TV antenna question

[Ratracer]

We have a 2021, 2860 DS Sunseeker Classic which came with the Winegard omnidirectional Antenna on the roof. We are getting poor reception with channels being dropped and pixilated. I thought digital over the air TV signals were supposed to be stronger and carry further than the old analog. It does not seem the case, at least with this antenna! I am wondering if adding a signal amplifier would help and if anyone else has installed one.

Ratracer

 

[dahagen]

As a part-time broadcast engineer years ago, I can tell you that digital TV is line-of-site and that means that if you have a mountain, hill, building between you and the tower you could have poor or no reception.
The old analog did not have this problem. On my trailer I have the same Winegard antenna and it is terrible. I bought a second signal amp (1st one is built into the RV) and it did not help.

 

[Ratracer]

D,

Thanks for the reply. I suppose weather conditions have a little to do with it also. We have moved from Florida to Northern Alabama and the three National broadcast channels come out of Huntsville. I know at least one of the stations has its tower on top of a mountain to the east of Huntsville. We are on top of a mountain, ( Sand Mountain ), about 35 - 40 miles south of Huntsville. When we first got here, I scanned for channels and we had 36! As of this morning the number had dropped to 10 and none of the national channels would scan in, plus several others no longer appear.
Sometimes, while a station initially comes on, within a few minutes it begins to pixelate and eventually disappears. It is just so frustrating. The only other means we would have to get good TV reception would be satellite. We are using a whole house streaming device, from Verizon, but even that buffers while we are watching a program. Cable is not available in this campground!
S, being that we have had some TV reception with our antenna, I go back to my question about installing a signal booster.

Rat

 

[antolod]

A notorious problem is loose connections inside the wall/ceiling where the TV connects to the wiring. My trailer did not receive any channels until I took the plate off the ceiling and tightened everything.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

We have a 2021, 2860 DS Sunseeker Classic which came with the Winegard omnidirectional Antenna on the roof. We are getting poor reception with channels being dropped and pixilated. I thought digital over the air TV signals were supposed to be stronger and carry further than the old analog. It does not seem the case, at least with this antenna! I am wondering if adding a signal amplifier would help and if anyone else has installed one.

Ratracer

With the advent of Digital TV, the picture quality improved but the coverage ranges markedly decreased. Analog TV coverage range was easily 65+ miles depending on the TV channel and with some added atmospheric propagation. With Digital TV the coverage range is line-of-sight or about 25 to 35 miles best. Foliage and trees will attenuate the Digital TV signal. If there are hills between your camp site and the TV transmitting site, these will block the digital TV signals. The rooftop antenna has a built-in amplifier. It is doubtful if a signal amplifier will be off any added benefit.

Yep, we are all in the same situation regarding Off Air TV signals. Some claim some systems are better than others or some are worse than others. But location is also a big key player to Digital TV signals.

Bob

 

[Aussieguy]

get TV station locator app on your phone
see where the antennas are located

and sometimes you just have to get more..... height and a directional antenna and a loooong pole

 

[Bob K4TAX]

A long painter's pole and a basic directional antenna and RG-6 coax will do a much better job. Connect the coax from the antenna to the CABLE connector on the outside. DO NOT press the button the antenna booster panel on the inside. Use the APP that Aussieguy suggested to locate TV stations based on your location.

Bob