Declining reception
 

Hi,

I have been receiving OTA reception since the US went digital a couple of years back - lately, my reception has been getting worse and worse and it is very frustrating - it seems like reception was better a couple of years ago with the old analog TV and a cheap converter box. Here is my current set up

Location: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...0b864b01f44ea7
Antenna - Winegard HD8200U - about 40' above ground level on roof
Pre-AMP - Winegard Chromstar 2000 AP8275
TV - LG 47LV4400-UA
DVR (recently added) Channel Master CM7000PAL

I have a distribution amp also but have recently disconnected that and a 2nd TV in trying to increase signal strength - the Dist Amp is Winegard HDA 200

I also have motorized rotor to turn the antenna. Curiously, I bring in channel 5 (KING NBC) from SEattle at rotor # 6 on one day, then the next day I either cannot get the channel at all, or I get it with the rotor set at #24 or something?? There seems to be no rhyme nor reason to the direction of the antenna from day to day and it never used to be that way.

Anyone got any ideas

An antenna mounted at 40' AGL is not the easiest to access for close inspection or service... But have you inspected the antenna, matching transformer/network and connectors... closely? If you don't see obvious damage to the antenna, you still need to look for corrosion and water in the connectors, coax and transformer.

Then there's the possibility of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) damage to the preamp. Often, small static buildup can cause damage that only degrades the performance of a transistor or integrated circuit... not every static discharge causes catastrophic failure.

Have you visually confirmed that the rotator points the direction the controller says it's pointing?

Thanks GroundURMast

You are right that even at the apex of my roof, the antenna components are not easy to visually inspect. The antenna itself looks fine - my next step was to loosen the mast and lower the whole unit for a closer look but honestly, I have been avoiding that hoping for an easier answer!! The rotor seems true - I have watched it move while someone inside is hitting the remote and it will turn 360 -

Living where I do we certainly get enough rain to possibly cause a problem- the pre amp is outside on the mast (as recommended) and it is insulated as much as possible - I am not sure what to look for as far as water in the coax?? Corrosion I could see but what do I do if there is some corrosion?

ESD?? I wouldn't know what to do with that - how could I tell if that kind of damage occurred to the pre-amp

Thanks in advance - I am feeling a little lost here - but it looks like a day up on the roof is in my future

Generally, the consumer is limited to visual inspection and substituting known good parts.

If a part is corroded, it's often best to replace it.

Water in the coax is solved by replacing the section of coax.

If you have thoroughly inspected the antenna, coax and transformer, are confident of their condition, the cheapest way for you or I to test a preamp for ESD damage is to substitute a known good unit. (I can't justify the expense of a spectrum analyzer with a signal generator. Even used, such equipment will start at several thousand dollars and you'll need to know how to use it and interpret it's results.)

A damaged amp will perform worse than no amp at all. Keep swapping out and inspecting connectors. Rubber boots and silicone grease, are a must, as are drip loops.

Better then silicon grease and rubber boots.

To seal outside connections.

Is Coax Seal.

Type the words - coax seal - in the http://www.solidsignal.com search box.

Also self fusing tape. Self fusing tape fuses to its self and what it is applied to and keeps out water and dirt.

http://www.xtremetape.com.

Thanks for the advice - since I first wrote in, our weather out here (Wa State) has gotten clear and cold (for us) and that means frost and ice on the roof so I have not had a chance to get up there and pull the mast down for a closer inspection - clear weather also has meant much better reception although the system still has its quirks and drop offs - the more I read on here the more I am thinking connection issues - the Scotch coax seal rec seem like a good one - my guess at this point is water but I am a novice for sure.

BTW what a great site! There have been so many times when I am ready to cave and order a satellite and then I come on here and read all this stuff and decide screw them - I'm staying OTA

tx
jimmylittleman

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http://columbiaisa.50webs.com/homepage.htm. Please wait if loads slow.

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http://www.ramelectronics.net.

http://www.sewelldirect.com.

http://www.tigerdirect.com.

http://www.epvision.com. ePvision is top of the line.

http://www.channelmasterstore.com. Channel Master is top of the line.
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And other Channel Master internet devices.
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The Slingbox and a Tuner can be put at a Distant location , and the Tuner and Slingbox will send a Tv channel over the internet to your internet connection so you can watch that distant Tv channel/s on your Tv.
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http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=570. Please wait if loads slow.

http://www.roku.com.

http://www.dtv.gov/rescan.html.

http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/rescan.pdf.