It looks like WGAL has completed their power increase. I saw a commercial Wednesday night stating ………..”In response to our viewers who have loss or are having difficulty receiving WGAL since the digital transition last year we have more than doubled our broadcasting power”…..”If you had trouble receiving us with your antenna TV or know someone who did, please call them and ask them to rescan now.”

The additional 3+ db did not solve my reception issue here in central Chester County. No decode, just a slight increase on the signal meter.

I was watching the CBS Monday night sitcoms last evening on my big screen TV in my family room, which is also connected to my surround sound system. I noticed that my receiver is now showing Dolby Digital for WHP 21.1. I was of the understanding that WHP had no plans for implementing Dolby Digital, so I was rather suprised. Any idea when they began broadcasting in Dolby Digital?

Dolby Digital is the only audio codec in ATSC. Unless you mean 5.1.

Dolby Digital is the only audio codec in ATSC. Unless you mean 5.1.

Huh? :confused:

CHANNEL 21.1.

I haven't checked yet. I really don't care until football season, but it would be nice.

Wow, what a morning for scanning ! I don't know what changed but I can now pick up practically everything New York city has! Even New Jersey and finally channels 3 and 10 out of Philly! I live out in the sticks between Palmyra and Grantville. My system is a Channel Master 3671 deepest fringe into an old Radio Shack amp.

Rats ! System is back to normal today, Sunday. For one day it was like having an antenna on steroids !!!:mad:

Wow, what a morning for scanning ! I don't know what changed but I can now pick up practically everything New York city has! Even New Jersey and finally channels 3 and 10 out of Philly! I live out in the sticks between Palmyra and Grantville. My system is a Channel Master 3671 deepest fringe into an old Radio Shack amp.

Yep, Saturday was a great day for DX - I caught channels from Philly, including 3 and 10, Washington DC, Allentown (Channel 69), and even channels 2 and 4 out of New York (never got anything close to NY before). I'm guessing there are some others in this forum who got a lot of channels that day as well. Can't help but think what I would have had with an outdoor antenna.

Wish I would have known this earlier as I would have loved to try to get some DX from NY and DC.

Hello everyone:

I'm new to this forum but I'm hoping to come back here frequently. I live west of Carlisle, PA. My house must be on fairly high ground because most days I can get several channels from Baltimore with nothing but a set of powered rabbit ears w/6-inch hoop. I'm most floored that I can get Maryland Public Television (channel 67 from Owings Mills and sometimes even 22 from Annapolis) -- at least I can most of the time. When the summer heat brings atmospheric distortion, MPT disappears. I've heard that leaves coming back can do this, but I don't think that's the issue for me because I can get it back temporarily after cold fronts pass through. It came back to stay last September and disappeared again about a month ago.

My family has grown attached to MPT; the station programs shows we can't find locally.

I figure if I can pull in MPT most of the time with a cheap antenna, I could probably do better with something bigger. But what should I get? I'm a little bewildered by the selection and range of opinions you find on Google. The Antennas Direct DB8 looks promising, but I'd rather not leap straight to a big rooftop antenna without trying something less obtrusive. Does anyone on the forum have a suggestion?

Hello Limestone,

At that distance you may make out better with the Antennas Direct 91XG. The first thing we need to do is take a look at your TV fool chart. Go to www.tvfool.com “check your address for free TV” and enter your address. Be sure to enter your estimated height, even if it is only 8 or 10 feet. Post your chart here. You address will not be displayed when you post. You may not be able to post links here on AVS until your 5th post, so just do a couple of “test” post to get your count up.

Thanks for your reply, pamajestic.

Which chart should I post? At tvfool.com, I see a map and a list of stations; there's a link called "make radar plot."

On the left side under Tools, click on “TV Signal locator”

Only a test...

Umm... wow. It looks like the images posted before the 5th time! (Check my previous post marked "only a test" for the tvfool chart.)

The list of stations is much longer than I expected, including stations out well past 100 miles!

For the sake of reference, here are the stations I actually get with the small antenna (using the old numbers): 2, 8, 27, 21, 15, 22 (MPT), 33, 45, 54, and 67 (MPT). I should mention that 8 and 43 only come in on good days and with a bit of antenna-fiddling. NBC coverage in my area is thin.

I should mention that pre-digital, the only Baltimore stations I got were 11 and 13. They're both gone but we've had these other channels appear out of the ether post-transition. A pleasant surprise! We've heard all the stories of people losing even local channels, but we're a net gain.

Again, the channel I care about most is MPT. The chart shows their Hagerstown station to be nearest, and the station's FCC data shows it has a higher antenna and broadcast power. Even with that, I can't get even a drop of electrons to tickle my antenna. Even on bad days, 22 and 67 at least show a "presence." I guess digital 44 has to cross too many mountains to get to my house.

Anything in the gray under the 0.0 NM would be considered very difficult to receive and would require a very good roof top antenna with a pre-amp. But for some reason you do quite good with the Baltimore UHF stations. 2, 45 and 54 are not even listed on the chart.

I think the Antennas Direct 91XG with a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp would work best for you. If you would like the flexibility to view both Harrisburg and Baltimore I would add a Winegard YA 1713 and a rotor. The YA 1713 will give you solid reception for both WGAL 8 and WHTM 27.

You could also consider the Winegard HD 7689P as a single antenna solution. But the UHF side of the 7689P may not be a strong and the 91XG.

One of the best sources for everything you need would be www.solidsignal.com

Good Luck

Wish I would have known this earlier as I would have loved to try to get some DX from NY and DC.

According to the Hepburn Tropo Index, Thursday 8/5 may be a great day too. But one thing I've learned from my small time DX'ing is that my DX conditions are highly unpredictable, especially with an indoor antenna (dang HOA rules).

According to the Hepburn Tropo Index, Thursday 8/5 may be a great day too. But one thing I've learned from my small time DX'ing is that my DX conditions are highly unpredictable, especially with an indoor antenna (dang HOA rules).

Actually, HOA rules cannnot restrict you from using an outdoor antenna for television reception. Please see http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

I stand corrected - Thanks for the information rootofjesse.

Update from WITF -

The carriage agreement contract for WITF-HD is now in DirecTV's hands. WITF is awaiting word regarding when D* will start carrying WITF-HD. Could be this October possibly. I will post more info when I hear from WITF.

Anyone else here use a QAM tuner over Comcast plain jane cable? I'm in the Central PA market and noticed they recently changed a lot of the clear QAM HD stations (i.e. CBS HD went from 27-1 to 90-2, and I can't find a NBC HD or FOX HD). These constantly changing channel numbers drive me nuts! What we do for free(ish) TV...

Sunday night football sounds like the audio is clipping on voice. It is happening on both directv and ota so could this be a wgal problem?

Setup is using direct Dolby digital feed on a 5.1 setup

I watched the game from D*'s feed of WGAL HD. No audio issues were noted here and I normally notice such things.

This may have been posed before, but why doesn't whp broadcast jeopardy in hd?

WHP doesn't have the equipment apparently to record the syndicated programming (like Jeopardy) as it's fed from its supplier and then rebroadcast it in HD. I've talked to Rob Hershey and the station GM late last winter and they had both told me this equipment was in the 2010 budget... no idea why we haven't seen it yet.

Sunday night football sounds like the audio is clipping on voice. It is happening on both directv and ota so could this be a wgal problem?

Setup is using direct Dolby digital feed on a 5.1 setup

Watching "Football Night in America" again on WGAL tonight and hearing the same audio break in the pre-game commentator's voices.

Confirmed it on 3 tv's both via Sat and OTA; in Stereo and in 5.1

Am I hearing things or does anyone else hear this?

WHP doesn't have the equipment apparently to record the syndicated programming (like Jeopardy) as it's fed from its supplier and then rebroadcast it in HD. I've talked to Rob Hershey and the station GM late last winter and they had both told me this equipment was in the 2010 budget... no idea why we haven't seen it yet.

Just talked to the current program director at WHP-TV. She said that the HD equipment that had been planned in the 2010 budget didn't happen but may still happen in the 2011 budget. The equipment that I am talking about is what would allow them to record and retransmit syndicated shows, like Jeopardy and Wheel Of Fortine. Currently, WHP can only handle SD transmits of syndicated shows.

Just an extra comment from me - If Jeopardy was on WGAL, we would have started to see it shown in HD last winter. WGAL has had the necessary HD equipment (for syndication HD programming) for some time, although they still have no plans to do HD news anytime soon.

Directv now carries WITF-HD!

Now if they could get WLYH-HD and the other "significantly viewed channels" for our area, I'd be set!

Still will always keep that antenna up for the multicast stations and just in case "all else fails"

73's

Kj3e

Directv now carries WITF-HD!

Now if they could get WLYH-HD and the other "significantly viewed channels" for our area, I'd be set!

Still will always keep that antenna up for the multicast stations and just in case "all else fails"

73's

Kj3e

Wahoo!! Just added it to my favorites. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Now, like you said, how about WLYH-HD. I can't get channel 15 or 33 at all with my outside antenna. I can get channel 54 from Baltimore for the CW in HD. Gotta have Supernatural in HD.

Anybody else see the ad on channel 8 with Kim Lemon. She says the news will soon be widescreen to fit your widescreen tv. No mention of HD, just widescreen. I hope they don't stretch it to fit. I thought they had no plans to do the news in HD.

It sounds like what they did with WTNH-TV (ABC) in New Haven, CT. They ran their news in widescreen for a few months. It looked like a soft HD picture. Not quite as crisp as the HD you're used to. They also relaunched as "NEWS 8" that day with a red/white logo.

Anyone else having trouble getting WLYH 15 lately? For the past few months I've had the signal locked, but turned it on this morning and I'm getting nothing... Attic Antenna in No. York County

Anyone else having trouble getting WLYH 15 lately? For the past few months I've had the signal locked, but turned it on this morning and I'm getting nothing... Attic Antenna in No. York County

I just hooked up a new tv in a room with no cable just rabbit ears and I'm getting it fine here in Columbia. I get 15.1

I just hooked up a new tv in a room with no cable just rabbit ears and I'm getting it fine here in Columbia. I get 15.1

Just found my problem... Went up in the attic today and my contractor who had been doing some work in the attic had moved my antenna... moved it back and I'm back in business

In case you missed it, WGAL started running commercials last week announcing that they will be starting HD 16:9 newscasts in the near future. No firm date was announced however, but I would guess maybe around the new year?

It will probaly be just stretched I hope not. I like news 8 but on weekends but they serously mess up the locations of incident. this weekend they had the Fire in Wrightsville as Lancaster Co and said Southern Regional Pd investigated the Fatal Tasing in Mount Joy. Not even close. they got it right today.

In case you missed it, WGAL started running commercials last week announcing that they will be starting HD 16:9 newscasts in the near future. No firm date was announced however, but I would guess maybe around the new year?

No mention of any HD in all the commercials I've seen, just widescreen. I don't think they have any plans to go HD.

No mention of any HD in all the commercials I've seen, just widescreen. I don't think they have any plans to go HD.

Yeah. I think it will be SD 16X9 but retain the correct aspect (not stretched).

We recorded the primetime lineup on WHP-21 via Dish Network last Monday (How I Met Your Mother and Two & A Half Men) and Thursday (The Big Bang Theory and Bleep My Dad Says) and on play back today there very bad audio breakup every few seconds. Did anyone else see this OTA are on Comcast? Everything looks fine today.

Thanks

Did everyone see the scroll on WGAL yet. They will be dropped by Directv on Jan. 1 if they don't negotiate a contract by then. I hope they don't drop channel 8. I can't get it over the air, even though I get all of Baltimore and most of Washington channels. I don't mind not getting NBC on directv, but will miss the local news.

Did everyone see the scroll on WGAL yet. They will be dropped by Directv on Jan. 1 if they don't negotiate a contract by then. I hope they don't drop channel 8. I can't get it over the air, even though I get all of Baltimore and most of Washington channels. I don't mind not getting NBC on directv, but will miss the local news.

Interesting how locals in smaller markets complain that they don't have dbs carriage, but then as soon as they are picked up, at the first opportunity they turn against the DBS and ask you to hold them hostage.

I get WGAL on Directv. Nice to have it. HOWEVER, I get 2 other NBC stations too.
If WGAL wants to continue this relationship as it is, fine. But when they start asking for money, I will refuse and watch one of the other two NBC stations. I hope Directv refuses to pay anything. I can live quite well without WGAL.

Many of us have known this was coming very soon, but WGAL officially announced it yesterday. Widescreen news starts at 5pm today. As of Friday, WGAL's newcasts actually was a 16:9 image but had only a 4:3 live picture. The side bars were filled with a WGAL logo. Today that changes. Not sure if that will be HD 16:9 or SD 16:9.

If it's SD 16:9... how do they do that? Do they use HD cameras/equipment and downconvert it to 480?

It was definitely not an HD broadcast. I actually talked to someone at WGAL yesterday and they told me that the widescreen newscast is the "next step towards an HD newscast". Some of the shots did look good, near HD, and some of the shots (mostly remote shots and the Traffax girl) were definitely not HD. I would call it 16:9 widescreen SD.

I don't know if WGAL has a specific date set for HD newscasts. As few people probably noticed, all of the ads that WGAL have shown only say "widescreen".. they never said HD. Most people assume these are the same thing, but as we know on dbstalk.com, it is not always the same thing.

FOX43's newscasts will be full HD within the next 30 days.

Finally !
It’s been a long wait for local HD news.
That will be my first choice for local news.
You run second, you loose viewers.

FOX43's newscasts will be full HD within the next 30 days.

Looks like they will go live in January. Our market (#39) is the largest in the USA without a local HD newscast. WPMT is beating WGAL to the punch.

According to new info, HD news on WPMT will go live on or before the 22nd of January.

Check out over the air 43.3 WPMT. ‘ANTENNA TV ’

Check out over the air 43.3 WPMT. 'ANTENNA TV '

Love it. Not to get greedy, but does anyone know if WITF plans to offer additional PBS feeds e.g. PBS kids, create, etc?

WGAL plans to install its RF channel 49 Harrisburg translator this summer.

WGAL plans to install its RF channel 49 Harrisburg translator this summer.

Does anyone really have trouble picking it up on the current allocation? I am only 4 miles south of Harrisburg and have it locked at 98/100 on my tuner... In fact it is my best channel!

When I travel through the area on I-81, I find WGAL to be the hardest signal to receive, even when using rabbit ears rather than my UHF antenna. At the two rest stops, I usually receive WPMT without issue, WGCB with significant trouble, and WGAL is almost non-existent.

I haven't tried to use my VHF bowtie to receive WGAL. I'd be interested to see how much that helps reception, but I'm usually not at the rest stops long enough to assemble it.

- Trip

When I travel through the area on I-81, I find WGAL to be the hardest signal to receive, even when using rabbit ears rather than my UHF antenna. At the two rest stops, I usually receive WPMT without issue, WGCB with significant trouble, and WGAL is almost non-existent.

I haven't tried to use my VHF bowtie to receive WGAL. I'd be interested to see how much that helps reception, but I'm usually not at the rest stops long enough to assemble it.

- Trip

I guess it must be the combination of my old school radio shack monster yagi in the attic combined with being on the "right" side of the mountain.

At one time it appeared they were set to go big with some 6 fill in repeaters... Is that plan still in place?

The filings are still there, but only the channel 49 Harrisburg and channel 51 Lancaster ones have been approved by the FCC.

- Trip

I guess it must be the combination of my old school radio shack monster yagi in the attic combined with being on the "right" side of the mountain.

At one time it appeared they were set to go big with some 6 fill in repeaters... Is that plan still in place?


WGAL hopes to increase its power to 32.2 kW. That application is still pending before the FCC, likewise for four of its six translator applications. WGAL has received a construction permit for translators in Harrisburg and Lancaster.

I live near the Conodoguinet Creek and I have had difficulty receiving it.

I am lucky as I am near Hershey and have line of sight of the WGAL and WPMT towers..both are 100% all of the time. The H'burg stations are another story altogether due to a hill to the W-NW of me.

I think WGAL is already at the 32.2 kW power level. The STA was approved a very long time ago.

- Trip

I think WGAL is already at the 32.2 kW power level. The STA was approved a very long time ago.

- Trip


Not yet, WGAL is still at 14.1 kW. WGAL hopes to get approval in the next couple of months.

It has "GRANTED" next to it in the FCC database. I'm not sure how much more approved it can be.

- Trip

Is anyone using a Digitenna antenna? If so, I'd like to get feedback on their performance in this market. Thanks in advance.

It has "GRANTED" next to it in the FCC database. I'm not sure how much more approved it can be.

- Trip

Yes, I do see that; I was not so clearly referring to its more recent STA filing that is still pending. I am sorry about that confusion on my part. I contacted WGAL this week and was advised that they hope to get approval to double its power in the next couple of months. I'll email Bob tomorrow to get more specifics.

Ah, okay. I see the extension is still pending.

- Trip

I can confirm the 32.2 kW as current for WGAL. They still hope to boost power.

Wow, they want a power level higher than 32.2 kW? I hope they get it, that'll be a blowtorch!

- Trip

Anybody else notice pixelation on WPMT Fox 43 over Comcast? How about OTA? Can't pick it up OTA, so I thought I'd ask. Thanks!

I’ve been watching the new ANTENNA TV and noticed pixilation on 43.3 over the air.
I have a 82% signal strength

But on a related note, I sent a email to Fox 43 about switching Antenna TV , one time it’s on 43.3 another time I tune in it’s on 43.2 !
Screwing up my recordings

But on a related note, I sent a email to Fox 43 about switching Antenna TV , one time it’s on 43.3 another time I tune in it’s on 43.2 !
Screwing up my recordings

Antenna TV moved to 43.2 last Thursday at 5pm. Your recordings should be safe going forward.

I installed a Digitenna DUV-F antenna today. I finally am getting WPMT which I could not get before with an 8 bay or a Yagi at my new-to-me house. I am using a CM 7777 preamp and a TruSpec 8 way splitter. I got my stuff over at Cumberland Electronics.

TV Fool (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3cf44892b9289d)

Unfortunately, I can't get WGAL. I will have to wait for the power increase or, if necessary, the Harrisburg translator.

The Digitenna seemed well constructed and, at 33" long, does not look unsightly on the roof. It is aimed to optimize WPMT reception. The EyeTV One tuner reports signal strength at 72% and signal quality at 99% for WPMT.

Unfortunately, I can't get WGAL. I will have to wait for the power increase or, if necessary, the Harrisburg translator.
You have plenty of signal strength to receive WGAL now. The 7777 preamp is likely overloaded & the reason you are not seeing channel 8. (and possibly other channels) I suggest a Channel Master 3418 distribution amp, plus an FM trap right before the input of the amplifier.

A good test would be to hook 1 TV directly to the antenna & see what you can receive with no amplification or splitter.

You have plenty of signal strength to receive WGAL now. The 7777 preamp is likely overloaded & the reason you are not seeing channel 8. (and possibly other channels) I suggest a Channel Master 3418 distribution amp, plus an FM trap right before the input of the amplifier.

A good test would be to hook 1 TV directly to the antenna & see what you can receive with no amplification or splitter.


I tested it without the preamp first on Sunday. I took my MacBook on the roof with a short run to the EyeTV One tuner stick. I got nothing for WGAL and a not so stable WPMT while getting the other Harrisburg stations just fine. The preamp stabilized WPMT. I am getting WHTM, WHP, WLYH, WITF and WPMT while using the preamp.

According to the makers of EyeTV, Elgato, a signal strength of 70% or more is required on their stick tuners for stable video. I'm just in a WGAL dead zone.

What you suggested was the route I was going to take if the initial test yielded good results for both WGAL and WPMT.

It's quite possible that you have an FM station's second harmonic trashing WGAL, even without the amp. I would argue you should at least try an FM trap if for no other reason than to cut down on potential noise sources.

- Trip

I suggest using an HLSJ (http://www.google.com/search?q=hlsj&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=#q=hlsj&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=yck1TfClG4vAgQfF7LThCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQrQQwAg&biw=987&bih=472&fp=5fc6e4edb7c346ed)as a trap since the stations in question are at the low end of the FM spectrum. Most FM traps do not attenuate the 88-92 MHZ frequencies enough. And as Trip mentioned, it will help filter out any other noise below RF 7 which can also be detrimental to VHF reception.

I suggest using an HLSJ (http://www.google.com/search?q=hlsj&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=#q=hlsj&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&ei=yck1TfClG4vAgQfF7LThCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQrQQwAg&biw=987&bih=472&fp=5fc6e4edb7c346ed)as a trap since the stations in question are at the low end of the FM spectrum. Most FM traps do not attenuate the 88-92 MHZ frequencies enough. And as Trip mentioned, it will help filter out any other noise below RF 7 which can also be detrimental to VHF reception.


I will give it a try once the roof clears up. Bad timing as to today's snow/sleet, I am off today due to the Governor's inauguration.

Earlier this morning, I tested all the outlets and everything looked fine aside from the WGAL issue. Then, signal strength dropped on WPMT to 62% and the signal quality to 10%, resulting in no picture.

Hopefully, it is due to the weather.

I am looking at the suggestion of an overload more closely. I am working with Holl_ands preamp chart.

TV Fool (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3cf44892b9289d)


My amateur effort is below...




..................UHF ... VHF

avg power.... -29.73 ... -21.2

gain............ 9 ... 3.8

peak adj...... 7 ... 7

cable loss..... 8 ... 8

splitter loss.. 10.5 ... 10.5

actual net.... -32.23 ... -28.9


CM 7777 max -35.8 ... -29.8

ss adj .........3.6

Net CM 7777 max -32.2 ... -29.8


I have not factored in any reduction in signal power to the strong UHF or VHF stations for pointing more than 45 degrees away. I have adjusted for three strong signals on UHF. Using these numbers, I am very close to overload on UHF and overloading on VHF RF 10.

Results are fine for viewable channels on all outlets except for the one with the shortest run that I will need to pad if I keep the CM 7777.

As a fix, should I swap out the CM 7777 for an AP-8780. Or should I add a pad at the splitter while keeping the CM 7777?

Busy day today. I felt sick today but the weather cooperated to clear the roof; so, I went up and down - several times

My TV Fool Report (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3cf44892b9289d)

I am getting WPMT and WGAL now. I added a Digitenna VHF-Hi 5 element. It measures 42" long by 33" wide. WGAL comes in at a steady 100% signal quality with a signal strength of 58%.

For now, I still have the DUV-F. A Winegard AP-2870 combines the two which are stacked. WPMT comes in a variable 82 to 95% signal quality with a signal strength of 69% - but still wants to drop out occasionally.

The antennas are aimed to the left of two tall pines about a 100 feet back.

The 8 way splitter has been bypassed which was the only way I could get WPMT. I will need to split that signal.

Would a distribution amp work? Would overload rear its ugly head again? Or would a higher gain, more directional UHF antenna using the non-powered spitter be the better solution?

Thanks for all your help.

I believe I resolved my Fox 43 reception issue. I borrowed a Digiair 2 signal meter and recorded the readings for all my channels. After conferring with Cumberland Electronics, I swapped out the DUV-F for a Digitenna UXF - their UHF only Extreme Fringe model.

So far, this results in a 100% signal quality and 75% signal strength without dropouts. Tomorrow, when I warm up, I plan on taking some readings to see how the improved gain translated in the real world.

My situation was tough as my house is in a low spot, as TV Fool predicted 2Edge reception for WPMT and WGAL and as the antenna had to point over a row of high arbor vitae and to the left of a couple of tall pines.

The UHF antenna is about 50" long. Both antennas appear to be well constructed. Dealing locally was a huge plus.

Glad to hear the good news!! The 2870 amp seems to have made a huge difference on WGAL.

Attached are pics showing the antennas and nature's obstacles (pines, arbor vitae and low spot). The antenna is pointed towards the middle in the second photo. In looking at TV Fool's Google Earth map for the Harrisburg market, I am not supposed to get WGCB and I actually can't. Of course, just a couple of houses down the street, all of this would have been child's play.

I have limited basic from Comcast. (no Box)
I get all my locals via the QAM tuner and have been rescanning twice a week looking for 43.2 Antenna TV
So far no luck. Maybe it hasn't been added to Comcast system in Hanover area.
Can anyone give me any info?

The transmitters for both WHTM and WLYH are presently down - thanks to Old Man Winter.

I optimized the location of my antennas yesterday. Making sure the reception for The Game is flawless is highly motivating. My wife went to that shell of its former hobby electronics store self, Radio Shack, for an Antennacraft heavy duty tripod. The staff, now trained to sell iPhone accessories and r/c gizmos, expressed shock and incredulity at the idea of putting up an OTA antenna to wean off cable.

Back to optimization, I learned that TV Fool is not fully featured on Safari for Mac. The option to show lines pointing to each transmitter from the pinpoint marking antenna location is not present on Safari. This feature helps to avoid siting antenna that leads to pointing it in the direction of trees and creating multipath problems. As a result, WPMT faded in and out during the course of a day.

By using TV Fool on Firefox for Mac, I found a spot on my roof that had a clear shot to WPMT. That's where I installed the tripod right after work yesterday to beat the next ice storm.

TV Fool Report (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d3cf4785ff3e397)

I have increased the signal strength to 84% and the signal quality is an absolutely stable 100%. I really like the Digitenna antennas. So, I had a browser problem all along. If you are a Mac person and prefer to virtually walk the roof to site your antenna through TV Fool, use Firefox.

Hopefully, this learning experience will save somebody several hours of frustration.

I have limited basic from Comcast. (no Box)
I get all my locals via the QAM tuner and have been rescanning twice a week looking for 43.2 Antenna TV
So far no luck. Maybe it hasn't been added to Comcast system in Hanover area.
Can anyone give me any info?

Finally, while running yet another channel scan, "Antenna TV" 43.2 poped up via my QAM tuner !

Got this reply today from Holly Steuart from WHP-TV about DirecTV adding WLYH-HD:

"DirecTV always says to contact the station, but the fact is they are getting the network prime time and network sports in HD from us as a pass through just like we send it to Comcast or over the air. It's DirecTV's decision not to give enough bandwidth to providing WLYH in HD. We will be trying to make that happen when we renegotiate our retransmission consent agreement with them in the near future."

Not exactly sure what she means by "they are getting the network prime time and network sports in HD from us as a pass through", however.

Just noticed the sub-channel 15-2 "CoolTV" on WLYH. Right now they are simulcasting the programming from the main 15-1 channel, but that branding seems interesting. Anyone know anything about this network?

208095
208096

http://www.thecooltv.com/

- Trip

Hmm, this channel seems interesting. Will be curious to see what variety of videos they show. Kind of reminds me of that old network "The Box." Thanks for the info!

hi, is anyone else having trouble with WHTM, ABC 27? I lost the signal about a week ago. Before that I had good reception, now I have none. No problems with any other channels. Does anyone know if their transmitter is down?

WGAL has filed to increase power to 59 kW.

WGAL TV Query Link (http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=PA&call=wgal&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9)

After several months of planning and procurement of a tower (craigslist), antennas (amazon), components (cumberland electronics), and other various hardware (local ace), I put up my first tower with my father in law.

It is a modest tower - 30 feet tall (although some 4 feet of it is buried under the 1200lb concrete base) with a 10 foot mast (7 feet above tower) connected to a rotor and bracketed to the house.

I put a Winegard 7084p near the tower on the mast (special emphasis was made to accommodate WPVI on RF 6 which was why I went with the 7084) and an Antennas Direct 91xg mounted some 6 feet above it for UHF. I stripped only the VHF out of the 7084p (it's not that great for UHF) and combined it with the 91xg using a Channel Master 7777

So far the results to report are good. Location is just south of Resser's Summit

Here's what is solid under today's conditions (Harrisburg stations excluded)

----Philly----
KYW
WPVI
WCAU
WHYY
WPHL
WTXF
WTVE

----Baltimore----
WMAR
WBAL
WJZ
WUTB
WBFF
WNUV

----Scranton----
WNEP

----Hagerstown----
WHAG


WQMY wants to come in, but I can't get a lock (the Summit is in the way).
The DC stations all suffer from co-channel interference. WWPX Martinsburg drops in and out from Co-channel interference as well.

So far, the only thing I can't figure out is why I can't get a lock on one of Maryland's PBS stations... I have RF29, RF42, RF28, and RF 44 to shoot at (Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick, and Hagerstown ) and I figured between those I could get a lock on one.

Problem with RF 42 is co-channel from Philly.
Problem with RF 29 is co-channel with Williamsport.
Problem with RF 28 is co-channel with Pottsville
Can't quite figure out what the problem with receiving RF44 is, other than that I am outside their antenna pattern, and it is a long distance.

Other interesting observation is I can't believe they allowed WHYY and WWPX both RF12... I know most people aren't right inbetween with deep fringe towers, but with the right tropo ducting, that could cause nightmares.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with the results. Depending on where you are in South-Central PA, it can be a sweet spot for OTA.

Depending on where you are in South-Central PA, it can be a sweet spot for OTA.

I would suppose that a rotor is a must for that region.

For the non-hobbyist merely interested in watching the market's station, what do most do there? Is there anything like an "LYH Special" to get the majors?

With the change to DTV, was there any thought to clustering the facilities at a common site?

Also, 34 for both DC and Philly? I know its crowded... but NBC is on 34 in Philly... I would have thought it would be protected
Also 26 for both Philly and Hagerstown (DC market)? That's Philly's CBS!

I would suppose that a rotor is a must for that region.

For the non-hobbyist merely interested in watching the market's station, what do most do there? Is there anything like an "LYH Special" to get the majors?

With the change to DTV, was there any thought to clustering the facilities at a common site?

A rotor is a must otherwise multipath issues come into play even if you have an omnidirectional antenna.

Most outdoor antennas you see all have rotors. Others with indoors simply move their antenna from place to place.

I am not aware of any moves for DTV. I believe there are 2 sites in Harrisburg, a site in Lebanon, and a site in York accommodating the region. Stations call themselves "Harrisburg Lancaster York Lebanon" but really each focuses on a different city (2 harrisburg, 1 york, 1 lancaster).

So far, the only thing I can't figure out is why I can't get a lock on one of Maryland's PBS stations... I have RF29, RF42, RF28, and RF 44 to shoot at (Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick, and Hagerstown ) and I figured between those I could get a lock on one.Wow, you're doing quite well. My guess on MPT would be overload from the 7777. I would think the Harrisburg area stations are very strong & may be too much for WWPB & WMPB.

If you get WHAG reliably, then I would think at least WWPB is doable. Their towers are close. On TV FOOL the signal strengths look similar for RF44 & 26 here, but 44 is noticeably stronger than 26. I lose WHAG some nights due to co-channel interference from Richmond's RF26.

All 4 of those MPT stations come in well here even with DC only 4 miles away. (91-XG 10 feet off the roof, 75 feet of coax, no amps) Even the most conservative amplification compromises fringe reception.

Wow, you're doing quite well. My guess on MPT would be overload from the 7777. I would think the Harrisburg area stations are very strong & may be too much for WWPB & WMPB.

If you get WHAG reliably, then I would think at least WWPB is doable. Their towers are close. On TV FOOL the signal strengths look similar for RF44 & 26 here, but 44 is noticeably stronger than 26. I lose WHAG some nights due to co-channel interference from Richmond's RF26.

All 4 of those MPT stations come in well here even with DC only 4 miles away. (91-XG 10 feet off the roof, 75 feet of coax, no amps) Even the most conservative amplification compromises fringe reception.

When I pull the amp out of the line, all I get is Harrisburg... Nothing on my RF meter from anywhere else.

My father in law in southern York county can lock in Annapolis, but not Baltimore PBS, yet can lock in all other Baltimore stations. Is there something deficient with their transmitter?

When I pull the amp out of the line, all I get is Harrisburg... Nothing on my RF meter from anywhere else.An amp is necessary, but a more overload tolerant model like the Winegard 2870 would be less likely to overwhelm the weaker stations. The 7777 is designed for areas with no strong signals.

The Solid Signal website recommends "DO NOT use the higher gain models within 35 miles of your transmitters."


My father in law in southern York county can lock in Annapolis, but not Baltimore PBS, yet can lock in all other Baltimore stations. Is there something deficient with their transmitter?WMPB is running much less power than the other Baltimore stations. You may also be experiencing adjacent channel interference from channel 30 in Red Lion.

On Saturday I stopped getting picture and sound from WITF despite a signal strength of around 90%.

The issue coincided with this...from the WITF website:
To our witf-tv over-the-air viewers: Due to an equipment failure, our main over-the-air dtv channel will be found on channel 36-1 for this weekend. Re-scan for channels on your set-top box to pick our signal up. We hope to have the signal restored to channel 33-1 early next week.

I've rescanned several times but the TV thinks there's no programing. When I manually punch in channel 36 it says 'no programming content' but when I look at signal strength everything is fine.
Meanwhile, my dtv converter box on another tv is picking up the picture just fine.

Any ideas?
Is there something that might've wiped out WITF's ability to show itself as channel 33-1 that would've caused this?


Bill

Well, WITF has fixed its channel mapping as of Tuesday afternoon and it's working just fine on my TV. I'd be interested if anyone has an idea as to what would've caused this.

Failure of the PSIP computer, probably.

- Trip

you mean at the transmitter?

I was wondering why my TV couldn't convert the signal it was getting into picture and sound while my zenith box had no trouble with it.

I don't know if it's at their transmitter or not. At the station I worked at, the PSIP computer was in the studio before the signal left the station to head to the transmitter.

PSIP, if you don't know, is the part of the stream that controls the mapping (from 36-1 to 33-1, in this case), the channel label, and the guide data. Without it, none of those things appear.

There are some receivers which have no problem managing without PSIP, and the Zenith is definitely one of them. Others require PSIP to be present or they won't tune anything at all.

- Trip

I see- that's interesting. That would explain what happened. I suppose I'm a bit surprised that would be the case but they must have a reason for building 'em that way.

Can anyone verify if WHP 21.1 is sending TVGOS info?

Comcast in Hanover is all digital, ....my TVGOS info was being received via WHP analog, now can't find the info on 21.1 (qam)

Don't know if it's a Comcast problem or it has anything to do with QAM.

If necessary, I'll point a antenna towards WHP and see if I get it.

Can anyone verify if WHP 21.1 is sending TVGOS info?

Comcast in Hanover is all digital, ....my TVGOS info was being received via WHP analog, now can't find the info on 21.1 (qam)

Don't know if it's a Comcast problem or it has anything to do with QAM.

If necessary, I'll point a antenna towards WHP and see if I get it.

Yes, I receive TVGOS OTA from WHP. I haven't checked it in a few days, but I can validate later this week that it is still there.

Yes, I receive TVGOS OTA from WHP. I haven't checked it in a few days, but I can validate later this week that it is still there.

Thanks,.... must be a Comcast QAM problem.

I have a outdoor UHF antenna laying around here. I'll see what it finds.

WFMZ-TV announced today that ME TV will launch Mon. July 4 on digital 69.3. Retro tv will move over to digital 69.4 also on Mon. July 4.:)

I guess due to the fog in certain areas of eastern Pa. this morning, it made for great scanning with the antenna early this a.m. I picked up several stations I couldn't before ! :)

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.


I ended up finally putting up a 30 foot tower in No. York County. I used a 91xg for the UHF stacked about 8 feet above a Winegard 7084p antenna used only for VHF combined with a CM7777. Surprisingly, I can pickup both Baltimore and Philly Markets VHF and UHF (all majors and secondaries) day and night. Being this far away, I do experience the occasional drop (especially on VHF, and especially on PVI being Low), but all lock. Overall, I was quite happy with the results and if anyone else is interested in Fringe reception in the area, I'd encourage them to investigate using similar equipment. The only channels I cannot lock are MD PBS's, but I'm still working on some tweaking- haven't given up hope yet.

WMPB Baltimore is on channel 29, same as WUVP Philadelphia.

Same goes for WMPT Annapolis on 42, same as WTXF Philadelphia.

I'd be curious to know which stations you are receiving.

- Trip

Anyone having trouble with WGAL on Comcast? I can't get it through my QAM tuner, even after rescanning, but can find it on my cable box.

Anybody else in the Harrisburg Area who is like me (using their TV's built-in digital tuner to pull in the locals in HD and therefore NOT using a comcast box) all of the sudden NOT getting ABC 27.1 and NBC 8.1 in HD anymore thru clear QAM? I'm referring to comcast -- I have their lowest TV package... don't remember what it's called now -- I usually refer to it as bare-bones basic.

They stopped coming in on both of my TV's, even after doing a channel rescan on them as of Tuesday, 9/27.

Comcast customer support has not been helpful so far. My one friend 5-10 miles away with the same setup as me got the same problem.

All other local channels in HD are coming in fine (15.1, 21.1, 33.1, 43.1).

Anybody else in the Harrisburg Area who is like me (using their TV's built-in digital tuner to pull in the locals in HD and therefore NOT using a comcast box) all of the sudden NOT getting ABC 27.1 and NBC 8.1 in HD anymore thru clear QAM? I'm referring to comcast -- I have their lowest TV package... don't remember what it's called now -- I usually refer to it as bare-bones basic.

They stopped coming in on both of my TV's, even after doing a channel rescan on them as of Tuesday, 9/27.

Comcast customer support has not been helpful so far. My one friend 5-10 miles away with the same setup as me got the same problem.

All other local channels in HD are coming in fine (15.1, 21.1, 33.1, 43.1).
I am in the exact same situation JeBr0nie...no box and Limited Basic cable. I contacted Comcast and they told me I needed to upgrade to their Digital Package to get those channels. I will not pay over $50 for basic cable (especially when I pay $8 now) channels that I should be receiving.

Does anyone know how to get 8.1 and 27.1 back?

I am in the exact same situation JeBr0nie...no box and Limited Basic cable. I contacted Comcast and they told me I needed to upgrade to their Digital Package to get those channels. I will not pay over $50 for basic cable (especially when I pay $8 now) channels that I should be receiving.

Does anyone know how to get 8.1 and 27.1 back?

Put an antenna up :)

I’m in York Co. and to a degree have the same problem.
Depending on which which QAM tuner I use ( DVD Recorder, TV Tuner in Computer, TV ) ....I get different results.

One will have all locals in HD and their sub channels, others will be missing 8.1 and 27.1

So, may be dependent on you QAM tuner.

I have 3 Samsung HDTV’s and they all get the full local line up in HD

I was lead to a thread by a fellow comcast user. It's from comcast's forums. I can't post the link here because I haven't had 3 posts yet (seriously).

The person actually called WGAL and WHTM and found real answers. Comcast made an error, the system will be rebooted, and everything should be back to normal by Friday, 9/30.

Good news is we should have 8.1 and 27.1 back sometime on Friday.

Bad news is how STUPID comcast is with not letting you know the real problem and for all the customer reps who tell you ridiculous things like needing to upgrade to a different TV package (which is not true), needing a box for your digital-tuner TV's (not true), and that your lines might have a weak signal (that one was my favorite).

My guess is that most of Comcast's customer service have no idea what limited basic should offer nor clear QAM channels. That or they are trained to try to get you to think you need to upgrade to get the locals in HD.

It's Sunday evening, and our problem for Comcast limited basic users has still not been fixed. No WGAL 8.1 (NBC HD) and WHTM 27.1 (ABC HD) coming thru.

I actually did get an email response from comcast and a message left on my answering machine. The person apologized over and over again and said she notified their technical people. She offered nothing else though other than suggesting that I check to see if they are coming in via antenna -- saying if not, then the problem is with the TV stations. This is ridiculous. They come in over antenna. If only I could get CBS and FOX in HD over antenna, I would ditch this comcast limited basic service.

Let me know if anyone else in the Harrisburg Area with Comcast limited basic service find anything else out.

Anybody else in the Harrisburg Area who is like me (using their TV's built-in digital tuner to pull in the locals in HD and therefore NOT using a comcast box) all of the sudden NOT getting ABC 27.1 and NBC 8.1 in HD anymore thru clear QAM? I'm referring to comcast -- I have their lowest TV package... don't remember what it's called now -- I usually refer to it as bare-bones basic.


I live in the Harrisburg and having the same problem. I have a Samsung TV and have basic cable. I am not using Comcast's box. I always had the major networks in HD until last week. I have no plans to upgrade Comcast's service.

Anyone have any luck? Still no HD here. Talking to Comcast is like talking to a brick wall.

Can anything be done without getting the usual "you gotta pay for 'x package' or are we wasting our time calling?

(and does anyone know the channel/frequency they "moved" them to?)

My problem has been fixed, but it wasn't as easy as you'd think.

First of all, you can follow the discussion of this on comcast's forum too if you want: http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Channels-and-Programming/Harrisburg-PA-Limited-Basic-Channels/m-p/1070271

I emailed WHTM (abc27) and WGAL (nbc8). WHTM got back to me immediately. WGAL apparently contacted comcast. Comcast called me (the message they left was quite humorous to me) saying they spoke to WGAL and were sending me a service tech guy for free to remove a TRAP.

WHTM's guy explained this to me: "Ask them (comcast) specifically to come out and remove the “trap” on your cable that is preventing you from getting 27 and 8. This trap was placed on customers that had limited-basic service…and now Comcast appears to have moved local channels into that trapped frequency range."

So, that's what each of you who have Limited-Basic comcast service in the Harrisburg Area need to do. I suggest asking to speak to a supervisor when you call. Or you can try emailing comcast at http://www.comcastsupport.com/com/email.asp

After the tech guy removed the "trap", my wife did a rescan on the TV, and voila, 8.1 and 27.1 are back... along with 47 music channels (that's more than what used to come thru clear-QAM). I'll list what the channels should be in my next post.

Good luck everyone! Feel free to tell comcast that you know of two people who had this done for them for free (me and another user from the comcast forums). After all, this whole issue came up because of comcast moving 8.1 and 27.1 to different frequencies than what they used to be on. Tell them that Bob Good from WGAL and Keith Blaisdell from WHTM are aware of this situation. (a big thank you to both of them!)

The following are the channels I now pick up. I've put an * next to the ones that comcast does not list as what we should be getting thru limited-basic.

6.5* WPVI (ABC 6 from Philly)
8.1 WGAL-DT (NBC HD)
8.2 this
8.6 TCN (The Comcast Network)
15.1 WLYH-DT (CW HD)
15.2 CoolTV
17.5 WPHL-17 (my TV PHL 17)
18.1 C-SPAN
18.9* HSN
18.10 QVC
21.1 WHP-DT (CBS HD)
21.2 WHP-MY (my TV)
22.3 ShopNBC -- also on 101.5
22.8* insp.
22.11* TBS
27.1 WHTM-DT (ABC HD)
27.2 RTN27
27.3 WHTM-WX (ABC weather)
33.1 WITF-DT (PBS HD)
43.1 WPMT-DT (FOX HD)
43.2 FOX 24/7 (local fox news)
43.3 Antenna TV
49.1 WGCB-49
81.1* ION
81.2* Comcast Community Bulletin Board
81.6* WeatherScan
81.7 WHBG
81.8* EWTN -- also on 104.7
93.6* TV Guide

plus 47 music channels* (give or take)
12 analog channels (which are repeats of stuff listed earlier)
6 channels that are just repeats of the major networks but in SD (8.5, 15.5, 21.5, 27.5, 33.5, 43.5)
2 channels that seem to be the video ads that show up for On-Demand users
and several channels that are complete blanks.

So, I count 9 channels (if you count the Community Bulletin Board and WeatherScan channels) plus the 47 music channels that I get that comcast does NOT list for the channel line up for Limited-Basic on their website. Aside from the extra music channels, this is nothing new to me from what I used to get before this whole debacle started last week.

Cool! I'll have to try that. Hopefully they don't try to insist on the unnecessary upsell to get those channels back.

I did not have any luck with a phone call this afternoon. I have limited basis also. They told me my Samsung digital TV will not pickup anything in 2 weeks. I tried to mention that WGAL and WHTM has contacted them about the problem. They told me the below information is incorrect and I have to have their box! They said I'm schedule to have a switch over in 2 weeks to their new system. They said the switch over to Xfinity will require the box. They told me that Xfinity will be satellite and that in two weeks a cable guy will be at the pole in front of my house to cut the coax coming to my house. I asked them how the box will receive cable if the coax is cut. They said the new system is satellite and I have to switch over. I tried telling her my tv can pickup up the channels and I just need the trap removed or replaced.. Then she hung up on me. Her name was Kimberly.

I been picking up everything fine with the TV for the past 2 years until last week.

I hate dealing with Comcast. They are the only cable company in my area at this time and they know it.


Do you have a email or phone contact # for WHTM and WGAL?

Steve



My problem has been fixed, but it wasn't as easy as you'd think.

First of all, you can follow the discussion of this on comcast's forum too if you want: http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Channels-and-Programming/Harrisburg-PA-Limited-Basic-Channels/m-p/1070271

I emailed WHTM (abc27) and WGAL (nbc8). WHTM got back to me immediately. WGAL apparently contacted comcast. Comcast called me (the message they left was quite humorous to me) saying they spoke to WGAL and were sending me a service tech guy for free to remove a TRAP.

WHTM's guy explained this to me: "Ask them (comcast) specifically to come out and remove the “trap” on your cable that is preventing you from getting 27 and 8. This trap was placed on customers that had limited-basic service…and now Comcast appears to have moved local channels into that trapped frequency range."

Since when is Comcast dealing in satellite? Me thinks whoever you spoke to doesn't know what she's talking about (not really a surprise with them, sadly)

Since when is Comcast dealing in satellite? Me thinks whoever you spoke to doesn't know what she's talking about (not really a surprise with them, sadly)

I think so also. But you always get the run around when ever you call Comcast. I have tried asking for a supervisor in the past but it seems they are always busy. I wish the FCC would do something about them but I don't see that happening.

So it boils down to my Samsung TV is just a dumb monitor for Comcast cable if I have to go with their digital box.

Comcast going to Satellite in your area??? That's a new one. Wow, they are getting pretty creative in their ridiculous responses.

I would highly consider emailing comcast instead of talking to their clueless customer service people (I'm sure they're not all clueless... but I haven't had much success on the phone). I'd say all the facts in your email, including how many times you've called customer support with no success. If they email you back saying you have to call, I'd email a response saying you refuse to due to your bad experiences with their customer support on the phone (just stating the facts).

http://www.comcastsupport.com/com/email.asp


Also, if you goto http://www.comcast.com/Customers/Clu/ChannelLineup.ashx you can enter your address and zip code, then I think on the next screen you can select Limited Basic Service for the package type, and you'll see the channels that they advertise for you to get. When I did this, it shows NBC HD, CW HD, PBS HD, ABC HD, CBS HD, and FOX HD at the bottom. Each with an * next to them.

The fine print says "*HDTV broadcast signals are included with Limited Basic Service. To receive HDTV signals provided by the Company, an HDTV capable television set (not provided by the Company) and an HDTV capable digital converter are required." Of course we know that any HDTV that's relatively new has a built-in digital converter. So, according to that "advertising", comcast should be giving you those channels.

I doubt they want to be accused of false advertisement.

Just something else to let the comcast people know if they give you the run around.

Email sent...we'll see if it does any good.

Email sent...we'll see if it does any good.

I did also. I really hope they fix the problem.

Steve

UGH

We apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced.

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you via the online forum. Please
call us at 1-800-COMCAST or 1-800-266-2278 so we can better assist you.
If you prefer, you may also chat with us online via Comcast Customer
Central - Chat

No doubt they're going to say there's nothing they can do without me upgrading :mad::rolleyes:

UGH

We apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced.

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you via the online forum. Please
call us at 1-800-COMCAST or 1-800-266-2278 so we can better assist you.
If you prefer, you may also chat with us online via Comcast Customer
Central - Chat

No doubt they're going to say there's nothing they can do without me upgrading :mad::rolleyes:

That's exactly what they originally emailed me (a week ago). I replied back saying that I refuse to call 1-800-COMCAST because of the bad experiences they've given me. That same day (or perhaps the next day) a comcast person called ME and left a message.

Let me see if I can bring a comcaster to this forum to help. Sit tight gang..

IF possible I would like to see if we can get a comcaster to call others who have unfixed problems!

For those who are having issue with Comcast, send me a private message. I need some account info to fix the issue. I do work for Comcast.

Thats what I got. Told me to call the 800 number after I made clear I would not do that. Also they said I would be charge if its not comcast problem.

So you know they will charge us since we don't use their box.



UGH

We apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced.

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you via the online forum. Please
call us at 1-800-COMCAST or 1-800-266-2278 so we can better assist you.
If you prefer, you may also chat with us online via Comcast Customer
Central - Chat

No doubt they're going to say there's nothing they can do without me upgrading :mad::rolleyes:

Just for the curious, apparently the channels are now at 68-x (1-6) according to Silicondust, so whatever Comcast has on the line is apparently blocking that.

Comcast corporate policy is to provide all the local HD they carry in clear QAM. They usually also have QVC HD, HSN HD, and WGN America HD or TBS HD.

If you can't get those channels, you need to find the right person to speak to, to fix the problem. When you call escalate to the technical supervisor and be sure they know what clear QAM is before proceeding. If they don't, have them find someone that does.

The loss of these channels is usually due to standard system maintenance. Traps (at your home) may be part of the problem, as channel locations can change.

In any event, if you speak to the right person the problem will get corrected.

They told me that Xfinity will be satellite and that in two weeks a cable guy will be at the pole in front of my house to cut the coax coming to my house. I asked them how the box will receive cable if the coax is cut. They said the new system is satellite and I have to switch over. I tried telling her my tv can pickup up the channels and I just need the trap removed or replaced.. Then she hung up on me. Her name was Kimberly.

Comcrap is moving to satellite?? That pretty much goes against all of Comcrap's marketing that 'satellite is inferior to cable'. I'd like to know more, but I don't think Kimberly knows what she's talking about. Gotta love customer service people.

Service man just came by and took the old trap off the line and we're back in business.

Service man just came by and took the old trap off the line and we're back in business.

Nice :)

Service man just came by and took the old trap off the line and we're back in business.

I haven't heard anything yet. But I was away from the phone the past couple days. Did you have to be home or they leave a message?

Good day,

A few multi-faceted comments and some questions for the forum:

1a. I continue to be unable to receive WTTG-DT (36) from my location 2.5 miles north of the Mason Dixon line (south of Gettysburg) due to co-interference from WITF-DT (36). These two major/primary broadcast stations are only roughly 100 miles apart, yet somehow this spacing (or lack thereof) was permitted by the FCC. I received a PM from another viewer in the Greencastle area with the same issue. I've heard reports that WTTG-DT is easy to lock in Taneytown, MD (several miles south of my location). I continue to miss out on my favorite FOX5 news at 10PM... Awhile back, an invaluable member of this forum (TripVA) did the engineering analysis and determined that an "open" channel did exist for WITF-DT. Unfortunately, good logic didn't and doesn't prevail within our government agencies and commissions. (I am a federal contractor and get to see first hand how our govt fails us all every day. It is truly disheartening to say the least.) On a personal level, I now work in Frederick, MD with occasional travel to Falls Church, VA, so being able to receive WTTG-DT is more critical to me than before when I was working in Central PA.

1b. WITF-DT came up with the brilliant idea (speaking sarcastically) of putting a translator station on channel 33 (W33CR-D) near Chambersburg, PA. As soon as that translator was put into service, as if at the twitch of a wand, I lost WHUT (also on channel 33 in DC).

2a. At one time, WGAL-DT had a list of potential translators. The last I had read, they increased their channel 8 transmitter power substantially to see if this solved some of their viewers' reception dilemma (or lack of initiative to upgrade rig/tower/antenna to meet the challenges of receiving DTV, particularly VHF-HI, whichever school of thought you wish to espouse.) My question is, does anyone know if there is an updated status on WGAL's initiatives with respect to translators? Or, has the increase in power on channel 8 solved a statistically significant amount of the [lack of] reception issues?

2b. The reason I ask, is a while back I had noticed a WGAL translator slated for channel 27 near Carlisle, PA. Undoubtedly, such a repeater would wipe out a favorite channel of mine, WETA-DT out of Washington, DC (also on 27).

2c. Another potentially disturbing discovery was a potential WGAL translator just outside of Gettysburg near/on the blue ridge mountains. Gettysburg is a "fringe" reception zone, we don't have any tv stations within 35 miles. Viewer's TV towers/rigs in Gettysburg nearly all employ high-gain amplifiers (7777 is quite common). Does WGAL realize what kind of havoc they would create by installing a tv transmitter in a zone that has been fringe for as long as anyone can remember? The amps in the area would saturate and we'd have a real mess. This would likely result in forcing viewers in this area to downgrade to "suburban amps" and lose countless channels in the process, or at least make it far less practical to tune channels using a single, rotatable rig. And, as I had posted here on May 4, 2010, the proposed signal coverage map for the translator (WGAL 31) had most of the energy streaming southeastward into Gettysburg, an area that already has a solid signal for WGAL (it's the second strongest signal next to WITF). Once again, I simply cannot understand the logic.

[My hope is that through my post, others will begin to connect the dots and see the trend that is/may be occurring. The liberal use of translators has a tendency to decrease the quality and quantity of broadcast television channels, particularly for those viewers between DMA zones (in the "fringe").]

3. I've contacted WBFF-TV (FOX45 out of Baltimore) regarding their newscasts and what I have been observing as "MP3 quality audio", particularly noticeable when female newscasters speak, as if there is too much compression, like viewing a JPG instead of a BMP file. I did not receive a response from WBFF, but I continue to observe the atypical low-quality audio during their newscast. I've ruled out any rig-related issues and seem to be coming to the conclusion that their newscast audio stream is being compressed in a manner that results in lower-fidelity audio. Has anyone else observed this or can anyone else confirm that this is the case? [I've read somewhere that not everyone can decipher the difference between MP3 quality audio and CD quality audio due to differences in aural deciphering capabilities. Unfortunately, the sound of MP3 quality audio is like chalk on a chalkboard for my ears, so I'm trying to get to the bottom of this.]

Thanks, and have a great day.

1) I'm not sure about the WGAL repeaters, but I think it may have been a ploy to get more power on 8 as building/maintaining that many repeaters would be cost prohibitive. I can pick it up stably with a paper clip.

2) Not sure about the WBFF audio issue, but I can tune to their news tonight and check it out... I have a pretty good audio setup and should be able to tell. I'll be using the 5.1 codec - is that what you use?

3) Co-channel interference is horrendous in Central PA. I have straight shots to Philadelphia, WB/Scranton, B-more, Harrisburg/Y/L, and Hagerstown, but on any given day, tropo ducting can cause a channel to become unstable. DC is just over the horizon threshold for me. I'm using a stack with a 7777 combining a 91xg (very good, narrow, strong capture area) with a 7084p for VHF only (specifically selected for RF6 - Philly). I'm overall very happy with results, especially with regional football on Saturday/Sundays - lots of games to chose from. There are some co-channel allocations that simply boggle my mind. I can't for the life of me understand how B-more and Philly could have co-channels (less than 100 miles apart!!!)


Good day,

A few multi-faceted comments and some questions for the forum:

1a. I continue to be unable to receive WTTG-DT (36) from my location 2.5 miles north of the Mason Dixon line (south of Gettysburg) due to co-interference from WITF-DT (36). These two major/primary broadcast stations are only roughly 100 miles apart, yet somehow this spacing (or lack thereof) was permitted by the FCC. I received a PM from another viewer in the Greencastle area with the same issue. I've heard reports that WTTG-DT is easy to lock in Taneytown, MD (several miles south of my location). I continue to miss out on my favorite FOX5 news at 10PM... Awhile back, an invaluable member of this forum (TripVA) did the engineering analysis and determined that an "open" channel did exist for WITF-DT. Unfortunately, good logic didn't and doesn't prevail within our government agencies and commissions. (I am a federal contractor and get to see first hand how our govt fails us all every day. It is truly disheartening to say the least.) On a personal level, I now work in Frederick, MD with occasional travel to Falls Church, VA, so being able to receive WTTG-DT is more critical to me than before when I was working in Central PA.

1b. WITF-DT came up with the brilliant idea (speaking sarcastically) of putting a translator station on channel 33 (W33CR-D) near Chambersburg, PA. As soon as that translator was put into service, as if at the twitch of a wand, I lost WHUT (also on channel 33 in DC).

2a. At one time, WGAL-DT had a list of potential translators. The last I had read, they increased their channel 8 transmitter power substantially to see if this solved some of their viewers' reception dilemma (or lack of initiative to upgrade rig/tower/antenna to meet the challenges of receiving DTV, particularly VHF-HI, whichever school of thought you wish to espouse.) My question is, does anyone know if there is an updated status on WGAL's initiatives with respect to translators? Or, has the increase in power on channel 8 solved a statistically significant amount of the [lack of] reception issues?

2b. The reason I ask, is a while back I had noticed a WGAL translator slated for channel 27 near Carlisle, PA. Undoubtedly, such a repeater would wipe out a favorite channel of mine, WETA-DT out of Washington, DC (also on 27).

2c. Another potentially disturbing discovery was a potential WGAL translator just outside of Gettysburg near/on the blue ridge mountains. Gettysburg is a "fringe" reception zone, we don't have any tv stations within 35 miles. Viewer's TV towers/rigs in Gettysburg nearly all employ high-gain amplifiers (7777 is quite common). Does WGAL realize what kind of havoc they would create by installing a tv transmitter in a zone that has been fringe for as long as anyone can remember? The amps in the area would saturate and we'd have a real mess. This would likely result in forcing viewers in this area to downgrade to "suburban amps" and lose countless channels in the process, or at least make it far less practical to tune channels using a single, rotatable rig. And, as I had posted here on May 4, 2010, the proposed signal coverage map for the translator (WGAL 31) had most of the energy streaming southeastward into Gettysburg, an area that already has a solid signal for WGAL (it's the second strongest signal next to WITF). Once again, I simply cannot understand the logic.

[My hope is that through my post, others will begin to connect the dots and see the trend that is/may be occurring. The liberal use of translators has a tendency to decrease the quality and quantity of broadcast television channels, particularly for those viewers between DMA zones (in the "fringe").]

3. I've contacted WBFF-TV (FOX45 out of Baltimore) regarding their newscasts and what I have been observing as "MP3 quality audio", particularly noticeable when female newscasters speak, as if there is too much compression, like viewing a JPG instead of a BMP file. I did not receive a response from WBFF, but I continue to observe the atypical low-quality audio during their newscast. I've ruled out any rig-related issues and seem to be coming to the conclusion that their newscast audio stream is being compressed in a manner that results in lower-fidelity audio. Has anyone else observed this or can anyone else confirm that this is the case? [I've read somewhere that not everyone can decipher the difference between MP3 quality audio and CD quality audio due to differences in aural deciphering capabilities. Unfortunately, the sound of MP3 quality audio is like chalk on a chalkboard for my ears, so I'm trying to get to the bottom of this.]

Thanks, and have a great day.

I have no idea why there proposed translator is directing it's power toward Gettysburg and not Chambersburg, where channel 8 is still hit and miss. An email to their engineer didn't give a clear answer either, but thought it would be sufficent to cover the are also.
Good day,

A few multi-faceted comments and some questions for the forum:

1a. I continue to be unable to receive WTTG-DT (36) from my location 2.5 miles north of the Mason Dixon line (south of Gettysburg) due to co-interference from WITF-DT (36). These two major/primary broadcast stations are only roughly 100 miles apart, yet somehow this spacing (or lack thereof) was permitted by the FCC. I received a PM from another viewer in the Greencastle area with the same issue. I've heard reports that WTTG-DT is easy to lock in Taneytown, MD (several miles south of my location). I continue to miss out on my favorite FOX5 news at 10PM... Awhile back, an invaluable member of this forum (TripVA) did the engineering analysis and determined that an "open" channel did exist for WITF-DT. Unfortunately, good logic didn't and doesn't prevail within our government agencies and commissions. (I am a federal contractor and get to see first hand how our govt fails us all every day. It is truly disheartening to say the least.) On a personal level, I now work in Frederick, MD with occasional travel to Falls Church, VA, so being able to receive WTTG-DT is more critical to me than before when I was working in Central PA.

1b. WITF-DT came up with the brilliant idea (speaking sarcastically) of putting a translator station on channel 33 (W33CR-D) near Chambersburg, PA. As soon as that translator was put into service, as if at the twitch of a wand, I lost WHUT (also on channel 33 in DC).

2a. At one time, WGAL-DT had a list of potential translators. The last I had read, they increased their channel 8 transmitter power substantially to see if this solved some of their viewers' reception dilemma (or lack of initiative to upgrade rig/tower/antenna to meet the challenges of receiving DTV, particularly VHF-HI, whichever school of thought you wish to espouse.) My question is, does anyone know if there is an updated status on WGAL's initiatives with respect to translators? Or, has the increase in power on channel 8 solved a statistically significant amount of the [lack of] reception issues?

2b. The reason I ask, is a while back I had noticed a WGAL translator slated for channel 27 near Carlisle, PA. Undoubtedly, such a repeater would wipe out a favorite channel of mine, WETA-DT out of Washington, DC (also on 27).

2c. Another potentially disturbing discovery was a potential WGAL translator just outside of Gettysburg near/on the blue ridge mountains. Gettysburg is a "fringe" reception zone, we don't have any tv stations within 35 miles. Viewer's TV towers/rigs in Gettysburg nearly all employ high-gain amplifiers (7777 is quite common). Does WGAL realize what kind of havoc they would create by installing a tv transmitter in a zone that has been fringe for as long as anyone can remember? The amps in the area would saturate and we'd have a real mess. This would likely result in forcing viewers in this area to downgrade to "suburban amps" and lose countless channels in the process, or at least make it far less practical to tune channels using a single, rotatable rig. And, as I had posted here on May 4, 2010, the proposed signal coverage map for the translator (WGAL 31) had most of the energy streaming southeastward into Gettysburg, an area that already has a solid signal for WGAL (it's the second strongest signal next to WITF). Once again, I simply cannot understand the logic.

[My hope is that through my post, others will begin to connect the dots and see the trend that is/may be occurring. The liberal use of translators has a tendency to decrease the quality and quantity of broadcast television channels, particularly for those viewers between DMA zones (in the "fringe").]

3. I've contacted WBFF-TV (FOX45 out of Baltimore) regarding their newscasts and what I have been observing as "MP3 quality audio", particularly noticeable when female newscasters speak, as if there is too much compression, like viewing a JPG instead of a BMP file. I did not receive a response from WBFF, but I continue to observe the atypical low-quality audio during their newscast. I've ruled out any rig-related issues and seem to be coming to the conclusion that their newscast audio stream is being compressed in a manner that results in lower-fidelity audio. Has anyone else observed this or can anyone else confirm that this is the case? [I've read somewhere that not everyone can decipher the difference between MP3 quality audio and CD quality audio due to differences in aural deciphering capabilities. Unfortunately, the sound of MP3 quality audio is like chalk on a chalkboard for my ears, so I'm trying to get to the bottom of this.]

Thanks, and have a great day.

I have no idea why there proposed translator is directing it's power toward Gettysburg and not Chambersburg, where channel 8 is still hit and miss.

Fill in translators are designed to do exactly what the name suggests. They're supposed to fill in holes within the coverage contour.

http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1329328&site=4&extras=1420818

You can see that they're slightly expanding the contour even with the pattern they have now. Putting any more power westward would expand the contour greatly, and the FCC only allows "de minimis" contour expansions for fill in translators.

- Trip

For those who are having issue with Comcast, send me a private message. I need some account info to fix the issue. I do work for Comcast.

ComcastSteve or anyone else. I don't know else to do. ComcastSteve I sent you 2 emails and a private message with required information. I have not heard back from you or comcast since via email or phone call since I sent that information. What do I need to do to get help from comcast? Did I offend someone with my post about my bad experience with my phone call if so I apology.

I sill have no local HD. I did rescan my tv when it happen. All my connections are tight. Since others are having the problem I don't see how it can be on my end. Capnap who did you speak to get a guy out there?

Also my mom has the same issue since this started and see lives in another town in the Harrisburg area.

Steve

Fill in translators are designed to do exactly what the name suggests. They're supposed to fill in holes within the coverage contour.

http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1329328&site=4&extras=1420818

You can see that they're slightly expanding the contour even with the pattern they have now. Putting any more power westward would expand the contour greatly, and the FCC only allows "de minimis" contour expansions for fill in translators.

- Trip

I guess what I don't understand is two fold.

1. We are in the Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Lebanon DMA. Shouldn't those stations cover the areas of there DMA? Most in my area only receive WHTM all the time, the others are hit and miss. Yet most DC and Baltimore stations come in fine except WTTG (interference from WITF) WETA (overpowered by WHAG) and WMAR (overpowered by WJAL)

2. My thought is when it came to the Mid-Atlantic area channels were very short spaced. West Virginia Public Broadcasting... far as i know... is still trying to find an available channel to replace there CH 41 in Hampshire Co. Which is still operating on analog CH 41 and comes in fine

Maybe I am looking at this all wrong?

Apologies if any part of this message is rambly and incoherent. Tired and trying to get to bed immediately after this post.

1. We are in the Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Lebanon DMA. Shouldn't those stations cover the areas of there DMA? Most in my area only receive WHTM all the time, the others are hit and miss. Yet most DC and Baltimore stations come in fine except WTTG (interference from WITF) WETA (overpowered by WHAG) and WMAR (overpowered by WJAL)

Until a few years ago, Chambersburg was in the DC DMA. WHP would come in as well except for the screwy spacing with WVPY.

There are parts of the country where there is no OTA reception. DMA placement depends on OTA viewership to at least some degree, so if people were spending more time watching WHP and WHTM rather than the stations from DC (and WHAG) then the county got moved into the other DMA, even though the NBC and FOX from that DMA aren't available OTA.

2. My thought is when it came to the Mid-Atlantic area channels were very short spaced. West Virginia Public Broadcasting... far as i know... is still trying to find an available channel to replace there CH 41 in Hampshire Co. Which is still operating on analog CH 41 and comes in fine

You're correct. (And I actually didn't know that 41 was still operational in analog.)

- Trip

Apologies if any part of this message is rambly and incoherent. Tired and trying to get to bed immediately after this post.



Until a few years ago, Chambersburg was in the DC DMA. WHP would come in as well except for the screwy spacing with WVPY.

There are parts of the country where there is no OTA reception. DMA placement depends on OTA viewership to at least some degree, so if people were spending more time watching WHP and WHTM rather than the stations from DC (and WHAG) then the county got moved into the other DMA, even though the NBC and FOX from that DMA aren't available OTA.



You're correct. (And I actually didn't know that 41 was still operational in analog.)

- Trip

Ch 41 was ... last time I watched it was a few months ago, I will have to check again. I forgot about 8 in Martinsburg, W.Va. That doesn't help with WGAL in the southern part of Franklin Co.

You are correct, the sound quality of WBFF's newscasts leaves a lot to be desired. The high frequencies are just not there. It sounds even worse on anything but my TV's built in speakers.

You are correct, the sound quality of WBFF's newscasts leaves a lot to be desired. The high frequencies are just not there. It sounds even worse on anything but my TV's built in speakers.

Thanks for the confirmation. I was beginning to think that I needed to pull out a Q-tip to clear out my ears. I think I'd rather read the closed captioning than suffer through the sound quality on WBFF newscasts, it's almost like listening to someone speak through a running box fan. :)

Has anyone else taken notice to WHTM's new HD newscast? Looks like they have some issues... most noticeable on the weather forecast, most graphocs are cut off on the sides

I'm a novice at all OTA stuff. I'm having problems with WHP-TV and WITF-DT. Which is weird since they're the closest towers. I'm able to tune in channels w/ the signal quality in the upper 80s, but then the signal quality will drop to 0 for a 10-15 seconds. WITF-DT is the worst. Here's my TVfool (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d60b5b87f279503) report.

I'm using a roof mounted Digitenna DUV-Suburban antenna w/ 100 ft of cable. The antenna is pointed towards the WPMT tower. I've tested it with both a HDHomeRun and a AVerMedia HD Duet. I've tried it without a splitter and still have the problem.

Thanks

TW

Thanks for posting your TV fool report. It really helped.

Problem here is that you are using a directional antenna pointed 180 degrees away from those two stations. If you picture the capture zone of your antenna, it is strongest where it is pointed, and then it has lobes radiating off of it to the sides and usually a very small amount to the back.

My guess is that you are recieving inconsistent "multi-path" interference which is why it is strong and good, and then drops. In short, it is receiving the same signal, at different times which causes it to drop.

A few potential solutions.

Obvious one - get a rotator. Many people have to do that in our area since, depending on where you live (including your TVF report), stations are 180 degrees opposite. This can be a pain as you have to adjust it when changing the channel and there is the added cost of equipment and installation.

If you don't want to go that route, you can try aiming the in-between PMT and ITF, splitting the difference, and hoping to that the "side lobes" of the antenna will pull in all channels... you will still probably suffer from multi path interference, but it would not be as frequent or severe.

A change to an antenna with a greater "capture area" such as an omni-directional antenna would still likely cause drops now and again due to multi path.

Best of luck

I'm a novice at all OTA stuff. I'm having problems with WHP-TV and WITF-DT. Which is weird since they're the closest towers. I'm able to tune in channels w/ the signal quality in the upper 80s, but then the signal quality will drop to 0 for a 10-15 seconds. WITF-DT is the worst. Here's my TVfool (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d60b5b87f279503) report.

I'm using a roof mounted Digitenna DUV-Suburban antenna w/ 100 ft of cable. The antenna is pointed towards the WPMT tower. I've tested it with both a HDHomeRun and a AVerMedia HD Duet. I've tried it without a splitter and still have the problem.

Thanks

ComcastSteve or anyone else. I don't know else to do. ComcastSteve I sent you 2 emails and a private message with required information. I have not heard back from you or comcast since via email or phone call since I sent that information. What do I need to do to get help from comcast? Did I offend someone with my post about my bad experience with my phone call if so I apology.

I sill have no local HD. I did rescan my tv when it happen. All my connections are tight. Since others are having the problem I don't see how it can be on my end. Capnap who did you speak to get a guy out there?

Also my mom has the same issue since this started and see lives in another town in the Harrisburg area.

SteveCall the 800 number and escalate (May I speak to your supervisor please. Please have a technical manager call me as soon as possible.) until someone who knows what QAM is. It may take quite a bit of patience and more than one call.

Thanks to everyone who posted about calling Comcast about the missing channels. After 3 calls I finally had a truck come out and spend the 2 minutes to remove the trap. I now have my channels back! He did tell me that starting next year they're going to start encrypting all channels and that I'll need to either get a box or DTA.

Hopefully they'll get an HD DTA some time soon.....don't want to deal with SD only.

I was using my rabbit ears due to the verizon with CBS, and I found if I put my antenna (RS 15-1880) outside on my deck I was rock solid for CBS, ABC, CW, PBS, which I expected. I couldn't get NBC, WGAL at all even though my tvfool report had it being 8.9 miles away in the green. Any guesses why? I also couldn't get WPMT (fox) which was less surprising given its distance to Mechanicsburg. I thought I had gotten NBC previously.

I have toyed with going OTA full time, but due to WAF I am likely to be limited to an attic antenna, so I have held off.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d7fb9bd2c825c1a

The channel 49 signal isn't running, only the 8 signal is up. The one right below the 8.9 miles one.

- Trip

The channel 49 signal isn't running, only the 8 signal is up. The one right below the 8.9 miles one.

- Trip

Ok. That makes sense. Did they cut the channel 49 signal due to cost? Is it temporary?

It hasn't been built yet.

- Trip

It hasn't been built yet.

- Trip

That would do it then! Thanks for the insight.

Thanks to everyone who posted about calling Comcast about the missing channels. After 3 calls I finally had a truck come out and spend the 2 minutes to remove the trap. I now have my channels back! He did tell me that starting next year they're going to start encrypting all channels and that I'll need to either get a box or DTA.

Hopefully they'll get an HD DTA some time soon.....don't want to deal with SD only.

I just got a note from Comcast that appears to be saying that only SD for limited basic will be available after March. God, I just want my locals in HD and my high speed internet. Is that too much to ask? I need like a 500 foot antenna to score all the locals OTA!

Thanks for those who posted about losing WGAL and WHTM. Comcast is on its way to remove the trap from my local service. I'd just like to say that the online support from them is worthless. The lady had no clue what a QAM tuner was and insisted that I need a box. Luckily, I convinced her to send out a technician. Let's hope it gets fixed!

And of course the tech was 2 hours late, didn't remove the trap, and broke our TV and internet service.

I'd drop them altogether, but it's this or pay $40/mo for 1.5Mbps DSL.

Okay, update for anyone who's interested.

Tech was out today to fix the signal issue. He found a huge loop of cable in the box for our address, so he cut that out and replaced it with a much shorter length. He confirmed that we had no traps installed and we are now receiving 8.1, 8.2, 27.1, 27.2, and 27.3. Our signal level is still pretty bad, but it's good enough to work. Apparently the old loop also had a 90 degree bend in it, and the wire finally gave out two days ago, causing our service loss.

He also confirmed that traps are obsolete with an all digital signal.

The last piece of information he shared was that we would be able to receive all limited basic SD channels with a clear QAM tuner, but the HD channels could go away in the future (i.e. could become encrypted). If/When that happens, I'd either need to rent an HD box from them or upgrade my PC to a CableCard tuner to continue receiving HD.

Hi everyone... hoping ya'll can help me out here. I've seen some posts that are similar to my needs, but not quite. I figured I'd ditch Comcast to get some HD tv for free now that we have a new baby... It just seems to be more difficult than I originally thought. We tried an indoor antenna to start, but that only got us WGAL. Now we're on to step two. We live just between Palmyra and Annville. I'd prefer not going to an outdoor antenna if possible, and was wondering an an attic mount would suffice. Looking to get out to ABC if possible. Attached is our TV Fool Map. Trying to keep this as simple as possible! Hope that helps, and thanks a ton everyone!

Greg

First, congrats on the new baby.

Your TV Fool is likely based on 20ft elevation. Re-running it at ground level (say 5ft) would help to understand potential line of sight issues if you are going to do indoor. If you ran it using this elevation, disregard.

I used the Terk HDTVA when I was living near another city, and it worked well for most stations.

Indoor antenna's (and even attic/outdoor) are complicated here given the mix of VHF and UHF and the scattered towers. I live only a few miles from WHTM's tower, but due to the terrain, I need an attic antenna to pick it up.

You are going to need a bigger VHF antenna (think rabbit ears on steroids) to pickup ABC. That said, once you have the right antenna, it shouldn't be too hard to pickup.

First, if you stick with an indoor antenna, you will likely need an indoor antenna (such as the Terk HDTVA), and you will need to repoint it depending on what channel you are looking for. TV fool shows you were to point. You also want to get your indoor antenna as close to the perimeter of where you are pointed (for example pointed out a window) as even walking through your house can disrupt the signal and cause it to drop out. For WHTM you need to direct the rabbit ears towards their tower. For FOX, CBS, PBS, and CW, you need to point the UHF element towards its respective tower.

If you go with an attic or roof antenna, you will need a VHF-HI/UHF combo antenna. I recommend winegard antennas, but any in the range of 50-60 miles should work from an attic. Check out the Winegard HD7694P. Also, cumberland electronics in Harrisburg (Sycamore off Paxton St) is a trusted OTA dealer who can help you with your setup. They are primarily military/commercial, but you can call and ask for retail. With this setup you can probably keep it stationary and split the difference on direction given your close location. You may or may not need an amplifier (it could make it better or worse - it's trial and error).

Also note, given your location, you could get Philly and Wilkes-Barre OTA if you put up a tower and with the right antennas... For most that's overkill, but for us OTA folk its a fun challenge.

Hope this helps get you started. Feel free to ask more questions.

Hi everyone... hoping ya'll can help me out here. I've seen some posts that are similar to my needs, but not quite. I figured I'd ditch Comcast to get some HD tv for free now that we have a new baby... It just seems to be more difficult than I originally thought. We tried an indoor antenna to start, but that only got us WGAL. Now we're on to step two. We live just between Palmyra and Annville. I'd prefer not going to an outdoor antenna if possible, and was wondering an an attic mount would suffice. Looking to get out to ABC if possible. Attached is our TV Fool Map. Trying to keep this as simple as possible! Hope that helps, and thanks a ton everyone!

Greg

Thanks so much for the reply! The TV Fool that I ran was at 6 feet. I did try a Terk HDTVA (FDTV2A) at various positions, pointed in different directions, close to a window, etc... but we still only pulled in WGAL for some reason. I'll try calling Cumberland Electric tomorrow and see what they recommend. We'll let you know what we come up with and how it works!








First, congrats on the new baby.

Your TV Fool is likely based on 20ft elevation. Re-running it at ground level (say 5ft) would help to understand potential line of sight issues if you are going to do indoor. If you ran it using this elevation, disregard.

I used the Terk HDTVA when I was living near another city, and it worked well for most stations.

Indoor antenna's (and even attic/outdoor) are complicated here given the mix of VHF and UHF and the scattered towers. I live only a few miles from WHTM's tower, but due to the terrain, I need an attic antenna to pick it up.

You are going to need a bigger VHF antenna (think rabbit ears on steroids) to pickup ABC. That said, once you have the right antenna, it shouldn't be too hard to pickup.

First, if you stick with an indoor antenna, you will likely need an indoor antenna (such as the Terk HDTVA), and you will need to repoint it depending on what channel you are looking for. TV fool shows you were to point. You also want to get your indoor antenna as close to the perimeter of where you are pointed (for example pointed out a window) as even walking through your house can disrupt the signal and cause it to drop out. For WHTM you need to direct the rabbit ears towards their tower. For FOX, CBS, PBS, and CW, you need to point the UHF element towards its respective tower.

If you go with an attic or roof antenna, you will need a VHF-HI/UHF combo antenna. I recommend winegard antennas, but any in the range of 50-60 miles should work from an attic. Check out the Winegard HD7694P. Also, cumberland electronics in Harrisburg (Sycamore off Paxton St) is a trusted OTA dealer who can help you with your setup. They are primarily military/commercial, but you can call and ask for retail. With this setup you can probably keep it stationary and split the difference on direction given your close location. You may or may not need an amplifier (it could make it better or worse - it's trial and error).

Also note, given your location, you could get Philly and Wilkes-Barre OTA if you put up a tower and with the right antennas... For most that's overkill, but for us OTA folk its a fun challenge.

Hope this helps get you started. Feel free to ask more questions

Thanks so much for the reply! The TV Fool that I ran was at 6 feet. I did try a Terk HDTVA (FDTV2A) at various positions, pointed in different directions, close to a window, etc... but we still only pulled in WGAL for some reason. I'll try calling Cumberland Electric tomorrow and see what they recommend. We'll let you know what we come up with and how it works!

Hey Greg,

I agree with CLT the Wineguard 7694P should work fine for you. But something does not sound right about your current set up. You should easily get CW, CBS, and PBS unless your house has foil backed insulation or aluminum siding. You currently get WGAL at 2edge 20 miles but no CW at LOS 6 miles, which sounds odd to me. Does your equipment have a signal meter? You may have to do a rescan after each antenna move. It looks like your current TERK antenna has an amplifier built in, which may do more harm then good. As strong as the signals are at your location the budget rabbit ears loop antenna from Radio Shack should work fine for everything above WHTM and may even pick up WHTM when pointed the right direction. If you have a Radio Shack nearby you could pick one up to test and if it does not work return it for a refund. They are on sale this week for $9.99.


http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077

Hey Greg,

I agree with CLT the Wineguard 7694P should work fine for you. But something does not sound right about your current set up. You should easily get CW, CBS, and PBS unless your house has foil backed insulation or aluminum siding. You currently get WGAL at 2edge 20 miles but no CW at LOS 6 miles, which sounds odd to me. Does your equipment have a signal meter? You may have to do a rescan after each antenna move. It looks like your current TERK antenna has an amplifier built in, which may do more harm then good. As strong as the signals are at your location the budget rabbit ears loop antenna from Radio Shack should work fine for everything above WHTM and may even pick up WHTM when pointed the right direction. If you have a Radio Shack nearby you could pick one up to test and if it does not work return it for a refund. They are on sale this week for $9.99.

pamajestic,

Thanks for your response. I did a rescan through my tv every time I did an adjustment to the antenna. I tried it with and without the amp as well. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me either. Unfortunately the equipment did not have a signal indicator. Can I pick one of those up cheap? We have basic vinyl siding, and knowing our builder, there's nothing blocking our signal at all... I'm a bit apprehensive to go through the hassle of getting a nicer antenna and putting it in the attic (running cable, etc). Maybe I'll try the Radio Shack fix.

Just to add an experience, I took about 1m of some old speaker wire and hooked it up to a balun, then did a scan. I picked up WGAL (8.1, 8.2), WLYH (15.1, 15.2), WHP (21.1, 21.2), WHTM (27.1, 27.2, 27.3), and WPMT (43.1, 43.2, 43.3) with no issues. I'm sure if I got an actual antenna, or just spent some more time with it, I'd pick up WITF (33.1) too, and maybe even WGCB (49.1).

We live on the north western side of Lancaster city, near East Petersburg.

Here's my TV Fool report.
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d0b8642182f0cfa

Unfortunately the equipment did not have a signal indicator. Can I pick one of those up cheap?

An external signal meter is not worth the expense. It’s to bad most newer TV’s do not offer a better meter. Something that would at least show some signal even if it is to low to lock on. Some of the best meters are in the CECB’s. If you know someone that has one laying around maybe you could borrow it just to verify the signal or lack of signal present at your house. You TV fool looks good. You should easily get the channels in green.

It looks like WGAL has powered up translator channel 49 out of Harrisburg. I am receiving it very well at 40 miles to the south.

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are moving to Reading in a few weeks and wanted to see if I could get a little help on options that are available for TV and internet in the area.

I've helped my in-laws in Reading before with the DTV transition, and their location is pretty rotten as far as pulling in HD OTA channels goes. They're buried in the hills with trees for the Harrisburg-York stations, and have Mt. Penn blocking them off from everything in Philly. Here's our TVFool map:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d267ea47a2debaf

Am I pretty much limited to OTA and Comcast in the area? Am I missing any other TV provider until Verizon gets Fios out there? Howbout high-speed internet...looks like Comcast, Verizon (DSL...yuck) and Clear (4G) are the only legit options.

Love to hear your feedback!

Wow! Absolutely horrible location to pickup Philly stations.
With the right antenna and a rotator, you should be able to pickup the LOS and 1-Edge stations reliably.

Those would include WTVE, WITF, WHP, WGAL, WHTM,WNEP (via w28dp). That leaves you with PBS, 2 ABCs, CBS, but no Fox. WPMT at 23.3db on 2 Edge should be reliable enough with the right antenna, but it is not going to be perfect.

If you're interested in trying a setup, let us know and we can recommend antennas, rotators, towers, and amps.

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are moving to Reading in a few weeks and wanted to see if I could get a little help on options that are available for TV and internet in the area.

I've helped my in-laws in Reading before with the DTV transition, and their location is pretty rotten as far as pulling in HD OTA channels goes. They're buried in the hills with trees for the Harrisburg-York stations, and have Mt. Penn blocking them off from everything in Philly. Here's our TVFool map:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d267ea47a2debaf

Am I pretty much limited to OTA and Comcast in the area? Am I missing any other TV provider until Verizon gets Fios out there? Howbout high-speed internet...looks like Comcast, Verizon (DSL...yuck) and Clear (4G) are the only legit options.

Love to hear your feedback!

Hi Everyone,

We're moved into Reading now and have a good solution after finding out what a ripoff Comcast was. Didn't see the fine print that getting an HD translator box for Basic Cable was going to be an additional expense.

Ended up mounting a ChannelMaster 4228 on our roof paired with a Winegard ANWI8700 amplifier. So far we're getting

8.1 - solid
15.1 - pretty good
21.1 - solid
27.1 - pretty good
33.1 - solid
43.1 - solid
49.1 - I think it's solid, but never watch long enough to notice :)

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3db1a8d6a84e3ec5

Pretty happy with the setup (only about $150 in parts), and very glad not to be dealing with Comcast's antics with scrambling channels.