DTV converter box signal breaks up despite strong signal, why?

Question

I bought an RCA DTV converter box for over-the-air TV. The box seems to work fine. I have a large antenna in the attic. The signal strength (according to the converter box) was an average of 45%, and the picture would freeze up, then start again. So, I bought a signal amplifier (+18 dB) and the signal strength increased to an average of 70%. Yet, the signal breakup still occurs. It's really strange how it goes from 70% signal strength down to 0% in a fraction of a second. The signal is gone for a second or two (at 0%) then returns, fluctuating between 50% and 70%. I understand the fluctuation between 50 and 70%, but don't know why it drops to zero for a couple seconds. How can I fix the complete loss of signal? The DTV converter box instructions recommended using a "smart antenna", which is not in stores yet, but should be in the next several months. Will this fix the problem, or is there a better solution? I'd like to use over-the-air TV.

Answer 1

Try getting an antenna pre-amp.It goes directly between the antenna and the down lead at the antenna terminals.

Answer 2

45% is pretty bad. You'll usually want 70% or better.

Signal amps will boost both signal and noise, so you may not get the gain you're expecting.

Try antennaweb to see what their recommendation is for your location.

If your stations are in different directions, you'll also need a rotator, which, of course, won't work in your attic (unless you have a really large attic.

Answer 3

You first have to get the antenna out of the attic and into open space, like outside!!  I don't know how far the transmitting station is from your location, but your best bet, IMO, is to get yourself a 4 Bay Bow Tie type of  antenna    http://www.pldepot.com/CM4221.aspx    with that pre-amp you have and point the antenna in the direction of the transmitting antennas.  That would probably solve your problem.  Any signal less than 50% will not show.  Has to be 65% and above to hold a steady signal.

Added info:

So far what I've seen with regards to Smart Antennas, they do not apply to terrestial TV reception.  They're only for Satellite TV, Satellite Radio and GPS systems.  On top of that, they are very expensive.  You have never given us a descriptions as to what may be in the path of an outside antenna facing the TV station transmitting antennas as to trees or homes, but I am here to tell you that my 8 Bay Bow Tie antenna sitting 20 ft above the ground with a pre-amp pulls in, clearly, stations 75 miles away with a mountain range in between.  Good luck in your search.

Answer 4

I bought the Zenith DTT900 dtv converter box and I am happy so far with it's performance. I am using the Channel Master

8 bay bow tie Model # 4228, mounted on a tower 40'

in the air with a rotor for fine tuning. I'm using 50' of Belden Duobond II RG-6 coax to feed the signal to my dtv box.

I live in Toronto, Canada and receive stations from Buffalo NY at a constant 75% strength as well as all the local dtv stations from Toronto at full signal. I just ordered the Channel master Model 7775 mast mounted uhf preamp, which has 26 db gain and a low noise figure. I'm hoping to bring in some stations from Erie Pennsylvania. I used to be able to receive the analog version of channel 35 WSEE and channel 54 WQLN from Erie with the same setup I'm using about 4 days out of the seven with around a 50 to 75 % signal quality with some bits of snow in the picture. I really enjoy uhf tv dxing.

I hope this helps. If you want more info just type "uhf tv dxing"

into your favorite search engine and you will find some good sites with tons of info. Ultimately you will want to get your antenna as high in the air as you can and use the best coax you can afford. If the Rca box still does not work you try a different brand.  By the way the best 75 ohm coax for tv's reception is RG-11 but is larger and harder to find connections for so just use a real high quality RG-6 cable with 100% sheilding, they even have quad sheilded coax as well. Feel free to email me if I can help you out any further as I would be interested in how it worked out for you.

I think you contact me via my member profile here on Yahoo.

Take care.

Answer 5

Different Things in the Home Interfere With Signals You Probably Understand if You have A Cell Phone And Your Sitting At The Computer With the Speakers On And the Phone Rings Even Though The Speakers Do Not have An antenna They Still Pick Up The Signal So Even Small Things Like That Can Mess things Up I Lose Signal On Mine Every Time The Wife Drys Her Hair Or Turns On the Microwave

Answer 6

There have been a lot of glitche with dtv converters because they are a really new product.  I would call your manufacturer and see if they have an updated model that is fixed.