lost signal

[David Hendrickson]

I'm confused. Ever since I put the double bow tie Channel Master on the roof I received Milwaukee's NBC, ABC, PBS and CBS in crystal clear Hi-Def. Suddenly since early August I can't receive CBS anymore. The signal strength is down to 44%, and if I do receive a picture it's just chunks of pixels from either NBC or ABC.:confused:
Nothing in my set up has changed, and no obstructions suddenly appeared to interfere with my reception. I still get all the other digital signals from between 75% - 100% (except of course FOX). I'm using a Mits SR-HD5 receiver hooked up to a Mits WS55907. Did something change on CBS's end to affect my reception? BTW I'm in Waukesha near HWYs U and I.

[Kevin Arnold]

Dave, if you browse thru previous posts you will see this problem happens to a lot of us.  WDJT has some kind of problem with their transmitter, but they're not talking.  I say this because more than a few people are having this problem.  GM Jim Hall does read these forums - maybe he can weigh in.

[JimHall]

It seems that for some with high gain rooftop antennas a possible interference problem is occurring during the late summer/ early fall when DX'ing is high.

We have determined that channel 46 (analog) from South Bend is traveling up to our area causing dual 46's, and thus, causing our DTV signal to be non-receivable.

I would be interested from those that are having this problem that when it occurs, are you capable of receiving other out-of-market signals, be it digital or analog?

Jim Hall
CBS-58

[Tom Snyder]

Hi Jim!

Is the popping I'm getting in my sound tonight related to that? No picture problems.

[Kevin Arnold]

I hate to be the nay sayer, but the reason this occurs is because of the low power being run on the DTV channel.  That an analog signal ducting up from wherever can overpower the local transmission tells you everything you need to know.  This problem will not go away until local power is upped to overcome the interference.  Or rotate the antenna to WISC Madison which is at almost full power.

[950ash]

Originally posted by David Hendrickson
I'm confused. Ever since I put the double bow tie Channel Master on the roof I received Milwaukee's NBC, ABC, PBS and CBS in crystal clear Hi-Def. Suddenly since early August I can't receive CBS anymore. The signal strength is down to 44%, and if I do receive a picture it's just chunks of pixels from either NBC or ABC.:confused:
Nothing in my set up has changed, and no obstructions suddenly appeared to interfere with my reception. I still get all the other digital signals from between 75% - 100% (except of course FOX). I'm using a Mits SR-HD5 receiver hooked up to a Mits WS55907. Did something change on CBS's end to affect my reception? BTW I'm in Waukesha near HWYs U and I.

It could be your box. I had signal problems big time with the SR-HD5. Mitz gave me a 500buck in store credit. here is a link to explain more. http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB10&Number=467128&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[David Hendrickson]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't know if the problems are from out of town interference or not. On friday and saturday I was receiving heavily pixelated chunks of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", which was not being shown on any of our local affiliates, but was being shown on HBO. And yesterday when football was on local 58, 58-1 and 1-1 had chunks of the NASCAR race being shown on NBC showing up. Odd.
I will give Mits a call and see if my box has anything to do with it. It has been flawless thus far....
I'll post again if Mits thinks that's my problem.

[David Hendrickson]

Thanks to everyone who posted regarding the lost signal. I haven't even tried in quite some time, but today I tuned to 1-1 and received a picture. Signal strength was back to 100%. Only bad part was 58 wasn't carrying the second nfl game today. HDTV Galaxy indicated CBS was showing the Jets vs Giants game in 1080i. Has CBS been showing many NFL games in HD? Anyway, I wonder why I suddenly can receive the picture again. The only change I made was to swap out the new directv cards in my stb.:confused:

[Tom Snyder]

Like Jim said... the DX conditions are typically high in late summer andvery early fall...  Now that we're well into the cooler temperatures, there isn't much of it... see the tropo forecast at:
http://www.globalserve.net/~hepburnw/tropo.html

As far as CBS HD games.. I've seen several (and missed a couple more cuz they were up against a Packers game.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by Kevin Arnold
This problem will not go away until local power is upped to overcome the interference.  Or rotate the antenna to WISC Madison which is at almost full power.

What??? Correct me if I'm wrong, but WDJT-DT IS a high-power station...
This problem will not go away until all analog transmitters are shut down.  Depending on the angle of the interfering carrier vs DJT's, you may get enough signal separation via a very highly directive antenna, which double-bows are not.

[Gregg Lengling]

No WDJT is only running about 10kW ERP (about 1000 watts from the transmitter).

[kwinrich]

Distant stations can override local stations.  Just listen to th FM band in teh summer time.  I often get a 100.1 from Michigan over the Port Washington Station.  Also 105.3, et al.

Tropospheric ducting can provide a very strong signal.  Then you can add in sporadic "E" where you can get stations over 1000 miles away.  For example, I was listening to a Tampa, FL FM station while in Rhinelander.  It was full quieting and in stereo.

[John L]

True, distant signals can overide local signals.  I received a PBS station on ch. 12 coming from Iowa someplace in my Muskego home.  I have a directional antenna and I had the rotor facing the antenna to the west.  I nulled out WISN-TV in that way. The ch. 12 PBS station was coming in as a local, snow free.

-John L.

[dapinger]

I'm not sure if this is a similar problem.  Just installed a ChannelMaster on the roof.  After setting it up I was able to get 4 at full signal (100%).  Then started to watch it during prime time and about half way into the show it started to drop out.  Went to the signal meter and saw it was going between 0 - 76%.  Eventually lost it all together.  About an hour or so later I went back and we had a steady 93%.  The next day back to 100%, but, that night again back to 0 - 76%.

Why can it be 100% during the day and drop out almost completely for an hour or two at night?

:bang: