Oh, by the way, I switched over to WAKA and see no "sunshine intensity" map. What up guys? I'm waiting...........

:-)

If you've tried to hire good help around here (oh, just make that help.....period)
you know people never really finish a project!

Looks like WBIH 29 Selma has flash cut to digital. I'm not quite sure what their
programming strategy is, but it's no longer analog.

Looks like WBIH 29 Selma has flash cut to digital. I'm not quite sure what their
programming strategy is, but it's no longer analog.

It would seem so. They have a good signal, even off the side of my antenna.

It would seem so. They have a good signal, even off the side of my antenna.
What channel are they?

...and what is flash cut?

...and what is flash cut?

Flash cut is where you instantly change from analog to digital on the same channel..analog off digital on...

where ya been lately Jim?

Looks like WBIH 29 Selma has flash cut to digital. I'm not quite sure what their
programming strategy is, but it's no longer analog.

Curious that they would do this now. Maybe more PI, DR, and music video watchers have DTV sets than I think.

Does anyone know what HD channels Charter offers in Auburn. The listing on their website is (hopefully) incomplete. Are there any networks? Is the Braves channel on there? Do they offer DVR service?

Thanks,

Curious that they would do this now. Maybe more PI, DR, and music video watchers have DTV sets than I think.

Their utility bill is the only reason I can think of. I think they were running
pretty high power before. Don't think many people even knew they were on.
Compelling programming will do that !

Of course, they're S Q U E E Z E D on Knology and Charter.

Does anyone know what HD channels Charter offers in Auburn. The listing on their website is (hopefully) incomplete. Are there any networks? Is the Braves channel on there? Do they offer DVR service?

Thanks,


To be brutally honest Charter in Auburn is a freggin joke.

We just did a house up there off of Moores Mill road and the analog was awful on a freshly prewired house.

I counted mabe 4 or 5 HD channels.

Yes they have DVR service.

Bradley,

You might want to check out the Dish satellite forum, if satellite is an option.

Seems that I read recently that Dish was adding more HD channels.

Just checked and I am getting 29-1. Not sure why I would want it though. All I saw in the guide was info commercials, old movies and a few old TV shows.

Bradley,

You might want to check out the Dish satellite forum, if satellite is an option.

Seems that I read recently that Dish was adding more HD channels.

I was going to suggest that but E* has no locals for Auburn unless you setup a Montgomery Billing address.

CBS has changed their mind and we will be delaying prime time Tuesday night
on both DT and SD. Must be that $500,000 fine for Janet Jackson :). So, enjoy
the election returns. I know I won't.

My guide shows election coverage from 7PM to 10PM :rolleyes:

It's times like this I wish I lived in Montgomery.................................

Does anybody actually watch 3 hours of election coverage? I wouldn't think so, but what do I know!

I hope WAKA enjoys the low ratings!

Does anybody actually watch 3 hours of election coverage? I wouldn't think so, but what do I know!

I hope WAKA enjoys the low ratings!
Nobody but the candidates will be watching the returns. Locals don't care about ratings..only stations in a vast wide area..no competition.

Locals don't care about ratings..only stations in a vast wide area..no competition.

Grandpa Train, what do you mean? Are you saying that the local stations don't care about ratings because they enjoy wide area coverage with no competition? Or am I misreading you?

Grandpa Train, what do you mean? Are you saying that the local stations don't care about ratings because they enjoy wide area coverage with no competition? Or am I misreading you?
That is what I am saying..

I was going to suggest that but E* has no locals for Auburn unless you setup a Montgomery Billing address.

Does the "distant local's" apply? Might be able to get the New York or L.A. feeds for the major networks. Trick is to be sure that you're not just getting SD and that its HD.

My vote for best election coverage goes to WAKA. You couldn't even see the stick Bob Ingram was propped-up with. WSFA still seems to be out of light bulbs. However, I am voting for the lesser of two evils. Thank goodness for Fox and the Sci-Fi channel (Star Trek).

Does the "distant local's" apply? Might be able to get the New York or L.A. feeds for the major networks. Trick is to be sure that you're not just getting SD and that its HD.


I'll bet the farm he won't qualify for NY locals. He is too close to Columbus Ga.

I just borrowed an SIR T451 tuner to do some testing. It seems to work OK but someone on this group didn't like them. Who was that and why didn't you like them?

Hi guys just thought I would introduce myself. I live in Prattville and just got a 50" Sony sxrd. Just running on a Terk indoor HDTVi for now until I move into my new house in a few weeks and get cable service turned on. Right now I can get WAKA and APT pretty well but haven't adjusted the antena too much to see if I can get fox, nbc etc.

I am sure it has been discussed in the last 60 pages of this thread but what service do you guys recommend? I think I only have Charter and Knology in the area and prefer not to go satelite unless it is that much better. BTW my name is Todd.

Welcome to the forum. I have Knology and like their service. More HD channels and now the local HD channels are not scrambled. In the clear with a QAM tuner. Charter was not caring FOX-HD last time I checked. Knology just added TNT-HD AND ESPN2 HD. Good picture and sound.

Yeah I called this week and they don't carry FOX-HD, TNT-HD, or ESPN2-HD. Hmm. I wonder if I can get HD via cable card vs having a box from Knology.

Charter was not caring FOX-HD last time I checked.
That will change shortly. Agreement has pretty-much been reached.

New to the board.

Any word on why WSFA11-HD has been off of Knology for ~2 weeks? It is still listed as an option, but only a black screen appears.

Is this a Station problem, and -- if so -- any word on when it might be fixed?

That will change shortly. Agreement has pretty-much been reached.


Any news on Brighthouse carrying Fox HD??

[QUOTE=cmaze2000]New to the board.

Any word on why WSFA11-HD has been off of Knology for ~2 weeks? It is still listed as an option, but only a black screen appears.

Is this a Station problem, and -- if so -- any word on when it might be fixed?[/QUOTE
--------------------------------------------------

WSFA-HD is coming in fine on Knology channel 903.
Arena Bowl XX is being broadcast in HD but someone at the station forgot to flip the switch. This is par for the course at WSFA. Back to NASCAR on FOX-HD.

Did you get the Arena Bowl or the French Open in HD at some point?

I turned it on Ch.903 to watch both events today, and it never came on at any point.

My ch.903 has been black screened for almost 2 weeks. Every other 900-HD channel has worked fine.

Never checked back. I had the blank screen problem on another channel once awhile back and I unplugged the box, waited 5 mins, plugged back in allowing the box to reboot. That fixed it. SA8300HD box.

Did you get the Arena Bowl or the French Open in HD at some point?

I turned it on Ch.903 to watch both events today, and it never came on at any point.

My ch.903 has been black screened for almost 2 weeks. Every other 900-HD channel has worked fine.

Sometimes, too MUCH signal will do that to selected channels (back up the thread
for a discussion on this). WNCF usually goes first on my Knology set-up, then
ESPN, then the HDNET channels. Reducing signal to the box fixed them all.

Any news on Brighthouse carrying Fox HD??
No info available at this time.

Turned to watch Hockey final last night and it was not in HD. Why are we constantly screwed in Montgomery Alabama? Are the people in charge just that stupid? :mad:

Turned to watch Hockey final last night and it was not in HD. Why are we constantly screwed in Montgomery Alabama? Are the people in charge just that stupid? :mad:

What station was it on?

What station was it on?

WSFA (The worse NBC affiliate in the nation). If it isn't bad weather they don't care.

Who watches hocky besides Grandpa??? Just kidding with ya.

Who watches hocky besides Grandpa??? Just kidding with ya.

Born and raised in Waterloo, N.Y. Skated when were kids. Big N.Y. Islanders fan.

I DVRd Leno last night. It was not in HD either. The idiots must turned the HD switch off for the entire day and were too lazy to turn it back on.

Born and raised in Waterloo, N.Y. Skated when were kids. Big N.Y. Islanders fan.

The part I don't understand is that the beginning of the series on HDNET was outstanding, and then they moved to NBC.

Saturday's game was at least 16:9 format, but looked like a 480p signal here on Brighthouse. Monday was 4:3.

I called a friend in NC Monday to see if it was 4:3 in his area, he said his NBC station was carrying the same odd 16:9 signal he watched with me Saturday.

Is 32-1 down for everyone else, I have had zero signal since yesterday.

With regards to WSFA - Right that confirms what we have been saying. It is this local station that are the non-conforming screw ups. They do not have the smarts necessary to run that high-tech HD equipment. Maybe one of the other station engineers can moonlight over there for a couple hours each night and flip the freakin' switch!

Things are looking good for Montgomery area HD. No HD on WSFA HD (Leno last night and now L&0) and no signal from WAKA HD.

WNCF-DT is down for me too on Knology.

I hope it's not catching. The situation with small market stations is that they can't afford redundancy for something that is already a huge financial drain with absolutely no revenue-generating potential. In general, stations have one each of the devices necesary to transmit a DTV/HDTV signal. When one of those devices bites the dust, the station is down until they can replace it. Repairing is pretty-much out of the question. They don't make tweezers small enough. When something gets zapped by lightning or power surges, it is pretty much fried. Most of Montgomery's analog facilities have backup of one sort or another, much of it conglomerated over many years of operation. It will take several more years before the digital stations begin to add backup equipment to thier budgets. It will be after analog goes away. Right now there is no incentive to get a failed DTV back up and running, except to mitigate the wailing of the early-adopters and home theatre devotees - a decidedly small minority.

I hope it's not catching. The situation with small market stations is that they can't afford redundancy for something that is already a huge financial drain with absolutely no revenue-generating potential. In general, stations have one each of the devices necesary to transmit a DTV/HDTV signal. .

That's not unique to small market stations. Very few stations overall, regardless of
market size, have no redundancy whatsoever for DTV. We're fortunate to have redundant microwave and multiple tube transmitters. But nothing else is redundant. With none planned soon. And as I think you know Phil, even if we wanted to buy a redundant splicer for FOX, they aren't available.. But, in 3 years there will have to be more redundancy and reliability than there is now.... :(

Things are looking good for Montgomery area HD. No HD on WSFA HD (Leno last night and now L&0) and no signal from WAKA HD.
Yes, WSFA=no HD and WNCF= no nothing, but I was watching WAKA-DT at the time of your posting and it was fine (on Knology, which is off-air pickup). How are you receiving WAKA-DT?

FYI...WNCF-DT is off the air due to lightning damage with the storms we had on Monday 6/12/06. Parts have been returned to the factory for repair and we hope to return to the air in a few days. The signal is still availabla in HD on Charter cable.

On Knology (900 Channels), I am still not getting ABC-901 and NBC-903.

(And responding to the previous message, I am getting WAKA-HD on 902)

Is there a reason Charter would get WNCF-HD but not Knology.

Plus, can anyone explain the signal overloading problem someone discussed a few replies back? I am wondering if there is anything I can do to make sure my box hasn't been the problem for my recent problems with the Knology local HD channels.

Is there a reason Charter would get WNCF-HD but not Knology.



I believe the answer is Charter isn't using an over the air signal.

The good news for hockey fans (when you really look for some here) is that the picture is better on the digital channel compared to the analog one, even for SD broadcasts, and 5.1 sound is there :)

Yes, WSFA=no HD and WNCF= no nothing, but I was watching WAKA-DT at the time of your posting and it was fine (on Knology, which is off-air pickup). How are you receiving WAKA-DT?

WAKA is coming in with no problems.

After a few years, I thought the "early adopter" moniker would vanish and HD would work as intended, but the comments from W4IMM and bdfox18doe about "wasting" serious amounts of money on redundant hardware for a limited amount of users makes perfect "bean counter" sense in my line of work as well.

This all reminded me that I have some HD OTA stuff in my garage that I will never use again. If you are willing to take something away for free, PM me.

Radio Shack Yagi 40" UHF antenna
Winegard Yagi 80" UHF antenna
Channel Master 7775 26 dB (UHF only) amp
10' Antenna pole

for a limited amount of users makes perfect "bean counter" sense in my line of work as well.

The technical, or "PC" term.. is "BCBS".. I think you can figure that out on your own.. :D

I figured as much on WNCF, no problem with that, stuff happens. WSFA is another story, flip the freaking switch or whatever you have to do.

WSFA just restored 16:9 for the game. Way to go! It doesn't look as good as the HDNet broadcast, but from what I'm hearing on the phone, they are giving us the best picture they can get.

Can one of you folks with OTA tell me what this signal really is? It still looks like 480p.

The technical, or "PC" term.. is "BCBS".. I think you can figure that out on your own.. :D
All that comes to mind is Blue Cross Blue Shield. That's probably not it.

Love how NBC has decided to throw up a blank dark grey ticker just in time for the start of OT of the hockey game. What a great way to help my viewing experience. Judging by how smart people are down here...i'm assuming it's a WSFA issue.

Love how NBC has decided to throw up a blank dark grey ticker just in time for the start of OT of the hockey game. What a great way to help my viewing experience. Judging by how smart people are down here...i'm assuming it's a WSFA issue.

Get ready..this is the tip of the Ice Berg..Wait til it rains..and the fairy weather man comes out.

Get ready..this is the tip of the Ice Berg..Wait til it rains..and the fairy weather man comes out.

What??? There are icebergs??? Quick, notify the Storm Center! This may require a new crawl!

WSFA just restored 16:9 for the game. Way to go! It doesn't look as good as the HDNet broadcast, but from what I'm hearing on the phone, they are giving us the best picture they can get.

Can one of you folks with OTA tell me what this signal really is? It still looks like 480p.

Probably cause Weather PLUS loves sucking bandwidth.

Probably cause Weather PLUS loves sucking bandwidth.

I LOVE weather plus.. I'm always concerned about the weather in Omaha.. :rolleyes:

Now Mark, you know you want that for WAKA, plus it's only 50k for the system.. :)

I LOVE weather plus.. I'm always concerned about the weather in Omaha.. :rolleyes:

Now Mark, you know you want that for WAKA, plus it's only 50k for the system.. :)

I think the radar you got hooked up for us is just fine. Quick, accurate, and
LOCAL. Doesn't waste your time. And we get a pretty picture on the main channel. That pretty picture is the point of all this, isn't it?

I think the radar you got hooked up for us is just fine. Quick, accurate, and LOCAL. Doesn't waste your time. And we get a pretty picture on the main channel. That pretty picture is the point of all this, isn't it?

I dunno, I'll let you know after I get out of today's sales meeting where they want to know when they can add sponsor logos to the weather radar.. :)

I dunno, I'll let you know after I get out of today's sales meeting where they want to know when they can add sponsor logos to the weather radar.. :)

And don't forget the children's programming.

Who watches these weather channels? I noticed WCOV now has a weather channel (20-2). If I just have to know the weather either locally or some other location I just go to the internet. I guess they are watched or they wouldn't have advertisers.

Who watches these weather channels? I noticed WCOV now has a weather channel (20-2). If I just have to know the weather either locally or some other location I just go to the internet. I guess they are watched or they wouldn't have advertisers.
Who, indeed? They might be a poor man's version of the Weather Channel for those OTA holdouts who can't or won't subscribe to cable or satellite. Maybe good for the rabbit ears crowd. When I want to see weather on TV I usually go to WAKA's radar. That's all I need to know.

Who watches these weather channels? I noticed WCOV now has a weather channel (20-2). If I just have to know the weather either locally or some other location I just go to the internet. I guess they are watched or they wouldn't have advertisers.

I have a program on my computer called Weather Bug..I never look at local TV for weather.

I have a program on my computer called Weather Bug..I never look at local TV for weather.I hope it's a newer version. The older ones installed Gator (spyware) among other undesirables.

I hope it's a newer version. The older ones installed Gator (spyware) among other undesirables.


yep!

Makes you wonder just how much free software includes spyware.

"free" is such an abused word. lol

yep!

Yep for me to..

Been testing my BH cable dvr hd box for awhile. have'nt been on my sat box with built in tuner for locals. Checked it the other day and channel 20 is doing something diffrent again with their signal. My sat box cannot decode the 100% signal again. And yeh. I noticed they now have a weather channel. wooho! Oh and by the way. BH does not pass channel 20's hd. Only way I can get it is with my sat box or pc tuner card.

Been testing my BH cable dvr hd box for awhile. have'nt been on my sat box with built in tuner for locals. Checked it the other day and channel 20 is doing something diffrent again with their signal. My sat box cannot decode the 100% signal again. And yeh. I noticed they now have a weather channel. wooho! Oh and by the way. BH does not pass channel 20's hd. Only way I can get it is with my sat box or pc tuner card.

Must be the heat. It's too hot to watch TV. It will be better in the winter. Channel 20 is doing nothing different and the Accuweather feed has been there for a few months.

Anyone having issues w/ WCOV bouncing in and out? I got a new receiver and everything is coming in fine over the air except for them. I may have to play w/ the antenna this evening and adjust if it's just me.

Anyone having issues w/ WCOV bouncing in and out? I got a new receiver and everything is coming in fine over the air except for them. I may have to play w/ the antenna this evening and adjust if it's just me.

I still can't get WCOV OTA on my Dish VIP211 receiver. DISH has not sent a software fix yet. I get WCOV DT on an OTA spare receiver I have and it comes in fine. DISH is in the process of putting most of the US local HD channels on their satellite and Montgomery will be in the near future and I won't need an extra OTA antenna.

... DISH is in the process of putting most of the US local HD channels on their satellite and Montgomery will be in the near future and I won't need an extra OTA antenna.

Grandpa,

I got the impression that Dish , nor anyone else for that matter, has the bandwidth to include every local HD channel in the country. Given that, the Montgomery market wasn't large enough to be getting HD locals.

Do you have confirmed information otherwise??

Grandpa,

I got the impression that Dish , nor anyone else for that matter, has the bandwidth to include every local HD channel in the country. Given that, the Montgomery market wasn't large enough to be getting HD locals.

Do you have confirmed information otherwise??

DISH has gone from MPEG3 compression format to MPEG4 which gives them more
bandwith. I have been with them for awhile and have kept up with this. They have added quite a few Local HD channels already and are adding more every quarter. Go to the dish site for a list of the ones already added. Should have said most.

DISH has gone from MPEG3 compression format to MPEG4 which gives them more
bandwith. I have been with them for awhile and have kept up with this. They have added quite a few Local HD channels already and are adding more every quarter. Go to the dish site for a list of the ones already added. Should have said most.

This is what I get when I use Dish's local's page.

MONTGOMERY ABC-WNCF 32 7850
MONTGOMERY CBS-WAKA 8 7851
MONTGOMERY DSTAR-WBMM 22 7858
MONTGOMERY FOX-WCOV 20 7853
MONTGOMERY IND-WBIH 29 7856
MONTGOMERY NBC-WSFA 12 7852
MONTGOMERY PBS-WAIQ 26 7855
MONTGOMERY UPN-WRJM 67 7854
WB EAST

I don't see any HD stations. Where exactly did you see Dish offering HD locals for Montgomery??

Although its understood that they're adding more stations across the country, have you read where they're adding HD stations to Montgomery?? If so, where??

Anyone having issues w/ WCOV bouncing in and out? I got a new receiver and everything is coming in fine over the air except for them. I may have to play w/ the antenna this evening and adjust if it's just me.
I also cannot receive WCOV-DT on my 622, but I can receive it on my 811 using the same antenna & position. I reported the problem to Dish and the CSR said she would submit an engineer's report. Not sure how long it will take for a fix. Also not sure why the 622 would have a problem receiving channel 14 and not the other available digital channels.

Never did get that 622 to play with from Scott..

Never did get that 622 to play with from Scott..


That was a 211 and my 622 just came in today.

I haven't started the DIU upgrade paperwork yet to get it activated.
retailer.echostar.com seems to be having some problems.

Cool. got the 411 on 211, Grandpa Train won't have to call 911!

Cool. got the 411 on 211, Grandpa Train won't have to call 911!

HUH???????????????????????

HUH???????????????????????

It's OK. In the old days we would have said that Bob had the DTs. Now it's caused by the DTVs.

Especially this week..

I did a channel scan the other night, and lo and behold, we now have a religious
channel transmitting digitally (not HD)45.1. I quess we now have the threat in the future of an HD Jan Crouse. (They may have been transmitting in digital for a while but I just discovered it). Can't contain my excitement.

Yea it's been up for about a year. My mom is a Master Controller there.

I'm not sure what direction to point to find it.

Yea it's been up for about a year. My mom is a Master Controller there.

I'm not sure what direction to point to find it.

I wonder why it just showed up? Why do they need Five channels ? Did channel scans over the past year, but yesterday was the first time they showed up.

Grandpa,

They may have just raised their power output.

I know they installed the digital transmitter a year ago. I don't know why it hasn't showed up except for the fact it would be on the back side of most Montgomery OTA antennas.
I think the transmitter is on Monticello or on the tower in the back of Montgomery East.

I'll pick my moms brain when she gets out of church although she ushally isn't aware of what the day shift engineers do.
She works 4-12 and btw her job has been elliminated efective Aug 1 because corporate is going to push the buttons remotely.
Anyone know where a 68 year old woman could get a related job? Even part time?

Anyone know where a 68 year old woman could get a related job? Even part time?

I know a master controller at ABC. She may want to apply there. If he's being replaced by remote control, he doesn't know it :p

Sadly, many companies are mandationg that stations automate..we still use humans..

Notice tonight it rained and CH12 HD feed went dark, but the good news is that their RADAR and Crawler is working great. I think they hocked their HD transmitter for a better screen graphics generator to take up more space on the screen. If only they cared as much about TV as they do Weather.

Hello everybody,

I am currently stationed overseas and will be moving to the Millbrook area in August and I was wondering if anybody is there who can clue me in on whatever HDTV options are available in that area. I was thinking of using DishNetwork, but then would I be able to get HD local broadcast channels, out of Montgomery perhaps? I lived in Montgomery before and used Charter's Digital cable service which had local HD channels on it, decent quality. Well, Lost looked good on it anyways, and that is what I cared about the most.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Dish is in the drivers seat right now with HD.

Knology is doing pretty good also. I know they serve Prattville but I don't think they serve Millbrook. (wrong side of the interstate) :D

If you want Dish contack me when your ready and I can hook ya up. I'm a retailer in Mtgy.

With Dish you could do OTA for the HD locals untill they get them on line. Of course trees will dictate that decision.

Notice tonight it rained and CH12 HD feed went dark, but the good news is that their RADAR and Crawler is working great. I think they hocked their HD transmitter for a better screen graphics generator to take up more space on the screen. If only they cared as much about TV as they do Weather.

And it's still dark! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Now it's WCOV's time, I guess. Appears to be antenna or transmission line problem. Whatever it is, it's going to be off for awhile.

Better be up by the Datona 400 Saturday night or my wife will probably come and torch the place. :D :D :D

Better be up by the Datona 400 Saturday night or my wife will probably come and torch the place. :D :D :D

Nascar viewers have DTV sets? Time back up will depend on what is found. Problems with transmission lines and antennas ain't good. Must have been one of the storms this past weekend. The nitrogen guy said there'd been a run on the stuff by stations.

Nascar viewers have DTV sets?

Yep.. Ain't you been to Walmart lately? :D All together now:

SAY: WOOOO DA-EL!!! LOOK-IT THAT-THAR TOO-FORE KAR GO! :D

Nascar viewers have DTV sets?

What rock have you been under?
NASCAR is the number one racing sport in the world. The "good ole boys" days are long gone.
NASCAR has been in HD for about 2 years.

NHRA is in HD on ESPN2 also.

Better be up by the Datona 400 Saturday night or my wife will probably come and torch the place. :D :D :D

Gee, you are rough. You do know that the infamous WSFA will be broadcasting the remaining races for the rest of the year after Daytona...

Gee, you are rough. You do know that the infamous WSFA will be broadcasting the remaining races for the rest of the year after Daytona...

Yep and TNT is in HD.
No more SD FX

Yep and TNT is in HD.
No more SD FX

I quit watching when it comes to WSFA..the weather map fiends..next year it changes to ESPN if I am not mistaken?

WCOV-DT is, hopefully, back on the air. Removal of a 22cal. slug from the transmission line and copious quantities of tape effected the repair.

Removal of a 22cal. slug from the transmission line .

So you had a problem with a "tuning" slug.. :D

So you had a problem with a "tuning" slug.. :D

You might say that. I wouldn't, of course. The doctors say I shouldn't stay up all night thinking about stuff. Maybe it will hang together until after the Daytona 400 or whatever it was.

Interesting: I just re-scanned the local channels using my Dish-622 receiver and I can now receive the WCOV-DT channels (about 76 on the signal strength meter) on my 622. Previously I could only receive WCOV-DT on my Dish-811. Not sure what changed, but I can now receive WCOV-DT on both my 622 and 811 (about the same signal strength on both). If you have a 622, it may be worth trying to receive WCOV-DT again.

Saw Superman this afternoon at the Rave Theater.

I was hoping it would be in theater 1, but it was in theater 8 for the viewing I attended.

Pretty good story, good sound effects (bassheads are in for a treat), good picture. Hey, for $300 million, you can do alot.

(bassheads are in for a treat)

I didn't even know Superman fished. This has to be the most informative group I read.

Had I posted woofage, would you have cracked a rib? :)

Interesting: I just re-scanned the local channels using my Dish-622 receiver and I can now receive the WCOV-DT channels (about 76 on the signal strength meter) on my 622. Previously I could only receive WCOV-DT on my Dish-811. Not sure what changed, but I can now receive WCOV-DT on both my 622 and 811 (about the same signal strength on both). If you have a 622, it may be worth trying to receive WCOV-DT again.

I re-scanned with my VIP211 and what the heck-----WCOV is back. It would be very interesting to find out what has changed. I was unable to get FOX for the last three months on the 211 and it also worked on another receiver just like you.

I was going to come on today and say after reading about the 22 slug and the duct tape repair to it yesterday (LOL) that I was able to pick up WCOV on my D* H20 box yesterday, coming in at a strong 80%. I was hoping there was a problem w/ their signal cause I hated losing their signal this fall during football season. I really like the look of the picture during the games, we'll see how the weather channel effects it this fall, I hope not too much. On that note it's too bad ABC gave up MNF w/ zero multicasting they had an awesome picture and we'll have to watch Sunday night football on NBC, better hope it doesn't rain...LOL I have I told ya'll weather channels suck??? Oh well in case you forgot!

I have I told ya'll weather channels suck??? Oh well in case you forgot!

That's fine, when we see your body in the trees after the tornado..on the 6pm news.. we'll gladly say we told you so.. :D

.... and the duct tape repair .....

We only use black plastic tape for transmission line repair, not duct tape. I agree with you about weather channels. This new kind of "weather terrorism" is quite annoying. However, any source of revenue in a storm.

I can detect the slight difference in the HD quality before and after the weather channel. However, in the future nobody will remember what full bandwidth, stand-alone HD signals even look like. Just like today, people think their cable and satellite pictures look good.

You only use black plastic tape, I thought you could fix anything w/ duct tape. Bumper falls off your car, tape it back on!! Trunk won't stay down, tape it down! Window keeps falling out tape it in!!! LOL

Scott...where ever you are.

As a "Dish" installer, what's the difference between going directly to the "Dish" website and ordering a system versus contacting you directly for the install. I see that Dish is running a HD special of sorts. Would you be able to do the same?

Also, how's the 622 DVR coming along??

I am watching the US Open on WSFA-HD. The picture looks less sharp than it did earlier on ESPN-HD. WSFA-HD generally looks softer than CBS or ESPN.

I too have noticed that the HD looks softer,, Im wondering if its me or they are cutting bandwidth.

I also noticed that Ch 12 has been joining progranms in process lately like Network news and Leno because of the Singleman trial. I have to catch network news on 18.

Anyone around able to get OTA in Wetumpka? I've checked antennaweb and it looks possible but I was hoping to hear a some firsthand success.

I'm buying a house around emerald mountain so I was hoping the elevation along w/ a good antenna would help.

zho40,

I'm north of Emerald Moutain and can get HD OTA with a big honking amplified antenna. I occassionally have problems getting channel 8 HD. I think it may be elivation related. Your elivation should be better than mine.

jim,

what type of antenna do you have?

Anyone around able to get OTA in Wetumpka? I've checked antennaweb and it looks possible but I was hoping to hear a some firsthand success.

I'm buying a house around emerald mountain so I was hoping the elevation along w/ a good antenna would help.

I live in Emerald Mountain (on the hill near the airstrip) and I can receive all of the Montgomery HD channels using a Wineguard Squareshooter antenna (amplified version) mounted in my attic and pointing towards the southwest (I don't need to rotate it). I'm using the the HD tuners built in to my Dish VIP-622 and a Dish 811 satellite receivers. Both WSFA and WAKA usually come in at >95% signal strength, WNCF usually comes in around the low 80s, and both WCOV and WAIQ usually come in around the mid to high 70s.

I live in Emerald Mountain (on the hill near the airstrip) and I can receive all of the Montgomery HD channels using a Wineguard Squareshooter antenna (amplified version) mounted in my attic and pointing towards the southwest (I don't need to rotate it). I'm using the the HD tuners built in to my Dish VIP-622 and a Dish 811 satellite receivers. Both WSFA and WAKA usually come in at >95% signal strength, WNCF usually comes in around the low 80s, and both WCOV and WAIQ usually come in around the mid to high 70s.

Thanks, for the reply. That is great news because my next question was to see if anyone was using the Dish 622.

Scott...where ever you are.

As a "Dish" installer, what's the difference between going directly to the "Dish" website and ordering a system versus contacting you directly for the install. I see that Dish is running a HD special of sorts. Would you be able to do the same?

Also, how's the 622 DVR coming along??


Man I'm sorry..
For some reason I wasn't being notified about new posts on this forum..

There is no diffrence in dollars or specials dealing with E* directly or with a local retailer.

The diffrence is in the competence of the work.

What package and equipment are you intererested in?

My personal 622 is working great.

Who watched the shuttle fo up on HD Net?

Pretty awsome.

Who watched the shuttle fo up on HD Net?

Pretty awsome.

Prettiest launch I have ever seen on TV....HD is great stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Thanks, for the reply. That is great news because my next question was to see if anyone was using the Dish 622.


If you check back to post #1805, I've got a couple spare UHF antennas (including an 80" monster), a UHF amp and a couple 10' antenna masts that I will happily give away to get out of my garage :)

Although if Brighthouse doesn't get off their butt, I may need an antenna for next seasons NASCAR. :mad:

Anyone have a OTA hd tuner for sale. I have dish 811 reciever and superdish to trade.

I've had a channel show up in my guide (OTA): 68.2--Music Tube Network. I don't have any signal but it is in my guide. It sounds like a satellite channel but has an OTA channel number. Anybody else seeing this?

Some Knology channels in the clear!

I installed a customers Phillips 42" plasma yesterday and Knology had not yet arrived to install his HD box.

I connected Knology cable directly to his tuner and ran a channel scan expecting to get just analog channels.

Well I'm still surprised at what I got when the scanning was done. 210 Digital channels!

All of the HD locals (900s) about 100 digital music channels, all of the weather plus stuff (200s) along with all of the analog.

Only stuff that was blocked were premium channels. (ESPN, HDNET, HBO, etc.)

I'm going to connect my knology cable to my Dish 622 and see what happens.


Edit 12:28 AM.
Does not work on the 622. Oh well thought I had found an alternative to an antenna.

I've had a channel show up in my guide (OTA): 68.2--Music Tube Network. I don't have any signal but it is in my guide. It sounds like a satellite channel but has an OTA channel number. Anybody else seeing this?

68-2 and 68-1 is WABM-DT(36) B'ham. Coming in clear tonite.

Anyone here happen to have any information as to when/if Charter in Montgomery will be adding any more HD channels (HDnet, TNT, ESPN2, etc). I think it's pretty sad that we only really have 2 national HD channels (if you don't count the premium movie channels) when there are so many out there.

Unfortunately, I live in a Charter area and can't get Knology who seems to have a lot more HD. I would also like to avoid getting satellite for the simple fact that I would most likely have to purchase an HD-DVR upfront to be able to only lease it instead of just getting one from the cable company.

Anyway, if anyone has any information on this or happens to work for Charter in Montgomery and browses the forums if you could please let me know I'd appreciate it greatly. Thanks.

I hope Charter gets their act together.
Right now they are a joke!

Scott,

Check your PMs.

Jimp your Private message is full and wont let me respond.

Jimp and others were wondering about OTA channels in the Dish guide.

This is what it looks like. Channels in yellow are OTA channels.



http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/EPG.sized.jpg

Well I changed OTA antennas and all of my OTA problems went away.
of course the majority of my problem was Fox (which didn't exist) but now I get all channels without moving the antenna.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/5ms750.htm


http://www.starkelectronic.com/5ms9000.gif

I am very sad to report that Phil Witt, Chief Engineer of WCOV for over 40 years,
passed away this past Monday. Phil was a personal friend and a friend to WAKA,
and was around for the (failed) attempt of WCOV to purchase channel 8 in the 1960's. My father, who worked with Phil decades ago, praised him to the highest...and I can tell you that he was not only a great asset to our industry, but a gentleman as well. He was one of the good guys. Service details are in today's
Montgomery Advertiser.

A small step, but The Young And The Restless is now being passed in HD.
Long story, but since we are in the Central Time Zone, that was not "easily"
possible before, but CBS continues to add to the HD chain at affiliates, and
now that sizzling daytime dynamite drama is in HD. Well, big deal, you say...but the show does a 40 share here. About unheard of in today's TV world (CSI does a 20 share).

What kind of share does "The Unit" and "NCIS" have?

What kind of share does "The Unit" and "NCIS" have?

Each does a 16.

WAKA,

Can you tell us how share is calculated? Is it the percentage of the audiance viewing at the time?

Stay with me here. A Share is the percent of households or persons using television at the time the program is airing and who are watching a particular program. So a percentage of
a number which can change. The 40 share of Y&R represents 40% of the sets which are in use are watching Y&R. In today's 250 channel universe, a 40 is really stout.

Not to be confused with a rating, which is almost always a lower number, because it takes into account all the POSSIBLE television households...basically all the sets, in use or not.

Uhhh.. you lost me at "stay".... :D

Just went to 12-1 to watch L & 0. Looks like WSFA is down again.

Trying to get information over the phone from Charter is a joke.

Could someone tell me which HD stations Charter carries in their HD tier not counting the premium channels and how much does it cost including HD STB, remote, and anything else they have to have in order to get HD.

I'm asking for a friend who only recently got a HD TV.

Thanks in advance.

According to my bill the HD Pack for charter is $3.99 per month and includes ESPN, Discovery HD, ABC, NBC, and CBS. Their HD lineup is just as much a joke as trying to get information from them is. I don't know what else you have to subcribe to as I get all the channels, but I assume you would have to get atleast the basic package. If you want an HD-DVR (the Moxi, which I think sucks), the monthly service fee on that is $14.98. Hope that helps.

Trying to get information over the phone from Charter is a joke.

Could someone tell me which HD stations Charter carries in their HD tier not counting the premium channels and how much does it cost including HD STB, remote, and anything else they have to have in order to get HD.

I'm asking for a friend who only recently got a HD TV.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks philly,

It sounds like you don't get PBS and Fox.

This friend of mine, has extended basic, so I would assume that she'd have to have to rent a HD cable box and a remote.

If it wasn't a matter of hanging an OTA antenna on the side of her house for the HD locals, Charter sure makes it attractive to go with Dish networks.

Brighthouse added Universal HD. I wish it was ESPN2 or even better FOX.

Yeah, I'm pretty much about to switch to Dish Network. They seem to have the most HD and it doesn't suffer as much from the horrible pixelation that Directv has. The only problem is locals in HD, but from what I understand those are pretty simple to pick up around here using an OTA antenna.

Thanks philly,

It sounds like you don't get PBS and Fox.

This friend of mine, has extended basic, so I would assume that she'd have to have to rent a HD cable box and a remote.

If it wasn't a matter of hanging an OTA antenna on the side of her house for the HD locals, Charter sure makes it attractive to go with Dish networks.

Hey guys... new to the forum and HD...

I have been researching some HDTV's and I still don't know which one to get. Both Best Buy and Sears are running specials this week on their TVs including 18 months no interest and I am in the market. I'd like to keep it around $2,000 or less... Anything over 50" is too big for the room I will be using and 50" is really pushing it. I like the Sony 46" KDF-46E2000, but not sure what to think after reading some stuff on the 1080i (hope I have that right). Do I need to look for a set that have that capability, or will a set with the 780p (I think) be okay? I have reservations on a Plasma due to the "burn-in" stuff I keep reading about (although the guy at Sears said that most of the 5th gen. Plasmas will not do it now). I have read that the LCDs are not quite as crisp as the Plasmas, and I haven't read too much about the DLPs... any help here is greatly appreciated as Sears is having a sale on Saturday and the 18 month thing at Best Buy is over Saturday as well.

Also had a question about Charter (noticed the discussion above)... I have Charter digital with a Moxi DVR in the room where I want to put the HDTV. Do I need to get another box from Charter, or will this Moxi box be able to handle the HDTV feed as well? philly33, you made mention that the service is 14.98. Is that the DVR fee (10.99) plus the 3.99 HDTV fee? (I assume so).

Everyone seems to think that Charter sucks, but I had some terrible service with Knology and I will not go back to them because of it, so I guess it's either the dish or stick it out with charter...

Any suggestions will be appreciated...

AubieKermit

The $14.98 is the HD-DVR fee. Atleast that what it shows up as on my bill.

Went by Charter and Knology this morning gathering info in writing.

Basically, Knology has a lot more HD than Charter. But Aubie's comments about Knology's service has me concerned.

Went by Charter and Knology this morning gathering info in writing.

Basically, Knology has a lot more HD than Charter. But Aubie's comments about Knology's service has me concerned.

I had a new house built back in 2001. Had Knology service in the apartment complex because that was all that was offered. When the new house was complete and we moved in, Knology called and cancelled my setup date because they didn't have anyone in the area... had to live on the antenna and cell phone for about a month (had it bundled with phone). So they finally show up and run the cable from the side of my house, through the back yard, and over the neighbor's fence to the in-ground box. Then they left. They said someone else would come out and bury the cable in a couple of days. About 10 phone calls and about 5 months later, they came out to bury the cable in the ground... but they came on the day that the Charter guy was there to install the Charter service. So they cut their cable, rolled it up, and took off. They forgot that I hadn't switched phone companies... so I had no phone until I got the manager on the line and they came back that night and re-installed the phone. Then I had about 3-4 more months of trouble with the billing after that....

Just a bad experience. It could be (and probably is) an isolated event. Both my parents and my in-laws have Knology and like it.


Anyone got any tips on the TV purchase? (please don't say "Check out the TV forums"... I have been on there a bunch today)

Aubie,

My fist choice for a display would be the HLS series from Samsung, then the Sony E2000s.

The HLSs will give you better blacks, but if you're sensitive to rainbows(rainbow effect caused the the DLP/Color wheel combination), go with the E2000.

, but if you're sensitive to rainbows(rainbow effect caused the the DLP/Color wheel combination), .

Jim, your opinion here..At first, I never saw rainbows on my Mits 62725, now I'm starting to occasioanlly.. is it my brain (Ok Mark, no SA coments here!) or, perhaps a change in speed on the color wheel? :confused:

Just went to 12-1 to watch L & 0. Looks like WSFA is down again.


May be a leaf problem--I'm getting a signal but very erratic.

Just went to 12-1 to watch L & 0. Looks like WSFA is down again.


You should be watching WAKA anyway.. :D

You should be watching WAKA anyway.. :D

I'm about ready to dump D* and go back to cable--if only they would get a couple of channels that I get OTA and via D* they (Brighthouse). Then I wouldn't have to reorient my antenna to get WAKA (which I get great, by the way) and worry about leaves on tress blocking signal.

I switched from Directv and Charter to Knology for the local HD channels. Knology carries ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, ESPN, ESPN2, Universal(USA), HDNET, HDMovies, TNT, HBO,and Starz in HD.

Samsung is coming out with an LED DLP very,very soon. It may be worth the wait and price.

Jim, your opinion here..At first, I never saw rainbows on my Mits 62725, now I'm starting to occasioanlly.. is it my brain (Ok Mark, no SA coments here!) or, perhaps a change in speed on the color wheel? :confused:

Bob,

I don't really know. In some of the post in the Samsung HLS owners thread, I believe Eliab mentioned that if the colorwheel was adjusted wrong, it could cause a higher incidence in rainbows. I suppose that your color wheel may have gotten out of adjustment.

Have you changed anything in your system such as lighting (some room lighting like a backlight helps avoid RBE) brightness and picture settings on the display, more high contrast stations, etc.

Jim, your opinion here..At first, I never saw rainbows on my Mits 62725, now I'm starting to occasioanlly.. is it my brain (Ok Mark, no SA coments here!) or, perhaps a change in speed on the color wheel? :confused:

But I'm not a smart-ass.

I switched from Directv and Charter to Knology for the local HD channels. Knology carries ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, ESPN, ESPN2, Universal(USA), HDNET, HDMovies, TNT, HBO,and Starz in HD.

Samsung is coming out with an LED DLP very,very soon. It may be worth the wait and price.

First, let me say I have had Charter, Knology, Dish, and Direct (not all at once!).
They all have their ups and downs. I have dealt with each company for various reasons. Knology continues to have the "local" feel. That means alot when you
have to call them (and you will--whoever you use--) you can at least get a person that is local or close to local. If you bundle, Knology is really your only choice for now, and you will save lots of money doing so (I currently bundle with Knology). Because they offer phone, they are required to keep the system going
at all times (those little natural gas generators you see all over town). I have never lost service (phone, internet, cable) from them under any conditions. Their
HD line-up is far superior to Charter's, and seems technically sound. Your mileage may vary. I think we all know that bigger is NOT better when you have to deal
with things in life.

Not an endorsement.....just my experience.

Unrelated--I was in Sears the other day watching a 50" plasma (and others) with ESPN2-HD on via Dish. The resulting compression was unbearable. Is that
right, or was that some sort of demo defect? The set was also hooked up to a
set of rabbit ears and the picture from APT was great.

I have DISH. ESPN2 HD on my 30IN Samsung is Great looking. I also had Knology for a long time. For 5yrs I asked them to add MLB extra innings. I kept getting the same answer "we are looking into it". I finally changed to DISH to get MLB. As far as I know Knology is still looking into it.

I e-mailed Brighthouse that I was thinking about switching back to cable but was hesitating because WCOV and ESPN2 were not available. Two people called me back--the first one said that negotiations was underway with WCOV (I was told this a while back) but she didn't know about ESPN2. The second person said they were negotiating with both channels but contracts still had to be signed. Was also told that If I switched I could get 50% off on any packages for 12 months. If it wasn't for college football in HD on ESPN2 this fall I might go ahead and switch. The lack of WCOV in HD isn't a deal breaker, the lack of ESPN2 is. Changing subjects, I saw Pirates of The Caribbean II this afternoon. Overall it was good, a little hard to follow at times but there was so much action you didn't have time to really dwell on the plot. The thing that impressed me the most was the sound, with extensive use of the surround tracks. I can see a reference DVD with this sound track.

I switched from dish about 5 months ago and got the same deal. I have been very happy so far. DVR works great picture quality on non hd cannels are better than dish for me. HD is very close depending on program. I have been told several times fox would be added but I will believe it when I see it. I can live with out espn2 but thanks to Mark and and Bob for helping me, now I have OTA and Fox. Life is good!

I switched from dish about 5 months ago and got the same deal. I have been very happy so far. DVR works great picture quality on non hd cannels are better than dish for me. HD is very close depending on program. I have been told several times fox would be added but I will believe it when I see it. I can live with out espn2 but thanks to Mark and and Bob for helping me, now I have OTA and Fox. Life is good!


Good to know that you are happy with the DVR (I can't live without a DVR). ESPN2 HD I have to have for HD college football. Last year more of the AL games were on ESPN2 than on ESPN.

Just our luck..it rains on NASCAR day..well off to FOX to watch NON weather map Baseball.

Watching Miami Vice Piolit in HD from Ch 12 and of course there is a wheather map in the corner. Showing the whole state for flash floods in Mobile heading South East. Can Mobile even see the CH 12 signal and who in their right mind would watch CH 12 instead of a local channel? Any reason to post that damd wheather map of the state. and warning message.
Ch 12 sucks.

Is Channel 8 DT rf channel in the VHF range??

Is Channel 8 DT rf channel in the VHF range??

Nope.. WAKA-DT is actually on Channel 55.. 716-722 mhz..

Yes..Channel 8 RF, whether analog or digital, is VHF..180-186 mhz

That help Jim? :)

Bob,

Yes, thanks.

I'm trying to troubleshoot what's happening with my OTA system. I couldn't tell if 8 was in the VHF band and possibly why my channelmaster 4228 doesn't always keeps a lock on it. Its looking more like I'll need to either switch to an antenna that's not so directional or put up a second antenna.

So I can do it right this time, are any of the Montgomery locals in the VHF range or are they all in the UHF range?

[SIZE=2][COLOR=Black]

Jim,

A good source for local TV broadcast information is found at www.antennaweb.com

The site is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association and contains a lot of useful tips about getting the best reception including specific antenna recommendations.

The most valuable aspect of the site is a program that allows you to enter your address and get a list of all the analog and digital stations one could possibly receive at your location along with the channel used for broadcast and the directional bearing.

All digital broadcasts are in the UHF band. For example, WSFA-DT (12.1) broadcasts on channel 14, the lowest UHF channel, while WAKA-DT (8.1) uses channel 55.

Let me know if you need any antenna-wrangling assistance.

Hi Larry !!!

Thanks for the info.

If I recall correctly, at one time, antennaweb.org included the rf channels. Now, its not there.

I'm considering going with Dish and would like to be sure that I can get good solid signals on all the HD locals.

Anyone with a Dish 622 and a Voom receiver comment on how OTA reception compares?

I just tried to visit the site and discovered I had remembered the address incorrectly. It is www.antennaweb.org not .com

Anyway, they cover all TV broadcasts, analog and digital.

Apparently the antenna recommendations are descriptive of the type of antenna that would be appropriate for one's particular situation. I thought I remembered getting very specific recommendations previously.

It is obvious that encroaching senility has claimed a few more brain cells.

[SIZE=2][COLOR=Black]

All digital broadcasts are in the UHF band. .

In Montgomery yes, but not always. WOLO-DT, our Columbia ABC affiliate, is VHF CH8, and WTVI/PBS here, is on Channel 11. A large percentage are UHF tho..

Anyone with a Dish 622 and a Voom receiver comment on how OTA reception compares?

Jim, I wouldn't get a Voom receiver, IMHO, to quote consumer reports, "there are better choices". To me, it's mediocre at best.

I like the dish 811, no experience with the 622.

Bob,

Thanks for responding.

I've already got the Voom receiver and reception is better than another ANSI receiver I have. I was just trying to find out if it was better or worst than the 622 that Dish is currently distributing as their HD DVR. May be that the dish 622 would take care of my antenna issue although it does look like I'm trying to catch signals in a 50 degree arc with an antenna that's designed for around a 20 degrees. What's odd is that I get channel 20 rock solid and 12 sometimes disappears. With both on the same tower about the only thing that makes sense, is that 12 isn't pumping out as much power or due to their frequency assignment, its harder for me to receive them. Channel 8 comes and goes as well. Looking at the "street level map", 8 and 12 are at opposite extremes of the rest of the stations I'm trying to receive. This is with a channelmaster 4228, amplified.

A rotar wouldn't be an options as I'd like to DVR off of OTA.

You're welcome Jim.
I've found that the voom tuner isn't the most sensitive out there. The 811 I have seems to have a much better tuner, as do the LG's.

Good luck, keep us posted, ok?

I don't think unless something has changed that WSFA and WCOV are running HD off the same tower. WCOV to my knowledge is still running low power off their tower on the southside of Montgomery and WSFA is on the big one down South of Montgomery a few miles.

So much for antennaweb.org being accurate.

It's correct for me.

WCOV is channel 16

WSFA is 14

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/antenna.sized.jpg

http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/antenna.sized.jpg


Party at Scott's house tonite, Map enclosed!! :D

Scott,

Isn't the map showing the PSIP? Then WCOV 20 and WSFA 12 would be in the same direction.

Here is one of the new maps and I selected digital only.
http://bumracing.com/albums/album01/aworg.sized.jpg

Scott,

Isn't the map showing the PSIP? Then WCOV 20 and WSFA 12 would be in the same direction.


PSIP?
Sorry I'm not familliar with that acronym. :)

Bob,

Thanks for responding.

I've already got the Voom receiver and reception is better than another ANSI receiver I have. I was just trying to find out if it was better or worst than the 622 that Dish is currently distributing as their HD DVR. May be that the dish 622 would take care of my antenna issue although it does look like I'm trying to catch signals in a 50 degree arc with an antenna that's designed for around a 20 degrees. What's odd is that I get channel 20 rock solid and 12 sometimes disappears. With both on the same tower about the only thing that makes sense, is that 12 isn't pumping out as much power or due to their frequency assignment, its harder for me to receive them. Channel 8 comes and goes as well. Looking at the "street level map", 8 and 12 are at opposite extremes of the rest of the stations I'm trying to receive. This is with a channelmaster 4228, amplified.

A rotar wouldn't be an options as I'd like to DVR off of OTA.


I assume you are talking about the digital version of these channels. So,
let's go over the current transmit locations of the locals, both Analog and Digital...because the web site Antenna Web gets some of this wrong (hope i get all this right!). As you can see, there's a whole lot of directions going on, and it
helps to have a map of Montgomery and South Alabama.

WAKA (CBS) Channel 8 Analog and Channel 55 Digital: Gordonsville. Digital is 1000kw. "The Big 8".

WSFA (NBC) Channel 12 Analog and Channel 14 Digital: Grady. Digital is 600kw.

WCOV (FOX) Channel 20 Analog: Grady. Channel 16 Digital: Adrian Lane. Digital
is 1kw. Plans to go higher power and different location, but not sure of specifics.

WAIQ (PBS) CHANNEL 26 Analog and Channel 27 Digital: Madison Avenue. Digital is somewhere around 500kw.

WNCF (ABC) CHANNEL 32 Analog: Gordonsville. Channel 51 Digital: Harrison Road. Digital is 10kw. Plans to go higher power and different location, but not sure of specifics.

In addition, WMCF (TBN) CHANNEL 45 is on with a weak digital signal near Eastdale Mall and WBIH (IND) CHANNEL 29 is digital only--relatively high power-- at Burnsville. WBMM (IND) Channel 22 and WRJM (UPN) Channel 67 have not announced their digital plans yet.

The other analog stations in the market are low power and have no digital....in fact, you probably don't even know they exist.

Party at Scott's house tonite, Map enclosed!! :D


See....this is not correct. Where is channel 55? And I think 51 is wrong, too.
See my post.

I think some of the confusion is they aren't consistant in refering to the digitals as the mapped channel or the Digital designation.

WSFA OTA and Knology has been pixelating bad. Whats up with that?

I'm having a lot of problems with WSFA OTA also. The signal strength is much weaker than it was, even when the antenna is in the most optimal position. All of the other OTA stations come in fine.

I assume you are talking about the digital version of these channels. So,
let's go over the current transmit locations of the locals, both Analog and Digital...because the web site Antenna Web gets some of this wrong (hope i get all this right!). As you can see, there's a whole lot of directions going on, and it
helps to have a map of Montgomery and South Alabama.

WAKA (CBS) Channel 8 Analog and Channel 55 Digital: Gordonsville. Digital is 1000kw. "The Big 8".

WSFA (NBC) Channel 12 Analog and Channel 14 Digital: Grady. Digital is 600kw.

WCOV (FOX) Channel 20 Analog: Grady. Channel 16 Digital: Adrian Lane. Digital
is 1kw. Plans to go higher power and different location, but not sure of specifics.

WAIQ (PBS) CHANNEL 26 Analog and Channel 27 Digital: Madison Avenue. Digital is somewhere around 500kw.

WNCF (ABC) CHANNEL 32 Analog: Gordonsville. Channel 51 Digital: Harrison Road. Digital is 10kw. Plans to go higher power and different location, but not sure of specifics.

In addition, WMCF (TBN) CHANNEL 45 is on with a weak digital signal near Eastdale Mall and WBIH (IND) CHANNEL 29 is digital only--relatively high power-- at Burnsville. WBMM (IND) Channel 22 and WRJM (UPN) Channel 67 have not announced their digital plans yet.

The other analog stations in the market are low power and have no digital....in fact, you probably don't even know they exist.

Thanks for the detailed information.

I think its going to help a lot.

I'm having a lot of problems with WSFA OTA also. The signal strength is much weaker than it was, even when the antenna is in the most optimal position. All of the other OTA stations come in fine.


Same here.

Who do we call???

Same here.

Who do we call???


I was going to e-mail the chief engineer but I looked around on the web site for a while and couldn't find any contact info. I actually watch little NBC programming anyway.

I'm having a lot of problems with WSFA OTA also. The signal strength is much weaker than it was, even when the antenna is in the most optimal position. All of the other OTA stations come in fine.

Last night and this morning I could not get WSFA-DT on my Dish-622 receiver, but I could get it on my Dish-811 receiver (using same antenna and position). All other digital OTA stations come in fine on both receivers. There's nothing like consistency :(

Last night and this morning I could not get WSFA-DT on my Dish-622 receiver, but I could get it on my Dish-811 receiver (using same antenna and position). All other digital OTA stations come in fine on both receivers. There's nothing like consistency :(

I have a DISH VIP211 receiver and it will not lock in on 12 even though I am getting 88 signal strength. These new VIP receivers are having problems. :(

We went through this same thing with Fox.
WSFA has a problem but I think the VIP receivers are a little picky.

The last few weeks WSFA was pixilating on the VIP and Knology as well.
And we know knology gets the locals OTA.

WAKA,

Attached is a map I put together to help with antenna aiming for the digital channels.

Please check it for accuracy.

If it is correct, which I think it is, wouldn't it be near impossible to get all the locals without a rotar or a dual antenna system??

Thanks in advance.


Stan and Scott,
It seems that lately, Digital 12 (rf14) looks good during the day with the pixelation and blockiness starting up in the evening. Is your experience the same?

Last night and this morning I could not get WSFA-DT on my Dish-622 receiver, but I could get it on my Dish-811 receiver (using same antenna and position). All other digital OTA stations come in fine on both receivers. There's nothing like consistency :(


Yesterday, channel 12 was remapped to 14.3,4,5. It's still on 14 today for me (complete with video and audio drop outs). With the exception of 12, things are pretty good for OTA reception in this area.

Still pixilating for the NASCAR race OTA and Knology.

Same here...Also I am getting a signal for WBMM 24-1 but no picture or sound. It is not a steady signal. Analog is OTA 22. Knology channel 19. Knology states 19 will be the new CW next month. Don't know if it will be WBMM.

Surprisingly, NASCAR via Charter's HD is fine...no pixelating. I shouldn't say anything, it will probably start messing up now.

Surprisingly, NASCAR via Charter's HD is fine...no pixelating. I shouldn't say anything, it will probably start messing up now.

I don't think Charter gets it's feed OTA like Knology does.

Anyone have any contacts at WSFA?

I have 88% signal and it still hickups every few minutes.

Looks pretty good. Remember awhile back I posted that we were going back
to the pre-cable television "Montgomery Special" days when you bought a Montgomery Special set
of antennas. Each one, cut for a specific channel, aimed in a different direction (at that channel's transmitter location) and the outputs were combined. Worked well. But there were then only 3 channels that people were "interested" in: ABC, CBS, NBC. So the short answer is yes to the rotor, unless you want to stack a revised "Montgomery Special" array.

Oh, to add to my list: WBMM Analog channel 22 now has digital channel 24 on the air from the same transmission location. I think they are running about 100kw.



WAKA,

Attached is a map I put together to help with antenna aiming for the digital channels.

Please check it for accuracy.

If it is correct, which I think it is, wouldn't it be near impossible to get all the locals without a rotar or a dual antenna system??

Thanks in advance.


Stan and Scott,
It seems that lately, Digital 12 (rf14) looks good during the day with the pixelation and blockiness starting up in the evening. Is your experience the same?

I don't think Charter gets it's feed OTA like Knology does.

Anyone have any contacts at WSFA?

I have 88% signal and it still hickups every few minutes.

Charter is getting the WSFA-DT feed via fiber.

Can't help you with a WSFA contact....they guy I knew left. But I agree
they are having major problems. But they really have since they signed it on.
Weather maps come in good, though :).

Try calling WSFA and asking for an engineer.

Looks pretty good. Remember awhile back I posted that we were going back
to the pre-cable television "Montgomery Special" days when you bought a Montgomery Special set
of antennas. Each one, cut for a specific channel, aimed in a different direction (at that channel's transmitter location) and the outputs were combined. Worked well. But there were then only 3 channels that people were "interested" in: ABC, CBS, NBC. So the short answer is yes to the rotor, unless you want to stack a revised "Montgomery Special" array.

Oh, to add to my list: WBMM Analog channel 22 now has digital channel 24 on the air from the same transmission location. I think they are running about 100kw.

Thanks for checking it.

Early last week, I put up a second channelmaster 4228 stacked on top of the first one, then sent the signal through something called a combiner and then through a channelmaster amplifier. (no signal difference between Wingard and Channelmaster amplifiers). Other than the problems attributable to WSFA's transmission, all channels are pretty stable. Attached is a jpeg of the antenna for others who would like to see what the array looks like.

WAKA,

Attached is a map I put together to help with antenna aiming for the digital channels.

Please check it for accuracy.

If it is correct, which I think it is, wouldn't it be near impossible to get all the locals without a rotar or a dual antenna system??

Thanks in advance.


Stan and Scott,
It seems that lately, Digital 12 (rf14) looks good during the day with the pixelation and blockiness starting up in the evening. Is your experience the same?

Jim, That's basically my experience. I record Leno and watch it while it breakfast the next morning. Sometimes there are no dropouts, sometimes a few, and at other times it is unwatchable. I'm still leaning towards cable if only they would add ESPN2. Stan

Stan,

I hooked up the OTA Tuner and the Brighthouse DVR so that I could compare them on my TV with them side by side(sony twin view). The dropouts on Brighthouse was more severe.
They must be getting them OTA.

Im about 55 miles south of Ch 12 and get a signal quality of 90 + and also for the last few days a lot of pixilation and drop outs, its unwatachable. I noticed the SS dropping off to under 30, like there transmission is sporatic. As far as contacting the Cheif Engineer, or anybody else except maby the weather man or news desk, its near impossible. I emailed the Station owner once and he said he would pass my complaints to the Cheif engineer, I never heard back. CH 12 is probley the worst operated station in the US. Its just a weather and news station, thats where all the money goes, certinally not into broadcast maintance. If I ever get another NBC station its goodby to CH 12 forever. No chanch of cable out here in the farmlands.
MAby you can tell, I hate CH 12.

JimP:
Hows the double stacked antenna working out? I have a single and I get stations up to 100 miles+. How much stronger is the SS than with a single?

Stan,

I hooked up the OTA Tuner and the Brighthouse DVR so that I could compare them on my TV with them side by side(sony twin view). The dropouts on Brighthouse was more severe.
They must be getting them OTA.

Guess cable's not that great an option. What's happened to WSFA. If I remember
correctly they came on the air at full power and had a great signal after the bugs were worked out, but things have gone down hill.

JimP:
Hows the double stacked antenna working out? I have a single and I get stations up to 100 miles+. How much stronger is the SS than with a single?


It seems to be doing fine. Sure would be more reaffirming if WSFA was not acting up, but like I said earlier, I see it worst on Brighthouse. Before I added the second antenna and reorienting the first one, I would totally loose 8 and 12. That doesn't happen anymore except for the pixelations and dropouts on 12 that apparantly are attributable to the station itself.

I think the math on the signal strength would basically be that if you have two antennas aimed in the same direction, you'd pick up some more signal, but if they're aimed a bit different from each other, because you're are going through a combiner/joiner, you loose 3 dbs.

If you're thinking about adding a second antenna to go beyond 100 miles range, I think its unlikely that you're actually getting 100 miles due to curvature of the earth. You're likely are picking up a skip, due to weather/atmosphere.

There is a formula to use. Maybe some of my more technical associates will
post it. Multiple antennas were a common practice in the early days of analog,
which started out exactly as digital has: low power for most stations. Cable systems typically used a quad array to max out what signal there was to receive. One system up north was using a 32 antenna stack to pull in New York ind. stations from about 175 miles away. There are rules to follow when stacking,
such as distance between antennas and keeping the leads between antennas exactly equal, and you really can't expect reliable reception beyond the
curvature (SP) of the earth....about 78 miles is the general figure, I believe.

QUOTE=JimP]It seems to be doing fine. Sure would be more reaffirming if WSFA was not acting up, but like I said earlier, I see it worst on Brighthouse. Before I added the second antenna and reorienting the first one, I would totally loose 8 and 12. That doesn't happen anymore except for the pixelations and dropouts on 12 that apparantly are attributable to the station itself.

I think the math on the signal strength would basically be that if you have two antennas aimed in the same direction, you'd pick up some more signal, but if they're aimed a bit different from each other, because you're are going through a combiner/joiner, you loose 3 dbs.

If you're thinking about adding a second antenna to go beyond 100 miles range, I think its unlikely that you're actually getting 100 miles due to curvature of the earth. You're likely are picking up a skip, due to weather/atmosphere.[/QUOTE]

Im on the tallest hill in Crenshaw in Crenshaw county. About 650ft altitude.
I get
Ch 2
Ch3 Wear Pensacola Panama Cuty Beach
Ch4 Wtvy Dothan
Ch8 Waka Montgomery
Ch12 CRAP Montgomery
Ch18 WDHN Dothan ocassionally
Ch23 WSRE Pensacola most of the time
C24 Daystar ????
Ch26 Waiq Montgomery
Ch29 Sometimes
Ch34 WDFX Dothan
Ch43 Wgiq Louisville/Texasville
Ch44 ???? ??? PBS?
Ch45 Wmcf Dothan 5 stations
Ch48 Wfbd Destin Fl.
and a few others once in a while.

Can't help you with a WSFA contact....they guy I knew left. But I agree they are having major problems. But they really have since they signed it on.
Weather maps come in good, though :).

Try calling WSFA and asking for an engineer.

Here's some WSFA POC info that I have...

"From now on if there is this sort of problem, please call our Master Control Operator at 613-8242."

Then there is this: http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5190958&nav=menu33_15

A new General Manager, Ken Selvaggi. He must of replaced Hoyt Andres. This guy's e-mail address is: kselvaggi@wsfa.com

"From now on if there is this sort of problem, please call our Master Control Operator at 613-XXXX."
]


What moron would give out the master control number publicly? :rolleyes: Bet that number gets changed, or at least goes unanswered. I'm sure shon will let us know tho! :D

Ask Mark for WAKA's number and see what he says.. :)

No comparison in volume but when you call the main number for WMCF it rings in the MC room after hours. :)

What moron would give out the master control number publicly? :rolleyes: Bet that number gets changed, or at least goes unanswered. I'm sure shon will let us know tho! :D

Ask Mark for WAKA's number and see what he says.. :)

But there should be no reason to call our Master Control.....

But there should be no reason to call our Master Control.....


ROTF,LMAO! :D

What moron would give out the master control number publicly?

WSFA's General Manger is the moron, moron. When I was having problems with them, it was answered! I haven't had to call them in quite some time, maybe a year.

Saw WSFAs Weather Plus was robbed of bandwidth over the weekend.
It was so blotchy, you couldn't read the temperatures on the map. I'm sure
it's been fixed since it's WEATHER Plus. Funny thing is, the main channel didn't
seem to benefit quality wise, so I guess all that bandwidth was just pouring out
on the floor.

Saw WSFAs Weather Plus was robbed of bandwidth over the weekend.
It was so blotchy, you couldn't read the temperatures on the map. I'm sure
it's been fixed since it's WEATHER Plus. Funny thing is, the main channel didn't
seem to benefit quality wise, so I guess all that bandwidth was just pouring out
on the floor.

The Football game last night looked like HD lite. :(

The Football game last night looked like HD lite. :(

I think that's NBC and not WSFA. All of the NBC network HD looks like crap.

But on a positive note it looks like WSFA has fixed the pixilating on 12-01

I think that's NBC and not WSFA. All of the NBC network HD looks like crap.

But on a positive note it looks like WSFA has fixed the pixilating on 12-01

I called a friend in another city to confirm the poor HD during the football game last night. He was seeing the same thing in NC.

At least I got through the entire NASCAR race with only a couple minor tiling issues. It looks fixed to me.

Hello All:

I've been monitoring this site for a while and decided to join. I recently went HD and got the the Dish Silver package (Vip 211). I also have a Terk HDTVi indoor antenna with a 20db amp for my local HDs. I get o.k. signal strength on the digital channels:

WSFA: 80%
WNCF: 75%
WCOV: 72%
WAKA: 76%
PBS: 78%

I also get WMCF and an info. mercial channel. I have two questions:

1. My WCOV signal has been down for several days now. It was coming in at 72% and now it's 33% and drops out right away. Is anyone else experiencing this problem or know why this might be happening?

2. Any news regarding getting the CW digital or HD over the air in Montgomery? Also, does anyone know if UPN will go digital or HD when it changes to the MyNetwork in the fall?

Analog 22 / Digital 24 (WBMM) will be the CW, although I've heard that no CW programming will be offered in HD for markets this size (not a fault of the station,
but a design of the network distribution) to start off. As far as MY (UPN)...looks
like they're holding out to final transition date: 2/17/09. WCOV I can't help you
with. Welcome aboard....I think you're the only person who has been able to pick up WMCF.

BTW--Happy birthday to WAKA-DT--on the air one year today !

Hello All:

I've been monitoring this site for a while and decided to join. I recently went HD and got the the Dish Silver package (Vip 211). I also have a Terk HDTVi indoor antenna with a 20db amp for my local HDs. I get o.k. signal strength on the digital channels:

WSFA: 80%
WNCF: 75%
WCOV: 72%
WAKA: 76%
PBS: 78%

I also get WMCF and an info. mercial channel. I have two questions:

1. My WCOV signal has been down for several days now. It was coming in at 72% and now it's 33% and drops out right away. Is anyone else experiencing this problem or know why this might be happening?

2. Any news regarding getting the CW digital or HD over the air in Montgomery? Also, does anyone know if UPN will go digital or HD when it changes to the MyNetwork in the fall?

WCOV is coming in fine. I haven't noticed any down time (but I haven't watched WCOV very much lately).

Hello All:

I've been monitoring this site for a while and decided to join. I recently went HD and got the the Dish Silver package (Vip 211). I also have a Terk HDTVi indoor antenna with a 20db amp for my local HDs. I get o.k. signal strength on the digital channels:

WSFA: 80%
WNCF: 75%
WCOV: 72%
WAKA: 76%
PBS: 78%

I also get WMCF and an info. mercial channel. I have two questions:

1. My WCOV signal has been down for several days now. It was coming in at 72% and now it's 33% and drops out right away. Is anyone else experiencing this problem or know why this might be happening?

2. Any news regarding getting the CW digital or HD over the air in Montgomery? Also, does anyone know if UPN will go digital or HD when it changes to the MyNetwork in the fall?

Thanks for the info. I still can't get WCOV although I reset my receiver and moved the antenna around. It's worked fine for over a month and now nothing. However, I rescanned and now I have Fox WTVN out of Columbus, Ga at 65%. Weird!

I scanned for CW and I got an unlocked signal strength of 67%. I couldn't even view the channel yet. Is that because it's not on the air yet?

Thanks for the info. I still can't get WCOV although I reset my receiver and moved the antenna around. It's worked fine for over a month and now nothing. However, I rescanned and now I have Fox WTVN out of Columbus, Ga at 65%. Weird!

I scanned for CW and I got an unlocked signal strength of 67%. I couldn't even view the channel yet. Is that because it's not on the air yet?

What kind of antenna? Because if your getting Columbus then WCOV would be on the side where the most rejection is.

What kind of antenna? Because if your getting Columbus then WCOV would be on the side where the most rejection is.

It's a Terk HDTVi indoor antenna. WCOV was fine until last Friday. Now the Fox in Columbus is gone and still no WCOV. It was coming in great for so long.

It's a Terk HDTVi indoor antenna. WCOV was fine until last Friday. Now the Fox in Columbus is gone and still no WCOV. It was coming in great for so long.

I also have the VIP211. Not only did the HDMI port stop working on mine WCOV comes and goes. I have the same thing happening I am getting 33% and it cannot lock in. I have another receiver and WCOV HD comes in fine.

Same thing on my 622. 36%
Guess someone shot the cable full of bullet holes again. :rolleyes:

At 9:28 AM, 20 is down in Blueridge in Wetumpka too.


As someone else pointed out, the signal seems to come and go. Wonder if WCOV is trying to save a few bucks on their power bill?? :)

I just spoke with a very nice gentleman at WCOV. He acknowledged that they are having some problems with thier signal. Knology called him and told him the weather channel, 20-2, was down. He asked that everyone be patient as thier chief engineer passed away and he was the only one who knew very much about HD. He's calling around looking for help from other stations. Anyone that can offer any help can call WCOV and ask for the control room. Also, he said that they plan to boost the digital signal in a couple of months. This may explain why several of us were having signal problems.

Same thing on my 622. 36%
Guess someone shot the cable full of bullet holes again. :rolleyes:

Currently only a test pattern for WCOV is coming in at about 78% on my Dish-811, but it won't come in on my 622 (only about 33%).

I have outside antenna and I am getting wcov with a new problem. Picture is fine but aspect or ratio of picture keeps changing from wide to black bars on the side of picture. also I noticed this morning they were sending out B'ham fox signal over wcov in Montgomery.

sarasdad,

Its not your antenna. I noticed the same thing last night just before the test pattern showed up.

Thanks Jimp,
Did you notice fox B'ham news this morning on wcov?

I've had the bouncing signal problem pop back up w/ WCOV for the last week or so again. I guess like someone said up the thread, must shot it full of bullet holes again. Hopefully they'll get the problem worked out and we can get a good picture going before the ballgame Thursday night!!

I know they are having problems, the picture size was just something new for me. New season starts in a couple of weeks and I know Brighthouse wil not have it in HD so I am banking on OTA

Yea I turned it on the AM and it was something narrower than 4:3? :confused: :confused:

Sure has been quiet around here?? :confused:

Sure has been quiet around here?? :confused:


Don't have any TV problems, etc. to discuss, but I do have a pet peeve. Yesterday
I made a trip to the emergency room to get some stitches for a cut I received trying to open one of those plastic packages (in this case a lawn mower blade) that seems to be perfectly sealed on all sides and the only way to get into it is to cut it open (I was using a box cutter and not paying enough attention to what I was doing). But this type of packaging is used for all types of products (including electronics--so I am not totally off topic). Why do manufacturers sell things in packaging with no easy way to open the packaging? I'm sure I'm not the only person that has been injured trying to open these packages.

It's called a blister pac.
The cardboard is perfed and they pull vacuum through it to seal the plastic.
Cheap and easy to manufacturer and gives good view of the product but sucks to open.
A lot of our race gaskets come packed that way and it's tough to not cut the gasket getting it out.

Hey all. Just trying to see if anyone around here is or knows someone who will put up a satellite dish for me without having to sign up for service. Pretty much I already have Dish Network service for international programming, but I now need to get the regular programming through them also and need to put up a Dish 500. I've been trying for the last week or so to get a signal on both 110 and 119 and can't get them both for some reason and now i'm willing to pay for someone to come out and put it in for me. I have the dish and lnbs. If anyone can do it or knows someone who will do it without having to sign up for service please let me know. Thanks.

Call Sean Key Monday Morning.
That's who I work for and we are dish dealers.
334-799-8759

Edited had wrong number

Thanks. Is someone actually going to answer the phone this time? :)