DTV converter box problem.

[Skink]

got the coupon, installed the box,(correctly). Message in on screen set up-NO SIGNAL. Anybody know what to do?

[mucifer]

1. You might need a fancier antenna.

[Emit]

2. We had to get an antenna for ours to work

other than that, sorry, my skills in that area are pretty lame

[TheKentuckian]

3. You'll at least need a pair of rabbit ears.

I'd go ahead and try to get a little better one though as you'll probably be able to pull a few more channels in.

[Skink]

4. I have an antenna that works fine.

Just not with the converter box. Although it is an inexpensive antenna.

[JuniperLea]

5. I had to get a slightly fancier one

meant to be used with the converter box. And still some channels don't come in. Some come in upstairs, but not downstairs. Weird, huh?

[Ms. Toad]

7. If you get crisp analog signals

you should be OK. If you get fuzzy analog, you will likely get nothing with digital. Analog (the current broadcasts) gradually fades to fuzz - like a dimmer switch. Digital (what you need a converter box for) is either there or nothing (like an on/off light switch).

So far, I get 5 versions of "All Jesus, All the Time" and one PBS channel. If I stand directly in front of the TV and hold both rabbit VHF rabbit ears, I get ABC.

[mucifer]

6. Here's a youtube video on how to make a good antenna for several dollars.

I haven't tried it yet. I bought one expensive antenna and I'm thinking about trying to make this ugly antenna for my other tv. There are over 600 comments on the video. Most people like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw

[itsrobert]

8. Enter your address here

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

And it will tell you what channels you maybe able to get now and what channels will you be able to get after the switch over in February.

Also:

Antennaweb.org is another good site.

[KharmaTrain]

9. Make Sure Your Antenna Has A "Clear View"...

I installed a converter box at my mother-in-law's house...even though we were within "city grade", the box operated poorly...even with an antenna. I installed a 15db amplifier (about $20 at Best Buy) and placed the antenna in the window facing the major antenna sites...and now she's good to go.

Looks like the "flash-over" may not happen until June...even though many stations have already begun the change-over for next month.

[Lex]

10. Digital signals are sucky and weak. I got far more stations with analog.

nt