From your early description of your installation it sounds like you have one of the very long models.
I had an experience in a hollow in Hillsborough in Auckland. I was a bit nervous at taking on the pitch of the roof, so I tried with a long wooden pole, using one of these aerials to rotate around the horizon in search of any signal. I tried with both vertical and horizontal polarization but couldn't get a sniff of anything. The house had an existing aerial from Sky analogue days which pointed at Te Aroha for a signal.
I suggested to the owner that he'd best get a professional in to look at it. The guy arrived and got on the roof and tested with their existing aerial and signal strength meter. He found a very usable signal from the Remuera infill site.
When shown the new aerial, I'd been trying with, he immediately asked where it had come from, and said that there was a common fault in these Chinese made units where there was a faulty connection inside the balun box which was intermittent or open circuit from new.
This had come from a well known Australasian electronics parts outlet.
When shown the new aerial, I'd been trying with, he immediately asked where it had come from, and said that there was a common fault in these Chinese made units where there was a faulty connection inside the balun box which was intermittent or open circuit from new.
Certainly worth checking the circuit board inside the plastic box. I broke mine causing an open circuit just opening the plastic box and had to resolder. They are very flimsy.
My balun/box and aerial is brand new. I have not attempted to open the box. It is not damaged in any way.
The problem is not intermittent - the signal interference and loss arises only when it rains. I have detected that the rain can enter the balun/box when it rains, especially if it is windy and thus driving the rain in via two "slots" each side of the box where one of the aerial elements enters and exits.
Have waterproofed the box with plastic wrapping.
Now I await some Auckland rain to observe the results.
As posted, I had wrapped the balun/box with plastic and tape so as to block any water access to the slots through which one of the aerial elements ran.
It has been raining and blowing and "lashing" here this morning. The TV reception has been completely clear, not disturbed, no pixellation or signal loss. And the "signal condition" meters as to quality and strength have been stable across all channels and readings are 10 (out of 10) - at maximum.
I reckon the issue is resolved. Simply put, there was water getting into the balun/box area and causing a malfunction in the circuit board that is inside there.
My "fix" (plastic/tape wrapping) was just temporary so I shall now take down the balun/box and make a "patch" to glue over the slots to ensure a close/snug and waterproof balun/box that should ensure no water can get in permanently.
Thanks for all your ideas and suggestions and help.
I just knew I did not have to wait long for rain in Auckland!
My "fix" (plastic/tape wrapping) was just temporary so I shall now take down the balun/box and make a "patch" to glue over the slots to ensure a close/snug and waterproof balun/box that should ensure no water can get in permanently.
That may not fix the problem completely as if you seal it against water ingress you could get condensation inside the box. There may be a dry joint needs resoldering or cracked track on the board. May be just water shorting out tracks and no protection on the board. They are made in China! I would disassemble the box, check the circuit board then spray with clear spraypaint to seal against water. That would fix it permanently.
My "fix" (plastic/tape wrapping) was just temporary so I shall now take down the balun/box and make a "patch" to glue over the slots to ensure a close/snug and waterproof balun/box that should ensure no water can get in permanently.
That may not fix the problem completely as if you seal it against water ingress you could get condensation inside the box. There may be a dry joint needs resoldering or cracked track on the board. May be just water shorting out tracks and no protection on the board. They are made in China! I would disassemble the box, check the circuit board then spray with clear spraypaint to seal against water. That would fix it permanently.
Yes, check you're fixing the problem, not putting a band aid over it...
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