Right now, KENS is multicasting the two SD subs of KWEX-DT, due to KENS's DT-55 transmitter going off the air early at the request of Qualcomm and their MediaFLO service. For that reason, it will look more degraded than normal until June 12 (assuming it's not pushed back again) when KWEX and KENS return to separate transmitters.

- Trip

I'm talking about KENS even when they were on digital 55, before the situation with the 2 subchannels. I've been watching KENS and KEYE HDTV for about 5 years now, even before I moved to Lockhart. Again, I've always thought KEYE's picture was slightly better than KENS.

Ah, I see. Perhaps they have different encoding gear which causes differences in the quality of the picture.

- Trip

Bought a 50" Pioneer plasma TV hooked it up to my OTA antenna, TruSpec-25amplifier and got 2 digital channels 29/35. Realigned the antenna, picked up channels 4 and 12 for about 2 days, now black screens. Pioneer came out replacement tuner in hand, said it was weak signal and a new tuner wouldn't fix it and left. Meanwhile during all this (beginning on 3/23) my RCA D/A converter box brought in all the digital channels (except 5 which I should get on 6/12) picture perfect (as analog pics go) both before and after the antenna was adjusted. No pixelating, signal drops, black screens nodda! How can the signal be strong enough for my D/A box but not my new fangled TV????????? My question is how can I make a "weak signal" stronger so I get this plasma wallmounted sometime soon?????????

Bought a 50" Pioneer plasma TV hooked it up to my OTA antenna, TruSpec-25amplifier and got 2 digital channels 29/35. Realigned the antenna, picked up channels 4 and 12 for about 2 days, now black screens. Pioneer came out replacement tuner in hand, said it was weak signal and a new tuner wouldn't fix it and left. Meanwhile during all this (beginning on 3/23) my RCA D/A converter box brought in all the digital channels (except 5 which I should get on 6/12) picture perfect (as analog pics go) both before and after the antenna was adjusted. No pixelating, signal drops, black screens nodda! How can the signal be strong enough for my D/A box but not my new fangled TV????????? My question is how can I make a "weak signal" stronger so I get this plasma wallmounted sometime soon?????????The TV's receiver is less sensitive than your converter box. You'll need to get more signal into the TV somehow. Seems like your options are:

1. Get your antenna higher, improve its location (outdoor > indoor), or get a better antenna.

2. Get a bigger/better amplifier, after exhausting all of the possible enhancements in #1.

3. Subscribe to cable or a dish service.

Personally, I wouldn't invest a lot of time/money into #1 until the stations move to their permanent digital assignments in June. Some of your signal problems may be solved by those moves. Even then, KENS will be operating on reduced power until later in 2009, according to a crawl that runs regularly on their air.

Backing up a step further, I wonder if maybe your amplifier overloaded and caused the failure of some component in the signal path besides the tuner, which led to the degraded receive capability in the TV. Maybe a different service technician would have a better answer for you than you got from the official Pioneer techs?

Watched CSI: Miami last night and got a bit irritated. The computer, Monday night, correctly saw that CSI: Miami was on at 2 in the morning Tuesday and got the program correctly recorded. Watched it Tuesday night but it was NOT in HD. So is that the deal, when there is a basketball game delayed network programming gets shown in SD, not HD????? Kinda lame or maybe it was hopefully an accident.

Allen,

Sorry to disappoint. The truth is, when we had the Spurs game on Monday night we set up the HD recording of CSI:Miami on the incorrect CBS HD network source. The primary HD source delivers Dolby Digital 5.1 surround on most network programming. Unless that is downmixed to stereo before recording, thousands of OTA, cable and satellite viewers still watching our Standard Definition signal would hear no dialogue, only the left front and right front music and effects channels. Standard practice is to record HD delays on a secondary source which still delivers true HD and 5.1 Dolby Digital, but it is downmixed to a Lt/Rt stereo compatible with ordinary mono or stereo TV sets. People with Dolby Digital audio systems still get the Pro Logic version of the 5.1 Surround (more like a 4.1 representation) for a better listening experience.

Monday night we inadvertently recorded from the primary instead of the secondary source, rendering playout impossible for our SD viewers. As a backup we always record the Standard Definition downconversion. That's what you saw when you played back the show.

Hokay then, it were an accident and thanks for the update.

Allen

Bought a 50" Pioneer plasma TV hooked it up to my OTA antenna, TruSpec-25amplifier and got 2 digital channels 29/35. Realigned the antenna, picked up channels 4 and 12 for about 2 days, now black screens. Pioneer came out replacement tuner in hand, said it was weak signal and a new tuner wouldn't fix it and left. Meanwhile during all this (beginning on 3/23) my RCA D/A converter box brought in all the digital channels (except 5 which I should get on 6/12) picture perfect (as analog pics go) both before and after the antenna was adjusted. No pixelating, signal drops, black screens nodda! How can the signal be strong enough for my D/A box but not my new fangled TV????????? My question is how can I make a "weak signal" stronger so I get this plasma wallmounted sometime soon?????????

Good info BarsAntone, I will prolly wait till after 6/12 to do anything drastic. As for getting cable, not an option (not available in Pipe Creek). I already have dishnet and will eventually upgrade to HD equipment if/when local channels are included (I believe they already are). As for the KENS5 webcrawl, I haven't received channel 5 since they moved to the shared transmitter way back during the NFL playoffs. I can/do receive the ch-5 analog signal ocassionally during the day but refuse to watch analog. I am convinced my antenna is strong enough, and the signal may be degraded over the 50' run even with the TRUSPEC-25 preamp/amp. I will upgrade my 4X coax splitter to 2-2X splitters (reserving the lone coax for the TV tuner) to minimize dB loss. I'm even considering an amplified splitter with +15dB gain to be placed between the TV and the TRUSPEC-25 amp in the living room (would this be the correct placement or would it be between the antenna mast mounted preamp and the living room located amp)?

p.s. and why wouldn't a higher end plasma TV manufacturer like Pioneer make a decent/sensitive tuner like the cheapo D/A so there can be a frogging picture??? (AAAARRRRRRRGGGHHH !)

FYI - I spent the last 10 days in Binghamton NY (born/raised), arrived the Sat after the massaquer (sp)...this past Mon, someone had the nerve to plant 14 vice 13 flowers to honor those killed. Families of the 13 victims were highly agitated at the 14th flower and had it removed....

Am I the only person living outside SA having reception issues with an outdoor OTA antenna 30+ miles away? How about some input from those that are up/running/strong signal no pixelating and have no black screens!

I am 15 something miles south of Floresville.

Antenna: ( Channel Master 4228 ) - - -
18 feet above ground level @ (approximate elevation 340 feet)

Antenna Cable: coaxial - 50 feet Belden Quad Shield RG-6 with Paladin water-proof connectors

I have used this setup on three different HDTV sets. Most of the sets would receive 4 / 5 / 12 / 29 with just a cheap indoor antenna.

I am getting really good signal quality as verified by all the sets signal meters.

Hope this helps - - -

Prometheis,

You are on the order of 40 - 45 miles distant from most of the San Antonio transmitter sites and you are in hilly terrain. You and I have exchanged correspondence on this for a while and others have offered suggestions to you. The long and the short of it comes down to this: I think you have a decent antenna and I am certain you have it pointed in the right direction. Your antenna preamp should be mounted on the antenna mast as near as possible to the array. If you are going to use an amplified splitter - which is a very good idea - it should be inside the premises where the antenna feed line enters the building. Make the amplified splitter your only method of dividing signals to avoid any losses. Make a single home run cable from each port of the amp'd splitter to each TV set or converter box. Avoid using passive splitters whenever you can.

Remember, I speak only for KENS. We are operating in partnership with Univision at approximately 1/3 of our rated power on a tower that is somewhat shorter than our final installation. If not for that partnership (for which we are grateful!) we would not be on the air at all. On the morning of June 13 we will wake up with twice the power we have on the air today and on a new, more efficient auxiliary antenna. Your reception will improve in June and get even better in July after we replace our channel 55 antenna with a channel 39 antenna on the top of our 1500-foot tower.

Remember also that every station in San Antonio depends in some way on another to continue operating legally until June. No one of us can move ahead with our plans for growth without adversely affecting one or more of our neighbors. That's why the final DTV transition in June will be a coordinated event. Not just the shutoff of all the analog transmitters, but the orderly move of each station, in correct order, from its transitional DTV channel to its final DTV channel.

I live in Lockhart, not exactly sure how far from the San Antonio towers. I use this http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088 antenna (UHF only) from Radio Shack, mounted in my attic. I have it going to 2 output distribution amplifier (24 dB...Wal-Mart a few years ago) feeding my 2 Dish Network 612 ViPs.

I get about 65% signal strength on KENS and KWEX. I suspect that'll increase after June 12th. I get 72% on KVDA. I get about 77-79% on WOAI and KABB...75% on KSAT but should lose that after June 12th. I don't think I'll bother to get VHF for KSAT considering their poor video quality.

I don't get any other San Antonio stations.

I am 15 something miles south of Floresville.

Antenna: ( Channel Master 4228 ) - - -
18 feet above ground level @ (approximate elevation 340 feet)

Antenna Cable: coaxial - 50 feet Belden Quad Shield RG-6 with Paladin water-proof connectors

I have used this setup on three different HDTV sets. Most of the sets would receive 4 / 5 / 12 / 29 with just a cheap indoor antenna.

I am getting really good signal quality as verified by all the sets signal meters.

Hope this helps - - -

Thanks, everybody for the good info. I see your roughly in the De-Wees area but pretty much a straight shot w/o any hills to the antennas. I am, like REALTHOGUE says, about 46 miles away and in the hill country. antennasweb is useless to me as 1. it doesn't include SA channels 29 or 35 antenna locations. The 35 antenna is practically in my back yard. It says to point the antenna at 114 degrees for most VHF stations. The only signals I get I get from SA are at 270 degrees, I've no idea what the altitude is but the antenna is about 18-20' high. Upgrades to RG-6 cable and conectors prolly are a must. A single splitter prolly 2G or 2.4G for a 4 way splitter also likely. Any other upgrades (antenna) will wait till after 6/12. I've considered the UHF (only) antenna but some seem to think after the dust settles, some stations may consider moving off the UHF frequency back to a VHF digital freq. in which case, I would need both the UHF and VHF antenna like I have now.
I'm also considering the DB4 or possibly DB8 omni directional antenna as this tuner is real finicky (Now I've lost channels 4,12 and 29).

Unfortunately being in the hill country does have it's disadvantages (weak signals). But raising a question, seeking input or asking for other hill countrymens suggestions to resolve this ongoing issue is what this forum is for, or am I mistaken? Forgive me if I continue to persue a resolve, but it is an important issue, at least to me. But then most fellow hill countrymen will prolly procrastinate and find out in June where guess what? the information will already be here....sharing information in a forum, what a great idea!

Prometheis,

I can't think of any San Antonio DTV at 270 degrees from you. What is the call sign? When you write, "some seem to think after the dust settles, some stations may consider moving off the UHF frequency back to a VHF digital freq" I think I need to clear the air. Here is the (Virtual) and Actual channel lineup effective June 13 and beyond:

KCWX (2) moves to DTV 5.
WOAI (4) now on DTV 58 moves to DTV 48.
KENS (5) now on DTV 39 with KWEX, will remain there.
KLRN (9) now on DTV 8 moves to DTV 9.
KSAT (12) now on DTV 48 moves to DTV 12.
KHCE (23) now on DTV 16, will remain there.
KPXL (26) will "flash-cut" to DTV 26 without a transitional channel.
KABB (29) and KMYS (35) already are on their final DTV channels of 30 and 32.
KWEX (41) now on DTV 39 with KENS, moves to DTV 41.
KVDA (60) already on DTV 38, will remain there.

The take away from all of this is that most OTA viewers will continue to need VHF/UHF combo antennas to receive all DTV stations in the future. As to a station moving back to VHF from a UHF assignment, while you can't rule it out I don't think that will happen until there is a big improvement in the economic climate.

The point I was trying to make, is that quite possibly, after the dust settles (after 6/12), a UHF only antenna will not be enough......a combination of both UHF and VHF antennas may be required....which I believe is exactly what you said I said...

ok, dumb question: my OTA looks like a Christmas tree, with the top of the tree resembling a YAGGI antenna, the subsequent ribs get longer the further down you go. 1. Which end is the top or front of the antenna? 2. Which end is the UHF (YAGI or ribs)? I have the larger end(ribs) pointing around 270 deg., the compass I use is cheap and 270 is my starting point, exact location in unknown. I use the real time RCA D/A converter box signal meter to align the antenna..

The antenna is already 18'-20' high, I can't see how to raise it another 5'-6' w/o the wind constantly knocking it out of alignment..

I read someplace to point the antenna up about 18 degrees ...thoughts?

Lastly, Given 2 coax cables running from the antenna mast to the house; I will be upgrading all coax to RG6 quad cabling with weatherproof crimp F type connectors all through the house. On the the 1st (primary) coax cable from the amplifier mounted on the mast, I will change out my 5-900MHz 4-way TRUSPEC splitter to an amplified 3 way in the living room to support stereo tuner, TV and D/A converter box (my backup OTA tuner). This will need to be done regardless to minimize signal loss. On the 2nd coax from the antenna mast I will run a 2.4G 3 way splitter w/one coax per for each of 3 bedrooms. I will also be buying the associated tools, crimper, cutter, stripper and die cast. I found an interesting site called deepsurplus.com and amazon has a good deal on 50' quad cable.....REALTHOGUE (or any other engineer types) here's an idea....

How about we use my house as a testbed for a typical hill country home trying various antennas, splitters, amplifiers etc to see exactly what combination works best???

...my OTA looks like a Christmas tree, with the top of the tree resembling a YAGGI antenna, the subsequent ribs get longer the further down you go.
Which end is the top or front of the antenna?

The narrow or Yagi end is the front. It also is the UHF component of the array. This is the business end to point toward the transmitter site. From Pipe Creek I would recommend 135 degrees, or generally Southeast, as a pointing angle to start with. Smaller, more narrow antenna elements are designed for UHF reception. Larger, longer elements are intended for VHF signals.

The antenna is already 18'-20' high, I can't see how to raise it another 5'-6' w/o the wind constantly knocking it out of alignment.

I read someplace to point the antenna up about 18 degrees ...thoughts?

Your antenna height may be adequate. If the axis of your antenna is along a 270/90-degree line, you are not pointed in the right direction. Pointing the antenna upward probably will not improve the situation.

Lastly, Given 2 coax cables running from the antenna mast to the house...

Two coax cables? Does your antenna have two matching transformers on it or two outputs from a central connector box? Are both of these a combination of UHF and VHF or are they each for a separate part of the antenna, one for V, one for U?

I will be upgrading all coax to RG6 quad cabling with weatherproof crimp F type connectors all through the house. On the the 1st (primary) coax cable from the amplifier mounted on the mast, I will change out my 5-900MHz 4-way TRUSPEC splitter to an amplified 3 way in the living room to support stereo tuner, TV and D/A converter box (my backup OTA tuner). This will need to be done regardless to minimize signal loss.

Good ideas; now you're on the right track.

On the 2nd coax from the antenna mast I will run a 2.4G 3 way splitter w/one coax per for each of 3 bedrooms.

I think you should make this an amplified splitter as well. I'm still puzzled about that second cable from the antenna...

How about we use my house as a testbed for a typical hill country home trying various antennas, splitters, amplifiers etc to see exactly what combination works best???

Good idea, but I have to tell you, you're on your own. You are on the right track to get rid of your passive splitters and employ amplified ones. That change alone will make a dramatic difference in the quality of your reception - now and after June 12.

FYI - My OTA antenna has one coax connection (ant-out) going to the the pre(?)amplifier-in mounted on the ant, then the long run 50' or so to the power supply and 25 dB amp inside the house in the living room. The antenna looks like this:
It has 9 primary VHF ribs with 4 smaller ones in between toward the fron of the ant. The UHF side has "V" shape with a total of 6 medium ribs and 4 smaller ones in between (3 and 2 respectively on each part of the "V"). The front (FM?) of the ant has 3 medium and 9 smaller ribs. Ribs are counted as being on both the left and right side of the antenna frame. L + R = 1 rib.
The ant is mounted 18' above ground with 2-8" sections (one fits in the other) and 1-2' section for the ant. The antennas mast is roughly 12' in length.
I believe the antenna to be pointed correctly as both the D/A converter boxes will pick up the channels.
I also noticed that the rubber housing around the coax/preamp connection has fallen off...I have ordered a 4-way amplified splitter which adds 7dB per port, more if I cap any unused ports...Lord only knows how the other 3 rooms are getting the signal. I'll find out when I start replacing the RG59 with quad cable and Thomas&Betts violet compression type connections throughout. The RG6 quad cable I'm looking at is "swept" at 3G...I trust this is a good rating?

Prometheis,

Yes, that's a good rating. The highest frequency digital TV operates over the air is less than 700 MHz, so 3GHz is much higher than you need. RG-6 is the right way to go, of course, for its double foil shielding, low loss and more constant impedance.

The front part of your antenna is the UHF business end. It sounds like you are describing a fairly typical Yagi array with a UHF corner reflector on the front end.

I am eager to hear how your reception improves with that amplified splitter.

I'm not getting my hopes up with this amp'd splitter because there's a TRUSPEC 25dB amplifier already in place...splitter is scheduled to arrive 4/27 Monday....and yeah I'm curious too.

FYI about RG6-Quad cabling. Not all quad cables are the same! I don't sell or profit by saying this but... If given a choice between a solid copper conductor or a copper plated stainless (or aluminum) conductor, which one should you get? Solid copper would be my choice...

I no longer can receive KRLN or KENS on in the clear QAM on Time Warner. Is anyone else having this problem or know why it is occurring? Will they come back after June 12th? Thanks for your help.

I no longer can receive KRLN or KENS on in the clear QAM on Time Warner. Is anyone else having this problem or know why it is occurring? Will they come back after June 12th? Thanks for your help.
They're working for me on 111.91 and 112.155.

Time-Warner's required to carry those in the clear, so they should be on your cable, too. Maybe you need to rescan?

Prometheis,

Even though you have a 25 db amplifier on the antenna, you are losing 12 db of that gain through your splitters. And given your distance, you can't afford to lose much gain. That's why we recommend amp'd splitters.

As to the cable, I would stay clear of copper-clad aluminum, for its tendency to corrode under the copper cladding. Copper-clad stainless is actually a good bet for durability since the stainless does not rust. The copper is needed only on the cladding or "skin" of the conductor because RF travels along the outside of the lines used, often called the "skin effect."

BarsAntone,
Thanks for the reply. I have rescanned several times. I can receive WOAI and KSAT at 110.104 and 110.112 respectively, but nothing at 111 or 112. I used to get KENS, but their signal kept getting worse and worse until now I can't receive anything there. I'm not sure if this is a Time Warner problem on the cable end or my TV (Visio). It seems odd to get some QAM stations and not others.

wsmoore,

Are you using splitters ahead of your Visio TV? It is possible that too many splitters may have reduced the available signal to your TV. In this case you don't use an amplified splitter but you test the receiver by connecting the cable directly to it, with no splitters in the path. Still a problem? Try a different cable outlet in another room, if you have one.

If all else fails, call Time-Warner at 244-0500 and schedule a service visit. You may be surprised to learn there may be a problem on your line.

BarsAntone,
Thanks for the reply. I have rescanned several times. I can receive WOAI and KSAT at 110.104 and 110.112 respectively, but nothing at 111 or 112. I used to get KENS, but their signal kept getting worse and worse until now I can't receive anything there. I'm not sure if this is a Time Warner problem on the cable end or my TV (Visio). It seems odd to get some QAM stations and not others.

Never underestimate the chance of a stretch of coax going bad. I left for work the other morning after getting a weather update off of the Weather Channel. That was at 4:35 AM. I got home from work at 4:20 PM and went to log online. No signal. Checked the cable (digital) that was fine that morning... no signal.

Checked the living room (digital cable).. cable was fine. Checked my daughter's room (analog) cable was fine, and it gets to her room via a passive splitter outside my bedroom window. Flipped outputs on the passive splitter... no difference. Hooked up the VCR (analog) directly to the wall plate... no difference. I had a long cable that I used to connect the bedroom distribution amp to the passive splitter outside via the window... All is well.

Sometime during the day, the two foot piece of coax that brings the cable from the outside passive splitter through the wall to connect to the backside of the wall plate decided it was time to go bad. Kaput.

So, depending on how old the coax is in your house, it may well be degrading to the point that is is losing part of the spectrum...

Just a thought.

I'm hoping thats the case for my weak OTA signal and am in the process of replacing the coax (with solid copper core RG6 - quad shielded coax) and all weather indoor/outdoor Thomas and Betts compression connectors. Both arrived today (4/25) now if only my tools would get here....

Prometheis,
I am eager to hear how your reception improves with that amplified splitter.

Wait no more my friend, unit came in yestiddy (Fri), hooked it up last night to both my TV tuner and my D/A tuner, guess what? Nodda, zip, nothing, no signal/no channels at all on either tuner and 35 is in my back yard !! Unit had the green power light on when I plugged it in. I reconnected the old 5-900Mhz 4 way passive splitter and all channels returned (as weak) as before. I suspect the unit may be bad and have asked for an exchange. FYI here's the unit I ordered on Amazon PCT model PCT-MA2-4P amplified splitter.
http://www.amazon.com/DIGITAL-AMPLIFIER-INTERNET-SIGNAL-BOOSTER/dp/B001EKCGT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1240694820&sr=8-1
My RG6-quad cable and T&B connectors have arrived, but no tools as yet. I also rec'd a balanced passive 3-way splitter (-5.5 dB on each port) which I will try replacing tonite just for giggles (what a way to spend a w/e eh?). FYI this splitter was ordered for the seldom used spare rooms...

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. When the cable was connected directly to the TV all the QAM stations returned. I was not using any splitters, but apparently going through the passive splitter in the VCR/DVD recorder was the problem. I put a regular splitter in the line to bypass the VCR and all is now well. Now I need to figure out what's wrong with the Panasonic VCR/DVD recorder. Thanks to all :D

Doesn't matter which one I use, the signal strengths the same

Prometheis,

The amp'd splitter you bought has rave reviews. Did you get a replacement yet? It should have worked beautifully. To get no output at all tells me something is very wrong. It is logical to suspect the amp you received may not be working.

I hope you get the results we all expect with the replacement.

Replacement unit was shipped Sat eve, not rec'd yet. I replaced the 4 way 5-900 Mhz splitter w/a balanced (5.5 Mhz) 3 way splitter, no noticeable change in signal strength. Vendor emailed me and said it's prolly not the amp'd splitter as they rarely go out.... Hopefully it was a fluke and was the rare but occasional bad unit. More as it happens....

p.s. got the RG6-quad solid copper conductor cabling, and Thomas and Betts all weather quad compatible (purple collar) connectors. Now all I need are the tools I ordered.....maybe a 2nd pair of hands...

Received the unit yestiddy, hooked it up today and (drum roll plz) I got the exact same results as the 1st unit. Black screen, no signal at all. The vendor asked for my configuration which I gladly provided. He in turn contacted his engineer and determined that the PCT amp was being overwhelmed by the TRU SPEC-25 amplifier hence causing the blackout. Sadly I'm returning the unit for a refund.

The good news...I was rerunning some stereo (and Nielson) cabling, reconnected the original 4-way passive splitter, snugged down the "F" connectors and I'm now getting 4 of the 5 local channels on the TV, the D/A converter boxes. I've found that PIP on my pioneer 50" plasma works with the (digital) TV tuner (ant A) and one other analog (ant B) source (i.e. analog satellite or D/A converter)! Yeah! This will be perfect during football season! More good news I received the compression tool today from Canada, now all I need is the coax cutter/stripper from Hong Kong......

Why can't the good ole US of A make these tools at a reasonable price???

Which one and why?
- 5-2G, 90 dB isolation, DC passing to 1 port or
- 5-1G 120dB of RFI shielding, low insertion loss, passive
- 5-1G 25dB port to port isolation, -3.5dB insertion loss, passive (non-power)

I require a passive splitter for an outdoor OTA antenna (NO satellite)
Thanks in advance!

Prometheis,

I wonder, did the vendor and his engineer truly understand the circumstances at your location?

In a typical setting where there already are strong signals present, he would be correct, your antenna amp could overload the amplified splittter. We'll leave that alone for now. So, you have improved your reception without replacing anything, just tightening your "F" connectors?

In response to your question, "Which one and why?"
- 5-2G, 90 dB isolation, DC passing to 1 port or
- 5-1G 120dB of RFI shielding, low insertion loss, passive
- 5-1G 25dB port to port isolation, -3.5dB insertion loss, passive (non-power)

you write that you need a passive splitter for your OTA antenna. Okay, if you are powering that preamplifier on your antenna you need the DC pass on the leg that goes to the antenna. The non-DC leg can feed resources that do not require the antenna DC power. The first selection is the best option because it passes DC.

"Low insertion loss" in a passive device makes great ad copy but the fact is, most 2-way passive splitters will introduce approximately 3-4 db loss on each output simply through the act of splitting the signal. The isolation figure of 90 db is more than adequate for a home OTA installation.

Yeah, I explained to the vendor about being 46mi from the ants, TX hill country, trees, hills etc. Regretably I returned the 2nd amp'd splitter. I was able to pick up channels 4/12 and 29 on a regular basis after moving some wires behind the TV however the signal is still as weak as it ever was on all channels. Channels 4/12 are getting the minimum level req'd for a pic.
I have ordered various 2way and 3 way passive splitters the 1st of which I'll try 2nite. this would be the 1G 2way splitter w/120dB shielding and -4db insertion loss along with a 3 way http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=260383529742 AND http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025OVQPC (woulda ordered 2 but they only had 1 in stock) I also received my coax tools so I will start replacing the inhouse wiring/connectors this week.
My passive splitter is not between the preamp/amp, it's between the amp and the TV, so I don't think I need DC passthru. Right?
OTA outdoor ant/preamp ----> living room power supply-->amp--> 4way splitter --1.to TV, 2.stereo tuner, 3.D/A converter and 4.master bedroom
(2nite I'll replace the 4way w/a 2way+3way splitter dedicating one of the connections on the 2way to the TV (maybe build a new cable or two).
I did find out something interesting tho, are ya ready? Given the configuration in para 3, when I watch the (HD)builtin TV tuner and then turn on the analog D/A converter box, the signal on TV tuner drops enough (3-4dB) to loose the signal. Conversely when I turn off the D/A converter box, the signal returns 3-4dB enough to get a watchable (but hardly stable) pic. Both are connected to the same splitter, otherwise don't have anything else in common????

Your not going to believe this.....Given a TRU SPEC DSU4, 5-900 Mhz, U/V/FM 4 way splitter (resembling http://yhst-18278607509093.stores.yahoo.net/pico-0092.html) connected to TV, stereo tuner, D/A converter box and master bedroom. Also given a 2way (1G) splitter and 3way splitter identified above. The baseline signal strength (as measured by the pioneer PDP5010-FD tuner) for channels 4/12/29 run 30/34 and channel 35 rmeasures 80/84 (practically in my back yard) when connected to the 4way splitter. Check out what happens next!
1. R&R 4 way splitter with the 2way splitter and only connected the TV tuner, nothing else, new measurement on 4/12/29 zero/no signal, ch 35 measures 42!
2. Added 3way splitter to vacant port on 2way, no change, measures all the same.
3. R&R 2 and 3way with original 4way and here's what happened: Connected the ant-in to the top middle port. Then checked the levels on each of the 4 ports with only the TV connected. The top left and top right ports each measured 73 on channel 35, no signals on 4/12/29 (usually it'll pick up a usable signal around 30). When I added a 2nd cable to the vacant port on top, the signal increases (yes freakin INCREASED!) from 73 to 84 on channel 35, and all other channels returned to their 30/34 measurements!!!! WTF???
No further changes when I added the 3rd and 4th cables to the splitter. HOW IS POSSIBLE, THAT THE SIGNAL INCREASES WHEN YOU ADD A 2ND (and subsequent) DEVICE(s)??? I'd love to hear this one??

I just rec'd the 2.4G 2way splitter and will rerun the TV only test in #1. Dollar to a doughnut says i"ll get similar readings...Jerry, hope your watchin this thread cuz this has me totally lost...

I also found out a coax cable cutter is well worth the investment (on order)...also here's a good link for anyone wanting to know how to connect F connectors to either RG6 quad or dual shielded coax: http://www.interstateelectronics.com/howto/coaxterm.html

From what I gather, the June 12 conversion date is when many of the stations will be bumping up their digital signals. Is this right? Early last year I tried an indoor UHF/VHF antenna, and had pretty lowsy results. I'm thinking of trying again after June 12 to see if it is any better - once I find an antenna that is. I'll probably hit up Radio Shack, because it will be easy to return it if it doesn't work.

I'm in a bad situation when it comes to using an antenna. I live in an apartment over by 281 and Bitters. The only windows I have face north (away from the transmitters), and I can't intall anything outside, in the attic, or at the neighbors. The antenna MUST stay inside my apartment. To make things worse I have the airport about 2 miles south of me, which is right in the signal path. Ugh.....

Oh well, hopefully it will work. Any suggestions would be appreciated (antenna related). I REFUSE to pay for cable. I'd rather listen to the radio, which I may very well end up doing.

Prometheis,

I have been following your comments and I do have some suggestions, but I will need time to write a plan of action for you.

Guy,

Radio Shack may be a convenient retailer for buying an antenna but I am less certain you will find something that will work for you. I will recommend two antennas for you. Try them and let me know how they work for you. First, navigate to http://www.winegard.com/offair/zone1.php; the SS-3000 may work for you where nothing else will. The Sensar III models may also do the job.

Do not rule out Wal Mart as an antenna source. We use one of these for DTV demos: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5000836. You could also try http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5469680, which is less expensive but has rabbit ears. If you will want to watch the CW (channel2) after June 12 you will need an antenna that will receive lower VHF channels.

In the stores Wal-Mart has a couple of RCA "flat" antennas. I have tested one of their so-called "smart" antennas in an apartment environment without much satisfaction. The Philips MANT-940 outperformed it.

No matter what you buy, make an effort to put your antenna in or near a window. The steel in the apartment walls effectively blocks the signal. Avoid cheapie antennas. They do not work very well.

Thanks for the tips Realthogue.

I question the Phillips. Looks nice, but it doesn't pick up the VHF. Right? We don't care about CW. All we need are CBS, NBC, ABC, and definately PBS - all four if possible. I think we need the VHF for ABC and PBS. Also, it looks like I'm 25 miles (through the airport) from the transmitters. Facing north sucks in this regard as well.

Anytime you are using a splitter, amplified or not, you MUST terminate the unused output ports with a terminator of the proper impedance. In your case you used just a length of cable, not perfect but a whole lot better than leaving the unused outputs completely uncapped.
As you saw, it can drain away all your signal if not used correctly.
Did the splitter come with a manual? Did it talk about terminating unused outputs?



Your not going to believe this.....Given a TRU SPEC DSU4, 5-900 Mhz, U/V/FM 4 way splitter (resembling http://yhst-18278607509093.stores.yahoo.net/pico-0092.html) connected to TV, stereo tuner, D/A converter box and master bedroom. Also given a 2way (1G) splitter and 3way splitter identified above. The baseline signal strength (as measured by the pioneer PDP5010-FD tuner) for channels 4/12/29 run 30/34 and channel 35 rmeasures 80/84 (practically in my back yard) when connected to the 4way splitter. Check out what happens next!
1. R&R 4 way splitter with the 2way splitter and only connected the TV tuner, nothing else, new measurement on 4/12/29 zero/no signal, ch 35 measures 42!
2. Added 3way splitter to vacant port on 2way, no change, measures all the same.
3. R&R 2 and 3way with original 4way and here's what happened: Connected the ant-in to the top middle port. Then checked the levels on each of the 4 ports with only the TV connected. The top left and top right ports each measured 73 on channel 35, no signals on 4/12/29 (usually it'll pick up a usable signal around 30). When I added a 2nd cable to the vacant port on top, the signal increases (yes freakin INCREASED!) from 73 to 84 on channel 35, and all other channels returned to their 30/34 measurements!!!! WTF???
No further changes when I added the 3rd and 4th cables to the splitter. HOW IS POSSIBLE, THAT THE SIGNAL INCREASES WHEN YOU ADD A 2ND (and subsequent) DEVICE(s)??? I'd love to hear this one??

I just rec'd the 2.4G 2way splitter and will rerun the TV only test in #1. Dollar to a doughnut says i"ll get similar readings...Jerry, hope your watchin this thread cuz this has me totally lost...

I also found out a coax cable cutter is well worth the investment (on order)...also here's a good link for anyone wanting to know how to connect F connectors to either RG6 quad or dual shielded coax: http://www.interstateelectronics.com/howto/coaxterm.html

this is the exact antenna that i bought
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/5b/03/beae8bacd7a0441d751e6110.L.jpg

* Channels 2-69
* 34" VHF dipoles
* UHF element with 180 degree tilt radius
* Includes 75-300 ohm indoor transformer with attached 6' coaxial cable
* 12 Position fine tuning for a better defined signal

and i live on the southside of town and i live in a house.
{My advice would be to box that Phillips up and take it back. A friend of mine brought the exact antenna to my house in New Braunfels and we compared it to a 1/2 the cost RadioShack antenna. The Phillips picked up nothing. The RatShack antenna picked up all channels except PBS which I was not expecting to get because of their low power. The loop on the Phillips antenna is too small.

Give the RatShack antenna a try, it's $12-13 dollars, I think the model is 15-1874.

Good luck}


If this does not work, definitely try those suggested by Realthogue. I might try one of those when the change is done.

No manual on any of the splitters, I've read (on the forum) about capping unused ports. One splitter came with protective caps that slide over the threads, not into the port. I'm assuming the port needs to be terminated with pin (for inside the port) and cap combination not just a protective plastic cap that slides over it????

FWIW I've been documenting the readings (since 10/01/08) after trying different things, various times of the day, after moving cables etc...

Last night I replaced the 4way splitter w/a 2way 2.4G splitter w/one DC power pass port and here's what happened at 5/7-00:52 hrs:
Baseline readings on 4way channels 4/12 read 34, ch 29 read 34/38, ch 35 read 84 (typical)

R&R'd 4way w/2.4G 2way connected TV only to passive (non-DC) port, ch 35 read 61, no signal on 4/12/29, spare port capped

Connected TV only to 2.4G 2way on the DC power port, ch 35 read 80/84, spare port capped, no signal on 4/12/29

Returned to original setup, baseline readings returned.. BTW Jerry your a good man Charlie Brown! I'm going to upgrade my dishnet from analog to HD soon and will make it very clear they not use any of the existing house (OTA) wiring. I can't recall if I let them use it or not....but I WILL eliminate that variable in my ongoing saga.....

What you need are 75 ohm terminators. I don't know if radio shack has them but they should be available locally. The are about the same size as the plastic
protectors but present a 75 ohm impedance to each of the outputs. The screw into the unused outputs. In a pinch, a length of coax on each unused output will help but the terminators are usually about $2 each. I'm using a 3 port amplified splitter and when I ordered it online, I also bought enough terminators for the 2 currently unused ports and I have no problems with a 100 foot run from the antenna to the main tv.

Without the terminators, you have a really bad impedance mismatch and are reflecting standing waves back into the amplifier which is playing havoc with the signal you are trying to amplify.



No manual on any of the splitters, I've read (on the forum) about capping unused ports. One splitter came with protective caps that slide over the threads, not into the port. I'm assuming the port needs to be terminated with pin (for inside the port) and cap combination not just a protective plastic cap that slides over it????

Guy,

The Philips 940 actually works in an apartment environment near IH-10 and Callaghan (roughly the distance you are) on a West-facing side of the building. The viewer received KLRN's four multicasts just fine. At the time there were no other VHF DTVs in service.

I would stay away from the Philips in Coolriver's post. He is recommending a Radio Shack antenna and it may work just fine, I can't say. I can say that antennas in apartments can be very difficult, especially for the resident who lives on a ground or lower floor facing in the wrong direction. Experimentation is the key. Always try to buy something you can take back. Save all the packaging, if possible, to speed your refund.

You are correct that you will need VHF for KLRN and KSAT after June 12.

Prometheis,

Jacob Littleman offers excellent advice; always terminate unused ports on ANY kind of splitter. But never use more splitters than you must.

Let's discuss your signal path. You write, "...OTA outdoor ant/preamp ----> living room power supply-->amp--> 4way splitter --1.to TV, 2.stereo tuner, 3.D/A converter and 4.master bedroom..."

Your OTA antenna preamp is powered from the living room, right? Good.

Is it safe to say that the antenna preamplifier power inserter has a single RF output (with no DC on it) that you are running to a 25db amplifier before it hits the four-way passive splitter?

How is that amplifier powered? Is there ANY possibility that the in-house 25db amplifier
1. is not getting power?
2. has a problem?
3. is not properly connected?

The simpler the RF distribution, the better. If your system is as you describe, you should have better results than you are relating to us here.

Sounds like your sitting down with paper and pencil! LOL! Your assumptions are correct;
1. I capped (plastic caps over the threads only) any unused ports during my R&R 2way/3way splitter testing.
2. The only known DC connection to the preamp/amp is in the L/R between the coax (ANT-IN) and AMP. It is a true 110V connection into the power supply box, not a 110V connection via coax (like the powered amp).
3. Assuming the box mounted on the ANT is the preamp, then yes a single RF coax from the ANT to the PREAMP-IN, and a single RF from the PREAMP-OUT into the *L/R 110V Power Supply box-IN. (*There may or may not be splices/splitters under the house between the PREAMP (ANT) and the P/S. The satellite may/may not be using the existing wiring I don't recall..sorry. But I will upgrade the satellite to HD and have them run new and seperate dedicated quad cabling soon, so it's a moot point. Splitters may/may not be used for other bedrooms, I won't know until I remove the skirting and crawl around underneath the house chasing wire.*)
4. Preamp/Amp is 25dB and the path identifed in previous post is correct: ANT/Preamp--->coax cable into L/R power supply--->amp---->4way splitter to (TV, D/A,stereo tuner,bedroom). 4way is assumed to be passive (as it has no DC power pass markings nor does it have any -dB markings on any of the 4 ports).
5. If amp wasn't working (or disconnected) there wouldn't be any signal at all, just snow on analog channels, no signal on digital.
6. I rechecked and rewrenched the existing coax connections. The only thing I changed was I removed a TRU SPEC combiner that had only 1 RF input being used (see pp 122 #3639)

Change #2 from powered amp to amplified splitter...

Prometheis,

(...'''...'''...'''...'''...)

That's me symbolically scratching my head. But here's something for you to look out for, if you and other thread followers are up to staying up a little late Sunday night. At about 1:00am, Univision will shut down their transmitter for a while to permit KENS to test our auxiliary antenna. We will have the Aux on the air with about 625 Kw for about 30 minutes. See if that comes in for you. You may need to re-scan your converter boxes or TV sets, since our signal will be in its normal position, not its position in the mux.

Rarely do I go to bed before 5 am, I'm a night owl ! By Sunday night 01:00 I'll assume you mean Sunday night, Monday morn 01:00 a.m. I'll rescan my D/A box, I don't want to risk loosing my HD channels on the TV tuner...thanks for the info and will advise....so Monday am 01:00-01:30 eh....

"UU" I've b-e-e-n scratchin my teabag on this prob...LOL

p.s. FYI - the front of the ANT is pointed directly at a tree in my backyard..

have a great w/e all...

Here's the results of the 30 minute test you spoke of REALTHOGUE, scans were conducted on a RCA coverter box: What channel was KENS supposed to come in on?

01:01 (22 channels wow!) 4,10,12,16,23,25,28,29,35
01:06 (16) 3,4,12,16,28,29,35
01:10 (14) 4,12,16,28,29,35
01:13 (15) 4,12,16,23,28,29,35
01:16 (11) 4,12,16,29,35
01:21 (15) 4,12,16,23,28,29,35
01:25 (15) 4,12,16,23,28,29,35
01:30 (11) 4,12,16,29,35

Hope this helps, the only channel I didn't get was KENS. As you can see I pick up 4/12/29/35 w/o issue

Prometheis,

KENS operated on its correct ATSC assignment of 5-1. We radiated approximately 620 Kw using our Auxiliary antenna on DTV 39. In the multiplex arrangement with Univision, KENS should display 5-1 on any set that can receive it, but in the ATSC hierarchy it is actually 39-5. During our test we were actually on 39-3, which should automatically map most receivers to 5-1.

Sorry you didn't see us.

Hello,

I've not posted here before and I don't if this is the right place. I apologize in advance.

I receive my programming via Time-Warner Cable here in San Antonio. On channel 104, which is WOAI, their HDTV audio does not seem to use the center channel of my audio system. All the audio is there, it's just that my center speaker is silent. The dialog comes through my left and right speakers, not my center speaker. On all other HDTV channels (KENS, KSAT, etc.), the center channel delivers the dialog.

Does anyone else experience this? Thanks, Kevin.

REALTHOGUE 620 -625 Kw is what 50%, 75% of normal operating power? I noticed while I picked up channel 3 it was highly pixelated and very unwatchable, didn't have time to scan each "new" channel

Prometheis,

625 Kw is approximately 2/3 of our rated power of 1Mw (One Million Watts.) We will not be able to operate at full licensed power until our primary antenna is changed out sometime after June 12.

Hello,

I've not posted here before and I don't if this is the right place. I apologize in advance.

I receive my programming via Time-Warner Cable here in San Antonio. On channel 104, which is WOAI, their HDTV audio does not seem to use the center channel of my audio system. All the audio is there, it's just that my center speaker is silent. The dialog comes through my left and right speakers, not my center speaker. On all other HDTV channels (KENS, KSAT, etc.), the center channel delivers the dialog.

Does anyone else experience this? Thanks, Kevin.

It's been that way a long time. Here is the answer I got from them via email back in February, and it had been that way long before that:

You are correct we are currently broadcasting a stereo signal. We are of course are setup and capable of doing 5.1 but we have a piece of gear that went bad and had to revert back to stereo until fixed. the reason you see it flagged as 5.1 is because the 5.1 carrier signal is still embedded in our stream. Sorry for any inconvenience, our engineers are on the issue and we hope to have it resoved shortly

Speaking of WOAI, has anyone noticed that they have motion artifacting far worse than the other local stations? It is absolutely horrible on their golf broadcasts. In contrast, when KENS broadcasts golf, motion artifacts are seldom present and the picture is so much better.

It seems like WOAI is bitstarving their broadcasts. Motion artifacts and signs of over compression are evident on many of their shows, even sitcoms like The Office.

Thanks so much for the information. I had sent WOAI an email, about 3 weeks ago, inquiring about the problem and never received a reply. Thanks again.

Prometheis, 625 Kw is approximately 2/3 of our rated power of 1Mw (One Million Watts.) We will not be able to operate at full licensed power until our primary antenna is changed out sometime after June 12.

Hopefully between going full power in June, isolating/removing any satellite cabling from the OTA wiring and replacing some if not all of the RG59/connectors w/RG6-quad cabling and Thomas and Betts in/outdoor purple collar conectors, I'll be able to pickup KENS5. I've received my last coaxial installation tool (coax cutter) today and will be making/replacing many short in-house cables. 30 DAYS AND COUNTING!

I had some dropouts on KLRN and KENS5 on my main TV and pretty weak signals for all channels on my other two OTA receivers. After seeing the discussion about amplified splitters, I dropped in one of those PCT-MA2-4P amps in place of my el cheapo passive splitter, and I'm quite pleased now!

No dropouts on KENS5. The TiVo used to report a signal level of 50-60, with occasional drops to the 30s. Now, the signal strength is over 80.

My Access HD OTA receiver box reports about 100% on all channels except for KENS5, which is at around 80-90.

My LG DVD writer/OTA tuner box now has nice, solid signals coming from all the stations in that antenna cluster down by Elmendorf.

YMMV of course, but that PCT-MA2-4P amp really solidified the signal coming out of my CM4228.

I didn't ask for help, but thanks for planting the seeds.

Blahbbs,

Thanks for posting your success story for the Forum. We like to hear good news like yours! Keep an eye on your reception once the power goes up on everyone's transmitter in the months to come; if you are overdriving your receivers you may want to put a small (3db - 6db) attenuator ahead of the amplified splitter. Wait and see, you may be just fine without having to change anything else.

I'm happy to hear it worked for you! I'll assume you don't have any other amplifiers on the same coax? I did a fair amount research (as REALTHOGUE will atest) before choosing that particular splitter (two actually). It is unfortunate that that wouldn't work in my particular configuration. The company was more than helpful as my review reflects, even though it didn't work. The company (CableTVAmps) has already credited my account as well...kudos to them and congrats to BLAHBBS, glad for your success!

p.s. I was so impressed w/CableTvAmps I've already placed another order from them.

I have an interesting dilemma that use some help. I live in the Fischer, TX area and installed a Channel Master 4228HD two years ago. It is attached to a garage apartment used until our main dwelling could be built. Perfect reception from both SA and Austin. Once our main house was built I installed an identical 4228 on it and cannot pickup KLRN 9.1,9.2,etc. The rest work perfectly. The main house is about 300 yards from the apartment, on slightly higher ground, antenna well above roof top, and no obstructions. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Are you using a digital/analog converter? If so a lot will depend on the brand of the D/A box. I live in the Pipe Creek/Medina Lake area. I have 2 D/A boxes one RCA and one Philips and neither will pick up channel 9.1. I installed my neighbors DataStream D/A box (200 yards away) and it picks it up PBS digital 9.1 just fine! Hope this helps ya!

Thanks for the quick reply. I finally located the problem and it was a splitter installed between the main TV and two dead end connections. The use of a splitter was for a couple of sets to be added at some other time. By-passing the splitter and hooking my set up directly to the antenna solved the problem. I guess when incorporating other sets I will have to amplify the signal somehow.

Jerry,

First let me say I love your channel and thank you for bringing us CBS. With that say I would like to comment on your stations pop up icon. You all really should try to time it better. Coming up in the first few minutes of a show covers up text the show is showing. example Criminal Minds states where the murder is taking place and your icon covers it up almost every week, the stars of the show etc. Second your lastest icon update where it switchs from KENS 5 to your Web icon is so distracting (so I guess it did what you wanted).

The advances of what we can do with computers is great, but just because you can cover up part of the TV screen doesn't mean you should. I paid $3000 for my TV to have a great picture to watch my shows not to see your ICON.

Thanks SOCD.

In all fairness to Jerry, most stations have their logo in the bottom right corner. Those of us with plasmas who are "burning them in" should be concerned. I'm trusting that the station engineers are aware of this and wouldn't leave the logos on long enough to damage the TV (i.e commercials). I'm more concerned w/the premium stations that don't have commercials and the logo stays on for the movies duration (i.e. SHOWTIME HD)!

KENS 5 has announced it will carry the Spanish-language Estrella TV network on a digital multicast channel.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/KENS-TV_to_air_Estrella_TV_network.html

I'd rather have the radar. :(

KENS is just following what their main competition (WOAI, KSAT) has on theirs.

When I first became DTV-enabled in March 2008 those weather subchannels on WOAI and KENS were nice to have (as was their feeding of KHOU on there after H. Ike).

Jerry, how will the new KENS multicast affect the bitrate of the main channel?

KENS 5 has announced it will carry the Spanish-language Estrella TV network on a digital multicast channel.

I'd rather have the radar. :(

KENS is just following what their main competition (WOAI, KSAT) has on theirs.

When I first became DTV-enabled in March 2008 those weather subchannels on WOAI and KENS were nice to have (as was their feeding of KHOU on there after H. Ike).
Sure, San Antonio has a significant Spanish-speaking population. But I, too, wonder how much KENS' decision to carry Spanish-language programming on their digital tier was influenced by the Spanish-language services already being offered on the digital tiers of other local English-language network affiliates.

Hopefully, one of our local stations will pick up an English-language service. Retro TV Network would be nice.

Just a note - I feel strongly that if an English speaking station can (must) have Spanish made available using the SAP setting, then the reverse should also be true....in short the Spanish stations should (must) have English made available on their SAP setting.......equal is equal!

Just a note - I feel strongly that if an English speaking station can (must) have Spanish made available using the SAP setting, then the reverse should also be true....in short the Spanish stations should (must) have English made available on their SAP setting.......equal is equal!


I agree, this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AN ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY! Citizenship REQUIRES the ability to speak English. This is NOT Mexico, Japan, China, Vietnam or any other country! All stations in the United States should be required to have English available regardless of the primary language.

Sure, San Antonio has a significant Spanish-speaking population. But I, too, wonder how much KENS' decision to carry Spanish-language programming on their digital tier was influenced by the Spanish-language services already being offered on the digital tiers of other local English-language network affiliates.I would think adding a Spanish-language channel would instantly make advertising sales, production and master control more complex at these stations. Employees in those departments (and probably some others I haven't considered) would suddenly need to speak both languages.

A guy who is well-versed in San Antonio's radio market told me once that the number of Spanish-dominant households here is declining, as the number of second-generation immigrants who speak English as their first language is growing.

There must be more to the demographics than we know of, because the choice seems baffling.

Hopefully, one of our local stations will pick up an English-language service. Retro TV Network would be nice.Looks like Fox 29 is our last hope in the near future.

Some may recall that KCOR-41 (later KUAL, then KWEX) was SA's third TV station, coming on in 1955 (two years before KONO-12). There are 1962 TV Guide ads in English promoting it just after the "all-channel receiver" mandate legislation (to take effect in 1964) was passed. However, even by the mid 1970's KWEX didn't sign on until afternoons. Also, c. 50 years ago KENS used to run a Spanish language movie on Sundays after their 10-pm news.

A guy who is well-versed in San Antonio's radio market told me once that the number of Spanish-dominant households here is declining, as the number of second-generation immigrants who speak English as their first language is growing.

There must be more to the demographics than we know of, because the choice seems baffling.

Looks like Fox 29 is our last hope in the near future.
I don't know if it still holds true today, but Sinclair Broadcasting Group, owner of Fox 29 and MY35 in San Antonio, stated a few years ago that they had no plans to add multi-cast digital channels at their owned & operated stations.

Unless one of the other local stations chooses to add another digital sub-channel to their lineup, it looks like we may be out of luck as far as getting a commercial English-language multi-cast channel in San Antonio.

I'm not sure what happened, but I'm suddenly having a lot of problems with KENS5. I don't know when it started for sure, but since at least Saturday, the signal level has been dropping off quite a bit. All my receivers can't hold their lock on the signal. Ch 41 is, of course, exhibiting the same problem. Antennaweb places WOAI, KSAT, and KHCE in the same direction as KENS, but their signals are nice and solid. I'm in the Universal City area, by the way.

My receiver will show fairly solid signal levels in the 80-100 range for those other channels. By comparison, KENS will float between 50 and 60, then dive into the 20's. The signal will recover for a few seconds, then dive into the 20's again.

I'm hopeful that June 12 will be end of this since KENS5's HD picture is so pretty!

I'm new to TWC in San Antonio. The 8300 HDC that came with the installation has several shortcomings. I couldn't get much information from the installer or company reps about alternatives. Has anyone heard whether TWC plans to upgrade their HD-DVRs?

I'm new to TWC in San Antonio. The 8300 HDC that came with the installation has several shortcomings. I couldn't get much information from the installer or company reps about alternatives. Has anyone heard whether TWC plans to upgrade their HD-DVRs?

I think you will find that the 8300HDC is TWC's current top of the line DVR for San Antonio. I stopped at the I-10 and Callaghan office recently to ask if they had any plans to make the Scientific Atlanta Multi Room DVR available and was told the only HD DVR offering was the 8300HDC.

I'm new to TWC in San Antonio. The 8300 HDC that came with the installation has several shortcomings. I couldn't get much information from the installer or company reps about alternatives. Has anyone heard whether TWC plans to upgrade their HD-DVRs?

The "shortcomings" of the 8300HDC is the main reason I left TWC and went to Dish. I use two VIP612s with my Dish service and it's like night and day when compared to the 8300HDCs.

Jerry,

I would like to comment on your stations pop up icon. You all really should try to time it better. Coming up in the first few minutes of a show covers up text the show is showing...Second your lastest icon update where it switchs from KENS 5 to your Web icon is so distracting.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think we can modify the "hit time" of the Legal ID to adjust for the show locator and cast information. As to the existing rotating ID, it may be changed in the near future.

Stay tuned.

The bitrate will be dynamically adjusted to favor the HD stream. In the current multiplex, nominal settings for the two KWEX services is 3 Mbps with 13 Mbps available for KENS and our HD service. Bear in mind that even during a HD broadcast, we do not always need 13 Mbps to make a great picture - but sometimes we need a lot more. The dynamic statistical multiplex we use (by Harmonic) is pretty good at favoring the HD over the SD.

KENS HD broadcasts should look better In June.

KENS-TV will test our DTV39 transmitter into an auxiliary antenna during the early morning hours of Monday, June 1. KWEX plans to shut down their DTV 39 transmitter to test the DTV41 transmitter beginning at approximately 1:00am Central Daylight Time. As soon as we can see their DTV39 transmitter has shut down, we will power up the KENS transmitter for a brief period of testing. We expect to conclude our test at approximately 2:00am. As soon as we have concluded testing, we will advise KWEX that we have finished our work.

Observers may not be able to decode our test signal without rescanning their receivers since we will be transmitting KENS 5-1 as program 3 in PSIP. Program 3 is presently mapped to 41-1 (KWEX-DT) on the Univision DTV39 transmitter.

DTV 39 is the final assignment for KENS-DT. After June 12, KENS will operate exclusively on DTV 39. At that time KWEX no longer will operate on DTV 39 but will commence Digital operations on DTV 41, their final assignment.

It seems that WOAI and KSAT did something like that a few weeks ago in the wee hours. DT58 went away and briefly there was WOAI situated on DT48.

Jerry, what power level will you be testing at on 6/1? Are there any tests scheduled for 100% power?

Prometheis,

You nailed it. We will operate with 2/3 of our full rated power. This is roughly equal to 625kW Effective Radiated Power from the Auxiliary antenna. We cannot test antenna operations at full power until our new antenna is installed sometime after June 13. The target date will be more like July 1 or thereabouts, weather permitting. The tower crew needs to rig the tower, establish OSHA compliance and mount what's called a gin pole on the tower. The gin pole is what permits the crew to remove the existing top antennas and lower them to the ground, then raise new ones to the top of the tower.

WOAI and KENS both must replace our existing top-mounted antennas because they are designed for channels that we must give up. WOAI has been operating on DTV58, and as you know KENS was operating on DTV55 until October 31. Since the WOAI antenna rests on top of the KENS antenna, we must wait for them to cease operation on DTV 58 before making any changes. I am sure you know that WOAI will operate on DTV 48 as soon as KSAT releases the channel. KENS already operates on DTV 39 through the Univision transmitter but we will operate our own transmitter, tower and antenna beginning June 13.

Once the new antennas are in place, both stations will do late-night testing at full power before commencing regular full-power broadcasts.

The plan is for KCWX to cease analog broadcasts on June 2. At that time their channel 2 antenna will be replaced with a channel 5 antenna to permit digital broadcasts beginning on June 12. The transmitter already has been modified to pass the digital signal.
Looks like KCWX won't be ready for digital until July 10. This FCC filing approves a delay until July 10 because of weather-related problems preventing the construction of the channel 5 antenna:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1312975&Service=DT&Form_id=337&Facility_id=24316

Does WOAI have a temporary DTV 48 antenna that they will be going to before the final installation?

Chuck

Going to be moving to San Antonio in July and wanted to ask the "people in the know" what my HDTV options are for SA. Honestly, I'm trying to figure out what the best service provider is for the SA area. I have a background in Video Production so picture quality is very important. My wife and I live by our DVR (Comcast - Seattle currently) but have no idea what's available in town. We'll most likely be in the Stone Oak area OR I-10 near the RIM. Should we go TWC, Satellite or is FIOS available? What can people tell me about OTA and Sat? Texas Storms cause reception issues? Is there a "go to" place in town that knows their stuff install wise? Many thanks in advance for the help!

The bitrate will be dynamically adjusted to favor the HD stream. In the current multiplex, nominal settings for the two KWEX services is 3 Mbps with 13 Mbps available for KENS and our HD service. Bear in mind that even during a HD broadcast, we do not always need 13 Mbps to make a great picture - but sometimes we need a lot more. The dynamic statistical multiplex we use (by Harmonic) is pretty good at favoring the HD over the SD.

KENS HD broadcasts should look better In June.

Why not just go down to 8 Mbps ? Then we can go back to 34" displays & DVD quality broadcasts - - - If your not going to be broadcasting your best shows ( Criminal Minds / Numb3rs / CSI(s) / etc. ) at about 17 Mbps your "CHEATING THE AUDIENCE" :confused:

Chuck,

Yes, they do. Their Aux DTV48 was installed at about the same time as our Aux DTV39. They have been in a testing mode, just as we have.

Got this http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/dtv-capt.htm#41 when KWEX shut off their NTSC on the channel. KWEX-DT-41, when it did come on, was pixelating a lot vs their DT39. The KENS-DT-39 looked fine.

Looks like KCWX won't be ready for digital until July 10. This FCC filing approves a delay until July 10 because of weather-related problems preventing the construction of the channel 5 antenna

Did they delay the planned shutoff of analog 2? It was supposed to go dark yesterday.

Yes, KCWX-2 is still with us, at half-power since January so even more vulnerable to all interference with it being nearly 50 miles away.
http://home.swbell.net/pjdyer/fred-2.htm#delay2

I have since replaced my analog dishnet w/directv HD (very happy) which includes free local channels. I have built and rebuilt my indoor coax cables, no significant signal strength increase. Outdoor cables need to be replaced and antenna prolly needs re-aligning. In any case I now have all local channels via satellite and also via D/A converter (PIP). I will continue this weak signal saga on my TV tuner cuz stuff like this makes me nuts not bein able to resolve it.

I would have stuck w/dishnet but the installer doesn't work on Mondays only Tue-Fri...must be nice.....nasty letter to HQ in CO

Dear Broadcasting colleagues and friends,

KENS-TV will sign off its analog channel 5 television transmitter for the last time at 11:59:59 PM on Friday night, June 12, 2009 ending more than 59 years of continuous broadcasting. As soon as it is feasible to do so, KENS Digital TV will resume solo operations on DTV channel 39, where we now share a multiplex with Univision members KWEX and KNIC. We will wait until Univision has fully ceased operations on DTV 39 before we apply power to the KENS DTV 39 transmission plant. We expect this action to occur shortly after midnight in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 13.

KENS will operate in MPEG program 3, with a video PID of 0x31 and an audio PID of 0x34, similar to our allocation on our former DTV channel 55. Our initial bitrate will be on the order of 18.8Mbps and we will deliver the KENS 5-1 service only. Additional services will be introduced gradually as our multiplexing equipment is repurposed following the Univision partnership.

S-O-S: Scan On Saturday, June 13!

and if you forget to do it on Saturday,

S-O-S: Scan On Sunday, June 14!

And don't forget to fly your American Flags on Sunday, June 14, Flag day.

Yes, KCWX-2 is still with us, at half-power since January so even more vulnerable to all interference with it being nearly 50 miles away.

Thanks. So they are keeping it until the bitter end at this point. I suppose that will reduce the time they will be completely dark by 10 days, since DTV 5 won't be ready until about 7/10.

Hey Jerry,

Saw you on the Sunday morning news on KENS. Great job getting the word out. It was fun to see you on the air!

Dear Broadcasting colleagues and friends,

KENS-TV will sign off its analog channel 5 television transmitter for the last time at 11:59:59 PM on Friday night, June 12, 2009 ending more than 59 years of continuous broadcasting. As soon as it is feasible to do so, KENS Digital TV will resume solo operations on DTV channel 39, where we now share a multiplex with Univision members KWEX and KNIC. We will wait until Univision has fully ceased operations on DTV 39 before we apply power to the KENS DTV 39 transmission plant. We expect this action to occur shortly after midnight in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 13.

KENS will operate in MPEG program 3, with a video PID of 0x31 and an audio PID of 0x34, similar to our allocation on our former DTV channel 55. Our initial bitrate will be on the order of 18.8Mbps and we will deliver the KENS 5-1 service only. Additional services will be introduced gradually as our multiplexing equipment is repurposed following the Univision partnership.

S-O-S: Scan On Saturday, June 13!

and if you forget to do it on Saturday,

S-O-S: Scan On Sunday, June 14!

And don't forget to fly your American Flags on Sunday, June 14, Flag day.

Jerry, may I suggest the playing of the star spangled banner, maybe even go to a test pattern briefly when you do the final signoff?....seems appropriate with flag day and all....TSgt Michael D. Normile (USAF retired). Hell I would even record it if it appears on the Directv guide...!

Prometheis,

I won't give everything away, but we do plan to air the National Anthem and an "Indian Head" test pattern at the conclusion of our analog broadcast. This is an historic moment for television, one that needs a little bit of ceremony. I have asked for news coverage so I hope we can document the final moments in some way.

Stay tuned.

End of an era, definitely a once in a lifetime experience! As a veteran, I appreciate the ceremony. Thank you!

BTW - there seems to be a new antenna base installed on PR-37 near Pipe Creek/Lakehills...is that the antenna you were referring to w/a 7/10 projected completion?

p.s. are you signing off at 05:45 too??

Prometheis,

I don't know about the antenna foundation going in off PR37; It could be related to new services or just more cellular communications. KCWX will not move its transmitter or antenna location for the foreseeable future. They will sign off at midnight Friday with the rest of us, but a crew already is on site to remove the channel 2 antenna and install a new channel 5 antenna on the existing stick. That part will take a while. There is a little tower maintenance to be done also, but none of it should take too long to do.

KENS analog signs off at 11:59:59pm. KENS digital will power up as soon as Univision has cleared the channel, probably a few minutes after 11:00pm Friday. KENS has a minute or two of work to do in the interim, to redirect the multiplex that now serves the Univision share to a uniquely KENS group of services.

KSAT has done it. :)

And so has KPXL-DT-26, now with 4 subs.

Is anyone else not getting WOAI after the switch? I've got it manually set on DTV48 channel 4-1, and I get absolutely no signal, when I let vmc set it automatically I get nothing as well. Would suck to miss the hockey game tonight.

Ok I found a fix for WOAI on VMC that worked for me.

1. Find the file "atscchannels.xml" using the search tool. This is a hidden file, so you will need to check that option. I found it in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\eHome\EPG\prefs

2. Edit the file with Notepad and remove the lines with incorrect physical channel numbers. Save.

3. Start media center and go to settings - guide - Add missing channels.

4. Add the channels back in with the correct physical numbers.

5. Click done to save. You should see the channels in the signal strength screen. Check it to insure good signal.

6. The channels should be in your guide listing and your live TV.

4-1 is the channel number and 48 is the frequency it operates on.

Auto (re)scan on a DTX9950 CECB puts them on OK, but trying direct RF Ch access (48) has it revert to 48-3 and no signal. Direct virtual 4 finds them. Direct RF Ch access on a DTT901 works OK (I don't have any virtual Channels scanned into it as I use if for TV-DXing - otherwise I couldn't get things like KPRC-DT-35 w/o it "finding" KMYS instead!)

Guys -

WOAI does not come up on DTV 48 until tonight, even though KSAT has vacated. WOAI remains on DTV 58 until they sign off tonight. KENS will change transmitters and remain on DTV39, BUT we will redirect the multiplex that now serves the Univision share to a uniquely KENS group of services.

Those of us with Channelmaster 4228's will probably be OK after the switches. Now that KSAT is on 12, I'm still getting 75% signal strength (was 95-100). I've been marginal with KLRN on 8, but 9 should be an improvement.

My DTT901 has nil on RF Ch 58, WOAI-DT on RF 48.1, "MX" on RF 48.2, so someone has "jumped the gun" on whatever "the plan" was.

Did KSAT's signal go down? Before the switch, I was able to get the signal at about 85 and now I get it around 55 and I keep losing the signal. WOAI is also lower. I now get it at 76 when it use to be around 90. Are the signals going to get stronger?

Since KSAT moved their DT signal from Ch 48 back to Ch 12 it may be whatever OTA antenna that you're using having a different gain/pattern on those two widely-separated channels. I don't know if KSAT or WOAI plan a later increase in ERP.

Impressive "ceremony" for the KWEX-41 NTSC cutoff at the hour. They were SA's 3rd TV station (1955, two years before KONO/KSAT-12).

Impressive "ceremony" for the KWEX-41 NTSC cutoff at the hour. They were SA's 3rd TV station (1955, two years before KONO/KSAT-12).

KENS5's signoff was pretty classy. I can't remember the last time I saw the Indian Head test pattern!

Nice!

...time to rescan.

KENS-5 NTSC cutoff was succinct. I wasn't able to see if WOAI or KLRN did anything special or not. With Ch 8 "open" again a bit of KUHT-DT-8 there. Several of the NOLA DT are in/out as well tonight. (2008 CM-4228 at 20' AGL with rotor)

WA5IYX,
I was mistaken. WOAI cut over soon after KSAT, since I found them on DTV48 much earlier than I had expected.

Jerry,

Have you noticed the voice sync is now just slightly behind the video? I am watching your morning news and it looks like one of those bad voice over chinese movies.

Anyone know what stations in San Antonio are currently operating at reduced power as of 6/13? And what plans to beef that up later?

I know about KENS but I'm wondering specifically about WOAI and KLRN.
WOAI got really sparse for me after their move to 48, and KLRN seems about the same (not so great) after their switch from 8 to 9.

I have a high band VHF antenna and a pretty good UHF antenna, wondering if I need to plan to do something about UHF or not (or wait until this stuff settles down)

Bret McCarty

WOAI and KENS will improve. KLRN is as it is.

- Trip

Though not DTV, I wonder if anyone is getting KFLZ-CA-6 easier now that KENS-5 is off ? While they were still on I could see traces of the 6 (also being bothered by the 100-kw 88.3 c. 9 mi away from me). The 87.74 audio no longer matches what's on 102.3 MHz (K272EK) making me wonder if there is any longer 83.24 video there.

I'm near Alamo Ranch about 30 miles west of the Elmendorf tower cluster. I am getting all of the channels well except for KSAT. I cannot find the sweet spot for them no matter what I try. Surprisingly KLRN is rock solid.

Dutifully did a useless rescan. Useless in the sense that I understood the only change in network broadcasting is that ABC 58 would disappear making my 7' UHF antenna nothing more than a wind vane for recording ABC.

Well KENS, WOAI and KABB seems went to half or quarter power. That or the weather from 75 miles out is causing problems. Was fine all week tho. Glad we got 2 months to sort this mess out.

My KSAT reception is fantastic (NW Military & Huebner) after their move to VHF. Pegged out at 100% on all receivers.

But probs with WOAI (60s) and KENS (low 70s), apparently as expected for awhile.
My KLRN reception remained about the same / mediocre after their move.
On the bright side, KENS' program guide through my DISH receiver is fixed.

Other stations, KMYS, KABB,... no changes since they didn't move anywhere yesterday/today..

Looks like I misspoke. While ABC did go from UHF to VHF NBC went from 58 to the vacated 48 where ABC was. Anybody confirm this? Need to update my software tables for NBC.

NBC went from 58 to the vacated 48 where ABC was. Anybody confirm this?

My receiver says WOAI is on RF 48. KSAT is on RF 12 now.

My receiver says WOAI is on RF 48. KSAT is on RF 12 now.
Thanks. I don't have a VHF antenna so I'll record off DirecTV.

Thanks to their move to VHF I had to buy a new Antenna. Will install in the morning when it is cooler. Hopefully it will pick them up.

This change of the channels has made my BeyondTV from Snapstream worthless. Hopefully they will update their tables so I can once again record OTA.

Jerry,

Have you noticed the voice sync is now just slightly behind the video? I am watching your morning news and it looks like one of those bad voice over chinese movies.
Right you are; we were finishing up damage control by 3:30am but our brains were too fried to focus on where the problem might be. We changed a lot of things all at once Friday - not the best way to do things - and it took some study to find and correct the problem.

Our voice to video sync should look okay now.

What's with the semi-static ancient Vipr5 radar displays on "5.2" and "5.3" ?

What's with the semi-static ancient Vipr5 radar displays on "5.2" and "5.3" ?
KENS TV had a multi-cast channel 5.2 which displayed the static regional weather radar image most of the time, until that sub-channel disappeared last Fall.

KENS recently announced that a new Spanish-language service called Estrella TV Network will be added soon to one of their multi-cast channels. I don't know if long term plans call for a radar image to remain on the other sub-channel, or if some other type of programming will eventually be added.

The KENS carriage of KHOU on "5.2" during H. Ike was much appreciated (easier than streaming from the Ch 11 website, and I could tape it as well). I know that they did something similar with WWL during/after H. Katrina, but I wasn't set up for DTV back then.

KLRN is as it is.
KLRN is at full power now?

KLRN is at full power now?

I'm not certain of that, but they have a permit with the FCC for a channel 9 facility at twice the power they had on channel 8. I don't know if they're operating at that level.

- Trip

KLRN will move to channel 9. We will keep the same power level at first and try for an increase after things settle down. Our lawyers told us to wait for the increase because the FCC is not approving many changes at this time. I hope to go from 8.32K of power to 39K.

KLRN post from 10/07

Petegon checks in from time to time. I am sure he will give us an update when he gets a chance :)

I find this whole digital switch to be fascinating. I spent some time reading about it in other cities. There appears to be a common reception problem among VHF digital channels and opinions that the FCC will need to allow more transmitter power. That would explain my beef with KSAT.

For me, in Cibolo using a Terk HDTVA to supplement Dish Network, KENS held steady post-change at around 73%, just like before the change. KSAT and WOAI both dropped from mid-70\'s to around 58%, though, I am receiving them fine (which is weird, becuase I usually drop channels in the hight 60\'s).

I\'m looking forward to the channels going to full power. For now, I rarely watch/DVR anything OTA, and only use OTA when I need to use my VIP-622\'s 3rd tuner feature, because I\'\'ve already got the 2 SAT tuners recording something else.

I'm located about 7 miles north of 1604 and well, I'm relieved and excited with the change of the KLRN channels from 8 to 9. I could get all the channels very well before the switchover except KLRN would intermittently cut out, even with a good signal in the 70 or 80s. Now, with the weekend move, everything is perfect.

I installed my new Radio Shack 85" outdoor antenna Sunday morning. Wow what a difference. I now get WOAI, KENS, KLRN, KSAT, the 16 and 26 christian stuff, FOX, My network TV (35), then the 3 Spanish stuff above 35. If I move the antenna a little more I get a NBC and ABC channel from Corpus. (It started getting to hot on the roof to adjust more, so I will tweak more next weekend).

I am near 1604 and Bandera. Wish I would have installed one of these sooner.

Also, BeyondTV updated all the channels in their software today. So back to recorded HDTV OTA like a madman.:D

Whenever this heat wave and the associated tropospheric inversions go away getting KRIS (RF13) and KIII (RF8) from Corpus might not be as common. I've been waiting for KLRN to move its DT back to RF9 to see how KIII might come in. It was a lot easier to get it on Ch 3 analog for these past 45 years.

I am new and was directed to this site by City-Data San Antonio. I have read through pages of this thread and hardly understand a word of it. :confused:

I would like some suggestions on an antenna that is moderatly priced and will recieve KENS, KSAT, WOAI, and KLRN. The rest I am not that concerned about. I currently have a Phillips SDV2730/27. I live at Bitters and Blanco.

I have scanned and rescanned. I then did the re-re scan disconecting the antenna and shutting the power off then re-attaching the antenna and scanning.

These are the channels that I can recieve:

No Kens 5 anywhere at all, not even a peep.

I do have WOAI: 4.1, 4.2 (Very spotty).
KLRN: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 (great).
KSAT 12.1 (good).
KNIC: 17.1
ION: 26.1 QUBO: 26.2 ION LIFE: 26.3 Worship: 26.4 (good)

The following channels are in and out.
29.1, 35.1, 41.1

There is nothing on KHCE: 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5

I have found out that the co-axial cable must also be positioned just so to recieve KLRN. If I left the antenna stationary but moved the cable, I would loose the signal.

I then moved on to the bedroom antenna
After another trying hour I have KLRN and KSAT and almost WOAI. I don't know what else because I was getting @#%$!

I oriented the VHF antenna due south and the rabbit ears kind of splayed out forward about 45 degrees.

Any help would be appreciated, Thank you in advance.

I have no 12.1 signal - KSAT at all. 78251 - over by Sea World

I have no 12.1 signal - KSAT at all. 78251 - over by Sea World

I live out by northwest vista and I get KSAT crystal clear.

I have no 12.1 signal - KSAT at all. 78251 - over by Sea World

Jimbo,

Do you have a VHF antenna? I couldn't get it until I upgraded my antenna to one that receives both UHF and VHF. I'm about 4 miles north of you.

I got a Radio Shack 85" outdoor antenna and it works great getting all local channels. I was in a hurry is why I went with Radio Shack. WWW.solidsignal.com has a good selection and not too bad on prices.

Tippylou,

If your antenna is indoors, the siginals can be hard to find. Hook up your antenna with a long RG6 cable. Try different places in your room both high and low. I got lucky and my best signal strength (until KSAT went VHF) was at the rear of my room 4 feet from the floor. Right on my rear left speaker.

So put your receiver on a channel and watch your siginal strength meter. Once you get the channel great. Try another channel. Most of the transmitters are in southeast San Antonio. goto www.antennaweb.org and put in your address and it will show you exactly where the transmitters are in relation to your home.

KENS and WOAI have begun the final stages of removing our former DTV55 and DTV58 transmitting antennas in order to install new DTV39 and DTV 48 antennas. This change will enable higher transmitting power, better area coverage and increased service to our viewers. But change sometimes has its disadvantages. As the tower crew ascends and descends past the Auxiliary antennas, it is necessary for both stations to take our transmitters off the air for a few minutes for their safety. We will make every effort to keep these off air periods to a minimum, but tower crew safety is our most important initiative.

Please bear with us during these momentary off-air intervals while we make improvements; when the project is concluded it will have been worth the wait. When finished, both stations will operate in the one-megawatt range, which should cover the former analog contours.

Thanks, Jerry,

I noticed both stations missing at 10:50 this morning. Back on at about 11:00.

Sherrill

No problemo. We're watching the rest of the '08-09 season and not recording anything. But I can't wait to see the improvement on KENS and WOAI. FOX is already fine and I'll get ABC off D*.

I was startled sometime ago on Google Earth to see that there were now two large towers at the KENS/WOAI Elmendorf site. My Jefferson High School Radio Club had a visit out there to the KENS (east) transmitter building in late Mar 1964. Two guys on duty, log sheet in typewriter, two scan lines on a scope display, etc. One query was why were the buildings so far from the base of the tower - the answer: "falling ice", OK ... We were told tales of some rookie putting mineral instead of distilled water in the fiinal amplifier cooling system. Also, about the KONO-12 tower (s.e. of them) elevator failing one day trapping someone up in it. In late 1958 KONO-12 still had their tower downtown and could be seen on rabbit ears while KENS/WOAI were "way out there" - giving rise to their jibe of a slogan "clearly the eyes of the great southwest".

Any OTA possibilites in Kerrvile or do we need cable/satellite.

Any OTA possibilites in Kerrvile or do we need cable/satellite.

Check posts by AllenDB. It takes great effort.

Was the KENS OTA down between 6:30 and 7:00? Got Wheel over DTV but not OTA.

Any OTA possibilites in Kerrvile or do we need cable/satellite.Wait and see what you get in a few weeks when KENS and WOAI move to their new primary antennas.

Any OTA possibilites in Kerrvile or do we need cable/satellite.
I do get great OTA reception on CBS, NBC and FOX at a price. Had great reception on ABC until they went to VHF and made my 40' tower and 7' UHF antenna useless for recording them. Granted CBS and NBC are now not solidly up in the 20 db range. During the day they wander around 8 to 18. During the evening they climb up to the 18s to 22 making them still recordable but I'm not recording much now. FOX is good all day. And I expect NBC and CBS to return to the solid 20s when they go full power. I'm 5 miles south of Kerrville sitting on top of a hill which makes the best of a 75 mile stretch over the hills to SA. So you need to be in a prime location with a very high perch (tower or the equivalent) and 2 antennas or a high end VHF UHF combination for OTA.

We don't have cable out here. Do have DirecTV for watching ABC and all the other non network stuff. But its difficult to record off satellite without 'special' gear and thats why I go to great lengths for OTA.

Was the KENS OTA down between 6:30 and 7:00? Got Wheel over DTV but not OTA.

KENS was off the air twice on Sunday, first from 6:45am until 8:00am, then later from 11:15am until 1:15pm, with intermittent interruptions until 2:30pm. We lost a power monitor on one cabinet in the first case, then an automatic voltage regulator went awry to cause the second outage. We are now operating with the same power as last week on our auxiliary antenna

We did not report any off-air events for Saturday.

Have an 'el cheapo antenna in the apartment, and so far fairly lucky on the channel reception since the switch. Everything is a-ok except for KSAT, and PBS to an extent. My antenna is UHF only, so not having the VHF will explain this - partially.

My UHF antenna is picking up all four PBS stations with fairly decent quality. Some cutting in and out, but overall not bad. However, KSAT is not being picked up on the scan. Is there a problem with KSAT's signal currently, or am I going to have to break down and buy a VHF/UHF antenna? With me receiving PBS I figured KSAT would be no problem. Guess I was wrong. Little confusing I must admit.

I live in the 78232 zip code. North of the airport in an apartment facing the north. Indoor antenna is all I can use. So far not bad since the switch though. Much better than before.

KSAT has just requested a slight power increase, from 17.6 kW to 22.2 kW. This will likely make very little difference in reception.

- Trip

Wonder if KMHZ-LP-11 is causing some of the problems with in-town KSAT-DT-12 viewers ? http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TX1133543.html It was off air for some time and only recently returned - just in time for DT-12's debut.

Wonder if KMHZ-LP-11 is causing some of the problems with in-town KSAT-DT-12 viewers ? http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TX1133543.html It was off air for some time and only recently returned - just in time for DT-12's debut.

Maybe, since KSAT is so power-limited. I think someone underestimated the power required for the high V's to replicate their NTSC analog contour. By one WAG, KSAT should have asked for an increase to 60kW EIRP to replicate their analog coverage.

KENS and WOAI will be off the air for a few hours beginning 7:00am Thursday morning June 25. KENS will shut down its over-the-air service from 7am to 10am. This outage will allow the tower crew to erect a crane called a "gin-pole," used in the removal and replacement of the top antennas on our tower. This length of time is necessary due to the amount of work needed to hoist and secure the crane. We will make every effort to keep the off air period as short as possible, but tower crew safety will remain our most important initiative.

For a glimpse of what we are about to do, check out the National Geographic TV series, "World's Toughest Fixes." One episode is an hour-long story on removing and replacing a tall tower antenna like the ones used by KENS and WOAI. Our work is doubled, since two antennas need to be replaced.

The particular episode is entitled “The 2,000 ft Tower”. The program documents a crew from Tower King changing out a TV antenna on a 2,000 ft tower at KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls, SD. There is an article about the program in AGL magazine.

I was told by W5IRQ (an insurance agent) that the only injury claim made during the 1958 construction of the WOAI/KENS tower at Elmendorf was for someone on the ground who was hit in the mouth/face by a dropped bolt. Long before OSHA.

KENS and WOAI will be off the air for a few hours beginning 7:00am Thursday morning June 25. KENS will shut down its over-the-air service from 7am to 10am. This outage will allow the tower crew to erect a crane called a "gin-pole," used in the removal and replacement of the top antennas on our tower. This length of time is necessary due to the amount of work needed to hoist and secure the crane. We will make every effort to keep the off air period as short as possible, but tower crew safety will remain our most important initiative.

For a glimpse of what we are about to do, check out the National Geographic TV series, "World's Toughest Fixes." One episode is an hour-long story on removing and replacing a tall tower antenna like the ones used by KENS and WOAI. Our work is doubled, since two antennas need to be replaced.
In the 1980s, I worked at a TV station in another market that went from UHF to VHF and had its tower next to the station. The station remained on cable, but was off of the broadcast airwaves for two solid weeks while swapping antennas. During those two weeks, the station operated with a skeleton crew of Engineering staff. I was one of the non-essential employees who had to stay away from the station (with pay!) during those two weeks, for fear one of the antennas might come tumbling down the tower unexpectedly.

Compared to that experience, and considering that you're replacing twice as many antennas as my station did, I'm impressed that KENS is able to do a swap with only a few hours of OTA outage. :cool:

I guess that explains why WOAI was off Dish Network this morning. KENS, however, was fine. Dish must use the OTA feed of WOAI and some other method for KENS.

Well, tropospheric conditions this morn weren't all that great so nothing snuck in on the vacant DT-39/48 here.

Dish uses the same method for receiveing WOAI and KENS, fiber for SD and OTA for HD.

I'm getting a rock-solid 100% signal strength on KENS today. Are you on your permanent transmitter/antenna? WOAI is at 90%.

Last week KSAT12 took calls pretty much all day for those who couldn't receive channel 12/ABC w/an OTA antenna. The number was 351-1366, but doubt anyone would be answering that hotline now.....and yes I called! (Pipe Creek/Medina Lake area)!

Without apparent fanfare KCWX-DT-5 appeared Thursday (ahead of the Jul 10 touted date). They seem to decode over a larger azimuth with my antenna than I'd expected. Now to figure out how to add them to the DS DTX9950 with KENS there as a Virtual 5 already. And, to my chagrin, when checking that box I found that in recent days it must have received KVBC (RF2) from Las Vegas, NV and mapped its three subchannels to 3 (which already has 2 subs for KIII, RF8, from Corpus). The antenna on that is fix-aimed s.e. - I've spent hours trying to get a DTV decode on Ch 2-6 Es with the DTT901!
One less Ch there now (and KFLZ-CA-6 raster/audio must impede as well). http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/kvbc-dt-3.1.jpg
http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/kcwx-dt-5.1z.jpg

KCWX appeared on my guide today, too, which was exciting to me because there are some CW shows I'd like to be able to record, but I'm getting absolutely no signal, even though it says it's there. I have it as DTV5, is this correct?

Also, I'm on the NW side, near Alamo Ranch/Sea World, am I just too far to get the signal or something?

I'm located near Ingram Road-Callaghan-Bandera on the NW side. With a VHF-UHF antenna at 20' AGL fix aimed s.e. (so they're off the back) and a DS DTX9950 there are some dropouts and pixelation. However, with an old (1973) Archer V-100 VHF antenna at a similar height with rotor and DTT901 it decodes well from c. 290 deg thru north to 70 deg. At this distance (46 miles) I doubt any sort of indoor antenna will work on them with their current power level. They are on RF Channel 5, and this DTV signal looks better than any that their analog Ch 2 provided OTA in the almost-nine years since they first signed on. http://home.swbell.net/pjdyer/fred-2.htm

Those of you who reported seeing the KCWX digital transmission are correct; the station put up a pedestal by last Wednesday afternoon. After a few hiccups due to an audio setting and a missing clock symbol from the encoder, the station came up looking very good indeed.

The over-the-air transmission will contain the CW HD prime time material as soon as we can achieve a solution for automatic switching between the HD satellite feed and the SD commercial feed. It is possible that this may be in operation during the week to come. There is a bit of testing ahead to work out the timing of control pulses and so forth, but preliminary experiments were successful late last week.

To monitor the station we put up a Yagi array cut for channel 5 paired with a Channel Master Spartan III 16dB preamplifier driving 100 feet of cable to our demod. We are obtaining signal strengths of 70 to 80 percent with virtually zero bit error rate. Our antenna is atop the third floor roof at KENS.

Remember, KCWX transmits from the extreme southeastern corner of Gillespie County on DTV5, so the VHF array you use should look north. Receivers and STB's should map the channel to 2.1. And off the record, our channel 5 Yagi pointed north also receives KSAT and KLRN from the south with no problem, along with all the San Antonio UHF DTV's that we see on our primary UHF demod array. Being at an elevation of 950 feet does not hurt.

I'm getting a rock-solid 100% signal strength on KENS today. Are you on your permanent transmitter/antenna? WOAI is at 90%.

Not yet, Sherril. Our new antenna is now in place but still not plumbed into the transmission line.

Sunday evening during intense Es propagation to n.w. Mexico one of their NTSC Ch 5 stations was noted for a while punching thru the KCWX-DT-5 "curtain of snow" on an analog set. I don't know if the DTV decode was temporarily compromised or not since I didn't check the DTT901 as no US Ch 2-4 DTV pilots were being heard on my FT-847.
With the strong KGBT-4 nightlight signal from The Valley last night I should have seen how KRGV-5 from down there was interacting with KCWX-DT-5.

Awaiting the details of the WOAI/KENS extended xmtr outage of Fri morn. While 80-90% of the viewership don't notice such things, we OTA ones sure do! Inspite of the strong tropo ducting conditions I didn't find any other DT lurking on 39 or 48.

Awaiting the details of the WOAI/KENS extended xmtr outage of Fri morn. While 80-90% of the viewership don't notice such things, we OTA ones sure do!I would figure that Realthogue's posts #3911 and #3923 provide enough detail to connect the dots on an answer. 3923 implies that more of what was done in 3911 is needed to finish the transition. ;)

Well, it's still nice, if possible, to catch advance notice on here of any scheduled dates/times for that. If I hadn't known about the much-earlier KWEX DT test I would have missed the brief window w/o a local signal on that channel and not caught KAZH-DT-41 from Baytown there. http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/kazh-dt-41.1za.jpg

For those missing KCWX, they've filed with the FCC to increase power from 23.7 kW to a blazing 82.9 kW, which is above and beyond the FCC limit. The 23.7 kW, in fact, is the FCC limit for channel 5 at their height.

Just have to wait and see what the FCC does with it.

- Trip

For those missing KCWX, they've filed with the FCC to increase power from 23.7 kW to a blazing 82.9 kW, which is above and beyond the FCC limit. The 23.7 kW, in fact, is the FCC limit for channel 5 at their height.

Just have to wait and see what the FCC does with it.


Wow...it's like the 1920's all over again...back when medium wave broadcast radio was in its infancy. Powers were all over the place with little facility parity. ``Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it...''

Hmmm...is there about to be a WLW for the 21st Century? :-)

Egads, I knew that they might want a BIT more for the 50-mi to town - must be angling for the OTA market with indoor curtain-rod antennas. But, knowing the ego of one of the co-investors in KCWX (a billionaire) ... I wish I knew their ratings and spot ad income. They now have a better OTA signal here (with outdoor antenna) than they ever managed in 9 years with Ch 2 NTSC. With 82-kw ERP they'll obliterate many of the other markets that have a DT-5 during Es events.

wow! talk about a quantum leap! would be nice if WOAI and KSAT12 follow suit! maybe then I can get all 5 major channels (currently only receiving 2 29 and 35).....patiently waiting......good in Trip in VA!

When KCWX (then KBEJ) fired up with 100-kw on Ch 2 in an Apr 2000 test the first results were a frenzy of complaints from the CATV systems near it that had OTA headends suffering from overload. They had to mitigate that situation by providing traps or attenuators for Ch 2 (and later the same for private OTA viewers who were similarly affected). Who knows what effect "super power" on DT-5 might cause folks with wideband preamps out there (though there are no other low-VHF DTV claiming overlapping coverage).

ohh man.. right in the middle of the obit on walter kens jumps into promos.. then goes to black.. is no one watching? or have they layed off so many people there isn't anyone left? way to go . :mad:

My signal is way up on KENS today, are they on the new antenna?

Amidst all the confusion with antennas mounted but not plumbed, mysterious and lengthy off-air periods for KENS and WOAI, you might not have noticed that KENS attained full power on Friday afternoon, July 17. KENS Director of Technology Rich Barton raised the Sigma CD to its full 60 kW TPO to make approximately 1 MW EIRP at 1:45pm. That's a million gallons (watts), boys and girls.

The increased power brought back distant viewers; we received at least one call from a Bandera viewer who had not seen us since June 12. Next for KENS will be detailed field-strength measurements to find the pockets of viewers still not served - even at full power.

73's

Amidst all the confusion with antennas mounted but not plumbed, mysterious and lengthy off-air periods for KENS and WOAI, you might not have noticed that KENS attained full power on Friday afternoon, July 17. KENS Director of Technology Rich Barton raised the Sigma CD to its full 60 kW TPO to make approximately 1 MW EIRP at 1:45pm. That's a million gallons (watts), boys and girls.

The increased power brought back distant viewers; we received at least one call from a Bandera viewer who had not seen us since June 12. Next for KENS will be detailed field-strength measurements to find the pockets of viewers still not served - even at full power.

73's

thanks Jerry, I have the highest signal I've ever had from KENS, is WOAI far behind, I still don't get their new signal on 48. I would have thought their plumbing would coincide with yours.

Leon,

The KENS plumbing required a more simple elbow complex at the top of the tower than did WOAI. The two antennas are separate entities, although we do share the tower itself and WOAI is stacked on top of KENS. The construction of the new top section necessitated a few more pieces for WOAI than the original design. They should be ready to go soon if they are not already at full power.

Thought my CECB had gone biserk with two virtual 5.2 - one being KENS radar and the other "This (central Texas)" network. Now if I can get my DTT901 to "find" it. I had been catching that net whenever KPRC-DT-35.2 from Houston was in well enough to decode.

Could it be on KCWX?

- Trip

OK, I usually keep the DTT901 memories free so that I can direct tune an RF Ch for DX (otherwise I'd not be able to get, e.g., KPRC-DT-35 as KMYS-DT-32 would map there). So, an auto scan on the DTT901 gives KCWX Virtual 2.1 and 2.2 (but no decode on 2.2). It appears that KCWX-DT-5 needs to recode their "2.2" so it doesn't conflict with "5.2" on some CECB models. The DS DTX9950 apparently "handles" such weirdness - its channel-edit table shows a virtual 5.2 for RF2 and RF5.

KCWX is working on PSIP refinements and soon will begin programming "This" network shows on their 2-2 service. There have been some encoder issues and a couple of premature failures with Nielsen equipment. An engineer is on site today to work on it.

It was a bit of a startle when going to check the KENS radar on "5.2" last night to see this b&w movie (turned out to be the 1961 "Town Without Pity"). That DS DTX9950 grabs and adds to its table all virtual subs of whatever it decodes. It's got the subs in it for KAVU Victoria, KIII and KRIS Corpus, and KVEO Brownsville. BTW, KPRC-DT-35.2 "this" program was about four seconds ahead of KCWX's. Hope all is still OK for the Charlie Chan marathon (5 films) on there later Wed.

Anyone know which SA station hosts the TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen) signal? My Sony TV stopped receiving guide information about a week ago and I'm curious if the problem is on the station's end.

According to http://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos it's KENS.

Leon,

The KENS plumbing required a more simple elbow complex at the top of the tower than did WOAI. The two antennas are separate entities, although we do share the tower itself and WOAI is stacked on top of KENS. The construction of the new top section necessitated a few more pieces for WOAI than the original design. They should be ready to go soon if they are not already at full power.

Jerry, I'm retired Vice President of Engineering for WUSA-TV in Washington DC, we were channel 9 and shared not only a tower but also an actual antenna with Channel 7 WJLA-TV and though it was complicated to phase both transmitters in, it worked and it worked well. Having been there, I know you are all excited about all the new changes even if it is a little painful at times. You have done an outstanding job in handling this transistion.

KENS Director of Technology Rich Barton raised the Sigma CD to its full 60 kW TPO to make approximately 1 MW EIRP at 1:45pm. That's a million gallons (watts), boys and girls.

The increased power brought back distant viewers; we received at least one call from a Bandera viewer who had not seen us since June 12. Next for KENS will be detailed field-strength measurements to find the pockets of viewers still not served - even at full power.

Can't wait to rescan tonight (actually 00:45 Thurs am)......1MW... sounds like a bunch! Hats off to Rich and Jerry! Hopefully now I can pick it up!

Anyone know which SA station hosts the TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen) signal? My Sony TV stopped receiving guide information about a week ago and I'm curious if the problem is on the station's end.

According to http://rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos it's KENS.

Thanks WA5IYX.

Jerry, is there an outage of the TVGOS data? I checked the diagnostics in my TV and noticed that it stopped receiving guide info on July 16. My TV tuner's connected to TWC's cable and I didn't change anything on my end.

Jerry, is there an outage of the TVGOS data? I checked the diagnostics in my TV and noticed that it stopped receiving guide info on July 16. My TV tuner's connected to TWC's cable and I didn't change anything on my end.

KENS is delivering the service over the air; Time-Warner is receiving the same feed via fiber from our mux and we have changed nothing on this end. I checked our over-the-air monitor and the TVGOS data is current. Please let me know if Time-Warner gives you the runaround on investigating the problem. Remember, they have their own guide service and sometimes forget that not everyone wants to get boxed in with the TW converter equipment.

I will forward your observations to my engineering lateral at Time-Warner. He may ask for your name, address and account number; you can PM the info to me if you like.

Can't wait to rescan tonight (actually 00:45 Thurs am)......1MW... sounds like a bunch! Hats off to Rich and Jerry! Hopefully now I can pick it up!

Jerry plz keep me on the nook and cranny list....still no 5 (sigh)

Well, the Charlie Chan marathon on "this" Wed got sort of butchered with KCWX sub 2 going back and forth from it to simulcasting their main channel programming for a while. The DTT901 now gets KCWX sub 2 (KCWX-SD). Now to get the program info on it (and the DS DTX9950) to show something besides "no information" and the EPG to function.

BarsAntone,

Please contact me off line with your name and address; Time-Warner reports that their tests of TVGOS work well.

I have one small analog TV in our office, not connected to directv. It's connected to a Zenith converter box and a powered indoor vhf/uhf antenna. Everything comes in except KSAT. I have scanned and rescanned multiple times, as recently as Wednesday evening 7/22, but nada. This is a second floor, south facing room in a home south of Oblate and east of McCullough. I'm not sure if it's KSAT, the converter box or the antenna.

Any ideas?

I have one small analog TV in our office, not connected to directv. It's connected to a Zenith converter box and a powered indoor vhf/uhf antenna. Everything comes in except KSAT. I have scanned and rescanned multiple times, as recently as Wednesday evening 7/22, but nada. This is a second floor, south facing room in a home south of Oblate and east of McCullough. I'm not sure if it's KSAT, the converter box or the antenna.

Any ideas?

Do you get KLRN?

- Trip

Dan,

It is possible that you are a victim of FM interference on your KSAT reception. KMFR-FM operates at 103.7 MHz; their second harmonic, 207.4 MHz is right in the middle of KSAT's bandpass. An FM trap set for 103.7 in your VHF antenna path should take care of the problem. If you are using an amplified antenna, be sure to activate the FM trap if it has one. If not, buy the trap. Here's one:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=FT-7600

And here's another on-line source: http://www.warrenelectronics.com/Antennas/Att1.htm

You might find some in town at M-Tronics, 210-340-4069. KSAT Engineering (210-351-1200) may have suggestions for inexpensive passive FM traps.

I do get all four KLRNs.

Thanks so much, Jerry, for the recommendation. Since I do get KLRN your idea must be right.

Dan,
I would not be so hasty as to say I must be right, but there is a lot of discussion in the technical community about the problem with receiving KSAT on DTV12. Even in their analog days there always was a visible form of interference in KSAT's picture (in some parts of town); we believe that it is possible for this same interference to obliterate any chance of receiving KSAT in affected neighborhoods unless preventative measures are taken.

Jerry plz keep me on the nook and cranny list....still no 5 (sigh)

Prometheis,

I find it difficult to understand why you still cannot receive KENS. Other viewers in Pipe Creek and in Bandera have contacted us and reported good reception. If you will provide your name and address to me off line (in a PM) I certainly will put you on my list of people and places to check.

I have a contact in Bandera who actually is reporting good results for KENS and other stations in the Bandera-Pipe Creek area. WOAI will not be far behind. When I checked with them yesterday, their full power target was looming very close.

This is probably no longer common with modern FCC Part 15 requirements for receiver radiation, but after we got the FM section on an old 1949 Stewart-Warner AM-FM-Phono set working in Aug 1962 the 2nd harmonic of its local oscillator (no r.f. stage, antenna to 12AT7 duo-triode mixer/osc) when tuned to KONO-FM (later KITY, KROM) 92.9 would produce beat bars against the Ch 12 video carrier.
http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/49swsc6.gif

That 103.7 translator (K279AB) is listed as 81 watts at 3 miles from me and has been on since late 1993. I'd never really noticed any herringbone effects to KSAT-12 analog video from a 2nd harmonic issue (but then again, it's at a 24-deg azimuth from me vs 124-deg for Ch 12). Since early this year it's been repeating the KAHL 1310 AM programming instead of the KMFR (105.9) from Hondo.
60 dBu contour map for K279AB http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX251695.html

Looks as if WOAI is full power this morning. Got a black screen at 8:30 but 100% signal strength. Program on now and 95-100%. Had been getting 80% with my CM4228 which is UHF only but does some good down to ch 9.

Looks as if WOAI is full power this morning. Got a black screen at 8:30 but 100% signal strength. Program on now and 95-100%. Had been getting 80% with my CM4228 which is UHF only but does some good down to ch 9.

I agree, I have them back for the first time since the switch, not as good as KENS but very good.

WOAI is at full power as of this morning...

Danny Trevino
WOAI-TV Transmitter Engineer

WOAI is at full power as of this morning...

Danny Trevino
WOAI-TV Transmitter Engineer

Congratulations!

WOAI is at full power as of this morning...

Danny Trevino
WOAI-TV Transmitter Engineer

Good job, Danny and thanks for all your hard work. Your signal looks solid and strong here at Blanco 5 miles north of 1604.

That 103.7 translator (K279AB) is listed as 81 watts at 3 miles from me and has been on since late 1993. I'd never really noticed any herringbone effects to KSAT-12 analog video from a 2nd harmonic issue...
I plan to chat with KSAT Engineering on Monday to discuss their latest findings. In a meeting earlier this month the FM interference problem was getting a lot of attention, along with the ridiculous low ERP authorization for DTV12.

Got this http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/ktmd-dt-48.1z.jpg not too long before WOAI resumed occupancy of the channel. It had been hanging around for hours at a sub-decode level on the DTT-901.

Thanks WA5IYX.

Jerry, is there an outage of the TVGOS data? I checked the diagnostics in my TV and noticed that it stopped receiving guide info on July 16. My TV tuner's connected to TWC's cable and I didn't change anything on my end.
BarsAntone,

I can confirm that my TVGOS data is gone as well from TW. I don't use it very often, but before you posted, (a week or so ago) I had restarted the scan for info twice and then again when I saw your post ( a couple of days ago). Checked this am and still no info. This is on an Pioneer TV 5080 Digital coax in. I did not run it on the analog coax in.

BarsAntone,

I can confirm that my TVGOS data is gone as well from TW. I don't use it very often, but before you posted, (a week or so ago) I had restarted the scan for info twice and then again when I saw your post ( a couple of days ago). Checked this am and still no info. This is on an Pioneer TV 5080 Digital coax in. I did not run it on the analog coax in.
CoolRiver,

I have the TVGOS feature on my LG HDTV and I noticed it disappeared sometime after the switch to digital TV. It is still missing. The guide comes OTA as I am a DirecTV subscriber. I have rescanned channels a few times since the change, but still no TVGOS.

One of our friends and a contributor to this Forum wrote me shortly after the DTV "Transition" that his TVGOS returned. Quoting from his email to me,
"...I found a forum (on AVS) on my Sony DVR, with lots of info. Found out that there was a software update that would allow the DVR to receive data from a digital OTA signal. So, I went to the Sony website and loaded the software onto a thumb-drive (18MB worth). After reading the installation procedures for the update (that said the new software would wipe-out the previous version), something told me to fire up the DVR one more time and check the guide. To my surprise, there was current information on the grid, and complete info for the next EIGHT days! I hadn't seen that in 6 months, and it kind of blew me away (and I hadn't even done the upgrade)! I decided to put the thumb-drive away, and just see what would happen for the next few days. So far, it has updated every night, with a solid 8 days of programming viewable..."

I have verified that the KENS transmission does contain TVGOS data, and my colleagues at Time-Warner have also tested and confirmed operation of a TVGOS-capable set at their head end. One of their technicians is investigating the situation for TW.

Is there an upgrade necessary depending on the vintage of your DVR? This is a gray area for me since even though I know how we provide it, and I can verify its presence, I do not know all the tricks, ins and outs of everyone's equipment.

I'm sure that for me, the TVGOS data retrieval is not an issue with old firmware, but it might be an issue with new firmware. My Sony TV is connected to the Internet all the time, via a BIVL (Bravia Internet Video Link). The BIVL box phones home daily over a wired Internet connection to Sony and downloads any new firmware it finds. (I wish it would just download the guide data, too. :()

Stumbled across KBNB-DL-10 this afternoon http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/kbnb-dl-10.1z.jpg (300 watts at 5 miles, 110 deg). They had initial low audio, soon fixed. But, they do need to work on that program guide! Their 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 are color bars.

Any idea what the programming source is for KBNB-LD?

- Trip

Lower right often has super "Life TV 10". Programming Hispanic religious. They've run a Spanish-dubbed version of the Ten Commandments with the voice of Moses hardly close to the booming Charlton Heston. Some programs might be local productions as they have this area code (210) on them - unless it's added post production to fit market(s).

As of late Wed, and continuing today so far, their 10.1 is just a raster while the other subs have full-screen CBars. As KBNB-LP-10 they always seemed to have (or be on the verge of) a technical glitch. Their EPG still has that CBS net sked displaying on it.

All,

I live in Silver Oaks, between Culebra and Galm/Shaenfield, outside of 1604. I'm in a one story home with several two-story homes next to and across the street from me. I just tested a ClearStream 2 Long Range HDTV Indoor/Outdoor antenna and was able to get up to 23 channels just holding to antenna above my head in the living room (front of the house). I was able to receive NBC (4.1 & 4.2), CBS (5.1 - 5.3), FOX (29.1), CW (35.1) ION (26.1), Univision and some local channels (2, 23, 17, 53, 60) but no ABC or PBS. I am planning to place the antenna in the attic, but I have a DirecTV dish, so I could use the dish's post if reception would increase. I have checked the TVFool website and I can get all the locals with this style of antenna.

I have a few questions for the local OTA guys:

Does anyone who posts here live in my area, and do you get ABC or PBS with this or different setup?
Will mounting the antenna in the attic or outside help get these missing channels?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

I am having wierd problems with cable reception. Wanted to see if anyone else might have experienced the same.

All is well throughout the day but in the evening between 8pm and bedtime there is loss of signal. It starts out to be just a little pixelation then 1-2 seconds of frozen screen. The last couple of nights during evening (10pm) news it has been unwatchable. I switch to my OTA antenna and it is fine. The next morning all is well.

I guess it is getting so cold at night it is affecting the cable lines. :D

I just tested a ClearStream 2 Long Range HDTV Indoor/Outdoor antenna and was able to get up to 23 channels just holding to antenna above my head in the living room (front of the house). I was able to receive NBC (4.1 & 4.2), CBS (5.1 - 5.3), FOX (29.1), CW (35.1) ION (26.1), Univision and some local channels (2, 23, 17, 53, 60) but no ABC or PBS.
That model of antenna is a UHF antenna (http://www.antennasdirect.com/C2-Clearstream-DTV-antenna.html). The ABC and PBS stations' signals are VHF. If this antenna isn't working, you'll need an antenna for both VHF and UHF to receive those signals.

I am having wierd problems with cable reception. Wanted to see if anyone else might have experienced the same.

All is well throughout the day but in the evening between 8pm and bedtime there is loss of signal. It starts out to be just a little pixelation then 1-2 seconds of frozen screen. The last couple of nights during evening (10pm) news it has been unwatchable. I switch to my OTA antenna and it is fine. The next morning all is well.

I guess it is getting so cold at night it is affecting the cable lines. :D
I've had some friends with a similar problem. The solution was having the cable company replace most or all of the cables and junctions in the house. It's a temperature sensitive problem that typically occurs in the afternoon and is OK in the morning. Call your cable company.

I've been noticing similar issues. And it seems to only be on the HD channels and gets worse as the evening goes along. I've primarily noticed it on KSAT channel 112. I haven't called TWC yet about it, because all they will want to do is give me a new box and I've got recorded programs on my DVR.

I had other problems a few weeks ago where certain HD channels would be a black screen and say " THIS CHANNEL IS UNAVAILABLE, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER" It would seem to happen on groups of HD channels on both of my boxes at the same time. Five minutes later they would work or it was another group of channels. I asked TWC if it was related to Switched Digital Video they recently changed to, because otherwise I had no reception problems/pixelation. I was told no and they relaid the cable from their pedestal to my house with RG-11. Didn't solve the problem. I haven't encoutered that problem as much lately. Now however, I am getting the pixelation problems like macbillybob described. Good thing I just noticed Uverse is coming to my neighborhood...

I have TWC coming this afternoon. I can't see where it would be temp sensitive since it is at its worst at 10-10:30pm. It is not just the HD stations. I have the same problem on all TVs even the ones without a box. I only have one box, a DVR. At first I thought it was the DVR but then checked other sets and found that they all had the same problem.

the problem didn't start last night until after 9pm. sometimes it is earlier.

I also can't believe it is the in house cable since all of mine is new and one of the tvs is within 20 ft of the exterior drop from TWC.

We will see what they say this afternoon and I will update it here. I am not optomistic since there is no problem during the day.

The TWC guy came just as I was finishing the previous post. He checked the signal in the house and it is clear and strong. Like I said there is no problem during the day.

He said there had been other similar complaints. Problem nobody at TWC works at 10pm. He was going to investigate.

I guess it could be heat related. Maybe the cool off at night affects some connectors or something. It seems to only be a problem after sundown.

I wonder at what time everything returns to normal????

I heard from a TWC employee that it happens at night because that's when most people watch TV, browse the internet etc... and that it's a bandwidth problem, not temperature. Also, they were thinking about installing useage meters on their customer routers etc...and may start "capping" useage, whatever that means.

The topic of cable pixelation is popping up on several other local forums. Something IS going on.

TXMAN,

The bandwidth issue makes sense. Wonder what my internet speed is during these problem times? Think I will check that if it happens again tonight.

Anyone form San Antonio area attending the CEDIA Trade Show in Atlanta, GA September 10-13?

Any suggestions for a model that covers over thirty miles (I think the towers are about 32 to 35 miles from my house). The TERK models at Best Buy (HDTVA) were half new and half open box (ie returns) open box and the HDTVO model is not available locally yet (probably a better option). I am hesitant to go through Amazon, since I hate having to return items and prefer locally-available goods.

I have just found a company called Winegard with several attractive options (with direct buy pricing) so these may work as well.

Thanks for the help!!

Check out these people. I've bought a few things from them with no problems.

http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/

I am also fond of Solid Signal; they have always treated me well. Two outdoor combo antennas that should work well for GMichalak are the Channel Master CM-2016 or CM-3016. I have seen several of both models and they work well for all channels, DTV2 through DTV48.

Given the Silver Oaks address, the CM-3016 might be a better choice because of the distance. If you plan to drive several TV receivers/DVR's/converterboxes with this antenna, I recommend an amplified splitter, such as the CM-3414.

The antennas and splitter are available through http://www.SolidSignal.com and other on-line retailers.

I have had good experiences as well, even with a returned antenna.

Any suggestions for a model that covers over thirty miles (I think the towers are about 32 to 35 miles from my house). The TERK models at Best Buy (HDTVA) were half new and half open box (ie returns) open box and the HDTVO model is not available locally yet (probably a better option). I am hesitant to go through Amazon, since I hate having to return items and prefer locally-available goods.

I have just found a company called Winegard with several attractive options (with direct buy pricing) so these may work as well.

Thanks for the help!!

I bought a Radio Shack 85" at the Bandera and 1604 store and I get all the channels except the CW channel on 2.1. ABC and PBS 100 percent. I have 6 tunners hooked to it.

Yesterday my son and I R&R'd outdoor coax cables w/RG6 quad shielded cables w/Thomas and Betts (purple (all weather) RG6 quad connectors. A single splice w/one coax-in and one coax-out (no splitter) using a female connector was found on the old cable. Of course we re-aligned the OTA antenna as well and here are the signal strengths for;

DTA800 (before) - (4)67/69, (5)37/39, (12)11/12, (29)33/34, (35)69/70

DTA800 (after) - (4)67/68, (5)50/52, (12)14, (29)32/34, (35)68/71

Pioneer 5010 plasma - (4)42/46, (5)34/38, (12)NS*, (29)38/42, (35)73/76

*NS = no signal, no PBS9 channel on either tuner. It's also curious that the TV tuner has a stronger signal strength on 29/35 than the D/A converter??

I noticed on the TRUSPEC TA-25 amplifier (in the living room) that there's a FM TRAP IN/OUT switch. What is the proper setting and what does this switch do? It's currently set to IN.

As you can see the one and only channel that improved significantly was KENS5! Dunno why, don't care! but I can get all channels on the converter box, and all but KSAT12 on the TV tuner. I understand 12 is having ongoing issues (VHF, power level etc.) and suspect it'll be resolved sometime in the future.
With football season around the corner, and having PIP on the TV, channels 5 and 29 are very much a part of the PIP picture! Jerry, thanks for all your help, ANTSONE you too. Please tell me what ya think of the signal strength results after upgrading the exterior cables...GO GIANTS!

The "meter" on most (if not all) consumer DTV products is more of a quality measuring item than pure signal strength. It reads highest when it has the lowest bit-rate errors (which usually means strongest signal with fewest ghosts and/or co-channel interference present). Considering the proximity of the KMYS tower (Lake Hills) that ought to come in well with a paper clip for an antenna there - it's the only one that decodes here (20 mi LOS according to the tvfool.com site) on a simple indoor antenna.

I've some friends off Highway 46 along Red Bluff Creek not far from the Freedom Springs Ranch airstrip - a pretty low spot with many 400' hills around. Besides a sat dish they have a large OTA antenna atop their two-floor house. I'm going to have to ask them how their DTV is there with that sytem. The last time that I visited (Oct 2004) they were using SD CRT sets.

Prometheis,

I still am planning a Hill Country visit, and you are on my list of places to go.

You can leave the FM trap "out" since I doubt you have much risk of interference from FM stations where you are.

I visited another house north of Boerne last weekend; they also had a Tru-Spec TA-25. It seemed to be performing okay on the VHF channels but quite lame on the UHF's. They had a VHF/UHF combo antenna that was in pretty good shape. The viewer had too many sets (4) on a passive splitter. Replacing the passive 4-way with a Channel Master CM3414 brought all channels up to par, with an average of 75 (relative value) for signal strength on their RCA DTA-800 converter boxes.

We have enjoyed great success with Channel Master Spartan antenna amps, which have quite well-balanced UHF/VHF response. We have one here to bring in KCWX from Stonewall to our receiving antenna at KENS.

KCWX-DT-5 does well here with a DTT901 and an ancient 1973 Archer V-100 20' AGL beamed nw thru ne (even w/o the indoor CM-7777). A TSR capture from it with an HVR-950 http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/kcwx-tsr.htm It also is suprisingly good off the backside of a VHF-UHF array fix-aimed s.e. with a DTX9950. I surely don't need them to increase to 80kw ERP here.

Of course, whenever we get any lightning sferics it will pixelate to various degrees - an "early warning" of bad weather that was hard to get used to not having with the other hi-VHF and UHF DTV in this market after 50+ years of WOAI-4 and KENS-5.

Can anyone recommend a good splitter to use with cable? I need one that will pass QAM as well as standard cable.

Thanks.

Can anyone recommend a good splitter to use with cable? I need one that will pass QAM as well as standard cable.

Thanks.

Time Warner gave me a free splitter and nice zero gain 8 output amplifier (signal level on the outputs is same as input). You might ask your cable co.

Time Warner gave me a free splitter and nice zero gain 8 output amplifier (signal level on the outputs is same as input). You might ask your cable co.

My apologies. I need an AMPLIFIED splitter that will pass QAM and standard cable signals. Thanks.

My apologies. I need an AMPLIFIED splitter that will pass QAM and standard cable signals. Thanks.

First, if your incoming cable signal is working correctly when connected directly (no splitters etc) to one TV you do not want to significantly increase the signal level with an amplifier. If it is not working properly have your cable co. fix it.

To work correctly the cable signal needs to stay close same level originally supplied by the cable co. The best way to do this is with a drop amp. They will pass standard and QAM signals and are bidirectional. They have miniminal gain hence my installer called it a zero gain amp. I have internet service and TWC recommended I use a 2 way splitter on the incoming line with one side connected to the amp and one side connected to the cable modem. Time Warner supplied both the splitter and drop amp for free.

My amp is the Electroline EDA-2800.
http://www.electroline.com/en/products/drop_amplifiers/index.html

Here is some information on the forum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=813711

The original installer only put in a splitter, later I got a repair tech out the house is how I got the free stuff.

People commonly create problems with their cable system by over amplifying the signal.

On a whim I bought a basic 4-port GE amplifier at Home Depot (figured I would return it if it didn't do the trick). Works like a charm. The problem originated from a 30' cable run to a TV. The basic amp boosts the signal quite well.

Prometheis,

1. I still am planning a Hill Country visit, and you are on my list of places to go.

2. I visited another house north of Boerne last weekend; they also had a Tru-Spec TA-25. It seemed to be performing okay on the VHF channels but quite lame on the UHF's. They had a VHF/UHF combo antenna that was in pretty good shape. The viewer had too many sets (4) on a passive splitter. Replacing the passive 4-way with a Channel Master CM3414 brought all channels up to par, with an average of 75 (relative value) for signal strength on their RCA DTA-800 converter boxes.

3. We have enjoyed great success with Channel Master Spartan antenna amps, which have quite well-balanced UHF/VHF response. We have one here to bring in KCWX from Stonewall to our receiving antenna at KENS.

1. WOW! Above and beyond amigo! Whats your preferred beverage of choice?

2. I am curious, did they have a HD TV? Did the TV tuners signal strength also increase proportionately?

3. I'm kinda gun shy of amplified splitters after the non performance we discussed on pp 126/7. I'll order CM3414 from an online store for $27 and $8 s&h maybe it'll save ya a trip (unless you just wanna get out from behind your desk that is...!)

"...did they have a HD TV? Did the TV tuners signal strength also increase proportionately?"

The viewer had a 26" LG HDTV; signal strength, although relative values, increased from 20-25 on UHF, 35-40 on VHF to consistent values in the 60's and 70's on UHF and VHF. We saw similar proportionate increases on her two RCA DTA-800 converter boxes also.

[QUOTE=prometheis_78063]"...I'm kinda gun shy of amplified splitters after the non performance we discussed on pp 126/7... maybe it'll save ya a trip (unless you just wanna get out from behind your desk that is...!)

I don't spend much time behind a desk. Can't blame you for being gunshy of amp'd splitters but they have their purpose. I still want to see your setup, as soon as I can get up that way. Beverage preference is iced H2O.