lost channels

[cobbtowncowman]

I have had free over-the-air tv for years. Live on farm in rural area about 70 miles from nearest tv stations. I have a 25 foot pole with a yagi-type powered directional antenna that has served me for years. I had an old analog tv that required the "free from the government" conversion box (ok, so I'm cheap and old tech). It worked fine for me, got about 10 good clear channels. The tv died, it wasn't but about 35 years old! I got newer Vizio tv that doesn't need conversion box, same antenna, etc. Now have better picture, but it (the tv) did a search for strong signals and showed that it found 14....But I can only get 5 and they do not include my favs??? What the Heck? Can anyone give me a idea what I need to change or add to my system. lease don't tell a satellite dish! Thanks for your time.

 

[FTA4PA]

I have had free over-the-air tv for years. Live on farm in rural area about 70 miles from nearest tv stations. I have a 25 foot pole with a yagi-type powered directional antenna that has served me for years. I had an old analog tv that required the "free from the government" conversion box (ok, so I'm cheap and old tech). It worked fine for me, got about 10 good clear channels. The tv died, it wasn't but about 35 years old! I got newer Vizio tv that doesn't need conversion box, same antenna, etc. Now have better picture, but it (the tv) did a search for strong signals and showed that it found 14....But I can only get 5 and they do not include my favs??? What the Heck? Can anyone give me a idea what I need to change or add to my system. lease don't tell a satellite dish! Thanks for your time.

Welcome to Satellite Guys! Internal TV tuners and stand-alone tuner boxes can have different levels of sensitivity. The tuner in your new TV may not be as sensitive as the one in your old conversion box is. Have you tried hooking the old conversion box to your new TV and using it instead of the TV's internal tuner?

 

[cobbtowncowman]

Welcome to Satellite Guys! Internal TV tuners and stand-alone tuner boxes can have different levels of sensitivity. The tuner in your new TV may not be as sensitive as the one in your old conversion box is. Have you tried hooking the old conversion box to your new TV and using it instead of the TV's internal tuner?

No, I didn't think I needed it, but I will try that. Thanks, FTA4PA.

 

[primestar31]

No, I didn't think I needed it, but I will try that. Thanks, FTA4PA.

Please run a reception report on this site, and post the RESULTS link. Then we can advise you what you'll need to do without just guessing. Run it on exactly the coordinates of where your antenna is on your house. Thanks!:

RabbitEars.Info

RabbitEars, where you can learn all about local, over-the-air TV channels.

www.rabbitears.info

 

[Radioguy41]

Be aware Walmart owns Vizio and is having their TV's built to Walmart's price point so don't expect the best components.

 

[Paul289]

Tuner sensitivity can be apart of the problem. But most of your problem is do to you living fare from the stations DTV transmitter sites and that you are only getting the stations with the strongest transmitters. The 4 major networks ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and some times (CW, ION, PBS, IND) can use 1000kw uhf or 125kw high vhf transmitters that can reach up to 50 miles. You can usually get a stable signal if you are using a long range outdoor antenna (100 miles+ range) with no obstructions in the way. Beyond 50 miles the signal becomes unstable/unwatchable. Adding an antenna amp may or may not help because the amp can also amplify other signals that can cause tv interference making it worse. A good site to get tv station, transmitter locations and tv channel info is on rabitears.org and tvfool.com is good for locating a transmitter from your location using lay lines.