Key TV

[Sherdewi]

Still can’t get the “ blue light” to light.
Can someone direct us on which fuse may be the antenna or should we just pull them one by one?
We did remove each cable and made sure they were all tight on the panel outside.

(sorry I couldn’t find my original post from a few weeks ago to add onto)

Thanks

[chuckster57]

Look at the RED and BLACK wires coming out of the module. Is the RED connected to a wire that is white with a tracer color? If not then the module is connected backwards. If it is wired right, than you need to test for 12VDC at the red wire. I have a test light that will probe the wire insulation, if you have a Volt/Ohm meter you can stick the probe ends in the bell connectors and check for voltage. If you have voltage then the module is probably junk. IF you do have 12VDC then I would bet the power is daisy chained off another circuit. The 12V panel is all fuses, and you can test each fuse.

I was able to enlarge the picture and it looks like the module is connected correct. I have seen bad connections using those bell connectors.

[chuckster57]

Since 2015, Keystone has used standardized color coded wiring in an attempt to make troubleshooting and servicing units easier and faster.

Here is the link:https://www.keystonerv.com/upper-navigation-pages/community/krv-blog/content-container/keystone-innovation-wired-for-performance/

I didn't see KeyTv specificly listed but with the color code you may be able to find what it is daisy chained off of.

[Sherdewi]

Thank you, it’s hooked up correctly but the battery does in the multimeter. So we will have to check that next weekend

[Sherdewi]

There is power to the multi source signal controller. But the light isn’t on so we are thinking the issue is in the controller itself.
I’m going to call the dealership and see if they’ll order us a new one

[Mmeyer]

I am having the same issue, did the new mssc fix the problem?
Thanks Matt

[ChuckS]

if both of you folks have verified that you have 12 vdc power ON THE LEADS that go the the KeyTV module and the blue LED isnt lit then the box is where the issue resides....

There may be an internal fuse on the KeyTV module mounted inside the case on the circuit board but youd think they would have made that fuse accessible with a screw in cap style holder the use could simply check

With the KeyTV not powered up the OTA antenna will not work because the internal signal amp for the roof mounted antenna gets its 12 VDC power over the center pin lead of the coax cable running from backside of KeyTV module

You can remove that coax lead and measure the center pin of the female coax connection for 12 VDC... if it doesnt read over 12 VDC the module is bad

[Mmeyer]

So I took apart the Mssc the internal board is smoked. There is no internal fuse or a reset inside the box or outside. I removed all the cables from the key TV mssc box And install a 2 way splitter and got the antenna to work on 2 TVs. The black cable is the feed from the antenna the gray goes to my front bedroom tv the pink goes to underneath the storage container I didn’t hook this one up I don’t have a tv there, the purple goes to my rear living room tv.

[chuckster57]

So I took apart the Mssc the internal board is smoked. There is no internal fuse or a reset inside the box or outside. I removed all the cables from the key TV mssc box And install a 2 way splitter and got the antenna to work on 2 TVs. The black cable is the feed from the antenna the gray goes to my front bedroom tv the pink goes to underneath the storage container I didn’t hook this one up I don’t have a tv there, the purple goes to my rear living room tv.

I wonder if Keystone will replace it under warranty since you took it apart.

[Mmeyer]

Not sure I have a email into keystone, My dealer I had bought it from has very bad service And a huge backlog so I would rather fix it my self than deal with them.

[ChuckS]

Quite frankly Keystone customer service knows there is an ongoing issue with the KeyTV modules... they should do a recall on all of them and come up with an upgraded module that works reliably and actually does what it’s advertised to do...

[chuckster57]

Quite frankly Keystone customer service knows there is an ongoing issue with the KeyTV modules... they should do a recall on all of them and come up with an upgraded module that works reliably and actually does what it’s advertised to do...

I agree. It would be a deal breaker for me if I was looking for a new unit.

[CedarCreekWoody]

My camper was manufactured a few months before they switched to Key TV. I beginning to think that is a good thing.

[RWRiley]

I continue to have problems with my KeyTV. When I get to a campsite I scan channels and get a bunch of channels. Then while watching the picture goes blank. I re-scan and get ZERO channels. I hook up my $10 Walmart antenna and I get about 1/2 of the channels back. I've had the unit replaced, but the tech told me KeyTV is horrible, and they have never got one to work that had problems. This is ridiculous. I have been chasing this for over a year.

[Roberta J]

We are starting our 2nd winter out in our 2019 Mountaineer320 and have the exact same problem as RWRiley. Have you found a solution? We are headed to a dealer tomorrow that Keystone recommended and I am ready with info from this blog (Thanks). Our problem is sporadic- scans channels one day, loses signal and will not rescan. Seemed that when we turned power off to entire rig it worked when we powered up again, but that just might be coincidence. Since it does work sporadically, we’re thinking coax is connected correctly-just a bad module.

[Sherdewi]

Trailer is in for repairs, the dealership said the cable form the antenna didn’t work, so they replaced it. They claim it works now but time will tell as the trailer is wintering with themsince our seasonal campground is closed form the Winter.
We could never once get a channel, it wasn’t an intermittent issue

[RWRiley]

We are starting our 2nd winter out in our 2019 Mountaineer320 and have the exact same problem as RWRiley. Have you found a solution? We are headed to a dealer tomorrow that Keystone recommended and I am ready with info from this blog (Thanks). Our problem is sporadic- scans channels one day, loses signal and will not rescan. Seemed that when we turned power off to entire rig it worked when we powered up again, but that just might be coincidence. Since it does work sporadically, we’re thinking coax is connected correctly-just a bad module.

I still have no solution. I have read about this thing called a "Digital Cliff". The story goes something like this "When the sun goes down the signal from the station drops off". Sounds like some B/S to me, but at this point I have no idea what to believe. I would love to hear what your dealer has to say.

[Roberta J]

Thanks- it has been dropping signal in late afternoon which would support “digital cliff” theory, although I agree it sounds fishy. We were getting reception at night earlier this winter. Will try again in morning before going to dealer.

[flybouy]

Broadcasters typically do reduce the signal output wattage after sunset and for many reasons. With an analog signal like radio stations or TV before the digital conversion the results are a "weak signal". The TV station might look fuzzy, or the radio station may sound staticy or "scratchy" with analog stations the tuner will accept any signal level.

With a digital TV the tuner looks for a signal strength sufficient to maintain a steady picture. If the signal isn't strong enough it will not process it and that station "disappears". On a digital TV when you see the picture "pixelated" or Freeze" what's happening is a brief moment of signal drop below a threshold of the TV to drop out that channel that doesn't last long enough for the TV to lock out that channel.

[ChuckS]

Typically at night AM broadcast stations from further away are often heard when they are never heard during daylight...

TV signals are in the VHF and UHF frequency region. MUF (maximum useable frequency) is affected by layers in the atmosphere ...typically D and E layer...

Some TV stations could also be affected depending on their radiated power, antenna , etc....

[ChuckS]

Trailer is in for repairs, the dealership said the cable form the antenna didn’t work, so they replaced it. They claim it works now but time will tell as the trailer is wintering with themsince our seasonal campground is closed form the Winter.
We could never once get a channel, it wasn’t an intermittent issue

I find this interesting.. in your original post you said the BLUE LED light on the KeyTV box was not lit.. If so then there is absolutely NO way that replacing or repairing the coax to the antenna has fixed the issue..

Id have to ask them what exactly did they do to get the KeyTV module to power up???

[R. Arnold]

I ran new wiring myself to get power to the Key TV box today! Now when I connect the black coaxial cable to the Key TV box the power light goes out???

[R. Arnold]

OK, ran new wiring to get power to the Key TV box and got power. Now my issue is when I connect the black antenna coaxial cable to the Key TV box the power light goes out when tightened. The other coaxial cables have no effect to power blue light. Do I have a bad coaxial cable to the antenna? I recently replaced the TV antenna, the original antenna went bad and I replaced it. Also when I scan for OTA channels I only get 4 channels. I have also purchased a new Key TV box and it does the same thing???

[chuckster57]

You may have a shorted out coax. Undo it at both the KeyTv box and the antenna. Then use an ohm meter set to continuity. One tip on the center wire and the other on the connector itself. If you have continuity, replace the ends and try again.

[LHaven]

My guess is that there's a short in the coax cable.

[flybouy]

I ran new wiring myself to get power to the Key TV box today! Now when I connect the black coaxial cable to the Key TV box the power light goes out???

Where did you connect the power from?

[R. Arnold]

I will have to try that, it is suppose to rain Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'll have to get it checked Thursday or Friday. Is it hard to run another coaxial cable from the antenna down to the tv box?? My neighbor said to connect the ends together with a connection that screws the ends together and pull it through. I just remembered that I did change the end connector at the antenna when I installed the new antenna, because the old connector would not screw onto the antenna. it looks like Keystone placed a bent connector at the antenna connection.

[chuckster57]

You need to verify that the coax from the antenna to the KeyTv isn’t shorted out first.

[sourdough]

A VOM is your friend. The symptoms sounds like the shield and the center conductor are shorted somewhere. Short of the cable being crushed, cut etc. it is likely where the connectors are. Set it to ohms and read between the shield and center conductor on the cable shutting down the power, it should read infinity.

[chuckster57]

You may have a shorted out coax. Undo it at both the KeyTv box and the antenna. Then use an ohm meter set to continuity. One tip on the center wire and the other on the connector itself. If you have continuity, replace the ends and try again.

A VOM is your friend. The symptoms sounds like the shield and the center conductor are shorted somewhere. Short of the cable being crushed, cut etc. it is likely where the connectors are. Set it to ohms and read between the shield and center conductor on the cable shutting down the power, it should read infinity.

That’s what I said earlier, and IIRC that’s what I merged into this thread.

You and I both know it only takes a single “wisker” from the shield to short it out…BTDT.

[sourdough]

That’s what I said earlier, and IIRC that’s what I merged into this thread.

You and I both know it only takes a single “wisker” from the shield to short it out…BTDT.

I know. Figured I would reiterate since it's been mentioned a few times now.