General thoughts/advice on my antenna setup...

[RonBoyd]

I, too, have to have multi-antennas (three) because of widely spaced transmission towers. I have found (well, through research) that with multi-antennas, the cables have to be the exact same length from the antenna to the common cable connected to the TV -- normally to the splitter. The reason being that if an antenna happens to get a signal from a shared tower (atmospheric interference, for instance) the result will be ghosting (double image) and/or other weird stuff depending on the cable length difference.

[Slack]

A re-cap: On advice from members here I re-arranged and most definately improved my reception issues.

Current state: (2) DB8 Antennas in attic, (1) each for (2) HDHomerun Duo Tuners.
No splits.
No amps.
No 5G Filter.

I was still having issues, so I purchased the 'Signal GH' app from App store, and while tuning to separate tower stations on each tuner, adjusted to a compromise location that improved signal quality for WBTV (CBS affiliate) Which improved things for a time.

Yesterday while watching the Army Navy game delayed I saw lots of issues so I launched Signal GH. Thinking I may have to re-adjust, weather was a little unsettled, but not terrible (I've noticed windy days can cause minor issues).

Signal Quality was at 100% for long period of time, but occasionally will crash to 0%.

What can one do about this?
All I can think of is to re-visit and tighten connections? I did have wrenches with me when I re-did things, and I did but all new COAX, highly rated on Amazon.com.

23 (Magenta) Is WBTV, and I was on the couch not touching things. There are no squirrels in the attic.



Coax: Quad Shield RG6...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Slack]

Looking at it this morning. Weather is calm, very calm.

Left two (Mustard? & Cyan) are on old DB8 via 6 foot COAX.
Right two (Magenta & Purple) are on new DB8 via 20 foot COAX (different MFG).

Mustard also tuned to problem channel, does not dip.




If re-tightening does nothing.
I'm gonna move that tuner such that I can replace the 20ft COAX.

[KryptoNyte]

I'm not familiar with that app. Are both tuners going to zero at the same exact time?

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

I'm not familiar with that app. Are both tuners going to zero at the same exact time?

If you have an OTA HDHR and an iPhone/iPad, it's totally worth $2.99. I've had to email the developer a few times, he is very responsive.

[anotherhaus]

Originally Posted by Slack

Signal Quality was at 100% for long period of time, but occasionally will crash to 0%.

Any chance you (or a neighbor) have any LED light bulbs turning on anywhere near those antennas or cables when the signal goes to zero?

Years ago I upgraded a floodlight in my backyard to an LED bulb, and every night channel 7 went completely dead. When I turned off the light the signal came back immediately. Granted, I think this typically only affects VHF but never hurts to consider other devices causing interference, particularly when it's that severe and intermittent. Unless something is literally moving with wind and causing a connection to drop, but that's not likely in your attic.

[KryptoNyte]

Interesting. I have a similar problem with a Genie Garage Door Opener that I retrofitted with a cheap MyQ wifi garage door opener. I can't install LED bulbs in the garage door opener itself or it interferes with the MyQ's wireless connections.

[Slack]

It was not switched LEDs or their proximity.

I deduced the common issue between problem channels was a section of COAX. So I moved a tuner closer to one antenna to remove that COAX. And I also raised the other antenna a bit, and spent more time with the app, and fine tuning. And now I think I have it stable, judging my these past weeks of consumption.

Bad news is I over torqued a COAX connection and effed up the surface mount pads etc on a tuner... on the PCB. Expensive mistake. But then again, I do that from time to time. I pitched it, and shrugged my shoulders.

[trk2]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

Interesting. I have a similar problem with a Genie Garage Door Opener that I retrofitted with a cheap MyQ wifi garage door opener. I can't install LED bulbs in the garage door opener itself or it interferes with the MyQ's wireless connections.

I had issues with the longevity of LED or flourescent bulbs in my garage door opener. So I used a light socket to plug adapter in my garage door opener and remotely mounted a T5 LED strip light. Works great, and gives 3x the light a bulb ever did.