Losing OTA signals Periodically on all TVs

[Pakbackr]

My E* installation was yesterday and included a 622, another HD receiver and a SD receiver. During set-up, my OTA digital channels were found during the scan and added to the line-up. Signal strength on all is very good.

However, something screwy is going on because every hour or so, I lose all the OTA digitals...zero signal strength on all. This always seems to happen when I switch off one of the OTAs and go to one of E*'s channels. When I try to go back, its gone and I get an error screen.

And its not just on the 622, it happens at the same time on the other HD receiver in my bedroom. This tells me that it might have something to do with how the OTA signal is routed through equipment outside the house.

Anyone have a clue where to start to fix this problem? Since the local CBS and FOX affiliates in Raleigh are not yet in the E* local HD line-up, this is a major issue!

 

[rcbridge]

Explain how the system is routed.
Check all the connections for the OTA signal.

 

[MikeD-C05]

REBOOT if needed.

 

[RandallA]

I would delete all the channels, reboot the receiver and rescan again for all the channels.

Are you using an internal or external antenna? Was the antenna there before you install the 622? Did it work?

 

[Super Dave]

Mine started to act up lately. My OTA antenna is external/indoor Terk. Signal strength for 6 months has been 100%. Now 95% with drops to 0 and signal loss. Also getting stuttering and sound drop outs on all channels, sporadically. Have they sent out new software? Everything was perfect until last week. I have rebooted and of course things are fine afterwards, but it doesn't last.

 

[Pakbackr]

Explain how the system is routed.
Check all the connections for the OTA signal.

OTA antenna is existing one used successfully with my previous Directv set-up. Coax feeds come from the satellite dish and go through a Multi-dish Switch (DPP44). After passing through this switch, mutiplexers combine the OTA antenna signals, which all feed into the house coax system. In each room with an HD receiver, a diplexer splits the sat and OTA signals for separate feeds with the following caveats.

In my family room where we have the Vip 622, the primary coax comes out of wall, goes through a surge protector, then is split by the diplexer. And in the last 6 inches, the sat signal is split again using the supplied splitter to take advantage of the dual sat tuners in this box.

In my bedroom where I have a Vip 211 HD receiver, they installed the power unit for the satellite dish. So, coax comes out of wall, feeds through a surge protector, then into the power supply unit for sat. dish. OTA Signal is then split using a diplexer in the last 12 inches.

Again, all seems to work fine at times...and once on an OTA channel, I have no problem holding it. But if I switch off to one of the sat channels and then come back, I often get a "739 Error" screen, indicating that no OTA signal is being received. Since this is happening at same time on both my Vip 622 and the 211, I am convinced it is a wiring, multiplexer sort of problem...but I could be wrong. And makes me wonder if I need different diplexers, or if they need to be in a different sequence...and why do I have a strong sustained signal and then, poof, nothing?

All help much appreciated. I cannot do without CBS and FOX, and if I don't fix this problem in 30 days, I will be yanking this system out.

 

[osu1991]

I had this problem on a family members setup last year and it was bad diplexers. I switched them out and it has been fine since.

 

[Pakbackr]

I had this problem on a family members setup last year and it was bad diplexers. I switched them out and it has been fine since.

Hmm, interesting that the ones I have, worked fine with the Directv set up for over a year. Is there some special kind of diplexer needed for Dish and this DPP44 switch?

 

[MikeD-C05]

If you are using an outside Terk clip on antenna to diplex your sat and ota channels then I also recommend check your diplexors. I had a couple go bad before and I replaced them and it came right back. I use the terk 44 clip on antenna on my sat dish 1000 and I am within 35 miles from my stations.

 

[Pakbackr]

If it were a diplexer issue, would I not have reception problems independently on different receivers? Since I ma having issues on both the 622 and the 211 at the same time (or no problems at same time), this sounds like something else?

Could this have anything to do with where the power source is located for the DPP44 switch. It is in my master bedroom, on one of the HD receivers. Should it be located on one of the non-HD receivers where there is no diplexer connections?

 

[SmityWhity]

In my bedroom where I have a Vip 211 HD receiver, they installed the power unit for the satellite dish. So, coax comes out of wall, feeds through a surge protector, then into the power supply unit for sat. dish. OTA Signal is then split using a diplexer in the last 12 inches.

This is more info than on your other 2 threads. Same applies about putting the diplexers between the power inserter and the DPP44 Receiver Port 1.

However.... On the above info....
I don't know what the RF surge protector would do to the signal with the power from the Power Inserter added on it.

Maybe someone else has input.

Also, you mentioned a multiplexer combining all signals.
Is this a Home Node that also requires a power supply?