standard TV reception is "line of sight", right?

[k0irl]

Hey we just inherited this 2005 International. Previous owner never used the TV. So after buying a converter box to handle the digital conversion, we fired it up foe the first time last night. The thing scanned for signals and couldn't find one.

Since TV frequencies are uhf or BHG, I'm assuming that the reason we can't pull in a channel is because we are camping behind a huge ridge that is blocking the signals from the local TV stations? Or maybe we aw just too far? Denver is 90 miles south, Cheyenne is 30 miles north, but ft Collins is just about 10 miles away but I'm not even sure they have a local station.

So could it be just that I'm not close enough or blocked and my standard antenna just isn't capable of pulling in a signal?

Thanks. Seems Luke a simple question butbthought o would ask anyway in casebtjwre is something I'm not thinking of. U have neverbowned a TV that needed a conversion from analog to digital and I just wanted to bounce this off of the forum.

Chris

[fltlevel510]

Did you turn the amplifier on? If not push the little button on the faceplate where the TV antenna attaches to the wall. Green light should come on. Now try to scan again.

[k0irl]

And excuse my blackberry's auto type mistakes. I took my reading glasses off too soon and then hit send...

[noreen&sal]

Go to www.dtv.gov/ and go to maps. Sal.

[Pahaska]

As long ago as the 1940s, we were receiving television from Lancaster, PA some 40 miles away and across several sizable mountains. At 10 miles around Cheyenne, you should definitely get a decent signal.

I suspect that the amplifier (green light) was off on the plate where you plug in the TV. If the green light is off, the circuits think you are hooked to cable and disable the antenna.

[k0irl]

@fltlevel510: thanks. No such button on or around the crank that raises and rotates my antenna. I agree an amp would probably give the antenna some gain. So I'm assuming by that advice, you're in agreement that everything is ok and its just a matter of signal strength from the transmission source?

@noreen: thanks. I'll check that site out.

[Pahaska]

The green light and associated button are on the plate that the TV signal cable screws into, not where the elevating crank is.

[Ag&Au]

Where are you?

Ken

[Gene]

Chris,

If you are at a campground, see what direction other RV antennas are facing. You should be able to get the one channel in Ft. Collins and whatever is in Cheyenne. The antenna probably would face differently for Cheyenne. it should be perpendicular to the direction the signal is coming from.

HDTV signals are harder to get than SD signals, so the range is less. There is also available an add on for the antenna that is supposed to be better for HD signals—it costs around $20.

Have you tried the TV with a DVD to see if it works?

Gene

[Ag&Au]

Here are the things you are up against.

Since the whole system has never been used, locating the problem will be a PITA.

Because of the nature of digital signal process, you will not be able to detect a week signal. With analog TV, a weak signal produces a fuzzy picture. With digital it looks like a blank screen.

I assume that since those distances you cited don't describe Aurora, that you are camping somewhere east or west of Ft Collins.

Finding out what the problem is will be very tedious unless you are are in a place where you know there will be good reception, Aurora for instance.

It would be nice if you could borrow a digital capable TV and keep the converter out of the circuit until you can get a picture on the TV.
As far as the antenna goes, it should receive digitals signals if there are any to receive.

Ken

[k0irl]

@fltlevel510 and pahaska. Found the green light. It was on a cable plate under thedining table. Thanks to you both. I have 21 or so channels. Have a great day!

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by k0irl

@fltlevel510 and pahaska. Found the green light. It was on a cable plate under thedining table. Thanks to you both. I have 21 or so channels. Have a great day!

Congratulations,
Even though it means I wasted all that great advice.
Ken

[Gene]

Originally Posted by k0irl

I have 21 or so channels.

How many are worth watching?

Gene

[DaveFL]

It's the number not the quality, sort of like. the journey not the destination.;-)

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by DaveFL

It's the number not the quality, sort of like. the journey not the destination.;-)

As radio personality Fred Allen said way back in 1951, "Television is a medium. It's neither rare nor well done." Sad to say, it's still true 61 years later. Twenty-one channels when you're on the near edge of nowhere and nothing worth watching, is proof enough.

I'm not a big television-watcher even when home; all the television I really need when camping is one station with local weather and national news, and a stack of DVDs I haven't watched in a while.

[mpl]

Originally Posted by k0irl

@fltlevel510 and pahaska. Found the green light. It was on a cable plate under thedining table. Thanks to you both. I have 21 or so channels. Have a great day!

Believe me, you are not the first person to miss that button. Get in line behind me!