DSSQCA

Hello

What might be the reason for an intermittent signal? We were getting a great signal for NBC and then we noticed some digital loss and then the signal went away and then it would come back in again.

I am bit nervous about heights and wanted input before climbing on the roof to check the signal

My TV Fool report is as follows:
Signal Analysis Report

dss

Piggie

It appears this is your NBC station?

KWQC-TV (Digital)
Channel: 36 (6.1)
Network: NBC
Maximum ERP: 1000.000 kW
Coordinates: 41.312258 -90.379571
Effective ERP: 1000.000 kW (Adjusted according to your location)
Distance: 17.9 miles Azimuth: 153 degrees Compass: 154 degrees

TVFool says it should be a piece of cake with an outdoor antenna even at 10 ft up.

Something is wrong, or have have a lot coax, splitters

How long is your feedline about, and do you split the signal to more than one TV?

What type of antenna do you have outside? Something is not right even if you have 30 ft of cable and 2 TVs.

DSSQCA

Thanks for the response.

You are correct it the NBC. We have also lost our ABC and Fox channels. So the only ones we get our CBS and the three IPTV (PBS) channels. Maybe that can serve as a clue when you see the TVFool map?

The invoice of the installer says I have a Winegard Wingman and Batwing (tho i cannot tell which is which). It is set up on the roof of our single storey house and on the same side of the house (i.e. cable length is not long maybe 30 ft - tough to tell). No splitters and all running into one TV.

Any help will be appreciated!

dss

Piggie

Does your antenna plug in the wall for power?

DSSQCA

Great question!

I went and checked we do have a booster connected to the antenna and I noticed that the booster alert light (confirming the power connection) would flicker and disappear if we moved - and it would get inadvertently moved when we accessed the power strip to switch our power on and off.

I am now going to do a full scan and make sure all the channels come back again.

Lesson learned: always check the basics!

devendra

Piggie

Ok, well that wasn't where I was going but you found a definite problem.

Where I was going was you live way too close to several stations to even be running an amplified antenna. What happens when you do, are the weaker stations actually get worse, because the stronger stations overpower the amp and won't let it amplify the weak stations.

I would have suggested a traditional UHF antenna corner reflector yagi pointing south, to pick up the UHF stations that direction, and you are so close to Ch4 I think even a paper clip would work. And no amp.

So many installers I have met, know very little about antennas and just know how to wire one and drill holes. Sorry if I insult anyone, but I have met more in that category than ones that knew their stuff.

Eureka

Isn't that a travel trailer antenna?

Piggie

Actually Winegard makes two models that differ only in color. The Grey version is called the "home" version. But the only difference if paint.

Now I was going to add to that. This "antenna installer" not only sold them a travel trailer antenna, but an amp in it with a station 3.2 miles away with signals in 80's NM..

What a racket.

Piggie

What inhales air is where I live to install antenna takes a myriad of licenses now, to the point that for the brief period I expected this to go on I could not see overcoming the cost. Plus you just about have to buy a few in stock.

Or operate under the table and hope nothing happens, but my luck knows better.

Eureka

Seriously? I've never heard of such BS. What kind of license?