DSE Antenna Losing Signal?

[Lord-Data]

I've got the L4069 DSE Antenna, which has been working perfectly fine for
about 6 months now .. Just yesterday, it appears the amp isnt working up to
100% capacity .. signal on my set top box has dropped to around ~68-70%, and
causing random glitching.. Tried re-angling it, but nothing helped. Left it
turned off for about 2-3 mins, then switched it back on, and it came up
good, mid-90%'s again.. Then after about 10 mins of use, it dropped again ..
I can tell its the amp in the antenna because i've tested the set top box on
another antenna (roof setup) and it works fine. Also, the amp has a
"control" knob which selects how much amplification is applied, Anything
below 45-50% amplification means no signal on the set top box, but when its
in this state of playing up, Turning it from 0 -> 50% is as per normal,
recpetion comes in around 50%, going to about 60% amplification brings it up
to signal of ~68-70%, and any further turning up of the amp achieves nothing
... no changes at all .. Any ideas why this might have happened or any simple
fixes? If I can find the reciept, i'll return the antenna and get a new one,
but I wonder if perhaps theyr going to keep doing it every few months?
Anyone have any experience with this amplified antenna?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Justin]

Sounds like a dry joint. Are you handy with a soldering iron? I'd resolder
anything that you can get to (after you open it up of course).

 

[Justin]

Does it have a power pack that can be unplugged from the antenna? If so, it
would be interesting to see if the voltage remains constant over a period of
time with a multimeter.

I don't know what your electronics experience is, so I'll give you full
instructions on testing the power pack's voltage. If it's a normal plug pack
tip, the 'hole' will be positive (so stick the red probe in there) & the
outer sheath will be negative, so attach the black probe to that somehow
(alligator clip extension on the end of the probe would be good - otherwise
a rubber band or something). I'm guessing the power supply will be 9 or 12
volts DC, if so set the meter to DC 20V range. Turn the plug pack on & watch
it for a while.

If the voltage drops away (or possibly rises too much - although that's
unlikely), then your fix is easy -just replace the power pack with a like
unit. Otherwise, dry joints or failing component within the unit will be the
culprit.

BTW, that model is on special at DSE for the next few days (just in case).

Justin

 

[Phil Allison]

"Lord-Data"

I've got the L4069 DOSE Antenna, which has been working perfectly fine for
about 6 months now .. Just yesterday, it appears the amp isnt working up
to 100% capacity .. signal on my set top box has dropped to around
~68-70%, and causing random glitching.. Tried re-angling it, but nothing
helped. Left it turned off for about 2-3 mins, then switched it back on,
and it came up good, mid-90%'s again.. Then after about 10 mins of use, it
dropped again ..

** Schapelle Corby has jinxed it.

She knows what you said about her.




............. Phil

 

[Mark Harriss]

I've got the L4069 DSE Antenna, which has been working perfectly fine for
about 6 months now .. Just yesterday, it appears the amp isnt working up to
100% capacity .. signal on my set top box has dropped to around ~68-70%, and
causing random glitching.. Tried re-angling it, but nothing helped. Left it
turned off for about 2-3 mins, then switched it back on, and it came up
good, mid-90%'s again.. Then after about 10 mins of use, it dropped again ..
I can tell its the amp in the antenna because i've tested the set top box on
another antenna (roof setup) and it works fine. Also, the amp has a
"control" knob which selects how much amplification is applied, Anything
below 45-50% amplification means no signal on the set top box, but when its
in this state of playing up, Turning it from 0 -> 50% is as per normal,
recpetion comes in around 50%, going to about 60% amplification brings it up
to signal of ~68-70%, and any further turning up of the amp achieves nothing
.. no changes at all .. Any ideas why this might have happened or any simple
fixes? If I can find the reciept, i'll return the antenna and get a new one,
but I wonder if perhaps theyr going to keep doing it every few months?
Anyone have any experience with this amplified antenna?

Thanks in advance!

I've had the little disc ceramics inside masthead amps go leaky: was
always the Dick Smith supplied ceramics in their kit mastheads