No signal from ABC 7.1 in Los Angeles?

Playground Antenna Help
#13

why is KABC-DT 7.1 reception so bad?

I have the same problem here in Long Beach, However it is happening with several channels!
My television is new, and working perfectly when on the channels that come in clearly, and also when watching TV shows on line , Netflix , etc..
I have come to the conclusion that the TV Stations have gotten together as well as the cable companies, And between them Colluded to lower the broadcast signal for antenna service, In order to sell more cable service, then share the profitability of all subscribers who switch to cable!!!!
If you agree that this is a possibility, Please at the very least send an email with your thoughts to the FCC! I am forwarding this to them!

#14

IIRC, ABC is using a Hi-VHF frequency; most antennas are just UHF frequencies.

1 Like
#15

RabbitEars Mobile https://m.rabbitears.info/index.php?request=tvdx_lookup&callsign=KABC&sort=date&hours=all&tzone=PT&unit=
Shows recent stats received from 5 HDHR tuners for KABC.
You can click on a tuner, then click on the call sign to get a signal history.

For your location, use https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php to see what the transmitter signal should be like.

I'm no expert on reading this stuff AVS forum may help but it appears KABC is transmitting at 28.7 kW ERP and has a Construction Permit to increase power to 50 kW ERP.
https://www.rabbitears.info/tvq.php?request=items&call=KABC-TV&arch=

#16

I'm in Huntington Beach, I didn't receive ABC 7.1 even though I received NBC 4.1 from 40 miles away. ABC 7.1 is also 40 miles away, how can I receive it. I used an RCA Amplified Indoor Antenna.

#17

IIRC, ABC is transmitting on VHF, and NBC is UHF.

(A brief check shows that channels 7, 9, 11, 13, and 56 are all still broadcasting in VHF.)

#18

Several months ago, January I think, I had a period of a couple of weeks where KABC disappeared. Couldn't get it on any tuner in the house even with a direct feed from antenna to TV tuner. Then it came back and I haven't had any problems with it since. At the same time, there were no problems with KTTV which is on RF channel 11.

Signal strength is now on-par with KTTV, another high-VHF channel. 87% when I checked just now.

When it was out, I tried calling the KABC engineering department, but no one ever answered the phone.

KABC is on RF channel 7.

#19

If you have a streaming or cable provider, check to see if they allow you to receive ABC via TVE.

On the Channels DVR web admin screen, scroll to the bottom of the settings page and check "Local Networks via TV Everywhere".

#20

Check on this website. https://www.rabbitears.info/searchmap.php
Find your location and it will show you the Field Strength for each station.
Notice the color coded "Good", "Fair", "Poor", and "Bad" next to each.
Here's the help article on using the signal search map.
https://www.rabbitears.info/static.php?name=searchmap_instructions

#21

I actually used a flat antenna, but it goes by the name RCA Amplified TV Antenna. How can it work?

#22

A TV antenna is engineered to pickup certain frequencies.
There are VHF-Low, VHF-High and UHF frequencies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-American_television_frequencies#Terrestrial_television
If your antenna isn't made for the frequency being transmitted by the tower, it won't get the signal.

1 Like
#23

OK I will try to look for an rabbit ears antenna that picks up VHF and UHF.

#24

I'm using this antenna, which includes VHF-Hi (channels 7–13), with good results. (I'm in Rancho Cucamonga, so roughly the same distance from Mt. Wilson as you, but with the added issues of being in the lee of the foothills.)

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=39303

2 Likes
#25

Is the RCA Yagi Outdoor Antenna work fine for ABC 7.1? It cost about 30 dollars at Walmart

#26

UPDATE: I actually got the Clearstream Max-V antenna, and now this one picks up ABC 7.1 and Fox 11.1 perfectly.

3 Likes
#27

I had a similar problem with channel 7. Some times it worked and other times it faded out and became unwatchable.
I think the VHF TV signal is affected by seasonal propagation. Just like skip does on CB radios.

#28

I'm in Fullerton Ca too and also have a HD Run converter. I have a power boosted digital antenna in my attic. The scan picks up 132 channels BUT all the main commercial channels are hit or miss depending on the weather conditions. I've tried many times to reposition the antenna, using the app on my phone to get the "best" reception but to no avail.
Bottomline seems to be, free to air transmissions just aren't strong enough to service Fullerton.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to improve the signal strength, be it an improved booster or antenna - I'd love to hear from you.

#29

You can pick up some pointers by reading the posts above yours.

Your best bet will be to post in the SiliconDust forum HDHomeRun Hardware Setup & Troubleshooting - Silicondust if you have a HDHomeRun tuner.

If it's not a SiliconDust HDHomeRun tuner, try the AVS Forum Los Angeles, CA - OTA | AVS Forum

Be prepared to provide more information like the following to them.
What model HDHomeRun tuner (or HD Run converter you said you have)
What make and model antenna and amp.
What direction your antenna is pointing.
What app are you using to aim it.
What is the composition of your roof or wall the antenna points through.
Provide them with the sharable link from the rabbitears Signal Search Map for your location

#30

Have you tried getting rid of the antenna amp? HDHR tuners do not deal well with a too-strong signal.

#31

I have an HD antenna and ABC 7.1 (and all successive 7. Channels) cut out at 7pm nightly. Perfect reception during the day. But at 7pm it cuts out. Do they switch signals or something? I live in Silverlake/Los Feliz/Atwater Village area so it makes zero sense

#32

A post reporting similarly is here: Los Angeles OTA - ATSC3 launch - #28 by dschaper

Positioning my antenna to even get KABC is a bit tricky, but I'm receiving it now. I'll check to see if that's still the case, after 7PM tonight!