You'd be more likely to watch the Super Bowl in HD on KSAS out of Salina. Ain't no way KTMJ is broadcasting digitally by Feb.

The $10 per month for HD access from DirecTV is WELL worth it, especially if you have an MPEG4-capable receiver. And there would be no extra charge for the Fox-DNS out of NY if you qualify.

You'd be more likely to watch the Super Bowl in HD on KSAS out of Salina. Ain't no way KTMJ is broadcasting digitally by Feb.

The $10 per month for HD access from DirecTV is WELL worth it, especially if you have an MPEG4-capable receiver. And there would be no extra charge for the Fox-DNS out of NY if you qualify.

KTMJ is in HD right now on Cox, I watched the cowboys last night in HD. It is a great bitrate as well, I'm getting about 15mbps 720p video, and 448kbps 5.1 AC3 audio. The 448kbps is higher than all the other locals that are 384kbps.

EDIT: Sorry I missed on the previous page where you said you don't have cox and you have to be with DTV for sunday ticket.

Anyone else lose ktka today? I tried to watch the game but got nothing.

Back now, sorry.

dlnester & timmy,

Thank you for the explanation... I still get it time to time, but only in the evening, not during warm daytime we get these days.

Now, I have to work on the antenna to get KSAS for the Super Bowl...
I just called and asked the the distant fox and they said I didn't qualify, I live in Emporia.

starlite, be sure you call DirecTV and ask for Fox Distant Network Service (DNS) before you get too drastic with antennas. If your address is eligible (meaning you're not in Grade B signal reception) they should allow you access to Ch. 88 (WNYW, NYC Fox affiliate). If you're approved, it's an instant switch (you'll see it with ANY DirecTV HD receiver, not just the new MPEG-4 ones) and you'll not only get the Super Bowl but the NFC playoffs.

This is what I meant to reply to... I just called and they said I wasn't eligible in Emporia....

I'm getting the "Audio in a Tunnel" effect on WIBW-DT 13.1 here at noon on the CBS show "NFL Championship Chase"

Anybody else getting that or do I have some kind of problem?

Edit: It appears to have fixed itself.

This is what I meant to reply to... I just called and they said I wasn't eligible in Emporia....

You have to get a waiver from the local stations (in my case I had to get one from KTMJ and WDAF in KC) in order to receive the chanel out of New York. I was able to get the waiver from both by sending an email to each station and letting them know that a waiver request would be coming from DirecTV and then explaining that I couldn't receive HD from either channel over the air. This was over a year ago however and since KTMJ is planning on putting the ATSC up soon I'm thinking you might be out of luck with getting that waiver.

You have to get a waiver from the local stations (in my case I had to get one from KTMJ and WDAF in KC) in order to receive the chanel out of New York. I was able to get the waiver from both by sending an email to each station and letting them know that a waiver request would be coming from DirecTV and then explaining that I couldn't receive HD from either channel over the air. This was over a year ago however and since KTMJ is planning on putting the ATSC up soon I'm thinking you might be out of luck with getting that waiver.

Directv sent in for one about a year ago also and they turned me down. Do I need to do something special? How did you get them to do the waiver? How would I find out who to email? I get my HD from Topeka. Thanks!

Send an email to Dave Walters who is the general manager at KTMJ. Explain your situation and mention that as soon as KTMJ provides OTA HD programming, you will be cancelling the Directv national feed. You will NOT need a waiver from WDAF as they are an O+O station. You may have to mention this to Directv as many of the customer service reps don't understand the difference.
Bish

WDAF has been sold to Oak Hill Capital and will be managed by Local TV LLC. WDAF will no longer be a FOX O&O. However, the sale will not be finalized until 3rd Quarter of 2008 according to the Kansas City Biz Journal. I'm not sure how this will impact any waiver requests.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2007/12/24/daily1.html?ana=from_rss

I need some help please. I live in Manhattan KS I have alot of problems with my OTA - I can get CBS no problem ABC & NBC are spotty - sometimes yes sometimes no. FOX never. I have been able to get FOX out of Salina which is Digital for HD (Superbowl & Daytona are my main concerns).
I am using a DirecTV STB as the tuner. How can I add or get the Salina channel into the "Scan" for channnels? Do I list this as a secondary market?
I really wish this were easier, I have about 300.00 worth of antenna amps preamos etc. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.

I have the HR20-100 and I just had to add Wichita as a secondary market. The downside is all of the Wichita channels are listed, so you have to delete them out. I also had an issue with a channel 13 from that market killing my WIBW channel. I know I got signal, but something in the software caused it to register 0.

Good luck, I gave it up and got a waiver so I watch the NY Fox until KTMJ is OTA her.

It kept throwing me off because I couldn't think what Wichita station was on 13... forgot about the Western Kansas satellites.

KUPK 13 is the ABC Affiliate for Garden City. Part of the KAKE family of stations.

I have lost KTKA again tonight. Got done watching the ballgame, wanted a refresher on Lost, and searching for signal on my HR20-100. I check the signal strength and I am setting at about 90-95%. Thought maybe a glitch with the DVR, but same thing on the TV tuner in the bedroom. Anyone else loose it??

Back again. Wondering if they are having glitches or if I am....

I have had spotty reception for KTKA, but I did adjust my set-top antenna a while back. I record the 10pm news every night, and some nights it's really spotty, others it's fine the whole evening.

Winter is the worst time for reception... the warm, humid air of summer transmits the waves a lot better.

I get constant signal of between 90 and 95 so that is what has me perplexed. I can check the signal meter and tune the TV in the bedroom to them and get nothing...

Well on cable the reception last night was perfect, no audio or video drops.

Can someone get me up to speed with Fox 43? I have Dish Network and use an antenna to pick up OTA. I was at my parents last night and they have Cox. The guide showed KTMJ HD and the logo on the program did say Fox 43, indicating that they are not feeding in another city's Fox. Is Fox doing what ABC did and giving the feed to Cox exclusively for a short amount of time? Any help would be appreciated.

KTMJ provides Cox Communications with an HD feed, however since KTMJ is a low power station they are not required to transmit in digital yet. They have until February 17, 2009 to make a 'flash cut' (Turning their analog transmitter off, and turning on a digital signal)

If you look back in this forum 4 pages or so you'll see a post by user "FOX 43" that says they hope to be broadcasting in digital in Topeka later this year, and will eventually roll it out over their other repeater stations in Manhattan, Junction City, and Emporia.

The only option for FOX HD over the air right now is either WDAF-DT from Kansas City or KAAS-DT from Salina.

DirecTV had/has the Super Bowl up on channel 701 in HD for anybody across the country to view. It is the WNYW-DT feed, but available nationally. You must have one of the new DirecTV HD Receivers to see the feed. This is awesome for Topeka, with no local HD access OTA.

hey everyone, first time posting here and have a question. searched for the answer but didnt find anything so here's the question.

just got a 61" hdtv (samsung led dlp) and live in manhattan, ks. i was wondering if anyone on here lived in manhattan and knew if you could pick up over-the-air hdtv channels and if so what kind of antenna would i need. i was hoping to at least be able to use one of the indoor "rabbit ear type" hdtv antennas as i cant put up an outdoor one at my house. thanks for the help.

hey everyone, first time posting here and have a question. searched for the answer but didnt find anything so here's the question.

just got a 61" hdtv (samsung led dlp) and live in manhattan, ks. i was wondering if anyone on here lived in manhattan and knew if you could pick up over-the-air hdtv channels and if so what kind of antenna would i need. i was hoping to at least be able to use one of the indoor "rabbit ear type" hdtv antennas as i cant put up an outdoor one at my house. thanks for the help.

With an indoor you can probably only get CBS (WIBW)

If you have Cox just get the HD from them. You will get all the locals plus many more HD channels for free.

You are going to have trouble getting anything here with rabbit ears. The towers are just too far away. Having said that, doesn't hurt to try. I will say you will probably have to move it around since the towers are in fairly different locations. There are two south of I70 West of Topeka, and two up by 24 on the northwest side of Topeka.

thanks to ajp and timmy. figured they were just too far away. i was really hoping to get NBC for whenever Heroes comes back on. dont really watch much local tv anyway. thanks again.

With an indoor you can probably only get CBS (WIBW)

If you have Cox just get the HD from them. You will get all the locals plus many more HD channels for free.

What other HD channels do you get? Are you talking about their unencrypted QAM stuff? The only HD stuff I've gotten through QAM is the ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and maybe occasionally CW, though I never watch it.

What other HD channels do you get? Are you talking about their unencrypted QAM stuff? The only HD stuff I've gotten through QAM is the ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and maybe occasionally CW, though I never watch it.

QAM you will only get the locals. I have digital cable and I get a whole slew of HD channels.

Gotcha, so free is relative :). Thanks for the info.

Gotcha, so free is relative :). Thanks for the info.

They don't charge more for HD like many companies.

I'm in Manhattan, too, and watch all the stations out of Topeka with an outdoor antenna installed indoor. I have Channel Master 4228 put on a stool against a corner inside the house facing east. It is a vertical bow-tie antenna, so it doesn't take up that much space and works really well. I get PBS, CBS, NBC, and ABC stations out of Topeka without a problem even though my home is not on top of a hill. If you have a wall facing east just set up an antenna on the wall, and you are set. Yes, it is not a pretty sight having the antenna inside, but to me it is worth it. I attached a picture of my antenna setup for your info. I hope it helps.

http://info.cba.ksu.edu/whang/images/DSCN1194.jpg

The other option is to put an antenna in the attic if you have room and access to it.

I could totally mount that antenna on the wall and call it "Modern Art" and get away with it :)

I am in manhattan too, I get PBS, NBC, CBS and ABC all from Topeka, without moving the antenna. I also have a bowtie antenna, but on the roof.

I could totally mount that antenna on the wall and call it "Modern Art" and get away with it :)

Cool... :rolleyes: It's funny because that's exactly what I told my wife when she was completely against putting the antenna indoor right next to the TV.

I am in manhattan too, I get PBS, NBC, CBS and ABC all from Topeka, without moving the antenna. I also have a bowtie antenna, but on the roof.

I think we in Manhattan actually has an advantage in placing our antennas for Topeka stations. Since we are so far away, we can just point the antenna toward east and we are set. The signal strengths for all the stations are not that weak, so any UHF antenna seems to work. My CM4228 coupled with an signal amp is somewhat an overkill. I also have a small Radioshack fishbone UHF antenna, and it didn't have any trouble picking up all Topeka stations even installed indoor. Of course, it is a lot more headache to place a horizontal fishbone antenna indoor, so I switched to a vertical bow-tie antenna. :D

I moved to Manhattan not long ago, and the help I got from this forum is the only reason I continue to enjoy HD heaven. I thought it would be impossible, but hey, I had great teachers here! :)

Now I can't wait for KTMJ to go HD!

Now I can't wait for KTMJ to go HD!

Some of us are already enjoying it :p

Some of us are already enjoying it :p

You had to say it, didn't you? :cool: Yeah, I envy you... I wish Cox had NFL Sunday Ticket! I know it's not going to happen anytime soon, so I'm stuck with DirecTV and local OTA HD... But, when KTMJ starts its OTA HD, the lineup will be finally complete. Just around the corner! :) Until then, I put up my extra antenna outside of my home pointing toward Salina to get KAAS when there is something big on FOX like Super Bowl. It's PITA, but a man's gotta do what he's gotta do... :o

WIBW botched the HD broadcast of Jericho tonight. They forget to switch over to HD.

WIBW, if you are listening, it's on again Saturday. Please switch over in time.

WIBW botched the HD broadcast of Jericho tonight. They forget to switch over to HD.

Yes, they did, but it was corrected later.

Yes, they did correct it 2/3's the way through, which is what makes it irritating - it's just someone forgetting to flip a switch.

Yes, they did correct it 2/3's the way through, which is what makes it irritating - it's just someone forgetting to flip a switch.

I first noticed that it was HD when they entered the tent with the body bags. Did they switch it the preceding commercial break or did I just not notice right away?

I first noticed that it was HD when they entered the tent with the body bags. Did they switch it the preceding commercial break or did I just not notice right away?

That's when they switched, it was right about the half way point.

WIBW & WIBW-DT Pulling The Plug on Cox Cable?
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/021608/bus_247527074.shtml

I read from a former engineer at WIBW that Cox could un-blackout KCTV if WIBW leaves Cox Cable, and they could import the KCTV-DT signal as well. KCTV-DT broadcasts 1 HD game, and 1 SD game on a side channel during the NCAA Tournament so you can watch two different games at the same time. They have even carried a 3rd game on KCTV-Analog so that they are broadcasting 3 different games.

WIBW & WIBW-DT Pulling The Plug on Cox Cable?
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/021608/bus_247527074.shtml

I read from a former engineer at WIBW that Cox could un-blackout KCTV if WIBW leaves Cox Cable, and they could import the KCTV-DT signal as well. KCTV-DT broadcasts 1 HD game, and 1 SD game on a side channel during the NCAA Tournament so you can watch two different games at the same time. They have even carried a 3rd game on KCTV-Analog so that they are broadcasting 3 different games.

While they can, i believe that requires a waiver from WIBW and we know that won't happen.:D

Actually the reason KCTV is blacked out on CBS Network programming only is a duplication clause from the FCC, and if WIBW pulls out of Cox Cable, the duplication blackout goes away as well.

Actually the reason KCTV is blacked out on CBS Network programming only is a duplication clause from the FCC, and if WIBW pulls out of Cox Cable, the duplication blackout goes away as well.

This sucks. American Gladiators and Knight Rider are not in HD on KSNT tonight.

Looks like they got Knight Rider going at some point.

They did. I just hate the way they do closings. They take up 25% or more of the screen. It would sure be nice if they directed digital viewers to the .2 channel for closing. I see that KTKA can now do a crawl during HD.

if WIBW pulls out of Cox Cable, the duplication blackout goes away as well.

Do we have confirmation of this or is it speculation? I spoke with someone from Cox and a broadcaster (not WIBW) last week and nobody was certain what would happen with KCTV. The broadcaster I spoke with thought that as long as WIBW was broadcasting OTA, it could still block KCTV under the FCC regulations.

Do we have confirmation of this or is it speculation? I spoke with someone from Cox and a broadcaster (not WIBW) last week and nobody was certain what would happen with KCTV. The broadcaster I spoke with thought that as long as WIBW was broadcasting OTA, it could still block KCTV under the FCC regulations.

The article in the Capital Journal never mentioned the blackout being lifted. I believe your latter theory is correct. Think about how it works with satellite. When you're able to receive OTA, you cannot pickup distant broadcasts since the local affiliate won't sign a waiver. This could mean that Cox customers could only get CBS if WIBW and KCTV are airing different programming or if WIBW signs a waiver agreeing that the customer is unable to pick up WIBW OTA.

I would lean on speculation, but the source of my information is the former WIBW Engineer who worked directly with Cox Cable about the blackout on KCTV. Their could be some line in the former contract or somewhere else but it sounds like KCTV is "Significantly Viewed" in Shawnee County as well.

Huge number of audio drop-outs while viewing Jericho last night on WIBW-DT OTA. Actually sort of ruined the viewing experience.

Anyone else notice them?

I'm using an HR20-700 with excellent signal strength. Have to believe this was from the source, WIBW.

Bish

I didn't notice any drops via cable last night.

KCTV is no longer "Significantly Viewed" in Shawnee County. If WIBW does not come to an agreement with COX, CBS programming will not be available on COX.

http://www.cjonline.com/stories/022108/bus_249174491.shtml

Well Cox Cable customers, I would start looking elsewhere for CBS programming. Those living in Manhattan and Junction City will have it worse than Topeka.

My parents have Dish Network so they won't have a problem... yet. However, if Cox starts paying WIBW, watch for KTKA, KSNT, KTWU and KTMJ to follow suit.

Hopefully Cox won't give in. They are 100% in the right.

In the article, Allbaugh, the Cox guy, points out that the cable company is required by law to carry WIBW if they want them to. The whole point of the "must carry" law was to protect broadcast stations from being destroyed by cable and satellite. The idea was to stop broadcast stations from being charged by the cable company to carry their signal. And now, WIBW is acting as if they are the ones doing Cox a favor.

Based on what Allbaugh says, it sounds like they aren't going to give in. I don't want to have to put up an antenna, but I will. Let's see how WIBW's ratings do without cable. I bet they will be back within a month.

Well Cox Cable customers, I would start looking elsewhere for CBS programming. Those living in Manhattan and Junction City will have it worse than Topeka.

My parents have Dish Network so they won't have a problem... yet. However, if Cox starts paying WIBW, watch for KTKA, KSNT, KTWU and KTMJ to follow suit.

Cox won't pay...never will pay......down here in the Wichita area, Andover, KS was trying to charge Cox double the franchise fee (1 fee for CableTV and 1 for Phone) to introduce phone into Andover. Cox never did give in, even though it ment losing lots of money by not having phone in Andover. It took almost 4 years, but they finnaly got the ok to put phone into Andover and no addded franchise fee.

Cox won't pay...never will pay......down here in the Wichita area, Andover, KS was trying to charge Cox double the franchise fee (1 fee for CableTV and 1 for Phone) to introduce phone into Andover. Cox never did give in, even though it ment losing lots of money by not having phone in Andover. It took almost 4 years, but they finnaly got the ok to put phone into Andover and no addded franchise fee.

I can see that but how many people dropped their cable service because they could not get their phone service from COX.

With WIBW, if people have to go with DIRECTV or Dish Network, they will most likely drop COX's cable service. Some people might keep it also for internet and phone.

I, on the the other hand, have both COX and DIRECTV but I get my WIBW from OTA. (I also had Dish and BEV at one time too.)

I am beginning to think that the local affiliate is starting to become less and less relevant in today's marketplace. Last fall NBC offered several of their new shows on Cox onDemand. Don't think that this didn't cause KSN some hurt. Sure it wasn't in HD and it was only the pilot episodes, but it was a start. Watching new shows for free via the web? Yep, that will slowly degrade viewership. Over time more and more people will also just wait for DVD before watching their favorite shows.

If WIBW drops COX and I were advertising on WIBW I would demand a lower rate. The ad agencies certainly will.

I pick up WIBW-DT using a $25 set of rabbit ears plus UHF loop in my basement at a distance of 30 miles away from the stick. Use your coupon from Uncle Sam, go buy a digital converter box or an HD tuner, and don't miss a beat -- or an NCAA game.

WIBW can not afford to be off of Cox for long, if at all, and it's because of the advertizing $s.

Assuming that in this area most, (80%?), receive their programming via Cox, that means that viewers watching Cox are the most valuable to the advertisers on WIBW. IF WIBW is not carried on Cox, the advertisers will raise cain with WIBW demanding action, or they could take their business to a rival network. The 'money' lost by Cox not having to pay WIBW for its programming will be dwarfed by the lost advertising revenue.

Remember when KSNT tried to force Cox to pay for its HD signal? That went no-where and KSNT eventually relented.

BTW: I have no vested interest in this fight as I receive my programming via Directv/OTA.

Bish

WIBW-TV RESPONDS TO COX CABLE....

http://www.wibw.com/freetv

WIBW-TV RESPONDS TO COX CABLE....

Very interesting and yet somehow I remain highly unmotivated to picket the Cox offices. My favorite part is that Cox doesn't expand the market for WIBW.Yeah, I'm sure their ratings will go up when they leave cable. :rolleyes:

Very interesting and yet somehow I remain highly unmotivated to picket the Cox offices. My favorite part is that Cox doesn't expand the market for WIBW.Yeah, I'm sure their ratings will go up when they leave cable. :rolleyes:

Matthew T.

We have had issues with 2 stations in New Orleans and Cox. Cox's stance is the same here as it is there. They're not willing to pay for programing you can get for free with an antenna. I, for one, agree with Cox.
The first issue here, was with the NBC station (owned by Hearst Argylle). All of these issues are with the HD feeds only. In the NBC case, they were on Cox since the station was on the air. The station lost it's transmitter in hurricaine Katrina, and is just now getting back on the air. For along time Cox was the only source for NBC. They were finally able to get back on the air by leasing airspace from another digital station. Cox refused to pay for the signal and they pulled it off Cox. But only the HD signal was involved. The station said it would inconviece too many people to pull the analog signal.
After about 6 months, the "issues" were resolved and nobody is saying how.

In the second case, the CBS station owned be Belo, refused the HD signal without Cox paying for it. They went back and forth and last year, they were almost to agree, and they let Cox carry the Super Bowl game as a sign of good faith. About a month later, we got CBS HD full time.

In the last case, we still don't have FOX HD on Cox. The station belongs to an outfit called Emmis broadcasting. They decided to get rid of their broadcast properties. But they have never been able to unload the station here. I think they still have a station Hilo, Hawaii, too. They lost their transmitters and studios in Katrina. And, although they rebuilt it, I would imagine the incurred a lot of debt in the process. But since we went down from 52 to 45 in market size, selling it hasn't been easy. So, God only knows when, or if it will ever be on Cox.

Do I understand that WIBW is going to take off the analog and the digital signals from Cox.

If they are, they must be crazy!!

Don H.

Just to add to the post above, Emmis used to own KSNT before they sold it a few years ago successfully.

I hope that WIBW doesnt pull out from Cox. I am in an area of Manhattan that I can't get it OTA. Also I would lose the ablity to record shows to my DVR, since I work nights this is the only way I can enjoy many of the shows.

Anybody know anything about AT&T's U-verse or a possible rollout date in Topeka? AT7T has been in my neighborhood for about a month putting in some new "big" boxes. Any ideas?

Anybody know anything about AT&T's U-verse or a possible rollout date in Topeka? AT7T has been in my neighborhood for about a month putting in some new "big" boxes. Any ideas?

Check out the AT+T U-verse thread in the HDTV programming section.

If you have an HDTV/DVR combo and want to have the ability to record one HD stream while watching another, you will be out of luck as the bandwidth is not there to support more than one HD stream to the house at this time. Users state that SD looks better than cable/satellite, but that HD looks worse. This probably due to the high compression rate being used.

If HD is what you are looking for as well as the ability to get CBS programming locally, I'd go with Directv or Dish well before looking into U-verse; it's just not ready for prime time imho.

Bish

I had AT&T U-Verse in Lenexa for awhile and everything thebishman says is true. The SD channels look GREAT! and you get a lot of east coast and west coast feeds. You can scheudle your DVR over the internet and eventually be able to view recorded programs from any tv in the house connected to U-Verse. The HD offerings are pretty crappy, as it looks like a bad internet stream with the compression.

Hey WIBW,

If I read the information correctly about March Madness, when KU is playing in the tournament, it won't be in HD because of this constant / flex thing. Can you confirm or deny please?

WIBW will broadcast all games in HD that CBS provides. We will only broadcast unconverted if Kansas or Kansas State is playing in a Standard Def broadcast. Our hope is all regional games are provided by CBS in HD.

It’s funny how some of you are so happy to pay Cox 75-100.00 per month for a horrible cable service. They handle about 71000 subscriptions for the Topeka DMA, 5.3 million dollars per month. We make an effort to contribute to the community with news, weather, sports and all are free over the air broadcasts. They in turn resell our signal to the public for a profit. All we are asking is 33 cents a month about 23k per month. The 92 % of the time TV's are on they are tuned to the major networks. All Television stations in time will seek compensation. One more thing, Cox owns TV stations in other markets and are being compensated by other cable companies. We have always tried to do what is right for the community and if you would like to get your news and weather from Kansas City have at it. Enjoy

I hope that all of the people who are putting up UHF antennas to pick WIBW-DT today know that next year they will have to replace it with a VHF/UHF antenna. This applys to KTWU-DT also as both of the stations are reverting back to their VHF channels after the analog cutoff.

Great point!

It’s funny how some of you are so happy to pay Cox 75-100.00 per month for a horrible cable service. They handle about 71000 subscriptions for the Topeka DMA, 5.3 million dollars per month. We make an effort to contribute to the community with news, weather, sports and all are free over the air broadcasts. They in turn resell our signal to the public for a profit. All we are asking is 33 cents a month about 23k per month. The 92 % of the time TV's are on they are tuned to the major networks. All Television stations in time will seek compensation. One more thing, Cox owns TV stations in other markets and are being compensated by other cable companies. We have always tried to do what is right for the community and if you would like to get your news and weather from Kansas City have at it. Enjoy

If you truly work for WIBW that isnt a very professional attitude. Either way some of us have no way to watch your HD feed except with cox. I would be willing to pay the 33¢ if you would be willing to up the bitrate to more like 17Mbps like many of the CBS stations around the nation, not the current 14Mbps we get.

AJP69, if you didn't know we have digital sub channels, that takes bandwidth and is a fact of life. I try to maximize the CBS signal and maybe if you were on a off-air antenna
you wouldn't get the compression issues due to Cox juggling the bit rates in there routers.
Cox can raise your rates month to month for no reason and you don't complain a bit.
We ask for what is fair for the work we provide and the sky is falling.
We could put out 18 meg,discontinue the MYNET Channel and i bet your eye couldn't tell the difference or make good business sense. Everyone expects to get paid for the work they do. I know i do. What do you do for a living? Do you get paid???

We could put out 18 meg,discontinue the MYNET Channel

Okay please do. Who watches that garbage anyway? It can't be paying for itself.

Let's keep it constructive peoples...

WOW... I'm kind of shocked by unprofessionalism of wibw13.. I don't see FOX43GM in here with that kind of tone...

WIBW serves about 71000 subscribers on COX, that is closer to 50% than it is to 80%. 100% of the market area is covered by satellite. I would suspect that close to 80% of the market area is served by antenna. Antenna programming is free. Satellite providers pay for locals and charge $5 for the primary local channels. On Cox locals are "Free" That means you don't have to pay for them with a big BUT that you must pay $12 for a basic package to receive them. I think Sports bars, satellite providers, and others would pick up most of the lost ad revenue. For those of you that think cable's going to raise your bill if they have to pay Broadcasters for their product, you might call today and ask for your free locals before rates are raised. I'm not a strong supporter of the NAB in many of their endeavors, but they do have a right to ask for compensation for their programming.:D

AJP69, if you didn't know we have digital sub channels, that takes bandwidth and is a fact of life. I try to maximize the CBS signal and maybe if you were on a off-air antenna
you wouldn't get the compression issues due to Cox juggling the bit rates in there routers.
Cox can raise your rates month to month for no reason and you don't complain a bit.
We ask for what is fair for the work we provide and the sky is falling.
We could put out 18 meg,discontinue the MYNET Channel and i bet your eye couldn't tell the difference or make good business sense. Everyone expects to get paid for the work they do. I know i do. What do you do for a living? Do you get paid???


I can guarantee you that IF you were using all of the bandwidth for 13-1, then we who are using OTA antennas to obtain your HD feed would not notice the extreme macro-blocking that can occur with fast motion close up shots. This is evident on many of the network 'action' based shows, and in every football game that is broadcast. It is a terrific shame that the station that 'pioneered' HD in our market, now broadcasts a product that no longer looks as good as it should, all of the time. I agree with other posters that your sub-channel is a total waste of bandwidth.

As for the Cox issue: WIBW never asked for compensation from Cox when the analogue broadcast was the only game in town. Why now when the HD feed is up? I personally can't stand the cable companies, hence I've been with Directv for 8 years, BUT how can you justify charging Cox for a product, (your HD feed), that is free to those of us OTA, and has been free for many years via cable in its analogue form? The bottom line is that most of your local viewers obtain your signal from Cox. By withdrawing your signal from Cox, you are only going to markedly decrease the number of local viewers able to see your programming and hurt your advertising rates because of it.

Bish

AJP69, if you didn't know we have digital sub channels, that takes bandwidth and is a fact of life. I try to maximize the CBS signal and maybe if you were on a off-air antenna
you wouldn't get the compression issues due to Cox juggling the bit rates in there routers.
Cox can raise your rates month to month for no reason and you don't complain a bit.
We ask for what is fair for the work we provide and the sky is falling.
We could put out 18 meg,discontinue the MYNET Channel and i bet your eye couldn't tell the difference or make good business sense. Everyone expects to get paid for the work they do. I know i do. What do you do for a living? Do you get paid???

Did you even read what I posted? I said I would be willing to pay for the service myself. And yes I can tell the differance between 14 an 18Mbps, I promise you. Honestly your poor attitude and childish actions make me not really care at this point if you pull out of cox. I am savy enough to get the programs I want from CBS in HD with or without your feed, but I would much rather watch live.

There was a post over on EngadgetHD that we received 6 new HD channels from Cox today (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/29/cox-adds-six-more-hd-channels-to-kansas-lineup/#comments).

I went home for lunch and they were not on my box. Does anyone else have any new HD channels?

First off, this debate doesn't mean anything to me since I have Dish. There is no way wibw13 is in any way a representative for WIBW 13. These posts are way too unprofessional. I mean come on they didn't even capitalize there I's. I don't think the GM of any company would allow someone to publicly chastise there clients. I don't quite get what this person thinks they are accomplishing by pretending to be someone else. If in fact I am wrong about this, maybe Cox should pay them so they can invest in some personal capital. Perhaps public relations training and even a little grammar school.

Does anyone else have any new HD channels?

The channels are supposed to be on down in Wichita. There will be a delay up here because they need to make some infrastructure upgrades to their "plant." It's my understanding that its a matter of sooner rather than later.

Acording to Cox's website, Junction City and Manhattan also got them this week.

Right now WIBW is broadcasting that progress has been made in the negotiations and that WIBW will be on COX at least one more week.

The channels are supposed to be on down in Wichita. There will be a delay up here because they need to make some infrastructure upgrades to their "plant." It's my understanding that its a matter of sooner rather than later.

So does "sooner rather later" mean a few days, few weeks, few months? Just a little anxious to get NFL Network HD and Cinemax HD!

When are the damn Topeka HD local stations going to show up on Directv?? Wichita already shows up.

Wichita is market 69, Topeka is market 139. Kansas City is market 31. I think it will be awhile before Topeka is on DirecTV. From what I've read online at dbstalk.com, it doesn't sound like Topeka is even "planned" for 2008.

The WIBW TV-Cox Cable talks deadline has been put off for at least a week.

WIBW TV and Cox have been in intense negotiations about how much Cox should pay WIBW TV to package the station's signal for retransmission and sale on the cable system.

The final deadline had been set for Midnight Friday, February 29, meaning at 12:01, March 1, the WIBW TV signal would have been removed from Cox's system.

However, because of what WIBW TV negotiators say is "substantial progress" in negotiations, the station has agreed to re-set the deadline to Friday, March 7, at 11:59 p.m.

Cox and WIBW TV representatives indicate they will continue talks over the weekend and both sides are expressing hopes an agreement can be reached, without taking WIBW TV's signal off the Cox system.

http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/16130442.html

So does "sooner rather later" mean a few days, few weeks, few months?

I don't know. Originally I was told it would be a little later than Wichita because of some needed upgrades but then I was told that they were really trying to narrow the window between the time Wichita got the new channels and the time they came up here. I took that to mean weeks not months but can't say for sure.

I contacted Cox about some billing related stuff and asked them about the HD channels. I was told they should be here in within a week or two. It was a sales person so take it with a grain of salt.

Anyone else notice that the WIBW HD signal was off the air last night? Jericho didn't record for me.

Yes, I noticed that the WIBW HD signal was off the air last night.

I'm sure they had "technical difficulties"

Apparently WIBW had a piece of equipment go out.

With less than a year to go, those "minor" equipment malfunctions on the DT signal could be a big problem. I know AT&T U-Verse and Dish Network have been uplinking the DT signals of stations instead of the analog signals for the 4x3 channel.

Not to mention the uproar if the talks with Cox break down and WIBW OTA is many folks' sole source for March Madness! (I get KCTV-DT too, so I'm good.)

My sister in Lawrence had Dish Network and they got the KC stations as their locals. She didn't have an HDTV, but Dish Network would pass the KCTV-DT signal as the SD signal on Dish Network and it drove me crazy when I would see that CBS "EYE" logo halfway chopped off the screen... and some of those ads in HD wouldn't be letter-boxed so the text would go off the side of the screen. Is that what we get to look forward to in 2009 after the switch for all those people using the converter boxes? EEEWWWWW....

WIBW-TV and Cox Cable extend deadline to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 13.

I have seen a few threads mentioning that Fox 43 will be broadcasting HD over the air in the first quarter of 2008. I have been looking for it and have not seen it as of yet. Does someone know when they will exactly be broadcasting on in HD?

Thanks

I believe that it won't happen until late 2008 or Feb. 2009 when they are required to switch over. They will have to give up their analog signal when they go digital and they said they won't do that until enough people can receive their digital signal. This WIBW thing might speed things up.

I believe that it won't happen until late 2008 or Feb. 2009 when they are required to switch over. They will have to give up their analog signal when they go digital and they said they won't do that until enough people can receive their digital signal. This WIBW thing might speed things up.

I think 43 will switch to all digital, the minute they get the equipment to do OTA digital. They currently pipe digital to both cable and satelite. While there are about 15% of the people in the market who currently do not have cable or satellite (with or without locals), those folks who can receive grade A signal from 43 consist of the folks who work 50' away in the WIBW building and maybe the Social Security Office. OTA analog reception is so poor for 43 in the rest of Topeka, there is no reason they shouldn't make the switch as soon as possible. They have already said they would switch as soon as they were capable and I hope they do.:D

FOX 43 being a low-power station or (LPTV) station isn't required to stop analog broadcasting in Feb. 2009.

While there has not been a cut off date established by the FCC, class A low power stations are expected to transition to digital and at some point a date will be set. I would suspect those stations broadcasting major networks in DMAs would have earlier dates than small locals providing local public service programming only.:D

WIBW General Manager Jim Ogle announced on 13 News at 6 Thursday the station has reached agreement with Cox Cable on the continued carriage of WIBW, MyNetwork Topeka, and the Kansas NewsChannel.

The current retransmission agreement between WIBW and Cox was set to expire at 11:59 pm Thursday.

“The terms of the agreement are confidential,” Ogle said. “However, our thanks to our many viewers is anything but secret. We know this has been a frustrating and confusing time for those loyal Channel 13 viewers who get our signal through Cox cable. I want to thank each and every one for their patience as we got a new agreement worked out.”

Anyone else care to comment on the quality of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament on KSNT? Pretty poor if you ask me. I know ESPN+ games are not the best quality, but I have seen the raw feeds of some, and they are much better than what KSNT sends us. Can anyone do a side by side with KSNT and KMCI?

Having to watch this in SD hurts....

Anyone else care to comment on the quality of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament on KSNT? Pretty poor if you ask me. I know ESPN+ games are not the best quality, but I have seen the raw feeds of some, and they are much better than what KSNT sends us. Can anyone do a side by side with KSNT and KMCI?

Having to watch this in SD hurts....

I agree this should be in HD. But with that said it looks like crap even in SD on the HD channel. Here are a few screen caps I quickly grabbed from the game, it is appaling.

http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/t32319_snapshot200803142045422.png (http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/i32319_snapshot200803142045422.png) http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/t32318_snapshot200803142045582.png (http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/i32318_snapshot200803142045582.png)
http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/t32317_snapshot200803142046092.png (http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/i32317_snapshot200803142046092.png) http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/t32316_snapshot200803142046192.png (http://www.image-load.eu/out.php/i32316_snapshot200803142046192.png)

Yeah we were watching KMCI-DT at work today on our 42" Aquos and it looked like we were watching KMCI Analog with rabbit ears..

So how long before the Big 12 Network launches? hehe.

ESPN2 is showing today's games in HD. Has anyone contacted the local NBC stations about lifting the blackout, if they aren't showing the HD version of the games?:D

KCTV ANALOG 5
-----------------------------
11:25 AM - Kansas vs. Portand State (Constant Coverage)
1:45 PM - Kent State vs. UNLV
6:10 PM - Kansas State vs. USC (Constant Coverage)
8:30 PM - Cal State-Fullerton vs. Wisconsin

KCTV-DT 5.1 [HD]
-----------------------------
11:25 AM - Kansas vs. Portland State (Constant Coverage)
1:45 PM - Kent State vs. UNLV
6:10 PM - Kansas State vs. USC (Constant Coverage)
8:30 PM - Cal State-Fullerton vs. Wisconsin

KCTV-DT 5.2
----------------------------
11:20 AM - Georgia vs. Xavier
1:40 PM - Baylor vs. Purdue
6:25 PM - Texas A&M vs. BYU
8:40 PM - George Mason vs. Notre Dame

Holy cow I'm about to freak out. Trying to watch the tourney and the signal stutters every 20 seconds or so. It's like watching youtube on an old old pc.

I see the "Cooper Fowler" permit for 5 MW of analog from the KTWU tower has been given the callsign of KSQA. Any word who this is yet? A full power FOX? I assume whoever they are will never actually build a 5 MW analog station, but "virtually flash-cut"?

My WIBW-DT signal is only 73-75% today, when normally i'm around 95-98%

Are they at a lower power today?

Holy cow I'm about to freak out. Trying to watch the tourney and the signal stutters every 20 seconds or so. It's like watching youtube on an old old pc.

It was a bad feed from CBS. 5 in Kansas City was fine on a different game. Later the signal WIBW was back to normal. It showed the bad signal on both Cox and antenna.:D

So I know that everyone in Manhattan and Junction City (and a few other places) got some new HD channels that we Topekans have yet to receive but I just got off of the phone with Cox and have a question for any CableCARD users with these new channels.

The lady I talked to from Cox said that in the near future new HD channels will not be accessible with a CableCARD. So, what I'm wondering is if the new channels (mainly NFL Network HD) are accessible with a CableCARD. I'm trying to figure out if I should be concerned or if they are just trying to get me to get HD boxes instead of my CableCARDS. I just recently purchased a CableCARD PC and it's working great and I would be really ticked if this were happening soon.

I just got a cablecard last week, and get *most* of the new channels my Cox DVR would receive.I don't subscribe to the Sports Tier so never got the NFL network anyway. Food Network HD, HDTV HD, CNN HD and DISC HD all work out of the newer channels. I'm not home right now to make up a full list, but remember nothing above 629 seems to work, which includes Travel HD and Cinemax HD. Everything else seems to be ok so far. Its been an experience, let me tell you.

That's what I'm afraid of right now. So it sounds like the most recent channels aren't going to show up unless it's different in Topeka than Manhattan for some reason. NFL Network HD is on channel 626 for you guys so I'm hoping I at least get that. Were you given any explanation by Cox as to why they aren't included on CableCARD?

That's what I'm afraid of right now. So it sounds like the most recent channels aren't going to show up unless it's different in Topeka than Manhattan for some reason. NFL Network HD is on channel 626 for you guys so I'm hoping I at least get that. Were you given any explanation by Cox as to why they aren't included on CableCARD?

Cox seems to be draging it's feet on the addition of new HD service to cable cards. Their thinking is that many of the newer chanels will be moved to SDV service when that comes up sometime later this year. 2 way comunication is necessary for the field device (ie. cable card device) to talk to the cable headend to tell what chanel to look for the service on. In other words, the TV set or TIVO box, says to the cable headend, "I want to watch CNNHD." The cable headend says "watch it on CH 124-2". The service is then shown to your box on ch 124-2. When you switch to another ch, 124-2 then goes spare. So, CNN HD is not always on for you to watch. I'm only using CNN as an example. They plan to put chanels with what they percieve as having lower viewership on SDV (switched digital video). So, they aren't giving them to viewer with CC now, because they don't want to be put in the position of taking them away, later.

Don H.

KTMJ FOX 43 New Website:

http://www.myfoxtopeka.com

Eerily like Fox 4 out of KC........
http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/

Eerily like Fox 4 out of KC........
http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/

The reason for that is Fox Interactive Media and the Fox affiliates across the country entered an agreement for Fox Interactive Media to run all affiliate websites in one template. You get many stations with the My Fox brand name.

http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2007/08/15/fox-interactive-media-to-manage-160-local-fox-tv-affiliate-websites

Here's what I'm getting with my QAM tuner with basic cable from Cox in Manhattan, KS. Not a perfect list, but I couldn't find anything else online so hopefully it helps.

79.1 - NBA PPV Preview
83.4 - spanish
83.6 - Events on Demand PPV Preview
90.7 - On Demand Preview
92.1 - KSNTDT2 - CW - Cox digital 005
- .2 - Fox
- .3 - NBC
- .4 - ABC
- .5 - CBS?
- .6 - ??
- .7 - CBS??
94.1 - HGTVD - Cox digital channel - 627
94.8 - Weather - Cox digital channel 2
94.10 - PBS
114.1 - KTWUDT2 - PBS - cox digital channel 670
114.2 - KTWUDT3 - PBS - cox digital 671
114.3 - KTWUDT - PBS HD - cox digital 607
114.4 - WIBWDT - CBS HD - cox digital 612
114.5 - KSMO - MyTV
115.1 - KSNTDT - NBC HD - cox digital 603
115.2 - KTKA HD - ABC HD - cox digital 601
116.1 - KTMJ - FOX HD - cox digital 604
120.11 - Kansas Now

KTMJ FOX 43 New Website:

http://www.myfoxtopeka.com

Nice web site, but I'm more interested in getting KTMJ HD OTA... Is there any update on when it's going to start? We had a FOX guy saying that it would be "early 2008" on this board some time ago, and we are almost entering "mid 2008" ;) Any ideas on the launching date?

Good Morning,

I have received requests to update our over the air HD status and wanted to let this group know where things currently stand.

We are ready to make the upgrade whenever we receive persmission from the FCC to do so.

As sometimes happens when trying to put the puzzle together, not all the pieces fit and the commission stops the process until things catch up.

Such is the case right now. The FCC has frozen all applications until mid-August when they hope to get things going again.

Long story, short - we are looking at sometime in the fall before we will be allowed to make the transition.

I know that some of you regularly check the FCC site for updates so I would recommend you keep an eye out for any news of the freeze being lifted.

We're all in a hurry for this - but our only choice is to be patient.

Thanks for the update!

Good Morning,

I have received requests to update our over the air HD status and wanted to let this group know where things currently stand.

We are ready to make the upgrade whenever we receive persmission from the FCC to do so.

As sometimes happens when trying to put the puzzle together, not all the pieces fit and the commission stops the process until things catch up.

Such is the case right now. The FCC has frozen all applications until mid-August when they hope to get things going again.

Long story, short - we are looking at sometime in the fall before we will be allowed to make the transition.

I know that some of you regularly check the FCC site for updates so I would recommend you keep an eye out for any news of the freeze being lifted.

We're all in a hurry for this - but our only choice is to be patient.

Well, hopefully it will be before football season starts. Your upgrade is the only thing stopping me from dropping Cox altogether.

I just got a cablecard last week, and get *most* of the new channels my Cox DVR would receive.I don't subscribe to the Sports Tier so never got the NFL network anyway. Food Network HD, HDTV HD, CNN HD and DISC HD all work out of the newer channels. I'm not home right now to make up a full list, but remember nothing above 629 seems to work, which includes Travel HD and Cinemax HD. Everything else seems to be ok so far. Its been an experience, let me tell you.

I noticed over on thegreenbutton.com that someone with Cox in Oklahoma City stated that Cox recently decided to give the channels that they were blocking to CableCARD users due to recent complaints to the FCC and higher ups within Cox. Has this change been made in Manhattan? Do you have access to those channels above 629 now? I'm still waiting impatiently here in Topeka for the 6 new channels and I'm hoping they will be added to CableCARD. If you don't have them, you might try filing a complaint to the FCC. I know I will be doing that as well as making some phone calls if they are not on CableCARD when they do finally arrive in Topeka.

Is the 49.2 weather subchannel down? Nothing as of Monday night and this morning OTA.

COX in Topeka has added channel 640 which is Fox Sports Kansas City. It appears that this is a Royals game only channel.

Has this change been made in Manhattan? Do you have access to those channels above 629 now?

Yes, I discovered the other day that it has been made in Manhattan. My Tivo HD now has access to all of the HD channels that Cox has to offer. I don't really care to watch anything above 629 anyway, but its nice to know that I'll likely get any future channels they add. Sorry for the late reply!

Yes, I discovered the other day that it has been made in Manhattan. My Tivo HD now has access to all of the HD channels that Cox has to offer. I don't really care to watch anything above 629 anyway, but its nice to know that I'll likely get any future channels they add. Sorry for the late reply!

That's good to know! I noticed that the FSN HD channel that was added to our lineup in Topeka for the Royals games wasn't showing up at first on my CableCARDs but it does now so hopefully whenever they add the other channels to Topeka I will get them as well.

That's cool. I was starting to wonder about if my TiVo HD wasn't ever going to get those channels. Or why it couldn't get those channels.... Not that I miss them. Since, I pretty much only watch the broadcast channels. And, not really interested in channels that don't seem to really have anything but distorted non-HD shows.

Though I did have to ask TiVo about missing channels, before they started updating the lineup information (when I got the Cablecards on March 20th, 2008, filled out the missing channel form on March 22nd.) The lineup was missing several channels, like Food HD, HGTV HD, etc....but the important one that was missing was Fox HD (well more important...)

I'm also renting the Cox HD DVR and a Cox HD tuner....even though I only have one TV. The HD DVR feeds component input and helps conflicts that having two tuners isn't enough to resolve (not just put Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy off of my DVR ;) )

Not sure what the future of the HD tuner is....I know Cox gave me a hard time when I wanted to keep it, but get the HD DVR....couldn't understand why I would want to keep it. Though now that I have the TiVo HD...I hardly use it....still record the occasional non-HD to my (other) PVR. Though having added more storage to my TiVo HD....it has cut into what I need to record there now too.

Meanwhile, I have wondered what $40 coupon eligible OTA tuner has S-Video output (and outputs anamorphic instead of just letterboxed) and can be worked with the IR blaster.....just to see if it works any better (than the Samsung SIR-T451 that I have now)....

Right now the only station I get OTA is WIBW and its been really flaky lately (though I blame that they build a condo outside my living room window.)

The Dreamer.

Right after I posted, I went out to check my mail....and there was a letter informing that starting May 1st, 2008, Cox customers with one-way TV sets or CableCARDs will have access to all HD channels currently provided by Cox, including those launched after the 1st of the year.

Some include 626, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633

Though I don't get 626, 632 or 633....on either my TiVo HD or either of my Cox HD boxes....guess I need to subscribe to something to get 626/632...and I know I'm not subscribed to any premium channels.

The Dreamer

Right after I posted, I went out to check my mail....and there was a letter informing that starting May 1st, 2008, Cox customers with one-way TV sets or CableCARDs will have access to all HD channels currently provided by Cox, including those launched after the 1st of the year.

Some include 626, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633

Though I don't get 626, 632 or 633....on either my TiVo HD or either of my Cox HD boxes....guess I need to subscribe to something to get 626/632...and I know I'm not subscribed to any premium channels.

The Dreamer

626 is NFL Network, 632 is VS/GO both require the sports tier. 633 is Cinemax HD.

Not only did Cox deliver the 6 channels that Topeka didn't get referenced in the post here (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/29/cox-adds-six-more-hd-channels-to-kansas-lineup/) but they also gave us 5 more channels for a total of 11 new channels! The list is as follows:

626 NFL Network HD
629 Travel HD
630 Animal Planet HD
631 Science HD
632 Versus/Golf HD
633 Cinemax HD
634 Sci-Fi HD
635 Bravo HD
636 USA HD
637 CNBC HD
638 Lifetime HD

Can anybody explain this to me? I'm sure I could read a ton and sort of get it, or one of you gurus can give it to me straight. Thanks!

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/lptv/LPTV_ks.html

634 Sci-Fi HD
635 Bravo HD
636 USA HD
637 CNBC HD
638 Lifetime HD

Yay....5 more HD channels....wonder how long before they get guide data in TiVo.

Hopefully in time for the start of summer programming on USA HD and Sci-Fi HD....

Hopefully, TiVo isn't waiting for me to ask for them to add the channels....like I had to with the other ones (including Fox HD)....

I can already tune to the channels.....

The Dreamer.

Sweet! Just noticed these before I went to bed last night.:) No FX HD though.:mad: Actually, we've had the NFL Network HD for a while now or at least I have. :D

-Glen

Blah. Wasting space on LifetimeHD, while still no HDNet. Shameful. Just more stretch-o-vision while the 1 quality HD channel continues to be ignored.

Blah. Wasting space on LifetimeHD, while still no HDNet. Shameful. Just more stretch-o-vision while the 1 quality HD channel continues to be ignored.

Calling HDNet "the 1 quality HD channel" might be a stretch. I had it when I had DirecTV and I wasn't thoroughly impressed. In fact, I don't even really miss it that much. That's just my opinion though...

Blah. Wasting space on LifetimeHD, while still no HDNet. Shameful. Just more stretch-o-vision while the 1 quality HD channel continues to be ignored.

I had the opportunity to compare Lifetime HD against the SD version. And the movie I was watching wasn't streached. It really was HD.

Don H.

What is the point of Bravo HD I checked the guide for a week and not a single HD broadcast.

so why have I not gotten 634-637 but get 601-632 and 638. all I get is temporarily off the air check back later. usa and a couple of others would be nice.

so why have I not gotten 634-637 but get 601-632 and 638. all I get is temporarily off the air check back later. usa and a couple of others would be nice.


They are all working just fine on my end.

J just wanted to touch base with you guys and make sure you didn't get blown away with this damn weather.

Don H.

Our home is fine, but my building on campus, Weber, suffered some pretty heavy damage. We have front doors on the south side of our building, a entryway, then another set of doors. The glass was blown out on the first set, then the second set was just blown AWAY along with the frame....

Very eerie to walk through your place of work and see glass, water, and debris everywhere. Hope everyone else is OK.

I am a police officer and I was working last night. I actually saw the tornado when it destroyed Waters True Value

My parents house in Manhattan is fine, but we had all just left the same day for Atlanta... where I am now.

so I guess its a cable problem that I need to call cox

I'm glad to hear that no one got hit by the tornado in Manhattan... Well, I wasn't that lucky... The homes on the left and right of mine are still standing, but mine is gone... Don't worry, guys! A flood of people showed up on Thursday and we are getting some cleanup done. I didn't know where to start, but when people started to show up, it truly was an uplifting feeling... It's going to take some time, but we will eventually get back to normal. With all the help from the whole town, I know I can get there.

AJP69, I want to thank you and all the police officers who came out right after the tornado hit us and got us out of there. When you guys and the firemen showed up, you don't know how much relief it was...

It's slow, but fortunately everything is on track... And guess what? My Acurus A150x2and Acurus 100x3 amps survived the tornado. :o

So Dish Network announced plans to add the Topeka, KS DMA in HD this summer or fall. I'm excited, I can only get WIBW-DT right now.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=132118

Hey Fox43GM, any news on when you will be DT OTA? Really hoping in time for football season.

Speaking of football... I was listing to the radio a while back and they were talking about blackouts on the Chiefs. Does that impact WIBW or just KCTV in Kansas City if they are blacked out?

Speaking of football... I was listing to the radio a while back and they were talking about blackouts on the Chiefs. Does that impact WIBW or just KCTV in Kansas City if they are blacked out?
It would most definitely effect WIBW. Topeka is within the 75 mile rule.

Yup... Unless you're watching KOLN 10 - Lincoln, NE or KWCH 12 - Wichita, KS during a Chiefs Blackout, you're not going to see the game in the Topeka DMA.

New Vision Television announced Monday (July 7) it has agreed to purchase the assets of KTMJ, Montgomery Communications' Fox affiliate in Topeka, Kan. for undisclosed terms. Through a local marketing agreement, New Vision will immediately begin selling air time on KTMJ.

The deal gives New Vision, which owns the NBC affiliate KSNT, a duopoly in Topeka. It also advances New Vision's plan to build a statewide network, which includes KSNW, its NBC affiliate in Wichita, Kan., and the station's four full power satellite operations in key Kansas communities.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3i2890c34abce40e39f5970a605cd7a2b9

The re-birth of the "Kansas State Network" on KSN ??

Wonder what their plans are for advancing during the digital transition?

Will we see 27.3 as Fox???

KTMJ has plans to go digital this summer or fall... at least on the Topeka stick. Hopefully they will be available on Dish Network this summer/fall when they launch the Topeka locals in HD.

Just bring me the NFL on Fox in HD by the time the season starts please.

I hooked up my HTPC a few weeks ago and have been getting KTMJ in digital from Cox (Manhattan) on QAM channel 116-1. I no longer have an OTA antenna so I can't check to see if it's available there but at least they are broadcasting a digital signal.

Eld

I hooked up my HTPC a few weeks ago and have been getting KTMJ in digital from Cox (Manhattan) on QAM channel 116-1. I no longer have an OTA antenna so I can't check to see if it's available there but at least they are broadcasting a digital signal.

Eld

Yeah, I get that channel on Cox Topeka as well. They are not broadcasting HD OTA though. I try about once a week to no avail.

Last word was August or so but we haven't heard a thing on it since March or April now.

So if you get it from cox why are you worried about OTA?

So if you get it from cox why are you worried about OTA?

Because not everybody lives in a Cox service area, and not everybody wants to pay Cox money if they are in a Cox service area.

Some people are happy with an antenna paying $0.00 for OTA TV.

I was thinking....

Since New Vision purchased KTMJ... I'm sure they are/will be less than thrilled to be competing with WDAF for the 10:00 PM news slot of FOX 43. How long until we get a KSNT produced 9:00 PM newscast on FOX 43?

I just got DirecTV installed at my house and I noticed that I can't get any local channels in HD. Guess I should have read the fine print. There is no input for an OTA antenna on my TV, or the new HD-DVR receiver. Am I screwed? Does anyone know what the timeline is for getting the locals in HD on DirecTV?

Most TV's these days have an input for for an antenna. Also, what's the model on the HD-DVR? I know there is one that has an add on for OTA.

Most TV's these days have an input for for an antenna. Also, what's the model on the HD-DVR? I know there is one that has an add on for OTA.

I have an input for an antenna, but no HD-tuner. It is one of those "HD-Ready" televisions. I'm not sure on the model #, I just got it yesterday. I guarantee you though there is no input for an antenna.

I don't know enough about DirecTV to offer any help on OTA HD

However, only Dish Network has announced plans to offer Topeka locals in HD "This Summer or Fall"

If your model number is HR21-xxx, you will need to buy the AM21 OTA tuner. Or wait until DirecTV adds the Topeka stations' digital signals to the satellite, but since they haven't announced it, that could be awhile.

Another option could be a new DVD recorder with a digital tuner. Your DirecTV box won't be able to control it, but you can get one for under $100 that will output a nice HD signal to your TV.

If your model number is HR21-xxx, you will need to buy the AM21 OTA tuner. Or wait until DirecTV adds the Topeka stations' digital signals to the satellite, but since they haven't announced it, that could be awhile.

Another option could be a new DVD recorder with a digital tuner. Your DirecTV box won't be able to control it, but you can get one for under $100 that will output a nice HD signal to your TV.

Thanks for the advice!

http://hr20.dbstalk.com/images/ces2008/am21_front.jpg

That looks exactly like my tuner (on the bottom). Looks like the price is right, too. What kind of antenna would you recommend for this unit?

Depends on where you are. Over in Manhattan, I get everything from Topeka using a winegard PR-8800. If you are in Topeka, it's possible to get KC stations.

I use a ChannelMaster 4228 (with a 7775 pre-amplifier) and point it toward Kansas City. I get all KC stations, but 41 and 19 are spotty. If you just want Topeka, an amplified indoor set-top antenna will probably do the trick unless you are behind a hill or have a lot of concrete around you. I have a different receiver hooked up to a set-top (loop style) antenna in my basement and it gets all the Topeka stations, and I'm probably farther from them than you are (Meriden).

So if you get it from cox why are you worried about OTA?

Because I want to drop Cox once and for all. Been wanting to be OTA for years. With the digital upgrade, I finally can.

WIBW-DT OFF-THE-AIR

Posted on WIBW.com:

WIBW-TV is experiencing trouble with its digital signal. We are working to fix the problem and hoping to be transmitting digitally again soon.

WIBW-DT OFF-THE-AIR

Posted on WIBW.com:

WIBW-TV is experiencing trouble with its digital signal. We are working to fix the problem and hoping to be transmitting digitally again soon.

Good thing it is summer and nothing is on.

Anyone else find those DTV2009 commercials insulting? I mean going after the 55+ crowd as the only ones using those antiquated antennas? Such dinosaurs are we.

Anyone else find those DTV2009 commercials insulting? I mean going after the 55+ crowd as the only ones using those antiquated antennas? Such dinosaurs are we.

Actually in the digital world, antennas are again where it's at. As compression improves, folks who have no desire for 250 channels will find 35+ excellent channels with that antiquated antenna and DXers are already in hog heaven. 60 foot tower with parabolic antenna/rotor, locally, has reached Nashville, Houston and Minneapolis, with consistent viewing of Topeka, Omaha, St Jo, Kansas City, Columbia, and Wichita.:D

Martin, have you personally achieved such DXing success? I would love to pick up Lincoln, but I think there's too much high ground to the north of me.

Martin, have you personally achieved such DXing success? I would love to pick up Lincoln, but I think there's too much high ground to the north of me.

I have a 66" antenna mounted under the roof. Local stations are fine with me. The fella that does this, lives in Aquarian acres and is a retired program director for KTWU. While he could do anything he wants as far as television reception, he has kept antenna only. I'm sure most of his viewing is PBS. He said his tower cost 1100, but that was in 1980 add a rotor and a parabolic antenna makes that a fairly chunky investment for broadcast viewing (spread over 25-30 years its economial). He mentioed, recently that he was impressed with 8 bay UHF antennas for something economical (remember that would be for less than 60 mile reception at best). As long as the high ground isn't to close to your home you should be ok, if you want the expenditure. Might call a good antenna man and find out what he thinks.:D

I have a 66" antenna mounted under the roof. Local stations are fine with me. The fella that does this, lives in Aquarian acres and is a retired program director for KTWU. While he could do anything he wants as far as television reception, he has kept antenna only. I'm sure most of his viewing is PBS. He said his tower cost 1100, but that was in 1980 add a rotor and a parabolic antenna makes that a fairly chunky investment for broadcast viewing (spread over 25-30 years its economial). He mentioed, recently that he was impressed with 8 bay UHF antennas for something economical (remember that would be for less than 60 mile reception at best). As long as the high ground isn't to close to your home you should be ok, if you want the expenditure. Might call a good antenna man and find out what he thinks.:D

I have a ChannelMaster 8 bay with pre-amp, but I only have it mounted at gutter height. I get most KC stations (19 and 41 are spotty), but with the high ground north of me I'd have to get pretty tall to see Lincoln or Omaha. I bought a rotor but I haven't installed it since I'm not sure how to and still be wind-sturdy (without a tower, of course). Just curious. Thanks!

I live on the Lyon County-Coffey County line in Hartford. I have been able to get the Topeka stations OTA with my 8 bay bowtie antenna and a preamp and on certain nights I can get some from Kansas City. I have no rotor and my antenna is rooftop at about 25'. Can anyone tell me how much my changes of getting the KC channels would improve by adding a rotor, or adding height, or is there a stronger antenna out there. Any knowledge you could share would be appreciated

B-Niner, you might try www.tvfool.com and play around with antenna height. My guess is that you are really beyond the max distance for normal atmospheric conditions, and those teasing glimpses you get are due to tropospheric ducting. Unfortunately, as the network TV programming gets better in the fall, the reception gets worse b/c ducting occurs less in cooler weather.

You probably can't do any better than your 8-bay antenna, unless you try to couple 2 8-bays together! The rotor will help optimize the reception toward the northeast, and is definitely a must if you seriously want to alternate between Topeka and KC stations.

What KC channels are you striving for?

Any news on KTMJ Fox 43 and their digital transition? I sure would like to be able to pick up their signal in digital since my Dish Network still does not have locals in digital. Football season is about to start and I would like to see those games in HD. :(

Depending on where you live, you may be able to pick up WDAF-DT FOX 4 KC with a good external antenna.

I am in Topeka. I have an antenna on the chimney on the roof. It was just a $30 model I picked up at Radio Shack. It gives great reception for all the other locals. But there's no chance at picking up KC stations.

As far as waiting for KTMJ-43, here is the last official word:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13634648&highlight=43#post13634648

But if you have a directional antenna, and you live east of Fairlawn, it might be worth pointing it east to see if you can get Fox 4 (DT 34). Especially now in the warm summertime, the signal may have a chance of getting to you. Check here for more info about Topeka TV reception (ignore the part about WDAF being low power, he hasn't updated in a while):

http://www.krohe.com/Top-TV-recpt.htm

I'd love to get them all, but I especially would like Fox 4. How difficult is stacking of 2 eight bay antennas? I worry about making things worse instead of better. Would it be crazy to point one at KC and leave the other at Topeka?

I have two antennas, one pointed west for Topeka and one pointed towards Kansas City. I used a JoinTenna to combine them. I get 4, 29 and 38 from KC. The JoinTenna blocks out some of the signals to keep multi path interference down. I might be able to get some of the other KC stations if I didn't use the JoinTenna but I haven't tried it in several years. My antennas are in the attic and I am just east of the 29th and Wanamaker area.

In February I will need to add a VHF antenna since a couple of the stations will go back to their old signals.

I was actually considering getting an additional antenna and pointing it toward KC to see if I can pick up some of the KC stations. I figure I will need a VHF in February anyway seeing as how my current antenna (a $30 Radio Shack chimney pole mounted model) is only a UHF antenna. When the digital transition happens in Feb. 2009, KTWU and WIBW will go to their VHF channels 11 & 13.

Has anyone had problems tuning KSNT-DT (27.1)? I bought a new TV with ATSC tuner and it finds 27.1, but no picture, only sound (and CC, BTW). My TV must not like the PSIP they are sending???

Has anyone had problems tuning KSNT-DT (27.1)? I bought a new TV with ATSC tuner and it finds 27.1, but no picture, only sound (and CC, BTW). My TV must not like the PSIP they are sending???

Have not noticed any problem with 27.1. Must be something with your tuner.

Hello again, I have a new problem.

I am in Manhattan, KS. Trying to get the Topeka channels. I have an indoor antenna with 40 db of Amplification. I can get channel 13.1 and 13.2 with ease, yet can't grasp 27.1, 27.1 or any channel 11 channels. When I lived in Topeka it was the other way around.

Im on the 4th floor on the building, or top floor, and windows point North. Antennaweb.org tells me point almost due east. Yet i still cannot get the channels. It tells me I need a purple antenna, or Highly directional.

Could it be because today is kinda rainy and overcast, or should I just buy a Terk HDTVa?

27 is the weakest of the ones from Topeka. Not sure if an indoor will get it or not....

I can get 13 with 70-80% and even when its 10% its good, so why can't I get 27 at even 10%? Is 11 weak as well?

If I attached the image correctly, you can see that 13 (WIBW) is the farthest west of the Topeka antennas, and 27 and 11 are the farthest east. So it stands to reason that your reception situation is reversed. Also, if there is a building due east of you, but not SE, then that could further hamper your 27 viewing.

I think they will all up their power after Feb when analog is no more.

Terk antennas are not very effective for what you pay. You might try a Silver Shooter...?

I should technically pick it up at around 30% if I get 13 with 70-80%, I'll try again today after the rain has cleared out and see if that makes a difference.

Would the terk HDTVa, be a better indoor antenna, since it is more directional, or is the RCA with 40 db good enough.

I'm not sure what your RCA is... I use an RCA with rabbit ears and a disc (for UHF) and separate knobs for amplifying VHF and UHF, and it allows me to get 13 from my basement 28 miles away. You are 50% farther away from 27, but you're on the 4th floor and not in a basement. As long as the walls aren't masonry (they probably are) then you should stand a chance.

Rain should not hurt terrestrial reception the way it does satellite. In fact, sometimes humid conditions IMPROVE reception. The worst reception is when it's cold and dry, as in winter.

I have this one. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8280843&st=antenna&lp=15&type=product&cp=1&id=1171058630563

It says 55db hmmm... Thought it was 40db. Anyways, I live in old dorm rooms, and it pointing through some walls, and I still get 80%... I technically should be able to get ksnt, I will play with it more tonight.

But I am on the top floor, the 4th floor, that height should help me out alot.

The image from BB doesn't really tell me how it works. Do you have to turn the whole rectangle to aim the UHF? On mine, the UHF antenna turns without having to turn the whole unit. At any rate, the flat part should either be facing toward or away from your east wall to get 27. Cinder blocks do a really good job of ruining reception, so you may be out of luck. You might have better luck sticking a metal coat hangar out your north window and connecting it to some twin lead wire!

Its the whole unit.. i have it facing 27, ill turn it around and see what happens. so the VHF, is through the antenna... Ah, that would make sense. Thought you just turned up the VHF when you wanted it, and turned it down when you did not need it.

VHF = chs. 2-13, received by rabbit ears
UHF (what every digital station in the Topeka market is, even 13.1 is really ch. 44) = chs. 14-88, received by some loop hidden inside your rectangle

The position of the rectangle (UHF loop) is ultimately more important than any adjustments you make to the rabbit ears, but if you also are picking up analog 13, you may want to keep them extended.

Right now I get a very nice picture on channel 13's analog channel using my UHF Channel Master 4228. When channel 13 goes all digital I hear that they will switch their digital signal to VHF. Am I correct in assuming I will be ok with this antenna since I currently get a clear signal on the analog vhf station?

B-9er, you are correct... the 4228 has the pleasant side-effect of having pretty good reception in the high-VHF (7-13) range. I get KMBC out of KC fairly well and it's on VHF 7.

So are we going to see Fox on 27.2 all the time now? Maybe I am out of the loop, but I think Fox got bought by them, is this how we will see Fox once February rolls around??

I saw a note on the CW 27.2 that is was going away. Is it because of the Fox deal?

The parent company of KSNT purchased KTMJ in July. I figured something like this would happen, and I expect KSNT to launch a 9 PM newscast on KTMJ to replace the WDAF newscast from Kansas City. I think KTMJ will be available to a broader audience on KSNT-DT. Now if KSNT could only deliver 2 HD streams simultaneously....

Good evening all.

I'm a johnny-come-lately to DTV but not to digital TV since I've been with DirecTV since late 1996. However, the furor over terrestrial DTV got me to thinking that I should fix up the antenna system out at my folk's farm and the past two weekends I did just that by running new coax and installing a new rotor (bought in 1997, HA!) only to find the existing antenna was shot (probably the Winegard balun box). So this past Saturday I installed a new Winegard 7084P on my 50' tower and was rewarded with the analog signals I remembered from years ago.

The farm is about 10 miles northwest of Marysville and without a preamp WIBW analog was good, 27 dropping out and 49 pretty much non-existent. I may consider a preamp after next year's conversion but in the meantime I'm pleased to have OTA even though we have the coastal network feeds from DirecTV.

Along with the new antenna I also procured a couple of Zenith DTT901 converter boxes since we have no HD capable TVs. About mid-day on Saturday I tried a scan with the antenna aimed at Topeka and came up empty. However, once aimed toward KOLN and KLKN, I did get KOLN's 10-1 and 10-2 (25) but nothing from KLKN until after sundown on Saturday. On Sunday we continued to receive KOLN-DT solid throughout the Chiefs game. Even though KOLN's analog signal is nearly perfect, the DTV is much better from the converter box feeding a 24" SD Sanyo TV via the RF input (DirecTV is fed to the AV inputs).

At some point I plan to dip a toe in the HD waters but that will likely wait until I live outside Marysville as the only way to get HD would be to upgrade my DirecTV receiver and package and I'd rather know from OTA whether it's worth me spending the extra money. I'm not a video-phile, but I do see that DTV is a definite improvement over NTSC.

Perhaps some evening in the coming week I'll get an opportunity to swing the antenna back toward Topeka and do another scan after sundown. KSNT will be the only option for NBC OTA up here. After the conversion KSNB wants to revert to 4 rather than 34 it is currently assigned for its DT license and KLKN will revert to 8 and KOLN to 10 so that gets us FOX, ABC, and CBS respectively. NBC has never had a nearby affiliate that covers northwest Marshall county and in years past 27 was the best I could do with a big antenna and preamp.

The nice part of having OTA again was having three early AFC games and one early NFC game. So we were able to watch a total of five afternoon games instead of the three we would have gotten with DirecTV networks alone.

Other than wishing for a more rugged antenna than the Winegard (which will probably require replacement within ten years), I think we'll have good DTV coverage in the years to come. At least as good as it gets in the sticks. :o

Being able to get the Chiefs from somewhere other than Topeka or KC will be a good thing as some of the home games that don't sell out will be blacked out on WIBW and KCTV.

Good evening all.

I'm a johnny-come-lately to DTV but not to digital TV since I've been with DirecTV since late 1996. However, the furor over terrestrial DTV got me to thinking that I should fix up the antenna system out at my folk's farm and the past two weekends I did just that by running new coax and installing a new rotor (bought in 1997, HA!) only to find the existing antenna was shot (probably the Winegard balun box). So this past Saturday I installed a new Winegard 7084P on my 50' tower and was rewarded with the analog signals I remembered from years ago.

The farm is about 10 miles northwest of Marysville and without a preamp WIBW analog was good, 27 dropping out and 49 pretty much non-existent. I may consider a preamp after next year's conversion but in the meantime I'm pleased to have OTA even though we have the coastal network feeds from DirecTV.

Along with the new antenna I also procured a couple of Zenith DTT901 converter boxes since we have no HD capable TVs. About mid-day on Saturday I tried a scan with the antenna aimed at Topeka and came up empty. However, once aimed toward KOLN and KLKN, I did get KOLN's 10-1 and 10-2 (25) but nothing from KLKN until after sundown on Saturday. On Sunday we continued to receive KOLN-DT solid throughout the Chiefs game. Even though KOLN's analog signal is nearly perfect, the DTV is much better from the converter box feeding a 24" SD Sanyo TV via the RF input (DirecTV is fed to the AV inputs).

At some point I plan to dip a toe in the HD waters but that will likely wait until I live outside Marysville as the only way to get HD would be to upgrade my DirecTV receiver and package and I'd rather know from OTA whether it's worth me spending the extra money. I'm not a video-phile, but I do see that DTV is a definite improvement over NTSC.

Perhaps some evening in the coming week I'll get an opportunity to swing the antenna back toward Topeka and do another scan after sundown. KSNT will be the only option for NBC OTA up here. After the conversion KSNB wants to revert to 4 rather than 34 it is currently assigned for its DT license and KLKN will revert to 8 and KOLN to 10 so that gets us FOX, ABC, and CBS respectively. NBC has never had a nearby affiliate that covers northwest Marshall county and in years past 27 was the best I could do with a big antenna and preamp.

The nice part of having OTA again was having three early AFC games and one early NFC game. So we were able to watch a total of five afternoon games instead of the three we would have gotten with DirecTV networks alone.

Other than wishing for a more rugged antenna than the Winegard (which will probably require replacement within ten years), I think we'll have good DTV coverage in the years to come. At least as good as it gets in the sticks. :o

KNSB may want to revert to ch 4 after the conversion. But that will not be an option for them, as Ch's 2 to 6, (the low band vhf freq.) will be used for other services across the country, NOT television.

Don H.

KNSB may want to revert to ch 4 after the conversion. But that will not be an option for them, as Ch's 2 to 6, (the low band vhf freq.) will be used for other services across the country, NOT television.

Don H.

It seems as though that depends on the location. KHAS at Hastings, NE is shown in the FCC database as reverting to channel 5 upon the DTV conversion as will another station in western Nebraska, if memory serves. At this time KSNB is allocated channel 34 but submitted a waiver application for 4 last month. Since KHAS is about 35 to 40 miles north-northwest of KSNB, KSNB may get the waiver granted. This is rural farm country for the most part and land mobile radio services aren't hurting for bandwidth especially with "narrowbanding" for all Part 90 services below 512 MHz coming by January 1, 2013.

Channels 2-6 are part of the core, just that most intelligent station owners are avoiding it like the plague.

Channels 52-69 are the ones getting removed for other services.

- Trip

Being able to get the Chiefs from somewhere other than Topeka or KC will be a good thing as some of the home games that don't sell out will be blacked out on WIBW and KCTV.

I guess there are a couple of ways to look at it. Yes, we'll get to see the Chiefs, but will they be worth watching? ;)

Don't the NFL rules require that any home game that's not sold out be blacked out within 75 miles? I don't want to stray too far off topic here.

Regardless, I'll be watching them if they're on.

Hi Trip!

I just found your site this week. Good work!

Sounds like a pretty good setup for HDTV from that 50' tower. I will tell you that I have noticed the DTV converter boxes are not as good as a regular HDTV tuner in picking up digital signals. I figured WIBW-DT would be harder to get than analog, as the Digital transmitter is a lot lower power. My parents live 7 miles NNW of Westmoreland on top of one of the large ridges and they get WIBW-DT at 85%, KTWU-DT at about 44% and it fades in and out. We've never received KSNT-DT as it is really low power, and KTKA-DT is around 60% but fades easily.

I think you're doing pretty good with KOLN/KGIN-DT. That will be a great resource when the Chiefs get blacked out in the 75 mile radius of Arrowhead. Have you tried KAAS-DT 17 from NE of Salina? We can get them sometimes as they are a full-power FOX affiliate.

I grew up in Blue Rapids... 11 miles south of Marysville.

I'm familiar with Blue Rapids. Worked the fair a few years in a row for the Logan TWP FD. Our ham radio club secretary lives there (science teacher at Valley Heights).

I've not yet tried scanning for 17 when aimed SW, but I did get a good but somewhat snowy picture from them on 18 Sunday noon. I will try in more directions when I get back out there and have some time to play. Usually when I'm out at the farm it's to do something else. :o

I'm trying to figure out what tower KAAS is on. The FCC Tiger data map shows it north of Abilene and north of K-18 and west of K-15 south of Industry. There is a microwave tower in that vicinity so perhaps that is it. Sometimes one has to keep in mind that the CECBs are built to a price point.

For now, until one of the TVs dies, I guess I'll deal with the sensitivity of the DTT901. In February, it appears most of the stations I'm interested in will revert of VHF which should help matters.

In February, it appears most of the stations I'm interested in will revert of VHF which should help matters.

This might be ok for 7-13, but it appears that you will have 2 Low-VHF stations on the edge of your range. It will be interesting to see how that turns out. Most markets won't have any full power DTV stations on 2-6.

KSNB/4 (if petition is granted)
KHAS/5

Even in areas where man-made noise is relatively quiet, nature isn't always so (e.g. thunderstorms).

I'm trying to figure out what tower KAAS is on. The FCC Tiger data map shows it north of Abilene and north of K-18 and west of K-15 south of Industry. There is a microwave tower in that vicinity so perhaps that is it.

That's not it. I looked at the Tiger map again and see the tower is north of Solomon and not Abilene. D'oh! :o

The other "Good News" is that Dish Network is scheduled to carry the Topeka, KS DMA locals in HD this fall. That would include ABC-KTKA, NBC-KSNT, CBS-WIBW, FOX-KTMJ. I believe they already provide the Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney market in HD.

The other "Good News" is that Dish Network is scheduled to carry the Topeka, KS DMA locals in HD this fall. That would include ABC-KTKA, NBC-KSNT, CBS-WIBW, FOX-KTMJ. I believe they already provide the Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney market in HD.

Here's the problem with that, I'm not convinced that we'll get them anytime soon. I've seen the list and watched the Charlie Chat. They say we should get them within the next 30-45 days, but I emailed them before Charlie Chat and their response didn't seem promising. Also, when you look at their list at http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/programming/locals/channels/index.shtml Topeka isn't listed.

Well I've been watching the uplink reports on DBSTalk.com and while they're not there yet, they already have agreements with the owners of all stations. I know they want to launch several new local HD markets by the end of the year and with their high number of Dish Network subs in the Topeka DMA, I have a feeling they'll be there by the end of the year.

Those who pick up KMBC-DT for ABC programming will want to know that the FCC granted the request for KMBC-DT to move to UHF 29 after the digital switch. This should help with reception. KMCI-DT will move to UHF 41 from UHF 36 as well. All the other stations will remain where they currently are.

This was brought up on the Kansas City forum, but I figured several people in the Topeka market pick up Kansas City.

I don't think it's been granted just yet, but the FCC is due to grant it any day now. There were no objections raised during the public comment period, so it'll likely happen very soon (today's FCC actions haven't been released yet, if it happens today, I'll post with a link to the FCC document).

- Trip

Trip-

I see on your website you have KSQA listed as the call letters for the new channel 22 analog for Topeka and you have 12 listed as the digital channel. I found KSQA on 22 in the FCC site, but I never found 12 listed. Any info there?

I wonder if this will ever be built?

They have a construction permit for channel 22 analog, but were granted channel 12 for their final channel. They have not yet sought a permit for it, and I'm really not sure what's going on with it. I also wonder how they're going to fit it in between KTWU and WIBW, given that they're not co-located.

The only filing they've submitted was a 387 (Digital Transitional Report) that says they plan file a digital construction permit and plan to be on the air by 08/11/09.

They were also bidders in the 700 MHz auction earlier this year, so I'm really lost, unless they are just some company that plans to resell the permit.

- Trip

Anyone know what's up with KSNT's HD signal? SNL was messed up last night and then SD when they actually aired it and now Sunday Night Football has been in SD all night.

KSNT was not in HD for the Office Thursday night, but the shows right before and after were both in HD. It also looked like there was slight ghosting (or something) on during the Office, almost like they were getting an antenna feed.

Looks like they cleared up the ghosting on KTMJ on the .2 channel. I wonder if it's possible to run Fox at 480p widescreen and still have NBC in HD? They already have pretty bad pixelazation on NBC on fast motion anyway....

Heroes was BAD last night for the first 35 minutes or so. We kept watching since it won't be repeated. Thinking we might have bad reception, then thinking our DVR might be acting up. We then realized KSNT was having problems when they kept switching back and forth with the SD feed. At least they were trying to fix it.

Looks like they cleared up the ghosting on KTMJ on the .2 channel.

Huh? The .2 channel? I didn't think KTMJ had a digital transmission as of yet.

KTMJ is simulcast on KSNT-DT 27.2

KTMJ is simulcast on KSNT-DT 27.2

Really? I looked at the guide on that a couple weeks ago and it appeared to be shows that are on one of those rinky dink networks like WB or CW or whatever.

It appears that KSNT dropped the CW Programming on 27.2 a week or two ago and replaced it with a simulcast of KTMJ. The parent company of KSNT purchased KTMJ earlier this year. Since KTMJ doesn't have a digital signal I guess they're going to use KSNT's signal for now.

http://ksnt.titantv.com <-- Programming Guide

It appears that KSNT dropped the CW Programming on 27.2 a week or two ago and replaced it with a simulcast of KTMJ. The parent company of KSNT purchased KTMJ earlier this year. Since KTMJ doesn't have a digital signal I guess they're going to use KSNT's signal for now.

http://ksnt.titantv.com <-- Programming Guide


Really? So, does this mean I can watch the Fox Network HD programming on 27.2?

It means you can watch FOX programming in 480i.... or in Standard Definition. No OTA HD programming available for KTMJ yet.


Ummmmm.....I thought 480i was standard def. Do you mean 480p?

It means you can watch FOX programming in 480i.... or in Standard Definition. No OTA HD programming available for KTMJ yet.

480i is SD... and that is what KSNT 27.2 is.

480i is SD... and that is what KSNT 27.2 is.

So really the only point in doing it this way is to have a digital trasmission. Does that mean analog 43 is going away in February?

I don't know if it is or not. They are technically a "Low Power" station and the digital switch doesn't affect them.

On our Directv guide, it still shows listings for the CW network, but if you look at the channel, it really is Fox.

I still wonder what the future is for Fox over the air digital. Do you all think they will just stay on the KSNT .2 channel or do you think they will ever have their own channel assignment?

That might be why COX has dropped KTMJ-HD from the lineup. Channel 603 was replaced with WDAF-HD. QAM 116.2 has been gone for a few days now.

Also DIRECTV just gave us a CW from back east.

That might be why COX has dropped KTMJ-HD from the lineup. Channel 603 was replaced with WDAF-HD. QAM 116.2 has been gone for a few days now.

Also DIRECTV just gave us a CW from back east.

So you're saying that 603 was the HD version of KTMJ on Cox? But they still have the standard def version of KTMJ? Now they have given you WDAF HD out of KC?

Wow. I need to call Dish Network and ask them why they can't do this for me. I still have until February on my current contract with Dish. If they can't hook me up with Fox HD programming, I may have to look into switching providers.

Channel 603 on COX started out as WDAF-HD but changed to KTMJ-HD a couple of months ago. I hated watching any SD programming on it because they stretched everything.

Last week it switched back to WDAF. We have always had WDAF in standard def on channel 21 and it was not blacked out like KCTV is.

KTMJ must have some kind of splitter in place. Maybe they will be able to provide DISH an HD signal when they start doing Topeka locals.

The cable company can import an out-of-market feed from Kansas City, but Dish Network and DirecTV can't do that.

The cable company can import an out-of-market feed from Kansas City, but Dish Network and DirecTV can't do that.

Which is absolutely unfair!

So you're saying that 603 was the HD version of KTMJ on Cox? But they still have the standard def version of KTMJ? Now they have given you WDAF HD out of KC?

Wow. I need to call Dish Network and ask them why they can't do this for me. I still have until February on my current contract with Dish. If they can't hook me up with Fox HD programming, I may have to look into switching providers.

What appears to be on 27.2 is Fox's analog signal --noise and all. The local Fox pipes both digital and HD to Cox. (there's a poem there somewhere but it may be R-rated). The SD/HD feed is also available to satellite. On Dish uplink last week was the SD MPEG-4 signals, hope HD will happen, if not will be happy with antenna on everything but Fox.:D

I hear Directv may have locals in HD in November...

Actually, the satellite companies CAN provide out-of-market stations if they are on the "significantly-viewed" list published by the FCC, but only after they also provide the locals. In this case, since both dish and Direct carry all Topeka locals (albeit SD only) they could add KC stations if they are on the SV list, but the retransmission agreements they have with WIBW, KSNT, KTKA, & KTMJ may strongly discourage that (competition for eyeballs).

Timmy, that would be awesome if Direct gets Topeka locals in HD... however, that still won't help when KSNT doesn't pass HD programming as they have been lately!

That is true, but the areas that KC is "Significantly Viewed" is pretty small.

I would love to get KAAS "Fox Kansas" on Dish Network at my parents. They can pull a signal from them every now and then with the antenna. They live about 18 miles NE of Manhattan.

This is the FCC list for Shawnee County:

Shawnee
WIBW-TV, 13, Topeka, KS
KSNT, 27, Topeka, KS (formerly KTSB)
+KTKA-TV, 49, Topeka, KS
WDAF-TV, 4, Kansas City, MO
#KCTV, 5, Kansas City, MO (formerly KCMO)
#KMBC-TV, 9, Kansas City, MO

The pound symbols mean the Topeka affiliates have requested that network programming be blocked on the KC stations from cable viewing. I have a feeling, though, that if either sat provider tried to bring in Fox 4 HD to the Topeka area, New Vision would pull their programming from sat since they own KTMJ Fox-Topeka now.

The FCC significantly-viewed list can be found here:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-187A2.pdf

Pott Co. only gets the "big 3" from Topeka. Sorry, dl. My county, Jefferson, gets all this:

Jefferson
WIBW-TV, 13, Topeka, KS
KSNT, 27, Topeka, KS (formerly KTSB)
+KTKA-TV, 49, Topeka, KS
WDAF-TV, 4, Kansas City, MO
KCTV, 5, Kansas City, MO (formerly KCMO)
KMBC-TV, 9, Kansas City, MO
+KSMO-TV, 62, Kansas City, MO
KQTV, 2, St. Joseph, MO

but D* only gives me the Topeka stations. :(

(With my CM-4228, I can get all of these except the St. Joe station :D )

Riley County lists the three Topeka stations, but yet they provide KCTV and KMBC on Cox cable in Manhattan.....

Fair?