Reception Loss at Temperature 32 Degrees or Below, and PBS Channels Never Received

[RedAliCat]

Yet another "cut the DirecTv bill" person here in Boise, Idaho, needing advice on why I'm losing reception on some channels when the temperature outside dips below freezing. Also, the PBS channels just don't come in at all, regardless of the weather.

Here's my stats:
TV Fool Antenna (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94def797dc41): http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d5b94def797dc41

Philips TV antenna SDV2940 UHF/HDTV digital Indoor/outdoor (http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?ctn=SDV2940/27&scy=us&slg=en), using it outside on our single-level house per this photo:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/12004993765_145704667d_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redalicat/12004993765/)
Antenna Setup (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redalicat/12004993765/) by redalicat (http://www.flickr.com/people/redalicat/), on Flickr
Antenna came with something it calls a "Power Injector", so that's installed per instructions. Documentation says it's omnidirectional, but it's mounted at 56 degrees.
Wiring: Coax that had been attached to satellite dish, installed 1.5 years ago. Removed any splitters, etc.

This is just for one TV. When the temperature is above freezing, we do not receive the PBS stations at all but the rest of the main network channels come in fine. When the temperature hits 32F or below, both NBC and CBS pixelate and drop out so bad that they're completely unwatchable, sometimes the ABC channel but not as often. Since we watch TV mostly at night, this has become frustrating.

Don't know if this would make a difference, but I'm using a converter box, Apex DT504, on a 2002 Panasonic CT-32HX41E.

What I'd like: weather not to affect viewing of any network channel, and to receive the 4 PBS channels anytime. I'm pretty much interested in the main network channels, don't care if I lose the other oddball channels, some of which I seem to receive beautifully. I've considered mounting the antenna up on the satellite pole (with the dish removed) or even higher up on the house if it will help, but I don't know if that will work for me at all.

Bottom line: is this antenna worth working with, or should I pony up for something more/better? I'm only 10 mi away from most of the signals, and the manufacturer says it's 20 mi range.

[GroundUrMast]

While it's possible the atmospheric conditions could be changing so much that it affects reception, I'm inclined to think there may be a defect in the amplifier built into that antenna.

I would go for all the available reception, by pointing a Winegard HD7694P at 36° per a compass. I would not expect to need an amplifier if connecting only one TV using about 50' of cable. Be sure to mount clear of obstructions.

[teleview]

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A Simple reception situation.

Above the Peak of the Roof ( not down the roof ).

Install a , www.channelmasterstore.com , CM4228HD , UHF/VHF antenna aimed at about 36 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html

Use a Real and Actual magnetic compass to aim antenna.

Here are some Above The Peak Of The Roof Antenna Mounts.

www.ronard.com/909911.html
Use the , ronard(911) , 5 foot tripod antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/34424560.html
Use the , ronard (4560) , eave antenna mount.

www.ronard.com/ychim.html
Measure around the chimney and use a , ronard(2212) , ronard(2218) , ronard(2224) .
Buy the ronard antenna mounts at , www.ronard.com .

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A antenna system amplifier is not required.

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For 1 Tv connected use No splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a simple common 2 way splitter.

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As always , trees and tree leaves , plants and plant leaves , have a Negative Effect on Broadcast Tv Reception and so do buildings and other obstructions including your own roof and building.

Some and not all Negative Effects are.

Absorbing and Blocking Tv Reception.

Multi-Path Reflecting Tv Signals Bouncing All Around.

The Best Practices is to install the Tv antenna at a location that has the least amount to no amount of obstructions in the directions of reception.

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Digital Broadcast Tv Tuners can develop -Digital Glitches- that are not cleared out with simple channel scans.

Do Double Rescan to clear tuner.

www.wchstv.com/DoubleReScanAlert.pdf

[GroundUrMast]

I have to agree, the CM-4228 is a good fit in this application.

[RedAliCat]

I have to agree, the CM-4228 is a good fit in this application.

Thank you. I had been looking at the Antennas Direct C2-V-CJM ClearStream 2-V; would it be a contender in this situation?

[ADTech]

Thank you. I had been looking at the Antennas Direct C2-V-CJM ClearStream 2-V; would it be a contender in this situation?

Yes, it is an excellent fit for your circumstances.

Be patient in selecting a mounting location for the antenna. Use a temporary mounting facility to test reception BEFORE drilling any holes. It is often necessary to relocate antennas due to channel-specific dead spots and it sometimes takes several test locations to find a suitable mounting location where everything 'plays nice'. You are in the shadow of the foothills and will be relying on diffracted signals. Don't be too surprised if you have to move the antenna a few times. Using the CJ mount's adjustable feature, tilt the antenna back so that the antenna is aimed up at the horizon to your north east.

Another advantage of the C2V is you can pick one up at almost any Walmart or Best Buy. Comes with a 20" compact mount in those stores.

[RedAliCat]

Yes, it is an excellent fit for your circumstances.

Be patient in selecting a mounting location for the antenna. Use a temporary mounting facility to test reception BEFORE drilling any holes. It is often necessary to relocate antennas due to channel-specific dead spots and it sometimes takes several test locations to find a suitable mounting location where everything 'plays nice'. You are in the shadow of the foothills and will be relying on diffracted signals. Don't be too surprised if you have to move the antenna a few times. Using the CJ mount's adjustable feature, tilt the antenna back so that the antenna is aimed up at the horizon to your north east.

Another advantage of the C2V is you can pick one up at almost any Walmart or Best Buy. Comes with a 20" compact mount in those stores.

Thank you for the advice about testing locations and tilting the antenna. Hadn't thought about either.

[GroundUrMast]

You may be seeing a pattern developing here... Based on your report, you should be able to get good performance from any of the mid size antennas with High VHF + UHF (real channels 7 through 13 + 14 and higher) capability. Antenna location and aim are important.

[RedAliCat]

All advice much appreciated. I'm guessing I shouldn't waste my time trying to make the current antenna work?

[teleview]

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The sellers of the tiny little Tv antennas such as , and not limited to , what you have are making a lot of money with claims of magic Tv reception from as far away as Mars.

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Your reception location has , 1 and 2 Edge Path obstructions , this means land obstructions , hills - mountains in the path of reception that are high enough to obstruct prevent the direct LOS=Line Of Sight transmission from the transmitter from reaching your reception antenna.

This is why I recommend the larger CM4228HD antenna to receive more signal for reliable reception.

The size is.

5 inch , front of the antenna to back of the antenna.

49 inch , wide.

33 inch , tall.

The broad flat reception surface does a excelent job of receiving Tv transmissions.

www.channelmasterstore.com

www.amazon.com

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Use New RG-6 Coax , Outside.

To help keep weather water out of outside connections.

Use New RG-6 Coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the older crimp type connectors on the ends of the coax.

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Disconnect and Remove -->ALL Parts<--of the tiny little antenna , Disconnect and Remove the antenna , Disconnect and Remove the power injector , Disconnect and Remove the power supply , Disconnect and Remove the coax.

[RedAliCat]

+=>This is why I recommend the larger CM4228HD antenna to receive more signal for reliable reception.

Thank you. Would you also suggest aiming it at 36° on the compass as an earlier post suggested on another antenna? Also, should this antenna be tilted back, too?

Use New RG-6 Coax , Outside.

To help keep weather water out of outside connections.

Use New RG-6 Coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the older crimp type connectors on the ends of the coax.
Thank you. I wouldn't be surprised if there's water in the current coax. It would explain the freezing conundrum.

[teleview]

+=>
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Replace the outside coax with , New RG-6 coax.

Use the coax that has the Compression type connectors on the ends of the coax , not the crimp type connectors on the ends of the coax.

And is a good idea to replace other outside connections such as coax ground block and splitters and etc. .

When all is setup and working correctly.

To make Double Sure weather water does not get into outside coax and etc. .

Wrap with , www.coaxseal.com

[RedAliCat]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/12354102385_3d7904dc19_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redalicat/12354102385/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/redalicat/12354102385/) by redalicat (http://www.flickr.com/people/redalicat/), on Flickr

Well, I wanted to update the thread with the news that I selected the RCA ANT751. Removed the dish and mounted the RCA to it, aiming it above the horizon, per the photo above. All main network channels and all 4 of the PBS channels are coming in beautifully, even in the freezing weather. Thank you all for your help with this!