Sky RF out problems

[favemuppet]

Roof aerial feeds into 8way amplifier (into UHF input) which thus distributes analogue/freeview to other rooms.

I have been told I can run a cable from Sky RF2 back up to amplifier, and then tune each TV to pick up the sky signal. But only available input in the amp is the VHF. If I plug into here I get sound but dodgy picture. Have switched the RF power on Sky to "on", but not changed channel - do I need to do this?

Can the cable from Sky RF2 go into VHF, or does it need to go into the UHF along with the roof aerial with some kind of combiner?

I don't want to re-route the aerial cable into the Sky box as we have a big house and would mean taking up the floor upstairs!

[reddwarfcrew]

I doubt it can go into VHF.

What should happen is that the roof aerial goes into the sky box into RF IN, then then RF2 out on the sky box goes into the UHF input(where the roof aerial used to go) on the distbuter and then that feeds all the other TVs with freeview and sky as per current set up.

See pic: http://www.letsautomate.com/images/11097example.jpg

[favemuppet]

OK - understand that.

But as I said I dont want to re-route the aerial cable down into the Sky Box if I can help it, as it means lifting up floors etc (I should add that the RF out cable is already "installed" under the floor just not connected to anything).

Therefore, can I use a passive Y splitter at the UHF input on the amplifier and attach the aerial cable and RF cable to this? Will that work? If so, which type of Y splitter would I need? (amplifier uses F connectors I think)

[Nigelh]

Could you change the amplifier? If so somthing like this 4 Way LoftBox - Buy at TheDigiboxShop might do the trick. If I'm reading it properly, it can input both signals and then output them down one piece of co-ax. As long as you don't want to use the sky + features you will be able to view things on all tvs.

[favemuppet]

Could you change the amplifier?

Definitely not - I've only just paid for the one I've got to be installed! it's an Antiference A200 (??)

[Woodster]

Can you get a cable from the amp location to the dish? If you can, you could fit a TV/Sat combiner to get the aerial down to the sky box, seperate out with either another combiner in reverse or fit a diplexed wall socket and the use the existing coax to return to the amp. Should only cost about £20 on parts

[favemuppet]

Can you get a cable from the amp location to the dish? If you can, you could fit a TV/Sat combiner to get the aerial down to the sky box, seperate out with either another combiner in reverse or fit a diplexed wall socket and the use the existing coax to return to the amp. Should only cost about £20 on parts

Think I've worked out a simpler approach - please correct me if this won't work.

1. Remove aerial downlead from UHF input on amp.
2. Remove the cable that feeds the TV in lounge from the output in amp.
3. Attach 1. and 2. together (with appropriate connector). This gives one long cable down to lounge.
4. Other end of 3. currently attached straight to back of TV- remove this and plug into "aerial in" on Sky box.
5. Attach one end of RF cable (currently not connected) to RF2 out on Sky box.
6. Attach other end of RF cable to now vacant UHF input on amp.

Et voila! Loop created with no need for new wiring. All rooms then pick up Freeview/Sky via amp, apart from the TV in the lounge which will pick up Sky via the scart attached to Sky box, but does it pick up Freeview aswell through the scart?

Have I understood correctly?

[Woodster]

Sorry mate, i didn't see that you already had a cable in for RF-2!!
Yes, dissconect the aerial from the amp and join it to the cable that goes to the TV, plug it into the aerial in on the sky box, plug RF-1 out back into the TV and connect RF-2 to the cable that goes back to the amp. As long as you connect RF-1 to the TV, you will get the freeview on all TVs

[favemuppet]

Sorry mate, i didn't see that you already had a cable in for RF-2!!
Yes, dissconect the aerial from the amp and join it to the cable that goes to the TV, plug it into the aerial in on the sky box, plug RF-1 out back into the TV and connect RF-2 to the cable that goes back to the amp. As long as you connect RF-1 to the TV, you will get the freeview on all TVs

Thanks Woodster!

Yes it was the RF-1 part I was forgetting. Just a bog standard coax cable, or a CT100 with a coax connector?

[Woodster]

Bog standard male/female RF lead should be fine.