Unable to receive particular channel using MS-2002

[dmotley]

I am using an MS-2002 to tune local broadcast stations in Vienna, VA, 22180.

I have four identical tuners, Comtemporary Research ATSC-232, each fed by the same antenna. Most of the channels come in with no trouble, but Channel 7 (177 Mhz) WJLA in Washington, DC is not even strong enough for the tuner to recognize when auto-scanning channels. This is especially puzzling because I reviewed the station profile at the FCC website and Channel 7's transmission location, antenna height and power level is identical to that of neighboring Channel 9 (189 Mhz) which I receive with no problem.

I have tried tuning in Channel 7 on all four receivers. None of them pick it up. Can you give me any suggestions as to what the problem may be?

[winegard]

The MS-2002 antenna has a built in amplifier that could be receiving a second harmonic of a strong local FM station at around 88-89MHz. The second harmonics of 88-89MHz X 2 = 176-178 MHz which would fall out on top of channel 7 frequencies and ruining it. You might try is rotating the antenna to see if you can find a stronger receive pattern on the antenna.

Even though the MS-2002 is an omni directional antenna it does not have a perfect 360 degree reception pattern on every channel. Some of the channels have a more of an elliptical pattern. Try raising the antenna may also help or even relocating it to a different location on the home may give you a stronger signal location for channel 7.

[tc34]

I also have a problem with one channel.
location Chicago - house about 10 northwest of city
MS-2002 about 6 months old - mounted on top of house (about 25 feet up)
It is feeding to tuners - one in the TV and a second in a PC.
First lost channel 2.1 on the turner in the PC - it worked for a few weeks and then the turner could not find the station.
Reinstalled the software and had unit rescan for channels still could not find channel 2.1.
Now the TV turner has lost channel 2.1. Work for about a month longer then the PC turner but TV displays no input on the channel (2.1). Had TV go thru set-up and still cannot find channel 2.1
Suggestions?

[winegard]

It sounds as though the amplifier in the MS-2002 antenna has lost the VHF transistor. Send a copy of your receipt to the Winegard Warranty Department either by email (warranty@winegard.com) or by fax 1-319-754-0715 and they will send you an RMA number to use to return the antenna for a replacement.