Tamworth - Prime Dropouts At Night

[bacco|007]

Starting on Friday, at night the signal for Prime has degraded to a point that my TiVo can't get a signal. I've replaced cables but no resolution - it works perfectly during the day (recordings from Prime on TiVo prove this) but tonight while watching the news it dropped out suddenly and hasnt come back.

Another TV (in another location) on the same antenna doesnt have the same problem - maybe it is something else in the surrounding environment

Any ideas what to look for?

[IgglePiggle]

Starting on Friday, at night the signal for Prime has degraded to a point that my TiVo can't get a signal. I've replaced cables but no resolution - it works perfectly during the day (recordings from Prime on TiVo prove this) but tonight while watching the news it dropped out suddenly and hasnt come back.

Another TV (in another location) on the same antenna doesnt have the same problem - maybe it is something else in the surrounding environment

Any ideas what to look for?

Have u tried just doing a channel rescan?........i have random channels just suddenly come and go or pixelate so i have to re scan....and i have a PVR + a couple of STBs running off the 1 aerial

I live in Tamworth also and get great reception normally..........

Edited May 24, 2010 by Baboy

[bacco|007]

Rescan didnt fix it TiVo is reporting a signal strength close to 80 (which is the same as the rest of the channels)

[bellotv]

Rescan didnt fix it TiVo is reporting a signal strength close to 80 (which is the same as the rest of the channels)

bacco/007

I would test your outlet with my meter but since I'm not there I can only suggest you take the TV thats OK to the spot that isn't and plug the same fly lead into known good TV and see what happens.( or take TiVo to known good outlet bla bla)

Plenty of signal is a good help as it indicates that the cabling and distribution system is most likely working but the quality is the real indicator.

If you are using a masthead amp and are in a weak signal area it is possible that you have plenty of signal (read large amounts of amplified noise but badly corrupted data)

In such cases some decoders are better than others when near the digital cliff edge.

Edited May 25, 2010 by bellotv

[RayDio]

bacco/007

I would test your outlet with my meter but since I'm not there I can only suggest you take the TV thats OK to the spot that isn't and plug the same fly lead into known good TV and see what happens.( or take TiVo to known good outlet bla bla)

Plenty of signal is a good help as it indicates that the cabling and distribution system is most likely working but the quality is the real indicator.

If you are using a masthead amp and are in a weak signal area it is possible that you have plenty of signal (read large amounts of amplified noise but badly corrupted data)

In such cases some decoders are better than others when near the digital cliff edge.

If Your NOT Line Of Sight with Soma there is major Multipath Issue With The Soma TX'ers "Do You Have Ghosting On Your annalog reception" ?

My Prime digital recepion from Mt Dowe has been fine & I think That's relayed Off SOMA Isn't It ?.

If Nothing Else Works Buy A Good VHF High Yargi & point it at Mt Dowe

Edited May 28, 2010 by RayDio

[bacco|007]

bacco/007

I would test your outlet with my meter but since I'm not there I can only suggest you take the TV thats OK to the spot that isn't and plug the same fly lead into known good TV and see what happens.( or take TiVo to known good outlet bla bla)

Plenty of signal is a good help as it indicates that the cabling and distribution system is most likely working but the quality is the real indicator.

If you are using a masthead amp and are in a weak signal area it is possible that you have plenty of signal (read large amounts of amplified noise but badly corrupted data)

In such cases some decoders are better than others when near the digital cliff edge.

Cheers - I've tried what you suggested and it seems to work ok (I only left it for an hour) - I could understand if multiple channels were affected, but given its only Prime it is a bit baffling (the only thing I can think of is the weather, the signal is becoming inconsistent) - maybe a new amp might be in order

If Your NOT Line Of Sight with Soma there is major Multipath Issue With The Soma TX'ers "Do You Have Ghosting On Your annalog reception" ?

My Prime digital recepion from Mt Dowe has been fine & I think That's relayed Off SOMA Isn't It ?.

If Nothing Else Works Buy A Good VHF High Yargi & point it at Mt Dowe

What is this analog you speak of? I can get Prime from Dowe, but it fades in and out

[bellotv]

I could understand if multiple channels were affected, but given its only Prime it is a bit baffling (the only thing I can think of is the weather, the signal is becoming inconsistent) - maybe a new amp might be in order

At any location ,the level of ALL the received channels will vary .Some will be higher ,some lower. This is normal

Move the antenna a meter to the left or right ,up or down and they change again.( note I am talking position here and not just direction)

It becomes apparent that one channel will be the best and one will be the worst.

If all channels are above the minimum required level (the digital cliff) then no problems

BUT IF one or more channels ( in your case prime ) is below the minimum level then it will be the one/s to suffer.

OK so whats changed .

There are many probabilities, You have changed location of equipment and that has changed things (not sure what you changed where).It may be an internal issue .A faulty fly lead or a faulty wall socket .Perhaps you have scraped off a bit of corrosion from an old plug/ socket in the process. But then again,this may be a bit of fine tuning on a major issue regarding your antenna system .

Trees grow .

They alter the signal path of Radio waves ,particularly in the UHF band. This is a daily issue to me as I live in an area where tree growth is substantial .Antennas that were installed 5 years ago are now hopelessly receiving signals and need relocating.

Antennas corrode.

Fact of life . Some are better than others but all die eventually.Typically min 10 years ,if your lucky 15 years .If you life by the sea 3-5 is good

Masthead amps fail.

Most last many years ,15-20yr without problem.Lightning will kill them prematurely.There are specific ones that have had issues but it's generally OK in day bad at night and effects ALL CHANNELS

I recommend that you get out an installer with a digital meter that can access where your problem is .

I thought my Misses Ford Falcon running bad was faulty spark plugs or a clogged fuel filter .Turned out it was a faulty Distributor.( apparently it was triggering the computer 30 degree too early )

HE HAD THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT ,I didn't

I could have spent a lot of money for nothing and still got no where.

Edited May 29, 2010 by bellotv

[bacco|007]

Well bugger me - twelve months on and I've got the same problem, different channel!

This time it's NBN.

Since last time it happened, I've replaced all of the cabling and amp, had the antenna checked and even replaced the TiVo (for an unrelated issue).

This is getting extremely frustrating! The signal drops out about 6pm, the only thing I can think of is that there is something interfering with the signal at that time.

[alanh]

bacco|007,

More the TIVO and do a rescan on each antenna outlet to see if the performance changes. This would indicate a problem in the antenna cabling.

Follow the links in

Get the best reception - Regional NSW

I particularly highlight the link to endorsed antenna installers and get one to come out and measure the signals you have on each outlet.

This will either eliminate either the antenna system or the recevier.

AlanH

[bellotv]

Well bugger me - twelve months on and I've got the same problem, different channel!

This time it's NBN.

Since last time it happened, I've replaced all of the cabling and amp, had the antenna checked and even replaced the TiVo (for an unrelated issue).

This is getting extremely frustrating! The signal drops out about 6pm, the only thing I can think of is that there is something interfering with the signal at that time.

How was your antenna checked ? Was it just a visual " looks OK no corrosion etc"

or was a full site test carried out by a tech with a meter to confirm that the PRESENT ANTENNA MOUNTING POSITION is the best ?

Sorry to keep "banging on" about mounting position but it is the most common reason for imbalance between channels (assuming the antenna you have is capable of adequate reception of the required channels)

The best antenna will still perform like crap if not stuck in the right position

Was all the cable / amplifier upgrade done by a tech ?

Edited July 26, 2011 by bellotv

[bacco|007]

How was your antenna checked ? Was it just a visual " looks OK no corrosion etc"

or was a full site test carried out by a tech with a meter to confirm that the PRESENT ANTENNA MOUNTING POSITION is the best ?

Sorry to keep "banging on" about mounting position but it is the most common reason for imbalance between channels (assuming the antenna you have is capable of adequate reception of the required channels)

The best antenna will still perform like crap if not stuck in the right position

Was all the cable / amplifier upgrade done by a tech ?

Tech visit and 'fiddle' (not sure what he did other then he did shift it vertically slightly) - I'm starting to think the antenna may have had it, its the only thing I havent replaced.

[bellotv]

I'm curious what brand /model masthead amp you have .

what colour is the case ?White ,black green or grey?

If its white I might know whats going on

Edited July 26, 2011 by bellotv