Topeka, KS - HDTV [Text View] - Page 9

Bluezman

06-28-09, 12:57 PM

Anyone else in Topeka having no luck with getting WIBW 13.1 or 13.2?? I'm getting the following:

11.1
11.2
11.3
27.1
27.2
33 *(analog)
43 *(analog)
49.1
49.2
49.3

I've done rescans every day, but WIBW just refuses to show any reception. Location is 21st & Gage. I have a DB4 UHF/VHF combo antenna in a 2nd story window with a West exposure, as the complex doesn't allow placement of any antenna on the roof. WIBW came in perfect before the final transition, but since then I haven't picked it up at all.

Kansas_Tom

06-28-09, 05:46 PM

Anyone else in Topeka having no luck with getting WIBW 13.1 or 13.2??

No problem getting 13.1 or 13.2 at 10th & Wanamaker with rabbit ears and a bow tie at ground level.

Bluezman

06-28-09, 10:52 PM

I finally got it.. here's what I had to do. I had to put the TV back to an "out of the box" situation, resetting to all factory settings, letting it do a rescan. Only then did it find WIBW. Then I could go back in, adjust all the video settings I had made before and all is good.

I'm just at a loss as to know why it took all that and a simple rescan wouldn't lock on to the signal.

dlnester

07-14-09, 05:19 PM

Two Topeka stations filed for bankruptcy July 14, 2009, as New Vision Television eliminates all company debt.

The affected Topeka stations, KSNT (NBC) and KTMJ (FOX), as well as KSNW (NBC) in Wichita were a part of a mass company bankruptcy filing that will eliminate the company’s current debt of over $400 million as it restructures.

http://www.ktka.com/news/2009/jul/14/topeka_stations_file_bankruptcy/

jojo11

07-19-09, 05:42 PM

B-NINER

07-20-09, 10:26 PM

Anybody with new info on when DirecTV will have Topeka locals in HD like Dish Network.

KSBugeater

07-27-09, 12:30 PM

Doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon. Topeka is not on any published lists.

BJS188

07-29-09, 11:15 AM

BigTen HD channel was added to COX on channel 667.

K-ST8ED

08-04-09, 10:47 PM

Doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon. Topeka is not on any published lists.

I was told two summers ago from Directv that we would have it within 6 months. Didn’t happen. Then I was told at the end of the first quarter. Didn’t happen. Then by the end of that year. Same story. Now they just tell you they don’t know and don’t show any time table. I don’t see any reason why they cant get it done. Cox, Uverse, and now Dish all have the locals in HD. They may start losing subscribers in our area if they don’t hurry up.

timmy1376

08-05-09, 11:18 AM

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

I wrote that September of last year. Who knows when we will get locals in HD...

boomerbrad

08-11-09, 05:15 PM

I couldn't help but wondering: Is Cox Kansas finally going to make FS Midwest/Kansas City become a full time HD? The reason I asked is the guide put the scheduled listings on their HD channel (Channel 656). Originally it just shows the KC Royals games in HD. Can anyone find out? Thanks in advance.

BUMP. With football season quickly approaching, I'm interested too. FSN has already picked up the OU/Tulsa game on 9/19. I'm hoping they broadcast those games in HD and then hope Cox carries it.

SierraMikeBravo

08-21-09, 04:58 PM

Hey all,

Just picked up a DirecTV AM21 for local HD channel reception. Looking forward to it on the new Pioneer Elite 151! I'll let you know how it works out.

BYRK

08-22-09, 06:00 PM

Stupid question but do I need an antenna for the DirecTV AM21? Meaning would I need to install something on my house?

Thanks!

KSBugeater

08-24-09, 10:38 AM

I have an AM-21 hooked up to my HR21-100, and I use an indoor antenna (RatShack; looks like the USS Enterprise in charcoal) and I can get all Topeka stations as well as many of the KC stations on a good night. With an outdoor antenna the AM-21 should be able to rock, but it's not mandatory.

B-NINER

08-25-09, 03:27 PM

dlnester

08-25-09, 06:03 PM

Currently on Dish Network KTMJ-HD is a zoomed in cut of the KTMJ signal made to fit a 16x9 screen. For information about future plans of FOX 43 in HD you would need to contact KSNT... but they have never responded to my inquiries about FOX 43 in HD.

jojo11

08-30-09, 01:41 AM

It happened in Wichita, it should be already there in Topeka.....Cox Kansas made FSKC (Fox Sports Kansas City) HD full time. It is now called FSKC HD from Royals Baseball HD. The switch happened on Thursday (8/27).

eldritch

09-08-09, 08:22 PM

Anybody with any news about a date when Topeka's FOX station will begin to broadcast in HD. Their OTA and Dish Network pictures are both horrible. Sure would be nice to watch the World Series and NFL football with a decent picture.

I'm also waiting for FOX 43 to broadcast in HD on Dish Network. However, I watch their OTA signal via QAM channel 116-1 via Cox. It's my understanding that it is identical to the actual OTA signal so not sure why yours is so "horrible".

Eld

dustinw82

09-08-09, 08:50 PM

I'm also waiting for FOX 43 to broadcast in HD on Dish Network. However, I watch their OTA signal via QAM channel 116-1 via Cox. It's my understanding that it is identical to the actual OTA signal so not sure why yours is so "horrible".

Eld

Cox has an exclusivity deal with FOX 43 and transmits them in HD. The actual OTA is 27.2 and it is horrible. It's 480, usually has a box frame (when the shows are in widescreen ie 24), and look atrocious. Dish network takes the same picture and zooms in on it.

K-ST8ED

09-11-09, 09:40 AM

I get Fox in crystal clear HD via a waiver request that was granted from the local Fox station about two years ago, but to my knowledge, they won't do that anymore. Before I knew much about all of this, about two years ago I applied for waivers to get all the locals in HD through Directv via the east or west coast locals in HD. I was declined by every local channel, but Directv told me to call and tell them my situation, sometimes they will budge. WIBW, KSNT, and KTKA would not budge one bit. But, I called Fox 43 and talked to some engineer guy, and he gave me the waiver. So, lucky for me, I get all my locals in HD. I get the rest via a OTA antenna with a preamp. Might be worth a try for some of you Sat TV subscribers. But, before you just call them to ask, you need to apply for the waivers first, then get declined, and you can call to appeal. Might be able to get it. I don't think they are now though since Fox is in HD with Cox and the agreement they have. When I got Fox in HD they didnt have the deal with Cox. Buddy of mine tried a year ago or so and they wouldnt give him a waiver.

KSBugeater

09-11-09, 05:19 PM

Right, K-ST8ED, when you got your waiver, KTMJ and WDAF (Fox 4 in KC) had an agreement where KTMJ would carry WDAF news. Since then, KTMJ got a new owner and is now carried digitally, where they were analog only when you got the waiver, so SHVERA was your friend.

The best advice I can give anyone in Topeka who wants HD Fox without Cox is to try an outdoor UHF antenna as high as possible and point it east toward WDAF (real freq 34). You never know...

dlnester

09-11-09, 06:08 PM

For those closer to Manhattan, try pointing your antenna towards the north side of Bennington, KS to KAAS-DT (RF 17) and you can watch FOX Kansas in HD. I think they have a 9 PM newscast in HD as well.

B-NINER

09-14-09, 12:35 PM

After watching the Chief's yesterday on WIBW I tuned in the NFL Red Zone for the 3:00 games. They jump from game to game but it was a whole lot better picture than watching the regular Fox broadcast. Anybody else using Red Zone?

BJS188

09-14-09, 01:05 PM

I was able to get the Chiefs game from WIBW, KCTV and the freeview of Sunday Ticket on Directv. WIBW was the worst by far. KCTV and ST were about the same.

I compared the Sunday night game on NBC and the picture was much better from Kansas City than Topeka but the KC signal is iffy for me here in Topeka.

KSBugeater

09-14-09, 03:18 PM

I, too, watched the Sunday Ticket freeview on DirecTV, but I watched other games since I figured the Chiefs broadcast would be blacked out since it's available locally (as is usually done).

I agree that CBS blows NBC away in PQ for NFL. Something about NBC's uplink capability.

DaneFromKansas

09-15-09, 10:47 AM

Just found the 3 new HD channels added for Topeka on Cox Digital Cable:
MoreMax HD on channel 679, The Movie Channel HD on channel 680, and MSNBC HD on channel 681.

BJS188

09-15-09, 04:44 PM

Just found the 3 new HD channels added for Topeka on Cox Digital Cable:
MoreMax HD on channel 679, The Movie Channel HD on channel 680, and MSNBC HD on channel 681.

Thanks for listing these. I would have never found them as I very seldom look past the .2 local channels.

Now they really need to resort their HD channels.

KSBugeater

09-18-09, 09:43 AM

Good news... I think... the Chiefs game will not be blacked out Sunday, despite not all of the tickets being sold. I don't think an Arrowhead game has been blacked out on local TV since the 80s, but it could happen this year in later home games. I believe WIBW would also be blacked out on such an occasion.

BJS188

09-18-09, 11:37 AM

Last year when I asked, WIBW did says that would have to follow the blackout if there was one.

dlnester

09-20-09, 07:30 PM

WIBW-TV is within the 75 mile radius of Arrowhead Stadium if a home game is blacked out. The game would also be blacked out on DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket for those living in zip-codes inside the 75 mile radius of Arrowhead.

KSBugeater

09-30-09, 03:29 PM

This thread has slowed to a crawl. FYI, the Royals will be on Fox Saturday Baseball, with Zack Greinke starting his last game this season. It will be on Fox 4 WDAF, and surely on Fox 43 KTMJ, just not in HD (neither will the Chiefs games the next 2 weeks... in fact, they could be blacked out!)

AJP69

09-30-09, 05:48 PM

So is it just me or over the last year has the quality (bitrate) of our local HD just gone way down.

I know that 2 years ago ABC was 14.5mbps 720p it's now 11.5mbps
NBC was 15 now 13.5, FOX is the same, CBS was 14.5 now 11.5. I wont even bother with PBS as that isnt even an HD channel in my mind.

I am using Cox, is the OTA just as low?

timmy1376

09-30-09, 08:31 PM

Yep, just as low OTA. CBS used to be pretty good, now it pretty pixelated. Unfortunately, we are so small of a market, we have to put up with on stations using their extra bandwidth to serve up the networks we wouldn't get otherwise.

BJS188

10-01-09, 01:18 PM

Now that I can get the Kansas City stations fairly reliable, I watch them for most sports. WIBW and KSNT are so over compressed, they are hard to watch.

kcchiefsguru

10-08-09, 07:03 AM

BJS188

10-08-09, 01:14 PM

Most likely you only have a UHF antenna. When they switched WIBW and KTWU went to VHF. So you would need to have an antenna that has both UHF and VHF.

That being said, I do get both on a Channel Master 4221 UHF antenna but not as reliable as before.

Kansas City did it right by going to UHF on all of their channels.

Kansas_Tom

10-08-09, 01:53 PM

I lost my WIBW and KTWU signals when the switch happened. Now I have to look into a stronger antenna to get stations that are within 5 miles of me. Yet I can get KTKA and KSNT which are only a few miles further out. How dumb is that?

Just been on Cox basic since then.

Any recommendations?

Both WIBW HD and KTWU HD were on UHF before the switch but went back to their old VHF channels after the switch. Sounds like you need a VHF antenna.

Sonyrocks

10-11-09, 01:13 PM

WTF? No Chiefs in HD? Looks like KTMJ has dropped the ball again!:mad:

dustinw82

10-12-09, 05:03 PM

They never had the ball. This is the worst channel in Kansas.

Sonyrocks

10-12-09, 07:03 PM

They never had the ball. This is the worst channel in Kansas.

LOL... Good one dude! :) So true. They've been notorious for dropping the HD feed ever since I got HD 2 years ago. I understand the occasional technical difficulties, but you would think they would have that all ironed out by now. :confused:

jojo11

10-21-09, 05:24 PM

This came from the Wichita, KS Board:

Cox Channel Lineup Changing

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

I just checked Cox's TV channel lineup and saw this announcement:

Quote:
On or after November 17, 2009 Cox will be making changes to your channel lineup. You will notice a new channel number for your favorite HD channels as well as a couple of changes within the Limited and Expanded Cable sections.

On or after November 24, 2009 Cox is adding an additional 12 HD channels to your HD lineup. These new HD channels are also listed on the November 17 lineups below: Investigation Discovery HD, Independent Film Channel HD, BBC America HD, WE HD, G4 HD, FUSE HD, ESPNU HD, ESPNews HD, Tennis Channel HD, Starz Edge HD, History International HD and Sundance Channel HD.

The new lineup is available here:
http://ww2.cox.com/wcm/en/residential/datasheet/kansas/Wichita%20%5BNov%5D.pdf

The changes are mostly that all On-Demand channels will be in the 1000s and all HD channels will be in the 2000s. Another nice change, HD channels are now just 2000 more than their SD counterparts, so you will actually be able to find the HD channel you're looking for! For example, Comedy Central HD will be 2058 because Comedy Central SD is 58 and BBC America HD will be 2208 because BBC America SD is 208.

BJS188

10-21-09, 06:13 PM

aujus

10-26-09, 07:16 PM

Do the Cox digital receivers in Topeka support HDMI?

AJP69

10-26-09, 07:18 PM

Do the Cox digital receivers in Topeka support HDMI?

If you are asking if the Cox cable boxes have HDMI outputs then yes they do.

aujus

10-26-09, 07:42 PM

If you are asking if the Cox cable boxes have HDMI outputs then yes they do.

I am indeed. Thanks.

BJS188

10-28-09, 11:31 AM

The first box I got from COX had HDMI, the second box only had DVI. So make sure you check when you get the box.

jojo11

11-01-09, 07:23 PM

Did anyone know about this? I was watching Fox Sports Kansas City tonight here in Wichita and they are now showing Oklahoma City Thunder games!!! The first one is against Portland. I looked on my DVR channel list and found that they are also showing Tuesday's game against the Lakers. I am wondering if this affected all of Cox Kansas.....

dustinw82

11-01-09, 09:38 PM

So once again, FOX 43 has continued to annoy me. I have Dish Network, so I have "FOX HD," except that it isn't in HD. At first they we zoomed in on everything, cutting off important info. They must have gotten some complaints during sporting events. Now the World Series looks normal (4:3). Their TV shows are "zoomed out." The show is still in wide screen, but it is boxed in. There are bars on the sides and the top and bottom. The logo says FOX HD brought to you buy DirecTV. DirecTV doesn't even offer Topeka's locals in HD. How difficult is it to provide someone other than Cox customers an HD feed?!

geekylinuxkid

11-02-09, 10:04 PM

what channels can i get with cox without one of those digital boxes? can i get extended cable without the box?

thanks.

BJS188

11-03-09, 12:15 PM

what channels can i get with cox without one of those digital boxes? can i get extended cable without the box?

thanks.

You can get Expanded Basic. Up to channel 68. The only high def channels you would get would be the local channels if you have a QAM tuner built-in to your TV.

dlnester

11-10-09, 11:56 AM

HawkInOz

11-10-09, 11:59 AM

dustinw82

11-10-09, 01:43 PM

FOX 43 has an exclusive with COX Cable for HD Programming. KTKA had a similar agreement for a long time.

Yeah, I've known about the agreement. It's gone on way too long. Much longer than KTKA's

dlnester

11-11-09, 03:10 PM

I think we're stuck with that arrangement until KTMJ gets its own full power digital television station instead of the network of low power stations.

remodeler

11-13-09, 11:38 PM

What antennas are you guys using to pick up OTA? I have Directv and am sick of the SD locals. Thanks all.

KSBugeater

11-16-09, 02:06 PM

I am still using a ChannelMaster 4228 (original wire-grid style) with 7775 pre-amp pointed toward the east, height is just above the gutter line ~12". I get fair to good reception of all KC DTV stations.

During the summer months, I can get 4.1 and 9.1 using rabbit ears in an east-facing window as tropospheric ducting helps strengthen the signal.

hdtvprimer.com has lots of good info.

BJS188

11-17-09, 02:20 PM

Today Cox rearranged their HD channels. They are now 2000 above their SD counterpart.

I am glad this finally happened.

BJS188

11-17-09, 02:22 PM

I use a ChannelMaster 4228 also. I am glad to have it since WIBW was having problems with icing on Monday night. I was able to pick up KCTV from Kansas City.

kansanian

11-18-09, 02:10 PM

Got my parents hooked up with an HDX1000 from "the shack."

Amazed that it picks up what it does for where they are (WEST of Manhattan, almost to Ogden). Currently getting WIBW (strongest signal...), KSNT, and just barely KTKA. 7 channels total, when 49 comes in...

KTWU seems to almost barely come in, but the signal just isn't strong enough. Part of that is obviously because this antenna seems geared more towards UHF from what I gather...

Any advice on getting 11 (KTWU) this far out, with this antenna? Any way to add a simple VHF antenna to the mix and maybe use an A/B box? They didn't really want to go with a bigger antenna, and this one was simple enough to mount nicely. Pointing almost straight east right now; haven't tried moving it too much as 49 drops out so easily.

Anyway, very cool to pull in what already works... Now I'm ready to see what it takes to get 11 out there, or if others in Manhattan get 11 very well OTA (and with what antenna, etc. etc.).

remodeler

11-18-09, 04:55 PM

Ok I'll try to find that channelmaster. I assume from the post above there is an option to add a signal amp to it.

Nevermind that last part I went to the website above and answered my own question. Thanks y'all

kansanian

11-19-09, 12:58 PM

Being in Topeka, you may not even want/need an amp (depending on whether or not you want to get KC channels ;) )

Heck, even a cheap un-powered antenna might get you the Topeka locals pretty well!

...I'm still curious if anyone in Manhattan/Ogden area gets KTWU (11), and what antenna they use. Not so sure the one I got for my parents will work for this station. RadioShack claims that they use this antenna in their store, and can get it, so it makes me wonder if there are any tricks to try... anyone?

dlnester

11-19-09, 04:28 PM

My parents live up on one of the high bluffs northwest of Westmoreland and they can't pull in KSNT or KTWU, but they get WIBW and KTKA just fine. I'm still working on getting KAAS from Salina so they have FOX in HD... but no luck on KTWU.

kansanian

11-19-09, 05:28 PM

Interesting. FWIW, KSNT has a sub-channel that's actually the Fox station (43 I believe), though it's not HD.
Being digital, at least it'd probably look a little nicer than a fuzzy analog version.

Strangely enough, my folks said they got KSNT steadily during the inclement weather the other day, but that WIBW was a little flaky at times (I attribute this to the antenna being meant more for UHF).

I was just thinking though - if the same antenna at the store can pull KTWU, I wonder if they have it angled differently or something. The way we have it mounted currently, it's pretty much straight up and down; the mount doesn't allow for any more movement. Suppose it's possible to angle it a little bit, but not by much...

Overall, they're happy, but I feel like tinkering with it a little more just because (and because it's close to getting what amounts to 4 more channels :D ).

KSBugeater

11-23-09, 11:32 AM

Kansanian: I think good ol' rabbit ears might possibly help your parents get KTWU-11. Measure about 20" on each "ear", place them at 45 deg to the ground, near an east-facing window, and see what they can pull in... it might even improve WIBW reception since the wavelengths are similar.

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/RabbitEars.html

BJS188

11-24-09, 01:02 PM

wtkflhn

11-25-09, 04:27 PM

Cox in Topeka added these channels today:

Investigation Discovery HD
Independent Film Channel HD
BBC America HD
WE HD
G4 HD
FUSE HD
ESPNU HD
ESPNews HD
Tennis Channel HD
Starz Edge HD
History International HD
Disney XD HD

I was just wondering. Do you guys have TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES in HD in Topeka, or elsewhere in the state?

Don H.

DaneFromKansas

11-27-09, 05:09 PM

I was just wondering. Do you guys have TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES in HD in Topeka, or elsewhere in the state?

Don H.

I know we don't have it here in Topeka yet, not sure about elsewhere in Kansas though.

kansanian

11-30-09, 04:13 PM

Thanks KSBugeater. I've thought about using a splitter, and adding a pair of rabbit ears into the mix somehow... Kind of thought the new antenna would be good enough to get the higher VHF channels (it's supposedly a 20" antenna).

Over the weekend, I punched in '11' on the (DigitalStream) converter box and it showed up! Signal was barely there, so I moved the antenna a little and was able to get KTWU mostly stable, although the signal was still VERY weak (29-30 on its meter...).

Amazed that it showed up at all, and I have no idea how stable it is throughout the day/night. Need to either go back over or ask 'em how it's been going.

KTKA (49) seems to just barely come in during the evening after the sun's down (tropo I guess...). No amount of aiming the antenna seems to help this much. Their location shows up as fading from purple to nothing on the TVFool.com / google maps for pretty much every TV station. It's a miracle anything works out there :)

timmy1376

12-10-09, 11:22 PM

I know most of us do not watch the analog channels on satellite anymore, but what is up the locals on Directv??? KSNT is showing CNBC, KTKA is some fine living channel, and WIBW shows a channel not purchased. Anyone else with Directv see this??

dlnester

12-13-09, 12:56 PM

Sounds like your receiver dumped or scrambled its channel mapping... did you try a power cycle on it? (Remove it from the AC power outlet for 10 seconds and plug back in)

I know on Dish Network when that happens you can run a check switch and it can fix that issue.

AJP69

12-13-09, 04:15 PM

Current channel list for Manhattan, to bad the bitrates have dropped so low.

http://ajps75.com/uploader/files/1/channels.JPG

kansanian

12-16-09, 05:13 PM

Yeah I see some crummy MPEG2 pixellation once in awhile too on Cox...

Looks like a pretty complete list except that I think it's missing a couple in the beginning; pretty sure it starts at 2006 for HD channels...
Either way, I am quite happy that they finally reorganized the channels. Makes much more sense now and isn't so all over the place.
Convenient that it also mirrors the good ol' analog lineup (which I so hope they keep. haven't heard much good about the "DTA" tuners that are going out in some cable markets.)

Quick update on OTA reception at the parents house - PBS seems to fade away somewhere after sunset, up to about 6:30-7:00PM. ABC seems to be a bit more stable during the evenings. Kind of a tradeoff...
Need to get a better antenna with just a bit more height someday!
Fortunately, they're still happy to get what they do.

dlnester

12-16-09, 10:28 PM

Sad news to report to those up in the Northwest corner of the Topeka DMA.

KSNB-TV 4 in Superior, Nebraska signed off the air December 1st. It was a FOX affiliate owned by Collins Broadcasting, with a LMA with Pappas. The station has been dark since December 1st.

KSNB signed on-the-air in 1968 as an ABC affiliate, and in the 90's switched to FOX. It was available to many cable systems in Northeast and North Central Kansas over the years.

timmy1376

01-02-10, 05:57 PM

Anyone else having issues receiving WIBW lately (the past month or so)?? I get very low signal strength lately on them, to the point I lose picture all together.

dlnester

01-02-10, 10:19 PM

I noticed my signal strength was down in the 60's, when it is usually in the 90's. I've also noticed a lot of stuttering audio/pixelation and green images on Dish Network on both the HD and SD channels, while the other Topeka locals are just fine.

KSBugeater

01-04-10, 11:20 AM

My troubles with WIBW on VHF are already documented earlier in this thread. Someone elsewhere noted that WIBW had filed for a "fill-in" UHF signal back on their 44 slot, presumably due to complaints about signal loss since the switch to 13. I say bring it on, ASAP!

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101346622&qnum=5110&copynum=1&exhcnum=1

BJS188

01-05-10, 01:08 PM

With WIBW showing Closings and weather information most of the time now, I try and avoid them and watch KCTV when I can receive them.

thebishman

01-07-10, 11:05 AM

With WIBW showing Closings and weather information most of the time now, I try and avoid them and watch KCTV when I can receive them.

I agree with you 100%. They show absolutely no regard for their viewing public and advertisers by essentially taking up about 25% of the screen with the closings and stupid weather 'bug'. It is so bad that I will watch another channel even if I'd rather watch the show on CBS.

Kansas_Tom

01-07-10, 08:33 PM

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who dislikes the way they do closings information.

I watched a little of the football on Sunday and WIBW was only showing the closings during commercials. They should do that all the time.

dlnester

01-09-10, 01:03 PM

I think things would be better if the Topeka stations could do overlays in HD like the Kansas City stations.

timmy1376

01-09-10, 07:25 PM

wtkflhn

01-09-10, 09:13 PM

KTKA can do the warning overlay, but not sure about the closings and stuff. I don't think WIBW has the equipment to do either.

Right now, I am getting 0 signal on WIBW. It has been so up and down for me I don't know what to do.

Timmy.

I thought they were moving back to their UHF signal, or is that pending with the FCC?

Don H.

Trip in VA

01-10-10, 02:08 AM

I thought they were moving back to their UHF signal, or is that pending with the FCC?

Not moving back, just lighting the UHF up again. It was approved by the FCC a while back so the delay is now with WIBW.

- Trip

timmy1376

01-10-10, 02:20 PM

KSBugeater

01-11-10, 02:18 PM

I hope they lite it up soon, I am jumping today from 86% all the way down to 0 for periods at a time. My tv is doing a much better job of keeping a picture than my Directv box. Very frustrating.

On another note, I unplugged my tv in the bedroom from the antenna, but still get KTKA...:D

My DirecTV HR20-700 has a hard time with KSNT (antenna is pointed at KC, but it gets the other Topeka stations), but my Vizio has no problem at all with KSNT, same split antenna feed.

You must be close to KTKA out there in the Flint Hills.

Temper

01-12-10, 12:34 PM

I spoke with the WIBW engineer a few days ago. They had an equipment failure, otherwise the UHF channel would already be lit up.

kansanian

01-18-10, 11:37 AM

Interesting...

Would WIBW being (back) on UHF help with those of us farther away? Are they turning it on as a low power transmission, or something closer to what their VHF coverage is supposed to get? ...If so, wouldn't that require even more power since VHF tends to go farther with less power???

So I re-scanned the other day at the folks house... Managed to pull in 4 and 9 out of KC. They come and go, but it was amazing they came in at all...

Seems like they have signal issues no matter what channel though. 13 used to be rock solid, and it's sometimes a little low now. 11 is still the worst I guess, with 49 being a close 2nd. Just amazing that a couple KC stations were receivable out there though. 27 was surprisingly dropping out at times too, and they were coming in very stable before...

Also, for a brief moment, 12 out of Wichita came in. Must've been the weather :)

KSBugeater

01-18-10, 03:58 PM

Interesting...

Would WIBW being (back) on UHF help with those of us farther away? Are they turning it on as a low power transmission, or something closer to what their VHF coverage is supposed to get? ...If so, wouldn't that require even more power since VHF tends to go farther with less power???
{snip}
Also, for a brief moment, 12 out of Wichita came in. Must've been the weather :)

The UHF supplemental will probably only help folks <40 mi from the transmitter. It's intended to help Topeka OTA viewers... the UHF signal characteristics work better in an urban environment (antenna elements don't have to be as large, for one thing).

It WAS the weather: we did have some tropospheric ducting last week. I was actually able to pull in KQTV from St. Joe, MO.

Temper

01-22-10, 06:06 PM

The engineer mentioned something about 198,000 watts.... and lighting up northern Oklahoma. :)

I'm some 70 miles south of Topeka, and get 49 OTA most of the time, and 27 some of the time. Anyone know how many watts 49 puts out?

Edit to add: Anyone having audio dropouts on 49, and their Dolby Digital audio going to the wrong speakers? My center channel audio comes out of my rear channels. I don't have this problem with any other channel, just 49. :(

Kansas_Tom

01-22-10, 07:07 PM

Edit to add: Anyone having audio dropouts on 49, and their Dolby Digital audio going to the wrong speakers? My center channel audio comes out of my rear channels. I don't have this problem with any other channel, just 49. :(

I have been getting the audio dropouts on a regular basis from KTKA. I thought it might have been something with the cable signal so I hooked up the bow tie and had the same problem.

KSBugeater

01-25-10, 02:00 PM

Anyone know how many watts 49 puts out?

Wikipedia sez 55 kW. They have WIBW at 44 kW and KSNT at 50 kW, but 49 is a higher frequency, so you need more power to achieve the same range. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Temper

02-07-10, 10:03 AM

I was hoping 13 would have UHF up and running before the Superbowl. Looks like it's not to be. :(

caliblue15

02-13-10, 01:53 PM

Wikipedia sez 55 kW. They have WIBW at 44 kW and KSNT at 50 kW, but 49 is a higher frequency, so you need more power to achieve the same range. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that.

If KSNT is so high in power, why can I get WIBW and KTKA with no problems, but KSNT is a complete craphole. Would like to watch the olympics.

(In Manhattan.)

timmy1376

02-13-10, 02:00 PM

caliblue15

02-13-10, 02:06 PM

Antenna patters have a lot to do with what you get. Check this out:
http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/maps_current/Topeka_KS.pdf
This shows coverage areas, with KSNT barely covering Manhattan.
And this:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1319713.html

Kinda funny, they have a station in MN in there for the Topeka market...

An Antenna that shoots 40 miles, with a amplifier, should be able to pick it up easily, if their actual broadcast goes out that far. Though 49 does shoot quite a bit further past.

timmy1376

03-03-10, 09:14 PM

Is KMCI channel 38 out of KC really providing the KU Kstate game in HD?? I heard that on the radio today but never knew the Big 12 package games where in HD...

dlnester

03-03-10, 09:31 PM

Yes all non-weekend Big 12 Network games this season have been in HD on KMCI. They can't due HD on the weekend due to a lack of uplink trucks and satellite backhauls. The game looks great in HD.

timmy1376

03-03-10, 09:44 PM

Thanks. I wish KSNT carried it in HD!

DaneFromKansas

03-25-10, 04:34 PM

Just received my cable bill from Cox. There was an announcement in it stating that EPIX will be added in both HD and SD starting April 1 as part of the Movies Pak (Digital Cable Tier) or as a stand alone for $12 a month. No channel number listed. I was surprised to see this being put in the Movies Pak instead of just as a Premium Movie Channel.

dustinw82

04-08-10, 12:48 PM

Any one have any info on 43 going HD? I have Dish Network, so I'm not able to get it through Cox.

dlnester

04-30-10, 03:49 PM

Ionosphere

04-30-10, 05:12 PM

Outside of Cox Cable, I highly doubt it. FOX 43 only broadcasts in analog and as a side-channel on KSNT 27.2. They basically would need to either flash-cut to a low power digital signal or apply for, build, and broadcast a full power digital signal.

They could always put 2 HD channels on one frequency like KSPR out of Springfield, MO. It ruins the picture quality of the original channel, though. Only having a 720p TV, though, I think it is hard to notice the difference.

dustinw82

05-06-10, 10:47 PM

Has anyone recently been having issues with 27.1/27.2 dropping out? The past week or so I keep getting tons of dropouts.

Temper

05-15-10, 10:45 AM

I spoke with the WIBW engineer a few days ago. They had an equipment failure, otherwise the UHF channel would already be lit up.

I guess I need to call again. :(

dlnester

05-17-10, 03:43 PM

I've noticed that almost all of the Grey Television stations have gone HD for local news except for WIBW in Topeka and KAKE in Wichita. Wonder why they never upgraded the stations in Kansas?

Colonia9

05-20-10, 04:51 PM

Noted comment re WIBW translator, so entered by manual selection Ch 44 on my Centronics ZAT 502. Surprised to find that this new UHF channel which identifies itself as Ch 13 is giving me a better signal than the Hi-VHF Ch 13. My location 75 miles from the transmitter in ZIP 64152.
One explanation for better reception is use of PR-8800 antenna which is UHF designed. Until I sort out receiver it now shows 13-1 twice and 13-2 twice.

Temper

06-05-10, 10:45 AM

I'm getting 13.1 now as well, but the signal strength is nothing to brag about. It's about the same as 27.1. I hope they crank the power up, or it won't come in very often for me. I'm about 70 miles due south of Topeka.

dlnester

06-06-10, 12:53 PM

If you're getting any sign of life from KSNT at 70 miles you're doing something right. My parents are about 35-40 miles NW and get 0.0 for signal. We get KTKA in the 60's and WIBW in the 90's. KTWU is hit or miss...

DaneFromKansas

06-09-10, 04:08 PM

Just started watching Fox Soccer Channel in HD on Cox Cable in Topeka at channel 2250! Not sure when it was added, but I don't think it was there yesterday.

wtkflhn

08-17-10, 07:06 PM

Hey all you guys in Topeka!

What's going on up there. No post for 2 months. Is everybody hibernating for summer?

Don H

dlnester

08-17-10, 10:29 PM

I'm thinking the same thing. I don't think anything is really changing in Topeka television. Until FOX 43 goes digital/HD OTA or a local station starts local news in HD... not much to report.

Trip in VA

08-17-10, 11:22 PM

KTWU just applied for a power increase from 38 kW to 76 kW, as well as for adding three UHF fill-in translators, one each in Lawrence, Manhattan, and Emporia.

- Trip

wtkflhn

08-18-10, 04:56 PM

I knew all I had to do was wake up Topeka, and we start hearing from people.

Don H

dlnester

08-18-10, 09:58 PM

That is great news for KTWU. My parents have never been able to pull it in.

dlnester

08-28-10, 03:43 PM

Question: Is WIBW-TV passing the Chiefs Television Network in HD, or are they only delivering the SD version?

cece814

08-29-10, 12:32 AM

No, WIBW never has passed CTN in HD. If you want CTN in HD you must watch KCTV as they appear to be the only TV station willing to display it in HD.

caliblue15

09-24-10, 05:00 PM

move to a different apartment, same issues. 49-1 and 27-1 are almost impossible to get. Oh, how I hate Topeka's crappy output.

Any antenna's I can get that would help.

Using a Terk HDTVa now.

bjriffel

11-01-10, 09:36 PM

move to a different apartment, same issues. 49-1 and 27-1 are almost impossible to get. Oh, how I hate Topeka's crappy output.

Any antenna's I can get that would help.

Using a Terk HDTVa now.

Make sure all the coax cables you are using between your components are RG6. And make sure you have high quality splitters. Also consider an amplifier.

KSBugeater

11-16-10, 11:58 AM

I'm sure New World Communications is content to sit tight with Fox on an SD subchannel since most of the Topeka market can receive the HD Fox feed via Cox Cable. But for those of us outside Topeka or on OTA, it really sucks watching Fox in letterbox SD. (total horizontal res is 300 lines or so) I have a proposal that would at least help us sports nuts. Why couldn't they switch 27.2 to 720P and 27.1 to 480i during important Fox sporting events? Usually on Sunday afternoons KSNT airs infomercials or old movies in SD anyway. The exception might be hockey or golf, but most locals would prefer NASCAR or NFL to NBC's sports. I realize that 27's muxer may not be capable of that, but if it were, would that violate their FCC license? Does it say you must always broadcast the same res on each subchannel?

In the meantime, I will continue to watch WDAF Fox 4 from KC for all Fox programming, unless they are blacked out of an NFL game due to the Chiefs airing opposite.

Trip in VA

11-16-10, 05:41 PM

There's nothing in the license preventing it.

Fox network has a rule against putting HD on a -2 feed, I believe. Could be wrong on that.

And their encoders probably could handle it, though it may require a reboot of the encoders, and would probably require a number of converter boxes to rescan.

Thus, it's not happening.

- Trip

dlnester

11-16-10, 05:56 PM

As a side note, Dish Network removed the KTMJ-HD place holder from their lineup. Previously they were passing the KTMJ signal 4x3 upconverted.

KSBugeater

11-16-10, 06:13 PM

Sherman-Ada station KXII carries CBS on .1 and FOX on .3. Wikipedia, if you believe it, lists the FOX as 720p.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KXII

Trip in VA

11-16-10, 06:23 PM

KXII was the first to do it and I suspect was grandfathered. I know of several stations with Fox on -2 that are forbidden by Fox from putting Fox network programming in HD. I know of one station that flipped Fox to the -1 position while keeping another network in HD on -2 in order to bypass the Fox rule.

- Trip

cece814

11-16-10, 07:19 PM

In the meantime, I will continue to watch WDAF Fox 4 from KC for all Fox programming, unless they are blacked out of an NFL game due to the Chiefs airing opposite.

I living in Topeka with KTMJ in HD on Cox only watch WDAF:) though my antenna for FOX programming after KTMJ FORCED WDAF off every cable system in the Topeka DMA. KTMJ is nothing more than a CHEAP wannabe TV station.

feedback71

11-19-10, 11:20 AM

I recently made the switch from Dish Network to Directv. To my surprise, the local channels are not in HD. The installer suggested that they are still in negotiations with the local channels on this. Does anyone know when I can expect to get locals in HD on Dtv? I have an antenna, but the Dtv dvr does not have an input for an antenna like DN's receiver did. :cuss:

dlnester

11-19-10, 02:22 PM

Topeka isn't even listed in the "Upcoming" markets for HD Locals.

KSBugeater

11-22-10, 04:06 PM

prefont313

11-22-10, 05:32 PM

Directv won't have Topeka locals anytime soon...I don't think it's even on the list for 2011. KTMJ will go HD OTA sometime in early 2011. It requires upgrades to the current transmitter.

KSBugeater

11-23-10, 11:15 AM

KTMJ will go HD OTA sometime in early 2011.

We heard they were going to "flash cut" at the digital transition, too, and that never happened. Do you have some credible evidence to back up this date? Will they be 43-1 or still a subchannel of KSNT? Sorry to be such a skeptic, but KTMJ has a long history of disappointing viewers hoping for FOX HD.

feedback71

11-23-10, 03:25 PM

You can order an AM-21 for each DirecTV DVR you have in order to tune the Topeka channels over-the-air. If you call and complain that Topeka's locals aren't carried over satellite and that you may switch back to Dish, they should send you the AM-21's for free. It's just another STB you can place on top of your DVR that allows tuning of OTA stations (and recording, a big advantage over a stand-alone converter box). DirecTV got too cheap to keep including OTA tuners in the DVRs after the HR20s.

Write back if you need help pulling in the signals with an antenna.

Excellent advice. I will try this. Thank you.

BTW, I already have an antenna on my roof attached to my chimney. I can watch OTA programming now. I just would like it run through my DTV receiver like I had with dish. Its nice to be able to record OTA stuff (like Chiefs games) in HD. :) Plus, the surround sound is setup through the DTV receiver.

dlnester

11-25-10, 01:14 PM

New Vision has a construction permit on file with the FCC for Channel 43 to go Digital. It was accepted by the FCC on September 1 with an expiration date of 09/28/2013. This is for a "Flash Cut"

KTMJ-CA KS TOPEKA USA (Digital)

Licensee: NVT TOPEKA LICENSEE, LLC
Service Designation: DC Digital Class A television station
Channel: 43 644 - 650 MHz Construction Permit
File No.: BDFCDTA-20100831AAI Facility ID number: 43649
CDBS Application ID No.: 1397818

39° 03' 50.00" N Latitude
95° 45' 49.00" W Longitude (NAD 27)

Polarization:
Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 15. kW ERP
Antenna Height Above Average Terrain: - meters HAAT -- Calculate HAAT
Antenna Height Above Mean Sea Level: 496.6 meters AMSL
Antenna Height Above Ground Level: 167.6 meters AGL

Frequency Offset:

Directional Antenna ID No.: 101664 Pattern Rotation: 0.00

feedback71

12-02-10, 12:55 PM

You can order an AM-21 for each DirecTV DVR you have in order to tune the Topeka channels over-the-air. If you call and complain that Topeka's locals aren't carried over satellite and that you may switch back to Dish, they should send you the AM-21's for free. It's just another STB you can place on top of your DVR that allows tuning of OTA stations (and recording, a big advantage over a stand-alone converter box). DirecTV got too cheap to keep including OTA tuners in the DVRs after the HR20s.

Write back if you need help pulling in the signals with an antenna.

I spent almost an hour on the phone with Dtv the other day. I talked to 5 or 6 different people but could not convince them that they needed to pay for it. I ended up ordering it the next day and just paying the $50. I still feel they should have given it to me for free since they led me to believe that my locals would be in HD. But I wasn't gonna deny myself on that principle. I hope it gets here before the Chiefs game on Sunday.

BJS188

12-09-10, 10:23 AM

Cox in Topeka added The Weather Channel HD, CBS College Sports HD, Univision HD and a second PBS HD (out of Kansas City) this morning. Did not have time to check if they were really working but they did come up in the guide.

dlnester

12-11-10, 05:31 PM

KTWU will be off-the-air from 12:00 AM-6:00 AM on Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning for a technical upgrade that will increase their over-the-air broadcast power. Cox Cable customers will not have an outage.

http://cjonline.com/news/local/2010-12-11/ktwu_sets_brief_shutdown

mgsports

12-14-10, 04:50 PM

It was KTWU HD that Cox Cable added saw it on Avs forums for KC area. Theirs of new Digital Sub channels out their like The Country Network,My Family Net,Tuff TV,Cool TV,Me TV,Antenna TV and so on that Topeka could get.

KSBugeater

12-20-10, 01:44 PM

Anybody else notice that during commercials of the Chiefs game yesterday, WIBW ran a crawl telling Direct TV (sic) customers to call 1-800-directv to complain about D*s "refusal" to carry "this game" in HD? I'm not sure that complaining will do any good as the uplink and satellite space have probably already been scheduled by D* and can't be moved up, but who knows?

dlnester

12-20-10, 04:14 PM

Last check DirecTV had NO PLANS to carry the Topeka DMA in HD. With contracts expiring January 1 I would believe this is just a pressure tactic for WIBW.

BJS188

12-22-10, 10:43 AM

Now Jim Ogle from WIBW is doing commercials telling people to not sign up for DIRECTV because they don't carry Topeka Locals in HD.

I have three DIRECTV receivers and I get Topeka locals in HD on all of them. But I also get KC locals and I'm sure Jim doesn't like that either.

But I understand what he is doing and I hope it helps. I'm surprised that Topeka hasn't been picked up before. I wonder if it because we don't have a FOX HD.

dlnester

12-23-10, 07:23 PM

This isn't official by any reason, but the reason I've been told is that Topeka isn't as high on the D* list because they don't have a large amount of subscribers in the DMA...

BJS188

12-24-10, 12:06 PM

That makes since but I figured that they were content with the number of subscribers in Topeka. I would think they would add local HD to help increase subscribers or keep subscribers.

Emporian

12-30-10, 11:18 AM

Ive emailed and contacted channel 27 more than once and they do not ever reply. They are about as bad as directv customer service.

I asked them about whether or not 27.2 will ever be in HD...if not then why not?

Would anyone happen to know the answer to this question?
Thanks

dlnester

12-30-10, 11:20 AM

nukeman2000

12-30-10, 12:22 PM

Emporian

12-30-10, 12:30 PM

Does anyone have any recommendations for antenna installers that service the Topeka area? I actually live about sixty miles south and was wondering if I could get someone to come out and do a site survey to determine if reception is even possible. I checked the yellow pages but most of the installers are for satellite.

Thanks,
Jason

You can go to tvfool.com and and type in your address.

I installed a stacker antenna with the help of a buddy. I get all of the stations...except I dont get 49 in the summer. Im thinking it might be the trees.

Being 60 miles away, you may need a bigger antenna.

Emporian

12-30-10, 12:32 PM

Emporian-

The good news is KTMJ has a Construction Permit granted from the FCC to flash-cut Channel 43 in Topeka from Analog to Digital. I guess that is the first step to FOX 43 HD over-the-air. From there, I think Dish Network can pick it up. Dish actually had a KTMJ HD placeholder for awhile.

It will just be a little upsetting to not watch the Superbowl in HD this year. Espeically if the Chiefs make it. ;)

Emporian

12-30-10, 12:39 PM

Emporian-

The good news is KTMJ has a Construction Permit granted from the FCC to flash-cut Channel 43 in Topeka from Analog to Digital. I guess that is the first step to FOX 43 HD over-the-air. From there, I think Dish Network can pick it up. Dish actually had a KTMJ HD placeholder for awhile.

The station comes in at 27-2 and 17 down here in Emporia.

Is there a difference between Channel 43 and those two channels? Meaning that once Channel 43 goes to digital or HD...27-2 and 17 will go to digitial or hd as well?

dlnester

12-31-10, 02:49 PM

I doubt that 27.2 will ever go HD, because 27.1 is already 1080i for NBC programming. I think 43.1 will go 720p whenever it goes digital, but with their low power signal, I don't think they'll reach far over-the-air.

KETM 17 in Emporia doesn't have a construction permit to go digital so I doubt they have any plans of changing that anytime soon.

KTWU has low power digital translator construction permits on file with the FCC for Channel 47 in Manhattan, Channel 36 in Lawrence, and Channel 36 in Emporia. All would be 15,000 watts.

nukeman2000

01-03-11, 11:10 AM

Ya, I posted at the tvfool.com forums too. Thought that someone more local would have some advise for installers. I just don't want to play a guessing game to see if it will work.

Thanks for the reply.

Temper

01-07-11, 09:49 AM

The signal boost from WIBW hasn't made it this far south yet. ;) I still only get 13 some of the time, 27 most of the time, and 49 all of the time. Does anyone know how much power they are putting out now?

kansanian

01-16-11, 05:11 PM

Anyone know of any recent changes to WIBW's signal? My folks had to rescan and now see 13-3 and 13-4, neither of which have info anymore (digitalstream converter).

dlnester

01-16-11, 10:48 PM

I'm guessing it might have something to do with the VHF 13 and UHF 44 signals. WIBW transmits at full-power on VHF 13, but they also have a 'translator' operating on UHF 44.

Where my parents live, they receive both signals at high levels, and it caused some issues with their DTV receiver since they essentially had two 13-1 and 13-2 stations coming in, and the receiver didn't know how to process them. If WIBW made the UHF 44 translator output 13.3 and 13.4 it might of solved that problem. I'm not in the area yet to see what they are getting now.

PS> I was never able to get program guide information from the UHF 44 signal, only the VHF 13 signal.

kansanian

01-17-11, 11:51 AM

Thanks dlnester, that's what I am guessing, though it's hard to tell since the "RF" channel shown on the converter still says "13" (though it is a rather simple little device ;) ). Perhaps I'll try to re-scan sometime, although they claim it was just "off air" for a day before they tried

Also very cool news to hear about KTWU's plans for a translator tower in the surrounding cities. Currently, it is a little weak in Manhattan/surrounding area as I'm sure it is also in the other cities listed.

Sad that KTMJ's upcoming HD signal (if it'll really be that?) may not be all that great, but I guess we won't know for sure until it's closer to a reality.

dustinw82

01-31-11, 12:31 AM

Man, I am getting so sick of KTMJ's disgusting feed. I can't believe any business would even advertise with their station. It's just sad that many of us don't have any other option for Fox. I wish Dish Network would let me pull in another Fox station in HD since ours isn't. It's just sad that I have to go somewhere else just to watch anything on Fox because I might actually vomit if I'm forced to watch it at home!

dlnester

02-06-11, 12:14 PM

hathawaynson

02-13-11, 02:48 PM

So lets review ownership/control here...

KTKA has been sold to PBC Broadcasting of LA, with a LMA to New Vision Television, who happen to control KSNT and KTMJ. So now they control 3 network affiliates television stations in Topeka... NBC, FOX, ABC and I guess you could count CW as well.

KTWU 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 = Washburn University (Local)

WIBW 13.1, 13.2 = Gray Television, Inc. (Non-Local)

KSNT 27.1, 27.2 = New Vision Television (Non-Local)
KTMJ 43 (Analog) = New Vision Television (Non-Local)
KTKA 49.1, 49.2, 49.3 = PBC Broadcasting/New Vision Television (Non-Local)

Okay, There is an article from the Lawrence Journal-World Online and several other websites regarding KTKA-DT sale to PBC Broadcasting/New Vision Television that you might be interested in looking into:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/feb/04/free-state-communications-agrees-sell-topekas-ktka/
It goes into details with a Local Marketing Agreement between Free State Communications and PBC Broadcasting brokering TV commerical airwaves to KTKA.
Second Article: http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/2011/02/05/48924/is-an-abcnbc-duopoly-coming-to-topeka
PBC Broadcasting owns two stations, one an ABC affiliate in Youngstown, OH and also another one in Savanna, GA. Both stations have turned over management to New Vision Televison.
and what I hear is that PBC Broadcasting essentially, is New Vision TV, which does own and opereate KSNT and KTMJ in Topeka. New Vision and PBC use each other to finance acquisitions.
Now about the newsrooms.....
The newsrooms will be combined, and plenty of people from KTKA will lose their jobs over all.

dlnester

02-13-11, 10:50 PM

I wonder where that newsroom will be. Will it be at KSNT or will it be at KTKA? KTKA has the newer studio...

hathawaynson

02-14-11, 05:19 AM

I wonder where that newsroom will be. Will it be at KSNT or will it be at KTKA? KTKA has the newer studio...

I have been thinking about that,I would keep thinking KSNT they have the small space to cram all of the employees from KSNT 27 and FOX 43 that New Vision owns and operates, but I would go with KTKA since they have the newer studio.
on equipment/transmitters.....

how on earth would they fit all of the equipment for KTKA into one little building at KSNT/KTMJ's studios.

According to kcradio.tripod.com (very fantastic and informative website)
Free State Communications (AKA The World Company) sold the station to PBC Broadcasting.

dlnester

02-14-11, 10:33 AM

hathawaynson

02-17-11, 07:41 PM

I have a feeling the news room/studio will be in the KTKA studio and engineering ect. could be located at the KSNT building. But who knows what they will do.

I thought I read in the past in a technical publication that KTKA was closer to being HD Local News ready than KSNT is. I'm actually surprised that WIBW isn't in HD for local news yet, as other Gray Television stations are (KAKE in Wichita and KOLN in Lincoln, WOWT in Omaha)

Rob Z from FOX 4 in KC runs the kcradio.tripod.com website, I've always enjoyed his work.

It's going to be that way, unless the FCC rejects the intended sale to PBC Broadcasting.

Lets look at a couple of examples from an distance regarding why the FCC would investigate virtual duopolies. The CBS affiliate in Duluth, MN has a "Virtual Duopoly" with the NBC affiliate. Sinclair Broadcasting Group has local marketing agreements with six or eight of the stations, but the LMA partner is controlled due to financial issues.

dlnester

03-02-11, 08:46 PM

KSQA has filed to move from Channel 12 to Channel 22 for their signal.

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0302/DA-11-406A1.pdf

hathawaynson

03-07-11, 05:44 PM

KSQA has filed to move from Channel 12 to Channel 22 for their signal.

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0302/DA-11-406A1.pdf

good! I don't know about affiliation choices, yet. Keep me informed.

kcchiefsguru

03-12-11, 07:09 AM

What antennas do I need to be looking at to pick up not only the Topeka stations but Kansas City stations as well. If I am going to dump cable, I at least want to have the maximum amount of channels available to me.

kcchiefsguru

03-14-11, 05:30 PM

dlnester

03-14-11, 06:12 PM

I would ask on the Kansas City thread, as they have more antenna users. I'm not really any good with antennas but I do know KC is all UHF, so you would need a long distance UHF antenna for Kansas City. You would need a VHF/UHF antenna for Topeka.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=234120&goto=newpost

kcchiefsguru

03-14-11, 06:14 PM

I don't think they could help me that much since I am much further away than they are. I have to imagine there are Topeka guys that are pulling in KC channels. I just need to know the antennas they are using.

BJS188

03-15-11, 04:00 PM

kcchiefsguru

03-15-11, 04:52 PM

I use two 4224 4-Bay Multi-Bow HDTV UHF Antennas wired together to get Kansas City from an in-attic location. I also have a small VHF antenna in line to get 11 and 13. The only draw back to this is that most of the time, I cannot get KTKA but I prefer KMBC better anyways. I can't get 50 or 62 but I get most of the rest of them.

Where do you recommend that I pick those antennas up at? Why do you have to have two antennas for KC though?

kcchiefsguru

03-15-11, 04:59 PM

Where do you recommend that I pick those antennas up at? Why do you have to have two antennas for KC though?

can't find 4224 anywhere. I did fine the 8 bay 4228 though. It only shows a 60mile range though. Is that going to be good enough? What about channel 4,5,and 9 in KC? Those are VHF aren't they?

BJS188

03-15-11, 05:12 PM

I missed typed, the 4228 is the correct one. I used two of these because one wasn't enough. One worked fine for 4, 5 and 9. All of the Kansas City stations are UHF but are still called by their old numbers. I needed two antennas for channel 41 and 38. My antennas are in an attic so if you can put yours outside, then one would probably work.

Channel 9 started out as a VHF station but when they realized that they were going to be the only one and most people didn't want two antennas, they asked to have their channel assignment changed. I wished that 11 and 13 would have done this but I assume they are trying to cover more area. WIBW does also broadcast on UHF 44 but my DIRECTV receivers don't recognize it so no program information.

Gleyser

03-15-11, 05:19 PM

What about channel 4,5,and 9 in KC? Those are VHF aren't they?

kcchief
Channels 4, 5 and 9 are their display channels. The physical Channels are 34 for 4, 24 for 5 and 29 for 9.

kcchiefsguru

03-15-11, 05:30 PM

KSBugeater

03-16-11, 10:39 AM

I use one CM 4228 mounted on a pole just above the gutter line of my house and get every KC channel (except the low-powered ones like KUKC). 41 and 38 are flaky at times, but I'd say they come in 95% of the time. One problem, they changed the design of the 4228 and not for the better is what I hear. I live in Meriden which may be a better position than your location (I'm closer than Topeka is to KC). Without giving an address, can you give us an idea where you're located to better assess your chances? East/west side, on a hill or in a valley, tall buildings or other structures nearby?

BJS188

03-16-11, 12:12 PM

For reference, I am just off 29th street between Fairlawn and Wanamaker.

kcchiefsguru

03-16-11, 03:53 PM

bjriffel

03-21-11, 06:45 AM

I'm in one of the highest spots in Topeka around 29th and boswell. But I do have some huge trees in my area.

Check out

http://warrenelectronics.com/

This is where I bought my CM 4228. They are very laid back and will help you customize your setup. I live in Ottawa and this 4228 with a Winegard amp gets me all the KC and Topeka stations. I have it on the north side of my house pointing due north. During storms it has to be aimed at one city or the other for a solid signal though.

bjriffel

03-21-11, 06:51 AM

I use two 4224 4-Bay Multi-Bow HDTV UHF Antennas wired together to get Kansas City from an in-attic location. I also have a small VHF antenna in line to get 11 and 13. The only draw back to this is that most of the time, I cannot get KTKA but I prefer KMBC better anyways. I can't get 50 or 62 but I get most of the rest of them.

How did you put a second one in line? Did you use a jointenna? I'd like to put 2 UHF antennas up so I can get 100% from KC and Topeka. I read that if you are putting up 2 UHF you might get some ghosting or other issues associated with dual reception paths. Thoughts?

BJS188

03-21-11, 03:39 PM

The second one I put in line is mostly VHF but does have a small UHF anntena on it. I do assume that is part of the reason that I can't get channel 49 most of the time.

Originally I was using a jointenna when I was only trying to get channel 4 (34) out of Kansas City. I have since removed it so I could get most of the KC stations.

dlnester

05-02-11, 02:48 PM

WIBW is constructing a new set during the month of June. They will be broadcasting from their newsroom temporarily during the construction.

HD conversion maybe?

hathawaynson

05-08-11, 05:47 PM

WIBW is constructing a new set during the month of June. They will be broadcasting from their newsroom temporarily during the construction.

HD conversion maybe?

That's great news that WIBW-TV is going HD so far...
but questions persist, is WIBW going to reach all the way towards lawrence?

and did the KTKA-TV sale to PBC Broadcasting fall through or is it causing controversy? I have not see any changes yet.

dlnester

05-09-11, 04:43 PM

WIBW isn't going HD yet, they said after I asked "HD Ready" ??!!

No word on KSNT/KTKA sale.

hathawaynson

06-01-11, 11:52 PM

WIBW isn't going HD yet, they said after I asked "HD Ready" ??!!

No word on KSNT/KTKA sale.

okay here's something from Rob Z regarding the KTKA-TV sale to PBC Broadcasting: As far as he knows, the sale is still in the regulatory process.

hinkydinky

07-11-11, 02:01 AM

Ok...No HD locals off the satellite in Topeka. I need an antenna to receive them. To integrated the OTA HD channels in the HD DVR's guides, I need an AM21 tuner. Now the tuner and DVR will only cope with channels that the Tribune Company have listed properly. I can check the listing by going to Zap 2 It and looking at the antenna listings for my zip code. What I see there, should become integrated in my guides via the AM21, assuming I have the signal to pull them in.

Do I have a correct understanding of this?

The bottom line is that I have to know if we'll be able to record from 11.3 (KTWU Enhance) before the installer shows up this Friday because if that channel isn't going to be on the DVR's guides, I have to cancel the installation.

Thanks

dlnester

07-11-11, 02:40 PM

I think you have it down as well as can be. KTWU for me is hit-or-miss signal wise.

KSBugeater

07-12-11, 02:58 PM

jojo11

07-12-11, 08:55 PM

BBigJ

07-12-11, 11:12 PM

I just moved from NorCal to Manhattan and I wanted to archive my experiences for others that want to know what to expect with OTA reception. Before moving I looked at this thread and checked my location on antennaweb.org. From what I saw I was darn close to getting rid of my antenna before I moved. I'm really glad I didn't. I can pull in all the Topeka channels with no problem, and most of the KC channels are watchable too (it varies, one day the KC channels will be at 100% and the next day they might be barely watchable at 60% or completely blank at 30%). Fortunately, the best KC channel is Fox, which is the only major network that Topeka doesn't have (at least in HD). It is pretty amazing that most of these channels don't even show up on antennaweb and are listed as grey on tvfool.

For those interested in the details:
I'm using a homemade Gray-Hoverman antenna (similar to the GH6 on this link (http://www.jedsoft.org/fun/antennas/dtv/gh.html)) which I have mounted in the attic. I put it up there on a day when the weather was over 95*, so I did not take the time to aim carefully. I still might be able to improve my performance with some careful adjusting and by putting the antenna in a higher location (it is currently over a single-story section of the house, so I can boost it to the second story to gain another 10 feet or so). My house it at about 1200 feet which is on a hill about 125-150 feet above most of Manhattan. Ignoring the sub-channels (and analog channels) here's what I'm getting:

Topeka (all solid)
KTWU, WIBW, KSNT, KTKA

Kansas City (mostly good, but it depends on channel and time)
WDAF, KCTV, KMBC, KCPT, KMCI, KSHB, K45IO, KPXE, KSMO

Bottom line: OTA is a viable option in Manhattan. Between the antenna and watching shows online, I'll be happily pocketing the money I would have spent on cable TV.

hinkydinky

07-13-11, 09:04 AM

hinkydinky (did you ever work at that store?), you are right on. I have 11-3 in my program guide and I can record it using my AM21 and HR21. The only reason you might not be able to pull in KTWU would be an obstruction, as their signal is pretty strong in the Topeka area. www.tvfool.com will give you an idea of signal strength at your location (provided you're not inside an apartment building).

Excellent news! Thanks.

My family founded Hinky Dinky. I'm the 1st born of the 4th born of the founding brother that ultimately bought his brothers out. I once worked at the commercial bakery the company owned in Omaha...never in a store.

http://www.hinkydinky.net

How do you know what Hinky Dinky is?

hinkydinky

07-13-11, 10:49 AM

Has WIBW made the switch to HD yet? If not, their sister station in the Dub K is making the transition now. Here is the link:

http://www.newscaststudio.com/blog/2011/07/12/wichita-abc-affiliate-working-on-hd-switch/

WIBW is in HD. Is a Wichita ABC affiliate really a sister station to a Topeka CBS affiliate?

Trip in VA

07-13-11, 10:54 AM

WIBW is in HD. Is a Wichita ABC affiliate really a sister station to a Topeka CBS affiliate?

Absolutely. Both are owned by Gray. http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=owner_search&owner=Gray+Television

- Trip

hinkydinky

07-13-11, 11:02 AM

Absolutely. Both are owned by Gray. http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=owner_search&owner=Gray+Television

- Trip

Gotcha.

dlnester

07-13-11, 01:15 PM

WIBW is getting a new HD Ready set installed, but hasn't said anything about going HD for local news broadcasts just saying they're getting HD Ready.

hinkydinky

07-13-11, 01:19 PM

WIBW is getting a new HD Ready set installed, but hasn't said anything about going HD for local news broadcasts just saying they're getting HD Ready.

So you're saying that they're going HD with the locally-originated programming? They've been HD otherwise for some time.

This would explain the fact that they've been doing the evening news from hallways and closets for weeks now. Why they wouldn't be promoting this and explaining why they currently look like community access cable is a mystery to me.

dlnester

07-13-11, 01:21 PM

They are HD from CBS Originated programming, and will be in HD for the Jayhawk Television Network this fall. They have said NOTHING about their local news going HD, but when I asked about the new set being built, they would only say that the set would be "HD Ready"

Here are some pictures of the new set, they've been promoting it heavily on their Facebook pages.

http://www.facebook.com/projectcobra

hinkydinky

07-13-11, 01:24 PM

jojo11

07-18-11, 07:12 PM

As of Sunday (July 17th), WIBW's sister station, KAKE News in Wichita went HD....

http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/KAKE_News_In_HD--Note_For_Cable_Viewers_125734328.html

dlnester

07-18-11, 09:19 PM

Sounds like WIBW is next in line for an HD upgrade after KAKE.

dlnester

07-23-11, 11:25 AM

From Rob Z:
http://kcradio.tripod.com

Despite the objections of cable operators, the FCC approved the sale of KTKA to PBC Broadcasting. PBC will turn operational control of KTKA to its partner, New Vision Television, which already owns KSNT and KTMJ-CA in Topeka. The deal forms, in effect, a triopoly, something rarely seen in television ownership.

KSBugeater

07-27-11, 12:19 PM

Anyone know anything about KTKA-49 moving their studio? I haven't watched them regularly but their reporter tweeted about moving to another station...? I would have thought 27 would move to 49, not the other way around.

dlnester

07-27-11, 02:13 PM

That would seem to be interesting... the only thing I can think of is that the KSNT studios are paid for, and I'm not sure if KTKA's is still being paid off...

KSBugeater

08-01-11, 01:53 PM

My Vizio 551xvt TV's tuner is only picking up 49.1 and not 49.2 and 49.3. I did a partial rescan but it did not add the subchannels. Did someone change the PSIP info when KSNT and KTKA basically merged? I noticed that this morning both stations aired the same local morning show, called something like Kansas News First, and using KSNT's weatherman (not sure about the woman anchor). The woman goofed at signoff just before 7 AM by saying "stay tuned for the Today Show" when actually viewers on 49 switched to GMA. I googled for more info and checked the stations' websites, but found no clarification on this merger. I guess they figure we'll figure it out ourselves?

dlnester

08-01-11, 01:56 PM

I'm not sure if KTKA's digital sub-channels are on the air or not... I would imagine that the CW Network on 49.3 would still be around (??)

Yes, the merger is cloaked in secrecy I think. I notice they have been promoting the website http://www.kansasfirstnews.com but as of this time, it doesn't exist. The KSNT & KTKA news staffs have been merged together. All news/on-air programming originates at the KSNT studio on Highway 24.

dlnester

08-01-11, 01:59 PM

More info on the merger... but not a lot of details...

http://www.ksnt.com/news/local/story/Kansas-First-News-debuts-Saturday/kyJXs7ydRU-De7mJaSHUog.cspx

Kansas_Tom

08-01-11, 05:40 PM

I'm getting 49.2 and 49.3 OTA (through CECB) in Topeka and on Cox Cable.

KSBugeater

08-03-11, 10:23 AM

My Vizio is showing 49.2 and 49.3 again (first reappeared yesterday afternoon).

On Monday evening's 10 PM Kansas First News cast, the anchors did acknowledge the change. Not that I am a big local news watcher, but I am happy Ben and Matt are sticking around. I will miss Nick Hoch (he's probably been gone for months and I just didn't watch 49 enough to notice) as he did some good work and was a capable host of The Drive, the Sunday evening local sports talk show. I hope The Drive continues this fall, but since most of the personalities were in the Journal-World family, it probably won't.

BJS188

08-19-11, 04:48 PM

Has anyone noticed that KSNT is showing some syndicated stuff in HD or a very good upgrade. There was a Law and Order on at 10:30 on Sunday that looked very good. Unfortunately they are also stretching some commercials now.

Also saw some of this on KTMJ on Cox.

dlnester

08-21-11, 02:23 PM

No, but did read that WIBW had the Chiefs Television Network game on in HD on Friday.

mgsports

08-24-11, 10:27 AM

Yes it is the CW is on KTKA.

Kansas_Tom

09-21-11, 08:55 PM

I dumped Cox Cable TV today so I had to set up my equipment for OTA. When I scanned the TV this afternoon I found KSQA broadcasting on 12.1, at least for a little while. It was just a static screen with 3 logo's, one each for KSQA .1, .2 and .3. When I looked again this evening it wasn't there so they must just be testing but maybe things are getting close.

dlnester

09-22-11, 02:39 PM

Some interesting reading from KSQA showing that KTWU/Washburn University is trying to block and keep them off the air.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7021238454

After filing its February 23,2011 modification application, KSQA began searching for a
site for the proposed Channel 22 allotment requested in this proceeding. After extensive efforts, KSQA has determined that Washburn and others are working to prevent KSQA from being able to find a suitable site for the Channel 22 allotment. KSQA has a site from which its Channel 12 station can operate, and KSQA does not believe it will be allowed to obtain a site from which it will be able to construct a Channel 22 station. Moreover, were KSQA able to find a new site, extensive zoning litigation from Washburn and/or others could delay construction for an extensive period.

dlnester

09-22-11, 02:48 PM

It also looks like they are transmitting from the Little Government building in downtown Topeka.

http://g.co/maps/26uz8

KMO80

09-27-11, 10:53 AM

BJS188

09-27-11, 01:47 PM

KTKA merged in to the KSNT building due to overhead cost of KTKA's new building to maintain it. They are, and will, continue to be adding new newscasts. Most of KTKA's employees were let go.

-KSNT/KTKA/KTMJ are airing new episodes of syndicated shows in HD.

-WIBW newscasts will be going HD as Gray Media wants all their stations to be in HD.

All good news except the employees being let go.

I hope all of these stations will be able to handle severe with better. One flake of snow and WIBW goes to SD for three days with crawls that take up two thirds of the screen.

KSBugeater

09-27-11, 02:54 PM

From a tweet by Lauren Seabrook, Kansas First News (27 & 49):
Exciting news for those receiving FOX 43 KTMJ off-air broadcasts - beginning tomorrow, FOX will be in HD!

I asked her if that meant HD on the current 27.2 subchannel or that analog 43 is converting to digital. She is checking on that.

KSBugeater

09-27-11, 03:45 PM

Ms. Seabrook confirmed that KTMJ analog 43 is flash-cutting to digital 43.1 tomorrow. I believe that it will remain at real channel 43. Looks like the signal is oriented westward... will be interesting to see how well I receive it in Meriden.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80&q=call%3dktmj%26type%3dD

KMO80

09-27-11, 04:13 PM

I just saw that posted on Facebook and thought I'd come on here to post it as well.

Kansas First News: Exciting news for those receiving FOX 43 KTMJ off-air broadcasts - beginning tomorrow, FOX will be in HD! Now you will be able to enjoy the NFL, NASCAR and all your favorite shows in off-air broadcast high-definition. You will need to rescan your tuners or televisions. Thank you for watching!

Probably why they said they'd had to go off-air last Thursday or Friday morning to make changes to their signal.

dlnester

09-27-11, 04:22 PM

Now if they could get FOX off that LPTV signal and on a full-power UHF station we would be set!

KSBugeater

09-28-11, 10:24 AM

KTMJ 43.1 reception report: This morning, before sunrise, I scanned for 43 on five of my tuners.

Vizio LED/LCD hooked up to CM 4228 facing KC: Did not find 43.1. It only rarely found 43 analog, so this isn't a big surprise. The grid of the 4228 is fairly directional for UHF (it does pick up 11, 13, 40 & 49 off the backside, rarely 27)

HR10-250 TiVo by DirecTV hooked up to amplified set-top antenna in basement facing Topeka: Did not find 43.1, and signal meter showed NO signal on 43. I receive 11, 13 (UHF 44 only), 27, 40 & 49 on this TiVo.

Emerson LCD hooked up to amplified set-top antenna 8' above ground indoors facing Topeka: Found 43.1, no signal problems.

Insignia Plasma hooked up to same set-top as above: Found 43.1, no signal problems.

Emerson Plasma hooked up to unamplified set-top about 6' above ground indoors: Did not find 43.1. I receive 11, 13 (UHF 44 only), 27, 40 & 49 on this antenna/TV combo.

I can't try my DirecTV HR20 DVRs as they don't have the ability to scan, and DirecTV hasn't added 43's digital signal yet to my knowledge.

KSBugeater

09-28-11, 10:38 AM

It's been three and a half years since Dave Waters posted that KTMJ was ready to flash cut to digital. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13634648#post13634648 Of course, they didn't receive FCC approval until late last year. Finally folks in the Topeka area not subscribed to Cox can receive FOX programming in HD.

Unless, like me, you have an antenna strong enough to pull in WDAF from Kansas City.

Kansas_Tom

09-28-11, 07:54 PM

I'm getting a good signal on 43.1 from Topeka's west side with a DB 4 mounted in the attic pointed towards KTKA and WIBW. I was a little worried about the change because I didn't get the best signal from analog 43.

cece814

09-28-11, 09:52 PM

Great signal KTMJ on 43.1. I am 4 miles away with perfect line of sight of transmitter site with an antenna with 51 elements (18 VHF/33 UHF) with a pre-amp at 29 feet above ground level and I have better signal from K45IO from Kansas City than this pathetic excuse of a station. Please go away KTMJ and let the "adults in Kansas City at WDAF" take over the station so we in the entire Topeka DMA have at least one quality station here.:)

KMO80

09-29-11, 07:41 PM

KMO80

09-29-11, 07:50 PM

All good news except the employees being let go.

I hope all of these stations will be able to handle severe with better. One flake of snow and WIBW goes to SD for three days with crawls that take up two thirds of the screen.

I believe KTKA brought their TruVu Alert HD system to the KSNT building to broadcast the bug & crawl in HD across their networks. Whether they will be using the system for closings, I don't know at all.

Trip in VA

09-29-11, 08:01 PM

I found this interesting... what is this station?

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW)-- A new VHF station, KSQA, is broadcasting, over the air on Channel 12 from downtown Topeka. This is causing interference with WIBW-TV (CBS) on Cox Cable (Ch. 12) in the downtown Topeka area.

If you experience this issue, call Cox at (785) 368-1000 and let them know about the problem you're having as you try to watch WIBW-TV.

WIBW-TV cannot solve this issue, as it is a problem within the Cox Cable system.

Sounds like ingress on the cable system on the analog station. Fun.

KSQA held a permit for a while on 22 and was assigned 12 by the FCC for digital operation. It is on the air with a test pattern of some kind.

- Trip

KSBugeater

09-30-11, 02:39 PM

Great signal KTMJ on 43.1. I am 4 miles away with perfect line of sight of transmitter site with an antenna with 51 elements (18 VHF/33 UHF) with a pre-amp at 29 feet above ground level

You might want to attenuate that signal. It's probably coming in too hot... but maybe not if 11 comes in fine from the same location and a stronger signal.

Also, if you are in Topeka, multipath could be an issue on 43 even if it's not an issue for 11, as different frequencies have different hotspots when the signals are ricocheting around your neighborhood.

Kansas_Tom

09-30-11, 05:57 PM

Well, that didn't last long. KTMJ 43.1 seems to be off the air right now.

Edit: Must have been a temporary glitch, it's back now.

KSBugeater

10-04-11, 05:57 PM

Note to DirecTV subscribers with HD DVRs: (not HD TiVos)

As you know, the DirecTV HD DVR doesn't have the ability to scan for digital OTA stations. So we're limited to whatever DirecTV has in the database of digital stations, which doesn't get updated very often, if ever. However, if you want to be able to watch FOX HD on the new digital 43.1, there is a work-around.

Under Sat & Antenna, Antenna Setup, do Initial Setup. It will ask you for the zip code of your primary area (TV market). Enter your Topeka zip. It may take several minutes, but eventually it will figure out Topeka. For your secondary zip, enter 63101, which is St. Louis. St. Louis has a FOX station which is also located on channel 43. The local programming listings will be incorrect in the guide, but the FOX national programs should show up in the right times. NFL games will probably mostly show up as Rams games, but your DVR will record whatever game KTMJ is showing.

The only bad thing about this workaround is that if your antenna picks up KC stations, you probably already have claimed KC as your secondary market. I noticed that StL also has stations on channels 4, 5, and 9, but I don't know if the networks align with those in KC.

timmy1376

10-05-11, 12:04 AM

Jeez, I am out of the loop. Didn't even know KTMJ has a HD signal now...

Anyone in MHK getting it?

hawkman610

10-05-11, 03:36 PM

I found this thread when googling a couple days ago. I have a couple questions.

I live near Wamego, my primary tv is in the basement. What antenna would you recommend I get to receive digital over the air channels? I can't afford an expensive one.

Also, does anyone know when Directv will start airing local HD channels for the Topeka area?

KMO80

10-06-11, 08:11 PM

On Facebook...
Kansas First News: We expect Dish Network to provide FOX 43 KTMJ in HD, in the very near future. Thanks for watching!

Kansas_Tom

10-07-11, 12:39 AM

KSQA is now broadcasting on 12.1 thru 12.6. Still no clue what the content will be.

KSBugeater

10-07-11, 04:51 PM

In Wamego, you might be able to pick up some stations in your basement with a set-top antenna, but you'll have a lot better luck if you can locate the antenna above ground level and run coax to your TV in the basement. Outdoors on the SE corner of the house would be best. A bow-tie shaped antenna would do well as most stations are UHF, except KTWU-PBS.

To answer your other question, no timeline has been announced at all by DirecTV for carrying Topeka locals in HD over the satellite. There is a list of markets with timelines, but we ain't on it. http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/hd/hd_locals

KMO80

10-11-11, 05:31 PM

Anybody know what KSQA is yet? I have Cox so we don't get it.

BJS188

10-11-11, 05:58 PM

12.1 was broadcasting some programming for a little while early Monday morning but it wasn't on long. It looked like religious programming.

My Tivo is picking up 12.1-6 but I haven't seen a signal on any of them but 12.1.

Kansas_Tom

10-11-11, 07:51 PM

12.1 was broadcasting some programming for a little while early Monday morning but it wasn't on long. It looked like religious programming.

I have seen them running some stuff from a DVD player. I saw the DVD player screens and then what looked like some sort of educational stuff a few days ago.

KMO80

10-13-11, 09:52 AM

So it'll be a pointless station...?

Has anyone noticed that Kansas First News stations are now broadcasting their local "Thanks for watching..." promos in HD?

Kansas_Tom

10-13-11, 05:08 PM

So it'll be a pointless station...?

Nobody knows. I think they are using the DVD stuff for testing and we'll have to wait and see what their content will be. I'm not holding a lot of hope with them running 5 sub channels.

timmy1376

10-24-11, 06:20 PM

I don't know if it's a fluke or just tropo or what, but I am getting 43-1 over in Manhattan very steady. Does anyone know if the 15 translator tower is putting out HD or and I just luck to be getting it now?

KSBugeater

10-25-11, 04:25 PM

I've been having a hard time pulling in KC lately, so I doubt it's tropo. Can you check the real frequency to see if it's the translator.

timmy1376

10-25-11, 06:53 PM

I emailed and received a response today from the engineer at KSNT. He told me they put up a new antenna that had more focused power towards Manhattan. I am very happy to have it!!

Kansas_Tom

10-28-11, 06:21 PM

I wonder what is going on with KTMJ now. They are on 43.3 instead of 43.1.

dustinw82

10-31-11, 05:07 PM

Anyone on Dish Network getting guide info for 43.1?

shlebo

11-09-11, 01:48 PM

I am located in Overbrook which is south of Topeka.

I would like to get the cheapest antenna possible and still be able to atleast pull in one channel that gets the news.

I had an amplified plug in TV antenna that got me nothing at all. I have looked on EBAY at the rotor antennas but am suspicious that they are junk.

Any info or suggestions would be helpful. My budget is tight - can't really even afford antenna but I want the news since it is almost winter.

Here is my antenna web info
* red
vhf KTWU-DT 11.1 PBS TOPEKA, KS 327° 22.6 11
blue
uhf KTMJ-CA 43 FOX TOPEKA, KS 327° 22.6 43
* blue
vhf WIBW-DT 13.1 CBS TOPEKA, KS 297° 30.7 13
blue
uhf KETM-LP 17 FOX TOPEKA, KS 235° 33.2 17
* violet
uhf KTKA-DT 49.1 ABC TOPEKA, KS 308° 25.8 49
* violet
uhf KSNT-DT 27.1 NBC TOPEKA, KS 327° 24.9 27

kansanian

11-09-11, 04:43 PM

shlebo - (I would think that) you should be able to get *something* with a small amplified antenna at your location. I could pull in WIBW in a basement from Manhattan with a small powered antenna...

Try searching here for a more interesting, interactive map of what your coverage looks like in your area: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80

Forgive me for asking some simple questions before getting into detail:

1) What type of receiver are we talking about? a) a newer TV capable of receiving digital broadcast signals, or, b) a DTV converter box?
2) How close was the amplified antenna to the set? Often times, placement is very important - try getting a longer cable (possibly using a coax 'coupler' and a spare piece of coax cable to extend...) and locating the antenna near a window - preferably facing (N)NW as that's where the Topeka area towers are, relative to you. Scan for channels again, and you might just be surprised ;)

As for other antenna types, you can even try building your own - there are some interesting guides available on various sites, and even youtube, that show how one can construct a (UHF) antenna using old coat hangars, a board, and misc items (about $2 worth of screws/washers/etc. from a hardware store) - if you really want to save money, that's probably the absolute cheapest route to go for an antenna. ...Other options are out there, but can be a little pricey.

...On a side note, I now live on the other side of a hill in Manhattan, and went full OTA, no cable :D ...I was amazed to pull in WIBW, KSNT(/Fox), KTKA (with excellent signal), and just barely PBS on occasion. Wish I could get Fox HD, but that seems unlikely in my location - using an "HDX1000" from Radio Shack (a little expensive for what it is, but cheaper than a monthly cable bill for sure!), mounted on a roof where a Dish network dish once was...

shlebo

11-14-11, 01:17 PM

I have a newer tv and the antenna was by the tv, at one point on top of the tv. I do not have it anymore. We live pretty low in Overbrook, I am thinking outdoor might be the only way to pull signal.

KSBugeater

11-15-11, 11:24 AM

I'm in Meriden, almost the same distance from most of the towers as Overbrook, and even in my basement, I can pull in 11, 13, 27, 49 and even 40 with an amplified set-top antenna. A low spot in Overbrook is still a pretty high location since it's about midway between the Kansas and Marais Des Cygnes valleys. Point the loop so that as you look from behind, through the loop, you are facing northwest. Get the antenna at least 2 feet away from the TV. Depending on the type, the TV can interfere with the signal if the antenna rests on top. Rescan frequently as you try different positions, or watch the signal graph if there is one.