Lost all VHF stations

[blackstone]

Here's an update.

Installed the PA 18 preamp on the Channel Master. Already had one on the DB8E.
Used the combiner that I had on hand from Antennas Direct.
Connected to the CM distribution amp and got stations without the interference.
Tried without the distribution amp and lost many stations.
Re-connected the distribution amp.

I get every station available except WPGH 53.
Had a couple rainy days and that affected my reception.

Since I have now received my UVSJs, would there be any value in trying one of them in place of the Antenna Direct combiner?

I think I'm about as optimized as I can for my location unless there are other suggestions.

Thanks to everyone for all the generous, patient help.

TV Fool is a fantastic resource and this forum, with all the great people, is a true asset for techno-dunces like me.

If there is some way I can support this or contribute a little something to the ongoing upkeep, please let me know.

I still have some spare UVSJs if anyone needs some

[Tim]

Originally Posted by blackstone

Since I have now received my UVSJs, would there be any value in trying one of them in place of the Antenna Direct combiner?

It is so easy to change out that you could certainly try it. Most likely it will make no difference, but if it were me (being the curious type) I would certainly give it a try just to see what happens.

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by blackstone

Here's an update.

Installed the PA 18 preamp on the Channel Master. Already had one on the DB8E.
Used the combiner that I had on hand from Antennas Direct.
Connected to the CM distribution amp and got stations without the interference.
Tried without the distribution amp and lost many stations.
Re-connected the distribution amp.

I get every station available except WPGH 53.

Thank you for the update with your report of improved reception.

Your current TVFool report doesn't list WPGH because of database errors used to generate the report.



However, a report from rabbitears.info does list WPGH, and its list of channels should be more accurate. WPGH is listed as much weaker than your other channels.

Since I have now received my UVSJs, would there be any value in trying one of them in place of the Antenna Direct combiner?

It should work about the same as the Antennas Direct UVSJ. If you are curious, maybe you should make a temporary test.

I think I'm about as optimized as I can for my location unless there are other suggestions.

Yes, I agree.

WPGH is moving to channel 20 during Repack Phase 4, 6/22/2019 to 8/2/2019

https://www.rabbitears.info/market.p...&callsign=WPGH

https://www.rabbitears.info/repackch...=&lss=&status=

https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/fcc-in...ition-schedule

They might be running at reduced power because of antenna work.

Thanks to everyone for all the generous, patient help.

TV Fool is a fantastic resource and this forum, with all the great people, is a true asset for techno-dunces like me.

If there is some way I can support this or contribute a little something to the ongoing upkeep, please let me know.

The fact that you thanked us and gave a report of improved reception by following our advice is sufficient; it's what keeps us going.

Enjoy your new setup.

Best regards,
rabbit

[blackstone]

The fact that you thanked us and gave a report of improved reception by following our advice is sufficient; it's what keeps us going.

Or I could continue to ask dumb questions for others that are too embarrassed.



There are times that WPGH comes in, usually poorly.

Will the repack improve or diminish my chances at receiving WPGH?

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by blackstone

There are times that WPGH comes in, usually poorly.

Will the repack improve or diminish my chances at receiving WPGH?

If it is running at reduced power now to work on the new channel 20 antenna, you should see some improvement. If it is not running at reduced power now, your reception will be about the same.

The channel 20 transmitter will be running at a little less horizontal power because it is on a lower channel which requires less power for the same coverage area. Coverage area is important to the companies that are paying for the ads.

https://www.rabbitears.info/market.p...&callsign=WPGH

click on Technical Data

channel 43
1000 kW ERP horizontal polarization
55.6 mile contour / 9726 sq. mi. area / Est. Pop. 2,976,383

channel 20
800 kW ERP horizontal polarization + 343.2 kW ERP vertical polarization
57.2 mile contour / 10284.5 sq. mi. area / Est. Pop. 3,128,179

[blackstone]

Thanks, rabbit 73.
I don't understand the numbers you posted other than KW.

Just have to wait and see

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by blackstone

Thanks, rabbit 73.
I don't understand the numbers you posted other than KW.

Just have to wait and see

Effective radiated power (ERP), synonymous with equivalent radiated power, is an IEEE standardized definition of directional radio frequency (RF) power, such as that emitted by a radio transmitter.

WPGH has a transmitter with an output of 45.6 kW
It also has an antenna with a gain of 13.41 dB that makes the output of the transmitter stronger
45.6 kW + 13.41 dB gain = 1000 kW ERP

and this is the WPGH coverage map for 55.6 mile contour / 9726 sq. mi. area / Est. Pop. 2,976,383

[blackstone]

Thanks for the explanation.
What does vertical polarization do?

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by blackstone

Thanks for the explanation.
What does vertical polarization do?

The horizontal polarization of the transmitting antenna matches the horizontal polarization of your receiving antenna for the most effective reception.

Some vertical polarization has been added to the horizontal polarization of the newer antennas with the hope that it will make the reception of the new ATSC 3.0 signals more effective for mobile devices.

[blackstone]

I had a choice of a new thread or resurrect this old one.
Hope this is ok.

Thanks, again, for your indulgence.

I'll start off by saying I'm aware of repack and don't think any of my issues are related to that.

I have lost stations recently, both UHF and VHF.
Actually, I can't get any VHF stations at all.

My UHF antenna is an Antennas Direct DB8E and my VHF is a Channel Master Deep Fringe Masterpiece 100-Mile Range Outdoor Antenna

I replaced the splitter/amplifier with a new Antennas Direct.
I have used both , that one and the CM 3020(?).

Here is my TVFool report.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9038bb9e5afa9f

Here are the stations I have lost.

Call Letters RF Virtual
WQED 4 4
WTAE 27 4
WPCW 30 19
*WTOV 9 9
*WWCP 8 8

The first two I have been able to receive recently
The next two have been a while and the last one would be nice.

I have not adjusted the UHF antenna since I got it optimized but do adjust the CM to see if I can get anything with it.

Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated

[Tim]

Originally Posted by blackstone

I have lost stations recently, both UHF and VHF.
Actually, I can't get any VHF stations at all.

Blackstone,

The signal reports at TV Fool are very much out of date. It would be very helpful if you could post a link to your RabbitEars report. You can generate one at this link: https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php

Tell us a bit more about your antenna system.
Are you combining the two antennas with a UVSJ combiner before the preamp?
Which Antennas Direct preamp? The Juice or the PA18?
Are you using a rotator?
If fixed, which way is each antenna pointing?
What stations are you receiving with good results?
How are your connections waterproofed at the antenna and preamp?

[blackstone]

Thanks, Tim.

Here's the link from Rabbit Ears.

https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=154450

I am using a USVJ between the preamps and the splitter/amp.
I am using the PA18 pre amps

I have no waterproofing other that how the equipment came

I do not have a rotor.
I haven't touched the UHF antenna since I had it optimized about a year and a half ago.

It's somewhere around 210


The CM is easy to rotate.
It had been sitting at approx.215 for some time.

Presently, it's about 160 trying to pick up WWCP 8 which has ABC to replace the lost WTAE.

Here are my good stations:

Call Letters RF Virtual
KDKA 25 2
WJAC 35 6
WPX! 23 11
ION 38 16
MYTV 42 22
WPCB 28 40
WPGH 43 53

I'm thinking I have some kind of problem with the Channel Master.

I cannot pick up any VHF stations.
Granted there aren't that many.

[Tim]

Blackstone,

The RabbitEars link you provided pulls up Topeka, KS which is the default location for the signal search map.

Be sure to enter your address in the search box at the bottom left of the map, then click the 'Search' button.
Then click on the 'Move Pushpin to Center of Map View' button. You can then drag the pushpin to your exact location if needed.
Enter your antenna height above ground in the appropriate box.
Press the 'Go' button and wait for the result list to populate.
Then copy the shareable link from the top of the Result List and share here.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by blackstone

I have no waterproofing other that how the equipment came

I would certainly start checking your connections. Water intrusion into connections and coaxial cable will wreak havoc over time causing oxidation and corrosion. RG6 coaxial connectors should be weatherproofed by filling with dielectric grease such as STUF or wrapped with silicone fusing tape (or both.)

Were you able to receive WTAE when they were on real channel 51? Were you ever able to receive WTAE after they transitioned to real channel 27?

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by Tim

Blackstone,

The RabbitEars link you provided pulls up Topeka, KS which is the default location for the signal search map.

Be sure to enter your address in the search box at the bottom left of the map, then click the 'Search' button.
Then click on the 'Move Pushpin to Center of Map View' button. You can then drag the pushpin to your exact location if needed.
Enter your antenna height above ground in the appropriate box.
Press the 'Go' button and wait for the result list to populate.
Then copy the shareable link from the top of the Result List and share here.

Here is a current report for blackstone, unless he has moved:
https://www.rabbitears.info/searchma...tudy_id=154710



I prefer to use coordinates for a rabbitears.info report. I use Google to give me the coordinates, enter them in the box, and press Go. That way, I don't have to mess with the pushpin.

You can enter both coordinates in the left box separated by a comma, or enter the lat in the left box and the long in the right box.

[blackstone]

Thanks, Rabbit.

Rabbit Ears is tricky
I did enter my address and even saw all my stations.

Sorry about that.

Were you able to receive WTAE when they were on real channel 51? Were you ever able to receive WTAE after they transitioned to real channel 27?

I was able to receive WTAE until a couple weeks ago.
It was never one of my better stations
Now it's very pixelated and is watchable very infrequently.

I'm an old fart so I need my son to climb for me.
He's off weekends but, unfortunately, I'm on 48 hour work/on call this and next weekend.

Like to get WTAE because that's where the best college football games are


WTAE was problematic awhile ago when I started this original thread but pretty reliable until recently

[Tim]

Well, after seeing that RabbitEars report, I will just have to comment that I think it is remarkable that you are receiving the stations you are getting now. If any of your coax connections are a problem, hopefully replacing them will eliminate enough loss so you get your ABC affiliate again. Let us know what you find when you're able to get someone up to the antenna.

[blackstone]

My elevation is pretty high which may help.

A real good scan will give me 40 stations on the count.

That includes all the sub stations like 2.1, 2.2 &2.3 for example
Mostly it's the mid to upper 30s

Regarding my VHF, is there a possibility of a bad balun?
I don't know what they do

Also, since the Channel Master is both VHF and UHF, could it pick up some UHF stations?

[blackstone]

Here's what Antenna Direct has for my location:
They're a little more optimistic

Available Channels Call Sign Affiliate Virtual Channel DTV Channel Real Channel Band True Heading Distance
MyTV22-
MyN
22.1 43 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
WPGH
fox
FOX
53.1 43 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
Antenna
antenna tv
Antenna TV
53.2 43 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
Charge!
Charge!
53.3 43 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
MyTV
MyN
22.1 42 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
Stadium
Stadium
22.2 42 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
Comet
comet tv
Comet TV
22.3 42 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
TBD
TBD
22.4 42 UHF 216.33° 36.4 mi
WPCW-DT
cw
CW
19.1 30 UHF 217.19° 36.92 mi
H&I
Heroes & Icons
19.2 30 UHF 217.19° 36.92 mi
GRIT
grit
Grit
19.3 30 UHF 217.19° 36.92 mi
Light
Light TV
19.4 30 UHF 217.19° 36.92 mi
Circle
Circle
19.5 30 UHF 217.19° 36.92 mi
KDKA-HD
cbs
CBS
02.1 25 UHF 217.20° 36.93 mi
StartTV
Start TV
02.2 25 UHF 217.20° 36.93 mi
DABL
Dabl
02.3 25 UHF 217.20° 36.93 mi
WPCB
Cornerstone
40.1 28 UHF 195.14° 37.75 mi
CourtTV
Court TV
40.2 28 UHF 195.14° 37.75 mi
Bounce
bounce tv
Bounce TV
40.3 28 UHF 195.14° 37.75 mi
Quest
Quest
40.4 28 UHF 195.14° 37.75 mi
40.5 28 UHF 195.14° 37.75 mi
PFFC
Religious
40.6 28 UHF 195.14° 37.75 mi
this tv
This TV
69.1 30 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
gettv
GetTV
69.2 30 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
retro tv
Retro TV
69.3 30 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
NewsNet
69.4 30 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
justice network
Justice Network
69.5 30 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
Heartland
69.6 30 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
ION
ion
ION
16.1 38 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
qubo
qubo
Qubo
16.2 38 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
IONPlus
ION Plus
16.3 38 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
Shop
infomercials
Infomercials
16.4 38 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
HSN
hsn
HSN
16.5 38 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
QVC
qvc
QVC
16.6 38 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
WQED-HD
pbs
PBS
13.1 4 VHF 210.73° 38.07 mi
CREATE
create
Create
13.2 4 VHF 210.73° 38.07 mi
WORLD
world channel
World Channel
13.3 4 VHF 210.73° 38.07 mi
SHOW
PBS Fundraisers
13.4 4 VHF 210.73° 38.07 mi
KIDS
PBS Kids 24/7
13.5 4 VHF 210.73° 38.07 mi
HSN
hsn
HSN
61.1 26 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
MOVIES
Movies!
61.2 26 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
BUZZR
BUZZR
61.3 26 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
SBN
SonLife
61.4 26 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
CTM
Court TV Mystery
61.5 26 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
Decades
61.6 26 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
JTV
Jewelry TV
39.1 19 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
CRTV
infomercials
Infomercials
39.2 19 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
SHOP LC
Shop LC
39.3 19 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
QVC2
QVC2
39.4 19 UHF 210.72° 38.07 mi
WPXI-HD
nbc
NBC
11.1 23 UHF 214.37° 38.2 mi
Me-TV
me-tv
Me-TV
11.2 23 UHF 214.37° 38.2 mi
LAFF TV
Laff
11.3 23 UHF 214.37° 38.2 mi
WTAE
abc
ABC
04.1 27 UHF 193.97° 45.56 mi
Cozi TV
COZI TV
04.2 27 UHF 193.97° 45.56 mi
Stadium
Stadium
22.2 27 UHF 193.97° 45.56 mi
Comet
comet tv
Comet TV
22.3 27 UHF 193.97° 45.56 mi
TBD
TBD
22.4 27 UHF 193.97° 45.56 mi
NBC
nbc
NBC
06.1 35 UHF 139.57° 49.69 mi
METV
me-tv
Me-TV
06.2 35 UHF 139.57° 49.69 mi
Comet
comet tv
Comet TV
06.3 35 UHF 139.57° 49.69 mi
CW+
cw+
CW+
06.4 35 UHF 139.57° 49.69 mi
WKBN-HD
cbs
CBS
27.1 31 UHF 280.56° 55.17 mi
WYFX-HD
fox
FOX
27.2 31 UHF 280.56° 55.17 mi
WYTV-HD
abc
ABC
33.1 31 UHF 280.56° 55.17 mi
My YTV
MyN
33.2 31 UHF 280.56° 55.17 mi
WFMJ-HD
nbc
NBC
21.1 20 UHF 281.79° 55.65 mi
WBCB-HD
cw
CW
21.2 20 UHF 281.79° 55.65 mi
DABL
Dabl
21.3 20 UHF 281.79° 55.65 mi
FOX
fox
FOX
08.1 8 VHF 155.38° 56.12 mi
ABC
abc
ABC
08.2 8 VHF 155.38° 56.12 mi
WWLM-CD
this tv
This TV
20.1 36 UHF 213.78° 60.57 mi
MOVIES!
gettv
GetTV
20.2 36 UHF 213.78° 60.57 mi
RETRO
retro tv
Retro TV
20.3 36 UHF 213.78° 60.57 mi
LWN
20.4 36 UHF 213.78° 60.57 mi
WPSUHD
pbs
PBS
03.1 15 UHF 76.55° 61.69 mi
WPSU Cr
create
Create
03.2 15 UHF 76.55° 61.69 mi
WPSU WL
world channel
World Channel
03.3 15 UHF 76.55° 61.69 mi
PSUKIDS
PBS Kids 24/7
03.4 15 UHF 76.55° 61.69 mi
ABC
abc
ABC
23.1 24 UHF 111.62° 64.95 mi
FOX
fox
FOX
23.2 24 UHF 111.62° 64.95 mi
This
this tv
This TV
23.3 24 UHF 111.62° 64.95 mi
Antenna
antenna tv
Antenna TV
23.4 24 UHF 111.62° 64.95 mi

[rabbit73]

Originally Posted by blackstone

Rabbit Ears is tricky

Yes, it is; you have to do it just right.

I was able to receive WTAE until a couple weeks ago.
It was never one of my better stations
Now it's very pixelated and is watchable very infrequently.

WTAE is listed as a Tropo channel. Atmospheric changes will affect the signal.

I'm an old fart so I need my son to climb for me.

I know what that feels like; I'm 87.

Like to get WTAE because that's where the best college football games are

WTAE will always be difficult for you because there is a hill in the signal path. You would need an expensive tower to get your antenna high enough.



Your location is in a dead zone (no color).