Aerial cable replacement

[Miker]

About two years ago I had my aerial replaced but continued to use the old 30 year cable through the house, with a new cable attached just as it disappeared out through an upstairs window to the roof. I've now replaced the old cable with a single run direct to the TV but am faced with either joining it to the two year old cable or venturing up onto the roof with the new cable. If I join the cables will I suffer much of a loss in signal strength? At the moment with a CRT TV received SD, the reception is OK although the aerial installer said that it was rather weak.

 

[Dave_]

You will get signal loss from the join yes, how much will depend on the type/quality of connections used but if you have a weak signal already its only going to make it worse.I'd replace the cable with a continuos run from aerial to tv set,but get the pro's in it wont cost much just to have the cable replaced and I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to venture up onto a roof unless they have the relevent safety equipment/training/experience.

 

[Anonymous]

If the signal is weak, as you're relatively close to the aerial, why not use a signal amplifier in place of the join.

If getting power to it is a problem SLX make a range that can be powered directly from a Sky box via co-ax, if you have one, or via a PSU located by the TV.

 

[Miker]

Thanks for the replies. My roof is a shallow pitch and easy to walk on without ladders and it seems a shame to put in an unnecessary join in the cable run, so I will leave it until a calm, sunny day later in the year.