Lost all VHF stations

blackstone · 13-Jan-2019, 2:46 PM

I was happily getting all the stations that were available to me on VHF and UHF until a week and a half ago.

I received a lot of great patient help here in this thread a couple years ago.
http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=16358

Forgive the long post and hope you will help me again.
Thanks, in advance.

About 10 days ago we had some pretty high winds that spun my CM VHF antenna around and pulled the cable out of it's connector.
After several failed attempts to put on a new end, I bought a new 50' cable.

There was still a section of cable I couldn't reach because the connections were too high above my roof line to reach and it's a bit of a chore to drop the antenna and raise it again.

I got a new antenna from Antennas Direct; a ClearStream 5.
Moved it away from the metal roof and it's 16'-18' high.

It's pointed around 220.

Before, I got the following VHF stations:
WPCW 11 (RF) 19 Virtual
WTOV 9 9
WQED 13 13
WWCP 8 8

After I only get WWCP.
I shouldn't get this because it's in a way different direction.

I got a Klein continuity tester.
Connected to the coax that runs to the antenna,
It reads "Open"

Not sure what that means or how to fix the problem.

The cable is connected to the balun on one end and a pre-amp on the other

Nascarken · 13-Jan-2019, 4:43 PM

So what kind of ANTENNA were you using before the antenna Direct?
If you were using a Winegrud 8200U the best ANTENNA for the money
but it sounds like you will have to get a new balun
For it that is what happens to them that is why you have lots
your vhf channels GO to solied SIGNAL.com for a new balun
Cost is like $20dollars+shipping

blackstone · 13-Jan-2019, 8:54 PM

Thanks for your response, Nascarken.

I was using a Channel Master directional antenna; about 30 years old.
Since I didn't know if these things deteriorate, I bought the ClearStream.

I discovered that Antennas Direct is open 7 days and was able to contact them.

The first rep said to get a new coax to replace the new coax.
After doing that, I still had an open circuit.

The second rep diagnosed a bad balun, too, and they are sending one out at no charge.

One of the other things that puzzled me is why I'm getting WWCP 8.
Even now with the VHF completely disconnected.

I'm guessing that I get it through their UHF channel 23 even though it shows up on 8 when I scan

Nascarken · 14-Jan-2019, 3:38 PM

Yes that's true and why is that it's becuse of your amp will some time's pull in vhf channels.And antnnas Direct is good when it comes to their antennas they stand behind
their products

blackstone · 14-Jan-2019, 7:53 PM

Thanks Nascarken

blackstone · 29-Mar-2019, 3:35 PM

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd resurrect this one because it is still related.

Thanks, in advance, for your suggestions.

After replacing the balun, I still wasn't able to get much reception.

I figured out that my Channel Master amp went bad.
Upon replacement, I got lots of stations again.
For a short while, that is.

I have lost all but one of my VHF stations and can't get them back.
The stations I have lost are:
WPCW 19 which was one of my strongest stations. I was able to get that, almost, with the antenna on the ground. Now, it is very weak and pixelated.

WTOV 9. This one was a long ways off but came in real well. Nothing now.

WQED 13. This wasn't a terribly strong station but it usually came in.

(I have, also, lost WPGH 53 (virtual) and this is the only UHF station I can't get.)

It is my understanding that WQED has moved to low on the VHF band and reduced power.
I was told that WPGH has also moved down to real channel 20.

Right now, the Clear Stream gets WWCO 8 because I pointed it there to get a Fox channel and it's strong.

I have tried from 180 to 245 degrees trying to pick up some of the lost stations but nothing.

I have about one week to decide to return the Clear Stream to Antennas Direct and go back to a directional antenna.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Nascarken · 29-Mar-2019, 5:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstone

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd resurrect this one because it is still related.

Thanks, in advance, for your suggestions.

After replacing the balun, I still wasn't able to get much reception.

I figured out that my Channel Master amp went bad.
Upon replacement, I got lots of stations again.
For a short while, that is.

I have lost all but one of my VHF stations and can't get them back.
The stations I have lost are:
WPCW 19 which was one of my strongest stations. I was able to get that, almost, with the antenna on the ground. Now, it is very weak and pixelated.

WTOV 9. This one was a long ways off but came in real well. Nothing now.

WQED 13. This wasn't a terribly strong station but it usually came in.

(I have, also, lost WPGH 53 (virtual) and this is the only UHF station I can't get.)

It is my understanding that WQED has moved to low on the VHF band and reduced power.
I was told that WPGH has also moved down to real channel 20.

Right now, the Clear Stream gets WWCO 8 because I pointed it there to get a Fox channel and it's strong.

I have tried from 180 to 245 degrees trying to pick up some of the lost stations but nothing.

I have about one week to decide to return the Clear Stream to Antennas Direct and go back to a directional antenna.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

For what you payed yes you should .

ADTech · 29-Mar-2019, 5:18 PM

Please contact our customer tech support directly for assistance, the contact form link is in my signature below.

blackstone · 29-Mar-2019, 6:32 PM

ADTech, I have been in touch with customer support.
I forgot to mention that.

Their solution was to point my Clear Stream at WWCP 8 to get Fox. I did that

No suggestions on how to get the CW, forget about WQED and maybe raising or lowering my UHF may get channel 53 back.

blackstone · 30-Mar-2019, 9:17 AM

By the way, I'm not knocking Antennas Direct.

I happen to think they're a company with integrity.

I'm just trying to get the same stations I got recently that have disappeared

JoeAZ · 30-Mar-2019, 2:08 PM

You may just be encountering the repack in your area.
I suggest you rescan and see if any of those stations
come in again.

Nascarken · 30-Mar-2019, 2:20 PM

Yes fcc suggests that you rescan all TV do too the repacking of BROADCASTING channel's
And you might have to bring your antenna up 10ft more and did you get a new channels master amp!!

blackstone · 30-Mar-2019, 3:00 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.

I rescan (almost) daily with no effect.

Antennas Direct support said that one station, WPGH 53, moved from real 43 to 20.
I think they said that it would improve the signal through the hills but decrease it through the trees (or something like that.)

WQED 13 moved from real 13 to 2 and cut their power.
The tech said I might need a low VHF directional antenna.

The other two stations are a mystery.

I was looking at replacing my Clear Stream 5 with something like a Channel Master 3020 or 5020.

I can't determine if the 3020 is a low VHF antenna or not.

Also, looking for the reception angle for the 3020.
Supposedly the 5020 is this:

Reception angles:
VHF L (channels 2-6, and FM) 63 degrees
VHF H (channels 7-13) 34 degrees
UHF 39 degrees

Nascarken · 30-Mar-2019, 9:52 PM

Yes sounds like the channel master is a good pick.

blackstone · 30-Mar-2019, 10:00 PM

I ended up doing a return on the Clear Stream and ordered a CM 5020.
Several things were factors in the decision to go with this one.
The weight and size are a little smaller so I'm hoping it will handle winds a little better on the mast.
Reception angles and it states low VHF.

If Antenna Direct had a VHF antenna like that, I would have, probably, gone with them again because I think they are a decent company

Nascarken · 30-Mar-2019, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstone

I ended up doing a return on the Clear Stream and ordered a CM 5020.
Several things were factors in the decision to go with this one.
The weight and size are a little smaller so I'm hoping it will handle winds a little better on the mast.
Reception angles and it states low VHF.

If Antenna Direct had a VHF antenna like that, I would have, probably, gone with them again because I think they are a decent company

You should have went with the 3020,IT'S better for the low vhf.&
Suggest you should use a channel master 7778AMP
We'll good luck let us know what happens with it when you install it.

blackstone · 30-Mar-2019, 10:34 PM

The 3020 was cheaper, too.
If I could have found info that stated low VHF, I may have gone that route.

I do have a channel master amp that's only a month old and a pretty new pre-amp.

Looks to be about a week for the new antenna to be ready for pick up.
I'll be back

Nascarken · 30-Mar-2019, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstone

The 3020 was cheaper, too.
If I could have found info that stated low VHF, I may have gone that route.

I do have a channel master amp that's only a month old and a pretty new pre-amp.

Looks to be about a week for the new antenna to be ready for pick up.
I'll be back

You should have looked at SOLiD single.com
and I didn't know if you had an amplifier
So how hi up are you going with the channel master.
But I think you should have went with the 3020.
I think it's more of what you are looking for.
The 5020 is more hi band vhf,than low the 5020
Came out when the hi vh f Took off
The 3020 has a better RECEIVE on low band vhf.
Go to SOLiD single.com and check it out.

blackstone · 30-Mar-2019, 10:56 PM

Thanks for that info, nascarken.

The antenna is, probably, going up 16'-18'.
I may have understood what you meant by the amp.
I have a CM amp/splitter in my basement.
I'd have to check the model

What is the link you are sending me to?
I looked at solidsingle dot com and that isn't valid

Nascarken · 30-Mar-2019, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackstone

Thanks for that info, nascarken.

The antenna is, probably, going up 16'-18'.
I may have understood what you meant by the amp.
I have a CM amp/splitter in my basement.
I'd have to check the model

What is the link you are sending me to?
I looked at solidsingle dot com and that isn't valid

Two word's SOLiD single.com