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bsjones11's avatar
bsjones11
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014

antenna

Just got to a campground with no cable and using antenna. Worked fine when last used but this time only 2-3 channels. Have checked all connections and hooked directly to tv but still only 2 channels. Can an antenna just go bad?
Did all the normal set up. Amp is on and did the channel scan.
  • I'm not sure what wired direct means but it certainly means no amp unless you used coax from the amp. I have a Jack and it can change dramatically. With digital you either have the channel or not. I liked the old way when you got a channel even if it was a bit fuzzy.
  • amplifiers can go bad mine did worked fine 2 weeks later No good replaced antenna head all was fine
  • Watch the weather it has the biggest impact on over the air signals in marginal areas.
  • Presuming a batwing or similar RV type antenna other than a round omni directional type, rotate it 90 degrees either direction and rescan. You may need to do this at 180 and 270 degrees from the crank up position. The antennas are somewhat direction and even thru you could be at the same camp ground where the system work fine last week a different camp site may have the coach pointed in a different direction which can effect performance.
  • If you connected the antenna directly to the TV you just took the antenna amplifier out of the circuit. Make sure that the amplifier has power and then go back through the set-up procedure with the antenna hooked up through the amplifier.
  • Did you get MORE channels at this same CG or was the more channels at another location :H

    Everytime you move/set up you have to:
    turn antenna booster ON
    crank antenna UP
    AIM antenna head towards TV towers
    Set TV input to 'air' (antenna) vs cable
    then scan for channels

    Have to do this even if you come back to same place.
  • bsjones11 wrote:
    Just got to a campground with no cable and using antenna. Worked fine when last used but this time only 2-3 channels. Have checked all connections and hooked directly to tv but still only 2 channels. Can an antenna just go bad?
    Did all the normal set up. Amp is on and did the channel scan.

    Recently at a wooded campground in NJ, we were only able to receive one channel, but had plenty to choose from the previous day at a Walmart, only about 10mi away. H...., we were able to do one in Glacier National Park some years ago, so..........
  • sure it can. but, check with your neighbor to see if that is typical for that area. I've been to places where you can't even get stations.

    I assume you did the scan for the tv channels.