antenna help in new england

lynsiilu · 12-Jun-2012, 12:14 AM

We have an old giant antenna that we've been using since we moved in to our 200 year old home and it worked great until this month. We've lost most of our stations, at least 10 of them and only get one major network, CBS. It's very rural here and we're surrounded by trees so I'm assuming we lost them all due to the trees getting leaves.

Is there any way we can get reception again despite the trees? Should we try mounting the old antenna outside or will a new antenna work better?

Thank you for any advice!

GroundUrMast · 12-Jun-2012, 12:34 AM

Without a link to your TV Fool reception report it's impossible for us to have an understanding of the situation you face.

Here are the "Guidelines when asking for help"

lynsiilu · 12-Jun-2012, 12:54 AM

sorry! forgot to post it....

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...13495c7099911b

signals unlimited · 12-Jun-2012, 10:10 AM

The trees should have been full in before last month, so thats probably not your problem.

If your antenna is in good shape, not missing parts ect. check to see if you have an amplifier that may have come unpluged or inoperative. If you have no amplifier, your problem could be resolved by replacing the cable and matching transformer from the antenna to your DTV set. You may have flat leadwire. Replace it with the RG6 coax and a matching transformer. If you need to move the antenna, replace it with a Winegard HD7694P High VHF/UHF.

lynsiilu · 12-Jun-2012, 12:31 PM

Thank you for the reply! Is it possible to test a coax cable before replacing it? Our cable is fished down through 2 stories of lath and plaster walls so it won't be easy replacing it.

signals unlimited · 12-Jun-2012, 1:33 PM

You can assume that the coax itself is OK. If the problem is in the transmission line, it is more likely the connections at the antenna or the transformer on the antenna terminals.

I assume that you varified that there is no amplifier in your system, and all connections are ok at the TV set.

I still doubt that the trees are the problem, unless they are large, thick, and directly in front of the receiving end (the narrow end) of the antenna.

lynsiilu · 13-Jun-2012, 1:39 PM

I checked all the connections and they seem fine. I did try moving the antenna again and readjusting one of the strings that are holding it up (it's not a super stable setup) and that seemed to do the trick. We got most of our stations back; just missing 2.1 (PBS) and 7.1 (NBC). Do you think an amplifier would help? The antenna is just connected to one tv but it is a fairly long cable.

ADTech · 13-Jun-2012, 2:19 PM

I would still suspect the trees. Up in Maine, they leaf out fully a lot later than in Pennsylvania or in Missouri.

Electron · 13-Jun-2012, 9:21 PM

Most likely a bad connection at or close to the antenna. If at any time water has gotten into the coax then replace the coax.
Or the coax has just gone bad , Replace to coax on the outside.
All so replace the matching transformer (balun) if one is connected.

Aim the antenna at about 327 degree magnetic compass.

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

For a new antenna install a HD7698P aimed at about 327 degree magnetic compass.

The HD7698P antenna is a large antenna and as such will receive the most Tv stations.
A amplifier will most likely not be required.

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Here are some STRONG and STURDY antenna mounts , http://www.ronard.com/909911.html , http://www.ronard.com/34424560.html , http://www.ronard.com/ychim.html , http://www.ronard.com.
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