I have an old antenna that attaches to my TV with two wires. Wi...

I am 93 years old.I bought 2 converter boxes for my two tvs that have rabbit ear antennas. With help tried to connect them and the codes were not accepted. Bought them at Radio Shack and they weren't much help with my problem and was told to call the manufacturer which I did. Left 4 messages and no one got back to me. This is the first time I've heard about a "balun". Nowhere in the instructions was this adapter mentioned.

I bought 2 converter boxes for my extra TV's. The small l3" TV has the little antenna that is in the top of the TV. I get the digital programs pretty good. When you change the channel, you may have to adjust it. The TV in my bedroom is a larger TV. My antenna would not get any signal for the Digital. A regular antenna plugs right into the converter box. I don't know what a balun is. Anyway for the larger TV, I bought one of the HDTV antennas thinking this would pick up a better signal. I got some pictures but they were constantly interrupted. So I purchased a more expensive antenna. This was some better. But still did not get all the channels and constantly interrupted. So I purchased a HDTV. I thought this TV would have the channels in the TV just like the old TV's. NOT TRUE! You have to scan to get the channels just like on the old TV with the converter box. I can't get half the channels I did with the old TV and the converter box. What do I do. I have spent a lot of money and still can't watch TV.

WNBCNewYork wrote:

With help tried to connect them and the codes were not accepted.

The WHAT?

Listen, I don't want to be unkind or anything, but really now. Being 93 doesn't automatically make you helpless. You figured out the internet, you can figure this out as well. My 92 year old grandmother got hers going all by herself, and she has NOT been able to figure out the internet.

The overwhelming majority of the operational TVs on the planet do not need baluns. If yours does, then it's probably so old that it's on its last legs anyway. However, anyone with a screwdriver can attach the balun if it is needed. Including you. If your Radio Shack doesn't know what a balun is, it's most definitely time to find another Radio Shack.

If you really are that helpless with technology, just get someone - anyone - else to look at the instructions and follow them for you. You do not need people from Radio Shack or the converter box company. This is not difficult.

Gail from Texas wrote:

I bought 2 converter boxes for my extra TV's. The small l3" TV has the little antenna that is in the top of the TV. I get the digital programs pretty good. When you change the channel, you may have to adjust it. The TV in my bedroom is a larger TV. My antenna would not get any signal for the Digital. A regular antenna plugs right into the converter box. I don't know what a balun is. Anyway for the larger TV, I bought one of the HDTV antennas thinking this would pick up a better signal. I got some pictures but they were constantly interrupted. So I purchased a more expensive antenna. This was some better. But still did not get all the channels and constantly interrupted. So I purchased a HDTV. I thought this TV would have the channels in the TV just like the old TV's. NOT TRUE! You have to scan to get the channels just like on the old TV with the converter box. I can't get half the channels I did with the old TV and the converter box. What do I do. I have spent a lot of money and still can't watch TV.

You sure have. And if you told this story to the person who sold you the TV, then they ripped you off. The tuners in the boxes are exactly the same as the tuners in the HDTVs. If the box can't get the digital signals, no TV is going to do it either. In fact, some of the boxes, like the Zeniths, pull in the signals better than most HDTVs.

It sounds like you're going to need to find a better location for your antenna than where it is in your bedroom. Your best bet is to install one on the roof, or (if that isn't possible) in the attic.

But before you go to such great lengths, you should try getting a long extension wire for the antenna so you can move it around the room and try to find a better location in there. By a window is usually best.

If its any consolation, a genuine HDTV will give you genuine High Definition pictures, which you can't get out of an analog TV with a converter box.

And I would strongly encourage you to try a different store. It doesn't sound like the current one is dealing with you very fairly, if they keep selling you all this junk to solve a pretty simple problem. You can get people to come put an antenna on the roof for you for a lot cheaper than a new HDTV!

I have followed the required procedures (digital converter box, a balun and a second adapter connected to converter box). My tv is an old RCA with several 3 digit formulas and have tried to connect going the required "105" times on each. I use an antenna with two wire cable (no coax). I can get some response / messages: "no programing" and "weak signal". Through menu on remote can get to changeable commands. They don't stick as I'm not in programing mode. Have gone to electronic stores for a signal strengthener which require coax cable connection. TV has worked well about 40 years.(Box) retailer gives no technical help and box manufacturer has limited operational time (either they're not open) or their limited number of technicians hear your problem and leave the line to "consult" and don't come back.Emailed FCC and they could only send me printed set up instructions which I got with the box (Digital Stream).

J Paul - I don't know what the heck you're talking about, and I doubt the other people you've been speaking with do either. Three digit codes? Signal strengthener? Changeable commands that don't stick? None of this has anything to do with converter boxes or 40-year-old TVs.

On a 40-year-old TV, you do the following:

Step one - Hook up antenna to the box where it says "antenna." Use adapter if necessary.

Step two - Hook up box to TV from where it says "TV." Use another adapter (a balun) if necessary at the TV.

Step three - Change the TV's channel selector to channel 3. Leave it there for the rest of eternity. Rip the knob off if it will help you remember.

Step four - Do a "channel search" as described in the box's manual. Most boxes do this automatically the first time you turn them on.

Step four - Use the box's remote to change channels on the box.

The end.

If you are doing anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that is not specifically on the above list, then you are not following instructions and it's no wonder it doesn't work.

If you're trying to somehow get the box's infrared remote to operate your TV, forget it. It ain't gonna happen. The TV is 40 years old. Infrared remotes didn't exist 40 years ago.

And ... seriously? A 40-year-old TV? Do you have any idea how much electricity that thing is slurping up? A new High Definition set will probably pay for itself in a couple years just from the reduced power bill.

(Yes, I can count. I just don't edit very well.)

I attached a Motorola converter box to my antenna and only channel 3 (CBS) comes through in digital format. Does anyone have a suggestion why this happens and why the other networks are not received?

Ralph - You need a better antenna and/or a better location for your antenna.

Ooh - another possibility: If you live way out in the boondocks or in the mountains or something, you might be getting your TV signals from analog translators (booster stations). Those will all be going digital eventually, but a lot of them haven't yet.

If your analog stations have always come in on "the wrong numbers" (2 is on 38 or something like that), then those are translators.

I have access to old satilite antennas. Can these be used as just a plain antenna connected to a new converter box for the digital transition ?

JRS wrote:

I have access to old satilite antennas. Can these be used as just a plain antenna connected to a new converter box for the digital transition ?

No.

Narkspud you are smart.
You must be a teacher as you break
explanations down so that people are
able to understand them,who panic at
instructions.

Just a guy in the industry, is all. Thanks for the kind words.

I was trying to set the converter up for my elderly neighbors. We got as far as the setup but then got no signal. I used am adapter in setting it up but I did not keep the antenna on. Is that where I went wrong?

lost wrote:

I was trying to set the converter up for my elderly neighbors. We got as far as the setup but then got no signal. I used am adapter in setting it up but I did not keep the antenna on. Is that where I went wrong?

The box has to have an antenna hooked up to the antenna jack or it won't work. If the antenna has the two-wire type of connection, then you'll need another adapter to hook it up to the box.

By the way - if the antenna is just a set of rabbit ears, it won't work well for digital. You'll need to get one that can receive both VHF and UHF.

Hi, got a converter box. Hooked it up to the TV and I am only able to receive one of the six channels I was receiving before with a good signal. There are three channels I can't receive at all, and the rest of them are extremely choppy. The set is about 8 years old. We live in a very hilly and remote area, and I would prefer not to put up an outdoor antennae due to cost, and high winds. I'm assuming I should be looking for a better indoor antennae. Should I be looking at a digital antennae? The guys at my Radio Shack are probably the least helpful people I've met. Thanks for the advice.

Lyn wrote:

Hi, got a converter box. Hooked it up to the TV and I am only able to receive one of the six channels I was receiving before with a good signal. There are three channels I can't receive at all, and the rest of them are extremely choppy. The set is about 8 years old. We live in a very hilly and remote area, and I would prefer not to put up an outdoor antennae due to cost, and high winds. I'm assuming I should be looking for a better indoor antennae. Should I be looking at a digital antennae? The guys at my Radio Shack are probably the least helpful people I've met. Thanks for the advice.

First of all, yep, sounds like your problem could be at least partly antenna-related.

I just now tried putting Valparaiso into http://www.tvfool.com . It says you have quite a few very strong signals there, both digital and analog. In fact, it lists 18 strong analog signals! However, you might want to stop by tvfool.com yourself and enter your whole address (especially if you aren't really in Valparaiso). Since it's a hilly area, you might just be in a lousy location.

I'm not a fan of Radio Shack either (You got questions? We got cell phones!) but they do have a couple very good indoor antennas.

The 15-1868 ("Delta") is a spiffy-looking little unpowered model.

For a more complicated, more powerful, and more expensive amplified version, there's the RS 15-1892, a big plastic monster that looks like the Starship Enterprise sitting on your TV. It comes with a remote control, so you can control its signal direction from your chair (which might be a big help where you are). Even if it doesn't work, it's a great conversation piece.

Whatever you get, make sure it gets BOTH VHF AND UHF, because you need them both where you are. Some of the so-called "digital" antennas are UHF only, and that won't get all your stations. The antenna you get should have both rabbit ears and some other kind of element (a bowtie, loop, flying saucer, or something else that isn't just sticks that stick up).

And stay away from any antenna made by Terk. Just trust me.

NOW ... since you ARE in the mountains, it's possible that you may be out of luck. There are certain rural locations that digital signals just don't reach well, and it may be time to look into satellite or cable.

Otherwise, if there is a reputable TV service shop in your area (hint: that would NOT be Radio Shack), it might be worth your while to ask them what they'd recommend in terms of an outdoor solution. Surely they've got some experience in dealing with windy locations, and even a high installation fee will pay for itself in a couple months because you didn't subscribe to cable.

If it turns out that you're just out of luck, be sure to let your stations know about it. They are aware that there will be changes in their coverage area, and if they get enough complaints from your neck of the woods, they may set up translators (booster stations).

I have an old Sony, very small black and white that used to be in our boat. It only has one teloscopic antenna. I don't want to throw this thing out just yet. It's only a 4 x 4 in screen. I want to connect a converter box but looks like I'll have to take the radio apart to see where the wires are so I can adapt it to a coax cable. Any thoughts?

Harry wrote:

I have an old Sony, very small black and white that used to be in our boat. It only has one teloscopic antenna. I don't want to throw this thing out just yet. It's only a 4 x 4 in screen. I want to connect a converter box but looks like I'll have to take the radio apart to see where the wires are so I can adapt it to a coax cable. Any thoughts?

Only one: Throw it away. It's not worth the trouble.

If you insist, you could probably get a converter box (winegarddirect.com has one that can run off a separate battery pack) and a separate antenna for it. Then use an alligator clip and balun combo to get the signal into the TV - just clip it onto the antenna.

In other words, you're going to spend quite a bit more getting that TV to work than you spent on the TV itself, and the paraphernalia you'll need will be considerably larger than the TV itself.

Portable digital TVs do exist (although they don't work real well yet) so you might wish to look into one of those. If you have the ability to plug the TV in, you'll come out cheaper by getting a new small digital TV. A third alternative - you can buy a $50 -$100 tuner dongle that turns your laptop computer into a high-definition TV.