Weird signals . . .

[Dagwood]

This goes along with my previous thread, Sudden reception problem. But to keep it simpler I'm making a separate thread even though it all seems to be related. I've done absolutely nothing with the existing system, my new Channel Master amp is still in the box.

This is a partial list of channels that I've scanned and entered on my Vizios (2, different models).



A couple of days ago I noticed that there were some duplicate channels on my TV list. 31-1 and 31-2 and maybe another one. How can the same channel get on there twice? I did not rescan, they just appeared there by themselves.

So then I realized that if I went to the first instance of 31-1 there was no signal. When I went to the second it came in great, very strong. The same thing happened when I tried both of the 31-2 entries.

This morning I rescanned the channels and they all came in correctly, no duplicates, and all are very strong.

So, how did the duplicates get on both my TVs, and why was one entry dead and the duplicate very strong?

As of now, 2:30 PM, all channels are coming in great, including PBS which, along with 31, were the first ones to disappear over two weeks ago, per my first thread.

Hey OT, if you've gotten this far, how do you like my av?

[OTAFAN]

Yeah, it reminds me of the comic strips and cartoons I read and watched as a kid. Which I've reverted too now that the world is going to hell on a fast track. I figure I might as well go out laughing, less painful. LOL!!!

As far as your technical issues, I've seen duplicate channels before at my location too. They settle down like yours did and my viewing is then stable.

I'm not exactly sure how to explain it. There are Techs here on TV Fool still posting that could give us clarification. Tim from Georgia is one, for instance. I'm hoping he'll jump in here. It would be helpful. Also, there is Tower Guy, who worked in the industry for decades until he retired. He's up in your neck of the woods in New York. He would certainly know what's going on. CQ, CQ, CQ, to Tim and Tower Guy!!! Oh, and there is also Bobsgarage and Tripelo. They would have answers for us!

In the meantime, I'll do some research and see if I can come up with any answers.

IMHO, I would still replace your failing Amp with the new Channel Master one you bought. Otherwise, I think your reception is going to be hit and miss, mostly miss going forward.

Alright, keep us posted and laughing, Dagwood!

P.S. Just found this interesting link:
https://www.tvmagic.com.au/why-am-i-...s-0476-717-671

[Dagwood]

My long-gone father was a big fan of Dagwood. I remember as a kid he'd grab the newspaper and would read Dagwood before anything else. Dagwood was the typical male when men were men.

"Tower Guy!" I remember that name from before. Yes, I think he lives in western NY somewhere and was familiar with the Rochester stations. I don't recognize those other names.

That link was interesting. When they said the switch over to "HD TV" do they mean digital in 2009? There was no date on the article, so not sure.

Yes, I will install the new amp anyway when we get some decent weather. Not so much of a rush now, as long as things still work -- but I'm sure it won't last.

EDIT: I looked up "Tower Guy" and found him here. He last posted in December so he's still around I would think.

[OTAFAN]

YOU WROTE: "That link was interesting. When they said the switch over to "HD TV" do they mean digital in 2009? There was no date on the article, so not sure."

Yes, that's what I took it to mean.

I'm still hoping one of our good Techs will chime in here. They would be able to give us clarification and further explanation.

I'm not a Tech by any definition. Just many years of trial and error. I'm what you call a "cheer leader" for the forum. I do my best to keep informed and pass any information on to those who ask; as you have Dagwood.

Anyway, it looks like just you and me for now, kid! Let's pay it forward as the saying goes and hopefully others will join in soon.

Keep the forum updated Dagwood.

All the best.....

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by OTAFAN

YOU WROTE: "That link was interesting. When they said the switch over to "HD TV" do they mean digital in 2009? There was no date on the article, so not sure."

Yes, that's what I took it to mean.

I'm still hoping one of our good Techs will chime in here. They would be able to give us clarification and further explanation.

Most places you can "tag" people, usually by putting an "@" in front of their name or a #. I tried that here yesterday with Tower Guy but the tag doesn't work.

I'm not a Tech by any definition. Just many years of trial and error. I'm what you call a "cheer leader" for the forum. I do my best to keep informed and pass any information on to those who ask; as you have Dagwood.

Anyway, it looks like just you and me for now, kid! Let's pay it forward as the saying goes and hopefully others will join in soon.

Keep the forum updated Dagwood.

All the best.....

Ha, looks like we're in the same boat. It's the old "No news is good news." I only come here when I have problems, maybe I should drop by once in a while for fun.

You mentioned this before and I don't get it: This thread has 152 hits since I put it up yesterday. I wonder why nobody chimes in?

FWIW: I'd read my old thread where I got stuck up on the roof (2017) and I was up there checking and cleaning the plastic box thingy of cobwebs and junk per Rabbit, or Arizona Joe. I have not checked it since then.

All my channels are still coming in very strong. In the past few days I've gone from sunny and dry, to wind and rain, and now a couple inches of new snow on the ground. Whatever was going on before, it doesn't seem like it would have anything to do with moisture and the above mentioned box.

But when I change the amp I will definitely open that box again and clean it.

[OTAFAN]

But when I change the amp I will definitely open that box again and clean it.

You probably already know this, but I think what rabbit73 and JoeAz meant was checking and keeping your connections free of moisture, rust and corrosion. I can't count the number of times over the years when my electronics had problems and it turned out to be a "connection issue." Either something was just a bit loose, dirty or in the case of antenna connections, moisture and corrosion.

A product that has proven itself issue free for me over the years is Coax Seal. When I finish connecting coax to my antennas, I always seal them up with Coax Seal. I've never had a breach or any problems with my reception. And when its time to replace an antenna, I can remove it without much effort; years or even decades after installation. Some folks don't seem to like it and prefer tape or other things, but I'll have to give Coax Seal "thumbs up" all around.

https://www.amazon.com/Fittings-Univ...A%3D%3D&sr=8-3

https://www.rfparts.com/coaxseal.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s92i2WALXcQ

http://coaxseal.com/products/

Just a tip from a cheer leader for the forum, Dagwood! LOL!!

[Dagwood]

OT:

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by Dagwood

This goes along with my previous thread, Sudden reception problem. But to keep it simpler I'm making a separate thread even though it all seems to be related. I've done absolutely nothing with the existing system, my new Channel Master amp is still in the box.

<SNIP>

This morning I rescanned the channels and they all came in correctly, no duplicates, and all are very strong.

<SNIP>

As of now, 2:30 PM, all channels are coming in great, including PBS which, along with 31, were the first ones to disappear over two weeks ago, per my first thread.

Hey OT, if you've gotten this far, how do you like my av?

I made this ^ post on March 26. I thought I should not be a stranger and should update what is going on.

As of today, May 10, all channels are still coming very strong. Usually by early May or even earlier I start losing FOX 31, which comes back by late September or so.

But FOX is stronger today than it ever is. So I went from "normal" in early March, to losing all of PBS and FOX a couple weeks later, to then get everything back and stronger than it's ever been by the end of March.

I don't understand any of this, although I'm not complaining. (my new Channel Master amp is still sitting in the box).