Signal Problems

[turp7622]

I live in Houston, TX 32 miles straight north of the Antenna Farm. Nearly every channel in Houston comes from 7 antennas in the Farm.

My Issue is that channel 2.1 (real channel is 35) will have signal strength go from 78% to 40% the to 0 and back to 78% randomly. the SNR shows about 30db then drops to 22db then 0 and back to 30db. this is the only channel that does this.

Here is my Signal Report: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d03d94e686de3fc

From looking at the information on the Antenna Farm channel 39.1 (real channel is 38) broadcasts from the same antenna. this channel is 85% constant with no drops.

I get all other channels with no problems or drops. only the one channel.

From reading about the signal drop and bounce back, I would gather it is a multipath issue. but I would also assume that all the other channels would have same issue as all the antennas are within a square mile of each other 177 deg and 32 miles south of me. At least the channel broadcasting from the same antenna.

Antenna is HBU33 in attic.

I have moved antenna couple feet to the right and left and forward and backward but have same issue.

Anyone have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this?

[John Candle]

What direction is the main airport located from you direction?? I'll be back with more information , gotta run.

[turp7622]

Airport is 20 miles to the east. The landing planes do come in at about 2500 ft about a mile or two to the south of me.

It could make sense for multi path, but there again, I would expect it to be more than just one channel as all signals are coming from same location.

[John Candle]

I believe the problem is multi path , Try pointing the front of the antenna down , this will tilt the top UHF reflector in more of a downward direction so there will be less reception from reflections off of planes. Another thing to try is a variable attenuator , Antennas Direct 1296F . dialing down the signal strength also dials down the reflected signals and the tuner will be better able to filter out the reflected signals. If you have any amplifiers connected , remove them completly. Another thing to try is move the antenna to the outside.

[John Candle]

Here is a antenna that is designed to reduce multipath , Winegard HD7210P. http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=ANWGHST , http://winegard.com/kbase/upload/hd7210p.pdf

[Tower Guy]

Anyone have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this?

If the intervals between the dropouts are 31 seconds or a multiple of 31 seconds, it could be a transmitter problem.

[John Candle]

Call KPRC 713-222-2222 and ask for the engineering department.