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Old 31-Aug-2012, 2:19 AM   #1
Bonswagler
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HELP! DTV is not picking up channels

My wife and I decided to get rid of our cable to save money. We went to Best Buy and asked for advise and they suggested that we get the Terk FDTV2A Digital Pro. It's an omni-directional amplified antenna.

I tried hooking it up to my Vizio 32" TV and after the quick installation I searched for channels. To my surprise, I only received one channel, I religious channel and it was blurry. dtv.gov reception map shows that I should be able to pick up these channels.

Here's the link analysis like from tvfool.com

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e779c5bcc1681f

I'm not exactly sure what the problem is. I'm within 25 miles of the major local channels. Do I have the right antenna?
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 2:51 AM   #2
thom
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make sure the TV is set to Antenna or Air or something like that and not Cable before doing the scan. failing that, make sure the antenna is getting power.

you've got strong signals, you should be getting something.
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 3:54 AM   #3
Bonswagler
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Thanks for your quick reply. I am almost certain that I did that the first time. I will try again. As for "making sure the antenna is getting power" how do I check that? It's plugged in. Isn't that enough?
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 4:13 AM   #4
Bonswagler
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I did it again. I did not get a single digital channel. I did get an analog channel, which is the religious channel as described earlier.
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 4:42 AM   #5
Bonswagler
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So, I tried several different options.

1) connected my terk directly into my tv without the amplifier. no digital, 1 analog
2) connected my terk into the amplifier which was plugged in. 5 digital (all with Trinity Broadcast Network), 1 analog. Partial success considering that none of 5 TBN channels are working right now.

I know I should be getting some channels, but nothing is happening. Any thoughts? Should I return the Terk for a more powerful antenna? possibly an outdoor one?
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 5:31 AM   #6
thom
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sorry, don't mean to belabor the point, but just to be sure, you are on Antenna as described here? http://www.ehow.com/how_7272934_tune-vizio-lcd-tv.html

from what I understand, Vizio's often don't have signal strength meters. does yours have one?

your signals are plenty strong, so it's not an antenna strength issue. omnis however are not always the best solultion http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/g...mnidirectional

are there any obstructions near the house?
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 6:49 AM   #7
teleview
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Tv Reception.

The following is a Teleview Recommendation for Broadcast Tv Reception.

The tvfool report says , to zip code only.

For Accurate reception report please make a tvfool radar plot report with Exact address.

If your exact address does not work , then go to the tvfool home page and click on >>Start MAPS<< , move the pointer to your location and make a tvfool radar plot report.

Make the antenna height 25 feet to make the map.
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 12:27 PM   #8
Bonswagler
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thom, that is the correct tv. My tv was purchased around 2010. I am able to see a signal strength my looking at the info of each channel. As of right now, 3/4 channels I have have 82 or higher for the signal strength.

Some info that might help. My antenna is not outside. It is inside. Ironically, the best results I have had is 4 feet under the tv that is mounted on the wall. there aren't really any obstacles

Teleview: here is my correct address.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e7792b3b26d267

Last edited by Bonswagler; 31-Aug-2012 at 12:33 PM.
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 2:08 PM   #9
thom
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when you say 3/4, do you 3-4 channels, or 3/4 of your channels?

Understood about being indoors. Are you moving the antenna around while looking at the signal strength?

The interesting thing about TBN is that it's on a separate heading (256 degrees) versus the other top stations (in the 300's). Is there an window that's line of sight from your antenna to that heading? Can you pick it up with no antenna at all? Do you have aluminum siding or some other metallic building material that could be interfering with a signal (from other headings)?

As an experiment, you could get a longer coax and get the Terk outside just to test outdoor reception (i.e. just a test, don't leave it out there).
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 2:24 PM   #10
Bonswagler
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The channels I am getting are 53-1,2 (CW) and 61-1,2 (FOX). However only 3 out of those 4 are not working. I am no longer receiving TBN.

I have moved it all around my tv. I have not moved my tv from the mount though.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "line of sight from your antenna to that heading" There is a window near my tv, but the best place I can get digital stations is by putting the antenna underneath my tv on the floor (weird huh).

We have siding on the house, but it is not aluminum.


I like the idea of the experiment, how do I get a longer coax cable since the one that I have is connected to the antenna?

once again, i appreciate your time and help
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 3:14 PM   #11
thom
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if you can't unscrew it from the antenna, you can get another length of cable and a F/F connector like this one to tie them together:
http://www.amazon.com/F-Pin-Coupler-.../dp/B000I991LM

http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Se.../dp/B000N7HT86

Nothing magical about Amazon, you should be able to find these locally at RadioShack, Fry's, or even HomeDepot.

by line of sight, if you stand where the antenna is and face that window, what direction are you facing?
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 5:07 PM   #12
teleview
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Tv Reception.

The following is a Teleview Recommendation for Digital Broadcast Tv Reception.

The signal strengths are Much Weaker with the Correct address , tvfool radar plot report - channel list.

For Reception of ,

WRCB REAL Digital VHF channel 13 , virtual number (3.1-2) NBC and Antenna Tv.

WDEF-DT REAL Digital VHF channel 12 , virtual number (12.1-2) CBS and Bounce Tv.

WTVC REAL Digital VHF channel number 09 , virtual number (9.1-2) ABC and THIS TV.

WELF-TV REAL Digital UHF channel 16 , virtual number (23.1-2-3-4) TBN.

WFLI-DT REAL Digital UHF channel 42 , virtual number (53.1-2) CW and Me-TV.

WTCI-DT REAL Digital UHF channel 29 , virtual; number (45.1-2) PBS.

WDSI-DT REAL Digital UHF channel 40 , virtual number (61.1-2) FOX and MyNetwork.

WNGH-DT REAL Digital UHF channel 33 , virtual number (1.1-2-3) PBS.

W18DS-D REAL Digital UHF channel 18 , virtual number (x) 3ABN.

WDGA-CA REAL Digital UHF channel 47 , virtual number (43.1) America One , http://americaone.com.

WLFW-LP REAL Digital UHF channel 14 , virtual number (41.1-2) Family Net.

WOOT-LD REAL Digital UHF channel 31 , virtual number (x.1-2-3-4-5-6) RTV-Retro Tv Network and PBJ and JTV and FGO and MyCarTV and My Family Tv.
_____________________

Above the roof install a Antennas Direct Clear Stream 2 Complete UHF/VHF antenna with a Antennas Direct CPA-19 preamp. http://www.antennasdirect.com/store/...VHF-Combo.html.

Remove the reflector screen from the CS2 Complete antenna , Now the CS2 Complete will receive at the front of the antenna and back of the antenna.

Aim either side of the CS 2 Complete at about 330 degree magnetic compass direction.

Here is how to aim antennas , http://www.kyes.com/antenna/pointing/pointing.html.

For 1 Tv connected use no splitter.

For 2 Tv's connected use a , HFS-2D , 2 way splitter.

For 3 Tv's connected use a , HFS-3D , 3 way splitter.

Buy the splitters at ,

http://www.hollandelectronics.com or buy at http://www.solidsignal.com

Last edited by teleview; 31-Aug-2012 at 5:36 PM.
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Old 31-Aug-2012, 5:30 PM   #13
teleview
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Tv Reception.

The following is a Teleview - Recommendation for Broadcast Tv Reception.

Here are some above the roof antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.

Buy the ronard antenna mounts at solidsignal by typing the word ronard in the solidsignal search box.

Here are some places to buy antennas and etc. , http://www.solidsignal.com , http://www.antennasdirect.com , http://www.amazon.com.

As always , trees and tree leaves do a real fine job of reducing or blocking Tv reception and so do buildings and other obstructions.

For the best reception mount the CS2 Complete antenna where there is the least amount to no amount of obstructions to the , North West , West , South East.

The Tv's Must channel Scan for the Digital Broadcast Tv Channels , Sometimes named the 'Air Channels' or 'Antenna Channels' in the Tv setup menu because the Tv transmissions travel through the air from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.

DO NOT channel scan for cable tv channels.

Last edited by teleview; 31-Aug-2012 at 5:37 PM.
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