How can I prove Cablevision is screwing up OTA antennas?

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amdhunter

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
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It's really weird. Any time I try to watch a Football game here, I suddenly can't get the stations. Other times, the stations come in fine and I am not touching the antenna at all.

I have the antenna mounted outside my window. I never touch it since it's at the perfect spot to pull in every single station that I want. It's just recently, when there is a Giants, Jets or any "big" event, it suddenly stops working.

WTF can be the problem? It seems awfully strange that I can't get big events the moment they start, and then the channels work right after...
 
13Gigatons

13Gigatons

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
7,461
500
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amdhunter said:
It's really weird. Any time I try to watch a Football game here, I suddenly can't get the stations. Other times, the stations come in fine and I am not touching the antenna at all.

I have the antenna mounted outside my window. I never touch it since it's at the perfect spot to pull in every single station that I want. It's just recently, when there is a Giants, Jets or any "big" event, it suddenly stops working.

WTF can be the problem? It seems awfully strange that I can't get big events the moment they start, and then the channels work right after...
Click to expand...

Could be antenna maintenance or maybe they are using equipment around the stadium that is interfering with signals.

How far away are you?

Might need a antenna on the roof if you are to far away.
 
Last edited:
SlitheryDee

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
19
81
Load up a tv and antenna in your car, park directly next to the cablevision OTA transmitter, and see what happens to the signal there.
 
Jimzz

Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
4,399
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Check with others in your area to see if they have the same problem. If so file a complaint at the FCC to see if others are also doing the same. If enough complain the FCC will look into it.
 
amdhunter

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
106
sdifox said:
How exactly is cablevision interfering with OTA?
Click to expand...

Don't know. But it's extremely weird that when the games are on, I suddenly lose all ability to pull in the stations.

The moment the games end, I am good. It can't be a fluke. Maybe I am being paranoid, but it would be a good tactic to get some people who rely on OTA to suddenly buy a cable package.
 
13Gigatons

13Gigatons

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
7,461
500
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amdhunter said:
Don't know. But it's extremely weird that when the games are on, I suddenly lose all ability to pull in the stations.

The moment the games end, I am good. It can't be a fluke. Maybe I am being paranoid, but it would be a good tactic to get some people who rely on OTA to suddenly buy a cable package.
Click to expand...

Does sound fishy. What local channel is the game broadcast on?

Need to do a Google search and see if others are complaining about this....
 
N

NoTine42

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2013
1,387
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91
sdifox said:
How exactly is cablevision interfering with OTA?
Click to expand...
It might be possible a neighbor has a bad setup.
I believe If you plug your cable tv coax into an antenna you are basically broadcasting that cable feed. (Which is why proper antenna amplifiers are one-way amplification)
 
N

NoTine42

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2013
1,387
78
91
You may want to try contacting your station and nicely ask an engineer for assistance. Some engineers can offer helpful advice, and it's in their best interest that people watch their station.
 
Fern

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
173
106
I have personally seen cable transmissions interfere with OTA antennas.

Here's what happened/caused it: Back in college, in the dorm I lived in a few people had legit cable set ups. However, many other students spliced in and got free cable. The dorm building had cables strung from room-to-room outside the building to distribute the (hijacked) cable service.

We got 'busted' by the cable company eventually. All those cables strung along side the building were actually broadcasting and interrupting with neighbors' OTA antennas.

There may be some business or apt building that is doing something similar (splitting off cable service). I.e., a bunch of 'amateur' cabling feeding a bunch of TV's during game time (like a bar) that ends up improperly broadcasting a signal that interferes with your OTA reception.

Call the cable company and see if they'll come out with equip and check. It's in their own best interest because it may mean someone (or business etc.) is stealing cable and the cable co will want to put a stop to it.

Fern
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,320
126
amdhunter said:
Don't know. But it's extremely weird that when the games are on, I suddenly lose all ability to pull in the stations.

The moment the games end, I am good. It can't be a fluke. Maybe I am being paranoid, but it would be a good tactic to get some people who rely on OTA to suddenly buy a cable package.
Click to expand...
NSA
 
twinrider1

twinrider1

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2003
4,096
64
91
It's a capacity issue. At heavy viewing times like football, the OTA signal is divided among too many users. Unless you're watching the homeopathy channel, where extra division just makes the signal stronger.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,401
17,030
126
twinrider1 said:
It's a capacity issue. At heavy viewing times like football, the OTA signal is divided among too many users. Unless you're watching the homeopathy channel, where extra division just makes the signal stronger.
Click to expand...

Whut?
 
13Gigatons

13Gigatons

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
7,461
500
126
twinrider1 said:
It's a capacity issue. At heavy viewing times like football, the OTA signal is divided among too many users. Unless you're watching the homeopathy channel, where extra division just makes the signal stronger.
Click to expand...

That's the ticket. :D
 
Hugo Drax

Hugo Drax

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2011
5,647
47
91
Buy this.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/en/product/ddf007-productstartpage_63493-11706.html

361246d68ad7d002_large.jpg
 
John Connor

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
617
121
Did you pay your bill? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

If the cable line to your house is still connected and you have a modern TV plug into it once and see if you can get any channels. I think some areas allow this for HDTV. As to the OTA interference I have no idea. The comment about coaxial cable causing interference could be possible, but now a days you need a digital box just to get basic! That's how they solved that problem. "But it's a crisp digital picture." Suuuuure... No more just splicing into your neighbor.
 
Last edited:
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,112
605
126
Fern said:
I have personally seen cable transmissions interfere with OTA antennas.

Here's what happened/caused it: Back in college, in the dorm I lived in a few people had legit cable set ups. However, many other students spliced in and got free cable. The dorm building had cables strung from room-to-room outside the building to distribute the (hijacked) cable service.

We got 'busted' by the cable company eventually. All those cables strung along side the building were actually broadcasting and interrupting with neighbors' OTA antennas.

There may be some business or apt building that is doing something similar (splitting off cable service). I.e., a bunch of 'amateur' cabling feeding a bunch of TV's during game time (like a bar) that ends up improperly broadcasting a signal that interferes with your OTA reception.

Fern
Click to expand...
Sorry, there's no way there's enough power in those coax lines to interfere with OTA signals.

OP, it's probably just a fluke that you happen to notice when you want to watch a game. You mention it works fine "other times". Does that mean different time during the day or different days of the week at the same time?
 
Hugo Drax

Hugo Drax

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2011
5,647
47
91
John Connor said:
So help me when I win the lotto. And I'd buy a fare amount of shit from Optoelectronics. My home will look like a damn TV station complete with sat dishes.
Click to expand...


Optoelectronics, toys.

You look at R&S equipment, like that portable DF in the image. and equipment from L-3 :biggrin:
 
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