I don't think the aspect ratio issues are AETN (or its individual stations) independent.

I was just looking at 2 on DirecTV (which is the same as 379) and its aspect is rather funky. It has letterboxing type black bars on the top and bottom, but it also has black pillars on the left and right. All this is within the normal 4:3 area. I still have this H20-100 set to show gray bars on the left and right of 4:3 content, so I am seeing that as well as the letterboxing/pillars within the 4:3 area.

This tells me that the screwed up aspect ratio starts at the main PBS source (or at least the one DirecTV gets for 379) and then the AETN stations try to fix it with their zooming, cropping, stretching, etc with little to no success. So, if thats the case, then I don't blame the AETN stations for trying to "fix it" somewhat before it goes out over the air.

I never see anamorphic squished to (tall 'n skinny) 4:3 on Ozarks Public TV. Just on AETN.

I did see anamorphic squish today on KOLR-DT, Springfield. But that was the first time I'd seen it on any station but AETN. Also seeing lotsa lightning breakups on KOLR-DT, now that they moved to VHF 10. VHF sucks for DTV.

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.

Wow, this is awesome!

The thing that just kills me is that they don't broadcast network programming in Dolby Digital. With all of the new tech that they've had to install over the last three years, one would think they would get into the 21st century when it comes to sound. Seeing how they can't even get the picture right more often than not, I probably shouldn't be surprised. <sighs>

Where I live, my ABC station is also owned by Allbritton. They were the only local station to not transmit stereo on analog. Still don't to this day.

On digital, the video is washed out (complete with gray sidebars during SD) and the audio is stereo.

This was also the station that bowed to Jerry Falwell's wishes during that Once and Again episode.

So reading things about KATV or KTUL (in the Tulsa thread), none of it really surprises me.

- Trip

I must have missed the memo about the KKAP flash-cut.

dmatch, could I get a capture of that?

- Trip

Is it really worth it? I have seen that advertised and wondered how many channels you really get with it. I wish DirecTV would get that kinda thing going. How much are you paying for it?

Its worth it....but it all depends on priorities and what you want to watch. I had the "full service" base package and downgraded to the bare-bonesTurbo HD Bronze two months ago. HD national channels and their SD counterparts only are included (the SD's come in handy as an alternative to the Stretchovision on History, TNT, etc). There's a few SD channels I miss (MSNBC, etc) but most everything else I can get. Despite that being an "HD only" package, Dish does carry the public service channels in SD. I also don't take locals which is $5.00 off. I had considered going back to OTA only, but decided that would have been too much. I saw where Comedy Central HD was added to the Dish lineup (thankfully the SD Daily Show and Colbert Report are shown in correct aspect ratio).

Wow, this is awesome!

The thing that just kills me is that they don't broadcast network programming in Dolby Digital.

KATV does, but its only 2.0 Stereo not 5.1 Surround. There's very little I watch over there these days, mostly Ugly Betty, Lost, and (before it was cancelled) Life on Mars
. I'm stuck with those guys for ABC shows because I don't have access to high speed internet and I'm 15 miles outside of WABG-DT's fringe coverage area (and co-channel interference from KARK-DT) WABG despite being in a bottom 25 market does broadcast ABC shows in 5.1 (their CBS competition WXVT-DT is only 480i SDTV)

Its worth it....but it all depends on priorities and what you want to watch. I had the "full service" base package and downgraded to the bare-bonesTurbo HD Bronze two months ago. HD national channels and their SD counterparts only are included (the SD's come in handy as an alternative to the Stretchovision on History, TNT, etc). There's a few SD channels I miss (MSNBC, etc) but most everything else I can get. Despite that being an "HD only" package, Dish does carry the public service channels in SD. I also don't take locals which is $5.00 off. I had considered going back to OTA only, but decided that would have been too much. I saw where Comedy Central HD was added to the Dish lineup (thankfully the SD Daily Show and Colbert Report are shown in correct aspect ratio).

How much is it for the HD only? Is there only one level of that? Or multiple choices?

I doubt I will change, just want to know what they offer. Still wish DirecTV would come up with that. I guess they just have way too many HD channels that it really wouldn't make a difference. As far as I have ever been able to tell, there are only a small handful of SD only channels on DirecTV.


EDIT: Yeah, I know I can go look it up myself. Guess I will do that. NM. (hehehe, damn afterthoughts)

hmm, not sure what we would miss besides MLB Network HD and some of the locals that DirecTV offers, but that price is pretty nice. Would not like the two dishes on the house though for one service.

How much is it for the HD only? Is there only one level of that? Or multiple choices?There are 3 tiers; bronze, silver and gold. But if you keep adding crap on, you're eventually back up to the DirecTV price.

I have the Bronze w/ DVR service & locals & OTA module. Here are the channels I get (http://i40.tinypic.com/28thumt.jpg) (not shown are a smattering of SDs thrown in that I don't watch). For 6 months the promo price is $19.95/mo, then the regular price goes to $39.95/mo. Absolute cheapest package would be bronze HD with no DVR and no locals, which would be about 10 bucks less. The gotcha on Dish locals is, if you don't sub to locals, they remove locals you get OTA from the guide. That means setting DVR timers manually. So, I opted to keep HD locals just for the DVR guide, even though they're blurrier than OTA or D* locals. The 722k DVR has a two-tuner OTA add on module. The module is free for new customers. I had heard the OTA was the weak link in this DVR, but I have had no problems with OTA reception.

IMO, the Dish DVRs are far superior to DirecTV's. The speed of channel changes, guide navigation & menus is far faster than D*'s.

You do not need two dishes for the service I sub'd to. YMMV, depending on channels you get. I'm still learning about Dish, having had D* since 1995. I was just paying too much to D* for tons of channels I never watched. I miss one or two of 'em, but not enough to pay $40 a month more for.

I must have missed the memo about the KKAP flash-cut.

dmatch, could I get a capture of that?

- TripSure 'nuff. See attachment (attached as .txt but is really an .htm).

I just looked at it for the first time and the first thing that jumped out at me was about 10 Mbps NULL packets.

dmatch

Well, a single SD feed, uncompressed, is 15 Mbps. So if they let the SD expand as much as it needs to while still being compressed, I could see it only taking 8 Mbps with zero observable degradation.

Thanks for the capture. =)

- Trip

Well, a single SD feed, uncompressed, is 15 Mbps. So if they let the SD expand as much as it needs to while still being compressed, I could see it only taking 8 Mbps with zero observable degradation.

Thanks for the capture. =)

- TripYou're welcome.

Attached is a screenshot for KKAP-DT.

dmatch

Just ran across this at FCC:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101301243&formid=910&fac_num=37005

It appears to me that KARZ analog will cease transmission on 5/11/2009.
This is BINDING notification that the above-referenced station, which is NOT a major network affiliate (i.e., an affiliate of ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC), will terminate analog television broadcast signals (excluding informal analog nightlight service, if applicable) on the following date:
05/11/2009 (mm/dd/yyyy) after April 15 at the following local time of day
Early Morning (12:00 AM - 6:00 AM)
Morning (6:01 AM - 12:00 PM Noon)
Afternoon (12:01 PM - 6:00 PM)
[X] Evening (6:01 PM - 11:59 PM).

Maybe then they will run their 1000 KW ERP on KARZ-DT that is in their Construction Permit Modification. I don't know what they are running now but it appears to be less than what Equity ran at.

dmatch

Last I checked, Dish charged for OTA, charged for plugging in an external hard drive, charged for EACH dvr, didnt carry Major League Baseball, and compressed their HD way more than DirecTv. Plus, Im not sure, havent checked lately, but does their equipment allow multi-room video from any dvr/receiver plugged into your network to any other dvr plugged into your network?

Every time Ive ever checked Dish, I ended up at close to the same price Im paying now for DirecTv, and lost several channels I watch regularly, and ALL my baseball games.

Damn power went out here and now the H20-100 can't find a signal to come on

The HR20-700 is having trouble too. Guess those are some thick clouds over us.

Must be trouble on the hill for KLRT. No analog or digital signal here.

dmatch

KLRT was out last night during the storm also. It was on DirecTv but not on OTA. Im guessing they dont have a backup power generator for their DT transmitter.

Haley - Got your tornado deflector enabled? If not - better turn it on.

Man, the weather is weird this weekend. 80 last night, not even 60 right now. 3" of rain, weather map looked like a kids coloring board. Only thing missing is snow :)

KLRT still out for you guys?

Yep, still gone here, both analog and digital.

dmatch

Ok, can anyone that uses DirecTV get ANY signal at all right now? Every now and then stuff on the 101 satellite will show up but thats it. Are the clouds really that bad, or has something happened to my dish?

Must be trouble on the hill for KLRT. No analog or digital signal here.

dmatch

We have lost the STL (studio-transmitter link) somehow. Either antenna got moved in the storms or lightning. No HD OTA until we can get a crew on the tower and determine where the problem is and how to fix. Flipped a backhaul around to get SD to the hill and out over DT. Analog still down.

E

Ok, can anyone that uses DirecTV get ANY signal at all right now? Every now and then stuff on the 101 satellite will show up but thats it. Are the clouds really that bad, or has something happened to my dish?
Ok, turns out my tree near the dish had a growth spurt all of the sudden or the rain weighed it down. I think it was the former though. Anyway, cut the limb and the strength on the 101 went from 50's to high 90's. Everything else looking good now. It's funny how it got in the way today all of the sudden. :)

Haley - Got your tornado deflector enabled? If not - better turn it on.

Man, the weather is weird this weekend. 80 last night, not even 60 right now. 3" of rain, weather map looked like a kids coloring board. Only thing missing is snow :)

I was at work when the storm hit....we were getting ready to get everyone in the coolers if needed, talk about dodging a bullet. No damage at the house, and other than ditches nearly full all is well.

We have lost the STL (studio-transmitter link) somehow. Either antenna got moved in the storms or lightning. No HD OTA until we can get a crew on the tower and determine where the problem is and how to fix. Flipped a backhaul around to get SD to the hill and out over DT. Analog still down.

E

I noticed a dead carrier on both KLRT analog and digital OTA this morning before work. That explains things.

Ok, turns out my tree near the dish had a growth spurt all of the sudden or the rain weighed it down. I think it was the former though. Anyway, cut the limb and the strength on the 101 went from 50's to high 90's. Everything else looking good now. It's funny how it got in the way today all of the sudden. :)

I lost the 110 satellite today for the same reason, a small sucker branch weighed down by rain, blocked it. Its also cutting my 103 down to about 50. Gonna wait for sunnier weather to climb a metal ladder on a grounded tree tho.

I was at work when the storm hit....we were getting ready to get everyone in the coolers if needed, talk about dodging a bullet. No damage at the house, and other than ditches nearly full all is well.

Glad all is well there. Was a bit concerned when they were showing the radar and the hook was moving right toward you guys.

All- Took lightning strike last night. Need some parts that we don't normally stock, will order Monday.


Curious- What kind of signal level are you guys seeing as opposed to normal ops @ 100%

Allen

All- Took lightning strike last night. Need some parts that we don't normally stock, will order Monday.


Curious- What kind of signal level are you guys seeing as opposed to normal ops @ 100%

Allen

Allen, I'm seeing no huge drop in signal here, y'all are 97% on my Envision-AOC TV and the Zenith Converter Box (DTT900) is showing about the same as normal. The antenna not being side mounted, plus the height and added vertical polarization is helping. (I've yet to check the Dish OTA tuner in the living room).

Normal UHF conditions here (neither KKAP nor KARZ are decoding, as normal). I just got home. Rain has *finally* ended for now.

WBAY-2 analog in very strong @ 5:11pm....

--- now back to our regular programming :D

Wow, I never could get that one when I lived outside Milwaukee. Nice snag. Gone by the time I read this message, of course.

Last I checked, Dish charged for OTA, charged for plugging in an external hard drive, charged for EACH dvr, didnt carry Major League Baseball, and compressed their HD way more than DirecTv. Plus, Im not sure, havent checked lately, but does their equipment allow multi-room video from any dvr/receiver plugged into your network to any other dvr plugged into your networkThey don't charge for OTA, and my OTA modules were free as a new customer. Dunno about the external HD, or multi-room viewing, except you can connect an SDTV to a modulated output on a selected UHF channel for viewing independent of the main HDTV. But I don't use that feature. I did lose a few channels but won't die without 'em. I had to cut costs and D* was getting ridiculous.

Having used the Dish HD DVR only a few days, I would never go back to the sluggish counter-intuitive D* DVRs. Like night & day difference.

I was looking at the filings that KTHV, KATV, and KLRT did as their June 12 analog terminations go...

KTHV and KATV chose to terminate between 6:01am-Noon (morning)

KLRT chose to terminate between 6:01pm-11:59pm (evening)

All three do not intend to operate "Nightlight Service", thankfully.

Allen, I'm seeing no huge drop in signal here, y'all are 97% on my Envision-AOC TV and the Zenith Converter Box (DTT900) is showing about the same as normal. The antenna not being side mounted, plus the height and added vertical polarization is helping. (I've yet to check the Dish OTA tuner in the living room).

Normal UHF conditions here (neither KKAP nor KARZ are decoding, as normal). I just got home. Rain has *finally* ended for now.

Thx for the report. This is the second lightning strike in a week on the tower. This has been a wx week for sure. Was looking at my home wx station just now and it shows right at 6" of rain since last sunday. 4" of that since friday.

A

@Allenf:

I noticed this morning that my signal quality on KATV-DT was down from 90-95% to 75-80% (drop of about 15% quality). I have 2 edge reception with many trees and am about 25 miles from transmitter with large outdoor antenna and pre-amp.

dmatch

I can see the tower, so unless the power and height dropped to KARZ levels, Id never notice it here.
No kidding on the weather. This has been the absolutely worst weekend. Fridge went out, and didnt notice it until I got back from the store with half a paychecks worth of groceries Saturday night (in the rain). Then try to get ANYONE from a store on the phone at 8pm. Found several models that would fit, and had the space, but none of the stores had anything in stock... Finally found a helpful salesperson at Home Depot in NLR, who steered me to the Home Depot in SWLR for the model I was looking for. Luckily, they allowed me to buy over the phone with a CC, and then I had to time by trip to pick it up by watching the radar and trying to time it where I could drive from SWLR to NLR without getting wet. Successful there. Then had to go to work twice today, and both times out parking lot was flooded. Ceiling in the shop had caved in, water and ceiling tile everywhere. And I missed Haleys DX snag of WBAY, which would have been the farthest North DX Ive ever logged (I logged Milwaukee and Chicago back in '80 on a duct when I lived in Blytheville). That duct was so strong, I was actually able to have a conversation with another ham in Milwaukee on the Milwaukee's 31/91 2m repeater, using my HANDHELD in Blytheville. It was one of those once in a lifetime things. Duct lasted 4 hours, moving from Wisconsin to Northern Illinois, then over to Indiana, Michegan, and finally ending with some stations from Detroit coming in.

Bring on the sunshine and the DX.

Allenf, what kind of WX station do you recommend? Id like one that did automatic rain guage dumping, but hooks to its own console, vs having to dedicate a PC to it... and of course, not cost $$$.

I can see the tower, so unless the power and height dropped to KARZ levels, Id never notice it here.

Allenf, what kind of WX station do you recommend? Id like one that did automatic rain guage dumping, but hooks to its own console, vs having to dedicate a PC to it... and of course, not cost $$$.

My wife bought me an Oregon Scientific WMR-968 for Christmas 3 years ago. I was worried because it was a cheaper station and I'd seen a lot of disparaging reviews. Compared to the cost of a Davis or LeCrosse, and the fact that it has held up well- I'd buy one again. I like the fact that the sensors are wireless. The anemometer is about 60' up on my tower just above most of the trees. The raingauge is on a fence in the backyard in the open and finally- the outside temp guage is shaded under the deck about 8' off the ground. I have my station connected to a PC running wx software that cost about $75. The console is nice for a quick looksee- I had it hanging on my shop wall for the longest. My station is listed on WeatherUnderground.com. Do a LR zipcode forecast and look for Walnut Grove.


A

@Allenf:

I noticed this morning that my signal quality on KATV-DT was down from 90-95% to 75-80% (drop of about 15% quality). I have 2 edge reception with many trees and am about 25 miles from transmitter with large outdoor antenna and pre-amp.

dmatch


Thanks. When I get a moment later today- I'll take a look for Duncan Gap on google. Curious where you are- as I have several folks who've called that live up 65 past Greenbriar that are having trouble with Shinall.

A

That might be because there are some BIG hills up there ...like 1200' types.

That might be because there are some BIG hills up there ...like 1200' types.

Ya know....

Older folks understand that and call for tips. Pretty much anyone under 40-45 calls and the hills aren't a factor as far as they are concerned. It should just work- just like cable- and think I'm just being contrary when I don't magically solve their issue or show up and fix it for them.

Sorry for the rant.

I'm getting more and more calls from folks who have dropped cable or satellite because of the economy. A lot of them are newbies to watching over the air and live out a ways. I'm having the best luck with older folks and kids. The kids often get put on the phone when the parents get frustrated. Older folks and kids tend to listen and are willing to poke around on the remote to re-scan, try a few things, etc.

A

I was looking at the filings that KTHV, KATV, and KLRT did as their June 12 analog terminations go...

KTHV and KATV chose to terminate between 6:01am-Noon (morning)

KLRT chose to terminate between 6:01pm-11:59pm (evening)

All three do not intend to operate "Nightlight Service", thankfully.After KATV goes all digital, how long till AETN does? It is KATV blocking them at the moment, isn't it?

Wonder how the test pattern with the Indian on it would look in HD?

Thanks. When I get a moment later today- I'll take a look for Duncan Gap on google. Curious where you are- as I have several folks who've called that live up 65 past Greenbriar that are having trouble with Shinall.

ASouth of Vilonia and north of Otto. Duncan Gap refers to a gap in one of the mountains that is edging my signal. There is a real old cemetery there so it may actually be on google maps.

RE: Greenbrier area

Can get iffy depending on hills in that area. Further north as elevation in general rises, toward Damascus, I know of people that are getting all the Shinall signals with exception of 42/44 but they are either on an elevated flat spot (plateau) or on top of a hill and they have the right antenna for the job (big). They actually do as well as I do here half as far away, at a lower elevation and behind hill(s).

dmatch

After KATV goes all digital, how long till AETN does? It is KATV blocking them at the moment, isn't it?From what I and others have been told by AETN employees they were ready to go digital on February 17, 2009 (that's why they were off air so long before Feb. 17th - getting ready) and should be able to go digital as soon as KATV analog vacates channel 7.

dmatch

Yea, from talking to the AETN folks, there probably wont be any time at all to DX channel 7 :)

Is it just Conway Corp or is KLRT not broadcasting House in HD tonight? Also, the first three minutes of the episode didn't have sound at all.

That might be because there are some BIG hills up there ...like 1200' types.That ain't big. LOL

Here's a great article on OTA reception behind a hill.
http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_c/DTVtransitionRevisited.html
The signals are often there, but it usually involves walking around with an antenna to find a sweet spot. And higher is not always better for picking up "knife-edge" refracted signals.

Is it just Conway Corp or is KLRT not broadcasting House in HD tonight? Also, the first three minutes of the episode didn't have sound at all.
Earlier (above - about 28 posts up) Errett described what was going on with KLRT.We have lost the STL (studio-transmitter link) somehow. Either antenna got moved in the storms or lightning. No HD OTA until we can get a crew on the tower and determine where the problem is and how to fix. Flipped a backhaul around to get SD to the hill and out over DT.Key part of that is "No HD OTA".

dmatch

Is it just Conway Corp or is KLRT not broadcasting House in HD tonight? Also, the first three minutes of the episode didn't have sound at all.It also impacted DTV. I was watching House tonight and it dropped out of HD for 10-20 minutes and then popped back into HD.

Thanks, guys, for the info on AETN. I'm getting sick of the crappy picture that DTV is providing via the PBS station they are mapping into AETN's slot. Better than nothing, but not by much.

I noticed the KLRT issues during House last night as well. Just switched to SD for a while... then magically switched back after a long while. My wife was furious....... made me proud. ;)

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.
Definitely. I know at least KTHV and KARK are able to display weather graphics over HD content. What makes it even worse are the horrible KATV banners they put on the side!

I will write a(nother) message to complain.

Also, if KATV shows Lost in SD, I end up watching it on ABC.com, hooked up to my TV. The pic quality is not bad.

Regarding AETN on Conway Corporation's HD tier, I'm told Conway Corporation will be dropping AETN from its HD tier if AETN does not provide more HD progamming.

Looks like no AETN digital tonight. KTWN is either off the air or using some REALLY low power, not even getting a blip on the quality meter here in NLR (usually upper 80's).

Tropo last night and this morning....nabbed KFOR 4 (analog) OKC and KODE-DT Joplin ;-)

Snagged WHBQ on 13 from Memphis this morning as well.

Looks like no AETN digital tonight. KTWN is either off the air or using some REALLY low power, not even getting a blip on the quality meter here in NLR (usually upper 80's).I vote off the air. Like you I get no indication of signal whatsoever, and I am much nearer them than you.

It was off yesterday evening and still gone this morning.

dmatch

Buyer: Bank of Little Rock
Price: $1,150,001
KKYK-DT, KKYK-CA, KTVV-LP, KHTE-LP, KHUG-LP & KWBK-LP Little Rock AR
Source:http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/14101.html

KKYK-DT?????????
Interesting that one of the CEO's of Bank of Little Rock, is Mr. Worthen...Whom I believe owned one of the largest banks in the state in the 80's?? Ive actually worked on some equipment for their Kavanaugh location, more like a coffee shop than a bank. Must have been Millions in antiques and art in the place. Not your normal bank. Wonder if they bought it as an investment? Who is running it? Whats gonna happen to it? As Little Rock TV turns...

Buyer: Bank of Little Rock
Price: $1,150,001
KKYK-DT, KKYK-CA, KTVV-LP, KHTE-LP, KHUG-LP & KWBK-LP Little Rock AR
Source:http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/tv_deals/14101.html

KKYK-DT?????????
Interesting that one of the CEO's of Bank of Little Rock, is Mr. Worthen...Whom I believe owned one of the largest banks in the state in the 80's?? Ive actually worked on some equipment for their Kavanaugh location, more like a coffee shop than a bank. Must have been Millions in antiques and art in the place. Not your normal bank. Wonder if they bought it as an investment? Who is running it? Whats gonna happen to it? As Little Rock TV turns...

The primary KKYK "DT" is still pure analog, and "full power"---on paper only, much like KKAP was during most of its analog run. I will occasionally see KKYK 49 during tropo, but I think its sporatic.

The May issue of the WTFDA's VHF UHF Digest had a mention of the sale of some of the sold off former Equity stations. KHTE-LP is a ghost station---its the former analog assignment on channel 44, that was vacated for present-day KARZ-DT 44. I remember seeing that channel 44 analog living in Little Rock back in 2003-04 running MTV2 videos (and including the reminder to change the DirecTV access card!). KWBK-LP on channel 45 has not been seen in about a year. KHUG-LP is the very low power channel 14 station with the old RetroJams videos that I logged once during intense tropo to Little Rock. KTVV-LP is channel 49 in Hot Springs, and can't ever recall seeing (I've seen a channel 23 TBN over there).

Bottom line, some of these worthless translators/LPTV's have been silent for years. KPBI 34 Eureka Springs for some strange reason was held back from the Equity auctions. I'm not optimistic about KPBI's future ownership or programing considering that the gospel huxters are about the only ones with cash to buy stations at present. Also, I don't think Nexstar wants a third NWA transmitter now that KFTA-DT 27 ("24-n") doesn't have to deal with analog interference from KSFX 27 in Springfield MO.

Its amazing how much money you can amass when you dont have to pay 43% of it in taxes...I was going to buy a new gas range, but when they hit me with the tax, it went right out of my budget window. Like they need more Daystar stations...geeze, they are everywhere.

Im still laughing that I can receive two VTN stations, but cant get one AETN. Directv is becoming Skyangel2.

Im in the wrong raquet.

DFW DTV's KTVT and KDFW are decoding.....KDFW (Fox O&O) with local news in HDTV.

... KPBI 34 Eureka Springs for some strange reason was held back from the Equity auctions. I'm not optimistic about KPBI's future ownership or programing considering that the gospel huxters are about the only ones with cash to buy stations at present. Also, I don't think Nexstar wants a third NWA transmitter now that KFTA-DT 27 ("24-n") doesn't have to deal with analog interference from KSFX 27 in Springfield MO.KFTA-DT 27 comes in fine here (~5mi South of the MO border), now that 5,000kW KSFX analog 27 is history. Never could pick it up before. Nexstar also recently tripled KFTA-DT's ERP from 200 to 600kW.

Being such a small market, I doubt Nexstar has any desire to buy KPBI. Since KPBI is a full power analog, has no DT equipment in place yet and must go dark 6/12, I wonder if Daystar would even be interested in buying it?

Does anyone know why Fox 16 isn't carrying network programming in HD today on its DirecTV HD feed? I know they have the ability to do a weather bug in HD without dropping to SD, and I was just curious. The DirecTV feed is independent of the OTA feed is it not?

Anyone looking for a 4 port HDMI switcher w/4 Toslink optical audio, I just came across a good deal:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7985745&st=psyclone&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1157067584966

Price when I tried to buy online for pickup at the WLR store was $164, but when I got to the store, the actual price (cloeout) was just $91 w/tax. Comes with a HDMI cable. Had editable name LCD source display, and adjustable gain from 0 to +15 units of whatever :)

Just thought Id post it here, since Im not allowed in the Hot Finds section.

Does anyone know why Fox 16 isn't carrying network programming in HD...?This was just discussed in previous posts.

Anyone looking for a 4 port HDMI switcher w/4 Toslink optical audio, I just came across a good deal:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7985745&st=psyclone&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1157067584966

Price when I tried to buy online for pickup at the WLR store was $164, but when I got to the store, the actual price (cloeout) was just $91 w/tax. Comes with a HDMI cable. Had editable name LCD source display, and adjustable gain from 0 to +15 units of whatever :)

Just thought Id post it here, since Im not allowed in the Hot Finds section.
Sounds like its not 1.3a compatible cause it has the TOSLink capability, so I wonder how good it is. Sounds kinda expensive to me for just a passive switch, but if thats all you need, sounds like might be an okay price since it includes the optical like it does.

Oh a similar note, I just found out that optical cables carry a max of 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS audio and can't do any of the DTS HD or the high than plain DTS audio codecs. Found that out when I was shopping for a new receiver. I wanted one that would let me do the linear pcm uncompressed audio from my PS3. Would love to have one that does Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS HD, or DTS HD Master Audio, but those are pretty expensive receivers that have that.

Anyway, the audio has to be carried over HDMI for the linear pcm codec it turns out, so you have to get a somewhat expensive receiver to get one that has Active HDMI in it. I ended up deciding to get a Sony STR-DH700 unit which Amazon has a pretty good deal on. I will be ordering it in the next day or so unless someone can give me a good reason to avoid it. :) It seems good, but I just really don't know. Still have my doubts for some reason.

This was just discussed in previous posts.

I think he was asking why the DIRECTV feed of KLRT was in SD. I started watching the Nascar race, and its in SD with Weather graphics. Normally, on DirecTv, even after the failure, Im pretty sure it was HD. Guess KLRT will have to fill us all in.

Sounds like its not 1.3a compatible cause it has the TOSLink capability.

Advanced HDMI1.3a. The Toslink and HDMI sections are separate, they just switch at the same time.
I think HDMI sucks personally. I plugged the following receivers sources into my Sharp Aquos, and ran the Optical output of the Aquos to the Surround sound amp. Using the Aquos to switch, this was the result:
HR22 - Sent Prologic II digital to amp regardless of source program audio
HR20 - No passthrough at all to AMP, although TV played the audio
SageTv - No passthrough
Pansat9200 - No passthrough.

So out of 4 HDMI boxes, only ONE was actually passed through the Sharp to the AMP (which has no HDMI inputs).

So my choice was pay $850 for a Denon amp with HDMI switching to replace my current Denon amp, or get a cheap HDMI switch and run separate video/audio for $91.

The best solution would be to get a amp with 4 or 5 HDMI inputs, but I just cannot afford it at the momemt.

None of this would have been nessessary, except I tore EVERYTHING out of the rack today, removed the rack, and cleaned everything, vacuumed up about 2 bags of pet hair and dust that had collected behind it over the past 3 yrs, and wanted to get rid of the rats nest of cables back there, hence, HDMI. Even HDMI+toslink is a lot neater than those huge 75 ohm component YPrPb+audio+coax digital. I also mounted the power strips to the back of the rack, and put wheels on the rack, so the whole system will roll right out into the room, with only the sat coax, ota coax, network cables, and one power cord running to the wall. Easy Cleaning Now!!

As for your Sony purchase:

<quote from Amazon>
List Price: $299.99
Price: $232.42 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $67.57 (23%)
Special Offers Available


This item has not yet been released.
You may pre-order it now and we will deliver it to you when it arrives.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

<end quote>

Might be worth waiting for. 3 HDMI isnt enough for me, if I was going to use HDMI as a video/audio connect. I have 4 HDMI units now, and havent even bought a blu-ray player yet, which will be 5. A game console would make 6, and if I hooked my computer up digitally instead of using the VGA connector, that would be 7. My Aquos has 3, the switch has 4, so thats a total of 6. Thats the problem with low cost home theatre amps, lack of inputs.

That Sony was available earlier today and all last week. I don't know what the hell Amazon's problem is. They always pull this crap right when I finally get the money up to buy the crap. Really pissing me off. Hell, even Crutchfield is showing that it is available through them right now for $250, but I don't think they take Amazon gift certificates directly and Amazon is saying that even buying from Crutchfield it isn't released yet. I really think its something screwed up on Amazon's side. I was hoping to buy this and get it out Monday in hopes of having it by Friday.

I have 1 HDMI port right now on my TV. Its got my PS3 into it. I have a "digital coax" run from my TV to the Kenwood VR-405 receiver. I don't like the way my Kenwood VR-405 doesn't have newer codecs in it and I want my blu-ray stuff through the PS3 to sound better. I *think* the sony will do the job nicely.

As far as your issues with your receivers not passing through audio from the TV to the amp, I bet you more than anything that it has something to do with the TV and not anything else. It might have only one "active" port on it and the rest are just switched ports and if you want audio on them, you have to run them to a different audio port. I've seen a few amps that do this crap or worse. I don't know the exact model of the receiver or TV you have, but from what you are describing, I feel pretty sure that that is what they are doing. It really sucks, but thats how these giant companies make their cash.

A lot of companies sell stuff and say they are 1.3a compliant (which is supposed to include audio pass-through for everything up to LPCM) like the Denon AVR-1609, but they won't pass through audio. They have essentially crippled the spec so they can justify selling much more expensive equipment that does what the lower cost should have done. That's just my opinion anyway. There is the Denon AVR-1909 on Crutchfield for like $650 I think it was if you wanna pay that much. It's a damn good receiver and does EVERY codec available, even the HD stuff.

Anyway, you get what you think will do the job you want. If it does, thats awesome. I just figured out that I don't want optical anymore if I can avoid it just because its limitations with only doing DD5.1 and DTS codecs and thats it. Its just too limiting when it comes to newer movies and such. Also, even though I thought it was a good idea a while back to just get a switch so I can connect my two HDMI things up to my TV's one HDMI port, I found out from a pretty big A/V dealer that I met online that you really really want a 1.3a compliant HDMI active switch so you can get the full breadth of what HDMI can offer you. HDMI is just too awesome to NOT use when its implemented right in the components you have.

Yea, thats why I got this switch, its 1.3a compliant, and passes the audio and video, and offers a signal amplifier (variable) in case your receiver has noise in the signal. Mine works fine on the default setting. It does pass the 1080p SageTv signal as well. I have only tested it passing Dolby Digital at the moment (5.1 I believe) since thats the best I could find on DirecTv. I dont have a DVD player or Blue ray with HDMI out, which Im guessing is the only place you would be able to take advantage of 7.1 or higher.

I really have no reason to add more speakers anyway. My room is only 12x14, and Ive got 4 front, 1 center, 2 rear, and one subwoofer already, thats enough. Happy with the switch though. It would do you good to expand that one HDMI port on your TV to 4, but you have the same problem as I do, the TV apparently STOPS all the good audio, and doesnt send it down the optical to the receiver. As for the TV inputs blocking the audio, I was going through the switch, so all 4 were going to the same input. Only the HR22 had audio passed through it. Didnt matter what order I plugged em in either, only that one device had audio passed through the TV. Something about the signal apparently caused the TV to block the other 3. No clue.

As for channel 16, The went to HD for Nascar when the weather alert quit, now they just dropped back to SD to run a scroll about the analog cut off, so apparently they dont have the capability to run graphics over the HD. Its very annoying, and very 2004.

Yea, thats why I got this switch, its 1.3a compliant, and passes the audio and video, and offers a signal amplifier (variable) in case your receiver has noise in the signal. Mine works fine on the default setting. It does pass the 1080p SageTv signal as well. I have only tested it passing Dolby Digital at the moment (5.1 I believe) since thats the best I could find on DirecTv. I dont have a DVD player or Blue ray with HDMI out, which Im guessing is the only place you would be able to take advantage of 7.1 or higher.

I really have no reason to add more speakers anyway. My room is only 12x14, and Ive got 4 front, 1 center, 2 rear, and one subwoofer already, thats enough. Happy with the switch though. It would do you good to expand that one HDMI port on your TV to 4, but you have the same problem as I do, the TV apparently STOPS all the good audio, and doesnt send it down the optical to the receiver. As for the TV inputs blocking the audio, I was going through the switch, so all 4 were going to the same input. Only the HR22 had audio passed through it. Didnt matter what order I plugged em in either, only that one device had audio passed through the TV. Something about the signal apparently caused the TV to block the other 3. No clue.

As for channel 16, The went to HD for Nascar when the weather alert quit, now they just dropped back to SD to run a scroll about the analog cut off, so apparently they dont have the capability to run graphics over the HD. Its very annoying, and very 2004.
I'm not sure if you are going to get better than DD's 5.1 off optical cause apparently it doesn't have the bandwidth to carry much more. When I had my old Kenwood DVD player hooked up to the receiver when it worked it did all the switching of the receiver to different modes, but I am not sure how far that thin fiber will be able to go with the different newer codecs that are out there. I think I saw like 12 different codecs on Crutchfields site and that sony did like 7 of them, so I am thinking that will be good. With the talking to the A/V guru I met I found out the limitations of optical which surprised me really. He was like if all you want is DD 5.1 or DTS encoded audio, then you are golden. I don't know if it does all the DTS Neo:6 or Pro Logic II or other stuff like that or not.

I don't think you can get 7.1 off DVD's, but I could be wrong.

You don't have to have all 7 channels going at once to experience the joys of HDMI uncompressed audio from what I understand. It seems that if you can get uncompressed Linear PCM audio from sources, the difference in the quality of the audio is supposed to be like night and day. Like, in "Black Hawk Down" I read that in the helicopter ride scene with DD or DTS you could tell that you were in the helicopter. With Linear PCM uncompressed audio, it sounds like you are IN the helicopter with the whirring of the blades and everything. Apparently its awesome sounding. "Bolt" is supposed to have some pretty good audio as well. I would imagine "Wall-E" would be up there too.

Anyway, I don't really know how much any of that matters to anyone really. Its just one of those subjective things. All I know is in the end I want to replace my 10 or 11 year old receiver, want to get something that is relatively up to date, and will last me another 10 or 11 years. If it sounds good, thats all that matters in the end, right? :) I thought about putting the old Kenwood in my computer room to run the TV in here's audio through it, but then I realized I would have to get another sub, at least two more speakers (have two kinda crappy ones in the garage), and who knows what else, so I don't know how good of an idea that is.

I got my Denon about a year ago (its 5.1, not 7.1), so its relatively new. It does DTS Neo:6, DD 5.1, Prologic II. I dont plan on getting Blu-ray, so wouldnt have any sources for that newer stuff anyways. As for passing the newer stuff over optical, you got me. Whether its just never been implemented, or is a limitation of the light frequency being used, I dont know.

In any case, the switch will work in the future should I decide to go the 7.1 route, as the HDMI ports will pass all that without using the optical ports, if I ever get something to decode it (suppose I could always get a card for the computer to process the weird codecs).

What it boils down to though, is it doesnt matter to most folks if HDMI carries anything more than 2.0 audio anyway, since without spending a Kings ransom for a TV, or AMP, it doesnt matter how good the signal sent is, the deaf crap at the end of the cable ignores it.

I dont know what the purpose is, of having 3 HDMI inputs, 3 YPrPb inputs with optical audio, when they KNOW there isnt a person out there thats going to use the cheap ass little speakers in the TV for listening to their stuff. Thats why Im really sort of confused about the whole HDMI thing anyway. To get good sound, you need to run ALL your components to a HT receiver with HDMI. Then from there to the TV. Yet, you have to pay a million bucks to get 5 or more HDMI inputs on a HT amp, but the TV's have inputs galore. Its just a big rip off all the way around. Its obvious from the inputs on the cheap LCD TVs and the $91 switch I just bought, that it isnt THAT expensive to include a lot of HDMI inputs, yet to get more than 3 on a HT amp, the price more than DOUBLES, and none of them under $2000 have enough.

If and when I need to, I can just get a cheap HT amp with 3 HDMI inputs now, cuz the switch will add 3 more, and save me alot. Your Sony amp, coupled with my switch would give me all I would need, should I ever decide to get a blu-ray, which I wont until the discs are in the price range of current DVDs on the pick and grab boxes at Wal Mart :)

Some TV's, like mine, try to help you out with the audio bit by giving you a digital coax output from the TV that you can put into an amp. I am not sure what all it will support, but I figure it might be almost as much as optical (probably less), just not as good maybe. But, yeah, like you said, you really need to run it all to a good receiver, which is what I am going to do when I get this one. There are some people out there that use the TV speakers. Hell, I think there are a couple of them on here......in fact, weren't you one of them that used the TV speakers for most stuff then turned on the amp for movies? I might be mistaken.

Anyway, I want everything running through it so I don't have to worry about the TV dicking it up. Plus, I wanna use this Harmony 880 to its fullest extent possible and that will help. I guess there are a lot of people out there who need more than 3 HDMI inputs, but I am not one of them. At times I wish I was cause it would be cool (to me) and I would love to have my 360 going HDMI, but its too old, but I am not. I have 2 in the living room that have HDMI on them, so I am good for a while. If I get more, I will go the route you did cause it sounds really good to do.

For someone who does as much with HD and digital reception and viewing and messing around with antennas as you do to get good signals in for the best reception possible, it kinda confuses me why you don't get a Blu-Ray player. There is just a major major difference in the quality between DVD's and Blu-Ray discs. I don't think you will ever see a $7 Blu-Ray movie that isn't heavily used or something. The quality of them makes them be able to get as high a price as they are. Maybe you might find a $15 one, but I doubt if you will get less than that. In any case, I think its worth it and feel that you are missing out quite a bit with as much crap as you have in your set up. :)

Still really really wanna know why all the sudden Amazon's site says that the receiver hasn't been released yet from them and Crutchfield when all this past week it was ready to be bought for as low as $227.98 from Amazon themselves. That really is frustrating. Hope its fixed soon.

Im just guessing, but maybe Sony found a bug in the firmware, and halted shipping. The same thing happened with the Dish TR50 OTA DVR, they were selling for a month, and so many people had problems, they stopped shipping until they could write better firmware and test it, its still in preorder after two months.

Ive used the TV speakers for a center channel, but never used them for listening to anything except the actual TV tuner when DXing.

Im not a big movie person, so blu-ray doesnt do anything for me. Maybe someday, when they come out with a blu-ray recorder (stand-alone). Id love to record my Nova and Nature satellite feeds to disc. Right now, Im keeping em all on the server. Its got 2.5 TB of hard drive space, and is filling up quickly, and a double-layer DVD is about 1/2 a gig to small to store a full hour of 1080i. I may experiment to see if I can transcode to 720p and see if I notice any difference.

Im just guessing, but maybe Sony found a bug in the firmware, and halted shipping. The same thing happened with the Dish TR50 OTA DVR, they were selling for a month, and so many people had problems, they stopped shipping until they could write better firmware and test it, its still in preorder after two months.

Ive used the TV speakers for a center channel, but never used them for listening to anything except the actual TV tuner when DXing.

Im not a big movie person, so blu-ray doesnt do anything for me. Maybe someday, when they come out with a blu-ray recorder (stand-alone). Id love to record my Nova and Nature satellite feeds to disc. Right now, Im keeping em all on the server. Its got 2.5 TB of hard drive space, and is filling up quickly, and a double-layer DVD is about 1/2 a gig to small to store a full hour of 1080i. I may experiment to see if I can transcode to 720p and see if I notice any difference.
As far as I have been able to ascertain, its not anything with the receiver. The Crutchfield sales guy I emailed didn't seem to indicate anything about it.

Oh yeah, you used the TV for center. (Still think thats silly. lol, just messing with you)

As far as the 1-hour not fitting on a dual-layer disc, maybe use editing software to trim off the extra b.s. commercials at the end so it will fit? I bet that would work. That way you wouldn't have to lose anything by going down to 720p.

Yea, thats probably the route Ill go.. Time is the problem. Editing takes so long. Im still only on music video 400 of the 2009 videos shown back to back on VH1 the first of the year :)

Back to topic: Anyone know if KTWN is down due to technical problems, or is it just history? I checked FCC filings, and there is no listing of any recent transactions, such as the type KEMV filed when they had to reduce power.

I live in Arkadelphia and use rabbit ears for my bedroom tv. They are 27 inches long tip to tip (optimized for my problem channel KTHV 11) and spread out at 180 degrees. When I first started watching digital TV in October I tried putting them in an east facing window (I have no north facing window) to help the reception. Strangely the rabbit ears work best 18 inches below the window PRESSED UP AGAINST THE WALL! It's as if the signal can come more easily through the wall than the window. My apartment building has a brick exterior. What's going on here? If I put the rabbit ears outside the reception gets really bad. How can being pressed up against an east facing brick wall be such a "sweet spot?" I'm baffled! This is the most counter-intuitive thing I've ever seen. I normally receive Little Rock channels 4, 7, and 16 this way. I get KTHV 11 about half the time. Channel 7 is the only Little Rock channel not adversely affected by putting the rabbit ears in the window.

Maybe there are pipes or wires in the wall carrying the signal down from a higher better reception area, and you are picking up the reradiation.

Is KKYK on the air digitally right now? Just wondering cause I saw their commercial during the Cardinals game today talking about how it would be on 49 this summer. I don't think I have picked it up in a very long time. Didn't know if it was still on or not.

I dont know, you would need to find someone around ElDorado/Camden to check. Last I heard, they were still 5000kw analog from just outside ElDorado. A STA for 17kw digital is on file, and an application for full power digital is on file. 20 in Little Rock is still analog at 150kw from Shinall Mt, and no applications for a digital version are found on the fcc site.

A few months ago KKYK was analog, according to a first-hand source. He was only visiting, so who knows what's going on now.

- Trip

I dont know, you would need to find someone around ElDorado/Camden to check. Last I heard, they were still 5000kw analog from just outside ElDorado. A STA for 17kw digital is on file, and an application for full power digital is on file. 20 in Little Rock is still analog at 150kw from Shinall Mt, and no applications for a digital version are found on the fcc site.

If KKYK 49 is running 5MW then I have some beach front property in Star City to sell :eek:

KKYK 49 if I see them at all is very weak, much weaker than KEJB 43 (future KEJB-DT) that I get 24/7 here. The transmitter for KKYK 49 is closer to El Dorado. I've not seen them in about a week or two.

I'm not sure what Bank Of Little Rock (the new owner) will do with KKYK 49/CA 20. I don't think they will be a long-term owner though. If 49 (including the ch 20 Little Rock translator) goes for sale again, I don't expect secular programming by a potential owner. I know that's a bit tinfoil hat, but thats the way I see it.

If KKYK 49 is running 5MW then I have some beach front property in Star City to sell :eek:

After all the rain, thats not beyond the relm of possibility.

Sam: Finally got a call to Jasper today, and after I finished up, I drove over to Ponca, and got my "Buffalo Flows" DVD. Went back via Boxley valley, hoping to see some elk, but they were all hiding (lots of cows tho:)

Gosh I hope I can find a small cabin up there somewhere to retire at. I was at 2300'. Folks a block apart had antennas pointed toward Fayetteville, Little Rock, Springfield... Must be able to get everything up there.

Why is KLRT broadcasting in 480i?

KLRT had technical problems on the tower over a week ago. Errett posted about it a few pages back. I haven't seen HD or heard any news on when we will get it back since.

Why is KLRT broadcasting in 480i?

Answered about a page back. Lost Studio to transmitter link, and fell back to the SD link which still worked (and would probably do HD if they went having to use it for analog 16...just a guess).

Its in HD on Directv as long as they arent running weather crawls.

ah, ok. Thanks.
I guess I missed it skimming through.

Gosh I hope I can find a small cabin up there somewhere to retire at. I was at 2300'. Folks a block apart had antennas pointed toward Fayetteville, Little Rock, Springfield... Must be able to get everything up there.Too bad you missed the elk, but at least you finally got a decent copy of the show that AETN can't manage to air properly. I saw a few elk the other day when I was showing some friends around the Boxley area. Love it down there.

I know some people who live in Newton on one of those ~2300 footers. I don't remember what kind of antenna they have but it's old and big, with a rotor & 7777 preamp. They have a Zenith DTT901 converter box and they get Springfield, Fayettenam and LR.

Here's their TVFool results:
http://i44.tinypic.com/ng4juf.png

KARZ 42 gave up the ghost just after 8am this morning (May 12), 8 hours after it was scheduled to do so.

Good Riddance..... 3 to go in 'Lil Rock

So what DX can we log on 42 now?

KLRT had technical problems on the tower over a week ago. Errett posted about it a few pages back. I haven't seen HD or heard any news on when we will get it back since.

No news to post yet unfortunately. Need this weather to cooperate a little more.

Answered about a page back. Lost Studio to transmitter link, and fell back to the SD link which still worked (and would probably do HD if they went having to use it for analog 16...just a guess).

Its in HD on Directv as long as they arent running weather crawls.

We lost the link that carries both SD and HD. We had to steal a backhaul that is used for News ENG shots to get anything on the air.

E

No news to post yet unfortunately. Need this weather to cooperate a little more.



We lost the link that carries both SD and HD. We had to steal a backhaul that is used for News ENG shots to get anything on the air.

E

Thanks for the update E, but dang! I was really hoping for HD for American Idol and the Fringe finale tonight. Well, I know you're working hard on it, but this weather's got to be driving you nuts.

So what DX can we log on 42 now?

Possible Channel 42 DX Targets For Central Arkansas

KMYT-DT (41-n) Tulsa (logged them once early on a sunday morning last year)

KSHB-DT (41-n) Kansas City

KPXD-DT (68-n) Arlington TX (DFW market) (already logged)

KTBU-DT (55-n) Conroe TX (Houston market)

WFLI-DT (42-n?) Cleveland TN

WICS-DT (20-n) Springfield IL (their ch20 analog I logged in 2006)

There was an analog Full Power in Birmingham AL (WIAT 42 CBS) that I logged once. Greenville MS has a LPTV TBN translator.

Complete List
(http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=&arn=&city=&chan=42&cha2=42&serv=&type=3&facid=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9)

Did you guys determine if it was a lightning strike or an antenna alignment issue? Seems like it might have been lightning given that Allen said the KATV tower was hit twice in one week by lightning.

If its just a microwave link between the studio and the mountain, that sounds a little pathetic that it wasn't mounted better than that. :) Thats just a joke, I have NO idea what it takes for a setup.

WFLI-DT should be mapped to 53-1.

- Trip

yet again- we suffered a lightning strike today. Was at low power for an hour or so on the little transmitter and standby antenna. At 50% power now, parts on the way. I have rarely seen such a bad spring for lightning/power issues or just plain bad luck whether it be KATV, KLRT, or whatever. It is starting to feel a bit like an old testament wrath of god event.

<sigh>

A

It is starting to feel a bit like an old testament wrath of god event.

Nah, just god telling ya'll to turn off analog.

nah, just god telling ya'll to turn off analog.

:)

Nah, just god telling ya'll to turn off analog.
LOL!!!!! That is so funny! Seriously, Allen, ya kinda do. I know it is no where near your decision or anything, but the station is keeping a lot of these geezers from watchin their "Lawrence Welk Show" (sorry guys, had to do it) and a lot of the nerds from watching "Nova" (hey, myself included). If you guys could kill analog, we would all be ecstatic!

What kind of lighting rod you guys got on that antenna??? (well, besides the antenna itself, hehe) Seems like something isn't right up there if you are getting hit this many times.

The antenna had some pretty impressive lightning rods on it. Allen posted a pic way back in this thread. Dont know why other than 7 and 16 have the two tallest towers. Im surprised lightning would traven down a waveguide vs the tower itself anyway. Good thing their backup transmitter and side mounted antenna get out almost as good as the main one.

Nah, just god telling ya'll to turn off analog.Good one Dave! :)


...Dont know why other than 7 and 16 have the two tallest towers...We have a winner!

The antenna had some pretty impressive lightning rods on it. Allen posted a pic way back in this thread. Dont know why other than 7 and 16 have the two tallest towers. Im surprised lightning would traven down a waveguide vs the tower itself anyway. Good thing their backup transmitter and side mounted antenna get out almost as good as the main one.
Oh yeah, forgot about that.....it was that big ball thing with the things sticking out of it on top of it, right? Kinda like the one on "Back to the Future" at the top of the clock tower rod? Or am I remembering something else?

That be it.

The antenna had some pretty impressive lightning rods on it. Allen posted a pic way back in this thread. Dont know why other than 7 and 16 have the two tallest towers. Im surprised lightning would traven down a waveguide vs the tower itself anyway. Good thing their backup transmitter and side mounted antenna get out almost as good as the main one.

You should be in the transmitter building when the tower takes a strike. It gets your attention really fast.

E

You should be in the transmitter building when the tower takes a strike. It gets your attention really fast.

E
Errrrr, ummmmmm, no thanks. ;)

Has anyone here talked with KATV about their extremely annoying sidebars during 4:3 content? I'm glad they're not blue anymore, but they still are very distracting (and risky for burn-in).

they still are very distracting (and risky for burn-in).
wouldn't know, don't leave it on my plasma long enough to risk the burn in. ;)

Has anyone here talked with KATV about their extremely annoying sidebars during 4:3 content? I'm glad they're not blue anymore, but they still are very distracting (and risky for burn-in).

You might sent a PM to allenf in this forum, and ask. He is their Chief Engineer, and while he might not be able to do anything about it, he can probably tell you if its a trial, permanant, or pass your concerns on to the decisionmakers.

You might sent a PM to allenf in this forum, and ask. He is their Chief Engineer, and while he might not be able to do anything about it, he can probably tell you if its a trial, permanant, or pass your concerns on to the decisionmakers.It's probably permanent. Albritton does the same obnoxious thing on KTUL in Tulsa. They want to be as IN YOUR FACE as much as possible, with their logos.

So, DirecTV sent me a new receiver (H20-100) and said they would send a box for me to return the H20-600. Well, that was, what, 2 weeks ago? I still haven't gotten the return box to send in the -600 and the access card in it was apparently deactivated sometime last night. (I say deactivated cause it says "Service not active" and has 771 on the screen when I try to tune something.) So, now I have a box sitting around with nothing to do with it and I don't really feel like trying to call them up and explain to them what is going on after waiting on hold for 30 minutes.

KARK-DT is way down (almost non-existent here) in signal quality with only about 15% (about the same as KARZ-DT). Perhaps they are still working on the new antenna setup for KARZ-DT and need to turn down the power on KARK-DT. Anybody know?

KTWN-LD must have really blown a fuse this time. They have been off the air for about a week now. So no AETN (KTWN-LD2) again.

dmatch

KTWN-LD must have really blown a fuse this time. They have been off the air for about a week now. So no AETN (KTWN-LD2) again.
dmatch

Gave up on it, and turned my antennas southwest, hoping to get some skip from Texas. KEMV is still coming in good here tho.

So, DirecTV sent me a new receiver (H20-100) and said they would send a box for me to return the H20-600. Well, that was, what, 2 weeks ago? I still haven't gotten the return box to send in the -600 and the access card in it was apparently deactivated sometime last night..

And the $400 charge will show up on your credit card really fast too, if you dont call them. They wont refund the money either, even after getting the receiver back late, they will just credit your account. If you contest the charge, they will turn off all your receivers, and charge you $400 for each as well as a early termination fee. Better call em :)

I just installed a Slimline SWM5 to replace the AT9, and a H21-200 in the bedroom. The AT9 was down to mid 70's on the KA sats, even when peaked. The SWM5 is 98-100 on all three KUs a and mid 90's on all the KA's, so hopefully, my rainfade problem will get significantly shorter. Now if they would release the software for the H21-200 so it could hook up to the network, Id be a happy camper.

Well, I sent them an email about it tonight. Maybe I will get someone with half a clue to answer.

I hope your SWM works in cold weather. They have had problems with some of them. Google DirecTV SWM cold weather.

Definitely keep on them about the return kit. And print a tracking proof of receipt after it gets to Memphis, just to cover you a**.

I hope your SWM works in cold weather. They have had problems with some of them. Google DirecTV SWM cold weather.


Those were WNC's. I made sure I got an Eagle Aspen. Local retailer/custom installation co. They were (surprisingly) aware of all the issues. Can't believe I aimed the dish in less than 15 mins without a meter for initial aqusition.

KARK-DT is way down (almost non-existent here) in signal quality with only about 15% (about the same as KARZ-DT). Perhaps they are still working on the new antenna setup for KARZ-DT and need to turn down the power on KARK-DT. Anybody know?

dmatch

I live five miles from the tower, though in a valley so reception is difficult usually, but I get no signal from KARK. KTHV was fine, haven't checked the others, so antenna is fine

Definitely keep on them about the return kit. And print a tracking proof of receipt after it gets to Memphis, just to cover you a**.
Still haven't heard anything back from the email I sent yesterday, although today is Saturday. I would have thought they would have people working today. I guess if I don't hear from them by Monday, I will just call.

Steveken: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1709-7-1-Channel-Multi-Zone-Receiver/dp/B001BKLC5K/ref=sr_1_9/B001BKND5W

If thats to much, check out further down the list. Turns out my Denon *IS* a 7.1 receiver, and I never knew it. I dont have the side surround speakers hahaha. Especially note the reviews, and the comments on the Sonys sound quality from a guy who returned several receivers before finding this one sounded as good as any he had tested.

The $249 one is the same as the one I have, from last year, with HDMI. I dont think I want to buy a new receiver just to be able to use HDMI for audio, since this one seems to be doing great with the optical, and I dont watch that many movies. Maybe if I ever get a blue ray, Ill rethink. Anyways, hopefully you will find it interesting.

Steveken: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1709-7-1-Channel-Multi-Zone-Receiver/dp/B001BKLC5K/ref=sr_1_9/B001BKND5W

If thats to much, check out further down the list. Turns out my Denon *IS* a 7.1 receiver, and I never knew it. I dont have the side surround speakers hahaha. Especially note the reviews, and the comments on the Sonys sound quality from a guy who returned several receivers before finding this one sounded as good as any he had tested.

The $249 one is the same as the one I have, from last year, with HDMI. I dont think I want to buy a new receiver just to be able to use HDMI for audio, since this one seems to be doing great with the optical, and I dont watch that many movies. Maybe if I ever get a blue ray, Ill rethink. Anyways, hopefully you will find it interesting.
Is this in response to my wanting to get a new receiver? If so, I have already ordered one.

Ifs funny, that link you put up clearly says 1709, but when you click on it, it takes you to the Denon AVR-1909. The 1909 is a damn good receiver, but just way too much. The 1709 is a good one too, but it lacks one key thing I wanted. The ability to put my PS3 into it using HDMI alone and getting the Linear PCM audio through the HDMI code. Thats something the left out of the 1709, otherwise, its pretty much the same for the most part.

Anyway, after gift certificate codes and a gift card, I only had to pay $25 out of my own pocket for the one I chose and still have like 3.88 left over. I got a Sony STR-DH700 (List price $299, Crutchfield price $249 after discounts, as low as like $228 on Amazon I think). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TCML9Q It does everything I want it to do at a very nice price. The only thing it appears to lack is the HD codec support that a lot of the Blu-Ray movies have on them. But, what it does have is such a massive improvement over what I have, its worth the whopping $25 I am paying for it.

I just have to wait forever and a day for it to come in. It is looking to ship out Monday or Tuesday and I am hoping it will get here by Friday or Monday at the latest. I don't have a lot of experience with Amazon's shipping other than the couple of items I bought quite some time ago, but they seemed like they might have come quick, so I don't really know how long it takes to get items to here from their warehouse.

Anyway, thanks for the heads up. If I had had the money, I would have chosen the AVR-1909. Or, if the 1709 did Linear PCM, I would have gone with it, but instead chose to go with the Sony.

Oh, something else about that 1709. If you go to 6ave.com, they have that thing on sale for dirt cheap right now. http://www.6ave.com/SHOP/product.aspx?sku=DENAVR1709 $198.74!!!! If only it did the audio over HDMI, I would have JUMPED on that thing!! That is a NICE price.

Anyone with a big dish: Cards vs Brewers on AMC6 3790 H 14022 49 256 8190 in HD
or KKYK ch 20 in SD.

Just notice they are showing KATV-DT as an RTN affiliate starting 7/01/09.

Just notice they are showing KATV-DT as an RTN affiliate starting 7/01/09.
But, what will they do about (not with like I had before) all the informercial money they will lose by showing the RTN garbage?

Hey, I liked that RTN garbage :P .

I wonder if they are going to add another sub channel or drop the "news now" that they are running on 7-2 at the moment.

Hey, I liked that RTN garbage :P .

I wonder if they are going to add another sub channel or drop the "news now" that they are running on 7-2 at the moment.
You know, you and Dave are the only people I have heard of that really liked the content. At least on here. I don't remember anyone else really raving about it. Most of the stuff they showed on it was such low quality that I really didn't want to watch it. It was more of a novelty that someone actually had the balls to show that stuff in my mind. :)

It was low quality on KKYK. Looked great on satellite. Maybe KATV bought ch 20 from Little Rock Bank? Naw. Im betting they preempt 7 news now for RTN, or gasp, run two subchannels. That computer screen on 7 news now cant use any bandwidth anyway, so they could easily give 95% of it to RTN.

Damn, just when I said I wouldnt watch ch22 cuz of the KETS thing, they are gonna go and put something on I like watching...

Whats the scoop Allenf???

Yes I am guilty of liking RTN. I was watching it off G10 when I lived in Maine. The picture quality was great, as Dave says. When I found out I was going to be relocating to Little Rock, I was in awe of picking it up OTA. It was quite the let down quality wise. I miss my FTA rig.

Well, since you are the newb around here, I'll cut you some slack. LOL If it was good quality, I would probably be watching it too.

DAMN TOKENS EXPIRING!! Every single damn time I try to post here I get the "Your submission could not be processed because the token has expired. Please reload the window." message. Really pissing me off. They need to fix something on the site.

Yes I am guilty of liking RTN. I was watching it off G10 when I lived in Maine. The picture quality was great, as Dave says. When I found out I was going to be relocating to Little Rock, I was in awe of picking it up OTA. It was quite the let down quality wise. I miss my FTA rig.

How come you dont put the FTA back up? I use mine alot. While most the good feeds are on C band, there is still lots on KU. Lots less snow here than in Maine too :)

Simple answer, my apartment faces the wrong way. 2 months before I moved I put in a 10ft Bud, it really helped the resale value! I do miss it, I had a pretty good antenna farm going.

Thanks for cutting me the slack stevken, I appreciate it. I've lurking to long around here.

How long you been here? And, are you looking for a house?


WOO HOO!! Post 1400!

I've been down here a little over two years. I guess I should admit I like the weather, people, etc and buy a house. But, I haven't started seriously looking yet.

It was low quality on KKYK. Looked great on satellite. Maybe KATV bought ch 20 from Little Rock Bank? Naw. Im betting they preempt 7 news now for RTN, or gasp, run two subchannels. That computer screen on 7 news now cant use any bandwidth anyway, so they could easily give 95% of it to RTN.

Damn, just when I said I wouldnt watch ch22 cuz of the KETS thing, they are gonna go and put something on I like watching...

Whats the scoop Allenf???

Its a good move on KATV's part unless they keep NewsNow and add a third subchannel. KTBS in Shreveport does 1 HD + 2 SD but one is a near static radar. THIS tv via KSLA Shreveport (12-2) is unwatchable because of running a main HD stream (1080i) plus THIS and a weather/news subchannel on 12-3.

I'd rather have RTN as a replacement for NewsNow....7-2 seems a poor imitation of "THV2".

You know, you and Dave are the only people I have heard of that really liked the content. At least on here. I don't remember anyone else really raving about it. Most of the stuff they showed on it was such low quality that I really didn't want to watch it. It was more of a novelty that someone actually had the balls to show that stuff in my mind. :)
Count me in on the watching of RTN. The reason you weren't hearing anyone rave about it was probably due to the very poor quality on KKYK-DT OTA as you have pointed out. I watch it on satellite quite a lot.

dmatch

I agree, as Ive never been compelled to watch 7-2, as you can get the same static screen on the internt, however, I dont think it would use enough bandwidth to be a factor if they did keep it. Allenf is pretty good at setting up DTV (remember when 16-1's antenna got hit by ice, and he ran both FoxHD and CW off KASN's transmitter? Looked good.

Count me in the folks who will at least occasionally watch RTN, as long as it doesn't look like YouTube video, like it did before.

Bring on Sheriff Lobo. Probably better than most new shows these days.

It looks like KARK-DT is now able to show their syndicated content in HD - at least I noticed Entertainment Tonight was in HD. Is this something new?

KARK-DT has been showing ET in HD for several weeks now, it was mentioned in the thread when it first started. I don't know if that the only syndicated show they're doing so far or not, I've been hoping they'd start showing the syndicated "Lost" reruns in HD on KARZ-DT on the weekends, but not so far.

I gotta hand it to Fox16...Their newscast tonight, is one of the most professional yet fun live newscasts I've seen, even in majors like New York , Chicago or Milwaukee.

I gotta hand it to Fox16...Their newscast tonight, is one of the most professional yet fun live newscasts I've seen, even in majors like New York , Chicago or Milwaukee.

KLRT's newscast has actually become really good over the last year or so. It's by far my favorite newscast now simply because they cover stories that appeal to me as a younger viewer (deal or dud, technology, Facebook, etc).

Their DTV transition (or lack there of) coverage and digital convertor box walkthrough was also very well done.

With that said, I want my HD back. :D Any update? It was sad to have to watch the American Idol Finale in SD (particularly the abysmal sound quality).

I'm kinda surprised they havent implemented some kind of temporary backup (like using the Directv HD feed to put on their digital transmitter), or a temp microwave or something.

You know, you and Dave are the only people I have heard of that really liked the content. At least on here. I don't remember anyone else really raving about it. Most of the stuff they showed on it was such low quality that I really didn't want to watch it. It was more of a novelty that someone actually had the balls to show that stuff in my mind. :)

Add me to the list Steve....I like all those old shows:) Theres also something special or cool about watching them via Rooftop Antenna instead of Satellite.......I guess its the free factor, I'm kind of going old school here:D It was low quality, but...still some good shows on there IMO.

Add me to the list Steve....I like all those old shows:) Theres also something special or cool about watching them via Rooftop Antenna instead of Satellite.......I guess its the free factor, I'm kind of going old school here:D It was low quality, but...still some good shows on there IMO.
Ok, so, I guess there were more people watching it than most realized. I bet the advertisers were saying "You were watching it, huh? Why didn't you buy our crap?". lol

Ok, so, I guess there were more people watching it than most realized. I bet the advertisers were saying "You were watching it, huh? Why didn't you buy our crap?". lol

I would have but they never ran an RONCO adds. I really needed to buy a pocket fisherman. (Now I am dating myself...)

Or a Mr. Microphone ad.

Or a Mr. Microphone ad.
Oh, go take a Nestea Plunge! LOL

Or gather 'round the tube to watch "Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on your B/W set :)

http://i43.tinypic.com/syxts7.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kBBVcgvMZU)



.

It looks like KLRT-DT is broadcasting HD again!

Or gather 'round the tube to watch "Disney's Wonderful World of Color" on your B/W set :)

By the time I can first recall the show, it had become just "The Wonderful World Of Disney"...on NBC. My parents were late adopters to color TV, we got it in early 1972 before leaving McGehee AR but I can remember watching that show on an old B&W console. My paternal grandparents were even later adopters to color TV....their first color set they purchased in 1975. My maternal grandparents never had color TV, they passed on in 1971 and 1974 respectively.

A question for folks more in the know and by first-hand knowledge. How long did the transition to color occur locally in Little Rock. I have seen where AETN was very late to color about 1972-73, but what about the others?

It looks like KLRT-DT is broadcasting HD again!

Yep, good news for NASCAR fans this weekend, but a day late for you-know-what.

DirecTV has renamed their "DirecTV PPV" to "DirecTV Cinema"

I just reset my local OTA on Directv, to eliminate the Kansas City locals I was using to pick up KTWN, and just downloaded the LR DMA.

Intrestingly, among the listed stations is KTUWDT 16-1, which according to Google, is an Equity station licensed to Scotts Bluff, NE, and affiliated with RTN, with a full power application for digital ch 17. You dont suppose KaTV bought it, and plans to carry RTN on ch 17 from their side mounted antenna and backup transmitter do you'all?

Huh? Something widescreen, and HD on 7-1?

About time LR catches up with Ft Smith/NWA. We've had delayed & syndicated HD programming like Dr. Phil, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune for a while, now.

I think it was in this thread that someone had commented on the mouseover menus I had on RabbitEars, and how they didn't work with specific setups.

I replaced those a while ago but it just hit me that I hadn't asked what the take on the new menus is. Any opinions?

- Trip

Talking about old shows, my kid is into the original "Transformers" show. Found them on Joost one time and he loves it.

I think it was in this thread that someone had commented on the mouseover menus I had on RabbitEars, and how they didn't work with specific setups.

I replaced those a while ago but it just hit me that I hadn't asked what the take on the new menus is. Any opinions?


- TripTrip,
I like the way it is with the direct menus now.
Everything's right there - no hunting through sub-menus, and it loads fine, even on this crappy 3G connection.

Thanks

Speaking of site functionality, does anyone else have problems getting AVSForum to load? Most (but not all) of the time, it takes around 30 seconds for a page on this site to load. In the status bar, it always hangs on "images.avsforum.com" :(

Every now and then it loads fast, but that's rare.

Not really, the biggest issue I have with this is when I am trying to post something and it says my "token" has expired. The only thing I do differently from most people is leave the page up 24/7. I have to hit refresh before it will let me post.

does anyone else have problems getting AVSForum to load?

Yes, lately I have been noticing the same thing. Banner paints in really fast, then the rest of the page starts to slowly fill in. I thought it might have been just a browser issue on my end. Glad to see someone else is having the issue as well.

You have it set to mobile template, so it doesnt try to go out and download all those ads? That takes forever on 3G

I have all ads blocked with adblock (https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/1865). But with or without the ads blocked, it still takes forever to load. Except every now & then when it pops right up.

Sounds good, except doesnt appear to work for iexplorer, which is on my cell and notebook.

KATV 7-1 during GMA (6-7am) was showing HDTV storm graphics. They have been timeshifting Nightline and Jimmy Kimmel Live for past two nights as I can tell.

KATV 7-1 during GMA (6-7am) was showing HDTV storm graphics. They have been timeshifting Nightline and Jimmy Kimmel Live for past two nights as I can tell.

Excellent, I watched a few minutes of Nightline and Jimmy last night, just to see for myself. Now if they'll just add 5.1 audio, they'll be playing in the same league as the rest of the market. I don't watch Wheel, Jeopardy or Oprah, but getting those up in HD should be priority for them as well.

I'm getting stronger than usual signals out of KARZ-DT, but the station is displaying "KARK-DT" on my hamshack tv's internal tuner and converter box. The channel number is 4-1 on the zenith and "44-3" on the internal tuner.

Anyone seeing a stronger signal and these issues?

Anyone seeing a stronger signal and these issues?

Yes, I rescanned my Sceptre last night. I couldn't pick up KARZ before, now I can. However, it is showing up with 4.1 & KARK-DT as the ID. This makes my set use KARZ instead of KARK for 4.1 .

Yep, signal way up on my Sansung (from one bar to 6), and remapped to 4-1). 3he real 4-1 for comparison is 7 bars.

WOW! This is Awesome! I just checked 44.3 Karz and I'm getting it at 87% here in Yell county.......wooo hoooo:D

I also see the mapping problem on 44 (KARZ-DT -> 4.1 KARK-HD). Signal quality is way up here also. However, it is still below that of 32 and 30 by about 10-15%.

dmatch

I also see the mapping problem on 44 (KARZ-DT -> 4.1 KARK-HD). Signal quality is way up here also. However, it is still below that of 32 and 30 by about 10-15%.

dmatch

Signal stregnth here is the same on 4.1 and 44.3...currently 84%. My Sony KDSa2020 shows KARZ as 44.3. My Vizio in the bedroom shows both KARK and KARZ as 4.1. I went and re-scanned my mom and dads LG and it also shows two 4.1's.

Sony's wont allow duplicate channel numbers.

KARZ
Finally got the old Comark transmitter up and running. It did not like being moved up the hill after sitting in previous location for 12 years.

I put it on Friday at 2:45 p running about 21kw. TPO will be 37.7kw, but there are some more issues to address before we increase to full power.

PSIP, as many folks can see, has some issues,they will be corrected as soon as the listing service makes some changes.

Lookin good RFMonkey. Just beat out the rain too.

... TPO will be 37.7kw, but there are some more issues to address before we increase to full power.Is that the ERP?

He said it's TPO. TPO = Transmitter Power Output. That does not account for gain in the antenna system, which is where ERP comes from.

Assuming a final power level of 1000 kW, and a final TPO of 37.7 kW, at the current TPO of 21 kW, the ERP might be about 557 kW.

- Trip

THV is now giving weather warnings for the Memphis DMA... Wonder when we will get a Earthquake graphic cluttering the screen when there is a tremor in California?

And Ch16.... If you would turn off the tornado warning for Craighead Co (can anyone in Craighead county even GET ch16?) for a minute, I could actually read the graphics from FOX telling me what time the CocaCola 600 was rescheduled for tomorrow. Better yet, I have a big TV, why not just put the network programming in a PIP window, and use the rest of the screen for your weather channel wanna-be programming? At least then I could zoom the PIP area, and READ THE NETWORK NOTICE. Jeeze, I hate this market.

...Assuming a final power level of 1000 kW, and a final TPO of 37.7 kW, at the current TPO of 21 kW, the ERP might be about 557 kW.Thanks Trip.

I see KARZ (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=37005) has an application for 587kW ERP, with a previous app for 1,000kW.

That's an old STA. That dates back to the Equity days.

- Trip

Licensee: NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC.
Service Designation: DT Digital television station

Channel: 44 650 - 656 MHz Modification of Construction Permit
File No.: BMPCDT-20081208AEN Facility ID number: 37005
CDBS Application ID No.: 1303962

34° 47' 57.00" N Latitude 92° 29' 59.00" W Longitude (NAD 27)

Polarization: Horizontal (H) Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 1000. kW ERP Antenna Height Above Average Terrain: 448.4 meters HAAT -- Calculate HAAT Antenna Height Above Mean Sea Level: 576. meters AMSL Antenna Height Above Ground Level: 262.1 meters AGL

Getting that KARZ antenna on the KARK tower is a great move. The old short tower KARZ (aka KWBF, KYPX to name a few ;) ) operated analog on really killed coverage. I'm sure with the higher transmitter less power is required. Also like its sister station, its short spaced with another DTV in an adjacent market. Having all the LPTVs (I'm not talking about useful translators in the fringe) has killed potental "clear channels" for full power broadcasting.

Licensee: NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC...

...Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 1000. kW ERP...

Dave, I saw that, too...

E* tuner (vip211) isn't playing nice with KARZ's hosed PSIP. It was receiving 44 @ 82% this morning but won't display. I deleted KARZ then scanned manually 44. Instead of KARZ showing up near their SD channel, it replaced the real KARK---guide data is from KARK but the channel is actually KARZ.

Yet another reason I hate remapping.

Dont hate remapping, hate echostar software writers :)

Dont hate remapping, hate echostar software writers :)

As a software guy, I vote hate remapping. When you are writing the code you need to anticipate problems that may come about. However receiving two data streams with the same unique ID would be something I wouldn't be planning on happening.

+1 on the remapping hatred.

Allowing it to continue post-transition is just plain ignurnt on the FCC's part.

Dont hate remapping, hate echostar software writers :)
At lease E* DVRs let you do a manual scan.
Not possible with D* DVRs.

I dont like remapping, but serioiusly, duplicates should have been anticipated. What happens if town A has a ch 20 virtual 18, and town B gets a new license for ch 18 and decides not to remap...you have two virtual 18's.

I dont like remapping, but serioiusly, duplicates should have been anticipated. What happens if town A has a ch 20 virtual 18, and town B gets a new license for ch 18 and decides not to remap...you have two virtual 18's.

You are right, it should be able to handle it, and probably does. My guess in KARZ/KARK's case the PSIP is using the the same TSID (Transport Stream IDENT). The TSID is the unique key, and in the case you mentioned they would have different TSID.

I'm just guessing that is what is going on here with the PSIP, without looking at the data stream.

Handling it, and explaining to grand ma why they have two channel 18's are two different things, however. :eek:

Yea, that makes sense, since its the same stations equipment, and Rfmonkey did say something about having to have it reprogrammed. Thats probably what he was referring to. Amazing its not user programmable, or at least have an option for a boot to boot override.

I found that interesting as well, that he was at the mercy of the PSIP people. But, had it not been Friday afternoon in front of a holiday weekend, I am sure it wouldn't have been a big deal for them to correct it.

It doesnt bother me that much. I'm just glad to have another free channel in my lineup. Maybe after the June deadline, things will get starightened out.

Low band channel 2 coming in from Canada right now.
Wow...

Newbie here..... I know KLRT was having difficulties earlier, but does anyone know if they are back to broadcasting at full power on the digital channel? I live in rural Yell County (Aly) and can pick up every major LR station in digital except for KLRT. I get the analog signal very well, so I'm confused as to why I can't get the digital channel. Frustrating......

I dont think the transmitter ever had any problem, just the link to it. Should be full power. Same reasings here as the rest. Perhaps your antenna has a "bad spot" on ch 30, or you are using a coax jumper which is acting as a ch 30 trap perhaps. Do you get any signal strength on ch 30 at all?

I dont think the transmitter ever had any problem, just the link to it. Should be full power. Same reasings here as the rest. Perhaps your antenna has a "bad spot" on ch 30, or you are using a coax jumper which is acting as a ch 30 trap perhaps. Do you get any signal strength on ch 30 at all?
Thanks for the info. I do get a faint signal.

Thanks for the info. I do get a faint signal.

Give us your setup (antenna type, amp?, coax distance, receiver). Maybe we can come up with something. One of your neighbors in Yell Co is on here also.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks....I've monitored the forum for a long time and have enjoyed following the threads. I'll send my setup info sometime. I was just hoping that the quick and easy answer was that KLRT wasn't transmitting full power. You know what's weird, though? I went to this website w w w.fcc.gov/bureaus/mb/engineering/maps/index.html?zipCode=72857 and it says that KLRT is broadcasting at 85 kW of power, nowhere near the power of the other stations. Is that an error on the website?

Must be, their latest posting is 1000KW erp. Here is the -41db contour map: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT602206.html

This might be the problem: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/polarplot?frame=Y&temp=40344&rotate=0.00&p0=0.302&p10=0.402&p20=0.517&p30=0.619&p40=0.696&p50=0.749&p60=0.787&p70=0.820&p80=0.854&p90=0.891&p100=0.928&p110=0.961&p120=0.985&p130=0.998&p135=1.000&p140=0.998&p150=0.985&p160=0.961&p170=0.928&p180=0.891&p190=0.854&p200=0.820&p210=0.787&p220=0.749&p230=0.696&p240=0.619&p250=0.517&p260=0.402&p270=0.302&p280=0.268&p290=0.310&p300=0.374&p310=0.415&p320=0.415&p330=0.374&p340=0.310&p350=0.268&p360=0.302&

Here is the latest info I can find:
KLRT-TV AR LITTLE ROCK USA (Digital)

Licensee: NEWPORT TELEVISION LICENSE LLC
Service Designation: DT Digital television station

Channel: 30 566 - 572 MHz Licensed
File No.: BLCDT-20020507AAK Facility ID number: 11951
CDBS Application ID No.: 602206

34° 47' 57.00" N Latitude 92° 29' 29.00" W Longitude (NAD 27)

Polarization: Horizontal (H) Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 1000. kW ERP Antenna Height Above Average Terrain: 449. meters HAAT -- Calculate HAAT Antenna Height Above Mean Sea Level: 574. meters AMSL Antenna Height Above Ground Level: 283. meters AGL

Post your specific addresses results from www.tvfool.com so we can better get a picture of your location. Just using your zip code, it shows KLRT is -11db. To overcome that, you would need an channel master 7777 (2db noise factor), which brings the signal to -13db, so you would need an antenna with at LEAST 14db gain at channel 30 for miniumum reception. Of course, that would be if thats the correct information. Your elevation, antenna height, and length of coax is going to majorly affect the results. When you get the results, post the link it provides, so we all can look it over.

Thanks....I've monitored the forum for a long time and have enjoyed following the threads. I'll send my setup info sometime. I was just hoping that the quick and easy answer was that KLRT wasn't transmitting full power. You know what's weird, though? I went to this website w w w.fcc.gov/bureaus/mb/engineering/maps/index.html?zipCode=72857 and it says that KLRT is broadcasting at 85 kW of power, nowhere near the power of the other stations. Is that an error on the website?

Hey, welcome to the forum. I'm in Belleville. I currently use a Wineguard HD8200 Vhf/Uhf/fm, cm7777 dual vhf/uhf pre-amp and of course a rotor for moving the antenna. Dave is correct, you've gotta amp up way out here in our area. I'm sure you've read before how well I pick up the LR channels, most of them in the 75-90% range. I even get 38.1 in the low 80's. Without the amp, most of my LR channels are gone. I can only lock 11.1 without the amp and its weak at around 59% and bounces in and out of lock. Plug in the amp and it jumps to 87% and smooth sailing. I have also used these antennas very successfully here in yell county.

Channel Master 3671 crossfire and Quantum 1160a (on board boom mounted amp). I've always needed the biggest antennas with an amp to get all the channels. Good luck.:)

Google Earth shows no KLRT-DT signal in "downtown" Aly.
http://i44.tinypic.com/352iseo.jpg

Arkyman, I forget, do you get KFTA-DT (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1292458.html) now that they tripled their ERP?

Low band channel 2 coming in from Canada right now.
Wow...

which network and programming? I had a battle on ch2 last night (9:30pm-10:30pm) between KTCA St Paul, WBAY Green Bay (WI) and CKPR Thunder Bay ON (aka "ThunderBay Television").

This morning I still see KARZ-DT with "KARK" psip info

Arkyman, I forget, do you get KFTA-DT (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1292458.html) now that they tripled their ERP?

No. When I checked it on the the d* box, 24-1 shows no signal at all. I then turned my HD8200 (LR setup) toward FS and the strongest sig on the meter for 24.1 is 37%. I've locked it on certain nights in the past so 24.1 is the correct mapping for my Sony. Funny thing is, I could log 45-50% on most days before they up'd the power. Now I get less signal than before:confused: All of this is assuming they are up and running and are not down at the moment.

Don't know if anyone else has looked, but I checked on my Samsung in the bedroom this morning and saw that 42-1 was mapping as 42-1 again.

which network and programming? I had a battle on ch2 last night (9:30pm-10:30pm) between KTCA St Paul, WBAY Green Bay (WI) and CKPR Thunder Bay ON (aka "ThunderBay Television").

This morning I still see KARZ-DT with "KARK" psip info

Got a screen cap of a commercial for a store Ive never heard of, saw some Blue jays baseball highlights, but never could get a phone number or any ID on screen.

Google Earth shows no KLRT-DT signal in "downtown" Aly.
http://i44.tinypic.com/352iseo.jpg

Why is KLRT running a signal pattern with only 30% power going west? Is there another ch 30 they are protecting, or just want to max the power toward the delta?

Why is KLRT running a signal pattern with only 30% power going west? Is there another ch 30 they are protecting...Makes no sense. The only other ch 30s around are LP crap in Talequah & Joplin.

Makes no sense. The only other ch 30s around are LP crap in Talequah & Joplin.

I know. There's adjacent channel 31's in Memphis (WLMT-DT) and Eufaula OK (KOET-DT). All the while two of Nexstar's Little Rock stations clash with stations in adjacent markets on 32 and 44.

Get rid of the silly LP's and there would (have been) less crowding and collisions during tropo.
(/rant off)

WKYC-DT 2 (3-1) Cleveland OH logged at 10:01 am
KNOP-DT 2 (2-1) North Platte NB logged at 11:06am

Fortunately for NBC viewers in Cleveland, WKYC turns off *both* its VHF low-band transmitters on June 12-- WKYC is moving to channel 17. KNOP is operating on its post-transition channel (it shut down analog on Feb 17 and flash cut DTV from 22 to 2--its old analog channel).

Well,lets face it. If low band DTV works anywhere, its gonna be in North Platte NE. I mean, how much static generating could possibly happen with one power line running 200 miles down a lonely road, 70 miles from the nearest civilization. I like the idea of a "clear channel" low bander that covers the whole state (and apparently all the way to Arkansas on occasions :)

Well,lets face it. If low band DTV works anywhere, its gonna be in North Platte NE. I mean, how much static generating could possibly happen with one power line running 200 miles down a lonely road, 70 miles from the nearest civilization. I like the idea of a "clear channel" low bander that covers the whole state (and apparently all the way to Arkansas on occasions :)

I know that low-band DTV was tried here (KETS) and in Chicago (WBBM) with less than stellar results. The stations I see remaining are in rural areas: Florence SD (KDLO), Rapid City SD (KOTA) for instance. KNOP is running 16kw ERP for their ch2 station.

How well it plays in Memphis will be interesting. Channel 5 DTV might bend over Crowley's Ridge okay, but its going to be tough closer to town in the outlying suburbs with all the electrical interference (natural and man-made). WMC will know the answer in a few weeks...

Well, KETS, which was running somewhat lower power came in here ok, except when lights were turned on, a/c kicked on, etc.

Im wondering, with the lack of stations using the band, if the fcc will allow more power to overcome those minor problems.

I do know, no one with antenna tv's will be using indoor antennas or watching WMC for storm coverage :)

I know its nothing to do with TV or HDTV, but I just wanna bring it up somewhere we might get a conversation going on it so it can be explained to me.

Remember back in like the early 80's with George Brett hitting that home run, only to have it negated cause his pine tar on his bat went too high? Well, what the hell happened to that? I ask because I have noticed more and more lately that some of these players don't have any tar on the handle of the bat, but instead it goes from about the middle of the barrel up into the sweet area of the bat. How is that fair? It seems like that should not be allowed. I mean, whats to say that isn't helping the ball a little when they hit it? Is it "legal" to have your pine tar up into the hitting area of the bat like that????

To busy testing for drugs to notice tar on a bat.

TWEET!!! Have you all gone to TWEET? Bored with the last two weeks of analog? Well, enjoy the sunny weekend.

I thought RTN was coming to KATV June 1st, but the RTN web site shows the launch date as July 1st. What a bummer. I was really looking forward to catching some of those shows. They have REALLY upgraded the programming since Equity had it. There are lots of shows now, several I never got the chance to watch back "in the day". Really hoping KATV gets this going. From the lack of comment from Allenf, I guess its still a secret or a hush hush thing. Closest RTN is Memphis (cant get it) and Jackson,Ms (cant get it either).

KATV's sistah station in Tulsa, KTUL carries RTN on ch 8-3.

Does the quality look decent on 8-3?

I never watch it. It's impossible to get KTUL-DT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTUL) here, with KOLR-DT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KOLR) also on channel 10.

Between Co-channel interference, adjacent channel interference and impulse noise, KOLR-DT is also often unwatchable here. Depends on the weather. :(

VHF sucks for DTV.

Sure cant convince the engineers...seems they all want to run channel 13.

Id like to see a 100KW digital on ch 2

Sure cant convince the engineers...seems they all want to run channel 13.

Id like to see a 100KW digital on ch 2
Or a 1.21GW station on 2. :)

Or a 1.21GW station on 2. :)

Great Scott!

I still wonder what the hell the deal is with 4. 4-1 is THE hardest station for me to get. I can get EVERY other channel in the area (well, except 2) that one would want to watch with NO issues at all, but 4-1 fluctuates between 0 and 3 bars on my Samsung TV. It is completely unwatchable. It's on the same mountain, in the same direction and everything from me as everything else (save 38-1), but I just can't get it to be stable at all no matter how much I fiddle with the antenna.

42-1 is even better than 4-1 is. I get a pretty solid 5 bars on the Samsung when I just looked at it. Isn't it on the same tower now? What the heck is going on with 4-1???? It just makes no sense why 4-1 gives me so much trouble.

I still wonder what the hell the deal is with 4. 4-1 is THE hardest station for me to get. I can get EVERY other channel in the area (well, except 2) that one would want to watch with NO issues at all, but 4-1 fluctuates between 0 and 3 bars on my Samsung TV. It is completely unwatchable. It's on the same mountain, in the same direction and everything from me as everything else (save 38-1), but I just can't get it to be stable at all no matter how much I fiddle with the antenna.

42-1 is even better than 4-1 is. I get a pretty solid 5 bars on the Samsung when I just looked at it. Isn't it on the same tower now? What the heck is going on with 4-1???? It just makes no sense why 4-1 gives me so much trouble.

Possibly a flaw in your antenna elements? I just guessing

No, its not my antenna elements as I don't have any. I am so close to the towers I don't need any, just an outdoor antenna works. If you have followed any of what I have said in the past about my setup, you will remember I have a Philips Mant910.

EDIT: Also, along the lines of elements, how could it be elements if I get every other channel perfectly fine? 4-1 is right beside 16-1 I believe (30 and 32, can't remember which is which), so if I can get one just fine, the other should be fine as well as there is little difference between the two channels that if one is right, the other is too (I think).

Change the length of the coax by about an inch. Probably hitting a harmonic of the coax length.

Change the length of the coax by about an inch. Probably hitting a harmonic of the coax length.
I am thinking that length isn't much of an issue, as I am running three different lengths to two tuner cards and the Samsung (plus, wouldn't the harmonic of 30 be roughly the same as that of 32??). The tuner cards are close in length, but one card still has quite a bit of trouble with 4-1 while the other one doesn't, but I attribute that to a weak tuner on the HVR-1600.

Nor is it the ports on the three-way splitter I am using because I have tried changing which port they are on and put in a different splitter. And the splitter hasn't got enough of a degradation of signal to affect it that much on only one channel. If it were more than one channel, then yeah, maybe. :)

I really think there might be something different about the transmission pattern of 4-1 where its getting killed within a few miles of the tower. I don't have any way to test the TV or computer at any other location, or I would. Wonder what the difference is between 42-1 and 4-1 considering they are on the same tower. I still contend that if like 9 channels come in well, the 10th one should as well.

Channels 2-6 all in with sporatic e skip as of this writing. Even causing harmonic bars on KEMV channel 6. Peaks are so short, I havent been able to tell where its coming from.

KETG channel 9 analog in also, with NO interference from the low power pest downtown, which appears at least, to be off the air right now (and forever I hope).

EDIT: 6:00pm CRAP, channel 9 low power came back on.

IF:
A: it comes in fine on one brand tuner
B: but doesn't on another
C: and its the same signal feed to all of them
THEN:
its multipath.

I suppose that the two Hauppauge (HVR-1600 & HVR-1800) tuner cards could be using different brand tuners. That might explain the difference between them on 4-1. I would have thought, though, that the Samsung tuner might have been better than even those Hauppauges. Its a better brand in my mind. Oh well. Guess I will just forget about 4-1 until I move (whenever the hell that will be, lol).

EDIT: There is no way to defeat multipath, is there? Short of turning off the amp that I need for the other channels that is.

Sure, use a more directional antenna (2 bay bowtie), and point it so one of the two back lobes are in the direction of redfield - or try a variable attenuator on the tuners that are giving you problems (wont work if the reflection and primary signal are close to the same strength). I vote a more directional antena.

Oh well, I have an antenna that works on 90% of the channels and a satellite dish to take care of the aggravating piece of sh*t that is 4-1, so I guess I will just suck it up. It was all I could do to get this one bought and the last time I tried to build a bowtie, it didn't work so well. Unless someone who knows how to build a bowtie and have it actually work wants to help me out that is. :) I am tired of having my building skills = failure. LOL

I buy mine. I limit my antenna building to wire dipoles for 80 meters where the only skill required is trying to get the center insulator 70' up in a tree.

Actually, the best antenna for this area, a single bow tie corner reflector, which used to be the ONLY UHF antenna you could even find in the early 70's, doesnt appear to even be made anymore. It was a great antenna. About 9db gain, compact, no wind loading, fairly broad in its forward direction, but great f/side and f/back. Unfortunantly, most of the old 70's series antennas, which were well built, and worked well with the lower powered UHF stations of the day, have been replaced by a bunch of total crap with built in high noise amplifiers claiming to be a TV antenna, or a cheaply build, cheap design (channel master of today) which wont last through the first ice storm or gust front. Fortunantly, there are some high priced units which DO perform well, most based on current European design. Only Winegard has a true "HD antenna" series, and time will tell how well they hold up. Assuming they are build the same as my VHF-hi unit, they are pretty flimsy, but the size should keep them in one piece for a while. Matching network is easily bent, on the larger ones. There really is no current cheap high performing UHF antenna available like the good old corner reflector. I bought the MANT to test, as it used a fractal antenna (like a cell phone) which is supposed to be very flat across a large frequency spectrum, but any benefit from the fractal antenna is lost in the high noise amplifier used. Its also the most multipath succeptable antenna Ive ever used. On my tuner which is known to be horrible with any multipath, I cannot even receive channel 12, and if I turn the antenna to get channel 12, I lost 32, and 39. Its a very difficult antenna to aim. Contrast that to my two bay channel master, with no amp, 100' cable run, which picks up every LR digital at 89 to 99% pointed half-way between Redfield and Shinall.

I've actually been quite surprised with how well the MANT has worked. I suppose the problems could be because of where I chose to strap the antenna to the rail of my deck. But anyway, all in all I think this antenna does a pretty damn good job for the money. Its pretty easy for an antenna dummy to point and go. :)

If they live right under the transmitter.

If you have a pirce of old coax with a good f connector on one end, and a barrel f connector, try this...

Strip 6" from the end without the connector of its plastic cover (leaving the braid in tact).

Make a spot at that 6" point where you can pull the center conductor and its white cover through the sheild (or better yet, if the sheild is loose enough, push it back down over the coax cover, so you have 6" of white covered center conductor sticking out, with 6" of sheild folded back over the coax jacket. That will effectually give you a 1/2 wave coaxial dipole with a 75 ohm feedpoint. Stick it where the mant is, and connect the coax to it with the barrel connector, and point the coax 90 degrees away from shinal horizontally or at an angle. Play with that and see how it compares with the MANT. You might be surprised.

It doesn't matter how long the length of the old coax is? I suppose not if the rest of it coming into the house runs the normal comcast type run.

So, you leave the white over the top of the center conductor? Is that to just protect the copper or what? I guess since its just pvc it won't hurt anything to leave it exposed. The RF can still get through it. I may do that inside first. See how it works hooked to the Samsung.

Its a really good antenna. You can strip off the white pvc if you want to, doesnt matter either way. The length of the actual coax to the receiver doesnt matter. The only part of it that matters is the 6" of center conductor, and the 6" of sheild rolled back over the jacket, thats the actual antenna. You can mount it in front of a flat window screen (metal screen) about 3" away and the screen will act as a reflector for some gain. You can slip the whole thing inside a piece of PVC pipe or use coax staples to attach it to wood rails, rafters, etc. The whole point of the thing is its bidirectional when mounted horizontally, or omnidirectional when mounted vertically (which works great for FM when cut to 39"). Just dont use Radio Shack coax that has that aluminum foil molded into the center conductor jacket, its only got about 30% sheild (wire), and the wires arent copper, and tend to break when you attempt to roll them back over the jacket.

You said you wanted simple. Its a great little half-wave dipole that will go anywhere. It was a basic CB radio base station design, and is employed in marine antennas because it does not require a ground plane, and can be encased in fiberglass poles 20" tall on a boat, even though the antenna portion is only the top 18", it gets the antenna way up above the water for max coverage. Can also be raised in the same manner at home...slip it through 3 pieces of 10' pvc, with a 9" elbow at the top, and run the coax through it, and you have a 30' high antenna. Its all I ever used for 2 meters in the dorm when I was in the Air Force. Ran 25w into it, and hit all the local repeaters just fine with taped to a screenless window.

Well, with just 10 days left, I thought Id do one last UHF analog scan. Found KMSS coming in great. Its digital channel, one channel higher, was only 30% and wouldnt lock. So much for fringe viewers...
http://i41.tinypic.com/2qv6ts9.jpg

Its a really good antenna. You can strip off the white pvc if you want to, doesnt matter either way. The length of the actual coax to the receiver doesnt matter. The only part of it that matters is the 6" of center conductor, and the 6" of sheild rolled back over the jacket, thats the actual antenna. You can mount it in front of a flat window screen (metal screen) about 3" away and the screen will act as a reflector for some gain. You can slip the whole thing inside a piece of PVC pipe or use coax staples to attach it to wood rails, rafters, etc. The whole point of the thing is its bidirectional when mounted horizontally, or omnidirectional when mounted vertically (which works great for FM when cut to 39"). Just dont use Radio Shack coax that has that aluminum foil molded into the center conductor jacket, its only got about 30% sheild (wire), and the wires arent copper, and tend to break when you attempt to roll them back over the jacket.

You said you wanted simple. Its a great little half-wave dipole that will go anywhere. It was a basic CB radio base station design, and is employed in marine antennas because it does not require a ground plane, and can be encased in fiberglass poles 20" tall on a boat, even though the antenna portion is only the top 18", it gets the antenna way up above the water for max coverage. Can also be raised in the same manner at home...slip it through 3 pieces of 10' pvc, with a 9" elbow at the top, and run the coax through it, and you have a 30' high antenna. Its all I ever used for 2 meters in the dorm when I was in the Air Force. Ran 25w into it, and hit all the local repeaters just fine with taped to a screenless window.

Those simple antennas work well on their intended or nearby frequencies. I used a unmodified 6m dipole (cut for 50.150 Mhz) tree mounted for channel 2-6 reception last winter before getting the old Rat Shack monster back up. I was getting excellent reception on the former KARK analog station and almost as good on the former low power KETS analog. I would unplug the thing and roll up the coax when storms approached. It was great on skip reception.

Article (http://money.canoe.ca/News/TopPhoto/2009/05/25/pf-9574371.html) about return of OTA antennas in certain parts of Canada.

I'm watching this "Earth 2100" special on ABC right now, and I've noticed that the ugly KATV sidebars are not there during local commercials. Does anyone know if this is permanent?

Gosh I hope so. I dvr'd it to watch this weekend. Hope it lives up to the hype.

The sidebars have been off for a while now. Maybe a week? I noticed it too last week sometime.

Gosh I hope so. I dvr'd it to watch this weekend. Hope it lives up to the hype.

It did....and it was HD.

No, its not my antenna elements as I don't have any. I am so close to the towers I don't need any, just an outdoor antenna works. If you have followed any of what I have said in the past about my setup, you will remember I have a Philips Mant910.

EDIT: Also, along the lines of elements, how could it be elements if I get every other channel perfectly fine? 4-1 is right beside 16-1 I believe (30 and 32, can't remember which is which), so if I can get one just fine, the other should be fine as well as there is little difference between the two channels that if one is right, the other is too (I think).

It was just a guess. I've seen some strange things with Antennas thru the years. Steve, honestly, I think a good outdoor Ant 15-30 mile range Channel Master or Wineguard would solve all the problems you so frequently run into with your locals.....just a suggestion.

I'm watching this "Earth 2100" special on ABC right now, and I've noticed that the ugly KATV sidebars are not there during local commercials. Does anyone know if this is permanent?

They're gone.