requires a lot more coverage which they never thought about.
Click to expand...
The tower is exactly 10 KM from my house how can this be?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X