Another Update -
The random reception problem is back, not happening as frequently or for the extended periods as before, but enough to make you want to change channels.
I dug out our old (Nov. 2008)
DIGITALSTREAM DTX9900 D/A DTV converter box, primarily to see if there was a problem with my Samsung receiving CH.4 versus the DTX9900 and also to be able to see what the signal strength was doing, viewing the DTX9900 signal strength indicator. I found that the 4-1 and 4-2 signal strength varies considerably, compared to all the other channels received. From WRC-TV's 813KW transmitter? The DTX9900 shows that the channel 4 signal is varying from a low of 30 to a high of 62, a 32 point signal level swing with anything below 30 resulting in a bits and pieces picture. The Samsung with its multiple inputs allows me to switch immediately between the Samsung tuner and the DTX9900 A/V output, both showing they have trouble below '30' as indicated on the DTX9900.
Weather and time permitting, I am going to the neighbors house who is having the same OTA reception problems with Channel 4, to see if his antenna is also seeing large signal level swings. Of the 35 channels we receive, channel 4 is the only one that shows these large random signal level swings, versus a 4 to 5 point average random change in signal level as reported by the DTX9900 on all the other channels, which I monitored last night and again this morning.
-Rod