BC - Victoria, The Island, Sunshine Coast, BC Interior, BC North - OTA - Page 17 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

jjkroell · 2010-01-14, 12:14 AM

phew... I'm glad I'm not the only one. Still though, it's happening again tonight watching Bones 9pm. Really unwatchable. Might try and take the antenna back up on the roof and do some testing to see if having it in the attic is what is causing this.

Anyone think a 4228 would work better than a SGBH here in Parksville? Would love to just test a 4228 just to see what the reception would be like!

jjkroell · 2010-01-19, 11:40 PM

boy this section gets a lot of traffic

not

Anyways, it's up on the roof and still having the same issue.. Only now the signal meter reads approx 85-90 vice the 60.

Anyone have any possible causes as why this is happening?? (channel cutting in and out - but signal remains strong)..

stampeder · 2010-01-20, 12:02 AM

jjkroell, with your SBGH up on the roof and that much of a signal jump already seen, everything is great on your end so the rest is just plain physics, electromagnetism, and the atmosphere telling us that you may never get better reception on that channel from where you are. A CM4228 or CM4228HD will not do better, but a DBGH might. One last thought - are you presently using a preamp? If not, try one with your SBGH to see if it locks that station in.

gagemunsun · 2010-01-24, 01:28 AM

I bought a CM4228 about 4 and 1/2 years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't have much luck with OTA broadcasting from my area. I left the antenna on the roof until one day it fell onto the side of the roof. It was slightly damaged but seemed ok. The antenna and related cable were left on the side of the roof.

I stood the antenna up today against the roof to see if reception had improved since 2005. I don't seem to be getting any digital or analog signals at all. I would previously get an indication of weak digital signals. I had also been getting some analog stations as well. I am using a CM7777 preamp with a Hughes receiver.

Is it possible that my antenna is more seriously damaged than I suspected? Is there someway I can test my antenna?

keithr386 · 2010-01-24, 11:27 AM

gagemunsun, what is your nearest intersection?

Given your area's hilly topography, it is hard to tell whether your antenna is damaged on not. Depending on your intersection, it looks like your best "test" point is CKVU just a bit west of north (possible line of sight). I would suggest making a simple home made antenna, like the M4 without a reflector , and see if you get a lock with that one.

Also, others more experienced than me may be better suited to comment on this, but with a CM4228 with a pre-amp may be kind of overkill given the proximity of some stations to your area.

danbcman · 2010-01-24, 11:52 AM

Based on the fact the antenna was left outside for some time you may want to try a simple step first get your self a transformer or balun as water may have gotton into the old one on it and google the antenna find a photo of the antenna and just compare what you have to the image of a good one.
I Have the same antenna other than the plastic insolators it seems rather indestructable.

After a little more thought I have to add it may be the coax cable issue also that maybe damaged it may be a good idea to try a new one RG6 cable from antenna to tv to be sure

gagemunsun · 2010-01-24, 12:05 PM

Keith386

The nearest intersection is at Dennis Drive and Denford Crescent in Victoria.

danbcman

I was thinking of bypassing the pre-amp to see if that was the problem. I'll do that in the next hour.

danbcman · 2010-01-24, 12:09 PM

That is a great plan as isolating to the fewest componates is a great step
The roof may be slippy be careful no antenna is worth an injury

gagemunsun · 2010-01-24, 12:45 PM

I disconnected the pre-amp and I started getting indications of some weak digital stations (Channel 9 being the strongest with only 1 bar showing). I then tried to point the antenna toward Seattle and was able to get up to 3 bars.

So it was probably the pre-amp. Now the question is how to boost my signal. There are some trees in the neighbour's yard between me and Seattle (about 50 ft from the antenna). Would this make much of a difference?

I've read of a couple of people in Victoria who have had luck with good signals. I thought with my heighth and field of view I would also be successful. Any suggestions on improving my signals would be greatly appreciated.

danbcman · 2010-01-24, 12:49 PM

Hi
well heres the thing did you disconnect the pre amp assembly at the antenna also? A direct line from the antenna to the Hughes receiver is a good idea. Is your tv able to take the antenna feed directly?
Where you are I would think KVOS should be blasting at you and a paper clip should get it anyways for now getting down to the fewest connectioms the better

stampeder · 2010-01-24, 01:02 PM

Agreed that on an ATSC tuner you should be getting the 2 Bellingham stations booming in. On an analogue tuner you should be getting CKVU booming in on channel 10 since the original CM4228 has great VHF-HI reception. All the Victoria analogue UHFs should be booming in too, and I used to get CHEK on 6 over here in North Delta on a CM4228 so you should too.

gagemunsun · 2010-01-24, 01:02 PM

danbcman

Just to clarify (hopefully) what I did. I disconnected the cable that was going from the antenna into the pre-amp. I then disconnected the cable coming out of the pre-amp. This cable was feeding directly into my receiver. I then connected the cable that was previously going into the pre-amp with the cable that was coming out of the pre-amp using a splitter (it had one input with two outputs).

I don't have a tuner in the tv I'm testing. I do have an old portable tv with an antenna input. I also have a newer tv with a digital tuner but it is in the floor below. It's a newer sharp (one year old) and I could run a longer cable into it.

BTW. I appreciate your help.

danbcman · 2010-01-24, 01:07 PM

It is best to take the time to use the best you have and that means running the cable to the new tv one cable from that unit directly to the antenna no spliters no fancy stuff right now as this is an antenna setup process you can modify after you have a proven antenna aim and funtionality.

PS I bet after your first scan you'll recieve DTV OTA

stampeder · 2010-01-24, 01:09 PM

That splitter is costing you valuable signal so if you can replace it with a joiner/coupler it would really help. If your new Sharp TV has an ATSC signal meter in it you would be able to peak the antenna for the station(s) you want. Let us know how it goes.

Also can you please do the step-by-step instructions in Post #10 of the OTA FAQ to show us your TVFool results?

gagemunsun · 2010-01-24, 01:44 PM

Here's my TVFools results:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c72345488e9e7d

My interpretation is that I should be getting fairly good reception.

2010-01-24, 01:28 AM	#244
gagemunsun Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, BC (North Quadra area) Posts: 10	Damaged antenna? I bought a CM4228 about 4 and 1/2 years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't have much luck with OTA broadcasting from my area. I left the antenna on the roof until one day it fell onto the side of the roof. It was slightly damaged but seemed ok. The antenna and related cable were left on the side of the roof. I stood the antenna up today against the roof to see if reception had improved since 2005. I don't seem to be getting any digital or analog signals at all. I would previously get an indication of weak digital signals. I had also been getting some analog stations as well. I am using a CM7777 preamp with a Hughes receiver. Is it possible that my antenna is more seriously damaged than I suspected? Is there someway I can test my antenna?

2010-01-24, 11:52 AM	#246
danbcman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Westminster Posts: 1,237	damaged antenna Based on the fact the antenna was left outside for some time you may want to try a simple step first get your self a transformer or balun as water may have gotton into the old one on it and google the antenna find a photo of the antenna and just compare what you have to the image of a good one. I Have the same antenna other than the plastic insolators it seems rather indestructable. After a little more thought I have to add it may be the coax cable issue also that maybe damaged it may be a good idea to try a new one RG6 cable from antenna to tv to be sure Last edited by danbcman; 2010-01-24 at 12:07 PM. Reason: add more info

2010-01-24, 12:09 PM	#248
danbcman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Westminster Posts: 1,237	damaged antenna That is a great plan as isolating to the fewest componates is a great step The roof may be slippy be careful no antenna is worth an injury

2010-01-24, 12:49 PM	#250
danbcman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Westminster Posts: 1,237	pre amp disonnection Hi well heres the thing did you disconnect the pre amp assembly at the antenna also? A direct line from the antenna to the Hughes receiver is a good idea. Is your tv able to take the antenna feed directly? Where you are I would think KVOS should be blasting at you and a paper clip should get it anyways for now getting down to the fewest connectioms the better

2010-01-24, 01:07 PM	#253
danbcman Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Westminster Posts: 1,237	good news all around It is best to take the time to use the best you have and that means running the cable to the new tv one cable from that unit directly to the antenna no spliters no fancy stuff right now as this is an antenna setup process you can modify after you have a proven antenna aim and funtionality. PS I bet after your first scan you'll recieve DTV OTA

2010-01-14, 12:14 AM	#241
jjkroell Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 38	phew... I'm glad I'm not the only one. Still though, it's happening again tonight watching Bones 9pm. Really unwatchable. Might try and take the antenna back up on the roof and do some testing to see if having it in the attic is what is causing this. Anyone think a 4228 would work better than a SGBH here in Parksville? Would love to just test a 4228 just to see what the reception would be like!

2010-01-19, 11:40 PM	#242
jjkroell Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 38	boy this section gets a lot of traffic not Anyways, it's up on the roof and still having the same issue.. Only now the signal meter reads approx 85-90 vice the 60. Anyone have any possible causes as why this is happening?? (channel cutting in and out - but signal remains strong)..

2010-01-20, 12:02 AM	#243
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	jjkroell, with your SBGH up on the roof and that much of a signal jump already seen, everything is great on your end so the rest is just plain physics, electromagnetism, and the atmosphere telling us that you may never get better reception on that channel from where you are. A CM4228 or CM4228HD will not do better, but a DBGH might. One last thought - are you presently using a preamp? If not, try one with your SBGH to see if it locks that station in.

2010-01-24, 11:27 AM	#245
keithr386 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brookswood area, Langley, BC - M4 no reflector, no preamp, Samsung 40 inch LCD (model: LN40A330) Posts: 201	gagemunsun, what is your nearest intersection? Given your area's hilly topography, it is hard to tell whether your antenna is damaged on not. Depending on your intersection, it looks like your best "test" point is CKVU just a bit west of north (possible line of sight). I would suggest making a simple home made antenna, like the M4 without a reflector , and see if you get a lock with that one. Also, others more experienced than me may be better suited to comment on this, but with a CM4228 with a pre-amp may be kind of overkill given the proximity of some stations to your area.

2010-01-24, 12:05 PM	#247
gagemunsun Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, BC (North Quadra area) Posts: 10	Keith386 The nearest intersection is at Dennis Drive and Denford Crescent in Victoria. danbcman I was thinking of bypassing the pre-amp to see if that was the problem. I'll do that in the next hour.

2010-01-24, 12:45 PM	#249
gagemunsun Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, BC (North Quadra area) Posts: 10	I disconnected the pre-amp and I started getting indications of some weak digital stations (Channel 9 being the strongest with only 1 bar showing). I then tried to point the antenna toward Seattle and was able to get up to 3 bars. So it was probably the pre-amp. Now the question is how to boost my signal. There are some trees in the neighbour's yard between me and Seattle (about 50 ft from the antenna). Would this make much of a difference? I've read of a couple of people in Victoria who have had luck with good signals. I thought with my heighth and field of view I would also be successful. Any suggestions on improving my signals would be greatly appreciated.

2010-01-24, 01:02 PM	#251
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	Agreed that on an ATSC tuner you should be getting the 2 Bellingham stations booming in. On an analogue tuner you should be getting CKVU booming in on channel 10 since the original CM4228 has great VHF-HI reception. All the Victoria analogue UHFs should be booming in too, and I used to get CHEK on 6 over here in North Delta on a CM4228 so you should too.

2010-01-24, 01:02 PM	#252
gagemunsun Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, BC (North Quadra area) Posts: 10	danbcman Just to clarify (hopefully) what I did. I disconnected the cable that was going from the antenna into the pre-amp. I then disconnected the cable coming out of the pre-amp. This cable was feeding directly into my receiver. I then connected the cable that was previously going into the pre-amp with the cable that was coming out of the pre-amp using a splitter (it had one input with two outputs). I don't have a tuner in the tv I'm testing. I do have an old portable tv with an antenna input. I also have a newer tv with a digital tuner but it is in the floor below. It's a newer sharp (one year old) and I could run a longer cable into it. BTW. I appreciate your help.

2010-01-24, 01:09 PM	#254
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	That splitter is costing you valuable signal so if you can replace it with a joiner/coupler it would really help. If your new Sharp TV has an ATSC signal meter in it you would be able to peak the antenna for the station(s) you want. Let us know how it goes. Also can you please do the step-by-step instructions in Post #10 of the OTA FAQ to show us your TVFool results? __________________ New To OTA? OTA FAQ & Knowledge Base OTA Antenna Chart 8.2

2010-01-24, 01:44 PM	#255
gagemunsun Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, BC (North Quadra area) Posts: 10	Here's my TVFools results: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...c72345488e9e7d My interpretation is that I should be getting fairly good reception.

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