Does anyone know if Service Electric for Bloomsburg transmits any of the HD locals in the clear (unscrambled)? Their web site lists a few stations as avaialble but is silent on the issue of whether the locals are unencrypted.

OK, I'm able to answer my own question. I finally heard back from Service Electric about HDTV locals on the Bloomsburg system:

"The local stations are not encrypted at all. The QAM tuner should be able to display them."

Does anyone know when WYOU and WBRE will begin broadcasting in high definition?

Does anyone know when WYOU and WBRE will begin broadcasting in high definition?They're saying the week of September 11th. We'll see.

WOLF seems to be at full power now so at least I can get Eagles games in HD now. Hopefully YOU/BRE will be there early in the season so I can get Steelers games in HD too.

Thanks for the update. I will have to try WOLF, since I could not pull in their low power signal here near Moscow, PA. It would be nice if YOU and BRE go to high definition in September.

WBRE/WYOU are now saying full power and HD won't be until November. I think we'll be lucky if they are there in 2005 at all (but of course hope I'm wrong).

Well, they only have until the end of the year. The FCC only allowed one extension of the full-power rule for big-4 stations in the top 100 markets. At least that's what I heard.

- Trip

I had my HD DirecTivo installed yesterday, I wanted an OTA antenna but the installer said that they couldn't get a signal in the Clarks Summit area with the OTAs.

Is this true, or was the installer just lazy?

Anyone have any success with a DTV OTA in this area?

Thanks for any help...

Bad Guy:

If you can receive the analog signals of WNEP,WBRE, WYOU and the other local stations, then you should get their high definition counterparts. WNEP and WVIA have been broadcasting at full power with high definition signals (when programming is present from the network feed).
I live in the Moscow area and can receive all of the digital signals (WBRE and WYOU are still just upconverting their standard definition signals) using a modest VHF/UHF antenna I purchased at Lowes a couple of years ago.

WOLF just recently went full power too. There signal is comparable to WVIA and WNEP as far as reception goes.

WBRE and WYOU plan to be full power HD by early November now. They had a few equipment and contractor delays that set them back.

Saw a news item on WYOU which gave a progress report on the conversion to high definition. Report showed the new antenna going up and said that a full power signal will be on the digital channel at the end of the month. Since the same company also owns WBRE, I suspect that that channel will also be showing high definition by the end of October. Hope their schedule holds up.

Yes, you are correct Tom. They will both go HD on the same day. Where did you see that report?

Those of you living here and particularly Arrowhead Lakes, what channels were you able to get very well despite all the trees and with what equipment?

Thanks

Saw a news item on WYOU which gave a progress report on the conversion to high definition. Report showed the new antenna going up and said that a full power signal will be on the digital channel at the end of the month. Since the same company also owns WBRE, I suspect that that channel will also be showing high definition by the end of October. Hope their schedule holds up.

I have only picked these stations up once, but I am 45 miles away (Orefield). Will the full power signal be on channels 11 and 13 as they are now? And what day in October will this happen? I assume they will use 22 and 28 when analog is chopped.

Jeff Williams Yes, you are correct Tom. They will both go HD on the same day. Where did you see that report?


We wrote to Him.
Hello,

What is the status of your High Definition upgrade?
And his reply was
Target date for WBRE and WYOU is on or around Halloween.

--Randy Williams

C. Randolph Williams

I noticed that Channel 22 was off the Air last week for 2 or 3 days.
Do we now have a updated Date as to when this may start...

The new date is by November 11th. Everything seems to be on track to hit that date; maybe even a few days early.

4 days to go, can't wait to see CBS and NBC in HD, will look great on my PL5000N :D

Slight delay because of the weather. Things will be officially on by Monday, but likely by late Saturday. Keep the fingers crossed.

They will go full power before passing the HD signal. Look for that to happen by Wednesday morning.

Late Saturday of next week, correct?

The 12th, this Saturday.

Awesome, thanks.

*fingers crossed*

Jeff:

Thanks for the update, but I have a question. Every since hooking up my ATSC tuner in my home theater I have been receiving WBRE and WYOU on their respective digital channel assignments but with the standard definition signal at a decent signal strength. I saw on the news some weeks ago a report that a new antenna was being installed. Why can't they just send out the high definition signal on what antenna and transmitter equipment that has been sending out the standard definition digital signal for all these months?

Jeff.

Just wondering.
I live in Pittston.
My Father in Wyoming.

Yesterday and for a day or so, both 22 and 28 have been off the air.

Last night Still nothing on mine. But Father in Wyoming says if he punches in 22 on his tv it goes to a 2-1 dtv and not 22-1 and on that it had Channel 22 working??
I could not do that. It would not work. Any reason or what is that channel he is showing?
Are the Stations still going to stay 22-1 using 13? I believe and 28-1 as 11?

WYOU (13-1 mapped at 22-1) and WBRE (11-1 mapped at 28-1) are now both HD and full power.

YES Finally!!!!!!!!

Awesome! Not in WB at the moment - I have Adelphia cable, does this mean I'll be able to get these at channels 722 and 728, respectively? Thanks!

Both signals reaching Moscow and my modest outdoor antenna with enough power to peg the tuner's signal strength meter.

Tom,

The antenna and transmitter were replaced because they could not output the full power signal that the new HD needed. The antenna was also mounted higher up on the tower to give better coverage.

Fatbob,

Think most of your questions are probably answered by now. The last few days were just steps in the process to get things up and running. The channels will stay 22-1(13) and 28-1(11).

Note for Sunday morning, the 13th, from the WYOU/WBRE chief engineer:

Tomorrow around 8:30 / 9:00 AM WBRE and WYOU-DT will be off. WYOU 22 (Analog) will be at 5-10% power.

The last part of this project is my new tower lighting system. Tomorrow the tower crew will climb to the very top of our tower and analog antenna with RF Suits on to instal the top beacon.

I will make sure that WBRE-DT and WYOU-DT are back on BEFORE NFL on WYOU and NASCAR on NBC!

Bummer, not on Adelphia's cable yet...

I don't think we will see them on Adelphia at all. I got the feeling that they wouldn't be added until Comcast took over.

Great. We have all the major stations using the HD.

Any idea on when WB and PAX might go HD?
Time Frame?

I don't think we will see them on Adelphia at all. I got the feeling that they wouldn't be added until Comcast took over.
Damn. Anyway, I'll install an external antenna to catch HDTV channels anyway (from old VOOM set-up), so I'll catch them eventually anyway. I live 2 miles away from the towers, so that's nice.

Is anyone using SusCom cable in the Williamsport area for HD? I just got a HD-capable monitor and I'm trying to decide whether to go with them or Dish Network. SusCom doesn't have all the locals in HD yet, but then again Dish doesn't have *any* HD locals yet, and I don't know if they'll end up a satellite that isn't behind a tree when they do. My other concern with SusCom is what the picture quality will be like. I have their standard-definition digital cable package and the compression is terrible. I can easily see artifacts on everything but the premium channels; the Discovery Digital channels have such a low bit rate that it often takes several seconds to build the picture after tuning to them and the MTV channels aren't much better.

Just curious, but can anyone confirm that WYOU and WBRE are now feeding HD?

Thanks.

- Trip

Trip,

They both are in HD, 5.1, and full pwoer.

What's the status of 16-1, 16-3 and 56-1

Had them all about aweek ago, now nothing

receive 22-1 and 26-1

Sugaroaf PA

Sorry - I meant 16-2

Yes, WBRE andW YOU have been feeding the HD network feeds since mid November. I noticed WNEP's high def signal was off about a week ago, but as of last night was working again.

Tom

I have been receiving 56-1, 22- 1 and 28-1 since November, but have been receiving 16-1 prior to that.

Now for about a week no 16-1 or 56-1 at all. Signals varies from 20 to 40 but mostly at 20 with no picture.

22-1 and 28-1 are about 65-70 with ok reception.

What's up?

I wonder if 16-1 is at reduced power, but at my Moscow area location I have been getting both 56 and 16 OK for the past few nights.

I'm not making excuses for them, but I do know that ice on the antennas will affect the power output.

Still no 16-1, 16-2 or 56-1
Since I received these stations before I received 22-1 and 28-1 and I still have 22-1 and 28-1, I have no idea as to how to correct the problem.

I get all channels except for Fox 56-1 & 56-2. The other OTA digital channels that I receive were coming in great last week (between 50%-60%) but now I am getting less at times. -

I posted this on the NEPA HDTV forum but hoping for quicker response:

Since I get all channels except for FOX.... I wonder if I get a second antenna and put a 2 to 1 splitter in the tuner would I get additional channels or better signal strength. I can place these antenna in 2 completely different locations... Would it work?

Had the Antenna moved - now get 22-1, 28-1, 44-1 thru 4, but no 56-1 or 16-1 and 2

No signal reading at all for 56-1
Reading for 16-1 will on occasion show receipt of digital signal but is in the teens - no picture

I live in Mountain Top, and have no problem getting 16-1, 16-2, 22-1, 28-1, 44-1, 44-2, 44-3, 44-4, 56-1 and 56-2. Occasionally there is a hiccup where I don't get 28-1 for some reason but other than that, I'm very happy. Using VOOM box with external antenna provided by VOOM plus amplifier.

I have a HR10-250 HD DVR - Terk Antenna - Kenwood Amp - The gentleman who checked the Antenna was at a loss - He moved it and I was able to pickup 44 HDs but no signal at all for 56 and very minimal signal for 16. When I was checking for signal strength on 49 (16) it would indicate no digital signal then off and on it would show receipt of digital signal but the signal would stay in the 16-24 range.

He is going to test fo the signal with a CM antenna.

It is hard to understand what is causing the loss of signal as I had 16-1, 16-2, 56-1 and 56-2 with very clear signals a couple of weeks ago

I haven't tried stacking yet... but I think I might have to. I moved the antenna to increase the signal strength for the Superbowl... by doing so I lost 28-1,22-1 so now all I have is 16-1 &-2 and the 44's..lucky me~ ;)

Henna:

I wander if you are now getting some out of phase reflections for 16 and 56 causing a cancellation of your signal at the antenna? Both of these stations continue to come in well at my location near Moscow.

I did a digital channel search yesterday and in addition to Fox 56's digital channels of 45.3 and 45.4 (remapped to 56.1 WOLF-HD, 56.2 PA'sWB) I picked up a new station 27.5.

27.5 is also Fox's (WOLF's to be exact) HD broadcast. The digital call decoded says "EAST". Does anyone know what and or why this is? Is this a different transmitter or is this another station remapped for the 45.x channel?

I did a digital channel search yesterday and in addition to Fox 56's digital channels of 45.3 and 45.4 (remapped to 56.1 WOLF-HD, 56.2 PA'sWB) I picked up a new station 27.5.

27.5 is also Fox's (WOLF's to be exact) HD broadcast. The digital call decoded says "EAST". Does anyone know what and or why this is? Is this a different transmitter or is this another station remapped for the 45.x channel?

That's odd. If you check the Binghamton thread, WICZ-DT is doing the same thing.

- Trip

For anyone in the Moscow area. Are you able to pull any NYC or Binghamton Stations? I want to try and get the Giants games in HDTV but not sure if this is possible or what equipment I would need.

gazoinplat: I leave about four miles from Moscow (near 380-84 junction) and can receive the Binghamton stations with a modest size VHF/UHF antenna, which I have on a rotor. Most come in as well as the local channels in terms of signal strength. Depending upon your location you should have similar results.

Tom,

You sound like you are pretty close to where I am at, I am located by the top of one of the bigger hills. What antenna do you use and do you use a preamp? Also, if you point the antenna towards Binghamton do you still recieve the Scranton stations? I was just wondering if I could get away without having a rotor. Also, what is the height of your antenna?

I haven't used an antenna since I was about 10 so I am trying to come back up to speed on it.

Thanks


gazoinplat: I leave about four miles from Moscow (near 380-84 junction) and can receive the Binghamton stations with a modest size VHF/UHF antenna, which I have on a rotor. Most come in as well as the local channels in terms of signal strength. Depending upon your location you should have similar results.

gazoinplat: You do need to point the antenna either toward Binghamton or WB to receive the respective signals, so you will either need two antennas and a switch or one antenna and a rotor. My antenna was purchase at Lowes and it was the smaller of the two they had available (three years ago). It is about 60 inches in length. I have it mounted about five feet above the roof and a two story house. Yes, I do use a modest preamp located in the attic where the RG-6 cable comes in from the antenna.The main reason for the preamp is the length of the RG-6 to the home theater room.

By the way I am retired and offer consulting services for home theater installationto include a home visit. I have been running an ad in the Villager.

Thanks for the info, do you perform installationsor are able to reccomend anyone? I was thinking of going with a set-up similar to a UHF and a VHF (I can't link it until I get 5 posts, but its by Larry Davis on his antenna experience and was a good write up) and sending it to my basement where I have all my structured wiring, and then handling it from there. I will have to check out your ad next time I pick up the villager.

Anyone using Blue Ridge Cable TV to get their HD???

Looking to dump DirecTV, and interested in experiences with Blue Ridge Cable.

dm

Towanda Pennsylvania
Hello. Just returned from my wife's hometown. Many of the family live across the Susquehanna and up the mountain from Towanda in Wyalusing township. As the crow flies it's about 36 miles to Elmira, 39 miles to Scranton (and virtually right on the NW to SW axis between them) and 32 miles to Binghampton. They are on the top of the world. About 1000' above the Susquehanna river. He has a Yagi and gets some Elmira, some Binghampton, some Scranton. Anyone else on this forum up in the "Endless Mountains" around Troy, Towanda or Sayre PA? He has not yet made the switch to an HD TV.

Hi alllll I just moved up to Brodheadsville off of rt33 and rt 80 area...
I bought a winegard UHF anntena a few years ago.
And hook it up to my Toshiba HD big screen TV but it does not have a HD receiver built into it..I was maybe Getting a few SNOWY stations from Scranton area on UHF that would come in and out...

Went to a Local Radio Shack and the guy said that you cannot get HD TV in the Brodheadsville area with a antenna......

Now I am second guessing

I just bought a 42 inch Samsung 4253 HD Plasma TV.....
And just wondering if you good folks think I should buy another Uhf antenna and maybe I might pickup some HD programing?????
Just wondering if my UHF stations from the Scranton area on regular tv comes in very snowy.
Will My HD stations come in the same way or will they come in better??????JohnnyThunders

Lukfilm,
I also live in Mt. Top, how was 24(FOX in general) last Monday night? I recorded it on my Sony DVR and it was no good.

it was crap for both prison break and 24

i had to watch in SD :(

Hello all,

I live in Tobyhanna (Coolbaugh Township) in the APCP development.

I am new to the HD market, but I have been researching quite a bit for the last couple months. I don't yet own an HDTV, nor have an antenna, and am looking for advice to help me make some decisions.

I've got my eye on a 37" 1080p LCD monitor for about $1000, but it does not include any tuners. Presently my most attractive alternative would be an $800 37" 1080i LCD with ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, but I think I would prefer to have 1080p. The HDTV that I really want will not be available in my budget for several years, so these are basically the best I can currently afford and get me into the world of HD.

I currently use DirecTV and have their R15 DVR, which I assume includes an ATSC tuner, but the best quality output it has is S-video. Eventually I will upgrade to their HDTV service, but I am interested in setting up an antenna to pickup OTA channels regardless.

I used antennaweb and plugged in my adress info, and here is what it came up with for me:

DTV Ant-Type Call Sign Ch Ntwk City State Compass Mi Away Freq

red-uhf WBRE 28 NBC WILKES-BARRE PA 279° 24.9 28
*red-vhf WBRE-DT 28.1 NBC WILKES-BARRE PA 279° 25.3 11
red-uhf WOLF 56 FOX PENOBOAT MTN PA 279° 25.0 56
red-uhf WNEP 16 ABC SCRANTON PA 279° 25.2 16
red-uhf WYOU 22 CBS SCRANTON PA 279° 25.3 22
*red-vhf WYOU-DT 22.1 CBS SCRANTON PA 279° 25.3 13
red-uhf WVIA 44 PBS SCRANTON PA 279° 25.2 44
*blue-uhf WVIA-DT 44.1 PBS SCRANTON PA 279° 25.2 41
blue-uhf WQPX 64 ION SCRANTON PA 325° 23.9 64
blue-uhf WSWB 38 CW SCRANTON PA 324° 24.0 38
*blue-uhf WOLF-DT 56.1 FOX HAZLETON PA 279° 25.0 45
*violet-uhf WSWB-DT 38.1 CW SCRANTON PA 324° 24.0 31
*violet-uhf WNEP-DT 16.1 ABC SCRANTON PA 279° 25.0 49
*violet-uhf WQPX-DT 64.1 ION SCRANTON PA 322° 24.3 32
violet-uhf WMBC 63 IND NEWTON NJ 119° 43.4 63

That is my best attempt to format it so it will be viewable. If you're familiar with this screen, you know that the channels with the * are digital, and the call sign indicates this as well with -DT. I assume most or all of those are now in HD. Is that correct? Looks like these channels are 28.1, 22.1, 44.1, 56.1, 38.1, 16.1 and 64.1. I assume that I should only attempt to get the channels at 279°, which covers most of these. The ones I wouldn't get are 38.1 and 64.1 which are at 324° and 322° respectively. These networks are CW and ION, which I'm not even sure right now what those are, I never heard of them. Perhaps if I used a rotator, I could spin the antenna to pick those up when I wanted, since a large directional antenna seems to have at most a 25-30° window.

You'll also notice half or more are in the blue/violet range. However, I don't understand why this is - since I am within 25 miles of most of these networks. I thought the blue and violet antenna types were needed for 60-75 mile ranges. Anyhow, from the look of this, and your general understanding of the area that I live in, do you really think I need a large directional antenna mounted on my roof to receive these channels? In fact, violet even indicates that a pre-amp is necessary as well. I followed a user's link to solidsignal.com and checked out what they had. There is such a huge selection, I have no idea how to determine what I need. Really, I'd like to spend as little as possible on this. Plus their diagrams indicate that not only is a pre-amp used, but then the line is sent into a power injector followed by a power distribution amp, then into the TV. This all seems over the top to me, and a major investment, not to mention the work involved.

So it seems that an indoor antenna is certainly out of the question for me. But it also seems that one of these SquareShooter or Lacrosse type antennas that hook up to your satellite dish and are much nicer looking, is also out of the question for me. Although those antennas claim to reach up to 50 miles. Check out these specs for the SquareShooter SS-2000:

• Range for Channels (2-6): 0-10 Miles (Analog), 0-15 Miles (Digital)
• Range for Channels (7-13): 0-35 Miles (Analog), 0-40 Miles (Digital)
• Range for Channels (14-69): 0-45 Miles (Analog), 0-50 Miles (Digital)

I don't understand why there is a different range for different channels, but I'm sure some of you do know why. Anyhow, most of the channels in question here are in the 3rd category, which for digital seems to cover up to 50 miles. Now I only live half that distance, so why shouldn't this antenna work for me? Can't I use this instead of a large directional on my roof? Would I still need a pre-amp with this? Would I also need a power injector and a power distribution amp?

Would my DirecTV receiver then be able to tune this stuff OK and display it properly on a HD monitor? Or would I be making a mistake in not purchasing an HDTV with an ATSC tuner? Are the NTSC and QAM tuners important at all?

Also, when installing an antenna, it is recommended that you have a 2nd person nearby the TV monitoring the signal strength as you play around with the direction the antenna faces. Is there any kind of a handheld meter that I could hook up instead that could give me a signal reading, that I could monitor while I'm installing it? I'm thinking one of these would give me a better analysis and be less of a hassle than yelling back and forth.

Also, any chance of picking up any channels other than Scranton/Wilkes-Barre? What about Binghampton? New York? Philly? Jersey?

Is there anybody, especially someone close by that can relate, that can help answer any of these questions? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Ryan O'Rourke

You raise several questions and will try to address some of them.

1. I would recommend getting an HDTV with a built in ATSC tuner (QUAM is included in the ATSC standard and deals with cable reception).
2. I live in Moscow and get the local stations fine with a suburban (not fringe) antenna that I got at Lowes a few years ago for about $40.00. I have it on a rotar and can also pull in the Binghamton stations.
3. Sometimes cable and satellite signals are compressed to fit in their available bandwidth and this compression can lower the quality of the signal. The best signals are those obtained over-the-air.
4. The lower the frequency the greater the range of the signal assuming effective radiated power is the same. Two stations in Scranton (WYOU and WBRE) use VHF frequencies for their high def signals. This is the first time in this market that VHF and not just UHF frequencies have been authorized.
5. The higher you can get the antenna the better. Living in Tobyhanna you may well be able to pull in some signals from the New York market area. But that would take a deep fringe antenna. Unlike analog signals when you get a weak signal with noise at the extreme range of the station, with digital signals you either get a good picture or nothing.

Hope this helps you a little.

I am trying to set up Mythtv using QAM on Comcast. I am having trouble coming up with a valid channels.conf file. If you live in Scranton area can you please post your channels.conf file? Thanks.

Threads merged.

Does anybody have any tips for what kind of antenna to buy for Swoyersville? (eg. near Kingston / Forty Fort)

AntennaWeb says I'm only 7.4 miles from the towers (the Mountain Top ones are all I care about [eg. WBRE, WYOU, WNEP, etc]) but I've tried a ton of antennas but I always seem to get blocky HDTV images even though my Dish Network ATSC tuner says I have 60 - 80 percent quality signal.

According to Google Earth, the elevation of my house is 545 feet and the towers are 2075 feet. (eg. the towers are 1/4 mile above me and to the south)

Is there something causing multi-path issues or something??

Does anybody have any idea when these locals will be available in HD via DirecTV? I live in Williamsport and do not think i can get OTA.

anyone know?

With all the trees in full bloom I am unable to get the HD UHF stations
in the Brodheadsville area,But I am able still to get the 2 VHF stations...
Just wondering if any of the good folks near me have the same problems...I will have to wait till the fall to get my UHF stations when the leaves fall off of the trees...JT

yellow - uhf WQMY-DT 56.3 MNT WILLIAMSPORT PA TBD 262° 10.1 29
red - uhf W39BT 39 TBN WILLIAMSPORT PA 262° 10.1 39
red - uhf W20AD 20 ABC WILLIAMSPORT PA 283° 4.6 20
red - uhf W55AG 55 PBS WILLIAMSPORT PA 283° 4.6 55
red - uhf W30AN 30 NBC WILLIAMSPORT PA 283° 4.6 30
red - uhf W26AT 26 CBS WILLIAMSPORT PA 283° 4.6 26
red - uhf WQMY 53 MNT WILLIAMSPORT PA 262° 10.1 53
blue - uhf WBRE 28 NBC WILKES-BARRE PA 105° 56.1 28
blue - uhf WNEP 16 ABC SCRANTON PA 105° 55.8 16
blue - uhf WYOU 22 CBS SCRANTON PA 105° 55.7 22
violet - uhf WVIA 44 PBS SCRANTON PA 105° 55.9 44
violet - uhf WOLF 56 FOX PENOBOAT MOUNTAIN PA 105° 56.0 56


I live in Williamsport, PA and have comcast standard package 1-77 channels. Question I have is, if i get a TV with a QAM tuner in it will I be able to get WOLF 56, WBRE,WNEP and WYOU High Def through my cable connection for free? I wouldnt be able to get them on antenna because they are about 50 miles away, unless I had a huge one. So im hopeing i can just be able to plug the cable in and get those through comcast. Any help is appreciated.

Hello everyone! My father lives in Brodheadsville, PA, and we bought him an HDTV, reciever, etc... HOWEVER, I can't find any info on the boxes that blue ridge cable gives out. I'm looking for their non-DVR HD cable boxes, so I can buy the cables before I trek up there from Philly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hello everyone! My father lives in Brodheadsville, PA, and we bought him an HDTV, reciever, etc... HOWEVER, I can't find any info on the boxes that blue ridge cable gives out. I'm looking for their non-DVR HD cable boxes, so I can buy the cables before I trek up there from Philly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm in the pocono's and in my area blue ridge cable non-DVR HD box is the scientific atlanta 3100HD. It looks like the 8000 HD is being used as well.

the manuals can be found at http://www.brctv.com/customer_care/userguides/index.php

one note, for my area the non-digitial channel line up - (below 100 on the box) do not have any audio output through the digital coax output. I need to run standard audio cables (red & white) to get audio on these channels.


good luck
dm

Does anyone know if WNEP has changed their broadcasting pattern? I am in upstate NY, 20 miles north of Binghamton and have been able to view WNEP since they went to digital. Since early summer the signal is terrible. I was thinking leaves on the trees, but they are gone now. I still have no problem recieving WVIA, WYOU, WOLF, WBRE, and WQPX, but WNEP and WSWB are allmost unwatchable. Even analog channel 16 is no where near as clear as it used to be. They allways seemed to be the strongest signal for me.
Something has changed and Im not sure if its my antenna or the broadcaster.
Im hoping someone on here might know an answer. Thanks all

Does anyone know if WNEP has changed their broadcasting pattern? I am in upstate NY, 20 miles north of Binghamton and have been able to view WNEP since they went to digital. Since early summer the signal is terrible. I was thinking leaves on the trees, but they are gone now. I still have no problem recieving WVIA, WYOU, WOLF, WBRE, and WQPX, but WNEP and WSWB are allmost unwatchable. Even analog channel 16 is no where near as clear as it used to be. They allways seemed to be the strongest signal for me.
Something has changed and Im not sure if its my antenna or the broadcaster.
Im hoping someone on here might know an answer. Thanks all


There's a chance if you were thinking trees, it could still be the issue -- While your leaves have changed and fallen up there, most of them down here in the WB/Scranton area are still green and full. Especially up on East Mountain where the WNEP antenna is located.

There's a chance if you were thinking trees, it could still be the issue -- While your leaves have changed and fallen up there, most of them down here in the WB/Scranton area are still green and full. Especially up on East Mountain where the WNEP antenna is located.

Thanks, I guess Ill wait and see what happens, I never had this issue in the past. I really miss Snedeker in the morning!

If anyone is having problems with WNEP OTA, heres why:

http://wnep.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/zooms/63697bg.jpg

http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=7503525

WNEP-TV Tower Collapse

Sunday, December 16, UPDATED: 5:50 p.m.
By Scott Schaffer



Click for larger image
The WNEP-TV analog tower collapsed Sunday morning due to ice and wind conditions.


The WNEP-DT (digital signal) service has been restored.

Early this morning one of WNEP's towers collapsed in Luzerne County due to ice and strong winds.

It's one of two WNEP towers on top of Penobscot Mountain that came down just before 7 a.m.

Engineers from WNEP have been working on the problem all day. The broadcast tower that came down is 800 feet tall. It regularly puts out about one million watts of power.

Engineers said the tower was downed by strong winds and ice on top of the mountain, some 2,100 feet above sea level.

Crews worked all day to restore WNEP's signal to viewers.

"We are being carried on Comcast. We are now being carried on Service Electric. Service is back to them. We are now working with all the cable companies to get our service back up on cable," said WNEP President and General Manager Lou Kirchen.


Click for larger image
The tower damaged a transmission building when it fell.


She added 90 percent of WNEP viewers get the stations signal through cable or satellite providers. She said the roughly ten percent who pick up WNEP over the air by antenna will be affected the most.

"So the folks who are strictly getting us over the air will have the difficulties, but we hope to restore service throughout the DMA as quickly as possible," Kirchen added.

The tower that collapsed took out part of WNEP's transmission building on top of the mountain as well.

Kirchen emphasizes the most important thing is that no one was hurt at the transmission site.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused our loyal viewers," said WNEP President and General Manager Lou Kirchen. "We're grateful that no one was injured and we will do whatever it takes to serve everyone in northeastern and central Pennsylvania."

WNEP.com will continue to have updated information as it becomes available

Interesting that according to the station only ten percent of viewers receive their analog signals through OTA. I wonder if they will bother to rebuild that tower if in fact the digital tower is still up (did not know they had a separate one for their digital channel) if in about 14 months that signal will be shut down anyway.

I see that the tower also took out the power lines leading to the other transmitters in that WYOU, WBRE, WVIA, and others are also dark. WBRE came back for a while and then went dark again this evening.

Figures the tower went down. I had the new TV all set up to watch the Steelers game in HD with my dad (Never saw his team in HD). Couldn't get WNEP, WYOU or WBRE. Fox and all there digitals word though. Thanks for the pic and reason why it wasn't working!

From what I read at Scott Fybush's fybush.com media site, the tower of WBRE-TV (NBC) channel 28 Wilkes-Barre fell due to icing back in 1989.

I myself have only been in Wilkes-Barre maybe 5 times since 2004 (I live near Hartford, CT). When walking over the Market Street Bridge from Kingston heading back into W-B, I see a hill to my front and right with a few towers on it. Is that the hill with WNEP-TV/DT on it?

Also, did any cable company in that area briefly carry ABC from Elmira, Binghamton, New York City or Philadelphia to fill the temporary hole?

Good memory KML-224, the towers you saw from the Market Street Bridge is where the WNEP tower is (was). It's called Penebscot Mountain by the locals.

looks like those of us with DirecTv will be getting HD locals on 1/3/08 - at least Fox, ABC and CW

looks like those of us with DirecTv will be getting HD locals on 1/3/08 - at least Fox, ABC and CW

I got ABC & Fox. I don't seem to get CW. What channel does that come in on?

Any word on the rest of them?

Good memory KML-224, the towers you saw from the Market Street Bridge is where the WNEP tower is (was). It's called Penebscot Mountain by the locals.

Thanks for the tip. I may have taken a pic of it, but unless I zoomed it, I don't think you'd be able to see the towers in the pic too well.

Anyways, any updated information on progress with the towers at that site?

looks like those of us with DirecTv will be getting HD locals on 1/3/08 - at least Fox, ABC and CW

I don't get CW, only ABC and Fox. Should I get CW in HD now? Any word on the rest of 'em coming?

no CW here either

and no update that I've heard about the rest :(

Interesting that according to the station only ten percent of viewers receive their analog signals through OTA. I wonder if they will bother to rebuild that tower if in fact the digital tower is still up (did not know they had a separate one for their digital channel) if in about 14 months that signal will be shut down anyway.

I see that the tower also took out the power lines leading to the other transmitters in that WYOU, WBRE, WVIA, and others are also dark. WBRE came back for a while and then went dark again this evening.

After the tower collapsed, WNEP decided not to redo the analog since it was so close to the digital changeover. Analog is really nasty. I can barely get it in Allentown 40 miles away and I'm high up. 56 analog is pretty bad too. Digital is fine.

I installed a CM4228 and a CM7777 pre-amp in my attic. I am at -75.53750, 40.56672 in a 2 story house. I had initially targeted Philadelphia, but discovered that it was 2Edge (tvfool.com is great!) and instead pointed the antenna towards Scranton. I get a good signal from:

WNEP (ABC, 16.1,2,3)
WYOU (22.1) (VHF 13, I can get this with the UHF antenna)
WBRE (analog only, I can't get VHF 11 with the CM4228). I'll add a VHF antenna and see how it goes
WOLF analog only.
... and the Allentown locals, PBS, WFMZ etc.

I've looked at the radiation patterns and location of the tower. WOLF and WNEP are on the same mountain, with very similar radiation patterns. I get a pretty good analog signal -- it is a little snowy. I don't get one smidgen of digital signal. The auto-scan pauses for a while on UHF 45.. but no dice. Any tips for better reception?

If possible, I would like to keep the antenna in the attic. From what I have read, I might want to be able to manually enter UHF 45-1 then turn the antenna... but I do not know if my TV supports this.

To fullstop in Allentown: The WYOU-DT (CH 13) and WBRE-DT(CH 11) are both transmitting at the same power (30KW) from the same transmitting antenna on the WYOU analog tower. You may find that if you move your receiving antenna, you might get WBRE-DT. If not you may have to add a high VHF band antenna, like the Winegard or Antennacraft 10 element VHF high (CH 7-13) antennas. Moving your antennas outside will help also. Sometimes the roofing materials and wood will block the signals to a certain degree. What is you physical location, town and elevation ? This will determine what you should get. You can't always go by what TV fool provides. Their information is good, but not fool proof. I am located in Hazleton and can receive the Philadelphia digital stations, not all of them all of the time, but I am at 1,870 Ft elevation. This is a major factor in what you can receive. TVDXER

To fullstop: You probably are having a problem with WOLF 56.1, 56.2 56.3 because they are on CH 45 and your local WFMZ-DT is on CH 46. If you can disconnect our preamp, you might get less interference from WFMZ CH 46. Even here in Hazleton, WFMZ-DT comes in with a very strong signal. I currently am using a CM 4228 without any preamps in my attic.

Henna,
I know this was posted in Feb.2006, but the problem is probably the Terk antenna. They are not very good for some channels. Try a Channel Master 4228 8 bay UHF antenna. It also works well for VHF high band for WBRE-DT CH 11 and WYOU-DT CH 13. I have been using one in Hazleton and it works well.

To fullstop: You probably are having a problem with WOLF 56.1, 56.2 56.3 because they are on CH 45 and your local WFMZ-DT is on CH 46. If you can disconnect our preamp, you might get less interference from WFMZ CH 46. Even here in Hazleton, WFMZ-DT comes in with a very strong signal. I currently am using a CM 4228 without any preamps in my attic.

I would hope that my TV can handle adjacent channels well, but maybe it can not. WFMZ comes in without the preamp, and I can receive them no matter where I point the directional antenna.

Without the preamp, I can't get any stations from Wilkes Barre. I'm only at 430 feet above sea level according to google earth, so I am sure that has something to do with my problem.

I'll have to try adjusting my antenna position again this weekend.

My location is 40°33'54.63"N, 75°32'14.52"W, located in area code 18103.

Also, I can sometimes get WBRE-DT, so I think moving the antenna slightly will help with that.

I read today that WQMY-DT is supposed to be adding RTN next year. I'm wondering if that means it'll also end up as a subchannel on WSWB-DT.

- Trip

Anyone from the Williamsport area know if WQMY-DT is on air yet?

Can anyone in this area confirm or deny WSWB will be is broadcasting any content in HD as it is its own broadcasting station? Also, how is the content on WBRE and WYOU, once WBNG takes down their analog tower on 12 I should be able to pick these up. Thanks

WSWB has primetime shows being broadcast in HD on channel 38.1, I do not have a VHF antenna so I do not know about WYOU and WBRE OTA reception.

Can anyone in this area confirm or deny WSWB will be is broadcasting any content in HD as it is its own broadcasting station? Also, how is the content on WBRE and WYOU, once WBNG takes down their analog tower on 12 I should be able to pick these up. Thanks

I'm in Berwick (18603), and I can get WBRE-DT and WYOU-DT without issues. No subchannels, content is the same as the analogs.

Thanks I am hoping with a little luck maybe I will get these channels, I get channels in syracuse 55 miles the other direction, but with the hills and mountains, it may be tough 55 miles into PA.

Hi. I live in the Moosic area, and I'm in a really tough spot with reception. I'm between two mountains, in a valley where no one I know nearby can receive any channels without cable. :( It's even tough for those who have dishes to get reception. I've been living here for 18 years, spent oodles of money trying rabbit ears, then amplified ones, then rooftop antennas, guy wires, rotators, etc. etc. (To no avail) :eek: More recently, I was told about this YouTube antenna, (made of coathangers) which seemed to better than everything else up until now. :)

I became interested in this, began searching, and arrived here, in this forum, where there is a posting for building your own antenna. Following some advice of some helpful folks over there, I have come a long way since building several antennas.- Very interesting thread. :cool:

According to TVFool, I shouldn't be able to get anything from my address location, but am receiving 16.1, 16.2, 22.1, 28.1, 38.1, 44.1, 44.2, 44.3, 44.4, 56.1, 56.2, 56.3, 64.1, 64.2, 64.3, and 64.4 in digital. :D

Virtual 16 and 56, (WNEP and WOLF) being broadcast on actual digital 49 and 45, (respectively) have been giving me a bit of difficulty, however. I experience signal dropouts and pixelization quite often on those channels, making it not worth watching at times. I have also recently noticed that 28.1, (actual 11) my strongest station just started going out altogether for brief periods. I do not understand this.- Especially when I'm pulling well over 40-50% signal strength most of the time. :confused: I also noticed 44.2, .3, and .4 are occasionally doing the same thing. I am beginning to wonder if these are issues with the stations. I am wondering if WBRE cuts off for reasons of thier own they're not telling us about, and if WVIA shuts down those multi-cast channels when not in operation. ????? :confused:

Just wondering if anyone else in my area has noticed this or experienced similiar happenings. :)

Best Regards,
Eric

Virtual 16 and 56, (WNEP and WOLF) being broadcast on actual digital 49 and 45, (respectively) have been giving me a bit of difficulty, however. I experience signal dropouts and pixelization quite often on those channels, making it not worth watching at times.
WNEP has a decent signal up here in east lackawanna county, even though there are a lot of trees (pre-amp necessary to receive signals). I notice occasional pixelization on WNEP, but WOLF is awful with drop out and pixelization quite often.
I also noticed 44.2, .3, and .4 are occasionally doing the same thing. I am beginning to wonder if these are issues with the stations.

Those subchannels are taken off the air when WVIA airs HD programming on 44.1, makes the picture look better (full bit rate).

Can anyone report on the status of WQMY? As best as I can tell (from 3k miles away), they have not commenced DTV operations as yet and are still running analog on an auxiliary facility. They had indicated they would end analog operations before 2/17, but that no longer seems likely.

jmoz2989: Thanks for the reply, up there in Lackawanna County. I have been having troubles in those channels with much dropout, making it barely worth watching, at times. :rolleyes: 16, WNEP is probably my worst channel. :( Glad to hear your receiving WNEP well up in your area. :) I guess I'm not the only one with troubles on 56.1, .2, and .3. :o

I guess I can't really complain, considering that in 18 years living here, I have yet to receive any stations at all except perhaps, on a rare, good day one might expect to get a ghosty, snowy WBRE- 28, in analog, at best, until lately. :cool: (Exceptionally bad location) Anyway, since the digital signals came about, along with my own much, vast experimentation with various homebuilt antennas, I have made some very impressive, and significant strides in progress with reception. :D

I am beginning to wonder how much this might be related to my antenna, at this point. :confused: I have been experimenting a lot with homebuilt antennas, with help from some very knowledgeable guys here, in this forum. I will be making some modifications to the existing design to attempt to optimize the antenna, focusing on the problem frequencies in the upper 40's UHF band, as 56 is broadcast on 45, and 16 is actual 49. Currently, my antennas are optimized for VHF hi channels up to about 40, and probably about the best comprimise for channels ranging from actual 11-49, which is the makeup of our broadcast market area. I will likely focus the next antenna's gain to focus on the upper 40's band, where the stations that are weakest are. ;)

By the way, with these antenna designs, I am doing quite well without any sort of amplifier. :D Much better than ever before. In the past, with commercially available antennas, and pre-amps, I did more poorly than I am currently doing with these antennas, alone. :p

Falcon_77: In regards to WQMY, I am receiving them as a sub-channel of WOLF on digital (actual) 45.3- (virtual 56.3). Hope this helps. :)

Best Regards,
Eric

Falcon_77: In regards to WQMY, I am receiving them as a sub-channel of WOLF on digital (actual) 45.3- (virtual 56.3). Hope this helps. :)


Thanks for the info. It looks like they don't have their own DTV operating yet. Can you see any sign of analog 53? Perhaps not, since they are/were broadcasting well to the West (near Williamsport) and are obstructed by hills.

Hi everybody! I have relatives in Northeastern PA and they are thinking about getting an HDTV. They currently have Blue Ridge Communications, but they don't receive HD channels with their cable box. I was wondering if they just hooked up the TV without the box if they would get an HD signal on the digital subchannels. Such as WNEP in HD on 16-1 (even though its on cable channel 6) or WBRE in HD on 28.1 (its on with ch.3). I have an HDTV that I hooked up without the box and I get the HD signal on digital subchannels such as 2-1, 4-1.

Also, they live in Pike County, so they get the New York City stations on cable as well. Would they get the NYC digital stations as well, such as WCBS on 2-1, WNBC on 4-1, etc. I live in an area where I get stations from Johnstown, PA and from Pittsburgh, and I get digital subchannels from both markets on my TV.

Hi everybody! I have relatives in Northeastern PA and they are thinking about getting an HDTV. They currently have Blue Ridge Communications, but they don't receive HD channels with their cable box. I was wondering if they just hooked up the TV without the box if they would get an HD signal on the digital subchannels. Such as WNEP in HD on 16-1 (even though its on cable channel 6) or WBRE in HD on 28.1 (its on with ch.3). I have an HDTV that I hooked up without the box and I get the HD signal on digital subchannels such as 2-1, 4-1.

Also, they live in Pike County, so they get the New York City stations on cable as well. Would they get the NYC digital stations as well, such as WCBS on 2-1, WNBC on 4-1, etc. I live in an area where I get stations from Johnstown, PA and from Pittsburgh, and I get digital subchannels from both markets on my TV.

That would depend on the model of the TV and whether or not they have an antenna. If they have an antenna on the house, and the TV is new enough to have an "ATSC Tuner" built-in, then they should be able to plug the antenna into the TV and scan for channels, picking up a whole bunch.

I only recieve WQMY in the digital channel. Whether or not in analogue, I cannot say, for sure. :confused: You must have quite an antenna or amplifier/s to be able to receive anything that distant from Connecticut. :confused:

As stated earlier, here in Northeastern PA, WQMY is a sub-channel of FOX 56, (virtual 56) better known as WOLF-TV, on actual 45. WQMY is on actual 45.3. (virtual 56.3.) It is frequently coined, "MyNetwork." Hope this helps. :)

Best Regards,
Eric

The White House wants your opinion on The DTV Delay ACT Bill
President Obama wants to hear what the public has to say, you can comment here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/dtv_delay_act/

Is anyone aware if WQMY is on the air with their digital transmitter? I was informed that they filed for their license, but I was not sure if they were even on the air yet. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks....

Glad to see this board is so active...and informative. Does anyone even read this Wilkes-Barre forum anymore?:confused:

WQMY is still in limbo. WNEP is changing its signal to UHF channel 50 and increasing the power (ERP) to 500kW on the new facility before June 12th.

This seems like a nice forum, so forgive me for perhaps straying a little off-topic.

First, I get cable from SECV (Shamokin) and the clear QAM HD channels are CW, NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, and usually PBS (WVIA). Last month SECV unscambled all the non-premium basic cable channels. That allowed me to turn off every analog channel and use a paper to find the SD channels by raw cable number on my TV and Sony DHD-HDD250. I'm going to try to get an OTA signal from WHP (40+ miles) when it warms up a little, but I live in a small valley with a small chance of OTA.

Strangely, I can only find the TV Guide data coming from C-SPAN (15). I was wondering if any SECV users here get TVGOS from any source. I might get a signal from the NE (40+ miles), but WYOU has told me they won't send the data, and I stopped supporting WVIA since they stopped XDS and TVGOS two months ago.

Any feedback wil be appreciated. Thanks.

Don't watch much cable tv . Mostly Blu-Rays and dvds.magor movie nut.I'm thinking of switch to Directv because it's cheaper and will fill any non dvd viewing hours.Has anybody had any experience with Service Electric HD vs. Directv. HD. How does the dish measure up in pic quality compared to SECV. Don't need tech stuff, just eyeball opinions.
Thanks

I have cousins who live in Lewisburg and this is their tv market.

WQMY is available at 56.3 (although now I see it claimed at 53.1 as well)

I live near State College, I'm jealous you guys get CW in HD.

I have three differnt HDTVs hooked to COMCAST here in NE PA

At times I do NOT use the cable box and my tuners go *way* into the 100's

Can';t remember NOW because I am at work but I *found* a bunch of HD
channels that normally are in the 2xx range using the digital box; this includes 'local' channels and E! among others if memory serves me.

YAY!

Anyone want to share info just 'e' me

kctobyjoe@comcast.net

I *think* my old registration is me and my OLD Verizon addy.

I have three differnt HDTVs hooked to COMCAST here in NE PA

At times I do NOT use the cable box and my tuners go *way* into the 100's

Can';t remember NOW because I am at work but I *found* a bunch of HD
channels that normally are in the 2xx range using the digital box; this includes 'local' channels and E! among others if memory serves me.

YAY!

Comcast is slowing moving up the state changing to SDV. We'll all be screwed then. Best of luck.

In case I mistyped; what does the three letter acronym mean?; I surely don't know all the HDTV lingo by any stretch.

FWIW about a month or so ago, on 38-1, I got YES in HD
Otherwise you'd need a digital box and it is in the 200's
NOW that channel is listed as 'encrypted'. Oh well ;-(

In case I mistyped; what does the three letter acronym mean?; I surely don't know all the HDTV lingo by any stretch.

FWIW about a month or so ago, on 38-1, I got YES in HD
Otherwise you'd need a digital box and it is in the 200's
NOW that channel is listed as 'encrypted'. Oh well ;-(

The 'encrypted' may change, or if that station on 38-1 was a local, it may have been moved. I have to do a rescan due to changes about once a month. I can live with that even though I get 500+ channels and only have 20 or so enabled. If your supplier has a web site, keep an eye on it. When new stations get added and advertised (like BigTen or VS) you should watch out for a channel shuffel.

Technically, a local station being carried by a cable service can not be scrambled. But since when has that stopped a monopoly? I get "locals" like WVIA, WYOU, WBRE, WOLF and WSWB in analog, SD and HD. All the basic cable channels (and distant network channels) are in SD. Only premium stuff like HBO is/are encryped.

SDV is Switched Digital Video. I call it "channel on demand" since only channels being viewed are sent through the cable. And you need "something" to tell your provider what to send. Only up side for us consumers is that it costs a lot for the provider to implement, so it will take years.

My supplier, SECV (Shamokin) is going to send out QAM to analog converters for free so that they can drop all analog above channel 21. If you use SECV (Mahanoy City) you can get basic cable and local/remote network channels in clear QAM HD. Of course, this could all change.

Thankx Joe

Dont think it will affect me tho...thanks for the info

Having a h*ll of a time with Wintv software/7/tuining digital on my PC ;-(
I tried what I thought would work then remembered I have a licensed copy
of Beyond TV whcih I will install/run today Even the Media CEnter was/is stubborn icking up the OTA HD locals ;-( (with an antenna; not cable) . Win TV's tuner didn't want to scan for digital channels on COMCAST just being hooked to their wire without a converter box.

IT appears they have changed some of what I received in the 1xx-x area.
I know they can't 'scramble' local channels BUT does that mean that HD versions are immune too or is the law structured for only what was previously
analog.. We have 16, 22, 28, 38, 56, 44, 64, 67
Then their HD copunterparts 16.1; 16.2, 38.1, 56.1 etc...
Help!!!

Thankx Joe

Dont think it will affect me tho...thanks for the info

Having a h*ll of a time with Wintv software/7/tuining digital on my PC ;-(
I tried what I thought would work then remembered I have a licensed copy
of Beyond TV whcih I will install/run today Even the Media CEnter was/is stubborn icking up the OTA HD locals ;-( (with an antenna; not cable) . Win TV's tuner didn't want to scan for digital channels on COMCAST just being hooked to their wire without a converter box.

IT appears they have changed some of what I received in the 1xx-x area.
I know they can't 'scramble' local channels BUT does that mean that HD versions are immune too or is the law structured for only what was previously
analog.. We have 16, 22, 28, 38, 56, 44, 64, 67
Then their HD copunterparts 16.1; 16.2, 38.1, 56.1 etc...
Help!!!

I'm pretty sure that cable companies SHOULD send through broadcast channels as received. That would mean no messing with the signal. But cable companies are a monopoly and seldom get fined. I get, for example, WBRE in analog, SD and HD. The SD/HD channel numbers vary depending on the hardware. I have Sony, LG and Sanyo. All show a different (but similar) format. And I can testify from personal experience, unless we share the same zipcode, our cable signals are different.

I have a Toshiba laptop with Vista that works ok with a Hauppage HVR-1950 that worked ok on cable. I get nothing OTA on anything. The 1950 would lockup my XP system frequently. I'm casually shopping for a Windows 7 laptop, but in no rush. I just bought a new TV and need to pay that off first. I hope this helps, and if you want to get really into this stuff, check out TSReader. That's way more technology than I have time to use.

I have 7 on my DELL rig at home
I *forgot* I bought Beyond TV a while back and used that to tune in the digital channels.
I intend on getting a new i7xx box in the future with 7 Professional but not now
I have a Hauppage 950x USB tuner hooked to the dell
Distressed that it did NOT attempt to tune in digital hd channels only 'analog'
I have 2 lines split into it; one OTA the other COMCAST cable w/o a box
With my tvs; it scans up to around 2xx in channels; dunno why the tuning mechanism didnt do that with the stick. I want to be able to record cable and or OTS at my discretion. I was also suprised that Windows Media CEnterdidnt do teh job either. Maybe I am missing something.
I have 2 SONY 46" LCDs, a 20" TOSHIBA lcd hooked to the cOMCAST digital box and my DELL rig hooked up to just the cable itself w/o a box and an OTA setup.
Did that make sense???

I have 7 on my DELL rig at home
I *forgot* I bought Beyond TV a while back and used that to tune in the digital channels.
I intend on getting a new i7xx box in the future with 7 Professional but not now
I have a Hauppage 950x USB tuner hooked to the dell
Distressed that it did NOT attempt to tune in digital hd channels only 'analog'
I have 2 lines split into it; one OTA the other COMCAST cable w/o a box
With my tvs; it scans up to around 2xx in channels; dunno why the tuning mechanism didnt do that with the stick. I want to be able to record cable and or OTS at my discretion. I was also suprised that Windows Media CEnterdidnt do teh job either. Maybe I am missing something.
I have 2 SONY 46" LCDs, a 20" TOSHIBA lcd hooked to the cOMCAST digital box and my DELL rig hooked up to just the cable itself w/o a box and an OTA setup.
Did that make sense???

The 950q is needed for QAM64/256 (cable digital) reception. I have one and it works with Vista but I haven't used it for a while. You are making perfect sense, but frustration is part of this "hobby". I do almost all my recording with two DHG-HDD250 Sony DVR recorders (see forum - 20k postings), LG LST-3410A (see forum), and also save to DVD-RAM on two Toshiba DVD units, one with a hard drive but neither are HD but they upconvert. I just got the Sony 32XBR9 since the price is dropping like a rock before the XBR10 & 11 hit the stores. It is sort of scary that my TV and DVD Blu-ray have MAC addresses. Next problem will be a virus attack on televisions!

You have confirmed that your Comcast has not gone off QAM to SDV? I notice that WYOU is my only analog channel that display all PSIP data. They dropped TVGOS which my Sonys need for their clock. I hope you can work things out.

How is the picture quality of Comcast versus Dish/DirecTV?

Right now I'm on Dish and have been for the past three years but Comcast is slowly tempting me due to price and the ability to use a TiVo HD instead of Dish's DVRs.

I have a OTA problem. I live in Williamsport were we receive OTA from different towers than the main transmission towers in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. I have a Sony KDL-52XBR4 which receives channel 16-1 and 16-2 from a translator at physical channel 20. There is also a transmission tower which broadcasts at 29 (virtual 53.1,53.2,53.3), I cannot receive this signal my Sony says it cannot decode the signal. What is interesting is I just puchased an inexpensive Dynex from Bestbuy which receives the signal just fine. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with the Sony? thanks for any help

I have a OTA problem. I live in Williamsport were we receive OTA from different towers than the main transmission towers in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. I have a Sony KDL-52XBR4 which receives channel 16-1 and 16-2 from a translator at physical channel 20. There is also a transmission tower which broadcasts at 29 (virtual 53.1,53.2,53.3), I cannot receive this signal my Sony says it cannot decode the signal. What is interesting is I just puchased an inexpensive Dynex from Bestbuy which receives the signal just fine. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with the Sony? thanks for any help

I'm not trying to be insulting but the XBR4 is not a new device. That said, you might try a rescan (not just an add) for all channels. Can you tune the Sony to 53.1 and get a signal?

What does the age of the device (just over 2 years manufactured Jan 2008) have to do with the ability of the ATSC tuner to receive a signal? By the why no insult taken. I do receive a signal (70-80 on the XBR meter) it just says it can not decode the signal.

What does the age of the device (just over 2 years manufactured Jan 2008) have to do with the ability of the ATSC tuner to receive a signal? By the why no insult taken. I do receive a signal (70-80 on the XBR meter) it just says it can not decode the signal.

You are getting multipath. Some TV's handle this better than others. The 16 (RF 20) translator is north of the city near the cemetery. The 53 (RF 29) is about 6 miles to the South West. If your antenna is pointed to the cemetery, you're getting a bounce of the 29 signal. You will need a rotor if you have an outdoor antenna.

If I disconnect the antenna (without moving it) from the XBR and connect it to the Dynex 53 (RF29) and 16 (RF20) come in equally well.

If I disconnect the antenna (without moving it) from the XBR and connect it to the Dynex 53 (RF29) and 16 (RF20) come in equally well.

What kind of antenna do you have? (Indoor/Outdoor)
What happens if you enter 29 [Enter] directly on the Sony remote without doing a re-scan?
You could have 100% signal on a station and if you're getting multipath, you won't see anything. It all depends on antenna orientation and the performance of your TV's ATSC equalizer.

Try entering 29-3.

- Trip

I live about 20 miles east of Binghamton in a poor reception area. I decided to experiment with an Antennacraft® HBU55 High-VHF/UHF Antenna today hoping to get a PBS station over the air. We are about 15 miles from the Binghamton transmitters and 72 miles from the Scranton transmitters. The worst obstructions are between me and Binghamton.

I discovered I can get the two VHF stations from Binghamton but not WSKG on channel 46. So I swung the antenna around towards Scranton and did a rescan. I can pull in WBRE reasonably well, and WYOU with a fair amount of breakup. No WVIA however.

So I started looking for transmitter power info and discovered that WVIA had a fire last month and is operating on a temporary transmitter.

Does anyone know if the temporary transmitter is running at the same power as their normal transmitter, or if once repairs are made if their power will increase? I keep hoping for PBS in HD one day.

As an FYI, I also tried Syracuse which is about the same distance from me. I get nothing from that direction.

Sorry to say that there wouldn't be much hope for you to get WVIA over the air. Currently they are operating at 150kW of ERP and roughly the same height as their tower which transmits UHF 41 at 171 kW of ERP. The association that runs the station also had to make big budget cuts due to their loss of state grants, so the power increase that was scheduled may not ever happen now.

UHF is hard to receive in a fringe area, one would need a good amplifier or even an outdoor antenna with a pre-amplifier.

If you plug your location into TVFool.com and post the resulting bolded link (it will not reveal your address) it will tell a lot more about your specific situation.

- Trip

I live about 20 miles east of Binghamton in a poor reception area. I decided to experiment with an Antennacraft® HBU55 High-VHF/UHF Antenna today hoping to get a PBS station over the air. We are about 15 miles from the Binghamton transmitters and 72 miles from the Scranton transmitters. The worst obstructions are between me and Binghamton.

I discovered I can get the two VHF stations from Binghamton but not WSKG on channel 46. So I swung the antenna around towards Scranton and did a rescan. I can pull in WBRE reasonably well, and WYOU with a fair amount of breakup. No WVIA however.

So I started looking for transmitter power info and discovered that WVIA had a fire last month and is operating on a temporary transmitter.

Does anyone know if the temporary transmitter is running at the same power as their normal transmitter, or if once repairs are made if their power will increase? I keep hoping for PBS in HD one day.

As an FYI, I also tried Syracuse which is about the same distance from me. I get nothing from that direction.

They had a transmitter fire that completely destroyed the facility. Prior to the fire they were on channel 41 at 200kw. They are now using WNEP's digital transmitter on channel 49 at 150kw until a new facility can be built. Do you receive any of the Scranton UHF stations?

They had a transmitter fire that completely destroyed the facility. Prior to the fire they were on channel 41 at 200kw. They are now using WNEP's digital transmitter on channel 49 at 150kw until a new facility can be built. Do you receive any of the Scranton UHF stations?

I receive no UHF from either Scranton or Binghamton, despite being 15 miles from the Binghamton towers. I receive upper VHF pretty well from Binghamton and I get a clean signal from WBRE in Scranton which is 73 miles away according to Google Earth. WYOU on channel 13 is too weak to be viewable.

I was poking around looking for information on the Syracuse stations and see they only have lower VHF stations and UHF. My antenna is not designed to pick up lower VHF channels 2 through 6.

I find it odd that I get zip on UHF with this massive 12 foot long antenna.

Anyway, you gave me the information I needed. WVIA, even with a 50 KW increase in power, won't be viewable here. I'm still wondering why WSKG isn't working.

How's the quality of Comcast in Luzerne County? (ie. Wilkes-Barre / Swoyersville)

I'm currently subscribed to Dish Network but am thinking of switching to Comcast.

I'm interested in both the SD and HD quality...

Thanks for any info!

How's the quality of Comcast in Luzerne County? (ie. Wilkes-Barre / Swoyersville)

I'm currently subscribed to Dish Network but am thinking of switching to Comcast.

I'm interested in both the SD and HD quality...

Thanks for any info!

I've heard nothing but bad things about cable in W-B from my folks who just moved from Hanover Twp (Carey Ave/Division St area). Don't know if things are any better in Swoyersville. They also were Dish subscribers; they had a very bad experience with DirecTV there.

Darn. It seems like every cable and satellite provider has problems.

Dish Network has been giving us some problems lately and I was also hoping to get a TiVo since they look really nice and have Netflix HD built in.

:(

The quality of COMCAST (in Nanticoke anyway) is GREAT
Some of course appear better than others; HD looks fine on my 47" SONY XBR; 19" TOSHIBA and 32" Best Buy TV; all are 1080i capable.
There have been NUMEROUS outages tho; systems shut receivers down; reboot times seem to take forever; I DESPISE that.
I DO like however the _On Demand_ stuff they offer. AMAZED what is available; and some of the shows I regularly watch (5-0; The Event; Blue Bloods; etc)
Still looking for the Tom Hanks baseball flick;_A League of Their Own_; it isn't where they said it is (listed)
LOTS of programming and they are promising MORE with the new XFINITY upgrade in Dec
HOPEFULLY I will get the lowdown on watching on my PC as well.

New receivers AGAIN ?!?!?
Wonder what the deal will be with THESE ?!?!?
Anyone???
Also wonder if a cable line w/o a digital box will be ok with a Hauppage tuner; it isn't clear...

The quality of COMCAST (in Nanticoke anyway) is GREAT
<snip>
There have been NUMEROUS outages tho; systems shut receivers down; reboot times seem to take forever; I DESPISE that.


These two statements don't make sense together - if my cable system had numerous outages, there's no way I could say its quality were great.

If we choose to ignore the outrages and they occurred when I wasn't using the services (sometime at night)
It is a p.i.t.a. tho to go thru the reboot process; it seems to take forever; the phone and internet do not suffer the same delays.
Overall things are OK
Lightening tho can't be used as an excuse I don't think but that only happened once in years of service.

Is there any way to tell the actual bitrate that Comcast is using versus Dish Network, etc? Bitrate should determine the largest different in quality, right?

Is there any way to tell the actual bitrate that Comcast is using versus Dish Network, etc? Bitrate should determine the largest different in quality, right?

Apples to oranges, especially as Dish Network uses MPEG4 on its Eastern Arc, while Comcast is MPEG2.

New handout from COMCAST states need digital converter by Jan or Feb 2011
otherwise won't even get local stations; they have it phased in over 3 tiers.

Does this affect digital tuners like Hauppage makes for capture/view on a PC?

In other words do we need to hook up their converter first then the digital tuner to pull stuff in or am I mis-informed?

In another Q 720p vs 1080i

Is there a REAL eye catching difference? I am considering getting a 720P plasma at like $300 less than a 1080i plasma

All opinions welcome

kc

New handout from COMCAST states need digital converter by Jan or Feb 2011
otherwise won't even get local stations; they have it phased in over 3 tiers.

Does this affect digital tuners like Hauppage makes for capture/view on a PC?

In other words do we need to hook up their converter first then the digital tuner to pull stuff in or am I mis-informed?

In another Q 720p vs 1080i

Is there a REAL eye catching difference? I am considering getting a 720P plasma at like $300 less than a 1080i plasma

All opinions welcome

kc
Yes even the broadcast tier will be all digital by early next year. Your digital tuner for a PC should not be affected, all broadcast tier channels will be left in the clear, anything beyond that requires use of a cable card. DTA converters are only meant for older televisions without digital cable tuners and a PC tuner does not require a cable box. If a television is 720p capable it would also be 1080i capable. What you probably mean is 1080p, and there is nothing other than blu-ray and a few specialty devices in video that go that high in resolution yet.

this is about 1080P, but the idea of the pixels is the same. I think you would have to be a REAL videophile to really notice the difference. However, depending on your budget, if you can afford the $300, spend it, or even look to upgrade to the 1080P. In any case you really can't go to wrong.

there is an article on cnet, I am new and could not post the full url but if you put the http: it should work
//reviews.cnet.com/720p-vs-1080p-hdtv/

Hello everyone,

I've kept up with posts and stuff with AVSForum for quite a while, but yeah, I've decided to quit lurking and start asking some questions. :)

I used to work in the telecommunications industry quite a few years ago. One of the things I did back then was installing/repairing antenna and satellite installations - quite a bit has changed since Primestar! :) I've been learning a LOT about OTA digital signal lately...

Anyway...

I live in Mountain Top, PA - just about a mile away from Penobscot Mountain, where most of the Wilkes-Barre market's transmission towers are located. Trust me, it's not a good thing. I'm getting killed with multipath and overload problems.

Here's my TVFool link:

w w w . t v f o o l . c o m /?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dda321d9c30e253

Currently, with an Antennas Direct DB4 mounted on a j-pipe outside of my office window, I can receive all the stations in the northeast quadrant of the radar map. Channel 43 comes in pretty well, with some occasional minor pixelating on its fourth sub-channel. Channel 31 is spotty, I haven't received it in a couple of weeks, but it's cool because I get it as a sub on another channel. I'm also using a decent RCA 10dB line amp to compensate for some cable loss.

Anyway, aside from some dropouts here and there (mainly on the VHF stations, when they happen, I either rig a dipole, or throw rabbit ears with folding dipoles into the loop, that cures it), reception is okay on those stations. My RCA converter box doesn't go beyond 70% for any channel - I assume because of overload. Even when I was using rabbit ears to pull in everything, it never got out of the 60% range. The DB4 gets me channel 43 at about 24% without the amp, and about 34% with.

Anyway...

I was hoping someone in the forums could offer suggestions for receiving channels in the southwest portion of the map. I haven't had success with anything I've tried. It's a bit frustrating for me because I can actually SEE two of those towers on a clear day!

Also, some variables thrown in, just for fun...

I live on the second floor of an apartment complex, so throwing a couple of amped-up eight-foot yagis on the roof isn't an option for me. I'm lucky I'm getting away with the DB4 outside my window. Running two antennas seems to be the best solution, especially since the building I live in runs right between the signal area. That is, if I point the antenna southwards, I'm running into the building blocking signal.

I'm looking into directional options, my favorite right now being installing an Antennas Direct SR-15 on my porch (with a combiner, keeping the DB4 where it is), and amping it up if need be. I have a Winegard 29dB amp that I'm not using - and an attenuator for it - just because I know 29dB unfiltered could (and probably would) multiply my overload problems.

I was just wondering if anyone had some ideas of how I could bring in those channels to the southwest? I also live close to FM transmitters, would an FM trap help me out? I'd love to get a frequency filter (Winegard has one at a reasonable price), but I have three UHF channels that are VERY close to the four channel range of the filter, two strong and one weak. Which would, of course, kill the weak one.

I was just hoping for some suggestions before I went out and spent some money on something that may or may not work.

Thanks :)

Saw no one has responded in awhile so I thought I'd give it a shot... I wasn't clear on what stations you said you were having pixilation problems with (43=W43CO? or WPMT out of Harrisburg?)

Depending on if you have height of your second floor porch, you may or may not have a chance.

You will need direct line of site to pick up those in the Southwest quadrant, and you may not need multiple antennas to do this, but you will need a directional antenna with an amp. Your DB4 is not incredibly directional and it is not designed for VHF which could explain some of your reception problems. You do not want an amp for those channels close by as you mentioned.

You are going to want to learn a little bit about an antenna's "lobes" or the directional patterns at which it receives as this may allow you to pick up your Wilkes Barre Scranton stations on a "secondary lobe" of a directional antenna pointed southwest towards those channels. I live in the harrisburg market so I'm not sure at the feasibility of picking those up (terrain, etc) but thought I'd throw a few ideas out there.

Hope this helps

73's
KJ3E

Thanks for the response!

Actually, the second floor porch isn't all that high. The building I live in is built halfway inside of a hill, so the antenna (DB4) in the front of the building is about 16' off the ground, while the one for the porch will be located in the back, about 8' off the ground.

The frustrating thing is, I can SEE two of those towers, so yeah, total line of sight.

VHF? Yeah, I understand the DB4 isn't designed for VHF reception. It's cool. :) I use a set of RCA rabbit ears to pick up my local NBC and CBS affiliates. The DB4, even with how close I am to the towers can get finicky with VHF. I was looking at maybe picking up a CS 5 someday to play around with more distant VHF reception.

"You are going to want to learn a little bit about an antenna's "lobes" or the directional patterns at which it receives as this may allow you to pick up your Wilkes Barre Scranton stations on a "secondary lobe" of a directional antenna pointed southwest towards those channels."

That's very interesting, and it's something I haven't looked at. I appreciate it. Maybe a Channel Master CM2016 would do the trick. Highly directional UHF, with a set of omni-directional rabbit ears on the back of it.

Man, I love the Harrisburg stations! I had a steady atmosphere here the one night, and so help me God, I was picking up like 25 stations with two sets of RCA rabbit ears hooked up to the converter box using a cheap combiner! I thought I was on to something until I began reading into tropospheric stuff. Once the sun came up - BAM! Gone. Each channel disappeared one by one until I was left with what I normally pick up from the towers up the hill.

It was a lot of fun though! Which is mainly why I mess with this stuff to begin with! :)

I'm glad you replied. You gave me a new and different direction to go in. Thank you. Now that the holidays are over, and maybe if I can get a warm enough day somewhere...

I also got a Vizio blu-ray player for Christmas that has Netflix on it, so I got a little sidetracked with that, too...

Thanks again! :)



Saw no one has responded in awhile so I thought I'd give it a shot... I wasn't clear on what stations you said you were having pixilation problems with (43=W43CO? or WPMT out of Harrisburg?)

Depending on if you have height of your second floor porch, you may or may not have a chance.

You will need direct line of site to pick up those in the Southwest quadrant, and you may not need multiple antennas to do this, but you will need a directional antenna with an amp. Your DB4 is not incredibly directional and it is not designed for VHF which could explain some of your reception problems. You do not want an amp for those channels close by as you mentioned.

You are going to want to learn a little bit about an antenna's "lobes" or the directional patterns at which it receives as this may allow you to pick up your Wilkes Barre Scranton stations on a "secondary lobe" of a directional antenna pointed southwest towards those channels. I live in the harrisburg market so I'm not sure at the feasibility of picking those up (terrain, etc) but thought I'd throw a few ideas out there.

Hope this helps

73's
KJ3E

When did SE Cable Wilkes-Barre change owners? It looks as though Ed Walson no longer owns it and John Walson Jr took it over since it is now part of SECTV and Communications and no longer SE Broadband Cable.

Hi -
Looking into setting up OTA for tv reception. Live in high elevation - almost the top of the mountain. Using Antennaweb I am told to get red or blue uhf antenna - but two of the channels are numbers 11 and 13 - which are vhf - right? I am less than 11 miles from the Penobscot Mountain towers. No high buildings nearby - some trees.

Next I went to TV Fool site. Here is the info they produced for me (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d17b61a6ebfb9):

Should I be getting a UHF only antenna or a combo UHF & VHF?
Brand suggestions?
Pre amp or ???
Will I have to have it 30 ft above ground?

TIA,
Cindy

Hi -
Looking into setting up OTA for tv reception. Live in high elevation - almost the top of the mountain. Using Antennaweb I am told to get red or blue uhf antenna - but two of the channels are numbers 11 and 13 - which are vhf - right? I am less than 11 miles from the Penobscot Mountain towers. No high buildings nearby - some trees.

Next I went to TV Fool site. Here is the info they produced for me (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d17b61a6ebfb9):

Should I be getting a UHF only antenna or a combo UHF & VHF?
Brand suggestions?
Pre amp or ???
Will I have to have it 30 ft above ground?

TIA,
Cindy

Looks like you should have a pretty easy time picking up "the big 5" as they are all Line of Sight for your and only 10 miles away, and all in the same location.

Pretty much any combo (Yes, you need Hi-VHF and UHF) roof antenna, when properly pointed should do the trick.

Now if you want to pickup CW, your Independent, and ION, things get a bit more tricky.

I would recommend getting a preamp (any should do) and you would need a rotor because you are going to need to point it in a different orientation.

That said, if you really want to get technical, you may be able to point your antenna at the CW/ION tower and pickup the big 5 off the side, as long as you don't have anything in the way that would give you "multi-path" If you are just going this route, a smaller preamp would be warranted than say a CM7777 (radio shack's should do) as you don't want to "overdrive" the strong signals from the big 5. If you really wanted to get adventurous, you are on the fringe of Binghampton and if you got a Winegard VHF-Hi and an Antennas Direct DB4 and combined them with the CM7777, you could have some interesting out of market results.

Hope that helps more than confuse. Let me know any questions you may have.

Thanks for the fast response!

I have zero knowledge of antenna's - and don't really care if I get the CW or ION stations...just want a very reliable (not cheapest necessarily) solution.

I see that Channelmaster is sold thru ACE hardware, I don't know what Radio Shack may carry, and then Wineguard and others are sold online - like from Amazon.

I would prefer to buy local, so if I have to return to try a different model it's easier.

So I guess I will go to the ACE and Radio Shack stores and see what they offer in VHS/UHF combo - and directional - so I can just point it to Penobscot Mountain.

Any other tips for models?

TIA
Cindy

Thanks for the fast response!

I have zero knowledge of antenna's - and don't really care if I get the CW or ION stations...just want a very reliable (not cheapest necessarily) solution.

I see that Channelmaster is sold thru ACE hardware, I don't know what Radio Shack may carry, and then Wineguard and others are sold online - like from Amazon.

I would prefer to buy local, so if I have to return to try a different model it's easier.

So I guess I will go to the ACE and Radio Shack stores and see what they offer in VHS/UHF combo - and directional - so I can just point it to Penobscot Mountain.

Any other tips for models?

TIA
Cindy

If all you care about it getting the big 5, then "Channel Master® Digital Advantage VHF/UHF High Band HDTV Antenna (2020)" should do from Ace. If you can't reliably pickup the signals you want, then I would go get the radio shack antenna amplifier, and that would guarantee you'll be able to pickup what you're looking for.

Use the TV Fool guide and a compass to point your antenna and you'll be set.

If all you care about it getting the big 5, then "Channel Master® Digital Advantage VHF/UHF High Band HDTV Antenna (2020)" should do from Ace. If you can't reliably pickup the signals you want, then I would go get the radio shack antenna amplifier, and that would guarantee you'll be able to pickup what you're looking for.

Use the TV Fool guide and a compass to point your antenna and you'll be set.

Antennacraft® HBU55 High-VHF/UHF Antenna would also probably work well if you're looking at Radio Shack.

Does anybody know if Comcast sets the CCI (do not copy) flag on most of their channels?

I'm wondering about this before I switch from Dish Network to Comcast...

(ie. I'd like to use TiVo or setup a cable card DVR to record content but I don't want to be limited if CCI is set for every single channel...)

I am from Brodheadsville area
I remember around back in 2005 my Local radioshack said where I lived in Brodheadsville I will not be able to pickup anything in the Scranton WB area.
Well I did atad of reading and bought a Antennas Direct 91XG Uni-directional HDTV Antenna..
Well that kinda works at that time because I was getting about 3 stations channels are 16-22 and 28 if I remember,,,,But I was not able to get FOX.
I called up the Local Fox station and they said that it will be hard to get the station in my area.
Anyways I went with FTA statellite and want to get back in Getting my Locals in HD.
I see many people talk aboput VHF signals butttt I thought all the VHF signals are gone or will be gone soon.
I still have my Antennas Direct 91XG Uni-directional HDTV Antenna in my garage and I think I put the winegard amp in the garbage years ago.
Thinking this would be nice if I can get a picture.
1995 I was getiing a picture and tryed the antenna about a year ago on a pole and got nothing but I am willing to give it another shot.........JT

I just hooked up my Antennas Direct 91XG Uni-directional HDTV Antenna
indoors to see if the antenna works???I pickup Channel 24 in analog from WB scranton area...
Hope that when I have time to put outdoors that I will get HD stations,,,,,JT

Hey:

Channels 22 and 28 are on VHF (as is 60 from Bethlehem, if you care about that one) while the rest of the stations in the area are on UHF. What might help is to plug your location into TVFool.com and post the resulting image here, then we'll have an idea of what the signals look like for you.

- Trip

I went into TVFool and it shows lots of stations I should get...
I had a Big winegard Vhf/Uhf Antenna but it was kinda unless since
I was unable to get Bethlenhem of Philly stations and pnly a Few from the scranton and WB area....I also think I had a few HD stations in the 44 channel range.......
But since I am getting channel 24 in analog from WB,,,I feel once its outside and atads higher,maybe I will pickup a few HD Locals from WB since I had them once before...........MAYBE it was channel 22 lol..............JT

Channel 24 is from Stroudsburg.

Well, as you didn't post the output here, I can't really tell you much. But just based on the location you gave and depending on your exact location, I would suspect you could potentially receive 16-22-28-44-56 from Scranton and maybe 39-60-69 from Allentown as well. With a low-VHF antenna, you might be able to add WPVI-6 to your lineup, too.

- Trip

I took my Antennas Direct 91XG outside and put it on a pole that I was holding on while my TV was scanning for stations.
and I was able to get 22.1 from WB with a 49-50 signal
My 55 inch Plasma also picked up 49.1 and 50.1 butttt with no picture.

I am sure I can put a roof mount on my roof that I have and get at least another 10 feet at least...Would you good folks think I will get more stations?
and is it best to uut a Amp on???And what is the Best Amp I can get?
From the TV too the antenna will be less then 100 feet.
Since I am only facing the WB Scranton area I feel I don't think I need a rotor unless you folks think differant?.Thanks JT

49.1 is WVIA (PBS) and 50.1 is WNEP (ABC). When you put it up on the pole, those should correctly scan in as 44-1 and 16-1 respectively. If you got 22-1, then 28-1 shouldn't be too much weaker since it's coming out of the same antenna at the same power level.

I would suspect putting it up on the roof would help you to get 56-1 WOLF (FOX) as well. Not sure you'd get too much beyond that. An amp could certainly help at your distance, and a rotor would only help if you want to try for stations besides those in Scranton.

- Trip

49.1 is WVIA (PBS) and 50.1 is WNEP (ABC). When you put it up on the pole, those should correctly scan in as 44-1 and 16-1 respectively. If you got 22-1, then 28-1 shouldn't be too much weaker since it's coming out of the same antenna at the same power level.

I would suspect putting it up on the roof would help you to get 56-1 WOLF (FOX) as well. Not sure you'd get too much beyond that. An amp could certainly help at your distance, and a rotor would only help if you want to try for stations besides those in Scranton.

- Trip

Thanks for your time
I started witha fresh scan and was able to get 22.1,very good picture but
I am sure the signal should be better then 50%
I don't get it,if I am getting 49.1 and 50.1 why would I not get 28.1???Orrrr should there be programing on 49.1 and 50.1???(No picture on those stations}
I thought that the Antennas Direct 91XG is one of the Best UHF antennas
to get HD??? and what is the BEST Amp to get since I am 37.1 miles away from the tower?
At looking at TVfool it seems that 22.1 is in the hard to pickup GRAY area
But with the RED area I am not getting anything,but I am sure maybe another 8-10 feet might do it?...Thanks JT
I http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d8d17cc417803db

It's a good antenna, but it won't make signals appear out of nowhere. You're very close to the noise floor, according to your TV Fool plot, meaning you're going to have to put it up on the roof to get 49 and 50 to show a picture. That is what you'll probably need to see a signal on Fox as well.

22.1 and 28.1 are on channels 13 and 11, respectively, which are VHF frequencies. Your XG-91 is made for UHF rather than VHF, but if you're seeing 22.1 now, when you get it up on the roof it may pull in 28.1 as well. The radio club I'm in has an XG-91 and it does not receive the local VHF station, but if it's working for you, I say don't argue with it. :)

To answer your question, I think the extra 8-10 feet might do it, but the only way to be sure is to try and see. :)

As for an amp, I'd say to get the antenna on the roof first, see what your signals are like, then think about an amp.

- Trip

Thanks for your time Trip

I remember a few years ago during the Winter I was able to get 16.1 along with 22.1 with a few HD stations in the 40s
Yes I am sure a VHF antenna will help buttt I am only looking for Digitals and HD stations...........Yes I will put the antenna on the roof and see what happens....Maybe because its spring and the trees are getting full with leaves,thats why I am not getting much.thanks again...........JT

So... I had Comcast installed earlier in the week and I'm comparing it to Dish Network. It seems like a tough call but I think Dish wins for SD and Comcast wins for HD but not all channels. It's a very tough decision!

Has anybody else recently compared these two?

Hello, folks:

I find myself in Bushkill again this summer, and for the first time ever, I've managed to receive a digital TV signal here! I decoded WNEP-50 last night. WVIA-49 was close but never quite decoded, and WOLF-45 was present but much weaker. Nothing else showed any signal.

We're in a different, higher location this year, and I suspect that to be responsible for my first-time reception. :)

- Trip

Looks like the two Nexstar stations WYOU and WBRE finally got the equipment to play back syndicated programming in HD. Dr. Oz looks good, albeit a few errors causing the signal to break up with green and purple lines.

Just caught up on WNEP too, as syndicated programming has been broadcasting in HD for a week or two now. Seinfeld looks pretty good in HD on WNEP. Last local stations to be HD ready for syndicates are WOLF, WSWB and WQMY.

Thanks for the update.

I'm still hoping that Comcast gets GSN HD (as silly as that sounds) so I can switch off Dish Network. Hopefully they get it soon...

I've been in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre DMA a few times lately, whether I was at PNC Field in Moosic or at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains. Anyways, is that the WNEP-TV studio I see while leaving I-81, heading for PNC Field? Also, while in the parking lot of the casino, I see the big wind turbines up on the hill, above the studio for WOLF-TV (FOX)/WQMY-TV (MY). I heard those affect TV reception for some people in the area. Wouldn't the topography do more to hinder one's reception?

I've been in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre DMA a few times lately, whether I was at PNC Field in Moosic or at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains. Anyways, is that the WNEP-TV studio I see while leaving I-81, heading for PNC Field? Also, while in the parking lot of the casino, I see the big wind turbines up on the hill, above the studio for WOLF-TV (FOX)/WQMY-TV (MY). I heard those affect TV reception for some people in the area. Wouldn't the topography do more to hinder one's reception?

You're correct: the WNEP studio is located near PNC Field, right off I-81. Also, the WVIA studio is near Pocono Downs, on the other side of I-81.

As for wind turbines vs. topography, the topography is the bigger hinderance, but I've also heard (and stated here) that the turbines also affect reception, but I heard that it was up in the Waymart area. I was in Waymart last month, and like you, I think the terrain is more of a problem there than anywhere else. Perhaps the problem manifests itself as you go toward Honesdale - I'm not sure.

Has anybody received any new HD channels on Comcast?

I've heard of other areas (Montgomery County, PA) getting GSN HD, BBCA HD, etc, and I'm really hoping that Wilkes-Barre gets these.

(I'm still waiting for GSN HD mostly, and then I can switch from Dish Network!)

Contradicting an e-mail response I received from a programming rep. at the local FOX/CW/MYNet studio HQ it looks as though today the stations started broadcasting select programs from syndicates in HD. The response said the studio equipment would not be completely replaced until next Fall season. So far in sampling programming, shows such as 30 Rock and two and half men are being played back in HD. Newer episodes of Family Guy and the Simpsons were played tonight and they were not in HD (still 16:9 squeezed into the 4:3 aspect ratio area). The Big Bang Theory was just 4:3 with no letterbox. Adams Cable does not carry WQMY in HD, so there is no telling whether programming on there is HD (the station always messes with aspect ratios on the SD feed). The high definition gap closes further for this Nielsen Market.