Is my MetroStar working?

[letitsnow]

I have a hard time believing my antenna is working. I (of course) bought it because of the DTV conversion. Before the conversion I was using a standard run-of-the-mill FM dipole antenna that was drapped across the TV set. I installed the MetroStar in the house (to test it). I get exactly the same stations that I did with my FM dipole antenna. When I use the converter box signal strength indicator, I get no difference between the dipole and MetroStar antennas. I've tried different stations and different configurations (including different cables). I tested the voltage out of power injector and it seems good (plus the led is on). I also tested it at the end of the cable connecting to the antenna and the voltage is present there too. What do you suggest I do next?

[winegard]

Good afternoon letitsnow -

Not knowing how far you are from your TV stations and this being an amplified antenna it is actually possible to have too much signal for your digital tuner to handle. Can you give us your complete address along with zip code?

[letitsnow]

This is not my dress, but it is close enough for these purposes. 250 Unionville Avenue (aka Route 177) Plainville, CT 06062. There are two antennas that are quite close to me. I am mostly interested in Channel 8 (which is DTV 10), channel 20 (DTV 20), and channel 26 (DTV 26). Although channel 3 (DTV 33) came in blocky at times.

Note: I did try the antenna without powering it to see what would happen. There was no difference that I noticed.

Thanks for your help.

[winegard]

Good morning letissnow -

You have local channels from 2-8 miles from you which most likely are overloading your antenna of digital tuners. When unplug the power supply going to the MS-2000 antenna you will have about 85-90% signal reduction since the TV signal now needs to go through non power transistors. Check you power injector output connector marked ANT and see if you have +15.3 VDC leaving the power injector. If you do then check the end of the coax cable going into the antenna to make sure we still have the +15.3 volts ther to power up the antenna head. If you do not have the proper voltages contact Winegard for a replacement.

[letitsnow]

I checked for the voltage the other day (I saw it in another post). I do have voltage (it was around 15 Volts, not sure it was 15.3 though). Since I have transmitters between 2 and 8 miles from me, what options do I have to pull in the weaker signals farther away? Do the close transmitters overload the circuitry so that other stations can not get through? Thanks.

[winegard]

Yes the close stations can overload the amplifier board and cause the antenna amplifier to generate harmonics which can fall out on top of our wanted frequencies which will confuse the digital tuners.



Amplifiers (or amplified antennas) will not extend the range of an antenna or pull in distant signals. In order to receive distant channels you need to install a large antenna and raise it to try and receive more primary signal on those distant channels.