Well, I just figured that with the new tower going up, they would soon just abandon the analog portion when thats done. Plus, the analog 7 isn't strong at all, so it wouldn't be hard to overtake it. I am very very very close to the current tower and can't hardly get 7 analog with an outdoor antenna where its even tolerable.

The FCC wouldn't allow them to move to 7 as long as KATV analog is operating in any form. I doubt they'd be so quick to abandon the analog as long as it costs them next to nothing to operate (low power, from leased antenna).

Besides, KETS hasn't put up their new channel 7 antenna yet. The old channel 5 antenna has to come down first, and you can't replace an antenna in a day. KETS told the FCC they plan to do the replacement in January, and as such KETS-DT will be off the air for a month between the time they start removing the DT-05 antenna and the time KATV analog goes away.

- Trip

The FCC wouldn't allow them to move to 7 as long as KATV analog is operating in any form. I doubt they'd be so quick to abandon the analog as long as it costs them next to nothing to operate (low power, from leased antenna).

Besides, KETS hasn't put up their new channel 7 antenna yet. The old channel 5 antenna has to come down first, and you can't replace an antenna in a day. KETS told the FCC they plan to do the replacement in January, and as such KETS-DT will be off the air for a month between the time they start removing the DT-05 antenna and the time KATV analog goes away.

- Trip
Oh yeah, forgot they haven't started putting up the new antenna yet.

Well, I just figured that with the new tower going up, they would soon just abandon the analog portion when thats done. Plus, the analog 7 isn't strong at all, so it wouldn't be hard to overtake it. I am very very very close to the current tower and can't hardly get 7 analog with an outdoor antenna where its even tolerable.

I dont know whats going on with your reception, but I get Ch 7 analog down here in yell county on my OTA system about as well as I've ever gotten it thru the years. You must have a hill or building cutting your reception off. I'm watching 7 analog right now and its not bad. I'm at least 60 miles away as the crow flies

I dont know whats going on with your reception, but I get Ch 7 analog down here in yell county on my OTA system about as well as I've ever gotten it thru the years. You must have a hill or building cutting your reception off. I'm watching 7 analog right now and its not bad. I'm at least 60 miles away as the crow fliesArkyman, it's also a lot closer to you, located on Shinall, than it was down in Redfield.

I wish that in Feb., KETS would start identifying on their physical channel numbers across the state. And KATV should start using ch 22. It's ridiculous for them to keep using "7" when another station will be using that channel. They should make this switch in Feb and get it over with. Viewers are confused enough without having virtual/physical channel crap to deal with.

Yea, we know THAT will happen :)

Thanks Steve, got a Audiovox XpressRC with 60 minute buffer, two car kits and a home kit. Sounds great...Love the color multichannel display. I found out you dont even need the satellite in Pulaski and Lonoke Co's, they have a terrestrial transmiter. So far, out in the woods, and boonies (took hy 9 from Morrilton to Benton), no drops at all. Had one of I-30 going under a double overpass, thats it.

KETS told me they would be down for 4 to 6 weeks, removing ch 5 antenna and low power transmitter, and installing ch 7 antenna and full power transmitter, starting right after the first of the year, if their plans havent changed.

Thanks Steve, got a Audiovox XpressRC with 60 minute buffer, two car kits and a home kit. Sounds great...Love the color multichannel display. I found out you dont even need the satellite in Pulaski and Lonoke Co's, they have a terrestrial transmiter. So far, out in the woods, and boonies (took hy 9 from Morrilton to Benton), no drops at all. Had one of I-30 going under a double overpass, thats it.
Really? I lose my reception whenever I pull into the garage. Wonder why yours doesn't need the satellite? I take it thats a newer released receiver? How much was it?? Is it a Sirius/XM unit, or a Sirius, or an XM receiver? I have been wondering if a Sirius unit would work the same.

Also, I had a FM modulator kit installed in mine cause they were doing it for free, so the FM Transmitter in my Roady2 puts it out the antenna lead, into that receiver, and then directly into the radios Antenna port. I am wondering if the antenna jack on yours is the same so if I wanted to upgrade to the newer receiver it would still work in my car.

About the only thing different I would have to change is the custom metal mount I paid $45 for that lets me mount it on my dash. I am so sick of this Roady2 cause its got this really really high pitched whine to it that is loud enough to give me a headache. Its especially noticeable when there is talking like on comedy channels or low levels of the music like on classical or soundtracks. I just really want that to go away badly.

EDIT: Ahh, looking at it on Amazon, it has the same type of connector on it apparently. And looking at the Audiovox XMFM1 Xpress XM Satellite Radio FM Switch Box, thats exactly the same thing that XM sent to me to get professionally installed for free for the FM modulator.

I dont know whats going on with your reception, but I get Ch 7 analog down here in yell county on my OTA system about as well as I've ever gotten it thru the years. You must have a hill or building cutting your reception off. I'm watching 7 analog right now and its not bad. I'm at least 60 miles away as the crow flies

KATV analog (7) comes in here, but it varies in signal strength. Under poor conditions, 7 will be very snowy and under strong scatter it almost resembles the old Redfield signal. Its comparable to KWBF 42 and KEJB 43 (El Dorado) but stronger than KKYK-CA 20, KKAP 36 and WXVT 15 (Greenville MS).

When I visited Mount Magazine (http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com/2008/10/ota-channel-surfing-on-mount-magazine.html) in October, I got KATV analog very well at the vistor's center

That said, when I watch KATV, its on E* or if conditions permit, the DTV relay via KWBF-DT.

Arkyman, it's also a lot closer to you, located on Shinall, than it was down in Redfield.

I wish that in Feb., KETS would start identifying on their physical channel numbers across the state. And KATV should start using ch 22. It's ridiculous for them to keep using "7" when another station will be using that channel. They should make this switch in Feb and get it over with. Viewers are confused enough without having virtual/physical channel crap to deal with.

KATV tower is now located about 60 miles from me on shinall, it was about 80 miles away at redfield. I'm just pointing out that I do receive it at 60 miles out. If it were very weak, it would barely show up here. I dont watch the analogs anymore, I'm waiting on KATV to fire up their Digital OTA transmission. BTW, KATV on Directv is now looking much better than it did about 2 weeks ago, much better

steveken: Had a two page response and the phone erased it cuz I accidentally hit the "att" button instead of caps...I hate AT&T. Wish my boss would switch to Verizon. Yahoo messenger is not working, messages getting deleted...Im so glad she got me a $400 phone...AT&Ts mobile website wont even load on their own pda's.

Anyway, the high pitched noise you are hearing is the 19 khz stereo pilot tone. Lots of cheap fm modulators put out extremely strong pilot tones, which are stronger than the pilot filter in the fm receiver can mask, so you hear it. (Good speakers :). I went through two Fm mods before finding a brand that didnt do that.

steveken: Had a two page response and the phone erased it cuz I accidentally hit the "att" button instead of caps...I hate AT&T. Wish my boss would switch to Verizon. Yahoo messenger is not working, messages getting deleted...Im so glad she got me a $400 phone...AT&Ts mobile website wont even load on their own pda's.

Anyway, the high pitched noise you are hearing is the 19 khz stereo pilot tone. Lots of cheap fm modulators put out extremely strong pilot tones, which are stronger than the pilot filter in the fm receiver can mask, so you hear it. (Good speakers :). I went through two Fm mods before finding a brand that didnt do that.
Its only 19kHz? I could have sworn it was higher than that. It drives me nuts. I wish there was something I could do about it. My damn Saturn Ion has an alternator whine to it as well, but thats really only noticeable with the radio off. I took it in for them to fix it when I first got it, but all they did was test the alternator, said it was fine, and gave it back to me. Damn thing isn't grounded right.

Anyway, I looked at that radio some more. Things I don't like about it are 1) the price is way too high for me, 2) only has a 10 station preset, and 3) doesn't appear to have an FM Modulator built in to it. With #3, I don't see why Amazon shows the FM Direct module as an add on as if it would actually work with it. Those only work if there is a modulator built into it. No modulator is a deal breaker for me. At least until I get a radio with an AUX jack on the front of it.

Heh, seems most of my problems with my car are the radio, weird. That and there is a strange 5 knock sound that comes from the back end like 3 or 4 minutes after you start driving it. hot or cold it happens. very odd to sit at a light and hear "knock knock knock knock knock" real fast like someone is tapping on your car from the outside.

Oh well, in any case, maybe one day I will get a new XM receiver....just have to find a good one.

Check out www.xmradio.com/newradio or sirius/newradio if you are with them. If you are talking about the ExpressRC I have, it has a good solid FM modulator in it. It was a tad pricey, but I like the 1 hour buffer. They have an identical B&W version much cheaper I think. Next year they are supposed to come out with dual band radios that can get both the sirius and XM sats, although I dont see what purpose that would serve, since everything is simulcast now.
For your alternator, they make a cheap kit (ham stores, maybe radio shack) to get rid of the alternator noise. Think you can just tack a BIG electrolytic cap across the 12v dc output to ground as well to get rid of most of it.
Usually the battery filters that, maybe your alternator cables are long or pass over another wire thats picking it up.

Check out www.xmradio.com/newradio or sirius/newradio if you are with them. If you are talking about the ExpressRC I have, it has a good solid FM modulator in it. It was a tad pricey, but I like the 1 hour buffer. They have an identical B&W version much cheaper I think. Next year they are supposed to come out with dual band radios that can get both the sirius and XM sats, although I dont see what purpose that would serve, since everything is simulcast now.
For your alternator, they make a cheap kit (ham stores, maybe radio shack) to get rid of the alternator noise. Think you can just tack a BIG electrolytic cap across the 12v dc output to ground as well to get rid of most of it.
Usually the battery filters that, maybe your alternator cables are long or pass over another wire thats picking it up.
I am with XM, thats why I told you all about it in regards to the woods. Everything I saw made it appear the RC didn't have a modulator in it. If it does, then that helps a little, but the $150 (or evidently $120 with that link) does not help it though. I can never find a good concise list of the features of the unit, so I can't make a good determination of whether I would like it or not. I find bits and pieces here and there. None of which mentioned the FM modulator. The B&W version is not the same. It only has a 30 minute buffer and has like 30 presets on it while the RC has 10 presets.

I don't think I would care about getting a dual band radio and not everything is simulcast, almost, but not all. I don't care about their other crap. Gotta get used to the new names for the channels I used to like on XM.

The battery in my car is in the back while the alternator and all that other junk is up front, so that is probably where all the interference comes from, but as long as I don't have quiet spots in the music or the radio off, its fine.

Well, the BW version has the presets you wanted, and was only $44. I just got the color version because I only have like 5 favs, and it matched the color display on my in-dash.

I use the 20 favoritw artists feature more than the fav buttons. I RARELY change channels while driving. It beeps when one of my fav groups comes on any other channel, then I just hit the XM Button to listen, then the jump button to return to my main channel (Classic Rewind).

Im assuming the $44 one has most of the same features. Mine might only have a 30 min buffer, I havent ever backed up that far. Just use it to replay a favorite song.

Only thing I wish it had, was a SD card slot, to play mp3's.

Back to topic...

Allenf: Is Directv ever going to switch back to the microwave feed?

Well, the BW version has the presets you wanted, and was only $44. I just got the color version because I only have like 5 favs, and it matched the color display on my in-dash.

I use the 20 favoritw artists feature more than the fav buttons. I RARELY change channels while driving. It beeps when one of my fav groups comes on any other channel, then I just hit the XM Button to listen, then the jump button to return to my main channel (Classic Rewind).

Im assuming the $44 one has most of the same features. Mine might only have a 30 min buffer, I havent ever backed up that far. Just use it to replay a favorite song.

Only thing I wish it had, was a SD card slot, to play mp3's.
Yours has a 60-minute buffer. Thats one of the improvements they did over the R version that I figured out. I wouldn't want the R, gotta have the color. :) Its kinda boring having just a couple of shades of gray.

I didn't realize it has 20 favorite artists thing, I thought it had 10. If thats the case, that might not be as bad then cause that should cover all the main stuff I wanna listen to on the other channels I would be missing. Plus, I could just do one channel if there is a bunch of others around it that I like. Like, put in 7 and just manually go to 8 and 9. I don't know how many that would take care of. I really only use like maybe 20 presets right now on mine.

The favorite team thing would be awesome cause I have a hell of a time finding Cardinals games when they come on. I am not real concerned about the mp3 part cause I can just bring my iPod into the car with me cause I got a transmitter for it too.

I wish my Roady XT had an input port for my iPhone... then I could have just one FM transmitter.

I wish my wife hadn't gotten us kicked off freecycle cause I could go there and beg for a different XM receiver to replace what I have. :)

KTHV can do lower thirds and weather graphics without switching back to SD. Seen it a bunch of times. I was also watching another channel the other day that threw up a 4x3 sized third without switching away from the HD feed. I can't remember who it was, but it wasn't KTHV. It really surprised me. I think it was KARK because it had their version of the DTV warning crawl along the top of the screen. I don't think its safe to say that none of them can do it because I have seen otherwise. I doubt it has anything to do with my watching them on U-Verse, DirecTV, or OTA.

Heh, I wonder if they just upgraded equipment. I'm watching Today on KARK and the HD feed has the storm map overlaid to the bottom left just fine. The graphic itself looks to be SD, but at least they aren't downgrading the entire feed.

-MDG

allenf- If you're reading, does KATV have any long term plans to begin broadcasting local news in high definition?

I visited another city not too long ago and the local anchors appeared in HD on the concierge lounge TV... I couldn't believe it.

Also, that sync issue is still terrible on E*. Any luck talking to them?

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aid=110700.54928.122829

hahahaha THANKS Sam, that made my day.

So, basically, if KATV doesn't get their tower and transmitter going before the Equity people just "go dark" and "walk away", that pretty much means they are screwed, right? Maybe that won't happen if the 11 works like they hope it will. I mean, wow, thats one hell of a guy running the joint, huh? :)

Doubtful that KWBF will go dark, since KARK is buying it.

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=108868.54928.121009

I doubt they could find the power switch to make it go dark. Anyway, Dish and Directv subs would be ok. Im guessing KATV could always cut off analog and use the backup KTHV setup for digital on ch 7 until their UHf setup is complete (with FCC permission), or just rent a subchannel from one of the other locals.

I wonder what Kark plans to do with KWBF...almost sounded like they were going to use it as a "THV2" type station...This should be interesting...especially since they could put KWBF's antenna up on their big stick...when they take the analog ch 4 antenna down.

Interesting thing is, KWBF is totally intertwined with the automated system for equitys other stations running off the same media servers...so curious how they could break it up, unless it doesnt include any master control equipment, but just the transmitter and fcc channel assignment...

Little Rock OTA, never boring.

KPBI 34 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KBBL-TV) is already off the air tonight.

The lights are still on at the tower. I guess somebody besides Equity owns that. :)

If they turned off the tower lights, the FCC would hit them with a nice fine. Planes could fly right into an unlit tower.

Or do you mean the lights in the building at the bottom of the tower?

- Trip

KPBI is still going out of satellite...

Just got an answer to my request for a converter box coupon to replace the two I didnt use because there were no boxes available....said it was against the law to send me one, since they already sent two, even if they were unused. Then they said to "find a friend with cable" and ask him to apply for a coupon using his address, and when they arrived, to use his coupons. Said that was legal...so why dont they just SEND ME a F'IN coupon.....

If they turned off the tower lights, the FCC would hit them with a nice fine. Planes could fly right into an unlit tower.

Or do you mean the lights in the building at the bottom of the tower?

- TripI know, Trip. It was an attempt at a joke. :)
Not sure about lights below the tower (if there are any). I can't see that from my house - only the tower.

Hehe, I should have noticed. I'm in the middle of an argument on another forum, so I'm kinda in that grumpy arguing mood. ;)

- Trip

Arrrrrrrrrgh! :D

I wonder what Kark plans to do with KWBF...almost sounded like they were going to use it as a "THV2" type station...This should be interesting...especially since they could put KWBF's antenna up on their big stick...when they take the analog ch 4 antenna down.

My guess and I wouldn't bank on this but you know what is said about opinions...;)

Nexstar will likely keep KWBF a MNTV affiliate, but its anyone's guess about the second subchannel. If RTN isn't retained, there is a chance of putting on Univision or Telemundo. I'm certain that a 9pm newscast produced by KARK is a given (much like the KOLR/KSFX arrangement in Springfield MO).

Also Nexstar will try to pretty up the old sow first (programming changes, and upgrading the power/antenna) before shaking down cable operators and D* and E* for retrans fees. Unlike KARK which is a heritage station, some cable operators will be reluctant to pony up for a station (KWBF) that presently invokes "Must Carry".

Just my 2 cents...

Hello Folks,

First post on this site and looking for some info. I really would like the LR locals in HD (have a Dish 622 receiver and HD service) but I live in the piney woods of south Arkansas. As I understand it the stations are on the 77 degree bird and I probably don't have the sight line for a wing dish. Will they be mirrored or moved to the 110/119/129 dishes? Thanks for the help.

mophlash,
Welcome to the forum.

AFAIK, the HD locals that are on 77 will stay there. And they are not all available yet.

How far are you from LR? What does antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org) or tvfool (http://www.tvfool.com) say for OTA at your address?

Thanks, Arxaw,

I'm 90-100 miles south of LR and an OTA just won't do it. You don't think these locals will be mirrored on the other birds?

Thanks, Arxaw,

I'm 90-100 miles south of LR and an OTA just won't do it. You don't think these locals will be mirrored on the other birds?

I would try tvfool regardless. If you are 100 miles due south of LR, you might actually pick up El Dorado NBC and Fox (the two missing from 77w at the moment it so happens).

JM2CW,
-MDG

Hello Folks,

First post on this site and looking for some info. I really would like the LR locals in HD (have a Dish 622 receiver and HD service) but I live in the piney woods of south Arkansas. As I understand it the stations are on the 77 degree bird and I probably don't have the sight line for a wing dish. Will they be mirrored or moved to the 110/119/129 dishes? Thanks for the help.

Welcome aboard.

I'm just west of Star City and happen to live in an area where I have a somewhat "clear" view of the Little Rock transmitters, however it is fringe reception. I get DTV's KARK, KTHV, KLRT 24/7 plus the Redfield transmitters of KETS (low band VHF at present), and KASN. I also am well within range of KTVE-DT (Channel 27 aka 10-n) in El Dorado (NBC).

If you lived near Monticello and parts eastward you could get WABG-DT (channel 32 aka 6-n) at Greenwood MS which is ABC (6-1) and FOX (6-2 SD only).

A couple of questions: what town in South Arkansas are you close to? If you live west of El Dorado and parts SW, you may be able to get the Shreveport OTA stations. Secondly, do you have an outdoor antenna, and if so what do you receive on it (including analog) and is it a VHF only, combo, or a UHF only antenna?

Again, welcome. Many of us have been doing OTA for several years to supplement sat offerings.

I would try tvfool regardless. If you are 100 miles due south of LR, you might actually pick up El Dorado NBC and Fox (the two missing from 77w at the moment it so happens).

JM2CW,
-MDG

The FOX station for the Monroe/El Dorado market is KARD-DT (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1167762.html) (ch 36, 14-1 remapped) West Monroe (COL) but the transmitter is located at Columbia LA south of Monroe (same location as KNOE and KAQY). I can only get it with tropo enhancement. However, KEJB 43 MyNetTV (analog only @ present) El Dorado is receivable here, but it transmits from the KTVE tower near Huttig (between El Dorado and Crossett).

Another update on Equity Broadcasting...the plot thickens

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=110735.54928.122873&cID=e&view=all

I guess their "we will do whatever we like" attitude caught up with them. I like the way one guy split and bought the only profitable part of the operation, RTN.

Looks like KARK got em a bargain. So with the FCC suspending all their high power licenses, looks like ch 49 in Camden and a few others will go dark.

Sam, KBPI full power? It still off?

I guess their "we will do whatever we like" attitude caught up with them. I like the way one guy split and bought the only profitable part of the operation, RTN.

Looks like KARK got em a bargain. So with the FCC suspending all their high power licenses, looks like ch 49 in Camden and a few others will go dark.

Sam, KBPI full power? It still off?

I thought something was up when KATV expedited getting fiber to both D* and E*. KATV may lose their Equity-supplied FTA feeds long before the new tower is operational. This will effect many cablecos (unless they hookup a spare D* or E* system on the sly ;) )

I'm still seeing the faint picture from KKYK-CA (ch 20) here.

On an unrelated note, KTVE-DT El Dorado has their radar (live, real time, but no audio, no 'THV2' type junk) operational again. Watching the (freezing?) rain near Lake Village, Greenville at present. Remembered though to fix the mandatory stretching on 10-2 that KTVE does, with the Zenith STB's "squeezed" mode.

This is the downside of working evenings....staying up late well past my normal bedtime.

Thanks, Arxaw,

I'm 90-100 miles south of LR and an OTA just won't do it. You don't think these locals will be mirrored on the other birds?

They will not be mirrored. Dish Network put the Little Rock DMA on the "Eastern Arc", meaning instead of 110/119/129, we are being converted to 61.5/72.7/77.

Until Dish starts giving out the 1000.4 "Eastern Arc" dishes in February, folks here in Arkansas will be on a dual dish setup... 110/119/129 (1000.2 dish) and a wing dish (Dish 500 with single LNB) for 77W.

... You don't think these locals will be mirrored on the other birds?Nope. They are all full.

I would try suggestions of others in your area for OTA.

... KBPI full power? It still off?Yep. Dark this morning and missing from the TVGOS.

Same as yesterday>

http://i37.tinypic.com/sncdpz.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2mcbudj.jpg
LOL, I thought the lower left ad that displayed when I took this yesterday, was appropriate. :)

I've seen KPBI down here a few times, but only after K34FH left the airwaves. I had a few words (http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com/2008/12/nw-arkansas-tv-viewers-report-kpbi-34.html) about the station this morning.

Needless to say, they won't be transitioning to DTV anytime soon ;)

...Needless to say, they [kpbi] won't be transitioning to DTV anytime soon ;)Uh, no.

I do hope someone buys it at the liquidation sale, though. As long as they don't turn it into another "daystar" type satellite relay channel.

I swung the antenna south-southwest to see if I could see KKYK 49. Nothing at all. KTVE-DT was locking even pointed at the LR stations this morning, and is nearly full scale pointed at Huttig. KEJB 43 has some snow but would decode if it were DTV.

KKYK 49 OTA has never had much of a signal here, in fact the signal from KKYK-CA (20) Little Rock has been more consistent although varying from "just there" to nearly snow free.

I guess their "we will do whatever we like" attitude caught up with them. I like the way one guy split and bought the only profitable part of the operation, RTN.

Looks like KARK got em a bargain. So with the FCC suspending all their high power licenses, looks like ch 49 in Camden and a few others will go dark.

Sam, KBPI full power? It still off?
KARK can NOT buy Equity right now. According to the article, it states:

● Making false certifications to the Federal Communications Commission, causing the FCC to place on hold "license renewal, license assignment, and transfer of control applications" for most of Equity Media's full-power TV stations;

"Transfer of control applications" is exactly what would need to be done to sell it to KARK at this point, if I am not mistaken.

EDIT: Also, might I say WOW and suggest the person writing that Arkansas Business article get a proof-reader next time. There are several mistakes in there as in sentences with extraneous words and another instance where a paragraph was obviously updated, but the original was not removed, just bumped down to a new paragraph. Heh, sorry, just my nitpickyness poking through. :)

I live in Camden, just north of El Dorado. Two years ago I took down my rotary mast antenna and don't want to put one back up to get OTA. I was just hoping that the Little Rocks HD locals would appear on 110/119/129.

I live in Camden, just north of El Dorado. Two years ago I took down my rotary mast antenna and don't want to put one back up to get OTA. I was just hoping that the Little Rocks HD locals would appear on 110/119/129.The LR HD locals on Dish will stay on 77 for the time being. They just put them there recently (well, some of them, they're not all up).

You can put another dish in the yard.
Put up an OTA antenna.
Get DirecTV.

Does the new music for the KTHV news remind anyone other than me of a typical 1980's "Action News" music set?

Does the new music for the KTHV news remind anyone other than me of a typical 1980's "Action News" music set?

KTHV has news? J/K

KKYK 49 is on the air...for now. That broadcaster's "full power" signal didn't propagate here yesterday. Ch49 analog is in enough this morning to make out what is being broadcast---some Time Life infomercial selling DVD's of the old Midnight Special TV Show.

That said, KARD 14 analog is in snowy and KARD-DT 36 is being detected but not decoding.

From Arkansas Business, coordinated analog shutdown "tests"

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=110816.54928.122939&view=all&link=perm

KKYK 49 is on the air...for now. That broadcaster's "full power" signal didn't propagate here yesterday...FWIW (not much), Equity station KPBI, Eureka Spgs is back on the air. At least today.

http://i37.tinypic.com/2jbs360.jpg

This was taken yesterday and reflects about 250' of tower stacked out of the 1100'
or so total. The tower has a 10' face and will have an elevator. The lowest guys are temps. The next guys up are permanent. The crew is taking Christmas week off, but given average weather, the tower should be stacked out by Jan 15th at which time the top mount antenna should arrive along with the 7" transmission line and be mounted. I'm shooting for Feb 1 on air for testing. Could go back and forth a week or two depending on good wx or bad wx. Many thanks to Sam for pointing me at the tinypic site for the posting a photo to for the image link.

A

Awesome...looking good. Glad its not up high for the freezing rain tonight :)

Thanks for the pics Allen. The new tower going up is a beautiful sight. Now that you guys are on Shinall, I cant wait for the new signal to go out. I locked KATV at 77% when located at Redfield (bout 80 miles LOS) I'm 54-58 miles from the Shinall Mt. towers, hoping I get KATV in the 90% range when it fires up:D Keep us updated:)

Anyone else noticed KTHV is suffering some sound issues? During their newscast--and only during the newscast--there is static in the channels. Also, and perhaps more annoying, their normalization of commercial volumes is piss poor. By far the worst of the four main locals.

Just figured everyone would like to know that Nexstar applied for a different antenna for KWBF. It's not omnidirectional, but pretty close to it.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1281923&Service=DT&Form_id=301&Facility_id=37005

In the weakest null, the power is 771 kW, more than the current STA in its strongest direction.

They're proposing to side-mount it directly below the KARK-DT antenna on the tower, so I'd hope the coverage is comparable.

- Trip

KMFW perhaps, Mike Francis Weather channel...so they can quit posting graphics all over my programming on NBC, telling me its slippery outside.

Anyone else noticed KTHV is suffering some sound issues? During their newscast--and only during the newscast--there is static in the channels. Also, and perhaps more annoying, their normalization of commercial volumes is piss poor. By far the worst of the four main locals.

Yep, I noticed both OTA and on Dish Network's HD KTHV feed.

Anyone else noticed KTHV is suffering some sound issues? ...their normalization of commercial volumes is piss poor. By far the worst of the four main locals.This has been going on for years and years at KTHV. Obviously no one there gives a s**t about addressing the problem or it would've been fixed by now.

Trip, thanks for the heads up on KWBF-DT. In certain weather conditions, I wonder if KWBF-DT's new antenna will cause reception problems for KYTV-DT 44's viewers in the southern part of the KYTV-DT viewing area.

Thanks for the tower photo Allen, I've been checking the KATV site for progress but last photo update was Nov 3. The new tower looks great, thanks for the info.

This has been going on for years and years at KTHV. Obviously no one there gives a s**t about addressing the problem or it would've been fixed by now.

Trip, thanks for the heads up on KWBF-DT. In certain weather conditions, I wonder if KWBF-DT's new antenna will cause reception problems for KYTV-DT 44's viewers in the southern part of the KYTV-DT viewing area.

I took a gander at the proposed KWBF-DT plot (http://www.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/polarplot?temp=101281923&rotate=0&p0=0.882&p10=0.9&p20=0.928&p30=0.96&p40=0.987&p50=1&p60=0.994&p70=0.972&p80=0.941&p90=0.91&p100=0.888&p110=0.878&p120=0.882&p130=0.9&p140=0.928&p150=0.96&p160=0.987&p170=1&p180=0.994&p190=0.972&p200=0.941&p210=0.91&p220=0.888&p230=0.878&p240=0.882&p250=0.9&p260=0.928&p270=0.96&p280=0.987&p290=1&p300=0.994&p310=0.972&p320=0.941&p330=0.91&p340=0.888&p350=0.878) and the weakest northern null is about 350 deg which is some attempt to protect KYTV-DT. However, I doubt it will have much effect on someone living on a mountain top in Northern Van Buren or Searcy Counties. Antenna stackin' time perhaps, or one with a high front to back ratio for that area's home OTA viewers of either station.

Anyone else noticed KTHV is suffering some sound issues? During their newscast--and only during the newscast--there is static in the channels. Also, and perhaps more annoying, their normalization of commercial volumes is piss poor. By far the worst of the four main locals.

Been going on for some time. Should have been corrected by now with proper training by their "Technical" department supervisor if there is one. You would think that someone in the sales department there would check into this for his/her clients to keep the viewer/buyer from having to use their remote to do what the station should be doing for them. Oh well, that's today's tv.

Anyone heard anything more about the negotiations between Dish and KARK and KLRT? I'd love to get off of SuddenLink (more like SuddenPriceHike), but all our favorite shows are NBC and the wife will not abide SD after seeing them in HD the last few weeks.

Anyone heard anything more about the negotiations between Dish and KARK and KLRT? I'd love to get off of SuddenLink (more like SuddenPriceHike)Get an antenna and watch 'em free. You're within both KARK & KLRT's DT coverage areas.

KARK-DT
http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT286175.gif

KLRT-DT
http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT602206.gif

Or get DirecTV. They have all the LR HD locals.

What ARXAW said...

Been going on for some time. Should have been corrected by now with proper training by their "Technical" department supervisor if there is one. You would think that someone in the sales department there would check into this for his/her clients to keep the viewer/buyer from having to use their remote to do what the station should be doing for them. Oh well, that's today's tv.
If memory serves me correctly from my interview with her, AlisonF is the technical department muckity muck. Its been a couple of years and she might have been made obsolete or replaced, but I remember seeing on the business card, as they basically told me I didn't have a shot for the job, something about "Technical Director" or something like that.

Just for grins, I hooked up my portable tv to my Radio Shack discone (0db gain, broadband 100Mhz-1 Ghz vertical pol) antenna fed with 100' of RG8 (5? ohm coax with a SO239 to F 75 ohm pigtail. Its mounted about 25' above ground. I picked up analog 7,9,11,16,25,36,38 and 42 with a few ghosts. Digital picked up every digital station in town except PBS. Since the discone would exhibit about -20db on horizontally polarized signals, it also apparently eliminates most of the reflected signal strength of the multipath. It should fit in just about any attic, and might be worth a try for those struggling with indoor antennas. You can leave the add-on 27-100 MHz whip off (unless you are close enough to redfield it actually picks up KETS) to save even more space.

If it doesnt work for you, just return it.

Get an antenna and watch 'em free. You're within both KARK & KLRT's DT coverage areas.

Or get DirecTV. They have all the LR HD locals.

Well, not to be contentious or anything, but OTA is not "free". I'm right about 60 miles from the mountain. I would need to get a good antenna, plus preamp, plus mounting, coax, etc. Now we're looking at $100 - $150+, or about what locals would cost me for the 24 month commitment. I've priced DirecTV and their super-great specials don't include an HD DVR or HD channels. Put those in and the monthly cost is about what I'm paying for with cable. If KARK & KLRT drag their feet for a few more months, I guess I'll come up with some way to justify the expense ;) I've attached the tvfool info for my location for grins and giggles.

-MDG

Well, not to be contentious or anything, but OTA is not "free". I'm right about 60 miles from the mountain. I would need to get a good antenna, plus preamp, plus mounting, coax, etc. Now we're looking at $100 - $150+, or about what locals would cost me for the 24 month commitment. I've priced DirecTV and their super-great specials don't include an HD DVR or HD channels. Put those in and the monthly cost is about what I'm paying for with cable. If KARK & KLRT drag their feet for a few more months, I guess I'll come up with some way to justify the expense ;) I've attached the tvfool info for my location for grins and giggles.

-MDG
It's all in how you look at it. How many months would it take you to spend $100 - $150 by subscribing to a Dish or DirecTV outfit just to get what is available over the air for no subscription fee? How many shows do you really watch on all those other channels you don't get OTA? How many months are you willing to put up with BS that other providers give you in one manner or another be it raising prices, dragging their feet getting up on a bird, making your yard look like a cable company receive facility with all the extra dishes you need, etc?

Basically, you have to look at the ROI on the antenna idea. And you gotta look at what would be more beneficial to the family in the long run. Its pretty easy if you think about it to what would be better, especially if you don't watch other stuff that isn't a network show. If you only watch one or two things that aren't carried local, consider other methods of watching it like the networks website, torrents, hulu, etc.

It's all in how you look at it.... How many shows do you really watch on all those other channels you don't get OTA?

All very legit arguments. They are the same ones that that been going around in my head too :) Well, I think my wife would seriously consider homicide if she didn't get her HGTV, TLC, and Discovery fix every day :D We have an in-town Dish provider, so maybe I can get them to install something like a ClearStream4 while they are up there :cool:

According to the Springfield, MO thread, Equity has filed to shut down all its analog stations on 2/18.

I dont know about directv's current newbie offerings, but the people on dbstalk.com claim they are able to get HD DVR's for free when signing up. The package that includes all the channels and the HD fees and the DVR fee is DVR PLUS. Each additional receiver is $4.99. The benefit is no up front cost, the receivers are leased, so they are replaced free or for the cost of shipping if they fail. All networks are carried in HD except pbs and MyNet (sd only).

You should be able to get the HD DVR free if you talk to the right phone person. While it may be the same price as the cable company, does the cable company offer all the same channels in HD without downrezzing or bitrate limiting?

All depends how serious you and the wife are about picture quality, and choices. If either of you are sports fans, its a slam dunk.

I pay, simply because Directv is the only HD provider that carries all the channels I want in HD (except PBs), carries all my nascar races and MLB games, and has the best PQ of any provider available in arkansas (Fios is on par, but not here yet).

I pay $54.99 package + 4.99 (hd extras) + 20.98 (HD access/2 DVR's) + $33 (sports pack,showtime,encore,starz).

Cant compare it to cable here because cable doesnt have half the channels I get, and they also charge a monthly fee for each DVR here.

I just couldnt justify paying big bucks for a nice HDTV and not getting a great HD picture on it.

I dont go out to movies or clubs, so Directv IS my entertainment budget.

According to the Springfield, MO thread, Equity has filed to shut down all its analog stations on 2/18.
Why would they do that when they are required to shut them down anyway on 2/17?? That really doesn't make sense. I guess I might be missing the fact that they have a lot of LP analogs, huh?

All very legit arguments. They are the same ones that that been going around in my head too :) Well, I think my wife would seriously consider homicide if she didn't get her HGTV, TLC, and Discovery fix every day :D We have an in-town Dish provider, so maybe I can get them to install something like a ClearStream4 while they are up there :cool:
Well, there ya go. I would do like Dave and suggest you go with DirecTV. They really are great except for if you have a crappy installer and it rains real hard (know how to tweak the dish yourself). Its a lot more sensitive than Dish is on their HD's I believe. I don't think you can get your channels you mentioned in the clear off another sat and would need to buy a subscription to them anyway.

I got my HD DVR for free from DirecTV when I switched back to them from Comcrap after a year. That was the only way they could get me back. I left to go to Comcrap because DirecTV was being asses about my upgrading my stuff to HD. I just was NOT going to pay $300 for a leased DVR, so I had to use that as my bargaining chip. In any case, yeah, if you talk to the right people when you sign up, you can get pretty much what you want because they honestly want you as a customer, unlike Dish who really doesn't give a rats ass if you stay with them or not.

I would still be with them right now if they didn't charge an arm and a leg for the service. THAT was the ultimate breaking point for me when AT&T came around selling their wares. I mean, I was paying something on the order of like $109 a month after taxes for their HD DVR, HD Extras, Sports Pack package while AT&T was like $59 for the U200 and $10 for their "Sports Package" (which I ultimately took off because it wasn't as good as DirecTV's). After all the rebates I got (totaled like $190 worth), the two $10/month for 6 month discounts I got, and the money I was saving off Comcraps Internet ($42.95 + 11.99 locals + taxes compared to $35 month for the SAME speeds from AT&T), it just seemed like a good transaction to me. At least for the time being anyway. Their U300 includes Sho, TMC, Encore movie channels for $79, so with my dropping the "Sports Package" (it really is a joke) and the two $10/month discounts I am getting, I did about even switching to the U300 which gave me a few channels I was missing. So, in the long run, I went from like $170 a month to something like $129 a month ($114/month right now with my discounts for the next few months) saving me some money and getting most of the same stuff I had with DirecTV and Comcrap (cept Cartoon Network HD which I am still a little miffed about).

Anyway, that wasn't meant to be an ad for AT&T or anything, just was kinda telling my story a little (even though I am sure I have done it before). Long story short, if you wanna try to switch over to DirecTV to get the locals in HD a LOT easier than you would now with Dish or OTA, just give them a call. If you don't like what you hear from the first sales rep, hang up and call back to get another one. Chances are you won't have to do that too many times to get a deal you like.

Well, not to be contentious or anything, but OTA is not "free". I'm right about 60 miles from the mountain. I would need to get a good antenna, plus preamp, plus mounting, coax, etc.You had to pay for your TV, too.

I've never understood why people will spend large sums of money on an HDTV but not invest a little more in an outdoor antenna for OTA TV, that's more reliable than satellite in all weather and free after the initial cost.

Your TVFool results show OTA reception should be a easy with a decent outdoor antenna. And it should be even easier post-analog.

I wouldn't waste money on a clearstream4. A conventional 8bay bowtie (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228hd.htm) or yagi would work just fine, at half the cost.

... I guess I might be missing the fact that they have a lot of LP analogs, huh?A lot.

Well, not to be contentious or anything, but OTA is not "free". I'm right about 60 miles from the mountain. I would need to get a good antenna, plus preamp, plus mounting, coax, etc. Now we're looking at $100 - $150+, or about what locals would cost me for the 24 month commitment. I've priced DirecTV and their super-great specials don't include an HD DVR or HD channels. Put those in and the monthly cost is about what I'm paying for with cable. If KARK & KLRT drag their feet for a few more months, I guess I'll come up with some way to justify the expense ;) I've attached the tvfool info for my location for grins and giggles.

-MDG

Once you pay the cost of the antenna, lead in cable, preamp....its a one and done deal. No additional monthly fees.

Plus if KARK, KATV, etc start demanding more retrans fees out of E* (or other providers) and either party balks you will still have access to your local stations and no interruption of service.

I'll never purge my OTA antennas, and I'll never live anywhere I can't have them.

Well, not to be contentious or anything, but OTA is not "free". I'm right about 60 miles from the mountain. I would need to get a good antenna, plus preamp, plus mounting, coax, etc. Now we're looking at $100 - $150+, or about what locals would cost me for the 24 month commitment. I've priced DirecTV and their super-great specials don't include an HD DVR or HD channels. Put those in and the monthly cost is about what I'm paying for with cable. If KARK & KLRT drag their feet for a few more months, I guess I'll come up with some way to justify the expense ;) I've attached the tvfool info for my location for grins and giggles.

-MDG

Depends on what you deem as free. True, nothing is truly free, you'll have to invest in the equipment to get the signals. However, once you have it done, you never have to pay another dime ( unless something needs replaced). If you are in range to get the signals and you plan on staying at your location for a long time, it would be wise for you to get the same set up as me. I have the Winegard 8200HD/U Broadband (vhf/uhf/fm) antenna. Have it hooked to CM7777 pre-amp with RG6 coax. About75-100 ft run on the cable. I also have a rotor which makes fine tuning channels very easy. Going by the Highway, I'm 100 miles from LR, but as the crow flies, Line of sight (LOS) I am about 60 miles from the LR towers on Shinall. I lock them in the 80+ range all the time with no problems. When KATV was at Redfield, it was 80 miles LOS from me, I locked it at 77%, I get 38.1 at 70-80% and I usually lock 42.1 at 60%. All you need is the equipment and a good spot. Height can make a huge difference also. I found a sweet spot or "Hot spot" here at my location. At 18 feet, I get great reception on the weaker/distant signals like 42.1 and 38.1. However 1 foot below this or 1 foot above they will both drop out and will not lock. So, get some help and do some probing first to make sure you've got a good spot. Once you've done this all thats left to do is just securely mount it and enjoy years and years of free tv. My setup cost about $300 but it was worth every penny and more IMO. At night, in primetime, most of the locals run their programming in full blown glorious HD:D Also sports like football and basketball are usually run in HD. HD quality of OTA is the best PQ (Picture Quality) I've seen. Some of the New MPEG4 Directv channels are on par with OTA HD, but not many. Good luck with you decision. :)

BTW, I've had and used the CM3671 crossfire and the Winegard 8200HD. Both are great antennas. IMO, the winegard is a better signal grabber. It locks more stations in one location and with about 5-10% more signal than the CM3671. From my experience, the 3671 is slightly more directional causing it to reject signals slightly to the side. In a metro, this would probably be a good thing, in the fringe like me and you, its a bad thing. I like the Winegards "wider view" so to speak, keeps you from having to turn your antenna as much. Both are great, for my location the Winegard works slightly better and in a fringe location, a slight difference can mean a lot.:)

Guys, I have a question I'd like an answer too if someone knows. Maybe there is no "for sure" answer, but just some understanding would help ease my mind a bit on this subject.

Everyone on here has heard me mention several times about my "Hot Spot" of 18 feet. Below or above it some of the weaker channels drop and become unstable. The reason I ask is because I find this to be true on both my OTA systems, my Little Rock setup and my Fort Smith Setup. So, what causes the signal to be at this particular spot? I am between Danville Mt and Mt. Magazine, down in the valley. Mts are 8-10 miles apart, I'm right in the middle. Does antenna signals react the same as wind coming accross mountains where it hugs the terrain and whips down the Mt. side and into the valley? I'm just trying to figure out why 18 feet is so important in reception here. Its not just me either. When I look around at the area, most folks anteannas are mounted in this range. I've read some about "Hot Spots" but I dont really understand what causes them at certain heights. Could their be smaller structures in my area that affect the signals. I'm just trying to figure out what makes the signal so strong at 18 feet from both LR (EAST) and FS (WEST):confused:

Why would they do that when they are required to shut them down anyway on 2/17?? That really doesn't make sense. I guess I might be missing the fact that they have a lot of LP analogs, huh?

No, what they're saying (I directed sneaky snooper to the filings in the first place) is that they won't be flash-cutting their analog full-service signals to digital until some time after 02/17, meaning they'll be going dark. They can't afford it with the recent bankruptcy.

- Trip

Guys, I have a question I'd like an answer too if someone knows. Maybe there is no "for sure" answer, but just some understanding would help ease my mind a bit on this subject.

Everyone on here has heard me mention several times about my "Hot Spot" of 18 feet. Below or above it some of the weaker channels drop and become unstable. The reason I ask is because I find this to be true on both my OTA systems, my Little Rock setup and my Fort Smith Setup. So, what causes the signal to be at this particular spot? I am between Danville Mt and Mt. Magazine, down in the valley. Mts are 8-10 miles apart, I'm right in the middle. Does antenna signals react the same as wind coming accross mountains where it hugs the terrain and whips down the Mt. side and into the valley? I'm just trying to figure out why 18 feet is so important in reception here. Its not just me either. When I look around at the area, most folks anteannas are mounted in this range. I've read some about "Hot Spots" but I dont really understand what causes them at certain heights. Could their be smaller structures in my area that affect the signals. I'm just trying to figure out what makes the signal so strong at 18 feet from both LR (EAST) and FS (WEST):confused:
As we have discussed something similar before you probably remember that I only get some channels due to finding a hot spot. I also wished to understand the phenomenon so have done some investigating. I am behind at least 2 hills, 1 only 1/3 mile away and many trees.

The short story, as I came to understand it, is that TV signals tend to fill in behind obstructions such as trees/hills/houses but do so in relation to their frequency. The lower the frequency the nearer to the object you can get and still receive the refracted signal. They also tend to skip off of surfaces, such as the ground, buildings, tropsheric layers. This is not entirely unlike your wind hugging the terrain analogy but is probably more like the refraction and reflection patterns of ripples/waves on a pond which will bend around objects that stick up thru the water, filling in behind them, and also reflect off of shorelines and such creating a pattern of wave crests and troughs. A crest would represent a higher TV signal and a trough a lower TV signal.

Anyway, since each TV signal's frequency controls it's refraction pattern the hot spots are places where all/many of the channels have tended to crest for one reason or another.

My son and I once did a survey in a relatively open part of the yard and found spots where a weak UHF (high frequency) signal (RF 44) was apparently bending down toward the ground from an out-building while a weak VHF (relatively low frequency) signal (RF 5) was reflecting off of the ground after bending down from the same building. There was one place in the yard where both paths of refraction/reflection met for those 2 channels. One path was on the way up (5 reflected from the ground) and the other on the way down (44 refracting down from the building). At least that is the way it appeared to be as we wobbled around the yard raising and lowering the antenna. We even found the spot on the ground where channel 5 hit and then bounced back up.

This is the best place I have found depicting/discussing this phenomenon:

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

Hope this helps,

dmatch

I wrote KTHV about the two issues I spoke of in a prior post. Here is their reply:

I appreciate your email and you sharing your concerns. We are aware of the sound problems and are doing our best to correct them. One of the problems stems from the fact we have installed a new HD master control switcher and the associated conversion and interfacing equipment (which is also new) introduced the static. The other is being corrected as we speak as the installation of the new systems changes our facility from a simple CBS HD external pass through to bringing in integrated HD sources to our master control to route network and other video. Routing HD internally through our new master control provides more handles on audio and video so station breaks from our new HD server are less of a “pieced together” HD to SD switch and a more of a single source pulled-together transition.

As you might imagine HD equipment transitions like this and others we have yet to do are difficult and not without problems and configuration issues but it is all meant to improve our signal and give us new HD workflows. Thank you for your patience in these matters.

For all you that missed the Victoria Secret Fashion Show when KTHV prudishly prempted it, tonights your night...KASN 7pm....

For all you that missed the Victoria Secret Fashion Show when KTHV prudishly prempted it, tonights your night...KASN 7pm....

Thanks The CW *and* KASN :)

I wrote KTHV about the two issues I spoke of in a prior post. Here is their reply:

I appreciate your email and you sharing your concerns. We are aware of the sound problems and are doing our best to correct them. One of the problems stems from the fact we have installed a new HD master control switcher and the associated conversion and interfacing equipment (which is also new) introduced the static. The other is being corrected as we speak as the installation of the new systems changes our facility from a simple CBS HD external pass through to bringing in integrated HD sources to our master control to route network and other video. Routing HD internally through our new master control provides more handles on audio and video so station breaks from our new HD server are less of a “pieced together” HD to SD switch and a more of a single source pulled-together transition.

As you might imagine HD equipment transitions like this and others we have yet to do are difficult and not without problems and configuration issues but it is all meant to improve our signal and give us new HD workflows. Thank you for your patience in these matters.

Uh,if anyone out there understands what the station was saying in the above letter to bpeacock22, please convert this to layman's terms for we who don't speak this modern, technical lingo. I think I know what he/she at the station was saying, but I'm not completely sure.

Uh,if anyone out there understands what the station was saying in the above letter to bpeacock22, please convert this to layman's terms for we who don't speak this modern, technical lingo. I think I know what he/she at the station was saying, but I'm not completely sure.

Sure...they are moving from an analog master control to digital (thats the console that lets them set audio levels, video levels, and fade from one source such as the network feed, to commercials or local material stored on tapes or computer, and it also encodes the signal fed to the digital transmitter.

They are having problems getting it to work, so they are still switching manually from CBS to local and back with a A/B switch. Once they get the new master control working, they will be able to balance the audio levels, and fade to black from network to local rather than the somewhat drastic A/B method.

IOW, they got the stuff to fix your problem, it just isnt working right.

Sure...they are moving from an analog master control to digital (thats the console that lets them set audio levels, video levels, and fade from one source such as the network feed, to commercials or local material stored on tapes or computer, and it also encodes the signal fed to the digital transmitter.

They are having problems getting it to work, so they are still switching manually from CBS to local and back with a A/B switch. Once they get the new master control working, they will be able to balance the audio levels, and fade to black from network to local rather than the somewhat drastic A/B method.

IOW, they got the stuff to fix your problem, it just isnt working right.

Actually, I think that they just aren't paying anyone to watch, and control, the audio levels when going from one commercial to another while in their local programming and it won't be any better when they are done with this "update" that they are in the process of now. There has not been anyone in control of audio at that shop in years. At least their lighting on their news set is a lot better than it was a year ago, and switching is good.

Thanks for the info and the link dmatch. What you said makes a lot of sense. That is some pretty interesting finds that you and your son made.

The good news with the switch is they don't interrupt the HD signal when they have weather bulletins or lower thirds for local stuff. *coughfox16cough*

*coughfox16cough*
And 7 and especially 4.

Actually, I think that they just aren't paying anyone to watch, and control, the audio levels when going from one commercial to another while in their local programming and it won't be any better when they are done with this "update" that they are in the process of now. There has not been anyone in control of audio at that shop in years. At least their lighting on their news set is a lot better than it was a year ago, and switching is good.

Looks like KTHV's sound is an AUDASicous issue that needs to be take care of. ;)

Isn't Larry Audas the guy that used to be an anchor on 11 years ago??

Isn't Larry Audas the guy that used to be an anchor on 11 years ago??

Yes, the same one. I watched that first newscast he did with Anne Jasen on a Sunday night in 1995 (that's when the old "Arkansas 11" imaging was replaced by the current "Today's THV").

Offtopic trivia: Earlier that summer in 1995, KTHV finally started airing CBS Sunday Morning, a full year after Charles Kuralt retired. KTHV's former owners refused to air Sunday Morning because KTHV allegedly could make more money off of airing shopworn movies.

Allenf: Suppose its to late to talk the engineer at KETS-DT into putting their new ch 7 DT antenna on your tower instead of KASN's ? Sure would be great to have all the network stations on the mountain. Then they wouldnt need to be off the air for 6 weeks either.

Allenf: Suppose its to late to talk the engineer at KETS-DT into putting their new ch 7 DT antenna on your tower instead of KASN's ? Sure would be great to have all the network stations on the mountain. Then they wouldnt need to be off the air for 6 weeks either.

No kidding! That would be awesome.

BTW, Allenf: KATV looked great on Dish this morning.

dave, that's a great idea.

Speaking of KTHV, just out of curiosity...I don't watch local news regularly...what happened to the guy anchor named Andy a while back? Then Dawn Scott came back and is gone again...just on maternity leave or gone again?

Went to Wal-Mart today at Chenal and Cantrell and saw that you could see the new tower going up. While this is not a real good picture, its about the best I could do given my time and positioning. Its the short one on the left. You can definitely tell there is something other than tower attached at the top and rising above it when you are looking at it in real life.

Hi guys, first post here, but I've read everything in this thread for about a week looking for answers, and I have some, but have a few more questions.

My husband and I recently updated our whole TV viewing setup to HD, and we have Dish with the ViP 722. Since I read that I can't get my local NBC and FOX in HD yet, I can get an antenna to put in my HD receiver to get them OTA.

I went to TV fool to see what I needed, and my area in Bryant is in the green zone, so an indoor antenna NM of about 35 or higher would do, and I would have to turn it between 350-353 degrees to get all locals OTA.

Can anyone recommend a good brand/where to get it? We also have cable and Ethernet my husband has threaded through the wall in the attic so we could connect the Blu-ray player to get BD-Live content. (Which totally sucks for Disney, not really impressed with others.)

Thanks for any help you can provide. I am crossing my fingers Dish will get their act together and have other local HDs by the end of February.

Hi guys, first post here, but I've read everything in this thread for about a week looking for answers, and I have some, but have a few more questions.

My husband and I recently updated our whole TV viewing setup to HD, and we have Dish with the ViP 722. Since I read that I can't get my local NBC and FOX in HD yet, I can get an antenna to put in my HD receiver to get them OTA.

I went to TV fool to see what I needed, and my area in Bryant is in the green zone, so an indoor antenna NM of about 35 or higher would do, and I would have to turn it between 350-353 degrees to get all locals OTA.

Can anyone recommend a good brand/where to get it? We also have cable and Ethernet my husband has threaded through the wall in the attic so we could connect the Blu-ray player to get BD-Live content. (Which totally sucks for Disney, not really impressed with others.)

Thanks for any help you can provide. I am crossing my fingers Dish will get their act together and have other local HDs by the end of February.
There's this indoor/outdoor antenna that wal-mart sells that I picked up for about $38 I think. Its made by Philips and is a kind of a wedge shape. It works pretty well and would probably work good for you if you don't wanna spend a whole lot of money.

Now, since you said you have cable, I am assuming you mean a cable modem for the Internet? So, that means you have Comcast for your provider? I ask because there is a great workaround that you could take advantage of. Comcast doesn't encrypt the local HD signal on their lines, so you can take the cable and plug it straight into your TV and tell it to scan for signal on the cable. It should pick up all the locals that they have on their digital tier and you don't need a box for it. You will notice two sets of the locals, one that is just the analog version put over to the digital side and one that is the HD stream when there is HD content on. The HD one should show up as 4.1, 7.1, etc.

If you don't have Comcast, then I don't know, but I hope for your sake you do. Then you don't have to worry about the OTA antenna and can just watch TV like that unless you wanna record it, then thats another problem which can be fixed by the OTA antenna into the 722. You already pay for the cable, so you aren't stealing anything if you let your TV decode the clearQAM (thats what its called) signal.

Let me know if any of this is hard to follow or if you have any other concerns.

No kidding! That would be awesome.

BTW, Allenf: KATV looked great on Dish this morning.


I think that AETN is pretty well married to the Redfield area for transmission both from regulatory and state political standpoint.

Good to hear that Dish is looking good. Still working on getting monitoring installed for Dish.

A

I think that AETN is pretty well married to the Redfield area for transmission both from regulatory and state political standpoint.

Good to hear that Dish is looking good. Still working on getting monitoring installed for Dish.

A
Isn't it just a matter of getting a dish put up on the roof and a receiver put in MC?

Isn't it just a matter of getting a dish put up on the roof and a receiver put in MC?

Sadly- as with most things in life some nameless person deep in the bowels of an organization has the procedure held up. The procedure in this case is ok'ing an upgrade package for a comped broadcast account. If it were a matter of just doing the install, I'd apply two men and a boy and it would be done in 30 minutes including a smoke break.

A

allenf, it's that time of year again, when KATV decides college basketball is more important than network programming, and puts ABC's best shows on in SD in the middle of the night. We've already lost a couple of the last few episodes of Pushing Daisies to this, but I am more concerned with the upcoming episodes of Lost. I know that the decision to actually do this is completely out of your hands, but I will be sending my annual e-mail to the programming folks soon. (It wasn't a problem last year, when due to the writer's strike, ABC moved Lost to Thursdays and played unimportant shows like Wife Swap and Supernanny on Wednesdays.) Also, I know that your top priority right now is the new tower and transmitter, but I still have to ask, are there any chances for better solutions to this problem this season? I remember one point there was some talk of airing network programs on 7.2 during basketball, but then the next year they said they couldn't do that. Of course, the best solution would be to get the equipment to allow you to tape-delay HD programming. I mean, in addition to Lost and other delayed network programming, you guys also air Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Oprah, all extremely popular syndicated programs that are available in HD.

Anyway, I guess I'm starting to rant a bit, which isn't my intention, I was just wondering if there was any progress to report, or any possibility of HD Lost in January and February. Actually, I have a related, but separate question, do you guys plan on returning to the use of subchannels with the new transmitter, and if so, would it be 7 News Now again, or something else?

I dont think anything will chage until Nicholson is gone. In the mean time, ABC-HD is free if you want to invest in a dish and get it right from the network. Ive seen at least 10 unused ones in yards out in the country this week alone. If you have the room and a pickup, you should be able to get alot of a system free. The only real expense would be the receiver.

allenf, it's that time of year again, when KATV decides college basketball is more important than network programming, and puts ABC's best shows on in SD in the middle of the night. We've already lost a couple of the last few episodes of Pushing Daisies to this, but I am more concerned with the upcoming episodes of Lost. I know that the decision to actually do this is completely out of your hands, but I will be sending my annual e-mail to the programming folks soon. (It wasn't a problem last year, when due to the writer's strike, ABC moved Lost to Thursdays and played unimportant shows like Wife Swap and Supernanny on Wednesdays.) Also, I know that your top priority right now is the new tower and transmitter, but I still have to ask, are there any chances for better solutions to this problem this season? I remember one point there was some talk of airing network programs on 7.2 during basketball, but then the next year they said they couldn't do that. Of course, the best solution would be to get the equipment to allow you to tape-delay HD programming. I mean, in addition to Lost and other delayed network programming, you guys also air Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Oprah, all extremely popular syndicated programs that are available in HD.

Anyway, I guess I'm starting to rant a bit, which isn't my intention, I was just wondering if there was any progress to report, or any possibility of HD Lost in January and February. Actually, I have a related, but separate question, do you guys plan on returning to the use of subchannels with the new transmitter, and if so, would it be 7 News Now again, or something else?

Amen, bro. They'll be getting my annual letter too if it happens again.

allenf, it's that time of year again, when KATV decides college basketball is more important than network programming, and puts ABC's best shows on in SD in the middle of the night. We've already lost a couple of the last few episodes of Pushing Daisies to this, but I am more concerned with the upcoming episodes of Lost. I know that the decision to actually do this is completely out of your hands, but I will be sending my annual e-mail to the programming folks soon. (It wasn't a problem last year, when due to the writer's strike, ABC moved Lost to Thursdays and played unimportant shows like Wife Swap and Supernanny on Wednesdays.) Also, I know that your top priority right now is the new tower and transmitter, but I still have to ask, are there any chances for better solutions to this problem this season? I remember one point there was some talk of airing network programs on 7.2 during basketball, but then the next year they said they couldn't do that. Of course, the best solution would be to get the equipment to allow you to tape-delay HD programming. I mean, in addition to Lost and other delayed network programming, you guys also air Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Oprah, all extremely popular syndicated programs that are available in HD.

Anyway, I guess I'm starting to rant a bit, which isn't my intention, I was just wondering if there was any progress to report, or any possibility of HD Lost in January and February. Actually, I have a related, but separate question, do you guys plan on returning to the use of sub channels with the new transmitter, and if so, would it be 7 News Now again, or something else?

You are correct- not my area. Best bet is to continue to send emails and/or letters if you disagree with programming decisions and/or pre-emps. Richard reads all the non-news related comments on the website, emails, and letters that come to the station. They can make a difference depending on factors such as number of comments on a certain topic, his ability to modify programming contracts, etc. rfarrester@katv.com.


As far as your other question, concerning the 2nd sub channel. Look for Newsnow to show back up. Again- not my area of decision making. Technically- I'll keep such secondary services at a minimum level of bits used out of the stream as is possible. In other words, such a service in no way warrants 4mb when 2mb to 2.5mb should do. Might even be able to squeeze even more than that. ;)

A

... I remember one point there was some talk of airing network programs on 7.2 during basketball, KATV calls themselves an ABC affiliate. If they are, they should run a helluva lot more ABC programming than the currently do. And it should all be on the dash-1 channel where it belongs. Non-regular programming, like bassetball, if shown simultaneously, should be on the dash-2 channel. If smaller cablecos don't carry the dash-2, it would put pressure on them to add it. Or it would encourage cableco viewers to connect an antenna to their DTVs.

... Look for Newsnow to show back up. Again- not my area of decision making. Technically- I'll keep such secondary services at a minimum level of bits used out of the stream as is possible. I like the way FOX is setup. The affiliates are prevented from stealing bandwidth from the minimum amount FOX allocates for its network programming.

I hope you don't mind me asking in this thread, but this sorta concerns local HD. Can anyone recommend a good TV repair person? My Samsung HD LCD is giving me problems and I need to get it fixed.

I hope you don't mind me asking in this thread, but this sorta concerns local HD. Can anyone recommend a good TV repair person? My Samsung HD LCD is giving me problems and I need to get it fixed.
Lyn Tv has the Samsung factory contract for this area. Might be Lin Tv, not sure. In any case, that would be my first call. I think they are in West Little Rock.

As far as your other question, concerning the 2nd sub channel. Look for Newsnow to show back up. Again- not my area of decision making. Technically- I'll keep such secondary services at a minimum level of bits used out of the stream as is possible. In other words, such a service in no way warrants 4mb when 2mb to 2.5mb should do. Might even be able to squeeze even more than that. ;)

A

Is the Directv feed still going to be the full bandwidth?
By the way, News Now doesnt appear to have much bandwidth to begin with, judging from the Pq on the satellite...Shouldnt be able to do much damage to it.

TOWERS LOOKIN GOOD. At what height during construction do you have to start lighting it at night?

And on another note:
Seems KTHV upped the bandwidth for THV2 judging from the way the graphics and text on football games keeps going blurry, out of focus, and then snapping back to Hd quality. Very annoying.

You are correct- not my area. Best bet is to continue to send emails and/or letters if you disagree with programming decisions and/or pre-emps. Richard reads all the non-news related comments on the website, emails, and letters that come to the station. They can make a difference depending on factors such as number of comments on a certain topic, his ability to modify programming contracts, etc. rfarrester@katv.com.


As far as your other question, concerning the 2nd sub channel. Look for Newsnow to show back up. Again- not my area of decision making. Technically- I'll keep such secondary services at a minimum level of bits used out of the stream as is possible. In other words, such a service in no way warrants 4mb when 2mb to 2.5mb should do. Might even be able to squeeze even more than that. ;)

A

allenf, thanks for the responses, and keep up the good work. The only concern I brought up that you didn't respond to was about the ability to tape delay HD content. I would hope that this would soon be a priority for all the local affiliates, I know I've talked with errett about this off and on for four years now, and so far I have seen no progress anywhere in the market, even with some of the large production houses producing commercial content in HD. I thought when KTHV aired that HD Central High special over a year ago that that would be the start of something, but it appeared to be a one time only deal. :(

Yea, and I dont understand why...I can record HD at home with my computer. Im always time shifting Nova, and Nature. If I can do it at home, sure would seem like the locals could fork over $199 and do the same thing for the Network feeds and Wheel, etc. Only catch would be playing the output of the computer to the encoder, Im using analog 1080i, but would think there would be a card for the computer that could output any format they needed, even if the took the widescreen HD file and sent it into master control as widescreen 480i. Guess things will probably change in February when the dont have to worry about dual systems.

Is the Directv feed still going to be the full bandwidth?
By the way, News Now doesnt appear to have much bandwidth to begin with, judging from the Pq on the satellite...Shouldnt be able to do much damage to it.

TOWERS LOOKIN GOOD. At what height during construction do you have to start lighting it at night?

And on another note:
Seems KTHV upped the bandwidth for THV2 judging from the way the graphics and text on football games keeps going blurry, out of focus, and then snapping back to Hd quality. Very annoying.


Where are you seeing NewsNow on a satellite? When I had DirecTV going I never saw it on there. The only place I ever saw it was on Comcrap and OTA.

I'm thinking one more segment and they have to light it. It's almost as high as the shortest tower. Wonder when we will get more pics (and I have to find that link again to see em. hehe).

KTHV has been doing that crap for quite some time now. I noticed it a month or so ago. It makes it damn hard to watch it.

ABC News NOW
Galaxy 28 @ 89W
11955 Vert 19532
vpid 508
apid 456

Oh, thought you meant from KATV. You can't really judge what they would put out by that, ya know. :)

ABC News Now is no longer used as an ABC subchannel, and hasn't been since not long after the 2004 election I believe. KATV-DT replaced it with 7 News Now, a low bandwidth service similar to THV2.

If you don't have Comcast, then I don't know, but I hope for your sake you do. Then you don't have to worry about the OTA antenna and can just watch TV like that unless you wanna record it, then thats another problem which can be fixed by the OTA antenna into the 722. You already pay for the cable, so you aren't stealing anything if you let your TV decode the clearQAM (thats what its called) signal.
Let me know if any of this is hard to follow or if you have any other concerns.

I don't have Comcast internet (too expensive for non-cable subscribers). I have the top tier 6mbs from At&T DSL, packaged with my home phone and Dish Network.

If we get one of those indoor/outdoor antennas and place it in the attic, do we have to run another cable in the wall to hook it into the back of the 722, or is there an wireless thing like the antenna on the back of my DVR unit that lets me watch the TV in another room? :confused:

If one of those antennas is small enough I might just put it behind the TV, but I'm not too keen on lots of wires since my cats think the area around the television is their own personal playground. Add a shiny antenna back there? lol. :D

I think the FAA requires lights on anything above 200 feet. But given all of the other towers lit at that location, I'm sure every aircraft knows to avoid the antenna farm anyway.

...If we get one of those indoor/outdoor antennas and place it in the attic, do we have to run another cable in the wall to hook it into the back of the 722...Yes.

If one of those antennas is small enough I might just put it behind the TV...That works sometimes, if you're close enough to the TV towers (and lucky). Won't hurt to try it. The problem with Dish is their OTA tuner is not very good.

I don't have Comcast internet (too expensive for non-cable subscribers). I have the top tier 6mbs from At&T DSL, packaged with my home phone and Dish Network.

If we get one of those indoor/outdoor antennas and place it in the attic, do we have to run another cable in the wall to hook it into the back of the 722, or is there an wireless thing like the antenna on the back of my DVR unit that lets me watch the TV in another room? :confused:

If one of those antennas is small enough I might just put it behind the TV, but I'm not too keen on lots of wires since my cats think the area around the television is their own personal playground. Add a shiny antenna back there? lol. :D
Ok, I just assumed when you said "We also have cable and Ethernet my husband has threaded through the wall in the attic..." that you might have some sort of cable tv type connection in the house. If you go with comcast for their 11.95/month locals only subscription plan, you can get all the clearQAM channels I mentioned before for free, unless they put filters in the line.

If you go to this page http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5000836 you will see the antenna I was talking about. I have this antenna. It works pretty well for me, but then again I am basically right under the towers. I suspect it would work well for you as well as long as you point it towards the right direction. Even in the attic it would work well. It just needs to be plugged in to work. The plug in part is a power injector in the form of a short piece of coax with a box in it that goes on the inside connected to the TV with the antenna lead connected to its other end. It supplies the antenna with power it needs to amplify the signal. Really, it does a bang up job for a small amount of money and keeps you from making your house look like its growing extra limbs. :)

If you go to this page http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5000836 you will see the antenna I was talking about...That site says it's only a UHF antenna. Do you get KTHV-DT VHF 12 with it? And even if you do, it may not work for someone farther away from the towers.

However, it's worth a try, since walmart has a good return policy.

That site says it's only a UHF antenna. Do you get KTHV-DT VHF 12 with it? And even if you do, it may not work for someone farther away from the towers.

However, it's worth a try, since walmart has a good return policy.
Works fine for me for everything but KETS right now.

If you are going to put the antenna in the attic, get a radio shack VU-60 (?) the little one...it will work much better than an indoor type. Cost should be about the same.

new pictures on the KATV tower status page from my last two weekend visits.

Enjoy.

A

...with no worries about silly antenna's...I don't find anything "silly" about antennas, except maybe the cableco ads constantly dissing them.

I my experience, a good OTA antenna setup is the most reliable source of local broadcast HDTV available. And after the initial setup cost, it's free.

Saw this over in another forum. Hopefully it's legit:

Email from Gayle Kiger VP & GM KARK-TV (http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/158221-little-rock-hd-locals-those-not-being-carried.html#post1628502)

Oh, and I checked with the local installer about how well antennas do here: not well at all. In-town Arkadelphia (where I'm at now) is in a pocket behind a good sized hill where trying to get LR stations on even something like a CM3671 with pre-amp is "a massive headache" in his words. The coverage maps on TVFool bear that out too. I'll look into OTA further after we actually buy a house. :rolleyes:

-MDG

Oh, and I was going to pay him to install the antenna, so he had a financial incentive to say antennas would work well. -M

It's been a little while since I've posted in here.....I just wanted to stop by and wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

This morning, while doing a propagation check I noticed that KWBF 42 (analog) was off the air, I checked the converter box in the hamshack and there was no signal from KWBF-DT 44--nothing. Usually there is a weak but too weak to decode signal from those guys.

A check of KKYK-CA (low power ch 20, Little Rock) indicates they are on the air, airing the usual infomercial programming.

Also KWBF and KKYK are both missing from E* Program info via E* is still up but only pink screens for both feeds.

Sorry if this is a late post on this subject, I've been away from the tv for the last couple of days--this is my busy time of year at work.

This morning, while doing a propagation check I noticed that KWBF 42 (analog) was off the air, I checked the converter box in the hamshack and there was no signal from KWBF-DT 44--nothing. Usually there is a weak but too weak to decode signal from those guys.

A check of KKYK-CA (low power ch 20, Little Rock) indicates they are on the air, airing the usual infomercial programming.

Also KWBF and KKYK are both missing from E* Program info via E* is still up but only pink screens for both feeds.

Sorry if this is a late post on this subject, I've been away from the tv for the last couple of days--this is my busy time of year at work.

Confirmed KWBF-DT off air and off DirecTV.

Good thing Allenf got that directv/dish link going. I just scanned KWBF and its subs in on an Echostar TR40 converter box last night.

KWBF still going out on their Satellite MUX, so must be an equipment problem perhaps?

It's been a little while since I've posted in here.....I just wanted to stop by and wish all of you a Merry Christmas.Keith, same to you, too!

Confirmed KWBF-DT off air and off DirecTV.Equity's KPBI 34, Eureka Springs is also still dark, (OTA).

The silver lining to Equity's problems is that KATV was more or less forced to install a more reliable and higher quality direct feed to DirecTV & Dish facility on Col. Glenn.

Yeah, 42 is off OTA for me as well. Does that include 7-1, or is my MCE messed up again? :)

NM, silly question. If the main channel is off, all subchannels would be.

42 is off on U-Verse, too.

42 is off on U-Verse, too.
KWBF and the rest are still on schedule with commercials and all, on their KU sat uplink. Anyone that knows where to check want to see if the FCC yanked their licenses? I guess they are still feeding cable systems via their KU system. Wonder why Directv didnt switch over to that source?

KWBF and the rest are still on schedule with commercials and all, on their KU sat uplink. Anyone that knows where to check want to see if the FCC yanked their licenses? I guess they are still feeding cable systems via their KU system. Wonder why Directv didnt switch over to that source?
If they were still feeding the cable systems, U-Verse would have it as well I would think.

If they were still feeding the cable systems, U-Verse would have it as well I would think.
Id imagine U-verse gets it OTA just like Directv. Searcy casble, and some of the other out of town systems get it via their KU uplink, just as I am right now. Makes sense, since if no one was watching, they wouldnt be running programming at all...since someone at master control has to monitor all those feeds. Cant see a bankrupt company paying someone to control it if no one could see it.

They should get out of the TV OTA business and start a "retro DBS" service...their KU mux is pretty popular with the FTA crowd.

So, KATV-DT is currently not available to OTA antenna viewers?

So, KATV-DT is currently not available to OTA antenna viewers?

KWBF-DT is back on the air....for now at least. Too weak to reliably decode OTA in Star City, although I did see the "7-1" (and "42-1") PSIP info come up for air.

As for E*, KWBF's feed just came back up (5:10pm), via the KWBF-DT feed, stretchovision and all :( . KKYK is on as well via E*(and analog OTA on ch20 Little Rock via KKYK-CA).

KWBF Analog is nowhere to be seen, and certainly not missed here.

Directv must be taking KWBF's analog feed, they are still down.

First time in forever I have seen an actual HD program on 42 ("Houseguest")

Merry Christmas everyone:)

Merry Christmas everyone:)

+1 to all.

This was posted over on the WTFDA list today, and I'll share the link. This is a site by the FCC showing in each market comparison (http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/) of each station's DTV and analog coverage areas.

This was posted over on the WTFDA list today, and I'll share the link. This is a site by the FCC showing in each market comparison (http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/) of each station's DTV and analog coverage areas.
All I can say is WOW to the differences in some of the coverages. I just can't see how KETS is going to do very well after the change. KASN is in GREAT shape. They seem to be the only channel really doing it right. Just my opinion.

Looks like KATV made a good business decision to move their tower NW of where it was, and shift their coverage area. They will gain 98,000 more potential OTA viewers, and the areas with highest growth will have easier reception.

This is probably the reason KFSM in Ft Smith also decided to shift their viewing area and build their DT tower in Washington County, vs Crawford County where their analog tower is.

Looks like KATV made a good business decision to move their tower NW of where it was, and shift their coverage area. They will gain 98,000 more potential OTA viewers, and the areas with highest growth will have easier reception.

This is probably the reason KFSM in Ft Smith also decided to shift their viewing area and build their DT tower in Washington County, vs Crawford County where their analog tower is.

I agree with that 100%. Its not going to be popular with some of the Lower SEARK crowd but moving to Shinall and keeping DTV on ch22 are the best decisions KATV has made in years.

KATV will of course gain North Central and eastern River Valley viewers. Closer to home for this blogger, WABG despite their loss in coverage over analog won't be competing with KATV in Chicot, Eastern Drew, and Desha Counties for viewers of ABC shows. With WABG and soon WXVT, and the loss of KATV, Desha County could move from the LR DMA to the Greenwood-Greenville DMA. WABG carries FOX on 6-2 (SD only).

KARK's loss is greater in the counties served also by KTVE which should themselves pick up some OTA viewers loyal to KARK.

The big winners in this area: A three-way tie between KEJB El Dorado (MNTV) , WMAO Greenwood (PBS/MPB), and WXVT Greenville. Hopefully WXVT and WMAO will become strong enough to lock most of the time here.

KETZ will go from rare DX target to local overnight.

KATV and KARK will lose OTA viewers in SEARK, but WABG and KTVE will fill in nicely the gaps. Loyalists in those areas will have to pony up for D* and E*.

This just in from Otis the head cat:

KWBF is rumored to be switching hand to KARK. This leaves mountains and mountains (well stacks and stacks) of Digitally taped infomercials and paid programming left in the lurch with no place to go. KWBF's unemployed Informercial Manager, Oneel Craig, was immediately contacted by Dale Nick, over at KATV, who offered him a job, and all the ABC network space he wanted. After accepting the offer, Oneel immediately contacted TitanTV and had them reload everyones DVR schedules with "PAID PROGRAMMING".
Thankfully, the loss of KWBF and its infomercial empire has found a new home before Billy Mays was forced to file for unemployment compensation.
Those wishing to view ABC network programming (like Wife Swap) will need to install a Twelve Foot backyard dish.
When asked for comment, Dale Nick said "Im on my way out. This is a Merry Christmas present to all my loyal fans in Central arkansas. Just wait til we get our new SuperTower and Big butt transmitter rocking. Billy Mays will make it all the way to Clarksville".
Those wishing to comment, can reach Dale Nick on their stations website: www.ArkansasDoesntMatter.com. Click on the Infomercial link.








Otis the head cat is fictionalized humor. Garfield rules.

dave,
heheh, too eff'n funny! :D

I saw that blog last night, while getting the hamshack computer back and running. Couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that katv preempted WifeSwap. Did one of their loyal kool-aid drinkers send in hate mail about the content or title of that show? Not sure, but nothing is safe on the ABC schedule over there.

From the "It could be worse" files:

Equity station WMQF from Marquette just left the FOX network Football game TOC screen up for an entire commercial break, then cut into live game to show commercial break they missed. To funny.

Bet their Packer fans were pissed. Course, they are playing the Lions, who had the ball, so nothing happened during the snafu.

1.I have an old TV which has no remote, and UHF VHF screws in the back. I want to get a converter box to comply with Feb 09. Can anyone recommend a good converter box and other connections I need to buy(since it seems that Ill need it for my old TV)

2. I dont have cable or dish, but have a brand new Samsung 19 inch TV. What is a good antenna to get for getting best west LR coverage and getting the best HD coverage on new TV? I love this forum and Im new:)

Get a Zenith (Circuit City), Insignia (Best Buy) or TR40 (www.echostar.com) along with a 75 ohn to 300 ohm balun from Radio Shack or Wal Mart, and your old tv will be good to go.

Best antenna right now for W Little Rock would be a small outdoor antenna mounted on a pole in the back yard. they sell them at Radio Shack. You can try an indoor antenna (read back from posts by Steveken for a recommended model). If you get the outdoor variety, you will need enough 75 ohn coax to reach from the antenna to the tv, and a piece of 1.25" EMT conduit to mount it on and a bracket to hold it to the house (or a roof tripod, or chimney mount). If you want to feed both the tv and converter box, you will need a two way splitter and two shorter length 75 ohm coax runs as well. Whichever you get, buy from a store with a good return policy, in case you need to exchange or upgrade.

Im assuming you live IN West Little Rock. If not, tell us where you live. Check www.tvfool.com for more info.

Welcome to the forum. If you are a baseball fan, consider Directv. Its pricey, but all the baseball games you can handle are carried on it. And they will do all the installation. All the local channels are on it already.

Thanks Dave !!!!
Can I ask this--If i have to use an indoor antenna can you mention a few?? for the new Samsung 19 inch 450 series. I just got that and have no cable or dish. I cant put up the outside antenna...
thanks agai n !!!!!
baseball6:D

I forgot...I live in west LR on Cherry Valley...72211...near breckenridge and Rodney Parham....thanks

I forgot...I live in west LR on Cherry Valley...72211...near breckenridge and Rodney Parham....thanks

Well, I wouldnt buy any "special" or "trick" antennas. Just start off simple. You probably should avoid one with a built in amplifier, unless its adjustable from off to amp. Its easy to overload the tv out there. You also have lots of multipath out there, so you may need a "silver sensor" directional type, or a small outdoor channel master cm4220 2 bay antenna mounted inside a closet. Its gonna be a crap shoot either way, with indoor antennas. Just avoid anything made by Terk.

Lots of hills & valleys there, so reception is feast or famine.
Enter your address at http://www.antennaweb.org.
Select "Digital" for the results and post back here with the "colors" results that indicate signal strength at your address.

As Dave said, get the Zenith DTT901 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=214328&om_keycode=4) converter boxes. They have about the best OTA tuners currently available. Circuit City, Radio Shack and some K-Marts have them. Best Buy sells the Zenith under the "Insignia" brand. Same box.

If the TV is that old, I would question how well it would work anyway even with a converter box. I mean, they haven't made a TV with UHF & VHF posts both on it in a LONG time.

Might be worth it if you don't want to drop a lot of cash for a new flat TV to look for a tube one in the paper. You would probably be able to get like a 19" for maybe $30 or less I would imagine. February 17 is REAL close and most people that are going to upgrade have, so they should have their old tube TV's laying around.

I would suggest getting rid of one that has just the posts that you have to get terminals to make them work with coax altogether. You are talking ancient technology in today's terms. I would really question how good the picture would look on it this far into its lifespan.

As far as the antenna, the Philips one I quoted a while back is an indoor AND outdoor antenna and works quite well. Its only like $35 from Wal-Mart, so it wouldn't take much to get it and test it out. Just make sure you try out a lot of mounting positions through the area where you will put it. Sometimes low places work better than high places and vice versa. And don't use the coax that comes with it. Low quality crappy garbage that is better to tie the post you mount it on to the house. With digital TV you have to try a bunch of different places as some will work better than others. And just because you put it outside doesn't mean you are going to automatically get the best signal reception.

....If you are a baseball fan, consider Directv. Its pricey, but all the baseball games you can handle are carried on it. And they will do all the installation. All the local channels are on it already.
I don't have access to DirecTV viewing so I have a question for you. Does "All the local channels" include 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 11.2?

dmatch

I don't have access to DirecTV viewing so I have a question for you. Does "All the local channels" include 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 11.2?

dmatch
If you have an antenna hooked up to the OTA side it does. Noone, except for Comcrap, carries the subchannels on their systems. Don't know why, but they just don't seem to care. Well, for Dish and DirecTV, its about bandwidth.

OK...I hope im doing this right. I entered the home address and the "digital only" catagory. Under "yellow uhf" is shows...KASN 38.1....katv 22.1.....KLRT 16.1....KARK 32.1.... UNDER "yellow VHF" IT SHOWS KTHV 11.1.....
Then under "green vhf" it shows kets 2.1
the rest are red uhf or vhf...
I hope that provides some info
Thanks in advance
can I ask...is there a forum that discusses the pros and cons of cable vs U-verse vs dish vs direct???
THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH !!! This is a great place !!!

No, there is no pro's vs. con's on any of the services. It is all too subjective to break down like that. It's pretty much up to each individual person to decide what they like, what, need, etc.

I don't have access to DirecTV viewing so I have a question for you. Does "All the local channels" include 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 11.2?

dmatch

They are adding PBS locals now across the country. KETS told me that Directv will wait until they are live on ch 7 before adding them. They will be going off the air in a few weeks.

No, 11.2 isnt carried, no satellite service carries subchannels. I should have worded it "they carry all the network stations broadcast locally". If you want the weather, its always on the bottom 1/3rd of the screen on channel 4 :)

can I ask...is there a forum that discusses the pros and cons of cable vs U-verse vs dish vs direct???
THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH !!! This is a great place !!!

If tou are using 19" non-HD TV sets, its just a matter of which service carries the channels you watch for the best price. Comcast and UVerse are ok if you bundle with internet and phone, but Comcast lacks many channels available on satellite. Not sure what Uverse lineup looks like...Steveken can answer that. I have Directv and we have some Dish subs, so post the channels you want, whether you want any of the baseball or football packages, and your max price per month target, and we can all tell you how our respective services stack up to your needs.

For example, Comcast has PBS-HD and Directv doesnt, Dish has more HD movie channels than Directv, Directv has more sports than anyone. I dont have any info on Uverse.
If you do subscribe to a sat service and anticipate upgrading to HD (or want to watch the HD channels on your SD set), consider starting off with a HD dish and DVR. As a new subscriber it will probably be free. It will cost $99-$199 to upgrade later.

They are adding PBS locals now across the country. KETS told me that Directv will wait until they are live on ch 7 before adding them. They will be going off the air in a few weeks.

No, 11.2 isnt carried, no satellite service carries subchannels. I should have worded it "they carry all the network stations broadcast locally". If you want the weather, its always on the bottom 1/3rd of the screen on channel 4 :)
That still doesn't help us as most (read 99.99999999%) of KETS's programming is screwed up by their utter lack of using any common sense and getting the equipment they need to time-shift HD programming. Instead, they spend our taxpayer money and money earned by begging the hell out of people on their "pledge drives" to buy an analog transmitter and antenna assembly that they won't need in 2 months. I mean, geez, how fricken retarded. The entire AETN upper echelon needs to be replaced.

If tou are using 19" non-HD TV sets, its just a matter of which service carries the channels you watch for the best price. Comcast and UVerse are ok if you bundle with internet and phone, but Comcast lacks many channels available on satellite. Not sure what Uverse lineup looks like...Steveken can answer that. I have Directv and we have some Dish subs, so post the channels you want, whether you want any of the baseball or football packages, and your max price per month target, and we can all tell you how our respective services stack up to your needs.

For example, Comcast has PBS-HD and Directv doesnt, Dish has more HD movie channels than Directv, Directv has more sports than anyone. I dont have any info on Uverse.
If you do subscribe to a sat service and anticipate upgrading to HD (or want to watch the HD channels on your SD set), consider starting off with a HD dish and DVR. As a new subscriber it will probably be free. It will cost $99-$199 to upgrade later.
If you don't mind paying out the as$, then I would say go with DirecTV. They have the best service out of them all. I love their content, its just they are just a little bit overpriced. They are kinda like Blizzard with "World of Warcraft", Blizzard has over 15 million people around the world paying $15/month, they make too much money and don't pass on the benefits of that many subscribers to the customers in the way of lower monthly rates. I.e. if you make that much money per month because you have that many people subscribing to your service, lower the damn rates. :)

PBS national just added two HD channels, in addition to HD1, for a total of three. the other two appear to be hour offsets of the main channel, so perhaps KETS will have the option soon, of airing NOVA in HD at its original 7pm, or 8 or 9. From what Ive read, PBS is going to make all the shows available at several times per day, and reruns later in the week. Time will tell.

As for directv being expensive, it all depends what package you get. I can hardly fault them for now lowering prices...They have a fleet of very expensive satellites that need replacement every so often, are launching more to increase bandwidth, and are contracting for a whole new fleet to take advantage of the new BSS band opened up by the FCC. Comcast raises its prices every year, and they dont do squat. Im sure Uverse prices wont stay low for long, once they suck up all the Comcast customers they can.

My Directv bill (sans Major League Baseball package) is cheaper per month than my boss' Comcast bill..and she only has 1 DVR, I have two, and I gets LOTS more channels than she does (except pbs HD of course).
Your Uverse is cheaper than both of them, but the picture isnt as good, and no one knows what the price will rise to next year. Uverse is probably the best deal for SD right now, if your not a sports package subscriber. Havent ever checked out the "fine print" on Dish Networks TurboHD packages, so I dont know how they would compare.

Thanks. I am a baseball nut !!! and really looking forward to seeing the HD baseball games!! I have my eye on a Sony W4100....46 inch !!! maybe after Jan 1 the price will go down ??

Dave, they said anything lately about kicking in the total home DVR type thing?

Also, Dave, if you can, pick this up for me tomorrow night. Saw this on Twitter:

TheRaj RT --> @MarsRovers & @MarsPhoenix (and their teams) star in the NOVA special "Is There Life on Mars?" Tues, Dec. 30 8pm on PBS. about 7 hours ago from web

Looks like the Nova tomorrow night will be awesome. If you can record it and find a way to put it up somewhere, that would be great!

Thanks. I am a baseball nut !!! and really looking forward to seeing the HD baseball games!! I have my eye on a Sony W4100....46 inch !!! maybe after Jan 1 the price will go down ??

Yea, my boss just picked up a Sony Bravia 40". Nice looking tv. Keep an eye out at Best Buy for open box tv's. I got a brand new Sharp Aquos 46" for $1100, cuz the remote was missing from the box. Then they found it in the back room!

If you want baseball, Directv is your only choice unless you just watch whatever games fox shows on saturdays. Directv has all the games...most in HD. If you pay for it on the 4 month plan, its not to bad....considering how long the season is.

Dave, they said anything lately about kicking in the total home DVR type thing?

Working now DVR to H21...still no DVR to DVR. DVR to PC is working now, they offloaded the decoding from the cpu to the video card. Still beta tho.

Ill have NOVA recorded, it will be 1080i Mpeg4 H.264

A friend of mine got the converter box with the government coupon. When he installed it, he called to tell me he doesn't get channel 4 at all no matter where he positions the antenna and he lost audio on channel 7. I know nothing about this box other than it lets analog people keep watching TV...

A friend of mine got the converter box with the government coupon. When he installed it, he called to tell me he doesn't get channel 4 at all no matter where he positions the antenna and he lost audio on channel 7. I know nothing about this box other than it lets analog people keep watching TV...Which converter box (hopefully a Zenith/Insignia)?

A friend of mine got the converter box with the government coupon. When he installed it, he called to tell me he doesn't get channel 4 at all no matter where he positions the antenna and he lost audio on channel 7. I know nothing about this box other than it lets analog people keep watching TV...

They are just ATSC tuners, with digital to analog video and audio converters, and an rf modulator... Some also have extended guide data, most just show the next hours or two in the guide. Mine has several event timers, and can be controlled with an IR blaster from my Tivo.

Ive got the echostar TR40, since it uses the same remote codes as Dish network receivers, I have it hooked to my old but reliable series 1 TIVO, which lacks a digital tuner. I use it to record digital SD programming (news, southpark on kwbf, and some RTN shows). That saves my directv dish space and tuners for the HD stuff.

A friend of mine got the converter box with the government coupon. When he installed it, he called to tell me he doesn't get channel 4 at all no matter where he positions the antenna and he lost audio on channel 7. I know nothing about this box other than it lets analog people keep watching TV...
Sounds like user install errors to me. There is absolutely no reason audio should be lost. And there is no reason he shouldn't be able to get 4. If he gets 16, 38, 11, or 42 (even 7) he gets 4. Its not rocket science. I mean, theres a chance he's behind a hill or something that somehow blocks only 4, but I find that hard to believe.

Arkansas vs Oklahoma basketball game tonight on KATV looked really horrible. For about the first 10 minutes, the picture was jerking and they all looked like robots moving around on the court.....C3PO'ish. Color was also horrible, almost black and white looking.....overall PQ was super soft and washed out. I really wish KATV would get their act together. Watching tv is not supposed to be a pain in the ass:rolleyes: BTW....this was the Directv feed, not the OTA. I couldnt get it on antenna tonight, 42.1, 2, 3 have not been locking for me lately. I actually watched the first 10 minutes on ch 7 analog. It had some snow in it but IMO, it was way better than watching the fake, jerky looking PQ on the Directv feed. About halfway thru the first half, the jerking was corrected but the overall PQ still looked horrible.

Arkansas vs Oklahoma basketball game tonight on KATV looked really horrible. For about the first 10 minutes, the picture was jerking and they all looked like robots moving around on the court.....C3PO'ish. Color was also horrible, almost black and white looking.....overall PQ was super soft and washed out. I really wish KATV would get their act together. Watching tv is not supposed to be a pain in the ass:rolleyes: BTW....this was the Directv feed, not the OTA. I couldnt get it on antenna tonight, 42.1, 2, 3 have not been locking for me lately. I actually watched the first 10 minutes on ch 7 analog. It had some snow in it but IMO, it was way better than watching the fake, jerky looking PQ on the Directv feed. About halfway thru the first half, the jerking was corrected but the overall PQ still looked horrible.

That was too good of a game to have that bad of a broadcast. I resorted to the E* SD feed of KATV because the current OTA feed via KWBF-DT would not lock, and I didn't bother with the analog, which is usually snowy here. Very cloudy/washed-out looking compared to the ESPN 2 SD broadcast last Saturday.

1.I have an old TV which has no remote, and UHF VHF screws in the back. I want to get a converter box to comply with Feb 09. Can anyone recommend a good converter box and other connections I need to buy(since it seems that Ill need it for my old TV)

2. I dont have cable or dish, but have a brand new Samsung 19 inch TV. What is a good antenna to get for getting best west LR coverage and getting the best HD coverage on new TV? I love this forum and Im new:)

For the old tv, any converter box will work since those have RF out (ch3 or ch4). A balum (called a 300ohm to 75ohm transformer) is needed to hook up the coax from the converter to the screw VHF terminals.

Oh, while I was in the Pine Bluff Walmart last Friday, I noticed one the el cheapo 19" HDTV's were in the sub $200 category. It had NO HDMI connections period. A couple was looking at the larger LCD and plasma TV's and I mentioned that "you really can't judge the PQ by looking at what these are hooked up to" (in-store propaganda). Sure enough, the el cheapo, and some of the others were hooked up to the coax RF connection--Very cheesy.

Saw a message on KETS tonight stating they would be shutting down January 2nd thru February 17th for both channel 5 and channel 12 in 1l Dorado. Didnt say if analog 2 would be off or not, or I missed it.

Now...I was looking at the coverage maps posted earlier, but this is what I am noticing right now... I can get a good (some snow, some impulse noise) watchable signal from KEMV on channel 6 analog, however, I can only get a solid 12% signal on KEMV-DT, so its totally unlockable. I thought the coverage was supposed to be equal or close to it. This isnt even close. Luckily, they will turn on KETS-DT on ch 7 before they turn off KEMV analog, so at least I can watch AETN until then OTA.

Sam, how do you upload pic links?

Haley, some of the stores have atsc modulators feeding all the demo sets from a blu ray source. RF might actually be HD these days...IF Im looking at a store demo, I hit the info button to see what res the sets actually getting on the demo.

That was too good of a game to have that bad of a broadcast. I resorted to the E* SD feed of KATV because the current OTA feed via KWBF-DT would not lock, and I didn't bother with the analog, which is usually snowy here. Very cloudy/washed-out looking compared to the ESPN 2 SD broadcast last Saturday.

Its a shame that in the time of HD technology, we have to watch Ark/Ou in the worst possible PQ available. I thought when ISP took over the razorbacks broadcasts, they were supposed to upgrade everything. I even heard that their PPV's and telecast like tonights game were originally supposed to be done in HD when the deal was signed. Looks like ISP/KATV have found the cheapest crappiest way to broadcast the games.:(:o

Its a shame that in the time of HD technology, we have to watch Ark/Ou in the worst possible PQ available. I thought when ISP took over the razorbacks broadcasts, they were supposed to upgrade everything. I even heard that their PPV's and telecast like tonights game were originally supposed to be done in HD when the deal was signed. Looks like ISP/KATV have found the cheapest crappiest way to broadcast the games.:(:o

RSP/ISP just simply outsourced production to KATV...all the usual suspects were listed in the closing credits. BTW, this was the first game I watched in its entirety from KATV/RSP-ISP since their overall lineup of games were yawners.

The razorback game Saturday on the ESPN2 HD channel was shown in SD, but the PQ very clear and the maximum resolution for SDTV. Part of the issue for me was watching the E* SD feed, but it was very evident when network programming finally resumed (Eli Stone, joined in progress) that the PQ perked up some (away from the KATV video chain, and into the passthrough from the ABC-HD feed).

...I thought the [kemv-dt] coverage was supposed to be equal or close to it [analog]. Eventually, KEMV-DT coverage should improve substantially, when they triple their ERP from 4 to 12kW. That hasn't been done yet. Still, that doesn't seem like much power for ch 13, compared to KTHV's 55kW ERP on 12.

Sam, how do you upload pic links?I use tinypic. It's free and no registration required.
http://i25.tinypic.com/21exhf5.jpg


...it was very evident when network programming finally resumed (Eli Stone, joined in progress) that the PQ perked up some (away from the KATV video chain, and into the passthrough from the ABC-HD feed).KATV's ancient analog equipment that SD programming must pass through, is the source of a lot of the washed out blurry problems on that station.

Saw a message on KETS tonight stating they would be shutting down January 2nd thru February 17th for both channel 5 and channel 12 in 1l Dorado. Didnt say if analog 2 would be off or not, or I missed it.

Now...I was looking at the coverage maps posted earlier, but this is what I am noticing right now... I can get a good (some snow, some impulse noise) watchable signal from KEMV on channel 6 analog, however, I can only get a solid 12% signal on KEMV-DT, so its totally unlockable. I thought the coverage was supposed to be equal or close to it. This isnt even close. Luckily, they will turn on KETS-DT on ch 7 before they turn off KEMV analog, so at least I can watch AETN until then OTA.


Analog 2 will shutoff for good. (http://www.aetn.org/dtv) I can get KETG 9 with a moderate signal when pointed at the Gurdon transmitter, but the DTV is very underpowered although locks occasionally.

I really hate to say this and this is considering the many issues with low-band DTV, but AETN might have been better off flash cutting KEMV 6 to DTV and run its current antenna and highest permitted power than using a short-spaced channel 13 that protects WHBQ Memphis, sister station KETG (also on ch13), and KFJX Pittsburg KS (which will use post-transistion KOAM's current DTV channel--13). KEMV 6 is a pest here.

I agree. There are way too many channel 13s in the area. In addition to power increase, they are also going to raise the antenna height of the ch 13 antenna around 60+feet.

If they kept channel 6, they would have all the lowband VHF problems, plus FM interference that ch 6 is prone to. Lowband V should've been abandonded for DTV.

KEMV-DT should relocate to channel 11.

- Trip

KEMV-DT should relocate to channel 11.

- Trip

Hmmm, that might work. KAQY Columbia, LA ( the Monroe LA /El Dorado AR ABC affiliate) is the nearest proposed ch11 DTV I know of.

It definitely works as far as 73.616 spacing is concerned, can't speak to interference concerns with KOLR or KTHV.

- Trip

It definitely works as far as 73.616 spacing is concerned, can't speak to interference concerns with KOLR or KTHV.I don't think the FCC's too concerned about interference. We've got KAFT 9 and KOLR 10 in our area. Both will be digital 2/17.

I don't think the FCC's too concerned about interference. We've got KAFT 9 and KOLR 10 in our area. Both will be digital 2/17.

This is more a test than anything to see if it works... This is my KEMV ch 6 analog reception during no-skip conditions.

http://i37.tinypic.com/2rxjfrp.jpg

How long do the pix stay on there?

I don't think the FCC's too concerned about interference. We've got KAFT 9 and KOLR 10 in our area. Both will be digital 2/17.

Um, they're 114 miles apart. That's more than enough spacing.

- Trip

Um, they're 114 miles apart. That's more than enough spacing.

- Trip

Do you think when the high power analogs shut down, the quality readings on the boardline digitals will improve due to lack of interference? Right now, I get some herringbones from KLRT at 5 million watts, since I can actually see their tower at about 20 miles...Im hoping when they all shut down, the quality readings will go up.

Do you think when the high power analogs shut down, the quality readings on the boardline digitals will improve due to lack of interference? Right now, I get some herringbones from KLRT at 5 million watts, since I can actually see their tower at about 20 miles...Im hoping when they all shut down, the quality readings will go up.

Absolutely. I expect once the spread in power levels is reduced, tuners will become slightly more sensitive.

- Trip

...How long do the pix stay on there?On Tinypic (http://www.tinypic.com)? I've got some bookmarked that have been on there for several years. I think eventually, if the image stops getting views, it's removed.

On future pic uploads, you might want to consider using the resize option on the tinypic upload page. There's a drop down option for 800x600 or 640x480 (suggested).

It was set at default. Looked on on my cell. What size was it? Was it to big or to small?

And Happy New Year.

It was set at default. Looked on on my cell. What size was it? Was it to big or to small?

And Happy New Year.
The photo displays 1600x1200. Distorts the page layout a bit. Perhaps an edit is in order? ;)

It was set at default. Looked on on my cell. What size was it? Was it to big or to smallIt was 1600x1200, which is a bit large. Try 640x480, which is AVSForum's suggested size.

You can re-upload the pic to tinypic.com and resize it there. Then, edit your post and replace the IMG code with the smaller image's code.

It was 1600x1200, which is a bit large. Try 640x480, which is AVSForum's suggested size.

You can re-upload the pic to tinypic.com and resize it there. Then, edit your post and replace the IMG code with the smaller image's code.

You give me to much credit on my PDA using abilities :) Took me an hour to figure out how to post the pic. For some reason, I cant figure out how to PASTE from the clipboard in the message editor winow on this thing. Took me 30 minutes digging through the manual to find how to send the bracket symbol... Ill try tho.

Another KEMV cap. See if this is better:
http://i33.tinypic.com/e5ntvm

Another KEMV cap. See if this is better:
Same size. Wouldn't be so bad if it was, say, a cap of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show ;)

Watching the Capital One Bowl on cable (KATV). Having lots of compression issues including some rather poor bottom scroll graphics. Same for the OTA crowd? Trh Gator over on KTHV looks better.

-MDG

Same size. Wouldn't be so bad if it was, say, a cap of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show ;)

Weird...Tinypic said it was resized to 640x480. Guess Ill just forget about this pic thing.

KATV (on a POP 720p set) looks good on Directv...not noticing any artifacts or mosquito noise at all...

yep, 1600x1200. Maybe the 640x480 dropdown didn't actually get chosen and you didn't notice that on the little pda screen. I'd go blind trying to use one of those things for internet. :)

yep, 1600x1200. Maybe the 640x480 dropdown didn't actually get chosen and you didn't notice that on the little pda screen. I'd go blind trying to use one of those things for internet. :)

I set the default to 640 x 480. I have to email the pics from my phone to them, no "upload" option on the phone.

This was done on a computer...see how this works...
http://i40.tinypic.com/303bih0.jpg

KATV (on a POP 720p set) looks good on Directv...not noticing any artifacts or mosquito noise at all...

Eh, I wonder if the D* and SuddenLink get the same feed. The close-ups are fine, but the medium and long shots have compression halos if you know how to look for them (even from 8 ft away). The ESPN-like scroll on the bottom is not as clear as when I flip over to to ESPN. Oh well, it's not TOO distracting, so I'll stop griping :D

Happy New Year's!

-MDG

I set the default to 640 x 480. I have to email the pics from my phone to them, no "upload" option on the phone.

This was done on a computer...see how this works...

That come across great. Well, I mean the pic on the TV isn't great, but the size fits better. :p

-MDG

Eh, I wonder if the D* and SuddenLink get the same feed. The close-ups are fine, but the medium and long shots have compression halos if you know how to look for them (even from 8 ft away). The ESPN-like scroll on the bottom is not as clear as when I flip over to to ESPN. Oh well, it's not TOO distracting, so I'll stop griping :D

Happy New Year's!

-MDG

I looked closer and it does appear they are using a bandwidth limited link to Directv...almost looks like it isnt to different from the 44-3 feed. Maybe they went back to that. I gave up on the locals. KTHV looks bad due to THV2 taking to much bandwidth. I guess other than FOX, we are just destined to be stuck with mediocre HD in this market.

Watching the Capital One Bowl on cable (KATV). Having lots of compression issues including some rather poor bottom scroll graphics. Same for the OTA crowd? Trh Gator over on KTHV looks better.

-MDG
I am on U-Verse watching it at the moment and it looks pretty damn nice to me. Must have a direct fiber feed from the source.

Yep. 640x480 now.

I know some of you, like myself, have DirecTV and FYI, the Major League Baseball Channel began today on channel 213, both SD and HD. I have no idea of its programming content but it may be interesting to see what comes about.

I know some of you, like myself, have DirecTV and FYI, the Major League Baseball Channel began today on channel 213, both SD and HD. I have no idea of its programming content but it may be interesting to see what comes about.
Fricken AT&T doesn't have it yet. Maybe they will in the future. The one main thing I am really hating about AT&T is their lineup of HD RSN's or lack there of rather. They have 3 FSN Southwest feeds that have an "HD" channel, but there isn't jack on them 99% of the time. I am probably going to be missing my DirecTV come baseball season. Wonder if I can get some basic basic package along with HD and "Sports Pack" just so I can get FSN Midwest in HD this season.

That and the no Cartoon Network HD is really pissing me off. :) There are probably other things I just haven't realized yet.

It costs a little more, but DirecTV does have programming that no one else has.

It costs a lot more, but DirecTV does have programming that no one else has.

:) Sorry, had to change that to reflect what I see compared to U-Verse. If the sports pack thing doesn't reveal any benefits like DirecTV gave me and if they don't get Cartoon Network HD up, then I may have to go back. I don't know of any of the other channels that I actually care is missing from U-Verse compared to DirecTV. U-Verse does have Travel HD though, so thats a +1 for them.

I've got an LCD set on the way and I live near the Rivermarket in LR.

Will an indoor antenna pick up the Abc, Nbc, Cbs and Fox locals in DT just fine? I can pick up all of these with analog just fine... along with kwbf which is where katv's signal is currently.

Do I need to worry about which antenna to get?

No way to answer that question. You will just have to try a few. Lots of multipath downtown, so it will boil down to how good a tuner is in the lcd tv as to what kind of antenna to get.

Welcome to the forum.

I've got an LCD set on the way and I live near the Rivermarket in LR.

Will an indoor antenna pick up the Abc, Nbc, Cbs and Fox locals in DT just fine? I can pick up all of these with analog just fine... along with kwbf which is where katv's signal is currently.

Do I need to worry about which antenna to get?
I was wondering the same thing about the Benton area. Just ordered a new LCD and already have an indoor antenna. Anyone from the Benton/Bryant area having any luck with an indoor antenna? Or do I need to go ahead and purchase an outdoor?

I always recommend outdoor antennas...mainly because I have never seen an indoor antenna that would reliably pick up all stations without moving it, adjusting the gain knob, or messing with it. An outdoor antenna is a one time setup, and if it worked yesterday, it will work today.

Well, I live in a loft downtown, so no chance of an outdoor antenna

literally, the best I can do is stick one on a window sill

It's a Samsung LN32A450, so I have no clue if it's got a good tuner or not.

Well, I live in a loft downtown, so no chance of an outdoor antenna

literally, the best I can do is stick one on a window sill

It's a Samsung LN32A450, so I have no clue if it's got a good tuner or not.

Im not sure either. Is your loft on the west side of the building, or another direction? They make a "silver sensor" indoor antenna which is a small yagi antenna for indoors, and its very directional, but is UHF only. It might or might not get KTHV on ch 12. Its all going to be trial and error. Lets see what side of the building you are on first, and what floor? Also, are there any tall buildings west of you?

Well, I live in a loft downtown, so no chance of an outdoor antenna

literally, the best I can do is stick one on a window sill

It's a Samsung LN32A450, so I have no clue if it's got a good tuner or not.
If you will go back a few pages and look for the $38 Philips Wal-Mart indoor/outdoor antenna that I referenced, you will probably be fine. I have used it indoors and outdoors with good results. I have also used a $20 set top amplified antenna and it works.

I really don't think the multipath phenomena is a realistic deal or else I would most likely never get a good lockable signal. I am extremely close to the towers and get everything but 2 just fine, even when I was using the P.O.S. indoor set top antenna it really wasn't a problem on anything but 11. Every once in a while I would have to frack with it to get 4 stable, but not too often. The $38 Philips one does a damn good job and, if you find a good spot in the loft to stick it, you will be good to go.

And I don't think you have to buy any special "silver sensor" antennas either. I looked around at those and they seemed awful pricey for no more than they do. And they do limit you a lot like was said to the UHF spectrum. Sorry, Dave, I just have been screwing with a half-assed set up for long enough now that I don't believe in buying "specialized" antennas that supposedly fix problems like multipath. It might be necessary for some people I guess, but I just don't think for anyone within the city limits that they have to buy any kind of specific antenna or resort to raising an antenna farm on their house to get the channels in. Of course, I have been known in the past to not know what the hell I am talking about and to put my foot in my mouth, but, like I said, I have been working with half-assed biological waste around my house for over a year now and I have a fairly good idea of what is working for the cheap ass that doesn't wanna spend over $50. :)

The Phillips you reference is also a UHF only antenna, its a flat panel array (the same kind of broadband antenna found in the back of quad band cell phones, only scaled to the UHF tv spectrum. Im sure it would work fine for him, but who wants a butt ugly antenna like that in their living room? If he wants to run cable and mount it in a closet or tuck it away out of site, Im sure it would be fine. It would work quite well mounted outside (as shown on the wal-mart website) as well.
I used to live downtown, and if you dont believe there is multipath there, Ill take my portable down there and get you a screen shot of the 5 separate pictures on channel 16 (one from each tall building).
If the antenna is directional (which the silver sensor is), it will work. The silver sensor was the antenna used by the NAB to design and test the ATSC system. There are two kinds, the original unamplified version which costs about $20, and a newer one with some space age looking cover and an amp...which isnt the one I am talking about.
The best antenna is one that works. From now on, Ill let you field any "indoor" antenna questions. Ill bow out. As for the antenna farm... I have it because I enjoy DX'ing skip. I installed an outdoor three element yagi with screen reflector on the back side of the roof on a vent pipe at my parents house after they tried several indoor antennas and got tired of "771" errors on their DVR on channels they got fine yesterday. Id recommend lifeline cable before Id recommend an indoor antenna. When there is no choice, then Im going to recommend the most directional antenna I know of.

It's on the north side, facing the river. It's 8 floors up, but several blocks down from the Stephens building. That would be the only one to the west, however.

It's on the north side, facing the river. It's 8 floors up, but several blocks down from the Stephens building. That would be the only one to the west, however.

Try the one from walmart Steveken recommends (google PHILLIPS WALMART ANTENNA), and if it doesnt work, PM me.

I've got an LCD set on the way and I live near the Rivermarket in LR.

Will an indoor antenna pick up the Abc, Nbc, Cbs and Fox locals in DT just fine? I can pick up all of these with analog just fine... along with kwbf which is where katv's signal is currently.

Do I need to worry about which antenna to get?


Multipath is a real issue, I dealt with it several years ago while living in mid-town Little Rock. Try using the rabbit ears (if you have some lying around or take them off the current tv) and go from there. If the plain rabbit ears don't keep a consistant lock, then look at other alternatives.

Welcome to the forum.

The Phillips you reference is also a UHF only antenna, its a flat panel array (the same kind of broadband antenna found in the back of quad band cell phones, only scaled to the UHF tv spectrum. Im sure it would work fine for him, but who wants a butt ugly antenna like that in their living room? If he wants to run cable and mount it in a closet or tuck it away out of site, Im sure it would be fine. It would work quite well mounted outside (as shown on the wal-mart website) as well.

Yeah, it says UHF on the box and stuff, but it picks up 12 really well. I guess cause its so close to the UHF area. It is fairly directional as well as I have to point it a certain way to get everything. It seems to work almost like a yagi does when I am having to tweak stuff to get a good signal in with it. I get a nice strong signal with it on 12 with the way I have it now, so I am pretty darned happy with it. :)

As far as it being butt ugly, honestly, its no bigger than most bookends on a bookshelf. It really isn't as big as you might think it would be. I think its like maybe 6" tall by about 2 1/2" deep and at its widest point about 1/4" wide. (Rough guesstimates as I suck at measurements.) I had it on top of my bookshelf in my living room and no one ever noticed it. So, I don't think it would be much of an issue for most folks.

I used to live downtown, and if you dont believe there is multipath there, Ill take my portable down there and get you a screen shot of the 5 separate pictures on channel 16 (one from each tall building).
Well, yeah, I guess if you live over more towards the tall buildings I guess you might get reflection problems, but he said he lives in a loft. Aren't those more over towards the river, away from most of the tall buildings that would give that issue? I guess I was thinking that when you said you lived downtown, you might have lived in one of those regular houses or apartments that might have had a problem with all the higher buildings around it. Plus, if he is in a loft, isn't that up at the top of those buildings? I don't know much about lofts and how they work, so thats why I am asking. I just thought that if you were in one of those lofts, you would be high enough up to not have any issues. But, if you don't mind, could you really take your portable over there and take some pics for me? I really would like to see what it looks like so I know if thats something I experience on my stuff. I have no idea what it looks like on digital. I have seen the ghosting effect on analog stuff, so I think thats what multipath is there.

If the antenna is directional (which the silver sensor is), it will work. The silver sensor was the antenna used by the NAB to design and test the ATSC system. There are two kinds, the original unamplified version which costs about $20, and a newer one with some space age looking cover and an amp...which isnt the one I am talking about.
I have only seen the space age looking one and they usually cost like $30 I think it was (been a long time since I looked for it). I haven't ever seen the one you are talking about, so I didn't know about them. I claim complete ignorance and stupidity there. I looked and looked on ebay and such for one, but couldn't find one cheap enough that I thought would work or be worth the price.

The best antenna is one that works.
Indeed.

From now on, Ill let you field any "indoor" antenna questions. Ill bow out. As for the antenna farm... I have it because I enjoy DX'ing skip. I installed an outdoor three element yagi with screen reflector on the back side of the roof on a vent pipe at my parents house after they tried several indoor antennas and got tired of "771" errors on their DVR on channels they got fine yesterday. Id recommend lifeline cable before Id recommend an indoor antenna. When there is no choice, then Im going to recommend the most directional antenna I know of.

No, don't bow out. As I said before, I only know enough to be dangerous because I have run the half-assed system up until now. I know what worked for me out on the edge of town with spending only the most minimal amounts of money. I just want to try all the free or lowest cost options first before giving up and dropping serious money on a 4221 or something. I completely understand the DX'ing aspect.

Honestly, if I could, I would definitely be doing that along with you. I would have an antenna on each corner of my house AND one big ass one in the middle to pick up anything I could. :) But, since I have a wife that is fairly picky about such things, I don't. :)

And hell yeah, lifeline cable for 11.95/month is the best way to go if you don't wanna screw with an antenna, but only for the free clearQAM digital/HD local channels that comcast sends along the wire too. :)

And recommending the most directional antenna to people only works well for those people who know their directions from a hole in the ground. Most people couldn't tell you North if you put a compass in their hands and pointed them North. It is especially harder for folks who live far away from Little Rock.

Anyway, please don't take anything I said as disrespectful or saying you don't know what you are talking about. As far as I am concerned, I only know enough to get a marginal signal in most of the time after tinkering. Buying, or better yet building, your own antenna like you other guys do is completely the way to go. I just speak from the cheap ass, piece what I can find together and pray it works, if it ain't broke and it works for me don't fix it camp. I really don't mean to offend, I just don't do well with wording things in a diplomatic way. :)

I have had DirecTV for almost 12 years but the old rooftop antenna remained intact for receiving locals until a few years back when D finally added the Little Rock locals. Last year when I switched to HD, I continued to use the rooftop antenna for network HD programming until D added the Little Rock channels in HD. In fact, it was a few days before D came out and switched me over to HD after I got the HDTV and my only HD programming those first few days was from the rooftop antenna. My point is that the OLD rooftop antenna did and still does a perfect job of receiving the HD, digital and analog signals from all the locals, including some I didn't know existed. It is not an HD antenna (if in fact there is such a thing). I have kept it in place and it is still an option for locals in stormy weather.

...My point is that the OLD rooftop antenna did and still does a perfect job of receiving the HD, digital and analog signals from all the locals, including some I didn't know existed. It is not an HD antenna (if in fact there is such a thing)...No, there is no such thing as an "HD" antenna. That is just marketing jargon put on the antenna name in hopes you'll buy it, not unlike "color antenna" was added to antenna names when color TV came out. DTV uses the same channel bands as analog did, although most DTV stations are on different channels than they used on analog, though.

Usually (but not every time), if an antenna got halfway decent analog reception, the same antenna will probably work for DTV.

Usually (but not every time), if an antenna got halfway decent analog reception, the same antenna will probably work for DTV.

Nice disclaimer, especially considering the Little Rock DMA :)

Nice disclaimer, especially considering the Little Rock DMA :)Yeah, but I'm amazed at how sensitive new tuners are now. I just bought one of these ATSC/QAM HD tuners from NewEgg for $49.99 (1/2 off sale). It has VGA connection to use on a computer monitor.
http://i42.tinypic.com/hsrkmp.jpg

I connected the little monopole antenna that came with it and was very surprised. I'm getting 6 Fayetteville channels (45 miles away) and 5 Springfield channels (70 miles away) rock solid. The antenna looks like this:
http://i43.tinypic.com/154ar80.jpg
It's magnetic on the bottom so I attached it to a can for a base. Amazing reception, considering the antenna is in a room with foil-backed insulation in the walls and low-e (metallic coated) glass windows.

I went to buy one for my computer monitor, but they are back up over $100, so no sale.

This is the KETS analog and Digital farewell to viewers, until they return on digital channel 7 in mid February

http://i35.tinypic.com/2rpdw05.jpg

Wonder is the 18.2 feed will remain (I think they are getting their signal from KEMV)?

I was wondering the same thing about the Benton area. Just ordered a new LCD and already have an indoor antenna. Anyone from the Benton/Bryant area having any luck with an indoor antenna? Or do I need to go ahead and purchase an outdoor?


I am unable to get 16 reliably indoors from Benton. I get it just fine in the attic and outside. The Wal-Mart UHF antenna SHOULD get everything except PBS without any trouble at all, and it's got a small footprint.

I went to buy one for my computer monitor, but they are back up over $100, so no sale.

This is the KETS analog and Digital farewell to viewers, until they return on digital channel 7 in mid February

... image snipped ....

Wonder is the 18.2 feed will remain (I think they are getting their signal from KEMV)?
KETS-DT (2/5) still on the air. When it goes away I hope AETN on 18.2 will still be available. KTWN gets that signal from Dishnet I believe. At least it looks that way since there is a smartcard expiring notice on screen again:
Attention 127
Su smartcard expirara pronto ..... etc.

Edit: expiration notice on 18.2 gone now.

dmatch

Getting skip tonight.... Ch 10 analog from the Ozarks...http://i33.tinypic.com/30v2k4y.jpg
....just a foggy heads up. Im kinda of excited really, this is the first Missouri station Ive ever gotten here. also logged KSPR-DT ON CH 19. Thanks Arxaw for the 7777 preamp recommendation.

Getting skip tonight.... Ch 10 analog from the Ozarks...
....just a foggy heads up. Im kinda of excited really, this is the first Missouri station Ive ever gotten here. also logged KSPR-DT ON CH 19. Thanks Arxaw for the 7777 preamp recommendation.

More proof of the unusual propatation today....

http://i42.tinypic.com/5ff0o9.jpg

KTUL 8 Tulsa received in Star City @ 3:05pm



http://i42.tinypic.com/2mc82vt.jpg

KSPR-DT Springfield MO received in Star City @ 6:56pm

How come I got KSPR on ch 19 and your is 33? (or is that its virtual number?)

I also was getting a ch52 DT but couldnt get a lock pointing due North.

How come I got KSPR on ch 19 and your is 33? (or is that its virtual number?)

I also was getting a ch52 DT but couldnt get a lock pointing due North.

That's because the Zenith converter box will automaticly display the virtual channel number. The RF channel can be displayed in a menu option....

I never DX with the Dish Network Rcvr...too slow and insensitive. Display caputred using an old WinTV Go card running Debian Etch (Linux) and xawtv.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2yunjaw.jpg

BTW, ch 52 DTV is KOLR...at least until Feb 17th

Ok, thanks. Now if I could get Ft Smith, Fay, or Anything in Okla...Id be good. Ive logged Tex, La, New Mex, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michegan, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico. West just seems to be blocked here.

I was wondering the same thing about the Benton area. Just ordered a new LCD and already have an indoor antenna. Anyone from the Benton/Bryant area having any luck with an indoor antenna? Or do I need to go ahead and purchase an outdoor?I am unable to get 16 reliably indoors from Benton. I get it just fine in the attic and outside. The Wal-Mart UHF antenna SHOULD get everything except PBS without any trouble at all, and it's got a small footprint.

From Benton, I'm only able to get 2 HD channels 11.1 (CBS) and 16.1 (FOX) with my indoor antenna. I'd like to be able to get ABC and NBC.

I'm using the Philips High Performance Amplified Indoor Uhf/Vhf/Fm/HDTV Antenna.

From Benton, I'm only able to get 2 HD channels 11.1 (CBS) and 16.1 (FOX) with my indoor antenna. I'd like to be able to get ABC and NBC.

I'm using the Philips High Performance Amplified Indoor Uhf/Vhf/Fm/HDTV Antenna.

Can you mount the antenna in the attic and run a Rg6 coax from it to the tv? Of course, you would need a wall outlet up there to power it. The one Steveken is recommending is a flat panel array, and has a remote power inserter. I think Im going to run up to Wal Mart tomorrow and pick one up and run some comparison tests between it and my Channel Master 4220 two bay. Ill take readings in the house, in the attic, and up on the roof, and Ill post the results.

I went to buy one for my computer monitor, but they are back up over $100, so no sale.Sign up for the "price drop notification" and they'll email you when it goes on sale again. That's how I got mine cheaply. It would be a great DXing tuner, and it has manual individual channel scan, by RF channel number.

... ch 52 DTV is KOLR...at least until Feb 17thOn 2/17, KOLR-DT will move back to its analog VHF ch 10 slot, reusing their old analog transmitter and antenna.

From Benton, I'm only able to get 2 HD channels 11.1 (CBS) and 16.1 (FOX) with my indoor antenna. I'd like to be able to get ABC and NBC.

I'm using the Philips High Performance Amplified Indoor Uhf/Vhf/Fm/HDTV Antenna.
Have you tried it at a couple of different spots in the house and a couple of different heights? I ask because DTV is tricky sometimes. In one room, it could work on one wall, but not on the wall across the room. For instance, in my living room, it didn't work on the wall where the TV is no matter where on the wall I put it, so I had to move it to the opposite wall and put it on top of my bookshelf where it worked. (the bookshelf was really the only spot I had to put it out of the way, just so happened it worked great.)

From Benton, I'm only able to get 2 HD channels 11.1 (CBS) and 16.1 (FOX) with my indoor antenna. I'd like to be able to get ABC and NBC.

I'm using the Philips High Performance Amplified Indoor Uhf/Vhf/Fm/HDTV Antenna.Have you tried it at a couple of different spots in the house and a couple of different heights? I ask because DTV is tricky sometimes. In one room, it could work on one wall, but not on the wall across the room. For instance, in my living room, it didn't work on the wall where the TV is no matter where on the wall I put it, so I had to move it to the opposite wall and put it on top of my bookshelf where it worked. (the bookshelf was really the only spot I had to put it out of the way, just so happened it worked great.)
I'll test a few other spots, but I can't go very far because the power cord is not very long. I had it on top of my subwoofer that sits in the far corner of the house. I'll put it on top of my entertainment center.

What's the best way to test the signal? Right now I either go through my tv's menu or through my new Tivo HD's menu.

I'll test a few other spots, but I can't go very far because the power cord is not very long. I had it on top of my subwoofer that sits in the far corner of the house. I'll put it on top of my entertainment center.

What's the best way to test the signal? A room can have lots of dead/hot spots for TV reception. Sometimes moving the antenna only a foot or two left or right, up or down can drastically affect reception. Just like moving a few feet if a cellphone call is dropping out. Sometimes, "where" the antenna is may affect reception more than "how" you have the antenna aimed, especially if the antenna isn't very directional.

To adjust the antenna, try and peak it on your weakest channel, by bringing up the signal strength meter in the OTA tuner menu. If you find a good spot, check the signal on all your channels. Trial and error is the only way to have any hope of solid reception if your indoor signals are weak.

Outdoor antennas nearly always provide the most trouble free reception. When 8VSB was tested and chosen as the modulation scheme for the US DTV system, it was assumed that outdoor antennas would be used.

I don't know about the most trouble free. :) As much trouble as Arkyman has with his moving it only a couple of feet up or down, I think it can still be almost as much of a hassle as an indoor. Mine is outdoors now and I still had a little trouble when aiming it. Finely found a good spot for it, at least I think. I still need to try to tweak it a little using the Zenith box to get a better signal (if it can be found). That Zenith box has a really good signal meter on it compared to my Vista Media Center box.

Oh, by the way, I was out at the Chenal Wal-Mart just now. When I went, there was a lot of fog on top of the mountain, but it was cleared off when I came out. Before I went in, I couldn't see the top of the new KATV tower, but when I came out I could. Its pretty darned tall now. About half way up the really tall tower that its next to. (can't remember who's that is) It's geting pretty close to being done I think, then just need to pop the antenna and stuff on it.

...As much trouble as Arkyman has with his moving it only a couple of feet up or down, I think it can still be almost as much of a hassle as an indoor. Where Arkyman lives with mountains all around, and at considerable distance from any TV transmitters, stable OTA reception is difficult, at best. Where reception is spotty, the trick to antenna reception is finding a hot spot. If you find one, it doesn't take much antenna to snag DTV.

http://i43.tinypic.com/154ar80.jpg