Can't QUITE get the digital signal, what antenna do I get?

[Felecha]

TOS - Terms of Service?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Felecha
TOS - Terms of Service?

Yes. You were correct on OTA too.

 

[Felecha]

Well, I read the TOS and dont think there is anything conclusive there. The terminology is just "The company agrees to provide cable television service to the Customer and the Customer shall pay the Company the fees rates and charges established by the Company for the services" and the rest is about access to the premises, complaint procedures, etc etc. I expect everyone gets the same regardless of what service they are signing up for. And on the Work Order it does say "Work ordered: Internet Service"

So I could chew around the edges of that for as long as I like.

But

I went and looked at the incoming, where I said there was a splitter or whatever you want to call it. Well, the 3-way there has the In connector and 2 Out connectors. One is already to the modem of course. And the other .... has a little cap mounted on it that I cant get off. Obviously they were setting me up in case some day I wanted cable TV, and till then -- nope.

So that's that.

Which brings me back to what is now the only question - an antenna.

I stopped at Radio Shack the other night and balked at the big outdoor devices, still hoping for just something indoors and a direct connect to the TV without cables down from the attic. The guy did not fill me with confidence at his expertise, but he sold me one with an amplifier - a Radio Shack Model DA-5200 Outdoor/Indoor Antenna. Well, that did not much better if any than the RE's. That's Rabbit Ears for any rookies reading along. 🙂

So I guess I need to find out what I really need - something strong, something directional, something that would work in the attic cause she just wont even consider an outdoor mount.

I'm off to the local Radio Shack (the earlier one was from one near where I work) where I know the guy who runs it knows something.

Thanks again to all for the help

F

 

[Muadib]

That cap either screws or pulls off. It's there to protect the output connector. You should look at the radio shack website first, before you go to the store. If yours is like mine are here, they may not even have the antenna you need in stock.

If you do go, you could get a coax splitter there. They sell them, just about everyone does now.

 

[Felecha]

the cap is about an inch and a quarter long, with a hex barrel. It ends with a threaded end just like a normal connector thread, but it's empty - the center of it doesnt have the small opening for the wire, like a connector, the center is open and empty, hollow. It spins around freely, I cant see how they got it on or how it would come off. I'm a bit reluctant to give it any force. I was a maintenance man for years before getting into software, I have lots of experience taking things apart, figuring out how things work, this one I can only figure it takes a special device to get it off.

In any case, RS had a Terk TV55 which .... works! I get PBS now!

Cool!!

 

[Felecha]

Actually not RS, they were for many years and recently they got leaned on by RS to accept a bunch of new business requirements, so they went independent.

 

[Muadib]

Be sure to keep the box & receipt. I had that antenna before I went HD with Directv, and found it to be crap. I'm only about 17 miles from where they broadcast in this area, and it wouldn't hold the signal for anything.

Did you pick up a splitter too?😛

 

[Felecha]

Well, I am 50 miles from PBS and I did have to take some time to locate the thing, and orient it so it would pick up. The best I can get on the signal strength bar in the setup options for the DCB is just below the "Good" section. the ABC station is well into the Good.

No, I didnt get a splitter. It's just a personal thing, I didnt feel comfortable with the rationalizations, logically it was OK, I'm just choosing no. Gonna stick with the antenna. It's just me.

 

[Muadib]

We all have our morals. There's nothing wrong with that. How much was the Terk?

 

[Felecha]

99.99

Guess I didnt do comparison shopping, huh?

 

[T9D]

...

 

[zzuupp]

Cool!

If you are feeling adventurous, and happen to have a spare simple coax splitter, try replace theirs with your extra. Then hook your TV up to the open port.

One side effect could be decreased internet speed. Their splitter probably separates hi / lo Hz. Lo goes to broadband; hi is TV. A simple splitter would give a 3 db loss to your broadband

 

[Nafets]

Don't waste your time with any of the garbage/overpriced antennas at Radio Shack or Wal-Mart.

You really need to do your shopping online. Even with shipping, you can find a quality antenna for around ~$100.

Based on your zip code, you're in one of those rural OTA blackholes. Very few channels will come in via digital with any old cheap/sub-standard antenna. As other posters said, you need something directional, and quite large.

The amplified setups you'd find at Radio Shack are fairly useless with the mileage you are from the TV stations you're looking to pick up.

Personally, I can recommend a Channel Master 4228HD. I recently got it and have it hooked up to my Zenith DTT901 converter box. I'm in Hudson, NH (03051), and my location has trees all over the place (it will be interesting to see how reception is once the trees fill out with leaves). Channel Master and Winegard make excellent quality, high performing antennas for receiving OTA TV signals. Depending on what channels you are trying to pick up a high-gain UHF or VHF only antenna and preamp may be needed for your situation.

While a certain antenna may be a great performer, there is no one antenna that works best for everyone.

I get all of the Boston stations at around 90% signal strength, and even WMUR (Ch 9) at around 75% signal strength, which is in the opposite direction that the antenna's facing.

Some good online stores for antennas are:

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/
http://www.starkelectronic.com/
http://www.solidsignal.com/
http://www.summitsource.com/
http://www.antennasdirect.com/ (Sells their own brand only)

Some good sites for antenna info

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/index.php (Antenna reviews)
http://tvfool.com/ (Another DTV checker like Antennaweb)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ (Great forums for antenna and converter box info/reviews/help)

There may be a large up-front cost for a quality antenna/preamp, but it's a one-time thing. It will last you for decades (if inside or protected). With cable TV service, you are paying continually, on a monthy basis...

 

[Felecha]

I read some place the other day that VHF is channel 2 - 13 (or 3-13?) and UHF is 14 and up. Anyway, PBS is on Channel 11, and that's all I am really interested in. So your CM4228 says it's UHF, right?

In any case, I am kind of in my own little classification - I only care about PBS, I like Jim Lehrer, and I only watch once a week maybe, and I now have something that works, and the whole thing has been a struggle of learning stuff I didnt know anything about. I'm smart enough, but I come home after a day of software struggles and I dont care to get into MORE puzzles 🙂

So it's tempting to feel like hey - to return this one and get something else, and the quality would not be better, right? The idea that digital is either got it or you dont, that's right?

But I did already think about the leaves coming out - leaves will cut reception appreciably? We are at the top of a rise, but there ARE trees that are higher than the line of sight to the distant hills. We can see out in winter but in summer we see trees.

 

[Felecha]

v1001 -

I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned. If you are getting internet you actually are paying for those basic channels also. They tack on like $10 to internet use for it.

That is an interesting observation. I started with Metrocast in 2001, and my memory is that at the time I could get TV service, and adding internet would be like 20 on top of that. To get JUST internet was $40. I objected but they said something like Hey, we run the line and maintain it, and if you just get internet, it costs more than if you buy more from them. I dont remember anyone mentioning that along with the internet there would be basic TV

So I did the obvious, and pulled the incoming cable out of the splitter and ran it into the TV and sure enough, I get channels up to 20 or so, nothing higher, but PBS is in there of course.

I will call and see if I can get anyone there to talk straight to me. If there is stuff on my line, why is it there if I only supposedly pay for internet?

 

[Muadib]

I can't recommend the 4228HD for you, because it has a rated range of 60 miles. I think you should look at the CM-3671, because it has a range of up to 100 miles.

Here is the page for the CM-4228HD, so you can compare the two.

Ace hardware carries Channel Master, if you want to check locally.

 

[zzuupp]

Originally posted by: Felecha

I will call and see if I can get anyone there to talk straight to me. If there is stuff on my line, why is it there if I only supposedly pay for internet?

I wish you best of luck in that. As v1001 pointed out it is easier for them to give you "lifeline" cable than not. Earlier, I was hoping that they were nice enough to explicitly list it on your bill

 

[Felecha]

ok, thats a piece I didnt think of - youre saying that it would be harder for them to separate out the barebones TV signals and just let the internet through? Not that there is a package available that I just never knew about.

Still the argument is powerful - I pay them for internet and this is what they send me

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Felecha
ok, thats a piece I didnt think of - youre saying that it would be harder for them to separate out the barebones TV signals and just let the internet through? Not that there is a package available that I just never knew about.

Still the argument is powerful - I pay them for internet and this is what they send me

I touched on this earlier. Like my cable company, they could do it, but because the percentage that just get internet in your area is probably <1%, it's not worth doing. Did you check to see if there is a price difference between getting just internet, and getting it with basic tv?

 

[Demo24]

well, an easy way to settle this is to see if you are even getting anything at all. If you are then obviously they are intending on you having it. If you aren't then the case is closed.

 

[Felecha]

Yup, that's what I did [see mine above]. I do get channels up to 20-something.

So I called metrocast yesterday and talked with a manager type [I figured the front line reps would not be able to tell me straight]. She called me back after a while and said that whoever installed me years ago apparently did not set the filter box at the pole correctly, so that I would only get internet. Rather than send someone out to climb up and reset it, how about a deal? They would charge me $10 a month for the TV and because I'm a good customer for years, they would drop my monthly for internet by $10. Sounded ok to me so I said yes.

Which leads to a totally new question, if anyone has any interest left .... I know this has gone on and on, and I really appreciate the help

When we built the house, we had it wired for cable to the main rooms, in case we decided later on, and if we ever sold the house it would be a nice feature. So I have this cluster of raw coax cable ends all labeled, right there at the incoming panel, right next to the incoming cable. But -> those cable ends are all raw - there is a thin wire out in the open, nothing like the swivel nut to connect to the splitter connection. Is there a way to mount that connector end so I can screw it on? Else I would just get a 50-foot cable and run across the ceiling of the cellar and drill up to the living room. I would just rather do the "shovel-ready" option, it goes right up to an outlet in the living room with a connector on it.

 

[Felecha]

and - is there such a thing as beige coax cable? My wife, who cares about such things, hates the idea of black or even white cable going across the space where it would be seen. We have cream color walls. The outlet is where it is, and the cabinet with the TV is where it is, there is no changing either at this point. I would get white for goodness sake, but for her I do have to ask. She's a good one, she is.

 

[Muadib]

You need a type F crimper, and the connectors. You will also need a stripper. You can get them at the store you got the antenna, but they will be cheaper at monoprice.com. Check your cable end for rust. If you see rust, I would cut at least an inch off the end.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Felecha
Yup, that's what I did [see mine above]. I do get channels up to 20-something.

So I called metrocast yesterday and talked with a manager type [I figured the front line reps would not be able to tell me straight]. She called me back after a while and said that whoever installed me years ago apparently did not set the filter box at the pole correctly, so that I would only get internet. Rather than send someone out to climb up and reset it, how about a deal? They would charge me $10 a month for the TV and because I'm a good customer for years, they would drop my monthly for internet by $10. Sounded ok to me so I said yes.

Which leads to a totally new question, if anyone has any interest left .... I know this has gone on and on, and I really appreciate the help

When we built the house, we had it wired for cable to the main rooms, in case we decided later on, and if we ever sold the house it would be a nice feature. So I have this cluster of raw coax cable ends all labeled, right there at the incoming panel, right next to the incoming cable. But -> those cable ends are all raw - there is a thin wire out in the open, nothing like the swivel nut to connect to the splitter connection. Is there a way to mount that connector end so I can screw it on? Else I would just get a 50-foot cable and run across the ceiling of the cellar and drill up to the living room. I would just rather do the "shovel-ready" option, it goes right up to an outlet in the living room with a connector on it.

:thumbsup: to your cable service provider. My ToS:

Customer will not connect any equipment, other than equipment authorized by Charter, to the cable modem outlet. Customer understands that failure to comply with this restriction may cause damage to the Charter network and subject Customer to liability for damages and/or criminal prosecution. Customer may not alter, modify or tamper with the Equipment or the Service, or permit any other person to do the same that is not authorized by Charter.

When the price got even more outrageous and I had my "TV" disconnected they had a tech out 2 days later to install the filter at the pole (25 feet in the air!). And I'm still paying more now for my VoIP/Broadband than I was with my VoIP/Broadband/Extended Basic introductory package from 18 months ago (MagicJack here I come - LOL).

There are 'screw on" fittings that work rather well - simply follow the instructions for stripping back the wire insulation and screw on the fitting. As far as a new outlet, it's rather simple to 'cut-in' for a new outlet box in drywall - especially on an interior wall - and 'fish' the cable up from your crawlspace to avoid exposing cable runs.

We can help you with that - might impress the little woman 😀

 

[Felecha]

Doing a quick think, I'm feeling like I will just get a 50 ft pre-made cable and run it along the ceiling of the cellar and up into the living room and straight into the TV . We have a cabinet, sorta like a hutch, which backs up against the wall and there is a closet on the other side of the wall that I can come up into and through the wall to the back of the hutch and in to the tv. Looking at crimpers and connectors, it looks like about the same money or more, and lots more work.

At this point, that seems the least work to get out of this. I did not foresee anywhere near this much when we went to digital and the converter box and all.

It would be a lots more even than it has been, without all of you, really thanks so much

And yeah, the ISP's response was surprising. I thought they would get all worked up about it. Maybe it was just that I got the right person to talk to, and was pretty straight out about it

F