TV antenna options

by **parrot** » May 4, 2012, 9:29 am

We have an outdoor bungalow for our maid/gardener. It has a small TV antenna on a bamboo pole. Reception is poor. I'm looking to upgrade.....preferably, something uncomplicated and not very expensive (they watch an hour or two in the evening). No fancy channels needed....just the standard Thai set. We live 18km outside the city and sort of set amongst many mature trees, although we have a clear shot toward the east, and toward the southwest horizons.
Can anyone out there tell me what my options might be?

by **bluejets** » May 5, 2012, 8:32 am

If you already use terrestrial reception at your house, then the antenna there will give you some idea of the size required. If you are on satellite then obviously this is not an option and you will need to get tv mob to do a "survey" i.e. signal strength/quality test and from this, they can determine which antenna is the best to use.
You could take a punt and see what neighbours are using and go the same, and if still down on signal, boost with an antenna amplifier.
I notice a lot of very large "high gain" antennas used almost everywhere here. I think they must have about 30 alignment bars......units are about 2.5m long with bracing bars underneath. These type of antennas may be to just make things uniform and easy to get a good signal where ever you are, or it may be a necessity, I do not know what signal strengths are like here. One thing for sure is you cannot get too big an antenna.
Many countries are phasing out terrestrial broadcast in favour of cable or satellite as it eliminates many of their broadcast problems and allows much more information to be transmitted, especially when systems go digital as many are and I am sure Thailand will follow.

by **Prenders88** » May 5, 2012, 10:21 am

Parrot for less that 3500 baht purchase a PSI (C band) Sat system for your servants.
All your Thai channels, plus loads of rubbish from all around Asia.
We have one in our shop, great reception.

by **kopkei** » May 8, 2012, 4:04 am

the cheapest one would be this one http://www.9sats.com/product/product.de ... 37&id=1325
and has 63 thai channel including the basic ones....and the most space compact to install...
or you can go for a black dish , you can compare prices here http://www.9sats.com/product/product.php?cat=47.82.136
so you have an idea of the real prices...this is not including installation, and cable ( 6 baht / meter ) ,
but we all know labor in thailand is cheap...

TV antenna options