Forum Discussion

Gary66's avatar
Gary66
Explorer
May 25, 2014

Cable company digital converter box

I have a 2012 Jayco Pinnacle 5th wheel. Normal cable tv was never a problem hooking up, and all tv's are new. I was issued a Comcast Cable digital conversion box at the campground office, but no matter what I tried I couldn't receive any channels. A Comcast tech came out and said his meter shows a decreased signal strength after the signal enters the 5th wheel from its normal cable hookup outside. He suggested that there is interference somewhere inside the rv causing the decreased signal to the tv. Now this guy is no rv expert, so I'm asking for help here, since I get normal cable channels at other campgrounds, and only encountered this problem with a cable box. Is there something I need to do different to make this work in an Rv? By the way hooking up the cable wire directly from the outside pole to the tv did produce cable channels, but I don't think I should have to do that.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    May 26, 2014
    Run a direct coax through a window. Once that works use the coax and a barrel connector to isolate the problem in the rig.

    BTW I carry a second coax and have needed it a few times.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    May 26, 2014
    Points to remember:

    Not all park cable systems are digital.
    Some are hybrid, with analog and digital channels in the clear.
    Some are still 100% analog.

    In every case you need to set the TV input to "Cable" (not "Antenna").
    In every case you'll need to do a full channel scan.

    If your TV has analog cable and digital (QAM) cable tuners (most do) you should be able to capture all the analog and digital channels there are.

    Some are 100% digital and encrypted. These require a converter box. In which case no scan is needed, but your TV connection will be HDMI/Component/Composite and not cable. So you'll need to set the TV to the appropriate input.

    Also: FYI digital does not mean HD. Digital channels can carry HD but it's the exception not the rule.

    Good luck...
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 25, 2014
    There is a splitter in the RV.. First.. Assuming you have the ever popular wall plate with Switch, LED, 12 volt outlet and antenna connection.

    MAKE SURE THE SWITCH IS OFF,, also make sure the led comes ON when you turn the switch on (only way to be sure it's off). This is very important.

    This is also the splitter, and a switch, and some other tings. IT IS NOT a booster.

    Option 2: run cable direct to Receiver, there are existing holes you can route in in via (Look around waste tanks for one or 3 of them)
  • Gary66's avatar
    Gary66
    Explorer
    May 25, 2014
    But then why does hooking up normal cable at another campground from their hookup to my normal hookup out work without a problem?
  • HappyKayakers's avatar
    HappyKayakers
    Explorer
    May 25, 2014
    If you can run a cable directly from the pole to the TV and get cable channels then the Comcast tech was probably right. Sometimes there are cheap splitters and/or bad connectors inside the RV that you can't see.

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