does the sheathing need to be connected

[mattk69]

Does the sheathing need to be connected to pick up a digital signal?
I just cut off the outer sheathing when i connected up an ariel point in my front room. Although i have a very good analogue pic quality. I can not pick up any digital channels and was wondering if it was something to do with cutting the sheathing (the wires that wrap around the plastic that coveres the main cable) out .
I know Eastbourne doesnt get many channels but my next door neighbour gets a few channels!!

[zimbo000]

Originally Posted by mattk69

Does the sheathing need to be connected to pick up a digital signal?
I just cut off the outer sheathing when i connected up an ariel point in my front room. Although i have a very good analogue pic quality. I can not pick up any digital channels and was wondering if it was something to do with cutting the sheathing (the wires that wrap around the plastic that coveres the main cable) out .
I know Eastbourne doesnt get many channels but my next door neighbour gets a few channels!!

Yes, and you should ideally be using double screened cable for digital. See here: http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/fconn.htm and http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/wallplates.htm

[bob1]

Take at look at the picture ,the inner and the outer condutor needs to be connected,not all cables have the foil.

[Inactive]

Originally Posted by mattk69

Does the sheathing need to be connected to pick up a digital signal?
!

The simple answer is no, but it is clearly preferable to connect the outer screening to prevent any external interference.

But if you don't get a signal with your connection as it is, it's unlikely that you will get a signal with it connected.

[bob1]

Originally Posted by Inactive

The simple answer is no,

The simple answer is yes, you obviously know very little about aerials/coax systems, the cable is part of any aerial system ,if you only connect the inner conductor it isn't going to work ,yes you might get some kind of a signal but the chances are its the coax thats picking it up and not the aerial.

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by bob1

The simple answer is yes, you obviously know very little about aerials/coax systems, the cable is part of any aerial system ,if you only connect the inner conductor it isn't going to work ,yes you might get some kind of a signal but the chances are its the coax thats picking it up and not the aerial.

Seconded.

[Inactive]

Originally Posted by bob1

,yes you might get some kind of a signal but the chances are its the coax thats picking it up and not the aerial.

I rest my case, the original question was;

" Does the sheathing need to be connected to pick up a digital signal? "

My answer of no was technically correct, the OP may well get a signal that is strong enough to get a picture without the outer sheathing being connected, even if it is via the coax.

Not ideal, but nevertheless possible.


I was simply answering the question as put by the OP.

[bob1]

Why bother with an aerial at all then,just use the coax.

[Shepherd Spy]

Originally Posted by Inactive

I was simply answering the question as put by the OP.

Perhaps, but in what is probably as unhelpful and pedantic a manner as is possible.

[SamRadford]

I could be really pedantic and say that the outer sheathing can't be connected because it's made of plastic. :D

But the braided shield wires must always be connected (except when you deliberately use capacitive coupling in a "braid-breaker" mode).

[mattk69]

Thanks for your replies guys