View Single Post
Old 27-Mar-2012, 5:18 AM   #5
GroundUrMast
Moderator
 
GroundUrMast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Posts: 4,773
The common enemies of all parts of an antenna system are the elements and time. Broken or bent parts are usually obvious. Corrosion in connectors is not as obvious but in most cases, fairly easy to spot if you disconnect the connector to inspect. Water in the coax and matching transformer is difficult to see, often the most practical test is to replace suspect coax and transformer. (If I left you out in all types of weather for twenty years, you'd be ready for replacement too.)

I would test the viability of the antenna first, by connecting the antenna directly to one TV, all parts of the preamp removed and no splitters or splice connectors. Use a known good coax and matching transformer. (If you find terminals corroded so badly that you can't disconnect the old transformer or reconnect the test unit, it's time to consider a new antenna.) With the antenna connected to a single TV, do you receive more than the two H-VHF signals? If so, that would tend to vindicate the antenna.

Once you have proven the antenna good, then add the preamp back into the mix, still with only one TV connected. If the trouble returns, the preamp is highly suspect, time to consider it's replacement. If things work this way, the coax and/or transformer could well have been the trouble. Add the splitter and inside coax into the mix to be sure...

Bottom line, start at the beginning, the antenna, then add more complexity... you'll be able to prove the failed part or parts.
__________________
If the well is dry and you don't see rain on the horizon, you'll need to dig the hole deeper. (If the antenna can't get the job done, an amp won't fix it.)

(Please direct account activation inquiries to 'admin')
GroundUrMast is offline   Reply With Quote