Does anyone know (or care) about the status of the W28BE translator in Springfield (which rebroadcasts EWTN)? They're still broadcasting on analog and wreaking havoc on WYZZ-DT north of Springfield, but for at least the past year I have not seen any entries on the FCC's TV query for W28BE. Looks like they're broadcasting illegally--or they had let their license lapse but is staying on the air.

Anyone knows who owns (or owned) channel 28 in Springfield and when analog trannies and LP's are finally shut down if one of the many LP/translator CP's for Springfield (many under the likes of "DTV America") might be used for EWTN (considering the high Catholic population here in the Springfield area)? Or if the channel 33 HSN signal (which upgraded to digital within the past year) might add a 33.2 EWTN subchannel?

And while speaking of the remaining analog trannies in Springfield--considering their financial problems and this ongoing Illinois and national economic and budget troubles, will Network Knowledge (WSEC/WQEC/WMEC) eventually shut down their analog channel 8 translator in Springfield without a digital replacement?

I thought KMOX was still 50,000 watts?

It's not on Wikipedia's list of clear channels, nor can I tune it in during the day. (I can tune in Chicago's 50k stations during the day quite usably and St. Louis is just an additional 50 miles. I should be able to at least get a really staticky signal.)

RE: MeTV, yeah, they just added it earlier this summer, only about a month and a half before us. It's been a national network since last December.

Edit: Yeah, Wikipedia is not infallible (nor is my memory!). I suppose I should check up on that list.

It's not on Wikipedia's list of clear channels, nor can I tune it in during the day. (I can tune in Chicago's 50k stations during the day quite usably and St. Louis is just an additional 50 miles. I should be able to at least get a really staticky signal.)

Not sure what to tell you, but it's definitely a 50 kW A: http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?state=&call=kmox&arn=&city=&freq=530&fre2=1700&type=0&facid=&class=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&NS=N&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&EW=W&size=9

- Trip

Well, that gives me some testing to do on a couple different radios. Sounds like fun.

Tonight, while I was watching Svengoolie, WCCU kept dropping out. I was still getting a signal (at about 70%, too, so pretty good), but the video kept dropping frames and even completely dropping out. It seemed to come pack in during commercial breaks. Seems like it was probably an issue with the studio to transmitter link. Has WRSP been having similar problems tonight?

I hardly ever watched WCCU, but since MeTV is on, I've spent a lot of the time watching....and yes, WCCU is dropping signal for just a few seconds each time, but it's happening quite a bit.

I pick it up through my DISH HD receiver(off air of course), and the program grid has no information. I have another stand alone HD receiver that is getting program info from WCCU. The DISH grid is probably fed through their national service. Has anyone seen the MeTV program schedule on their satellite program grid? Is it on DirectTV?

Tonight, while I was watching Svengoolie, WCCU kept dropping out. I was still getting a signal (at about 70%, too, so pretty good), but the video kept dropping frames and even completely dropping out. It seemed to come pack in during commercial breaks. Seems like it was probably an issue with the studio to transmitter link. Has WRSP been having similar problems tonight?

I suspect tropo from the North. WKOW has very long legs even without it, but when the heat is on it can easily get down there.

I hardly ever watched WCCU, but since MeTV is on, I've spent a lot of the time watching....and yes, WCCU is dropping signal for just a few seconds each time, but it's happening quite a bit.

I pick it up through my DISH HD receiver(off air of course), and the program grid has no information. I have another stand alone HD receiver that is getting program info from WCCU. The DISH grid is probably fed through their national service. Has anyone seen the MeTV program schedule on their satellite program grid? Is it on DirectTV?


On my E* box, it shows the Tribune info for some MeTVs, but not for others. E* is very inconsistent with regard to what channels will have the info and which ones won't.

Since we've veered slightly into radio, does anyone know what's going on with WSCR lately? They had a good strong signal into Champaign County (actually down to Effingham if my memory is correct) and then it suddenly went to fading in and out. A couple of months again Grobber went to Internet only for a few hours while they were fixing a transponder (texted him and he confirmed it was for signal strength) which made things better for a month. Now it's right back to where it was. It's pretty bad when on a Sunday night French Canadian and Southern radio stations are leaking over 670's signal.

A.) A Notre Dame game is not really something to complain about being cut away from. It's not of national importance, or even local importance.

B.) a Digital signal is not the same thing as HD. Every station in the market is capable of passing an HD signal from at least one source. WILL and WAND are capable of more than that, (just recently in WAND's case.) but all stations run 100% digital signals as required by law.

C.) While spending millions on changing over to all digital, I'm sure some of the stations decided to pick up a (relatively) slightly cheaper two source HD switcher figuring they'd switch between local programming (commercials/syndication/etc.) and Network programming. They probably don't own any HD decks, so why the have ability to switch to another source?

D.) Spending $80K+ to give you 4 pre-season football games in not economically feasible.

Now, I'm not an engineer, nor do I work for WCCU, but all these seem realistic estimations for what's going on

A) If they aren't of national or local importance, then why are they the only team in America with their own network deal for home games and on TV in the midwest every time they play an away game? Even WAND's GM admitted to me he was wrong after I emailed him, corporate, and the Notre Dame media relations dept. If you want to argue the independent card, neither Navy or Army have their own network deals.

B) I think everyone here knows Digital and HD are not the same. My point was that the vast majority of the population has HD sets and that is the norm now.

C) Your argument is flawed in that you assume that those stations are independently owned. Many of them are owned by large corporations. Your point is somewhat valid in that I could see where the corporations went cheap for the smaller stations with plans to "hand down" the more expensive equipment when upgrading their larger stations when better/cheaper equipment came out.

D) Another flawed argument. You make it sound as though the equipment would only be used for preseason games. In reality it could also be used for syndicated shows and for local broadcasts. 80k in equipment is what...roughly one preseason's worth of advertising? And I'm sure a local electronics company would love to put up a chunk of that for "presented by" rights to the games.

I also wonder if their cheap equipment is to blame for passing 2.0 audio when FOX provides 5.1. Also as has been pointed out, WFLD does send out the HD feed as Rockford shows games in HD. You mention cheap equipment....I think most of these locals have gotten their equipment from the Dollar store.

I suspect tropo from the North. WKOW has very long legs even without it, but when the heat is on it can easily get down there.



Madison, on my HDTVa pointed west? I doubt it, I've not seen any Chicago stations (or even evidence of them) this season. Heck, I've barely caught Bloomington! My location is frankly subpar for reliable North-South reception. (East, too. It's a darned good thing that all the stations in the market are west of here, except for W31BX, which, thankfully, is LOS.)

Madison, on my HDTVa pointed west? I doubt it, I've not seen any Chicago stations (or even evidence of them) this season. Heck, I've barely caught Bloomington! My location is frankly subpar for reliable North-South reception. (East, too. It's a darned good thing that all the stations in the market are west of here, except for W31BX, which, thankfully, is LOS.)

It's almost impossible for any of us here in Springfield to catch Bloomington around here--as the forementioned W28BE (the EWTN analog tranny that I had mentioned last Saturday was no longer listed in the FCC TV Query but still is broadcasting) is preventing us from receiving WYZZ (RF 28) in the city. I'm still wondering--does anyone know or care what the deal is with analog channel 28 in Springfield? Did their license lapse or are they just broadcasting illegally--and is anything in the works for a digital EWTN signal (either on one of the many translator CP's shown for Springfield on the TV Query or perhaps as a subchannel 33.2 to the now-digital HSN translator here in the city).

I doubt that they'd add it to the HSN station. The HSN station is owned by the same company that owns HSN (actually, I think HSN owns all of their "affiliates"). As for the construction permits, I've hit a dead end. I can't find anything about "DTV America 1" except that they hold a lot of digital low power construction permits and apparently some low power analogs. The problem is that I can't find any affiliation information for any of those stations. Perhaps someone with better Google-Fu or access to paid information sources can find something more.

As for W28BE, it might just be a lapsed license, but they've not filed a digital construction permit, which, since I don't think the FCC is renewing analog licenses, is functionally the same as a renewal. Do they still broadcast an ID at the top of the hour? If so, they're likely broadcasting illegally without realizing it. If not, then they're knowingly broadcasting illegally, which means you guys have yourselves a TV pirate. How unusual!

As for EWTN, they stream the network on their website, plus they're available on both Free-To-Air and satellite packages, so I don't see the point in having a low power affiliate period, unless Springfield has a large Catholic population, and even then, why analog? You may want to inform EWTN. I know that if I were them, I wouldn't want to be affiliated with a low-power analog that doesn't plan to jump to digital and may be operating illegally. If they drop the affiliation, that may kill off 28.

Off topic, but we all know TVFool and FMFool. Is there any resource I can use as an equivalent for AM? I kinda want to get back into AM DXing.

I saw the dropped frames again on MeTV, so I did a channel scan. Yes, the band's slightly open (WTWO decoded, partial decodes of Indy). Definitely no Chicago, though, and DEFINITELY no Madison. Maybe it's a 26 from another direction.

Edit: According to Wikipedia, the other nearest RF 26s are St. Louis and Louisville. Both are ~50 miles closer than Madison. Since I didn't see a partial decode on 28, Louisville seems most likely. But even that strikes me as farfetched.

I doubt that they'd add it to the HSN station. The HSN station is owned by the same company that owns HSN (actually, I think HSN owns all of their "affiliates"). As for the construction permits, I've hit a dead end. I can't find anything about "DTV America 1" except that they hold a lot of digital low power construction permits and apparently some low power analogs. The problem is that I can't find any affiliation information for any of those stations. Perhaps someone with better Google-Fu or access to paid information sources can find something more.

As for W28BE, it might just be a lapsed license, but they've not filed a digital construction permit, which, since I don't think the FCC is renewing analog licenses, is functionally the same as a renewal. Do they still broadcast an ID at the top of the hour? If so, they're likely broadcasting illegally without realizing it. If not, then they're knowingly broadcasting illegally, which means you guys have yourselves a TV pirate. How unusual!

As for EWTN, they stream the network on their website, plus they're available on both Free-To-Air and satellite packages, so I don't see the point in having a low power affiliate period, unless Springfield has a large Catholic population, and even then, why analog? You may want to inform EWTN. I know that if I were them, I wouldn't want to be affiliated with a low-power analog that doesn't plan to jump to digital and may be operating illegally. If they drop the affiliation, that may kill off 28.

Off topic, but we all know TVFool and FMFool. Is there any resource I can use as an equivalent for AM? I kinda want to get back into AM DXing.

I don't know the exact stats but there is a fairly large Catholic population here in the Springfield area. And at all hours of the day W28BE shows their legal ID on top of the screen too. And I'm also not sure who exactly operates channel 28--but I have read that this translator (as well as the original analog channel 33 HSN tranny) has been around about 20 years by now (I remember reading a microfilm of an old Springfield State Journal-Register article from about October 1991 stating that channels 28 and 33 both signed on at that time). That's all I know about channel 28--and I don't want to/don't feel comfortable with getting involved with reporting to EWTN or the FCC about the lapsed/illegal license on W28BE. (I've only lived here in Springfield since 2002, BTW).

Yeah, it's probably one of those that is doing it. This has been going on all over this part of the country this week. Weird tropo that seems to affect different freqs in unexpected ways, like when a normally strong station has issues but a weaker one on the same tower is fine & dandy. Now that the analogs are gone and the spectrum is "quieter", we have to get used to a whole new paradigm for summertime viewing.

Seems W28BE is related to these guys: http://yellowpages.sj-r.com/marian+center+religious+supplies+and+books.9.13436446p.home. html

At least, they were the owners when the station came up for renewal in 1998: http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/Brdcst_Applications/ap980630.txt

I would try calling them, asking if they're still associated with the owners of the station and, if so, what the current status of the license is and whether they plan to switch to digital. Try not to be confrontational about it, since, if they're still identifying properly, they probably don't realize anything is wrong.

Edit: What's the renewal period of a broadcast license, anyway? I know the renewal period for an amateur license is 10 years, is it the same for a broadcast license?

Has anyone else, who has Comcast, noticed the dropped and new HD channels? Without any notice Comcast dropped HBO Comedy from their line-up of HD channels. They did add a couple of interesting HD channels - BBC-America and HUB.

I still wish they hadn't dropped the HD channel of HBO-Comedy. That seems regressive to me.

Has anyone else, who has Comcast, noticed the dropped and new HD channels? Without any notice Comcast dropped HBO Comedy from their line-up of HD channels. They did add a couple of interesting HD channels - BBC-America and HUB.

I still wish they hadn't dropped the HD channel of HBO-Comedy. That seems regressive to me.

Are you sure you missed it on one of your bills - because it definitely was on ours over here. Over here they added Cooking, DIY, BBCA, HUB, & NGC Wild all in HD, in place of the dropped HD premiums. We lost several several HBO, Showtime & Cinemax HD feeds in the process - & that was on our notices as well from last month; the changes just happened a week or so ago.

Evidently CC is in the process of dropping pretty much ALL HD multiplex versions of premium channels, & in ALL CC service areas. It appears the ONLY ones they are leaving are HBO2 & Showtime Too. The reason appears to be a combination of $$$ on new equipment, as well as that with the prog on those extra HD multiplexes being available OD, it made more sense to add more HD basics that would appeal to more subs, than prog that is ONLY available to (fewer & fewer) premium subs.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26199053-

Part of the problem also, is that most of CC's systems have NOT dropped the rest of their analog (limited) basic channels yet - which would give them lots more bandwidth for even more HD feeds. Considering how few limited subs they have, it makes NO sense why they don't finish what they started & get rid of the rest of those bandwidth-hogging analog channels. :rolleyes:

CC is doing exactly the opposite of DirecTV, who has added nothing BUT premium HD feeds & HD Xtra pak channels - while NOT doing SQUAT to add HD basics like the 5 we got from CC; DirecTV does NOT carry any of them, amongst the other missing HD basic that everyone else already does! :mad:

Thanks for the great response about HD channels from Comcast. Since I don't read what comes in the bill, I am sure it was a case of missing it.

Thanks for the great response about HD channels from Comcast. Since I don't read what comes in the bill, I am sure it was a case of missing it.

You might want to go to Comcast Central and set it up so you can view your bill online and you can also view the meter for your 250 gbs cap when it is there.

Part of the problem also, is that most of CC's systems have NOT dropped the rest of their analog (limited) basic channels yet - which would give them lots more bandwidth for even more HD feeds. Considering how few limited subs they have, it makes NO sense why they don't finish what they started & get rid of the rest of those bandwidth-hogging analog channels. :rolleyes:

CC is doing exactly the opposite of DirecTV, who has added nothing BUT premium HD feeds & HD Xtra pak channels - while NOT doing SQUAT to add HD basics like the 5 we got from CC; DirecTV does NOT carry any of them, amongst the other missing HD basic that everyone else already does! :mad:

Speaking of new HD feeds: Do you know if Comcast's intent is to eventually drop the SD feeds of the major cable channels offered on higher package levels than Digital Economy (e.g., ESPN, TBS, MTV, the other sports nets) and go to a nearly all-HD lineup? Also, would you also be surprised if Comcast starts phasing out basic (channels 2-22) cable entirely soon (or goes completely all-digital and/or all-HD including on local and public access channels)? I have wondered about whether we should brace for these possible Parts 2 and 3 of the "World of More" (Part 1 the loss of analog above channel 22).

Speaking of new HD feeds: Do you know if Comcast's intent is to eventually drop the SD feeds of the major cable channels offered on higher package levels than Digital Economy (e.g., ESPN, TBS, MTV, the other sports nets) and go to a nearly all-HD lineup?

I HIGHLY doubt it, as then ALL those subs would need HD boxes, INCLUDING all those expanded basic (digital starter actually) subs whose existing DTA's would be useless. SD digital signals do NOT take up but a fraction of the bandwidth as the analog versions did.

Also, would you also be surprised if Comcast starts phasing out basic (channels 2-22) cable entirely soon (or goes completely all-digital and/or all-HD including on local and public access channels)? I have wondered about whether we should brace for these possible Parts 2 and 3 of the "World of More" (Part 1 the loss of analog above channel 22).

As I mentioned on my last post, CC DID already get rid of ALL analog on a few systems. (again, they are NOT going to be getting rid of SD, as I already stated) The whole game plan of CC all along, was to eliminate ALL analog signals on most/all their systems, so that they did NOT have to utilize SDV (switched video) for bandwidth reclaimation, & all it's inherent problems. (go to Time Warner or Cox forums for all the complaints related to SDV) CC was going to also utilize SDV, but just announced a few months ago they were putting SDV on the back burner, as it was not necessary now. (thank goodness!) I think what the plan is, is for CC to finish up all the rest of the analog expanded basic cutoff, THEN go back & start getting rid of the rest of the analog (limited) basic channels.

Interestingly, Time Warner just announced they now (finally) plan on going the same route CC did & do DTA's & get rid of ALL analog; they finally found out SDV was NOT the panecea of bandwidth reclaimation they thought it would be!

I HIGHLY doubt it, as then ALL those subs would need HD boxes, INCLUDING all those expanded basic (digital starter actually) subs whose existing DTA's would be useless. SD digital signals do NOT take up but a fraction of the bandwidth as the analog versions did.[/QUOTE]

I do agree--but I was just curious if you had any insights on what Comcast was going to do next here in Springfield in regards to SD/HD lineups. But can you still see the likes of the premium channels (e.g., HBO, Cinemax and their multiple channels), NFL Network and other sports channels, and other non-Digital Starter channels going HD-only on Comcast, or can you still not see that happening?

Also, I have heard that Comcast has rolled out a four-digit capable digital cable lineup in some markets (Nashville, TN and in Indiana were two of the places I had heard such a lineup to exist). The channels above 1000 were to be used for HD (with few or no HD channels below 1000). Any likelihood we will see that channel lineup within the next few years on Comcast here in Central Illinois?

From what many have written Comcast is going to standardize their lineup like the satelite companys except for the local channels .This will save time searching for hds. They will have the same channel numbers only preceeded by the 1000 example channel 63 sd would be 1063 for hd.

I do agree--but I was just curious if you had any insights on what Comcast was going to do next here in Springfield in regards to SD/HD lineups. But can you still see the likes of the premium channels (e.g., HBO, Cinemax and their multiple channels), NFL Network and other sports channels, and other non-Digital Starter channels going HD-only on Comcast, or can you still not see that happening?

NO, it's NOT going to happen on ANY of their systems in the near future - if even AT ALL. Again, those few SD channels are NOT taking that much bandwidth anyway - where are you getting this idea from anyway? Didn't you just see my post on the previous page re: CC REMOVING HD premium feeds??? :confused: (they ARE leaving the SD versions of these multiplexes, so that should tell you what their game plan is...)

Also, not everyone has an HDTV & the majority of TV subs will NOT for some time - you DO realize that both DBS co are STILL installing new SD receivers for new customers, & are NOT planning on a large scale conversion to HD-only signals for quite awhile. (while DirecTV ONLY installs HD receivers in a portion of TV markets, including ours, they still install lots of SD-only equipment in the majority of their "legacy" markets such as the likes of Chicago, St.Louis, NY, LA, etc.)

Any likelihood we will see that channel lineup within the next few years on Comcast here in Central Illinois?

It's supposed to eventually be "standardized" like this on ALL their (upgraded) systems in the near future - your guess when is as good as your guess when the hell they plan on finishing getting rid of ALL analog signals! :mad:

Is anyone who has Directv able to pick up Me TV yet? I have rescanned my ota several times and it still isn't recognizing 55.2. 55.1 is coming in strong.

DON'T hold your breath on it happening, either - it appears that D* is throwing in the towel on adding ANY more (new) OTA channels/subs to it's database. You can scan all day, but if they do NOT put it in their database, you will NOT get it at all. If you notice, while the geniuses at D* DID add WICD 15.2, they did NOT add WICS 20.2, either! :mad:

About the ONLY way you can record these missing OTA channels on D*, is if you have an HD D* Tivo, which DOES still allow OTA scanning; which is exactly why I still use one - even though I have HR20's. ;)

Supposedly, they have run out of database room to add more - the way D* does their OTA tuners like this IS totally asinine; at least with all E*'s receivers, you CAN do "real" OTA scanning to get around this stupidity.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=134005&page=18

If you're close enough to the transmitter site of WRSP or WCCU, a set of rabbit ears connected to the receiver(if it contains a digital off air receiver module) will allow the subchannels to appear. The directions are all outlined on http://www.dougquick.com.

It works for me...27.2 MeTV comes up as a local channel. The only problem is the lack of guide information. Other locals include the guide info....MeTV does not. It's a problem with D* not including it in it's data stream.

Now, WCCU needs to work to keep it's transmitter consistantly on the air. The transmitter is dropping out from time to time, sometimes just a "blip," other times it may last 10-15 seconds.

If you're close enough to the transmitter site of WRSP or WCCU, a set of rabbit ears connected to the receiver(if it contains a digital off air receiver module) will allow the subchannels to appear.

You are not understanding the problem - it's not a signal issue! (hint - the OP said he WAS getting 55.1 ;) )

It works for me...27.2 MeTV comes up as a local channel. The only problem is the lack of guide information. Other locals include the guide info....MeTV does not. It's a problem with D* not including it in it's data stream.

What is the model# of D* receiver you are using? I'm guessing it's either an H20 receiver, or one of the older MPEG2 HD receivers. Those receivers ARE able to scan & find these channels regardless if D* provides guide data or not. The H20 is the ONLY MPEG4 HD receiver that can do this - none of the newer MPEG4 HD receivers can. (they require the external AM21 to receive any OTA signals)
And as I already stated, the only D* DVR that can currently scan, is the old, MPEG2 HD Tivo - NO current MPEG4 HD DVR can do this.

If you are using a receiver with the external AM21 OTA module, OR an HR20 series receiver, it will NOT pick it up those missing subs that I mentioned. The reason being is - none of these receivers has actual OTA "scanning". When you do the OTA setup, these receivers get their OTA lineup strictly via the D* OTA guide data, depending on the zip code you enter. If D* has NOT provided this data, you will NOT get those missing channels - period! There is NO way to override this - again, they do NOT do actual OTA scanning.

Read the info in the link I provided if you still do not understand...you will see many others complaining about this like myself... ;)

Hey WCCU/Comcast....Nice job on the 5.1 audio for NFL games. Not. Seriously...can one person tell me why they can pass 5.1 audio for the Idol crap but not for NFL games?

Hey WCCU/Comcast....Nice job on the 5.1 audio for NFL games. Not. Seriously...can one person tell me why they can pass 5.1 audio for the Idol crap but not for NFL games?

Check the audio for the Fox channel tonight. I think you will see that it is NOT in 5.1. The local Fox channel has not been broadcasting anything in 5.1 for quite a while. I believe this time we can blame the local channel, not Comcast for the problem.

I have a HR21 with an AM21, and a HR20. Glad to see it's just not my receivers but a Directv muckup!

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the Entone boxes used by Consolidated Communications. We had our box replaced recently to a newer model and I noticed it had an ATSC in.

I'm wondering if anyone knows if this port does anything. I have not been able to figure out if it does and their tech support was no use. I recently bought an HD TV for the front room and if I can feed OTA from my antenna to it via the cable box instead of having to drop a new cable to it it would be great (the cable box and antenna drop I have are both in the back end of the house).

Last night while scanning Comcasts (Springfield) digital line up through my dvd recoders tuner I noticed WRSP (55.1) along with METV (55.2) no longer was appearing, however its Urbana based sister station WCCU (27.1) and METV (27.2) showed up in my presets.
Because I have programming timed to record off of METV I immediatly re-scanned my digital tuner and re-set my timer on the recorder.
This doesn't really pose a problem for my recordings as both stations broadcast the same schedule, I just wondered if anyone has an idea what's going on with WRSP and to give a heads up should any of you have programs set to record off of 55.1 / 55.2

W31BX (WAND's repeater in Danville) is currently transmitting a blank signal. It's coming in at about 70% (though it occasionally bottoms out at 20-40%), but with no content.

Edit: WAND's website says that they're upgrading their antenna today. It also says that cable and satellite viewers shouldn't be affected. W31BX apparently receives its station feed off the air. Odd, since I rarely get WAND itself. I guess that's the advantage of being on the tallest building in town. Also, it looks like there's no equipment for locally originating content (since there's no notice on W31BX), so I guess I'll forgive them for running Springfield's weather radio station on the Danville repeater.

The main WAND signal was scheduled to have downtime today while tower crews are up on the tower. No surprise that W31BX-D would be unable to retransmit a signal that isn't there.

- Trip

It looks like they're doing something with the repeater, as well, since it doesn't usually fluctuate like this. Or maybe it's an artifact of the retransmitter lacking an input signal. (Though, if that were the case, I'd just expect it to shut down or go to a low power standby mode.)

Is there a consensus on the best style of antenna for the Champaign area? I'm in Savoy, specifically, and TV fool shows pretty good reception on the major networks and PBS, but in all different directions, so I don't know which way I'd point a directional antenna. Do people use something like the Winegard MS-2002 disk that's omnidirectional? Is something like a DB2 okay?

I live in SW Champaign and have DB4 in my attic which gets acceptable signals from all the networks and PBS. I had to fool around a bit with pointing to get all the stations. I ended up getting FOX from Springfield and forgetting about the local FOX transmitter. I don't use an amp, but the attic is in a 2 story house, so your mileage may vary.

An omnidirectional antenna (heck, even an indoor one) should work fine for WICD, WCIA, WILL, and WCCU. As for the Decatur stations and the low power stations in Champaign, a directional antenna would be best, but you could try an omdirectional antenna with a good return policy. A good indoor antenna might work for Decatur, but if you go that route, be sure you get a good return policy. As for Springfield, Bloomington/Peoria, and other out of market signals, a good directional, external would be necessary.

Comcast has been breaking up at my house every Friday and Saturday. One day the higher channels, the next the lower. The pixelation and audio drops are worse than watching a scratched DVD. I tested it with another box (the dta,) and it was the same. Signal to noise reads as good at 30db. Last night FOX on 7 was one of the worst and I almost missed the World Series game. Not a problem! I switched to my trusty Magnavox DVD/DVR and attic antenna. I actually watched it from Bloomington and was able to pause the game while I ran to the store and then skip commercials. Thanks Comcast for nothing!

Didn't see this posted yet, so fyi....

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=469&NewsID=1007805&CategoryID=7026&on=1
(http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=469&NewsID=1007805&CategoryID=7026&on=1)

WAND STORMCENTER 17 EXPANDS SIGNAL AND GOES BACK TO 17.1
10/24/11


WAND StormCenter 17 (NBC Affiliate serving Decatur, Champaign and Springfield) is entering another era in its highly acclaimed Central Illinois television history. With the new transmitter and antenna that was put on the top of the tower on October 9, 2011, WAND StormCenter 17 began broadcasting its one million watt signal.

Along with this signal expansion, those viewers who watch WAND StormCenter 17 over the air, off an antenna, will need to rescan their televisions and converter boxes by November 9, 2011 when the signal will no longer be sent out over Channel 18. They will be sending out our signal only on Channel 17.

I live in Chatham and WAND's old rf 18 comes in slightly better than the new rf 17. I thought it would be stronger.

In southwest Champaign, RF 17 comes in at 99/100 on a DISH reveiver. WCIA beats it by registering 100/100. All from a screen type antenna in my second floor attic with no amplifier.

A small opening tonight. Not sure how it compares to yesterday's. Probably your best shot at TV DXing until Spring comes around again, unless you can catch some E-skip around the winter solstice.

Interesting how the local network affiliates have approached broadcasting in HD. WAND started broadcasting their news in HD a few years ago, and then just recently started broadcasting syndicated shows in HD. WICD, and assume WICS, have taken a different approach. They have started broadcasting syndicated shows in HD, but their news broadcasts are still in SD. I am amazed how "cheap" WCIA is. They have always been the station with the highest ratings, and assume to have the most in ad revenue. They were the last local network to embrace HD for the network programs, and assume they will drag their feet on upgrading to present news or syndicated shows in HD. I assume the FOX affiliates will never upgrade. Even their network broadcasts are only in Dolby Pro Logic sound.

Interesting how the local network affiliates have approached broadcasting in HD. WAND started broadcasting their news in HD a few years ago, and then just recently started broadcasting syndicated shows in HD. WICD, and assume WICS, have taken a different approach. They have started broadcasting syndicated shows in HD, but their news broadcasts are still in SD. I am amazed how "cheap" WCIA is. They have always been the station with the highest ratings, and assume to have the most in ad revenue. They were the last local network to embrace HD for the network programs, and assume they will drag their feet on upgrading to present news or syndicated shows in HD. I assume the FOX affiliates will never upgrade. Even their network broadcasts are only in Dolby Pro Logic sound.

I won't get on my soapbox again about the local FOX and their cheap ownership... The odd thing is looking at the ratings and you'd think WAND would be one of the last stations to go HD and FOX would be one of the first along with WCIA. I feel bad for those of you who don't have alternative means to get respectable A/V programming. (Although to be fair, WMAQ took a big hit in their sports dept over the past 12 months and WFLD went from a good weatherperson to a guy who comes across as an egotistical horse's behind.)

I won't get on my soapbox again about the local FOX and their cheap ownership... The odd thing is looking at the ratings and you'd think WAND would be one of the last stations to go HD and FOX would be one of the first along with WCIA. I feel bad for those of you who don't have alternative means to get respectable A/V programming. (Although to be fair, WMAQ took a big hit in their sports dept over the past 12 months and WFLD went from a good weatherperson to a guy who comes across as an egotistical horse's behind.)

Unfortunately, the decision to go HD is not at the station level, it's at corporate level. And they have been prioritizing which of their stations goes first. The larger market stations more often than not go first. So, don't blame WCIA or the local Fox stations. That all comes from the owners of the company that run it, and not the individual stations. I'm more than sure the engineers and employees at WCIA would love to be in HD. The good news is that it IS 2012, and when they do go HD, it's going to look great, assuming, of course, enough bits are allocated for it on the main channel.

Did anybody else notice short audio dropouts last night on WAND
during the Super Bowl?
It was not a signal level problem since the picture was fine.

Doug McDonald

I recorded the game on WAND via QAM and when I ran it through my editing program it didn't report any audio packet issues. I haven't watched my recording yet so I can't say for sure that it didn't happen. For what it's worth, the WMAQ feed was perfect so the problem wasn't on a national level. In fact it was one of the best football broadcasts of the year.

Does anybody have a recommendation for an antenna installer in Springfield?

I've had it with Comcast and am cutting the cord.

I've seen this posted on the Chicago Comcast thread in the last couple weeks, but yesterday I received the official notice: Springfield will join the ranks of the all-digital Comcast markets around June 5.

And I hope sometime after this Comcast could realign their digital cable lineups by putting SD channels between 2 thru either 499 or 599, then HD 600 and above (as there's more SD than HD channels last I checked). The Music Choice channels could be placed from 550-595 before the HD channels begin. Perhaps channels on digital basic/Digital Economy levels could be placed in the 100's range (other than the Music Choice). (BTW, I'm one of those cheap people that is not willing to spend money on a new HDTV until my 8 1/2 year old Emerson, which still works great, goes out--even though I have the money to spend on a new TV if needed).

Does anybody have a recommendation for an antenna installer in Springfield?

I've had it with Comcast and am cutting the cord.
There is a guy out on East North Grand Ave. just as you get to the curve, before it becomes Ridge Ave. As for cutting the cord, you will only get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS 14, the sub for the fox, sub for CBS, NBC's music channel sub. Not very many choices for here in Sangamon county, when it comes to OTA.

And actually with the best Indoor amplified that Radio Shack sells, you can pick them all up, without having to put an antenna on top of your home, or if you wish, you can place one up in your attic. The towers are close enough that you get good signal quality for all of them. You of course will never be able to pick up St. Louis, and out of Peoria, you can pick up 25 & 31, since how their towers sit up on a hill on 474.

Does anybody have a recommendation for an antenna installer in Springfield?

Really if you don't have a steep roof &/or don't mind doing a little bit of climbing, you could actually put up a nice outside antenna yourself. You do NOT even need a rotator in Spfld to get all stations; if you would tell us about where you live, I can give you approx pointing instructions - but for the most part, you just need to aim the antenna toward the east. (WSEC actually transmits from the J'ville area, but is SO strong, will work fine coming on the backside of the antenna)
See more points below...

As for cutting the cord, you will only get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS 14, the sub for the fox, sub for CBS, NBC's music channel sub.

You'll also get the CW-HD, as well as it's sub THIS-TV. (comes from the same tower site as WAND-NBC)
Oh yea, the 24 hour weather on the WAND sub, too. (the "music sub" is actually on the WICS-ABC sub & is called "The Country Network", & has nothing to do with NBC)
Should be no problem also getting WILL-12 PBS as well...as long as you get an antenna that ALSO does VHF (high) band as well. WILL is on physical ch 9 now - as well as WCFN-49 is on physical ch 13, which is what you'll need to get CBS-HD (49.2) & MNT. So again, just go with a mid-sized V/U combo antenna (shouldn't even need a pre-amp outdoors) & you'll be all set for everything.

There's also the 2 subs on BOTH PBS stations as well (World & Create) which are the same on both PBS stations.

Not very many choices for here in Sangamon county, when it comes to OTA.

Actually, considering other markets larger than us have far FEWER choices, we ain't actually doing too bad around here! And keep in mind other than MNT, every one of the major nets we get here ARE actually in HD - again, better than some other markets our size.
I'm shocked that we actually got ME-TV on 55.2 - which I've been watching out of Chicago for years now. (via DirecTV) WAY better than TV Land is/was now... ;)

And actually with the best Indoor amplified that Radio Shack sells, you can pick them all up, without having to put an antenna on top of your home, or if you wish, you can place one up in your attic. The towers are close enough that you get good signal quality for all of them.

Unless you are on the east side of town, you really should go with at least an attic antenna; but preferably on the outside. (The attic in most homes cuts down on the signal strength by about 1/3)
It does NOT have to be a (BIG) 40' tower; a simple eave mounted antenna pointed toward the east will work quite nicely to get everything we have here. (even WILL-PBS out of Urbana) But DO keep in mind both the WAND-NBC & WBUI-CW towers are in Argenta (east of Decatur) so they are a little weaker than the other (Spfld) stations/towers.

While not my first choice, here's a Rat Shack antenna that would work fine outside & possibly attic:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3739595

Here's also a Winegard antenna that will work fine, the HD7694P. (smallest one will suffice)

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/1450290.pdf

Since either of these does not do VHF-Low band (2-6) the elements are NOT as wide as typical V/U combo antennas, so it's easier to carry & put up. They have a coax balun, so all you need to do is run coax directly from it to your TV & you're all set to cut the cord!

I am on the West side and actually a piece of bare coax stinger of about two feet works better than most cheap antennas. Will not get CW or PBs, but you get everything else.

Even with tthe $50 indoor antenna from Radioshack, that my neighbor across the street has, he gets everything in the market. You just have to aim towards St. John's and you get everything.

First off, thanks for the quick replies, fellas! I'm mostly a novice when it comes to OTA, so I appreciate your patience.

There is a guy out on East North Grand Ave. just as you get to the curve, before it becomes Ridge Ave. As for cutting the cord, you will only get ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS 14, the sub for the fox, sub for CBS, NBC's music channel sub. Not very many choices for here in Sangamon county, when it comes to OTA.

And actually with the best Indoor amplified that Radio Shack sells, you can pick them all up, without having to put an antenna on top of your home, or if you wish, you can place one up in your attic. The towers are close enough that you get good signal quality for all of them. You of course will never be able to pick up St. Louis, and out of Peoria, you can pick up 25 & 31, since how their towers sit up on a hill on 474.

I tried a couple different antennas inside my attic (if you can even call it an attic, it's just insulation and not much room to move up there), and I fed the signal into a HDHomerun, and observed the reception levels, and it was pretty much universally bad. I really tried hard to make it work.

You don't happen to have the name or number of this gentleman on North Grand avenue, do you? I will go explore otherwise, no big deal.

Really if you don't have a steep roof &/or don't mind doing a little bit of climbing, you could actually put up a nice outside antenna yourself. You do NOT even need a rotator in Spfld to get all stations; if you would tell us about where you live, I can give you approx pointing instructions - but for the most part, you just need to aim the antenna toward the east. (WSEC actually transmits from the J'ville area, but is SO strong, will work fine coming on the backside of the antenna)
See more points below...

Unless you are on the east side of town, you really should go with at least an attic antenna; but preferably on the outside. (The attic in most homes cuts down on the signal strength by about 1/3)
It does NOT have to be a (BIG) 40' tower; a simple eave mounted antenna pointed toward the east will work quite nicely to get everything we have here. (even WILL-PBS out of Urbana) But DO keep in mind both the WAND-NBC & WBUI-CW towers are in Argenta (east of Decatur) so they are a little weaker than the other (Spfld) stations/towers.


I'm awaiting neck surgery and having some physical issues that prevent me from feeling very confident about getting on the roof. In about three months, sure, but I'd like to have it done before then, if at all possible. I'd just feel a lot better about paying a professional to have it done right the first time (making sure signals are strong, etc), and feed the same line coming in the house that cable is currently using (after it is disconnected, of course).

Just as a point of reference here, I am nearby the intersection of Dirksen and Stevenson, on the south side of town, not far from laketown.

I will indeed take a look at your antenna suggestions and greatly appreciate your help!

Point your Antenna Towards S&K at Dirksen and S. Grand. Your subdivision, you need to get it above that old growth trees around your homes.

It is Ba Ha communications.

According to RabbitEars, WICS's sub is still The Country Network. TheCoolTV is only on WICD. So if you had your heart set on TheCoolTV, you're out of luck, since the Champaign satellites will be almost impossible to get with any consistency.

You are very much correct about all that; corrected my post... :o

It's weird that Sinclair did those 2 subs like this in OUR DMA (only)...while in others around us (KDNL-30 STL & WYZZ-43 Bloomington, to name 2) that did NOT already have any other subs, they put BOTH subs on their stations... :confused:

Hello DX! Tonight's storm caused a very strong band opening. Ones like this make me wish I had a better antenna. Anyway, Decatur, Terre Haute, and Indianapolis accounted for. Three first timers: WXIN, WEIU, and WAWV. For WXIN and WAWV, that's just first on digital, for WEIU, I think that's first ever. As for suspected partials, we have something on channel 14 (almost certainly WTIU, given how many other Indy/Bloomington stations I got), something on 9 (almost certainly WILL, but I've never had luck with VHF), something on 10 (most likely WTHI, but again, VHF), something on 19 (WUSI seems most likely, as the band was open to the south, as testified by WEIU), something on 21 (almost certainly WFYI), something on 24 (RabbitEars was no help, there's no nearby 24, so the closest I could find on digital 24 on Wikipedia was WPTA out of Fort Wayne), something on 27 (most likely WIPX, I'm a bit surprised it wasn't above the receiver threshold), something on 28 (most likely WYZZ), and something on 42 (probably WCLJ, possibly WNDU).

I'm a bit disappointed that I'm still unable to say I've finally tuned in an ION station (though I know I'm not missing much), and, with this being the strongest opening I've seen since I started keeping a logbook, I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to confirm any stations outside of Champaign/Decatur/Springfield, Bloomington-Normal/Peoria, and Terre Haute/Bloomington/Indy). I strongly suspect that this is the best I'll be able to do with this equipment. Anyone else catch any DX?

Tonight's severe weather reminded me of my frustrations with local news in Champaign. For instance, as far as WAND is concerned, it seems like WAND has completely forgotten Vermilion County exists and that they've got a repeater here. As the storms started rolling into Danville, I tuned in to see what we were in for. WAND was covering the Decatur area, understandable with the tornado watch and all, but the radar image was zoomed into just Decatur, Charleston, etc. for a good 30 or 45 seconds, never switching out to the whole viewing area radar. That reminded me of some previous storms, where we've even had large hail and funnel clouds, and WAND didn't even interrupt 17.2 for us. So 10 o'clock comes round, and I'm still wondering about the storm, so I tune into WICD. Nope! It's Sunday, so WICD's newscast is Springfield centric (so is the news at 9 on WCCU for that matter). I ended up switching to WCIA. I don't have anything against WCIA, except for the fact that it's the one Champaign/Decatur Big 4 station I can't get reliably. Which, of course, means that I'd rather not rely on it for emergency weather news. And, even without severe weather, all the weekend newscasts, except for WCIA, cover Decatur and Springfield more than Champaign and, especially, Danville, so it barely counts as local news anyway.

[QUOTE=TimfromSpfdIL;21740858]I've seen this posted on the Chicago Comcast thread in the last couple weeks, but yesterday I received the official notice: Springfield will join the ranks of the all-digital Comcast markets around June 5.

I got a similar notice from Comcast in Springfield about 7 days ago. It states that all tv's will have to be connected to either a digital receiver(DR), digital adapter (DA) or CableCard device by June 5, 2012 or you will not get all of the Comcast channels that you pay for with Comcast's new all digital platform. I already have my two analog TV's connected to DA's and my HD plasma connected to a DR. That part is not a problem.
I split one of my Comcast cable lines after coming out of the wall outlet with one cable going directly to the plasma tv and one to the Comcast DR to the DVD player/recorder(with a digital tuner) to the plasma tv. I did this so that I could get the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS) in HD with my plasma tv QAM tuner with the direct cable connection thanks to good advice from dishrich,which I appreciate.
QUESTION 1: With this Comcast change, will I lose the capability of seeing the major networks in HD with my plasma tv with my current wiring setup?

On a second Comcast cable outlet I have a cable going from the outlet to a Comcast DA to a DVD player/recorder (non digital tuner) to the analog tv.
QESTION 2: Will I still be able to record with this DVD recorder(non digital tuner) as I do now with Comcast's all digital platform and the fact that the DVD recorder is not digital?

Thanks for any advice.

Jimhighdef, they stated that over two years ago, that every tv needed either a stb or DTA. Your only choices with Comcast, is either drop it and run like the majority did, or are doing, or get their box and wait for them to keep making open promises, that they will never fullfill.

And yes, you need a digital set-top, because once they flip the switch, whichever decade or century that will be, all you will get is a message that in order to receive said channel, you need a box, contact Comcast @ such and such number.

Jimhighdef, they stated that over two years ago, that every tv needed either a stb or DTA.

Except back then, it was ONLY for expanded basic subs; now they are finishing this up for ALL (limited) basic subs - so that there will be NO analog left whatsover.

Your only choices with Comcast, is either drop it and run like the majority did, or are doing, or get their box and wait for them to keep making open promises, that they will never fullfill.

???????? :confused: :confused:
(If you mean for the fact this IS happening - yes, ALL the (last) remaining analog goes bye-bye on 6/5.
Hopefully, more HD will be following very soon...)

And yes, you need a digital set-top, because once they flip the switch, whichever decade or century that will be, all you will get is a message that in order to receive said channel, you need a box, contact Comcast @ such and such number.

All limited basic channels (both SD & HD) WILL remain available in clear QAM - which is stated quite plainly on the notices that just went out. But, that could change later...see next post.

QUESTION 1: With this Comcast change, will I lose the capability of seeing the major networks in HD with my plasma tv with my current wiring setup?
Yes, however, you may need to rescan your plasma, if they move QAM's around, which is very possible.

HOWEVER...I will tell you that Comcast IS in the process of requesting a waiver from the FCC, to allow them to encrypt EVERYTHING, including the clear QAM (HD) local channels. But, they are also coming out with an HD DTA, which will allow you to get the HD locals back. No word on if subs can get these (HD) DTA's as part of "3 free DTA's" limited subs already get...but I would be willing to bet they WILL be. ;)

On a second Comcast cable outlet I have a cable going from the outlet to a Comcast DA to a DVD player/recorder (non digital tuner) to the analog tv.
QESTION 2: Will I still be able to record with this DVD recorder(non digital tuner) as I do now with Comcast's all digital platform and the fact that the DVD recorder is not digital?

If you really mean you're using a DTA, then yes, this setup will NOT change after the analog shut-off.

I wanted to thank you guys for the advice I got in this thread. I'm getting basically all the locals now, in HD, except for the PBS stations (weirdly enough), but I will be doing some more tweaking soon. I google "springfield il antenna installer", got a phone number for some supposed experts, and a guy came out (after forgetting my appointment and me badgering him). The guy was **clueless**. I ended up asking him not to come back and ordering the "Eagle Aspen Dtv2Buhf Directv 2-Bay Uhf Antenna" from Amazon.

I connected it to the coaxial that was already running up to the roof from my unused Dish network dish! It was perfect. I then have it running directly into the house and into a PC running windows media center, which feeds two Xbox 360's as Windows Media Extenders. Wife is happy, I'm happy, all is well.

Anyway, new question. Do any of you have experience with Free-to-air satellite service? I've been reading about it, and it seems relatively cheap to implement and use (well, free to use, minus electricity). I realize that most of the stations are foreign and that many stations come and go, but it sounds fun to me. Further, if any of you dabble in this area, are any of you in Springfield and have your setup going? I'd love to be able to talk to you, maybe let me check out how you've done it and how it looks? And if that wasn't enough, whether there is an expert in this area for installs?

Anyway, thanks again guys, loving my setup.

Which PBS are you trying to get, WSEC or WILL? WSEC, I believe, should be an easy catch in Springfield proper, but with its transmitter in Jacksonville, it'll be harder to catch in the towns east of Springfield. WILL will be harder, a combination of its distance and VHF frequency.

As for FTA, I've looked into it but never played with it yet. As far as foreign language content goes, there's not much that I've seen that interests me, it's predominantly southeast Asian with a dash of Arabic for good measure, not as much of the European languages. Most of the good stuff is encrypted and limited to people living overseas. That said, I'm pretty sure you can get just about any American OTA network (even the small ones you've never heard of). Have you decided on a C-band or Ku-band (or dual band, for that matter) dish? The Ku-band dishes are a lot smaller but are missing a lot of C-band's content. Satellite placement is also critical, you may want to pay a professional installer for it. As for receivers, I have no suggestions, beyond perhaps a receiver with a DVR. If you do go through with it, let us know how it works out and what you manage to get.

I'm not in the area, but I am into FTA. As you say, much of what's available is foreign language, but not all of it. I have a motorized Ku dish (that's the smaller dish size) and I more or less keep it on one of three satellites, AMC9, G19, or AMC21.

AMC9 has three of the Luken networks: RTV, Tuff TV, and PBJ. (Disclaimer: I am an employee of Luken Communications.)

G19 has a bunch of religious and foreign language stuff, but has a few gems in English. The availability of Al Jazeera English on G19 is why I got into FTA in the first place.

AMC21 is where the PBS feeds are. PBS from Oklahoma and Montana are available, as well as the untouched national HD feeds and sporadic feeds. I think I watch more programming on AMC21 these days than I do with my antenna.

Then, of course, there are the wild feeds on various other satellites. Look hard enough and you can usually find news reports and live cams and things like that. And if you got a C-band dish, which is the larger dishes, then there's a ton of stuff up there.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have.

- Trip

Quick question about your motorized dish. Is it manual or computerized control? I'm not too keen on manual control (I'd probably just stick it on one satellite unless I really wanted to change), but I've played around with a computer controlled ham radio satcom setup and really enjoyed it.

It's USALS. I do typically leave it on AMC21 but mostly because 9 times out of 10, that's what I'm going to be watching. Even if I move it to a different satellite for something, I put it back on AMC21 when I'm done.

- Trip

I'm not in the area, but I am into FTA. As you say, much of what's available is foreign language, but not all of it. I have a motorized Ku dish (that's the smaller dish size) and I more or less keep it on one of three satellites, AMC9, G19, or AMC21.

AMC9 has three of the Luken networks: RTV, Tuff TV, and PBJ. (Disclaimer: I am an employee of Luken Communications.)

G19 has a bunch of religious and foreign language stuff, but has a few gems in English. The availability of Al Jazeera English on G19 is why I got into FTA in the first place.

AMC21 is where the PBS feeds are. PBS from Oklahoma and Montana are available, as well as the untouched national HD feeds and sporadic feeds. I think I watch more programming on AMC21 these days than I do with my antenna.

Then, of course, there are the wild feeds on various other satellites. Look hard enough and you can usually find news reports and live cams and things like that. And if you got a C-band dish, which is the larger dishes, then there's a ton of stuff up there.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have.

- Trip

Great, thanks for the response!

I'm a tinkerer, so this whole thing feels like something I would just love to play around with. I'll just lay out my concerns.

First, we had Dish Network a few years ago, and it worked fine. However, I wouldn't say we have an entirely clear view of the southern sky (which I've read multiple sites say is a prerequisite to get any of this to work). If I was able to get Dish Network, is it a reasonable assumption that I should be able to hit at least a few satellites?

Second, I just don't have the room (or probably the spousal support) to put up a "C" dish. Do you find that there is plenty to play with on the Ku dish, or do you find it lacking? This is probably a dumb question, but I wanted to ask.

Have you used Windows Media Center to control your signal? I've seen a few videos on youtube showing this method, but there just isn't a whole lot out there explaining whether it's worth it to try. Since there apparently is usually no channel guide data, there wouldn't be a huge advantage, but I would like to get the signal to my windows media extenders that way, if possible.

What's your experience with wildfeeds? This has to be the most interesting aspect to me. I've found a couple forums that post wildfeeds to sporting events, etc, and it looks great. Are you able to get much of that stuff with the Ku dish?

Thanks so much for the information, I really appreciate it.

Which PBS are you trying to get, WSEC or WILL? WSEC, I believe, should be an easy catch in Springfield proper, but with its transmitter in Jacksonville, it'll be harder to catch in the towns east of Springfield. WILL will be harder, a combination of its distance and VHF frequency.

As for FTA, I've looked into it but never played with it yet. As far as foreign language content goes, there's not much that I've seen that interests me, it's predominantly southeast Asian with a dash of Arabic for good measure, not as much of the European languages. Most of the good stuff is encrypted and limited to people living overseas. That said, I'm pretty sure you can get just about any American OTA network (even the small ones you've never heard of). Have you decided on a C-band or Ku-band (or dual band, for that matter) dish? The Ku-band dishes are a lot smaller but are missing a lot of C-band's content. Satellite placement is also critical, you may want to pay a professional installer for it. As for receivers, I have no suggestions, beyond perhaps a receiver with a DVR. If you do go through with it, let us know how it works out and what you manage to get.

I think WSEC. I'm going to play around with the antenna some more once I finish graduate school here in a week. I really should be studying, and not thinking about this :) Everything else OTA comes in great, it's weird.

I'm looking at a Ku dish. I think I'll probably start making calls to professional installers here in Springfield (trying to find somebody with experience with this FTA stuff specifically). As for a receiver, I'm still researching. I'd like to just get a compatible card for my windows media center pc, and have it mixed in with all my OTA stuff. There are quite a few forums on the subject, but the receivers do not seem very user friendly, and I'm a little worried about the learning curve. I want something that can do that "blind scan" quickly, display HD content (if at all possible), and be able to manipulate a motorized dish. I'm hoping I find an installer that is himself an enthusiast.

If I am able to get this running successfully, I will happily report back with my findings.

Great, thanks for the response!

I'm a tinkerer, so this whole thing feels like something I would just love to play around with.

If you like tinkering, FTA will definitely hold your interest, I think.

First, we had Dish Network a few years ago, and it worked fine. However, I wouldn't say we have an entirely clear view of the southern sky (which I've read multiple sites say is a prerequisite to get any of this to work). If I was able to get Dish Network, is it a reasonable assumption that I should be able to hit at least a few satellites?

In Virginia, where I lived before I moved to Chattanooga, I had to hunt to find a position where I could see both AMC21 and G19 (I decided I didn't care enough about AMC9). I did find a position where I could see AMC21 just above the tree line, and with my motor I can see from 91W to 125W. If you got Dish Network to work, though, I think you will be okay for the western satellites at least, as I think Dish is on satellites between 110W and 129W.

Depending on your view, you may be blocked from certain satellites, but it would be difficult to tell off-hand.

Second, I just don't have the room (or probably the spousal support) to put up a "C" dish. Do you find that there is plenty to play with on the Ku dish, or do you find it lacking? This is probably a dumb question, but I wanted to ask.

[...]

What's your experience with wildfeeds? This has to be the most interesting aspect to me. I've found a couple forums that post wildfeeds to sporting events, etc, and it looks great. Are you able to get much of that stuff with the Ku dish?

I spend a fair amount of time with it. The satellites with the interesting feeds tend to be the ones centrally located, so 91W and 105W have a lot on them, for example. You will find that many times when TV stations have people live, those feeds will appear on Ku. I'm not a sports watcher, but did happen across an ESPN feed of a UVA baseball game once at 38 Mbps in 720p. Since it was otherwise available only on ESPN3 as far as I could tell, I was probably seeing it more clearly than anyone else watching.

As I am a fan of PBS, I spend a lot of time on AMC21, and I would say there's tons to watch there. 24/7 news from Al Jazeera English is good too, and was great during the Egyptian uprising.

Have you used Windows Media Center to control your signal? I've seen a few videos on youtube showing this method, but there just isn't a whole lot out there explaining whether it's worth it to try. Since there apparently is usually no channel guide data, there wouldn't be a huge advantage, but I would like to get the signal to my windows media extenders that way, if possible.

I don't use Windows any more than I have to, so I can't say that I've used it with Media Center, but I do use it with TSReader on a regular basis. In fact, I don't own a TV these days, and do all my watching on a desktop computer. I have a USB DVB-S2 tuner and it works great for me.

I'm looking at a Ku dish. I think I'll probably start making calls to professional installers here in Springfield (trying to find somebody with experience with this FTA stuff specifically).

I encourage you to get a 90 cm dish. The OTARD rules permit a dish up to 1 meter, and my dish is 90 cm by 99 cm, so I'm definitely within that limit.

As for a receiver, I'm still researching. I'd like to just get a compatible card for my windows media center pc, and have it mixed in with all my OTA stuff. There are quite a few forums on the subject, but the receivers do not seem very user friendly, and I'm a little worried about the learning curve. I want something that can do that "blind scan" quickly, display HD content (if at all possible), and be able to manipulate a motorized dish. I'm hoping I find an installer that is himself an enthusiast.

If you're looking for a standalone receiver, I've tried the Openbox S9 and the Manhattan receiver, and found both to be good receivers. I own the latter, but have not used it nearly as much as I would like to have.

If you're looking for a USB tuner, I am of less help. I bought a TeVii S660 based on a recommendation from a friend and from the fact it has a dedicated driver in TSReader. It's a good receiver, but I've been having a driver issue that requires a reboot to get it working again after it stops. I imagine it's something fixable but it hasn't quite annoyed me enough to bring it to the attention of the manufacturer. It cost me $85, plus $30 shipping from Taiwan.

I'm a member over on Satellite Guys, and the folks there would probably have better suggestions on a USB tuner than I would.

If I am able to get this running successfully, I will happily report back with my findings.

I look forward to hearing about it!

- Trip

I have a Media Center PC with an internal tuner card. It has run flawlessly for over 2 years. I receive all of the OTA channels pretty well from an attic antenna. In the last couple of months only 17-1 WAND I have issue with. I can manually tune to the channel but I cannot record on just that channel. Ideas???

Thanks

I wonder if it has anything to do with WAND moving back onto RF 17. Perhaps you should do a complete rescan.

All limited basic channels (both SD & HD) WILL remain available in clear QAM - which is stated quite plainly on the notices that just went out. But, that could change later...see next post.


Yes, however, you may need to rescan your plasma, if they move QAM's around, which is very possible.

HOWEVER...I will tell you that Comcast IS in the process of requesting a waiver from the FCC, to allow them to encrypt EVERYTHING, including the clear QAM (HD) local channels. But, they are also coming out with an HD DTA, which will allow you to get the HD locals back. No word on if subs can get these (HD) DTA's as part of "3 free DTA's" limited subs already get...but I would be willing to bet they WILL be. ;)



If you really mean you're using a DTA, then yes, this setup will NOT change after the analog shut-off.

Thanks for the reply Dishrich. From what you are saying I will have to wait and see after Comcast's makes its changes on June 5th to see what happens and what I need to do.

Is Comcast required by law to provide the local channels in HD without having to pay extra for a HD receiver?

Did you notice that sometime after the Christmas holidays, it appeared that the DVD manufacturers such as Pansonic have decided not to make DVD recorders and DVD/VHS recorders anymore? I think Toshiba may still make a DVD recorder but forget about VHS recorders. It apears that the media industry does not want you to be able to record anything on a VHS tape or DVD disc anymore. I realize that you may be able to do it illegally or through your computer legally if you are smart enough but they are not making any Blue Ray recorders that I know of so far.

If you like tinkering, FTA will definitely hold your interest, I think.

I'm getting desperate to find an installer; I've even been contacting the independent guys who install Dish Network (and any other outfit that looks like they could help) and they're trying to tell me that I'm doing something illegal and refusing to do (while pushing their service on me).

I finished my graduate degree on Saturday and I need something to tinker with! Why is it so hard to find somebody to install a FTA dish?

I've installed all of my dishes myself or with the help of a friend, never with an installer. It's not too terribly difficult to set up a fixed dish, really, if you're willing to spend some time on it. My motorized dishes took several weeks of tweaking to get lined up correctly, but were also doable.

- Trip