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fulltimedaniel's avatar
fulltimedaniel
Explorer
Jan 15, 2017

Cable TV - Antenna Cable Question

I have had my trailer for more than two years now and despite full timing for all of that time I have never hooked up to the outside cable (Park Cable TV). I have used the over the air antenna a few times and it does work.

However when I tried to get a signal to my smart TV via the Park Cable the scan for channels turns up nothing and I get the No antenna-connection error msg on screen.

I rechecked all the connections including pulling the plate on the trailer where the cable connector is to see if there actually was a connection made there. I also changed the connection to the park from my site to the site next door as a test...nothing.

I have tried connecting with the signal booster on and off. All of the connections are made to the proper place. (there is only one Coaxial conn. on my TV)

So without a signal tester for Cable (@ over $30) I cant tell if it is the Park (unlikely) or something in my rig.

Does any one have any ideas?

Thanks
  • haydoracin's avatar
    haydoracin
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2017
    You may have to get a cable box from the park office. Many cable systems now require this interface for cable to work.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jan 15, 2017
    1. The Booster must be OFF to get Park supply to the TV
    2. You MUST have the TV set to CABLE for the park supply.
    3. Use a splice and run the Park cable thru a window direct to the TV. IF you get the channels you know the Cable connections at the Booster are miswired.
    4. There are usually 3 coax cables at the back of the booster and will be labeled as such on the plastic wall plate
    1. Antenna IN---it works and is correct because you get antenna
    2. CABLE IN
    3. Out to 2nd TV
    5. Swap the Out to 2nd TV and the Cable in coax at the booster. Then if the system works you have found your problem. If NOT, then there is a problem with the coax cable from the outside input to the booster. Doug
  • fulltimedaniel's avatar
    fulltimedaniel
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2017
    dougrainer wrote:
    1. The Booster must be OFF to get Park supply to the TV
    2. You MUST have the TV set to CABLE for the park supply.
    3. Use a splice and run the Park cable thru a window direct to the TV. IF you get the channels you know the Cable connections at the Booster are miswired.
    4. There are usually 3 coax cables at the back of the booster and will be labeled as such on the plastic wall plate
    1. Antenna IN---it works and is correct because you get antenna
    2. CABLE IN
    3. Out to 2nd TV
    5. Swap the Out to 2nd TV and the Cable in coax at the booster. Then if the system works you have found your problem. If NOT, then there is a problem with the coax cable from the outside input to the booster. Doug


    Numbers 1.2 and 4 have been done already as my first step and looked at I will try the direct cable to the tv.

    Thanks for the suggestions

    I am guessing the park makes you pay extra for the cable but doesnt come out and say so.

    thanks again
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2017
    Most likely is that you have to have a cable box to use the cable system. Many of the cable companies that have gone 100% digital require that, and do not have equipment to provide service to the entire campground without individual boxes. However, it can and is done. Before I went much further though, I would do a simple connection test with a battery and meter or light from the outside connection to the inside connecion at the TV. If you haven't used it before, its very possible that it not even connected.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jan 15, 2017
    This is a neat little diagram discussing the Antenna WALL PLATE function...


    Google image

    I ran into a TV PLATE that had two type F connectors on it. Think it was installed for SAt TV or some other unknown reason. This required to have a jumper type F cable installed between the two connectors to use the CABLE TV INPUT outside connector...




    Google images

    If the trailer has been previously owned there is sometimes no idea what has been modified by the previous owner haha...

    Best bet is run the cable TV connection through the window and connect directly to your TV SET for a quick test to eliminate things...

    Roy Ken
  • rjniles's avatar
    rjniles
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2017
    Have you run the TV set up menu to change the source from antenna to cable?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 15, 2017
    fulltimedaniel wrote:
    dougrainer wrote:
    1. The Booster must be OFF to get Park supply to the TV
    2. You MUST have the TV set to CABLE for the park supply.
    3. Use a splice and run the Park cable thru a window direct to the TV. IF you get the channels you know the Cable connections at the Booster are miswired.
    4. There are usually 3 coax cables at the back of the booster and will be labeled as such on the plastic wall plate
    1. Antenna IN---it works and is correct because you get antenna
    2. CABLE IN
    3. Out to 2nd TV
    5. Swap the Out to 2nd TV and the Cable in coax at the booster. Then if the system works you have found your problem. If NOT, then there is a problem with the coax cable from the outside input to the booster. Doug


    Numbers 1.2 and 4 have been done already as my first step and looked at I will try the direct cable to the tv.

    Thanks for the suggestions

    I am guessing the park makes you pay extra for the cable but doesnt come out and say so.

    thanks again


    With booster OFF, TV input set to cable DID you do a 'auto scan' for the cable channels???
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jan 15, 2017
    You will need to cable track. On mY RV the "Factory" cable has a problem I've yet to fully diagnose.. (I am feeling a bit more lively and the weather is nice I may get to it over the next week or 3)

    Park cable inlet SHOULD run to the back of the wall plate pictured by someone else, but may (As noted) run to a jumper plate in the Sat Receiver area. That is, in fact, how I'd run it if I were designing an RV.

    I have seen cases where a prior owner re-ran the cable for Sat TV (you use the RF-out (TO TV) back to that port) and forgot to re-connect when selling

    I have also seen it where NOTHING was behind that wall plate, the PO ripped out ALL the cables..
  • fulltimedaniel's avatar
    fulltimedaniel
    Explorer
    Jan 17, 2017
    Thanks to all that answered...as I begin to suspect a check with the Park revealed that they did not have cable after all. That if you were a long termer you could sign up with the cable company...

    My advice to them was to edit their advertising more carefully.

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