Goodnestone Manor - DVB-T2 Reception & Distribution

Again due to lack of time, it has been a while since my last blog - so lets make this a Good(nestone) one!

Goodnestone Manor is currently being refurbished, and the TV system was in dire need of updating.
With new cables run to 17 rooms within the property, the next thing was to link it all up to a head end set-up.

In the loft went a new 4G/LTE filtered antenna for the reception of the frequencies needed to run Freeview.

Once the antenna was in, next was to install the equipment to allow successful distribution to all of the 17 rooms. A 4G/LTE filtered head end launch amp took care of the initial signal levels, whilst stepped tap plates ensured that each room's signal was with specification for trouble-free service.

It was a real pleasure working on this project, the place was amazing, and you had to stop to take it all in.

Dunsten Hall - The Old Wye College Site

This week saw my second visit to the old Wye College site in Wye, Kent. This time it was Dunsten Hall - which has a total of 36 rooms that were in need of a decent TV signal.

Dunsten Hall had an existing install that was just not up to the job. It had two aerials that were pointing to the local Wye Freeview Light transmitter, and they could only receive about 10 TV channels if they were lucky and if weather conditions would allow it.

The old aerials were feeding two separate sides of the building and it was requested that this was replicated in the revamp.

Two new 4G/LTE filtered aerials were installed and mounted on a non penetrating roof mount that was weighed down with 4 paving slabs. This avoids drilling into the roof, and eliminates leaks. The new aerials were successfully aligned to the Heathfield transmitter, and are receiving the full Freeview line up.

Two new 4G/LTE filtered 47db gain launch amps replaced the existing under-powered domestic masthead amps.

I made use of the existing internal wiring, but swapped out all of the internal screw-down splitters for shielded tap plates and connectors. This cuts out the ingress of noise, and the egress of good signal.

All 36 rooms are now receiving a great DVB-T/T2 signal that is at the higher end of the specified tolerance, and I have had reports back that Withersdane Ltd's clients are very pleased with their new available selection of reliable TV channels. 

There will be a video posted shortly to our Facebook page that will show how we got the paving slabs, bracketry, aerials and tools up to the roof!

www.ashfordvision.co.uk

Withersdane Hall - The Old Wye College Site

Today saw me carrying out works at Withersdane Hall, which is located on the old Wye College site in Wye, Kent. This is the first of 2 installs that I am carrying out for Withersdane Ltd.

 
After installing a new 4G/LTE filtered TV aerial on an existing chimney bracket and mast, and successfully finding a good signal that was being transmitted from Heathfield, it was time to install a new launch amplifier that would push enough signal to pass through a series of existing RG6 cabling and RF tap plates to then feed 16 rooms. If I find any existing equipment that is up to the job, why change it for new? It eliminates the cost for unnecessary replacement parts and the time to install them.

One of the rooms (no. 14) that is now fed with a decent DVB-T2 (Freeview HD) signal, was once occupied by Princess Anne. She would be quite impressed that it is now hooked up for the full Freeview channel line-up, including HD.

 

The site is no longer a College. It is now a private residential and outpatient treatment facility for alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, depression, gambling and other behavioral health disorders.

All of the rooms have been tested for clean signal quality and strength, and are now ready to have the TV's installed for their future service users.

www.ashfordvision.co.uk

A Return Visit to Highworth Grammer School

Highworth Grammer School have some building work going on, that looks like it may be close to completion.
They are building a new main reception and performance area, and are having a TV on the wall in the reception. As I have been there a couple of times before, and carried out works for the student canteen known as The Hub, they didn't hesitate to get me back in to get the main reception's TV a feed for Freeview.

Due to the new building not being attached to the one that their current aerial in installed on, a new 4G/LTE filtered unit went up. They are now all ready for the grand opening!


www.ashfordvision.co.uk

VJ Technology Suffers from 4G/LTE Interference

I had a call from Mark at VJ Technology who said that they had been suffering with a poor service on their radio stations being received via DVB-T / Freeview.

Upon inspection, it was clear that even though they were able to view the available Freeview channels, the radio channels were being affected by 4G/LTE interference that is being transmitted from a 4G mast just down the road (outside Leverton Cat).

Once I had rectified the issue, the office staff now have their radio back (Kiss FM seemed to be the preferred option), and they are happy workers once more.

www.ashfordvision.co.uk

The Norton Knatchbull School - Staff Room

Another school, another TV aerial.

This time not for a canteen, but for the new school staff room at the Norton Knatchbull School.
The outside of the school has been clad with metal sheeting, which made it quite an interesting cable route from the TV aerial to the TV. But after drilling some holes, weaving in and out of classrooms and trunking along corridors, Ashford Vision succeeded with the task in hand.

At first, the signal levels achieved were actually too high to run without issues, but after attenuating the levels so they were within tolerance, all was working perfectly.

The teachers can now watch Jeremy Kyle in HD on their newly installed system, whilst downing that hard earned cup of tea!

TV Aerial at Ashford Police Station - Victim Support

Today was the day when I installed a TV aerial and distribution unit at Ashford Police Station's Victim Support building, which is the Old Police Station building that is located in Tufton Street, Ashford, Kent.

The TV aerials and distribution units that Ashford Vision supply and fit are all filtered against 4G/LTE interference. The distribution units carry a 1yr guarantee, and the TV aerials (along with our cabling) carry a 3yr guarantee against functional breakdown.

www.ashfordvision.co.uk