Tv Antenna Or Stb At Fault?

[Johnmw1]

Hi,

This is on behalf of my 89yr old father who is having issues with channel 7 dropping in and out constantly for the last month or so. His antenna system is approx 10yrs old give or take, and his STB is about 4yrs old. I have re-tuned the STB to see if this improved the situation but it has not. He lives in Adelaide (Edwardstown) and from his roof top Mt Lofty transmission towers are clearly in view. I have also climbed up and had a look at his antenna, but could not see anything out of the ordinary.

I don't know which way to proceed from here, is the STB faulty, or is it time to renew his antenna, and if so which brand and model would you recommend? He actually only lives about 5 mins away from Hills Antennas but I'm never really sure if you are only paying for their name. Is there anyway of testing signal strength etc to see which may be at fault, or are there any good antenna specialists which he could call to have them check it out. I have looked them up in the yellow pages but to be honest have no clue as to which service would be best value.

Thanks

John

[mtv]

John,

With the transmission towers in line-of-sight and also only being around 12 kilometres away, you should have no signals problems.

It's possible either (or both) antenna or STB could have a problem.

Whilst the antenna/cabling may have an issue to to age, or not being designed specifically for digital, I would suspect the STB to be the culprit.

Some STB's develop issues, sometimes even with a single channel being affected, when some of the components (mostly electrolytic capacitors) fail.

Which make/model of STB does your father have?

Have you tried re-setting the STB to a factory default, then re-tuning?

If you can test another (known to be good) STB with his antenna, that should indicate which device has the problem.

Hills antennas are gererally good performers, so if you need a new one and it's convenient for you to buy one from them, (and install yourself) then you should have no problems.

If the coax is in poor condition, it should be replaced too.

I mostly use Fracarro LP34 or LP345 antennas, but the Hills eg: Spectramax (SMX14B4+) will be fine, but probably more expensive than the Fracarro.

Signal strength, and more importantly, signal quality, is best measured with a professional digital field strength meter, which any good antenna tech should have.

As you can see the transmission towers, if you just ensure you have the antenna pointed directly at them, a DIY job should work fine.

Hope this helps.

[pgdownload]

I'd be erring on the side of a reception issue (seeing as all other channels are fine)

Seeing as channel 7 appears close to the "digital cliff" a simple possible solution might be to plug in a Dick Smith King Ray booster ($50) to see if you can get it over the line. Dick Smith have a 14 day no questions asked money back guarantee. The unit just plugs in the antenna between the wall and STB.

Otherwise, you'd probably need to look at getting a speciallist out to check your reception numbers and (probably) swap over the aerial.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[Pete Power]

Hi John,

I have picked up a 2nd Hand SD Panasonic STB at the right price $0. Basically to trial before buying HD TV.

I had chirping and have drop out on nearly all channels, intermittently. Some nights not a problem, other nights???. I am at Gepps Cross.

I went and purchased a Hills Antenns I think it was a Optimax ??? No change at all. My old antenna was in the roof cavity and was probably 20years old. New antenna outside on nice pole pointing at Mt Lofty. All cabling has been replaced.

I also get a very poor picture when the STB is not turned on, this irritates the Boss who doesn't want to use more than one remote.

I think it is probably STB. Will probably look at new HD STB, just don't know which one.

Any feedback welcome

Cheers

Pete

[pgdownload]

I also get a very poor picture when the STB is not turned on, this irritates the Boss who doesn't want to use more than one remote.

Antenna guy should have sorted/highlighted any reception issues or did you do it yourself? If so you might have stuffed up something (eg iff a little bit of the metal shield in the cable is touching the wall plug (behind the wall) this can cause big issues)

How is analogue reception without putting it through the STB?

No offense but are you sure you're looking at the digital channels via the STB and not just the analogue pass through?

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[I am not a duck]

I don't know which way to proceed from here, is the STB faulty, or is it time to renew his antenna, and if so which brand and model would you recommend?

John,

A few months ago installed this Hills antenna (click here) for a family member not far from where the railway line crosses Raglan St and it works a treat. (Hills were moving their store to another address at the time, don't know where to, but it wasn't far).

If you would like to try someone instead of doing it yourself, give Telesignal Antenna Systems at Prospect a try.

Marc.

Edited May 27, 2008 by M'bozo

[alanh]

Mark,

Do you have any technical specifications? Is this a rebranded Fracarro LPA? This antenna like others are not on the Hills website.

The fact that it is not designed for band 1-3 helps!

AlanH

[I am not a duck]

Do you have any technical specifications? Is this a rebranded Fracarro LPA? This antenna like others are not on the Hills website.

Alan,

No, I don't. It has a different construction to the Fracarro. I didn't ask where it was made.

Marc.

Edited May 27, 2008 by M'bozo

[Johnmw1]

Hi everyone and again thanks for the replies,

I went through the phone book yesterday looking for local installers, but surprisingly I could not find any that actually wanted to talk directly to me but instead they wanted me to leave them a message. Sure I suppose that's a good sign that they are busy working and all that, but call me old fashioned I just like to speak directly without getting the run around.

Long story short I rang Hills in desperation to find that they no longer do installs or service calls but they gave me a number to call, and I then found they must deal through Jim's antennas now but I spoke to the guy. $75 call out fee but with that things will be checked out and quote if any work needed to replace antenna etc

I shall keep you informed with what is found, as he will be here in about an hours time.

Thanks

John

[charlesc]

Is this a rebranded Fracarro LPA?

This antenna appeared quite some time ago in another post I seem to recall. It was on Bitek's website then, as it appears to be now.

Just found another example on Digitek's website here.

I'm sure this is not a rebranded Fracarro, as they are sold here by Laceys TV. Most likely a 'copy'.

Edit: There are some other references in this post here. Again, I think the other sources must be of the non Fracarro 'copy'.

Edited May 28, 2008 by charlesc

[Pete Power]

Hello Peter,

Thanks for input.

The reception I get when I bypass the STB is fantastic/faultless, and a big improvement with the new antenna. The reception through the STB when it is turned on is another improvment again in quality so I gather that must be digital.

I did do job myself and was very careful with braiding etc, but will check again.

2 Questions.

1/Should I have the same quality of reception when the STB is turned off as I do when STB is bypassed. When STB is off there are diagonal lines flashing across screen, the lines go from bottom left to top right.

2/ Is it probably the Panasonic STB that is causing the "NO SIGNAL" at intermittent times. As mentioned sometimes no probs, other times enough to get annoyed.

Cheers

Pete D

[Johnmw1]

Drum roll please,

And the fault was with?.....................................................

Neither as a matter of fact, the tech put his meter on all the outlets and they were all very strong signals, but as soon as he tested the lead coming of the wall into the back of the STB this is where the fault lay. Don't know why suddenly the lead started playing up but for whatever reason it did. As soon as he made a new lead up and plugged it in, it was like night and day. All up very happy with this guys service and he was ever so helpful in checking out the rest of the system also. He even went into dads girlfriend next door(she's 91) and had a look at her antenna and fixed hers also, all for $50 for the both of them. I cannot recommend this guy highly enough.

Thanks

John

[pgdownload]

In general there will be a drop in PQ when splitting a cable or passing through a STB.

You can tell if its digital if its widescreen and analogue is 4:3 (squarish)

Maybe the pass through is not working - try unplugging the lead from the pass through to the TV from the STB and see if the PQ changes much - the lead might just be acting as a poor analogue aerial (ie there's no connection up to the roof aerial)

I'd re-read through the posts above - as mentioned its really not possible to tell either way for sure. As I said if its only one channel then its more likely a reception issue than the box itself.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

PS Not sure but you might need a 'balun' on the antenna?

PPS You can always get a STB from Dick Smith and return in 14 days if you want - something to test if the box is the issue.

[pgdownload]

Ahh, something oft overlooked. No doubt pete can maybe have a try at that too. When you get a good antenna guy its a great thing - pity they tend not to stay around for too long.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[I am not a duck]

John,

Good outcome. Pity I was looking at a high tech solution for a low tech fault.

When you get a good antenna guy its a great thing - pity they tend not to stay around for too long.

What does this mean?

[mtv]

the tech put his meter on all the outlets and they were all very strong signals, but as soon as he tested the lead coming of the wall into the back of the STB this is where the fault lay.

It just goes to prove how quick a fault can be located and rectified with the right equipment in the right hands.

A good outcome... nice to see there are still some decent techs around providing great customer service.

[digitalhome]

Drum roll please,

And the fault was with?.....................................................

Neither as a matter of fact, the tech put his meter on all the outlets and they were all very strong signals, but as soon as he tested the lead coming of the wall into the back of the STB this is where the fault lay.

LOL, I did a call out today for a customer with the same symptoms such as yourself (and Edwardstown too!) and the end result was a male - male flylead chopped in half, extended about 10M with Cat5 cable, and the remaining half of the flylead attached to the other end of the cat5! And to make the matter worse, the home made cable was covered in cat poo in one of the joints! Ah, the joy of it all!

[charlesc]

...And to make the matter worse, the home made cable was covered in cat poo in one of the joints!

A critical appraisal of the home-made cable from the feline technician in-residence.

[Johnmw1]

John,

Good outcome. Pity I was looking at a high tech solution for a low tech fault.

I think we all were , and to be fair in his situation the lead coming off the wall would have been the last thing I would have looked at as he has always kept everything so neat and perfect, but just goes to show...........

It just goes to prove how quick a fault can be located and rectified with the right equipment in the right hands.

A good outcome... nice to see there are still some decent techs around providing great customer service.

Yes that is for sure, I can't speak highly enough of him, dad was even impressed by the fact that there are still some decent trades people around.

LOL, I did a call out today for a customer with the same symptoms such as yourself (and Edwardstown too!) and the end result was a male - male flylead chopped in half, extended about 10M with Cat5 cable, and the remaining half of the flylead attached to the other end of the cat5! And to make the matter worse, the home made cable was covered in cat poo in one of the joints! Ah, the joy of it all!

Digitalhome it's a pity you did not see this topic a bit sooner, I would have been more than happy to have sent this little (as it turned out) job your way, I like to support our local businesses when I can, so sorry about that.

Thanks again everyone,

John

[pgdownload]

What does this mean?

In my (limited) experience I only need antenna guy every few years. I've had a few really good ones but every time I go to ring them up they've moved on to another franchise, bought a franchise not near me, etc. Just a lament

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[I am not a duck]

Peter,

Thanks for that. Thought that's what you might be alluding to.

Marc.

[pistolpoida]

i am having troubles with my tv, when i am watching dtv i am noticing lines appear in the transmition on my 32 inch d series sony how ever on a different point i get great picture (compueter). and my parents tv is fine as well. what is causing this issue

[mtv]

i am having troubles with my tv, when i am watching dtv i am noticing lines appear in the transmition on my 32 inch d series sony how ever on a different point i get great picture (compueter). and my parents tv is fine as well. what is causing this issue

Probably a bad connection on the outlet plate, splitter, cable or flylead.

[pistolpoida]

Probably a bad connection on the outlet plate, splitter, cable or flylead.

ok will check it out and report back