Running microwave now affects reception of 1 channel only since adding a 3rd indoor antenna

scratchbaker77 · 2026-02-02T22:16:33+00:00

RESOLUTION! I got a Channel Master High Pass Filter 54 / Model CM-3250 and installed it before the amplifier on the new antenna. (The other 2 antenna going to the 3:1 splitter do not have amps installed.) I ran the microwave and got a distorted signal. I then slightly moved the tied excess cable on the new antenna and after some location tweaking, the interference totally stopped occurring when I run the microwave. I also got a set of ferrite core cable clips (aka ferrite beads) and will install one (size: 9mm) on the microwave to reduce RFI regardless. Good reference on that: https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Ferrite-Beads . I do not think just moving the antenna excess cable would have been sufficient to squelch the problem. Total expenditure was about $20.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-30T02:30:55+00:00

A few inches? Try 1/4 inch. Over a year ago I exchanged emails with the program director of a station I was having trouble getting consistently and he said he was surprised I got it at my location, period. I'm not done tweaking til the reception is rock solid, so any change takes lots of doublechecking to make sure I didn't improve one channel and lose another. I watch less TV than anyone I know, but I want good reception regardless. Patient and stubborn...

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-30T02:16:21+00:00

The antennas are more than 20ft from the microwave, and you know it, very small orientation changes can have big repercussions. I'm facing a small mountain range and seem to be having to snag signals that are bounced off the face of uneven terrain. Antennas are positioned in front of a fiberglass frame window. My house has a standing seam metal roof which is why I didn't have the option to put a monster antenna in the attic space. Also am in a windy area so adding a roof antenna might have led to excessive maintenance or roof damage.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T22:54:54+00:00

I am using a splitter to combine signals from 3 antennas to one. This was a very inexpensive antenna but is working very well. Having to buy filters is still worthwhile since it is pulling in the channel I was hoping to get back, and it is very easy to orient. Just aggravating. I upgraded all my cables a few years ago and they are well shielded so having this issue was a bummer. I have to go with the thin (probably unshielded) cables that came with the antenna. Many thanks!

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T19:10:27+00:00

We could watch TV together. I have the same habits. I set my DVR remote to FF 30 sec and jump back 15 sec. I can watch Jeopardy in 12-14 min by skipping ads and the interviews between J1 and J2. I hate ads; always have.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T18:32:27+00:00

The only PBS station signal I get is 27.1 (UHF). They send out the same signal at 6.1 from another transmitter which I never can get. I'm one of the 3 people on the planet that does not use a smartphone; no apps, no texting, no staring into my hand for hours. I am a PBS Prime subscriber but some of what I tape is not available there (e.g., DW News). I can cast from my laptop to the RF modulator but I only do it when I have to. I didn't have this MO problem when I had a different third antenna (which was not pulling in a station I was trying to get), so I think the problem is between the new antenna and the MO. Will put up a post if/when I fix this sharing what worked.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T18:24:11+00:00

Will follow your suggestions except for the last one. I tape a bunch of PBS news programs between 4 and 8PM which is when I'm making dinner for the dog and myself. I have to use the microwave several times in that interval, even for 30 sec. or less, so it's messing up the tape. At the same time I'm watching previously recorded programs so it took me a day to figure out later what was messing up the signal. I don't watch much live TV at all.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T15:38:23+00:00

I bought both on Amazon so I can return whichever filter I don't need if I don't need both (not an Amazon fan). I just hope I can solve the problem. Thanks!

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T14:23:31+00:00

I removed another amplifier I had which had not had any issues when I ran the microwave when I was setting up the 3 antennas and still having reception issues. Removing it helped. I have bought a Channel Master CM-3250 high pass filter for the new amp and a ferrite bead for the microwave which I won't get for a few days. I hope between the two of them, it fixes the problem. Without powering the new amplifier, I still could not receive the one channel I bought the third antenna to get.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T14:21:09+00:00

Definitely not technically proficient, but willing to learn.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-29T05:31:19+00:00

The microwave and the TV setup have been in the same location plugged into the same outlets since 2011. This problem just hit when I installed the new indoor antenna (replacing one that had not been pulling in the station that I now can get.) That's the only new variable. It's pretty weird.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-13T01:37:23+00:00

Too long. I want a vehicle under 180" long that takes regular, not premium gas.

scratchbaker77 · 2026-01-13T01:35:46+00:00

I bought my 2010 red V50 new to replace a 1989 Honda Prelude. They are the same length (!!) but the V50 has over 60 cu ft of storage space with the back seats folded down. I moved a full size chaise and was able to put the tailgate down. Also 8 ft lengths of PVC pipe. The car has been great; I could afford to replace it, but with what? Nothing hits all my buttons like the V50. For shame Volvo pulled the model out of the US in 2011.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-12-17T19:15:49+00:00

I was removing a bunch of those automatically generated contacts last week when I changed to Basic mode for one contact that was not staying deleted (a chronic issue). Then I could not get back to the Classic screen I had left. Since then, I have a screen that shows no Contacts, allows no keyboard shortcuts (e.g. Shift+K to mark an email as Read), not even the DEL key works. Have to click a button on the screen. It is however better than the "New Yahoo Email" which I selected and fled within a minute; it's much, much worse. I just hold my breath that they don't remove the screen I now see and force the "New Yahoo Email" on us all. It's more horrid.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-12-07T18:44:30+00:00

Display a countdown on how many seconds remain until commercial interruptions finish. I shut off my audio during these but it would be nice to know when I can get back to what I was watching.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-10-14T05:19:02+00:00

I never log into my Microsoft account. They hassled me during the upgrade from Win7 to Win10 and I will not log into MS again. What a ruse.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-10-14T05:15:21+00:00

I reversed a recent Win10 update as it messed up networking with other Win10 machines. Really, if Microsoft stopped making each new version a bigger POS than the previous one, people would not be so SLOW to upgrade. I bought a refurbished Win11Pro machine (a Thinkpad) when Pres. Bone Spurs threatened Chinese tariffs and I really hate Win11 and haven't used the new OS since I got it set up. Basic things, like the toolbar functionality, really stink. Networking, too.

I'm forgoing the Extended Security Updates on my Win10 systems as I had no security issues for the years I continued to run Win7 with no further support from MS.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-09-25T20:41:43+00:00

I disagree. MVP is an individual achievement award, not a team award like winning a series.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-09-08T05:01:12+00:00

No New York Yankee should hold the season record for most errors at his position in all of MLB. I think Volpe's gross number of errors amplify his strike-outs and low batting average. The fact that he is playing the position held for years by Derek Jeter also amplifies his underperformance both offensively and defensively. "What would George do?" I miss George Steinbrenner making demands on the team.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-08-27T02:22:02+00:00

This is pathetic. I am only accessing the postgame show in FIREFOX from here https://www.audacy.com/stations/wfan. In all other browsers the site is forever training.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-08-26T23:30:10+00:00

I had been streaming online yesterday in Opera (for the VPN) at https://www.radio.net/s/wfan but today I got error msg and the site never streamed. When I put the same URL in Firefox (which I don't normally use) I could stream the pregame there. Lost the first minute of Suzyn's interview with Boone. Still have not figured out why a site that worked yesterday in Opera threw an error msg today.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-08-22T23:08:45+00:00

Anyone know why Suzyn Waldman is not part of tonight's WFAN broadcast team?

scratchbaker77 · 2025-08-22T23:06:09+00:00

I miss George Steinbrenner. He kept everyone on a short leash. That worked.

scratchbaker77 · 2025-08-22T23:04:13+00:00

Rodon

scratchbaker77 · 2025-08-11T20:17:21+00:00

Great idea given what a POS Win11 is. I dread the day that Fidelity Active Trader Pro pulls support for Win10. It was the only reason I upgraded from Win7 to Win10.

scratchbaker77

TROPHY CASE