We are working on a 5.1 issue from the network.
Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Ray
WWAY Engineering.

Last night I had Charleston stations WCBD and WCSC coming in at 92-93% but WWAY would not budge still above 70%. I even had WTAT coming in with a signal bouncing wildly (I imagine because of WILM is on the same frequency of 40). WECT and WSFX were at 93%. However, a few times last night, WSFX seemed to go off the air and back on rapidly during the 9 PM hour. Signal meter would go from 90's to 0 in just a seconds time.

I am also planning to install a Winegard HD 8800 just before June 12, so will take a daytime signal reading with a Digital Stream before and after installation. My Samsung uses a bar graph, so that isn't much help for taking readings.

WWAY to bring in Retro TV on channel 3.2 starting June 15th according to http://wwaytv3.com

No mention of what will become of the weather graphics. I was thinking of the people in Bladen county the other day and figured they must be watching Florence channels! Any Bladen viewers out there?

Now that WTAT is not using ch 40 I am getting WILM in Myrtle Beach. It is not solid thou. But I am far out side of the coverage circle.

But for some strange reason WSFX is not receiveable. WSFX is much higher & way more power. Maybe that 6LQ6 power out put tube is weak & need changing

Now that WTAT is not using ch 40 I am getting WILM in Myrtle Beach. It is not solid thou. But I am far out side of the coverage circle.

But for some strange reason WSFX is not receiveable. WSFX is much higher & way more power. Maybe that 6LQ6 power out put tube is weak & need changing

6LQ6...... The favorite of 8 zillion CB linears. Sometimes they even managed to have spurious choke on them. But, mostly, not!

6LQ6...... The favorite of 8 zillion CB linears. Sometimes they even managed to have spurious choke on them. But, mostly, not!
That is for sure. I knew that ... I was just being funny.


I do not think a 6LQ6 would have much gain at UHF. A UHF power tube would have been a 6AF4. The low power that WSFX is I do not think they even use a tube but a transister

Since I installed a Winegard HD 8800, I am getting WSFX at 92%. WECT at 95%

Could be some other channel 30 is bothering WSFX to the south.

Since I installed a Winegard HD 8800, I am getting WSFX at 92%. WECT at 95%

Could be some other channel 30 is bothering WSFX to the south.

Since the dtv cut & am not receving WSFX any more. From what I see on the FCC there is a station using ch 30 north east of Charlotte. They must have just switched to it late last week. I do miss the week end news at 10:00pm & "This TV" network that was on 26-2. I can watch the news on WTAT 24 from Charleston but I liked the news from WSFX better. I have received WSFX but at the same time I was receiving WILM. But the weather conditions had to be just right. They both came in & went out togther. WSFX is so much lower power than like WWAY it will not take much knock it out.

I don't get WWAY near as strong as it used to be. Putting up the HD 8800 did nothing for their signal. It still sits at near 70%. Used to get it at 93% up until a few months ago.

I can't understand why WSFX is so weak down there, unless they aim more signal northward? It seems by looking at this map I post below, that there is a notch that really gets a weak signal due west toward say Whiteville or so.

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT1266521.jpg

I used to like the Wilmington channels a lot more, until they fouled up their weather folks. At least last night on 6 and 26 they attempted to warn people of a Tornado. They just don't have the talent there that they once did, or they put them on the morning shift when weather is calm. The two best there are on the morning shift... Makes no sense...

I don't get WWAY near as strong as it used to be. Putting up the HD 8800 did nothing for their signal. It still sits at near 70%. Used to get it at 93% up until a few months ago.

I can't understand why WSFX is so weak down there, unless they aim more signal northward? It seems by looking at this map I post below, that there is a notch that really gets a weak signal due west toward say Whiteville or so.

...

From what I understand WSFX, WECT & WWAY all use the same antenna & have the same coverage pattern. WSFX only has 190k watts. Since WWAY is 1000k , WSFX coverage area is smaller.

I had thought since WUNJ uses ch 29 & WSFX uses ch 30 they would have used the ame antenna. But the NC ETV may not wanted to have an duplexer on the alntenna feed line.

Yea, the main three use the same antenna on the same tower. I don't quite understand the logic of the directional antenna they chose, because of all the waste over the water. It would have seemed more feasible to me if they had chosen an antenna with a pattern that would direct the signal inland, while cutting the signal off say 25 miles out over the water, but half their power is wasted over the ocean, while it could be directed up towards the Fayetteville, Clinton, Lumberton, Warsaw area. Right now, the southern portion of the Raleigh market is having a time getting WTVD's digital signal, and this is a time that the pwrful signal of WWAY could have taken advantage of that weakness.

We just arrived back here at our vacation home and to my dismay I find WILM has disappeared and WSFX is much weaker than when we were here in early May. We are in Leland. Just wondering if anyone in this area is having luck with these stations and what setup you might be using. Thanks.

Please ignore my last post. I was able to solve the problem by bypassing the surge protector I had run the coax through. Thanks.

I have given up on WECT in surround sound. Contacted NBC and Raycom. Dead ends.

Ultron is the head engineer at WACT and he said, NBC has serious problems that have to be fixed before he will turn on the DD encoder. I can also say that WITN has terrible audio problems as well. One minute it is so loud it runs you out of the room and the next you can't hardly hear anything. They do not use Dolby digital either because of the same mess.

Ultron is the head engineer at WACT and he said, NBC has serious problems that have to be fixed before he will turn on the DD encoder. I can also say that WITN has terrible audio problems as well. One minute it is so loud it runs you out of the room and the next you can't hardly hear anything. They do not use Dolby digital either because of the same mess.

I had NBC contact him and offer assistance. I offered to assist. I'd do anything to get it back on. I understand that WECT was in the process of going full-HD and the projects there had to be overwhelming, but they must have caught up by now.

I work for NBC. Over one hundred other affiliates have DD signals. I seriously doubt it's a network issue. And I thought WECT's surround was good when they had it up for a few months.

If Dan reads the thread, please email me. If you have lost my info, email me at imixtv@yahoo.com. I'll donate my time and I have a host of NBC transmission and audio technicians we can consult on whatever issues you have.

Wendel

I work for NBC. Over one hundred other affiliates have DD signals. I seriously doubt it's a network issue.

KNBC in LA has been having problems for at least a couple years. Definitely a network issue.

I would LOVE to have digital sound, but if it is going to be screwed up half the time, I think it is foolish to try and run it and have to keep turning it on and off. Stations around here don't have enough people to monitor these things all the time either.

There are several reasons why we have not re-instated 5.1 audio at WECT and the main one is NBC audio encoding issues since they rolled out MPEG-4 network distribution equipment early this year. Many NBC stations are dealing with significant problems, which we completely avoided by staying with the stereo feed. You have to remember that a majority of our viewers are still analog and only a minority of DTV viewers care about 5.1. NBC Network operations is working with their satellite IRD manufacturer for a software solution to correct their issues. I will be holding off on 5.1 until I'm satisfied that they have the issues corrected. In the mean time, we are working hard on several other priorities that benefits the majority of our viewers far more then 5.1 audio so please be patent.
Dan Ullmer
WECT Chief Engineer


Is there something different that WNCN Raleigh is doing? They seem to be broadcasting 5.1 just fine?

And so does WMBF in Myrtle Beach. I guess even some smaller stations seem to be able to cope?

Is there something different that WNCN Raleigh is doing? They seem to be broadcasting 5.1 just fine?

And so does WMBF in Myrtle Beach. I guess even some smaller stations seem to be able to cope?

True, NBC WMBF 32-1 Myrtle Beach have no problem with DD5.1 audio.

Was the flood down there last night why WECT was not able to show picture and sound? I saw on WWAY and WSFX in fine print "Flood Warning", (not very serious seeming) so I watched the news on 26, and it looked like a disaster area. People drowning almost, and cars almost submerged on Market St.

True, NBC WMBF 32-1 Myrtle Beach have no problem with DD5.1 audio.

I wonder if I should compile a list of NBC DD 5.1 stations?
What makes Wilmington unique?
I'm glad this "it only benefits a few so why should we bother?" attitude wasn't always in vogue or we wouldn't have television! Or radio, or cars, and on and on.... anyway, how about some DD 5.1 WECT?

Am I the only one having problems viewing WWAY? I can only view on 46

Am I the only one having problems viewing WWAY? I can only view on 46


I noticed that too. WWAY seems to be weaker than WECT also. Maybe they need to change the 6af4 & 6Lq6 the power out put tube.

I noticed that too. WWAY seems to be weaker than WECT also. Maybe they need to change the 6af4 & 6Lq6 the power out put tube.

Thanks. Apparently WWAY doesn't have many OTA viewers, or it is harder to tell if there is a problem closer in. The signal has been weaker than WECT and WSFX for months now on my TV.

I agree. WWAY has been much weaker here in Hubert for some time now. Frequently it won't stay locked in. WECT and WSFX are solid as usual.

I noticed that too. WWAY seems to be weaker than WECT also. Maybe they need to change the 6af4 & 6Lq6 the power out put tube.

Sorry, but we were having problems with our PSIP generator. Our actual RF output is on channel 46. Channel 3 is our virtual channel.

Ray

I noticed that a few months ago I think, I all of a sudden lost WWAY (on my Dish 720) and had to manually add it back, and it didn't remap to 3... still on 46... I remember seeing that happen at least a few times in the early days when they went digital...

Ray,

I'm back on 3.1 and 3.2 now, but the signal is still 30% lower than normal.

Sorry, but we were having problems with our PSIP generator. Our actual RF output is on channel 46. Channel 3 is our virtual channel.

Ray

Does the power amp need a tube?

The signal has been weaker.

I love the rtn with the old shows & the tv guide on the channel. I watch it more than I do the regular networks. Do not need tv cable to get the reruns. I remember when wway went on the air in fall of 1964 & they had the strongest signal in Conway from your 1200' tower in Boiling Springs with reruns of Amos & Andy.

WYDO FOX 14 physical channel 47 is now on the air out of Trenton in Jones county where 12 broadcasts from. Most of you in the Pender, Sampson, Duplin county areas should get it if you rescan your equipment. Good news and weather reports too, just no news in HD yet.

It's week 312 without DD 5.1 on WECT. Do you know where your NBC network provided DD 5.1 is?

What do a 100+ affiliates (Including Raleigh and Myrtle Beach) know that we don't?

Any bets on WILM being there first?

I got an email from someone at NBC saying Dan had been in touch with him and that 5.1 would reappear on WECT tomorrow. I got that email Tuesday night.

I am in Rome working, so I won't know if it came back to life until I rewind my DVR the Monday after the NFL Hall of Fame game.

Look for it. Email me at imixtv@yahoo.com if you see it (hear it) reappear.

As much as I bashed Dan on here, I owe him a big "thank you" for getting DD back up, especially before football!

Wendel

I got an email from someone at NBC saying Dan had been in touch with him and that 5.1 would reappear on WECT tomorrow. I got that email Tuesday night.

I am in Rome working, so I won't know if it came back to life until I rewind my DVR the Monday after the NFL Hall of Fame game.

Look for it. Email me at imixtv@yahoo.com if you see it (hear it) reappear.

As much as I bashed Dan on here, I owe him a big "thank you" for getting DD back up, especially before football!

Wendel


WECT is now DD 5.1! Thanks Dan! Now this crabby old guy will have to find something else to gripe about.... Let's see... Health reform? <G>

Ulltron,

We appreciate all your dedication in getting us Digital sound again! Now if NBC can just find some worthwhile programming to listen to it with. :)

Does the power amp need a tube?

The signal has been weaker.

I love the rtn with the old shows & the tv guide on the channel. I watch it more than I do the regular networks. Do not need tv cable to get the reruns. I remember when wway went on the air in fall of 1964 & they had the strongest signal in Conway from your 1200' tower in Boiling Springs with reruns of Amos & Andy.

I was looking at our signal yesterday on the spectrum analyzer and I think we need to do a little tweaking. The DTV signal can be a little fussy sometimes. As for the tube, I haven't had a failure on a IOT yet, but I understand they work fine until they die. Not the the old analog days where the tube would go gassy and soft. We are still on original tube, so I think we are about due.

Ray

This is not good. If this happens, everyone will need an antenna again.

http://www.wsfx.com/Global/story.asp?S=10501182

Did everyone move out of Wilmington?

I have been picking up WILM quite often lately, and see they can do Regis and Kelly in HD this morning. WNCT does not, and has a horrible picture from that show.

Noticed over the last few weekends that WWAY has stopped doing a weekend newscast. What happened? They still have a weaker signal than they used to. Doesn't seem right that WILM comes in almost as strong as WWAY! I don't get why WILM shows up as 40-1 on my TV though.

Did everyone move out of Wilmington?

I have been picking up WILM quite often lately, and see they can do Regis and Kelly in HD this morning. WNCT does not, and has a horrible picture from that show.

Noticed over the last few weekends that WWAY has stopped doing a weekend newscast. What happened? They still have a weaker signal than they used to. Doesn't seem right that WILM comes in almost as strong as WWAY! I don't get why WILM shows up as 40-1 on my TV though.


I wish I could be more helpful but I'm big company evil cable.

Did everyone move out of Wilmington?

I have been picking up WILM quite often lately, and see they can do Regis and Kelly in HD this morning. WNCT does not, and has a horrible picture from that show.

Noticed over the last few weekends that WWAY has stopped doing a weekend newscast. What happened? They still have a weaker signal than they used to. Doesn't seem right that WILM comes in almost as strong as WWAY! I don't get why WILM shows up as 40-1 on my TV though.

WWAY did announce a few weeks ago that they were going to stop weekend news--cost cutting... the odd thing is that the replacement programming has really horrible video and especially sound quality...

If they (WWAY) don't stop spending 1/2 their newscast on Soles, rehashing old sh*t, I'm going to stop watching them altogether... oh wait, I watch PBS for my news at 6pm.... nevermind... LOL

WWAY did announce a few weeks ago that they were going to stop weekend news--cost cutting... the odd thing is that the replacement programming has really horrible video and especially sound quality...


Rule of thumb is, you run what the paying customer gives you. It is THEIR money and time.

WWAY did announce a few weeks ago that they were going to stop weekend news--cost cutting... the odd thing is that the replacement programming has really horrible video and especially sound quality...

If they (WWAY) don't stop spending 1/2 their newscast on Soles, rehashing old sh*t, I'm going to stop watching them altogether... oh wait, I watch PBS for my news at 6pm.... nevermind... LOL


Ok thanks. I used to watch WWAY all the time for news, but when they cut back on Onslow county stuff, I pretty much hardly ever tune them in at news. I only watch now if the ABC show has DD 5.1, otherwise I watch WCTI. I did notice that nascar show looked pretty bad.

I wish I could be more helpful but I'm big company evil cable.



I sympathize. :D

{snippage}
I don't get why WILM shows up as 40-1 on my TV though.

Uhm, that would be because they're broadcasting on channel 40. Just like WECT is really on channel 44 and WWAY is at channel 46. Sounds like WILM just isn't sending the virtual channel metadata to tell your TV to display it as 10-1.

Uhm, that would be because they're broadcasting on channel 40. Just like WECT is really on channel 44 and WWAY is at channel 46. Sounds like WILM just isn't sending the virtual channel metadata to tell your TV to display it as 10-1.

I know, but on www.wilm-tv.com, it says they are on channel 10.1 - go figure...

I guess LD's don't have to transmit PSIP

They don't have to, but many do. And the last data I have from WILM-LD, admittedly several months old, does have them mapping to 10-1.

- Trip

I'm still mapping to 10-1...

But, a while back, WWAY had a problem with their PSIP, and it mapped to 46 instead of 3.

A re-scan will usually fix that... (once they fix their PSIP stream)

I just started receiving 10-1 yesterday evening. The receiver is still tuning it in.

I am using a small RS yagi. the signal level for 10-1 runs in the high 50's.

My assumption borders on two views.
1. The weather systems causing 10-1 to propagate further.
2. 10-1 has increased power.

My view is leaning more toward #1

I watched the Bears Denver game last night on NBC WECT and really appreciated DD 5.1 on WECT. It brought everything alive! Thanks to Dan and the crew for bringing DD 5.1 back. Now if we can just get WILM going!

I just started receiving 10-1 yesterday evening. The receiver is still tuning it in.

I am using a small RS yagi. the signal level for 10-1 runs in the high 50's.

My assumption borders on two views.
1. The weather systems causing 10-1 to propagate further.
2. 10-1 has increased power.

My view is leaning more toward #1

I think it's number one. I can't get them now like I did last week. I wish they could increase power, and I could bid WNCT adieu.

I just checked 9-1 and 10-1 and am still receiving both.

I will post once a week with my results.

The Wilmington TV market continues to grow. The area gained two spots on Nielsen's latest rankings. I believe it went from 135 to 133. Doesn't make sense to me, I thought for sure it would drop since WECT moved their tower away from inland areas...

This makes the 16th consecutive day I have viewed 10-1 and 9-1 .

10-1 from the front side and 9-1 from the back.

12-1 shows up at 62% signal strength. But does not tune.

I've been getting WILM the past three evenings (30%) or so but steady. I guess my Winegard HD 8800 is working well. This is around the same way WECT used to come in when it was at Delco for me.

What kind of tuner are you using for WCTI? Directv box or a TV? Maybe just re-scan. If that doesn't work, maybe visit the Greenville topic. The chief engineer of 12 posts there, and might be able to help. Their picture is better than WSFX's for THIS TV. More bandwidth and does not blotch during fast moving scenes. I also think their ABC picture is better than WWAY.

Couldn't figure out why WWAY wasn't coming in last night, then I remembered to do a rescan (actually, just did a delete, then manual add of 46).

PSIP issues again I guess, no remapping to 3-1/3-2, just staying at 46.

I put a another antenna up in the attic recently to replace a yagi (using the old Radio Shack 15-1880), and on WILM, WUNJ, WECT, WSFX I get just about 100% signal strength--WWAY is around 75 or less.

Considering a few of those other stations are on the same tower I believe--or at least on the same azimuth, I'd expect WWAY strength to be on par with the others...

I wonder if Billy is still at WWAY? Their signal is still weaker for me also. Sunday night I tried to watch RTV 3.2 and could not even see it the picture was so distorted.

I've been getting WILM the past three evenings (30%) or so but steady. I guess my Winegard HD 8800 is working well. This is around the same way WECT used to come in when it was at Delco for me.

What kind of tuner are you using for WCTI? Directv box or a TV? Maybe just re-scan. If that doesn't work, maybe visit the Greenville topic. The chief engineer of 12 posts there, and might be able to help. Their picture is better than WSFX's for THIS TV. More bandwidth and does not blotch during fast moving scenes. I also think their ABC picture is better than WWAY.

directv aim21

I reset the OTA and picked up 12-1 now 3-1 and subs tank at night.

directv aim21

I reset the OTA and picked up 12-1 now 3-1 and subs tank at night.

I checked during lunch and WAY is now back up on 3x's

These are in addition to 6x, 26x and 39x

I now again receive all 3x
9x has been reliable for two weeks
12x 100% of the time
7x sometimes problematic in the AM
10-1 comes through consistently from mid AM to the next early AM

Those of you who have antennas and watch MyNetwork TV on WPXU 35-1, you will not continue to see MyTV unless you try to get WITN 7.2 (32) or WBTW 13.2 35 has given up MyTV to WITN starting tomorrow. I believe 35 will be just ION from then on.

I don't believe there is another MyTV affiliate in Wilmington, unless it's a low power? WITN may be a problem because of WMBF being on the same channel. WBTW 13 would require a VHF antenna

I don't believe there is another MyTV affiliate in Wilmington, unless it's a low power? WITN may be a problem because of WMBF being on the same channel. WBTW 13 would require a VHF antenna[/QUOTE]

WMBF has a lousy channel assignment. They can't cover the entire market with 32, and they would probably be much better off with a new channel assignment and tower location. I don't think they can move inland because of WRLK in Columbia, or north, because of WITN.

W47CK.

- Trip

W47CK.

- Trip

This signal is only good for Shallotte and does not come close to Wilmington, plus it is analog.] I don't see why this is even on the air at this point?

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/TX621286.jpg

They have a permit for a companion channel on 27.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1157208.html

- Trip

WMBF has a lousy channel assignment. They can't cover the entire market with 32, and they would probably be much better off with a new channel assignment and tower location. I don't think they can move inland because of WRLK in Columbia, or north, because of WITN.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you about wmbf. I would have thought that after the analog shut down leaving more available channels that wmbf would have obtained a channel with the clearance to move the transmitter to a tower north & higher with more power to cover the east Florence & Marion county area & the area covered by the WECT analog tower just north of the SC & NC state line.

But at this time I am sure it comes down to money. TV station bussiness is as risky as it was for uhf tv stations in the mid 1950s. In those days. every thing had tubes in it so it took a lot of electricty to run even a low band tv station with a erp of 100k watts. The uhf staions had a huge electric bill thus some went out of bussiness & off the air.

Got an E_mail from WILM.... Sounds like DD 5.1 is a long way off. You would think the networks would put some kind of requirement on local broadcasters to come up to spec after a time period......

Got an E_mail from WILM.... Sounds like DD 5.1 is a long way off. You would think the networks would put some kind of requirement on local broadcasters to come up to spec after a time period......

I am sure if you have a spare $20k sitting around, I am sure WILM would love for you to buy them a 5.1 encoder. That is what they cost.

Got an E_mail from WILM.... Sounds like DD 5.1 is a long way off. You would think the networks would put some kind of requirement on local broadcasters to come up to spec after a time period......

Believe it or not, broadcast stations are not required by anyone to even do High Definition. Instead of sound, I would rather see a tower built in the center of the market by two or three of the stations to reach more viewers, and stop wasting so much signal over the water. The analog reached inland more than the digital from what I have read. WWAY still weak also, like 25% l3ss than it used to be. A circuit breaker may be thrown on the transmitter... I keep losing PSIP and have to go to 46 at times.

You could always put up a VHF antenna and pick up WBTW or WNCT for CBS Dolby Digital audio. Radio Shack has lots of upper VHF antennas now.

I am sure if you have a spare $20k sitting around, I am sure WILM would love for you to buy them a 5.1 encoder. That is what they cost.

Another case of knowing this was coming 10+ years ago and not budgeting for it. Come to think of it, of all people, WILM should of been way out in front of this. I wonder if our buddy Foxengr would be using the same argument if WILM didn't upgrade to color when all the other stations had. My guess is he would. Never has a business had such a long road map laid out for it so far ahead.

And, WILM's owner station (big brother station, or whatever...), WRAL, surely has money... or at least the budget, considering they've had many broadcast first's in the country. But hey, we're a small market, and treated as such... that's life...

Re: WWAY, yep, about once a month I have to delete the channel and re-add due to PSIP issues...

Being snarky doesn't really do any good.

I told you want the deal is, you want to blame. Market size determines what a station can buy, not who owns them. Each station pretty much stands on its own two legs in just about every broadcast company I know. Even as an O & O owned by FOX for 13 years, my station didn't get anymore toys than we could afford and that is the way it should be. WILM doesn't make the kind of money WRAL does. I am sure WILM have other priorities than 5.1 at the moment. Yeah, it sucks for you, but what would do if WILM wasn't even there for CBS programming? There was a time in the not too distant past that was true for Wilmington.

They should try moving up the road a piece and check out those stations. We only get 5.1 from WNCT and UNCTV. WITN, WCTI, and WYDO do not offer 5.1 audio ever, and we just recently got HD crawls on WCTI so not to ruin an HD show with bulletins, and FOX just recently started offering non network HD live sports, where WSFX has been doing that for years. Hell, I believe Foxengs FOX station is just now setting up to be able to do this.

We don't even have ONE station do to widescreen news, let alone HD news, so I am happy to be able to get WECT and WSFX especially for my viewing sessions! :)

I wish my county was "officially" in the ILM Market.

If WILM wasn't here? I'd be getting CBS-HD via Dish for $1.50/mo. like I did for years before WILM could broadcast a signal beyond 100'...

Being snarky doesn't really do any good.

I told you want the deal is, you want to blame. Market size determines what a station can buy, not who owns them. Each station pretty much stands on its own two legs in just about every broadcast company I know. Even as an O & O owned by FOX for 13 years, my station didn't get anymore toys than we could afford and that is the way it should be. WILM doesn't make the kind of money WRAL does. I am sure WILM have other priorities than 5.1 at the moment. Yeah, it sucks for you, but what would do if WILM wasn't even there for CBS programming? There was a time in the not too distant past that was true for Wilmington.


I was going to comment on your, of all people, "snarky" comment but I guess glass houses are back in fashion as is the old tired, and worn out, "were are the network and you should take what we give and you and be greatful" Actually, that attitude did wonders for the cable industry so I guess greatful is in play.

...Market size determines what a station can buy, not who owns them...

So to clarify a bit, is market size dependent on the population that can receive a station, or is it linked to market share (# that choose to watch a specific station)?

WRAL isn't the only station in their market demographic, so wouldn't the others also have the same market size?

Yet WRAL has been the leader in technology implementation for maybe the past decade at least? Obviously, what they can afford to buy is very dependent on what they are willing to budget and spend, given that they are in the same market as the other stations in the Triangle area...

Seems to me it does depend on who owns the station, since they provide the money, and obviously more has been supplied to WRAL over the years than the other stations in the same market area. You only have to look at their news set, and all the weather equipment for Greg to play with... :)

[QUOTE=MarcS;17400526]So to clarify a bit, is market size dependent on the population that can receive a station, or is it linked to market share (# that choose to watch a specific station)?

WRAL isn't the only station in their market demographic, so wouldn't the others also have the same market size?

QUOTE]

What they all have is DD 5.1 and real transmitters, real people, and real studios in Wilmington.

I was going to comment on your, of all people, "snarky" comment but I guess glass houses are back in fashion as is the old tired, and worn out, "were are the network and you should take what we give and you and be greatful" Actually, that attitude did wonders for the cable industry so I guess greatful is in play.

You are the one with the venom all the time and are never happy with anything so you better be careful about "glass houses" my friend. That door swings both ways.

So to clarify a bit, is market size dependent on the population that can receive a station, or is it linked to market share (# that choose to watch a specific station)?

WRAL isn't the only station in their market demographic, so wouldn't the others also have the same market size?

Yet WRAL has been the leader in technology implementation for maybe the past decade at least? Obviously, what they can afford to buy is very dependent on what they are willing to budget and spend, given that they are in the same market as the other stations in the Triangle area...

Seems to me it does depend on who owns the station, since they provide the money, and obviously more has been supplied to WRAL over the years than the other stations in the same market area. You only have to look at their news set, and all the weather equipment for Greg to play with... :)

To clarify, a TV market, also known as a DMA or Designated Market Area as listed by Nielsen Research is a region where the population can receive the same (or similar) television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content. They can coincide with metropolitan areas, though rural regions with few significant population centers can also be designated as markets. Conversely, very large metropolitan areas can sometimes be subdivided into multiple segments.

Wilmington is its own DMA with 6 counties and is ranked around 120 (if memory serves). WRAL is in the Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville DMA and it is ranked 29. I am in the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem DMA ranked 46. I would say we make more per commercial here than any station in Wilmington and stations in Raleigh make a little more than we do. Stations in New York and LA make in several days what Wilmington makes in a year. That is the difference in purchasing power when it comes to capital outlay for things like 5.1 encoders and such. It is simple economics, like it or not. You make more, you get to spend more.

If you (plural) want the benefits of a large city, then Wilmington isn't the place to be. You want a easy quiet life style, then Wilmington is probably your cup of tea. You won't get New York City money in Wilmington either. If that is what you want, then you need to move to New York City. Wilmington won't do.

You are the one with the venom all the time and are never happy with anything so you better be careful about "glass houses" my friend. That door swings both ways.

It certainly does.

You are not in Wilmington and yet are telling us what is economicaly viable and not viable for stations you don't even work for. One wonders when the election was held for all the knowing spokesman role? Also WILM is the only station here not running DD 5.1 so don't see a lot of current evidence for the dma analysis you seem to be suggesting. WILM is owned by WRAL and has had 10+ years to plan for this. Maybe we should call WSFX, WECT, WWAY, and UNC to tell them they shouldn't of bought DD 5.1 encoders?

I think they bought DD 5.1 and HD switches because you guys drove them nuts!!!!! :D :D

LOL

Actually WWAY started out early with it, and WSFX gets their sound from network, not in the station, so WECT is the only one to buy an encoder later on. UNC gets theirs from Chapel Hill.

Here is a link to DMA ranks. http://www.tvb.org/rcentral/markettrack/us_hh_by_dma.asp

It certainly does.

You are not in Wilmington and yet are telling us what is economicaly viable and not viable for stations you don't even work for. One wonders when the election was held for all the knowing spokesman role? Also WILM is the only station here not running DD 5.1 so don't see a lot of current evidence for the dma analysis you seem to be suggesting. WILM is owned by WRAL and has had 10+ years to plan for this. Maybe we should call WSFX, WECT, WWAY, and UNC to tell them they shouldn't of bought DD 5.1 encoders?

I grew up in southeastern NC watching WECT and WWAY. I suspect I may know more about that area than you think so tread lightly here my friend. I also have friends who work for the stations there so again, I would tread lightly. You are not listening to reason and to facts. You have no desire to. You are right and everyone else is wrong.

WILM has only be on the air about 10 to 15 years and is a low power station. WWAY and WECT have been on since the late 50's and early 60's as full power stations. That makes a big difference finacially. The problem here is you want it and so everyone should jump. Dream on buddy.

I am done with this. Talk all you want to yourself.

WILM has only be on the air about 10 to 15 years and is a low power station. .

15 years in the community and the vast majority of the viewers are on cable where LP doesn't make any difference. Is there any logic there or just a need to be an authority on all things Wilmington?

P.S. Customers just love to hear companies cry poor mouth. So much more compelling than profitable and vibrant.

Can we try to use this forum for a place of discussion about DTV Wilmington without thinking it is a platform to blast one another and the stations?

You've contacted WILM, and they said they can't do 5.1, so there is nothing else that can be done about it. If you aren't happy, do what I do and DON''T watch.

Personally, I don't think it's right for people to come down to Carolina and start making personal wants and demands to the TV stations, and to whine every time they don't get what they want when they want it, or miss a few minutes of a show because of a storm, but I am a native of this area, so what do I know?

Rich,
What did you retire from?

Can we try to use this forum for a place of discussion about DTV Wilmington without thinking it is a platform to blast one another and the stations?

You've contacted WILM, and they said they can't do 5.1, so there is nothing else that can be done about it. If you aren't happy, do what I do and DON''T watch.

Personally, I don't think it's right for people to come down to Carolina and start making personal wants and demands to the TV stations, and to whine every time they don't get what they want when they want it, or miss a few minutes of a show because of a storm, but I am a native of this area, so what do I know?


Personal wants and demands? You are kidding right? The roadmap for HD and DD 5.1 is at least 10 years old. How many industries have that kind of lead time and can't deliver? CBS has been doing 5.1 for years and WRAL was the first HD station in country. How does that translate into anything but sheer wonder that it hasn't happened yet? DD 5.1 is a personal want? Please!

Go to a NFL stadium, before a game, and watch the microphone placements, the mix trailer setup and the amount of effort it takes to deliver 5.1. Clearly the network thinks it's worth it. Either that or CBS is spending millions on my "personal wants and demands".

Rich,
What did you retire from?

The internet business.

All the stations on the Winnabow tower were off for a time earlier this afternoon. They all seem to be back now though.

3-1 is on 46-1 tonight. It seems to be about 5-10% better signal wise.

I finally figured that out after I tried to re-add 46 and got no signal (because my screen went dead, and I thought they changed the PSIP)...

Checked radar... no storms/lightning...

Maybe tower maintenance?

Some kind of power issue at the tower today. The NWS radio is running on the backup transmitter, and it's located on the WWAY tower... confirmed just now by a forecaster at the NWS office...

WHQR was off all yesterday afternoon and they are on the Winnabow tower.

WHQR was off all yesterday afternoon and they are on the Winnabow tower.
I have never heard of whqr. I tried to look it up at the fcc site & did not find it.

WHQR is 91.3 FM.

- Trip

I have never heard of whqr. I tried to look it up at the fcc site & did not find it.

www.whqr.org

WHQR comes in decently up in Jacksonville. I like Z 107/5 myself. LOL WAZO

www.whqr.org

Oh I understand now, This is an FM radio station.

I once said that analog am radio has 2 side bands that are just alike. I said that the fcc should require all am stations to remove the lower side ban since only once side band is needed Thus to make the lower side band digital like the 56 dial up modems or the set up like the digital cell phones use.

I was rebuked & told that this was a TV forum & not radio.

I am still glad to get the info of the radio station

Oh I understand now, This is an FM radio station.

I once said that analog am radio has 2 side bands that are just alike. I said that the fcc should require all am stations to remove the lower side ban since only once side band is needed Thus to make the lower side band digital like the 56 dial up modems or the set up like the digital cell phones use.

I was rebuked & told that this was a TV forum & not radio.

I am still glad to get the info of the radio station
The sole reason for mentioning WHQR is that it is on the same tower with the TV stations and they all suffered the same fate.

Ok guys, I need some advice. We are in the process of moving as my wife's grandmother will be moving in with us. We will be renting a home over by the hospital, currently we are south of Monkey Junction. I have been OTA (channel master 4221:)) since way back when DirecTV took the Networks away. G'ma wants her cable (her CNN that is). I've been kinda anti-cable in the past. I'm clueless as to whats out there as far as packages/savings for cable and satellite and whats broadcasting in HD and dolby. Not sure if I can put up my current antenna, may save that for when my house is built. Maybe I can pull locals in with rabbit ears;).

Any help appreciated,
Scott

G'ma will have a 27" TV, us a plasma 1080P.

Ok guys, I need some advice. We are in the process of moving as my wife's grandmother will be moving in with us. We will be renting a home over by the hospital, currently we are south of Monkey Junction. I have been OTA (channel master 4221:)) since way back when DirecTV took the Networks away. G'ma wants her cable (her CNN that is). I've been kinda anti-cable in the past. I'm clueless as to whats out there as far as packages/savings for cable and satellite and whats broadcasting in HD and dolby. Not sure if I can put up my current antenna, may save that for when my house is built. Maybe I can pull locals in with rabbit ears;).

Any help appreciated,
Scott

G'ma will have a 27" TV, us a plasma 1080P.

I think you should be able to receive all of the Wilmington tv stations with a in door uhf bow tie unless your are in a metel bulding.

I think you should be able to receive all of the Wilmington tv stations with a in door uhf bow tie unless your are in a metel bulding.

I was wondering the same. I do have access to the attic and may consider that as an additional option. Sad to say but I am more than happy with the OTA limited but excellent quality selection (and pricing too ;)), but grandma wants her CNN and food network.
I'm looking at TWC now and $58 minimum plus I'm sure a heap of taxes too:mad:. I don't even know if that would include other TV's in the house. and the pricing only seems to climb when you think about digital, installation etc..

Scott

I was wondering the same. I do have access to the attic and may consider that as an additional option. Sad to say but I am more than happy with the OTA limited but excellent quality selection (and pricing too ;)), but grandma wants her CNN and food network.
I'm looking at TWC now and $58 minimum plus I'm sure a heap of taxes too:mad:. I don't even know if that would include other TV's in the house. and the pricing only seems to climb when you think about digital, installation etc..

Scott

For those networks I would check into dish or direct tv. The may have them on a small cheap pack. Then you could connect it to just her tv. the other tv I would connect ot an antenna

I'm looking at TWC now and $58 minimum plus I'm sure a heap of taxes too:mad

http://www.yourtwc.com/cablenow/?referencetype=BAU

I just recently signed up for TWC. For twelve months its a hard deal to pass up and its still pretty cheap even after the added fees.

I think Dish Network has the cheapest deal with around $25 a month. Dishes boxes are also supposed to be fast.

http://www.yourtwc.com/cablenow/?referencetype=BAU

I just recently signed up for TWC. For twelve months its a hard deal to pass up and its still pretty cheap even after the added fees.

Thanks, I found that too but as they say "the devil is in the details" and I can't find the details.:eek:. It links me directly to a form to fill out. I'll stop buy their place in the mall and speak to a human..what a concept huh?

Someone must have operated on the WWAY transmitter. My signal is back up to the 90's again! :)

I was wondering the same. I do have access to the attic and may consider that as an additional option. Sad to say but I am more than happy with the OTA limited but excellent quality selection (and pricing too ;)), but grandma wants her CNN and food network.
I'm looking at TWC now and $58 minimum plus I'm sure a heap of taxes too:mad:. I don't even know if that would include other TV's in the house. and the pricing only seems to climb when you think about digital, installation etc..

Scott

I have not seen any thing on there that is worth $58 a month. From what I now get free on the antenna for me tv cable is a waste of money. I would not give them $0.01 for it.

What's up people? I just moved out of Wilmington and into Bladen county. We've got Directv, and I was wanting to get the network channels in HD. I was wondering if I should even bother trying to get HD over the air with an antenna? Would the signals even be strong enough to reach out here (zip 28392)? If so what brand of antenna do you recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What's up people? I just moved out of Wilmington and into Bladen county. We've got Directv, and I was wanting to get the network channels in HD. I was wondering if I should even bother trying to get HD over the air with an antenna? Would the signals even be strong enough to reach out here (zip 28392)? If so what brand of antenna do you recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Is there a chimmy to mount an antenna on?

You should be able to get a lot of stations.

With a good out door antenna you will receive Wilmington, Florence & more.

You will have some many you can get you will have a hard time to choose where to point your antenna to choose the one to watch. So I would get 2 antennas & point one to Florence & the other to Wilmington.

I would get this one for Wilmington

http://www.starkelectronic.com/wpr9032.htm

For Florence I would get HBU-33 UHF AND HIGH BAND VHF ANTENNA shown on the same page at the web site.

What's up people? I just moved out of Wilmington and into Bladen county. We've got Directv, and I was wanting to get the network channels in HD. I was wondering if I should even bother trying to get HD over the air with an antenna? Would the signals even be strong enough to reach out here (zip 28392)? If so what brand of antenna do you recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Welcome to the board. Bladen county is officially in the Wilmington TV market, however, depending on which end of the county you live will determine if you can get WILM (CBS) You should get WECT, WWAY, WUNJ and WSFX easily. You may consider WBTW for CBS if you live south or east, and if you live in the northern part of Bladen county you can easily get WRAL I've heard. As David said, for WBTW you will likely need a VHF capable unit.

I live over 60 miles away from Winnabow, and using a Winegard HD 8800 UHF, I get all the Wilmington stations, except WILM. I also get WNCT ( a Greenville NC station) with this same antenna (which is VHF 10) at over 40 miles in the mid 90's. WBTW is on 13. Hope that helps.

If you could post a tvfool.com link of your location, that would really tell your story.:) Bladen county has a lot of severe weather in the warm months, so make sure the antenna will be secure, and grounded if outside. That ant. Dave linked to looks like a good one also.

Ok guys, I need some advice. We are in the process of moving as my wife's grandmother will be moving in with us. We will be renting a home over by the hospital, currently we are south of Monkey Junction. I have been OTA (channel master 4221:)) since way back when DirecTV took the Networks away. G'ma wants her cable (her CNN that is). I've been kinda anti-cable in the past. I'm clueless as to whats out there as far as packages/savings for cable and satellite and whats broadcasting in HD and dolby. Not sure if I can put up my current antenna, may save that for when my house is built. Maybe I can pull locals in with rabbit ears;).

Any help appreciated,
Scott

G'ma will have a 27" TV, us a plasma 1080P.

There have been a few times I've missed my 4221... :)

I finally put my Radio Shack 1880 up in the attic to replace a combo VHF/UFH antenna, especially now with the WWAY signal strength increased, I pick up all locals with no problem... but the 1880 is no longer available.

Anyway, you shouldn't need a major antenna solution to get locals... either satellite service should be cheaper than cable. I've used the DirecTV box (parent's house), but I really like the Dish interface better on my 722 box... I got grandfathered into the "Dish'n it up" package--only HD channels for $30/mo... of which I only watch a few.

USA network is really trampling the networks with their programming quality...

Thanks for the great responses and warm welcome. I am in the northwest corner of the county right next to Tar Heel, so we are actually closer to Fayetteville.

We've got a chimney, but I was hoping that kind of work wasn't necessary. We do have directv, so all I want is to get FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC in HD. Would a set top type antenna be capable or will we have to go with the rooftop one? Thanks again.

Thanks for the great responses and warm welcome. I am in the northwest corner of the county right next to Tar Heel, so we are actually closer to Fayetteville.

You can take your pick of channels. Raleigh/Durham, Florence/Myrtle Beach/Lumberton, and or Wilmington from that spot.

We've got a chimney, but I was hoping that kind of work wasn't necessary. We do have directv, so all I want is to get FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC in HD. Would a set top type antenna be capable or will we have to go with the rooftop one? Thanks again.

I don't think a set top antenna will be enough. It 'might' get some Florence channels. You might get away with an attic install for solid reception of Florence/Myrtle Beach.

What you could do is count on the satellite for Wilmington stations and the antenna pointed at Raleigh or Dillon SC for OTA service.

There have been a few times I've missed my 4221... :)

I finally put my Radio Shack 1880 up in the attic to replace a combo VHF/UFH antenna, especially now with the WWAY signal strength increased, I pick up all locals with no problem... but the 1880 is no longer available.

Anyway, you shouldn't need a major antenna solution to get locals... either satellite service should be cheaper than cable. I've used the DirecTV box (parent's house), but I really like the Dish interface better on my 722 box... I got grandfathered into the "Dish'n it up" package--only HD channels for $30/mo... of which I only watch a few.

USA network is really trampling the networks with their programming quality...

If your pulling in all locals with the 1880 in your attic then I should have no problems using the 4221 (did i remember to say thanks again!). Though taking it down might reduce the value of my home when putting it up for sale.;)
I have been comparing packages for cable, dish & DirecTv and I'm starting to think the same people wrote the 1,900 page health reform bill. I get more confused with each "package" and "installation" requirements ($$) per TV, promo "rebate's" as well as monthly charges per "extra" box. OK, I'm just whining now. I'm used to paying nothing for OTA and receive top video quality. If I'm going to pay for cable/sat, I would like a responsive unit, don't really care about DVR, want HDTV for at least 1 TV and maybe a second for my projector upstairs (component). So who has the best HD included in their "base" price?

back to the sites to read more,
Scott

Thank you WWAY TV for not wrecking "V" premier with election result squeezes! New Bern ABC ruined it with banners squeezed around the picture.

Guess it depends on your viewing habits, but I really like my DVR... set a "season pass", and all new shows will be recorded until the season ends... never have to worry about it...

I still do use my MDP-130 card for most network recordings--but use TW cable lifeline as the feed--although I'm always re-thinking that given my good OTA reception.

I tried feeding my antenna back into the rest of the house, but it didn't work, haven't done any trouble shooting yet, could be I got my connections confused...:confused:

Before:
http://home.earthlink.net/~marcpilot7/tv/wire%20mess2.JPG

After:
http://home.earthlink.net/~marcpilot7/tv/wires%20clean3.JPG

If your pulling in all locals with the 1880 in your attic then I should have no problems using the 4221 (did i remember to say thanks again!). Though taking it down might reduce the value of my home when putting it up for sale.;)
I have been comparing packages for cable, dish & DirecTv and I'm starting to think the same people wrote the 1,900 page health reform bill. I get more confused with each "package" and "installation" requirements ($$) per TV, promo "rebate's" as well as monthly charges per "extra" box. OK, I'm just whining now. I'm used to paying nothing for OTA and receive top video quality. If I'm going to pay for cable/sat, I would like a responsive unit, don't really care about DVR, want HDTV for at least 1 TV and maybe a second for my projector upstairs (component). So who has the best HD included in their "base" price?

back to the sites to read more,
Scott

Like Marc, said, it kind of comes down to how you watch TV. The satellites currently have more HD programming, but TWC is adding channels nearly monthly and have now got 95%+ of our programming covered.

For one or two sets, Dish/DirecTV will likely have the better pricing, assuming you can satisfy your network programming via OTA.

With TWC, all of your connected outlets will be good for analog up to channel 78 with a set top only required for digital channels and some HD. The HD locals are carried in the clear so any device with a QAM tuner can get them without the need for a cable box.

When I did the comparison earlier this year, for 2HD/2SD rooms with one DVR, TWC/Dish/DirectTV ended up within $5-10/month of each other when promo pricing was taken out of the picture and also ignoring the upfront costs of the sat equipment. Obvious tradeoff is all programming would be availabe on every TV with sat, but that's not necessarily a good thing for the 8 year old. In the end, with TWC's price lock bundled with Roadrunner, TWC was the best fit for us. YMMV.

BTW, once you go DVR, you'll wonder how you lived without it, kind of like microwave ovens. I was never a timeshifter much with VCRs; just too cumbersome...DVR is so easy, a caveman could do it, as does my techno challenged wife. :-)

-Brent

I time-shift about 90% of my viewing... what a pleasure... :D

Someone must have operated on the WWAY transmitter. My signal is back up to the 90's again! :)

They must have put a new tube in the transmitter like a 6af4.

They must have put a new tube in the transmitter like a 6af4.

If they did replace a tube, that first one held out for a really long time. WWAY was the very first to come on the air digitally, and the strongest signal.

I grew up in southeastern NC watching WECT and WWAY. I suspect I may know more about that area than you think so tread lightly here my friend. I also have friends who work for the stations there so again, I would tread lightly. You are not listening to reason and to facts. You have no desire to. You are right and everyone else is wrong.

WILM has only be on the air about 10 to 15 years and is a low power station. WWAY and WECT have been on since the late 50's and early 60's as full power stations. That makes a big difference finacially. The problem here is you want it and so everyone should jump. Dream on buddy.

I am done with this. Talk all you want to yourself.

Well there you go Rich. I've not been on here in a while, though I do still lurk a bit, for the very reason you have ran off foxeng. You have all of the answers and the "10 year road map" theory that you love to toss out there. Fact of the matter is, you are not willing to listen to what the very people who are working at the stations are trying to tell you... you just want to attempt to brow-beat them into saying "you are right". In the years I have been a member of these forums I have tried to use them to help improve our viewers experience... either by noting where a problem is, or by informing them as to why there is a problem and when we hope to have it corrected. I don't know foxeng personally, but I do know he has as much or more knowledge about "the business" as anyone else who posts on this forum. So what you do by making the comments that you tend to post here is drive a wedge between the viewers posting here and the very people who have their hands on the equipment and are honestly trying to make things better for those viewers. In effect, you are completely alienating the relationship between the viewers and technical people at the stations. I don't get paid to post on here, but have done so to try to make better what you, the viewer, is wanting. But I also don't care to constantly get bombarded with hot headed people that are not willing to discuss, but only want to blame and spew garbage.

I am not commenting on behalf of my employer, just my personal feelings.

Well there you go Rich. I've not been on here in a while, though I do still lurk a bit, for the very reason you have ran off foxeng. You have all of the answers and the "10 year road map" theory that you love to toss out there. Fact of the matter is, you are not willing to listen to what the very people who are working at the stations are trying to tell you... you just want to attempt to brow-beat them into saying "you are right". In the years I have been a member of these forums I have tried to use them to help improve our viewers experience... either by noting where a problem is, or by informing them as to why there is a problem and when we hope to have it corrected. I don't know foxeng personally, but I do know he has as much or more knowledge about "the business" as anyone else who posts on this forum. So what you do by making the comments that you tend to post here is drive a wedge between the viewers posting here and the very people who have their hands on the equipment and are honestly trying to make things better for those viewers. In effect, you are completely alienating the relationship between the viewers and technical people at the stations. I don't get paid to post on here, but have done so to try to make better what you, the viewer, is wanting. But I also don't care to constantly get bombarded with hot headed people that are not willing to discuss, but only want to blame and spew garbage.

I am not commenting on behalf of my employer, just my personal feelings.

I am not surprised you jumped in to defend a fellow engineer but it's interesting that you seem to be taking the same tact that you accuse me of.

Your post is full of vitrol but short on anything to refute what I have posted. If you or Foxeng want to show where I have gotten it wrong just post it and I will apologize.

When you were facing all kinds of challenges at your station with HD I thought everybody communicated and showed a great deal of patience and you responded in a very professional manner. Contrast that with Foxeng's imperial decrees regarding something he has no responsibility for.

You may not like that the world has changed (in this case very slowly) but change it has.

As far as "alienating" I guess that is in the eye of the beholder. Be a little careful with the broadsides.

Did TW Cable remap all their digital channels? Yesterday I lost all my mappings for locals. Re-scanned one tv and got them back...

Time to build that 8-bay antenna for the attic and go all OTA...

Did TW Cable remap all their digital channels? Yesterday I lost all my mappings for locals. Re-scanned one tv and got them back...

Time to build that 8-bay antenna for the attic and go all OTA...

They probably did. I know they were going to in the Raleigh area. They are also raising rates up to 33% in the Triad, so you know it will happen down here also.

Try this link. http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:28401#lineup_1104809 Are these the right channels now?

I've just got the basic lifeline service, which went from $8 to $10 earlier this year...

I can confirm that they did remap channels, I had to rescan on all of my receivers... I lost WSFX on one tv a few months ago, and now seem to have lost it on my computer tuner card... but I still get it on another tv. I suspect it could be due to my signal distribution system, maybe length of coax...

Whatever... time to go all OTA anyway, but I'll have to run some more coax under the house--and ain't that some fun! :rolleyes:

Now that's an interesting link... I'll have to consult that a bit more. Most of the mappings seem to match what I've got. But I notice there's no Fox, and for me 78-5 is UNC HD, 88-10 is 14 News.

Wait, http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:28409#lineup_1105069 this is better...

Turns out the list in the above link is either inaccurate or my tuner card decodes differently... I get WILM on 85-10...

Did TW Cable remap all their digital channels? Yesterday I lost all my mappings for locals. Re-scanned one tv and got them back...

Time to build that 8-bay antenna for the attic and go all OTA...

Here is what I have for the Wilmington qam TW HD channels since the remap:

ABC 3.1
NBC 6.1
CBS 10.1
FOX 10.13 or 85.13*
UNC PBS 78.7**

* Proscan TV shows 10.13 and Westinghouse TV shows 85.13 for Fox HD
** UNC changed from 93.7 on the last remap.

I'll see whats up on the Jacksonville system in an hour or so and see if anything changed, or if Wilmington is coming in again. I these channels used to, but for the last 8 months or so it has been only Greenville/New Bern.

There are no ION digital channels from Jacksonville's 35-1 - 35-4. I think that is illegal too. The must carry law by city of license is not being followed for WPXU

They're only required to carry 35-1.

- Trip

They're only required to carry 35-1.

- Trip

It is only on analog channel 5, no digital version of ION. I just scanned TW and the only changes were to UNC. It comes in on 77.7 HD CBS had changed, but I don't know to what. The TV won't let you see anything but the virtual #s for those. Still no Wilmington HD locals. I guess those days are over.

Fixed the remapping issue by using my antenna feed for all tv's--cable was a convenience for local HD's whose time has now passed... as soon as I make sure the re-wire is robust enough, it will be time to cancel TW Cable lifeline subscription... (I have 2 digital receivers that cannot "see" or map WSFX, pretty sure it's not a problem at my end)

Fixed the remapping issue by using my antenna feed for all tv's--cable was a convenience for local HD's whose time has now passed... as soon as I make sure the re-wire is robust enough, it will be time to cancel TW Cable lifeline subscription... (I have 2 digital receivers that cannot "see" or map WSFX, pretty sure it's not a problem at my end)

On TW qam Wilmington I have 1 receiver that shows it on 10.13 and one that has it on 85.13 but Fox does show up on both with a good picture and audio.

it will be time to cancel TW Cable lifeline subscription

Are some of you paying the 10 bucks a month for HD locals from TW?
I thought there was some law that went with the digital transition that requires cable companies to offer their local digital channels on clear qam without subscription. I could be way off though.

I had not signed up with TW for over a year and had free local HD when i was with Dish network. Mainly had it hooked up for WILM.

I know another household that ditched cable all together but still get the the 4 HD stations, digital substions and news14 for free from TW.

Are some of you paying the 10 bucks a month for HD locals from TW?
I thought there was some law that went with the digital transition that requires cable companies to offer their local digital channels on clear qam without subscription. I could be way off though.

I had not signed up with TW for over a year and had free local HD when i was with Dish network. Mainly had it hooked up for WILM.

I know another household that ditched cable all together but still get the the 4 HD stations, digital substions and news14 for free from TW.

If you have internet with Warner, you still can pick up the digital channels over QAM because they use the same frequency as the roadrunner. however, I don't think it is technically a service you are supposed to be watching without payment. If they came into the home and saw that you had the cable hooked to the TV, it could be a problem.

WWAY noticed yesterday during the race that their power is down again. I wonder if they are just saving money on the power bill?

Now why would you be inviting TW Cable techs into your house?? :D

That's interesting, but the remapping is what I don't like--no problems like that with OTA, unless WWAY decides to mess with their PSIP. I use the MDP-130 tuner card for my OTA DVR, and it takes a while to scan, but more than that, it doesn't always pick up the locals automatically... so I tried to search for WSFX by manually selecting all the main/sub-channels it finds (hundred or so?) to see if I get a picture...

I noticed the WWAY signal strength drop also...

If you have internet with Warner, you still can pick up the digital channels over QAM because they use the same frequency as the roadrunner. however, I don't think it is technically a service you are supposed to be watching without payment. If they came into the home and saw that you had the cable hooked to the TV, it could be a problem.

WWAY noticed yesterday during the race that their power is down again. I wonder if they are just saving money on the power bill?

I assume that one day the cable folks will wise up & put cable modem out side on the side of your house in a locked box. Then will run an cat 5 cable to a rj-45 outlet at your PC.



They just do not make those tubes like the used to.

I assume that one day the cable folks will wise up & put cable modem out side on the side of your house in a locked box. Then will run an cat 5 cable to a rj-45 outlet at your PC.


The problem with that is the first level tech folks will lose their cure all. "Unplug the power to the modem for 2 minutes and plug back in"

I don't recall, but can I assume that WSFX doesn't have the equipment for crawlers in HD? The weather warnings last night put the picture into a window box mode...

I don't recall, but can I assume that WSFX doesn't have the equipment for crawlers in HD? The weather warnings last night put the picture into a window box mode...

Last one that doesn't have proper equipment. They share with WECT but HD can be implemented on on NBC but not Fox.
Did I ever share my theory on why should it be so hard to plan and budget when you have had a 10 year roadmap? <G>

Last one that doesn't have proper equipment. They share with WECT but HD can be implemented on on NBC but not Fox.
Did I ever share my theory on why should it be so hard to plan and budget when you have had a 10 year roadmap? <G>

It's hard to budget in equipment that doesn't exist. Since Fox does not allow local stations to overlay on network HD, I'm not sure how budgeting for it would have mattered.

- Trip

It's hard to budget in equipment that doesn't exist. Since Fox does not allow local stations to overlay on network HD, I'm not sure how budgeting for it would have mattered.

- Trip

Well according to my son in law WFLD in Chicago does it.?

Well according to my son in law WFLD in Chicago does it.?

The new splicer does allow for it, but it is not yet operating correctly in the places where it is installed from what I've been told and is not yet implemented in all markets. Also, it is paid for by Fox, so again, I'm not sure how budgeting money for it would have made any difference.

- Trip

The Wilmington stations did not even warn their viewers when a Tornado warning was issued last night, except WECT with a crawl. The Greenville/New Bern stations actually came on and passed the warning along for Pender county right away. (at least 9 and 12) If it had been a deadly tornado, a LOT of people would not have even taken cover. I think the complaints about interruption of "So I think I may dance" need to be re-thought. I would rather miss a program, than possibly not see another day to watch TV. The people that live out in the middle of nowhere probably have no internet and cable to start with.

0315 60 5 NE CURRIE PENDER NC 3453 7805 NEAR INTERSECTION OF FULLERTOWN ROAD AND STONEHOUSE ROAD, SOUTHEAST OF WARDS CORNER IN PENDER COUNTY. WIND GUST OBSERVED OF 60 TO 70 MPH. (ILM)

0320 UNK 2 N WINNABOW BRUNSWICK NC 3418 7810 TREE DOWN ON POWER LINES (ILM)

0355 UNK 1 SW LA GRANGE LENOIR NC 3530 7780 LENOIR COUNTY 911 REPORTED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AT 2 DIFFERENT RESIDENCES. GARAGES WERE REPORTEDLY FLIPPED OVER. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. (MHX)

0358 60 1 ESE WARDS CORNER PENDER NC 3453 7805 SPOTTER REPORTED 60 TO 70 MPH WIND GUST NEAR INTERSECTION OF FULLERTOWN ROAD AND STONEHOUSE ROAD. (ILM)

70 MPH isn't something to brush off. This could have turned into a real tornado in a hurry, and may have around Kinston.

The Wilmington stations did not even warn their viewers when a Tornado warning was issued last night, except WECT with a crawl. The Greenville/New Bern stations actually came on and passed the warning along for Pender county right away. (at least 9 and 12) If it had been a deadly tornado, a LOT of people would not have even taken cover. I think the complaints about interruption of "So I think I may dance" need to be re-thought. I would rather miss a program, than possibly not see another day to watch TV. The people that live out in the middle of nowhere probably have no internet and cable to start with.


WSFX had the crawl on all night. Who suggested that they not have it?

The problem with tornado warnings (and I'm from the midwest) is that they are almost always too late to be specific, particularly at night. (Ever do a storm watch at night?) Nice to warn people though so they say they did. But haven't seen many people take shelter because of a watch or warning. Tornadoes are just so quick to appear.

WSFX had the crawl on all night. Who suggested that they not have it?

The problem with tornado warnings (and I'm from the midwest) is that they are almost always too late to be specific, particularly at night.

That is why I don't understand why the stations stopped coming on the air when there isn't a moment to waste. I flipped around, and it was like 15 minutes into the warning before I saw 6 and 26 come on with a radar. By then, it could have been over.

That is why I don't understand why the stations stopped coming on the air when there isn't a moment to waste. I flipped around, and it was like 15 minutes into the warning before I saw 6 and 26 come on with a radar. By then, it could have been over.

It's been sometime since I have done weather watches but, unless it has changed radar isn't very good at spotting actual tornadoes and most are over very quickly. So that leaves it up to human observervation which is a complex and, can be slow, process. Also, as mentioned before, night observation is very difficult and covers very little area. I grew up on a farm and saw a couple drop down. Very scary and very very fast forming.

I don't recall, but can I assume that WSFX doesn't have the equipment for crawlers in HD? The weather warnings last night put the picture into a window box mode...

The window box is FOX network's idea to do crawls and such to appease stations complaints about not having a way to do HD crawls over network programming when the splicer is on line.

FOX"s suggestion, the station makes a full screen 16:9 graphic and the 4:3 SD network signal that is provided to stations is used in the window box when the splicer is dropped off line to do crawls. That idea hasn't gone over well at many stations.

I'm sure glad we're not in an area of the country that gets a lot of weather or other kinds of alerts... I like my HD TV... :)

Is WWAY going to fix their transmitter again I wonder, or just leave it like it has been almost all year? WSFX operates at 190 kW and I can receive them at 92% WWAY operates at 1 million watts 1000 kW and I can only receive them at 68%, so that would seem to mean that they are actually down below 500 kW wouldn't it?

Is WWAY going to fix their transmitter again I wonder, or just leave it like it has been almost all year? WSFX operates at 190 kW and I can receive them at 92% WWAY operates at 1 million watts 1000 kW and I can only receive them at 68%, so that would seem to mean that they are actually down below 500 kW wouldn't it?

It says nothing about their power level unless you're actually receiving 92% signal power and not 68% signal quality. Most of these meters are signal quality, which is usually just a measure of signal to noise ratio.

They could be putting out a signal of 1000 kW but with reduced SNR and get the same result.

- Trip

The Wilmington stations did not even warn their viewers when a Tornado warning was issued last night, except WECT with a crawl. The Greenville/New Bern stations actually came on and passed the warning along for Pender county right away. (at least 9 and 12) If it had been a deadly tornado, a LOT of people would not have even taken cover. I think the complaints about interruption of "So I think I may dance" need to be re-thought. I would rather miss a program, than possibly not see another day to watch TV. The people that live out in the middle of nowhere probably have no internet and cable to start with.

0315 60 5 NE CURRIE PENDER NC 3453 7805 NEAR INTERSECTION OF FULLERTOWN ROAD AND STONEHOUSE ROAD, SOUTHEAST OF WARDS CORNER IN PENDER COUNTY. WIND GUST OBSERVED OF 60 TO 70 MPH. (ILM)

0320 UNK 2 N WINNABOW BRUNSWICK NC 3418 7810 TREE DOWN ON POWER LINES (ILM)

0355 UNK 1 SW LA GRANGE LENOIR NC 3530 7780 LENOIR COUNTY 911 REPORTED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AT 2 DIFFERENT RESIDENCES. GARAGES WERE REPORTEDLY FLIPPED OVER. POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE. (MHX)

0358 60 1 ESE WARDS CORNER PENDER NC 3453 7805 SPOTTER REPORTED 60 TO 70 MPH WIND GUST NEAR INTERSECTION OF FULLERTOWN ROAD AND STONEHOUSE ROAD. (ILM)

70 MPH isn't something to brush off. This could have turned into a real tornado in a hurry, and may have around Kinston.

This is absolutely false. WSFX and WECT both cut in to programming (WSFX was in their newscast, WECT cut into Jay Leno). We had live coverage simulcasts on all 4 of our stations, showing locations, warnings, gave safety precautions those in Pender and Duplin should take.

There was an EAS crawl that initiated , and nearly immediately we were on the air with live radar and a meteorologist (myself) providing information about the warnings.

We had a team of meteorologists covering the storms all night in the studio. We have been mentioning this event for nearly a week and especially beefed up advertisement of severe weather for a couple of days before the event.

Robb

My Mistake! I researched when the warning was issued, and it was at 10:14 PM. I must have confused this with the Severe Thunderstorm Warnings that came out before that. That storm is the one I was watching on my computer because it looked like a tornado on velocity mode.

I saw the EAS crawl, as I mentioned above on WECT. And I did say I saw the report with the radar on 6 when Duplin and Lenoir were included. I had a google earth application going on my home computer with all the watches and warning polygons turned on, as well as three doppler radars with all the features. I was paying special attention because it was at night, I was at home, and because the SPC had labeled the event a "Particularly Dangerous Situation".

Thanks for reading and joining in the forum!

It's been sometime since I have done weather watches but, unless it has changed radar isn't very good at spotting actual tornadoes and most are over very quickly. So that leaves it up to human observervation which is a complex and, can be slow, process.

That is not accurate. This picture (http://vortex.plymouth.edu/gifs/LTX.N0V.0912030353.912x684.none..173_an.gif) will show you exactly where the winds were turning and the rotation / possible tornado was on Wednesday night. Look between the smallest range ring and the second size up ring and look at the black spot surrounded by yellow as it moves across eastern Columbus county near Delco where the UNC TV tower is and to the northeast across western Pender county over Currie and Montague.Radar is very good as seeing tornadoes.

http://vortex.plymouth.edu/gifs/LTX.N0V.0912030353.912x684.none..173_an.gif

That is not accurate. This picture (http://vortex.plymouth.edu/gifs/LTX.N0V.0912030353.912x684.none..173_an.gif) will show you exactly where the winds were turning and the rotation / possible tornado was on Wednesday night. Look between the smallest range ring and the second size up ring and look at the black spot surrounded by yellow as it moves across eastern Columbus county near Delco where the UNC TV tower is and to the northeast across western Pender county over Currie and Montague.Radar is very good as seeing tornadoes.

http://vortex.plymouth.edu/gifs/LTX.N0V.0912030353.912x684.none..173_an.gif

I understand that you can see rotation and IF that drops down you have a tornado. But only if it drops down. I don't think that is resolved by anything other than human observation. Also, how does that get relayed to people in it's path in the very few minutes that are needed?

What's interesting is that Robb must have been either following this forum secretly (he has 1 post), or someone alerted him...

Hey Robb, I'm thinking about giving Greg Fishel a good natured ribbing for not knowing the origin of the abbreviation "BR" that he had on his weather map for this area... :) (because he's generally so knowledgeable...)

And since this is getting way off topic... I'll leave it for the enterprising forum members to find out the origin of BR, if curious...

KNCWILMI21

I understand that you can see rotation and IF that drops down you have a tornado. But only if it drops down. I don't think that is resolved by anything other than human observation. Also, how does that get relayed to people in it's path in the very few minutes that are needed?

The storm last Wednesday was probably a funnel cloud spinning. When the tornado hits, or people see it, they call 911 and then those people pass it to NWS who then pass it to radio and TV. This only takes seconds with technology. You cannot wait until ground truth is verified every time before issuing warnings. When you have doppler telling you at the lowest layer that there is consistent rotation, it gets acted on, and should be payed attention to. NWS uses polygons now to tell exactly what communities are affected in a county, instead of a whole county being included and people in the wrong direction taking cover with no need to. This is what lead to a lot of people ignoring the warning, and often would think of a warning as a crying wolf, and a lot of unnecessary hype by media.

I do a lot of traveling back and forth across cities in this area, and when the weather is bad, from now on I am taking my weather radio with batteries in it. Many times I have been in some storms, and could get nothing on my FM radio. I was even struck by lightning in Turkey NC about 8 years ago ( the car ) It isn't fun with your hair standing straight up!

We are way out of topic, but I guess as long as we are not out of hand with it, there is no problem.:)

The storm last Wednesday was probably a funnel cloud spinning. When the tornado hits, or people see it, they call 911 and then those people pass it to NWS who then pass it to radio and TV. This only takes seconds with technology. You cannot wait until ground truth is verified every time before issuing warnings. When you have doppler telling you at the lowest layer that there is consistent rotation, it gets acted on, and should be payed attention to.

We are way out of topic, but I guess as long as we are not out of hand with it, there is no problem.:)

My take on it is that it takes far longer than a few seconds and I have worked weather watches. Also people don't see much at night if anything. And don't even get me started on 911!
Why don't we agree to disagree?

What's interesting is that Robb must have been either following this forum secretly (he has 1 post), or someone alerted him...


Either way I hope he comes back. Cool handle he chose. I don't mind a challenge to my posts every now and then.:D

I read the forum occasionally, just to see if there are any issues or concerns regarding our station or coverage. Helps keep a handle on problems that can come up. I just never created a login etc because I never had a reason to post.

Just to chime in on the previous posts, jspENC has the radar-indicated-tornado pretty well explained. There are some very technical things that can be looked for within several layers in the radar volume scan that can help to lower false alarm rates. It involves certain velocities to be detected over several layers with certain criteria that are met. These can be precursors to tornadogenesis.

But nothing beats real observations. At night, this is nearly impossible, hence the strong wording that night for the possibility of tornadoes. North Carolina ranks #1 in the country for nighttime tornado fatalities.

Robb

Seems back when I joined this forum we had to use somewhat real names, but I guess that's no more...

I was wondering why a meteorologist would be watching the forums (hopefully in addition to the engineers) for problems and coverage.... but it makes sense for storm warnings.

Since we are really really OT... if any of you are concerned about bad weather warnings, you should just get a S.A.M.E capable weather radio...

Anyone want to go out on a limb and predict a white Christmas? :D That should speed up the shopping some! I have been checking out different sites, and some stuff says there is a chance on the 24th

I live on Holden Beach, and I was wondering how to get the HD local WECT, WWAY, and especially CBS for the Superbowl this year.

Here is my situation.....I had a regular HD DirecTV receiver for the last year or two and it had a place on the back for an OTA antenna that I sat on the table in the living room and I got these channels....except for CBS I think.

Anyway....this past month I upgraded to a DirecTV HD DVR and found that it does NOT have a place for an OTA antenna on the back. So......how do I go about getting HD on these local channels? Do I call DirecTV..or the local CBS station.

Do any of you have this same situation? Thanks

I have an Directv HD DVR and an AIM 21 receiver purchased from Directv.

I live between Penderlea and Wallace and receive 3,6,10,26 and 39.

On the back side, my antenna is a small stationary yagi from Radio Shack, I receive 7.9,12, and 35.

All are reliable except 7.

The OTA cable attaches to it and then a usb type cable supplied with the AIM supplies power and processed OTA signal to the HD DVR guide.

Hope this helps you.

Looks like WWAY is back up on power again. Good strong signal in the 90's like the others on their tower.

Looks like WWAY is back up on power again. Good strong signal in the 90's like the others on their tower.


Is that a signal quality (%) number?

Could you have a noise floor that is bouncing around rather than big swings in ERP at the transmit site?

Could you have a noise floor that is bouncing around rather than big swings in ERP at the transmit site?

No. This is steady signal readings, before about 65% and last night and earlier today in the 90's. It appears they are off the air now. I hope whatever they recently did, that it didn't blow up or something...:confused:

Back on the air at last check, 80%

Thanks Brice....I will look into that. Thanks for the info!

WWAY signal way up like it used to be early in the year. I have monitored it off and on since yesterday and it has stayed the same at 95%

Here are all of my antenna readings out of Jacksonville using a Winegard HD 8800 26 ft high and a Channel master VHF/UHF pre-amp. Digital Steam D to A used for signal readings as Samsung HDTV uses bars.

WWAY 46 - 95%

WECT 44 - 96%

WITN 32 - (pointing at Winnabow this signal bounces from 40-60) pointing at Grifton, signal 85%

WFXI 8 - no picture 95% of the time, (VHF) but meter reads around 25% usually

WILM 40 - No picture, but 15% signal reading aimed at Delco

WNCT 10 - 95% aimed to Grifton, 50% aimed to Winnabow

WCTI 12 - 99% aimed to Trenton, 95% aimed to WInnabow

WYDO 47 - 96% aimed to Trenton, 92% aimed to Winnabow

WUNM 19 - 93% aimed to Trenton, 90% aimed to Winnabow

WLFL 27 - 35% with picture aimed at Clayton

WRDC 28 - 33% with picture aimed at Clayton

WSFX 30 - 88% pointed south, no signal when aimed north

WPXU 34 - 90% aimed at N. Topsail Beach

WUNJ 29 - 93% pointed to Delco

Nice to see our signal level is up. We worked on the transmitter and fed the hamster yesterday!

Ray

Great work Ray! I bet you're getting some good distance out of that signal now! Merry Christmas to everyone!

FYI - I heard that NCHDTV is now a forum if anyone wants to check it out.

If anyone is still around, have you been getting a lot of humming on WECT news broadcasts?

Don't know, try not to watch WECT news.......... ;)

On a side note, since I tend to watch WWAY news, but mostly PBS news hour, I had to rescan WWAY last night, seems something in their PSIP changed again... at least for my Dish tuner. Comes in fine as Ch. 46.

I am not a huge fan of either station anymore, but they are the only ones I get in HD for news. I am still disappointed that George Elliot isn't on 6 anymore. I saw a page from the star news that people are still commenting on about missing him, and he even came on a few weeks ago and said he would come back here if he got the right deal.

I tried to watch 3.1 early one morning, (can't remember if it was yesterday or Tuesday) and had to go to 46 also.

7 years later and we still don't have dolby digital on WILM for the Superbowl:

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/archives/CBSSONYSuperbowl.HTML

Maybe CBS should stop wasting all the extra money this costs to broadcast? Just a thought............

Is it just me or is WECT's OTA feed dead during the NCS vs GT game I'm trying to watch?

Is it just me or is WECT's OTA feed dead during the NCS vs GT game I'm trying to watch?

Can't tell uou about OTA but it is on TW cable.

It is just you... I'm getting the game fine OTA on WECT...

Looks like I need to go up to the attic and kick my antenna.

I'm getting WECT 95% with no signal problem up in Jax. Raycom had a problem earlier with the game from VA.

Not sure why I'm getting all the other locals near 100% but WECT is flat lining me? Over the last couple of weeks my signal from WECT has been coming and going while the other locals have been just fine. Will report back after I have a chance to screw with my DB4 antenna.

:confused:Can't really say what my problem was with WECT over the weekend. Saturday night and since WECT is back at 100% with no adjustment of my antenna. Maybe I'm in a spot where if they raise the bridge downtown or a big ship on the Cape Fear passes it kills my siginal.

:confused:Can't really say what my problem was with WECT over the weekend. Saturday night and since WECT is back at 100% with no adjustment of my antenna. Maybe I'm in a spot where if they raise the bridge downtown or a big ship on the Cape Fear passes it kills my siginal.

It's weird when that happens. I had a similar problem with WNCT last night during the superbowl. All other channels were normal, just CBS 9.1 was very low. I wonder if ham radios or something similar cause these rare occurrences?

Got it on 26 with the Two & 1/2 men show, and they seem to be testing out HD alerts and such. They've got it going all the way across the screen, so I wonder if it will work when FOX networks take over at 8PM?

got it on 26 with the two & 1/2 men show, and they seem to be testing out hd alerts and such. They've got it going all the way across the screen, so i wonder if it will work when fox networks take over at 8pm?

99.9% no.

99.9% no.

Darn.:( I wonder if WSFX is just getting it ready for a later date?

The issue is the splicer doesn't allow stations to do that. The splicer's HD signal is inserted past the station's HD master switcher so anything done on the switcher with the splicer on line isn't seen. Since FOX doesn't provide a HD feed for crawls and such, the only way to do it is to take the splicer off line and take the SD signal that FOX does provide and run it through the switcher that way. FOX's recommended way to do it is to take a full screen 16:9 HD graphic and put the SD network feed in 4:3 in a box.

This is not unique to WSFX, but all FOX affiliates, including us, even though we do have a HD master switcher and HD weather graphics and crawls, just not during network! ;)

The splicer's HD signal is inserted past the station's HD master switcher so anything done on the switcher with the splicer on line isn't seen.An inquiring mind would like to know - why is this the case? I don't know much about TV, only radio, and there you can input whatever, wherever you well please.

An inquiring mind would like to know - why is this the case? I don't know much about TV, only radio, and there you can input whatever, wherever you well please.

Unlike the other networks, FOX provides a network HD signal that is ATSC ready (actually it is a pre-encoded 15mbps ASI signal, but for simplicity, lets just call it ATSC) meaning the signal that comes out of the receiver can be directly put into the ATSC digital transmitter unlike the other networks who require decoding the signal back to HD-SDI (1.5 Gbps) to run through the Master switcher and then encoding it to a 15-18 mbps ATSC signal (an ASI signal FOX already provides to stations) and then on to the transmitter.

The FOX Network ATSC ready signal is inserted into a splicer that is located as close to the transmitter as possible and takes the stations ATSC signal (after the switcher and encoder) and then removes the local stations picture and sound and "splice" in the network picture and sound into the signal (not switched as with the other networks).

Since HD Master controls use a signal call HD-SDI, that isn't compatible with ATSC, you have to drop back to SD (that is the only SDI signal FOX gives us) through the switcher.

The purpose of doing it this way is that more stations can run HD network programming (i.e. NFL and NASCAR) without having a HD plant. The drawback is for the stations that run full HD Master controls, it limits what they can do when network is on line.

And that is how it works.

Have those out there using directv with a OTA antenna setup lost 10-1 (CBS) guide info the last few days? It's been gone for a few days on all 3 of my HDDVRs.

If Rob is reading, nice job with the Tornado information tonight. I just saw it on 6.2, so far the only local channel I receive that has mentioned much of anything about the awareness. A lot of new transplants coming to NC from the north who have no idea how rough the storms can get here.

I was barely out of diapers ( a few years lol ) on March 28th, 1984, but I still remember the visions of the destruction I saw from the outbreak in Sampson county. Heard a lot about it from my dad and Foxeng who posted here above told us about Red Springs before since he was there that evening.

Jagmonster,
I have the same set up and I too have lost my CBS HD.:mad:

Talked to Shawn Fayle - Operations Mgr, WILM-TV and he forwarded this letter. Don't ask me to explain but the botton line is Directv will be changing the 10-1 in their guide to I believe something like 40-1 because what happening with this "white space" thing. As to how long this will take, don't know.

That makes no sense at all. Yet I'm somehow not surprised.

- Trip

Don't ask me to explain it's greek to me. I just know directv dropped their guide for 10-1 which means directv subs can't tune to the OTA feed using our directv box.

Don't ask me to explain it's greek to me. I just know directv dropped their guide for 10-1 which means directv subs can't tune to the OTA feed using our directv box.

"Isn't that special"........ LOL

With the recent court ruling against Dish in Tivo's favor, I'm worried about how they'll handle the whole DVR thing...

I was thinking about getting locals thru Dish so I'd get the program guide info (I can manually add OTA to my Dish receiver, but don't get passthru of programming info). I wonder if they did the same thing with WILM?

Have those out there using directv with a OTA antenna setup lost 10-1 (CBS) guide info the last few days? It's been gone for a few days on all 3 of my HDDVRs.

I have never really been able to get 10-1 OTA; but Directv has given me access to a New York feed of CBS (over SAT). I requested waivers from all local networks - CBS was the only network that granted it.

You can see if you are eligible and request waivers from directv, i am unable to post urls here, AVS says i need to post at least 3 times before i get that access. Just search for local channel/distant network access.

It does take awhile... I think months, not days. (don't recall, did it a while ago)

hope this helps!

Hey guys,

I'm Steve K. with CBS 10 WILM. We can confirm that viewers trying to watch us OTA thru DirecTV's box are having problems. This is NOT due to the "White Space" testing occurring now. We apologize that we have miscommunicated internally. It was something we had looked at before we discovered all the problems are limited to those with DirecTV.

Calls to DirecTV over the last two business days have not been returned. We are still awaiting their answers to our questions. For those affected by this issue, you should be able to receive WILM's programming by bypassing DirecTV's equipment and plugging your antenna directly into your HDTV, if it has a tuner. We also suggest calling DirecTV and reporting your issues.

For more information, feel free to give me a call at 332-7139, but that's all we have right now. I will post an update as soon as we get one.

Steve

I have never really been able to get 10-1 OTA; but Directv has given me access to a New York feed of CBS (over SAT). I requested waivers from all local networks - CBS was the only network that granted it.

You can see if you are eligible and request waivers from directv, i am unable to post urls here, AVS says i need to post at least 3 times before i get that access. Just search for local channel/distant network access.

It does take awhile... I think months, not days. (don't recall, did it a while ago)

hope this helps!
I have the NY locals also except ABC which still turns me down. Was surprised that I was able to get FOX And NBC also along with CBS. Most of the time we watch the NY feeds because all are 5.1 soundwise.

:)Good Luck calling Directv and getting anyone who knows what really happening. Might as well talk to a tree in my backyard.

Steve,
I tried the direct hookup and still no go with CBS ota. I will call Directv to find out the problem. I can't watch Survivor in standard Def. Thanks, LarryHey guys,

I'm Steve K. with CBS 10 WILM. We can confirm that viewers trying to watch us OTA thru DirecTV's box are having problems. This is NOT due to the "White Space" testing occurring now. We apologize that we have miscommunicated internally. It was something we had looked at before we discovered all the problems are limited to those with DirecTV.

Calls to DirecTV over the last two business days have not been returned. We are still awaiting their answers to our questions. For those affected by this issue, you should be able to receive WILM's programming by bypassing DirecTV's equipment and plugging your antenna directly into your HDTV, if it has a tuner. We also suggest calling DirecTV and reporting your issues.

For more information, feel free to give me a call at 332-7139, but that's all we have right now. I will post an update as soon as we get one.

Steve

taylor and meaderman, where are you exactly?

If you are trying to view WILM, remember that they are on a different tower than WWAY, WSFX and WECT. WILM is weaker and is coming out of Delco in Columbus county. You will need to aim a directional style antenna right on that tower. I am in Jacksonville, a good distance out of the predicted coverage ground and was picking up 40-1 last night. (also got Myrtle beach and Charleston so might have been skip)

WILM LD

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/LD1263769.jpg

Trip in VA
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That makes no sense at all. Yet I'm somehow not surprised.

- Trip
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Wilmington has been chosen as a test market for broadband internet access across the entire city. I think they are starting in a park downtown and going from there.

WSDs should have nothing to do with whether or not WILM-LD has to map to 10-1 or 40-1 though.

- Trip

WSDs should have nothing to do with whether or not WILM-LD has to map to 10-1 or 40-1 though.

- Trip

I have never seen WILM map to 10-1 when connecting straight into the TV tuner or converter, though others have, and I get no guide data PSIP from them either when I am able to pull the signal in at night.

When you guys are trying to tune it in, try directly entering "40" and then pull up the signal meter and have someone watch the signal while you turn the antenna and moving it higher and lower until the signal peaks.

I have TSReader data showing it as 10-1.

- Trip

I have never seen WILM map to 10-1 when connecting straight into the TV tuner or converter, though others have, and I get no guide data PSIP from them either when I am able to pull the signal in at night.

When you guys are trying to tune it in, try directly entering "40" and then pull up the signal meter and have someone watch the signal while you turn the antenna and moving it higher and lower until the signal peaks. Thanks for the info...I was trying to tune to 10-1. By the way. I am in the Sunset Park area of the city.

WILM maps to 10-1 on both my Dish receiver and a MyHD mdp-130 tuner card, come to think of it, it also maps to 10-1 on both my "backup" HDTV's... (but yes, you have to tune to channel 40)

Hey everybody,

Just want to update WILM's issues with DirecTV customers. Below is the response we have gotten from our inquiries:


Off air LP stations are no longer part of the DIRECTV Program Guide, because the low-power signals from these stations are not widely available to all customers in the DMA. I will let you know if anything changes regarding this decision.


Basically, every LP station in the country just got booted from DirecTV's Guide Lineup making it impossible to tune LP's in using their equipment. Our Station Manager has already contacted DirecTV but the issue is not yet resolved. I will post an update if and when DirecTV chooses to change their new policy. I would also suggest DirecTV subscribers affected by this issue contact DirecTV and give them your opinion on the matter as paying customers.

I want to make sure everyone understands that there is not an issue with WILM's signal. Our engineers have thoroughly checked our signal and we are transmitting at our full capabilities. If you have any questions, again, please feel free to contact us at anytime.

Steve

Someone needs to sue D* over this for unfairly disadvantaging LPTV stations. It's bad enough they don't carry LPTV stations on satellite.

- Trip

Someone needs to sue D* over this for unfairly disadvantaging LPTV stations. It's bad enough they don't carry LPTV stations on satellite.

- Trip

I would call, and tell them first about my dissatisfaction, and if they don't want to do anything about my loss, I would then tell them you are contacting the better business bureau, and do so. Prices keep going up, and everything else involved with the services is declining. As long as they get their monies, that is all they care about it seems.

I have the NY locals also except ABC which still turns me down. Was surprised that I was able to get FOX And NBC also along with CBS. Most of the time we watch the NY feeds because all are 5.1 soundwise.
wow, i am envious that you were able to get fox and nbc.

taylor and meaderman, where are you exactly?

If you are trying to view WILM, remember that they are on a different tower than WWAY, WSFX and WECT. WILM is weaker and is coming out of Delco in Columbus county. You will need to aim a directional style antenna right on that tower. I am in Jacksonville, a good distance out of the predicted coverage ground and was picking up 40-1 last night. (also got Myrtle beach and Charleston so might have been skip)

WILM LD

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/LD1263769.jpg



Wilmington has been chosen as a test market for broadband internet access across the entire city. I think they are starting in a park downtown and going from there.
I am in wilmington.
didn't really put too much effort into getting WILM OTA, as I am getting the NY CBS feed.
which is fine by me...

...plus I am only using an indoor omnidirectional antenna.

Hell, just call DirecTv and tell them you'll switch to Dish--from what I've read, and personal experience with my Parents' DirecTv receiver, the Dish receivers are way more friendly to use...

I've got the old Radio Shack 15-1880 (discontinued) amplified antenna up in my attic, and can receive all OTA with no problem (in Monkey Junction area)...

Hey everybody,

Just want to update WILM's issues with DirecTV customers. Below is the response we have gotten from our inquiries:



Basically, every LP station in the country just got booted from DirecTV's Guide Lineup making it impossible to tune LP's in using their equipment. Our Station Manager has already contacted DirecTV but the issue is not yet resolved. I will post an update if and when DirecTV chooses to change their new policy. I would also suggest DirecTV subscribers affected by this issue contact DirecTV and give them your opinion on the matter as paying customers.

I want to make sure everyone understands that there is not an issue with WILM's signal. Our engineers have thoroughly checked our signal and we are transmitting at our full capabilities. If you have any questions, again, please feel free to contact us at anytime.

Steve

Wow,
I will have to call Directv about this. I have been with them for 14 years, but I won't hesitate to switch. Watching CBS in standard def sucks. Thanks

Picking up WILM now on my standard def bedroom TV with Digital stream converter. I deliberately deleted WNCT 9-1 (10) from the memory and then scanned until I passed 10, then plugged back in the coax to pick up everything else including WILM 40-1, but it still would not pick up PSIP and revert to 10-1. I guess I am too far to gather all the data or something... It's weird is all I can say. I cannot decode the signal at all on my living room LCD I guess because it is a longer cable run, but before when I got it in there, I couldn't get it but on 40 either. Just thought I'd share my experiment! :D

Here's my antenna. Notice the screen I added down the middle for picking up VHF channels 10 and 12

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5263/8800ant001.jpg

Just called DTV and of course they know nothing about the problem with WILM.
I did receive $20 off a month for 6 months. Worth a call. They will contact me about options for CBSHD.

After spending the last couple of hours running another cable from my attic to the back of my tv, I just noticed that 10-1 is back in the directv guide. Well that was a waste of my time. Guess directv backed off here in wilmington. Nationwide???? I didn't want to chance watching the local CBS in SD if good sports might be on.

Well Crap!! Gone again, What's up with that?

Just want to give you all an update with WILM on DirecTV. As of Friday, they have added our information back into the Program Guide, which we're very happy about. Unfortunately, this has only worked intermediately, as jagmonster noted. We're not sure what DirecTV is doing to cause this, but suspect it may be temporary as they reverse their recent changes. Please keep us informed if the fix is not permanent. Thanks.

Anybody here from the west side of the towers, preferably the Whiteville area?

I have my parents set up to get OTA HD locals using a Dish Network Vip722 with an attic mount DB4 inspired DIY antenna centered on channel 37 using the design info from Lumenlabs. They actually get both WLM and MB/Florence stations really well...signals in the 70-90 range (722's scale) depending on station. However, WWAY and WECT lose signal for a second or two every say 3 minutes (sometimes less/more frequent) despite WSFX never missing a beat (WILM never scans, as expected*). I was hoping it was a problem with the STB (developed other problems as well), but I installed a replacement 722 yesterday and it's doing the same thing with OTA, suggesting the problem may be with the WECT/WWAY signals instead of the Vip722's OTA tuner as I'd hoped.

Any thoughts or ideas, especially from our lurking station reps? It would really be nice if my folks could watch the HD feeds out of WLM instead of either using the SD sat feeds or resorting to the SC OTA for ABC.

*Fortunately, they can receive WBTW OTA, which is transmitting in 5.1! Only hiccup is regional sports where WBTW might choose an SEC or national game instead of the regional ACC.

Thanks.

-Brent

riverwolf,

sounds like you have your antenna pointing toward Dillon. You might be getting a little ghosting on channels 44 and 46. On analog, this would look like a smeared image, but with digital, it causes interruption of signal. You would do better with two antennas pointing each way with a VHF hi band pointing to Dillon for WBTW 13.1 and the UHF pointing toward Delco for all the Wilmington stuff. Get what they call a UHF/VHF joiner, (not a splitter)

http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=8600

You run the two antenna lines (RG-6) to an easy access point near the TV. ( you could also do it in the attic) This will allow the bands to stay separated in case of strong radio or cell towers.

riverwolf,

sounds like you have your antenna pointing toward Dillon. You might be getting a little ghosting on channels 44 and 46. On analog, this would look like a smeared image, but with digital, it causes interruption of signal. {snippage}.

Nope, I wasn't concered about SC at all during aiming and split the difference between the two Wilmington towers...face is pointed somewhere around 120° magnetic, based on a TVFool map for my parents' house showing the Delco and Winnabow towers at 111° and 130°. That puts the SC stations nearly edge on to the bowties (per the TVfool radar) with 13,16,18,21,31 and 36 all coming in rock solid AFAIK. Also no problems with WSFX (real 30), which is on the same tower as WECT/WWAY.

-Brent

Nope, I wasn't concered about SC at all during aiming and split the difference between the two Wilmington towers...face is pointed somewhere around 120° magnetic, based on a TVFool map for my parents' house showing the Delco and Winnabow towers at 111° and 130°. That puts the SC stations nearly edge on to the bowties (per the TVfool radar) with 13,16,18,21,31 and 36 all coming in rock solid AFAIK. Also no problems with WSFX (real 30), which is on the same tower as WECT/WWAY.

-Brent

That's interesting. I like to read reception reports like this. It backs up my experiences where most of the time, people near the fringe of a digital station get better (no breakup) reception than people closer to the towers. You might want to try a device called an attenuator in back of the TV to lower the signal of WECT and WWAY. This will take away the overload effect. It's cheap enough and often times solves problems. If you happen to have a regular splitter handy, try going through that first behind the TV to see if that weakens things enough.

That's interesting. I like to read reception reports like this. It backs up my experiences where most of the time, people near the fringe of a digital station get better (no breakup) reception than people closer to the towers. You might want to try a device called an attenuator in back of the TV to lower the signal of WECT and WWAY. This will take away the overload effect. It's cheap enough and often times solves problems. If you happen to have a regular splitter handy, try going through that first behind the TV to see if that weakens things enough.

I'm not sure I'd call 33-38 miles all that close to the towers (distance from parents to Delco/Winnabow). WSFX, which never has an issue for them, reports a higher signal strength on the Vip722 than WECT or WWAY so I don't think overload is an issue. BTW, my Pine Valley location is only 17-21 miles in case you were thinking Whiteville is closer than Wilmington to either tower.

The SC Fox/ABC/CBS stations are actually closer to my folks at 29-33 miles. They're coming in from 246°/273° magnetic with the antenna faces at 120°/300° (no reflector; 4 bay bowtie).

You have got me thinking about one possible technical issue, but I won't be able to test it until my next visit. The Vip722 is one of Dish's 2 room capable boxes. The second room controls the TV2 tuner via a UHF remote. Due to distance issues, I did the antenna relocate config (http://tech.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/content/tech/remotes/howto/TechRemo_uhf_extend.shtml)to put the UHF receiving antenna at the TV2 location instead of on the STB itself. Normally, the Dish diagrams recommend putting an included attenuator at the antenna in this config, but the installer apparently took the unused attenuator with him at the initial install (a common practice). Supposedly, this config without the attenuator enables the TV2 backfeed to become a low powered transmitter. However, the remote is transmitting at 390MHz and 40/46 are at 630/650MHz and no other channels show the interruption so that doesn't appear to be a likely cause of interference. Even the backfeed to TV2 is on channel 60 which is 750ish Mhz.

Thanks.

-Brent

I'm not sure I'd call 33-38 miles all that close to the towers (distance from parents to Delco/Winnabow). WSFX, which never has an issue for them, reports a higher signal strength on the Vip722 than WECT or WWAY so I don't think overload is an issue. BTW, my Pine Valley location is only 17-21 miles in case you were thinking Whiteville is closer than Wilmington to either tower.

Hmmm, it should be the opposite, with WSFX being weaker. It is for me in Jacksonville with the antenna above. WWAY 98% WECT 97% and WSFX 80-85% You have some sort of interference somewhere, or your antenna feed lines are out of phase. check the feed lines to be sure they aren't too close or touching somewhere... also fiddle with the balun, or replace it - but I'd start with the issue of the dish receiver and go from there.

Just want to give you all an update with WILM on DirecTV. As of Friday, they have added our information back into the Program Guide, which we're very happy about. Unfortunately, this has only worked intermediately, as jagmonster noted. We're not sure what DirecTV is doing to cause this, but suspect it may be temporary as they reverse their recent changes. Please keep us informed if the fix is not permanent. Thanks.
Looks like Directv has worked the bugs out for 10-1 in their guide. No problems since the weekend, knock on wood.

Long time lurker on the forums here.

I am near Surf City NC, with a 17 element uhf corner reflector yagi pointing towards winnabow, at about 15 feet above the ground. I am surrounded by pine trees and various other hardwoods.

The yagi antenna I am using is the UHF end cut from a VHF/UHF outdoor antenna, and a simple cheap-o DTV converter box I bought for around 10.00 online. There is no pre-amp or anything else in line with the feedline currently. I plan on installing a home made 8 bay bowtie for UHF and point it towards Greenville & New Bern sometime in the next few weeks.

I did a rescan on the converter tonight, and found that we are in the midst of some skip or possibly some ducting of some sort.

Here are the channels and signal strengths I am receiving as of 9:00 pm local time this evening:
(This is in addition to the locals, WWAY, WECT, WSFX, PBS out of Wilmington and the station in Sneads Ferry on 35).

I regulary receive WTVD WITN WNCT and WILM at night, viewable signal but somewhat weak)

WILM-10 CBS LP Wilmington - 80%
WITN-7 NBC Washington/Greenville - 40%
WNCT-9 CBS Greenville NC - 35-40%
WFXI-8 Fox Morehead City - 30%
WPDE-15 Florence, SC - 50%
WLFL-22 Raleigh - 25%
WRDC-28 NBC Raleigh - 70%
WFXB-43 Myrtle Beach SC - 50%
WRAZ-50 Raleigh - 25%
WCBD-2 Charleston SC - 35%
WTVD-11 ABC Raleigh/Durham NC - 40%
WRAL-5 CBS Raleigh - 40%
WCTI-12 New Bern NC - 30%
NBC17 (out of Raleigh) - 25%

Now I wish I had my homemade 8 bay bowtie up and point towards Greenville or New Bern. I modeled my bowtie after the older design of the ChannelMaster version with the wire mesh screen.

I know this may not the the right forum, but I thought it might be interesting to someone else out there in the Wilmington NC DMA. I wonder what I could pull in with my antennae up 50 ft on my radio tower in the year yard above the tree tops.

I consider OTA & HD reception a hobby, stemming from a way for my kid to get PBS Kids in his room without paying for another converter from the cable company. If I could get all of these channels on a regular basis I would drop DirecTV altogether (former Charter customer here), but I'm sure these conditions will not last long.

If you're interested in some info I've saved for an 8-bay:

http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/home-theater-pc-discussion/48312-coat-hanger-hdtv-diy-antennas-im-believer-now.html

I'm going to build one also, one of these days, I'd like to get my little Radio Shack antenna out of the attic... but I'm going to be concentrating more now on coming up with some kind of ham antenna...

Long time lurker on the forums here.

I am near Surf City NC, with a 17 element uhf corner reflector yagi pointing towards winnabow, at about 15 feet above the ground. I am surrounded by pine trees and various other hardwoods.

The yagi antenna I am using is the UHF end cut from a VHF/UHF outdoor antenna, and a simple cheap-o DTV converter box I bought for around 10.00 online. There is no pre-amp or anything else in line with the feedline currently. I plan on installing a home made 8 bay bowtie for UHF and point it towards Greenville & New Bern sometime in the next few weeks.

I did a rescan on the converter tonight, and found that we are in the midst of some skip or possibly some ducting of some sort.

Here are the channels and signal strengths I am receiving as of 9:00 pm local time this evening:
(This is in addition to the locals, WWAY, WECT, WSFX, PBS out of Wilmington and the station in Sneads Ferry on 35).

I regulary receive WTVD WITN WNCT and WILM at night, viewable signal but somewhat weak)

WILM-10 CBS LP Wilmington - 80%
WITN-7 NBC Washington/Greenville - 40%
WNCT-9 CBS Greenville NC - 35-40%
WFXI-8 Fox Morehead City - 30%
WPDE-15 Florence, SC - 50%
WLFL-22 Raleigh - 25%
WRDC-28 NBC Raleigh - 70%
WFXB-43 Myrtle Beach SC - 50%
WRAZ-50 Raleigh - 25%
WCBD-2 Charleston SC - 35%
WTVD-11 ABC Raleigh/Durham NC - 40%
WRAL-5 CBS Raleigh - 40%
WCTI-12 New Bern NC - 30%
NBC17 (out of Raleigh) - 25%



Cool! Yes last night I was getting most of the Charleston stations, WMMP1 on 36 and WTAT on 24 plus WCBD which you caught. I also had WFXB and WILM.

It's funny you can get WTVD and I can't. I get all the others. I have been having some problems with my pre-amp in the VHF area, but not in the UHF. I think something is going out in it. Last night I could barely get WNCT but this morning when I woke up it came in at 90+

I think if you got / built a better UHF ant, you would get much more solid readings.

Cool! Yes last night I was getting most of the Charleston stations, WMMP1 on 36 and WTAT on 24 plus WCBD which you caught. I also had WFXB and WILM.

It's funny you can get WTVD and I can't. I get all the others. I have been having some problems with my pre-amp in the VHF area, but not in the UHF. I think something is going out in it. Last night I could barely get WNCT but this morning when I woke up it came in at 90+

I think if you got / built a better UHF ant, you would get much more solid readings.

I was amazed I was getting all of those stations last night. The signals were so strong at one point, I was getting a PBS station tagged as "2" and was getting WCBD on the same tag on my box. The skip lasted until around 0500 for me. Now keep in mind, all of these stations were coming in with a clean, viewable signal with my corner reflector yagi pointed towards Winnabow. I did think about climbing the ladder and swinging the antenna towards Raleigh to see what I could get, but I got busy and forgot all about it.

I agree on the antenna, however, the current UHF yagi I am using works very well, since it has 17 director elements and 10 (I think) elements on the corner reflector. I don't know what the actual gain on the thing is, but I know it is working well. The 8 bay I have built will work very well I'm sure, but I haven't been able to find a Winegard combiner so I can bring both antennas together. I want to keep my yagi pointing towards Winnabow and aim the 8 bay bowtie towards the Greenville/New Bern area.

Here is a pic of the 8 bay I built. Its not the best picture in the world, but I will get better pics of both antennas here soon.


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u68/nc_115/IMG00139a.jpg

I was amazed I was getting all of those stations last night. The signals were so strong at one point, I was getting a PBS station tagged as "2" and was getting WCBD on the same tag on my box. The skip lasted until around 0500 for me. .

Here is a pic of the 8 bay I built. Its not the best picture in the world, but I will get better pics of both antennas here soon.


http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u68/nc_115/IMG00139a.jpg

Great work! Back when I was active in ham radio antenna building was my favorite thing. we lived in the country when I was a kid and we had a wire factory in town so I built all kinds of crazy stuff.
Just a note on skip. In traditional parlance what you were seeing was ducting. This is when dense cold air forms over warm air and VHF and UHF signals are "pipelined" unusal distances. (Greater than line of sight)
Skip is for much lower frequencies and are reflected at much higher altitudes due to inonization. Now that I am reading this I realized I may be telling you something you already know.

Great work! Back when I was active in ham radio antenna building was my favorite thing. we lived in the country when I was a kid and we had a wire factory in town so I built all kinds of crazy stuff.
Just a note on skip. In traditional parlance what you were seeing was ducting. This is when dense cold air forms over warm air and VHF and UHF signals are "pipelined" unusal distances. (Greater than line of sight)
Skip is for much lower frequencies and are reflected at much higher altitudes due to inonization. Now that I am reading this I realized I may be telling you something you already know.

I am a ham as well, and have been since my 13th birthday, 20 years ago.
I openly use the term "skip" since lots of people don't understand what ducting is. I built this antenna with the remainder of the parts of the VHF/UHF directional I cut the UHF yagi from, mostly the beams and plastic insulators. The elements on the bowtie are #8 solid copper wire, and the wire mesh is 1/2" mesh wire from Lowe's. It took me about 30 minutes to build this one. As soon as I can get a decent combiner or some other way to connect my two antennae together facing 180* apart, I will really get to test this bad boy...

Well, I sat and thought about it this afternoon. I got my home made 8 bay bowtie installed (temporarily) on the mast with all of the my other antennae. It is only about 12 feet above ground, hardly above the metal roof of my place here. It is pointing slightly towards the east from north. I connected it to a regular (higher grade) 2-way catv splitter along with the corner reflector yagi, which is still pointing towards winnabow.

The splitter has a 3.5db insertion loss, but apprently that hasn't caused too much loss, as of yet. I cannot pull in the South Carolina stations like I was last night, but the big players in the RDU area as well as WNCT, WITN and WCTI to the east are coming in at almost 100%.

I am also bringing in the UNC-TV stations in Chapel Hill, Wilmington, Edenton, New Bern and Lumberton.

Now I guess it is time to design a permanent mast style mount for the 8 bay and figure out which way I want to aim it. It is designed for UHF from all of the plans I have read, but it seems to be doing well on high end VHF as well...

-- Edit @ 1214am 4-3-10 --
Around 1130 pm tonight, I decided to take my portable tv and DTV converter box up on the ladder and run just on the bowtie. Man was I surprised to pull in WBOC (transmitter licenses to Salisbury MD), with the antenna aimed NNE-NE and several other ION and other stations in North Carolina. I also pulled in WTKR out of Roanoke Va.

With it pointed towards Winnabow, I received several SCETV stations (similar to UNC-TV here), the strongest was in Florence and WCNC out of Charlotte as well as the local stations here and the Univision station in Fayetteville.
Man I wish I could get this antenna higher....

Good morning for DXers, I am watching WWAY, WSFX and PBS out of Wilmington as well as WTAT in Charleston from Fort Mill SC. Both stations are in the 80's on signal from my outdoor antenna at 37ft. It is interesting seeing 3-1 and 3-2 twice from Charlotte and Wilmington. BTW on the radio side, Getting Nags Head radio station.

scvfd1202,

are you getting the WNCT, WCTI, WITN all day or just at night? Those should all work consistently. Also WYDO should come in there on channel 47 and show as 14.1

My antenna has become very disruptive lately. Its possible something has come loose on the rotor or something. I am no RF man....I am going to pay someone to come fix this for me unless HD locals over directv will happen sooner rather than later.

On a side note did everyone see this post at dbstalk

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=174922

My antenna has become very disruptive lately. Its possible something has come loose on the rotor or something. I am no RF man....I am going to pay someone to come fix this for me unless HD locals over directv will happen sooner rather than later.

On a side note did everyone see this post at dbstalk

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=174922

Is it all the time or just at night that you are having problems, and all channels or just some? Inversion is happening right now, and that may be the problem. Last night I was picking up Savannah Georgia stations near 90%

I think its been doing this for quite some time. The orientation is all messed up as far as i know. Its a diff place everytime on the rotor these days.
I also have a VHF yagi on there as well that needs to come down...I was never able to get CBS out of greenville, washington DMA> Its just too dang high to climb and it hasnt been a priority. I think something is loose.

Not sure, maybe storms did it. Have to either pay for a pro or go up on the ladder again. It was not fun crab crawling the roof line. I am not a toothpick ;)


If the locals will be here in just a few months on directv I can wait it out, otherwise i need to do something.

On a side note - Ive had 2 HR20s crap out in the last 3 months. Funny since i got them all around 3 years ago. ....My HR10 is power cycling as well. , Only used for OTA now these days.

The other HR20s (3) are doing fine though.

WWAY lost one of their evening anchors it appears. Also I've seen their weather chief anchoring the late night as well as doing weather. I have never seen this on any station before. They must be hurting for funds...

There was something in the paper last week or so about Rondinaro getting the boot...(a piece written by him explaining what happened). He did say it was due to budget issues...

You'd think the station would at least let the anchor say goodbye on air...

Something wasn't right with their signal last night either during the news, I had strength fluctuating between 0 and 90s--while at the same time all the other stations on the same tower were rock solid...

I have not noticed any signal problems here. I don't watch their news very often, but still watch ABC from them for Dolby Digital.

edit to add:

Saw the article from the paper on Rondinaro. Also see the Elliot discussion is still going strong.

WPXU 35.1 (34) is now airing programs in 720p HD in the evenings.

Once again bad news here for our directv customers in the port city (Why Why Why)


http://hd.engadget.com/2010/05/17/directv-will-add-hd-locals-from-16-more-markets-in-2010-startin/

Doesnt look promising.

DIRECTV to Offer Local Channels in 172 Markets Including 16 New Markets in HD
More Than 97 Percent of U.S. TV Homes Will Have Access to Local Channels from DIRECTV; Roll Out of New Local Markets to Begin in June

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 17, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DIRECTV, the world's most popular video service, will begin the rollout of 16 new HD local-channel markets next month, providing more than 97 percent of U.S. TV households access to local channels by the end of this year. When the rollout is complete, DIRECTV will offer local channels in 172 markets, including local HD in 155 markets.

DIRECTV will roll-out the following new HD local markets, beginning in June with Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.; Idaho Falls-Pocatello, Idaho; and Joplin-Pittsburg, Mo. In the third quarter, DIRECTV will launch Albany, Ga.; Columbus, Ga.; Gainesville, Fla.; and Montgomery-Selma, Ark. In the fourth quarter, DIRECTV will launch Abilene-Sweetwater, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Binghamton, N.Y.; Clarksburg-Weston, W.Va.; Lubbock, Texas; Sioux City, Iowa; Terre Haute, Ind.; Wheeling-Steubenville, W.Va.; and Wichita Falls-Lawton, Texas. For more HD local launch details, customers can visit www.directv.com/hdlocals.

"The launch of national HD channels capture the headlines, but the ability to watch local news, weather and primetime programming in HD or SD, remains an important part of our customers' daily viewing," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. "And that's why we continue to expand our local channel service. Now more than 97 percent of TV homes in the U.S. will have access to DIRECTV local channels and a true alternative to other TV providers in their communities."

Small market, with only one major city in it. If say the market included one other good size city like Myrtle Beach, Jacksonville, or Fayetteville, then Wilmington would be on D*

I don't agree with the way the markets are drawn for SE NC anyway. I think Raleigh's market has too many counties for starters, and those stations do a weak job of news / weather coverage in the southern ones but that is my opinion, and you know the saying about those. ;)

Keep the antenna greased up is all I know...

Hi all,

This is my first time posting, so I hope I'm not breaking any rules.....but I am hoping to find some answers.....or at least some of ya'll who are experiencing the same thing.

Here's my deal: For the past few weeks fox26 on Wilmington TMC has been a wreck......constant feezing, skipping, random digital interference at all times of the day on both live tv and DVR'd shows. I've experienced this before, but it was with all the channels. They sent out a contractor who fixed the problem. I've called the "help" line and they sent a reboot to my machine.....nothing changed. Then they said they could send someone out.....the weekend after this one. I said not to worry with it, I'd try to figure it out myself.......b/c you know the minute the cable guy arrives, that channel will start acting right.

So I know it's not my box---all other channels come in fine and record fine, I know it's not my connection----I've tested it, and I already mentioned everything else is fine.

So have any of ya'll been experiencing this headache in Wilmington. If so, any idea of what I could do?

Thanks for reading and I really am glad a place like this exists.

Peace,

J

Hi all,

This is my first time posting, so I hope I'm not breaking any rules.....but I am hoping to find some answers.....or at least some of ya'll who are experiencing the same thing.

Here's my deal: For the past few weeks fox26 on Wilmington TMC has been a wreck......constant feezing, skipping, random digital interference at all times of the day on both live tv and DVR'd shows. I've experienced this before, but it was with all the channels. They sent out a contractor who fixed the problem. I've called the "help" line and they sent a reboot to my machine.....nothing changed. Then they said they could send someone out.....the weekend after this one. I said not to worry with it, I'd try to figure it out myself.......b/c you know the minute the cable guy arrives, that channel will start acting right.

So I know it's not my box---all other channels come in fine and record fine, I know it's not my connection----I've tested it, and I already mentioned everything else is fine.

So have any of ya'll been experiencing this headache in Wilmington. If so, any idea of what I could do?

Thanks for reading and I really am glad a place like this exists.

Peace,

J



Sorry, I just saw this post. Are you still having the problem and if so what model DVR do you have?

If anyone who reads this discussion picks up WCTI 12 out of New Bern, or WYDO FOX East Carolina News at 10 News check them out tonight. Their news goes HD for the first time. WCTI reaches Wilmington, not sure if WYDO quite does or not.

What happened to WWAY ? No signal at all here.

No joy for me either...

Maybe they shut down their transmitter in anticipation of the line of thunderstorms rolling through????????

I thought maybe they made another one of their PSIP changes that required deleting and adding the channel again... but I guess not in this case...

3.1 is back now, but only low power at about 60% here. (edit just checked again and at 87% so getting fixed I guess) The storms already happened here, but the station was off at 5:30 when I was flipping around too.

just tried to add them back, and get no signal at all...

Geeze, I'm picking up ION at 86%... but no WWAY...

We changed our IOT tube at WWAY.

What started out as a reasonable job tuned into a huge job as we ran into some strange issues with stray electrons and my magic wand broke. After working about 18 straight hours we were back up. Sorry about any inconvenience this may have caused.

Ray
WWAY Engineer

Hey Ray,

You guys are showing up on 46 again instead of 3-1 etc. Wow. Sorry to hear of the complications!

You don't have pixie dust as a backup to your magic wand?

:D