In message , amdx writes
Despite your long 170ft drop cable, were you getting good analogue signals before the change to digital? If so, it could be that something is not right. Normally, even if you have had only fairly mediocre analogues, the digitals are good.
Otherwise.... It sounds like your signals are just too weak. As things are, and if you can, the obvious fix would be to overcome the substantial loss of the
170ft drop cable by fitting an amplifier at or near the utility post (not at your end), and power it with low voltage via the coax from your end (ie similar to a line-powered masthead antenna amplifier). However, you would need to consult with the cable company to see if they were OK with letting you do this. It could be that they might be able advise you on the most suitable amplifier to use. It's not rocket science, but you have to be a little careful not to break any of their rules and generally do anything they don't approve of.