Forum Discussion

rbpru's avatar
rbpru
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2015

Is it the television or antenna or both.

This is one for the electronic folks to ponder.

I have a 2010 TT with a Jensen 18 “ Television and a Winegard Sensar antenna of the same vintage. The problem is the tv will drop the signal.

If I am at home where the signals are strong and the tv’s signal strength bar is in the blue indicating a superior signal; the TV will periodically drop the signal and then re-sync, perhaps every minute or so. In a campground where the signal strength is weak to moderate the tv will drop out and re-sync several times a minute.

So far I have done the following,
• I have removed and taken the Winegard Sensar head apart to make sure the circuit board was not corroded or full of insect nests etc. It was remarkably clean for a unit that has been outside for 4 or 5 years. The plastic housing opens and snaps together very easy.
• I have tuned in a station and shut the amplifier power unit off to make sure it was sending power to the antenna amp.
• I have shut the amp power off; which bypasses to the external tv wire connection; usually a cable box hook up. This seems to have worked also.
• I have removed all the face plates and backs panel so I could check the antenna wire connections.

So far I have found nothing.

My next plan of action when I get home to a strong signal area is to,
• Measure the voltage to the antenna pre-amp.
• Unhook the Jensen tv and connect another tv to see if it also drops the signal.
• Hook up an antenna to the external antenna line to see if the tv still drops the signal.

Before I do all this I wondered if anyone on the board has had this type of trouble?

Things were easier in the pre-digital days; you either had picture, picture with snow, picture with more snow, or you had nothing at all. :W
  • bobndot wrote:
    I forgot about LED's good point .
    LED lights have been known to interfere with tv signals.
    Im not sure why ?

    IM not trying to get off the topic, just trying to help the OP to resolve his issue.
    Does it have something to do with the electrical wire and the tv cable interfering with each other ? Being run too close to each other or maybe touching each other somewhere in the rv ?

    IF so, to see if that's the case , would it be a good idea to temporarily try to run a tv cable directly from the roof antenna to the tv where its isolated from those electrical wires ? Just to see if it resolves the issue ?
    Some LED replacement bulbs have a switching regulator board. The regulator sets up RFI. If the LED bulbs are just an array without components, all should be good.
  • rbpru wrote:
    My next plan of action when I get home to a strong signal area is to,
    • Unhook the Jensen tv and connect another tv to see if it also drops the signal.
    • Hook up an antenna to the external antenna line to see if the tv still drops the signal.

    I'm going with a TV issue. Try another to eliminate the possibility.
  • I was told to get a wingman for my sensor. My RV mechanic says a lot has happened since 2010. Do you have that?
  • I forgot about LED's good point .
    LED lights have been known to interfere with tv signals.
    Im not sure why ?

    IM not trying to get off the topic, just trying to help the OP to resolve his issue.
    Does it have something to do with the electrical wire and the tv cable interfering with each other ? Being run too close to each other or maybe touching each other somewhere in the rv ?

    IF so, to see if that's the case , would it be a good idea to temporarily try to run a tv cable directly from the roof antenna to the tv where its isolated from those electrical wires ? Just to see if it resolves the issue ?
  • Do you have any LED lights in the RV? If so shut them all off and try again
  • First thing to do is kill ALL the power to the tv ,don't just turn it off , unplug it and let it sit for a minute, then turn it back on .
    2. If that does not work . Try resetting the tv (go into the Menu) to default settings then scan it again.

    If nothing changes do your next steps that you outlined.
  • Welcome to the world of digital TV.
    Digital programming may give us a better picture. But a weaker signal than the old Anolog signal.
  • You really need a signal meter to diagnose this with precision. Your deductive tests will, of course, turn up the culprit pretty quick. I'm betting on a TV issue.