Thunderstorms losing reception

[zincguy]

Did a search and couldnt find A specific answer.

We are Scarborough bluffs. Moved into older home with ancient masted antenna probably 2 sections above 2 story roof line.

Short story is we have been receiving close to 30 channels for a number of years, more since digital.

This summer after our two big thunder storms we have lost all reception to almost all of our stations.

The first time it took several days before one by one channels that we had always had started to reappear.

We are now three days past our last storm and we are still only getting 1 channel (WB 23) from buffalo.

We have clear line of sight to the CN tower and line of sight to grand island.

We did lose a couple of years ago the functionality of our antena rotator, but because the motor is at the top of the mast and because reception through digital was so good, we decided not to risk a life to ever fix it. The antenae is now pointed to Rochester, but this has never been a problem for capturing excellent reception.

Any thoughts other than just wait it out? Or maybe just an educated answer to why we have to "just wait it out". Or is there something we can do to our antiquated system to alleviate this problem.

I am nervous to change anything, for fear that "new" will mean worse reception. From what I have read here, we are already getting peak reception.

[nbound-au]

By the sounds of things you either have water ingress into the cable, or into the balun. After it evaporates, its business as usual. Whichever is causing the problem will need replacement.

[jbracing24]

Actually, moisture anywhere can cause loss of signal. You will need to check every connection from the antenna down. Soon the corrosion will break the connection and your system will go down completely.

[Jase88]

This is definitely a case of water ingress somewhere in your system. You'll need to check everything. Take connectors off to check for moisture, check the balun, check the antenna to see if it's filling with water (it can happen!).

[holl_ands]

Also, if you have a Preamp, it might have been damaged....

[goforit]

I agree. Had a HDP-269, thunderstorm came by, no direct hit, but lost all signals- pre-amp was cooked.

At the time, I didn't have a grounding block/rod, maybe that's why it fried?

Now the coax is properly grounded and have had no trouble with the CPA-19.

[nbound-au]

We dont ground mounts/aerials here in Australia, and this is not a problem for us. Sounds more like water ingress.

[JamesK]

^^^^
You don't get thunderstorms in Australia? The grounding is to divert the surge from nearby strikes, protecting your house and devices attached to the antenna.

[nbound-au]

We get alot of thunderstorms, especially in the tropics (where its pretty much a daily occurence in the wet season). But as i said, its not a problem. And while I dont live in the tropics, we still get a number of thunderstorms, and I dont think Ive ever replaced a pre-amp due to lightning (if i have its not many).

We dont require grounding on double insulated devices here either, so that means quite a few TVs dont have a ground pin to connect the aerial indirectly to the house earth either. Leaving the antenna ground at a floating voltage (generally approx 40V).

Furthermore, quite a few houses (our OTA uptake approaches 100%), have massive roof mounted masts on tile roofs which at no point are grounded. I havent noticed any particular issue with those either.

OTOH Ive repaired plenty of TVs that have died after power surges over the mains due to thunderstorms. but grounding the aerial wont fix that.

Finally, assuming you got a direct hit, no amount of grounding will help

[JamesK]

^^^^
Double insulated devices don't require a ground here either, but that has nothing to do with lightning. I guess you have different laws of physics down there, as lighting tends to go for high points and can cause a lot of problems and even kill. The CN Tower in Toronto, at over 1800' gets hit several times in a storm. It has 3 large copper bars to carry the lightning hit to ground.

[nbound-au]

The CN Tower at 1800' is a special case (so is any tall object, or things on high terrain), considering most houses including aerials, arent even as tall as a reasonably large tree. And as I said, grounding an antenna wont help in the case of a direct hit. If your mast gets directly hit, your TV is going to be fried. Millions of volts generally dont pay much attention, to well, anything.

[JamesK]

^^^^
Just yesterday, a farm worker, near London Ontario, was hit by lightning. There have been many examples over the years of houses being hit. BTW, I work in the telecom industry and have been to microwave and cell sites. You'd never, ever install an antenna there without a good, solid ground. There would also be surge protectors on the lines heading inside. Always. The reason for all that? Protection from surges induced by lighting. The electrical codes here also specify grounding for utilities and antennas. Why would that be, if lightning didn't cause damage? Nearby trees make take the hit, but what if there are none in the vicinity? You can then be certain your antenna will be the high point.

You may want to read this article about lightning rods. Your antenna, sticking above your roof is a lighting rod whether you believe it or not. The current will take the easiest path(s). Would you rather it be through a properly grounded antenna or through your home?

[Jase88]

nbound-au, I wonder if the lack of ground is simply a cultural thing? The general consensus is that they aren't required, so nobody really does it?!

We often see regional "preferences" with regards to OTA. For example, in some countries you'll see primarily Yagi antennas....others will be primarily 4 or 8 bays, etc.

[downbeat]

Please be aware there is an existing thread for grounding as it relates to all sorts of installations, including OTA:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=62265

[nbound-au]

I never said lightning didnt cause damage, just that its not as common as the north american dtv forums I visit would care to admit. All Radio/TV and Mobile (Cell) sites here are of course grounded and have lightning rods (especially as they are usually very tall and on high terrain), and buildings many stories high may have purpose built lightning rods too. I wont continue this discussion further per downbeat's request (Hell I didnt expect to get into such a debate about it).


Incase it is not clear, in no case do I want anyone to install an antenna that does not conform to your local laws.