Bought a new RV and when we camp with friends, their cable TV reception is always better than ours. They will get 20 or 40 channels clear while we get 4 or 5 and most of the others with snow.Does anyone know how to test the signal strength of the cable TV signal?We want to test it at the campground post and the back of the TV along with the various switches that allow us to switch from Cable to Satellite to Antenna.Want to find out were the signal strength drops. Naturally our dealer does not have a cable drop and no want to test what is going wrong!

When hooked up to 'cable' you need to turn Antenna Booster OFF (Booster is for antenna use only)

Bad coax connections is my guess.

You would use a signal strength meter: AmazonBut I'd try the other suggestions first

Sandy & Shirley wrote:Bought a new RV and when we camp with friends, their cable TV reception is always better than ours. They will get 20 or 40 channels clear while we get 4 or 5 and most of the others with snow.Does anyone know how to test the signal strength of the cable TV signal?We want to test it at the campground post and the back of the TV along with the various switches that allow us to switch from Cable to Satellite to Antenna.Want to find out were the signal strength drops. Naturally our dealer does not have a cable drop and no want to test what is going wrong!there's a couple of ez things to check especially since your cable reception is always poor as compared with your friends.first, be sure the antenna booster on your over-the-air rooftop antenna is OFF. the booster is used only for over-the-air TV.next, be sure your coax cable is the right type. look on the cable and be sure it is marked RG-59 or, better yet, RG-6. it might also be marked Belden 9104, 1189 or 8213. those are all 75-ohm cables which is what you want. the next time you're out with your friends swap coaxial cable with them and see if the problem stays with your hookup or with the coaxial cable. if you have the correct cable and it's old...more than 5-6 years, replace it. RG-6 would be best.finally, be sure the INPUT setting on your TV's source menu is set to CABLE STD. and if you have a video selector switch in your RV be sure you have selected cable.good luck.

Get a brand new cable and run direct from camp outlet to your tv.My rig had bad connectors from the factory.

How do I check cable TV signal strength? | Good Sam Community

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 14, 2016
Sam Spade wrote:
Mandalay Parr wrote:
Get a brand new cable and run direct from camp outlet to your tv.
My rig had bad connectors from the factory.

THIS. Or borrow a known good piece of cable from someone.
It is possible that your TV is defective.
Plus with a barrel connector you can work from the TV back towards the camp outlet until you find the problem area.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Apr 14, 2016
That is interesting about the antenna booster amplifier.
I have tested mine several times. My booster does Not affect my cable signal.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Apr 15, 2016
Assuming that you have a BOMBs, the antenna makes no never mind. Sounds like bad connector or cable.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 15, 2016
Mandalay Parr wrote:
That is interesting about the antenna booster amplifier.
I have tested mine several times. My booster does Not affect my cable signal.
One type of booster disconnects the cable when the amp is on and therefore very poor cable channels.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016
CA Traveler wrote:
Mandalay Parr wrote:
That is interesting about the antenna booster amplifier.
I have tested mine several times. My booster does Not affect my cable signal.
One type of booster disconnects the cable when the amp is on and therefore very poor cable channels.

Didn't know that. Thanks.
Jerry Parr
Sandy___Shirley
Explorer
Aug 03, 2016
Update: It is fixed

There was a 2 way splitter behind the fireplace. When we jiggled the wires the reception got better. We cut off the factor wire ends and installed new ones. It is perfect now.

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How do I check cable TV signal strength?

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