Is my local TERRESTRIAL signal at full strength?

Question

My digital signal from my rooftop antenna to my hdtv drops out at the most peculiar moments. A day before the super bowl my signal dropped after receiving it flawlessly for nearly a year. I had to get a backup antenna from the basement to fine tune the position. Are cable companies encouraging local affiliates in weakening their broadcast at peak viewing times to get antenna users to sign up for digital cable? I also heard that until February of 2009, the over the air digital signals can be less than 100% signal strength but will be boosted once federally mandated. Could this be part of my random reception?

Answer 1

Well, what you heard is not exactly reality.  Local affiliates and cable systems rarely get along well together.  There is a sort of uneasy peace in most markets between the two.  A cable system would not encourage a local affiliate to do anything, much less something that would be detrimental to the TV station itself. Stations need viewers to stay in business, doing something to drive them away makes no sense.

There is no federal mandate to "boost signals".  TV stations are attempting to build out facilities to full power as quick as they can.  The issue is, after all the analog stations shut down next February, some of the digital stations will move onto the newly vacated channels.  So, they are waiting until then to invest the huge amount of money required to build out a full power transmitter plant on the final channel.

Some stations are at a lower power waiting for the final move.  That could play a part in your difficulties.  More likely, though, your signal is somewhat marginal now.  Analog signals would get noisy (snowy).  Digital signals work until the signal gets bad and then suddenly quits.  Check your antenna and make sure it's aimed correctly.  Also, multipath (strong reflections off buildings) can cause the signal to degrade.

I hope this helps

Answer 2

sometimes its the TV stations as well.  Plus, most TV stations do not sign off, like the 'old days'. So in the 24 / 7 world, sometimes the TV stations purposelly weaken the signals. Then the next thing you know, full strength.