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Topic: Fauity TV Antenna (Read 11 times) previous topic - next topic
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Fauity TV Antenna
Yahoo Message Number: 160021
Well folks, I could use a little advice from you technically-inclined types. During our last few days on our trip home last week, we lost the ability to get local OTA stations. We have had a TV tuner failure in the past, but when I got home, I tested the TV with an external antenna and it worked fine. So that narrows in down to the antenna and cable. I thought perhaps the Winegard amplifier had died, so I bypassed that using the roof antenna - still nothing. I'm suspecting a cable failure, so I'm wondering what the best way to test that might be? I see two possibilities:

-Check the cable with a meter to see if there is continuity -Run a temporary cable from the antenna to the amplifier

Any suggestions would be appreciated! TIA.

WxToad (Ted) http://www.wxtoad.com http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com
Re: Fauity TV Antenna
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160022
The most likely failure is a broken center conductor in the area where the coax bends as you raise and lower the antenna. You would have to disconnect both ends and use an ohmmeter to check for continuity. unfortunately, in moving the coax to perform this test, you could temporarily re-connect it and it would test good.

I would make the continuity test on the roof, with a long lead back to the connector in the coach. If no continuity, just replace the cable. If you still show continuity, flex the cable in the areas where it bends with the antenna while watching the meter. That should reveal an intermittent open. You will need to test beyond the amplifier as I don't think you will see continuity through it.

Dick

From: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com [mailto:lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com] Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 4:24 PM To: Life with Yahoo Group Lazy Daze Subject: [LD] Fauity TV Antenna

Well folks, I could use a little advice from you technically-inclined types. During our last few days on our trip home last week, we lost the ability to get local OTA stations. We have had a TV tuner failure in the past, but when I got home, I tested the TV with an external antenna and it worked fine. So that narrows in down to the antenna and cable. I thought perhaps the Winegard amplifier had died, so I bypassed that using the roof antenna - still nothing. I'm suspecting a cable failure, so I'm wondering what the best way to test that might be? I see two possibilities:

-Check the cable with a meter to see if there is continuity -Run a temporary cable from the antenna to the amplifier

Any suggestions would be appreciated! TIA.

WxToad (Ted)
Re: Fauity TV Antenna
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 160023
Ted, the amplifier is in the antenna - without a 12V supply from the cable, it will work poorly - or not at all. Check the antenna end of the cable for 12V between the shield and center contact. If there, then it is a pretty good indicator that everything is good to that point, and your antenna is likely bad. If the 12V is NOT present, then either the cable is bad (usually a broken shield where the cable flexes) or a blown fuse.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit