Dallas, TX started of great, but now losing reception

[smokinfish]

I'm new here, but I cut the cord about one year ago. In the beginning I had great reception. But around November of last year Channel 11 CBS started to come in with distortion at times. Then in just the last month Fox 4 started to do the same thing!

My setup is a TiVo Roamio and 3 TiVo minis, Winegard HDA-100 distribution amplifier, EZ HD antenna.

My TiVo Roamio has a 6ft coax run to a wall outlet, then the wall outlet has about a 15ft coax run to the attic where it ties into the HDA-100, then from the HDA-100 there is a 25ft coax run to the antenna in the back of the house (west). My house faces east in the front and west in the back. The antenna is mounted on a gray conduit pole that is attached to the rafters in the attic ceiling and the attic floor. The antenna is pointing south east.

The TiVo minis share tuners on the main TiVo Roamio through the Ethernet. There are usually no more then two tuners running at a time.

I'm basically 13 - 15.5 miles from the big four stations.

My signal analysis:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...e1c6efe7c1a7be

Any idea why my signal is starting to distort? Have the stations changed anything? Anyone else having similar problems? Should I get a different antenna?

Any help would be greatly appreciated I love not having a cable bill. But, it's frustrating to see all the distortion on your favorite shows. Some are in watchable.

Thanks!

+=>

Explain what you see as Distoration.

----------------

The Digital pictures pixelate , break up into blocks , goes blank.

The sound goes off.

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As a Test to prove reception.

Install New matching transformer (balun) to the antenna.

Connect a New Continues Length of Coax to the New Matching transformer.

Run the New Continues Length of Coax , Direct to 1 Tv , --->Bypassing<-> All Devices<---.

Scan for Digital Broadcast Tv Stations/Channels.

What is reception like now??

[Jake V]

1. Check all your connections to make sure they are tight. If they were not really tight they can work loose over time. [Did you cut the coax and make the connections yourself or did you use pre-made lengths of coax?]

2. Inspect your antenna. Is it still facing towards the towers - likely about 205 degrees on a compass? Sometimes heavy winds can move it if it is not tight enough. Are the connections good? Sometimes water gets in and corrodes things.

3. Run a new length of cable directly from the antenna to one tv to troubleshoot (through a door or window as a test). If the stations all come in then likely your issue is in the wiring or your distribution amplifier.

4. Normally one takes into consideration trees and leaves in the spring, but your issues started last November. Is there good like of sight between you and the towers? No major buildings in the way? Has anything new been built in that direction?

[smokinfish]

Thanks for the quick reply Jake!

1. Connections are tight. I did not make the connections myself.
2. The Antenna is in the attic and still pointing the same way.
3. I'll try running a straight line, also thought about bypassing the TiVo as well.
4. No new buildings or trees. In fact just the opposite, during a ice storm in January one of the trees in the back SW corner had to be cut down. So the reception should be better.

[Jake V]

Two things come to mind:

1. Your antenna should point Southwest (about 205 degrees). Your explanation says "south east". Is that a typo or is your antenna really pointing southeast? If it is, then re-aim it to the southwest (using a real, magnetic compass) and see how your signal collection changes.

2. The EZ-HD Antenna may be a bit too small for an attic. Attics are full of interference. A new roof, siding, or even Christmas decorations piled not far from an antenna can make a difference. You might either need a larger antenna or need to move your existing one.

Others will comment with suggestions.

[smokinfish]

Quick answers:

1. Distortion: The Digital pictures pixelate , break up into blocks
But not all the time. Very random. Sometimes the Channel is perfect then it distorts a few times then it's perfect again.

2. Typo Southwest is was I meant.

I'll try a direct line this weekend.

Thought about getting a different antenna I have plenty of room up there. Any suggestions?

Thanks again for the help.

+=>

The following information applies Directly to your reception situation.

Attics and the Inside of Buildings -->Are Not<--a reception friendly environment and -->Never Will Be<-- a reception friendly environment.

Texas is a 'Hot Bed' of Metal Foil Insulation in the attic.

Multi-Path Tv Signals Bouncing All Around in the Attic is Not Good for Reliable Reception.

Other types and kinds of metal and electric wiring and electric and electronic interference.

Move the Antenna to Above the Peak of the Roof in such a manner that the roof and building are not , obstructing , impeding , blocking , reception in all directions.