Just checking in as I consider my move. Directv gives no local stations, right? Are the local networks granting waivers for the HD customers? And will the Broncos be blacked out on Sunday Ticket?

If you want more HD than the four locals you get OTA for free, then get the cheapest Dish HD package w/o locals. You'll get about thirty HD channels. You wont get NGHD with the cheapest offering. Their VIP 622 HD DVR is sweet.

Parts are ordered and on the way, sorry I don't have an ETA for now.


Been almost two weeks - are the parts on back order?

As my HMO has explained to me - if it can't be fixed with some duct tape, used chewing gum and some fishing line - than it's not worth fixing. So, lets get the tower crew up there with a roll of tin foil, some rabbit ears and a car battery and start broadcasting some beautiful HD!

Tower crew was here on Friday the 1st, we have discovered more damage and do not have an eta on parts to repair antenna at this time.

Main antenna problems at 4pm May 21st. We are working on it right now.

It's been a month...any ETA on HD?

I have a friend in GJ that bought his first LCD TV yesterday, then called me here in Denver to help him set it up. First thing I found was that it didn't have an ATSC tuner, sent him back to BB and he came home with a TV with both tuners. He is using rabbit ears as he can't find a good outdoor antenna (the channelmaster from Lowe's is what he was looking for). He lives west of the airport on 23 1/2 road - I have no idea where your HD transmitters are located - Grand Mesa mebbe? At any rate, he called today and we can get several analog channels but nothing in HD.

Can somebody let me know where the tranmitters are, if you think he needs a big antenna from his location and what channels your OTA HD are on, I'd appreciate it! Ideally, if someone in the area could take Lou under their wing and get him up and running, that would be super! He has no computer, he shoots archery and has horses - and no clue how to set up his TV. (What's gonna happen at cut-over??) Be happy to provide his phone number...

Thanks!

Tim

I have a friend in GJ that bought his first LCD TV yesterday, then called me here in Denver to help him set it up. First thing I found was that it didn't have an ATSC tuner, sent him back to BB and he came home with a TV with both tuners. He is using rabbit ears as he can't find a good outdoor antenna (the channelmaster from Lowe's is what he was looking for). He lives west of the airport on 23 1/2 road - I have no idea where your HD transmitters are located - Grand Mesa mebbe? At any rate, he called today and we can get several analog channels but nothing in HD.

Can somebody let me know where the tranmitters are, if you think he needs a big antenna from his location and what channels your OTA HD are on, I'd appreciate it! Ideally, if someone in the area could take Lou under their wing and get him up and running, that would be super! He has no computer, he shoots archery and has horses - and no clue how to set up his TV. (What's gonna happen at cut-over??) Be happy to provide his phone number...

Thanks!

Tim





I think you need a rooftop- I use an Antennacrafters AC9 to get all four plus PBS in SD. I get away w/o a rotor but that because my house is 180 degrees between the Monument site and the Grand Mesa site. This is not a long thread, there's lots of good info in it. BTW, who cares if he has horses? I have three in my freezer.

BTW, who cares if he has horses? I have three in my freezer. Well, sell the things to Japan! I don't care either, but I'd sure like to know where the transmitters are and what channels you guys get in HD...mebbe when I get to be a 'senile member' I'll know. :)

Tim

OK I get Fox 4.1, CBS 5.1 ABC 8.1 and NBC 11.1 all in glorious HD I have my rooftop AC-9 pointed west at the antenna nest on the Monument. I guess I'm so close to KREX's tower that I haven't been affected by the "outage" even though I'm getting it on the rear end of my directional antenna. I also get 17.1 PBS non hd from over on the mesa without pointing at it, and they're not in HD of course (see hilariouse promisses from years ago in previous posts). Back to work.

OMG. Are you trying to pick up GJ HD from Centennial?!!!You're going to need a big honkin' antenna and a rotor. Go for it!

OMG. Are you trying to pick up GJ HD from Centennial?!!!You're going to need a big honkin' antenna and a rotor. Go for it!
That is pretty funny! No, I'm trying to get some help for a friend of mine that lives over there - it's kinda hard to do over the long distance phone calls. Thanks for the info - he's gonna need an outside antenna, it appears, at the least.

Anybody got any idea where he could go to get some help with his setup? He does not have a computer, so he's flyin' blind, 'cept for what limited help I can give him. :eek:

Thanks!

Tim, in Centennial, waiting for the tower so we can get full power HD -

It's been a month...any ETA on HD?

Here's what seems to have happened: The power was turned up full blast on May 15 and the tower crew was "finished"; six days later on a hot Monday afternoon something blew out and there was damage. Since then not much has been said except that there's no ETA, so I think KREX would like to have cooler weather, lots of readily available spare parts, a good warrenty on the work done, and a good attorney.

Problems due to faulty workmanship by tower crew, Custom parts are required and are due here Tuesday the 26th. We have been promised by the tower company that the crew will be here shortly after parts arrive and we should be back to full power as soon as the crew is done.

here are some data rates for our digital channels:

FOX HD KFQX-DT 4.1 12.6 Mbps 720P
CBS HD KREX-DT 5.1 13.5 Mbps 1080i
ABC HD KJCT-HD 8.1 15.5 Mbps 720P
NBC HD KKCO-HD 11.1 14.6 Mbps 1080i

KGJT SD 5.3 2.7Mbps 480i
KREG SD 5.4 3.0Mbps 480i
KREY SD 4.2 3.2Mbps 480i
Univision 8.2 3.2Mbps 480i
The CW 11.2 3.9Mbps 480i
PBS SD 17.1 9.3Mbps 480i
A question for those of you who have Bresnan Cable and a receiver that displays bitrates: What are the data rates for Bresnan cable HD channels 703, 707, 709 and 710 compared to the data rates for over-the-air HD on 4.1, 5.1, 8.1 and 11.1?

Looks like KREX 5-1 is back on the air.

Is it just me, or does 11-1 seem to be at about half its normal strength?

I read through some of the threads but have not come across any Montrose information. I assume this would mean no DTV or HDTV OTA in Montrose yet?

Yep

HI, letting you know that there is DTV in Cortez, CO. There are 3 HDTV, two from UTAH and KJCT from Grand Junction. It is brought through a translator hop and shot out over Montezuma County. It brings a total of 8
DTV signals. Reports are coming in and the residents who have receivers
are pleased.

Sent an email to my contact at Bresnan and got the following good news! :D

Some time in December we will add -

795 - The Movie Channel HD
751 - Food net HD
750 - HGTV HD
708 - TBS HD
755 - History HD
737 - USA HD
761 - Sci-Fi HD
786 - Lifetime Movies HD
800 - PPV HD

Also we hope next year we will add 40 to 50 more channels.

I'm collecting information from various locations that have a digital station on channel 2 VHF. A number of posters have reported that they can't receive any signal on their DirecTV HR20-100 (not the -700, that's OK) on OTA stations transmitting their digital signal on channel 2 (channel 3 seems to be OK). It's not just an antenna issue. If you have an HR20-100 with OTA post back and tell me if you receive KREX OK?

Could someone list the current channels in Grand Junction that
are broadcasting digital? If you could list the actual channels
then the virtual channels they show up on . thanks

I think I did this three years ago, but here we go:

4.1 Fox HD (me likey!)
crappy bit starved 5.1 CBS HD (horrible for football)
8.1 ABC HD (excellent)
crappy bit starved 11.1 NBC HD (how bad can we make HD?)


Then there's:

17.3 PBS in crappy SD
"The CW" in crappy in SD
the Mexican channel in crappy SD, a sub channel 8.something
and one more I don't watch. Every sub channel makes our HD look worse.

4.1 Fox HD (me likey!)
crappy bit starved 5.1 CBS HD (horrible for football)
8.1 ABC HD (excellent)
crappy bit starved 11.1 NBC HD (how bad can we make HD?)

All four of them show with the same quality on my 42" 852x480 EDTV plasma display, because it down-res's the 1080i and 720p signals to 480p. Your system is not liking the two 1080i signals. You gave the bitrates a while ago:

FOX HD KFQX-DT 4.1 12.6 Mbps 720P
CBS HD KREX-DT 5.1 13.5 Mbps 1080i
ABC HD KJCT-HD 8.1 15.5 Mbps 720P
NBC HD KKCO-HD 11.1 14.6 Mbps 1080i

Are you listing total bitrates including the subchannels, or is the number shown just for the main HDTV channel? Can you see bitrates for Bresnan Cable channels 703, 707, 709 and 710?

Has anyone asked the engineers at KREX why they are broadcasting KREG and KREY as an SD signal, bit starving the main KREX HD channel? Couldn't they just broadcast KREX and then at the KREG and KREY facilities replace the KREX station ID with the appropriate "local" station ID? It is digital afterall. In the 13 years I've lived in the Roaring Fork valley I think I've seen maybe 1 short segment of truly locally originated broadcast of news or something from KREG. Otherwise KREG just acts as a translator for KREX so I don't see the point of having both KREG and KREX as separate channels.

All four of them show with the same quality on my 42" 852x480 EDTV plasma display, because it down-res's the 1080i and 720p signals to 480p. Your system is not liking the two 1080i signals. You gave the bitrates a while ago:

FOX HD KFQX-DT 4.1 12.6 Mbps 720P
CBS HD KREX-DT 5.1 13.5 Mbps 1080i
ABC HD KJCT-HD 8.1 15.5 Mbps 720P
NBC HD KKCO-HD 11.1 14.6 Mbps 1080i

Are you listing total bitrates including the subchannels, or is the number shown just for the main HDTV channel? Can you see bitrates for Bresnan Cable channels 703, 707, 709 and 710?


No. both KREX HD(two subchannels) and KKCO HD (one subchannel) are severely bit-starved. KFQX and KJCT also multicast, but 720p can handle one sub channel without going to crap, 1080i can't, at least with the equipment they use here in GJ. The bit rates measured were OTA, but I don't think Bresnan does anything to the locals, so the results should be the same. I have Bresnan now, and the locals look the same via my antenna and via Bresnan. If you don't see macroblocing on the local 1080i signals, I'm very happy for you. I see it on all three of my HD rigs, HDPC 19 inch, 50 inch plasma and 80 inch front projection, as well as all of my neighbor's sets. It's amazing that you don't see it on NBC football, it's horrible.




Edit:The bitrates were for the HD channels. That's what's left for the main channel after the rest of the BW is used for the subs. 13.5 and 14.6 Mbps is just not enough for sports on 1080i. What's interesting is that although KREX has a lower bitrate (and two subs) it still doesn't suffer from as much macroblocking as KKCO. Maybe they use a better encoder.

Has anyone asked the engineers at KREX why they are broadcasting KREG and KREY as an SD signal, bit starving the main KREX HD channel? Couldn't they just broadcast KREX and then at the KREG and KREY facilities replace the KREX station ID with the appropriate "local" station ID? It is digital afterall. In the 13 years I've lived in the Roaring Fork valley I think I've seen maybe 1 short segment of truly locally originated broadcast of news or something from KREG. Otherwise KREG just acts as a translator for KREX so I don't see the point of having both KREG and KREX as separate channels.

Yes I've asked them, more than once, and they are clueless and don't give a crap. I've even sent screen shots showing the severe macroblocking during sports. They don't know or even care what macroblocking is. KJCT used to have a good engineer, but he left over a year ago. Letterman looks good as long as he doesn't move too fast.

BTW, does anybody know if KJCT-HD is sent unscrambled by Bresnan? I have a new set with a QAM ATSC tuner and I get all the digital locals without a cable box (and HD Theater and TNT-HD) except for KJCT-HD.

It looks like Bresnan has started scrambling KKCO-HD. I don't want to use their box, so I've been using basic cable straight into my set's QAM tuner to get:

KKCO-HD Gone or scrambled since some time yesterday.
KREX-HD
KFQX-HD
TNT-HD
HD Theater

I also get HDNET and HDNET Movies, but they have no sound. The engineer at KKCO didn't know of any changes.

Looks like a bad day for GJ football fans.

http://www.gjsentinel.com/


http://www.gjsentinel.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/communities/breaking/entries/2008/01/20/tv_stations_building_on_fire.html?cxntfid=blogs_gjsentinelco m_breaking_news

I wonder if the Denver stations could feed the transmitters until the studios are rebuild?

As of a few minutes ago nothing from KREX on cable. For Bresnan to get KREX they would need someplace to pickup the national feed that would have been coming into KREX and then back out. Unless someone is really scrambling I don't think there will be football today for Bresnan customers. I don't know what the Sat providers can do. They could pull say the Denver broadcast and push it out over the GJ spot beam. Don't know whether they even know what is going on.

The no feed for KREX was for HD. Just checked and there is a SD signal, so we can at least watch the game. Unfortunately no HD in GJ.

The Denver stations now have the story on their web sites.

http://cbs4denver.com/local/KREX.Grand.Junction.2.634081.html

KKCO has an updated report and video:

http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/13933592.html

I watched the playoffs via Bresnan's SD Denver feed, and the NFC game looked just plain horrible. I think it will take months for KREX/KFQX to get back on their feet. I hope Bresnan gets their clear QAM HD feed going by the Super Bowl. BTW, I was the guy with the dog in today's front page Sentinel article.

I am kind of curious, Do you rebuild the analog with the shut down looming next year, or do you go full bore and only purchase digital equipment and only go back on digitally. Tough decisions for CBS and FOX. Any thoughts?

If they are smart they go digital and HD. The opportunity is there to embrace the future. Do they have the expertise and fortitude to go that far I have no idea. It sounds like they will be back on the air relatively quickly using the help from others. But to be fully functional with their own equipment will take some time.

KREX fire blog

http://www.krex.tv/fireblog/

It's starting to look like KREX won't be up in HD for the Super Bowl. I'm dropping Bresnan and switching to Dish's $29.99/month all HD package February 1st, so I'm hoping they at least get the SD OTA digital signal up by next Sunday. Too bad the satellite companies can't get us an emergency CBS/Fox HD feeds until the station is back up. I wonder if Circuit City, Best Buy etc are explaining to their new HDTV buyers that they won't be getting the game in HD.

I'm getting HD colorbars on OTA KREX and KFQX. The Krex signal says "New York TX HD" and the Fox signal says "Fox Networks." It's looking like an HD Superbowl after all.

I sent the following email to my contact at Bresnan and got this reply (in bold) this morning.

Any (even the smallest) chance that you guys might find a way to broadcast the Super Bowl in HD? I realize that KREX is unable to broadcast in HD, but maybe there is a way to get the HD signal for the Super Bowl????

We are repairing the fiber to the studios today, we hope to have the HD feed on tomorrow maybe the next day at the latest, the Super Bowl should be no problem.

Looks like a good weekend! :D

They were been broadcasting in HD all morning. HD colorbars, a clip about trains, another about fighter jets. The analog signal is very week, but the DT signals, both HD and SD are strong. The signals are down right now.


update

NGHD now up on KFQX-HD. Looks great. 2/1/2008

New message on KFQX-DT "The Superbowl WILL be broadcast in HD"

Anyone receiving the CBS stations OTA? I get Fox HD but that's it. Bresnan has KREX, but I don't get 5-1, 2-1 or 4-3 OTA.

Called KREX today and the woman who answers the phone insists KREX is broadcast primetime OTA and in HD. E-mails to KREX go unanswered.

I've been getting CBS in HD (KREX-DT 5.1) since before the Super Bowl. Same strength as KFQX-HD, 100%. I block all the SD channels, but they were there too last time I scanned.
I am very close to the tower on Hillcrest, BTW.

I've been getting CBS in HD (KREX-DT 5.1) since before the Super Bowl. Same strength as KFQX-HD, 100%. I block all the SD channels, but they were there too last time I scanned.
I am very close to the tower on Hillcrest, BTW.


Thanks - that's a good point, I wonder if they are at full power yet...

I have to say I'm impressed though - whole damn station burns down and two weeks later they were able to run the Super Bowl in HD. That's even more impressive when you consider that another local station (*cough...KJCT *cough) can't manage to flip the switch a fair amount of the time - let alone have to rebuild from scratch.

On a side note - I love that cold war era paranoia paid such big dividends 50 plus years later...how often does having a nuclear bunker really pay off? I can imagine the headline now, "Communist Ruskies save All-American Super Bowl"

Hello all,

I recently moved to Montrose from the east coast and had some questions regarding the HD in the area. I had an HDTV with service back east but sold it before coming here as it would be a pain to ship. I had planned on buying a new HDTV when I hit this area but after reading through this thread, I'm not so sure that's a good idea.

I checked the Bresnan HD lineup, which was very thin, and it didn't even include ABC or CBS in HD (no Broncos in HD!). I'm also under the impression after reading this thread that the local HD stations in the area don't always broadcast a good signal. My understanding is that in this area it's very difficult to pickup a good HD signal from Grand Junction OTA, so you've got to go with a provider. Directv doesn't even offer locals for this area and I don't believe Dish offers the GJ/Montrose locals in HD (I wouldn't go with Dish anyway, bad experiences).

Going HD would be a very expensive investment for me because I live in an older house that needs to be re-wired with RG6 cable (I got a bid of $400 for that), plus I need to buy the TV and subscribe to the service. I'm wondering, in your opinions, if it's worth going through this large headache and investment considering the limited HD options in the area. Thanks so much for any advice!

Bresnan has all four nets in HD here in GJ, I don't know about Montrose. RG6 cable is cheap, $400 is ridiculous. My rooftop antenna setup cost me under $100 total. Dish has 40 HD channels for $29.99/month total, and free installation. Go to antennaweb.org to see if you can get HD Over The Air in Montrose.

Bresnan has all four nets in HD here in GJ, I don't know about Montrose. RG6 cable is cheap, $400 is ridiculous. My rooftop antenna setup cost me under $100 total. Dish has 40 HD channels for $29.99/month total, and free installation. Go to antennaweb.org to see if you can get HD Over The Air in Montrose.

They told me it would be expensive because they needed to gut out all of the old cables and fish the RG6 through my house which is older and has stucko siding. For some reason ABC and CBS are offered in HD to GJ but not Montrose. As for getting HD OTA, this is what I received for digital stations. I'm not sure if I can receive them or not:

Antenna Type - Call Sign - Channel - Network - City - State - Compass - Miles From - Frequency
yellow, vhf - KREY-DT - 13.1 - CBS - MONTROSE - CO - 4° - 2.8 - 13
blue, vhf - KKCO-DT - 11.1 - NBC - GRAND JUNCTION - CO - 300° - 62.4 - 12
violet, uhf - KFQX-DT - 2.2 - FOX - GRAND JUNCTION - CO - 300° - 62.4 - 15

KREY-DT is not HD. It's digital SD.

KREY-DT is not HD. It's digital SD.

Wow. I'm thinking I'm going to hold off. It's not worth it to me to put such a big investment in HD when clearly this area isn't setup for it. Hopefully within the next year or so, they can get their stations up and running in HD and either Bresnan makes them all available to Montrose or Directv picks them up. Thanks so much for the info.

HI, in regards to Montrose, I spoke to Jay at KJCT their chief engineer. He stated that it will be probably summer of 2009 before they get their digital translator channel up and running in Montrose. It will be transmitted from Rasberry Electronic Site on the Uncompaghre Plateau.

HI, in regards to Montrose, I spoke to Jay at KJCT their chief engineer. He stated that it will be probably summer of 2009 before they get their digital translator channel up and running in Montrose. It will be transmitted from Rasberry Electronic Site on the Uncompaghre Plateau.

Thanks for the info!

No HD tonight on KFQX or KREX.

Bresnan is being really slow in bringing new HD online, but this article - Bresnan Preps Network for 50 HD Channels (http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6533878) - is an interesting read for the future of Bresnan.

KREX news is back on the air, and while not HD, it looks very, very good for SD. It's an all digital studio, and the weather computer is very impressive for a market this size. BTW, I get horrible "jaggies" on KKCO digital news broadcasts. I don't know what they're doing wrong, but it's the worst digital SD I've ever seen.

Perhaps a few of you could help me and my small town.... We are currently receiving GJ channels 4, 5 and 11 OTA via translators on our nearby mountaintop here in Lake City. Can anyone give me an idea if signal strength from those stations will be sufficient to receive here when we lose the analog next year? Our low power station is inaccessible for another month or so, so we cannot field test the reception.

Perhaps a few of you could help me and my small town.... We are currently receiving GJ channels 4, 5 and 11 OTA via translators on our nearby mountaintop here in Lake City. Can anyone give me an idea if signal strength from those stations will be sufficient to receive here when we lose the analog next year? Our low power station is inaccessible for another month or so, so we cannot field test the reception.

Welcome to the forum! I have a place in Ouray and have made the jeep trip to Lake City several times via Engineer Pass. First of all you're in much better shape right now than the folks over the hill in Ouray. They lost KJCT when someone realized the FCC licensing fees for the local tower hadn't been paid in years and it was decided it wasn't worth it to do so until the change over so they pulled the plug. Now all they have is CBS and a very weak PBS.

As to whether or not the signal is strong enough, my guess is that if you have a watchable analog signal you should be OK after the digital transition. The stations around here are really good at filing for FCC waivers, so I'd be more worried about that than signal strength. I be surprised if Ouray, Lake City etc. see over the air HD after the transition, just digital SD.

Thanks, Audiomagnate! I am sorry to hear about the loss in Ouray. Just to be clear, we would have no reception if it were not for the town owned 5-8 watt translators. I spend all day looking over the FCC service area contour maps for the GJ DT stations and the Montrose transmitter and nothing comes even close at the 36 dBu limit. Does anyone know how low we can go and still get a translatable DT signal? I had not realized how much lower power the DT towers are. The town's hope is to perhaps convert to analog and continue with our three stations (to save costs).

Thanks, Audiomagnate! I am sorry to hear about the loss in Ouray. Just to be clear, we would have no reception if it were not for the town owned 5-8 watt translators. I spend all day looking over the FCC service area contour maps for the GJ DT stations and the Montrose transmitter and nothing comes even close at the 36 dBu limit. Does anyone know how low we can go and still get a translatable DT signal? I had not realized how much lower power the DT towers are. The town's hope is to perhaps convert to analog and continue with our three stations (to save costs).

Although there is no deadline yet for LPTV and translators to go digital, they will also have to be converted to digital eventually something your town should plan for. http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/DTVandLPTV.html

Even though the digital stations may be lower power now they may be at higher power once the cutoff date comes around. Don't know what the dates are for when the full power tv stations are required to start broadcasting digital at full power. I'm sure it is before the cutoff but like audiomagnate said you can get a waiver.

I think you'll just have to try it out at your translator locations to see if you can get a usable signal. A usable digital signal can be much lower than what is required for an acceptable NTSC signal.

Bresnan has added a number of HD channels over the last few weeks. Here is the current lineup:

700 HDPPV Pay per view
703 KREXD KREX – Local CBS
707 KFQXD KFQX – Local Fox
708 TBSHD TBS
709 KKCOD KKCO – Local NBC
710 KJCTD KJCT – Local ABC
711 HDT HD Theater
721 TNTHD TNT
729 CNNHD CNN
732 A&EHD A&E
733 ESPND ESPN
734 ES2HD ESPN2
736 FSNRM Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain
737 USAHD USA
748 ALTHD Altitude
750 HGTVD Home & Garden
751 FOODD Food Network
753 APHD Animal Planet
754 TLCHD The Learning Channel
755 HISTD History Channel
761 SCIFI Science Fiction
779 NFLHD NFL
785 UHD Universal
786 LMNHD Lifetime Movie Network
788 HDNET HD Network
789 HDNMV HD Network Movie
790 HBOHD HBO
791 S-HD Starz
792 SHODH Showtime
795 TMCHD The Movie Channel
796 NGCHD National Geographic Channel
797 VSGLF Versus/Golf

Although there is no deadline yet for LPTV and translators to go digital, they will also have to be converted to digital eventually something your town should plan for.

Even though the digital stations may be lower power now they may be at higher power once the cutoff date comes around. Don't know what the dates are for when the full power tv stations are required to start broadcasting digital at full power. I'm sure it is before the cutoff but like audiomagnate said you can get a waiver.

I think you'll just have to try it out at your translator locations to see if you can get a usable signal. A usable digital signal can be much lower than what is required for an acceptable NTSC signal.
Thanks for the assistance. I have had a number of conversations with Hossein at the FCC and figure we have at least 5 years before the town will have to upgrade to digital translators. I have heard that radio wave paths over 100 miles are working for DTV in Utah - we are 107 miles from tower (KKCO) to translator, though 49 miles outside the 36 dBu contour - so I am hopeful.
Lake City and Hinsdale county are beautiful places to visit. Anyone coming my way with a spectrum analyzer should feel free to to write me and I can arrange a tour of our facilities. The road should be open by the end of April to mid-May. We can get up there in my Scout.

Morning -

Is anyone getting KJCT 8-1 or 8-2 OTA? Bresnan has SD on 10 but I'm not seeing anything OTA on my TV. Tuner is reporting 100% signal on both channels (like usual) just no picture or sound at all. Had KJCT yesterday morning but tuned in for News at 5:30 and nothing. I am still receiving KREX, KFQX, KKCO, etc just fine.

Thanks -

UPDATE: KJCT is back as of 8am. Engineer said their bit stream was out.

Has anyone else notice massive micro blocking and distortion on KJCT Primetime HD? It's intermittent - but very noticeable - doesn't seem to effect SD or commercials...nor does it happen in the morning HD programs (GMA or the View). Been more than a week.

Thanks -

No. I get it OTA and via Bresnan and it looks good, but I don't watch it that much.

To change the subject, I have seen no HD on KFQX for three weeks. That station needs a new engineer.

For anyone that has HD from Bresnan, you should know that their advertising says that TMCHD is included in the 9.95 you pay for the HD box. See this web page: http://www.bresnan.com/hd and read what it says at the top. I called and pointed this out to them and they argued that you get TMCHD only if you subscribe to that level of service. That's not what it says on the webpage. Anyway after arguing with them for a bit, they finally relented and gave me TMC/Showtime (apparently they are a package) for free for a year. Good luck!

Is anyone else complaining to KREX/KFQX (242-5000) about their inability to broadcast in HD? For about a month now every time I tune in or DVR a show that's supposed to be in HD, they're broadcasting it in SD. American Idol, House, Dexter, CSI, Nascar etc, all SD. They got the Superbowl up in HD days after the fire with the help of engineers from Harris Communications, but here it is almost four months later and they come off as totally inept. They do alright with Letterman, but prime time is a joke.

I called Saturday about the NASCAR race. Couldn't get Master Control. Talked to someone in the news group, who said they would try to do something. Nothing! I finally gave up and tuned in a different channel. Thanks for reminding me - I'll give them a call and complain!

Hi, has anyone noticed that KJCT will not broacast a wide screen during prime time and only go to a 4:3 ratio? Picture quality is good, but I cannot
get my tv to go wide on it. I can go narrower which distorts it, but it has bars on both sides of it.

wayne

I called Saturday about the NASCAR race. Couldn't get Master Control. Talked to someone in the news group, who said they would try to do something. Nothing! I finally gave up and tuned in a different channel. Thanks for reminding me - I'll give them a call and complain! I starting to believe KREX/KFQX is flying without a pilot. HD is hit or miss, usually miss, and the audio levels during commercials last night on "Bones" was AT LEAST 10 dB above the program level.




Hi, has anyone noticed that KJCT will not broacast a wide screen during prime time and only go to a 4:3 ratio? Picture quality is good, but I cannot
get my tv to go wide on it. I can go narrower which distorts it, but it has bars on both sides of it.

wayne

KJCT broadcasts all SD in 14:9 (stretched) and HD normally in 16:9.

Anyone know what DTV channels I should be able to receive in Montrose Colorado? I am receiving 2 stations, if everyone has to be digital by 09, anyone know when the stations plan to get there?

Hi, as far as Montrose, KJCT should be broadcasting digital
from the Uncompaghre Plateau digital by this fall. They
are beginning construction in the next few weeks. The
antenna and transmitter should be delivered in a month.
The license is for 15KW erp and it will be on channel 21 UHF.
The PSIP will tell you it is 8.1 and 8.2 although you will need
a UHF antenna. In the license data base from the FCC there
is another application for digital tv from Gray Television for
a digital companion station on UHF channel 49, 1KW.
Gray Televison is KKCO out of Grand Junction.

wayne

Anyone know what DTV channels I should be able to receive in Montrose Colorado? I am receiving 2 stations, if everyone has to be digital by 09, anyone know when the stations plan to get there?

I get 7 digital stations on a Zenith converter box, but only 5 are unique:
4.1 - Fox
4.2 - CBS
10.1 - CBS
10.2 - Fox
11.1 - NBC
11.2 - CW
17.3 - PBS

The PBS station (DTV 17.3, RF 17) is not seen by my RCA converter box, but it has a strong signal on the Zenith.

I get 7 digital stations on a Zenith converter box, but only 5 are unique:
4.1 - Fox
4.2 - CBS
10.1 - CBS
10.2 - Fox
11.1 - NBC
11.2 - CW
17.3 - PBS

The PBS station (DTV 17.3, RF 17) is not seen by my RCA converter box, but it has a strong signal on the Zenith.

Any HD OTA down there in the boonies? 11.1 has so much macroblocking nobody could call that HD. It's pretty much unwatchable. The Olympics look like a Youtube video via KKCO here in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Kind of strange this morning. I am getting KJCT 8.3 which is showing the network CW. Anyone else getting this? You may have to rescan to get it.

18-1 is now KRMJ PBS in 1080i HD resolution.

18-2 standard definition subchannel is now "V-me" network, a Spanish language educational channel.

5.3 standard definition subchannel has gone back to showing the "MyTV" network programming.

I knew they working feverishly trying to get their digital microwave from Denver to Grand Junction before the weather. Sounds like they made it.
Next step for PBS is to tie into fiber optic from Grand Junction to Durango
to get their KRMU station in HD. It is SD now on channel 20.1 in Durango.

Hi, I normally use Disn Network for my broadcast TV. My son (Seattle) gets superior quality OTA (at least relative to Dish) so just wanted to see where we are in GJT? Specifically, which networks do we get in HD and more importantly how consistent is good HD quality. Thanks for the update?
David

18-1 is now KRMJ PBS in 1080i HD resolution.

18-2 standard definition subchannel is now "V-me" network, a Spanish language educational channel.



Are you sure about that? I've never seen any HD on 18-1.

Just heard from KJCT's engineer. they put the transmitter on for Montrose on Rasberry which is SW of Montrose. Any reports from Montrose how it is coming in? ( it is on 21 uhf )

Hi, I normally use Disn Network for my broadcast TV. My son (Seattle) gets superior quality OTA (at least relative to Dish) so just wanted to see where we are in GJT? Specifically, which networks do we get in HD and more importantly how consistent is good HD quality. Thanks for the update?
David

Neither Dish nor DirecTV not offer any networks in HD in GJT.

In order of decreasing subjective quality, OTA and Bresnan (identical quality, Bresnan just passes through the signal unchanged) we get:

1. KFQX (Fox): I rarely if ever see any artifacts on Fox HD. It's 720P with only one subchannel
2. KJCT (ABC): They're pinching a 720p signal with 2 subs, but it still looks pretty good.
3. KKCO (NBC) OK for Leno and news, but football is pretty bad with lots of artifacts (macroblocking)
4. KREX (CBS) Letterman looks OK, but sports, especially football looks HORRENDOUS via KREX-HD. Any movement at all causes severe macroblocking, rendering it unwatchable, IMO.


BTW KRMJ (PBS) is NOT broadcasting in HD.

It is hard to believe KREX can continue to transmit a signal so poor (bit starved?) that it is still better to watch sports on the analog channel.

It is hard to believe KREX can continue to transmit a signal so poor (bit starved?) that it is still better to watch sports on the analog channel.

You must have watched the Broncos game. It was horrible. My wife even commented on it.

I just moved to Palisade from Missoula, MT... where I had great local off-air HD reception through my Direct TV receiver. My direct TV HD DVR was hooked up yesterday. This morning I found my old rabbit ears antenna and plugged it in to my receiver. During testing, I have signal strength over 75 on everything but those channels associated with CBS. For those CBS channels, I have nothing... zero... "signal not acquired". No movement of the antenna changes things. With the other stations, movement does change the signal strength but I can still get a signal no matter what.

I suppose this is my "welcome to Grand Junction" reception? Any tips on how to get a signal from CBS (KREX or the others listed in my local program guide). I hate to go out an buy an external antenna when everything else comes in great, and there is no assurance that an external antenna would help.....

I have been missing the Broncos during my move....

Thanks for any feedback!
Dan

I just moved to Palisade from Missoula, MT... where I had great local off-air HD reception through my Direct TV receiver. My direct TV HD DVR was hooked up yesterday. This morning I found my old rabbit ears antenna and plugged it in to my receiver. During testing, I have signal strength over 75 on everything but those channels associated with CBS. For those CBS channels, I have nothing... zero... "signal not acquired". No movement of the antenna changes things. With the other stations, movement does change the signal strength but I can still get a signal no matter what.

I suppose this is my "welcome to Grand Junction" reception? Any tips on how to get a signal from CBS (KREX or the others listed in my local program guide). I hate to go out an buy an external antenna when everything else comes in great, and there is no assurance that an external antenna would help.....

I have been missing the Broncos during my move....

Thanks for any feedback!
Dan

KREX's antenna is in a different location, so even an outdoor antenna might not help. Start with antennaweb.org.

Good luck getting KREX in Palisade. I live a few miles closer to the KREX tower than you in Palisade, and still have trouble with KREX and KFQX. I have to adjust the antenna to tune when I change between them (makes football Sundays interesting). None of the other channels cause me any problems. At this point, I'm just hoping that when they turn off the analog channels in February it will free up some wattage they can pump into the digital signals.

On the other hand, you may have a better case for D*TV's DNS. They just started an easy application process for waiver's from the local stations. I put in my application a few days ago, so it may take a while to get a response. D*TV has a system where all you have to do is do a couple check boxes through their website, and they send out the waiver requests to the local channels. I'm not going to get my hopes up, though. Also, it costs $2 per channel to get the DNS feeds. Doesn't help you get the Broncos, through :(

Thanks for the responses... I wrote the KREX engineer an email, here:
Mr. Mowbray,

I recently moved to Palisade.
Where I lived previously I had no problem picking up the local digital HD CBS broadcast with an ordinary antenna inside my house.
Currently, and here in Palisade, I have a Direct TV receiver that has automatically detected the local channels in the area that I should be able to pick up with an antenna and not available via Direct TV.

I can pick up the local digital HD broadcasts for Fox, ABC, NBC, and PBS with my inside antenna (basic VHF/UHF capable rabbit ears from Radio Shack).
Different positioning of this antenna shows variable signal strength on these received channels, but I have a signal no matter what for those local stations.
When I tune to the local CBS KREX station, I have no signal at all, not even a hint of a signal. To me, and with 10 years of experience of playing around with HD and local broadcasts, this would indicate to me that this is not something that could be resolved by an outside antenna--I should be able to get some kind of signal as I do with the other locals.

Can you provide some guidance as to how I might be able to get the KREX signal?

Thanks so much for your help!

I will let you know what the response might be...

On a related topic....
The local Direct TV installer told me that there was a strong possibility that Direct TV would be providing the locals sometime in February... of course that is after the Broncos season is long over....

I do have waivers for everything BUT CBS, notably because back in primitive Montana, I could easily pick up the CBS broadcast. In fact, I even had a visit from the local engineer to help me pick an antenna position when they moved their towers to a high spot and I ended up in a low spot! Doesn't seem like everyone is consistently ready for the switch to digital does it?

We've been hearing about the "strong possibility" D*Tv will have local GJ channels soon for years. Don't hold your breath.

Here is Mr. Mowbray's response...

12/18/08



Many things affect the received HD signals. This includes not only distance from the transmitter but the local area of the received signal. We have experienced a loss of signal due to reflections from close by small buildings and cars. Anything that effects the “haystack” look of the digital signal makes it difficult for the local receiver to decode.



Frequency of the received signal is also a factor. It could be you have something in the close by area that is affecting only the CBS signal.



You might find an RF amplifier on the current antenna might help. As a test if you could borrow a larger antenna this also might aid in your decisions as to what type of antenna you will require.



As you know the digital transmission is of much higher quality but it does take a little more effort to receive it reliably.



I hope this helps.





Philip Mowbray, Chief Engineer

Hoak Media of Colorado, LLC

KREX, KREY, KREG, KFQX, KGJT

345 Hillcrest Manor

Grand Junction, CO 81502

970-985-0826 (C)

pmowbray@krextv.com


[No this really does NOT help. I guess when I have time I will try again. The RF amplifier idea? It makes everything worse... I bought one of these pieces of junk years ago and quickly removed it when signal strength plummeted.]

17-3 is gone
18-0 is gone
18-1 appears to be the same SD RMPBS feed that is going to KRMU 20-1 Durango
18-2 is V-me (Spanish)
18-3 is Create

When I witnessed 1080i for a few hours back on November 7-8, it was the national PBS feed, not RMPBS. The 1080i signal looked very nice and I wish it would come back.

KREX's HD server went down during "How I Met Your Mother" last Monday night and it's still down.

As to KRMJ doing HD tests, that's encouraging. They've been promising HD since April 2004, as you can read about earlier in this thread.(post #19) so don't hold your breath:

"Hello Kevin,
KRMJ-DT, digital channel 17, is due to go online soon. This signal will be broadcast from the Black Ridge site, west of town. The projected date for KRMJ-DT to go on air is February 2005. As you know, the transition to digital is a highly complex and expensive process. We are doing are (sic) best to meet the extended FCC deadlines.
Thank you,"

From Trisha back in April, 2004:

"Hello Kevin,
I spoke with our engineering director and learned that we will start digital
TV broadcasting in Grand Junction sometime this summer. We are having a new building and tower built at a new site known as Black Ridge, west of town. We are also going to move our analog TV transmitter to Black Ridge at that time. High Definition TV (HDTV) broadcasting over the DTV channel should start at about the same time, but it is contingent on finishing buildout of a digital microwave system to get the HDTV signal to Grand Junction.
Depending on where you live, reception from Black Ridge may be better than
the current site at Land's End on Grand Mesa.

Thank you,
Trisha Bentz Kendall
Viewer Services Coordinator"

KREG (which acts as basically just a translator for KREX) has been off the air for at least a week. There is absolutely no signal for 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3. And when they are on the air, instead of KREX subchannel being HD it is just SD with stupid blue side bars. Do they have any clue as to what they are doing?

KREX even here in GJ has been in SD a lot lately. However, tonight Letterman was being broadcast in HD so maybe there is hope. Not sure what all is going on with them.

KREX even here in GJ has been in SD a lot lately. However, tonight Letterman was being broadcast in HD so maybe there is hope. Not sure what all is going on with them.

Read the post two posts above yours: Their HD server (what we call a DVR or Tivo) crashed on Monday, December 29th. That means they could only do live HD, i.e. sports. It was back up Monday for "The Big Bang Theory" but the audio was screwed up, it sounded like everyone was in a sewer. It only took them a week, and they screwed up the sound settings. Excellent. I really wish they'd drop all those stupid sub-channels and give us some clean HD for the playoffs. Football via KREX-HD is almost unwatchable.

On a positive note, they've gone to an automated SD/HD switching system, so you don't have to call the stoners in "Master Control" after every local commercial to tell them to flip the HD switch.

This PDF file has the instructions for restoring the audio on the KRMJ 18-2 and 18-3 subchannels.
http://www.rmpbs.org/resources/files/dtv/DTV-RescanToFixAudio.pdf
Doesn't work for me.

This PDF file has the instructions for restoring the audio on the KRMJ 18-2 and 18-3 subchannels.
http://www.rmpbs.org/resources/files/dtv/DTV-RescanToFixAudio.pdf
Doesn't work for me.

Me neither, but I haven't done a local scan for so long I didn't know these channels existed. 18-1 looks way better than 17-1. Are they doing any HD?

My OTA signal strength went from 65-70 % and intermittent on the KRMJ channels to 100% and rock solid after the transition. I wonder if they upped the power (doubtful) or if eliminating the analog signal reduced interference.

If anyone can confirm that KKCO/11 and KRMZ/24 ended analog operations on 2/17, it will help me get the spreadsheet up to date. It has been difficult getting confirmation on many of the 400+ stations that were supposed to end analog on 2/17.

Thanks,

KKCO 11 has ended analog operations. KRMZ 24 is the Steamboat Springs CO PBS station while KRMJ 18 is the Grand Junction PBS station. I know that Grand Junction actually transitioned early (end of December I believe) because the analog transmitter went down. I think that this was also the case for KRMZ in Steamboat (based on the Rocky Mountain PBS website).

Thank you for the updates.

I forgot about KFQX/4. Did they also end analog ops? Are any of the stations acting as a nightlight?

KFQX 4 went digital. The only station that is still analog is KJCT 8.

Monday all was good - but since then 5.1 is gone or at 10% strength (normally at 95%) all the SD subchannels are gone but Fox is fine as usual. Anyone else having issues with OTA? Bresnan 703 is broadcasting HD (at least in the daytime). I can't believe anything the station tells me anymore...

Thanks for the help-

OTA 5.1 is SD not HD, don't know why.

Any changes happening in GJ today? I set my daughter up with a convertor box and indoor antenna last week. She could get digital 4.1,5.1, 8.1,2&3 and 11-1. She could not get anything from PBS.

Will she need to rescan tomorrow?

Wow, I can't believe I missed this thread.

I browse around here a bit, but have never found anything to compel me to post until now.

I am in the Fruitvale area (Between GJ and Clifton)

I have strong reception on all of the network stations but I completely lost all of the PBS stations about 2 months ago and I can not get them back.

Also, has anyone heard if any of the stations besides Fox are going to start sending 5.1 audio along with their digital signal?

PBS was broadcasting on 17 but the channels were labeled 18. A couple of months ago they moved the channels from 17 to 18. Things to try:

Manually remove 17.1 and 17.2 and 17.3, then manually add 18.1 and 18.2 and 18.3

Re-scan for all channels, not just a quick scan for any new channels.

Reset tuner to factory defaults if possible, then re-scan for all channels.

I will try the rescan. I have been watching them on 18-1, 2, and 3 though. That is what it comes up as on the TV as well. But my TV automatically switched to them when PBS switched, so maybe something glitched after the switch. I will clear out channels and rescan just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Edit:

The rescan took care of it. Guess thats what I get for being lazy and hoping the automatic channel stuff worked. :P

Thanks again.

720P on 18.1! Only five years behind schedule but better late than never.

Your taxes at work

Is it just me or is KREX's signal consistently the weakest one? I still have to use rabbit ears to get local channels thanks to directv, but I have an older receiver with a built in ATSC tuner. With my rabbit ears, my receiver tells me I get between 60 and 90 % on all the digitals, except for KREX. I can barely scrape out a 5% signal. Remember Al Bundy's "Assume FOX viewing positions!". That's what it's like in my house for KREX.

I live in the 31 & E 1/2 area.

I am also having trouble with KREX. I recently switched to Direct TV and the installer was able to get all of the local stations on my HD DVR except KREX. He was back today and moved the antenna up higher on my house. He checked the signal strength and it is only about 30%, all the other locals are 95% or better. He told me I could get another antenna. My question is does anyone have a suggestion for a better antenna?

Try this site: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

It will help you choose the right antenna for your location. You might end up needing a rotor.

Thanks for the site, I am a novice (always had cable) what is a rotor?

A rotor is a little motor that lets your rotate your antenna so that you can point it right at the broadcast tower. You might want to try a directional antenna pointed at the KREX tower without a rotor. The other stations' signals might be strong enough to work.

I am also having trouble with KREX. I recently switched to Direct TV and the installer was able to get all of the local stations on my HD DVR except KREX. He was back today and moved the antenna up higher on my house. He checked the signal strength and it is only about 30%, all the other locals are 95% or better. He told me I could get another antenna. My question is does anyone have a suggestion for a better antenna?

I have written multiple emails to KREX and their engineer concerning NO SIGNAL ACQUIRED on my Directv receiver.
I get all the other channels at 60%+ in the local area. NBC, ABC, FOX, and PBS all great on an expensive amp'd inside antenna... and I never have to adjust it. CBS-KREX? I have no idea. The engineer says adjust the antenna, something is interfering, wants me to quiz my local neighborhood about what they can pick up.... I refuse to get an outdoor antenna just to pick up the single local channel I have never been able to pick up at all... not even a hint of being able to receive it. I live in Palisade, and have a clear view of the valley, there is NOTHING around me that would interfere. I just simply stopped watching CBS... if KREX does not want to fix their problems in the valley so be it. :mad:

I have written multiple emails to KREX and their engineer concerning NO SIGNAL ACQUIRED on my Directv receiver.
I get all the other channels at 60%+ in the local area. NBC, ABC, FOX, and PBS all great on an expensive amp'd inside antenna... and I never have to adjust it. CBS-KREX? I have no idea. The engineer says adjust the antenna, something is interfering, wants me to quiz my local neighborhood about what they can pick up.... I refuse to get an outdoor antenna just to pick up the single local channel I have never been able to pick up at all... not even a hint of being able to receive it. I live in Palisade, and have a clear view of the valley, there is NOTHING around me that would interfere. I just simply stopped watching CBS... if KREX does not want to fix their problems in the valley so be it. :mad:It's just bad luck that your indoor antenna sits in a blind spot for KREX. Despite plentiful signal available outdoors, how much of that gets indoors depends upon construction materials and other blockages, just like cell-phone coverage. An outdoor antenna would overcome those blockages, but the suggestion to move your indoor antenna left/right/up/down looking for a KREX "hot-spot" inside is valid.

Unfortunately, KREX is operating digitally on channel 2. Stations on channel 2 are probably the hardest to receive of any channel, due to needing enormous antennas just to have a hope of getting the signal. KREX is even worse, operating at only 0.8 kW on channel 2.

If you want KREX, you're likely going to need an outdoor antenna. I can't see an indoor antenna working well for that signal at all.

- Trip

The engineer didn't mention 4-2? At least you can watch KREX on a strong subchannel in standard definition.

Since connecting an internet ready PC to my TV, I'm increasingly bypassing KREX, KRMJ and RMPBS whether they're working or not, and streaming shows from the CBS website, the PBS website and Charly Rose's website among others. The local signals are gradually becoming irrelevant.

It's just bad luck that your indoor antenna sits in a blind spot for KREX. Despite plentiful signal available outdoors, how much of that gets indoors depends upon construction materials and other blockages, just like cell-phone coverage. An outdoor antenna would overcome those blockages, but the suggestion to move your indoor antenna left/right/up/down looking for a KREX "hot-spot" inside is valid.

Huh... Well, I did move the antenna around the room. Up/down/left/right and I found a hot spot for everything but CBS. Now I have 90+ on everything EXCEPT CBS. Still zero. Not even a hint of a signal. I have reset my receiver more than once. Nothing has changed in months... I just don't understand how I can have 90+ on everything but CBS. I really don't understand how CBS can permit this situation to continue. Seriously, you should not require an outdoor antenna to pick up local stations.... especially, and one more time... when you can pick up EVERYTHING ELSE! I am just not willing to invest in one with no certainty that it would actually pick up a signal.

Will CBS reimburse me when the OUTDOOR antenna does not work? Will Radio Shack give me my money back on an antenna that does not work after I have already banged it around? Will any local installer work with me to determine the best antenna? I doubt it.:eek:

Huh... Well, I did move the antenna around the room. Up/down/left/right and I found a hot spot for everything but CBS. Now I have 90+ on everything EXCEPT CBS. Still zero. Not even a hint of a signal. I have reset my receiver more than once. Nothing has changed in months... I just don't understand how I can have 90+ on everything but CBS. I really don't understand how CBS can permit this situation to continue. Seriously, you should not require an outdoor antenna to pick up local stations.... especially, and one more time... when you can pick up EVERYTHING ELSE! I am just not willing to invest in one with no certainty that it would actually pick up a signal.

Will CBS reimburse me when the OUTDOOR antenna does not work? Will Radio Shack give me my money back on an antenna that does not work after I have already banged it around? Will any local installer work with me to determine the best antenna? I doubt it.:eek:As Trip has pointed out, KREX's digital spectrum makes reception difficult, even with an expensive amp'd indoor antenna. The best solution for viewers not wanting an outdoor antenna is for KREX to upgrade their transmission to a suitable frequency and discard their current transmitter and antenna. Time will tell if KREX can survive without over-the-air viewers with problematic reception indoors.

I agree about not watching KREX because of their signal problems. I have moved my antenna around everywhere I can reach with a 15 ft cable. I have found one place in my TV room that get me enough signal to watch a show. Unfortunately, the signal is heavily digitized, and it requires cables stretched across the room from my A/V area.

This means only one thing: I will not watch KREX for anything in which I am not willing to drag the antenna across the room, which mean every show except Broncos games. Sorry KREX, but if I cannot easily get your signal less than 5 miles from your broadcast tower (its a lot closer than any of the other towers), you have problems. Especially when, in the words of dleithaus, I can easily pick up EVERYTHING ELSE.

I only hope someone at KREX reads these threads.

KREX also has a problem with distorted audio. Ever since they went local with HD amonth or so back, there is level dependent static in both channels. I have called at least five times, left messages with the engineer etc. Bottom line is KREX doesn't give a crap. The static also appears on Bresnan feeds, BTW.

But man does their new building and news set look nice!

Why is it ALWAYS something with KREX? Digital distortion, audio clipping, no HD, a new giant five on all programming and now 5.1 is so weak during prime time even my $120 rooftop antenna (which I had to buy two years ago to get 5.1 at all - all other channels come in with a small indoor antenna) can't get a signal. The fire was almost two years ago now and they still can't get it right...

People are starting to notice - there's even clips on youtube now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO8inChwAgM

Calling KREX is a complete waste of time - the engineer does not seem to care anymore, he just tells me about the fire, the PBS building, the move, the equipments failures, the cooling problems and how many miles of cable are in the building...he does not actually address any of the problems.

KREX has a monopoly on all CBS program in GJ - so I don't think it's asking too much for a clean picture, strong signal or the removal of that giant five.

The Youtube clip mentions an advertiser boycott by some kids at mesa state - but is light on details. I doubt that will work, but if advertisers received enough calls that would pressure KREX (one would hope).

If 5.1 isn't strong enough for me to watch Letterman in HD tonight I'll start calling myself. Here what is posted next to the youtube clip:

"KREX is a CBS affiliate in Colorado that suffers constant technical issues - poor image and sound quality, low signal strength on HD 5.1 due to several SD sub channels, In October 2009, new intrusive branding on top all programming began . The station burned down in January 2008 - was rebuilt and now is plagued with problems they acknowledge they either can not or will not address. A boycott of local advertisers is being organized spearheaded by students at Mesa State College.

If you would like to help please contact:
KREX: 970-242-5000 or Hoak Media Corporation Phone: 972-960-4848

Current local advertisers:
Denver air connection
Twin crossings furniture
Rockslide Brewery
Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado
The Sleep Factory
Interior Resource
Precision Printing
ACS
Mor Storage Sales
Americas Mattress
Harbert Lumber
Fuoco Motor Co
Best Appliance and Electronics"

G1273 -- Thanks for the link.

I have written yet one more letter to Philip Mowbray.
Somehow I do not find it "odd" at all that the street I live on in Palisade does not pick up KREX. No response from "Phil". Not that I expected one. Does anyone have some exact email addresses for individuals in Hoak Media and/or CBS corporate and/or the FCC?

Mr. Mowbray,

I expected that when KREX got its transmitter fully operational that I would be able to pick up KREX.
With all other local stations -- ABC, FOX, PBS, and NBC -- broadcasting in HD-Digital, I can get these stations at 90-100% signal strength.
Yes, really.... 90-100% for everything but KREX.
Still NOTHING, NO SIGNAL AT ALL, NOT EVEN A HINT OF A SIGNAL, from KREX.
I tried an outdoor antenna.
STILL Nothing on signal. No signal from on the roof? Using a signal meter?
I refuse to spend another dime on this problem.

I have polled my neighbors. Two of them have Dish, so it is not a point with them.
The others do NOT receive KREX over any antenna.
I guess they are not Broncos fans, because it does not seem to be an issue with them.
I applied for a waiver from Direct TV so I could get a west coast feed of CBS.
CBS denied this waiver.

I am still in the same position as I was early this year.
NO KREX.
NO SUNDAY FOOTBALL ON CBS.

Really, what does it take?
All I want is to get local CBS or a national feed.






On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 3:55 PM, Philip Mowbray <pmowbray@krextv.com> wrote:

2/20/09



Do any of your neighbors get CBS? It seems a little odd to have one pocket that has a clear view of the transmitter that cannot receive the signal.



Please let me know about the neighbors.



Thanks

Here's an email I sent last month. The subject was

"Where do you have to live to get KREX in HD?"

I get no signal at all at 1st and Orchard, and an unusable pixilated signal downtown that comes and goes. All other digital signals come in perfectly. NBC's signal went to 100% lately and is rock solid. I can watch CBS in SD on 4-2, but this is 2009! Why did you spend all that insurance money on a beautiful new building and an HD ready news set and forget that what's really most important to your viewers is that they be able to view your product. What you're selling is a broadcast signal, and to put it honestly, your signal stinks.

This is funny: "At News Channel 5, we realize the key to serving you better is listening to your feedback. We're listening! Please contact the appropriate department by mail, email, or the phone number listed below."

Really?

I have been complaining about audio distortion on 5.1 and 4.2 for months. I have left several messages with programming, on Phil Mobray's voicemail, with Keira and with whomever answers the phone. I have never had a call back and the problem persists. I think it's pathetic that a CBS affiliate can put out such a horrendously weak video signal AND distorted audio, and completely ignore your public. If you think we'll just go away you're right. I know that your frequency makes it harder to get a strong signal out there, but it's not like you didn't see it coming years ago. BTW, if anyone cares, the only time the distortion is NOT present is during live newscasts. The distortion comes through on your Bresnan feed as well.It is level dependent. My guess is that something in the audio chain is being overdriven.

When KREX first went HD I contacted your GM - i think her name was Carla - about garbled and unbalanced audio. She responded to me immediately, contacted Rich Adams in Texas and had the problem resolved in a week and followed up with me to make sure the problem was resolved. She was very professional. Maybe you should get her back.

I'm pretty much giving up on CBS. Please email me if you get your act together.





PS Here's link to a thread about GJ TV stations in the hugely popular AVS forum. It has pretty much turned into a KREX bashing thread. Enjoy! http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17235274#post17235274


He called me back and told me nobody at the studio can hear the distortion (big surprise), and

"As I mentioned, there are pockets in the Valley where our signal originating on Hillcrest does not penetrate due to terrain or some other physical barrier - areas in Fruita, Palisade, and Orchard Mesa are among those. That is why some receive KREY (4.2) in standard definition. KREY is attached to the KFQX signal broadcasting from Blackridge and is intended for Montrose but some in the Grand Junction area pick it up better than 5.1."

He completely ignored the fact that I told him my one receive point has a rooftop directional antenna pointing right at the tower, which is about 1/4 mile away with no obstructions, and that my other receive point is in downtown Grand Junction on the second story of a commercial building.

There should be a law against pretending to be a TV station.

KKCO still has no HD due to moving equipment to their new facility. I was told maybe later today.

Sent to the FCC first, then copies sent to CBS corporate.

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Complaints
445 12th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

October 25, 2009

This is a formal complaint concerning continuing reception problems with KREX-CBS in Grand Junction, Colorado.

I cannot receive any signal from KREX-CBS in Grand Junction, Colorado. I receive all other HD-digital local broadcasters at 90-100% signal strength with an indoor antenna. I had a local antenna installer come out and check the signal strength for the local broadcasters from my roof. KREX-CBS? 0-5% strength. All others? 95-100%.

For my location, using antennaweb.org:
KRMJ-DT 17.1 PBS GRAND JUNCTION, CO 253° 19.418 miles
KJCT-DT 8.1 ABC GRAND JUNCTION, CO 105° 8.07 miles
KKCO-DT 11.1 NBC GRAND JUNCTION, CO 253° 19.412 miles
KFQX-DT 5.1 FOX GRAND JUNCTION, CO 253° 19.515 miles
KREX-DT 2.1 CBS GRAND JUNCTION, CO 255° 9.72 miles

I have written multiple letters to KREX-CBS and their local engineer. The engineer supplied the normal reasons I would have difficulty receiving KREX. I have no obstructions and clear view of the transmission tower at my address.

My neighbors do not pick up KREX-CBS.
More local complaints?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17370695



Sincerely,

I read somewhere recently that the elimination of terrestrial HDTV is where the industry is headed longterm. Maybe KREX is just ahead of the curve on that. I can get an almost usable signal downtown (66 to 60 on a Dish 722) using an amplified antenna from Monoprice pointed right at the tower. Unplug the power or move the antenna 2 degrees and KREX goes away whilst everything else remains.

What gets me is living in Ridgway, I'm in Denver's DMA and unable to watch GJ local news and weather on Dish. I could care less about what's happening in Denver. Frustrating...

There is something wrong with the sound on 5.1 during the Broncos game. The announcers sound hollow and out of phase. 4.2 sounds fine.

Frustration set in last week when I realized that the Superbowl was on CBS. Nothing has changed with the terrestrial signal on KREX -- zero signal from my roof. CBS would not grant me a waiver for a west coast feed on Direct TV. No Superbowl?? Multiple contacts with Direct TV would not get them to turn on CBS just for one day.

Even worse, further investigation revealed more ugly truths about "local programming". I started typing in zip codes for the surrounding area, and discovered that just 18 miles east of me, DeBeque, CO gets DENVER locals. WHAT? DeBeque is over 180 miles from Denver -- so a little town gets Denver locals and I am stuck in the GJ area with nothing? I am sure it is due to local contracts that Direct TV does not want to negotiate. Of course, all this just made me more angry.

The conclusion? I dumped Direct TV. I was a loyal customer since 1995... and there was nothing they could offer me that could make me stay. No Superbowl? Good Bye. Bresnan has all the HD channels I had on Direct, and the locals. It is also less expensive and while the DVR provided is a bit more primitive on the interface side, it will be fine. (nothing has ever matched Microsoft's interface for Ultimate TV box anyway!). Direct TV had a definite jump on the HD programming side, but that advantage has faded. Too bad. I would never have changed if I could have watched the Superbowl. I do NOT miss CBS--cept on Superbowl Sunday!

I blame local CBS and KREX for not providing a proper terrestrial signal as they are obligated to do. I blame the engineering staff at KREX for not addressing these issues. I blame Direct TV for not negotiating a local GJ contract to show the local stations. I blame Direct TV for not pushing on the networks for waivers when evidence exists that signals are not sufficient locally --CBS was the only one I did not have. I blame the FCC and their rule making requiring these silly regs about locals and allowing local stations to say whether you can get another feed or not. I blame Direct TV for making me hopping mad that po-dunk towns toward Denver get local Denver stations, when they are not local in any sense to Denver.

The end.
As a Colts fan, let me say, "Go Saints!"

I'll get the Superbowl, complete with messed up DD 5.1, (three months it has been messed up but KREX really couldn't care less) lockups and pixelization from the weak signal, and macroblocking and motion artifacts from their limited bandwidth/multiple subchannels.

If it is an consolation, KREX *says* they are completely HD on their news broadcast --that I watched for the first time last night-- as if it was something that they thought of... Personally, comparing the Bresnan cable feed to the other HD locals I think that KREX is not broadcasting in 1080i or 720p "full on" HD or the cameras they use in their news room are not set up properly. I will have to continue comparing, but the other Bresnan HD locals look better than KREX. Why am I not surprised?

I suppose that Bresnan corrects the other problems you observe, but I will let you know over time!

KREX SUX. Nothing will ever change that sentiment.

KREX local news is in 1080i HD. It actually looks very good to me. I couldn't get KREX to come in without breakups so I watched the game at a friend's house who has cable.

KRMJ 18-1 is broadcasting in 1080i HD in primetime.

Subchannels 18-2 and 18-3 are SD and have been there a while.
18-5 is audio only and has also been available for months.

Between primetime programs there might be a few moments of local SD signal on 18-1, this is a glitch that causes my receiver to shut itself off. If 18-1 is in 1080i and my HD receiver is 'stuck' in SD, changing channels to another 1080i station and changing back to 18-1 fixes that problem. I think 18-1 is normally SD during the daytime, up until the Nightly Business Report.

dleithaus,
I personally would have "moved" to Debeque. Honestly, DirecTV doesn't care, but they have to honor the contracts. If you "move" and they find out, all they do is turn off the Denver channels because they have to once they know, but if they never find out... They and the GJ stations can't agree to a deal, so anyone outside of Mesa county is thus in the Denver DMA.
Regarding KREX, I am not putting up an antenna just to get it when I get everything else indoors. They're losing my favorite anchor anyway, so I'm not missing anything.

KREX-HD is now up on 27-2. 27-1 is KGJT. The signal is very strong at my location, downtown Grand Junction. Now if they could only fix the audio...

Would someone be willing to share with me what the local stations (minus KRMJ) are doing as far as subchannel lineups? I want to make sure my website's listings are accurate. Here's what I have:

4-1 720p Fox
4-2 480i CBS (KREY)
5-1 1080i CBS
5-2 480i My
5-3 480i CBS (KREG)
8-1 720p ABC
8-2 480i Telemundo
8-3 480i CW+
11-1 1080i NBC
11-2 480i Color bars
27-1 480i My
27-2 1080i CBS

Thanks for any corrections.

- Trip

Would someone be willing to share with me what the local stations (minus KRMJ) are doing as far as subchannel lineups? I want to make sure my website's listings are accurate. Here's what I have:

4-1 720p Fox
4-2 480i CBS (KREY)
5-1 1080i CBS
5-2 480i My
5-3 480i CBS (KREG)
8-1 720p ABC
8-2 480i Telemundo
8-3 480i CW+
11-1 1080i NBC
11-2 480i Color bars
27-1 480i My
27-2 1080i CBS

Thanks for any corrections.

- Trip

You have everything except:

18-1 720P (sometimes) PBS/KRMJ
18-2 480i V-Me (Spanish language programming
18-3 480i Create
18-5 Audio only

I said in my original message "minus KRMJ" simply because I assume it to be identical to KRMA in Denver except mapped to 18-1 instead or 6-1.

Anyway, thanks for confirming. :) 11-2 is still showing only color bars after all this time?

- Trip

KREX-HD is now up on 27-2. 27-1 is KGJT. The signal is very strong at my location, downtown Grand Junction. Now if they could only fix the audio...

Agree, signal much stronger. Looks good, to tell you the truth, especially in that the HD news looks better than channel 8.
Now if they'd just keep that anchor.....

I also re-scanned for OTA channels, and discovered 27-1 and 27-2 pop up. I get both with about 80% reception, much better than the 0% I get on 5-1! Maybe I can stop my boycott of KREX. Thanks for the info, I wouldn't have known to re-scan unless I saw it here!

So KREX is up on 27 now. A week late for watching the Superbowl. Bresnan is just fine for HD and the locals. I really do not miss my old Direct TV. Sad though that I was forced to change from a system I was perfectly happy with except for the CBS problem.

On another front, I got a call from the FCC regarding my local reception. Told them it was all about KREX and CBS, no other station problems. Too bad they did not call before KREX got it together (at least from what others are saying here), now local management can say everything is fixed. Local management was the problem from the beginning -- unresponsive and dishonest about their original problems. I would have been perfectly happy if they had said "we have a bad-low power setup but are working on it". Instead they act like it is the consumer's problem. Clearly, with all the of the actions I took, costing me time and money, the problem was all theirs.

Glad to hear others have local reception, now you can watch the full spectrum of CBS silliness in the realm of Survivor and Amazing Race.

So KREX is up on 27 now. A week late for watching the Superbowl. Bresnan is just fine for HD and the locals. I really do not miss my old Direct TV. Sad though that I was forced to change from a system I was perfectly happy with except for the CBS problem.

On another front, I got a call from the FCC regarding my local reception. Told them it was all about KREX and CBS, no other station problems. Too bad they did not call before KREX got it together (at least from what others are saying here), now local management can say everything is fixed. Local management was the problem from the beginning -- unresponsive and dishonest about their original problems. I would have been perfectly happy if they had said "we have a bad-low power setup but are working on it". Instead they act like it is the consumer's problem. Clearly, with all the of the actions I took, costing me time and money, the problem was all theirs.

Glad to hear others have local reception, now you can watch the full spectrum of CBS silliness in the realm of Survivor and Amazing Race.


But the sound is still messed up except during the local news broadcasts. I can even hear it on the TV speakers of my kitchen set. Come on guys, listen and complain! Sucked out midrange and a weird tubular "phazey" sound. Also the power of 27-2 seems to have dropped from last week.

The sound has been fixed at KREX. They're broadcasting excellent DD 5.1 now on 27.2. The music on Letterman sounded amazing last night. Now if they could only get rid of that annoying "5" bug...

Has anyone noticed that KREX HD is missing the center channel sound? It happens on both 5.1 and on 27.7, wheras KREX SD on 4.2 sounds fine.

If you don't have a surround sound system, you will still notice the missing center from the stereo downmix, namely 5.1 will be much quieter than 4.2.

This has been going on for months. (I'm talking about over-the-air reception, can't speak for cable or satellite.)

Has anyone noticed that KREX HD is missing the center channel sound? It happens on both 5.1 and on 27.7, wheras KREX SD on 4.2 sounds fine.

If you don't have a surround sound system, you will still notice the missing center from the stereo downmix, namely 5.1 will be much quieter than 4.2.

This has been going on for months. (I'm talking about over-the-air reception, can't speak for cable or satellite.)

I have a 4.0 setup and there is no rear channel output either on the Broncos game. They're just sending out plain old stereo. KREX's engineering department is completely inept and management is beyond clueless. They have no idea how to operate their Dolby 5.1 equipment.

There's also no metadata coming down for 27.1 or 27.2. I think if more than one person was complaining about how lame KREX engineering dept is we might get something done.

There's also no metadata coming down for 27.1 or 27.2. I think if more than one person was complaining about how lame KREX engineering dept is we might get something done.

I've complained to them doesn't help. Although it is about KREG, and the signal degrading with the slightest bit of bad weather. They don't care. In bad weather their signal degrades more than some of the translators that are near the KREG tower location on Sunlight. What makes it more sad, the translator antennas are pointing away from me. Finally I decided to just complain to the FCC. "If they can't maintain a decent signal why do they even have a license?" is the question I posed to the FCC.

I've complained to them doesn't help. Although it is about KREG, and the signal degrading with the slightest bit of bad weather. They don't care. In bad weather their signal degrades more than some of the translators that are near the KREG tower location on Sunlight. What makes it more sad, the translator antennas are pointing away from me. Finally I decided to just complain to the FCC. "If they can't maintain a decent signal why do they even have a license?" is the question I posed to the FCC.

I've been leaving messages for the engineer for years and never had a response. I know they own Dolby 5.1 gear, because they actually had it working properly for a month or two earlier this year. It's one of the smallest DMAs in the country, but that doesn't mean they have to treat their viewers so poorly. I'm going to try one more letter to the GM and then I'm filing a complaint with the FCC and CBS, whom I'm sure doesn't know that these people are doing such a poor job.

NO HDTV on KREX-HD (27.2) tonight. So we've gone from HD with DD 5.1 a few months ago to SD Stereo. What's next, black and white?

Glad I checked back. I was thinking about Direct TV again... still no locals in GJ area for them, but if KREX was working on OTA .... based on the most recent comments, KREX is still problem prone and deaf to complaints if you are OTA.

Guess I will just buy a Tivo for my Bresnan cable service and stick for another year. (The B supplied DVR is not a great one)....

I've been leaving messages for the engineer for years and never had a response. I know they own Dolby 5.1 gear, because they actually had it working properly for a month or two earlier this year. It's one of the smallest DMAs in the country, but that doesn't mean they have to treat their viewers so poorly. I'm going to try one more letter to the GM and then I'm filing a complaint with the FCC and CBS, whom I'm sure doesn't know that these people are doing such a poor job.

Just an FYI, when filing a complaint with the FCC be very specific. In my first complaint, filed electronically, I just mentioned the Sunlight location and the translators doing a better job than KREG. After filing my complaint I got a form letter back after a few days talking about reception and personal equipment issues and resolving them and told to talk directly to the station for signal issues. It also informed me my case was closed. Well that annoyed me so I opened another case mentioned all of the specific translators that were doing a better job than KREG in actually providing a broadcast signal and how KREX/KREG were unresponsive. It's been about two weeks since the second complaint and no second form letter, so hopefully it was actually read by a human this time and the complaint taken more seriously.

Here it is, two weeks later and their HD server (fancy word for DVR) is still down. Beyond pathetic. Why no backup? Why no overnighted replacement? Why does CBS put up with this level of incompetence?

I just got duped by Direct TV here in Grand Junction... My folks live with us and are about to take off my head since there are no local channels! What is the easiest, cheapest way of getting them? Granted, our TVs are all older (newest one was purchased in 2003).
We live out north of the mall. Is there still no word on getting local on DirectTV? And is there no hope of waivers too?
Yikes, its going to be a bumpy 2 year ride!
Thanks.

You can get your locals for free with an antenna. Just connect it to the antenna connector on the back of your DirecTV receiver. Most homes can get all of the locals (many in HD) with an indoor antenna, but it's possible that you may need a rooftop or attic location.

KREX is experiencing technical difficulties yet again. The live newscasts sound horrible. It sounds like the microphones are clipping.This has been going on for weeks, and I have been complaining, but because it's KREX, they don't fix the problem or even respond to my emails.

Trying to decide which service to go with for TV/Inet service. TWC has a good pkg., but most people I know are using DirectTV.
Any and all advice welcome :D