Antenna/cable expert

[Need Help_44]

Hello,
I have erected an old Square GRID Parabolic antenna with an AIDC-3731 downconverter on it which was left at my old house by a tv company I used once. It has a coaxial cable hook-up on the downconverter and is about 16 feet off the ground, on a pole. I first checked my tv with rabbit ears to make sure I didn't need a converter box and received 16 digital channels. I then ran 50 ft of round R-6 cable directly from that tv to the outdoor grid antenna by plugging the cable into the downconverter cable hook-up but can't get a signal. I have tried turning the antenna in all directions but still no signal. I don't want to remain with the rabbit ears as my daughter said this would humiliate her, so I want to be able to use an outdoor antenna preferably this grid antenna I already have. I was hoping you could guide me on how to utilize this antenna or tell me what's wrong or what I need to do to fix the problem. I am a housewife that knows just enough about OTA signals to get me in trouble, so please help in layman's terms. Thanks, Sandra

 

[Wolfshadw]

I guess my question would be, if your TV can currently decode the digital transmissions in your area using a set of rabbit ears (IOW, your TV has a native ATSC tuner), then why would you need a down-converter from the outdoor antenna?

-Wolf sends

 

[Need Help_44]

Thanks for your reply! This antenna is just an old antenna left from when I had direct tv many years ago and it was left with this AIDC on it. I'm wondering if I take off this AIDC thingy on it and attach a belum directly to the antenna, that may be all I need to do. If you agree, I will run out and purchase an belum and attach it to the antenna directly and then to the round cable.

 

[jcoultas98]

You shouldn't need anything aside from coax. Anything additional in the line will degrade the signal.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I'd say that is all you need. You should be able to find a balun at Radio Shack or a similar electronics store for less that a couple of bucks.

-Wolf sends

 

[Need Help_44]

Thanks! I got a belum and that was all I needed! I appreciate the help!

 

[Need Help_44]

Best answer selected by Need Help_44.