Little Rock, AR - HDTV [Text View] - Page 36

Davenlr

03-18-09, 11:08 PM

Link (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1285350.html)

Well, I can find no request on the fcc site where KEMV-DT has requested any power increase... I did find this link from yesterday, which basically says KEMV analog 6 has been operating at 50% power for the last month, and requests permission to continue to operate at 50% power until the Analog Shutdown...
Link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1300854&Service=TV&Form_id=911&Facility_id=2777)

If thats the case, and Analog 6 is only 50% power (and I get it fine), and Digital 13 is currently at its max power (cant get it at all), then I guess its no HD AETN here in Little Rock until June.

I did see where KKYK ch 20 applied to raise its antenna and power back in 2005, and has filed a STA every year since, stating the "tower crew" has not been able to repair the tower, and needs more time. I think I would fire that tower crew :)

Also found a station that is specifically prohibited from retransmission, which is currently doing just that. Not gonna mention any call signs, cuz I like the station hahah.

arxaw

03-19-09, 10:08 AM

Well, I can find no request on the fcc site where KEMV-DT has requested any power increase... See the CP, last item on this page:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=2777
Power increase from 4kW to 12kW ERP.
Tower HAAT changing from 407 to 426 meters (~62' higher).

As of last night, AETN KAFT-DT still had aspect ratio issues on the dash-1 (720p) channel. Stretch-o-matic was in full swing. The aspect ratio problem seems to vary from program to program, but it sure looks like lights are on, but nobody's home at AETN.

jp1979

03-19-09, 11:51 AM

Cardinals vs Braves preseason baseball scheduled for noon Sat on KKYK (20 analog, 49 Directv) if the guide is accurate.

is there any way to get Fox Sports Midwest (just for cards games) OTA? don't feel like paying 12 a month for the sports pack...

steveken

03-19-09, 11:54 AM

is there any way to get Fox Sports Midwest (just for cards games) OTA? don't feel like paying 12 a month for the sports pack...
There is no way at all to get any FSN OTA at all unless you get a big satellite dish in your yard and find a way to descramble it.

CorpITGuy

03-19-09, 12:02 PM

More from Mike at AETN:

DirecTV told us early on that the position of their satellites would not
allow them to use our KAFT feed from northwest Arkansas for all of the
Little Rock DMA. I'm not a technical person, but I can slightly
understand that the placement of their birds would not allow them to
service everyone to the east side of the LR DMA. Thus they said that they
have no viable alternative except to use the PBS National feed as a
placeholder for us until we can resume broadcast once KATV-ABC terminates
their analog. Since they filed this week with the FCC to continue their
analog broadcast until June 12, it looks like our feed will continue to be
displaced until summer. Most frustrating for all of us. Thanks again for
your patience and understanding. We'll be back as soon as we can.

Sure, they can't hit us in LR with the same spotbeam, but why can't they just put it on OUR spotbeam? With KATV keeping analog up until June 12, there's no PBS-HD for us for a very long time.

steveken

03-19-09, 12:13 PM

I would say that there is no PBS-HD for us at all considering the way AETN does HD and the fact that for some weird reason PBS can't get their crap together enough to put the actual PBS-HD channel on DirecTV.

arxaw

03-19-09, 12:34 PM

...Sure, they can't hit us in LR with the same spotbeam, but why can't they just put it on OUR spotbeam?D* could easily patch the feed from KAFT-DT onto the LR spot beam, at their uplink center. One hand doesn't know what the other one's doing, and AETN doesn't know enough to make it happen.

I cannot stand dale nicholson or katv and their hoarding of analog channel 7 to the bitter end, but most of the blame for no KETS-DT lies with AETN for throwing away UHF channel 47 they were originally assigned. Complete idiots running that organization, which would be obvious if you could see their never-ending FUBAR'd aspect ratios on dash-1 and sometimes dash-2 sub channels.

No wonder donations are way down.

CorpITGuy

03-19-09, 12:46 PM

I cannot stand dale nicholson or katv and their hoarding of analog channel 7 to the bitter end, but most of the blame for no KETS-DT lies with AETN for throwing away UHF channel 47 they were originally assigned.

I had that same conversation last night with my wife. Throwing away UHF 47 was DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.

steveken

03-19-09, 02:06 PM

Davenlr

03-19-09, 07:03 PM

See the CP, last item on this page:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=2777
Power increase from 4kW to 12kW ERP.
Tower HAAT changing from 407 to 426 meters (~62' higher).

Ok, I also see that their current low power setup is using a directional antenna, which is only sending 70% of the 4KW in my direction, where the CP has 12KW Omni, so if Im calculating right, 4 to 12KW would be 4.5db, and 30% more power directed my way would be about another db? So if Im getting a signal now, but no lock, hopefully 5.5db more will do it.

SofaCinema

03-19-09, 07:15 PM

Can someone please help me? What is the actual frequency of Comcast QAM 5.1 and 13.1? I had to reinstall Windows and for some reason it does not find those channels. Thanks

Davenlr

03-19-09, 07:20 PM

You know, it would be a shame if something were to happen to 7's analog transmitter. You know, kinda mysteriously blew up in the middle of the night or something? *evil grin*

Disclaimer: I am in NO way saying this will, should, or might happen. Just speaking purely hypothetically. I would NEVER do anything of this nature.

Last time I joked that it would be funny if KATVs antenna fell off their tower, the whole tower fell down :)

I think its really ironic that KEMVs transmitter automatically shut down on Jan 17th, the original cut off date, due to a high SWR. What irony the transmitter lasts 29 years, and craps out on the very DAY its supposed to be shut down, only to be resurrected at half power to limp along.

As for giving up the channel assignment, Im rather convinced, after doing a lot of DXing, and watching how the signals interact with each other, that in the long long run, using channel 7 for PBS digital is probably going to be a good move. I say that because almost ALL of the current KATV analog viewers (all 3 of em) in the south and southeast part of the state, already have some pretty decent VHF antennas. When they pop on the old converter box, they are probably going to get KTHV and KETS right off, and probably enough signal to lock KASN. How many of those are going to go out and spend the $200 or so to install a high gain VHF/UHF combo, or an add on UHF antenna?

I think those that dont go to cable or a dish delivered system, will probably just use the converter box and watch what comes in. KTHV seems to be doing well on the VHF-Hi band, and there are some killer antennas coming out now with LOTS of hi band vhf gain, for a very small size (mine has 10.5 db gain and is the same length as my UHF only antenna). Winegard has the new (although WAY overpriced) line of Vhf-hi/UHF antennas in all models from the "I can see the towers" model to the "Will this thing pick up 172 miles?" version. I think it will all shake out. AETN has GOT to get some power output though. There is no way 4KW, or even 12KW is going to stay locked with skip, thunderstorms, and impulse noise. KTHV is running 55KW I believe, from a LOT taller location.

The fcc needs to start looking at the channel assignments once analog is gone, and start nudging some of the stations within adjacent DMAs to move. Its rediculous, with the skip conditions we have around here, to have a Ch 13 in Memphis, Gurdon, Mountain View and Fayetteville. Mountain View should be on 11 once KTHV shuts down analog if they really wanted to get it right. Any skip at all, and my Mt View signal is gone.

steveken

03-19-09, 08:15 PM

Can someone please help me? What is the actual frequency of Comcast QAM 5.1 and 13.1? I had to reinstall Windows and for some reason it does not find those channels. Thanks
If memory serves me right, it was somewhere in the 80's range (channel number which remaps to the 5.1 and such). If you are not finding them with your current software (please tell us which package you are using), then it might either be the software, or they fraked around with the channels again and put it in an range that is filtered out by filters on your house.

haley-SEA

03-19-09, 08:21 PM

As for giving up the channel assignment, Im rather convinced, after doing a lot of DXing, and watching how the signals interact with each other, that in the long long run, using channel 7 for PBS digital is probably going to be a good move. I say that because almost ALL of the current KATV analog viewers (all 3 of em) in the south and southeast part of the state, already have some pretty decent VHF antennas. When they pop on the old converter box, they are probably going to get KTHV and KETS right off, and probably enough signal to lock KASN. How many of those are going to go out and spend the $200 or so to install a high gain VHF/UHF combo, or an add on UHF antenna?

I think those that dont go to cable or a dish delivered system, will probably just use the converter box and watch what comes in. KTHV seems to be doing well on the VHF-Hi band, and there are some killer antennas coming out now with LOTS of hi band vhf gain, for a very small size (mine has 10.5 db gain and is the same length as my UHF only antenna). Winegard has the new (although WAY overpriced) line of Vhf-hi/UHF antennas in all models from the "I can see the towers" model to the "Will this thing pick up 172 miles?" version. I think it will all shake out. AETN has GOT to get some power output though. There is no way 4KW, or even 12KW is going to stay locked with skip, thunderstorms, and impulse noise. KTHV is running 55KW I believe, from a LOT taller location.

The fcc needs to start looking at the channel assignments once analog is gone, and start nudging some of the stations within adjacent DMAs to move. Its rediculous, with the skip conditions we have around here, to have a Ch 13 in Memphis, Gurdon, Mountain View and Fayetteville. Mountain View should be on 11 once KTHV shuts down analog if they really wanted to get it right. Any skip at all, and my Mt View signal is gone.

One thing that has mucked up the potential DTV channel assignments is all the sundry LPTV/Class A low power stations. Stations were afraid to flash cut early, and with Equity, Paxton, Trinity Broadcasting spamming the airwaves with redundant and useless stations a decade ago, DTV broadcasters had to take what they could. Some stations made some bad choices and its come to bite them. There are far too many channel 13, channel 15, channel 32 stations on the air.

SofaCinema

03-19-09, 08:25 PM

Davenlr

03-19-09, 09:24 PM

Anyone know when the low power stations have to switch to digital (if there is such a requirement) ??

Checking the DTV channel change requests at http://www.w9wi.com is interesting.
http://www.w9wi.com/newweb/articles/dtvqsy.html
A KC station moving from VHF to UHF so the "wont be the only station in the DMA on VHF", a Wy PBS station changing to the same channel all the other Wy PBS stations are using, so ALL the PBS stations in the state can be on the same channel...guess they dont have tropo in Wyoming. Then there is the Nebraska station actually MOVING to channel 4 !!!

In the neighborhood, a Shreveport request to use a current LR channel. Quite an interesting list.

Trip in VA

03-19-09, 09:35 PM

Anyone know when the low power stations have to switch to digital (if there is such a requirement) ??

No such requirement yet. The FCC keeps saying there'll be one, but I'm not seeing a need for one. Market forces will do the trick in this case.

Checking the DTV channel change requests at http://www.w9wi.com is interesting.
http://www.w9wi.com/newweb/articles/dtvqsy.html
A KC station moving from VHF to UHF so the "wont be the only station in the DMA on VHF",

KMBC had a ton of complaints, and they were at 85 kW on channel 7. They're now at 1000 kW on channel 29 and reception is apparently much better.

a Wy PBS station changing to the same channel all the other Wy PBS stations are using, so ALL the PBS stations in the state can be on the same channel...guess they dont have tropo in Wyoming.

They have a ton of mountains. The terrain block keeps the full-service channel 8 signals separated, or should in theory. What the filing doesn't mention is the bunch of translators and fill-in translators because of the terrain.

Hey, it's still better than channel 6, no? :D

Then there is the Nebraska station actually MOVING to channel 4 !!!

A former Pappas station, another company bankrupt like Equity. The bank is in charge and they decided channel 4 and channel 6 and whatnot would be cheaper, so that's what they're doing. Sad state of affairs.

In the neighborhood, a Shreveport request to use a current LR channel. Quite an interesting list.

KLTS didn't want to spend the money to replace their antenna, I think. I'm guessing that KVTN-DT's directional pattern made it easier to stomach.

Hope that helped. :D

- Trip

Davenlr

03-19-09, 09:49 PM

Hope that helped. :D

- Trip

As always. When you gonna get a job as the FCC Chairman? They need someone up there that knows what they are doing.

steveken

03-19-09, 09:52 PM

Windows 7 Media Center. ATI 650 Combo tuner. It worked before now it dosen't so its not hardware. I was going to try to add the channels manually but i have to know there real frequency. Thanks for the help.
I didn't know 7 did ClearQAM. Thats great. However, I have never used it. Only have used GB-PVR and WinTV for ClearQAM tuning (WinTV is garbage, FYI). SO, I don't know. I would suggest downloading the completely free GB-PVR and let it do a scan and then you will know for certain.

Trip in VA

03-19-09, 10:15 PM

As always. When you gonna get a job as the FCC Chairman? They need someone up there that knows what they are doing.

All Obama has to do is nominate me. :D

- Trip

Johnny Angell

03-20-09, 11:34 AM

RockyF

03-20-09, 12:11 PM

I just noticed last night that PBS was back on DTV's channel 2. Didn't watch it long enough to see if it was AETN or not, probably not.

If I can currently get 7.1 on my OTA rabbit ears here in Maumelle, will I be able to get AETN once they go to 7?

Not necessarily, 7.1 is now broadcast in full power from their brand new transmitter on Shinall Mountain, you can probably almost see it from Maumelle. KETS will still be broadcasting from Redfield, and on the VHF band. You should still be in their coverage area, so yeah you should be able to receive it, but nothing about KATV-DT's current coverage can be used as a barometer for what KETS-DT will look like.

dmatch

03-20-09, 12:13 PM

Virtual channel 7.1 is KATV-DT and is on physical (real) channel 22. KETS-DT will be on physical (real) channel 7. The first is UHF, the later is VHF so getting 22 (virtual 7.1) does not indicate whether you can get real channel 7 on your rabbit ears. Also, the 2 are in different locations.

Edit:What RockyF said.:) He beat me to it by that || much.

dmatch

Davenlr

03-20-09, 01:36 PM

I just noticed last night that PBS was back on DTV's channel 2. Didn't watch it long enough to see if it was AETN or not, probably not.

If I can currently get 7.1 on my OTA rabbit ears here in Maumelle, will I be able to get AETN once they go to 7?

If you used to be able to get the old analog 7 when it was in Redfield, or are currently getting a high reading from KASN 38.1, then probably yes. If 38.1 is not almost full strength (assuming your rabbit ears are VHF/UHF), then you might have trouble. AETN for some reason, isnt using full power on any of their transmitters (except maybe Fayetteville, havent checked that one). Hopefully once all the analogs are off, and they can see where the holes are in their digital signals, they can work to fill them in.

In the mean time, I recommend an outside antenna. To much can disrupt indoor reception.

Johnny Angell

03-20-09, 03:10 PM

Not necessarily, 7.1 is now broadcast in full power from their brand new transmitter on Shinall Mountain, you can probably almost see it from Maumelle. KETS will still be broadcasting from Redfield, and on the VHF band. You should still be in their coverage area, so yeah you should be able to receive it, but nothing about KATV-DT's current coverage can be used as a barometer for what KETS-DT will look like.Okee Doke.

haley-SEA

03-20-09, 04:27 PM

I noticed on the drive to Little Rock this morning that KETS's antenna-in-waiting is side mounted most of the way up on the KASN tower. It can be easily seen after just passing it directly.

LPB Shreveport (KLTS) is going to use 24 for its final DTV. They are using 24 a present for analog.

And if channel 13, the Bristol Speedway of DTV isn't already crowded enough with KETG, KEMV, and a future WHBQ here comes KLTM 13 Monroe which will switch the DTV over to 13 after shutting down its current analog ch 13 service. KLTM will transmit from the same area that KNOE-DT 8 and KAQY-DT 11 do. I logged (yet again) pest KSPR-DT (late Monday/early AM Tuesday) thinking I saw KLTM's current low power digital channel on 19 on the Zenith box's signal meter . :eek:

Davenlr

03-20-09, 08:34 PM

Yea, I thought it was odd this morning, I was getting a signal on ch 19, but couldnt lock it, and there wasnt any tropo on any other channel at all. I have noticed either KTWN increased power, height, or the skip is really helping them out. They used to max out at 85% here, have been 100% SOLID for week, except when the tropo is in, and kncoks then into the dirt.

OMG, the AETN is squishing a 16:9 show to 4:3 now.
http://i34.tinypic.com/33fdnjc.jpg

steveken

03-20-09, 10:20 PM

Davenlr

03-20-09, 10:34 PM

Damn, it looks like we are STILL stuck with only being able to watch Cardinals baseball on 49 for the time being. If Equity is basically out of business (it is, isn't it?), why is KSDK still teamed up with them around here for the Sunday broadcasts? Is there ANYTHING we can do to get them over to a better channel so we can watch the games in HD?

Games arent in HD. They are being sent using analog sat uplink. After the season starts, who knows. I know it will be FTA, just dont know what format.

In any case, right now, KKYK PQ is as good as any.

I dont think filing bankrupcy voided their contract. Unless someone else bids higher, Equity gets it.
AT LEAST they are back on D*

AETN right now is sending a Letterboxed 4:3 program that is ALSO pillarboxed. Its literally a small quaer about the size of a PIP window in the middle of my tv with 2 feet of black on either side and a foot on the top and bottom hahaha

dmatch

03-20-09, 11:45 PM

Games arent in HD. They are being sent using analog sat uplink. After the season starts, who knows. I know it will be FTA, just dont know what format..... Snip
They said on air during the first pre-season Cardinal game on KSDK that they would start HD when the regular season started. I expect to see them in HD on AMC 6 C band MPEG2/DVB like last year. Of course we ain't gonna get it on KKYK-CA in HD.:mad: You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

dmatch

Davenlr

03-20-09, 11:54 PM

Of course we ain't gonna get it on KKYK-CA in HD.:mad: You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

dmatch

Equity never wanted to do digital or HD anyway. I suppose they could always just feed the letterboxed HD feed downres'd, which wouldnt be to bad. Ill be watching AMC6 tho :)

steveken

03-20-09, 11:57 PM

Games arent in HD. They are being sent using analog sat uplink. After the season starts, who knows. I know it will be FTA, just dont know what format.

In any case, right now, KKYK PQ is as good as any.

I dont think filing bankrupcy voided their contract. Unless someone else bids higher, Equity gets it.
AT LEAST they are back on D*

AETN right now is sending a Letterboxed 4:3 program that is ALSO pillarboxed. Its literally a small quaer about the size of a PIP window in the middle of my tv with 2 feet of black on either side and a foot on the top and bottom hahaha
It was in HD from KDSK like at the very beginning of last season I think it was when we were getting a digital signal from either 42 or 49 can't remember exactly where it came from, I just remember for a fact I saw it in HD cause I recorded a snippet of it.

dmatch

03-21-09, 10:39 AM

It was in HD from KDSK like at the very beginning of last season I think it was when we were getting a digital signal from either 42 or 49 can't remember exactly where it came from, I just remember for a fact I saw it in HD cause I recorded a snippet of it.Yes, I remember at least once upon a time the Cardinals were shown on KWBF-DT1 in HD. I thought life was gonna be grand but then Equity shoved the games over onto KKYK (KWBF-DT2) and that was all she wrote for last year. Horrible picture.

dmatch

arxaw

03-21-09, 12:19 PM

...there are some killer antennas coming out now with LOTS of hi band vhf gain, for a very small size (mine has 10.5 db gain and is the same length as my UHF only antenna). Winegard has the new (although WAY overpriced) line of Vhf-hi/UHF antennas in all models
The Winegard HD7694P is "killer" at least up here. And only ~$49 bucks (+shipping) at solidsignal.

...AETN for some reason, isnt using full power on any of their transmitters (except maybe Fayetteville, havent checked that one)...They couldn't. There are too many friggin' stations in the area on the same channels! (Idiots). Once analog is gone, there are plans to increase transmitter power at several sites around the state. KAFT-DT 9 at Winslow is supposed to double power from ~19 to ~38kW.

...OMG, the AETN is squishing a 16:9 show to 4:3 now.Nothing new. That's been going on for sometime now. I've seen 'em do:
4:3 as 4:3 OAR
4:3 as 14:9 chopped & cropped
4:3 as 16:9 stretch-o-vision
16:9 as 16:9 OAR
16:9 cropped to 4:3, then chopped & cropped to 14:9
16:9 as 4:3 (tall 'n skinny), like the pic you posted.

They seem to be totally ignoring information, flags or whatever's supposed to tell them how a program was originally shot, and how to present it. I've never seen another do as piss-poor a job of presenting HDTV as AETN is doing. (Idiots. Complete eff'n Idiots.)

More examples of AETN format abominations:

16:9 squished to 14:9
http://i44.tinypic.com/2v9c6t5.jpg

16:9 squished to 4:3
http://i44.tinypic.com/hv8dh5.jpg

4:3 stretched to 16:9
http://i43.tinypic.com/6ekpco.jpg

Their ignorance about, and subsequent incorrect presentation of the original aspect ratio seems to have no rhyme or reason.

.

Davenlr

03-21-09, 02:14 PM

Yea, at least if they get on Directv, I can record it, and use my dvr/TV to readjust. Maybe they just dont have any widescreen monitors yet, and are trying to use old 480i monitors to adjust stuff.

steveken

03-21-09, 03:20 PM

Yes, I remember at least once upon a time the Cardinals were shown on KWBF-DT1 in HD. I thought life was gonna be grand but then Equity shoved the games over onto KKYK (KWBF-DT2) and that was all she wrote for last year. Horrible picture.

dmatch
Ahh, good, so I am not nuts. LOL

Davenlr

03-22-09, 01:23 AM

This is interesting... Finally locked KETG (at 100% no less)....Picture shows what Dale over at analog 7 would look like if the government doesnt eventually force him to turn it off...

KETG-DT http://i36.tinypic.com/24y5tfd.jpg

But here is something you dont see every day...Digital KETG on the top monitor, and Analog KEMV on the bottom, both clear and watchable. Id show a third monitor with PBS-HD showing the same show in the proper aspect ratio, but I only have two monitors :)..... KETG top/KEMV bottom http://i35.tinypic.com/kahij5.jpg
KMSS coming in. Matter of fact, Im getting a ATSC pilot signal on almost every UHF channel not occupied by local stations, although most are very weak, in the 12-30% range. Strange, since its raining here, not usually a tropo type weather pattern.

haley-SEA

03-22-09, 06:39 AM

KEMV-DT locking downstate, KEMV,KAIT analogs in solid at least past 14 hours. KAIT-DT locked for a short time last night during a "Dancing With The Stars" rerun. Woke up to find a snow free KEMV 6 analog on the "skip" tv. I'm gone to work, have fun.

arxaw

03-22-09, 09:21 AM

I can record it [aetn], and use my dvr/TV to readjust...But some people don't have any way to fix the aspect ratio w/ their TVs, nor should they have to.

Maybe they just dont have any widescreen monitors yet, and are trying to use old 480i monitors to adjust stuff.I don't think they're adjusting anything. :rolleyes:

Davenlr

03-22-09, 03:03 PM

Its interesting. If you can imagine the numbers 1-50 across the screen horizontally, last night PBS-HD was showing 1-50, Digital KETG was cropping down to 20-80 but also pillarboxed THAT. KEMV alalog was using the digital cropped signal, cropping another 10, then zooming to eliminate the pillarboxes.

PBS-HD diring the credits had about 20% on either side of them.
KETG-DT cut off the first and last two letters of the credits
KEMV cut off the first and last two WORDS of the credits. Matter of fact, when they showed the 800 number to order the show from WNET, all you could see on KEMV was 1-800- and the rest was history.

They HAVE to be adjusting something. For the digital 720p channel, they just need to send out what they get in. For the analog, they just need to use the 4:3 portion of the 16:9 feed. NOTHING ELSE. No Zoom, no crop, no resize.

Every other station in the country can do it, what is it about AETN that is causing all this trouble?

BTW, I had to laugh when I drove by their studio Friday. I use a little 36" dish to pick up PBS National, theirs has to be like 30 FEET. Its HUGE. Talk about getting rid of rain fade. Sure would love to have one of those in my back yard. Probably has so much gain the sun melts the LNB during the solar outage :)

arxaw

03-24-09, 05:37 PM

From another thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16114738#post16114738) and Broadcasting & Cable:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/190618-Four_Stations_Waiting_For_FCC_Approval_On_Earlier_Analog_Cut _Off_Dates.php
DTV Notes
Four Stations Waiting For FCC Approval On Earlier Analog Cut-Off Dates
These full-power stations cited various hardships, circumstances that would make a June 12 switch difficult
By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable, 3/24/2009 1:19:19 PM MT

There are only four full-power TV stations whose analog cut-off dates the FCC still has to approve. They want to go earlier than the FCC is allowing without meeting conditions they say they can't meet.

So far, 637 stations have pulled the plug on analog. By last week, 927 stations had said they would keep the analog light burning until the June 12 hard date, while 158 said they wanted to go early. Of those, the vast majority simply had to self-certify that they were either not a Big Four network affiliate or that if they were, there would still be analog service from another Big Four affiliate through June 12, reaching at least 90% of their market. In that case, they pretty much had the green light to go between April 16 and June 12 without the FCC having to weigh in. A handful of noncommercial stations also got waivers to pull the plug before April 16, which is the earliest the FCC said they could start pulling the plug again after the Feb. 17 date.

But four affiliated stations that otherwise would not be able to end analog before June 12 joined the noncoms in pleading various hardships or exigent circumstances. They filed on March 17 and the FCC at press time had yet to make a decision, or at least announce one.

Here are the four affiliates--two each of CBS and Fox--whose analog cut-off date has yet to be officially deterimined.

Reiten Television's KXMB-TV Bismarck-Dicksinson, ND (CBS), said it wanted to go only two weeks early--May 28--so that it could cannibalize its analog transmitter to allow it to repurpose them in the digital equipment for a pair of its satellite stations with which it is able to reach its sparsely populated market.

Hoak Media's KAUZ-TV Wichita Falls (CBS) says it has to pull the plug early (May 21) so it can move the DTV antenna to the top of its tower mast currently occupied by the analog antenna. That means it can't provide analog nightlight service or guarantee that another affiliate will continue full service to 90% of the market because all other affiliates there have already switched off their analog.

Nexstar's KARD(TV) West Monroe, LA (Fox) wants to go on April 16, saying that it's operating at 50% power as it is because a transmission tube failed, resulting in "unstable operation." It says there are not replacement parts available, used parts are unreliable, and staffers have to travel 50 miles from the studio to the transmitter site. "This creates a hardship on station staff and imposes inefficient demands on the station’s resources and personnel time," says Nexstar, saying two to three visits per week are required to "monitor and shore up" its analog transmission facilities.

Rounding out the quartet is Mission Broadcasting's KTVE(TV) El Dorado, Ark. (NBC), which wants to pull the plug April 16 as well, trumping Nexstar with only 40% power to its analog transmitter and making strikingly similar arguments. That is no surprise since Nexstar owns the KTVE, too, under the Mission brand and the stations share the same hyphenated market (Monroe-El Dorado), as well as the same transmitter site.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/190618-Four_Stations_Waiting_For_FCC_Approval_On_Earlier_Analog_Cut _Off_Dates.php

haley-SEA

03-24-09, 06:12 PM

bpeacock22

03-27-09, 10:04 AM

arxaw

03-27-09, 02:11 PM

Sam,

Major error in the B&C article....KTVE and KARD of course do NOT share the same transmitter site. If they did, I would get both stations 24/7.

KARD is @ Columbia LA south of Monroe LA (near KNOE/KAQY/KLTM)

KTVE is at Bolding near Huttig AR and near the fringes of KARD's coverage area!Haley, thanks for the heads up. Maybe Nexstar/mission told someone their xmtr sites were co-located. Anyway, they're shutting before 6/12.

Davenlr

03-27-09, 06:48 PM

You all might find this humorous.... I got my "Orange AETN" coffee mug in the mail yesterday, my gift for my pledge donation. While wrapped nicely, the postal service managed to deliver it broken.

I had a service call in Conway today, and on a whim, as I drove by AETN, I stopped in to see if I could buy one that wasnt broken (I collect coffee mugs). They said it was no problem, and someone from the membership office came down the hall with a new unbroken one.

While waiting in the lobby, I noticed 4 nice 32" widescreen monitors mounted on the wall, behind the receptionist. One was labeled AETN ANALOG, was was AETN DIGITAL, one was CREATE, and I think the other was KIDS, not sure. In any case, they were all turned off.

I commented, more as a joke than anything else, "I see you cant pick up AETN either", and they BOTH immediately broke into comment after comment about how I was right, and they wish more people would bitch about it, and boy, did I open a can of worms. Dales Folly, as well as Dale came up SEVERAL times, along with the "Looks like he is gonna make us wait until June 12th". It was really funny seeing the monitors at the mothership couldnt even get their own signal. I almost volunteered to hooke the "AETN analog" one up to a good antenna pointed at KEMV :) And the Digital one, they should put KATV analog on, just to prove a point.

I really felt sorry for those people. They all seemed quite upset about not being on the air. I dont suppose it really affects that many people, since most have cable, or Dish. Its loss only really affects DirecTv subs and OTA users that cant get KTWN. I mentioned that, and they were really happy to hear KTWNs signal was getting close to Little Rock. I didnt have the heart to tell them it was to weak to watch unless a person spends $200 on an antenna system, or moves closer to Cabot :)

Davenlr

03-27-09, 06:52 PM

Yay, for KATV not having the equipment to keep from interrupting the HD signal when they have a weather bulletin. Really makes those commercials where they tout their superb digital quality, HD programming, and 5.1 surround sound stand out...

Dont watch em anymore, so couldnt comment about the HD to SD stuff, but I THINK technically, Prologic qualifies as 5.1, I dont think it has to be Dolby Digital to claim the moniker, but its sad they spent all that money on the new tower, trasmitter, and advertising, and dont even have Dolby Digital. Think they were the last station to go MTS stereo too werent they?

haley-SEA

03-27-09, 08:27 PM

Review of the new Channel Master CM4228HD, the Chinese one that replaced the older US made CM4228. Its not a good review

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

steveken

03-28-09, 04:54 PM

Wow, DirecTV STILL doesn't have WGN in HD! One would have thought by now they would. Hell, AT&T has it! lol Anyway, just wanted to post something here so we don't go another 3 days without a comment.

arxaw

03-28-09, 06:24 PM

Review of the new Channel Master CM4228HD, the Chinese one that replaced the older US made CM4228. Its not a good review

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

Haley, good find. Thanks for posting it. I was afraid of that, based on other user reviews.... I've installed a couple of these, with good results:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7694P
The CM 7777 preamp still seems to work well.

Davenlr

03-28-09, 06:40 PM

Haley, good find. Thanks for posting it. I was afraid of that, based on other user reviews.... I've installed a couple of these, with good results:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7694P
The CM 7777 preamp still seems to work well.

I wouldnt think that one would work to well given the 25 mile range it lists...Figured you would have to at least have the $120 one. Glad to hear it works. Ive seen two of them so far, in my travels...One was installed on a pole in a bucket of dirt, in a front yard about 8' off the ground, and about 60 mi from the nearest station, so thats impressive.
It appears the 7698P has two db more gain than my VHF-hi antenna, and the same gain as my Televes, which combined cost me over twice the price of the Winegard, so I guess they arent so overpriced. Unfortunantly, there is only one Winegard dealer within 75 miles of Little Rock, and thats in Hot Springs. Wonder why Lowes, Home Depot, Best Buy, etc dont carry name brand TV antennas?

arxaw

03-28-09, 09:17 PM

I wouldnt think that one would work to well given the 25 mile range it lists...Figured you would have to at least have the $120 one. Glad to hear it works. Ive seen two of them so far, in my travels...One was installed on a pole in a bucket of dirt, in a front yard about 8' off the ground, and about 60 mi from the nearest station, so thats impressive.If you look at the larger model$ in that line of Winegards, the gain increase for the bigger ones is not that much more. The 7694P seems to work fine around here for Springfield @ ~70mi away, or Fayettenam channels, ~45 mi away, depending on location. Since we're right on the edge of two markets, it all depends on the location and which side of a hill you're on. Hilltop dwellers get both, but a rotor & preamp is often required here.

For fifty bucks, the 7694P (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7694P) is a bargain. I also think the 25mi range is very conservative, perhaps done in the hopes you'll consider one of the more expensive models.

Davenlr

03-28-09, 10:00 PM

For fifty bucks, the 7694P (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7694P) is a bargain. I also think the 25mi range is very conservative, perhaps done in the hopes you'll consider one of the more expensive models.

From the PDF's on their site, the difference is 4db on both bands. Thats a fairly substantial amount of real gain, although in digital reception, I dont have a clue how that would equate to quality readings. I really wish I had access to a 1db step attenuator, so I could, for example, take a reading on KTWN, which JUST reads 100q on my meter, and step down, 1 db at a time, and see what the quality readings show. I do know the cutoff on my receiver is 50q, yet on my DTV receiver, KTWN reads 48-52, and is fully locked. Doesnt seem to be any standard as far as signal readings are concerned. To make things even weirder, last night, when the heavy thunderstorm passed just north of me, KTWN started pixellating, and finally dropped completely on both my Pansat and AM21 receivers, however, the Pansat still showed a quality reading of 98%, while the AM21 showed Error 771 - Searching for Signal. Makes me wonder just WHAT the Pansat is actually measuring (its readings are always twice as high as the AM21). Only my Echostar TR40 appears to be somewhat accurate (KATV and KLRT showing 98, while KARZ shows 72. The Pansat shows 100 on all the locals. Only watching skip signals does it vary across the range, as the skip comes and goes, which makes it a great receiver meter for antenna rotor aiming, as it usually shows SOME reading even when pointed the wrong way (and makes a great meter for nulling out a signal, as if it shows 0, its ZERO).

If you ever get to install a 7698P, Id be curious if you notice a big difference.

BTW, this is the result from using the Winegard "Antenna Selector" and answering all the questions for the Little Rock Market:

Recommended Antennas:
Please call Winegard Company Technical Services at 1-800-788-4417. Your area has special circumstances that require additional information.

Azanon

03-30-09, 01:43 PM

Quick question(s): My new TV (Sony 40Z4100) has a built-in IPG TV guide menu system system that's supposed to work if I use the TV's built-in tuner. 1. Is this guide information available in LR? 2. Is this guide "analog-based", meaning will I lose it come June 12, 2009? THX

(edit) I believe this is called TVGOS, and I seemed to have discovered there's both an analog and digital version of this. If I'm understanding what I'm seeing at rabbitears.info correctly, KTHV has provided digital TVGOS since 4/6/2008. So would that mean they carry the TV guide for all channels? I'm assuming now that my TV has the digital verson of TVGOS given that it's an 08' model.

(edit) I didn't read the fine print at that website - apparently KTHV was confirmed to NOT have digital TVGOS. Not sure why I would have assumed otherwise........

Trip in VA

03-30-09, 05:28 PM

Yeah, the last data I got from dmatch showed KTHV not carrying TVGOS. I don't think that's changed, though he'd have to confirm it.

In many places where the CBS station turned it down, they asked the PBS station to pick it up. Since AETN is off the air at the moment, it's irrelevant whether or not they have it. If AETN turns it down, then it's anyone's guess. I've seen it show up on a Fox affiliate and a CW affiliate, otherwise, all are CBS and PBS...

- Trip

Davenlr

03-30-09, 05:40 PM

BtW, if you turn that channel 5 antenna on your garage, and point it due North, there is a chance you will pick up PBS KEMV analog 6 from Mt View with it. Im getting a good signal here, and you are higher than I am. Otherwise, point it at 78 degrees and it will be a good WMC Memphis getter :)

RockyF

03-30-09, 06:02 PM

I changed the TVGOS host channel on my Sony HD-DVR to 11.1 several months ago, and the issues I was having with missing guide data went away and I haven't had anymore problems. I took that to assume that KTHV-DT IS broadcasting the TVGOS data, but I could be wrong.

Trip in VA

03-30-09, 06:08 PM

I forgot the mention, it doesn't matter who has TVGOS at the moment as I'm told it's down until the first or second week of April at the earliest.

- Trip

dmatch

03-30-09, 09:08 PM

@Trip (or anyone else who might know):

What do you look for in TSReader to tell if a channel is carrying TVGOS data? I might check from time to time if I knew what to look for.

dmatch

Trip in VA

03-30-09, 09:25 PM

dmatch

03-30-09, 09:34 PM

Thanks, I will take a look for those indicators.

dmatch

steveken

03-30-09, 09:44 PM

Funny, I am getting TVGOS data on my Samsung TV in the bedroom that is only being fed by my outdoor antenna. Aside from KARK showing Medium right now when Heroes is on, everything is right. *shrug*

dmatch

03-30-09, 11:11 PM

PIDs are 0x0111 and 0x0112.

http://www.rabbitears.info/screencaps/mo-spr/51102-0_0.htm

That's a screencap from KOZK in Springfield MO. Note under Program 3 in the PMT the "TVG1" and "TVG2" fields. You should be able to easily find them without doing an export.

Though if you do find them, I'd love a new export.

- TripKTHV-DT (11/12) has the TVG1 and TVG2 PIDs for TVGOS. I have attached a .txt file (it's actually a .htm file) with TSReader data to update KTHV-DT at your website.

dmatch

Trip in VA

03-30-09, 11:19 PM

Awesome news. My site is now updated. I'll post the new capture later on when I do an upload.

- Trip

gtsouheaver

03-31-09, 10:48 AM

Gemstar was bought by Macrovision and has a contract for TVGOS to be broadcast on subcarriers of CBS affiliates nationwide.

Like Rocky F, I have been getting the LIttle Rock TVGOS by tuning to 11.1 (air) or KTHV HD on Comcast Cable (channel 433). I have an older analog SONY HDD records/tuner, so I had to "force" the unit to use KTHV as the "Host" channel for TVGOS.

Details are on this link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14423155#post14423155

BTW, the TVGOS is excellent as it provides lists for all AIR, Cable programs (depending upon how you set it up, i.e. for on-air or cable).

arxaw

03-31-09, 11:35 AM

From the PDF's on their site, the difference is 4db on both bands. I saw the gain comparisons at a different site (not Winegard), and there was little difference, especially for channels in use around here. But the site was likely wrong. Regardless, I think the gain shown for the 7694P may be conservative, because the 7694P works very well around here, for channels up to 70 mi away. I doubt I'll be installing any of its bigger brothers, when the 7694P works just fine and is significantly cheaper. Also, there is less potential for wind/ice problems with fewer elements.

...BTW, the TVGOS is excellent as it provides lists for all AIR, Cable programs.YMMV, depending on where you live. There are several missing channels on my TVGOS (when it works). And I cannot get it to show more channels than one DMA at a time. :(

haley-SEA

04-01-09, 09:48 AM

KTVE's waiver to allow it to shut off channel 10 analog is still pending with the FCC, but two other stations were approved according to this Broadcasting And Cable (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/190981-FCC_Approves_Two_Hardship_Waivers_For_Early_Analog_Cut_offs. php) article.

KARD 14 is also pending, but the early shutdown of KTVE's analog channel will allow KETZ to go on the air on channel 10 and provide DTV service for AETN in Southeast Arkansas two months prior to June 12.

Arkyman

04-01-09, 12:36 PM

I've been out of the loop for a while. Any new powered up channels I should scan for today in the LR or FS markets?

BTW, guys, I cant really tell you why, but my Winegard HD8000 picks up much stronger signals than my Winegard PR9032 and CM4228 setup. The UHF combo wont pick up any LR stations very well. FS stations are borderline locked/unlocked and 24.1 wont lock at all. The HD8000 picks up LR strong and if you swing it to the FS side, it gets about 20 points higer on signal strenght from all FS stations and it locks 24.1 in the 70% range. Location of the two antennas is about 30 feet apart and I do know that location in a fringe area like mine is very key. Just thought I'd throw this out becasue the winegard versions you all are talking about are similar to the HD8000 that I have.

arxaw

04-01-09, 01:13 PM

...BTW, guys, I cant really tell you why, but my Winegard HD8000 picks up much stronger signals than my Winegard PR9032 and CM4228 setup....

Just thought I'd throw this out becasue the winegard versions you all are talking about are similar to the HD8000 that I have.Do you mean HD8200? They are very similar, except for the missing lowband VHF elements, which are no longer needed in LR/FSM/FAY/Springfield DMAs. Perhaps that's why they work so well. :)

Arkyman

04-01-09, 02:10 PM

Do you mean HD8200? They are very similar, except for the missing lowband VHF elements, which are no longer needed in LR/FSM/FAY/Springfield DMAs. Perhaps that's why they work so well. :)

Yeah...I meant 8200:D I'm already forgetting the numbers. I knew the others were just shortened versions of my antenna. That would really help in wind loads for sure. I did some researching on here before I bought mine. I believe Rick in the OTA threads said he did some testing and found the HD8200 to have better reception capabilities than the cut down versions. He stated he really did not understand why this would be but it was what he found. Of course, if I remember correctly, that was specifically for certain channels in the UHF band. I think the rest of it came out pretty even. At the time I was not sure if I'd still need the full blown antenna or the cut down version so I just got the traditional one.

Davenlr

04-02-09, 06:39 PM

Anyone notice the audio lip sync on NbC nightly news keeps getting off while they are superimposing the radar on the screen?

steveken

04-03-09, 10:24 PM

*insert crickets chirping here*

Davenlr

04-03-09, 10:27 PM

To cold for crickets. Got it on mp3?

steveken

04-03-09, 11:11 PM

I haven't watched KTHV since I brought this up, and it's been a week or two since I said it, but I will say this again to Alison Fletcher (since she is the only one I know of at KTHV that actually looks at this forum from time to time). PLEASE do something to get the audio during live news broadcasts on THV2 under control!!!! Please!!! Whether it be going and talking to Audas or someone in Engineering, SOMETHING has got to be done about the audio level on THV2 during the newscasts!

I just flipped between KTHV and THV2 during the 10:00PM newscast and the problem is VERY VERY VERY evident. With the volume at 15 on my Vista Media Center on 11.1, the sound is tolerable and normal. Flip the channel to 11.2, with the volume still at 15, and it sounds as if the volume has been cranked up to at least 35 along with heavy distortion of the audio when the newscasters talk. This is a problem that should NOT be there. It's ridiculous to have this kind of a problem on a "professional" station.

Another problem on 11.1 is the fact that during the times when the newscasters are talking, there is an audible buzz in the background. It's especially noticable because when it's switched to a pre-recorded package, the buzz goes away.

I just simply don't understand why things like this are present on a channel that is advanced like KTHV is beyond the present state of the other stations. Is it really that hard to get rid of such obvious problems as the ones I have brought up here????

Again, PLEASE GET THIS FIXED!!! It makes the station look like a bunch of amateurs.

Davenlr

04-03-09, 11:30 PM

. Flip the channel to 11.2, with the volume still at 15, and it sounds as if the volume has been cranked up to at least 35.

To be exact, 11.2 is 13db louder than 11.1, and on a scope the peaks are flat topping as the clipper kicks in.
Really should be very noticable on their scopes, and is more than likely in violation of fcc limits, if there are any these days.

It actually sounds EXACTLY like a Panamanian FM Stereo station in 1976. They used to CRANK THE HELL out of the audio trying to top the other stations in the country. Some were cranked SO HIGH, the audio modulated over the pilot signal, and caused the stereo to kick off on every peak, as well as cause the station to be next to impossible to tune in correctly, and sounded like crap on any radio that cost over $5. Thankfully, the military ran a AFRTS station, which sounded good, and got out great from its mountaintop location.

steveken

04-03-09, 11:32 PM

To be exact, 11.2 is 13db louder than 11.1, and on a scope the peaks are flat topping as the clipper kicks in.
Really should be very noticable on their scopes, and is more than likely in violation of fcc limits, if there are any these days.

It actually sounds EXACTLY like a Panamanian FM Stereo station in 1976. They used to CRANK THE HELL out of the audio trying to top the other stations in the country. Some were cranked SO HIGH, the audio modulated over the pilot signal, and caused the stereo to kick off on every peak, as well as cause the station to be next to impossible to tune in correctly, and sounded like crap on any radio that cost over $5. Thankfully, the military ran a AFRTS station, which sounded good, and got out great from its mountaintop location.
Thanks for letting me know exactly how much louder. I was guessing 20db, but thought that was a bit high. Is there nothing we can do to get this BS fixed???

dmatch

04-03-09, 11:38 PM

snip...
It actually sounds EXACTLY like a Panamanian FM Stereo station in 1976....snipSo you might say that KTHV-DT2 is third world quality.:rolleyes:

BTW, KETS appears to be off the air for at least the last 30 minutes. Blank screens on KTWN-LD2 and Dishnet. They can't even live up to third world standards.

dmatch

Davenlr

04-03-09, 11:39 PM

Well, Im not getting any sound at all now, on 11.2. I was comparing Lettermans audio level to 11.2's regular level (which is pretty balanced). It appears to mainly be just the news thats HOT.

KEMV 6 is still on. Noticed earlier today KTWN was running the radar on channel 1, 2, and 3, and an informercial on 4. I think its computerized, so there is no telling whats gonna be on what channel when. KETS seems to pop up, and pop out at random. The only constant, is the half wit Fox news audio, with static.

dmatch

04-03-09, 11:51 PM

I guess that means that KAFT-DT is down then. I think I read here that is where the Dishnet signal comes from and KTWN-LD2 used to use the Dishnet signal. I also see that KEMV 6 is still on.

dmatch

Davenlr

04-03-09, 11:52 PM

North Korea SAT 1 enroute to orbit...If there is actually a SAT on top of the rocket hehehe.

I dont know anything about Dishnet. I do know KTWN usually has a pretty good cropped version of AETN, whereever they get it. Ill be happy when June 12th passes, and we can all get down to the business of bitching about aspect ratios and audio levels, since there wont be any analog switchers to blame anymore.

steveken

04-04-09, 09:46 AM

A little off topic, but I have this old ARRL Antenna handbook from like 1993 that I used like maybe one time in the past 16 years. I got it free at a hamfest (I think the Mena one). Does anyone want it or have a use for it? I am trying to clear down some of the junk I Have laying around before we actually have to move.

Hell, since I am offering that, does anyone want an old HTX-202 Radio Shack 2-meter HT for anything? The unit itself still works, but the audio level coming out of the main speaker is extremely low. I have an aftermarket battery on it and the 6-cell AA battery pack. I am not quite sure where the charger for it is, but it can be charged with any regular external power adapter you can get that does the right voltage and current. I think somewhere around here I have the hand mic for it (the coiled one that plugs into the top). I was thinking about selling it on eBay for parts or something, but if someone here wants it (either offer me something for it or to take it for free), let me know.

Now, back to your regular scheduled programming.

arxaw

04-04-09, 10:06 AM

I guess that means that KAFT-DT is down then.KAFT-DT 13-1,2,3,4 are on, at least this morning. Don't know about yesterday.

dmatch

04-04-09, 10:18 AM

AETN is back on KTWN-LD2 this morning too. Probably was a short-lived programming gone blank screen SNAFU and not a transmission antenna outage.

dmatch

Davenlr

04-04-09, 02:32 PM

Anyone around Pulaski Co area have an old Phase 3 Directv dish (with or without LNBF), or a couple 18" dishes with LNBs they want to get rid of? Im trying to help a guy who wants to install a receiver out in his workshop, and we need something that will hit 101 and 119. I have all sorts of parts, but nothing matches. I have single sat dishes with no lnbs, a triple sat lnb with no dish, an HD 5 sat dish with lnbs and a broken 110/119 support arm... Trying to make up something that will work.

dlott

04-04-09, 10:36 PM

Davenlr

04-04-09, 10:59 PM

I have one of the old round ones with the LNB. Sent you a PM with contact number if you are interested

Thanks. He ended up having to order a phase3 so he can get locals...

oscarg

04-06-09, 05:27 PM

Anyone know if the new 6:30 newscast on KTHV will be in HD? I've noticed some of their commercials promoting it recently are in "stunning" HD.

RockyF

04-06-09, 06:03 PM

Anyone know if the new 6:30 newscast on KTHV will be in HD? I've noticed some of their commercials promoting it recently are in "stunning" HD.

I've been assuming so, due to the commercials, but the 5pm news right now is not. They could be holding back until 6:30, but I don't know why they would wait. Weird. I'll check again when I get home though.

dmatch

04-06-09, 07:45 PM

Once again there is no EPG data for KATV-DT (at least 2 days now and counting). Would e-mail Allenf but never received a reply as to what e-mail address to notify. Also, none for KLRT-DT.

dmatch

steveken

04-06-09, 07:51 PM

Figures, they use the HD camera to record pretty, widescreen commercials touting their new 6:30 news, but then they do SD broadcasts.

arxaw

04-06-09, 09:44 PM

Once again there is no EPG data for KATV-DT (at least 2 days now and counting). Would e-mail Allenf but never received a reply as to what e-mail address to notify. Also, none for KLRT-DT.http://cfc.katv.com/contact.cfm

Not sure how to contact klrt.

dmatch

04-06-09, 10:15 PM

http://cfc.katv.com/contact.cfm

Not sure how to contact klrt.Thanks, I know about that link but Allenf had said to e-mail him when the EPG SNAFUs but didn't give his e-mail address and didn't respond when I asked for it.

Actually, since Nicholson is so concerned about what the FCC "dictates" (EPG included) they should be held to the precedence that he set when pontificating recently about why KATV analog has blocked KETS-DT's return to the air. That is the only reason I ever even look at KATV-DT anymore and would be sending ever complaint possible to the FCC about KATV-DT if not for causing trouble for Allenf.

Yes, it's a grudge.

dmatch

allenf

04-07-09, 08:14 AM

Thanks, I know about that link but Allenf had said to e-mail him when the EPG SNAFUs but didn't give his e-mail address and didn't respond when I asked for it.

Actually, since Nicholson is so concerned about what the FCC "dictates" (EPG included) they should be held to the precedence that he set when pontificating recently about why KATV analog has blocked KETS-DT's return to the air. That is the only reason I ever even look at KATV-DT anymore and would be sending ever complaint possible to the FCC about KATV-DT if not for causing trouble for Allenf.

Yes, it's a grudge.

dmatch

My bad-

afinne@katv.com

ad5kl

04-07-09, 09:53 AM

I know that THV2 is already in stunning HD - HIGH DECIBEL!

So loud it will stun you.

dsettlemoir

04-07-09, 07:49 PM

Not HD (at least tonight) on the 6:30 pm KTHV newscast just cheesy virtual sets in 4:3 SD.

On the other hand I noticed Entertainment Tonight on KARK is in HD. Either they got HD timeshifting equipment or they are showing a semi-live HD sat feed.

David

steveken

04-08-09, 12:33 AM

You know, I find myself wondering "Why don't local stations try to come on here every now and then to talk to us?" I mean, what would it hurt? I am not talking about the engineers, but instead management or other people that work there.

I look at it this way, in the case of KTHV we could actually help them fix problems with their 11.2 audio during newscasts. Or, they could let us in the loop on things that go on. I know we aren't a big audience to address here, but it sure would go a long way. We could spread the word about good things that are going to happen, we could help them fix problems they are having and don't realize it, we could give a general sample of the population and voice our likes or dislikes about stuff (kinda like a survey group). What could it possibly hurt???

Davenlr

04-08-09, 12:45 AM

In 3 words...THEY DON'T CARE

haley-SEA

04-08-09, 08:40 AM

If the major advertisers such as...

Colman Dairy
Hanke Brothers
Landers

...would address the concerns that we have been talking about for YEARS, I think there would be a change of heart with some of the local management. They (and their corporate masters) are the ones that hold the key in progress.

The best analogy of current Little Rock DTV/HDTV perhaps would be 1960's Razorback Basketball ("....okay we must play the schedule, but lets spend as little money as possible").

Some markets smaller than Little Rock already have at least one local station airing widescreen and/or HD local newscasts. Perhaps when the economy improves some of the dinosaur equipment will be replaced, but nothing has been made on the local front from 2005 to present except for getting transmitters on the air even during the "good" times.

RockyF

04-08-09, 08:57 AM

To be a little less cynical than Davenlr, (who's probably right :)) you kind of said it yourself, we're a small fraction of the audience. Since this is a technical forum, I think it's great that we've got engineering representatives of about all the stations giving input on here. To take it a little further though, I would think that each of the stations could add "discussion forum" type areas to their own websites to encourage the kind of interaction you're referring to, with management and even on-air personalities participating. Something like that could work, broken down into different catagories, like network programming, local news, sports, and of course for us, technical. It would need to be moderated though, so it didn't degenerate into what arkansastvnews blogspot turned into.

CorpITGuy

04-08-09, 09:12 AM

I suspect the reason they don't communicate with us is related to their corporate parents. They are more than likely told to keep their mouths shut and fingers off the keyboard. :)

CorpITGuy

04-08-09, 03:01 PM

Dish appears to have put the KLRT2 guide data up on their EPG:
14188 - KLRT2 [EPG] added to EchoStar10 110W TP 18 Spotbeam 15 (NA)(Little Rock, AR-FOX)

Unfortunately, it appears that they only did this on 110W Spotbeam 15... why not 77W for EA 1000.4 setups?

So, good news for those of you wanting EPG guide data on your VIP from Dish for OTA KLRT2 broadcasts... providing you have a satellite pointed at 110W. :-/

BelElDel

04-08-09, 08:57 PM

In 3 words...THEY DON'T CARE

That's right, Davenlr, they don't care what you or anyone else thinks about the way they operate their station(s) and haven't for years. The bottom line with any commercial broadcast tv station is MONEY, and sales rules. They will get by the cheapest way possible. As I understand it, KTHV no longer has a master control and switching is done in North Carolina (this could account for the audio problems that this station has had for years). Don't know if they even have a "Technical" department anymore, but someone is supposed to be looking after their transmitter(s). I am betting that management at any station in this market will not communicate with you on this forum.

steveken

04-08-09, 10:12 PM

If they don't have a technical department, what exactly does Alison Fletcher do up there? On her business cards it says something like Technical Director or something to that effect. She was the one who interviewed me for a technical job a year or so ago.

bigwesar

04-09-09, 12:45 PM

I haven't noticed any of the audio problems on thv that you guys are talking about.

Are you getting thv from broadcast, cable or sat?

steveken

04-09-09, 01:26 PM

I haven't noticed any of the audio problems on thv that you guys are talking about.

Are you getting thv from broadcast, cable or sat?
Guess you have never watched THV2 (i.e. 11-2, 11.2, channel 11 sub-channel 2, whatever you wanna call it) during a live news cast.

bigwesar

04-09-09, 01:30 PM

Guess you have never watched THV2 (i.e. 11-2, 11.2, channel 11 sub-channel 2, whatever you wanna call it) during a live news cast.

I have. Off cable (Conway Corp) and over the air via a converter box.

Davenlr

04-09-09, 10:21 PM

steveken

04-10-09, 12:47 AM

I wonder, you think bombarding the on-air talent about the audio problems on THV2 would get anyone talking to engineering or someone who can control the levels? Maybe they can pull the buzz off the audio as well on there.

haley-SEA

04-10-09, 01:42 AM

Emergency power weather spot check test...

Portable digital/analog w/built in rod antenna on batteries...
CH16 analog watchable
ch11 analog weak
ch 7 digital (lock with break ups)
ch16 digital occasional lock

all the rest, forget it.

This is NOT good. Without an external (i.e. directional) antenna, TV is NOT going to work for power out emergency coverage once analog shuts down. I see now I am going to need to supplement my emergency setup with a portable non-powered directional antenna for emergencies.

Its obvious KATVs addition of some vertical polarity is extremely helpful for portable use, as its the only digital I can lock on good enough to get enough radar and scroll to read.

Weather radio working 100%

Two meter Skywarn (on scanner) is 100%

Just an observation.... How come some of the local stations scale back their non-stop coverage of storm lines after the line clears Little Rock? Is Lonoke, and Prairie Co not in their DMA, or do they just not care about rice farmers? Just curious.

I watched off and on some of the wall to wall coverage. I noticed breakups on KARK and KATV on the fringe and also the usual ones on KTHV although not nearly as bad as before I installed the YA1713. There was one storm cell that got close and I observed some lighting nearby.

KATV for their screwups over the years did well with the new antenna/transmitter setup. KARZ (KARK's sister station) had some issues during the 10pm-11pm hour, mainly with a frozen image that stayed there for a while.

Downstate, KTVE El Dorado is analog only for all practical purposes. The DTV transmitter is on the air but not broadcasting anything, and there is not even any PSIP being displayed just a digital "dead carrier" on channel 27.

I listened to the Little Rock 146.940 ham radio repeater and also 146.640 from Fort Smith earlier tonight.

CorpITGuy

04-10-09, 10:44 AM

I was able to lock 4, 7, 11 and 16 during the storms, but they all broke up a lot. 7 was by far the best. My DTV Pal did much better than the Vizio's tuner.

I liked the use of sub-channels (7 and 11) and sister stations (KARK-KARZ) for weather bulletins. I was happy during "The Office" last night as KARK only broke into programming for a few minutes and then basically said, "if you want to stay with us, flip over to KARZ." They left the big network shows on NBC alone, as much as they could. I really appreciated that!

It was kinda funny watching THV2 last night. The off-color jokes are hilarious. Several times I heard, "remember you're still on the air on THV2" after racy comments were made. ;)

What was with the channel 11 guy making the weird faces and movements during the THV2 broadcast? Does he have Parkinson's?

ad5kl

04-10-09, 10:44 AM

Was nice to have KLRT 16 storm coverage available live online. With that & Weather Tap I was able from Dallas to call my folks in Hot Springs Village & keep them on the phone with updates as it went over. They had already headed for the basement (no TV) when their NOAA weather radio alerted them that their part of Garland County was under a tornado warning. Luckily no tornado in the village but it was the same cell from Mena.

bigwesar

04-10-09, 02:45 PM

What was with the channel 11 guy making the weird faces and movements during the THV2 broadcast? Does he have Parkinson's?

Ed? He has Tourette's. They did a story on it a couple of years ago.

steveken

04-10-09, 04:39 PM

Ed? He has Tourette's. They did a story on it a couple of years ago.
Really beginning to wonder where you come up with the stuff you say.

jstrossner

04-10-09, 04:49 PM

Really beginning to wonder where you come up with the stuff you say.

bigwesar is correct http://www.tsa-usa.org/People/LivingWithTS/Images/FamPort_Win07_EBuckner.pdf

steveken

04-10-09, 07:07 PM

Well, so far, my email to the weather people at KTHV about the audio on THV2 has done no good apparently. The volume difference is still quite obvious and annoying. It may not be *as* loud, but its still louder than it should with the annoying hum under the audio. Really loud. Oh well.

Listening to the "Behind the Scenes" stuff, apparently the technical director is "Reggie". I bet thats the person we need to bitch at. :)

Edit: apparently it is still as bad. Vista volume level of 30 on 11-1 is just as loud as volume 13 or 12 on 11-2.

steveken

04-10-09, 07:32 PM

Holy crap "Entertainment Tonight" looks great!!! I have never watched the show before, but I might start now if its going to look that good.

dmatch

04-10-09, 11:40 PM

fly_daddy

04-11-09, 10:55 AM

Haven't seen this posted here yet.

Equity Media TV Auction Scheduled (http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/78062)

haley-SEA

04-11-09, 02:28 PM

KETZ-DT (El Dorado) has to wait two more months for KTVE (El Dorado) to shutdown analog. FCC denies KTVE and sister station KARD hardship waivers.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/196011-FCC_Denies_Nexstar_DTV_Hardship_Waivers.php?rssid=20065

Davenlr

04-11-09, 03:31 PM

Some key line items from the AETN Foundations April newsmagazine I just received:
A.Technical/Operations
1. Gaining FCC approval of a requested digital channel reassignment
2. A new production truck with four cameras and video servers to transfer programs shot in the field more quickly
3. A new master control automation system for management of four digital channels
4. The purchase of a high definition field camera and a crane to help safely adjust studio lighting
5. A federal grant to purchase a new editing system
6. A $600,000 grant to expand digital coverage for KEMV-DT at Fox near Mountain View
7 Connectivity for the Broadcast Automation System
8. Enhanced server storage for HDTV, virtual server technology, and redundancy
9. Uninterruptable power supplies for AETNs major technical areas

Total 2008 Revenue: $14,426,225
Total Expenditures: $12,716,680
Net assets $13,772,673
Adjustments: Equipement -$1,637,562
Net Assets June 30, 2008 $12,120,591

Expenses: Programming Services 84%
Member Services 8%
Management and General 8%

Operating Revenue: State 64%
Indiviuals 12%
Federal 11%
Corporate 8%
Project Underwriting 3%
Other 2%

Sounds like they are getting their ducks in a row for some good HD, and time shifting.
Now, if they can fix that pesky aspect ratio/zoom issue, we will be in business. go NOVA and NATURE

steveken

04-11-09, 04:08 PM

Haven't seen this posted here yet.

Equity Media TV Auction Scheduled (http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/78062)
There ya go, Dave. There's ya a nice TV station you can buy to rebroadcast PBS-HD and Cardinal games in HD for everyone. :)

arxaw

04-11-09, 07:00 PM

KETZ-DT (El Dorado) has to wait two more months for KTVE (El Dorado) to shutdown analog. FCC denies KTVE and sister station KARD hardship waivers.That's just ignurnt. Nobody's watching analog television any more. And any stragglers that might be, need to get off their asses and hook up a converter box. The only thing that will make them do that is to shut down analog.

Some key line items from the AETN Foundations April newsmagazine I just received:
A.Technical/Operations
1. Gaining FCC approval of a requested digital channel reassignmentI wonder which channel?

6. A $600,000 grant to expand digital coverage for KEMV-DT at Fox near Mountain ViewHopefully, to triple the ERP.

...Now, if they can fix that pesky aspect ratio/zoom issue, we will be in business.That would require someone who:
a. Has a clue.
b. Cares.

I just cringe when I flip on 13-1 and see that stupid shrunken postage stamp image, buried in several layers of letterboxing/pillarboxing.

arxaw

04-11-09, 07:09 PM

AETN has apparently dropped their dash-4 sub channel, which for a while, was carrying audio-only reading services for the blind.

Trip in VA

04-11-09, 09:10 PM

I wonder which channel?

That's a very good question. I just checked and I don't see any pending channel change requests in the whole state.

Anyone have any details on this?

- Trip

steveken

04-11-09, 09:21 PM

That's a very good question. I just checked and I don't see any pending channel change requests in the whole state.

Anyone have any details on this?

- Trip
It is more than likely referring to old information regarding them wanting 7 instead of, what was it, 43? That seems more probable to me.

Davenlr

04-11-09, 10:01 PM

There ya go, Dave. There's ya a nice TV station you can buy to rebroadcast PBS-HD and Cardinal games in HD for everyone. :)

Yep. 1.5 million for KKYK (dont know if thats the one in LR, Camden or both). IF I had 1.5 million, I would program the main channel at 1080i with PBS-HD, and run an RTN affiliate as a subchannel. During Cards games, I would drop the main channel to 720p and run the cards in 720p, and preempt RTN. No reason that I am aware of, that a station cannot switch between 72op and 1080i depending on content.

Davenlr

04-11-09, 10:03 PM

That's a very good question. I just checked and I don't see any pending channel change requests in the whole state.

Anyone have any details on this?

- Trip

The report is for 2008, so Im guessing the "channel change" was the channel 5 to 7 approval.

Trip in VA

04-11-09, 10:06 PM

Yep. 1.5 million for KKYK (dont know if thats the one in LR, Camden or both). IF I had 1.5 million, I would program the main channel at 1080i with PBS-HD, and run an RTN affiliate as a subchannel. During Cards games, I would drop the main channel to 720p and run the cards in 720p, and preempt RTN. No reason that I am aware of, that a station cannot switch between 72op and 1080i depending on content.

KFOX in El Paso flips to 1080i for football games and 720p the rest of the time.

The report is for 2008, so Im guessing the "channel change" was the channel 5 to 7 approval.

Ah, that makes sense then.

- Trip

Davenlr

04-12-09, 12:47 AM

Does anyone know what company makes the Vhf/UHF antenna that resembles the very bad drawing I am about to make below?

-<

Back in ~1970, Winegard made a HUGE one, that looked like this -)<

I recently saw several of a cheap knock off of this antenna on several roofs in the Jonesboro area pointed toward Memphis. I saw one online once and noted how retro that looked, but after seeing several in Jonesboro, the antenna might have some gain, and Im curious who makes it, sells it.

Anyone with links, please post or email.

EDIT: Found an old advert for it, this is what it looks like:
http://i40.tinypic.com/2hegies.jpg

steveken

04-12-09, 12:57 PM

49 is off the air on DirecTV again, so no Cardinals game for us.

steveken

04-12-09, 12:59 PM

Very thick clouds with this storm. Getting EXTREMELY low readings even on the 101 satellite.

Davenlr

04-12-09, 01:47 PM

49 is off the air on DirecTV again, so no Cardinals game for us.

Watch it on channel 20.

Also check D* ch 678, and 743 at gametime (freeview) and if none of those options work, there is always the weather channel.

EDIT: getting game on all three channels here now. no blackout.

steveken

04-12-09, 02:04 PM

Through the snow I *might* be able to make out the ball on Channel 20.

I had forgotten the freeview was through today, but is it really going to be on if only KSDK covers it? 743 is nothing but an "Upcoming" thing. But the Rangers are on 721, that is if you can stomach their lousy playing again. :)

And, duh, stupid me forgot that since they are playing the Astronuts that it would be on FSH. :) I guess we get FSH along with the FSSW cause our area? Or would FSH be off and I am only seeing it cause my "Sports Pak"?

Davenlr

04-12-09, 02:09 PM

Sports pak. Only get FSSW with package here, unless they changed it since I last checked. I get the sports pak and MLBEI, so I dont have any way to tell.

steveken

04-12-09, 02:13 PM

Is EI really worth anything? From everything I could tell, unless you had Sports Pak along with it, you would hardly ever see the Cards play.

steveken

04-12-09, 02:16 PM

You know, I think if I were DirecTV, I would just pull 49 off the satellite and give it to a station that truly deserves it.

Davenlr

04-12-09, 02:18 PM

Need both for cards. Im a Brewers follower. Sports pak for College baseball, and when cards play Brewers.

steveken

04-12-09, 02:19 PM

Just looked at 20. Its not *real* bad, but its got its ghosting issues from moment to moment. At least it's in color today. :) Last time I looked at it, it was so bad it was black and white. It's at least watchable. May switch over there when I get sick of the Houston announcers. :)

Davenlr

04-12-09, 02:20 PM

You know, I think if I were DirecTV, I would just pull 49 off the satellite and give it to a station that truly deserves it.

Like channel 58?

steveken

04-12-09, 02:23 PM

Like channel 58?
Is that the "latino" channel? Isn't that another equity station? I don't think I have ever seen it, so I wouldn't know.

Edit: Yeah, thats that latino one. It is way worse than 20 is for me. At least I can hear consistent audio (for the whole 30 seconds I checked it out). I couldn't hardly hear anything on 58 other than the static. Completely unwatchable.

Davenlr

04-12-09, 02:35 PM

Is that the "latino" channel? Isn't that another equity station? I don't think I have ever seen it, so I wouldn't know.

Yea, its Univision (Equity). Im having a retro day. Im watching the cards game on channel 20 (actually had to turn the antenna to get rid of ghosts), but the picture is pristine for analog. Hated those Houston announcers.

Channel 9 is transmitting a "No Signal, check settings" screen, rare to see on a station taking a C band feed.

Having to point the antenna 20 degrees off KKYK to keep the overload bars from the amp overloading on KLRT analog from wiping out the picture. Ill be so happy when they turn that transmitter off. It causes me more trouble here. Its all over the band blocking digitals, and causing havoc.

haley-SEA

04-13-09, 12:47 PM

I've noticed that analog 20 here is somewhat weaker, and that analog 36 (KKAP) has its strongest signal (its even visible here in the day near Star City)--but it has its own issues.

I decided to rough it and downgrade to the Dish "HD" only service and the cheapest one at that. There are a few channels that I miss, but I get most of the basic things that are needed. However, its not 100% HD only, just only the networks that are also in HD, plus the usual homeshopping/religion/public service/barker offal. I also dropped locals since I didn't need them (since there is very little I find of interest on MyNetwork TV). Downside of course on Dish is losing the program guide, but I would never get it for KETG-DT when it would drift in.

And its going to be another 60 days of OTA fringe AETN reception here. Thank you FCC!
(hopefully AETN can get their act together in that time with the aspect ratios)

And Dave, If you want to "DX" channel 6 analog stations, there are two that are going off the air this week....

KTAL 6 Texarkana/Shreveport (NBC) on April 16--silent
WABG 6 Greenwood/Greenville MS (nightlight service ends) on April 18--silent

Two others seen in extreme NC-NW AR from Springfield MO are going to be gone also on the 16th...
KOLR 10 (CBS)--to flash cut to DTV
KSFX 27 (FOX) --going silent

Davenlr

04-13-09, 10:23 PM

Thanks, but I get KEMV on ch 6 really stong here even at half power (which is very weird, since I can barely get KEMV-DT at all). Doubt Shreveport could override it unless we get a killer opening this week.

Which reminds me, I have to drive to Mountain View (by Fox) tomorrow. Ill see if I can snap a photo of the tower and we can see where the DT antenna is. Im guessing its on the opposite side of the tower from me :)

I manually edited the guide data table for KETS DT to tune 18-2, so I can actually schedule recordings (in SD of course) on SageTv DVR for those AETN only shows I want to watch "Like: The Buffalo flows" which is coming on at 4/18 at 5 AM, and 4/29 at 9 pm. Great show on the Buffalo River and its history.

arxaw

04-13-09, 10:33 PM

It is more than likely referring to old information regarding them wanting 7 instead of, what was it, 43? Channel 47. The one they would be broadcasting on today, were it not for their stupidity.

American Experience was on tonight, on PBS.
On KOZK-DT, Springfield, it was 16:9 & 720p. Looked pretty good.
On KAFT-DT, Fayetteville, it was 16:9, cropped to 4:3. Looked like crap.
On KAFT analog, it was 4:3, stretched to 16:9 (fat people), then cropped back to 4:3. Unwatchable.

Davenlr

04-13-09, 10:39 PM

Im wondering if they are just doing that to make the analog feeds work, and will go to full 16:9 when thry dont have to worry about the analogs anymore.

I think its funny watching KeMV and seeing their own AETN logo cut off.

jim9251

04-13-09, 10:52 PM

Watching American Experience tonight on AETN KAFT-DT OTA anyone know why it wasn't in HD? Was in 4:3. The promo said the series is shot in HD.

Trip in VA

04-13-09, 11:15 PM

While we're on the subject of AETN, my site's listings for the subchannels on AETN's stations are massively out of date. Can someone fill me in on just what they're up to this week?

- Trip

Davenlr

04-13-09, 11:21 PM

-1 AETN, -2 Kids/Create, -3 Scholar
According to their April Program guide.

Trip in VA

04-13-09, 11:39 PM

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=kets

That look about right? I mean, assuming KETS-DT was on the air. The others look identical except for channel numbers and call signs.

- Trip

Davenlr

04-13-09, 11:53 PM

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=kets

That look about right? I mean, assuming KETS-DT was on the air.

Yep, looks good to me.

haley-SEA

04-14-09, 07:33 AM

Even with pointing the 10 element yagi (Winegard YA1713) at Gurdon, I could only get inconsistent locking. I watched much of last night's Antiques Roadshow and American Experience on the analog set (while viewing the DTV breakups with a separate monitor w/converter box). Occasionally KETG-DT would lock in but it wasn't consistent enough for viewing. BTW, the signal from KETG analog was watchable but had some snow.

Frustrating being in the deep, deep fringe. (and thats not even talking about aspect ratio potluck, etc)

Davenlr

04-14-09, 06:31 PM

Well, I took my trip today, and set the GPS to find KEMV in Fox,Ar. Boy oh Boy, is that tower out in the sticks (literally, since all the tree tops are broken off by the ice storm). I drove on dirt roads, mud roads, and a couple roads I cant verify were actually roads (but they were on the GPS). I finally ended up at what was about 1/4 mile from the tower, and wasnt about to try to go farther without a 4 wheeler.

The beautiful channel 6 BAT WINGS were there looking out over the state... I could see for miles and miles, on the ground there. GPS showed the vehicle was at 1690 ft.

I honestly couldnt see the DT antenna, unless it was that bunched up looking mess at the top just under the bat wings. Anyway, sorry for the low res picture. I forgot my hi-res camera, after setting it out to take along.

KEMV tower, Fox, AR:http://i44.tinypic.com/iekpvm.jpg

Also of note, KTWN is off the air as of 5pm. No sign of life.

KEMV analog came in on my FM radio all the way back, full quieting until I hit Mayflower. Picket Fenced from there to I430, then dropped into the noise at Burns Park. Got a SLIGHT signal here and there along the route to my house, and then a barely listenable signal in my driveway. Of course, on the TV antenna, its coming it great. DT13 is still just a peep.

Davenlr

04-14-09, 08:10 PM

This is what I have been able to research from the FCC site. For those tech savvy folks, tell me if what I am reading is correct... They are currently using a cheap antenna for DTV, at very low power, have authorization to upgrade to the high gain JAM antenna (the website for this antenna company is interesting reading), but just filed a week ago to hold off installing the good antenna and upping their power from 2KW to 12KW erp until after the June 12th analog shutdown? Is that what it looks like?

FCC Data:
BLEDT 20060623ABO 302-DTV E KEMV 2777 DT GRANTED 08/29/2006 Info | Application

TECH BOX

1.Channel: 13

2.Operating Constants
Transmitter power output (average power at input to transmission line, after any filter attached to the transmitter, if used)
Transmission line power loss 0 dBk 1 kW 2.98 dB
Antenna Input power Maximum antenna power gain Maximum effective radiated power
-3 dBk 9.06 dB 6.1 dBk 4.05 kW

3.Antenna Data
Manufacturer
AND Model
ADDP4V4-HSWC-13

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BPEDT 20080620AFQ 340 E KEMV 2777 DT GRANTED 11/12/2008 Info | Application
TECH BOX
1. Channel Number:
DTV 13 Analog TV, if any 6
2. Zone:
I II III
3.
Antenna Location Coordinates: (NAD 27)

Latitude:
Degrees 35 Minutes 48 Seconds 47 North South

Longitude:
Degrees 92 Minutes 17 Seconds 24 West East

4.Antenna Structure Registration Number: 1038195
Not Applicable Notification filed with FAA

5.Antenna Location Site Elevation Above Mean Sea Level: 463.3 meters

6.Overall Tower Height Above Ground Level:
303.3 meters
7.Height of Radiation Center Above Ground Level:
290 meters
8 Height of Radiation Center Above Average Terrain (HAAT): 426 meters
9.Maximum Effective Radiated Power (average power): 12.1 kW
10. Antenna Specifications:
a. Manufacturer JAM Model JHD-HV2 -6/3(18)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/8/2009
BDTUET 20090407AGG 387 E KEMV 2777 TV ACCEPTED FOR FILING 04/08/2009 Info | Application
Exhibits Exhibit 3
Description: STA REQUEST FOR REDUCED POWER OPERATION

KEMV WILL CONTINUE ANALOG SERVICE UNTIL THE JUNE 12, 2009 TRANSITION DATE. ON MARCH 16, 2009, AETN NOTIFIED THE FCC OF A FAILURE OF THE KEMV ANALOG TRANSMITTER AND REQUESTED STA TO CONTINUE REDUCED POWER OPERATION UNTIL THE TRANSITION DATE. SEE FILE NO. BLSTA-20090316ABV.
Attachment 3

Exhibit 4
Description: MAXIMIZATION APPLICATION

AETC HAS BEEN GRANTED A PERMIT TO MAXIMIZE THE FACILITY FOR KEMV-DT IN FILE NO. BPEDT-20080620AFQ. AETC DOES NOT INTEND TO IMPLEMENT THE MAXIMIZED FACILITY FOR KEMV-DT UNTIL AFTER THE DTV TRANSITION.

dmatch

04-14-09, 08:52 PM

RE: KTWN-LD

I actually get an indication that there is something transmitting on 18 but only about 30% quality when it is usually around 85% for me. Either something is wrong or they have gone low-low power or some other channel 18 is reaching in. Heck, from what I have seen of their operation they might not even know if they had a problem. They have never answered any e-mail that I have sent so I won't waste time on that.

RE: KEMV/KEMV-DT

I read that the same way you do Davenlr. "After" June 12th full power.

I'm a little sad to be seeing analog disappear. I can actually get a descent picture on KEMV analog 6 (on NTSC TV) even with it at half power and coming in the back side of my antenna. It would be a real good picture if full power and from front side. I noticed on my new-fangled HDTV that you can't fine tune analog channels and channel 6 is not tuning in correctly and doesn't look very good on it, but on my NTSC set which has fine tuning it can look pretty descent. I think I'm going to miss analog.

dmatch

Davenlr

04-14-09, 09:21 PM

haley-SEA

04-14-09, 10:41 PM

Tropo is slowly building....KARK-DT 42-1 locking here, and analog 42 nearly snow free. Seeing weak DTV signals on 18 and 19...far too weak to lock here.

dmatch

04-14-09, 11:01 PM

KTWN-LD is almost back to what it used to be in signal quality. Still seems a little low though (down ~ 10% from normal for me).

dmatch

steveken

04-14-09, 11:02 PM

dmatch, can you edit your profile to include your location? I keep forgetting where you are. :)

Davenlr

04-14-09, 11:16 PM

KTWN-LD is almost back to what it used to be in signal quality. Still seems a little low though (down ~ 10% from normal for me).

dmatch

This is weird. Like it got rain in the coax, and its slowly sizzling out :)

dmatch

04-14-09, 11:36 PM

dmatch, can you edit your profile to include your location? I keep forgetting where you are. :)Okay.

dmatch

arxaw

04-15-09, 08:18 AM

...I forsee the FCC and broadcasters upping their power to cover the areas that could watch analog but will be under the digital cliff...That, or translators. Or both.

KFSM in Ft Smith has applied to roughly double power from the initial 550kW they were allotted, to 1,000kW ERP. They also are looking for a suitable site to build a translator in the Ark. River Valley, to return coverage lost there when they moved their DTV transmitter North, to be closer to Fayetteville/Spgdl/Rog/Bentnvlle. They are waiting to find a site before applying for the translator station.

Another option is a "Distributed Transmission System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_transmission)," where multiple transmitters all broadcast a synchronized signal on the same frequency.

arxaw

04-15-09, 08:32 AM

Watching American Experience tonight on AETN KAFT-DT OTA anyone know why it wasn't in HD? Was in 4:3. The promo said the series is shot in HD.AETN's fault. It was in HD on KOZK/KOZJ Springfield/Joplin, or at least OAR and rescaled from 1080i to 720p.

If you can get any Joplin or Springfield stations OTA, try pointing your antenna toward those towns for PBS in 720p and the correct aspect ratio. Or maybe OETA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_Educational_Television_Authority).

I've totally given up on AETN ever figuring out how to run a digital television station. They've completely botched their transition to DTV from day 1.

dmatch

04-15-09, 03:46 PM

KTWN-LD is once again KTWN-LLD. :rolleyes: Sometime this morning the signal quality dropped down to 20-30% again. Wonder what's going on with that.

dmatch

BelElDel

04-15-09, 06:40 PM

Well, the only gripe I had against analog was their use of AM for video. If they had made the whole channel FM, then it would have been OK.

Im gonna miss being able to see a show from a marginal station vs not being able to see it at all.
I forsee the FCC and broadcasters upping their power to cover the areas that could watch analog but will be under the digital cliff...hopefully.

KTWN up to 24% here now...Getting there :)

Davenlr,

The video is AM because it would take too much bandwidth if it was FM. I suppose that the FM audio has the additional advantage that it doesn't tend to degrade - you either have it or not, while the AM video can tolerate some noise before it becomes unwatchable. AS I understand it, they used to have equal power for the video and audio but found out that the audio would have enough coverage at 10 to 20 percent

Does this answer your quetion?

Davenlr

04-15-09, 09:10 PM

Davenlr

04-15-09, 11:00 PM

KTWN-LD is once again KTWN-LLD. :rolleyes: Sometime this morning the signal quality dropped down to 20-30% again. Wonder what's going on with that.

dmatch

Pegged out at 100% here tonight, 12 higher than its normal 88, and no skip that I can tell.

dmatch

04-15-09, 11:35 PM

Yeah, the signal quality came back up sometime this afternoon. Can you read both signal strength and quality? I wonder if KTWN-LD is getting clobbered (interference) or if their having power problems when this is happening. Two days in a row now.

dmatch

Davenlr

04-15-09, 11:46 PM

For Sat it reads Gain and quality, for Terrestrial it just shows gain. During thunderstorms, I can have a meter reading of 85 and the picture has long since blocked out. Wish a had a s/n meter like some of the Sony's do.

ad5kl

04-16-09, 11:24 AM

arxaw

04-16-09, 12:11 PM

Wonder how long stations will continue to go by their old (virtual) channel numbers? Seems like it will become confusing at some point.

"We're channel 4 but actually your tuner must find channel 32." Try explaining that to the not so technically savvy...Or explaining why (post-transition) people living in weak signal areas trying to find KATV, manually entering channel 7 on many converter boxes will tune to KETS-DT.

I imagine the broadcast lobby will win this one - public confusion be damned. The old school broadcasters don't want to give up their cherished low slots on the "dial" which also keeps them at the top of most on-screen, online and newspaper guides.

I doubt the FCC will ever change it. :(

Trip in VA

04-16-09, 03:07 PM

While I'm not interested in debating the issue (I've done it plenty of times already), I think the virtual channel number is a good thing and should not go away.

Setting up your antenna happens once. Watching TV happens multiple times per day.

People have learned their local channels and know where to find them. My family moved from just outside New York to Virginia more than 14 years ago. My dad STILL calls CBS "channel 2" from time to time, and it took him a long time after moving to break that habit at all. In that case, of course, moving to a new location, we were prepared for that. In something thrust upon us by the government, people aren't so understanding.

Let's say you go to someone's house and help them set up their receiver. Which of the following scenarios makes more sense to the average person?

"I've got you all set up, all your channels are there where they used to be, just with -1 after them now."

"I've got you all set up, but your channels have all moved:

2 is now 7-1
4 is now 32-1
7 is now 22-1
11 is now 12-1
16 is now 30-1
25 is now 24-1
38 is now 39-1
42 is now 44-1"

I know my dad would throw the boxes out the window if the latter was the case, and I'd consider him typical of an average TV viewer.

While I can see the benefit of knowing what the physically channel number is in a minority of cases, the vast majority of people don't need to know, and I don't see a point in disrupting everyone's viewing patterns over what is effectively a one-time setup for most people.

- Trip

ad5kl

04-16-09, 03:40 PM

Should be interesting the first time a new station comes along that is actually assigned a channel that another station is using as its virtual. The new station either makes up its own virtual or the old station has to change theirs. That will get some lawyers going.

Davenlr

04-16-09, 06:29 PM

That would be freaking hilarious in a courtroom.

Id PAY AETN to call KETS channel 7 when it comes on in June!

Common, I know there are some AETN lurkers...Make it so.... Everyone has long since forgot channel 2 anyway.

And Trip, most people I know dont refer to the stations by physical or virtual channel, but by the channel the cableco shoves it to them on.

My coworker is always referring to channel 5, and I keep thinking he is watching Memphis, until I remember he is on Comcast.

arxaw

04-16-09, 10:15 PM

What Dave said.

Dump virtual channel mapping.

Just the other day, I had a helluva time talking a gentleman out of buying a humongous fringe antenna that would pick up lowband VHF. He said he needed it to pick up digital "KY3." When I tried to explain that KYTV-DT 3-1 is on UHF channel 44, not LO-VHF ch 3, I got the deer in the headlights look.

Davenlr

04-17-09, 03:28 AM

Thats the only problem I see. Its going to keep the aluminum manufacturers in the low band antenna business because everyone is going to assume they need the long elements.

One benefit though, it allows the stations to run multiple networks with unique channel numbers on one transmitter. For example, when "ch 7 and ch 42, and ch20" were all using ch 44.

I also saw the confusion, even on this board, that this caused.

arxaw

04-17-09, 09:03 AM

...One benefit though, it allows the stations to run multiple networks with unique channel numbers on one transmitter. For example, when "ch 7 and ch 42, and ch20" were all using ch 44.That was a unique and temporary situation, and I think was a good use of remapping. However, if KATV had just gotten the word out that they were temp. on ch 44-n, people would've found them. They find them on cable every day on the wrong channnel numbers.

Dumping remapping to fictitious channel numbers would confuse a lot of people for a few days. But people would get used to the new channel numbers quickly, just like they did a few years ago when FOX swapped channels with a bunch of stations across the country.

Keeping remapping to fictitious channel numbers will continue to confuse people in fringe areas into buying the wrong antennas or trying to manually tune to the wrong RF channel numbers to find a weak station.

arxaw

04-17-09, 09:05 AM

KOLR analog 10
KSFX analog 27
KNWA analog 51
All went dark yesterday.

With the KSFX 27 5,000kW analog giant now gone, I can now get KFTA-DT (RF27), out of Ft Smith.

ad5kl

04-17-09, 10:19 AM

Keeping remapping to fictitious channel numbers will continue to confuse people in fringe areas into buying the wrong antennas or trying to manually tune to the wrong RF channel numbers to find a weak station.

Wonder how many folks will get duped into buying huge antennas for this very reason, when actually a much smaller antenna will be plenty? Just one more bit of confusion to add to the chaos it has been.

They should have totally eliminated VHF-Low for the sake of simplifying antenna choices, not to mention cheaper. There really aren't many stations remaining on the low band, except for holdouts like WMC Memphis. It just burdens the viewers to buy large antennas & even then the signal is more suceptible to noise. I wonder how many people in that area could get by with a smaller UHF antenna in the attic to avoid HOA problems, but the extra low-band aluminum eliminates the option & forces a lot of people to either get cable or do without the low channel. But I digress...

CorpITGuy

04-17-09, 10:42 AM

My coworker is always referring to channel 5, and I keep thinking he is watching Memphis, until I remember he is on Comcast.

That's always annoyed me.

Co-worker: "Did you watch Channel 5 last night, OMG it was hilarious."
Me: Channel 5?
Co-worker: "Yeah!"
Me: NBC?
Co-worker: "What's NBC?"
Me: KARK?
Co-worker: ::Puzzled look::
Me: Channel 4?
Co-worker: "Huh? Do you have Comcast? It's 5 on Comcast. Whatever that is."

Now just let me yank a channel lineup for Comcast out of my butt so I can figure this out.... ;)

dmatch

04-17-09, 10:48 AM

KARK-DT signal quality is extremely low here this morning. I am only seeing quality in the 20s (normally about 90). Wonder if they have reduced power for some antenna work? They had planned to side-mount channel 42/44 antenna on the 4/32 tower at some time.

dmatch

RockyF

04-17-09, 11:20 AM

That's always annoyed me.

Co-worker: "Did you watch Channel 5 last night, OMG it was hilarious."
Me: Channel 5?
Co-worker: "Yeah!"
Me: NBC?
Co-worker: "What's NBC?"
Me: KARK?
Co-worker: ::Puzzled look::
Me: Channel 4?
Co-worker: "Huh? Do you have Comcast? It's 5 on Comcast. Whatever that is."

Now just let me yank a channel lineup for Comcast out of my butt so I can figure this out.... ;)

:) Funny

I'm assuming he just has basic cable? I would think that this might be reduced a bit as more people use digital cable boxes, satellite receivers and digital OTA, all of which use program guides. I don't have a lot of the channel locations memorized anymore, because I just at the guide. In fact, my Sony HD DVR allows me to customize the program guide, so I've got all the HD locals at the top, and then the cable channels listed alphabetically after that, so I don't have to bother with the random cable lineups. :)

BelElDel

04-17-09, 01:47 PM

How much bandwidth would it use? I know satellite ntsc analog vieo is FM, and if I recall from back then, you could get a pristine picture even with a bandwidth limiting filter to reduce sparklies... 15Mhz right, and the whole transponder was 30 MHz? So it would have used about 3x the AM system?

Davenlr, one way to explain it would be that the bandwidth that is occupied by any FM signal depends on the level of modulation. FM broadcast is +/- 75 kHz and TV broadcast is +/- 25 kHz. In other words, you can use as much bandwidth as you want (within reason) by increasing the input level.

Satellite is different because they use such a high frequency, so the percentage bandwidth of the deviation is a lot smaller.

But as to why TV video is AM, I think it probably has to do with the "one-sided" nature of the video signal. Using AM allows you to chop off the upper sideband and thereby limit the total bandwidth. By transmitting the full lower sideband, the carrier, and a little bit of the upper sideband (a.k.a. the "vestigal sideband,") one is able to fit the entire 4.5 mHz video signal and the FM sound within the 6 mHz bandwidth of the channel. If FM were used for the video signal, you would have to use the same deviation or "frequency swing" around the video signal and couldn't limit the bandwidth by chopping off one sideband.

There may be an easier explanation, let me think on it.

haley-SEA

04-17-09, 04:29 PM

KOLR analog 10
KSFX analog 27
KNWA analog 51
All went dark yesterday.

With the KSFX 27 5,000kW analog giant now gone, I can now get KFTA-DT (RF27), out of Ft Smith.

KTAL analog 6 (Texarkana-Shreveport) gave up the ghost at 10:35pm last night, but not before getting some co-channel interference from WABG 6 Greenville-Greenwood MS which will shutdown its "nightlight" service tomorrow. Two channel 6's going silent in a three day period. FWIW, both stations operate DTV on UHF.

Davenlr

04-18-09, 01:55 PM

On-air here in LR, although the signal isnt up to snuff.

Arkyman

04-18-09, 02:06 PM

4.1 is back up now. Why was it off the air since Thursday night?

Davenlr

04-18-09, 02:09 PM

Didnt notice that it was, but didnt check either. I usually watch it on satellite, not OTA.

ad5kl

04-18-09, 02:14 PM

At least when a new station shows up on cable, the cable box is automatically mapped to the new channel. They do the work for you.

If you have an OTA tuner any new channel would need to be added manually, or using the "search" function. A lot of folks better keep those instructions if they aren't very technically bent, for any future changes (like when KETS comes back.)

Davenlr

04-18-09, 02:18 PM

Hey, I'm ready for KETS. Ive recorded "The Buffalo Flows" three times now, once off KEMV, and twice on KTWN-2, and I havent gotten a glitch free (or in the case of KEMV, snow free) copy yet. I just hope they reshow it in HD after KETS comes on. I really want a copy of that show, but they want $80 for the DVD, and I just cant do that right now, plus, I want to make copies to send to some out of state friends, and Im sure copying the DVD is illegal, where sending copies I recorded off tv wouldnt be.

arxaw

04-18-09, 05:43 PM

Yeah, the signal quality came back up sometime this afternoon... I wonder if KTWN-LD is getting clobbered (interference)...Might be interference from KFSM-DT 18, out of Ft Smith (?).

...I really want a copy of that show, but they want $80 for the DVDDave, I tried several times to record it OTA. Each time it was either:
1. Beg week, and full of interruptions.
2. The audio was full of dropouts, due to VHF impulse noise.
3. KAFT-DT fubar'd the aspect ratio.
I am so pissed at them.

If you want a copy of the DVD, they're only 20 bucks at Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca, Ark.
And AFAIK, not a dime of it goes to AETN. :)
http://buffaloriver.com/blog/default.aspx?id=78

Davenlr

04-18-09, 05:51 PM

Might be interference from KFSM-DT 18, out of Ft Smith (?).

Doubt that. Ive never even logged a dx from Fayetteville or Fort Smith. NEVER have been able to get them.
Thanks for the info on the dvd, Ill definantly get one next time I drive past Ponca.

BTW, I just use stretch mode on KTWN for AETN widescreen...works ok. Id prefer they did it in HD AND the correct aspect ratio though. After June 12th, when they dont have to support analog, Im sure they will get it fixed. If not, I just wont renew my membership next year.

Arkyman

04-18-09, 07:36 PM

Didnt notice that it was, but didnt check either. I usually watch it on satellite, not OTA.

I was still getting it thru direct but OTA was off the air here or so weak I could not lock it. Now its back up at 87%

steveken

04-20-09, 09:16 AM

arxaw

04-20-09, 11:17 AM

...Thanks for the info on the dvd, Ill definantly get one next time I drive past Ponca.Great place to buy it. Mike Mills, who owns/operates B.O.C., is in the video.

jim9251

04-20-09, 10:33 PM

I see American Experience is in HD tonight on AETN Fayetteville. No 5.1 sound but the PQ is excellent.

Davenlr

04-20-09, 10:49 PM

Super. I just aimed my 1.2m dish at PBS's sat, and am getting from 72 to 99 on the quality scale, so I'm pumped too. Nature last night recorded a whole hour of pixellation, so I have to catch the rerun.

Steveken and Sam, thanks for the Buffalo links.
Im going to plan a camping trip around Ponca this summer. I love it up there. Have some of those sand polished Buffalo River rocks around my Coy pond.

Davenlr

04-20-09, 11:55 PM

I see American Experience is in HD tonight on AETN Fayetteville. No 5.1 sound but the PQ is excellent.

Glad you posted. I just watched that show, and it was excellent.

arxaw

04-21-09, 08:48 AM

I see American Experience is in HD tonight on AETN Fayetteville. No 5.1 sound but the PQ is excellent.I watched it briefly on KAFT-DT. An A/B comparison the PQ on KOZK-DT blew away KAFT-DT's presentation of it. The difference was really amazing, with KAFT look like a bad DVD in comparison.

...Im going to plan a camping trip around Ponca this summer. I love it up there. Have some of those sand polished Buffalo River rocks around my Coy pond.If you've never floated the Buffalo, the Ponca to Kyle's float is absolutely the best part of the river. Gotta go before the spring rains end, though.

arxaw

04-21-09, 08:51 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/20/AR2009042001302.html?wprss=rss_technology

Missing from the trial is Albritton's ABC affiliate, WJLA.

steveken

04-21-09, 11:00 AM

You know, its amazing how quickly the ads load up on KATV's website as compared to how SLOWLY the actual story loads up.

dmatch

04-21-09, 01:17 PM

Priorities.:rolleyes:

dmatch

steveken

04-22-09, 04:01 PM

Just wondering, does anyone know what the green boxes near the phone tube things sticking out of the ground are? I *think* they are for Comcast where the wires are run underground and they are just access points for connecting each house, but I am not sure. I know there are those boxes by all the houses where I am building my house as well as on my lot and the other empty lots by me, so I figured that was the most reasonable explanation.

Also, does anyone have any idea how long it takes the city or Entergy or whoever to put in a pole to connect the wires sticking out of the ground to the rest of the grid? It has been a week and a half so far and all they have done is spray paint 4 different colors on the ground around the pipes that are poking up out of the ground. At first, we were told that they needed to put up street lights before we could get a permit, but now it looks like they haven't even wired that part of the street to the rest of the grid. Getting a little frustrating that we can't even get started on the house yet.

Edit: Picture of it http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb131/skendel/cdc0776a.jpg

And heres what I saw under it.... http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb131/skendel/696f61c3.jpg

Another funny thing, I wonder why that AT&T pole says 14801 on it when the address is 14802. All the rest of the houses on the street have the right numbers on their AT&T poles that correspond to their addresses. All of them on the side of the street that this is on have odd numbers when they should be even numbers.

steveken

04-25-09, 02:03 AM

Crap, I think my pics drove everyone away :)

arxaw

04-25-09, 10:10 AM

Not sure what the darker green box will be for. Just a conduit with a pull string in it now....

Is the AT&T box at the front or back of your lot?

steveken

04-25-09, 10:17 AM

arxaw

04-25-09, 02:08 PM

Both are at the front of the lot. The darker green box says "Electrical Do Not Open" on it, but I don't know if thats a fact or not. I have seen people go inside of theirs before, so I don't know what it is. *shrug*The darker green box might be where they'll pull in wires for your house electrical service.

If the phone terminal is on the front of the lot, the numbering should be for the street in front of the house. So on the even side of the street, it should have an even number. A terminal on the back of the lot, is often numbered for a street behind the house, and in your case, would have an odd number.

Exceptions are at/near the end of cul-de-sacs, where the numbering gets weird.

dmatch

04-25-09, 08:46 PM

Would appreciate if I could get signal reports for KARZ-DT.

For at least 4 days now the signal quality is down to almost nothing here (20-25%). It's down at least 40 percentage points below normal for me. All other Little Rock locals are okay.

Anyone else notice this? Have they lowered power?

dmatch

Davenlr

04-25-09, 09:00 PM

KARK 95% here, with others at 100%, except KARZ which is all over from 30% to 90%

am3211

04-25-09, 09:48 PM

KARK 95% here, with others at 100%, except KARZ which is all over from 30% to 90%

I am in Benton and getting absolutely no signal on either KARZ digital channel and haven't for several days. In the past it has been about 80% on my DirecTV HR20 OTA.

fly_daddy

04-25-09, 10:52 PM

I am in Benton and getting absolutely no signal on either KARZ digital channel and haven't for several days. In the past it has been about 80% on my DirecTV HR20 OTA.

Getting KARZ-DT between 90%-95% here in Maumelle ... but I can see the towers on Shinall from here. :)

dmatch

04-25-09, 11:06 PM

steveken

04-26-09, 10:24 AM

The darker green box might be where they'll pull in wires for your house electrical service.

If the phone terminal is on the front of the lot, the numbering should be for the street in front of the house. So on the even side of the street, it should have an even number. A terminal on the back of the lot, is often numbered for a street behind the house, and in your case, would have an odd number.

Exceptions are at/near the end of cul-de-sacs, where the numbering gets weird.
Yeah, thats what I am looking at here. Its the very end of the street where it ends in a cul-de-sac. EVERY single other house along that street has the house number on the telephone box and matches. I know the address of this lot and the number on the phone thing is 1 less. This is an even number address with an odd number phone thing. I think the phone company just hosed that one up. :)

steveken

04-26-09, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the reports. It appears they (KARZ-DT) have reduced power for some reason. Maybe in preparation for or because of their new setup on the KARK-DT tower.

Edit: It would be nice to get a report from someone in the know about the current/future KARZ-DT situation.

dmatch
LOL, yeah, that AIN'T gonna happen, bud! :) That would just be wayyyyyyy too easy. I bet they probably had a couple of 30 second commercials on the channel or a crawl on it for maybe a couple days warning that they were going to do it, but other than that, if you don't watch the crappy channel (like I don't), you would never have a chance to know. I really doubt they did even that much to warn people.

KARK people just don't give a crap about the end-users of their services (unless you are paying them), and since they own KARZ now, its probably even worse there. They probably have "better things to do" rather than take the 1 minute it takes to put up a post here warning people who care what is going on.

RockyF

04-26-09, 11:06 AM

I'm getting a weaker than usual, but lockable 50-60% on KARZ-DT here in Benton, everything else looks normal.

steveken

04-26-09, 01:46 PM

Stupid Vista Media Center isn't working for 42 for me. WinTV can get 42 and 4 so-so, but Vista Media Center can't get 42 at all and occasionally 4. I think when Windows 7 RC comes out next week I will give it a shot. I am tired of this crap with Vista.

Davenlr

04-26-09, 06:11 PM

Fox16 Master control asleep after that finish of Nascar I see...

steveken

04-28-09, 08:38 PM

Well, called DirecTV about the H20-600 and its running as hot as it does. Took quite some time and a lot of half-arguing with the girl to get them to send me a different "type" of receiver. I don't know exactly what that means, but I told her that I didn't need the OTA portion on a new receiver, so an H21, H22, or H23 would work just fine. I just really really hope I don't get an H20-100 and I don't know what other kind of HD receivers they have that they can send out. Don't suppose I can reject that receiver if its an H20-100 if I want a specific model receiver, can I?

Anyway, she kept saying that since its an HD box, its going to run hot, so I said "well, with that reasoning, my HR20-700 in the Living Room should be just as hot as the H20-600, right? Because it's not, its cool to the touch." She started asking about crap like proper ventilation around the unit and such, but I guess in the end I wore her down. I kept saying how in the past it was a known problem that was subjecting the boxes to a recall (which she argued a little) and she said that a software update might have been downloaded to resolve the overheating issue (when in reality its just as hot as it has ever been which, in my opinion, is WAY too hot). I stressed like 5 or 6 times that I was just looking out for the safety of my 3-year-old son. I told her that my hand is a little tougher cause of age and if its really hot to my touch, it's bound to burn him when he touches it.

At first she wanted to schedule a tech to come out to look at it cause I happened to mention something about lines in dark scenes, but I told her I had no interest in messing with a tech (and the fee that is sure to come with it). I just hate how you have to fight and fight with service providers to do what you want. I mean, I am paying $95 a month for this service, I don't see why they can't give me exactly the receiver I want when I ask for it. It's not like they aren't going to get the cost back from me in a month anyway. And along those lines, I don't see why I can't get an SD DVR for my sons room for free from them. Again, its $99 and I pay $95 a month on my bill. It's not like they aren't going to get that money back from me anyway. They are just way way too stingy when it comes to the equipment.

Anyway, end of long story. :)

Davenlr

04-28-09, 08:46 PM

Their web site, under your account, recent transactions, should show the model # when they ship it.

Im assuming your not as concerned about the heat as the lack of a network port eh?

Good luck getting a good one. Thats why I just get my receivers at Best Buy. Costs more, but I get what I want.

steveken

04-28-09, 08:51 PM

Yeah, kinda just wanting it for the MRV portion. I am concerned about the heat though. It's pretty bad to me. I know it adds to the heating of this room and it's already hot enough without any help.

The way I look at it, if I don't get a good one I will just keep calling them up and bitching until I get a good one. I figure eventually I will get one that's decent. I can't just take this one to Best Buy and get them to swap it out, doubt I can do that with the one they are sending me, so I will go through DirecTV until I get a good one cause it's free. If they try to charge me $19.95 for shipping, I'll bitch about that too. That's one thing my Mom taught me real well, how to get what I want (and what's right) when I feel I am getting gyped.

EDIT: Reading that a day later, I realize that didn't sound all that good. Let me revise the above. If I don't get a unit with an Ethernet jack on it, I'll live with it. I will just wait and see what the installer can do for me when we get the new house set up for DirecTV. Or, I will wait until I have enough loyalty points built up (or however that works) or they have a special going on where I can get it swapped out for free even though I know full well that they can't guarantee me a specific receiver model (even though logic would tell you that if you have that much inventory you should be able to specifiy which one to send out to the end user). It would be pointless and silly for me to call up griping and complaining just cause I don't get what I want. Their policies are their policies and there is no point trying to circumvent it. If the receiver works, and is noticeably cooler, then mission accomplished on this. I'll accomplish my other desires when time and money permits. I won't call them up acting like a child just to get what I want.

byrdnest

04-29-09, 09:07 PM

Lovely, due the the weather bug LOST won't be in HD tonight.

steveken

04-29-09, 09:28 PM

Thought tonight was supposed to be that Presidential thing. Or is that tomorrow?

Davenlr

04-29-09, 10:09 PM

bpeacock22

04-29-09, 10:18 PM

Write KATV (again) and express your frustration about their inability to maintain the HD broadcast when displaying lower thirds and weather graphics. If I'm not mistaken, they are the only local channel that cannot now. What's the point of touting their crisp digital clarity and great signal if they can't even broadcast it correctly? Lost looked like piss tonight.

arxaw

04-29-09, 11:23 PM

I cant believe it... Went to record "The Buffalo Flows" tonight, had a good signal on KTWN-2, and two minutes into the recording, they switched from anamorphic 4:3 (which looked perfect 16:9 with stretch) to frigging CROPPED...they even cut their own logo in half.

Who is responsible for this crap at AETN?Same here on KAFT (K-AllF'dUpTelevision). Looked absolutely blurry. Sad they can't seem to do anything right at AETN. Dave, just get the DVD at BOC, next time you're in Newton County. Screw AETN.

Write KATV (again) and express your frustration about their inability to maintain the HD broadcast when displaying lower thirds and weather graphics. If I'm not mistaken, they are the only local channel that cannot now. What's the point of touting their crisp digital clarity and great signal if they can't even broadcast it correctly? Lost looked like piss tonight.Virtually all the stations up here can now do weather bugs or crawls without resorting to SD. And KFSM can even do HD time shift. KATV is sooooooo behind (except for that huge ugly-assed LOGO plastered on each side of 4:3 programs).

haley-SEA

04-30-09, 08:23 AM

"Local" religious broadcaster on channel 36 dumps analog service and flash cuts to DTV. Just an FYI in case someone does a rescan and finds a "36-1". I found it this morning.

I didn't get home until 8pm....and didn't watch watch Lost, but what kind of watch/warning did katv 86 HDTV for?

Davenlr

04-30-09, 08:26 AM

Severe Thunderstorm watch box, and a couple warnings in SW Ark.

haley-SEA

04-30-09, 08:31 AM

betcha those counties WEREN'T in the LR Market...

at least it wasn't a flash flood WATCH

RockyF

04-30-09, 08:34 AM

Thought tonight was supposed to be that Presidential thing. Or is that tomorrow?

The president spoke at 7 last night, and finished on time. I had padded the DVR for Lost just in case he went long, but at this point I guess I'll just watch Lost on ABC.com. I wouldn't even complain as much about KATV having to switch to SD for weather bugs if their SD signal didn't look SO BAD! :mad:

steveken

04-30-09, 09:55 AM

I don't know if its just me or what, but KATV has some color issues, especially on GMA. I was watching it for a second when they had that Ali Wentworth chick that was on Seinfeld back in the day I think and she was wearing this pink top (at least I think it was pink). Anyway, the color was so screwed up, the pink was just insanely hot and flaming out. That helped, I think, show the extreme bags under her eyes. Robin Roberts red shirt was extremely intense as well. The whole interview was impossible to watch and I didn't care anyway, so I switched away. I checked a couple of other channels and the levels on my TV look fine. Now I am back on KATV again and the colors are looking fine on it too. Is it just GMA sometimes, or is it KATV sometimes, or what is going on? This is not the first time I have seen this happening on KATV.

steveken

04-30-09, 06:59 PM

Davenlr

04-30-09, 07:06 PM

Thats what you get for watching Keep Analog Totally Vital

haley-SEA

04-30-09, 07:19 PM

Thats what you get for watching Keep Analog Totally Vital

LOL

Keeping
Analog
Totally
Vital

Sadly its soo true. I hear they are having their "High Tech, But We're Really Mayberry RFD In Drag" road show in time for sweeps.

haley-SEA

04-30-09, 07:34 PM

LOL, KATV keeps "World News Tonight" in SD all program long with its stupid weather graphic up, but as soon as the closing music plays, they put it back to HD. They then keep it without the weather graphic into the regular news.

OMG, they actually did that....

I'm convinced that KATV and AETN are local television's version of "DUMB AND DUMBER"

(i really hope AETN gets their aspect-ratio act together before June 12)

haley-SEA

04-30-09, 08:02 PM

No HD Ugly Betty tonight via Keeping Analog Totally Vital. Grey's is in jeopardy also.

Davenlr

04-30-09, 09:17 PM

Naw, Jeopardy is syndicated, it will be in SD too...
Oh that was a verb... My bad.

RockyF

04-30-09, 09:35 PM

Good news for us KATV viewers today, Disney signed on to be a partner with Hulu. :) Now we will have another online way to watch all the ABC programming that KATV screws up.

arxaw

05-01-09, 08:13 AM

...Jeopardy is syndicated, it will be in SD too...It, along with Wheel of Fortune and several other syndicated shows are in HD up here in the sticks.

Now, if AETN could just get their act together. I've heard that they have "new equipment" coming. I hope it's soon, I hope it fixes the aspect ratio problems and I hope they can figure out how to operate it. Currently, they don't seem to have a clue about much of anything.

steveken

05-01-09, 12:57 PM

Crap, got the replacement receiver today. H20-100. Whats the difference between the -100 and the -600? Any idea?

Davenlr

05-01-09, 01:51 PM

Manufacturer, and temperature.

steveken

05-01-09, 02:14 PM

By temp, you mean its cooler? That would be a plus. :)

steveken

05-01-09, 02:31 PM

This is slightly off topic, and I am not sure if anyone here will be able to answer it or not (or if I even asked it before cause I think I *might* have), but since this is the AV Forum, its still kinda on topic.

I am wondering if anyone knows a good, lower cost AV receiver for the home? I would like that it will do at least 5.1 and most (if not all) the latest audio formats that are on DVD's, Blu-Rays, games, and carried OTA and DirecTV. I say lower cost cause, naturally, I don't want to spend too awful much on it. I would rather stay below $200.

I am looking for one cause the Kenwood VR-405 that I have is kinda going downhill I think. I have had it for like 10 or 11 years now and so far it has done a good job. The only problem is that when I go to turn it back on after being off a while, it has this horrendous buzz on all inputs. The buzz lasts a minute or so and eventually goes away, but it's hell to listen to while its going on. I know I can just keep it on all the time, but I just got a new Harmony 880 remote that controls everything with activities and an "Off" button. I would like the remote to be able to control all the devices listed in it both turning on and off. Plus, I have absolutely NO idea how to keep the 880 from turning off the stereo when I hit the "Off" button. (anyone who knows, I will gladly take instruction on that.) EDIT: I figured out how to leave the stereo on all the time. :) Nevermind.

So, if anyone knows anything that might be good to get or anything else that might be helpful, I am all ears. And, sorry if I have asked this before. I guess I get CRS on some topics. :)