Well not all of the Cox viewing area has the new channels yet. According to the website, Cox in Crestview is undergoing a rebuild. But there is no infomation on when it should be completed......

Last week I sent the following email to Cox:

I was wondering when the new HD channels would be coming to Crestview. According to the website, a rebuild is going on in Crestview. However, it goes no info for when this rebuild will be done and it only show a rebuild in the north end of town. My question is when is this rebuild scheduled to be finished and has the southside of Crestview already been finished? Thanks, Chris

Here is the reply:

Dear Chris:


Thank you for your inquiry. The rebuild is a complicated process because after the new lines are put in place then amplifiers must be balanced so that the signal are correct. However when you adjust one amplifier it can cause 3 more to go out of specifications and that results in the tuning process to start again. That is why the web site only has generalized information because what works one one street may not necessarily work on another block. We appreciate your patience while the upgrade work continues. If its any help to you Ft. Walton Beach and Niceville were completed in about 2 months.


Thank you.


Cox Communications Online Technical Support Team


They didn't really answer my question. I am certain that they have a schedule. Would it have hurt them to say the rebuild is scheduled to be completed in June/July time frame? This is certainly not the way that customers who have been with various Cox franchises for 20 years! Are you trying to push me to satellite?

Any new info now that DISH has them available?

This may be the most "concrete" development for Directv HD locals for Mobile-Pensacola to date:

Retransmission Agreement Announced Between LIN TV and Directv (http://lintv.com/news/images/PDFs/news_releases/LIN%20TV%20and%20DIRECTV%20Announce%20Retrans%20Agreement%20 for%20HD%20Signals%20-%206-9-08.pdf)

I am hoping that the HD locals are about to light up now that this milestone has been reached!!

It is good news. I think we will be still be waiting for locals till after D11 is lit. Hopefully we'll have them by football season.

I just so the press press release - Now that D* latest sat is only a couple (hopefully) of weeks from being turned on, I hope we will finally have locals in HD.

Just hope it does not rain on those days !

Like the rain we had today?

This may be the most "concrete" development for Directv HD locals for Mobile-Pensacola to date:

Retransmission Agreement Announced Between LIN TV and Directv (http://lintv.com/news/images/PDFs/news_releases/LIN%20TV%20and%20DIRECTV%20Announce%20Retrans%20Agreement%20 for%20HD%20Signals%20-%206-9-08.pdf)

I am hoping that the HD locals are about to light up now that this milestone has been reached!!

It's been 2 years since they announced that Pen-Mobile would be added. Do you think these 2 (out of 9 locals) is the reason why they haven't launched yet?!

I hope they do get added soon but D* originally announced these for a Dec 2006 launch.

I got emails a few months ago saying that there is an agreement in place for WMPI and WKRG. I think there is an agreement for DirecTV and Sinclair. Whenever we get our locals we should have the Big 4 Networks.

WGNHD is now available with Mediacom in GulfBreeze, Ch 825 .

WGNHD is now available with Mediacom in GulfBreeze, Ch 825 .


Certainly would not mind having it on Directv.

I think we aren't getting locals and a national hds till D11 goes live around August.

I think we aren't getting locals and a national hds till D11 goes live around August.

August would be fine. I'd cut a deal with the devil to make it happen!

Since D* made me ditch the TiVo and get their branded DVR, I've been waiting for HD Locals - unfortunately I got the HR21 that doesn't have the OTA tuner.

With hurricane season upon us, I'll still keep the antenna in the attic, just in case. Even with Ivan and Katrina (and other less devastating storms), my dish was never knocked out of alignment, but this new slimline dish may not fair quite so well - on a pole behind my fence.

Since D* made me ditch the TiVo and get their branded DVR, I've been waiting for HD Locals - unfortunately I got the HR21 that doesn't have the OTA tuner.

With hurricane season upon us, I'll still keep the antenna in the attic, just in case. Even with Ivan and Katrina (and other less devastating storms), my dish was never knocked out of alignment, but this new slimline dish may not fair quite so well - on a pole behind my fence.

You can get an AM21 that's about $50 and it hooks up to the usb port of your hr21 and then you'll have the OTA ability on your hr21.

Anyone have any local Comcast contacts? Anyone know when they might add WALA - Fox to the HD Feeds?
I'm basing this question on this, made on June 12th:
http://www.lintv.com/news/images/PDFs/news_releases/LIN%20TV%20Reaches%20Retrans%20Agreement%20with%20Comcast%20 Corporation%20-%206-12-08.pdf

It is on right now, channel 234 WALAD

Does anyone know what channels you can pick up on Mediacom with a QAM tuner? I went to their website to see if the local HD channels were unscrambled but I couldn't find any info on this. I'm trying to find out for my parents who are thinking of buy their first HDTV.

I found this post from a while back, looking for some of the same information. Here's what I've found.

105-1 NBC Weather Plus
111-1 WKRG-HD (CBS)
111-3 WEAR-HD (ABC)
112-1 WSRE-HD (PBS)
112-2 WPMI-HD (NBC)
115-2 WALA-HD (FOX)

I can't remember all of them in South Mobile County some of them are:
80-2 WPMI - NBC
83-3 WKRG - CBS
83-4 WEAR - ABC
84-1 WEIQ - PBS
84-2 WALA - FOX
Weather plus is somewhere on there, too (79-6 ?)

I've been looking at the spot beam maps available on the Echostar Knowledge Base website for Dishnetwork's 61.5 satellite (Echostar XII, formerly Rainbow 1). What I'm interested in is the Mobile HD locals. I know I need to add a wing dish to get 61.5, and that's no problem; what I'm worried about is that looking at those maps, the spot beam (number 12) seems to be positioned to cover Baton Rouge-New Orleans-Mobile, and it looks like the northeast part of Mobile's DMA is either not covered or will get a *very* weak signal.

Can anyone confirm this or better yet put my fears to rest? How far northeast of Mobile is anyone getting the HD locals on 61.5?

Thanks very much,
WIrving

Just curious - has anyone in the Mobile Area been able to pick up WFGX-TV35 - Digital 50?

I've tried and have not had any luck. I did talk with the station manager, who said that they were hoping for FCC approval to move the tower to Robertsdale to facilitate reception in Mobile, but he was doubtful it would be before October.

Just curious if you are able to get the signal in the Mobile area, and if so at what angle and what equipment?

Just curious - has anyone in the Mobile Area been able to pick up WFGX-TV35 - Digital 50?

I've tried and have not had any luck. I did talk with the station manager, who said that they were hoping for FCC approval to move the tower to Robertsdale to facilitate reception in Mobile, but he was doubtful it would be before October.

Just curious if you are able to get the signal in the Mobile area, and if so at what angle and what equipment?

My trusty Channel Master 4228 resides in my attic in Spanish Fort, and is pointed due east. I get all the stations whose towers are located in Baldwin County, including WSRE (not sure where their tower is located), but I have never picked up WFGX. Maybe with an outside mast and pre- amp, you might have a chance to get it

I've been looking at the spot beam maps available on the Echostar Knowledge Base website for Dishnetwork's 61.5 satellite (Echostar XII, formerly Rainbow 1). What I'm interested in is the Mobile HD locals. I know I need to add a wing dish to get 61.5, and that's no problem; what I'm worried about is that looking at those maps, the spot beam (number 12) seems to be positioned to cover Baton Rouge-New Orleans-Mobile, and it looks like the northeast part of Mobile's DMA is either not covered or will get a *very* weak signal.

Can anyone confirm this or better yet put my fears to rest? How far northeast of Mobile is anyone getting the HD locals on 61.5?

Thanks very much,
WIrving

Can't give you anything on NW Mobile coverage, but I'm in Fort Walton and Mobile HD has not been any problem for me. Transponder 12 (spotbeam 12?) registers an signal strength of 80. So we're not in fringe terrority in NW Florida

Just curious - has anyone in the Mobile Area been able to pick up WFGX-TV35 - Digital 50?

I've tried and have not had any luck. I did talk with the station manager, who said that they were hoping for FCC approval to move the tower to Robertsdale to facilitate reception in Mobile, but he was doubtful it would be before October.

Just curious if you are able to get the signal in the Mobile area, and if so at what angle and what equipment?


The tower is currently between Pensacola and Fort Walton. Coverage map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS1056541.html). As you can see, it is a very "small potatoes" station. Mobile is way over the horizon for coverage.

If they got the FCC approval to move and did a full power transmitter: coverage map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1104633.html)

They just show old reruns, not a HD station, so you're not missing anything.

My trusty Channel Master 4228 resides in my attic in Spanish Fort, and is pointed due east. I get all the stations whose towers are located in Baldwin County, including WSRE (not sure where their tower is located), but I have never picked up WFGX. Maybe with an outside mast and pre- amp, you might have a chance to get it

WSRE's tower is in the same area as most of the other Mobile towers around Robertsdale. That's sort of ground zero for Mobile/Pensacola tv.

Can't give you anything on NW Mobile coverage, but I'm in Fort Walton and Mobile HD has not been any problem for me. Transponder 12 (spotbeam 12?) registers an signal strength of 80. So we're not in fringe terrority in NW Florida

Rick,

If I understand things correctly (not a given, that's for sure!), then I think these channels are actually coming in on transponder 3, spot beam 12. So it'd be your signal strength on transponder 3 on 61.5 that'd be most telling for me. You can know for sure what transponder it is by just tuning to one of the Mobile HD channels, then hit menu-6-1-1 (or whatever it is to look at signal strength). That display should initially show whatever satellite/transponder you were watching when you went into the menu.

Still, I take it as an encouraging sign that you can get them in Ft. Walton; according to the not-too-clear map, the circle showing the footprint for this spot beam only goes as far east as about Pensacola. (For that matter, I think it should be showing an ellipse - rather than a circle - like the other spot beam maps do.) Maybe the map is pretty conservative...

Thanks again,
WIrving

They just show old reruns, not a HD station, so you're not missing anything.
Maybe not now, but in October Smackdown is switching from CW to MyNetworkTV of which WFGX is supposedly our affiliate for Mobile. Comcast, Dish and Direct definitely don't carry it here, I remember seeing somewhere that Mediacom does. If you're a WWE fan like me this is a big deal, them moving the transmitter is the only way we'll be able to watch Smackdown come October.

I live in Niceville, Fl. Dish now offers Mobile ABC, CBS, & FOX in HD via Sat 61.5. My current installation is a Dish 1000.2 antenna receiving Sats 110, 119& 129. 129 is received with very low signal strength and lots of lost signals mostly in the late afternoon. When watching a HD program and drop outs occure it scrws-up the Dish 722 receiver and causes it to re-boots a lot.
Dish scheduled a free service call for 11 July for me to acquire the 61.5 Sat. I have no idea what the installation will be - add another standalone antenna, add a fourth LNB to the existing 1000.2 (don't know if that is an option) or replace the Dish 1000.2 with a different antenna/configuration? I will report the results of the service call.

Update: Yesterday Dish installed a 500 antenna pointing at their 61.5 sat to receive all HD programming, including local HD chs. Output of the 500 antenna is connected to the 1000.2 antenna. Ability to receve the 129 sat HD signals via the 1000.2 antenna was removed. The 1000.2ws realigned to the 110 & 119 sats pointing away from the 129 sat so there is no 129 sat interference. This was done to insure that the 722 HD receive will not try to lock on to the 129 sat during rebooting. I now have great signal strength from the 61.5 110 & 119 sats with no signal loss on any transponder. I am so happy!!!
Note: Dish installer stated that Dish will shortly replace the 1000.2 and Dish 500 antennas with a 1000.5 antenna pointing to 61.5 and new 72 & 77 sats.

I live in Niceville, Fl. Dish now offers Mobile ABC, CBS, & FOX in HD via Sat 61.5. My current installation is a Dish 1000.2 antenna receiving Sats 110, 119& 129....Dish scheduled a free service call for 11 July for me to acquire the 61.5 Sat. I have no idea what the installation will be - add another standalone antenna, add a fourth LNB to the existing 1000.2 (don't know if that is an option) or replace the Dish 1000.2 with a different antenna/configuration?


The 1000.2 has three LNBs on it (for 110, 119 and 129); it also has an available input to connect a 4th LNB to it. I imagine what they'll do is install a 2nd dish (probably a 500) to point at 61.5, and just connect that to the 4th input on the 1000.2. Of course, that new dish will be pointing to the southeast, rather than the soutwest.

WIrving

The 1000.2 has three LNBs on it (for 110, 119 and 129); it also has an available input to connect a 4th LNB to it. I imagine what they'll do is install a 2nd dish (probably a 500) to point at 61.5, and just connect that to the 4th input on the 1000.2. Of course, that new dish will be pointing to the southeast, rather than the soutwest.

WIrving
Got it! I figured it out this morning that I need a second antenna for the HD locals. If you have not tried www.dishpointer.com go to it. Gives alignments for all sat antenna configs for your lat/long location with 3d Google map.

Thanks

It is on right now, channel 234 WALAD

It's about time!

Now that LIN and Comcrap have agreed to something, is WBPG ready to feed a HD signal to them? Their on air signal is not signing on until Feb 17, 2009.

As for WFGX and MyNetworkTV getting a better signal that reaches most of the market, WEAR should make it a subchannel on their station, and in exchange, WFGX could put WEAR on their subchannel, giving WEAR reach well into Walton County and better reach in Destin-Fort Walton.

They do this in Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson with their ABC and MNTV affiliates, since ABC is way up in Asheville and MNTV is in Anderson, two totally opposite sides of the market.

Rick,

If I understand things correctly (not a given, that's for sure!), then I think these channels are actually coming in on transponder 3, spot beam 12. So it'd be your signal strength on transponder 3 on 61.5 that'd be most telling for me. You can know for sure what transponder it is by just tuning to one of the Mobile HD channels, then hit menu-6-1-1 (or whatever it is to look at signal strength). That display should initially show whatever satellite/transponder you were watching when you went into the menu.

Thanks for that tip: This morning when clear, tuned WKRG via Dish and got a signal strenght of 45 on the VIP 722. So not real strong, but serviceable. In comparation, Nick on channel 170, from sat 119, was a even weaker 33. Both were clear with no break up.

The email I got from the WALA engineering department said there would be no HD signal for WBPG fed to Comcast until February 2009.

FYI. The Dish technican said to add "30" to the 722 receiver indicated signal strength to determine the real number.

From dbstalk.com, D* announced today that Mobile is one of several markets that will have HD Locals by the end of the year.

http://dtv.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=324647

As for WFGX and MyNetworkTV getting a better signal that reaches most of the market, WEAR should make it a subchannel on their station, and in exchange, WFGX could put WEAR on their subchannel, giving WEAR reach well into Walton County and better reach in Destin-Fort Walton.

They do this in Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson with their ABC and MNTV affiliates, since ABC is way up in Asheville and MNTV is in Anderson, two totally opposite sides of the market.

That would be nice for them to do - WFGX is owned by WEAR - at least they have the same contacts . . .

From dbstalk.com, D* announced today that Mobile is one of several markets that will have HD Locals by the end of the year.

http://dtv.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=324647

They promised us exactly the same thing before the end of 2006.

I do think the promise will be fulfilled this time, however. Ironic that E* beat D* to the punch in this market with HD locals, although in a half- a**ed way with WPMI, the NBC affiliate not being included.

Mobile is the 3rd largest DMA in the country without HD locals on D*.

I've been waiting since the 2006 promise, but I'm guessing it may only be a couple of weeks more, at most. Of course, I'll still need my OTA antenna for the sub channels.

Mobile is the 3rd largest DMA in the country without HD locals on D*.

I've been waiting since the 2006 promise, but I'm guessing it may only be a couple of weeks more, at most. Of course, I'll still need my OTA antenna for the sub channels.

As long as we have been waiting, a couple of weeks is not going to seem like a long time.

BTW-- And speaking of subchannels- I get about 7 off WEIQ off the tuner to my plasma, and only about 4 subs off the HR 20. What's the deal on that? I am down in a hole, but I am only about a mile and a half from the tower as the crow flies.

BTW-- And speaking of subchannels- I get about 7 off WEIQ off the tuner to my plasma, and only about 4 subs off the HR 20. What's the deal on that? I am down in a hole, but I am only about a mile and a half from the tower as the crow flies.

The HR20 has a pretty bad tuner; I've read several bad reviews of it. My HR20 was fried by lightning and was replaced with a HR21 which doesn't have an OTA tuner. So I only get locals OTA. I'm getting all the PBS subs on channel 10 now as WBIQ, instead of WEIQ on 42.

The HR20 has a pretty bad tuner; I've read several bad reviews of it. My HR20 was fried by lightning and was replaced with a HR21 which doesn't have an OTA tuner. So I only get locals OTA. I'm getting all the PBS subs on channel 10 now as WBIQ, instead of WEIQ on 42.

Does that mean the subs are simply being reported under the wrong tag, or that your antenna is really picking up WBIQ, Channel 10 in Birmingham?

I re-scanned on my plasma's tuner and have both at 10-1 Fox 10 and a 10-1 WBIQ, and it is rather confusing.

Can anyone here receive WXXV-DT from Gulfport and tell me just what it is they're doing? I've heard conflicting things about the station being SD or HD. Are they maybe doing on the fly switching, doing 480i during non-HD programming (no upconversion) and 720p via the splicer?

- Trip

That's exactly what WXXV does all the time, 480i for SD programing then switch to 720p for the available HD programing that they get. Some times they mess up and leave it 480i during a HD program.

Hello Mobile Al. AVS Members,
At about 1pm yesterday, i lost all my UHF analog & digital channels with the exception of WKRG 5.1 " 27". I thougth maybe since T.S. Fay was in proximity
that maybe something was happening at transmision towers since all are located about the same area. I called wala tv 10 but nobody new of a problem. I thought maybe a circuit blew on the pre-amp UHF board but that should have caused WKRG 5.1 "27" to go also. Antenna is up wire connections
are fine. The only other thing i can do is get out another antenna and pre-amp and test. Has anyone else in mobile had this problem with their OTA UHF
signals?

sheikdog,
I've not lost any OTA channels, but have noticed quite a bit less picture quality the past few days, especially on NBC and PBS (WEIQ)--more breakups/pixelation. It's probably my antenna setup though, looking through some trees with the wind from Fay moving branches/leaves around.

I’m over in Gulf Breeze, FL and am strictly OTA with a RS VU-120 antenna. All signals have been coming in strong without any problems. Been watching the Olympics on 15-1 mostly. We’ve had no interruption in reception.

It would seem the problem is on your end.

I noticed more spotbeams on 99s that are on the high 90s. I am wondering if we are getting on locals in HD soon by DirectTV. I know we are the September list, but does anyone know for sure when we can expect HD locals?

As of today Baton Rouge, Little Rock, and Springfield have HD Locals with D*. I was hoping Mobile would light up today, but alas it wasn't mean to be.

Mobile is the 60th largest DMA. There are only two larger markets (both in Virginia) without HD Locals with D* while there are now 20 smaller markets with HD Locals. I was first promised by D* reps we would see HD Locals in our market in fall of 2006.

BTW, according to D*, Little Rock wasn't supposed to have HDs until October.

As of today Baton Rouge, Little Rock, and Springfield have HD Locals with D*. I was hoping Mobile would light up today, but alas it wasn't mean to be.

Mobile is the 60th largest DMA. There are only two larger markets (both in Virginia) without HD Locals with D* while there are now 20 smaller markets with HD Locals. I was first promised by D* reps we would see HD Locals in our market in fall of 2006.

BTW, according to D*, Little Rock wasn't supposed to have HDs until October.

Is there a traditional day of the week for D* to turn on a set of locals, e.g. Monday?

For the last couple of years, D* usually turned on new channels on Wednesday mornings (very early). Recently, they have been adding some new channels on Thursday mornings.

By the way, D* is supposed to have a free preview this weekend (9/5-9/7) of HBO and Cinemax and a free preview of Starz next weekend.

For the last couple of years, D* usually turned on new channels on Wednesday mornings (very early). Recently, they have been adding some new channels on Thursday mornings.

By the way, D* is supposed to have a free preview this weekend (9/5-9/7) of HBO and Cinemax and a free preview of Starz next weekend.

Well, I am turning on the positive thinking. I say they are going to pull the switch for Mobile/Pensacola next week. Let them prove me wrong!

Here is a link to the "offical" D* website which has Mobile/Pensacola sheduled for September:

D* Schedule (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/moreInfoText.jsp?assetId=1620002)

Our local ABC WEAR TV will start broadcasting the local news in HD starting Sunday, tomorrow. That is pretty good considering it is a Sinclair owned station and they were one of the last to pass through network HD at all their stations. They have spent $3 million on a new set and cameras and HD moniters. The will be the 111 out of 1700 station to broadcast the news in HD. Yeah, Pensacola, WEAR HDTV. Starts with 10PM news Sunday.

Great news--thanks for the post!

Our local ABC WEAR TV will start broadcasting the local news in HD starting Sunday, tomorrow. That is pretty good considering it is a Sinclair owned station and they were one of the last to pass through network HD at all their stations. They have spent $3 million on a new set and cameras and HD moniters. The will be the 111 out of 1700 station to broadcast the news in HD. Yeah, Pensacola, WEAR HDTV. Starts with 10PM news Sunday.

That is great to hear, and it puts immediate pressure on the other stations to do the same...

Of course, I am also inclined to wonder whether there are some things you just don't want to see in high def!!

Is anyone out there ISF and/or HAA certified? We are getting out of the very high end audio/video calibration and have sold our Sencore gear. I find it makes more sense to find someone local who specializes in this area and send money their way.

I'm looking for a job in a month, another in three months, a showroom in a month and my personal living room theater (upgrading to a pioneer elite pro 141fd, can't wait...) in about three weeks. (Just ISF for all of these except the theater three months from now.)


Also...


I am looking to hire an entry level technician. Someone who has some experience in this world, or at least in security or electrical. Directv installation experience is a plus. This is an entry level position but we're a small but rapidly growing company and i'm looking for someone interested in making this a career and making good money as a future high level technician or hybrid salesperson.

In addition:

I am looking for a subcontractor to outsource all directv installations to. We are dealers but honestly don't have enough time to take care of our clients. We do this as a service and would love to find someone to send a lot of business too and keep directv on our side happy.

Finally...

I'm also looking for a sales person to work a showroom at a high end furniture gallery. He/she would need to either know, or learn quickly, electronics, speakers and our systems. Most imporant this person needs to adapt to our approach and our way of dealing with clients. This would be a combo salary/benefits/commission job. I am open to outside sales 100% commission, but i'd rather someone who buys into the team and grows their business with us. Ultimately this person would eventually be a sales manager with a team under them.

All that said, even with a bad economy we are having our best year ever. Thanks to everyone on this site who has supported us and recommended us.

Daniel Henderson
Absolute Home Theater

Did anybody notice that at least a majority of that broadcast was in HD?

The feeds for those SEC games of the weeks have been p*** poor for years with really lousy quality video.

All that got cured during the HD portions of the game, with, of course, better definition, and way better contrast and detail.

We finally get this and now the SEC has changed their contract for 2009. Hope will will not have to regress.

All that said, even with a bad economy we are having our best year ever. Thanks to everyone on this site who has supported us and recommended us.

Daniel Henderson
Absolute Home Theater

Always good to hear!

Did anybody notice that at least a majority of that broadcast was in HD?

The feeds for those SEC games of the weeks have been p*** poor for years with really lousy quality video.

All that got cured during the HD portions of the game, with, of course, better definition, and way better contrast and detail.

We finally get this and now the SEC has changed their contract for 2009. Hope will will not have to regress.

Next year, we'll look at CBS and ESPN family of channels(including ABC) for SEC Football. They will have a very high percentage of HD. It's a shame that 44 and 55 aren't broadcasting in HD yet.

By the way, I watched the "big HD reveal" on WEAR-DT on Sunday, and it looked really good. It was especially nice to see the local weather graphics in HD. But none of the sports highlights were HD, not even NFL.

Well, I am turning on the positive thinking. I say they are going to pull the switch for Mobile/Pensacola next week. Let them prove me wrong!

So much for the power of posiive thinking!

Better gear up for next week, or the next. That list did say September!

You know guys, it's just TV I know, but this is getting old. I mean, "hurry up and wait" ain't got nothing on this....:mad:

You know guys, it's just TV I know, but this is getting old. I mean, "hurry up and wait" ain't got nothing on this....:mad:

Jason Crandall at Satelliteguys says the "rest of the September list" gets turned on next week! (http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/143487-directv-add-44-hd-local-markets-updated-launch-schedule-8.html#post1514865)

Hopefully just a short wait now.

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone can give me some info. I'm about to drop Mediacom and go with DirecTV. My question is, I see they don't have local channels in my area (Santa Rosa Beach). However, on the DirecTV site, under the "Local Channels In Your Market" search, the site tells me that there are no Local Affiliates found. Does this mean I'll be able to get the New York/LA feeds for NBC, CBS, etc? Will DirecTV have to send in waivers even though I technically don't have local affiliates?

If I get screwed on this, can anyone recommend an antenna for me to pick up OTA signals? I've tried an antenna before, but I couldn't pick up a thing.

Thanks for any advice.

No recommendations for ISF's in the area? I may have to contract with a guy in Atlanta, and i'd rather use someone local, or at least closer to local.

Also, we are now Pioneer Elite dealers if anyone needs anything.

Daniel

Daniel, WOW Factor (that's me and my father) is located in Pensacola, FL and provides ISF and HAA services from Mobile to Tallahassee. I believe we have emailed with you in the past. Please call us at 850-777-1289 and speak with my father, Gene. I'm sure we can work something out and we'd love the business! Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Graham

Looks like DirectTV will have the HD Locals(All big 4) in Mobile/Pensacola Market on Weds. It is showing up the guide

Saw another poster point this out for one of the other markets that was sheduled to be turned on in September.

Look at the current D* schedule from the website. It lists WEAR, WKRG, WALA, and WPMI as both a standard def block entry, with a seperate HD block entry for each station. I am attaching an image.

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/a5db86b7fb6ce6a233dd4e4599f6b2ce2g.jpg (http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=kas8hfjztcy&thumb=5)


No mention of HD for either of the public TV stations or any of the independants.

I do not recall having seen this before, and take it as a another sign of an HD local activation for this market coming this week.

Looks like DirectTV will have the HD Locals(All big 4) in Mobile/Pensacola Market on Weds. It is showing up the guide

I must have been typing mine when you posted yours!

I just looked at the listings a couple of days ago and the HD locals were not listed like that. So.....maybe we are going to finally get them soon. :eek:

I must have been typing mine when you posted yours!

Must have been. We all want to spread the good news of what's coming.:D

They're here.....Cool...As of this morning we have our local HD's!!!!!!!!!!!

Its time to celebrate.

Yipee! Now it's time to clamor for PBS and Independants!

And there was much rejoicing...

Anyone know when UTV44 actually plans to start showing anything in HD? Right now it's a waste of HD bandwidth on Cox because I've yet to see anything on it in HD.

Anyone know when UTV44 actually plans to start showing anything in HD? Right now it's a waste of HD bandwidth on Cox because I've yet to see anything on it in HD.

It is owned by the same a-holes that own WPMI-NBC, so who knows. I am sure it is broadcasting as a sub on WPMI, using its' bandwidth.

Anyone know when UTV44 actually plans to start showing anything in HD? Right now it's a waste of HD bandwidth on Cox because I've yet to see anything on it in HD.

The SEC game of the week broadcasts are now in HD, and when this station was a UPN affiliate, it carried some of that network's content in HD. I was amazed that the CW did not choose this station as its affiliate, but opted, instead for channel 55, which, as far as I know has no HD content at this time.

Well, the Mobile/PEN people in this thread have their HD with DirecTV but no locals of ANY kind (SD or HD) for the Panama City people!

Yet, Dothan (a smaller market than Panama City) has SD and will get HD by December?!
Plus 2 of their stations are the same stations for PC! (NBC-WJHG & CBS-WTVY)?!

Tallahassee will get HD as well so all 3 surrounding DMAs will have HD by years end but poor PC can't even get SD channels with D*!

Why oh why, D*!

Umm... WJTC-DT 45 ("UTV44") is on its own channel, separate from WPMI-DT 47. Not a subchannel. Don't know how it's set up on cable though.

- Trip

from his emails on the subject of Raycom games in HD

. . . .we do not currently have the capability to air the games in HD. At this point I have no time frame. The only thing holding us back is lack of an HD sat receiver and whatever Frame Sync might be needed. We are still basically an analog plant but we do have the capability to bypass that and put the sat receiver directly into the ASI stream to the transmitter.

Our former owners did not feel the urgency to provide the necessary upgrades to enable us to do so. Our new owners on the other hand see the future more clearly and are focusing efforts to convert all of our stations to HD plants. The down side is there are 42 stations in our company and this will take some time, a considerable capital investment and some patience from viewers during the transition. We are on a schedule to have our entire plant converted over to HD in the next 12-18 months. That's about the best answer we can give you at this time.

from his emails on the subject of Raycom games in HD

. . . .we do not currently have the capability to air the games in HD. At this point I have no time frame. The only thing holding us back is lack of an HD sat receiver and whatever Frame Sync might be needed. We are still basically an analog plant but we do have the capability to bypass that and put the sat receiver directly into the ASI stream to the transmitter.

Our former owners did not feel the urgency to provide the necessary upgrades to enable us to do so. Our new owners on the other hand see the future more clearly and are focusing efforts to convert all of our stations to HD plants. The down side is there are 42 stations in our company and this will take some time, a considerable capital investment and some patience from viewers during the transition. We are on a schedule to have our entire plant converted over to HD in the next 12-18 months. That's about the best answer we can give you at this time.

Well, they are transmitting something more than standard def, OTA for the SEC game of the week. I have my D* receiver set to native resolution, and for the past two weeks the Raycom game has switched to 16X9 aspect, with what appears to be a much cleaner, clearer picture. This is OTA mind you, off my CM antenna in the attic. If it ain't HD, I would sure rather have it than what gets tranmitted over the D* standard def channel!

I believe others have noticed this and commented on this board.

Awsome. Now WBPG can't even play Smallville or Supernatural in widescreen now. Big cut offs on the sides tonight and the picture randomly going from not bad to awful for 2 hours.

Thanks WBPG. How you keep your affiliate license with such poor quality is beyond me.

Awsome. Now WBPG can't even play Smallville or Supernatural in widescreen now. Big cut offs on the sides tonight and the picture randomly going from not bad to awful for 2 hours.

Thanks WBPG. How you keep your affiliate license with such poor quality is beyond me.

Well, think of Panama City. Our CW & My Network channels are sub-feeds of either WJHG TV7 (NBC) or WTVY-4 (CBS) (or both with OTA). We will NEVER see HD versions of those networks as long as they are sub-feeds.

Sub-feeds should be banned. Our NBC has 3, CW, MyNetwork & weather all taking bandwidth from the NBC HD feed. CBS in Dothan has 2 (CW & MyNetwork). No hope of HD of those subs!!!

The Alabama-Arkansas game is High Def(1080i). My TV is reporting that it is with the antenna hooked straight to TV. I seen some 480p football games the last few years with Sunday Ticket, but this game is 720p or better. Maybe 44 can do High Def live events, but they can't time shift programming in HD? Props to 44 for having High Def football.

Well, think of Panama City. Our CW & My Network channels are sub-feeds of either WJHG TV7 (NBC) or WTVY-4 (CBS) (or both with OTA). We will NEVER see HD versions of those networks as long as they are sub-feeds.

Sub-feeds should be banned. Our NBC has 3, CW, MyNetwork & weather all taking bandwidth from the NBC HD feed. CBS in Dothan has 2 (CW & MyNetwork). No hope of HD of those subs!!!

The Panama City ABC is pretty awful too. I think My Network is a sub feed of WEAR3 over here. I doubt it will go HD but I don't watch anything on there.

The Panama City ABC is pretty awful too. I think My Network is a sub feed of WEAR3 over here. I doubt it will go HD but I don't watch anything on there.
Nope, WEAR is only running ABC. 3-1 WEAR-HD and 3-2 WEAR-SD on their full power signal from Baldwin county.

MyNetwork is broadcasting on WFGX-DT 35-2, a lone feed from a separate low power facility that I think is on a cell phone tower near the Gulf Breeze Zoo. The signal from WFGX is so week that I don't know if they broadcast anything in HD.

Whatever became of Sinclair's attempt to move WFGX to the WEAR tower in Baldwin county to increase coverage to include Pensacola and Mobile? I know the first attempt was dismissed, but they are still trying, right? Is the FCC waiting until February to consider facility changes?

Whatever became of Sinclair's attempt to move WFGX to the WEAR tower in Baldwin county to increase coverage to include Pensacola and Mobile? I know the first attempt was dismissed, but they are still trying, right? Is the FCC waiting until February to consider facility changes?

They've got a new pending application for the big signal. It was filed during the FCC maximization window that ended on June 20. Who knows when the FCC will act on it.

- Trip

Awsome. Now WBPG can't even play Smallville or Supernatural in widescreen now. Big cut offs on the sides tonight and the picture randomly going from not bad to awful for 2 hours.

Thanks WBPG. How you keep your affiliate license with such poor quality is beyond me.

WBPG signed on in 2001. Because of this, they were not assigned a companion digital channel. Since Channel 55 is out-of-core for digital television, they have been assigned channel 25. They cannot sign on this channel because it would impact the analog signal of WXXV in Gulfport, MS. So unfortunately, we're stuck until February 17th, 2009.

This market has been hampered by the deals that the station owners have struck.

Sinclair signed a deal with MNTV to put it on their stations...even WFGX which over half the market cannot see with it's weak signal.

Still, I don't see how the CW ended up on WBPG...If I remember correctly, LIN and the CW were very unwilling to go in together at first....while Clear Channel had several stations sign on with them. Having the CW on WJTC would have been as simple as re-aligning the satellite that UPN came on...since both broadcast on 1080i...as does sister station WPMI & NBC.
With WBPG, it involves building a a totally different setup since the CW is in 1080i and sister station WALA is in 720p.

The Alabama-Arkansas game is High Def(1080i). My TV is reporting that it is with the antenna hooked straight to TV. I seen some 480p football games the last few years with Sunday Ticket, but this game is 720p or better. Maybe 44 can do High Def live events, but they can't time shift programming in HD? Props to 44 for having High Def football.

thanks for verifying that my eyes were not deceiving me!

I'm not sure how many people that post on this thread subscribe to DirectTV and have mpeg4 HD equipment. Since DirectTV has added the big 4 in HD via Satellite, anybody seeing breakups on those channels? WMPI 15 seems to breakup to me every so often, but yet I get without breakups OTA.

I have had the same problems with the break-ups on the new Directv local channels, NBC seems to be the worst, but I have experienced it to some degree on all 4 channels

i believe the local hd's on directv are heavily compressed.

I've had no issues with the MOB HD's until tonight. All 4 HD channels broke up with no signal during the 5:30 national news. They finally came in at the same time which leads me it was a D* issue.

However as far as clarity, The 15 NBC signal looks as good as the Panama City 7 NBC OTA signal. I can not see any difference in the OTAs or the D* HDs.

I'm not sure how many people that post on this thread subscribe to DirectTV and have mpeg4 HD equipment. Since DirectTV has added the big 4 in HD via Satellite, anybody seeing breakups on those channels? WMPI 15 seems to breakup to me every so often, but yet I get without breakups OTA.


Yep, same here. I have being seeing a lot of break ups in the signal also. I see them most on WPMI 15. Can't speak to OTA though.

Yep, same here. I have being seeing a lot of break ups in the signal also. I see them most on WPMI 15. Can't speak to OTA though.

After WPMI suffered the damage from hurricane Ivan, their signal has never been right. I’m strictly OTA in Gulf Breeze, FL and the dropouts on their digital signal (47) make watching TV painful. At first, I thought it was multipath on my end until I discovered that the signal is actually breaking up.

My take on it is that we’ll just have to wait until February 17, 2009 when they switch their digital signal back to channel 15. If the breakups continue to occur at that time, then it will be time to challenge their broadcasting license with the FCC.

Anyone getting really bad freeze up and brake ups on cox cable here on the gulf coast? Mine started Friday evening and has gotten really bad today.

I am having some trouble with my OTA in Jay. I am using a large directional antenna on two sections of a tower. I can get most area digital channels just fine and am able to record them using my Tivo HD. My problem is that most of the time I get WALA-DT (Fox-10) & WPMI-DT (NBC-15) with signals in the 80's & 90's, but the signals for both channels will all of a sudden drop to the 50's & 60's for hours at a time. This is usually during the time when I want to watch something. Any ideas as to what may be causing this. WJCT-DT does this as well, although my highest signal strength for it is only in the upper 70's.

My signals for WEAR-DT and WKRG-DT are consistently in the upper 90's with no problems.

Any Suggestions?

Maybe someone else already noticed...but as of today I'm getting our local CW affiliate WBPG-55 on digital, on RF 25. According to my TV they're sending out a 1080i signal, so maybe there's a chance the Saturday ACC games will be in HD...I guess we'll see!

Is there any way to block analog for a digital signal? I wish Fox 25 would turn off analog so could see the CW in HD OTA.:(

WBPG must be putting out a very weak signal under some kind of STA. I can barely pick it up in Midtown Mobile using a loop-rabbit ears antenna on my Insignia converter box. No luck at all getting a signal on my 37" Vizio LCD.

WBPG must be putting out a very weak signal under some kind of STA. I can barely pick it up in Midtown Mobile using a loop-rabbit ears antenna on my Insignia converter box. No luck at all getting a signal on my 37" Vizio LCD.

Yeah, I've noticed their signal is pretty weak. I expect it will be cranked up in February, if TVFool is to be believed. Surprisingly, my "tuning" experience has been exactly opposite of yours--I can get the channel ok using the tuner in my 32" Vizio, but can barely get it using a Digital Stream CECB. (This is with a Terk HDTVa antenna). I'm in the Cottage Hill area, FWIW.

Channel 25-1 (WXXV-DT)

At a location near Pensacola airport, and using my OTA antenna (about 25' above ground), and the ATSC tuner in the TV (not the satellite tuner). I'm periodically receiving a channel identifying itself as WXXV-DT as channel 25-1. (Remember the Roman numerals XXV = 25). However, the content of the broadcast is Channel 3 (ABC/WEAR-DT). I'm also receiving 46-1, which may be a religious based channel. A little research of the FCC website suggests that this might be a Montgomery, AL based channel 46 operated by Trinity Broadcasting but I never saw any station identification.

Also getting 12-1, 12-2 and 12-3 (WBPQ) from Pensacola (actually broadcasting on channel 7).

Channel 25-1 (WXXV-DT)

At a location near Pensacola airport, and using my OTA antenna (about 25' above ground), and the ATSC tuner in the TV (not the satellite tuner). I'm periodically receiving a channel identifying itself as WXXV-DT as channel 25-1. (Remember the Roman numerals XXV = 25). However, the content of the broadcast is Channel 3 (ABC/WEAR-DT).

That's very strange. Have you tried doing a new scan or manually tuning to the physical channel number when it's coming in? It's possible the data corrupted the first time you tuned it, and the tuner thinks it's supposed to be on channel 17 when it should be on channel 48. Try tuning 48-1 or 48-3 when it comes in and see if it does the same thing.

I'm also receiving 46-1, which may be a religious based channel. A little research of the FCC website suggests that this might be a Montgomery, AL based channel 46 operated by Trinity Broadcasting but I never saw any station identification.

My guess is that it's WCTU-LP.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1247262.html

Is it a single subchannel? And do you know what religious network it's airing? You noted that WXXV-DT was the ID of the 25 signal, how is this 46 IDing?

Also getting 12-1, 12-2 and 12-3 (WBPQ) from Pensacola (actually broadcasting on channel 7).

What kind of programming do they have on their subchannels? I assume one of them is White Springs TV (public domain movies), but which one? And how are they IDed?

And this is strange, I can't find any authorization from the FCC for WBQP to operate a digital signal at all, let alone on channel 7.

- Trip

And this is strange, I can't find any authorization from the FCC for WBQP to operate a digital signal at all, let alone on channel 7.
- Trip

This just came up a week or so ago on the radio-info Louisiana board in a post about a Houma LP TV station. While I don't know the answer, I suspect that they are using the license for WRBD-LP to rebroadcast WBQP in digital with the 3 subchannels. Before WBQP started DTV on Channel 7, WRBD was running on channel 8 with an on screen bug ID "WBQP2". The FCC listed a CP to move to channel 7. WBQP2 (channel 8) disappeared before WBQP-DT appeared on channel 7. You seem to be all over this DTV stuff Trip, is this a reasonable answer to how WBQP-LP has a DTV companion channel?
12-1 is WBQP, 12-2 is White Springs, 12-3 is The Word Network, 12-4 sometimes appears with childrens programming.

As for channel 46... I've never seen a station ID for Low Power Channel 46-DT, but they have an on screen bug that says "GCN, The People Channel" The signal is very strong in around Pensacola Bay.

This just came up a week or so ago on the radio-info Louisiana board in a post about a Houma LP TV station. While I don't know the answer, I suspect that they are using the license for WRBD-LP to rebroadcast WBQP in digital with the 3 subchannels. Before WBQP started DTV on Channel 7, WRBD was running on channel 8 with an on screen bug ID "WBQP2". The FCC listed a CP to move to channel 7. WBQP2 (channel 8) disappeared before WBQP-DT appeared on channel 7. You seem to be all over this DTV stuff Trip, is this a reasonable answer to how WBQP-LP has a DTV companion channel?

It makes sense in a very narrow way. They don't have an authorization to operate on channel 7 at all, in analog or digital, though the ID slide you saw would imply that's the case. They do have an application to put an analog signal on channel 7 though.

12-1 is WBQP, 12-2 is White Springs, 12-3 is The Word Network, 12-4 sometimes appears with childrens programming.

As for channel 46... I've never seen a station ID for Low Power Channel 46-DT, but they have an on screen bug that says "GCN, The People Channel" The signal is very strong in around Pensacola Bay.

Thanks for these. Any idea what kind of kids' programming is shown on 12-4?

- Trip

Alright, I ran over to Radio-Info and found the thread in question. Because I feel a lot better posting here than there, I'll try to clear it up for you here.

LP and CA stations had a filing window for companion channels like the full-service stations have. It was in 2006 or 2007, and some of those stations are on the air already. Where I live, four networks (CBS/ABC/Fox/My) are all carried in SD on WAHU-LD, a companion channel to the Fox station in the group.

If a station didn't do that, they can flash-cut to digital. So WRBD-LP could, with authorization from the FCC, flash-cut to digital. They could simulcast WBQP as well, and act as its digital station (see KCWI/KDMI in Des Moines for a full-power example of such a situation) as long as both are IDed and they have authority to be on the air.

WBQP's digital operation does not appear to be legal. I can't find any documentation to show authorization for a digital signal on channel 7.

- Trip

WXXV-DT

Going to the FCC database, I see that this is a station operating out of Gulfport, MS: Analog, 25; digital, 48. (And, by the way, I'm not picking it up at the moment.) Now, digital 48 is also licensed to a Pensacola station WBFD, which I'm not picking up, I think due to the orientation of my antenna. It is pointed at 303 degrees (west towards Gulfport?) and needs to be at about 50 for WFBD.

Thinking back, I occasionally saw WEAR-DT material appearing on 48-1 and/or 48-3, before seeing it show up on the mysterious 25-1 (which is really another 48-1). Some sideband or overtone from RF channel 17?

As pointed out by someone else, 46-1 has not shown a station ID on the few occasions that I have seen it. And WBPQ, RF 7 appearing as digital 12-1, etc., has been available for almost a year.

Thanks for these. Any idea what kind of kids' programming is shown on 12-4?
- Trip
I have no idea what was on 12-4. It was public domain & christian based childrens shows 24 hours a day. I never watched or paid much attention to the channel and it hasn't been on in at least two months. It wasn't on all the time before that. I'll try to pay more attention and see if it reappears.
I hope I'm not causing any legal problems for channel 12 by posting on here, but that digital station has been on over 6 months, maybe a year.
Channel 46 is new, less than 6 months old.

Channel 12 (Digital 7)

the presence of this digital channel was reported as early as May 2007-- see posts #2723 and #2724 in this thread of this forum.

I have no idea what was on 12-4. It was public domain & christian based childrens shows 24 hours a day. I never watched or paid much attention to the channel and it hasn't been on in at least two months. It wasn't on all the time before that. I'll try to pay more attention and see if it reappears.
I hope I'm not causing any legal problems for channel 12 by posting on here, but that digital station has been on over 6 months, maybe a year.
Channel 46 is new, less than 6 months old.

You wouldn't be causing them legal problems if they were operating legally in the first place. If nobody reports them, it should be fine for the time being.

If I were them, I would immediately file an STA with the FCC to operate channel 7 digitally under the WRBD-LP license. They're operating the analog WBQP-CA under STA, I don't see why they wouldn't do that with their digital.

Is there anyone in the market using a Windows-based computer with a tuner card and an antenna who might have some free time and be willing to give me a hand in collecting some data on your local stations? If so, please e-mail or PM me and I'll provide more details.

- Trip

Trip,
If your taking notes, I just remembered something else about channel 46. A few months before they signed on with the GCN digital channel they signed on in analog running Daystar. The analog station was only on the air for 1 to 2 months before going dark and re-appearing as in digital with GCN.
I looked at your website, very cool.
There is an interesting local channel that probably doesn't qualify for your list, but I figured you'd like to hear about it anyway, unless you already know about it. Pensacola has an old LP/translator on channel 39 that has a very powerful signal. It has been dark for about 10 years, but every few months they power it up and run a loop of 20 year old local commercials. The loop will play for about a week then the station will go silent for a few more months.

There is an interesting local channel that probably doesn't qualify for your list, but I figured you'd like to hear about it anyway, unless you already know about it. Pensacola has an old LP/translator on channel 39 that has a very powerful signal. It has been dark for about 10 years, but every few months they power it up and run a loop of 20 year old local commercials. The loop will play for about a week then the station will go silent for a few more months.

Interesting. The FCC will not allow a station to keep its license if it's silent for more than a year without making a transmission, so in this case, it sounds like this translator signs on every so often just to keep the license alive.

- Trip

Interesting. The FCC will not allow a station to keep its license if it's silent for more than a year without making a transmission, so in this case, it sounds like this translator signs on every so often just to keep the license alive.


Yeah, that's what I thought and that's why it's interesting. They've been doing this for about 10 years, give or take. There was a recent change in ownership of channel 39 (which was an ACTS translator with local commercials) from PCC (WPCS-FM and it's massive network of translators) to the Glinters (Pensacola Christian Radio, WNVY-AM, WGCX-FM, etc...) so I suspect we'll be getting another new LP/LD christian TV station one day. I doubt that any other TV market has as many christian TV stations running on commercial licenses as we do.

And keep in mind that Daystar is coming to a full-powered station in Mobile. When WSRE analog goes away, WDPM-DT will sign on channel 23 with Daystar programming.

- Trip

And keep in mind that Daystar is coming to a full-powered station in Mobile. When WSRE analog goes away, WDPM-DT will sign on channel 23 with Daystar programming.
- Trip

Ah yes, the channel that was supposed to be our PAX affiliate. Channel 18 was listed on the PAX network's website as the Mobile O&O affiliate when the network first launched. The website said it would start broadcasting on channel 18 in about 3 months. How many years ago was that?
This will be our third full market non commercial religious station broadcasting with a commercial license. I wonder how many sub channels they'll squeeze onto WDPM...

Back to WBPG-DT 25, is it possible that they have been testing their new facilities at full power? I have been scanning for the station from Santa Rosa county, with my antenna pointed right at it, which just happens to be very close to pointing at WXXV. Last night WBPG popped up, with 95% signal strength, today it's gone. It's hard to believe tropo conditions would bring in such a steady strong signal last night.

Back to WBPG-DT 25, is it possible that they have been testing their new facilities at full power? I have been scanning for the station from Santa Rosa county, with my antenna pointed right at it, which just happens to be very close to pointing at WXXV. Last night WBPG popped up, with 95% signal strength, today it's gone. It's hard to believe tropo conditions would bring in such a steady strong signal last night.


I was also wondering what happened to them--after finding their signal last week it seems to have disappeared.

They probably tested it for short periods of time but can't leave it on the air due to WXXV. My understanding is that they're not allowed to sign it on until WXXV kills analog.

- Trip

Back to WBPG-DT 25, is it possible that they have been testing their new facilities at full power? I have been scanning for the station from Santa Rosa county, with my antenna pointed right at it, which just happens to be very close to pointing at WXXV. Last night WBPG popped up, with 95% signal strength, today it's gone. It's hard to believe tropo conditions would bring in such a steady strong signal last night.

What content did you see when "WBPG" showed up on 25? Was it ABC? WEAR-DT content? Why did you decide it was WBPG-DT?

What content did you see when "WBPG" showed up on 25? Was it ABC? WEAR-DT content? Why did you decide it was WBPG-DT?

The DTV converter box was reporting it as "55-1 The CW" and it was showing South Park, the same program that was on analog channel 55 and Mediacom channel 7.

Another anomaly occurred last night with WJTC. My DTV converter box has always displayed it as WJTC-DT 45-3 (with no -1 or -2). After rescanning last night it has been corrected to 44-1. WFGX is still showing up as 35-2 (no -1).

Does anyone know what happened to WPAN? I'm about 10 miles from their transmitter and I've never gotten a trace of their DTV signal and their analog signal has been dark for months, yet they are still available on cable.

Apparantly AT&T is getting ready to try and turn in on the Birmingham area, but with some opposition from cable companies and the Alabama League of Municipalities U-Verse News (http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1221552917282610.xml&coll=2)

Wonder how long it will take them to get to South Alabama, Northwest Florida with the service?

My subscription to this thread seems to come and go. I have not posted for awhile, but when I came back to the tread today to check, there have been numerous posts, but I never got an email notification as to the activity.

Anyone else had this problem? It seems to occur periodically with AVS Forums.

My subscription to this thread seems to come and go. I have not posted for awhile, but when I came back to the tread today to check, there have been numerous posts, but I never got an email notification as to the activity.

Anyone else had this problem? It seems to occur periodically with AVS Forums.

Same here - Haven't been on the site in a month - no notice of new posts and had to catch up on a whole page of posts. . .

I'm not sure how many people that post on this thread subscribe to DirectTV and have mpeg4 HD equipment. Since DirectTV has added the big 4 in HD via Satellite, anybody seeing breakups on those channels? WMPI 15 seems to breakup to me every so often, but yet I get without breakups OTA.

My home is in Spanish Fort, with the Channel Master eight bay antenna in the attic pointed toward the Baldwin County TV broacast antennas. For some reason, of the "Big 4", WPMI's signal has always been somewhat weaker.

I got occasional breakups OTA, and I still get them with Directv HD. I was going to use SNL as an example, since I recorded it on Saturday and did not watch until Sunday. There were several breakups in evidence. But then I just remembered, my HR20 is still set to use 15-1 to record the show OTA.

I live close to you Mobile Lawyer, on Hwy. 225. I can pick up all the locals OTA except 15.1. I am now using DirectTV HD local for channel 15. Everything else is still coming in OTA with all sub channels included!

One thing to keep in mind with WBQP and WBPG is that the online FCC databases do not always show STA (special temporary authority) grants. So, I wouldn't automatically assume it is an illegal operation.

I guess I'm lucky I can pick up the Big 4, plus 44,23,42 and most days 25(analog) with an indoor RCA amplified antenna(in a closet) in Theodore. I turn my antenna between location of Ch 5 and Ch 15, as long as the signal meter stays solid I'm good.

Apparantly AT&T is getting ready to try and turn in on the Birmingham area, but with some opposition from cable companies and the Alabama League of Municipalities U-Verse News (http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1221552917282610.xml&coll=2)

Wonder how long it will take them to get to South Alabama, Northwest Florida with the service?

It would be nice to have some competition. I would rather see Verizon come down than AT&T. AT&T has a limit on the number of tuners you can view/record at once.

It would be nice to have some competition. I would rather see Verizon come down than AT&T. AT&T has a limit on the number of tuners you can view/record at once.

Let 'em both in. The more the merrier!

I have the 8240 DVR HD receiver. The remote control just takes off randomly and just scrolls thru the channels. I've swapped remote with Cox and it still happens. Assuming its a receiver problem now....

I guess my main questions are...Is this a common problem?
If I swap receivers, how do I copy all the stuff on the DVR to another media, or is it possible?

Any suggestions about the problem.

Thanks

BillD

Continuous, loud, Rat a tat sound. I have heard it briefly before, but this time it lingered for 15 seconds or so. Switched to 10-1 and am now watching off antenna. Afraid to tune back to my HR-20 at the moment.

Anybody else hear this?

Had the same on the Comcast feed

Continuous, loud, Rat a tat sound. I have heard it briefly before, but this time it lingered for 15 seconds or so. Switched to 10-1 and am now watching off antenna. Afraid to tune back to my HR-20 at the moment.

Anybody else hear this?

Had the same on the Comcast feed

I did not hear it again, thank goodness. That was a potentially speaker destroying sound! Would love to know its origin.

It was bad - went on for around 30 seconds - if I had to hazzard a guess, I would say it was either a bad feed from FOX, or something from WALA - since it was on both the Comcast feed as well as DTV.

I just got word that game two of the World Series will be on FOX Sports Espanol, Channel 66 for Bright House customers in the Florida Panhandle.

Does anyone know if or when Dish is going to show the Mobile NBC in HD? I see that Directv has the NBC station in HD.

Chris

Just wondering if any of you guys had problems tonight with the rain and Directv reception. Thinking of making the jump but want to know what I'm dealing with with a rainy night like tonight.

Thanks

Just wondering if any of you guys had problems tonight with the rain and Directv reception. Thinking of making the jump but want to know what I'm dealing with with a rainy night like tonight.

Thanks
Just throwing out a comment about the rain in Gulf Breeze yesterday. It was destroying reception on Mediacom! TVs hooked up to the analog feed had too much static to watch anything and TVs with the digital converter box couldn't pull a usable signal. The higher the channel number, the worse the picture was, so even with cable I was limited to channels 2-20. Very weird night.
This problem has been getting worse for the last couple of months in my neighborhood. Anyone know who I need to call to get all the overhead cables replaced with newer, better insulated, ones? They've already rewired my house from the street to the TV. My cables had the insulation chewed off by squirrels near the phone poll.

Been having trouble receiving Mobile/Pensacola DT Stations lately. I moved here from Chattanooga in August. I have a 37 inch Olevia HDTV with a RCA indoor/outdoor antenna.I live on the USA Campus in a 3 story apt building with the antenna facing southeast. I have not had any reception problems at all with this antenna (with the exception of WALA FOX 10- which I have never been able to receive -suggestions for this problem would be helpful as well) even with temperature inversions I have been able to receive WWL-TV out of New Orleans. But ever since last Thursday I have not been able to receive digital channels at all. I only receive 3 analog channels 15, 44, and 55. 15 and 44 are choppy and snowy at best, and 55 has not had a single problem. I have not been able to figure this problem out i know its not the tv because I have a converter box that dosen't show anything either and its not the antenna because I have used another antenna and get the same problem. I have no idea what to do.

What is a good portable indoor antenna for OTA HD? I live in Spanish Fort. I might use it outside also when I move my projector to watch a ballgame. Thanks for the advice.

I've had good luck with the indoor RCA amplified antennas. I'm in Crestview and can pick up OTA all of the networks execept for WALA FOX 10.

Chris

I have an RCA indoor amplified antenna and have pretty good reception with it in west Mobile, no issues with channel 10. Be sure to look at the VHF rating to get ch 10, UHF determines the rest. May take some work to tweak channel 15 to have a constant signal.

Looks like WKRG's RTN subchannel is finally up and running...sort of.
Right now, it's just the RTN logo, station ID and tone.
They could be testing things before it officially launches.

Looks like WKRG's RTN subchannel is finally up and running...sort of.
Right now, it's just the RTN logo, station ID and tone.
They could be testing things before it officially launches.

Tuned in last night, and got the ID and tone. I am anxious for this programming to be available. More Rockford Files. Yea!

Tuned in last night, and got the ID and tone. I am anxious for this programming to be available. More Rockford Files. Yea!

I didn't know anything about this. I had to look up RTN online and found their website. Here is the link for their programmming.

http://www.rtnville.com/shows.html

WKRG is hard for me to pick up OTA but it looks like RTN has some cool shows from my childhood.

I didn't know anything about this. I had to look up RTN online and found their website. Here is the link for their programmming.

http://www.rtnville.com/shows.html

WKRG is hard for me to pick up OTA but it looks like RTN has some cool shows from my childhood.I tuned into RTN (WKRG 5.3) this afternoon and saw a small segment of Adam-12. Checked in a bit later and saw a little bit of Rockford Files. Good signal in the 90's.

I tuned into RTN (WKRG 5.3) this afternoon and saw a small segment of Adam-12. Checked in a bit later and saw a little bit of Rockford Files. Good signal in the 90's.

But my Directv program guide does not match up with what is playing on the station. Last night, the guide said Rockford Files, and the A Team was on.


I hope that such is just temporary.

Both TitanTV and Windows MCE TV Guide recognize WKRG DT3 but they just say that programming is unavailable. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if the guides catch up to real time programming.

TitanTV now has the correct listings for WKRG DT3 (RTN). All you retro fans can watch Kojak.

Does anyone know if or when Dish is going to show the Mobile NBC in HD? I see that Directv has the NBC station in HD.

Chris

I think Dish has made there last offer and is not negotiating anymore. They had uplinked it, but have now deleted that uplink. No more activity at this time.

I tried the RCA amplified rabbit ears with the UHF loop. It didn't work as well as a non-powered set of Philips rabbit ears so I took it back to the store. Anyone else have a different brand of antenna they are using? Maybe I didn't get the correct model of the RCA?

Hello all,

New to this board :) I have a Samsung LN32A330 32" LCD HDTV, and I am currently receiving only local HD through COX cable in Pensacola (no subscription). However, when I'm watching the channels every 15 minutes or so the audio will dropout and I have to the change the channel and change it back to fix the problem. Sometimes the audio will fix itself. Does anyone else have this problem?

I tried the RCA amplified rabbit ears with the UHF loop. It didn't work as well as a non-powered set of Philips rabbit ears so I took it back to the store. Anyone else have a different brand of antenna they are using? Maybe I didn't get the correct model of the RCA?

I have model ANT1250, I don't think you can get it local anymore.
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT1250-Amplified-indoor-Antenna/dp/B000063SNE

It works great on the digital channels in this area(or at least in West Mobile).

The Silver Sensor is an unpowered UHF antenna that works remarkably well for its size. It doesn't work well on Hi-VHF, unfortunately (WALA-DT). Check out Sears to try one out (and return if it doesn't work)... it is sold under both RCA and Zenith brands. I am out toward Baker and can pull in the UHF stations from inside--not perfectly, but it gives you an idea of the performance of the antenna. Maybe you could even get WALA-DT from your location--you're a lot closer than I am.

The Silver Sensor is an unpowered UHF antenna that works remarkably well for its size. It doesn't work well on Hi-VHF, unfortunately (WALA-DT). Check out Sears to try one out (and return if it doesn't work)... it is sold under both RCA and Zenith brands. I am out toward Baker and can pull in the UHF stations from inside--not perfectly, but it gives you an idea of the performance of the antenna. Maybe you could even get WALA-DT from your location--you're a lot closer than I am.
Silver Sensor also available with Phillips brand name.
I'm in Gulf Shores, and it works great for me, even on FOX.

It's kinda spooky how good a job that little thing does... better than a bigger external antenna I used to use.

Hello all,

New to this board :) I have a Samsung LN32A330 32" LCD HDTV, and I am currently receiving only local HD through COX cable in Pensacola (no subscription). However, when I'm watching the channels every 15 minutes or so the audio will dropout and I have to the change the channel and change it back to fix the problem. Sometimes the audio will fix itself. Does anyone else have this problem?

I have it periodically too. Right now (11/29/08), everything is fine. CNNHD and WEARHD seem to be the biggest problem when it occurs.

Marlin

Crestview finally got its cable rebuild done. So now we have new HD channels like SciFi and USA. The cable guide lists Lifetime HD and shows the shows coming on that channel; however, the picture is black when you tune to that channel. In addition, the Cox channel lineup for Crestview, it lists Versus HD for channel 742, but that channel doesn't appear in my cable guide. I did a reboot of the STB, but both of those channels didn't appear. Anyone have any idea about VersusHD? I really want to watch hockey in HD.

Chris

Anybody watch the Bears vs Vikings game Sunday night on Ch 15? I watched it via OTA and heard static audio about every 10 to 15 min during the game?

Crestview finally got its cable rebuild done. So now we have new HD channels like SciFi and USA. The cable guide lists Lifetime HD and shows the shows coming on that channel; however, the picture is black when you tune to that channel. In addition, the Cox channel lineup for Crestview, it lists Versus HD for channel 742, but that channel doesn't appear in my cable guide. I did a reboot of the STB, but both of those channels didn't appear. Anyone have any idea about VersusHD? I really want to watch hockey in HD.

Chris

Tonight we now have Versus HD on Cox. However, Lifetime HD is still dark.

Chris

Hi,
Haven't posted in this thread in a long time, so hope it's correct place. I live in Panama City and have Comcast Digital.

We no longer receive the PBS signal for the McNeil Lehrer News Hour in the High Def channel. Actually checked and not receiving the show that comes on prior to it either.

Anyone have a clue? thnx!

If you can, rescan your channels, and the WSRE channels should correctly sort themselves out, and you should also see 23-4. If that doesn't work, tune to 23-2 for the HD channel instead of 23-1.

If you can, rescan your channels, and the WSRE channels should correctly sort themselves out, and you should also see 23-4. If that doesn't work, tune to 23-2 for the HD channel instead of 23-1.

This is with comcast, my problem. Not the tuner on my tv. The comcast channel is one of the PBS channels, like 251 or there abouts. I haven't called them this time but when I have in the past they always say "we broadcast what is sent to us".

The comcast channel listing indicates there should be broadcasts, but there's nothing...

regards,

Re: WFSG - on Wednesday, we went up to 150000 watts (from 50000). On Thursday, the system was proofed out by the transmitter manufacturer. On Friday, the feed line began to die and by Friday afternoon, it had failed. We had a crew in Sunday to find the problem. I have not yet heard what they found. If we need to buy new transmission sections, we could be down for a while.
Sorry.

Is anyone else having audio issues with WPMI-DT? I am no longer receiving a 5.1 signal for their HD programming. This has happened for at least three shows that I have recorded using my Tivo HD. There is also some static in the sound that I do get. I know this in not a problem with the Tivo or my Audio Receiver as I get great 5.1 sound from WKRG-DT and WEAR-DT.

I will check it tonight during Chuck & Heroes to see if it continues.

I have it periodically too. Right now (11/29/08), everything is fine. CNNHD and WEARHD seem to be the biggest problem when it occurs.

Marlin

Ok, I'm glad it isn't my TV. Sometimes it won't happen for days...it's very strange. I think it might be the wiring in my building. Thanks again :)

Anybody watch the Bears vs Vikings game Sunday night on Ch 15? I watched it via OTA and heard static audio about every 10 to 15 min during the game?

I get that problem on NBC all the time. I am wondering what the issue is as well.

I get that problem on NBC all the time. I am wondering what the issue is as well.

I contacted NBC and this is the reply I received...

"NBC is in the process of replacing/upgrading all of their receive equipment from an MPEG-2 format to an MPEG-4 format. We are on a temporary receiver until that upgrade is completed. They are currently not sending the Dolby metadata the same way to code our Dolby 5.1 encoder and that should be corrected when they have completed the upgrade which is scheduled for some time before the end of the year."


I looks like we should be back to 5.1 sound by January!

As a new Dish HD subscriber, I was looking forward to watching the Super Bowl in HD for the first time. Imagine my horror when I found out that NBC will be broadcasting the Super Bowl this time around and WPMI in Mobile is the one network I can't get in HD.

I did some searching on the internet and in this thread, but the best I can find is that the channel was bought right around the time that the Mobile locals were going HD on Dish and that there were probably some new negotiations going on.

Does anyone have any info on where this stands and if we will get WPMI in HD on Dish anytime in the near future?

Edit: I e-mailed WPMI and got the following reply:
"Unfortunately we can't give you a timetable on that. We are only being told by our corporate management that negotiations are continuing. It's not a local decision. We are available over the air in HD, on DirecTV and all the cable systems."

Nice to know us Dish subs are so special... Sure hope they get this figured out soon.

As a new Dish HD subscriber, I was looking forward to watching the Super Bowl in HD for the first time. Imagine my horror when I found out that NBC will be broadcasting the Super Bowl this time around and WPMI in Mobile is the one network I can't get in HD.
I don't have any inside info other than what's here and on other forums like satelliteguys. But I've been with Dish a long time, enough to say don't hold your breath. I put up an antenna and haven't looked back. If they add it, great, but if you're waiting on Dish to get in gear on anything you'll be disappointed. They will add it eventually but it might be next month, or 2 years from now, who knows.

Im new to this HD stuff and antenna experimentation could get very costly. Want to save some bucks by not buying junk antennas for my dad and myself again. We are both tired of interupted signals pixelated pictures and sometimes nothing on the few channels we get. I live a short distance from mobile bay in hollingers island half a mile from the dog river bridge, my dad lives on dog river both of us in the 36605 zip code. I have a terk HDTV outdoor (small square one, which works better than his), he has a channel master 3010. We both have lots of trees that dont belong to us and of course are very low elevation. His antenna is maybe 25 ft above sea level, mine is closer to 35 above sea level (not ground level) both are mounted above the roof line. Both of us are at a point where we dont care how big the antenna has to be to get reliable broadcasts. My antenna is mounted on an old aluminum street light pole at the NE corner of my metal building with a 4/12 pitch gable type metal roof that basically faces east (and of course west on the other side), my next door neighbor to the west has a metal roof also with a steep pitch at least 6/12 partially facing me. My dads antenna is mounted to the service entrance mast (along with the dish), shingle roof but there are a few low pitch metal roofs nearby on boat sheds including his own. Moving the antennas arent much of an option for either of us and dont have any electrical power easily accessible for amps or rotors. Are we dreaming thinkning we can get relaible HDTV signals over the air? According to antennapoint.com we are between 72 and 94 degrees and less than 35 miles from all the major transmitters in Bladwin county. The mississipi transmitters I believe are all out of reach at 50 plus miles and anywhere from 270 to 309 degrees (and mine and neighbors metal roof may definitely reflect some of those signals and cause problems). Any suggestions other than just buy, buy, buy until we find one that works best for each of us?

Is anyone experiencing dropout on COX cable HD?

I'm having an issue with WALA on Comcast, whenever something pre-recorded is playing, the video is very jumpy. It freezes and speeds back up to where it should be. Live video is ok. However, this is not an issue on their off-air signal at all.
I am receiving it via my QAM tuner on my Vizio 37" TV set.
Any idea what it could be...compression on Comcast's end?

I've noticed similar "jumpiness" with WALA. I'm watching OTA though. Odd part is, it is only on the commercials where I see it--not with the main programming, either live or pre-recorded. And, it's just the video--no issues with the audio.

The jumping issue happens to me too, but it seems like it only does it when they are playing syndicated content, not the standard prime time shows. I noticed it the other night when they were broadcasting re-runs of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

You can add me to the list of those experiencing the "jumping" on WALA-DT using OTA. I do not notice it during the local news, mine is especially bad during "Everybody Loves Raymond." It is worse on my Vizio LCD in the bedroom than on my old Samsung CRT HDTV using the Tivo HD.

Im new to this HD stuff and antenna experimentation could get very costly. Want to save some bucks by not buying junk antennas for my dad and myself again. We are both tired of interupted signals pixelated pictures and sometimes nothing on the few channels we get. I live a short distance from mobile bay in hollingers island half a mile from the dog river bridge, my dad lives on dog river both of us in the 36605 zip code. I have a terk HDTV outdoor (small square one, which works better than his), he has a channel master 3010. We both have lots of trees that dont belong to us and of course are very low elevation. His antenna is maybe 25 ft above sea level, mine is closer to 35 above sea level (not ground level) both are mounted above the roof line. Both of us are at a point where we dont care how big the antenna has to be to get reliable broadcasts. My antenna is mounted on an old aluminum street light pole at the NE corner of my metal building with a 4/12 pitch gable type metal roof that basically faces east (and of course west on the other side), my next door neighbor to the west has a metal roof also with a steep pitch at least 6/12 partially facing me. My dads antenna is mounted to the service entrance mast (along with the dish), shingle roof but there are a few low pitch metal roofs nearby on boat sheds including his own. Moving the antennas arent much of an option for either of us and dont have any electrical power easily accessible for amps or rotors. Are we dreaming thinkning we can get relaible HDTV signals over the air? According to antennapoint.com we are between 72 and 94 degrees and less than 35 miles from all the major transmitters in Bladwin county. The mississipi transmitters I believe are all out of reach at 50 plus miles and anywhere from 270 to 309 degrees (and mine and neighbors metal roof may definitely reflect some of those signals and cause problems). Any suggestions other than just buy, buy, buy until we find one that works best for each of us?

Your first stop, if you haven't checked it out already, should be a DTV signal website like http://www.tvfool.com or http://www.antennaweb.org. I put your ZIP in tvfool.com and it looks like the majority of the Alabama locals are at 91 degrees and 27-29 miles, with a few at 73-77 degrees at 12-19 miles. You should be able to get all of those channels by pointing at 91 degrees (farther stations). They are all close enough (easily) to get good OTA reception. I am in 32564 and get solid reception with a Channel Master 4228 UHF antenna and Winegard YA 1713 Hi-VHF antenna (for WALA-DT), both in the attic, so that should give you an idea of what is possible. I am also using a Channel Master 7777 amp. Since you're installing outside anyway, you will want to get as much gain as possible. You are probably close enough to not need the amp. If you want to try an indoor antenna, the Silver Sensor works great. Since you've already got an outdoor mount setup, I'd go for one of the "big" multi-bay UHF antennas like the 4228. As you have discovered, Terk is junk and unfortunately that is what is being pushed to the masses. Good antennas look like antennas--there is no getting around the laws of electromagnetics. Winegard and Channel Master are good brands. I have had good success shopping with solidsignal.com. There is a really good antenna thread here (I see this is your first post, so welcome!) with very knowledgeable folks who can give you specific advice based on your ZIP code. Hopefully I was a little help, but I haven't bought a new antenna for a few years now, so there might be some new stuff out there. But you're absolutely within a reasonable distance to get OTA.

Since WALA-DT is the only VHF station and you're fairly close, you may be able to pick it up with a UHF antenna. Certainly worth a try before you buy a second antenna for just one station.

Got the link to WKRG's website from a DBS Talk post:

Not Ready? (http://www.wkrg.com/technology/article/directv_and_dish_network_not_ready_for_dtv_switch/21983/)

I am not sure what the "test" was, but obviously, every one of us with HD service is getting the digital signal.

It is going to be interesting to see what happens, come February!

To standup616:
I purchased the channelmaster 4228 for my father in Grand Bay, and it works fine. It is good for the upper VHF and UHF bands. You can buy it locally at Electronics Supply on Holcomb Ave. They have it as cheap as any place online.
He picks up WALA-HD with no problem, although he does have problems at time with channel 15-1 (WPMI-HD) and I think its bacause htere is a big, solid tree right in the beam.

To standup616:
I purchased the channelmaster 4228 for my father in Grand Bay, and it works fine. It is good for the upper VHF and UHF bands. You can buy it locally at Electronics Supply on Holcomb Ave. They have it as cheap as any place online.
He picks up WALA-HD with no problem, although he does have problems at time with channel 15-1 (WPMI-HD) and I think its bacause htere is a big, solid tree right in the beam.Does he ever have a problem with WSRE-DT (23-1, 23-2, 23-3)? WPMI-DT (15-1, 15-2) and WSRE share the same tower. I never have a problem with WSRE-DT but WPMI-DT suffers from a lot of audio drop outs.

I'm totally OTA and I've spoken with others that are OTA and they experience the same reception problems with WPMI-DT. The signal strength from WPMI-DT is very erratic. There is definitely something wrong with their system.

We all hope that they will be able to transmit a solid signal when they switch from channel 47 to 15 after the transition.

and I would like to know if anyone in the Mobile, Al area has had dealings with Connect Television who will be doing the install. It won't be an easy install as my current dish is on the eave of a steep 2-story roof. I understand the mounting bracket is larger and may not fit where current antenna is. What are things I should look for from the installer to make sure he is doing a quality job? What kind of signal strength should I look for from the various satellites? How many Sats are there? I currently have a Dual LNB dish with I think, 2 cables coming off of it. Will additional cables need to be run? I have 3-receivers but only one is a HD receiver(H20-100).

Thanks for any insight into this.

Mark

Does he ever have a problem with WSRE-DT (23-1, 23-2, 23-3)? WPMI-DT (15-1, 15-2) and WSRE share the same tower. I never have a problem with WSRE-DT but WPMI-DT suffers from a lot of audio drop outs.

I just got him a new TV and scanned the channels. It picked up WSRE-DT with no problem, but WPMI-DT might as well be off the air. It has such a weak signal right now. I hope things will change in Feb '09.

and I would like to know if anyone in the Mobile, Al area has had dealings with Connect Television who will be doing the install. It won't be an easy install as my current dish is on the eave of a steep 2-story roof. I understand the mounting bracket is larger and may not fit where current antenna is. What are things I should look for from the installer to make sure he is doing a quality job? What kind of signal strength should I look for from the various satellites? How many Sats are there? I currently have a Dual LNB dish with I think, 2 cables coming off of it. Will additional cables need to be run? I have 3-receivers but only one is a HD receiver(H20-100).

Thanks for any insight into this.

Mark

I am suprised that Bruisters isn't doing your install. Can you list all of your receivers? If all of your recievers are SWM compatible, you might get a 5-LNB SWM slimline dish which would mean 1 wire to inside your house. Most areas in the country are getting 3LNB slimline for new installs, but we get 5LNB because our SD locals are on 119. If not, you should get a 5LNB, which you should get 4 wires to inside your house. You should 90+ signal on all satellite but not on all transponders. 101 is where most SD national channels are located. 99 and 103 are where the new HD(outside of the 70s) is located. I'm not sure if the national on H20 is listed as (a) or (b) on each of those satellites. I wouldn't worry about 110 much anymore, cause all the HD channels there are duplicated on 99 and 103. 119 has our SD locals, not sure of the transponders.

I just got him a new TV and scanned the channels. It picked up WSRE-DT with no problem, but WPMI-DT might as well be off the air. It has such a weak signal right now. I hope things will change in Feb '09.The transmitting antenna for WPMI-DT is actually higher on the tower than the antenna for WSRE-DT and both are listed as transmitting at the same power level. Based upon multiple reception reports from the field, it’s obvious that WPMI-DT is having some problems putting out their signal.

Folks within a few miles of the tower with rabbit ears and other folks out in Crestview, FL with 4228’s have all reported the same problems receiving the WPMI-DT signal. For now we can only hope that WPMI-DT finds the root of the problem(s) and sets about fixing things.

I’m sure the engineers are frustrated with their lousy signal and are doing their best to correct things before advertising revenue suffers.

Kevin-

Thanks for the reply. The rep at Direct TV told me that Connect TV was their installer in my area. As for my receivers, I am at work and trying to remember the other two. I believe one is an A65 and one a B65. They are just standard def. and rather old. I will eventually get around to replacing them as I get another HD tv. Right now I only have one HD tv.

I'm sorry, but I don''t know what SWM means. I can only tell you that I asked the Direct TV rep if I would be getting the new style 5-LNB Slimline Dish - and she said 'yes'.

Thanks,

Mark

I bought a 4228 for my dad going to put it on my pole first to see what my metal roof does as far as reflections and seeing through trees. Then put it up at dads 7 miles north and see if it can overcome trees, lower elevation and looking through brookley airfield to see the towers. Will report back on how it handles the obstacles

I'm in Gulf Breeze on Mediacom and just set up my first TV with a built in QAM tuner. When I did a channel scan I got some wild results, like some of the more useless channels came in on 2 or 3 different channels. I can only find the big 5 locals in HD, but my HD DVR gets ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, TBS, TNT, and USA in HD without charging an extra fee. Also, on my new TV with the built in QAM tuner I appear to be getting unscrambled PPV channels. But here's the strangest part and the main reason for this post... on my new HDTV with a built in QAM tuner I am picking up The Pentagon Channel (channel 87-11) and WEIQ - Alabama Public Television (channel 89-7). I can't get either of these channels at all with a direct analog cable feed and they aren't listed in the program/channel guide on my HD DVR. I may be getting some other strange channels that I haven't Identified yet (the channel scan brought up 172 channels, with lots of duplicates) Does anyone have any idea what may be going on here? As far as I know, no cable company in Florida carries APTV.

I'm in Gulf Breeze on Mediacom and just set up my first TV with a built in QAM tuner. When I did a channel scan I got some wild results, like some of the more useless channels came in on 2 or 3 different channels. I can only find the big 5 locals in HD, but my HD DVR gets ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, TBS, TNT, and USA in HD without charging an extra fee. Also, on my new TV with the built in QAM tuner I appear to be getting unscrambled PPV channels. But here's the strangest part and the main reason for this post... on my new HDTV with a built in QAM tuner I am picking up The Pentagon Channel (channel 87-11) and WEIQ - Alabama Public Television (channel 89-7). I can't get either of these channels at all with a direct analog cable feed and they aren't listed in the program/channel guide on my HD DVR. I may be getting some other strange channels that I haven't Identified yet (the channel scan brought up 172 channels, with lots of duplicates) Does anyone have any idea what may be going on here? As far as I know, no cable company in Florida carries APTV.

Klaatu barada nikto!

Klaatu barada nikto!

So your suggestion is that I turn the power off for 30 minutes and hope I don't get shot by the military when it comes back on? It's not like the fate of the world depends on my TV working corectly. I think I'll just wait for someone that uses Mediacom in Gulf Breeze or Navarre or a Mediacom tech to comment on my post.
I doubt I could get any help from Mediacom telephone tech support. I thought I had read that people were getting ESPN-HD and USA-HD, etc... using the built in QAM tuner but without the Mediacom HD converter box, I know the box is required to get HBO and the other premium channels.

And yeah, Mobilelawyer, I know I'm from Gulf Breeze, but I've never met Klaatu.

Kevin-

Thanks for the reply. The rep at Direct TV told me that Connect TV was their installer in my area. As for my receivers, I am at work and trying to remember the other two. I believe one is an A65 and one a B65. They are just standard def. and rather old. I will eventually get around to replacing them as I get another HD tv. Right now I only have one HD tv.

I'm sorry, but I don''t know what SWM means. I can only tell you that I asked the Direct TV rep if I would be getting the new style 5-LNB Slimline Dish - and she said 'yes'.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark,

I think you will be getting a Slimline 5LNB Dish, not a SWM Dish. Your older receivers A65 and B65. The only SD reciever that is SWM compatible is the D12. Enjoy your HD upgrade and keep us posted on your install.

So your suggestion is that I turn the power off for 30 minutes and hope I don't get shot by the military when it comes back on? It's not like the fate of the world depends on my TV working corectly. I think I'll just wait for someone that uses Mediacom in Gulf Breeze or Navarre or a Mediacom tech to comment on my post.
I doubt I could get any help from Mediacom telephone tech support. I thought I had read that people were getting ESPN-HD and USA-HD, etc... using the built in QAM tuner but without the Mediacom HD converter box, I know the box is required to get HBO and the other premium channels.

And yeah, Mobilelawyer, I know I'm from Gulf Breeze, but I've never met Klaatu.

Just kidding, of course. Would that we could get all those HD channels through Mediacom on the Eastern shore, using any means available! That's why I am with Directv. Hope someone in the know can help you with your questions.

Just kidding, of course. Would that we could get all those HD channels through Mediacom on the Eastern shore, using any means available! That's why I am with Directv. Hope someone in the know can help you with your questions.

I know you were kidding, Gulf Breeze is the home of Alien encounters, and coincidentally I saw that B&W movie on AMC about 10 days ago (forgot the name).

I'm sure if I play with it some more I can find ESPN-HD, CNN-HD, USA-HD, etc...but the channel numbering is just insane, following no pattern that I can see and the channel numbers don't appear to be listed anywhere. I'm really shocked that I found Alabama Public Television on Cable! APTV is one of the main reasons I still have a rooftop antenna. I've read other post (about other markets) where people say they get the Music Choice channels along with unscrambled PPV on their ATSC or QAM tuners, but I'm not getting any music. I'm also getting a whole lot of channels with the wrong aspect ratio (formatted in 16:9 but appearing on screen as a small picture with black bars on all 4 sides) I can't find any settings to change this and when I change the setting to stretch the picture to fill the whole screen the picture quality goes way down.

Oh yeah, if anyone subscribing to or working for Mediacom in South Santa Rosa can offer advice, I'd really appreciate it. I got this TV for my mom for Christmas. She doesn't want a DVR or converter box. I was sure I could get her the "non-premium" channels in HD without a box before I bought the TV but I didn't call Mediacom to check. That's what the integrated QAM tuner is for, right?

The last time I tried this (Baker/Milligan) I could only get the Big 5 in the clear via QAM (channel numbers posted earlier (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14185493#post14185493) in the thread). Do you have the channel numbers of the ones you found? I can see if I get them up here. That would be great, as I don't have an HD converter.

The only HD channels I found in the mess of 170 channels the auto scan came up with were the big 5. I think they were on 111-1,2,3,4,5. WPMI Weather Plus was on there somewhere in SD. But what made my jaw drop was finding WEIQ-SD on 89-7. The set is at my mom's house and I haven't been able to play with it enough. I expect to find ESPN, ESPN2, CNN, TBS, TNT, USA and WGN in HD somewhere because I get them on my HD DVR without paying an extra fee. I don't get Showtime-HD or the any channels in the HD package including HDNet, Mojo, and Universal HD on my HD DVR, and I don't expect to find them on her TV either. I think I need to play with the TV some more before posting any more of my results. We're both on Mediacom and live in the same neighborhood, so the feed should be the same at both of our houses. I would buy myself a new HD-LCD tv if I could just figure out to do with my perfectly good 36 inch CRT.
Some other things I remember are that the channel numbers were all over the place, some channels had 2 digit numbers and some others had 6 digit numbers. I also got 3 or 4 shopping channels with no audio including channel 1-0. The instruction manual is very brief, basically covering the inputs but it has no helpful information about the setup menu and I can't find anything on the web that relates to my situation.

I know you were kidding, Gulf Breeze is the home of Alien encounters, and coincidentally I saw that B&W movie on AMC about 10 days ago (forgot the name).

I'm sure if I play with it some more I can find ESPN-HD, CNN-HD, USA-HD, etc...but the channel numbering is just insane, following no pattern that I can see and the channel numbers don't appear to be listed anywhere. I'm really shocked that I found Alabama Public Television on Cable! APTV is one of the main reasons I still have a rooftop antenna. I've read other post (about other markets) where people say they get the Music Choice channels along with unscrambled PPV on their ATSC or QAM tuners, but I'm not getting any music. I'm also getting a whole lot of channels with the wrong aspect ratio (formatted in 16:9 but appearing on screen as a small picture with black bars on all 4 sides) I can't find any settings to change this and when I change the setting to stretch the picture to fill the whole screen the picture quality goes way down.

Oh yeah, if anyone subscribing to or working for Mediacom in South Santa Rosa can offer advice, I'd really appreciate it. I got this TV for my mom for Christmas. She doesn't want a DVR or converter box. I was sure I could get her the "non-premium" channels in HD without a box before I bought the TV but I didn't call Mediacom to check. That's what the integrated QAM tuner is for, right?

You can use http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels to see what ClearQAM channels you can pick up.

I watched half of the BCS game and all of "Must See TV" last night and I did not experience one audio dropout, just thought I would give an update to those that are receiving local HD via ClearQAM on COX Cable.

I have lost channel 5-3 sometime this past week. It shows up in the guide as RTN programming, but there is nothing there. Anyone else having this problem?

I have lost channel 5-3 sometime this past week. It shows up in the guide as RTN programming, but there is nothing there. Anyone else having this problem?

Business issue. RTN was sold, old owner was slimy and didn't want to give it up nicely, RTN's been a mess ever since. Patience is recommended, the new owner is hard at work trying to fix things.

- Trip

I have lost channel 5-3 sometime this past week. It shows up in the guide as RTN programming, but there is nothing there. Anyone else having this problem?I'm over in Gulf Breeze and am now getting a black screen on channel 5-3. This article explains the problem:

"No ‘Good Times’ For RTN After Distribution Spat"

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6626477.html?industryid=47168

WKRG 5-3 is back on the air! :D

Hopefully the guide data will get caught up soon. Does anybody know if 5-3 will be picked by cable or satellite?

It looks like WBPG-DT is back on the air on reduced power on channel 25. Anyone know how much power they are putting out? I can barely get them in Midtown Mobile, but if the antenna's in the right place, it works. They are putting out HD for CW programming, but not anything else (I was hoping for ACC Basketball in HD like the SEC on WJTC...but oh well...)
Hopefully it will improve when WXXV in Gulfport signs off analog 25.

Did anyone else notice the commentary was out on the NHL game on Sunday (01/18/2009)? Pretty funny when it transitioned to the ice and announcers would be talking into a microphone with no audio.

It looks like WBPG-DT is back on the air on reduced power on channel 25. Anyone know how much power they are putting out? I can barely get them in Midtown Mobile, but if the antenna's in the right place, it works. They are putting out HD for CW programming, but not anything else (I was hoping for ACC Basketball in HD like the SEC on WJTC...but oh well...)
Hopefully it will improve when WXXV in Gulfport signs off analog 25.

Every game I've watched on WJTC has been in SD. When are the HD games broadcast?

It seemed to just be a WPMI problem. I noticed that there was no audio for the announcers too. NBC out of Panama City was fine with audio for the game.

I also noticed that the audio on the Today show on WPMI was awful today. It sounded like it was coming out of a tunnel.

Chris

It seemed to just be a WPMI problem. I noticed that there was no audio for the announcers too. NBC out of Panama City was fine with audio for the game.

I also noticed that the audio on the Today show on WPMI was awful today. It sounded like it was coming out of a tunnel.

Chris

That figures...when NHL finally gets played on an OTA channel WPMI figures out some way to screw it up. They were having tons of issues last Thursday--it would keep switching from HD to SD and the audio would be really screwed up. I guess they are still getting the kinks worked out of their equipment.

It seemed to just be a WPMI problem. I noticed that there was no audio for the announcers too. NBC out of Panama City was fine with audio for the game.

I also noticed that the audio on the Today show on WPMI was awful today. It sounded like it was coming out of a tunnel.

ChrisI have contacted WPMI on several occasions about the problems with their audio and video transmission. They insist that the problem is with the network feed that they receive and there is nothing they can do to fix the problems.

Yet, broadcasts that originate in their studio (such as the local news) exhibit the same audio and video problems (breakups, dropouts, tunnel echo, etc.). This evidence tends to cast doubt on their explanation of the problem.

As you mentioned, other NBC affiliates along the gulf coast are not having these transmission problems. It would seem that something is fundamentally wrong with signal transmitted by WPMI. When the transition occurs, WPMI will be switching back to channel 15 from channel 47 so let’s hope they’re able to get things straightened out.

One of my concerns is that as it stands now, WPMI would be useless as part of the Emergency Broadcast Network in the event of another hurricane hitting the greater Mobile/Pensacola area. Their transmissions are now so unreliable that they would be the last station I’d turn to for news.

I have contacted WPMI on several occasions about the problems with their audio and video transmission. They insist that the problem is with the network feed that they receive and there is nothing they can do to fix the problems.

Yet, broadcasts that originate in their studio (such as the local news) exhibit the same audio and video problems (breakups, dropouts, tunnel echo, etc.). This evidence tends to cast doubt on their explanation of the problem.

As you mentioned, other NBC affiliates along the gulf coast are not having these transmission problems. It would seem that something is fundamentally wrong with signal transmitted by WPMI. When the transition occurs, WPMI will be switching back to channel 15 from channel 47 so let’s hope they’re able to get things straightened out.

One of my concerns is that as it stands now, WPMI would be useless as part of the Emergency Broadcast Network in the event of another hurricane hitting the greater Mobile/Pensacola area. Their transmissions are now so unreliable that they would be the last station I’d turn to for news.

Yep, it's been going on for quite awhile now. I don't know what's wrong with their equipment, but it's pretty annoying. Can't really complain about free TV, but seriously...

Also, I'm still experiencing the speed-up/slow-down issue on WALA syndicated content. Has this been resolved for anyone else?

Does anyone know when the CW (ch 55) is going to switch to HD? Right now I can barely pull it in over my antenna (it is very very snowy).

Does anyone know when the CW (ch 55) is going to switch to HD? Right now I can barely pull it in over my antenna (it is very very snowy).

Whenever analog goes away. WBPG-DT cannot sign on until WXXV-25 analog in Biloxi goes away.

- Trip

Whenever analog goes away. WBPG-DT cannot sign on until WXXV-25 analog in Biloxi goes away.

- Trip

Thanks for the info! :) I am looking forward to it.

Does anyone know when the CW (ch 55) is going to switch to HD? Right now I can barely pull it in over my antenna (it is very very snowy).WBPG-DT currently broadcasts a digital signal on channel 25 which is virtual channel 55.1. I pick them up with about 70% signal strength here in Gulf Breeze with no problems.

WBPG-DT has their antenna on the same tower as WALA-DT. They are located about 47 miles from my location and I use a 91-XG for WBPG-DT and a Winegard YA-1713 for WALA-DT.

Yep, I've been getting a 50-70% signal on WBPG-DT in downtown Pensacola, inside a concrete and steel building, with a half-ass UHF loop for a month or so. I'm probably 35 miles from the tower, so they must be putting out some juice. In comparison, I can't get any signal from WFGX, WPAN, or the LD on channel 46 that are broadcasting from towers east of Gulf Breeze about 15 miles from me. It's starting to look like I won't even need a rooftop antenna for digital after all the stations pump up the power later this year. This has come as quite a surprise. I've had these digital boxes laying around for several months and never got in a hurry to hook them up because I had such low expectations. Turns out that these things are more reliable than cable.

WBPG-DT currently broadcasts a digital signal on channel 25 which is virtual channel 55.1. I pick them up with about 70% signal strength here in Gulf Breeze with no problems.

WBPG-DT has their antenna on the same tower as WALA-DT. They are located about 47 miles from my location and I use a 91-XG for WBPG-DT and a Winegard YA-1713 for WALA-DT.

WBPG-DT currently broadcasts a digital signal on channel 25 which is virtual channel 55.1. I pick them up with about 70% signal strength here in Gulf Breeze with no problems.

WBPG-DT has their antenna on the same tower as WALA-DT. They are located about 47 miles from my location and I use a 91-XG for WBPG-DT and a Winegard YA-1713 for WALA-DT.

Ah, I also have issues with WALA. Luckily I can pull that in through ClearQAM, but over my antenna it's near impossible. Hopefully when the CW switches to HD, COX will provide it, but right now I have to use an antenna. If there is a channel for WBPG-DT on COX, please let me know the number, because I cannot locate it.

Every game I've watched on WJTC has been in SD. When are the HD games broadcast?
The Jefferson-Pilot SEC Football games of the week were in HD. As far as I know that's all that WJTC has been sending out in HD. Does anyone know if anything else broadcast on WJTC was recorded in HD?

The Jefferson-Pilot SEC Football games of the week were in HD. As far as I know that's all that WJTC has been sending out in HD. Does anyone know if anything else broadcast on WJTC was recorded in HD?

Ah, that makes sense. For the most part, their broadcasts look terrible, the colours are out-of-whack and the content will drift in and out of sync.

Ah, I also have issues with WALA. Luckily I can pull that in through ClearQAM, but over my antenna it's near impossible. Hopefully when the CW switches to HD, COX will provide it, but right now I have to use an antenna. If there is a channel for WBPG-DT on COX, please let me know the number, because I cannot locate it.

Cox would have to provide WBPG-DT because the analog will sign off next month. It should also pop up in the HD lineup soon enough.

It would be very helpful to me if WALA could simulcast on one of WBPG's sub channels. I know it won't happen. Right now I can get all the digitals with a cheap (actually a free) indoor antenna. I'm going to have to install a real outdoor antenna if I want to get Fox 10. Seems like such a waste for one good channel considering all the useless channels that come in crystal clear.

Oh, throw my name on the list of people having problems with the WPMI-HD OTA signal and the digital signal provided by Mediacom in Gulf Breeze (Mediacom picks up their locals OTA.) I have settled on watching the analog signal for channel 15 for the past month, too bad I won't have that option this time next month.

Cox would have to provide WBPG-DT because the analog will sign off next month. It should also pop up in the HD lineup soon enough.

It would be very helpful to me if WALA could simulcast on one of WBPG's sub channels. I know it won't happen. Right now I can get all the digitals with a cheap (actually a free) indoor antenna. I'm going to have to install a real outdoor antenna if I want to get Fox 10. Seems like such a waste for one good channel considering all the useless channels that come in crystal clear.

Oh, throw my name on the list of people having problems with the WPMI-HD OTA signal and the digital signal provided by Mediacom in Gulf Breeze (Mediacom picks up their locals OTA.) I have settled on watching the analog signal for channel 15 for the past month, too bad I won't have that option this time next month.

Yep, I feel your pain on FOX. I can get everything crystal clear except WALA and WBPG, very strange. Especially since those towers are closer to me than others. Paying for CableTV blows, but it kind of sucks not being able to get FOX since they carry a lot of good prime time content. I was able to pull it in half-decent by pulling my antenna out to the max length and aiming it at my window. Looked kinda crazy though with the antenna halfway through my living room. Guess I'm lucky I have a QAM tuner, or I would be SOL. I think you can get the local channels plus a few more for like 11 bucks a month--defeats the purpose of OTA though.

WBPG-DT has no STA on file with the FCC, nor does their license allow them to operate before WXXV-25 analog signs off. It sounds to me like someone's doing something they're not supposed to, whether it's transmitting without a license or not having the paperwork in the right place.

- Trip

In comparison, I can't get any signal from WFGX, WPAN, or the LD on channel 46 that are broadcasting from towers east of Gulf Breeze about 15 miles from me.I don’t think that WFGX-DT (real channel 50 and virtual channel 35.1) or WPAN-DT (real channel 40 and virtual channel 53.1) are actually broadcasting OTA. I live about 5 miles west of their towers and I get nothing from either. Also, WCTU-LP (channel 46) is about 12 miles west of my location and I pick them up as a digital station on 46-1. It’s a religious channel.

Ah, I also have issues with WALA. Luckily I can pull that in through ClearQAM, but over my antenna it's near impossible. Hopefully when the CW switches to HD, COX will provide it, but right now I have to use an antenna. If there is a channel for WBPG-DT on COX, please let me know the number, because I cannot locate it.
I may have a good solution for picking up WALA-DT. Try the mclapp 4 bay bowtie antenna (10 inch whiskers). I built one and it picks up WALA-DT and all the other local channels flawlessly. I have it sitting in a first story window (facing west) in my computer room. I don't even have it aimed in the proper direction (northwest) and with no elevation it's picking up WALA-DT at 47 miles away.

The Jefferson-Pilot SEC Football games of the week were in HD. As far as I know that's all that WJTC has been sending out in HD. Does anyone know if anything else broadcast on WJTC was recorded in HD?

WJTC is also carrying Raycom Sports (formerly Jefferson-Pilot) SEC basketball package on Wednesday nights in HD.

It's too bad that WALA/WBPG is not carrying any shows in HD that are now done in HD (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, etc...) WEAR is the only station that is putting out syndicated shows in HD (Ellen & The Insider),

WJTC is also carrying Raycom Sports (formerly Jefferson-Pilot) SEC basketball package on Wednesday nights in HD.

It's too bad that WALA/WBPG is not carrying any shows in HD that are now done in HD (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, etc...) WEAR is the only station that is putting out syndicated shows in HD (Ellen & The Insider),

WALA seems to be playing some syndicated shows in HD, but they are experience some weird frame-rate issues, the shows will speed up and slow down. I could be wrong though about the HD, but it looks nice and sharp on my LCD.

I don’t think that WFGX-DT (real channel 50 and virtual channel 35.1) or WPAN-DT (real channel 40 and virtual channel 53.1) are actually broadcasting OTA. I live about 5 miles west of their towers and I get nothing from either. Also, WCTU-LP (channel 46) is about 12 miles west of my location and I pick them up as a digital station on 46-1. It’s a religious channel.


I may have a good solution for picking up WALA-DT. Try the mclapp 4 bay bowtie antenna (10 inch whiskers). I built one and it picks up WALA-DT and all the other local channels flawlessly. I have it sitting in a first story window (facing west) in my computer room. I don't even have it aimed in the proper direction (northwest) and with no elevation it's picking up WALA-DT at 47 miles away.

Thanks for the info! I'm going to try that and see if my reception improves.

It's too bad that WALA/WBPG is not carrying any shows in HD that are now done in HD (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, etc...) WEAR is the only station that is putting out syndicated shows in HD (Ellen & The Insider),I agree. I have a 42” plasma TV and I leave it set for 16:9 mode. Unfortunately, a lot of stations in our local area broadcast most of their programming in 4:3 mode so I get the black borders on the left and right sides of the picture. Watching too much of that 4:3 stuff can permanently burn those borders into the screen.

For now, when faced with watching 4:3 programs, I can instead switch to the analog signal and watch the 4:3 material stretched to 16:9. Once the analog transmitters are shut down I hope that all the digital transmissions will be in 16:9 format. If they’re not, I intend to limit my viewing to those stations and/or programs that are broadcast as 16:9.

I’ve got an update to a previous post. WPAN is broadcasting a digital signal on channel 40 (virtual 40.1). The content is total infomercials (at least for as long as I could bare to watch…about 5 minutes). So, they are putting out a signal.

At least I think it's WPAN. I never saw a call sign and the information bar on my various tuners didn't ID the station either.

I am located in West Mobile and was wondering what channels I should be able to pickup in HD ?

I have ordered this antenna from Amazon.

Antennas-Direct-DB8-Directional-Antenna

I cannot post the URL yet, since this is my first post.

I plan on putting it in my attic on top of the second floor, maybe mount it to the ceiling joist above the second floor and then splitting it and possibly a booster if needed.

I am located in West Mobile and was wondering what channels I should be able to pickup in HD ?


Check tvfool.com to see what stations are out there, and the direction to point your antenna, for your exact location.

My recent posts were regarding my reception at my office in Pensacola. At my house in Gulf Breeze I've got a big (6 feet long?) old Radio Shack UHF antenna on a 25 foot mast. If I turn it around and point it toward the Gulf Breeze Zoo I can pick up WPAN-DT and WFGX-DT. WPAN is on 40-1 with no PSIP info. WFGX has a weaker signal than WPAN, but at least they remap to 35.1. These stations come in with maybe 50% strength from 15 miles away with a pretty good antenna setup.
Trip already pointed out that WFGX would be working on moving to the Wilcox Road antenna farm as soon as WEAR takes down their analog antenna, so that just leaves WPAN, WFBD, and WAWD broadcasting from the east and no one needs to watch any of those stations right now. I guess if one of them picks up a new network, they'll follow WFGX to the Wilcox Road antenna farm, but I don't see any new networks popping up soon and we're maxed out on religion. Maybe one day we'll have enough hispanics to justify one of them picking up Univision.

I got some great news yesterday. WPMI is now available in HD on Dish. I was seriously bummed that I wasn't going to get the Super Bowl in HD, but now all is well with the world.

Didn't know that. That's good news for us Dish subscribers!

I still have an outside antenna I use because of WPMI and WSRE not being available in HD on Dish, so it wasn't an essential. Still keeping the antenna; increases the number of simultaneous programs I can record on the ViP722 from two to three, and give me options for tv watching when rain fades a problem.

I live in Fort Walton Beach and Dish is the only way I get any networks, so this is big for me (I didn't not want to watch one more Super Bowl in SD).

Edit: I see you live in Fort Walton Beach, too. I didn't think it would be possible for me to get any OTA channels without a tall mast, so I've been relying on Dish.

I will have to let one of my friends know. He just switched from Dish to Directv becuase of the WPMI issue. He was not able to get a good signal on WPMI over the air, and changed providers as a result.

Since the switch over extension got nixed by the House, I assume the February digital transition is on.

What impact, if any, will the switch over have in this market when the analog transmitters are turned off?

I am assuming, based on what I have read, that the digital power level for the stations in this market will stay the same, or am I wrong on that? Will the power output go up on any of the digital stations?

For the folks hobbiests and afficionados who post to this forum, the switchover will probably have no impact at all, I am assuming.

What impact, if any, will the switch over have in this market when the analog transmitters are turned off?

I am assuming, based on what I have read, that the digital power level for the stations in this market will stay the same, or am I wrong on that? Will the power output go up on any of the digital stations?


I believe all the major networks are already operating full power on the DTV transmitter in the Mobile/Pensacola market, so nothing expected there.

For us Fort Walton/Niceville Florida area people, WTVY Dothan is (or was) operating at reduced power on their DTV transmitter. They go full power AND was supposed to switch DTV from ch 36(?) to their analog assigned frequency of channel 4 when the analog transmitter goes dark. That was what I was told a couple of years ago by the station engineer, so the plan may have changed. If it's still on, might catch some of our Crestview members by surprise.

I live in Fort Walton Beach and Dish is the only way I get any networks, so this is big for me (I didn't not want to watch one more Super Bowl in SD).

Edit: I see you live in Fort Walton Beach, too. I didn't think it would be possible for me to get any OTA channels without a tall mast, so I've been relying on Dish.

I'm about a mile east of the Mall. Have a Channelmaster 4228 UHF at about 25-30 feet since 2002. ABC (WEAR), NBC (WPMI), and PBS (WSRE) are solid, reliable signals. CBS (WKRG) is very spotty, can get it sometimes/sometimes not. FOX is a no show, but its also VHF and I gave up on it when I had a previous VHF/UHF combo and just went for the UHF only setup. So you can get some OTA without too much trouble. Having DISH, I wouldn't see the point of you going that route now, unless you couldn't wait for WSRE HD and, like me, wanted rain-fade and third (OTA) tuner DVR options that the outside antenna offers.

I know that I am waiting patiently for the move of WFGX to Wilcox - which won't happen until WEAR's Analog is shutdown . . .

I'm about a mile east of the Mall. Have a Channelmaster 4228 UHF at about 25-30 feet since 2002. ABC (WEAR), NBC (WPMI), and PBS (WSRE) are solid, reliable signals. CBS (WKRG) is very spotty, can get it sometimes/sometimes not. FOX is a no show, but its also VHF and I gave up on it when I had a previous VHF/UHF combo and just went for the UHF only setup. So you can get some OTA without too much trouble. Having DISH, I wouldn't see the point of you going that route now, unless you couldn't wait for WSRE HD and, like me, wanted rain-fade and third (OTA) tuner DVR options that the outside antenna offers.

I'm just a couple miles northwest of the mall. Couldn't see putting up a 25-30 ft mast (or my wife letting me) and, like you said, it wouldn't make much sense now anyway. Now that I've got all the major networks and ESPN in HD, plus my HD DVR (722), I'm happy (if it wasn't for sports, I'd be willing to give up on live TV).

What impact, if any, will the switch over have in this market when the analog transmitters are turned off?There are going to be several significant changes in the greater Mobile/Pensacola area after the transition. First, WSRE will be shutting down their analog transmitter (channel 23) which is located near the Escambia County Sheriffs Department. The location of this transmitter causes a lot of overload for OTA antennas located within 15 miles to the east. Once they shut it down, OTA digital reception should improve significantly in the greater Pensacola area.

WPMI-DT will be switching from channel 47 to channel 15. We’re going to have to watch this closely to see if WPMI-DT will finally be able to put out a quality signal after the transition. As regular WPMI-DT watchers know, their current signal on channel 47 is just abysmal. I empathize with all the Super Bowl fans this weekend since the WPMI-DT signal (both audio and video) will breakup at the most inopportune moments of the game. Let’s hope that when they switch to channel 15, they’ll get their transmitter and/or antenna problems resolved.

Again, with the WSRE analog transmitter shut down, WPMI-DT should have a much better signal. WEIQ-DT (channel 41) will be easier for most everyone in Mobile to recieve as well.

For us Fort Walton/Niceville Florida area people, WTVY Dothan is (or was) operating at reduced power on their DTV transmitter. They go full power AND was supposed to switch DTV from ch 36(?) to their analog assigned frequency of channel 4 when the analog transmitter goes dark. That was what I was told a couple of years ago by the station engineer, so the plan may have changed. If it's still on, might catch some of our Crestview members by surprise.

WTVY will be staying on channel 36.

- Trip

Hello everyone. 1st post on this forum.

I am in Ozark, AL. WTVY is one of my local channels. Are you saying that they are on partial digital power now? If this is true I need to wait til they go full before I start changing my antenna setup. Catching them now at about 40% with occasional dropout occuring.

Got our antenna up high and I've never seen this channel before. What station is on 40.1 digital?

Thanks

It might be WPAN. I think it's mostly infomercials or shopping. Comes out of Fort Walton Beach.

Else, it'd have to be Jackson, WDBD Fox 40. But I figure you'd know if it was Fox.

- Trip

Thanks. I've gotten that FOX from Jackson many times before. Ran a scan as soon as we adjusted our antenna and saw that 40.1, it had a Milton Florida car commercial on it is why I figured someone here would know. I'm getting it 100% since the sun went down. I'm impressed since that tower is 120 miles away from our house.

Got our antenna up high and I've never seen this channel before. What station is on 40.1 digital?

Thanks

It's WPAN;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPAN

Here's a map that shows the location of the transmitter;
http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband/#mvt=m&lat=30.403722&lon=-86.992722&mag=6&zoom=13&q1=30.403722%252C-86.992722

I live about 5 miles west of that transmitter.

I now get a nice strong OTA signal on WBPG-DT which maps as 55.1 on my Panasonic plasma. This channel, however does not show up on the guide when I download the local market and scan to populate OTA's on my HR 20, there is no listing for 55.1 (Of course I get the non-OTA channel 55, but my OTA is a clearer and better signal than the Directv feed of that station). It seems this station used to map to 10.2 or something like that, but no such slot shows up anymore. Has anyone else noticed this?

I now get a nice strong OTA signal on WBPG-DT which maps as 55.1 on my Panasonic plasma. This channel, however does not show up on the guide when I download the local market and scan to populate OTA's on my HR 20, there is no listing for 55.1 (Of course I get the non-OTA channel 55, but my OTA is a clearer and better signal than the Directv feed of that station). It seems this station used to map to 10.2 or something like that, but no such slot shows up anymore. Has anyone else noticed this?
"The station was broadcasting a digital signal on sister station WALA-DT (10.2) until March 2007."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBPG

The listings for WBPG-DT show up on my WMC Guide but they don't yet show up on the Titan TV Guide.

"The station was broadcasting a digital signal on sister station WALA-DT (10.2) until March 2007."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBPG

The listings for WBPG-DT show up on my WMC Guide but they don't yet show up on the Titan TV Guide.

Thanks for the reference. The Wikipedia entry states that WBPG will move to channel 25 when WXXV-TV in Gulfport cuts off its analog signal on "transition day".

Hmmm. I wonder if that will be instaneous or occur some months after WXXV cuts off its analog channel?

I ran a channel scan last night on my TV in my bedroom (older CRT with a converter) and I'm picking up 55.1 (that's what it is mapped too on my box anyway). Is WBPG broadcasting in HD now? The channel was much more clear, but I was still experiencing a lot of dropout.

Thanks for the reference. The Wikipedia entry states that WBPG will move to channel 25 when WXXV-TV in Gulfport cuts off its analog signal on "transition day".

Hmmm. I wonder if that will be instaneous or occur some months after WXXV cuts off its analog channel?WBPG-DT is already broadcasting on channel 25. It's remapped to 55.1 and I think they're at full power even though various reports say they must defer to WXXV in Gulfport. I would guess they worked out some sort of deal in advance of the transition.

I'm located about 47 miles east of the WBPG/WALA tower and the WBPG-DT signal comes in very strong over here. It's stronger than WALA-DT on channel 9.

I called and left a message with the engineer a week ago asking about WBPG-DT and never got a response.

- Trip

Only a couple of glitches during the Super Bowl, surprisingly...

Only a couple of glitches during the Super Bowl, surprisingly...

I did notice that I didn't have 5.1 sound during the game. It seems WPMI is struggling to get the sound working right