Got a solid lock, and signal strength of 76% here.

Got KVTH-DT in the log as DTV #122 (a few frames but just good enough) ...now the antenna is aimed at Inverness, but its not looking good for WMAO-DT, its only pinging the meter.

Got a solid lock, and signal strength of 76% here.
I don't have anything on mine. But, honestly, are we surprised I don't?

Yea, Im not getting squat on 25-1. 18.2 is back up with AETN and no weird aspect ratios. Mix between 4:3 and letterboxed 4:3.

Really? I have 25-1 with 4 of 6 bars on my VMC.

EDIT: Fluctuates to 5 of 6.

I don't have anything on mine. But, honestly, are we surprised I don't?

Dont feel bad. Im not even getting a signal on the CM4220 pointed right at Hot Springs. I had to point the big guns with amp at it.

I'm not getting anything on 25-1 or 26-1 at the moment, don't know if it's weather related or something else. I'll have to mess with it later though, there's too much stuff to record tonight to keep running scans. I figured here in Benton, I'd get a better lock on 26-1 than 25-1.

No MPB tonight.....just seeing a weak signal that won't decode.

I might need some bigger guns if I want to lock it.

Hey is anyone else having a problem getting 7.1 KATV-DT. For some reason I was able to tune it in last week and now I can no longer watch ABC on this station. Is anyone else having reception problems for this channel. I live down town by the Axiom building and I get 4.1, 11.1, 16.1 even stations from Pinebluff like 38.1.

Hey is anyone else having a problem getting 7.1 KATV-DT. For some reason I was able to tune it in last week and now I can no longer watch ABC on this station. Is anyone else having reception problems for this channel. I live down town by the Axiom building and I get 4.1, 11.1, 16.1 even stations from Pinebluff like 38.1.Was it last week, or before 2/1? If before 2/1, do a rescan.

KATV is back on its own DTV transmitter, but at reduced power. They got bumped off KWBF's signal 2/1 when it became KARZ.

KARK has now filed to go silent 2/17; KARZ didn't, perhaps because the FCC still shows it owned by Equity.

KLRT & KASN also filed to go silent as previously announced.

Ominously, KATV did *NOT* file, so KETS is up a creek right now. They could swap their antennas back, but it's the same crappy digital 5, right down to the limitations (both KFSM & WMC are staying on analog 5 till 6/12). The only other ways for KETS to return to the air now are both analog: Either retune KARK's transmitter to analog 2, or else file an emergency STA and borrow the analog transmitter & channel of KLRT or (more likely due to its site) KASN. (Edit: It seems all those options are too expensive for AETN; the Demozette article suggests KETS will stay off till KATV gives up analog 7, which could be awhile.)

One small bit of good news for AETN: KTVE is vacating analog 10 2/17, so KETZ can move to digital 10 as scheduled 2/18--though they might need an STA since the El Dorado license will remain on digital 12 till 6/12.

The Democrat-Gazette published a story today confirming this, though I think they got the Jonesboro & El Dorado situations confused (KTEJ analog & digital are both off due to ice-storm-related issues, not the DTV transition): Main site (for subscribers only) (http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/feb/10/2-lr-stations-going-ahead-feb-17-digital--20090210/?subscriber/national) - NWAnews site (free) (http://www.nwanews.com/adg/National/251978/)

KARK has now filed to go silent 2/17; KARZ didn't, perhaps because the FCC still shows it owned by Equity.

KLRT & KASN also filed to go silent as previously announced.

Ominously, KATV did *NOT* file, so KETS is up a creek right now. They could swap their antennas back, but it's the same crappy digital 5, right down to the limitations (both KFSM & WMC are staying on analog 5 till 6/12). The only other ways for KETS to return to the air now are both analog: Either retune KARK's transmitter to analog 2, or else file an emergency STA and borrow the analog transmitter & channel of KLRT or (more likely due to its site) KASN.

WMC is flashcutting to DTV on 5.

No one is vacating channel 3 in the region (KTBS, WREG, WLBT, KYTV) on Feb 17th.

I'm not shocked about KTHV staying since Gannett made overtures about staying on analog until June. KATV as usual clings to analog so "Aunt Mabele" in Carlisle can watch on her RCA Console. AETN files nothing so they are analog on all areas but Central Arkansas. The big surprise is KARZ....nothing shown on KARZ for termination of analog.

Bottom Line for Central Arkansas of this stage of the Analog Shutdown...

The winners: VHF low-band DX'ers.
The losers: Viewers of AETN in Central Arkansas, VHF high-band DX'ers.

I did a complete roundup as it concerns my slice of BF (http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com/2009/02/smoke-clears-area-roundup-of-analog.html)E. For others their MMV.

AETN files nothing so they are analog on all areas but Central Arkansas.

Check again, they filed for KTEJ and only KTEJ (Jonesboro). They won't be analog in that area either.

Maybe it's the power bill?

- Trip

I say fire up KETS-DT when their license says to, and blow KATV's low power analog out :)

Bet KETS would make it easily.

Anyway, as far as I know, Obama hasnt signed it into law yet.

Anyway, as far as I know, Obama hasnt signed it into law yet.


He may be waiting for a busy news day. . . perhaps the day the stimulus becomes law. He knows it isn't popular and probably doesn't want to have it a top news story on the evening news.

I read and re-read all the AETN-related stuff. Bottom line: until KATV shuts off their analog signal, AETN is screwed, correct?

Check again, they filed for KTEJ and only KTEJ (Jonesboro). They won't be analog in that area either.

Maybe it's the power bill?

- Trip

I didn't check Jonesboro...only KEMV and KETG the ones closest to Central Arkansas. I don't pay much mind to NE Arkansas since I'm closer to Jackson MS, Memphis, and Shreveport.

As KATV goes, I really, really hope it was a corporate decision from Albritton and not greenlighted by Dale Nicholson Sr. Perhaps Albritton/KATV giving 7-2 to AETN until June would be a consolation for derailing KETS-DT return to the air??? AFAIK, AETN-KETS isn't completly innocent either--theiy created their problem by swapping their original UHF DTV assingments. KETZ lucked out, KETS was left hanging.

The Democrat-Gazette published a story today confirming this, though I think they got the Jonesboro & El Dorado situations confused (KTEJ analog & digital are both off due to ice-storm-related issues, not the DTV transition): Main site (for subscribers only) (http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2009/feb/10/2-lr-stations-going-ahead-feb-17-digital--20090210/?subscriber/national) - NWAnews site (free) (http://www.nwanews.com/adg/National/251978/)

Poorly written and confusing article. Also the story failed to mention that KASN 38 is ALSO going off the air.

I didn't check Jonesboro...only KEMV and KETG the ones closest to Central Arkansas. I don't pay much mind to NE Arkansas since I'm closer to Jackson MS, Memphis, and Shreveport.

Yeah, but you said that AETN would be analog everywhere but Central AR. Just being nitpicky. :D

- Trip

In the next few weeks a "loaner" transmitter will be put in place for KARZ. The current transmitter, which is split in half (analog, digtal), will be taken off-line and completely gone through by the manufacture. It will return full power and it's problaby safe to say, the analog will not be returning.

Hey is anyone else having a problem getting 7.1 KATV-DT. For some reason I was able to tune it in last week and now I can no longer watch ABC on this station. Is anyone else having reception problems for this channel. I live down town by the Axiom building and I get 4.1, 11.1, 16.1 even stations from Pinebluff like 38.1.
LOL, you should come around here a little more often. :) That way you wouldn't be all "What the heck is going on here!?!" hehehehe I know we talk a LOT on here, so reading all the stuff we post could take the better part of a day, but still, you will at least be up on the latest happenings. :)

Poorly written and confusing article. Also the story failed to mention that KASN 38 is ALSO going off the air.
You expect differently from news outlets around here? None of them seem to employ editors or proof-readers or, evidently, people that can write coherent sentences that don't sound overly ambiguous.

Check again, they filed for KTEJ and only KTEJ (Jonesboro). They won't be analog in that area either.

Maybe it's the power bill?

- TripWould you (or anyone else that knows) please describe where you are checking these filings. I presume at the FCC but where?

dmatch

AFAIK, AETN-KETS isn't completly innocent either--theiy created their problem by swapping their original UHF DTV assingments.
I'm still trying to figure out why they would want to swap out their DTV assignments like they did. It makes no sense at all. They were in a pretty good spot with the original assignment.

Would you (or anyone else that knows) please describe where you are checking these filings. I presume at the FCC but where?

dmatch
I always have a hard time finding things on the FCC site as well. That site isn't very user friendly to the general population that doesn't understand a lot of the legalese or antenna speak.

Would you (or anyone else that knows) please describe where you are checking these filings. I presume at the FCC but where?

dmatch

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15774071#post15774071

If that post doesn't help, let me know. Of course, that post was made before the filings came in so they should be in now. And since you're not building a web page for me, ignore the copy+paste part.

I'm still trying to figure out why they would want to swap out their DTV assignments like they did. It makes no sense at all. They were in a pretty good spot with the original assignment.

Power bill on channel 5 is a lot less than on channel 47. Poor reasoning, but that's what it is...

I always have a hard time finding things on the FCC site as well. That site isn't very user friendly to the general population that doesn't understand a lot of the legalese or antenna speak.

It took me a very, very long time to learn my way around the whole site. There are sections I'm still not familiar with (since I never use them) but it really is a royal PITA.

- Trip

If I remember correctly, KETS was to be way up on UHF 47. There rational was *probably* to save on power by choosing a VHF channel and stay away from the *worst* of electrical impulse interference by choosing an Upper VHF channel (7) for their final location.

dmatch

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15774071#post15774071

If that post doesn't help, let me know
.....
Thanks, that was what I was interested in.

dmatch

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15774071#post15774071

If that post doesn't help, let me know.
Hmm, I went and looked at that page and can't find anything for KARK or KTHV when I do a search. Even when the search is specifically for them with either Little Rock for the City or AR for the State.

In the Callsign field just enter KTHV% or KARK% etc. (put a % on the end as was pointed out in the post that was referenced).

OR

Leave all fields blank except choose Television Station as "Service" then put in Little Rock for "Community of License City" and AR for "Cummunity of License State".

dmatch

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=112296.54928.124434&cID=e

This isn't nearly as important or interesting as the DTV transition stuff, but Today's THV is going to expand their 6pm newscast out to an hour starting in April.

...I read and re-read all the AETN-related stuff. Bottom line: until KATV shuts off their analog signal, AETN is screwed, correct?AETN screwed themselves by swapping their original DTV channel assignment (UHF 47) with a LPTV station in Sheridan on ch 5. IIRC, it was an Equity station, but not sure. Then they begged the FCC for either ch 7 or 10 for a permanent slot for KETS-DT. They ended up with channel 7.

Well, I didn't do the % cause I thought if you knew the callsign, you didn't need it. :)

It would be hard for KATV to justify keeping their low power analog on-air after their full power digital is up and running, causing KETS to not be able to get on the air, especially after all the help KATV received from other local stations during their time of difficulty.

With respect to AETN... karma is a, um, female canine. Especially as it relates to their difficulty with their chosen channel designation and all their FCC shenanigans. I know it's public education and Big Bird so it's as American as apple pie and discount bus fare for war widows, but I will never tire of AETN related schadenfreude.




What KVTN doesn't mention now (but did in an earlier FCC filing) is that they couldn't hang KVTN-DT on the analog tower because it was on the verge of collapse, so they built a new tower for digital next to it in far SE Pulaski County (W of England, S of Scott). The faster they turn analog off, the quicker they can take its unsafe tower down. Hence, the early switchover.



This isn't true. I've been to the site on many occasions. Brand new tower built from the ground up. They have been doing both analog and digital off one tower since at least 2004 when I installed their PSIP. The early switchover has gone ahead because it is a huge imposition in terms of electricity and maintenance to run both an analog and digital station.

With respect to AETN... karma is a, um, female canine. Especially as it relates to their difficulty with their chosen channel designation and all their FCC shenanigans. I know it's public education and Big Bird so it's as American as apple pie and discount bus fare for war widows, but I will never tire of AETN related schadenfreude.



This isn't true. I've been to the site on many occasions. Brand new tower built from the ground up. They have been doing both analog and digital off one tower since at least 2004 when I installed their PSIP. The early switchover has gone ahead because it is a huge imposition in terms of electricity and maintenance to run both an analog and digital station.

Cole! I thought you'd dropped off the face of the earth! Good to see you're still around.

I'm having difficulty keeping score here. Of the Little Rock stations, I think I've seen:
4 and 16 are going dark next Tuesday
7 and 11 are staying until June
True?
And there's little chance of ever getting PBS in Conway -- even though they are locate < 1 mile from my house. (Is it really THAT hard/expensive to put up a transmitter to cover 5 square miles?)

I'm having difficulty keeping score here. Of the Little Rock stations, I think I've seen:
4 and 16 are going dark next Tuesday
Yes
7 and 11 are staying until June
True?
Yes

And there's little chance of ever getting PBS in Conway -- even though they are locate < 1 mile from my house. (Is it really THAT hard/expensive to put up a transmitter to cover 5 square miles?)

Maybe if you go down the street to their offices and politely request it, they will tell you to take a hike nicely and not throw you out the door. j/k I don't think there is any chance of them doing anything to help Conway people get AETN. ConwayCorp is your best choice in their eyes more than likely. Why would they want to spend money on an antenna just to get viewers? If they wanted to do that, then they would have kept their original channel assignment.

I believe 38 is jumping off the analog ship on 2-17 as well

I believe 38 is jumping off the analog ship on 2-17 as well
Yeah, it is. I didn't bring it up because he didn't. Plus, in my mind, whenever you say 16, you automatically mean 38 too cause they are pretty much the same station in as much as they are the same company and probably equipment.

According to the FCC, these are the ones flipping on the 17th:

(from this pdf (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-221A3.pdf), page 11)

DMA - CITY - ST - NETWORK - CALLSIGN - NITELITE - LICENSEE
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - HOT SPRINGS - AR - N/A - KVTH - N - AGAPE CHURCH, INC.
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - LITTLE ROCK - AR - NBC - KARK-TV - N - NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC.
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - LITTLE ROCK - AR - FOX - KLRT-TV - N - NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - PINE BLUFF - AR - CW - KASN - N - NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - PINE BLUFF - AR - N/A - KVTN - N - AGAPE CHURCH, INC.

Note that none of them are nightlight-ing. There is a message over on satelliteguys (http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/158221-little-rock-hd-locals-those-not-being-carried-2.html#post1695301) that purports that KLRT is finally getting onto Dish and are working quickly to get an HD studio set up for news.

-MDG

According to the FCC, these are the ones flipping on the 17th:

(from this pdf (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-221A3.pdf), page 11)

DMA - CITY - ST - NETWORK - CALLSIGN - NITELITE - LICENSEE
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - HOT SPRINGS - AR - N/A - KVTH - N - AGAPE CHURCH, INC. <-----DONE
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - LITTLE ROCK - AR - NBC - KARK-TV - N - NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC.
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - LITTLE ROCK - AR - FOX - KLRT-TV - N - NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - PINE BLUFF - AR - CW - KASN - N - NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF - PINE BLUFF - AR - N/A - KVTN - N - AGAPE CHURCH, INC. <-----DONE

Note that none of them are nightlight-ing. There is a message over on satelliteguys (http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/158221-little-rock-hd-locals-those-not-being-carried-2.html#post1695301) that purports that KLRT is finally getting onto Dish and are working quickly to get an HD studio set up for news.

-MDG


Those I have noted are done already from what I know.

I suspect, judging from their new now, they have hd cameras perhaps, and the set, and are just waiting til Feb 17th, so they can ax all the analog crap taking up space, and we should be good to go. All speculation of course, but their news is SHARP, even for 480i.

I got an excellent signal strength on KVTH DT 26 Hot Springs immediately after the flash-cut. It's even better than KETG DT 13, despite my VHF only antenna. According to tvfool.com, I am almost equidistant between the two towers. I watched "Davey and Goliath" because it's the only thing on 26 not begging for money.

I suspect, judging from their new now, they have hd cameras perhaps, and the set, and are just waiting til Feb 17th, so they can ax all the analog crap taking up space, and we should be good to go. All speculation of course, but their news is SHARP, even for 480i.
"They" who?

Klrt-dt

KAFT-DT (aetn) is now on DirecTV HD locals in NWA, according to the Ft Smith/Fay thread.

KAFT-DT (aetn) is now on DirecTV HD locals in NWA, according to the Ft Smith/Fay thread.

That makes sense, but since its the same signal as KETS should be transmitting, why didnt they add it to LR DMA as well? We are still getting a remap of PBS-X national in SD on ch 2.

edit: While we are on PBS, I noticed KEMV analog came back on yesterday. guess they got the power lines restrung. Dont know about -DT as I have no way to tell if the miniscule signal on 13 is from MV or Gurdon.

I wonder, is there some kind of rule or something at KTHV that says they have to have the audio level on THV2 up twice as high as KTHV-DT?? I mean, every single time I turn on THV2 during a newscast, I have to turn down the damn volume on my TV. The levels are up so high, you can actually hear the distortion clear as day when people talk. It is a damned bit ridiculous if you ask me. Does no one at that station know how to pull a slider on a mixer down a little to keep from over-modulating a damn audio stream?? GEEZ!


Sorry guys, just had to get that off my chest. It has been bugging me every since I got a TV that could pick it up.

....
edit: While we are on PBS, I noticed KEMV analog came back on yesterday. guess they got the power lines restrung. Dont know about -DT as I have no way to tell if the miniscule signal on 13 is from MV or Gurdon.I can see a little signal from KEMV-DT (can't lock thou) thru the back of my antenna so it appears it is back on also.

Just noticed about 20 minutes ago that the Dishnet "Acquiring Satellite ... 2 KETS" message was briefly on KTWN-DT2. So that indicates they are back to getting AETN from Dishnet. I thought maybe they might have switched to the KEMV-DT signal but apparently not.

dmatch

That makes sense, but since its the same signal as KETS should be transmitting, why didnt they add it to LR DMA as well? We are still getting a remap of PBS-X national in SD on ch 2.Yes, wouldn't it be nice to get PBS in HD?

Since 7 is staying analog until June, I presume that means AETN has to stay on 2 until then? And does that also mean no chance of DTV carrying AETN HD until then? Of course, we might not get HD in June either.

... does that also mean no chance of DTV carrying AETN HD until then?D* could pick up KAFT-DT from Fayetteville and send it to all subscribers in the state. Don't know why they don't do that. But it's not really HD anyway. It's 720p & 14:9 zoom/crop-o-vision.

I wonder, is there some kind of rule or something at KTHV that says they have to have the audio level on THV2 up twice as high as KTHV-DT?? I mean, every single time I turn on THV2 during a newscast, I have to turn down the damn volume on my TV. The levels are up so high, you can actually hear the distortion clear as day when people talk. It is a damned bit ridiculous if you ask me. Does no one at that station know how to pull a slider on a mixer down a little to keep from over-modulating a damn audio stream?? GEEZ!


Sorry guys, just had to get that off my chest. It has been bugging me every since I got a TV that could pick it up.

I wrote them about their audio levels a while back. Tried to find the emailed reply but I guess I deleted it. It was a bit technical and had to do with some new equipment which was involved in--among other things that I can't remember--their ability to do lower thirds and graphics without interrupting an HD signal. Their levels are terrible, but they know about it and are, I guess, waiting on parts....

D* could pick up KAFT-DT from Fayetteville and send it to all subscribers in the state. Don't know why they don't do that. But it's not really HD anyway. It's 720p & 14:9 zoom/crop-o-vision.

If you take the PBS national SD feed, which is letterboxed, and hit format button on your Directv receiver to 720p Cropped, you will get the same thing AETN is sending out. The only way to get PBS HD in arkansas is with a 36" dish and a HD FTA receiver.

I wrote them about their audio levels a while back. Tried to find the emailed reply but I guess I deleted it. It was a bit technical and had to do with some new equipment which was involved in--among other things that I can't remember--their ability to do lower thirds and graphics without interrupting an HD signal. Their levels are terrible, but they know about it and are, I guess, waiting on parts....

Just thinking out loud, not directed at any one person, but I wonder why 7 doesn't have the same problem on their secondary channel (well, other than the audio on 7-2 being very off and shifted to the left channel for some reason)? Or 16 on their secondary channel?

Plus, if it was a while back when you emailed them about it, shouldn't it have been fixed by now? Does the stuff for the lower thirds on the primary channel really affect the secondary channel that much? Seems like that would be two separate sets of independent controls that can be adjusted as needed, when needed.

The main channel's audio is fine, its just the 11-2 that the levels are jacked up by a large amount. If I had a VU meter here, I would bet it would be pegged out all the time when their news casts are on. The audio for the rest of the stuff on the channel sounds like it might be okay, but I don't watch it very much. Just flip by it every now and then.

In any case, this seems to be a technical problem or an engineering problem and one would think the "Technical Director" or "Chief Engineer" would be able to fix this. Guess they have more important things to worry about (like putting off shutting down analog 11, which really should be done next week, but thats a different story) at the moment than fixing something as meaningless as audio levels. I mean, who cares if the audio levels on something a LOT of people watch is too high?

If you take the PBS national SD feed, which is letterboxed, and hit format button on your Directv receiver to 720p Cropped, you will get the same thing AETN is sending out. The only way to get PBS HD in arkansas is with a 36" dish and a HD FTA receiver.
I still say you should try to set up some kind of distribution network and sell your feed of PBS-HD to people who want it. You could probably make enough to cover the cost of the equipment.

Wow, the 9am show just went off and when it went back to the normal THV2 stuff I was amazed at how much quieter it was. It was as if I had just put something in my ears to block out the outside noise.

In any case, this seems to be a technical problem or an engineering problem and one would think the "Technical Director" or "Chief Engineer" would be able to fix this. Guess they have more important things to worry about (like putting off shutting down analog 11, which really should be done next week, but thats a different story) at the moment than fixing something as meaningless as audio levels. I mean, who cares if the audio levels on something a LOT of people watch is too high?

Well, you may have just hit the nail on the head. I mean, do a LOT of people really watch 11-2? I only occasionally flip over there to check the weather, and if a newscast is on, I'll be watching on 11-1 anyway. Honestly, I haven't watched it enough to even notice the problem. I'm not saying it's not a problem, it's just a problem that only affecting a very small audience.

The only way to get PBS HD in arkansas is with a 36" dish and a HD FTA receiver.

Or, where available, through Comcast, which thankfully comes through in clear QAM, thus allowing recording in the right setup. And since I think this channel is available with just basic cable, the price is not outrageous. (Dave: I seem to remember you couldn't get Comcast, so I know this solution doesn't help you.)

Well, you may have just hit the nail on the head. I mean, do a LOT of people really watch 11-2? I only occasionally flip over there to check the weather, and if a newscast is on, I'll be watching on 11-1 anyway. Honestly, I haven't watched it enough to even notice the problem. I'm not saying it's not a problem, it's just a problem that only affecting a very small audience.
Actually, a lot more than you would imagine watch it. You get to find out other information and actually communicate with the people a little bit during the commercials. Especially during newscasts is when I watch it. I don't like seeing 15 to 20 car commercials during a newscast and watching 11-2 helps me avoid all the garbage commercials that are on. Other than missing commercials, its exactly the same content as 11-1 during newscasts, so I can't imagine why you would watch 11-1 during the news.

Wow, this is a huge thread, this may have been answered but I am not going to read thru 277 pages. Is anyone having problems with clear qam and charter without stb? I can pick up channels in wintv but they are blank when I tune them. I cant get them on my tv either directly connected(might be an operator issue there)

Digital Conversion Schedule for Arkansas Television Stations
Reported by: KARK 4 News
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 @02:55pm CST

February 17:
KARK 4
KLRT 16
KVTN 25
KASN 38
KARZ 42
KTEJ 19 Jonesboro (AETN)

Before June 12:
KATV 7
KETS 2

June 12:
KTHV 11
KEMV 6 Mtn. View (AETN)
KETG 9 Arkadelphia (AETN)
KETZ 12 El Dorado (AETN)

http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/?cid=190151

Wow, this is a huge thread, this may have been answered but I am not going to read thru 277 pages. Is anyone having problems with clear qam and charter without stb? I can pick up channels in wintv but they are blank when I tune them. I cant get them on my tv either directly connected(might be an operator issue there)
It's because they are all encrypted.

It's because they are all encrypted.

Right, and at least as far as I can tell, Charter doesn't offer anything in HD yet, even the local channels. The only additional channels I can receive beyond the basics on my QAM receivers are the Music Choice channels.

Actually, a lot more than you would imagine watch it. You get to find out other information and actually communicate with the people a little bit during the commercials. Especially during newscasts is when I watch it. I don't like seeing 15 to 20 car commercials during a newscast and watching 11-2 helps me avoid all the garbage commercials that are on. Other than missing commercials, its exactly the same content as 11-1 during newscasts, so I can't imagine why you would watch 11-1 during the news.

Interesting, I didn't know that they did anything different during the commercials on 11-2, I'll check it out sometime. The fact of the matter is, I don't watch any newscast with any regularity, but THV is my usual go-to channel if I do happen to be watching a live newscast at 6 or 10.

another question once the change over happens in june, will charter open their clear qam? as I have been reading offer qam frees up bandwidth on the cable so they are screwing themselves.

another question once the change over happens in june, will charter open their clear qam? as I have been reading offer qam frees up bandwidth on the cable so they are screwing themselves.
The changeover has nothing at all to do with anything cable related. There is no rhyme or reason why cable systems open up digital channels to be ClearQAM. Basically, if its not open now, it most likely never will be.

dont cable companies have a 2010 deadline on analog? btw if i could use another cable co other than charter I would. I hate them.

dont cable companies have a 2010 deadline on analog? btw if i could use another cable co other than charter I would. I hate them.
I don't know about cable company changeover requirements. Trip, DaveNLR, or arxaw would know far more than I do about that.

In regards to your comment about another cable provider, you do have choices. You can always go to DirecTV (what I would suggest) or go to Dish Network. Or you could wait until AT&T U-Verse is available in your area. I figure U-Verse will probably be all over central Arkansas in the next year or so.

There's no deadline for cable, only a requirement that they NOT drop the lowest package until 2012. They can drop it only if they provide boxes at their expense.

- Trip

The only way to get PBS HD in arkansas is with a 36" dish and a HD FTA receiver.Is there a primer or introduction to FTA receivers on this forum...or elsewhere?

I been wondering about that myself. I was using FTA recievers in Iraq it was pretty good, even english speaking channels. unfortunately I looked at a website that showed the fta channels available in the us, not impressed mostly all the abc/cbs/nbc/fox afilliates nation wide, like I care about local news from Kansas city lol. unless that site was totally bogus I am not too interested in it. Uverse looks like a good idea, but looks like my htpc would be a waste.

edit here is a list, I was a little off but its mostly channels i have no interest in, and of those they list I am sure you have hit 3 or for 4 different sats. no discovery,history,trutv
fta channels link (http://www.gosatellite.com/Free-English-TV-s/719.htm)

Uverse looks like a good idea, but looks like my htpc would be a waste.

Well, you could still use the Hauppauge HD PVR, right? Or does Uverse only come HDMI flavored? Of course, I realize it isn't cheap (always a factor), but it would still allow all the great HTPC functionality.

For the record I don't own one and probably won't for a while (if ever). It is quite a fascinating device though.

u verse says they can record 4 channels

If you take the PBS national SD feed, which is letterboxed, and hit format button on your Directv receiver to 720p Cropped, you will get the same thing AETN is sending out.Not exactly. On the dash-1 sub channel, AETN is zooming 4:3 to 14:9, which chops off the top & bottom of the image. Makes absolutely no sense.

Digital Conversion Schedule for Arkansas Television Stations
Reported by: KARK 4 News
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 @02:55pm CST

February 17:
KARK 4
KLRT 16
KVTN 25
KASN 38
KARZ 42
KTEJ 19 Jonesboro (AETN) Add KPBI 34, Eureka Springs, to the 2/17 analog graveyard. The station that just won't die is back on the air again, with the "my34" ch bug. They are running PSAs that KPBI analog 34 will flash cut to KPBI-DT 34 on 2/17.

Is there a primer or introduction to FTA receivers on this forum...or elsewhere?

http://gofastmotorsports.com and click on the link for Ricks Satellite, or http://www.sadoun.com or http://www.ftalist.com

Those should get you started.

FWIW, FTA isnt a replacement for cable. What it does provide, given the right receive equipment, is a full bandwidth HD feed for PBS, ABC, MyTV, CW (i dont know about CBS or NBC). It also has some channels that I find interesting, with may or may not be on cable... NASA HD coverage on Shuttle missions, several independant "lptv" providers showing old movies and tv shows, news from MHZ Worldview and AlJazeera, Several fox stations for catching out of market football games, LIVE COMMERCIAL FREE NASCAR COVERAGE, Music choice music channels, and live unedited new coverage from any major event in the US.

As for "commercial cable channels", nope, you need cable, directv, or dish for that.

I figured out how to get my tv to scan it found 60 digital channels, sadly they are music with just a graphic displayed. I still dont know why wintv didnt pick it up

I figured out how to get my tv to scan it found 60 digital channels, sadly they are music with just a graphic displayed. I still dont know why wintv didnt pick it up

How come you dont switch to Directv if you hate Charter?

Sam: Totally off topic, but I finally saw a herd of Elk off Hy 65 last week. Thought they were cows for a minute.

Sam: Totally off topic, but I finally saw a herd of Elk off Hy 65 last week. Thought they were cows for a minute.Glad you saw one. Some people don't believe they exist up here but we see 'em almost every time we go through Ponca/Boxley area. Rutting season is the best time to see 'em. They are noisy then!

</hijack>

Well, you could still use the Hauppauge HD PVR, right? Or does Uverse only come HDMI flavored? Of course, I realize it isn't cheap (always a factor), but it would still allow all the great HTPC functionality.

For the record I don't own one and probably won't for a while (if ever). It is quite a fascinating device though.
There is no need for any sort of HTPC with U-Verse. I kinda thought about it myself at first with the non-DVR in my computer room, but realized that if I record something from it onto the computer, I will still be using one of the 4 streams anyway. If the box can record 4 streams simultaneously, then it doesn't make sense to use one of those streams that can already be recorded to a computer. The only benefit is to not have that program on the DVR but on the computer instead. I really really thought about doing this myself, but realized I was running in circles basically after I thought the logic through. :)

http://gofastmotorsports.com and click on the link for Ricks Satellite, or http://www.sadoun.com or http://www.ftalist.com

Those should get you started.

FWIW, FTA isnt a replacement for cable. What it does provide, given the right receive equipment, is a full bandwidth HD feed for PBS, ABC, MyTV, CW (i dont know about CBS or NBC). It also has some channels that I find interesting, with may or may not be on cable... NASA HD coverage on Shuttle missions, several independant "lptv" providers showing old movies and tv shows, news from MHZ Worldview and AlJazeera, Several fox stations for catching out of market football games, LIVE COMMERCIAL FREE NASCAR COVERAGE, Music choice music channels, and live unedited new coverage from any major event in the US.

As for "commercial cable channels", nope, you need cable, directv, or dish for that.
Which reminds me, please record the shuttle launches for me and let me d/l them from you. Thanks! I love those in HD!

I figured out how to get my tv to scan it found 60 digital channels, sadly they are music with just a graphic displayed. I still dont know why wintv didnt pick it up
Again, Charter does NOT provide ANY channels you want to watch in ClearQAM. They broadcast ALL of the good stuff in Encrypted QAM.

Which reminds me, please record the shuttle launches for me and let me d/l them from you. Thanks! I love those in HD!

Let me know when they are. Im almost always at work when they launch, and Nasa doesnt shift to HD in time to "blind scan" to find the correct freq/SR, so I usually dont get to see it, although HDNet usually simulcasts it.

http://gofastmotorsports.com and click on the link for Ricks Satellite, or http://www.sadoun.com or http://www.ftalist.com

Those should get you started.

FWIW, FTA isnt a replacement for cable. What it does provide, given the right receive equipment, is a full bandwidth HD feed for PBS...As for "commercial cable channels", nope, you need cable, directv, or dish for that.
You had me at HD PBS:o Unfortunately the receiver and dish won't fit the budget for a while.

From what I gather reading this thread is that there will be no real HD PBS in LR for the foreseeable future. If DTV wanted to do it, would it be legal for them to offer a national PBS HD feed to AR subscribers?

You had me at HD PBS:o Unfortunately the receiver and dish won't fit the budget for a while.
....
FWIW, PBS indicates that, if all goes according to plan, they will start switching over all their affiliates to the NGIS system starting in late 2009 and should have all switched by early 2010. What this means is that they will deliver their programming in DVB-S2/IP format and it probably won't be viewable by us. This probably means that the channels that us BUD/DVB satellite enthusiasts are watching now will be gone. There shouldn't be any need for the feeds that are there now so far as I can tell.

So, I wouldn't spend any money or start saving for equipment if that is all I was wanting it for, unless I thought it would be worth it for no more than a year's worth of watching those channels.

dmatch

steveken, I watched the Ch. 11 10pm news on 11.2 tonight, I did enjoy the "behind the scenes" banter over commercials. I've worked for the newscasts at Fox 16 for their first couple of years, as well as a short stint at KARK back in '96, so it kind of reminds me of those days. I did notice a bit of distortion in the audio, and a difference in the audio levels, but it didn't seem nearly as extreme as you seem to have. Are you listening through a surround sound system? I don't turn mine on for news, but something like that could be making the problem worse.

Also, I noticed tonight that KKYK is now showing programming from "This" TV network, which is one of the new channels that have popped up lately for use as subchannels. My program guide was back to showing the old RTN information though.

You had me at HD PBS:o Unfortunately the receiver and dish won't fit the budget for a while.

From what I gather reading this thread is that there will be no real HD PBS in LR for the foreseeable future. If DTV wanted to do it, would it be legal for them to offer a national PBS HD feed to AR subscribers?

Yes, Comcast has it now in LR (or did last time I checked).

Dmatch is right, there is no guarantee with FTA, stations come and go, and change formats all the time. Two months after I installed a 6' dish for PBS-HD's weak signal on AMC3, they moved to a new satellite I could pick it up on with a 36" dish, but cant see due to trees with the 6'. It works great for the Nascar feeds, which is the main reason I got it. Got a 10' out back for another satellite with ESPN feeds too. I went a little overboard :)

Many here probably remember me describing audio problems that I experience with KARK-DT. I still have these problems on both my Digital Steam 9950 and my Vizio 32" HDTV, and now to add insult to injury on KARZ-DT.

I finally got around to capturing an example of the problem. It isn't terribly noticeable to the very casual viewer (like my wife) but it drives me to distraction.

Below is attached a jpeg that shows the audio waveforms from both analog KARK (top - no problem) and digital KARK-DT (bottom - has the problem).

The word being spoken is "Thousands" and you can see from looking at the bottom graph that the "Th" is starting early just before where it should but is truncated causing a sort of thumping or popping noise.

You can hear many anomalies like this in this wave file:

http://users.tcworks.net/~dmatch/4Problem_Audio_WAV.wav

Depending on how good your speaker system is and what sort of equalization you have (tone) you may or may not find it noticeable.

Previously, I had come to the conclusion that this was an n+2 interference problem but I am not so sure now since KARZ-DT is demonstrating the same problem. Could 42 (n+2 = 44) be doing this to 44 (KARZ-DT) and 30 (n+2 =32) be doing this to 32?

Edit:BTW, this only happens less than half the time that I am watching the channels. I can barely hear it at all on the Digital Stream and it is much more noticeable on the Vizio.

dmatch

Many here probably remember me describing audio problems that I experience with KARK-DT. I still have these problems on both my Digital Steam 9950 and my Vizio 32" HDTV, and now to add insult to injury on KARZ-DT.

I finally got around to capturing an example of the problem. It isn't terribly noticeable to the very casual viewer (like my wife) but it drives me to distraction.

Below is attached a jpeg that shows the audio waveforms from both analog KARK (top - no problem) and digital KARK-DT (bottom - has the problem).

The word being spoken is "Thousands" and you can see from looking at the bottom graph that the "Th" is starting early just before where it should but is truncated causing a sort of thumping or popping noise.

You can hear many anomalies like this in this wave file:

http://users.tcworks.net/~dmatch/4Problem_Audio_WAV.wav

Depending on how good your speaker system is and what sort of equalization you have (tone) you may or may not find it noticeable.

Previously, I had come to the conclusion that this was an n+2 interference problem but I am not so sure now since KARZ-DT is demonstrating the same problem. Could 42 (n+2 = 44) be doing this to 44 (KARZ-DT) and 30 (n+2 =32) be doing this this to 32?

Edit:BTW, this only happens about half the time that I am watching the channels.

dmatch
You are talking about the stuttering type effect on the audio. It is a MAJOR problem. I have noticed it for a very very long time and it drives me nuts. I wish they would fix that crap.

steveken, I watched the Ch. 11 10pm news on 11.2 tonight, I did enjoy the "behind the scenes" banter over commercials. I've worked for the newscasts at Fox 16 for their first couple of years, as well as a short stint at KARK back in '96, so it kind of reminds me of those days. I did notice a bit of distortion in the audio, and a difference in the audio levels, but it didn't seem nearly as extreme as you seem to have. Are you listening through a surround sound system? I don't turn mine on for news, but something like that could be making the problem worse.

Also, I noticed tonight that KKYK is now showing programming from "This" TV network, which is one of the new channels that have popped up lately for use as subchannels. My program guide was back to showing the old RTN information though.
It has nothing at all to do with listening to it through different sources, but I do listen to the audio from my HD tuner card in my TV computer through the speakers attached to the computer and not anything elaborate, but still far far better than TV speakers. Even through TV speakers when I have an antenna cable hooked to it is insanely noticeable.

It has everything to do with switching between 11.2 and 11.1 (or any other channel) and hearing about a 40dB drop in the audio level. (Ok, maybe that was an exaggeration, but it is still an extreme drop in levels.) If you do listen to it through real speakers, however, and not the hunk of sh*t speakers that are in most TV's, it's blatantly obvious that there are problems with the audio from 11.2's newscasts being overdriven.

The levels set by the people at the board are quite obviously set too high and need to be brought down quite a bit. I know a hot board when I hear it. I worked in radio too long and ran the board too long to not be able to know what the problem is. Nothing else on that channel (the weather maps, the kids shows they put on every now and then, even the pre-recorded news segments) have that extreme of an audio difference. It is purely live studio broadcasts. The board-op or engineer needs to adjust the levels of the system for live news broadcasts to bring the audio down to a normal level.

Did Channel 38 boost their Digital signal? I used to get a 50-60% signal with constant drop-outs -- unwatchable. Last night the signal was in the low 80s -- same as 16.
I could actually watch a program on channel 38 now (haven't really found anything to watch there, but I could).

Unrelated -- anyone know if Fox 16 has other plans for their 16-2? The Extreme Outdoors (or whatever they've had going there lately) is not so interesting.
Similar question for 7-2 -- are they going to do anything different?

Did Channel 38 boost their Digital signal? I used to get a 50-60% signal with constant drop-outs -- unwatchable. Last night the signal was in the low 80s -- same as 16.
I could actually watch a program on channel 38 now (haven't really found anything to watch there, but I could).

Unrelated -- anyone know if Fox 16 has other plans for their 16-2? The Extreme Outdoors (or whatever they've had going there lately) is not so interesting.
Similar question for 7-2 -- are they going to do anything different?

AFAIK, and errett can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe KASN-DT has been at full power for some time, so I don't think they can bump it up any more. My only regular show on the CW is Smallville, and it was a repeat last night, so I didn't actually watch it to notice any difference in signal. (As far as shows to watch on Ch. 38, Smallville and Supernatural come to mind, plus Reaper starts it's second season on March 3rd.)

Untamed Sports has only been on 16-2 for a short time, and no offense, but just because it's not interesting to you doesn't mean it won't pick up a decent audience, this is Arkansas after all. I have a nephew who watches it.

And lastly, I believe allenf at one point said that eventually 7 News Now would be back on 7-2, which would definitely be better than a simulcast of 7-1, which is just a waste of bandwidth IMO.

Well, 16 is NOT going to be shutting off their analog signal. Just watched their news and they said they decided just today that they would not be shutting it off because they have gotten dozens of unprepared idiots contacting them to cry about their not being ready. *shakes head in disgust*

http://www.fox16.com/content/dtv/default.aspx

Another 4 months of amplifier overload. Thanks Congress.

Well, 16 is NOT going to be shutting off their analog signal. Just watched their news and they said they decided just today that they would not be shutting it off because they have gotten dozens of unprepared idiots contacting them to cry about their not being ready. *shakes head in disgust*

http://www.fox16.com/content/dtv/default.aspxDid they really say it that way on the news, or are you paraphrasing in a FOX News sort of way?;)

dmatch

Did Channel 38 boost their Digital signal? I used to get a 50-60% signal with constant drop-outs -- unwatchable. Last night the signal was in the low 80s -- same as 16. KASN-DT has been at full power for years.

Probably atmospheric conditions boosting propagation of their signal.

Does anyone know when KATV will pull their heads out of their collective rear ends and start showing Wheel Of Fortune in HD?


My favorite show that if I'm not mistaken is produced in HD but of course our crappy as heck ABC affiliate shows it in super low def

Does anyone know when KATV will pull their heads out of their collective rear ends and start showing Wheel Of Fortune in HD?


My favorite show that if I'm not mistaken is produced in HD but of course our crappy as heck ABC affiliate shows it in super low def

Wheel of Fortune is the reason you want KATV to get HD recording equipment?! Have you been recording the middle of the night Lost airings?

For that matter, they also have Oprah, which is available in HD. I pointed all this out in my annual "gripe about Lost" email back in January. Of course, program director Richard Farrester and about 15 to 20 other folks got fired a few weeks after that. It's hard to tell about KATV, on one hand, if all those firings were financially motivated, then getting HD gear is probably not a high priority for them, on the other hand, if the rumors of new management in the near future are true, than maybe it will happen sooner or later. This is all just opinion of course, maybe allenf can let us know if there is any chance of this in the future.

On the plus side, there should only be one more week of late-night SD Lost.

RF Monkey commented a couple of weeks back about the recent stretch-o-vision commercials on KARK being caused by a new HD inserter, so I'm assuming KARK & KARZ will actually be the first stations in town with those capabilities. Hopefully, there will be some movement on this front soon. This is actually one of the reasons I'm still upset about this analog cut-off delay, I figure alot of these stations won't be able to do those sort of equipment upgrades until they shut off their analog transmitters for good.

RF Monkey commented a couple of weeks back about the recent stretch-o-vision commercials on KARK being caused by a new HD inserter, so I'm assuming KARK & KARZ will actually be the first stations in town with those capabilities. Hopefully, there will be some movement on this front soon. This is actually one of the reasons I'm still upset about this analog cut-off delay, I figure alot of these stations won't be able to do those sort of equipment upgrades until they shut off their analog transmitters for good.

I noticed one of the MNTV shows the other night (a movie) in passing was HD via KARZ-DT OTA (some tropo scatter helped--KATV was also stronger than usual here). Not sure if it was timeshifted or taken from a Mountain Time feed.

Of course KLRT caved in and is going to run analog in the near future despite given the FCC's blessing to cut it off on the 17th. KASN will shutdown as scheuduled however.

Several stations in markets nearby were tenitively denied permission to sign off early, most notably KTVE 10 El Dorado, KARD 14 West Monroe LA, KNOE 8 Monroe, KAQY 11 Columbia LA (Monroe), WXVT 15 Greenville MS, and WABG 6 Greenwood MS. They may sign off if the stations meet conditions met by the FCC. Very confusing.

http://www.w9wi.com/newweb/articles/ontimesignoff.html

Nothing was even filed on KARZ despite on air announcements of going off on the 17th.

It will be business as usual except for KARK, and KASN it appears on the 18th.

I noticed one of the MNTV shows the other night (a movie) in passing was HD via KARZ-DT OTA (some tropo scatter helped--KATV was also stronger than usual here). Not sure if it was timeshifted or taken from a Mountain Time feed.


Yeah, KARZ-DT has been playing all the MyTV HD programming in HD since the it started. Like you, I don't know exactly how they are doing it. You'd think if they are timeshifting, they'd also try to get some of their syndicated HD shows up as well, like Lost and ET on KARK.

Another 4 months of amplifier overload. Thanks Congress.

You can also thank the FCC. They essentially put an autoresponse on all requests denying shutoff authority unless detailed and expensive studies are provided by stations showing all their viewers are ready for digital.

Your government at work for you.

There isnt anything stopping them from lowering their analog power by 75% though, I dont believe. That would still provide a signal, even through it would be a crappy signal, but would entertain those crybabies who havent upgraded to do so. It would also eliminate all the analog interference to people with digital receivers using high gain amplifiers.

Its really only channel 16 analog that causes me interference. I cant even point the antenna at Shinall Mountain right now, all the digitals start cutting out. I have to keep it pointed in the opposite direction (actually I keep it pointed at KTWN in Cabot).

I tried taking one of my Zenith boxes to my Grandparents yesterday in Higginson just off highway 11 right around the area in Higginson where 11 does the sharp bend from eastward to southward. It worked okay on 4, 11, and 38, but that was it. They have a fairly big outdoor antenna up that I tried twisting all different ways, but never could get anything on the rest of the channels.

I am not even sure which way is the front of the antenna. The pointy end like an arrow is the end that I would assume is the front. The way I pointed it where they were able to get the 3 channels I could get was where it was shaped like a V where the opening was pointed towards LR so that the opening of the V is catching all the signal. It is the end with the VHF (I assume) parts that kinda do a vertical V pointing towards LR. I am not sure if I am describing it right, but its pointing opposite from what I would think is the front of the antenna. When I had it turned around the other way, where the bottom of the V where it would look like an arrow pointing at LR, it didn't pick up anything it didn't seem.

So, I don't know what the deal is. It may just be my general lack of experience that didn't work so well. Or it could be the height of the antenna wasn't quite right. If I had to guess, I would say the antenna is probably about 20' up give or take a couple of feet.

The "pointy end like an arrow" is the back of the antenna. It is like the V's are hungry mouths that are gobbling in the signal from the front.:D

Edit: The V's actually increase the "field of view" of the antenna slightly.

dmatch

ok, so I have it pointed right. good to know. Now to figure out why they aren't getting anything more than they are. Might just be a weak antenna. They said they have never gotten 38 analog there, but I was able to get the digital pretty well. They may be on the fringe too I guess.

On all the antenna examples below, the direction of the TV towers is to the RIGHT:
A (http://i42.tinypic.com/11gr21h.jpg)
B (http://home.comcast.net/~ross_anderson/Pyramid_files/image001.jpg)
C (http://www.quatrix.com.au/televisionServices/images/clip_image001.jpg)
D (http://www.quatrix.com.au/media/images/tvantenna.jpg)

At that distance, they need a good low noise high gain preamp, like the CM 7777 (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/7777.htm). If the coax is old or RG59, it should be replaced with new RG6.

If the antenna is several years old, it's also probably corroded, and should be replaced. Winegard HD769 series (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/HD769.htm), for channels 7 thru 69 are very good. Channel Master 4228HD (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228HD.htm) would likely work well, too. The old model 4228 works well in the Searcy area.

Damn the audio is horrible on 16 right now. I hope its better in time for the race.

On all the antenna examples below, the direction of the TV towers is to the RIGHT:
A (http://i42.tinypic.com/11gr21h.jpg)
B (http://home.comcast.net/%7Eross_anderson/Pyramid_files/image001.jpg)
C (http://www.quatrix.com.au/televisionServices/images/clip_image001.jpg)
D (http://www.quatrix.com.au/media/images/tvantenna.jpg)

At that distance, they need a good low noise high gain preamp, like the CM 7777 (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/7777.htm). If the coax is old or RG59, it should be replaced with new RG6.

If the antenna is several years old, it's also probably corroded, and should be replaced. Winegard HD769 series (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/HD769.htm), for channels 7 thru 69 are very good. Channel Master 4228HD (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228HD.htm) would likely work well, too. The old model 4228 works well in the Searcy area.
It doesn't look like any of the pictures you attached. And it is more than like 8 years old, easily. I can't find a pic using google image search of one like it either. I should have taken a picture of it yesterday. But, I am pretty sure it has 4 elements (I guess it could have 5) on each side at about a 45 degree angle from the main boom where they are angled towards the UHF portion. The UHF portion I think has maybe like 5 elements going across the vertical boom on each side (top and bottom booms). I know thats not overly expressive, but I hope it gives an idea about what kinda antenna it is.

The coax is kinda old in itself. I think it is RG-59 cause it didn't feel that thick or high quality. I am not sure why, but the connector going into the back of their TV has black electrical tape around it. I am thinking it might just be for identification of which one is the antenna cable, but there was an awful lot of it on there making me think it might be otherwise. I am not comfortable enough with heights to get up there and replace it either. They don't have an amp on it what-so-ever, so whatever the receiver gets is what it gets.


EDIT: It might look a little like this. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2305864869_220cb6ba10.jpg But I don't remember if it had that extra little thing sticking out from the UHF part, but I didn't look real hard at it, so I don't know definitively.

FWIW, here is a TVFool.com report (attached) for a location near Higginson that I thought would be where you described (11 turns from east to south).

It appears the location for KATV at TVFool.com is still considered to be at Redfield, since it and KASN are shown as 1 edge reception at the same angle. So that would probably not be accurate.

I'm surprised that you didn't get KTWN-LD as it is top of the list.

dmatch

FWIW, here is a TVFool.com report (attached) for a location near Higginson that I thought would be where you described (11 turns from east to south).

It appears the location for KATV at TVFool.com is still considered to be at Redfield, since it and KASN are shown as 1 edge reception at the same angle. So that would probably not be accurate.

I'm surprised that you didn't get KTWN-LD as it is top of the list.

dmatch
Forgot to mention that I used the google earth thing from tvfool earlier. I can see where most stuff is blue, but since they don't do a real thorough breakdown of what the different colors mean, its kinda hard for me to tell much. I am just assuming by looking at it that they are indeed fringe and definitely need a pre-amp.

They just aren't concerned enough about it to spend the money. They figure they have Dish, so its not that big a deal. I keep trying to tell them that if the satellite goes out and they have to switch off to normal TV, then they are going to have to do something to get better signals in.

I hate looking at pages like that. There are just so many numbers on it I get confused. I did notice something when tuning through the different channels on the analog tuner that something was trying to happen on 18, but nothing ever came in. There were maybe 2 other channels that had something on them, but didn't come in at all.

TVFool report are accurate here. Look at the Power DBm field. That will tell you what size antenna you need, gain wise.

A signal that is lower than -90 is probably unreceivable.

A signal -90 to -50 will need an antenna with 12-16 db gain, and a good amp.

A signal -50 to -40 should work without an amp, and a medium sized antenna.

Anything stronger than -40 should work with the antenna they have.

For example, KTWN here is -85.8 and I can get a 10% on it without amp, and 80% with amp, using a 14-16 db gain yagi.

Thats the limit, anything weaker (KETG at -112) gives me 10-16% with amp and 16db antenna.

As you can see from the chart for Higginson, that antenna wont cut it. I would try a 7777 amp and new RG6 first. If that doesnt work, the Winegard Antenna Arxaw suggested will.

To make it simpler:

Take the number in the NM(db) field.
ADD the antenna gain.
SUBTRACT EITHER: Amps N.F. rating in db -or-
if no amp, the loss in db from the coax run, and any splitters used in the system.

If the number is higher than 5, you should get a lock. If its lower than 5, you need more antenna, or less downlead losses.

TVFool report are accurate here. Look at the Power DBm field. That will tell you what size antenna you need, gain wise.

A signal that is lower than -90 is probably unreceivable.

A signal -90 to -50 will need an antenna with 12-16 db gain, and a good amp.

A signal -50 to -40 should work without an amp, and a medium sized antenna.

Anything stronger than -40 should work with the antenna they have.

For example, KTWN here is -85.8 and I can get a 10% on it without amp, and 80% with amp, using a 14-16 db gain yagi.

Thats the limit, anything weaker (KETG at -112) gives me 10-16% with amp and 16db antenna.

As you can see from the chart for Higginson, that antenna wont cut it. I would try a 7777 amp and new RG6 first. If that doesnt work, the Winegard Antenna Arxaw suggested will.

To make it simpler:

Take the number in the NM(db) field.
ADD the antenna gain.
SUBTRACT EITHER: Amps N.F. rating in db -or-
if no amp, the loss in db from the coax run, and any splitters used in the system.

If the number is higher than 5, you should get a lock. If its lower than 5, you need more antenna, or less downlead losses.
LOL, your "to make it simpler" didn't make it simpler at all for me. :)

I am assuming I am supposed to go by the Pwr(dBm) field to judge stuff, so thats what I based everything below on. I don't know what NM means or anything. All these are receivable with the antenna they have with the orientation I have it set at.

KARK -58.3
KTHV -64
KASN -75.5

KLRT and KARZ are between KARK and KTHV dB wise, but yet weren't coming in for some reason. Seems like they should have, so I don't know. I understand why KATV wasn't. When they get the new transmitter online, it might.

Now, considering I don't know what kind of antenna it is, I have absolutely no idea what kind of gain it has on it. So, with all that said, I think they are just going to be S.O.L. when it comes time for the analogs to shut off (most of the channels are snowy anyway right now).

They are like your normal older folks and most likely don't want to spend any money at all to get an amp, much less a new antenna. And I don't have the money to shell out to get them what they need (plus, even if I did, I don't think the wife would let me, hehe). I guess my whole point with all this was just more or less a report of what people in that area would be getting with a simple antenna. Maybe if the situation presents itself enough and they see that without upgrading the antenna they won't get anything except the satellite, they may decide to spend some money on new stuff, but I don't count on it. At least they do have the satellite. That will be just fine until a big bad storm comes around.

Lets just put it this way, all the antenna stuff I might have learned from Ham radio stuff is long gone now. :) I don't know how to determine how much dB loss is happening on different types of coax. And unless the splitter says it specifically on it, I have no idea how to figure out dB loss on a splitter.

Actually the NM(db) field is better, since it allows you to calculate what you need.

That V config antenna you showed has about 8 db gain on UHF and maybe 5 on VHF assuming all the connections are good, and the balun is in good condition. Coax loss per 100' for old RG59 is going to kill it though. A 7777 amp would blow the signal through the old coax, negating the coax loss.

If they dont want to spend $55 to get TV, then its a moot point.

Thats something I have never been good at, the judging of how far or long something is. I would guess that maybe its 10' down the pole, then maybe 15' down the side of the house, then about 7' to the TV. But then theres some cable spooled up on the way, so no tellin how much longer it is cause of that. Its also got a splitter in there somewhere, but I don't know where, so there is no telling what thats doing to it. I didn't spend a whole lot of time looking at all that. I just figured turning the antenna towards LR would be a good place to start.

But, yeah, I agree, if they don't wanna spend the money on any of the parts, then it doesn't matter. Considering how they are about TV, I don't think they will want to. They don't watch OTA very much it doesn't sound like, but instead depend on the satellite, so they will just have to make do with what they can get with the Zenith box I left behind. Well, that and get someone to hook it back up for them. They didn't want me to leave in hooked up right then cause I didn't have another short coax piece to put into their setup to keep everything simple, so I had RCA cables hooked up to the front input jacks. Wasn't real nice looking. In any case, they might be able to limp by for a little bit if they need to. At some point I'll tell em what they need to do to get it going better.

Another note, while it says KTVH here is -18, if I do the math -18 + 16 (FOR MY YAGI) = -2. -2 (-) -1.5 NF ON AMP, = -3.5. IOW, I shouldnt be able to pick it up, but I do, so obviously the TVFool is wrong on that strength, as it might be on the ones you do pick up.

And in doing the math, I found that raising my antenna from 30' on my 3' tripod to 45' using a 15' tripod, would only increase my signal levels by 2 db, which would not bring in any additional stations at all, so Ill just put that idea back in the box.

/rant on
Completely off topic, but why in the heck are there so many of those damned Cleo's commercials on?? Do they feel they need the country drawled girls to compete with Hanks? And why do we have to see 2 of those commercials EVERY damn commercial break? Its just really getting tiresome seeing them that much.
/end rant

Hahahaha. And you prefer watching the Landers Bros trying to make a latte and burning themselves on the machine?

I wish they would all just go away, far far away.

Looking at the TVFool site, when you click on a stations callsign, it shows you this transmitter profile detail page with some sort of colored graph. It doesn't bother to explain to you what the heck the colored graph means or anything. That is exactly my problem with that whole site. It tells you all this technical sh*t but doesn't bother explaining what all that means very much. Its very frustrating.

Attached are pre and post reports from TV Fool for the exact address of their house in Higginson (well, as exact as whatever TV Fool has). There are also the reports for my exact address. I am seeing quite a few things on mine that says what I am supposed to be able to pick up, so I am finding what they say something suspect. Guess theres only so much you can guestimate from just a bunch of numbers.

Well, the numbers aren't very different for what dmatch put up here earlier, so I don't know why I felt the need to put them up. :)

/rant on
Completely off topic, but why in the heck are there so many of those damned Cleo's commercials on?? Do they feel they need the country drawled girls to compete with Hanks? And why do we have to see 2 of those commercials EVERY damn commercial break? Its just really getting tiresome seeing them that much.
/end rant

Probably because they are paying for it, which makes TV free to you.

Looking at the one for your address, it must think your house is 1000' in the air to be able to get KTWN with that kind of signal strength, even shows WMC from Memphis?

Looking at the one for your address, it must think your house is 1000' in the air to be able to get KTWN with that kind of signal strength, even shows WMC from Memphis?
WMC is in the grey area. But, yeah, KTWN and down is kinda silly to think I can get them. I was meaning the K34FH and K27JP-D towards the bottom of the green area. I don't think there is any chance of getting those. I do get KVTN pretty good if I wanted it, but, really? Those other two? :)

There isnt anything stopping them from lowering their analog power by 75% though, I dont believe.

Yes there is...that is against the rules.

Yes there is...that is against the rules.

The rule is that you have to keep between 85% and 115% of licensed power, right? I remember reading that somewhere, though I'm not sure how accurate the source is since I can't remember the source. :)

- Trip

...It might look a little like this. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2305864869_220cb6ba10.jpg But I don't remember if it had that extra little thing sticking out from the UHF part, but I didn't look real hard at it, so I don't know definitively.The bird is facing the towers.

The RG59 needs to be junked. You can tell the difference between RG6 & RG59 by feeling the center connector, which is much stiffer on RG6. The black tape suggests the connector may have been pulled loose at some time in the past.

If they want reliable reception, it should all be replaced and decent preamp added, at that distance to the DT transmitters.

Looking at the TVFool site, when you click on a stations callsign, it shows you this transmitter profile detail page with some sort of colored graph. It doesn't bother to explain to you what the heck the colored graph means or anything...In simple terms:
If you get a CM 4228 & 7777 installed at a decent height and aimed roughly 220° SSW, using RG6 coax, you will likely get nearly all the channels shown in the pink color and above, on the Higginson TVFool results you posted.

The bird is facing the towers.

The RG59 needs to be junked. You can tell the difference between RG6 & RG59 by feeling the center connector, which is much stiffer on RG6. The black tape suggests the connector may have been pulled loose at some time in the past.

If they want reliable reception, it should all be replaced and decent preamp added, at that distance to the DT transmitters.
Well, I thought so too about the tape at first, but I looked at it a little bit and thought that it might not have been like that. I pulled on it a little, tried to bend it a little, tried to do anything that I thought might help show if it was a bad connector and it really didn't do anything like that. In any case, I might eventually try to do that when I might have some cable I can put up there, but that would require climbing on the roof to get to it and I don't like doing that (afraid of heights).

In simple terms:
If you get a CM 4228 & 7777 installed at a decent height and aimed roughly 220° SSW, using RG6 coax, you will likely get nearly all the channels shown in the pink color and above, on the Higginson TVFool results you posted.
I know, and if they ever decide they want to mess with all of that, I will do it. Until then, I am not going to force the issue on people that watch TV Land and the news more than anything else. :)

I know, and if they ever decide they want to mess with all of that, I will do it. Until then, I am not going to force the issue on people that watch TV Land and the news more than anything else. :)

I dont know if a 4228 is going to have enough gain to pick up KETS. Id recommend the new Winegard VHF-hi/UHF yagi at that distance, but the 4228 might work. Ive heard people adding a VHF-Hi dipole to one tho.

I checked the Channel Master site, and they have completely redone the bow-ties. Look much cheaper now.

So are any of these analog broadcasts off-air this morning?

Tomorrow morning. They shut off at Midnight tonight. At least I think they do, I believe that is what 4 said they were doing.

KASN shutsdown analog at noon

Not sure about KARK...I would presume midnight.

One out-of market station nearby already has: WXVT (CBS) Greenville MS flash cut to DTV on their old analog (ch15) channel at 12:00am this morning. Remaps to 15-1 SD 480i only no subs but at least proper aspect ratio (no stretchovision).

That threw me off also. I thought it was going to be shut off at midnight last night when the 17th rolled in, like New Year's Day. Guess it is at each station's discretion, but I would be ready to cut off analog & save the power bill an extra 24 hours of cha-ching.

KSPR analog 33 in Springfield is shutting down tonight at 11:59pm.
KPBI analog 34 in Eureka is supposed to flash cut to 1,000kW DT 34 tonight, but no word on time (or if it's even going to happen).

Well, KARK might have already shut off. My cable company is extremely incompetent. I can't get the SD or HD for KARK with Suddenlink. HD for all other locals is down. Called up and they say they have been working on it for about 9 hours. I'm guessing that KARK stopped analog early this morning. It looks like Suddenlink has been using the analog signal for all their SD. Understandable that there would be an issue as this is such a shockingly underreported shutoff! :mad:

-MDG

....
I'm guessing that KARK stopped analog early this morning.
....Channel 4 analog (KARK) is still on right now.

dmatch

Antenna is at the mountain now for KATV. Hope to have full power by next week.

Wow, true to their word at straight up noon 38 went dead. Was watching and it just blinked off.

KARK still has that damn annoying stuttering type/popping type noise on its OTA digital feed. I can't understand why this isn't fixed.

'k. I guess I can chalk it up to general incompetence by Suddenlink! Looks like all is fixed (for now).

Ok, maybe I spoke prematurely about KARK and the audio issues. I am not hearing it now. Not sure what the deal with that is.

Wow, true to their word at straight up noon 38 went dead. Was watching and it just blinked off.

Hooray!

Wow, KARK really hosed up the audio during "Days". When they started to run their scrolling bar about the transition, it just started like a very bad "Max Headroom" show. They finally fixed it 5 minutes later. :)

KARK audio is screwed up today. I checked it on my Antenna and thru Directv. Neither is working properly. You cant even tell what they are saying.

Ok, maybe I spoke prematurely about KARK and the audio issues. I am not hearing it now. Not sure what the deal with that is.My observation has been that it's there some times not others. A wild guess would be about 50% of times I tune the channel it's there.

What TV are you hearing it on?

Mine is a Vizio 32" HDTV. I never hear the problem on computer.

Have you ever heard the problem on 44 (KARZ-DT)? I find it is worse than KARK-DT.

<Speculation =
<Pure>
Both channels are 5.1 Surround Sound. I'm thinking this has something to do with that and maybe another variable I haven't figured out yet.

It may be coincidence but I also think that toggling up and down channel will sometimes correct it, temporarily.

Perhaps, interference + 5.1 Audio + certain TVs/Receivers = Problem ?

</Pure>
/Speculation>

dmatch

KARK audio is screwed up today. I checked it on my Antenna and thru Directv. Neither is working properly. You cant even tell what they are saying.

Well, if past experience is any indicator you will have to call them and tell them they have a problem, otherwise they won't know it. Unless they have changed the way they operate, they monitor Line instead of OTA.

KARK audio is screwed up today. I checked it on my Antenna and thru Directv. Neither is working properly. You cant even tell what they are saying.It's good to know (misery loves company) that maybe it isn't just Steveken and myself that are experiencing this problem. The more prevalent the more likely the fix. If it keeps it up on DirecTV maybe you could pressure them to pressure KARK-DT into checking into this.

dmatch

<Speculation =
<Pure>
Both channels are 5.1 Surround Sound. I'm thinking this has something to do with that and maybe another variable I haven't figured out yet.

It may be coincidence but I also think that toggling up and down channel will sometimes correct it, temporarily.

Perhaps, interference + 5.1 Audio + certain TVs = Problem ?

</Pure>
/Speculation>
dmatch

This audio issue, sounds like there's a echo or something? I heard something like that last night during Chuck. I thought it might be my receiver, but I tried switching to straight stereo and mono and still had the issue. Perhaps it's an encoding issue?

-Mark

What TV are you hearing it on?

Mine is a Vizio 32" HDTV. I never hear the problem on computer.

When I heard it I was watching my Vizio 32" LCD. But I don't think its going to have anything to do with that. I think its their setup that is doing it.

Thanks for the feedback MilSF1. The more people we can claim to be having this issue the more likely we will be able to get it looked into in my opinion. Until now there have only been a couple of people that have mentioned noticing it.

dmatch

This audio issue, sounds like there's a echo or something? I heard something like that last night during Chuck. I thought it might be my receiver, but I tried switching to straight stereo and mono and still had the issue. Perhaps it's an encoding issue?

-Mark
It sounds more like a brief stutter at the start of each word. Not really an echo. Just a stutter or a popping noise in the audio.

Thanks for the feedback MilSF1. The more people we can claim to be having this issue the more likely we will be able to get it looked into in my opinion. Until now there have only been a couple of people that have mentioned noticing it.

dmatch
Nah, they won't ever look at it. They aren't going to listen to us until we cut them a huge check like the big guys that advertise and stuff do.

When I heard it I was watching my Vizio 32" LCD. But I don't think its going to have anything to do with that. I think its their setup that is doing it.Actually, I hope you are right and that it is not just Vizio TVs. However, it could be interference and newer tuners' inability to handle it. In that case we might be SOL.

dmatch

Nah, they won't ever look at it. They aren't going to listen to us until we cut them a huge check like the big guys that advertise and stuff do.That's why I said what I did to Arkyman. IMO, corporations are far more likely to get action out of another corporation than an individual is.

dmatch

Actually, I hope you are right and that it is not just Vizio TVs. However, it could be interference and newer tuners' inability to handle it. In that case we might be SOL.
dmatch

I hear the stutter or echo or whatever. Moto DCH6416 HDDVR (Suddenlink) and an Onkyo 606 receiver connected via HDMI. The DVR is in passthrough mode for audio. So I think it's safe to say it's not just the Visio tuner.

-MDG

Leno last night had audio 500ms before the video, and it carried over into Conan. KARZ continues to stutter even at 100%. Looks like RFMonkey has his hands full.

KARK is no longer stuttering here on OTA or Direct. We shall see how long that last:rolleyes:

When you posted I checked and had no stutter for about 2-3 minutes but...I got stutter again now as I type. It comes and goes.

Edit: Problem went away about 3:54 PM, still OK at 4:03 PM. Think I'll suffer thru some Judge Judy just to see what happens.

dmatch

When you posted I checked and had no stutter for about 2-3 minutes but...I got stutter again now as I type. It comes and goes.

Edit: Problem went away about 3:54 PM, still OK at 4:03 PM. Think I'll suffer thru some Judge Judy just to see what happens.

dmatch

Think I'll just change the channel

I don't notice it coming back if I leave it on the channel for an extended length of time. But then again I may just stop caring and listening.

Also noticed, sometimes, shortly after KARK-DT switches into commercial or switches to another commercial there is brief puzzling near the center of the screen. Got to look close to see it.

dmatch

It's good to know (misery loves company) that maybe it isn't just Steveken and myself that are experiencing this problem. The more prevalent the more likely the fix. If it keeps it up on DirecTV maybe you could pressure them to pressure KARK-DT into checking into this.

Report D* problems with it here:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=138584&page=5
It is a monitored thread. That doesn't mean it will get fixed by KARK, but it won't hurt to report it.

I don't really have standing in this case, since I don't have DirecTV. Perhaps Arkyman could share his experience there.

BTW, been hearing the problem for over 20 minutes sustained now.

Edit: Problem stopped at 4:47 PM

dmatch

Attached is an example of the transition puzzling that I am seeing from KARK-DT at start of a commercial.

It happened about 0.52 seconds from the black transition screen and lasted about 0.07 seconds.

What could be causing this?

dmatch

lol, it happens for just over half a second? hang em from trees! just playing with you. I guess that could get annoying. I think I have seen it once or twice, but I don't care really. its very very short of a time period, so it doesn't matter to me.

KWBF when they were using the digital Inversion server, used to do that. On a transition, it would fade to black, show a few frames of the NEW show, then a field of the OLD show from the buffer, then the rest of the NEW show.

If KARK is using the same type server, they may have the same software glitch during transitions, in which case, can probably not do anything to fix it.

How many of you are gonna call AETN in the morning and ask why you cant get KETS with your NEW converter box on channel 7?

" But you said if I bought this, I could watch AETN, even those This Old House guys said I could. " HAHAHA

I am gonna give them some slack and not bother them anymore. I contacted them a few times already. Granted *someone* probably deserves some grief for there bizarre choices in the past, but I doubt it's anyone you are going to be able to get in contact with. Also, it's basically out of their control at this point until KATV goes off air or some other opportunity presents itself.

Allen Weatherly, and other AETN employees, have been very responsive to my suggestions and inquiries which is somewhat unusual. I've probably sent upwards of 15-20 e-mails about various topics to broadcasting organizations in the Little Rock area and haven't received responses from the vast majority of them. So I'm gonna give them some slack just for that.

dmatch

Well, they basically told me I was out of luck for getting NOVA in HD (or any others for that matter), and Directv, while adding PBS locals to many markets, WONT add AETN until their main subchannel is HD (and upconverted 14:9 SD isnt gonna get it).

Given KATV has a relatively low power analog signal going on, couldn't KETS go ahead and go back on the air and still work?

Thats what I am hoping they do. It would be funny. You might have some problems, but I know my antenna could push KATV analog out and zap KETS in.

Guess it depends how the license reads. If it authorizes then to start on The 18th, with no provision for waiting on KATV to shut down, Id do it. I saw their antenna today up on 38's tower, nice and shiny 8 bay side mounted on the LR side of the tower...just waiting for a nice digital 14:9 signal hahaha.

I guess they could do it and have a special beg-a-thon to pay their fines.;)

It gets even worse when KTWN-LD2 via Dishnet winds up showing a center-cut out of that 14:9.

dmatch

KATV just stated in their newscast today that their analog signal will stay on till 6/12, even though they'll be in full-power digital sometime next week. Which means no KETS till then, unless they take down their new antenna and put the old digital one back up. (Since they shut down analog 2 pre-transition, they can't go back there.)

The February 5 FCC notice stated that any license previously set to go into effect 2/18 was automatically amended to delay it to 6/13. So KETS is still licensed at digital 5 for now, even though its only antenna at the moment is for digital 7.

And no, the FCC won't let KETS turn digital 7 on till KATV shuts off analog 7; the fines would be too massive for a beg-a-thon, not to mention the potential of the FCC revoking all of AETN's licenses.

I think I may have to file a special petition with the FCC to force KATV analog off the air once their digital signal is full-power, as that's the only reasonable way to get KETS back on the air.

I saw their antenna today up on 38's tower, nice and shiny 8 bay side mounted on the LR side of the tower...just waiting for a nice digital 14:9 signal hahaha.

And you didn't take pictures for us to see?? Man, what good are ya travelin around the state if you don't show us the pics? LOL You should get a Flickr account and post all the pics of your travels up.

And you didn't take pictures for us to see?? Man, what good are ya travelin around the state if you don't show us the pics? LOL You should get a Flickr account and post all the pics of your travels up.

My Cell camera wouldnt show much 1000' in the air :)

RB: Can regular viewers file with the FCC to force a station off the air, or do you work for AETN?

No, but you could carry around your digital camera (assuming of course you have one), right?

RB: Can regular viewers file with the FCC to force a station off the air, or do you work for AETN?Regular viewers can file in response to FCC petitions by stations. KATV has petitioned the FCC to increase power on its auxiliary antenna before it switches over to the permanent antenna. If I go thru with it, I would file to condition approval on an early shutdown of KATV analog service.

However, AETN's commission is meeting at the State Capitol (Room 207) tomorrow at 1:30 PM, per its website. I suspect they will discuss what they can do to get KETS and/or KETZ back on the air. (KTVE was going to shut down today, but backed down when the FCC challenged it since all the "big four" Monroe-El Dorado stations were shutting down early--even though two other "big four" stations in that market got FCC approval anyway.) Right now, I'm leaning towards waiting to see what AETN does.

I don't really have standing in this case, since I don't have DirecTV. Perhaps Arkyman could share his experience there.

BTW, been hearing the problem for over 20 minutes sustained now.

Edit: Problem stopped at 4:47 PM

dmatch

All I know is this. The OTA and Directv audio problem was identical. The best I could tell, it had to be originating from KARK before being transmitted both Over the Air and to Directv. Its like having two lamps flickering that are plugged into the same outlet. Its not the lamps, its the plug in:)

BTW, my wife records Days of Our Lives everyday on our Magnavox DVR. It recorded all the audio issues.......shes not real happy about not being able to hear what they are saying. It sounds like Alien talk to me.....ha ha

Regular viewers can file in response to FCC petitions by stations. KATV has petitioned the FCC to increase power on its auxiliary antenna before it switches over to the permanent antenna. If I go thru with it, I would file to condition approval on an early shutdown of KATV analog service.

However, AETN's commission is meeting at the State Capitol (Room 207) tomorrow at 1:30 PM, per its website. I suspect they will discuss what they can do to get KETS and/or KETZ back on the air. (KTVE was going to shut down today, but backed down when the FCC challenged it since all the "big four" Monroe-El Dorado stations were shutting down early--even though two other "big four" stations in that market got FCC approval anyway.) Right now, I'm leaning towards waiting to see what AETN does.

Wish I was off, Id love to attend, assuming it was open to the public. I wasnt aware El Dorado's station is on hold also. If I was AETN, Id be burning up the FCC and Obama's phone lines demanding something be done. It sucks when you play by the rules, and they change the rules after you played your hand.

...It gets even worse when KTWN-LD2 via Dishnet winds up showing a center-cut out of that 14:9.

Please send AETN 14:9 formatting complaints to:
Michael W Clay, Chief Engineer AETN
mclay@aetn.org

thanks

It looks like it will be Friday due to wind before we hoist the digital antenna. up. For those of you who live close enough to drive by the KATV site on Shinall, this is a rare opportunity to see a full power UHF antenna up close. Look for the large (~70' long) orange object laying on cribbing at the site. The full power transmitter has been moved and is operating in test mode into a dummy load. With any luck, we should be on at full power by Monday or so. Plan is to hoist antenna on Friday, finish interconnects Saturday, Need a day or two at that point to work any last minute issues out.

A

Thanks Allen. Ill bet your big signal is lower here. It will blast right over my head. That little temp setup is 100%. Your Boss gonna let KETS join the 21st century? Maybe use that temp setup on an emergency STA til analog 7 shuts down?

Thanks Allen. Ill bet your big signal is lower here. It will blast right over my head. That little temp setup is 100%. Your Boss gonna let KETS join the 21st century? Maybe use that temp setup on an emergency STA til analog 7 shuts down?

Dave, that means you will get my 65% and I will get your 100% starting on Monday:D

Dave, that means you will get my 65% and I will get your 100% starting on Monday:D

Yea...Its weird, I get 100% from ch22's side mounted LP transmitter, and only 90's on 32 and 44, and 98 on 30. I bet it goes down! Bet yours goes WaY up. In all reality, its probably amp overload or multipath causing it, and 22's lower power does neither right now.

Interesting: The last thing seen on KARK analog channel 4 before they pulled the switch was a Masturbating Bear. Too funny.

Interesting: The last thing seen on KARK analog channel 4 before they pulled the switch was a Masturbating Bear. Too funny.

OMG....I have that on tape, just played it back a second ago (and grabbed a screencap)

Yea...Its weird, I get 100% from ch22's side mounted LP transmitter, and only 90's on 32 and 44, and 98 on 30. I bet it goes down! Bet yours goes WaY up. In all reality, its probably amp overload or multipath causing it, and 22's lower power does neither right now.Most likely. The CM 7777, at your close range, is prone to overload. If/when the analog pests are all gone, your overall reception may improve.

Interesting: The last thing seen on KARK analog channel 4 before they pulled the switch was a Masturbating Bear. Too funny.Typical nexstar.

At least Springfield's KSPR was a little more graceful in their analog sign off.
From the Springfield thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbdTTD9V7Yk
Since we were under a storm watch/warning in our area, I was afraid they still might try and delay the shutoff. They signed off with the county watch/warning map superimposed on the screen.

Too bad a-hole nicholson won't let KETS get back on the air in central arkansas for several more months.

Jeez. Like anyone's still watching analog.

Too bad a-hole nicholson won't let KETS get back on the air in central arkansas for several more months.

Jeez. Like anyone's still watching analog.

Nexstar caved in at the last minute concerning KTVE 10 El Dorado also....so much for KETZ-DT getting back on before summer.

I have nearly as good a chance of locking WMAO-DT in Greenwood MS as I have of locking KETG-DT in my home state (now with one of my big pesTs gone). Although MPB (like 99% of PBS stations) multicasts, it has true aspect ratio on its "HD" channel, its not great HD but far better than AETN (btw, they play back the PBS nighttime sked after midnight---I watched Antiques Roadshow early tuesday AM)

Its pretty sad when a bottom 30 market such as Greenville MS kills off analog quicker than Little Rock. (WABG 6 and WXVT 15 got red flagged by the FCC like KTVE but both met all the conditions and got the okay. Bottom line---WABG is nightlighting and WXVT flash cut).

Most likely. The CM 7777, at your close range, is prone to overload. If/when the analog pests are all gone, your overall reception may improve.

Typical nexstar.

At least Springfield's KSPR was a little more graceful in their analog sign off.
From the Springfield thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbdTTD9V7Yk
Since we were under a storm watch/warning in our area, I was afraid they still might try and delay the shutoff. They signed off with the county watch/warning map superimposed on the screen.
Didn't know "Blues Traveler" was still around. And, that crawl made it sound like they were going to be back on the air after their maintenance was done. Are they completely down??

Got a reply from AETN, apparently they are trying to address all our Aspect Ratio, and HD, and upconvert problems, but wheels at the Office of the Powers That Be are turning slow. At least there is hope...assuming they can ever get back on the air.

The feedback form on KATV's website really sucks! You enter all your information and your message, but when you hit submit, there is absolutely no way to tell if it actually went through or not. It just clears the form and thats it. Kinda makes you wonder if you were within the 1000 character limit or not, or if it went through.

Mike at AETN is a pretty nice guy. Answers his emails real quick. Here is what I got from him with my original email at the top.



Steve Kendel writes:
>Since KATV has decided to keep their analog transmitters on until June
>12, what does that mean for KETS being able to get back on the air? I
>know that KETS went off the air in January to upgrade the equipment and
>antenna to be pure digital with every intention of going back on the air
>today, February 18th. Since analog 7 will still be active until June,
>does this mean that KETS is kind of screwed in their attempts to get back
>on the air at all? Or is there some kind of work being done with KATV in
>regards of trying to get KETS back on the air?


Frankly, none of this would have been a problem had the analog shut-down
date not been changed. By the time that decision was made in Congress,
our upgrade and replacement work was already in place and too far along to
suddenly change and wait. Until KATV is able to terminate their analog
broadcast, there is nothing that we can do at KETS to begin broadcasting
in digital. We have worked with many cable companies and Dish Network to
have AETN's programming delivered via other means which has required
additional equipment purchases on their part. Some cable companies and
DirecTV are not capable of doing this. There is no technical way for us
to get our signal to KATV's digital transmission site to broadcast on
their sub-channel even if they were willing to allow this. Likewise,
there is no technical way for us to get our signal next door to the KASN
transmitter there in Redfield. So, to use your words, unfortunately,
"KETS is kind of screwed" right now until KATV can terminate their analog
broadcast. Their decision as to when that may happen is totally up to
them and we sadly have little if any influence in that decision.

This is not news that people want to here, but those are the hard cold
facts. Viewers are certainly free to voice their opinions to AETN, KATV
and even their Members of Congress about all of this, but we have done all
that we are legally and technically able to do. We are just as frustrated
if not more so as our thousands of viewers. Rest assured that we will
begin broadcasting at KETS as soon as we are allowed to do so.

Mike McCullars
Executive Assistant & Senior Director of Special Projects
Arkansas Educational Television Network
350 S. Donaghey
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 682-4153

For more: www.aetn.org (http://www.aetn.org/)

KTWN-LD manages to get the signal, I don't see why it would be such a challenge to get it to KASN or someone else...

- Trip

Still trying to get caught up on all this KATV/AETN connection. I live out in the Greenbrier area and have never been able to receive AETN over the air. I've been told on here it's the VHF/UHF difference and the size of my antenna. I can receive virtually every other LR station OTA with my small indoor/outdoor antenna attached to my E* mount, so I haven't opted for a different antenna yet. Once KATV shuts down analog, and AETN is up and running digital, will I have a better chance of receiving AETN over the air? Thanks for all the comments.

KTWN-LD manages to get the signal, I don't see why it would be such a challenge to get it to KASN or someone else...

- TripI don't see why either, unless the KTWN-LD use of the Dishnet signal is not exactly legal. That's only 1 way to get the signal.

There is no technical way for us to get our signal to KATV's digital transmission site to broadcast on their sub-channel even if they were willing to allow this. Likewise, there is no technical way for us to get our signal next door to the KASN transmitter there in Redfield.This statement is simply flat out wrong and, depending on intelligence level, possibly just simply a lie.

There are many technical ways to do it, but apparently, they (staffers) have either been told to not pursue them or they have just given up because *somebody* doesn't care. I can understand "we can't afford it", with regard to some technical solutions, or even that it is not worth the effort to do just for 3 months but the "technical" excuse does not fly at all. I was willing to cut them (AETN) some slack on this but after reading this garbage I'm not so sure now.

dmatch

Regular viewers can file in response to FCC petitions by stations. KATV has petitioned the FCC to increase power on its auxiliary antenna before it switches over to the permanent antenna. If I go thru with it, I would file to condition approval on an early shutdown of KATV analog service.

However, AETN's commission is meeting at the State Capitol (Room 207) tomorrow at 1:30 PM, per its website. I suspect they will discuss what they can do to get KETS and/or KETZ back on the air. (KTVE was going to shut down today, but backed down when the FCC challenged it since all the "big four" Monroe-El Dorado stations were shutting down early--even though two other "big four" stations in that market got FCC approval anyway.) Right now, I'm leaning towards waiting to see what AETN does.Would you describe the process of filing that you are talking about? Also, where can you view KATV's petition that you mentioned? I've been rummaging around the FCC 'til I'm blue in the face and can't seem to find a petition. Knowing how/where to do this would be very helpful.

Unless the AETN commission decides differently today, it appears AETN will be doing nothing about the KATV blockage.

dmatch

KTWN-LD manages to get the signal, I don't see why it would be such a challenge to get it to KASN or someone else...

- Trip

Directv is already uplinking the FAYETTEVILLE affiliate of AETN. since the programming is identical, the could just use the same signal they already have, in Little Rock as well.

Anyone go to the AETN meeting?

Didn't know "Blues Traveler" was still around. And, that crawl made it sound like they were going to be back on the air after their maintenance was done. Are they completely down??KSPR analog 33 is history. 33-1 never missed a beat last night.

KTWN-LD manages to get the signal, I don't see why it would be such a challenge to get it to KASN or someone else...It's not. AETN doesn't care about OTA viewers. Their answer to everything is "get cable."

Still trying to get caught up on all this KATV/AETN connection. I live out in the Greenbrier area and have never been able to receive AETN over the air.... Once KATV shuts down analog, and AETN is up and running digital, will I have a better chance of receiving AETN over the air?Aim your highband VHF antenna at AETN station KEMV, RF channel 13 (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1251457.html) in Mountain View.

Yea, for real, Mountain View should come in great in Greenbriar except for that 1000' mountain on the North side of town :) Worth a shot though, channel 6 comes in good in Conway.

When I tune in channel 16.2 the PSIP says Im tuned to WAFF 48 Weather Plus :)

When I tune in channel 16.2 the PSIP says Im tuned to WAFF 48 Weather Plus :)

And the people we pay for PSIP data swore they had that fixed! It had been doing it since we added 16.2 for several weeks (but I was manually deleting it) and then stopped. I guess it is back again.

E

And the people we pay for PSIP data swore they had that fixed! It had been doing it since we added 16.2 for several weeks (but I was manually deleting it) and then stopped. I guess it is back again.

E

No big deal really, just the first time I ever saw it.

The feedback form on KATV's website really sucks! You enter all your information and your message, but when you hit submit, there is absolutely no way to tell if it actually went through or not. It just clears the form and thats it. Kinda makes you wonder if you were within the 1000 character limit or not, or if it went through.I got a confirmation message when I sent a msg on katv's contact site (http://cfc.katv.com/contact.cfm). Then I hit the back button and the text was still available. I simply changed the department to send the comment again to another dept. Using Firefox for Linux. YMMV.

Yea, for real, Mountain View should come in great in Greenbriar except for that 1000' mountain on the North side of town.Depends on where in the GB area you live. Worth a try since KETS is still a no-show in LR. Come to think of it, with the f*&#$d up formatting AETN is doing, it's probably not even worth turning the antenna.

I got a confirmation message when I sent a msg on katv's contact site (http://cfc.katv.com/contact.cfm). Then I hit the back button and the text was still available. I simply changed the department to send the comment again to another dept. Using Firefox for Linux. YMMV.
So, in other words, its one of those sites where if you hit the enter button instead of submit, it wipes out everything you typed in and you gotta start over again. BAD PROGRAMMING by the web site designer.

So, in other words, its one of those sites where if you hit the enter button instead of submit, it wipes out everything you typed in and you gotta start over again. BAD PROGRAMMING by the web site designer.

Yea, it's one of those sites that gives us programmers a bad name. There really are some of us that care about making a site work in something other than IE. I personally target Firefox, if it works there then it works in 99% of other browsers. Occasionally have to do some funky tweaks to make it work in IE though.

According to AEtN's home page, it sounds like they are just waiting for KATV to power up full power digital. Almost makes it sound like KATV is going to shut off early when their main 22 transmitter/antenna is fired up. We can only hope, and keep sending your comments on lack of HD. The more comments the engineer has, the quicker he will be able to convince the powers that be.

Has KATV made any filings to shut down their analog signal next week?

Probably wont until they get the new one online.

If this is what you are referring to:
KETS-DT digital channel 2 is ready to resume broadcast as soon as KATV-ABC in Little Rock is able to complete their work on their digital transmission and can terminate their analog broadcast.
from:
http://www.aetn.org/

That has been there for several days. So if you are thinking that indicates something has changed I wouldn't bet on it. That one little word "can" makes all the difference. Take it out and it doesn't tell you much.

However, I've never been accused of being an optimist.;)

Any news from the AETN Commission meeting?

Edit:Another bad habit of less than thorough web programmers is to NOT date the addition of information like on the above page.

dmatch

Another e-mail from Mike at AETN:

Unfortunately, we do not have definitive news from KATV regarding when
they can and will terminate their analog broadcast. With so many early
shut-down petitions being denied by the FCC, it is possible that KATV
would also be denied if they petitioned to do so early. Like you, we've
seen no applications to terminate analog concerning KATV. So sadly and
most frustratingly, we have no choice but to sit and wait.

Now that we are (or will be again in KETS's case) HD (true or upconverted)
24/7, all programming is being (or should be) broadcast in 16:9 format on
the AETN.1 primary channel -- the one with PBS and AETN productions. The
two other sub-channels -- AETN Create/Kids and AETN Scholar -- are SD
channels and are being done in 4:3 format. At least this is my
understanding. Now what happens when a cable or satellite provider gets
our broadcast signal and what they do with it before it gets to a viewer's
home is often unknown to us and out of our control. Likewise equally
frustrating on our part. Thankfully it doesn't happen often.

Thanks for your concern, patience and understanding.

Mike McCullars
Executive Assistant & Senior Director of Special Projects
Arkansas Educational Television Network
350 S. Donaghey
Conway, AR 72034
(501) 682-4153

So, in other words, its one of those sites where if you hit the enter button instead of submit, it wipes out everything you typed in and you gotta start over again. BAD PROGRAMMING by the web site designer.

What? A topic I can go on endlessly about in this thread? A first for everything I guess. :D

Funny enough, doing a reset by pressing Enter is actually not that easy to do! Just taking a peek at the code the issue might be their WYSIWYG editor they are using in their CMS to do the actual text on the page. It not only has the issues that other ones do (closing tags that were never opened, tags implicitly closed, etc), but it's putting out HTML 4 in a page explicitly declared as XHTML. Not really an issue for display most of the time, but some browsers get touchy about when it comes to forms. Probably works fine in IE6 and 7 (85-90% of the market).

-MDG

p.s. - My 9-5 is web dev and has been since about '95, so yes, I COULD go on endlessly about this! ;)

HD (true or upconverted)
24/7, all programming is being (or should be) broadcast in 16:9 format on
the AETN.1 primary channel

These words make me shutter. Am I the only one that looks at this and thinks stretch-o-vision?

-MDG

These words make me shutter. Am I the only one that looks at this and thinks stretch-o-vision?

-MDG

No, I don't think stretch-o-vision, I think the same cropped 14:9 thing they've been doing. Either way, they need to realize that true HD content needs to be 16:9 and standard def material needs to be 4:3, IOW the way they were doing it before they switched to the "all HD after 6 pm" that they've done since Labor Day. The point is, that this is something that somebody HAS to actually pay attention to, not just let it run unattended without any care for the fact it's going out looking like crap.

Another e-mail from Mike at AETN:
Apparently, while KETS-DT has been dark here in central Arkansas other of the AETN stations have dropped a sub-channel and combined the Create/Kids into 1 channel. Only 3 Channels now with video. No telling what else has changed.:confused:

Would be nice if someone who can get KEMV-DT (13) or another affiliate would report on this.

Edit:Oh, wait! I seem to recall there was nothing on 2.2 even before this latest shemozzle. I checked a TSReader export and sure enough back in January they had already gone to 3 channels video (12, 0, 3, 3 Mbps).

dmatch

These words make me shutter. Am I the only one that looks at this and thinks stretch-o-vision?

-MDGNo. I look at it and think 16:9 with pillar bars to fill in 4:3 programming (solid black preferably, not the katv in-your-face crap).

Would be nice if someone who can get KEMV-DT (13) or another affiliate would report on this.
KAFT-DT still has 4 sub channels, but the dash-4 channel is, blank. Until today, the dash-2 sub was blank. They need to redo their sub channels, but that's the least of AETN's DT problems. It appears that today they've switched from 14:9 zoom&crop-o-vision to full tilt 16:9 stretch-o-vision. Jeezus - somebody help this incompetent station.

Currently:
KAFT-DT 13-1 = "Colonial Willamsburg" 16:9 STRETCHOVISION & UNWATCHABLE
KAFT-DT 13-2 = Cooks Country Kitchen (Create)
KAFT-DT 13-3 = Deskercise
KAFT-DT 13-4 = DTV Program (blank)

:rolleyes:

Apparently, while KETS-DT has been dark here in central Arkansas other of the AETN stations have dropped a sub-channel and combined the Create/Kids into 1 channel. Only 3 Channels now with video. No telling what else has changed.:confused:

Would be nice if someone who can get KEMV-DT (13) or another affiliate would report on this.

Edit:Oh, wait! I seem to recall there was nothing on 2.2 even before this latest shemozzle. I checked a TSReader export and sure enough back in January they had already gone to 3 channels video (12, 0, 3, 3 Mbps).

dmatch

Actually, starting around Labor Day (I think) they began dropping 2.2 after 6 pm, but they were running Create on it during the day. I'm not sure if they turned it back on at midnight, or 6 am or what, I would guess midnight. They were upconverting everything during the hours they had it off, and switching to 480p(?) during the day.

Actually, starting around Labor Day (I think) they began dropping 2.2 after 6 pm, but they were running Create on it during the day. I'm not sure if they turned it back on at midnight, or 6 am or what, I would guess midnight. They were upconverting everything during the hours they had it off, and switching to 480p(?) during the day.Yes, I remember when they were doing that switching resolution stuff, but then earlier this year (I think) they just stopped the Create video (2.2) completely and now they have apparently combined Create/Kids and shuffled the blank channel to the end (thanks arxaw).

dmatch

Yes, I remember when they were doing that switching resolution stuff, but then earlier this year (I think) they just stopped the Create video (2.2) completely and now they have apparently combined Create/Kids and shuffled the blank channel to the end (thanks arxaw).

dmatch

I didn't know if they had made that change prior to shutting off KETS-DT. Thanks

My wife watched Create during the day, so I remember that it completely went away but can't remember exactly when. Then there was this 14:9 crap. I guess that's water under a collapsed bridge now, at least until the bridge is rebuilt.:rolleyes:

dmatch

Y'all aren't missing much by not having KETS-DT. 14:9 looked bad, but now that they're doing the 16:9 stretch, it's unwatchable.
http://i42.tinypic.com/6nz89d.jpg

Here's what the poor analog cable viewer sees if their cableco center cuts the 16:9 to 4:3 for analog subscribers:
http://i41.tinypic.com/smviv4.jpg

Unbelievable. AETN needs to die a quick death so someone can replace them.

KATV announced during their 5pm newscast that they expect to be transmitting full power on the new digital transmitter and antenna by Monday or Tuesday. Further, they are going to keep their analog signal on the air until 6/12.

KATV announced during their 5pm newscast that they expect to be transmitting full power on the new digital transmitter and antenna by Monday or Tuesday. Further, they are going to keep their analog signal on the air until 6/12.


::sigh::

Thanks for the update.

KATV announced during their 5pm newscast that they expect to be transmitting full power on the new digital transmitter and antenna by Monday or Tuesday. Further, they are going to keep their analog signal on the air until 6/12.

How can they broadcast at full power on digital if they are going to still run their Analog transmitter? I thought this was against the FCC regulations? I only say this because I've read that many stations could have doubled their power output on 2-17 if not for Obama killing the Analog shut off date. What we have now it pre-analog shut off "full power", not "true full power" as it will be post-analog. At least thats the way I've understood it. Just wondering what KATV is considering "Full Power"?

How can they broadcast at full power on digital if they are going to still run their Analog transmitter? I thought this was against the FCC regulations? I only say this because I've read that many stations could have doubled their power output on 2-17 if not for Obama killing the Analog shut off date. What we have now it pre-analog shut off "full power", not "true full power" as it will be post-analog. At least thats the way I've understood it. Just wondering what KATV is considering "Full Power"? Some stations have been limited to a lower "full power" level until analog is gone, because it could interfere with a distant station. Example, KFTA-DT 27 in NWA which would interfere with KSFX analog 27 in Springfield. Once KSFX analog is gone, KFTA-DT can apply for a higher "full power" level because KSFX analog 27 will be history.

KATV can go to full 1,000kW ERP immediately because there are no other full power ch 22s nearby that it might interfere with. See list (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=&arn=&city=&chan=22&cha2=22&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9).

@Arkyman:

What you may be thinking about is that many stations (like KETS-DT/5 for instance) were having to adjust their transmitters to protect an analog channel in another area (Like WMC/5 in Memphis). If the analog had gone away then they could have gone to their final planned transmitter setups.

I would guess that the FCC has deemed that there would be no problem in the case of KATV-DT on 22 if they run the full 1000 kW as requested in their construction permit.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Edit:Araxw beat me by that much. I guess great minds think alike. ;)

dmatch

On the KATV website today there are some good pictures of the antenna being placed on the tower. Bring on the 1 million watts.

I bet Allen will be glad when all of this is over.

If you go to KATV's website and click on the news story for the new tower, and then click the video link, you can see a 5 minute story, with Allenf as the "star". Nice looking antenna. Im guessing the little cat wiskers on the top are either the vertical polarization elements, or lightning arrestors. Strobe light is kick butt too.

www.katv.com

Wow, congrats allenf and KATV for some quick work. As late as yesterday, they were still expecting to turn on the new transmitter on Monday. The website now says they powered it up at 4:25 this afternoon.

Now we can just need to convince them that they are screwing over KETS, and get them to turn the analog off. Of course, the latest word from the FCC is that March 14 will be the next time they'll allow any more analogs to go dark.

Why cant KETS apply for an Emergency STA to operate low power on channel 8?

@Arkyman:

What you may be thinking about is that many stations (like KETS-DT/5 for instance) were having to adjust their transmitters to protect an analog channel in another area (Like WMC/5 in Memphis). If the analog had gone away then they could have gone to their final planned transmitter setups.

I would guess that the FCC has deemed that there would be no problem in the case of KATV-DT on 22 if they run the full 1000 kW as requested in their construction permit.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Edit:Araxw beat me by that much. I guess great minds think alike. ;)

dmatch

Yeah, that is the way I was thinking. But like Arxaw said, I guess if there is not channel to interfere with, then their is no problem going full power. Appreciate you and Arxaw explaining that. Thats what I like about all you arky boys, if you get off track a little, no one here bashes you for it, they just help you get back on the tracks:)

Currently here in Yell county.

4.1 = 73%

7.1 = 78%

11.1 = 76%

16.1 = 70%

38.1 = 84%

I can forget about 42 until they move the antenna to KARK's tower

KATV-DT began operating at 16:25 today at full power. (1Mw ERP)

A

KATV-DT began operating at 16:25 today at full power. (1Mw ERP)Congratulations, allenf!

Now katv should do the right thing; shut off analog 7 in March and let KETS-DT finally get on the air with a usable signal. The powers that be at katv are pigs (not you, allen).

KATV-DT began operating at 16:25 today at full power. (1Mw ERP)

A

Congrats to you and the engineering team at KATV.

I just arrived home, and checked all my receivers, and the one LCD tv with an integrated tuner.. Strongest of the Shinall stations here.

I checked mt test rig (echostar tr-40 fed from 100' rg6 and a 2 bay bow tie.
KATV up from 95 to 99, all others from 85 (karz) to 92
(klrt).

KATV also came in quite well on my portable Accurian, as I walked around the house with it. Definantly had some bad spots and break ups, but was watchable much more so than any of the other stations, with KLRT being the second best, and KTHV being so-so if near a window, and KARK/KARZ being almost unwatchable without finding JUST the right spot.

KATV solid lock on vertical polorized discone, but monitor doesnt have a signal meter, so cant report on strength, but judging on the portable performance, the vertical/horizontal combo is doing its job.

Congratulations Allen that was very quick since the antenna was only mounted yesterday. Nice surprise for everyone.

Back home in El Dorado this weekend....KNOE 8 in Monroe converted to 100% digital Tuesday, and I noticed their translator station on CH 18 here is also completely digital.... AND in HD with the CW on 18-2. Very surprised they even bothered to switch the low powered translator to digital...but was totally shocked when I noticed it's ALSO in HD. Just wanted to share my report... simply because I'm so surprised.

7.1 is coming in at 86 on my TR-40 with home-brew inside UHF antenna.

This morning, I'm seeing true 4x3 aspect ratio on KETG-DT "9-1" OTA on some show about quilting (*yawn*). Perhaps someone at AETN has seen the light ;)

Of course KETG locks only slightly better this morning pointed at Gurdon than when I'm pointed at Inverness MS trying to lock WMAO-DT. Its going to be a long wait until June when these remaining stinkin' analogs will go away.

Currently here in Yell county.

4.1 = 73%

7.1 = 78%

11.1 = 76%

16.1 = 70%

38.1 = 84%

I can forget about 42 until they move the antenna to KARK's tower

Thats for the report. Curious about today or a rainy day f\how the figures will vary. Also- very interesting signal strength from KASN-DT. How many air miles is that? I figure at least 75.

A

I checked mt test rig (echostar tr-40 fed from 100' rg6 and a 2 bay bow tie.
KATV up from 95 to 99, all others from 85 (karz) to 92
(klrt).

KATV also came in quite well on my portable Accurian, as I walked around the house with it. Definantly had some bad spots and break ups, but was watchable much more so than any of the other stations, with KLRT being the second best, and KTHV being so-so if near a window, and KARK/KARZ being almost unwatchable without finding JUST the right spot.

KATV solid lock on vertical polorized discone, but monitor doesnt have a signal meter, so cant report on strength, but judging on the portable performance, the vertical/horizontal combo is doing its job.

Dave,

Very interested in portable reception/rabbit ears which is where the vertical component is supposed to help. Thanks for the report.

BTW- on an earlier post you pointed out the spikes on top of the antenna, those are indeed lightning rods.

A

Congrats to you and the engineering team at KATV.

I just arrived home, and checked all my receivers, and the one LCD tv with an integrated tuner.. Strongest of the Shinall stations here.

Excellent! Like Arkyman's report, I'm interested in what rainy wx will do to your signal strengths. Thanks for the report.

A

KATV-DT is showing 94% on my Sony, and 100% on the TivoHD this morning in the rain, no drop from last night.

Only down one point to 98 on the test rig in the rain here Allen.