I see WITF (W38AN) is setting up a 5KW LD on RF 33. Does anyone know when it will become active?

That will give me PBS from at least MD, PA, VA, & WV. :) I'm not counting on ever getting WETA back.

Dish just added WHPhd last night so they finally have all 4 Harrisburg HD locals. PQ looks very close to OTA. Great for me being my location is blocked my a mountain so I can never get Whp and WITF OTA.

DirecTV now has a fiber feed for WGAL-DT. No more OTA capture for WGAL.

I just found that I have a reliable contact at WITF. A friend who I didn't know he worked there. I asked about WITF-DT doing HD programming. He checked and he says that WITF just got some new equipment donated and should be back to doing HD (16:9) programming in approx. 3 months. I also asked about when D* will be picking up WITF-DT and presenting is in 16:9 format (even though WITF isn't doing HD right now). He didn't have a answer yet.

So is this why watching my daughter's recordings of Sesame Street is all over the place regarding aspect ratio? Sometimes it seems like WITF sends most of their broadcasts out in 4:3 (which is fine), but I've seen Sesame Street in this bizarre...it's hard to describe. The best I would put it is it almost looks like a 4:3 image in a 16:9 frame squished down to a 4:3 broadcast. On a widescreen TV, it looks like you're watching through a small picture frame (black bars on the top and bottom, with double black bars on the sides). Anybody else seen this?

So is this why watching my daughter's recordings of Sesame Street is all over the place regarding aspect ratio? Sometimes it seems like WITF sends most of their broadcasts out in 4:3 (which is fine), but I've seen Sesame Street in this bizarre...it's hard to describe. The best I would put it is it almost looks like a 4:3 image in a 16:9 frame squished down to a 4:3 broadcast. On a widescreen TV, it looks like you're watching through a small picture frame (black bars on the top and bottom, with double black bars on the sides). Anybody else seen this?

I noticed that today flipping through the channels. the show on WITF DT was a small box in the center of the screen. Quite strange looking.

Anyone know what happened to the "This Old House Hour"? It seemed to disappear from programming in the middle of a series.

So is this why watching my daughter's recordings of Sesame Street is all over the place regarding aspect ratio? Sometimes it seems like WITF sends most of their broadcasts out in 4:3 (which is fine), but I've seen Sesame Street in this bizarre...it's hard to describe. The best I would put it is it almost looks like a 4:3 image in a 16:9 frame squished down to a 4:3 broadcast. On a widescreen TV, it looks like you're watching through a small picture frame (black bars on the top and bottom, with double black bars on the sides). Anybody else seen this?

I've noticed this as well and its really annoying. 4:3 content seems to be fine, but any show marked HD which should be 16:9 is actually a 16:9 letter boxed to a 4:3 so the broadcast is chopped on all four sides. I've set media center to zoom in in order to get better viewing for the kids.

hopefully they enable 16:9 broadcasting... hd would be icing on the cake

i'll also add that i couldn't get the old dt or even analog witf until they did a full migration to dt and now it comes in great other than the aspect ratio mess

I emailed WITF and they said they should have their equipment in within 30 days to support full HD.. I asked if it required any engineering time to get the new system up and running and no reply yet ;)

Here in the Hummelstown area:

Comcast has been rearranging some channels. We have Limited Basic and now QVC HD has shown up. In the typical Comcast fashion they removed CW HD 15-1, FOX 43-1, TCM 72-5 and FoxNews 72-7. We still get all the other Government mandated clear Qam pass through local HD channels. I tried a complete rescan of channels on the HD TV and set up my old Samsung DTB-H260F tuner - no luck getting those missing channels back through Comcast.

That's nice of them but isn't this breaking the Law ?

I tried to call this in but was informed that the Local HD channels come In-and-Out of encryption and that I should feel lucky that I get some of them when I do. The 2 year CSR never heard of 'Government mandated clear QAM local HD pass through'. I got a really strong push to either get an Antenna or pay for an upgarde to an HD Package.

Think they're getting ready to convert our area Comcast to All Digital ?

I've noticed this as well and its really annoying. 4:3 content seems to be fine, but any show marked HD which should be 16:9 is actually a 16:9 letter boxed to a 4:3 so the broadcast is chopped on all four sides. I've set media center to zoom in in order to get better viewing for the kids.

hopefully they enable 16:9 broadcasting... hd would be icing on the cake

i'll also add that i couldn't get the old dt or even analog witf until they did a full migration to dt and now it comes in great other than the aspect ratio mess

Thanks, Byron. At least I'm not totally crazy in seeing this. I figure this is one of those oddball things since the DTV switch is only half-assed right now. Even though WITF switched, it seems like their still doing some things the old way. Here's hoping they take care of it by June at least.

Comcast has been rearranging some channels. We have Limited Basic and now QVC HD has shown up. In the typical Comcast fashion they removed CW HD 15-1, FOX 43-1, TCM 72-5 and FoxNews 72-7. We still get all the other Government mandated clear Qam pass through local HD channels. I tried a complete rescan of channels on the HD TV and set up my old Samsung DTB-H260F tuner - no luck getting those missing channels back through Comcast.

WOW. I had no idea Comcast did stuff like this (I'm new to the whole HD channels over QAM thing). I wonder if this explains why some of my channels get weirded out by my Tvix HD tuner (occasionally the channels show the wrong station with or without sound; it's pretty weird and I put it down to the tuner initially). Do you guys rescan your channels often? I've only had my tuner for a month and have only scanned once. I'd be bummed to lose FOX.

Honestly, I'd consider paying Comcast more for either their cheap sports package or more HD channels, but I'd either get too many channels I don't want or they try to stick me with a box (which I really don't want).

The HD Tuner in my HD TV needs a rescan to pick up any channel changes (location or new additions) but the external HD Tuner I have automatically picks up any new ones (at least most of the time). * All Tuners connected to the Cable directly.

Comcast does some odd and stupid things. One of them is that the local FOX HD channel has disappeared two Summers in a row. This is the first time they have wiped out the local Fox HD channel (and the CW HD channel) during the regular Season.

Time for me to reconnect the Antenna and see if I can pick up the OTA CW HD channel. As I recall, the Fox HD channel comes OTA perfectly.

I'l also be checking out FiOS, though like you I'm not really wanting a bunch of extra unwanted channels.

I emailed WITF and they said they should have their equipment in within 30 days to support full HD.. I asked if it required any engineering time to get the new system up and running and no reply yet ;)

Latest update is that it takes about 3 days for them to install, test and certify the new hardware.. So here is hoping to HD PBS in the WITF market by June (give or take)

The HD Tuner in my HD TV needs a rescan to pick up any channel changes (location or new additions) but the external HD Tuner I have automatically picks up any new ones (at least most of the time). * All Tuners connected to the Cable directly.

Comcast does some odd and stupid things. One of them is that the local FOX HD channel has disappeared two Summers in a row. This is the first time they have wiped out the local Fox HD channel (and the CW HD channel) during the regular Season.

Time for me to reconnect the Antenna and see if I can pick up the OTA CW HD channel. As I recall, the Fox HD channel comes OTA perfectly.

I'l also be checking out FiOS, though like you I'm not really wanting a bunch of extra unwanted channels.

Fox comes in perfect - all the time. Whatever they're doing for OTA the rest need to do. CW works great as well. WGAL on the other hand is completley hit or miss - same with CBS.

I'm going to be moving the antenna from my garage surrounded by trees to the house in which the attic is a bit higher in elevation as well to see if that helps the CW/CBS/NBC reception. Otherwise i may just turn the rig around and pickup Philly or Baltimore markets and pretend central PA markets don't exist :)

I'm NW of Hummelstown.

Signal Meter
100% NBC FOX
82% CW
56 to 67% moving up and down on ABC and CBS
* readings are the best, taken after rotating the Antenna for Maximum signal.

using a Silver Sensor located on the 2nd floor !

Whatever NBC and FOX are doing, they are far far better than the others which happen to be much much closer to my house ! NBC is odd for me in that I recall my neighbors having trouble with their signal.

Wow am I really irked! The only two stations I watched on a regular basis were Fox News and Turner Classic Movies. Now they are both gone, Comcast continues to really make me Angry, first they take away the History Channel, then the ocassional On-Demand, and now this. Basic Cable isn't even worth it to me this rate.

I see the same "Postage Stamp" issue with MPT. I'm wondering if there is some sort of program setting that the individual State PBS systems aren't getting it right. I'm going to check my VA & WV PBS stations for the same issue.

Wow am I really irked! The only two stations I watched on a regular basis were Fox News and Turner Classic Movies. Now they are both gone, Comcast continues to really make me Angry, first they take away the History Channel, then the ocassional On-Demand, and now this. Basic Cable isn't even worth it to me this rate.

They're beginning to remind me of DirecTv when I had that - adding QVC HD channel and getting rid of others we really liked.

Wow am I really irked! The only two stations I watched on a regular basis were Fox News and Turner Classic Movies. Now they are both gone, Comcast continues to really make me Angry, first they take away the History Channel, then the ocassional On-Demand, and now this. Basic Cable isn't even worth it to me this rate.
Fox has disappeared for me too in Mechanicsburg, PA :(.

I am missing Terminator right now!! :(

Second time - another Comcast CSR tied to tell me that HD TV was not all that great and that the Analog channels were just as good. He had no idea that there was anything like clear QAM or that we were supposed to have our HD Locals.

Both of the Comcast CSRs said they have been working for Comcast for a few years now ! I'm glad I did not get one of the uninformed ones.....

I checked with the neighbor and they lost TCM and FOX both sometime wednesday or thursday, they said comcast just raised rates a $1+ last month also.

For those of you who have lost Fox... try a rescan. I just did a rescan and it looks like it was moved to CH 118-2.

Derek

Thanks Derek, any luck locating Fox News or Turner Classic Movies?

Looks like there still moving things around and slowly cleaning them up.

CW HD 15 is now at 118-1

I wonder how many days/weeks/months it will take them to remap CW HD 15 and Fox HD 43 back to where they were ?

Anyone know what happened to the "This Old House Hour"? It seemed to disappear from programming in the middle of a series.

It's still on WITF. I have it set to DVR new episodes and watched this weekend's episode late Saturday afternoon. It was the last installment from the Brooklyn project. I don't know when the next project starts, but I would guess this weekend's was the season finale.

I see a lot of you guys with Comcrap are seeing channels being removed and adding back in somewhere else. How on earth can Comcrap do this without telling their customers of the channel changes? This would really piss me off. Glad I am with D*.

Also, what are these -7 subchannels you refer to? Comcrap has several subchannels on some of their cable channels?

Those sub-channels are picked up using a HD Tuner (built-in or external) with clear QAM encoding and a direct connection, which means no Cable Box.

If I recall correctly the number of sub-channels can reach -32, which is rare. Those channels that have sub-channels usually just go anywhere from -2 to -9. A higher number of sub-channels commonly occurs with Music channels where a static image is displayed showing what the channel is focused on and who the artist is. I don't bother with those.

I heard yesterday from one of the local TV station GM's that one of the other local TV stations is operating under bankrupcy at this time. I am assuming this may be WHTM.

It's WPMT.

- Trip

Fox HD and the WB HD have returned to their respective stations, 43-1 and 15-1. Also a pleasent surprise, MLB HD is on station 134-2. We will see how long this lasts, but I'm currently watching opening day highlights and live bits from games around the league in HD.

I did a rescan last night and also got a Comcast sports channel? Something like 105-1, I can't recall the exact station. I don't remember this one from the first time I scanned, although maybe it's normal.

Will have to check on the MLB station, that sounds nifty.

anyone else experiencing issues with locals going in/out on dish network?

It's WPMT.

- Trip

Doesn't Tribune own them?

Doesn't Tribune own them?

Yes. Tribune filed for bankruptcy not too long ago.

- Trip

I'm currently sporting the Channel Master 4228HD (roof mounted) and have had pretty solid results. Any thoughts on whether or not I should consider a pre-amp to improve my results of distant channels? From what I've gathered, adding a pre-amp can often do just the opposite of your intentions. Also, I'm located in Carlisle...if that helps?

Many thanks,
Hugh

I've had good results. It's added about 10% to my signal strength on an OTA STB.

I'm currently sporting the Channel Master 4228HD (roof mounted) and have had pretty solid results. Any thoughts on whether or not I should consider a pre-amp to improve my results of distant channels? From what I've gathered, adding a pre-amp can often do just the opposite of your intentions. Also, I'm located in Carlisle...if that helps?

Many thanks,
Hugh

Hugh,
Every situation is different with digital TV. I can't tell you what may happen if you add an amp ..it may help or it may not. You have to try stuff out at your location with your equipment.

There are lots of variables at play here..
1. Direction, height, tilt, and gain of antenna
2. Gain of amp
3. Buildings, trees, other obstacles around you affecting multi-path
4. Length and type of coaxial cable as well as any splitters in line
5. Etc.

As you can see, it can take any combination of any of the above to make a station come in clean or prevent it at all.

You need to experiment with your own setup to see what works. Really, anything else is just guessing on our part.

I hate to post questions that may have been answered, but I cannot locate anything on this site... here goes:

I am attempting to secure ESPN for the coming NFL season. I currently pull the major networks thru comcast clear qam (VERY basic service at under $10 a month) and DVR with an old PC and MyHD mdp-130. I've done some research and even had DTV tech come out. Seems that the trees block too much of the Southwestern sky and he cannot get a clear view of the 5 satellites required for HD :-(

My Southern sky is pretty clear... does D* have the same limitations (5 satellites)? Is D* worth the $? I've heard the compression is more than Comcast. Any body like TurboHD?

I've heard you can request HD and DVR with your comcast basic service and end up paying only $30 to $35 and that ESPN happens to be included... is anybody doing this? Depending on the comcast person I speak with, it seems plausible.

Anyhow, thanks in advance!

I've had DirecTV since 1998 and have been happy since. I get all of the HD hockey and HD baseball I'd ever want. Can't get this with comcrap, unless you only like the Philly teams. I've seen comcrap HD and it doesn't compare to what I get from DirecTV (HD channel qtys or PQ).

I dumped Comcast and HSI over a year ago because of their constant station removals, rate increases, and lousy connectivity. I went back to OTA for DTV reception and DSL for Internet. Reduced my monthly Out-of-Pocket expenses and can't be happier.

dewster1977 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=8021096) informed me that WGAL is doing 02:00-06:00 tests of their DTV transmission on channel 8. Supposedly, they started this morning and will continue testing until Saturday. Anyone else know about this? I'm thinking about getting up around 04:00 and check my setup.

Yes, they are testing digital channel 8 thru Saturday morning from 2am till 4am. I received a very solid signal at 40 miles west on the first morning of testing, May 27th. On a side note, people with Dish Network and some cable companies may not receive WGAL during the testing as digital channel 58 will be turned off.

WGAL testing is 2am to 4 am

I got up just after 03:00 (I think. maybe it was just after 04:00 - very groggy) and was getting "ET" on channel 8. they had Helio on. there was no digital signal.

I got up just after 03:00 (I think. maybe it was just after 04:00 - very groggy) and was getting "ET" on channel 8. they had Helio on. there was no digital signal.

You missed it, programming during the test is Poker after Dark 2am - 3am and Jay Leno 3am - 4am.

Checked this morning and found that W08EE-D is overpowering WGAL-DT. I did find that I was receiving WBFF-DT (watchable - Southpark and some movie about South Africa). With W08EE-D at 216.4° and WGAL-DT at 77.5°, pointing the antenna at WGAL-DT, I still was picking up W08EE-D. Neither were viewable, but W08EE-D was the only one listed in my channel list.

Did you send an e-mail to channel 8 to let them know. I thought that might be a problem for some areas. I had my alarm set but never heard it at 2 am.

Not yet, I would like to see if I can try checking again, before I write WGAL-DT off.

Well I check WGAL DT this morning, Had the antenna set with a nice clear picture of WGAL Analog 8 in the evening, checked the digital signal on 8 No signal present, got up at 2:15 and checked analog 8 was off, checked the digital signal had a signal on the meter but not enough to lock onto, but was receiving WHTM on DT 10. so I sent my e-mail off to them with the results. I think if the would increase fom 7kw to 15 or 20 kw they would come in.

Well I check WGAL DT this morning, Had the antenna set with a nice clear picture of WGAL Analog 8 in the evening, checked the digital signal on 8 No signal present, got up at 2:15 and checked analog 8 was off, checked the digital signal had a signal on the meter but not enough to lock onto, but was receiving WHTM on DT 10. so I sent my e-mail off to them with the results. I think if the would increase fom 7kw to 15 or 20 kw they would come in.

I seem to have lost WGAL on three of my four OTA tuners. Are they having signal issues?

I guess will just wait until next weekend to rescan and see what happens when WGAL changes to VHF.

I seem to have lost WGAL on three of my four OTA tuners. Are they having signal issues?

I guess will just wait until next weekend to rescan and see what happens when WGAL changes to VHF.

I guess there is not much interest in Harrisburg, PA OTA. Oh well, I will wait until Friday and see what happens. Thanks.

I see WGAL is asking for an increase in power http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101314629&formid=301&fac_num=53930

The extra 0.6 kW will likely not make much difference.

- Trip

Yeah, 600 Watts doesn't mean much for TV broadcasting.

I am wondering what time that the Harrisburg channels plan on their Analog Shut-down times?

I am wondering what time that the Harrisburg channels plan on their Analog Shut-down times?WGAL says they are switching at Midnight.

WHP has nothing on their website, so I called and they told me they are switching at Midnight.

Those two are the only ones that really matter, as they are changing from their digital allotment back to their original analog frequency.

WPMT, WHTM, & WGCB will be remaining on their digital frequency, so it really doesn't matter as all they are doing is shutting off the analog channel.

http://www.wgal.com/technology/19734204/detail.html
The switch to digital television at WGAL is scheduled for midnight Friday.

http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0609/631035.html
abc 27 will turn off its analog signal at noon.

http://www.fox43.com/news/newsatten/wpmtfox43-angieboddorfdtvswitchover-6-11-09,0,1091317.story
Friday at 9 am the plug is being pulled on analog broadcasting.

WGAL-8 = 11:59pm Midnight
WHP-21 = 11:59pm Midnight
WHTM-27 = 12:00pm Noon
WPMT-43 = 9:00am
WGCB-49 = TBA

Had WHTM here in Reading, PA around 3:30 p.m. Showing strong signal. However, it was only showing on its real channel (10). I did not get a virtual signal (27). This is the only station for which the virtual channel is not registering.

After midnight, getting the WHP signal at full strength on my converter box.

I was getting a strong lock this afternoon, while I was at my in-laws in Mercersburg.

Why is WPMT-TV (FOX43) broadcasting on RF8?

When didi you notice that? I will have to check and see itf I can get it.

I've discovered that it's not WPMT-TV I'm seeing. It's a harmonic from the Insignia -APT (Zenith 901 clone) RF output.

I seem to have lost WGAL on three of my four OTA tuners.


This was a near perfect 99 to 100 signal level for me for at least a year. Now I can't get it at all. I tried every possible adjustment to my antenna but it's gone gone gone. And, yes I've done rescans each time.

Other than that:

Channel 21 now comes in but it cuts out.
I still don't get channel 27.
Channel 33 also cuts out but that's the same as it has always been.
Oddly, channel 43 went from around 92 up to a level 98 on my HD Tuner.

This was a near perfect 99 to 100 signal level for me for at least a year. Now I can't get it at all. I tried every possible adjustment to my antenna but it's gone gone gone. And, yes I've done rescans each time.

Other than that:

Channel 21 now comes in but it cuts out.
I still don't get channel 27.
Channel 33 also cuts out but that's the same as it has always been.
Oddly, channel 43 went from around 92 up to a level 98 on my HD Tuner.

WGAL returned to broadcasting on RF channel 8 this past Friday night. WHTM is continuing to broadcast on RF channel 10. Both are VHF high channels. You need to verify that your antenna is capable of receiving VHF.

I've got the classic indoor Silver Sensor !

I seem to have lost WGAL on three of my four OTA tuners. Are they having signal issues?

I guess will just wait until next weekend to rescan and see what happens when WGAL changes to VHF.

8-WGAL is back! I also get channel 21-WHP a lot stronger than I did before. I also get 15, 43 and 49. I still can not get channel 27 or 33. I can get 27, but the signal is too weak to watch. I get nothing for 33. Any hope that these two will change broadcast signals?

I get 'em all here near Etown... 8.1, 15.1, 21.1, 27.1, 33.1, 43.1, 49.1 in addition to 3.1, 10.1, 17.1, 29.1, 35.1, and 57.1 from Philly with my homebrew antennas. 3.1 and 10.1 are at approx. 90% signal here. It seems no one outside of Philly can get 6.1 anymore, though with the switch back to low-VHF. WPVI and the FCC are considering options such as moving back to ch. 64 temporary or finding an open UHF channel.

Annyone else still having issues with 8.1?

I never had trouble with WGAL 8.1 over the past few years and easily picked it up on a TV and PC tuner card using Silver Sensor antennas. I was able to get the TV to pick it up after diddling with the antenna and getting it higher, but with the PC tuner card, no matter what I do, 8.1 shows a signal strength of 0. Channels 33.1, 15.1, 43.1, and 49.1 come in fine with signal strengths near 100.

Admittedly, the PC tuner card has always been weak on picking up stations, but 8.1 was always a strong reliable signal and it never mattered before which way the Silver Sensor antenna pointed--it always picked it up.

8.1 is still crystal clear and 98% here near Etown.

Annyone else still having issues with 8.1?

Still missing for me.

Location: 1.5 miles NW of Hummelstown.

I had a very strong signal in Reading when WGAL was UHF. Now the signal is 0-15%, not enough for picture or sound. But then again, I am indoors without a high gain VHF antenna.

After trying a few other things with my PC tuner, including hooking up an older amplified Terk antenna and waving floppy discs in a figure 8 pattern over my Silver Sensor while chanting, a cheap set of rabbit ears from my junk pile easily picked up 8.1 and 8.2, although the WGAL signal seems overly sensitive to changes in the position and direction of the rabbit ears, compared to other channels like 33.1 or 43.1.

I've been noticing that about DTV on VHF-Hi. Very sensitive to antenna location.

Hi all I just moved into Hummelstown and am having some problems picking up the local stations. I currently have the indoor Silver Sensor antenna. I just moved here from Buffalo, NY and looking for some advice about my antenna. I tend to get 21, 27, and 33 ok but rarely get 8 or 15. I have never been able to receive 43. I live in an apartment so a roof antenna will not be possible. Thank you for any advice.

Please post a link to your http://www.TVFool.com/ results.

Hi all I just moved into Hummelstown and am having some problems picking up the local stations. I currently have the indoor Silver Sensor antenna. I just moved here from Buffalo, NY and looking for some advice about my antenna. I tend to get 21, 27, and 33 ok but rarely get 8 or 15. I have never been able to receive 43. I live in an apartment so a roof antenna will not be possible. Thank you for any advice.

Direction to the towers and antenna type are likely the problem. You have towers in three different directions. 15 is to the east, 43 and 8 are to the south, 21, 27 and 33 to the west. WHTM DT 27 is broadcasting on RF channel 10 and WGAL is on RF 8, both VHF. It looks like the Silver Sensor is a UHF only antenna. I would think it will be very difficult to get all of the channels with one antenna in the same position.

8-WGAL is back! I also get channel 21-WHP a lot stronger than I did before. I also get 15, 43 and 49. I still can not get channel 27 or 33. I can get 27, but the signal is too weak to watch. I get nothing for 33. Any hope that these two will change broadcast signals?

Okay, by changing the antennae location I can now get 27 and the suchannels with a strong signal. I still can not get 33-1.

I went TVfool. Here are the results. The Silver sensor antenna I have is UHF but it will pick channel 27 and get a signal for channel 8 but not enough to watch. I know channel 8 and 27 are vhf so I dont understand how the Silver Sensor is picking these up. Thank you are any help.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d618a5f9614cadb

I finally have found how to acquire WLYH-DT. :)

The FCC Database tells me that I need to put my antenna on a heading of 66.3° True, but for some reason, I need to set my antenna so that it's at 90° Counter-Clockwise to that heading. :eek::confused:

It doesn't work for WGAL-DT, WHP-DT, or WHTM-DT. :(

At least I can get WTTG-DT, WJLA-DT, WTAJ-DT, WJZ-DT, WLYH-DT (new), WDCA-DT, WNPB-DT, WUTB-DT, WHAG-DT, WWPB-DT, WVPY-DT, WPMT-DT, WBFF-DT, WGCB-DT, WWPX-DT, WPXW-DT, WMPB-DT, & WJAL-DT. :D

Waiting for WITF and WDCA LD's to come on-line. :cool:

No idea if WITF-DT will ever show HD again. They were supposed to be putting in the needed equipment back in April, but still no HD programming on 33.1.

Fortunately, I get WITF and Maryland public TV (MPT) equally well.
I had abandoned MPT a long time ago when WITF was the place to go for HDTV.
Seems to me , as I remember it, WITF had HD morning noon and night!

........and now, zero HD. Months and months of no HD!
For the time being I get my PBS HD from Maryland , but sure miss the old days with WITF.

Every time I see a new posting in this thread I cross my fingers and hope someone has some info that HD has or soon will return. And the wait goes on!

I have an update from my contact at WITF. He says they are planning on showing HD programming again at the end of July. He didn't give details, although I recall a previous press release stating they WITF would be aligning itself with the MHZ service. I don't know how this relates to PBS however. I know MHZ is on WYBE 35.1 in Philly. I would hope the current PBS programming would also be available in HD, however.

More updates as I get them.

Thanks for the update.
Someone said awhile back they were hoping they'd resume HD in June.
Waited and waited as the weeks pasted, then June came and went, ....now 'the plan' is end of July. We'll see.

On another note, I don't know anything about MHZ service, had to look it up @ Wikipedia. That didn't help much, still don't know what to expect.
Just want WITF - HD the way it was. Loved it back then!

Yeah, the problem really seems to be related to the PBS HD service going away over the winter. The programs on PBS still say 'available in HD' but WITF doesn't present them in HD. I am hoping for the way it was.. lots of good PBS stuff in HD.

Anyone else having random pixelation issues with WPMT Fox 43 on D*? I've seen this for the past 2 or 3 weeks. The other local HD stations from D* are fine. I have this issue with Fox 43 on my HR20-700 and HR22-100.

I recently put up a DB8 and have no problem catching the Hburg channels, I have a friend that lives near me and he said he is picking up Philly, Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton and Baltimore channels. He said he has 36 currently. I haven't been able to get ahold of him to ask him the questions that I am asking here so I was hoping for some advise.

I have a pre amp and rotator which I know are needed, I live ontop of a mountain range in Lebanon Co. I guess my question was:

I currently use Directv, there is a way to get OTA channel guide to pull up the locals but you can only choose 2 zip codes. so If I use hburg/york zip for the primary code and for my secondary I can use philly zip that will pull up the channels for both of those areas but how do i get the channels for scranton and bmore. would i use a splitter and hook up another coax into my tv. if that is the way then must i keep running rescans to watch everything. My goal is to not have to pay for the NFL sunday superfan ticket anymore ($350). If I can get some NY feeds via WB/Scranton and Philly feeds along with Bmore/Wash and my local Pittsburgh feed then I can pretty much watch the games that I aim for anyways.

I hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance.

Using the HR20 IRD from D*, you are right, you can only enter the zip codes from 2 DMAs to get the local digital channels through the IRD. If you can also get Scranton, Allentown, etc., you'd either have to reset the IRD to re-enter different zip codes (a real pain in the butt) or I would simply rescan your TV's ATSC tuner and watch these other cities (other than the 1st two you enter in your antenna setup on the HR20 IRD) on the TV's tuner.

The HR20 IRD can only handle remapping from two DMAs.

Yeah I decided to Demo a Samsung LN52B750 that rescans and has a built in signal meter. Thanks for getting back to me.

Hey all. I live in Good Hope Farms. I currently have a Radioshack 15-1892

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034

and I can't seem to get both WGAL-DT (8.1, NBC, Lancaster, 139°, 24.2 miles) and WPMT-DT (43.1, FOX, YORK, 139°, 25.3 miles) at the same time. I can get decent signal strength from every other network, but these two for some reason are the problem children.

(Please see attachments for map of address somewhat near my house and a chart showing the distances, etc. to different towers)

I don't think that the fact that this particular antenna is amplified makes a difference. I have it sitting in my attic, plugged in, and a wire runs outside and down to my family room (less than 50' total, I think).

I tried a Terk unamplified antenna, but it didn't get quite as good of a signal, so I put the Radio Shack one back.

1) Do you think a different antenna would be able to get all the networks?
2) I don't want to go external unless you all *really* think that is the best option. (I'm not that handy!)

I am studying some threads here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=381623
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779

but am hoping that someone can help me out because I'm not getting very far very fast.

Thanks.

Doug,

You are to far away for an indoor antenna to work. How many TV’s is the current antenna feeding and are they HD or on a converter box.

Doug,

You are to far away for an indoor antenna to work. How many TV’s is the current antenna feeding and are they HD or on a converter box.

Just one HDTV, no converter box. The signal is being split 3x (1x to Tivo, 1x to Replay, and 1x that I'm not using... I guess I should go down to a 2x splitter...)

I can get the stations, just not both at the same time. And, well, I cannot get them at a decent sustainable quality. The TiVo tells me I can get about a 60-70% signal at that distance, but only on one or the other.

I guess I can look at going external, but it just seems like I'm so close with what I already had from before.

Just one HDTV, no converter box. The signal is being split 3x (1x to Tivo, 1x to Replay, and 1x that I'm not using... I guess I should go down to a 2x splitter...)

I can get the stations, just not both at the same time. And, well, I cannot get them at a decent sustainable quality. The TiVo tells me I can get about a 60-70% signal at that distance, but only on one or the other.

I guess I can look at going external, but it just seems like I'm so close with what I already had from before.

Unfortunately, I think a small outdoor combo yagi will be required for WGAL and WPMT.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=HD7694P

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HBU22

The reason I asked about your set up is I was thinking if you were currently using a converter you could add a second box connected to an available A/V input for a second antenna pointed at Lancaster and continue using your current antenna for the Harrisburg stations. This wound keep the cost down by not needing a rotator. Rotator are currently in short supply. You could still skip the rotator and use a AB switch between the antennas. Push button AB’s are about $10 or you could get a wireless one from Radio Shack for $43.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049643

I know outdoor is not the answer you were looking for. I see you posted over on the technical forum also, maybe you will get some more recommendations over there.

Good Luck

Also, can you confirm if W35BT is broadcasting on digital channel 7 or are they still analog on channel 35?

Thanks

W35BT should be broadcasting digitally on channel 7. Someone confirmed this to me, though I personally did not see it last time I was through the area.

- Trip

Unfortunately, I think a small outdoor combo yagi will be required for WGAL and WPMT.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=HD7694P
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HBU22

The reason I asked about your set up is I was thinking if you were currently using a converter you could add a second box connected to an available A/V input for a second antenna pointed at Lancaster and continue using your current antenna for the Harrisburg stations. This wound keep the cost down by not needing a rotator. Rotator are currently in short supply. You could still skip the rotator and use a AB switch between the antennas.


The reason I don't want to use a rotator (or an AB switch) is that I use a couple of DVRs. So I have to get all of the stations at the same time.

Based on my location, do you think that either of the combo yagi's that you mentioned would get me all of the stations at the same time, if I mounted it externally?


Also, can you confirm if W35BT is broadcasting on digital channel 7 or are they still analog on channel 35?
Thanks

When I pull up W35BT in my Tivo setup, it shows up as just "35", not "35-1", etc. And it doesn't come in at all. That is probably because it is pretty much the opposite direction of where my antenna is currently pointed.

I don't think that answers your question. Perhaps the other poster did. I am more than happy to switch the direction and test some things if you tell me what to check.

Why is it that WITF has gone from no HD to Stretch-O-Vision (at least it's that way every time I tune in lately) ?

First it was too small and now they've expanded the picture beyond it's limits.

Ok. I've narrowed it down to three, I think.

Can someone/anyone please in the Mechanicsburg area tell me if they have any knowledge and/or experience with what I'm trying to accomplish? I know you're out there! ;-)

Will *any* of these work? Will one work better than the others?

I'd like to install it in the attic first, then if not what I want, I'll try on the roof.

Channel Master 4228HD Long-Range Outdoor Rooftop HDTV Antenna
http://www.amazon.com/product/dp/B000FVVKQM

AntennaCraft HBU22 22 Element High-Band VHF UHF Outdoor HDTV Antenna
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HBU22

Winegard HD 7694P High Definition VHF/UHF HDHD769 Series Antenna
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=HD7694P

Dougmeister,

I used an inexpensive (less than $100) Radio Shack antenna for a few years in Mechanicsburg. Without touching the rotator, I was able to get 8, 15, 21, 27, 33, and 43. I haven't tried it in about a year since I no longer need it for HD locals (DirecTV). It is sitting in my garage - PM me and you can have it. If it works, great. If not, give it to someone else.

BTW - This was mounted outside. I never tried it in the attic.

dewd,

What a great offer. If you have time could you look up the model number (if it’s handy or still listed on the web site) so we can take a look at the spec sheet?

Dougmeister,

I used an inexpensive (less than $100) Radio Shack antenna for a few years in Mechanicsburg. Without touching the rotator, I was able to get 8, 15, 21, 27, 33, and 43. I haven't tried it in about a year since I no longer need it for HD locals (DirecTV). It is sitting in my garage - PM me and you can have it. If it works, great. If not, give it to someone else.

BTW - This was mounted outside. I never tried it in the attic.

Thanks for the offer, dude! I mean, "dewd" ;-)

PM Sent. (so the rest of you don't think I'm a loser!)

Dougmeister:

If the Radio Shack antenna does not work for you, or more accurately, some of the channels suffer from multipath because they are in different directions from you, you might consider use of multiple antennas (one or more of which can even be cheap rabbit ears or a homemade dipole because you are so close to some of the towers) and a jointenna or two to combine them.

See http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=285263

On a scan my TV found FOX 43-2, same programing as 43-1 !
What's the point?

Probably a placeholder until real programming is ready to be put up.

I have a hunch, but nothing to back it up...

- Trip

I am getting:

Cable:

43-0 Analog SD
43-1 Digital HD
43-5 Digital SD

OTA:

43-0 Analog SD
43-1 Digital HD

Confirmed 43-2 here, too. I guess since they are only 720p, they aren't losing needed bandwidth causing 43-1 to suffer. I wonder what they'd put on 43-2 assuming they will be using it again. The Tube was pretty cool.

Is anyone else seeing an audio sync problem with 43-1, while 43-2 is synched and leading 43-1 by a second or two?

Anyone else notice that channels 33 played with a new Logo over the weekend ?

It was a golden sploch, like a paintbrush with a lot of paint made a thick stoke across where the old Logo should have been. This had "WITF" inside of that. The really odd part was that they still were using Stretch-O-Vision and a quarter of the old Logo was still on the screen at the extreme right.

So far this week, that I've noticed, they've wiped that all out and have reshrunk the entire picture back to the way it was from the beginning of the Year.

I wonder if they'll still have this all screwed up when the next Donation Drive happens ?

-----


Anyone else hate the new FOX 43 Logo ?

What's with WITF double postage stamping "Clifford?" W38AN is a small square in the middle of my 20" set. I might as well have a 13" television.

No idea what's going on at WITF. Maybe they don't either.

Theme of next Donation Drive:

" We'll give you real HD if you give us real $$$ "

Thanks for the offer, dude! I mean, "dewd" ;-)

PM Sent. (so the rest of you don't think I'm a loser!)

How did the antenna work for you? The suspense is killing me. :D

How did the antenna work for you? The suspense is killing me. :D

Sorry. Life has been busy.

I hooked it up that very night. I can't find the paper I wrote my numbers down on, but it did the job very nicely. I am getting 43-1 and 8-1 just fine now (it increased reception of those 2 stations by at least 10 percentage points). I lost a bit on some of the other channels, so I guess the old antenna was more "omni-directional". But they're all coming in good now, so it was a good trade-off.

Thanks again for the awesome deal!

http://www.wgal.com/news/20437981/detail.html

WGAL Boosts Digital Broadcast Strength By 75 Percent
FCC Grants Permission To Boost Digital Signal

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY, Pa. -- After the switchover to DTV on June 12, many viewers told News 8 they were not able to get WGAL with an antenna as well as they could with the old analog signal.

We reported these concerns to the Federal Communications Commission and we're happy to announce that our digital broadcasting power has been increased by about 75 percent.

“It means that we're hopefully going to be able to be received,” said Paul Quinn, WGAL’s general manager. “If they were not receiving us with an outside antenna or rabbit ears, they should rescan and see if they can find us."

If you have friends, neighbors or relatives who have not been able to receive our new digital signal, you should encourage them to rescan their converter boxes to see if they can find our stronger digital signal.

So what output power is WGAL using now?

I think I actually saw a 16:9 program on WITF last night that didn't look stretched.

Did anyone notice that WITF's OTA feed was off the air around 9:30pm last night? I was recording History Detectives and noticed WITF's OTA feed was off the air. I switched over to the SD feed from D* and it was on.

WITF began broadcasting true HD at 6:00 am this past Friday morning. This was as a result of their purchase (thanks to a donation) and installation of new HD equipment. It is possible there may still be some fine-tuning that is necessary. If anyone runs into any issues and would like me to pass this on to the appropriate people at WITF, please feel free to email me at sshearer@keeferwood.com

I don't work for WITF, but was the individual who made the donation to allow them to purchase the new equipment and am very interesting in making sure that everything works properly (as are the people at WITF).

Scott Shearer

Someday I'll be able to get PA PBS. W38AN isn't transmitting yet.

I do get MD, VA, & WV PBS.

WITF began broadcasting true HD at 6:00 am this past Friday morning. This was as a result of their purchase (thanks to a donation) and installation of new HD equipment. It is possible there may still be some fine-tuning that is necessary. If anyone runs into any issues and would like me to pass this on to the appropriate people at WITF, please feel free to email me at sshearer@keeferwood.com

I don't work for WITF, but was the individual who made the donation to allow them to purchase the new equipment and am very interesting in making sure that everything works properly (as are the people at WITF).

Scott Shearer

Thank you Scott! WITF's OTA feed was off the air Monday night, but they may have been tweaking something. Was fine last night and in 16:9 HD.

Only been able to get WGAL once since their power increase, for 5 minutes. I will get the PSIP data but no signal. Of course I get PSIP for WPVI and I'm 150 miles from them.

Maybe power isn't the answer, since it appears people closer area still having issues, could it be overload??? Wouldn't there be a point when the power level could overload persons in the general area of the transmitters, but improve reception for those further away, Example I get WJLA 7 from DC fine, but people in the DC metro area can't receive them. I still think a station is trying to cover to much area from a single transmitter.

It would be interesting to see how many of these trouble stations are using circular transmission patterns.

Only been able to get WGAL once since their power increase, for 5 minutes. I will get the PSIP data but no signal. Of course I get PSIP for WPVI and I'm 150 miles from them.

Maybe power isn't the answer, since it appears people closer area still having issues, could it be overload??? Wouldn't there be a point when the power level could overload persons in the general area of the transmitters, but improve reception for those further away, Example I get WJLA 7 from DC fine, but people in the DC metro area can't receive them. I still think a station is trying to cover to much area from a single transmitter.

The most obvious question to ask you is where do you live?

The most obvious question to ask you is where do you live?

Western Franklin County,PA

Wow.. you can get PSIP for WPVI and you're in Franklin County? Wow. Not sure what WGAL's pattern is, but since there is a channel 8 in Altoona or Johnstown, maybe they have a signal void over that direction on purpose? Can you get channel 8 from Altoona/Johnstown (I don't know what actual channel they are on now)?

I am only 75~80 miles west of Phily and I've never gotten a WPVI signal (PSIP or programming) since they moved back to VHF.

Wow.. you can get PSIP for WPVI and you're in Franklin County? Wow. Not sure what WGAL's pattern is, but since there is a channel 8 in Altoona or Johnstown, maybe they have a signal void over that direction on purpose? Can you get channel 8 from Altoona/Johnstown (I don't know what actual channel they are on now)?

I am only 75~80 miles west of Phily and I've never gotten a WPVI signal (PSIP or programming) since they moved back to VHF.

I don't think 8 in Johnstown is the problem, they are blocked by a mountain just to my west, I just tried WGAL again and it would pop in and out. If you look at the FCC contour map I'm just outside of it, so one would think I should receive them, I'm well outside of WJLA Ch 7 contour but get them almost all the time, the maps really are a joke at best.

I also get WBRE on RF11 and WYOU on RF13 late at night and early morning, with this really humid weather, while still able to get WBAL and WJZ if I turn the antenna, no interference problems here, and with a 20kW+ on RF12 just around 30 miles to my south.

Dewster1977, don't forget about W08EE-D (RF8) just ~30 miles South of your location.

Dewster1977, don't forget about W08EE-D (RF8) just ~30 miles South of your location.

Don't get that eaither, blocked by a church stepel, my parents get it just fine, and do get WGAL most of the time since the power increase.

I would also do better at 50' instead of 30'

Someone told me WGAL was planning fill-in translators since there's really nowhere to go from channel 8. That person was not kidding. They want:

Channel 43 from the WITF tower.
Channel 49 from an FM tower near Ephrata.
Channel 31 from the WZXQ tower.
Channel 15 from a tower in downtown Lancaster.
Channel 27 from an FM tower near Carlisle.
Channel 27 from the WGCB tower.

- Trip

Someone told me WGAL was planning fill-in translators since there's really nowhere to go from channel 8. That person was not kidding. They want:

Channel 43 from the WITF tower.
Channel 49 from an FM tower near Ephrata.
Channel 31 from the WZXQ tower.
Channel 15 from a tower in downtown Lancaster.
Channel 27 from an FM tower near Carlisle.
Channel 27 from the WGCB tower.

- Trip

Finally maybe I'll stand a chance of getting WGAL again. At least I'll have LOS to the Gettysburg translator.

Hopefully some others will follow WGAL if it helps them. There are plenty of towers in the area to piggyback on. Guess it was just a matter of work out agrements. There are 3 radio towers I can think of in the Chambersburg area stations could use with a directional antenna in the current contours of the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster stations.

still no go south of chambersburg for wgal used to get on uhf strongest signal of all but nothing with the increase in power. I think the local channel 8 is killing me but who know I really miss wgal. What does this fill in translators mean anything that will help here in souther franklin county

I'm hopeful that even though we are not in the contour, there might be enough power to pick it up, since it shoud be LOS

With WHAG as a local NBC affiliate, I'm not sure WGAL has any interest or control in Chambersburg.

On a side note, has anyone else noticed a 10 second pulse that is causing macro-blocking on 10, 24, 25, 31, 42, 60, & 68? Since the weekend, It's been happening to me, when I have my antenna pointed from about 290° to 360° (I've got video).

With WHAG as a local NBC affiliate, I'm not sure WGAL has any interest or control in Chambersburg.
AFAIK Chambersburg is within their service contour and Franklin County is in their DMA so why wouldn't they be interested. The presence of WHAG does mean they're less likely to put a fill-in translator there because there is another NBC affiliate close by.

WGAL hold their town hall meeting in Chambersburg from time to time and has better news coverage of the area than WHAG, and yes we are in WGAL's DMA, we are not in WHAG's DMA of Washingston, DC. even though their transmitter and WWPB is only a mile or so from the Mason-Dixon Line.

As a side note, I have been taking notice to all the application for translators in the mid-west. I thought a station wasn't allowed to use translators to extend beyound their main contour? Some appear to be relaying thier signal 100 miles or more from their main transmitter.

Although WNPB in Morgantown, WVa and WITF in Harrisburg, PA have been doing it for years, or are there special rules concering PBS stations?

Fill-in translators, which were specifically created last year to correct digital problems, are constrained to within the contour.

Standard translators have been around since the 60's and have no such restriction.

- Trip

WGAL hold their town hall meeting in Chambersburg from time to time and has better news coverage of the area than WHAG, and yes we are in WGAL's DMA, we are not in WHAG's DMA of Washingston, DC. even though their transmitter and WWPB is only a mile or so from the Mason-Dixon Line.

As a side note, I have been taking notice to all the application for translators in the mid-west. I thought a station wasn't allowed to use translators to extend beyound their main contour? Some appear to be relaying thier signal 100 miles or more from their main transmitter.

Although WNPB in Morgantown, WVa and WITF in Harrisburg, PA have been doing it for years, or are there special rules concering PBS stations?

Where is there a translater for WITF? What channel do they use?

Where is there a translater for WITF? What channel do they use?
W38AN is licensed to Chambersburg and should go digital on channel 33 in the future.

They also have W24CS in Reading.

I've had a rough time with WITF lately. For a short bit there it came in great, full widescreen HD happiness! Then it just went dark. I've been getting lots of completely blank screens lately. I'm not ready to completely absolve my DVR of guilt (QAM tuner over Comcast) but WITF is the only channel I've seen do this consistently. It could be that we watch little to no TV and what we do watch is mostly on WITF, so I just notice that channel's problems most.

DirecTV and WPMT are currently working on the pixilation issues we've seen the past 2 months. I know because I am involved in the process.

DirecTV and WPMT are currently working on the pixilation issues we've seen the past 2 months. I know because I am involved in the process.

That's been driving me crazy! Its the only channel I'm getting pixilation issues with.

WITF began broadcasting true HD at 6:00 am this past Friday morning. This was as a result of their purchase (thanks to a donation) and installation of new HD equipment. It is possible there may still be some fine-tuning that is necessary. If anyone runs into any issues and would like me to pass this on to the appropriate people at WITF, please feel free to email me at sshearer@keeferwood.com

I don't work for WITF, but was the individual who made the donation to allow them to purchase the new equipment and am very interesting in making sure that everything works properly (as are the people at WITF).

Scott Shearer

Thanks to whomever purchased the equipment! I had been writing the engineers at WITF and it was June.. then July.. then August and i sort of gave up questioning when ;)

I *REALY* want to see the National Parks show in FULL HD at the end of the month but i have a TERRIBLE time receiving WITF DT.. its either all or non and weather seems to make it worse.

Running a huge antenna in my attick with preamp in my attick into Windows Media Center.. all other channels come in fine. I'm in strasburg so i'm just curious if its better for me to point to philly or baltimore in the end.. unfortunately antennaweb stopped showing me the details of Baltimore or PHL when i use my zipcode.

But thanks to whomever hooked WITF up, hope they iron out their problems or get licensed to increase their signal output or get a tower closer to Lancaster feeds

If you can contact WITF, ask them when D* will be carrying their HD signal. I talked to a guy there last week who thought D* already carried WITF. I had to tell the WITF guy that D* carries only their DT signal and downconverts it to 4:3 SD.

I got this response from Ron Hetrick at WITF about their WITF-HD carriage on D*:

"Thank you for your email. There is an agreement in place with DirecTV that should allow public broadcasters to have their HD channel carried on the DirectTV system. We are working with APTS and PBS to lobby for WITF carriage. Unfortunately, we do not have an ETA."

Moral of the story.. keep bugging D*, PBS national, and WITF for HD carriage.

I got $5 off my bill for 15 mo. for being with Directv for 15 years. I thought I'd ask them about 33 and 15 in HD. Heres the response I got back.
Thank you for your message! I see that you have been a loyal DIRECTV customer for many years. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying your DIRECTV Loyal Customer gift.

We'd love to offer local channel 33 and local channel 15 in HD, but our satellite capacity doesn't allow it today. However, we continue to expand our HD capacity and hope to offer them in your area in the near future.

I know how important HD programming is to you and I assure you that we are doing our best to bring more of it to you as soon as possible. We value your opinions about our programming, so I have forwarded your request to DIRECTV management, who review every suggestion, inquiry and complaint for trends from our most important customers to determine what channels should be considered.

In addition, whenever we add channels to our lineup, we release a statement to the press, so keep an eye on the news to find out about the newest channels or visit our web site at directv.com/pr.

WITF seems to be coming in beautifully out here in strasburg pa now. Thankfully i'll be able to enjoy National Parks tonight unless something else breaks ;)

BTW, i did point to philly and i got everything but WHYY.. anyone know if WHYY isn't broadcasting at full power? as far as i know every stations uses the same tower farm to broadcast from philly so i was surprised WHYY 12.1, 12.2

Last I saw, there were test channels already set up for WITF and WLYH.. I hope they are added soon.

I haven't been able to reliably get WHYY for a long time.. only approx. 5% of the time can I get garbage... 95% I get no signal at all.

Someone told me WGAL was planning fill-in translators since there's really nowhere to go from channel 8. That person was not kidding. They want:

Channel 43 from the WITF tower.
Channel 49 from an FM tower near Ephrata.
Channel 31 from the WZXQ tower.
Channel 15 from a tower in downtown Lancaster.
Channel 27 from an FM tower near Carlisle.
Channel 27 from the WGCB tower.

- Trip

trip just wondering if this is true what channel would you find lets say the one on 27s channel would they all still be 8.1 it does look like they have applied for permits to do this but I dont know if they have it up and running if so I can not seem to pull any signal

They would all display as 8-1.

The FCC has not approved any of them, so they are not operating.

- Trip

That sure is a lot of overlapping. Probably a good way to resolve the VHF-High issues when you don't have access to a full power UHF frequency.

If they get approval for all of them, I'll be able to acquire WGAL on RF31. Why are they listing that filling as Gettysburg, when the tower location is so close to Chambersburg?

Because all the power is being aimed at Gettysburg care of a directional pattern. Check the contour maps and you'll see that very little power is going back toward Chambersburg.

- Trip

I did, but it's enough to have reception in Franklin, Co.

Just in case anyone didn’t already know, WPMT’s DT2 channel now airs local news 24/7.

are you receiving channel 8 at this time if so what degree and broadcast channel are they on thanks mike

My two favorite channels have returned to the digital line-up for pick-up with most HDTV's and digital tuners. I was so angry with comcast when they removed them the first time. I sure hope they are here to stay now.

Turner Classic Movies on 79-5
Fox News on 79-7
(This appears to be the FoxNewsHD squeezed into 4:3 signal)

Comcrap is squeezing Fox News HD (16:9) signal into a 4:3 format?

Sorry if it's been pointed out already but I'm from the Harrisburg area and subscribe to Comcast Basic Cable Harrisburg. In the past month or so I noticed I lost two of my local HD channels WITF 33.1 and WHP 21.1. Anyone have any clue what changes happened here? I am receiving local HD through the the unscrambled QAM cable tuner in my newer tv. Now I can't watch most Steelers and Ravens games in HD... At least I still get FOX 43.1 in HD for the Eagles.

I also get my locals from Comcast on my QAM tuner.
Sometimes comcast moves them around.
When I've lost stations in the past, all I had to do to recover them was to rescan channels in the Tv menu. That always worked for me.
Good luck !

tunamike,

If you're asking me about WGAL reception, it's nada for me.

Since I get WHAG (NBC), WTAJ (CBS - Altoona), WGCB (I), WJAL (I), WWPX (iON), WPMT (FOX), WTTG (FOX), WMAR (ABC), WJLA (ABC), WNUV (CW), WLYH (CW), WUTB (MyN), and WDCA (MyN) strongly, I'm more concerned about not getting PA PBS, especially since I can get MD, VA, & WV PBS very well.

Just in case anyone didn’t already know, WPTM’s DT2 channel now airs local news 24/7.

I believe you mean WPMT.

I noticed. It's nice to be able to catch, when you've missed the first run. Too bad they only do 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 10 p.m.

I wonder if they'd consider doing a short live weather segment at the top of each hour? WJAL does something like that (looks recorded, but frequently updated) at hour+58.

Yep, sorry for the typo. I saw it the other day around 8:30pm and they were showing the morning news and weather. Thought that was strange.

Comcrap is squeezing Fox News HD (16:9) signal into a 4:3 format?

No

http://www.foxnews.com/widescreentv/index.html

I have been posting about WITF/WTTG on the Washington DC / Baltimore MD thread at avsforum and thought I should post here as well to connect with PA viewers on this topic.

Ever since WTTG dropped their analog signal (Channel 5), I have been unable to receive their station which I previously greatly enjoyed, particularly for their 10 o'clock news which I prefer over WPMT and WBFF. Both WTTG (Fox 5 in DC) and WITF (PBS 33 in Harrisburg) are transmitting on Channel 36 and the two major stations are only 96.43 miles apart from each other. There is roughly a 15 mile overlap in the service contour maps of the two stations.

I am located about 3 miles north of the Mason-Dixon line and below are the signal details for WTTG and WITF obtained through tvfool.com for my exact coordinates with a 50-ft antenna height. I am currently using a YA-1713 for VHF-HI and a Channel Master CM3023 for UHF. Both are on the same mast and are being amplified by a CM7777.

WITF-DT: NM 27.2 dB, Pwr -63.7 dB, Line of Sight, 44.5 miles, 23 degrees
WTTG-DT: NM 6.6 dB, Pwr -84.3 dB, 2EDGE, 55.6 miles, 174 degrees

As a side note, I am able to receive all other major DC, Baltimore, and Harrisburg/York stations with ease (including VHF-HI and UHF channels).

The service contour maps for WITF and WTTG can be seen at the below URLs:

WITF: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1299653.html

WTTG: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT401000.html

On the DC / Baltimore thread, there is additional information about the scenario and also some great responses from others (thanks Trip and Dave). It appears that the general consensus is that WITF may be able to change channels (someone suggested 16 or 49) to eliminate the interference but WTTG has no options as the bandwidth is full in the DC area. Furthermore, WITF likely has no desire or ability to expend funds to remedy the intereference.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a way that I could pull in WTTG or is the WITF signal just too strong at my location? I've considered a 91XG but am not sure that it stands a chance. It's unfortunate that both major stations were allowed to use the same frequency with service areas that overlap so much.

I am also concerned about the pending application for WGAL translators, particularly those on channels 27 and 31. One of my favorite channels is WETA out of DC which transmits on 27 and I fear that a WGAL translator in Carlisle will wipe out this channel just like WITF wiped out WTTG. Also, the proposed translator west of Gettysburg on Channel 31 is the same frequency of a proposed translator for WETA-TV northeast of Leesburg, VA. So, while the proposed WETA-TV translator (channel 31, 4.5 dB NM) would provide me with a narrowly stronger signal than WETA-DT (channel 27, -0.9 dB NM), WGAL (31, with a whopping 40.9 dB NM) would completely wipe the other translator out (figures obtained through tvfool.com). I just can't seem to make any sense out of some of these translator applications. There are undoubtedly some situations where a translator falls under sound reasoning, but if every station was entitled to at least one translator there would be channel conflicts galore. It would seem prudent to keep things simple and only use these translators in very special situations (certainly not 6 translators per channel as WGAL is proposing!). Furthermore, WGAL comes in very strongly in the Gettysburg area using an outdoor antenna and I'm surprised that WGAL believes that a translator pointing in this direction is warranted.

Living along the Mason-Dixon line in south-central PA / Northern Maryland puts viewers right in the middle of three service areas (Harrisburg/York, Baltimore, and DC). This has been and is a sweet spot for television IF AND ONLY IF there are no overpowering or conflicting signals nearby. Many viewers in these parts employ large antennas, high antenna heights, and strong amplifiers to pull in stations reliably and if the new concept/trend is to install a significant number of translators in fringe zones then this could wreak electromagnetic havoc (i.e. overload and/or channel interference) in these areas to viewers that are not accustomed or familiar with these concepts. I am concerned about this and hope that the FCC looks over each and every one of these proposed translator applications very carefully and considers the impact that it may have on viewers.

Not sure what you can do since you are b/w the two DMAs. You couldn't possibly try some sort of shielding effect with the antenna, but this isn't feasible with a 50' high antenna. Not sure why the FCC would have approved two nearby stations on the same channel with overlapping patterns. Sounds like someone dropped the ball on that one. I assume you have the antenna pointed towards DC and WITF still is stronger?

Since I don't get WGAL (here in Franklin, Co.), the translator just NE of Chambersburg would benefit me, although I already get NBC through WHAG.

Personally, I'd rather welcome the ability to receive WITF, which would bring my PBS count to five different station options (D.C., MD, PA, VA, & WV).

Depending upon the size of your antenna, you could try a "Faraday Cage." Here's one persons solution http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~wn17/ (http://www.prism.gatech.edu/%7Ewn17/)

I hadn't noticed before, but am I missing something? What stations are iON and MyNetwork in Harrisburg?

I know WWPX (60) out of Martinsburg, WV is iON and WUTB (24) out of Baltimore, MD is MyNetwork (WDCA (20) in D.C. also).

I hadn't noticed before, but am I missing something? What stations are iON and MyNetwork in Harrisburg?

In Harrisburg, MyN is on WHP 21-2.

There is no ION affiliate to my knowledge.

- Trip

So there's no independent network stations. I didn't think I had missed them. :)

In Harrisburg, MyN is on WHP 21-2.

There is no ION affiliate to my knowledge.

- Trip

Correct, there is no ION affiliate here in the Harrisburg DMA.

Thanks N3NTJ and systems2000 for the suggestions. That Faraday cage antenna is very impressive! I am pointing directly at WTTG and can not get WTTG while all the other major DC channels come in easily. Since WITF is 20+ dB stronger from my location (obtained through tvfool.com), it would take a very high F/B ratio antenna to even attempt to lock a signal, let alone a reliable signal. I considered obtainining a 91-XG but believe that it will not pull a reliable WTTG signal from my location due to the overriding signal of WITF.

N3NTJ: Your comments are right on the money and this is why I contacted the FCC about this. In my mind, having two major stations this close together on the same channel (with a 15-mile service coverage overlap!) is clearly out-of-line and uncharacteristic of the FCC's technical prowess that we enjoy as consumers and rightfully deserve as taxpayers.

Yes, there are likely station budgets and concerns at play in this particular circumstance as noted by other members of this forum, but an organization such as the FCC could have and should have prevented this channel conflict as it is within their scope of responsibility to do so.

Thanks again!

I hadn't noticed until a couple of days ago that there was another entry for WITF 36. Does anyone know if (or when) WITF increased their power to 124KW or is my recent WTTG interference from the loss of folige and/or better Tropo from WGPT?

I met Rob Hershey (chief engineer at WHP TV) last evening and we had a good discussion about the local HDTV happenings. One thing I thought was odd is that all 3 signals (WHP 21.1, WHP 21.2, and WLYH 15.1) are fed to the WHP TV transmit site via microwave and then the WLYH 15.1 signal is fed via microwave from there to the Mt Gretna transmitter site. He and I talked for about 45 minutes (.. bored wife standing by for 45 minutes as two engineers talk shop about HDTV).. he's a nice guy.

He said that the HD locals for DirecTV (WHP, WGAL, WPMT, WHTM) are captured at WHP's location (which I already knew) but he mentioned that these are then fed via fiber to DirecTV. I figured these were probably sent via satellite backhaul but apparently its via fiber.

Wikipedia claims WGCB 49-2 is now airing Universal Sports; however, this programming does not seem like the type of programming that WGCB would show. My hunch is that 49-2 is still airing My Family TV. Can anyone confirm it one way or another?

- Trip

Wikipedia claims WGCB 49-2 is now airing Universal Sports; however, this programming does not seem like the type of programming that WGCB would show. My hunch is that 49-2 is still airing My Family TV. Can anyone confirm it one way or another?

- Trip

I tuned into to 49.2 Monday evening, and they were indeed "Universal Sports' currently showing a skiing program.

Wikipedia claims WGCB 49-2 is now airing Universal Sports; however, this programming does not seem like the type of programming that WGCB would show. My hunch is that 49-2 is still airing My Family TV. Can anyone confirm it one way or another?

- Trip

WGCB web site also indicates Universal Sports on 49-2. I’m at work now but I will verify later tonight. Is it possible it is only temporary for the upcoming winter Olympics?

Quick side note on WGCB, they picked up The Martha Stewart show after it was dropped by WGAL for the Dr Oz show. WGCB is running Martha at 12 noon against the local news.

Edit: Sparky beat me to it.

Okay then. Thanks for the confirmation. :)

- Trip

Every time I tuned in WGCB, over the weekend, it was running exactly the same thing as 49-1.

WCAU 10-3 out of Philly also shows Universal Sports.

Anyone else having problems with WHP-DT (21.1) out of Harrisburg? I had to replace my pre-amp and have been offline for a few days. Hooked it up and all channels are fine except WHP with stuttering every 15-30 seconds. Tried adjusting the FM Trap and db gain, but nothing seems to make a difference.

No issues with WHP 21-1 here in Etown.

I'm now getting USports on 49-2. I have been since earlier in the week.

Jator,
Did you get a more powerful pre-amp? Maybe you are getting inter-mod.

I'm now getting USports on 49-2. I have been since earlier in the week.

Jator,
Did you get a more powerful pre-amp? Maybe you are getting inter-mod.

Ditto on 49-2, guide says Universal Sports

My CM 7777 died (OK, I broke it) and went with a different brand pre-amp and does seem to indicate I have too much power comming through. I've split the line a couple of times and seems to have solved the immediate problem, but others in the technical thread believe I should not require a pre-amp given my situation, so sounds like there is a problem in the line. I'll re-run once it warms up a bit, but for now everything is working within expected paramaters.

Here's (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1222483) the thread referenced above.

WGAL tells me that they are trying to work out one last issue, before they increase their power on RF8. If that doesn't solve their problem, the next step is to bring the Harrisburg translator on-line.

WGAL tells me that they are trying to work out one last issue, before they increase their power on RF8. If that doesn't solve their problem, the next step is to bring the Harrisburg translator on-line.

I hope they do something soon. I hope it solves my problem with them.

Since WJLA and WUSA increased they are solid now. My main issues are still with the UHF channels

WGAL tells me that they are trying to work out one last issue, before they increase their power on RF8. If that doesn't solve their problem, the next step is to bring the Harrisburg translator on-line.


Are you saying that IF the higher power does solve the problem, they will NOT ever activate the translator in Harrisburg??? Did they make any references to the other translators? Would they still activate some or all of them or would they abandon the idea of any translators??

I was hoping they would activate the Gettysburg translator, but I'm not going to hold my breath at this point.

My main priority is to get WITF to activate W38AN on RF33 (above Letterkenny Army Depot) and WDCW to activate W51CY-D (located near Ft. Ritchie).

I was hoping they would activate the Gettysburg translator, but I'm not going to hold my breath at this point.

My main priority is to get WITF to activate W38AN on RF33 (above Letterkenny Army Depot) and WDCW to activate W51CY-D (located near Ft. Ritchie).


Yes Yes Yes. The Gettysburg translator. They are NOT covering the western part of their DMA at all except by Satellite and cable. Even if they increase power on RF8, they still will need the Gettysburg Translator. They are dealing with a mountain that blocks their signal from Lancaster. They need to bring the signal over this mountain and a translator is the answer. Can we do this yesterday?? We need Pennsylvania stations since we are in Pennsylvania. I do not care to see news out of Washington, DC but news from the Harrisburg area is desirable.

I was hoping they would activate the Gettysburg translator, but I'm not going to hold my breath at this point.

My main priority is to get WITF to activate W38AN on RF33 (above Letterkenny Army Depot) and WDCW to activate W51CY-D (located near Ft. Ritchie).
Yes, and W24CS in Reading please. OTOH, I don't recall details but wasn't there some grant money for converting the analog translators to digital? I know the PA publics are hurting, but I would assume that if they accept the money they must do the cpnversion.

Last time I talked with someone at WITF, they told me they were flush with cash, but hadn't ordered any equipment yet and they hadn't worked out a timeline.

Hello everyone, I come to you all from Hanover with an interesting message. I e-mailed our local CBS 21 affiliate and asked if they would be disabling their sub-channel so as to free up bandwidth for the big game this Sunday and you know what they said in reply:

*Name Omitted*,

Thank you for your email. We will not be disabling our sub channel for the Superbowl. I have spoken with our Chief Engineer and he has assured me that disabling the sub channel would not make a difference on the broadcast quality of the game.


Taylor Miller
Programming Manager
CBS 21 / CW 15 / My twentyone.2
717-238-2100 ext 255
717-236-0198 fax
TaylorMiller@cbs21.com

--------------

There you go take that reply for what you will but I'm sure these guys are wrong.

roflol!

Maybe they don't get a full 19MB stream. ;)

roflol!

Maybe they don't get a full 19MB stream. ;)
CBS 21 has inferior equipment for HD Broadcasting. This is been going on at least
since I've been watching in HD (since Sept. 2006). I've emailed the chief engineer,
(a very nice guy), and they are aware. His hands seem to be tied by management
as far as getting it fixed. As an engineer, you know it bothers him everyday that that signal isn't right.

Since I don't get WHP (due to great reception of WVPY), I can't make a comment on their quality. Although, I can comment on CBS quality from WTAJ and WUSA. WTAJ doesn't have a sub, while WUSA does.

Last time I talked with someone at WITF, they told me they were flush with cash, but hadn't ordered any equipment yet and they hadn't worked out a timeline.

Email from WITF regarding W24CS from 4/2/08: It will be converted to digital by the end
of 2009 (it does not follow the same conversion time table that WITF-TV
follows).

This is 2010. Did they convert W24CS?

My "timeline" comment was referring to W38AN.

CBS 21 has inferior equipment for HD Broadcasting. This is been going on at least
since I've been watching in HD (since Sept. 2006). I've emailed the chief engineer,
(a very nice guy), and they are aware. His hands seem to be tied by management
as far as getting it fixed. As an engineer, you know it bothers him everyday that that signal isn't right.

Thanks for the info. I always wondered why watching Football was so bad on CBS vs. ESPN (even when watching OTA for CBS). Lots of motion resulted in some pixelation, whereas the ESPN feed or even FOX had beutiful pictures. Now I know why.

Also, just had FIOS installed, I do notice PQ is better on some channels than what I was getting with Comcast (NFL-HD, ESPN-HD). I still use OTA signals for my locals, so can't comment on the PQ difference there, but as I understand it, Verizon doesn't compress the signal today, so I wouldn't expect any difference.

Here's some good news, http://www.wfmz.com/news/22477465/detail.html

I was really upset about WLYH broadcasting Smallville in 4:3 and then squishing it down to 16:9 within 4:3, so they could put in the topside banner. :mad:

Thanks for the info. I always wondered why watching Football was so bad on CBS vs. ESPN (even when watching OTA for CBS). Lots of motion resulted in some pixelation, whereas the ESPN feed or even FOX had beutiful pictures. Now I know why.

Simple.. CBS uses 1080i and Fox and ESPN both use 720p. Progressive tends to be smoother on fast motion.

FOX SPORTS NET PITTSBURGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh happy day, I've waited a long time for this. I can finally watch my dear Penguins instead of those stinkin flyers.

FSN Pitt - 104-1

I think i just shed a tear....

Let's go Pens!

FOX SPORTS NET PITTSBURG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh happy day, I've waited a long time for this. I can finally watch my dear Penguins instead of those stinkin flyers.

FSN Pitt - 104-1

I think i just shed a tear....

Let's go Pens!

On what, Comcast???

Yes on Comcast.

Which system are you on? And is it SD or HD?

FiOS has had it in HD since the summer. I absolutely love it. I just wish the DVR were bigger.

Which system are you on? And is it SD or HD?

FiOS has had it in HD since the summer. I absolutely love it. I just wish the DVR were bigger.

DirecTV has had FSN Pittsburgh HD for years.

It appears the translator for WITF is on air, I just did a rescan and found 33-3 on RF33 with a signal of 100%

W38AN

I'll have to check that when the wife gets finished with her shows.

I wonder if anyone in Frederick, MD has noticed it yet?

Yep! 33-3 only.

Great to have WITF again and even with rabbit ears. Now if only other Harrisburg, York, Lancaster stations would consider translators on that tower, they would easily cover the Cumberland Valley.

I wonder why WITF is not using the 38-1 virtual channel number?

Probably to reduce confusion.

- Trip

Much like WPNB is doing.

Yes most translators like WNBP and WVPY id as the parent channel, but why 33-3, when I am able to get WITF RF-36 PSIP is 33-1, I wonder what the Reading translators PSIP is? 33-2?

I am really surprised how well i am receiving it.

To my knowledge, W24CS is not yet on the air.

I imagine they're using 33-3 so as to be able to identify which station a person is receiving.

- Trip

Makes good operational sense, but does WITF have any subs?

No. At one time they planned to add MHz WorldView (as seen on 30-1) but that never happened. I had it listed on RabbitEars for a long time but when I finally e-mailed them 6 months after the announced date, they said it wasn't happening anymore.

- Trip

My TV maps both a 15-1 and 15-2. But I only get video and audio on 15-1. Is there anything on 15-2? The signal strength is very strong but no video or audio, just a blank screen. There is a display guide with shows listed.

They've had a second program set up in their stream for a very long time but I've never seen them look like they're doing anything with it. The audio and video feeds it claims to point to don't exist.

- Trip

Correct.. there is no programming on 15.2 (WLYH)

Also, WITF decided not to use the MHz Worldview feed, apparently due to $$$ issues.

Could someone help me out here...I'm trying to find a way I can pick up PBS and ABC from southern Lititz, PA (17543). I can get CBS (KYW) and NBC (WGAL) using my Terk indoor amplified antenna...but despite where I orient the TV, I can't get PBS or ABC...

Any ideas? Do I need to use an outdoor antenna?

I live about a mile north of Lancaster airport, and there are lots of big trees surrounding me. I live in a 1 story apartment...

thanks

Could someone help me out here...I'm trying to find a way I can pick up PBS and ABC from southern Lititz, PA (17543). I can get CBS (KYW) and NBC (WGAL) using my Terk indoor amplified antenna...but despite where I orient the TV, I can't get PBS or ABC...

Any ideas? Do I need to use an outdoor antenna?

I live about a mile north of Lancaster airport, and there are lots of big trees surrounding me. I live in a 1 story apartment...

thanks

To get ABC from either Harrisburg or Philly, you will need a VHF antenna. WHTM uses RF channel 10 and WPVI uses RF channel 6. WHTM should a lot easier to get since they are hi-VHF.

WITF should be pretty easy to get since they are UHF using channel 36. WHYY in Philly uses channel 12 (hi-VHF).

Those little Terk antennas probably won't work well since you really need something with gain that is high and away from trees. Exterior antennas would be best. If you can get UHF and VHF antennas high into the air from your QTH and point them towards Hburg, you should have no problem. Terk antennas typically only work well with nearby mid-strength to strong signals.

They've had a second program set up in their stream for a very long time but I've never seen them look like they're doing anything with it. The audio and video feeds it claims to point to don't exist.

- Trip

Thanks.:)

It appears the translator for WITF is on air, I just did a rescan and found 33-3 on RF33 with a signal of 100%

I can’t get it on this side of the mountain. Not that I need it. I just spun the antenna to give it a look. The Zenith 901 can see it, but not enough to lock. The much interference from WHUT.

Just amazing after all this time Harrisburg / York area still without a station that has local High Def news cast !
I've talked to people in my area who think they do get local news ( 8 21, 27, 43) in HD.
I guess it's just stretched and they don't realize it. I've learned not to pursue the discussion any farther.
They're sure they're getting it.
I'm sure who ever is the first will add a lot of viewers. Wither they keep them or not is another thing.

How can you tell the 'casts are not HD? They fill the whole 16:9 screen don't they? (As opposed to WGAL which sits like a postage stamp in the middle.)

How can you tell the 'casts are not HD? They fill the whole 16:9 screen don't they? (As opposed to WGAL which sits like a postage stamp in the middle.)

You either have them zoomed or stretched. There are none in the area that are HD.

What's even sadder still is that after all this time, WHP is still not providing any of the syndicated shows that are available in HD, in HD. (Ellen Degeneres, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy). Nor are they providing the audio in Dolby Digital 5.1. I guess Clear Channel is too cheap to pay for the equipment upgrades.

Clear Channel no longer owns TV stations; it sold its TV group to Newport Television.

- Trip

What's even sadder still is that after all this time, WHP is still not providing any of the syndicated shows that are available in HD, in HD. (Ellen Degeneres, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy). Nor are they providing the audio in Dolby Digital 5.1. I guess Clear Channel is too cheap to pay for the equipment upgrades.

I read a reply a couple years ago that WHP had no plans to go to 5.1. Don't know why. I did think by now WGAL news would go HD. They seem to have been ahead of the curve with new Tech. I never thought HD news would make a difference but NBC has done a good job with thier network news broadcast.

Due to the cost of HD equipment, the local stations have not gone to 16:9 HD newscasts. WGAL and WPMT do have HD switching equipment installed so they can run a scroll or add bugs without going to 4:3. I've talked to people in the know at both stations and neither has any plans in the future to go to to HD news anytime soon.

WHP has money in their 2010 budget to add HD equipment to allow their syndicated shows to be be shown locally in HD.

Just wondering if any one else is having TVGOS problems.
I have 3 Sony DVR's that get listing via (CBS 21) analog channel 10 on Hanover Comcast, but since last Friday, the guide info says 'no listings'
I dropped a line to WHP -21, hope to get a reply.

I did drop CBS 21 a email Monday, never got a reply, but this Wednesday morning, after 4 days of no downloads, things are working and updating again.

Hi All

Moving to Etters this summer and want to find out the options from the experts.

Obviously for stations available over the air, I'll put a rig outside to pull them in @ the best quality possible.

As for cable channels, what are my best options?

If I understand correctly, FIOS TV stops just short in New Cumberland, so that is not an option.

How is the Comcast service in Central PA? Particularly concerned about Sports in HD. Is it switched?

It looks like they now have MASN-HD, MASN2-HD, Comcast Philly HD, Comcast MidAtlantic - HD, but what about FSN-Pittsburgh HD? The comcast site doesn't list the HD as available, but I believe I've seen a poster from Mechanicsburg stating that it was now available, just in time for summer baseball.

Anyone know the plans for DirecTV to add Comcast Philly now that they "in theory" can add?

Also, if anyone can post their luck with pulling in adjacent markets OTA (Altoona, B-more, Philly, etc) with what type of rig setup.

Thanks,

CLT OTA Nut

From Etown, I can pull in the Philly UHF stations but can't pull in the VHF stations with a VHF antenna pointed that way. For UHF, I am using a home brew 8 bay curtain antenna in the attic.

It is unclear what is going to happen with CSN Philly and DirecTV. Comcrap will fight to keep the loophole in effect I am sure.

.

I think WGAL's plan to setup low-power translators will create interference with other stations. For example WGTW-48 (real channel 27) will be blocked. Also WPSG-57 (32) and WTXF-29 (42) and WPPX-61 (31).

I don't understand the need to add additional translators which will block-out other stations. I am receiving VHF-8 just fine, without any problems in Lampeter PA (south of Lancaster), using plain-old rabbit ears.

I got this from WGAL:


Thank you for your comments but they do have a bit of a narrow perspective. You should have to deal with those viewers who can no longer receive WGAL.

While you may have perfect reception in Lampeter using plain-old rabbit ears, very large numbers of analog Channel 8 viewers cannot receive our digital Channel 8. Some of them have outside antennas but most them have inside antennas. They call us daily with their complaints and demand that we do something to restore our service to them. In an effort to resolve this matter and at a substantial expense, we have increased our originally allocated power level from 5.4 kW to 7.5 kW to 8.1 kW to 14.1 kW (all power levels are Effective Radiated Power). Unfortunately, the calls and emails continue. We currently have FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA)to increase our power to 32.2 kW and are installing two new transmitters to accommodate that higher power level (at another great cost). The fact is that the STA could be rescinded and we must continue to search for answers - hence the translators.

You must more fully understand the situation, analog WGAL had 110 kW ERP but, because of the current FCC Rules and Regulations we are operating at these greatly reduced levels - so far, these power levels are simply not enough to penetrate into many peoples homes and to provide a sufficient amount of signal to make their digital TV functional. The translators are to cover areas that have been identified as problem areas and we have applied for them as is within our rights.

You live in the Harrisburg - Lancaster - Lebanon - York Market. All the other stations that you mention are in other distant markets. Please understand that there are very specific rules regarding the closeness of television stations to each other and all of our translator applications are meeting those requirements. They are permitted and they are legal applications.

Regards,
Bob Good, WGAL

My reply (in brief):

(1) Many of the viewers are probably using UHF antennas, and WGAL should not be taking the blame for this, but instead instructing the viewer to get the proper tool (VHF rabbit ears)

(2) For long distance over 20 miles the FCC recommends rooftop antennas at 20 feet height. Again WGAL should not take the blame for viewers not using the proper tool. Recommend they get an external antenna.

(3) While the stations I listed are technically Philadelphia stations, they are also the only TBN, SOAC, ION, and Qubo affiliates available in the area. If WGAL's new translators block reception, I will not be happy. I already lost the ABC affiliate and don't want to lose any more channels.

Nor do I want to hand the Comcast Monopoly ~800 a year to restore the channels. DTV was supposed to give us more, not less.

thanks,
theaveng :-)

Remember WGAL has been on RF channel 8 for over 60 years. All of the long time viewers likely have the appropriate antenna for VHF channels. The problems with the VHF band Mr. Good outlined are not limited to WGAL, but plague many other VHF stations across the county. All four of the VHF channels in Washington and Baltimore have had to increased their power in an effort to restore viewer lost in the digital transition.

I agree with Mr. Good that being only 20 miles from the tower puts you in a good position the receive WGAL, but remember people over the 30 mile mark like Chambersburg and Carlisle are struggling to receive WGAL, a channel that likely come in 100% per transition.

I do agree if they have to fire up the translators you would likely have problems with WGTW on channel 27, but I think you will be okay with the others. Hopefully the power increase will fix the problem and they will not need the translators.

Good Luck

If the problem lies >30 miles away why bother putting low-power UHF translators in Lancaster and York, both of which are less than 30 miles distance? They don't really need them.

I also don't understand why the FCC is rejecting permanent power boosts. WGAL used to be ~110 kilowatts and now they are only asking for ~30, but it sounds like the FCC refuses to grant that level permanently. Makes no sense. It's still only 1/4 as much power as previously. Remember WGAL has been on RF channel 8 for over 60 years. All of the long time viewers likely have the appropriate antenna for VHF channels. Unless they upgraded to the new "HDTV capable" antennas, most of which were designed to be UHF only.

Over in the Philadelphia forum there's a guy who's been watching Analog Channel 6 for years, and in theory should still be able to get the DTV-6. But then he admitted he threw-away his old VHF antenna because he didn't think he needed it anymore. I can't help thinking WGAL viewers fell into the same trap.

32.2 kW is higher than the FCC power limit for their height and location.

- Trip

I've reached the conclusion that the FCC is stupid..... at least when it comes to assigning power levels. How on earth did they think channel 6 or 8 could have the same coverage as the old analog, with only ~5 kilowatts of digital power? My air conditioner uses more power than that.

WGAL says a lot of their viewers are haivng trouble receiving the signal.
- Anybody here having problems getting WGAL? I'm not. It comes in strong with just a few "skips" now and then.

At my QTH in central Chester CVountry WGAL is only received when tropo enhancement occurs. Analog was ok here. Based on meter readings, 32 kw may be just enough for regular reception.

I can only receive WGAL very early in the morning, the analog reception was crystal clear 24/7

Hi All


How is the Comcast service in Central PA? Particularly concerned about Sports in HD. Is it switched?

It looks like they now have MASN-HD, MASN2-HD, Comcast Philly HD, Comcast MidAtlantic - HD, but what about FSN-Pittsburgh HD? The comcast site doesn't list the HD as available, but I believe I've seen a poster from Mechanicsburg stating that it was now available, just in time for summer baseball.

Anyone know the plans for DirecTV to add Comcast Philly now that they "in theory" can add?

Also, if anyone can post their luck with pulling in adjacent markets OTA (Altoona, B-more, Philly, etc) with what type of rig setup.

Thanks,

CLT OTA Nut

There is FSN Pittsburgh on FiOS. I have no clue about OTA because I have FiOS.

Yes Yes Yes. The Gettysburg translator. They are NOT covering the western part of their DMA at all except by Satellite and cable. Even if they increase power on RF8, they still will need the Gettysburg Translator. They are dealing with a mountain that blocks their signal from Lancaster. They need to bring the signal over this mountain and a translator is the answer. Can we do this yesterday?? We need Pennsylvania stations since we are in Pennsylvania. I do not care to see news out of Washington, DC but news from the Harrisburg area is desirable.

I understand that some will benefit from these translators. However, a conservative approach must be used to prevent wiping out other stations in fringe areas. If the mountain west of Gettysburg is blocking WGAL, than make sure the translator focuses its energy WEST OF GETTYSBURG. I live southeast of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania and WGAL has a strong signal (with an outdoor antenna). My area (east of the mountain) does not need a translator whatsoever. I looked at the signal covarage map of 31 (translator for WGAL) and it appears that most of the energy is focused in my direction (southeast of Gettysburg) instead of the direction that is needed (west-southwest of Gettysburg). Did someone do some miscalulations when determining directionality??

Thanks to another translator (33 for WITF), there is now conflicts with an existing station WHUT. I doubt this will be the last conflict that results from the addition of these translators.

Thanks to another "slated translator" (27 for WGAL), I may lose one of my favorite channels, WETA.

The list goes on and on... This freight train must be stopped!

Each translator that is added is only multiplying channel conflicts and it will do so in an exponential manner. If you tell a child that he can have another matchbox car, he will continue to ask for them. The key concept behind all of this is to very carefully determine the implications of a decision. On this front, I am urging the FCC to carefully consider the pros/cons of each individual translator application and to apply the utmost prudence in tailoring the translator to the specific region(s) needed. Otherwise, each station out there will feel entitled to slices of the translator pie and we will be destroying the traditional broadcast tv model that has worked so well.

Another issue with translators is that it is introducing a new concept to many rural broadcast television viewers, namely the concept of having to redirect outdoor antennas to view the stations in a single DMA. In the Gettysburg area, all stations in the Harrisburg DMA can be obtained by simply pointing an antenna system in a direction roughly halfway between Harrisburg (21, 27, 33) and York/Lancaster (8, 43, 49), which also picks up WLYH-15. Also, in Gettysburg, some TV viewers have multiple antenna systems, for instance, one pointing to Harrisburg/York, one pointing between Baltimore / DC. I have observed a large majority of people in this area (south-central PA, Gettysburg, Hanover, Littlestown) that prefer to receive Balitmore/DC channels over Harrisburg/York channels, particularly since the HD news is on the Maryland channels (e.g. WTTG 10pm news looks 10,000% better than WPMT 10pm news).

News flash: For those that may recall, I have had great trouble in receiving WTTG from my location roughly 3 miles from the MD/PA border. A friend of my father provided a Clearstream 4 antenna from Antennas Direct, and to our great amazement, it locks WTTG in spite of the stronger WITF signal! After looking at the gain charts, I believe it has to do with the null in the back-left quadrant in-and-around the Channel 36 spectrum. I will be installing my own Clearstream 4 antenna soon and putting it on an electronic switch with my other antennas (YA-1713 and CM-3023) so I can watch WTTG 10pm news!

In closing, I am not against translators per se but I think that there needs to be better planning and a stricter code so that the airwaves don't wind up looking like the US Airways.

Got this from WITF the other day:

"At the moment, we are in the final stages of completing an agreement with DirecTV. I have your info and I’ll notify you when I receive any concrete dates. Again, thanks for your interest. Like you, I’m looking forward to getting our HD signal readily available in as many outlets as possible."

On what, Comcast???

Can anyone else verify that FSN - Pittsburgh is available in HD on Comcast for them? I'll be moving to Etters and want to make sure I can get it in HD, but all the comcast channel line-ups only show it in SD. I know FIOS has it in HD, but I can't get it in Etters. I also know Directv has it, but I can't get CSN - Philly on it.

73's

AJ4ZM

You can't get WGAL8 in Gettysburg if you're using a UHF antenna. You need the right tool for the right job. Thanks to another translator (33 for WITF), there is now conflicts with an existing station WHUT. I doubt this will be the last conflict that results from the addition of these translators.

Thanks to another "slated translator" (27 for WGAL), I may lose one of my favorite channels, WETA. The list goes on and on... This freight train must be stopped! WGAL's engineer showed zero sympathy when I discussed this issue with him. He simply said, "You have no right to receive stations outside the Harrisburg DMA." How arrogant..... as if WGAL is soooo important that they think they have the right to block my Ion and Univision stations.

WGAL's engineer showed zero sympathy when I discussed this issue with him. He simply said, "You have no right to receive stations outside the Harrisburg DMA." How arrogant..... as if WGAL is soooo important that they think they have the right to block my Ion and Univision stations.

What about those of us in their DMA that can't receive channel 8. I have better reception of channels outside my own DMA (Harrisburg) 27 WHTM is usually ok, 21 WHP is hit and miss, 33 is great now that the Chambersburg translator is on. 2 WMAR, 7 WJLA and 9 WUSA 10 WTAJ are ok most of the time.

Unfortunately Franklin County is not inside the Harrisburg-Lancaster DMA. It was assigned by Nielsen Ratings and the FCC to the Washington DMA. So if you complain to WGAL's engineer you'll probably get the same response I did (that you're not supposed to be receiving because you're not in the market). Sorry. :-|

Anyway a translator in Gettysburg won't block my Ion or Univision stations, so I'm okay with that. My concern is with the translators in Lancaster and York. They will be blocking two of the stations I enjoy watching, and there's simply no need for them (both cities are well inside VHF8's contour). I thnk the decision is stupid.

DMA map - http://home.mchsi.com/~jdeeth/dma.jpg
DC DMA - http://www.washingtonpostads.com/adsite/_res/images/managed/2172_2172_map_DMA.gif

Unfortunately Franklin County is not inside the Harrisburg-Lancaster DMA. It was assigned by Nielsen Ratings and the FCC to the Washington DMA. So if you complain to WGAL's engineer you'll probably get the same response I did (that you're not supposed to be receiving because you're not in the market). Sorry. :-|

DMA map - http://home.mchsi.com/~jdeeth/dma.jpg
DC DMA - http://www.washingtonpostads.com/adsite/_res/images/managed/2172_2172_map_DMA.gif


Wrong Wrong. Franklin County has been a part of the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster DMA for at least a year.
On Directv we get the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster and also the Washington/Hagerstown Locals. We are unique for sure.
http://www.truckads.com/Affiliate/Harrisburg_Lancaster_Lebanon_York.htm#map

The link above may not display properly since it is a very long link, but the web page clearly shows it.
For some reason, probably money, WHAG in Hagerstown is not carried on Directv.

I never understood why Franklin County was moved out of the Washington DMA, but Fulton County was left in. I can't imagine that anyone in Fulton County would ever receive DC stations with a 2000' mountain blocking them. Just looking at that Washington DMA map there must be many that don't receive a DC station

Franklin County has been a part of the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster DMA for at least a year. Ahhhh, I guess that's why WGAL is building a repeater in Gettysburg then. I still don't see the need for one in Lancaster or York.

This link shows I'll be getting interference on channels 15, 27, 43, 49, 51, and 58 - http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=53930 - Those repeaters may block WGTW48 (27 true) and other stations as well.