Diagnose complete failure of TV reception?

JohnB47

We have a Panasonic TV and HDR. The aerial is that uses a mast head power supply. The  aerial is plugged into the HDR and the HDR  and TV are connected using an HDMI lead.

Yesterday, we found that we had no reception on any freeview channel. I've checked the transmitter and there's no problem there. I've checked various coax connections and the mast head amplifiers red light is on, as normal. I've looked at signal strength via the TV menu and via the HDR menu - all channels have zero quality but some channels do show a small amount of signal strength, when using the TV menu (both signal and quality showing as zero using the HDR menu).

Is there anything I can do to diagnose where the fault is, or do I assume that the aerial or external lead to it has gone faulty? Could I perhaps measure the power output of the power supply? What voltage should be there? What about the coax socket - any point in checking that with a meter?

Perhaps I need an expert (no way am I going up a ladder).

Edit: We do have a Firestick, so we're not stuck - we can watch TV using that but it's a bit clunky switching channels.

Thanks.

Alter_ego

Try plugging aerial into TV direct

JohnB47

OK, I've just tried that. No change.

JohnB47

I've just unplugged the mast head power supply and there's 12v at the plug that goes into the aerial wall socket. 

Heedtheadvice

How did you check the transmitter?

Check with neighbours who are receiving free view from the same tx.

Does the antenna still seem to aligned correctly?

Check the psu is giving an output probably 12v dc.

Check cables and coax sockets/plus no damage and nice tight fit and coax inner soldered( or screwed) to the inner of coax connector and screens all connected. You might do an insulation and conductivity test if accessible.

Given lack of sig strength on both hdr and TV probably neither at fault but do check if you have a spare.

Otherwise probably need maintenance equipment (portable sig strength.meter ) and then ladder.....especially given recent weather. Light on psu may be a red herring as it may just indicate mains!

JohnB47

How did you check the transmitter?

I looked online and found a site where I put my postcode in and it gave me the best transmitters for my house and their status - all OK.

Check with neighbours who are receiving free view from the same tx.

OK, will do that tomorrow.

Does the antenna still seem to aligned correctly?

Will check tomorrow - weather really bad at the moment.

Check the psu is giving an output probably 12v dc.

Done - see my post above. All OK.

Check cables and coax sockets/plus no damage and nice tight fit and coax inner soldered( or screwed) to the inner of coax connector and screens all connected. You might do an insulation and conductivity test if accessible.

Have done - all seems OK

Given lack of sig strength on both hdr and TV probably neither at fault but do check if you have a spare.

Otherwise probably need maintenance equipment (portable sig strength.meter ) and then ladder.....especially given recent weather. Light on psu may be a red herring as it may just indicate mains!

I'll probably check the aerial and then call someone out tomorrow - thanks for the suggestions.

victor2

JohnB47 said:

We have a Panasonic TV and HDR. The aerial is that uses a mast head power supply. The  aerial is plugged into the HDR and the HDR  and TV are connected using an HDMI lead.

Yesterday, we found that we had no reception on any freeview channel. I've checked the transmitter and there's no problem there. I've checked various coax connections and the mast head amplifiers red light is on, as normal. I've looked at signal strength via the TV menu and via the HDR menu - all channels have zero quality but some channels do show a small amount of signal strength, when using the TV menu (both signal and quality showing as zero using the HDR menu).

Is there anything I can do to diagnose where the fault is, or do I assume that the aerial or external lead to it has gone faulty? Could I perhaps measure the power output of the power supply? What voltage should be there? What about the coax socket - any point in checking that with a meter?

Perhaps I need an expert (no way am I going up a ladder).

Edit: We do have a Firestick, so we're not stuck - we can watch TV using that but it's a bit clunky switching channels.

Thanks.

Could be your mast head amplifier has failed. I know that if ours loses its power, no TVs in the house will get a usable signal. If you've got an amplifier does that also mean you've got more than one aerial point in the house? If so, try another point. If no luck there, it probably does need an aerial man to go up a ladder, with a spare amplifier!

elsien

This^^^
Completely lost the signal at mine to both the TV and the HDR, and it was the booster up on the roof connected to the aerial. Previous cowboy put it on upside down and water got in.

JohnB47

Thanks both. No, no other aerial point. 

Looks like I'll need an expert - if only 'cos of the height of the aerial. Now if I lived in a bungalow ....

googler

You've tried simply plugging the aerial in, with no change; so I would get an internal aerial amplifier, and connect that behind the TV setup, and see if that gets you anything. If not, then you need the aerial guy to look at, in turn, the aerial, the masthead amplifier, and the cabling. It could be simply a pest has gnawed through the cable in attic or void space. 

sevenhills

See if you can borrow a portable aerial, then you know it's not the TV