TV Reception

[super99]

This kind of goes along with Showcrops post. We got rid of Direct TV last year and use outdoor antenna and internet for TV. We had 54 regular TV channels. There was a strong wind and rain storm a couple of weeks ago and we lost lots of channels, only have 14 now. I rescanned the TV a dozen times without improvement, checked the cable from the antenna, checked that the antenna hasn't moved and finally a buddy recommended unplugging the TV for 15 or 20 minutes. So I did earlier in the week, plugged it back in and rescanned, 54 channels again, HOORAH!! The next day, right back to 14 channels. I unplugged TV again and waited 20 minutes and plugged it in and rescanned, 14 channels. The internet has been slow and phone reception poor. Everything still works, so I doubt a lightning strike . Frustrating!! I'm starting to think that the government is messing with the reception. So ends my rant for the day!!

 

[woodbutcher]

When TV advertising was de-regulated back in the 80's, stations were allowed to decide how much advertising they could insert into programs. By going digital, they can regulate how much power the station puts into its signal. I have noticed the signal seems to be stronger in the evening.

Butch

 

[Stephen Newell]

If it was the outdoor antenna they have to be pointed exactly at the broadcast tower to work right since digital. The internet, the problem has to be with the internet provider. I use a AT&T hotspot and whenever there is a major storm in my area the internet goes down for days at at a time.

 

[NDIHC]

Ever since the gooberment decided that broadcast tv has to be in digital form, we are unable to get any over the air channels. I haven't tried any of the super duper antenna systems, just a window unit with an amplifier that was supposed to be the cat's meow. Can't get a single channel. Neighbors have the same situation. The transmitters are too far away. So all of our tv is on roku.

 

[Janicholson]

At signal level, the signal voltage is very small (about 7 to 12 micro volts (millionths of a bolt)). Very small oxidation in a connection or joint in the antenna structure can wipe it out. If neighbors are not having issues, and your antenna aim is good, checking connections might be valuable. Jim

 

[ss55]

AntennaWeb.org , TVFool.com and RabbitEars.info can help you find the stations in your area and determine what type of antenna and amplifier you might need.

When the weather interrupts TV signals, streaming is my backup to get local stations. Roku and smart TVs have a lot of streaming capabilities.

 

[rrlund]

I don't know. All I can tell you is that every time it rained, we lost internet. I went and rented a pole saw and cut some tree limbs with grape vines grown up on them between my receiver and the tower that the signal comes off of. It stormed pretty bad a few nights ago and we didn't lose it, so problem solved I guess.

So with the problem you're having, are the original 54 there but just say no signal, or are there only 14 scanned in? If it's the latter, a new TV might be in your near future.

 

[Keith True]

I use an antenna on the roof for my TV.All those wonder things they advertise on TV do nothing for me.Also,there are sites that tell you what the coverage is for my area,but they do not tell me where exactly on my roof is the best spot.I had a guy walk along my roof with a TV hung around his neck,carrying an antenna.One end of the house has no reception,the other end,66 feet away is nearly perfect.Weather does make it act up some,but not a lot,and not every channel.Biggest interference is from airplanes.I have dozens of channels.A tenant left a Roku behind,he said it worked great.I didn't understand how it worked.It picks up over 350 channels off my wifi.Zero cost to me for that.I thought I had to subscribe,but that's only if I want special things.I pretty much leave it on the western channel,but I can spend hours watching the alligator hunters.My internet is $35.per month for fiber optic,equipment included.

 

[buickanddeere]

(quoted from post at 09:19:01 08/27/23) This kind of goes along with Showcrops post. We got rid of Direct TV last year and use outdoor antenna and internet for TV. We had 54 regular TV channels. There was a strong wind and rain storm a couple of weeks ago and we lost lots of channels, only have 14 now. I rescanned the TV a dozen times without improvement, checked the cable from the antenna, checked that the antenna hasn't moved and finally a buddy recommended unplugging the TV for 15 or 20 minutes. So I did earlier in the week, plugged it back in and rescanned, 54 channels again, HOORAH!! The next day, right back to 14 channels. I unplugged TV again and waited 20 minutes and plugged it in and rescanned, 14 channels. The internet has been slow and phone reception poor. Everything still works, so I doubt a lightning strike . Frustrating!! I'm starting to think that the government is messing with the reception. So ends my rant for the day!!

The antenna system is weather damaged

 

[Tony in SD]

Welcome to the digital world of 8VSB & QAM TV transmission and Free Space Attenuation (FSA). FSA may have variations in the signal quality and or level between the TV transmitter and the receive TV antenna depending on many factors. First many stations moved from VHF to the UHF band. Higher frequencies have more FSA. Second, unlike analog TV that gradually gets worse as the signal level diminishes, digital is either perfect or not there at all. Even weather conditions are a factor. Every TV has a threshold where the TV decides if the signal quality is substandard. Below threshold the TV rejects any channels, which aLeo includes all its sub-channels. ie if channel 3-1 is below the threshold then 3-2, 3-3 etc will also be rejected. That is why you get exactly the same number of channels, 14 in your case. The signal quality of those 14 channels are consistently above the threshold. The other channels you occasionally receive, are intermittently above the threshold and that is when your TV accepts them at that snap shot in time. All other times they are below the threshold and are rejected. The key here is that, digital TV only accepts the channels that are above the threshold at the time you auto-program your TV. Hope this helps you understand why you get more or less channels at a given time.
Tony broadcast & multichannel engineer in a former life

 

[johnofnewhaven]

Tony thanks for explaining that!

 

[Keith True]

Years ago my TV went dead too.It was when they went to digital in my area.I had been warned,but I didn't want to listen.I looked into it and found I needed a digital converter because I had analog TV's.I don't know what year it was,but it had to have been a while ago,because I bought the converter box from Radio Shack.The TV's I use now are still older ones,but are not analog so I don't need the box.I have a nice old analog TV I thought I might use in the cellar,but I would have to buy a $50.converter box.Or,I can just buy a flatscreen from somebody on Craigslist for $40.

 

[wilson ind]

try just american goverment not gooverment and regular antena not super deuper ones.

 

[buickanddeere]

If you are serious about FTA TV . Need a channel 7-51 antenna with high gain, not one of those plastic 200 mile $39.95 amplified antennas . A FM band filter. A Cellphone band filter if close to a cell tower. An Amplifier up on the antenna . A rotor to direct the antenna . Low loss coax , satellite TV coax is better than RG-6. Assemble with ignition grease to keep the moisture out.

 

[buickanddeere]

If you are serious about FTA TV . Need a channel 7-51 antenna with high gain, not one of those plastic 200 mile $39.95 amplified antennas . A FM band filter. A Cellphone band filter if close to a cell tower. An Amplifier up on the antenna . A rotor to direct the antenna . Low loss coax , satellite TV coax is better than RG-6. Assemble with ignition grease to keep the moisture out.

 

[NDIHC]

I prefer gooberment. It is a more accurate description of the entity in control.

 

[NDIHC]

I think I still have a couple of those converter boxes around. Been 14 years since tv went digital. I haven't used an analog tv for at least 10 or 12 years. I do have a couple analogs in the basement for some reason. Could just as well throw them out.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 06:39:27 08/27/23) I have noticed the signal seems to be stronger in the evening.

That's the way it always has been. If you're old enough you probably remember listening to those big mega-wattage AM stations from 1000's of miles away on your transistor radio at night. They would not come in during the day because of atmospheric conditions and other stations being on the air.

 

[dhermesc]

I am going another way.

Do you have any joints or spitters outside? It seems it only takes a little moister and that weak antenna signal can be grounded out. Went through a month of our Dish Network working one day then completely dead the next. If you unhooked it and hooked it back up it work perfectly. Then overnight it would fail again. Had a tiny amount of moister and corrosion in the connector at the dish. Didn't find it until Dish said they wanted me to replace my entire cable system in the house (most is covered by basement ceilings) so I cancelled Dish. When I unhooked the cable from the dish was when I found what I believed was the issue. Removed the cable from the first splitter inside the house to the exterior and replaced that length with a new cable when I put in the antenna. Works perfect.

 

[buickanddeere]

Maybe the Amish could use them .