Thread: lost station

I live in Northeastern Pa. This morning after watching Channel 28 WBRE news I installed a Blonder Tongue preamp Vaulter III on the Channel master uhf antenna I have positioned at about 50' in elevation, with hope of getting additional stations. After re-erecting the antenna I discovered I had lost Channel 28 but had gained 7 other channels in the UHF band. I called the station to see if they had dropped the broadcast, they were still up. I've tinkered with the antenna, looked at the map for the antenna transmitter tower locations relative to my address at 18248 to point the antenna precisely, with no luck. Does anyone have an idea why I can not receive that station after the preamp install?

Sounds like you are overdriving the tuner with the pre-amp. Too strong of a signal is just as detrimental as too weak of a signal.

Thanks splicer, what would you suggest to de-tune the signal strength?

Well, first you need to determine that the pre-amp is the cause. Disconnect the pre-amp and see if the channel returns. Then, if it does return, you should see if detuning the antenna (move the antenna slightly off angle) might help bring in Ch.28 and the other 7 channels. If not, you can look for a frequency (channel) specific attenuator to put inline.

acamus,

Blonder is very stingy with their specs, do you have a link you could share, for a spec sheet on the V-III ? If not, do you know what the gain is for UHF/VHF ?
Though Splicers approach for the single channel attenuation is probably the way to go, here's an attenuator, which you may consider. The...

Antennas Direct 1296F Variable Attenuator

Also, is this problem showing up on both outputs ?

Splicer,
Would you happen to have a link/ref where there's a list of the Single Channel Attenuators ?

Have a good Day !
S.W.

If the problem isn't overdriving the tuner it could be that your new channels are interfering with Ch28 check
TV Fool

to see what you might have for other broadcasters

No I don't have any spec for the preamp output, I did however try the suggestion of removing the amp at the TV end of the coax. No signal came through, which of course means no channels available. I reconnected and turned the antenna 30 degrees east and then west to try to detune for channel 28 input, no help. I lost signal strength on all channels. I noticed the TV comment says "weak or no signal" when I type in 28-1 for the channel 28 selection. Wouldn't a powerful signal cause the tuner to at least recognize the station?

So, you removed the amp completely from the line or did you just 'unplug' the amp? I ask because if you just unplugged the amp then you wouldn't get any signal as you are describing.

As for the powerful signal question, it depends if the tuner would recognize it. As we have been discussing, too strong will overdrive the tuner and you will get a 'no signal' message.

Houston, I do not have any links to a channel specific attenuator. I'm not sure one is even made but that doesn't mean much.

No I did not remove the preamp on the antenna. Lowering the antenna is about an hour job and I no one available to help with the guide wires. I will try that strategy in the near future when I have help. I noticed when I went to the suggested site
TV Fool

that the missing channel is also broadcast on Channel 11 as well as 28-1 which is the channel that disappeared. Also, channel 28 has the highest NM(db) of all the stations available. A signal attenuator for 28 may be the solution as you suggest. I'll try the local electronics store for that device. I'll have to work the next few days, but when time permits I'll take your suggestion to heart. Thank you all for your help, I'll let you know how it plays out.