Cold Weather HORRIBLE Reception

[chawni]

I have a an HD stacker antenna and a preamp mounted from ground (attached to the house) about 30 ft up. Everytime the temp goes below 40 degrees, the reception is horrible. I get "no signal detected" to pixelation and fragmentation so bad it's impossible to watch. Once the temp goes up, the reception returns to normal.Any reason why it's doing this and any suggestions as to stop it from happening? :confused::confused:

[ken farnik]

This is about the Chawni comment on Cold temps. I would look for a loose connection, water in a fitting or things like that. Does it happen on all channels?

[chawni]

Yes. It affects all channels. When you say water in fittings wouldn't rain do the same thing? I have no issues with rain.

[ADTech]

Sounds like a defective electrical connection that is contracting enough (below 40F) to open the circuit.

Start by inspecting EVERY outdoor coax connection for a retracted "stinger" (center conductor). It's the most likely to shrink in length with temperature drops and pull back even further causing an open. If any stingers are shorter than the rim of the connector's nut, redo the connection with a new compression fitting and ensure the stinger extends just beyond the nut. If you bought inexpensive coax from a local retailer, inspect it for being "stretchy". I once helped a brother-in-law install a sat dish on a vacation cabin and, after spending two hours of up and down the ladder, we, found that the cheap white coax he'd bought at Walmart had allowed the shield to stretch causing the stinger to retract and not make connections.

Inspect all ground blocks, barrel connectors, and female F-connectors for stretched out contacts next.

After that, it gets harder.

[Tower Guy]

Another possibility is a temperature sensitive component inside the preamp.

[chawni]

Sounds like a defective electrical connection that is contracting enough (below 40F) to open the circuit.

Start by inspecting EVERY outdoor coax connection for a retracted "stinger" (center conductor). It's the most likely to shrink in length with temperature drops and pull back even further causing an open. If any stingers are shorter than the rim of the connector's nut, redo the connection with a new compression fitting and ensure the stinger extends just beyond the nut. If you bought inexpensive coax from a local retailer, inspect it for being "stretchy". I once helped a brother-in-law install a sat dish on a vacation cabin and, after spending two hours of up and down the ladder, we, found that the cheap white coax he'd bought at Walmart had allowed the shield to stretch causing the stinger to retract and not make connections.

Inspect all ground blocks, barrel connectors, and female F-connectors for stretched out contacts next.

After that, it gets harder.

I made sure I bought the highest quality cable to reduce loss as much as possible. All "stingers" are extended beyond the nut. Thanks for your input.

[chawni]

Another possibility is a temperature sensitive component inside the preamp.

I bought it from Dennys so I think I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if they can shed some light on the issue. Thanks for the reply.

[ADTech]

I bought it from Dennys so I think I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if they can shed some light on the issue. Thanks for the reply.


Good luck with that...

[chawni]

Good luck with that...

Unfortunately, I don't know what other option I have.

[Tower Guy]

Unfortunately, I don't know what other option I have.
You can try it by removing the preamp and see what happens. Further advice would require a link to a TVfool radar report.

[rabbit73]

It would make it easier for us to help you if you kept it all on the same thread. Your previous thread:

What is a Recommendation for Best Antenna for my Area?
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=15625

report
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8e03ffd464d49d