OTA signal

[xjb]

I have had Voom about 3 months and like the satellite service. Very strong signal and clear reception, except in heavy rain.

However, the OTA reception has been problematic for me. I have been unable to get a clear answer from Voom CSA or Installs, inc as to why some of my ota local stations loose signal (black screen) completely or go on and off in an intermittant manner. All my local OTA transmitting stations here in Austin (NBC, Cbs, PBS etc)) are within 3 miles of my house and range from 94 to 99 on the signal scale.

The CBS station indicates they hae a 1000kw transmitting strength, registers a 99 on my signal scale, yet will go black with alarming regularity.
Other OTAs here are rock steady, with less power.

Voom every told me mayby my signal was "too strong" -- that was a good one.

Installs indicated they do not have an alternative antenna.

Any suggestions, Ideas? New Antenna, Rabbit ears -- anything???

Im running 1080i and when the signal is locked -- picture is great in HD.

 

[ram1220]

I really can't help you. But I think it's the crappy Motorola STB they are using. With each firmware "upgrade" I would lose OTA stations and gain a couple others. It would remain like this until the new version came out, then I would lose a couple others and gain the ones I had lost. I honestly believe that no one at Voom or Motorola knows what the heck they are doing.

Bob

 

[Ilya]

The CBS station indicates they hae a 1000kw transmitting strength, registers a 99 on my signal scale, yet will go black with alarming regularity.

What kind of antenna do you have? Is it amplified?
If so, the signal level may indeed be too high. You can try connecting a small in-door antenna instead as a quick experiment.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[xjb]

I believe the antenna Installs, inc put up is the Wingard Sensor II Omnidirectinal (looks like gull wings) but cant find a model Number on it. Dont know if its amplified or not. Its a diplexor connection to two STBs in my house both still running Software V. 6.20. Both have the same signal loss.

The installler nailed the Dish/Antenna unit directly into my roof top so I've not tried to move it -- I could try the rabbit ears or may see if the roof top unit's wings could be rotated -- just to see what happens.

What's interesting is that I cant discern a clear pattern as to when the OTA signal will be intermittant or lost. Its seems most likely on windy days with moving clouds -- but that just doens't seem like it should affect an OTA signal that is so strong. Maybe some kine of multipath interference .

I could also call voom and demand a replacement but what to ask for?

Perplexed and aggravated I am.

 

[tdillon]

The Sensar II is amplified. It also isn't very directional. Being so close to the transmitting antenna my money would be on multipath distortion. The V* CSR may have been correct! You might be getting too much signal. Try a bent coat hanger in the antenna input of the STB. Take off the diplexer off the back of the STB first.

Good luck.

 

[dankgus]

I could be wrong, but I think that the winegard Sensar II (amplified) is a crap antenna. I can SEE my local transmitters on a distant mountaintop if I am on my roof. With the winegard Sensar II I couldn't receive all the stations that should have been available. I had better results with a set top indoor amplified antenna from radio shack.

After the antenna upgrade (Winegard Platinum series, NON amplified, model unknown) I can get all the stations that are being broadcast from the mountaintop. But the antenna is 10 feet long.

--Dan