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Originally Posted by Dagwood
What is a "power inserter"?
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You said you had a preamp. A preamp needs power to operate, and a power inserter sends the power up to the preamp.
A preamp system comes in two parts: the preamp itself up by the antenna, and a power inserter down below. The power inserter makes it possible to send the DC power up to the preamp on the SAME coax that sends the signals down to the TV.
If something goes wrong with the power inserter, then it might not be able to send the power up to the preamp to make it amplify the signals.
It is possible to measure the voltage at the power inserter to see if the voltage is there without going up to the roof. Of course, that is only he first step in trouble shooting a preamp. The results of that test will determine what you need to do next.
Do you have a voltmeter, or do you have a buddy that can make electrical measurements?
http://dennysantennaservice.com/1136577.html
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I checked both those links; none of it meant much to me. I live in upstate NY, south of Rochester 30 or so miles, as the crow flies. Could a solar flare have been the problem?
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Solar flares can knock out radio and TV signals. They can also knock out the power grid. You must remember the widespread blackout in the Northeast that started in Canada.
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/fe..._darkness.html
https://www.inverse.com/article/3413...kout-nyc-earth
There has been loss of signals this week.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sola...iw=911&bih=345
So, it is possible, but it is more likely a problem with your preamp.