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Forum Index : Electronics : Weird TV Signal Issue
| Author | Message | ||||
| ryanm Senior Member  Joined: 25/09/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 202 |
Hi All, A little off topic, but I've seen a few comments that makes me think there are some other TV techs lurking on the forums. I've got a weird issue where I'm getting TV signal in a house on multiple sockets with my no name chinese signal meter with a built in tuner showing a strong signal and clear picture. Multiple TVs and a set top box that is known working are not picking up any channels. Antenna and masthead amplifier have both been replaced trying to sort the issue. Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this issue? The amplifier / splitter setup is far enough from the manhole that I will have to take a packed lunch for the trip so I'm trying to at least get a working theory before I go up there. Ryan. |
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| Godoh Guru  Joined: 26/09/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 453 |
Hello Ryan. If you are using F type connectors it is easy to have one small strand of wire that is shorting out the plug, it is hard to see but if you disconnect one end and check with a multimeter a dead short should show up. It is always best to check each connection you make with a meter as you do them, it is very easy, especially if using RG6 Quad shield cable to have a single strand wrapped around the conductor that you don't see. Pete |
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| MaryB_MN Newbie  Joined: 03/08/2024 Location: United StatesPosts: 5 |
I suspect it is picking up off the air TV stations that are close by... the TV's are setup for cable so not seeing those channels. If you swapped the TV's to off the air those channels may show. |
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| Pete Locke Senior Member Joined: 26/06/2013 Location: New ZealandPosts: 181 |
So your setup looks like this?  Where in the system are you seeing signal with your meter. I'm picking at the outlets? You mention there is a set top box so digital TV signal?, is there one at each outlet as per the picture, or one common unit feeding all outlets?. Has the system ever worked, or is it a new system that hasn't worked from the start? If it's the latter, most common problem is the s/t box hasn't been set for the correct LNB (if it's dish fed) of correct for terrestrial. If you can fill in some of the blanks, maybe able to suggest a few things to try. Cheers Pete'. |
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| ryanm Senior Member Joined: 25/09/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 202 |
Pretty much as per your pic Pete, all free to air so no LNBs etc. Existing system that was working in the past, it's a fairly new house less than 5 years. TV reception would intermittently drop out, then went completely. An electrician has replaced the amplifier and the customer replaced the antenna himself then called me in when that didn't work. There are multiple TVs in the house not getting channels plugged straight into the socket. The set top box was a spare I had in my office that was pre-tuned to the local channels, tried it just in case the TVs were faulty. Set top box didn't get anything in the house, swapped the lead over to my signal meter / mini-tv and I'm watching TV with a 57% strength and 99% quality rating. ( I realise that percent isn't an actual unit, but point is it was above marginal. ) Took the set top box home and it worked fine (same tower). Usualy I would just fault find going from the antenna down with my signal meter, but problem is it is showing that everything works and getting a picture. Just the four other tuners (TVs and set top box) aren't, one of which I know 100% works. My current best theory is there is some sort of cable damage which is not a complete short or OC which is changing the impedence enough to be out of spec for the TVs, but my signal meter has more tolerence. |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2129 |
A few years ago my neighbour was having similar problems. Also used my STB as a test unit. Got on the roof found good signal at the antenna and the input to the amp but less at the output, so almost nothing after the splitter. Turned out the plug-pack powering the amp wasn't pushed into the power-point properly. Lesson - start with the simple stuff, has the booster got power? If power is fed via the co-ax measure the volts at the amp output. Mine is 15V AC, some Kingray units use 22V AC and others use 5 to 15V DC. |
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| ryanm Senior Member Joined: 25/09/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 202 |
That's the next step, just not looking forward to the climb. Amplifier and power supply are co-located in the ceiling space and have been replaced by the electrician. I get a stronger signal at the wall sockets than I do straight from the antenna on the roof so it's working. |
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| Pete Locke Senior Member Joined: 26/06/2013 Location: New ZealandPosts: 181 |
Can you take one of the STB's that doesn't work, and try it on another setup that does work? That will at least prove where the problem is. |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6089 |
1 If the masthead amp is internal, it might be easier to run a new amp and cable from the roof and through a window as a test. That would prove amp and antenna (and TV) 2 Bypass the splitter so masthead amp feeds one outlet. (assuming it is not a combined unit) 3. Replace amp Jim VK7JH MMedit MMBasic Help |
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| ryanm Senior Member Joined: 25/09/2015 Location: AustraliaPosts: 202 |
As above, retested the STB at my house and it worked. Waiting on house owner's days off to proceed. |
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