Digital TV signals

Mr. Proto · 08-18-2010, 08:05 AM

I have looked around the forum and cannot find an answer to the problem I have. It seams that the TV pictured digitizes when it rains or golf carts or trucks (especially diesel) go by. I have set my antenna to the strongest signal and the meter reads good but then it all goes to h_ _ _ in a handbasket when vehicles go by or sometimes the wind blows. Any thoughts?

wa8yxm · 08-18-2010, 10:02 AM

Well, I do not know why a Diesel would mess it up (Should not, unless they use electronic fuel injection) but ....

When TV went digital a while back.. There were several changes.

ONE, many stations are now running at greatly reduced power.. Now this may seem like a problem but the fact is I have a multi-mode radio here in the rig with me.. ON Digital I usually run 20-40 percent of the power I use on analog and the performance is amazing. Digital is that much better. (Analog I can talk to about half the country, Digital half the world)

The other thing they did, is many stations moved "Up the dial" radio wise.. You do not see this on your TV because it handles all this stuff, but,,, well let's take Detroit Mi

Channel 2, is now using the frequency vacated by Channel 7 when the change happened.. Where did Channel 7 go, 41 as I recall, Where did Chan 4 go. 45.

My TV still shows channel 2, 4, 7.. But if I dig through the menus I can find the real frequency and the old channel name for it.

The higher frequencies are more affected by weather, trees, birds, and objects in the path.

Mr. Proto · 08-18-2010, 04:53 PM

I think your last line tells the story, but what can be done about it. I should not have to pay a provider in order to get an over the air signal. I still say something about the electronics in vehicles also disrupts the signal. I have this same problem at home since I have so many trees I cannot use a dish and do not want to pay the cable company there has to be an answer somewhere.

wa8yxm · 08-18-2010, 07:38 PM

Well.. Your best investment is in antennas.. However that said there are many scam artists out there selling junk antennas.

For an RV this does not work well but for a house HEIGHT IS MIGHT for the most part.

The problem with RV television is that most RV parks are not in the heart of the city, Thus they are not in the prime coverage areas for the TV stations.

W8RLM · 08-18-2010, 08:42 PM

If you have the Winegard batwing antenna, check with an RV dealer or Camping World. Winegard made an antenna attachment that plugs on to your conventional batwing for digital TV. It is only about $25 - $30, and it snaps on to the antenna without any modifications. Make sure that you have the model number of your antenna as some of the earlier antennas may not accept the antenna attachment. The attachment is a UHF antenna adder for the batwing. It helps somewhat.

Winegard just released a new batwing antenna that is supposed to be better on digital TV. I checked with the Winegard representative when I was at the Winnebago GNR, and he said that there is not a significant improvement. I have it on my motorhome, and it is not much better than the old one with the digital TV attachment.

For the price, its worth trying to see if you do any better.

Good Luck

W8RLM - Bob

SCVJeff · 08-19-2010, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W8RLM

If you have the Winegard batwing antenna, check with an RV dealer or Camping World. Winegard made an antenna attachment that plugs on to your conventional batwing for digital TV. It is only about $25 - $30, and it snaps on to the antenna without any modifications. Make sure that you have the model number of your antenna as some of the earlier antennas may not accept the antenna attachment. The attachment is a UHF antenna adder for the batwing. It helps somewhat.

Winegard just released a new batwing antenna that is supposed to be better on digital TV. I checked with the Winegard representative when I was at the Winnebago GNR, and he said that there is not a significant improvement. I have it on my motorhome, and it is not much better than the old one with the digital TV attachment.

For the price, its worth trying to see if you do any better.

Good Luck

W8RLM - Bob

What you are referring to is the Wingman, and the new batwing just has it integrated. Makes no difference about digital or analog, but a significant number of TV stations have moved to UHF, and the Wingman improves the UHF gain on the batwing.

Mr. Proto · 08-19-2010, 07:45 AM

Thanks I may try the wingman when I get to a camping world, do other places sell that as well or is it only camping world.

SCVJeff · 08-19-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Proto

Thanks I may try the wingman when I get to a camping world, do other places sell that as well or is it only camping world.

Goggle 'Wingman' and you will find several places that carry it. solidsignal.com is one.

Mr. Proto · 08-19-2010, 08:45 PM

The net is a wonderful thing, the problem with being on the road is that address thing.

Popcorn Man · 08-20-2010, 01:04 PM

Will the signal meter you use for satellite signals also work on measuring over the air antenna signals?

FlyingDiver · 08-20-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popcorn Man

Will the signal meter you use for satellite signals also work on measuring over the air antenna signals?

No. Wrong frequency.

joe

R&K Mobley · 08-20-2010, 01:25 PM

I have not seen this suggestion before, without going into a very long story. We have a locale TV shop service the TV's in our Jails and when they switched over here they had a heck of a time getting the TVs to work. Turned out that the connector at the head end was bad. Check you connectors at all locations look for pulled out cable, corrosion and the like. It is amazing that VHF would pass through almost and cluge of a connector but UHF is finicky.

TXiceman · 08-20-2010, 05:11 PM

Our old trailer has a Yagi style antenna and it seems to do a better job than the newer batwing antennas. Newer is not better. The old Yagis are still working for the ham bands as well.

Ken

SCVJeff · 08-20-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Our old trailer has a Yagi style antenna and it seems to do a better job than the newer batwing antennas. Newer is not better. The old Yagis are still working for the ham bands as well.

Ken

Yeah..... It's a Yaggi, 6-8+ elements?
probably 3-6db over the Wingman I'd bet.