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Old 08-19-2009, 02:35 PM   #1
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No antenna signal with digital TV

We have a 2003 Sony digital TV which is factory installed. We also had the factory install a dome king dish on the roof. On our last two trips out we've had problems acquiring a satellite signal. Our service provider told us we were receiving a signal, it just wasn't getting to the receiver. We also could not get reception using the antenna with the boost on. On our last stop on the way home we hooked up to the RV Park's cable, after not getting a satellite signal again. Once the cable was hooked up we had satellite reception as well - I forgot to check to see if we could get reception using the antenna.

As we have all learned, the Factory makes a good trailer but they don't know squat about electronics. My question is could this be a problem in the switch box, or do I need to look for another problem? With over 50 days of 100+ days so far here in Texas, we aren't looking to camp any time before October. Then we'll test the antenna, cable, and satellite once again.

_________Tom
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Old 08-19-2009, 03:00 PM   #2
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To receive a signal off your roof top antenna you need a digital converter box as of June of this year.

As far as the satellite is concerned there has been no change. If your selector box is set to satellite and your antenna is aimed at the satellite and you have tuned in a signal with the satellite set up system you should have complete satellite programing. Hooking up to campground cable should have no effect on satellite coverage. In fact they are 2 different selections on the selector box.
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Old 08-19-2009, 03:04 PM   #3
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Bad news: Digital TV signals don't reach as far as the analog predecessor. Plus, campgrounds usually are located far away from the urban center (or the signal towers).

At a campground I stayed over this summer, I used get signals from all the stations at one site, but when a better space (only a few hundreds feet away, shaded by trees, better views) became available and I moved, I then no longer receive signals from majority of the stations.

Good news: when you do receive signals, the picture and audio quality are crisp and clear.

Check out Wineguard Wingman (I haven't tried it yet, perhaps waiting for something better)

Winegard Wingman - Item - Camping World
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f450...man-48742.html
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Old 08-19-2009, 03:07 PM   #4
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We bought a new tv. Works fine without satellite or anything more than a small antenna.
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Old 08-20-2009, 08:05 AM   #5
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Thanks for the input guys. I thought that as long as I had a digital TV that the original antenna would work. The distance from the broadcast towers may have been a factor, though. We were camping on the banks of the Mississippi on the Arkansas side and the towers were somewhere on the Tennessee side around Memphis, but we had clear skies and no trees to speak of close by.

The satellite still puzzles me. The dish will lock onto a signal, but is unable to relay to the receiver - except for an error message. Then I go out and hook up to the Park's cable, and when I get back inside there's my satellite reception. This is what still has me thinking that there is a problem with the switch box - kind of like a short in a wire.

I'll look into replacing the antenna, but I'm not sure I'd need a converter box when I have a digital TV.

Thanks again.

________Tom
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Old 08-20-2009, 08:25 AM   #6
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Tom,

This statement confuses me: "Our service provider told us we were receiving a signal, it just wasn't getting to the receiver."

How can they say you are receiving a signal if the receiver isn't getting it? Did they hook up a different receiver to the antenna? Your antenna may well lock onto a signal, but it may or may NOT be the channel that your satellite service provider is sending for you...

Also, your 2003 Sony TV: have you been able to receive digital signals without one of those converters in another set-up? Not all digital TVs have a Digital tuner, IMHO, and 2003 was early days for that technology, I think. Look for ATSC and /or QAM capabilities in your owner's manual.

However, the fact that connecting the park cable turns other things on leads me to go along with your assessment that something relatively simple may be bad in your connections. Maybe just a bad or missing ground somewhere.
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Old 08-20-2009, 08:59 AM   #7
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Right now, we're in Salida, CO and receive digital CH 13 from Colo. Spgs. 100 miles away. What I don' get is I also receive 3 Denver stations, 160 miles away, on analog, a little snowy, but viewable. We're using only the factory Winegard antenea.
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Old 08-20-2009, 09:04 AM   #8
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We bought a new tv this year, an LCD Digital TV but id does have a digital receiver built into it, using the old antenna on the trailer we receive digital broadcasts just fine, a converter box is not needed unless your TV does not have a digital receiver.
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Old 08-20-2009, 09:46 AM   #9
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Did you do a scan for your TV for local channels?
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Old 08-20-2009, 10:41 AM   #10
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I get 3 more digital channels with my batwing on the Bambi in my yard than I get with the new antenna I have affixed 38 ft. up an oak tree. The tree mounted antenna has a rotator and a clear shot to the majority of the local stations, and the batwing is on the opposite side of the house. It's always been that way, even before I upgraded the antenna up the tree.

Go figure.
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Old 08-20-2009, 10:45 AM   #11
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[quote=Aage;737454]Tom,

This statement confuses me: "Our service provider told us we were receiving a signal, it just wasn't getting to the receiver."

How can they say you are receiving a signal if the receiver isn't getting it? Did they hook up a different receiver to the antenna? Your antenna may well lock onto a signal, but it may or may NOT be the channel that your satellite service provider is sending for you...

Also, your 2003 Sony TV: have you been able to receive digital signals without one of those converters in another set-up? Not all digital TVs have a Digital tuner, IMHO, and 2003 was early days for that technology, I think. Look for ATSC and /or QAM capabilities in your owner's manual.

Aage,

My provider is Direct TV. The Dome King is programmed to search for D TV satellite signals. After it locked on it would display an error message. I contacted D TV and they would confirm that a signal was being transmitted to my receiver, and that I should be receiving the transmission. I don't understand the "how's" of it anymore than how I can talk to our daughter on the phone with her in China. Both are just magic that I just accept.

I'll get out the manual for the Sony and confirm the set is digital or analog.

Thanks.

________Tom
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Old 08-20-2009, 10:47 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 76sovereign View Post
Did you do a scan for your TV for local channels?
Yes, with no results.
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Old 08-20-2009, 11:57 AM   #13
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The regular Sensar antena on your 2004 Classic will receive digital signals and does not need changed(you can add a Batwing extension). Your Original Sony TV would not be digtal ready and does need a convertor box to convert your signal.
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Old 08-20-2009, 11:58 AM   #14
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Directv has started a shut down on the receiver card if the TV has not been used for a couple of weeks. If you are getting an error message when you first go on satellite you may have to call them to reinstate the card. I have this and it is a pain in the ass. Not sure why cable could kick start the Directv.

As for your TV I would call the manufacture with the serial number in hand and ask if that TV has a digital tuner in it. Like I said above I doubt it.

There is no reason to buy a new antenna with the current problems. You may want one latter depending on the distance you are from the local stations. The NEW SIGNAL does not travel as far as the old analog signal. This fraud was to sell cable and satellite and get lost of money for the government from the sale of the old bandwidth. It had nothing to do with quality of service to the public.
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Old 08-20-2009, 12:34 PM   #15
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Digital channels are transmitted in the "old" UHF range and as such are line of sight only. Analog transmissions are VHF and had a much longer range.

On the sat signal, I would check the connections from the reciever to the TV (and make sure you have the TV set to the right input!).

Good luck,
Alex
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Old 08-20-2009, 08:22 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverRanger View Post
The tree mounted antenna has a rotator and a clear shot to the majority of the local stations, and the batwing is on the opposite side of the house.
Your tree needs upgrading
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Old 08-20-2009, 08:24 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stream 1529 View Post
Aage,

My provider is Direct TV. The Dome King is programmed to search for D TV satellite signals. After it locked on it would display an error message. I contacted D TV and they would confirm that a signal was being transmitted to my receiver, and that I should be receiving the transmission. I don't understand the "how's" of it anymore than how I can talk to our daughter on the phone with her in China. Both are just magic that I just accept.

I'll get out the manual for the Sony and confirm the set is digital or analog.

Thanks.

________Tom
OK, I get it now, you have one of those "smart" antennas. Don't know about pricing of those in the US, but up here the one I saw, the dealer wanted ~C$1,500.

I'll stay dumb for that much
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Old 08-21-2009, 08:40 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE View Post
Directv has started a shut down on the receiver card if the TV has not been used for a couple of weeks. If you are getting an error message when you first go on satellite you may have to call them to reinstate the card. I have this and it is a pain in the ass. Not sure why cable could kick start the Directv.
I'm very familiar with the error message you're talking about. I should be on a first name basis with the D TV people who have reinstated the card over the past 5 years for me.

The only thought I could come up with to explain the cable thing is that there is a problem with the switch box.

Thanks to everyone for their input.


_______Tom
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Old 08-22-2009, 05:52 PM   #19
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Anyone having this problem with Dish Network?
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