My Antenna
 

Here is a picture of my antenna(s) mounting, cable from preamplifier is temporary until I figure out the reception problem.

Do a quick check to see if preamp power is getting to the amplifier module. Use your multimeter AT THE AMPLIFIER's signal out/power in connector to check for the +15 VDC from the indoor supply. Simply disconnect the coax lead from the amp and measure between the shield and the center conductor of the coax. Anything between 12 and 18 volts is expected.

If that passes, we've at least eliminated power to the preamp as a cause. You can then do the troubleshooting one of two ways: Either break it down to individual sub-components and verify each, then integrate one step at a time retesting at each or you remove or bypass a single component at a time and see when it starts to work.

Go back to testing each antenna alone, and insert the UHF/VHF combiner to check it for each band.

It appears my channel master 7777 quit working? If my cable wires cross from my preamp will this do?

That is a little tricky to do with the end of the coax coming up from the power inserter that connects to the preamp. You have to connect one voltmeter probe to the coax shield and touch the other probe to the center conductor without shorting it to the shield. I sometimes insert the cable connector into an F81 adapter and insert a short length of 18 gauge bare copper wire into the other end of the F81. The 18 gauge wire is the same size as the center conductor of the RG6 coax. The attachments show me checking the voltage at the lower end of the coax when the preamp (old model 7777) is powered.

Do you have the new model 7777 with only one antenna input?

Troubleshooting the new 7777:
http://support.channelmaster.com/hc/...ing-correctly-

http://downloads.channelmaster.com/S...77_7778_UG.pdf

http://forum.tvfool.com/attachment.p...7&d=1436753605

What makes you think it is bad?
Please explain what you mean by that.

Can you receive anything on either antenna without the 7777?

Combiner
 

Should the switch for UHF be on or off on my combiner it says; Switchable DC passthrough is provided from output to UHF input, allowing a remotely powered signal amplifier to be used with the UHF antenna?

What I meant on the coaxial cables crossing over is going into the house the same cable crosses it self in places.

Going to take down antenna today and check connections and test.

I haven't used that combiner, but as near as I can tell the switch should be off if a preamp is used after the combiner. If you made a test with the switch on with no preamp but the power inserter on and powered, there is a chance that you have damaged the combiner or inserter or both.

I still don't understand; I would need to see a diagram of what is connected to what.

Thanks rabbit73, I check out all connections, combiner, preamp, etc. everything was good, it turn out to be my new db8e antenna, I had some second thoughts when I received it with the box partly open and taped??? I put my old UHF antenna up in place of it and everything worked. I am returning it for a replacement. Thanks again. Will see what the new one does when it comes in.

May I ask where you purchased a DB8e that was received in that condition?

ADTech, It was from Amazon, I am returning it for another one, hopefully this one with be good. I read good reviews here and recommendation for the DB8e, will keep trying.

Sorry to hear you got a lemon, but glad that you found the problem.

Good detective work, hsparks56!

I have heard stories about returns being resold on Amazon. There is more than one listing for DB8e antennas on Amazon. Some say "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." and others say "Ships from and sold by Techibble." or "Ships from and sold by UnbeatableSale, Inc." I would think the "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com." listing would be more reliable.

I also see they are selling the older DB8 (no e) for less than the DB8e, and some clones like the FOCUS-8HD-90D, Xtreme Signal HDB8X-NI 8-Bay, and Dual Quad Bay Outdoor by Stellar Labs,

Which listing did you use?

Antennas don't ship well; the cartons seem inadequate. About half the antennas I have ordered have arrived with some damage.

Absolutely. We've had a number of Amazon Marketplace sellers offering "recycled" merchandise as new over the years....

Not a happy camper
 

Have my new DB8e up, tried it before I put it up got channels in my upstairs bedroom. Installed back on mast, no channels anywhere I point it. Hooked it up alone with amplifier still no channels??? What is going on this makes no sense. My old UHF antenna works in the same location on the mast, not impressed by this antenna at all!!

For troubleshooting purposes, run a temporary dedicated coaxial cable directly from the antenna's combiner unit to the nearest TV set. There's something going on here in your installation that isn't immediately evident and it is going to be necessary to break down the system to its individual components in order to understand what is going on.

That means: No amplifier, no external combiner, both panels aligned in a single direction at a time. Test reception. If you have stations in another direction, re-aim the antenna and retest individually. We have to learn what is and is not working.

I have already eliminated everything stated above, I am only hooked into the DB8e directly with no amplifier, external combiner, etc. The only thing I haven't done is aligned the two panels in a single direction, but this defeats my purpose of buying the antenna to use in two directions? Not trying to sound negative just discouraged.

Thanks ADTech

Understood, but that is an important part of the test. It eliminates that possibility.

Without aiming both panels in the same direction, you don't really know if that is the cause of the problem or it is something else.

At this point all you know is that one antenna works and the other doesn't, but you still don't know why.

Found problem, it was a bad coaxial cable, seems like it worked when it wanted too. I did try aiming both panels in same direction works good and I think I'm going to keep them this way even though it works with them in different directions. The pictures are amazing!! What a difference from Cable. I am going with a rotor which ones would you recommend?

Thanks AD Tech, rabbit73!!!!

Glad to hear you found the issue (and that it wasn't the antenna after all).

If it works good with the panels pointing in different directions, I don't understand why you would want to go to a rotor. For TV antennas, rotors are a pain the the a.., I mean rear...

Tim, re-think the situation and read about the pros & cons of a rotor, I'm staying with just my 2 antennas.