Don’t use an outdoor antenna with bent elements or other structural damage.
“Fringe Area” is the edges of the TV transmitter signal area where the signal is weak. The weakest signal area is “Deep Fringe” — usually about 50 miles from the transmitter. If you are receiving several channels with transmitters in different locations, you might be in the fringe area of some but not others. To find out if you are in the fringe area, call the station and ask for transmitter locations. In fringe areas, you need a large, high gain antenna and coax with the least loss.
Snow on the screen
If the TV picture looks like it was set in a snowstorm, you have interference called “snow,” a lack of signal.
Check connections from your set to the wall and coax connection to the antenna — they should be securely connected. A directional, high-gain antenna or preamp will pull in a stronger signal.
Ghosting problems
If pictures on your screen have shadows behind them, you have a ghost problem — your TV set is receiving a second, weaker reflected signal a split second after the original signal. The other signal may be bouncing off a tall building or mountain and picked up by your antenna. If you have a left side ghost, probably the signal is picked up on the downlead; a right side ghost is probably a reflected signal. An antenna with very sharp directivity is a solution to ghosting.
A temporary ghosting problem can be caused by a weather inversion. TV signals that normally go out into space are bounced back to earth by layers of trapped air; the effect is the same as signals bounced off a tall object and clears up with weather changes.
Other reception problems include dark wavy lines on your picture. This is co-channel interference — for example, if you are watching channel 12, you are also getting signal from another channel 12.
Changing the direction of your antenna and pointing it more directly at the channel you want to receive, or installing an antenna with a higher front to back ratio will probably solve this problem.
FM signal problems result when the antenna receives too much FM signal causing a herring bone pattern. Most problems occur on VHF channels. FM traps are available to help alleviate this problem.
Installing your antenna in an attic? Do you have metal or aluminum backed insulation in the walls or under the roof? If this insulation is between your antenna and the TV signal, the signal will be blocked. You’ll have to remove the insulation or install the antenna in a different place.
Although the antenna is inside, the narrow end must point toward the transmitter of the TV station.
What are preamplifiers and how do they work?
Preamplifiers amplify, or strengthen, the signal received by your antenna, but will not increase the range. You can use a preamp to overcome downlead and splitter loss between the antenna and the television set. But preamplifiers also amplify interference and FM signals. Distribution amplifiers are another option for multiple TV outlets/sets, also amplifying signals. And splitters are designed to couple or divide signals, but do not amplify the signal. Winegard has a full line of preamplifiers, amplifiers, splitters, and other television reception accessories.
Do all antennas pick up all the TV stations?
Different types of antenna designs are available. Select one to receive signals in your area that you want to receive.
82 channel (also called all-channel) picks up VHF channels 2-13, UHF channels 14-69 and FM radio 88 - 108 MHz.
VHF antennas pick up channels 2 - 13 and usually FM band.
UHF antennas pick up high frequency channels 14-69.
Winegard Area Special antennas are available from most dealers and are engineered to pick up only the stations in your area. Some Area Specials include two or more antennas mounted on one mast.
If a new channel is added in your area and you have an 82 channel antenna, you shouldn’t have to change anything. If the new station is UHF and you have a VHF antenna, add a UHF antenna. An Area Special would probably not be designed to include the new channel, but you can add an antenna.
If the new station is in a different direction from existing ones, add an additional antenna pointing toward the new station or a rotator to change the direction of your existing antenna.
Home Satellite Tech Tips
Can I receive local and/or network channels on my dish?
Network channels are available through DISH Network or DIRECTV® as an added feature.
Local programming is available on DISH Network or DIRECTV® if you are in specific metropolitan areas (New York, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis are a few).
Mobile (RV) customers can also have access to local/network channels available where they are parked. Before traveling, sign a declaration agreement, available at a dealer or through Winegard
How do I access PPV (Pay Per View) without a direct phone line hookup? Contact Dish Network or DIRECTV. There are some options for mobile customer package purchases.
Can I turn off my DISH Network programming for a few months and turn back on without paying a penalty? Yes, change your account to a seasonal account; you’ll pay a small fee ($5) each month until your full-time activation.
Which programmers (DISH Network, DIRECTV, Express Vu) does the Winegard dish work on? Our dish/LNBF is compatible with all U.S. and Canadian digital satellite receivers. DISH Network, DIRECTV and ExpressVu are not compatible with Star Choice-Canada.
