jhelmick

Now what, I have 3 of the poorest rated DTV converter boxes reviewed here (RCA DT800B) I must admit I was impressed when I first hooked them up, much better reception, more channels, etc. BUT about every other day or two it seems my signal begins to fade on select channels. I make my way up to my antenna located in my garage attic and do some tweaking and it was doing much better..........for a day or two. I do some more tweaking and it works better....again, for a day or two. I am hoping there may be some kind of amplifier or something like that to help pull in the digital signal better. Any help will be appreciated. I have 2 more boxes to get and they wont be the same.

cowboyup4christ

Give us the make and type of your antenna and your zip I can look at your zip on tv fool.com and see what is needed.

Jay

With my built-in digital tuner in my HDTV, I had the same exact problems when I connected bunny ears to it. On certain channels, reception would be great, but If I changed the channel, I'd have to get up and manually adjust the bunny ears to receive quality reception. Especially on the lower VHF range channels here in the Phoenix Metro area of Arizona. After installing my new antenna, no more reception problems, and I haven't looked back since.

Like Cowboy said, post your details when you get a chance, I'm sure there's a workable solution.

Aaron62

Do you still have the receipts? If you return them, you won't be able to get the dtv coupons back, but you'll still be able to exchange them for another like priced converter box. Just thought I'd give my $.02

jhelmick

Unfortunately I did not keep my receipts, I will just have to deal with it on three converters I have, The store I purchased them only had one other choice and that was a Magnavox, but it would not control volume from the remote as the RCA does.

I will try to get somesort of info from the antennas and post it along with my zipcode so maybe the Cowboy can help me out.

Thanks

jhelmick

Cowboy:

How do I identify my antennas for you to help me out? I have looked all over and do not see any information. All I can say is I have 2, one large and one very small that have the wing nut connections from flat to coax adapter and a splitter and some other tubular device with PICO on it connecting them together, then the coax proceeds to my basement where it goes into a SC-4 Signal Combiner where DISH enters as well, then to a Tru-Spec TA25 Amp UHF/VHF/FM then out to the Coax to all tv's. Keep in mind this setup was installed originally about 14 years ago with a C band dish, but now I have the DISH receiver hooked into the AMP in where the C band receiver used to plug in. By the way my zip is 68514. If you would like I could take photos of my antennas and hardware for you to look at, but how do I get them to you? Thanks again

cowboyup4christ

OK does one antenna look like a bunch of vs in a line and does the other look like a mouth with a tongue sticking out of it. one could be vhf the other uhf the coax would be my first upgrade install new quad shield as it has less signal loss. the RCA is not a real bad box the manavox is much worse in my opion. post a picture of your antennas.

jhelmick

The large antenna which points at about 60 to 80 degrees is about 8 feet long with a bunch of perpendicular tubes at various lengths, at the pointed end there are several small blades about 4 to 5 inches long sticking out either side of the main tube, that part sticks out about 2 feet or so with a v shaped mast on top and bottom, maybe you can tell from the pics, but its not too good, I can try to get a better one if needed.

The small antenna is just like it looks, about 2 feet total both directions and it points about 260 degrees or so.

If you look at the info on tvfool it shows channel 8 or KLKN which was not in existence when this antenna was installed. The primary channels I need are 3,6,7,8,10,12,15,42 or their digital equivalents.

As far as RG6 Quad, It would be difficult for me to run as the cable is not very accessable.

I have considered relocating the antennas in the attic above the house which would give me about 10 more feet in elevation if you think that would work, there is nothing but flat land in these parts so I dont think there is anything that would block the signals.

Again, sorry for the crappy picture of the large antenna, flash on camera dont seem to work that far away.

Attached Images

	large antenna.jpg (17.1 KB, 5 views)
	small antenna.jpg (24.2 KB, 5 views)

cowboyup4christ

ok you need the antennas on the outside of the house, the attic will cut it's performance by 50% the antenna direct 91-xg is the best uhf out there connect a wine guard 4800 pre amp and you should get 70+ miles your small antenna is vhf only you could place it 4ft under the 91-xg on a mast connect the two with a channel master spartan 7777 pre amp and there to the tv. but you need them outside if possible, in order to get good reception. from the pictures you do not have enough room for an attic mount there needs to be at least 2ft from the wall at 80 miles you will need a high gain vhf the little guy will not do it. wine guard has several hi gain vhf only antennas. but to get the distance you need a uhf only and a vhf only antenna a combo will not do it. got to tvfool.com put in your address and save the image and post it I can tell you more then.

cowboyup4christ

ok you will only have high vhf after FEB. so the 91-xg from antennas direct will get it you will need a rotator channel master 9650a I think and a wineguard 4800 pre amp mount it outside as high as possible. the insignia or zenith box would be good you need a box with a really sensitive tuner. check out the reviews on here to see what seems best.