[mythtv-users] Lack of aerial access

Mike Perkins mikep at randomtraveller.org.uk
Tue May 22 17:42:15 UTC 2007


> ----- Original Message ----
> From: David Brodbeck <gull at gull.us>
> To: Discussion about mythtv <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
> Sent: Monday, 21 May, 2007 11:49:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Lack of aerial access
> 
> 
> On May 21, 2007, at 1:23 PM, Dan Gravell wrote:
> 
>  > We have just moved into this house and the truth is I don't know.  
>  > The survey said it's of a timber frame construction, but wouldn't  
>  > there be insulation in the cavity?
> 
> Probably.  The are some tricks for that, though.  When I was doing  
> security camera installation I had some thin fiberglass poles called  
> "fish sticks" that I would use to push wire through spaces like  
> that.  However, be aware that it's quite likely there's  
> "firestopping" between floors -- solid wood blocks to prevent the  
> cavities from acting like chimneys if the house catches fire.  This  
> would naturally block your access.  Sometimes you can run the cabling  
> alongside existing plumbing; usually the holes for that are oversize  
> and there's room to shove a cable through alongside the pipe.
> 
> If you have forced-air heat another option is to run plenum-rated  
> cable through the air ducts.  Be sure to use grommets where the cable  
> passes through the sheet metal so it doesn't get cut.
> 
> I live in the U.S. so it's possible construction details like this  
> are different where you are.  All of this stuff is highly dependent  
> on local building codes.
> 
> Of course, the aerial lead must already be coming from above.  You  
> might want to find out where it enters the house to begin with.  If  
> it's through the attic, then it's usually pretty easy to push cabling  
> down into the walls of the top story; there's only one firestop to  
> deal with, then, and since attics are usually unfinished it's right  
> there where you can drill a hole in it.
> 
> Consider pulling some network cable as well, as long as you're going  
> to all this trouble. ;)
> 
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> 
>Dan Gravell wrote:
> To make it more complicated the aerial actually comes through the ground 
> as it is communal. I found an entry point last night I think (a hole 
> with a covering 'CATV' over it which I believe can mean communal antenna 
> as well as cable TV), although unlike my neighbours' mine had nothing 
> running out of it. I should get some tools out and have a look inside.
> 
> Dan
> 
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BE WARNED. 'CATV' means Cable TV which in most of the UK means the box 
and any cables you might see belong to NTL/Telewest/Virgin. It's not a 
good idea to go poking around in there. (Well, look but don't touch - 
you get the idea.)

Mike Perkins


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