For some reason I can get both FOX 28-1 and ABC 22-1, did they up the power?
Mabe the nasty email I sent them.

Was it digital? Everytime I've been able to get FOX in the past, they have been analog. I didnt try them last night. I usually pray then flip over there and see. :D

They were digital, I was getting 28-1 about 85 and 22-1 around 78 on my 921.
Do not get them now, will try tonight

I was able to pick up 22-1 WJCL last night, and I can still pick it up this morning. The PQ is horrible though. Just a little better than the analog picture I was getting from them.

As we all know, there is no HD infrastructure at WJCL.

Where in Savannah are you? I am on Wilmington Island and can not get WJCL or FOX with my 942 but I get WSAV 98%-100% and WTOC 68% - 70%.

Same here Bradley pictue was crappy. I recorded a few min of both 22-1 and 28-1.
Did you get 28-1?

bigdaddy what ant do you have

I am on Dutch Island. I get about 90% signal from WJCL.

EDIT: NO WTGS...but I do get that on Cable in HD.

I have 2 Radio Shack 2160's.

I have a old CM 1161 UHF/VHF at 36 ft on tower and a R/S U120 same as 2160 but 8 ft long up 20 ft on mast. Bad thing is my CM 1160 is pointed at 80 ft oak tree about 10 ft away for the Sav stations, so I get about same signal from both ant. I get 125 (maxed out) from WSAV on both ant and 80 from WTOC. I have a 921 and a old Sami STB.
I hope to add a rotor to my U120 so I can move it.

Last night both 22-1 and 28-1 were solid now both jump from 0- 75 and do not lock in

Must have been the same 'ol, same 'ol, Jim. Stars were aligned and the wind was right. With that waiver in hand, I don't expect to see them at full power for some time. I can tell you that I will keep on with the emails, and I still have them out of my favorites list. I'll just keep on watching ota out of Augusta, or maybe Augusta will beat them to the punch and I'll never again watch them. I havent tried locking ABC or FOX out of Augusta in sometime. Maybe with some time off here in the next few days, I can get that new antenna up and try.

I am slow on this end also, got a 105 SD to see if I can get Sav EPG, hope to get it up after xmas. Going to my daughters for a week and hope to get it done when I get back.
I have a second rotor for my 4228 (still in box) and hope to get it up some day soon.

I just checked the Augusta stations, and they are not full power yet, either. Oh well.

looks like you are 65-70 miles from Augusta, I have picked up 12-1 several times but my 921 will not let me have more than one 12-1 and I have 12-1 from Jax . If the SD gets the EPG for Sav. I may add a 942 to my list of rec. retire my 721

Actually Jim, I live in NE Bulloch County and the antenna farm is on Beach Island which is SE of Augusta. If I remember right, Im about 50 miles away. Not that that makes much difference but I get CBS and NBC at 115 or so. I'm just frustrated I guess.

Seem like NBC and CBS stations are always up faster than the other networks, same goes for Charleston CBS was first to go full power. Our local PBS WJWJ 16 is going online Jan 15th or so they say. It will be DTV 44
Gota run long drive, going to NC then FL.

Dish says they will start rolling out network HD in a few cities in the near future. Those of us with Dish, as well as Direct, should start with the emails. How about this, "You have your waiver, I'd like mine". :D Of course this would only apply to FOX and ABC.

I wanted to thank all you guys for helping me out with my antenna issue. I now have a DB4 and get WSAV about 95 and WTOC about 89. The PQ is great. I cant wait to watch the super bowl in Hi Def. Any word on Fox going HD by the time 24 starts in January? Thanks for the help and will post if I get any new channels.

Regarding the Superbown in HD:
It will be broadcast on ABC this year and WJCL does not currently have HD capabilities as far as I can tell. The only way to watch the Superbowl in HD this year (save a last minute HD upgrade at JCL) will be to lie to Directv and get NYC locals.

Just spoke to engineer at WJCL and he says they have no planes to air any high def till 2nd quarter of 06. How do you get NY locals for HD if you live in the Hinesville Area?

Just spoke to engineer at WJCL and he says they have no planes to air any high def till 2nd quarter of 06. How do you get NY locals for HD if you live in the Hinesville Area?
I've heard that for years now from both them and WTGS. It will probably be low power anyway.

He means "move". What I mean by that is use an address in NY that that DMA serves. It can get complicated, but I did it for my Dad for a while just for locals with DishNetwork.

EDIT: I finally talked a couple of friends in helping me remove my old antenna, then put up the 4228. It ended up being a little higher because it wouldnt turn correctly. Anyway, I went inside and tuned into the FOX station out of Jacksonville, and wouldnt you know it, 75 on Dish 921 right off the bat. ;) Hope it wasnt just the weather at the time and stays like this. I am going to try the ABC station from there tonight.

We had terrible weather last night so I couldnt get anything for ABC. The FOX station did peak at 70 but wouldnt lock.

bryan good luck with the 4228, do you have a amp?

Yes, I do. btw, I remember reading about this antenna in the past. I had always heard it needed to be pointing almost directly at the source. I turned it all the way around last night and very rarely lost the signal. Certainly, in trying to get a station far away, that would be the case, but so far so good.

I guess the techs at ABC and Fox in Savannah are in no hurry to broadcast in HD. What do they care, they can watch the nationwide network feed at work, why should they worry about their customers. By the way, has anybody had any success getting a waiver from WJCL or WTGS for distant local through DTV?

I know someone has talked about this before, but please do it again for some of us. What is happening with this waiver they have? What is it for? How long can they hide behind it, for lack of better words? Do they have until the new date in 2009? If the last question is yes, is there a clause where they should grant waivers to those of us early adopters? I'm sorry, but I aint waiting for 3 more years to be able to pick them up. Hell Dish will have Savannah networks in HD by then.

Just throwing some questions around. Help if you can.

bryan PM me with your ph# I have some info on that

I got an email from local ABC that basically said they will not provide OTA HD for some time. I do not recall all specifics of email but it pissed me off to know it would be another year without MNF and superbowl in HD. Fortunately for me Hargray is finally offering HD cable for HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and ESPN. They said they will provide network HD feeds in Jan/Feb 06. Once that happens I will forget OTA HD. I do not think that Savannah stations care about providing a quality service.

ABC will not have MNF anymore. It was on the news a few days ago

I want Lost in HD, though. :D

Jim, it was nice talking to you yesterday. Sorry I had to go so quickly.

Alright, I have screwed something up with my rotor. It worked great before I changed out the antenna. I have this one ( http://www.starkelectronic.com/9521man.pdf ). It now seems that it runs backwards. What I mean by that is east is like 320 degrees, where I believe its supposed to be 090. It's driving me crazy because I dont know where its pointing while I'm in the house. For instance I tried pointing to Jacksonville at about 160 something and I go outside and its pointing toward the west. Do I have the turning device turned backwards or what? This may not be enough info to help out, but help if you can.

While I'm asking for help, one more question. Is there a site to go to where I can find out at what degree a certain city is from me? I understand about antennaweb, but I mean a city that it wont pick up with my zip, ie. Charleston.

Wire may be bacwards, if you have the flat 3 wire type it should have 2 copper and one light color on outside of the 3. I always use the odd on for #1.
I would sinc it first, turn it past 180 then press 00 and down arrow, it will say syc, and count down to 00, then go back to where it was.
Now run it to 00 w/remote then turn rotor on mast so ant is north.
if 90 is not east, wire is not matched up or not on same #on both rotor and control.
Going from 00 to 90 should be clock wise.

bryan I can give you deg to each station, but I need to know where you are. lat and long or st add. email me info
I can give deg. and distance

WSAV did it again 8PM Surface had no voice till second station break about 19 min into program

CSI on WTOC stayed 4:3 for a good while last night also.

Jim, I fixed the rotor. It was the wires after all. One and two were switched. Thanks for the help.

Good news, now you can try for the long distance stations, I would give WCSC 5-1/5-2 from Charleston. 47 DTV.
I am going to put up the SD today in hope of getting more DTV EPG

Bryan got the SD up and all chs on 105 are over 80 110 and 119 are all 120- 125.
Now I get EPG on all Sav. Charleston and Columbia DTV stations.
Now to put my 4228 up with rotor and amp.

Comcast has remapped all their HD channels (to the 200s) so that they are all together and in similiar style to most other Comcast markets.
202 ESPNHD
204 TNTHD
And so forth. The locals are in the 230s. The indemand/porn channels have been removed from the 200s.

I got a Panasonic Plasma for X-mas. Savannah Comcast HD for networks sucks. What would I need to get started for HD via outside antenna? What kind of price am I looking to spend?

You actually get more on cable in Savannah than via any other legal form....

202 ESPN
203 (left empty, hopefully ESPN2 will be coming soon)
204 TNT
205 INHD
206 INHD2
207 Disc HD
HBO
Cinemax
Showtime
Starz
CBS-WTOC
NBC-WSAV
FOX-WTGS

The only network missing is ABC and that is because WJCL/ABC SAV doesn't broadcast in HDTV at this time. If you put up an antenna (and cancel cable) you will actually loose one network. FOX (WTGS) doesn't broadcast in HD OTA, only by cable.

Give us your location, and try your address at www.antennaweb.org.
A CM 4228 works very good, not sure who has them but they are under $60
Do not fall for a special HD ant. all stations are UHF.
You might try Dow Electronics in Sav.

Thanks

As far as I can tell right now, ABC is not upgrading to HD anytime soon. Our only hope is a last minute upgrade before the Superbowl. Last year FOX/WTGS (this station is controlled by the parent company of WJCL) upgraded to HD the Thursday before the Superbowl. However, FOX provided most of the HD equipment (for free) to WTGS so it was a no brainer. ABC does not provide any free equipment, which may be what prevents Savannah for seeing the superbowl in HD. Maybe Comcast can work a "Waiver" deal with WJCL to provide a special HD feed for the superbowl. I doubt it though.

Cheers,

I got a Panasonic Plasma for X-mas. Savannah Comcast HD for networks sucks. What would I need to get started for HD via outside antenna? What kind of price am I looking to spend?
When I see the word plasma, I think EDTV. Second, when I see HD sucks, I think something ain't right. Can you tell us a little more about the TV, such as, does it have a built in tuner? How would it be connected? Hell, just give us the model number. I ain't afraid to do a little google search. :D

Brent, I too just recently got into HD. I happened to buy a TV with a built in Analog/Digital Tuner (NTSC/ATSC), so all I did was hook up a small antenna and voila! I actually went and bought a UHF antenna from Target to replace the rabbit ears that I had on it, and now I can hang onto WTOC more steadily than before (I live close to the towers, so I don't need anything like a ChannelMaster).

But, I'm in the same boat as you...I want ABC-HD. It boggles my mind that every show you watch on that network has a plug for HD...and yet our local affiliate is silent on any plans to bring it to coastal GA. The BCS, the NFL Playoffs, and the Superbowl. Nevermind their network shows that are filmed in HD. Heck, I don't watch the NBA, but I know they have that in HD also. I guess I'll catch the HD highlights from ABC Sports on ESPN.

I also read 1/3 of NASCAR season will be on ABC.

A story from a friend I work with... His dad owns/runs/manages Northland cable in Statesboro. They have not even considered HD until recently (within the last few months). I think with all the switching to Dish/Direct, they had to do something. Anyway, in checking around for stations, he obviously contacted the networks in Savannah. He received a letter this week from WJCL stating that recently, due to lines burning up (I think we all know about this), they have gone ahead and purchased the equipment for HD, and will be full power by March. Take this for what its worth. The only thing I don't understand is how they (cable co) receive a signal. They wouldn't receive it how I do, would they? If WJCL meant that Northland could access them by March, it could be a non-issue for those of us getting it ota.

Just a little info, so don't blast me if its way off target. :D

I have been at WCSC ch 5 in Charleston and they feed the cable co by fiber optic, not sure how the one here in Beaufort does it. I know they have a 100 ft+ tower with several UHF ant. pointed at Sav.
I would not count on WJCL 22 going from nothing to full power and HD in that short of time.
Mabe they will go from a paper clip ant to a coat hanger LOL

Jim, I think that is my question. Is it harder to get a signal to a cable company that is 50 miles away, or to a place to broadcast ota? I assume it is more cost effective to suppy the cable companies with a signal since that is where the majority of people get their networks and they make more money.

I know that with WCSC the cable co paid for the fiber op hook up and pay for the right to put that station on cable
I also was told the cost to put out full power HDTV signal was $ 5000 per month

WTOC had a short ad on for The Tube last night they said it was on 11-2, I get black nothing on 11-2 the tube is on 11-3

I've got some friends around town with Comcast who say that they get the 3 networks without paying for the HDTV package.

They apparantly just did a scan for digital stations, and TOC, TGS, and SAV all showed up.

Does that work evrywhere in Chatham County?

I already get the Directv HD package, but would gladly pay $8.25 for basic cable if it works.

That may work But you must have a HDTV with a tuner for cable, you Directv tuner only works for sat and off air HD

Well there are some major issues for far out cable companies. Installing a fiber optic line is going to be cost prohibiting from that distance. In town all of the WJCL/WTGS signal HD and SD is sent by fiber optic cable. Did any one notice WJCL-22-TV was off air for a week? Not if you had cable. It was also during this time so many of us were able to pick up digital channel 23...hmmm...

Anyways, In statesboro the cable company is going to have to put big UHF antennas pointed as the Savannah Towers (one for each tower or maybe each station). In Savannah, Comcast gets WTOC's signal (even though the studio is across the street) via antenna along with WSAV. The bad side to this is that when they go off OTA they go off on cable.

Also, I would not count on WJCL to be broadcasting HD OTA by March, but I guess there is a chance.

Ok, so Statesboro cable would get there signal ota, and then distribute it? Thats not right, is it? I think I'm still confused. Sorry, just trying to understand.

EDIT: Easier question...would WJCL, WTOC, or whichever station you chose, have to have an ota signal (be it Digital or Analog) for a distant cable company to rebroadcast it? Does it come in to a distant cable company from a satellite feed (obviously if close, by a fiber optic cable), or by ota, or someother means?

I talked to a cable tec here in Beaufort, all the stations on cable come from Ota from Sav. and Charleston. They get 2 HD WSAV and WTOC from Ota.

The rural cable operators predominantly get their local TV signals over the air (OTA). They have tall towers with special cut-to-channel antennas and preamps. Here in Vidalia, Northland Cable has a tower site on the west side of town with a tower that is around 400 feet tall. OTA antennas are mounted at various levels to pull in the Savannah stations and, at one time, a Macon station (WMAZ-13). I have not had cable in several years, but I think they dropped the Macon station some time back. Of course, the bulk of a cable company's channels these days come directly off satellite feeds (like CNN, Fox News, ESPN, TBS, TNT, etc.).

It is common for cable operators to shift the channel numbers on their system versus what is broadcast OTA. For instance, UHF channels are converted to empty VHF channels using channel translators. In the old days this was done to shift the frequency down to minimize the loss in the long coax runs around town and also because the line amps topped out around 350 MHz and wouldn't pass the UHF signals anyway. Today many cable systems have 600 MHz plants (and some higher). They can actually transmit UHF OTA signals around their plant if they choose to. Also, OTA HD signals are still contained in 6 MHz wide channels, so they can be treated just like any other SD OTA channel and sent around the cable system.

Many of the urban cable operators frequently grab HD signals in raw form directly from the broadcasters, transport it to their headend via fiber optic cable, and then compress and modulate them directly into the cable operator's digital cable data stream. This way, you need the cable company's HD set-top box to receive it, and they can hit you for a premium fee for the priviledge. For rurual operators located many miles from the broadcast studios, this is not an option (at least not an affordable option).

Thanks, I understand now.

Is it just me or is WTOC 11-1 seem to have less signal now that they have 11-2 blank and 11-3 the tube.
And why have 11-2 with nothing on it?
I had some drop outs last night on 11-1
Jim

I only get about 70 (was steady 75-78 )on the strength now. As to 11.2, for a very short while they had the weather radar on, but thats been about 2 months ago.

I just saw weather on 11-2 but most of the time it is blank (black) I did a rescan on my 921 and got 2 new stations from Orlando 40-1 and 45-1 now I have 18-1 27-1 6-1 and 65-1

my 11-1 is from 70- 82 while 3-1 is 125

How many times do you scan a day? :D J/K I still havent had time to play around with it yet.

I am now looking at Mash on 65-1 in Orlando with a signal of 75

I found the below link posted on another forum the other day and wanted to share it with y'all. It's supposed to show good reception times for picking up stations far off.


http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html

Bryan I ordered a new 622 DRV MEPG 2/4 it will record the new HD from dish and can record 2 sat chs and 1 OTA all at the same time.

Jim, you cant hide money my friend. :D

I think I'll take the wait and see approach again. Its worked well for the 811 and now 921. I guess I'll put the 921 in the bedroom and tell the wife it wont work unless we have an HDTV in there. :D

No wife to worry about here LOL will let your know how it goes with the new one.
I would like to record more than one ch at a time off air in HD
I will keep the 921 and replace my 721 both in living room

I dont think this pertains to many here, but in todays Statesboro paper, they had an advertisment for HDTV coming soon. It listed local channels and two others that escape me. Lets all pray that what I posted earlier is true. :eek:

Question for all you guys with the tall masts, do any of you get locals out of jacksonville. I am in Hinesville and was wondering if a tall mast (somewhere around 25 to 30 feet) an a DB4 or DB8 with an amp and preamp would get me the super bowl out of Jacksonville in Hi-Def?

Jim and I get it. He is in Beaufort and I am north Bulloch County (150 miles from J'ville). I get it spotty but you might do better.

I haven't had a chance to think alot about what was said last night on the Charlie chat in reference to new receiver upgrades. However, one thing did pertain to many of us here. I will do my best, but remember I suck at reporting. Charlie said that in June new laws will come dealing with HD for persons not able to receive ota digital signals. He further stated that there was no laws governing the HD side of networks at this time so persons not receiving these signals now would not be able to get say Atlanta HD locals. He said after these new laws pass we (the ones not able to pick up ABC or FOX) could get them over satellite.

I have to go, but I hope I got the jist of it to y'all.

Jim and I get it. He is in Beaufort and I am north Bulloch County (150 miles from J'ville). I get it spotty but you might do better.

What stations do you get in Jacksonville??

FOX, but I dont remember the call letters.

I thought the UHF signal tapped out at about 60-65 miles.

I could be in that got it when the sun and moon were aligned, but the same day/night that Jim told me to try it, I did. It came in at about 80 and I never lost it that night. Now, it seems to do just as WTGS does- 63-70 and bounce. I still get a picture every once in a while if I just let it stay on the channel, but more often than not, I dont keep it locked.

I think you guys are or were experiencing an atmospheric phenomenon called "ducting" that happens now and again with UHF signals. When the sun and moon and the stars are in perfect alignment--- ;) (OK, it's really just the right combination of conditions in the upper atmosphere), UHF TV signals can travel several hundred miles in a sort of waveguide duct created in the air. The signals bounce along this path to travel way over the normal horizon, and thus can be received at distances well past the point at which the curvature of the earth and the height of the transmitting and receiving antennas would normally prevent reception. A good analogy would be to envision air flowing through air conditioning ductwork. The duct walls contain and direct the air over longer distances than it would cover out in the open.

These conditions can persist for only a few minutes or many hours. I'm betting that is how you locked on the Jacksonville stations way up in Statesboro. If you ever had a CB radio in the 1970s, another anlagous condition was "skip" where you could hear the taxi drivers from Mexico City on your CB at certain times of the year. Although the exact technical conditions are slightly different for "skip" and "ducting", the effect on radio transmissions is the same.

I'm positive that is what is happening with me, but I view J'ville much more often than WTGS. I watched a little last night. The last time I got WTGS was last years Superbowl and it wasnt even digital then.

I get WCSC 5-1/5-2 95% of the time and the tower is 20 miles north of Charleston and 72 miles from me.
I have 2 ants, a CM 1161 VHF/UHF on a 36 ft tower And a CM 4228 25 ft and get about the same signal on both on UHF stations.
Both have rotors and both have CM amps, 7777 on 4228 and the 1161 has a built in amp like the CM 7778

Fox in Jax is 30-1 abc is 25-1

Do you think there is much chance for me to get charleston stations from pooler, ga??
How does Augusta, Charleston, and Jacksonville get so far ahead of Savannah

Actually, Augusta is about the same. They only have NBC and CBS full power. As a matter of fact, I have been switching to Augusta the last few nights because I get terrible pixalation from Savannah. I get both the Augusta stations at max on my 921, which is 125. WTOC has gone downhill lately for some unknown reason and WSAV aint far behind.

To answer your question, I would guess $$$.

Bryan I have the same thing with WTOC more drop out than dropins. Same with both ant and both STBs I think all the power is lost to the -2 and -3 subch on WTOC

:mad: Is anybody else having a problem with WTOC and the signal strangth? Mine is jumping everywhere from 2 to 80 and will not stay locked in. I have been outside twice freezin my you know what off trying to get locked in. I usually never have to touch my antenna and get a signal strength around 85 to 89 on WTOC. I have no trouble lockin in WSAV with a strength of 95. What is their deal? If they are gonna continue with service like this, they should just give everybody waivers for DNS and call it a day. To make it even worse, the playoffs are on.......

oljim,

I apologize if I'm stating the obvious or mis understanding your post..When an OTA digital station is compressing their transmission, i.e. they multi cast several sub channels (I hate when they compress High quality service and give it to other programs) it's still an all or nothing deal. Only the image quality is divided..the radiated power output is not affected.

FWIW, I live here in Savannah, and with my amplified antenna and ATSC receiver, the only station I am able to receive is WSAV. I conclude they have the most robust signal in our market here. Also on this SM, is it just me or what, but WSAV is nearly the equivalent of QVC or info-mercial #$%^&@! :)

Regards,
thomas

Tks for the info Thomas, all I know is that for the last few yrs I never had a problem with WTOC now the signal is down to point that is drops out. I wonder if they have reduced the output power or what.
Jim

Gotcha Jim,

Also on this same SM, the propagation of the OTA signal is greatly affected by the temperature inversions in the atmosphere. Meaning when cool/cold or hot temperature zones or between the transmitter and your antenna, the signal is twisted and now what was the better/ideal receive polarity perspective of your antenna,
is now "not" peaked", due to the temperature inversion twisting the polarity of a given signal.

thomas

I dont know if we had the ducting last night, but I watched all of 24 on the FOX station out of Jacksonville. Oh, what a nice sound it had too. DD, no video/audio dropouts and it stayed locked at 87 for two hours. I dont know what it did after that, but it was nice. btw the next day for a good chance of picking up some stations is this Friday. I posted a link in here somewhere.

I hope I get home by fri, I am at my daughters in Ocala FL

Hi, Im new to the forum
i live in Rincon and have had Hd for over a year now,for about the last week I have been having problems with wtoc ota .It has always been crystal clear for the last year,but for about the last week it has been dropping out ,pixelating and being just unwatchable,which really stinks cause the nfl playoffs are on.I e-mailed the wtoc engineer and was told the problem was on my end,but i have read posts here of people who have been having problems to.Im not an expert by any means but it just seems that the problem is with wtoc,and if the problem is with wtoc they seem not to be aware of it.

I have ask them to look at this fourm but they do not seem to

The chief engineers email at WTOC is as follows.

npedersen@wtoc.com

Just sent him this

Sir - Recently, the Digital Signal strength OTA in Hinesville has dropped dramatically. I have attemted multiple times to tune my antenna in with no success. Is there a problem on your side with the strength of the signal? Multiple other people have told me that they have had the same problem. Thanks for your assistance.

I figure if we all start emailing, they will get the hint that something is up.

Done. Also WSAV's audio is at it again. It may have been for some time, but I have not watched anything on it in a while.

I dont know if we had the ducting last night, but I watched all of 24 on the FOX station out of Jacksonville. Oh, what a nice sound it had too. DD, no video/audio dropouts and it stayed locked at 87 for two hours. I dont know what it did after that, but it was nice. btw the next day for a good chance of picking up some stations is this Friday. I posted a link in here somewhere.
How do you know the conditions will be right on Friday. I live in Richmond Hill and I seem to be getting Jacksonville as often as you.

Dan, What type antenna setup do you have that you can pick up Jville? I am in Pooler and I would like to get those stations too.

Dan, What type antenna setup do you have that you can pick up Jville? I am in Pooler and I would like to get those stations too.

I have a Square Shooter SS2000 and it's about 25 feet in the air. I also tried the Channel Master 4228 UHF bow tie and got around the same signal strength but I opted for the SS2000 because it is much smaller. I'm really only concerned about getting FOX out of Jacksonville (although I have picked up PBS and CBS) but the signals (FOX, PBS, and CBS) only come in at night when the conditions are right.

Jim,
Are you having any success? i live in pt wentwoth. i finally got up in my attic and put up a radio shack antenna.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103084&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&parentPage=family

but even after doing that i can still only get the 2 savannah stations. i live in a two story house and had to install the antenna in the attic. i have no trees or other tall houses that would be blocking my signal. i put a rotator on it as well. anyone where can i get the square shooter antenna? if that is what going to help me bring in the jax stations. at least abc for the superbowl.

i am using the direct tv hd tivo for my tuner. ive done scans for jax, charleston, macon and augusta to no avail i still dont get a signal.

i have made numorous calls to wjcl and talked to the engineer ed youmans. but he keeps blowing me off about the waiver deal. so if this doesnt work i guess i will pack my tv and dish in my truck and drive to the state line to get the game. if you see a guy on I 95 on the side of the road watching the game that would be me.

any help would be welcome.

How do you know the conditions will be right on Friday. I live in Richmond Hill and I seem to be getting Jacksonville as often as you.

This is where I got the info. Is it accurate, I have no idea.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html

hoppo, Same here and my antenna is outside. albiet on a short 12' mast. I have been considering moving it to the roof where the peak is about 32' but why go to the trouble if I will not get any more stations. I was really hoping for superbowl and playoffs in HD.

well jim obviously we are missing something, as others in the area are picking the stations up at least part time.

This is where I got the info. Is it accurate, I have no idea.

http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html
After last night, I don't think its very accurate. I couldn't get anything that I don't normally get.

I just wrote the engineer from wtoc another email concerning his sorry ota signal.
Tomorrows the afc championship game on cbs,and it dosent look good.
I live in Rincon and have recieved wtoc wonderfully for last year,but now I cant even lock it in.great timing wtoc!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has anybody received a reply from WTOC. My email still has not been returned? I guess all they dont really care about anybody but their cable subscribers.

I havent received a reply and to boot, just sent one off to WSAV about their audio. What happens to screw this up after its been going so good for so long? Hell, I have been telling so many people about how they can get WTOC and WSAV, but I feel like an idiot now!

I locked and acquired FOX in Augusta last night at a steady 85. For those that have been wanting to try them, go ahead. I will check it again this afternoon and let you know if it was that dreaded troposphere phenomenon again.

Makes one wonder if WSAV's staff and or master control operators even watch their own station. FWIW several months ago I talked with one of the engineers there concerning their audio issues..and well to make a long story short..get used to your sound having the effect of being propagated through a 10 ft pipe :mad:

thomas

I locked and acquired FOX in Augusta last night at a steady 85. For those that have been wanting to try them, go ahead. I will check it again this afternoon and let you know if it was that dreaded troposphere phenomenon again.


What is the compass orientation for Augusta Fox. I am in Hinesville and when I get a mast I want to attempt to get a signal. Has anybody been picking up ABC out of any other location lately. Super Bowl is right around the corner.

I havent been able to get ABC from anywhere. Jim may be your best bet for a compass orientation, but its due north of me. btw I still have FOX now. Its at 78, but I will continue to pray it stays locked. :D

Just out of curiosity, how far is the fox tower (Augusta) from you?

jriggy you are about 110 miles at heading of 348 deg from Augusta.
Got home last night,
I recorded about 15 Hrs of WTOC and none are watchable.
I am going to emal, call and go down till they get on the stick.
Jim

Just out of curiosity, how far is the fox tower (Augusta) from you?
I am in Northeast Bulloch county and their towers, according to the FCC website, are at Beach Island. Beach Island is southeast of Augusta, so with that info, I'm probably not much further than 50 miles away. Just a guess, though. On another note, I lost all of Augusta's signal late yesterday probably because of the bad weather.

If you have the time ,please post your signal here in the next few days on WTOC.
Give your signal and your location
Jim

I have Charter HDTV and WTOC signal is great with any ocassional dropout. Maybe once or twice in a night viewing. I see where WSAV will celebrate thier 50 years on the air this Saturday. The sound on 5.1 is not worth listening too. We all should email them to straighten it out so we can ejoy their 50th year also.

WTOC OTA signal

In the past- 112-115
Recently - 78-82
More Recently- 62-70 I have not been able to view anything without constant pixalation. I have fine tuned the antenna to the number with no luck.

WSAV audio

For the last several weeks its been unwatchable due to the audio. I do, however have a constant max signal at 125 on the video.

WTGS- Nothing, notta
WJCL - Nothing, notta

Note: Dish Network 921

I sent a not so nice email to WTOC station gen mang. WOW in last hr the signal is up from 66-70 to now 116 - 120
Hope they got the message we want a good signal

Good to know Jim, Maybe somebody decided to Finally read there email.

I will confirm WTOC reception this afternoon. Signal should kick posterior considering how close i am to the tower. I just had a DIRECTV-HD receiver installed along with an over the air antenna (a cheapy btw) mounted on a mast right above the dish on my roof. WSAV comes in strong (93, although i dont know if this is referencing in dB), WTOC stays on "searching"and so does WGSA-34. The local fox and abc stations show nothing. Sound about right for everyone else's situation in greater Savannah? P/S Winegard or Terk? Any preferences from the advanced members? I plan on changing the cheapy antenna out in the near future.

NEVER buy a TERK
All Sav stations are UHF the R/S 2160 is very good for $25 if you can find one.
CM or Winegard, only a jerk would sell you a Terk

Wtoc looks great now,sure wish they would of had there stuff together yesterday during the game!!!!!!
Did anyone ever recieve a reply e-mail from there engineer?I have sent three over the last week without a reply.I guess if you want something done you have to go to the top.
Nice going oljim,way to get on some butt!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Jim, maybe if NBC will fix the audio now, all will be well.

Now let's descend upon WSAV and get them to clean up their DD 5.1 audio. I'm tired of the "barrel echo effect". Agree with previous poster it's been just totally unwatchable for me due to the audio lately. Thank goodness I still get the networks from DirecTV (for the moment, but I'm holding my breath expecting that to change any time now with the stupid laws and waiver fiascos...). WNBC in New York has been flawless audio-wise during the same period.

Bryan I just found out Fox 24-1 in Charleston went full power, give it a shot DTV 40 I get it about 98-105
Will see what I can find out about WSAV sound.

I'll do that Jim. Also, I checked WTOC when I got home and its at 112.

Ok. Everyone is getting WTOC now, except for me. My receiver still shows "searching" for channels 11-1,-2, and 34-1. Channels 3-1, and -2 look great and i have strong signal. i live in Pooler (as the name suggests), and am wondering if it is just a need for reorientation or better antenna?

brianNpooler:

Might need to delete those WTOC digital channels from your box, do a rescan, and let it find them again. I don't know which kind of digital tuner you have, but my DirecTV HD Tivo box apparently gets confused now and again by the PSIP info from WTOC or the Channel Guide data from DirecTV and loses either 11-2 or 11-3. A delete and rescan always fixes things for a while.

RF signal wise, it seems logical that if you can get WSAV with no trouble, you should be getting WTOC just as well. From Pooler, unless you have one heck of a directional antenna, both should be in the same general direction and thus should come in well enough without fine tuning the antenna aim.

You may need to rotate your ant a little

Ok. Everyone is getting WTOC now, except for me. My receiver still shows "searching" for channels 11-1,-2, and 34-1. Channels 3-1, and -2 look great and i have strong signal. i live in Pooler (as the name suggests), and am wondering if it is just a need for reorientation or better antenna?

Recommend you get a better antenna. I also line in pooler. WTOC comes in just fine with an inexpensive R/S UHF antenna. I am not using my antenna and would be willing to let you try it before you buy one.

I was lurking around the antennaweb.org putting different zip codes in and something struck me as odd. NBC isnt listed, but FOX is for Savannah with my zip (30461). WTH?

Recommend you get a better antenna. I also line in pooler. WTOC comes in just fine with an inexpensive R/S UHF antenna. I am not using my antenna and would be willing to let you try it before you buy one.

I appreciate that. I have scheduled Directv for this saturday to visit and resolve. I'm keeping them accountable since this was their installation. If i'm not satisfied, i may contact you to see if it works. I'll keep everyone posted. BTW, thanks to all for the advice. Awesome group!

Brian what ant do you have now?

Bryan They did not have WSAV listed for me untill I emailed antweb and told them WSAV went full power in July.
They did have FOX, but took it off about 6 mon ago.

We've got to many Bryan's on here. :D

We have Bryan, the cop.
We have Brian, the Doc.
And now Brian from Pooler. btw Welcome!

We all need to set aside a day and have lunch somewhere.

We also have some Jim's.
One is baldheaded and the other is Ol'

I dont know for sure. The installation guy didn't show me the box it came in. All i can tell you is that he spoke with his manager and was told in not so many words "the antennas they have been giving us lately are not very good". Wish i could elaborate. I'll wait it out until Saturday to see what they do. I have also contacted directv to get the New york broadcasts for everything. Does anyone know how long the New York broadcast waiver takes to process? Has anyone done that lately? I was told 4-6 weeks.

UPDATE: using an ultra cheap RCA indoor UHF/VHF antenna i can easily tune 3 channels of WTOC along with, interestingly enough, 28-1, and the WSAV stations. They will be replacing the antenna this saturday.

Jim, I tried FOX out of Charleston with no luck. Also, the station that I thought was PBS apparently is not. It goes to 14.1, .2, .3. It has ETV for .1, Sc tv for .2, and ETV-h on .3 (Your governor is on .3 right now). I dont know what it is, but I get it without fail everytime I tune to it even if the antenna is pointing toward Savannah.

One other thing, I got an email from Neil at WTOC saying the problem had been fixed and he wanted my signals, so I took the time to email him back. All in all, I cant be mad with them after the 4 years of HD. ;)

briannpooler,
i have tried the waiver process as well and i wouldnt count on getting it. as matter of fact i just got off the phone with direct tv and after fussing/begging for someone to give me a waiver they offered six free months of showtime. id gladly trade that for an ABC waiver to watch the superbowl. but it doesnt look like it will happen. it takes at least 45 days to go through for them to actually tell you no. i am on my third try. i also call abc/fox once every couple of weeks. for now the best you will get is cbs and nbc like everyone else.

briannpooler,
i have tried the waiver process as well and i wouldnt count on getting it. as matter of fact i just got off the phone with direct tv and after fussing/begging for someone to give me a waiver they offered six free months of showtime. id gladly trade that for an ABC waiver to watch the superbowl. but it doesnt look like it will happen. it takes at least 45 days to go through for them to actually tell you no. i am on my third try. i also call abc/fox once every couple of weeks. for now the best you will get is cbs and nbc like everyone else.

I guess you could always "move" for the day of the SuperBowl! ;)

~Alan

ive heard about the whole move thing, but im not exactly sure how it works and not even sure it would be worth the trouble.

Bryan I also got an email from Neil, my signal went from 68-72 to 112-116
Was on the ph with WSAV for 2 hrs they are working on the sound problem.
Not sure about 14-1-2-3 will see if I can get it
Jim

WSAV has fixed the sound, Jay Leno was just like it should be last night.
Now if we could get ABC and FOX off their a--

Jim, you seem to be good with getting results that I cant. Call WJCL and ask if the rumor about March is true. I'm referring to them stating they will be full power by then. I've never made any contacts with the engineers at either ABC or FOX. I have, however, asked Brady Posic and Paul Fleoker (sp.) to ask, but they never have.

I will see what I can do, how is your sound on WSAV, all the hollow is gone and DD-5 was dead on last night on Jay Leno
I would like to thank Gary and his gang at WSAV for getting this sound problem fixed.

I watched American Idol :( with my daughter last night, so I didnt try WSAV. Had I known you spent a better portion of the day helping them, I'd have tried it. :D

I have no idea if I mentioned this yesterday, but ESPNHD is now DD 5.1.

The engineers name at WJCL/WGTS name is Ed Youmans. I call him at least once every few weeks. One to check the status of a waiver and two to find out when they are going full power. The word he gave me was spring. didnt give me a month.

I do recognize Ed's name. I emailed him a couple of times a year or so ago to check on the status of the digital channel. Thanks for the info.

Question: For those here with Comcast in Savannah, do you have FOX and ABC in HD by way of cable (If there is anyone on here with cable)?

I have comcast, and we do get FOX on cable, but no ABC...I also pick-up a signal from WJCL OTA, but it's definitely not HD.

Cable gets FOX-HD, WTOC-HD (and all their subchannels), WSAV-HD (and their subchannel), and the cable nets. I would hope WJCL would at least put up a cable only channel or give Comcast some kind of waiver for the superbowl so that SAV will not be completely out of luck for watching the biggest tv event of the year in HD.

They need to give a five hour blanket waiver for all viewers regardless of delivery system for the number one television viewing time of the year, the SuperBowl. Its not like local vendors can afford to put their TV commercials on that time block anyway. We are only going to see National commercials. Just my 2 cents.

John

I see where Dish is doing it. Of course, its only to those that are in O&O markets. Well, whoopty frigging do. They can get them anyway, if they want them. GET OFF YOU BUTT WJCL & WTGS! Quit only serving those in Savannah and pay a little attention to those that have no other option. Sorry, carry on.

hey all,
I am new to hdtv. I bought a db4 antenna and have a pre-amp on the way. (not sure if i eally need this). It seems like the only channel that comes in hd format is nbc. I get digital cbs but no hd cbs. I was just wondering what channels around here are broadcast in hd format.

They need to give a five hour blanket waiver for all viewers regardless of delivery system for the number one television viewing time of the year, the SuperBowl. Its not like local vendors can afford to put their TV commercials on that time block anyway. We are only going to see National commercials. Just my 2 cents.

John

Well thats not completely correct. The network gives the local station a small amount of local avail time. You will probably see a few local car commercials (or whoever else is willing to pay up for a local spot, which is expensive, but not the millions of dollars like a national ad) during the superbowl. WJCL does have a reason to want people only to watch their version. However, the advertisers are unlikely to complain about a few HD viewers.

Cheers,

hey all,
I am new to hdtv. I bought a db4 antenna and have a pre-amp on the way. (not sure if i eally need this). It seems like the only channel that comes in hd format is nbc. I get digital cbs but no hd cbs. I was just wondering what channels around here are broadcast in hd format.CBS (wtoc) is in HD during primetime hours.
ABC and FOX are not at full power yet, so so wont get them. When you are looking for WTOC, are you using channel 15 to find it?

I live in southeastern bulloch county...well...pretty much due east bulloch, about 12 miles out of Statesboro. After reading this thread I realized I paid WAY too much for my stupid little grey square winguard antenna that mounts on a satellite foot.

I'm also in search of more HD channels. The local Channel Master dealer was out of the CM 7777 amps, so I got a 0068, which has 2.2dB noise level.

I'm too cheap to buy an automatic antenna rotator, so I'm out moving my antenna by hand.

What are the frequencies for the Charleston, Jacksonville, and Augusta channels that are active that you people are getting?

I was happy to scan and get 2 channels from Augusta, but they are just like Savannah! Only NBC and CBS ( the CBS one also carries UPN, but who watches that anyway? ).

Have those of you who have the nice antenna and a tall pole tried to get ABC from Columbia, SC? It's closer to Statesboro than Charelston is. The big list here claims ABC in Columbia is up and broadcasting HD and DD5.1.

Then again, that list also claims Jacksonville's ABC is up too.

I'll try most anything to get the superbowl in HD. I got a new 47" hdtv for christmas.

I cant speak for ABC in Columbia for sure, but I have locked stations from there in the past. I think it was CBS, but I cant remember.

Also, how high did you have the antenna mounted to get these far off channels? I do remember trying a few heights with a few antennas and was astonished to find that after I got so high up, I lost the savannah HD channels ( at that time only WTOC was in HD ).

So, is there a reccomended height for locking Charleston, Columbia, Jacksonville?

Oh yeah, and Microsoft streets and trips tells me that as the crow flies, Statesboro to Macon is the same distance as Charleston, within 2-3 miles ( I didn't look to see exactly where the towers were ). All of them are closer than Jacksonville is to Savannah, so I would imagine they'd be able to be locked.

Abc's HD list shows ABC in Macon broadcasting 720p but no 5.1 surround. Which I guess is better than nothing for the superbowl.

I just noticed it. Why in the world are the first 3 letters of my title *'d out? They don't like the word 'Communications' here?

I noticed that too. :rolleyes:

I just did a scan for Charleston, Macon and Columbia. I got WTAT and WSCS and something that locked in to 7.1, and .2. The first two are Charleston. My antenna is on my chimney, which is on a two story house. There is a rotor at 10' and then the antenna is just above that. I would say 30-40' above the ground.

One other note: I noticed that WTOC has done a little thing on the weather sub 11.2. I havent had a chance to watch it much but has the forecast for the next week and a video.

I noticed that too. :rolleyes:

I just did a scan for Charleston, Macon and Columbia. I got WTAT and WSCS and something that locked in to 7.1, and .2. The first two are Charleston. My antenna is on my chimney, which is on a two story house. There is a rotor at 10' and then the antenna is just above that. I would say 30-40' above the ground.

One other note: I noticed that WTOC has done a little thing on the weather sub 11.2. I havent had a chance to watch it much but has the forecast for the next week and a video.


Yeah, I found that a few weeks ago. After a few months where the Tube was on 11.3 and 11.2 was still there but black. That weather thing on 11.2 is pretty cool. Better than just the radar on 3.2


I'll raise my litlte wingaurd antenna and do some rotating tonight to see what goes on. I can get it up another 4-5 feet before I have to buy more pipe and break out the welder

Umm...from Statesboro, on my map anyway, city to city, there is a 45-55 degree difference between pointing at Charelston and Columbia. But the distances are about the same. Statesboro to Charleston is 110 miles my little locator tool tells me, and to Columbia it's 114 miles. If you can get Charleston, you should be able to get something from Columbia. Maybe turn a little more north? Just a rough guess, but I'd say Columbia would be somewhere around 15-25 degrees from Statesboro?

I suppose I could go to antennaweb and look up all these numbers.

Charleston's WCIV-ABC just came up on Charter Cable channel 784. They still operating at low power with a lot of picture breakup.

Channel 7.1, 7.2 & 7.3 is Charleston's ETV station.

I had the antenna at 30 degrees last night but I am going to try and get it pretty close by fine tuning with the actual channel numbers, then scan. I'm in Northeast Bulloch, so I might have a shot.

Last night was a great night for viewing OTA. I was able to pull in August and Columbia. No luck with Jacksonville. I still have Columbia channel 19 up this morning.

Bad news about ABC from Columbia, it is 25-1 but DTV ch is VHF ch8 Fox is dtv 57
Your best bet for a strong Fox is 24-1 DTV 40 from Charleston

Bryan 92 from you to Charleston 120 miles at 76 deg Columbia 110 miles and 20 deg
ABC Charleston is not very strong, not near full power

Jax ABC is also 25-1 bad news it is also VHF 10 not good for your UHF ant.

Directv technician showed up to my residence this morning. After the meeting, I'm not sure why he showed up in the first place. I showed him the rabbit ears in my living room and how it could pick up 11-1 etc, but the outdoor OTA antenna couldn't. Didn't even phase him. He said "well, the antenna outdoors is for HDTV, so all you'll probably pick up is channel 3 based on where you are." I informed him, as politely as I could, that I'm only 11 or so miles away from the channel 11 tower, why can i pick it up with the rabbit ears indoors and not the OTA antenna mounted outside? So i sign his paper that he actually appeared at my house, and then called Directv and spoke with a supervisor who credited me with the cost of the antenna and shipping charges. Now I'll go to R/S and get a $25 UHF, mount it and be done with the whole process. I just want to point out that the only reason i bought through directv was to avoid doing the install myself. In hindsight, wrong move on my part. I'm amazed at the incompetence of the the supposed directv technician.

Did you find out what brand/ mod they had put up? was it a wing looking thing

Brian how did they feed your ant to your STB, if they used diplexers, get rid of them and run a new RG-6 cable from ant to STB
Jim

I am now getting nbc and cbs. Hopefully abc gets on board before the superbowl. I still have to mount the antenna in the attic or on the roof (subdivision rules prohibit it). I might say damn the man and mount it anyway.

Directv technician showed up to my residence this morning. After the meeting, I'm not sure why he showed up in the first place. I showed him the rabbit ears in my living room and how it could pick up 11-1 etc, but the outdoor OTA antenna couldn't. Didn't even phase him. He said "well, the antenna outdoors is for HDTV, so all you'll probably pick up is channel 3 based on where you are." I informed him, as politely as I could, that I'm only 11 or so miles away from the channel 11 tower, why can i pick it up with the rabbit ears indoors and not the OTA antenna mounted outside? So i sign his paper that he actually appeared at my house, and then called Directv and spoke with a supervisor who credited me with the cost of the antenna and shipping charges. Now I'll go to R/S and get a $25 UHF, mount it and be done with the whole process. I just want to point out that the only reason i bought through directv was to avoid doing the install myself. In hindsight, wrong move on my part. I'm amazed at the incompetence of the the supposed directv technician.

The hell with radio shack. The ChannelMaster bowtie UHF antenna that everyone here is using is somewhere around $40 locally at Dow Electronis on Louisville road. They also have the same winguard square uhf/vhf ant that I paid $149 for at best buy ( still costs that much there ) for $43 I think he quoted me there. The CM-0068 amiplifier ( they are out of 7777 ) is in stock and on the shelf too, and only has .2db more noise. I wonder if with my antenna with this amplifier ( which is uhf/vhf ) will get me a columbia or Jax or Char ABC that's broadcast on vhf?

By the way, my hostility towards radio shack has a lot to do with mismanagement and pricing in recent years. I found Dow Electronics after I saw that Radio Shack last year wanted $24.99 for ONE rca little diplexer, whereas I used to get them from my sat supplier for a little over $1 each. I told that to the Radio Shack manager in Statesboro and he laughed and said their prices went up in recent years.

I then stumbled upon Dow electronics, walked in and picked the SAME ONEs up for $1.19 each. Then, last week, as I did a security camera job out of town, I needed more F to BNC adapters. Radio Shack was around the corner, and they're price was $5.89 EACH for these. I had no choice but to buy them, but yesterday when I bought my amp at Dow, I got a bag of 75 of these adapters for $74.99.

Radio Shack has just become a giant ripoff, and they rarely keep what you need in stock. Oh, and they are now a commission-driven employer, meaning the sales reps aren't hired for their knowledge, but they are hired for their sales ability. They'll tell you most anything to sell you something. I went through 3 antennas with them last year. I found more answers here about antennas and amplifiers in the first 10 minutes reading this thread then they were able to give me in one year.

I learned my lesson. If you are looking to get an antenna, look around here, or ask first. It seems a $43 bowtie antenna was better off than all those $99 and $129 antennas that Radio Shack sold me.

Ray the Law (FCC) says you can put a ant on your home, why kill 1/2 the signal with ant inside.

Put it outside Ray. The FCC law trumps the homeownergetsscrewed law.
Actually, homeowners protection is a good thing, but not in this case.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

I'll check 'em out. thanks for the heads-up. oljim, they did install diplexers, and i do plan on another coax run. Like i said before, awesome group. thanks to all. at least i have a little money to play with now and do the job the right way.

Yep. They're exactly right. Antennas and even sat dishes are allowed on property you own, hell, or even rent.

I used to install Dish and Directv. I had nice little arguments with the Landings homeowner association and quite a few on hilton head. In our line of work then, if we didn't get to do the install we didn't get paid, and thus were screwed. I usually just showed that law the the homeowners and they took care of the rest.

I'll check 'em out. thanks for the heads-up. oljim, they did install diplexers, and i do plan on another coax run. Like i said before, awesome group. thanks to all. at least i have a little money to play with now and do the job the right way.

Diplexers aren't that bad. They can do exactly what you want done just fine. Depends on the type of diplexers they used, and whether or not you are using an amplifier. If using an amp, you usually need a second coax since the diplexers don't pass power but to only the satellite port and block power on the antenna ports.

now, if it's one of those dish-mounted and powered antennas like those Terk ones that contour the curve of the dish, then a diplexer is necessary.

It's also possible he used a splitter on one end and a diplexer on the other. They look alike.

Also, even more possible is it's a BAD diplexer. The ones they charge you $10 for really cost about $.79 and go bad pretty often.

You can get some real good quality diplexers at Dow Electronics for about $1.29 each to test that theory. I'd stay away from Radio shack, they want $24.99 each for a crappier model diplexer. So, for about $3 you can test that theory. I'd try that first. It's a lot cheaper than running a second coax.

Also, I can help you further if you can get the make and model of the antenna.

I'm poking around on the web and it looks an awful lot like the antennas direct DB2. if the diplexor is bad, why does channel 3-1 come in great and channel 11-1 not at all? I'll check out Dow monday. Hell, you're right though, swapping the diplexor or the splitter in the house is a cheap test to try.

I'm poking around on the web and it looks an awful lot like the antennas direct DB2. if the diplexor is bad, why does channel 3-1 come in great and channel 11-1 not at all? I'll check out Dow monday. Hell, you're right though, swapping the diplexor or the splitter in the house is a cheap test to try.


I use the DB4 from antennasdirect and I get great reception in Hinesville. It was a heck of a lot cheaper and does a better job than anything else that I have found.

I'm poking around on the web and it looks an awful lot like the antennas direct DB2. if the diplexor is bad, why does channel 3-1 come in great and channel 11-1 not at all? I'll check out Dow monday. Hell, you're right though, swapping the diplexor or the splitter in the house is a cheap test to try.

There's a pretty good chance that, as close as you are to the towers, that they installed one of those reciever-powered amplified antennas on your dish. In that case, you are probably getting TOO much signal on DTV 15, or 11.1. A term referred to in the analog world as 'splattering'.

I just got my HDTV yesterday and the only HD OTA channel I can get is NBC. I bought a $19 antennae from Best Buy. It's not amplified; would buying an ampliflied one work? I'm hoping to at least get NBC, CBS and PBS on HD and I really don't want to have to mess with putting an antennae outside or in my attic if I can help it. I have a one story house out in Pooler. Are there any indoor antenaes that would work?

I just got my HDTV yesterday and the only HD OTA channel I can get is NBC. I bought a $19 antennae from Best Buy. It's not amplified; would buying an ampliflied one work? I'm hoping to at least get NBC, CBS and PBS on HD and I really don't want to have to mess with putting an antennae outside or in my attic if I can help it. I have a one story house out in Pooler. Are there any indoor antenaes that would work?
The only possible stations you COULD get are NBC and CBS (no PBS,FOX or ABC right now). As far as your antenna goes, I'd listen (or read back) to the guys on here from Pooler. See what they had to do to get theirs up. I would very seriously doubt an indoor antenna would do it, but I could be wrong.

I tried the indoor antenna route and it did not work for me at all. I tried an amplified rca antenna and a rip off terk antenna. The DB4 I got works inside to get cbs and nbc. It is a bit big for an indoor antenna, but you can give it a shot. It appears a channel master might be a cheaper route to go though. I am not that far from pooler, so the db4 should work fine for you.

So is that a 'no' to getting ABC from Columbus or Macon?


Oh, btw, Bryan92, have you ever tried locking Macon?

It's the same distance as Columbia and Charelston

I tried the indoor antenna route and it did not work for me at all. I tried an amplified rca antenna and a rip off terk antenna. The DB4 I got works inside to get cbs and nbc. It is a bit big for an indoor antenna, but you can give it a shot. It appears a channel master might be a cheaper route to go though. I am not that far from pooler, so the db4 should work fine for you.

You guys are nuts :) I got a little K-mart RCA indoor amplified antenna and I can get CBS and NBC out here, when it is aligned right. And I'm 30 minutes from pooler. Of course, it's not always watchable, especially when windy. But it can be done, espeically if you're that close to the towers.

Oh, I just noticed, someone fixed my title. That's neat.

So is that a 'no' to getting ABC from Columbus or Macon?


Oh, btw, Bryan92, have you ever tried locking Macon?

It's the same distance as Columbia and CharelstonYes, I tried the same night I was getting Augusta, Charleston and Columbia. It was a no go. I couldn't even get the strength to fluctuate.

Did anybody else have a problem with the audio from CBS last night toward the beginning? It was really frustrating for a while. Well that was the first state of the union in HD and I thought it looked pretty good. What about you guys?

could only take about two minutes of the state of the union. I had to switch it off after bush started talking.

I watched the SOTU. Audio problem at first, but was soon fixed. Kinda wierd watching in high-def. bryan92, I'm able to get NBC, and CBS OTA using an unamplified cheapy RCA indoor antenna, but i will say that signal is not stable using that method. PaulZoom, unless you live right next to the towers, you should get a quality antenna mounted outdoors preferably, with a nice preamp and a dedicated coax run. UHF antennas are not terribly expensive. In fact the most bothersome aspect of the install is routing the coax. Even then, if you have an existing run of coax, that should be a snap too.

I really am in a love hate relationship with HD. There was a time when I was excited to see the Superbowl on a big screen tv period. Knowing that I will be watching in on a crappy SD feed on directv from channel 22 has me bummed out fellas. Having friends and family over to watch is fun, but the majority of them are still in the dark, I still feel as if im being cheated somehow. Am I alone here?

Nope. Just like I used to feel with Nascar races. Oh wait, after the Daytona 500, its back to FOX and crappy ass signal with lines popping up every second.

I though I was the only one getting those lines of FOX. Nice to know its not a problem with my equipment. By the way Hoppo, I feel jipped to just by the fact that our locals dont even care about broadcasting HD and wont even give the most dedicated viewers with HD equip the waivers to receive Distant Feeds.

I saw the State of the Union on HD the other night and it looked awesome. My question is why doesn't other HD programming on NBC look as good? Most of the programming is good but the SOTU looked startling it was so clear.

I am happy to say I can now get FOX in HD now. Fox 24 in Charleston is now full power
I am 72 miles from tower but get soild lock all the time, now I need a auto rotor to turn ant when I record on my dvr.

I'm glad you got it Jim. I know its a long time coming. I still get the FOX from Augusta at 103-107 strength. They say they are not full power, but I don't seem to have a problem (most nights) picking them up.

Now if we could get ABC we be ok, I can get FOX 24 off back of 4228 but have some dropouts.
I recorded Bones last night, First time I have seen Fox HD

I have just confirmed that there will be no HD Superbowl on WJCL, cable or otherwise. They plan to go HD sometime around mid year. They also plan to go full power OTA at that time.

Also, WTGS is scheduled to be upgraded to full power and OTA HD at the beginning of the second quarter 2006.

I am hopeful, but I've heard that they would be for years. Having said that, I hope this is their year to come through. Thanks for the info Bradley.

Fellas, I just received my new HDTV and am tickled pink. You wouldnt beleive what this thing does. As it turns out, the tv has a built-in LNA (thats Low Noise Amplifier for those that dont know) that the Directv receiver is painfully lacking. I dont know if an LNA is a common component in the latest HDTV's. I havent installed the new antenna i just purchased in the attic yet (channel master 4221), but with the cheapy RCA sitting on top of the tv, I am getting great reception from 3, 11, 22, 28 all very stable even during the rain storm happening as I speak. The latter two are still SD though. I can only imagine what i will pick up with a much higher gain OTA antenna coupled with a preamp and the LNA inside the TV. FRICKEN SWEET!

I got email today, they told me FOX april, ABC June, we will see

OK, I watched the NBC lineup last night and it was amazing! Different shows must record HD differently because unitl the shows lastnight I wasn't that impressed. Now if I could just find a way to pick up CBS without having to ge an outdoor antennae. I still don't know why I can get NBC which is supposed to be weaker but can't get the supposedly stronger CBS station. I get a weather Map for ABC--does that mean I'll be set when they finally go HD?

NBC is full power CBS is not, get a outside ant

Bryan 92 try ch 9399 and 240 on your 921
Jim

anyone else notice that comcast started carrying WJCL-SD? also picked up "Universal-HD". perhaps an 11th hour decision to change, like chattanooga, tn?

http://www.newschannel9.com/engine.pl?station=wtvc&id=3378&template=breakout_story1.shtml&dateformat=%25M+%25e,%25Y

9399 is the Olympics channel for me. No 240 on guide.

Do you have the $9.95 HD pack

Yea, have you "moved" to a different address or something?

nope, just have a tv with built-in tuner.

called comcast...said it wasnt going to happen, so another nasty-gram was went to WJCL. so upset with them. it's 2006...this thread has been going on since 2003? and still no HD? pathetic.

Well I popped up a CM 3020 today about 30 feet up on Wilimngton Isl. and all I can pick up is wsav...what fun....

nope I just saw it around 9 am when going through the all ch list

Well, one more year without Super Bowl in HD. Was anybody else really upset with the fact we were forced to watch the biggest event in TV in SD just for those crummy Local ads?

Well, one more year without Super Bowl in HD. Was anybody else really upset with the fact we were forced to watch the biggest event in TV in SD just for those crummy Local ads?
Yep, and to top it off, the 2nd worst picture out of Savannah. The worst is FOX with its lines popping up all over the screen. ABCs picture has no color whatsoever. I was forced to add Augusta OTA (anolog)and watch that.

In the words or my brother" if you cant do it right do it big!" and true to his word he sent me a extra projector he had. I ended up watching at about 100 inches. It was a small consolation for not being able to watch it hi def. I did flip to ESPN right after to see all the highlights in high def......hopefully this is the last year. At least next year it is on CBS. and your right brian our abc feed is horrible.

Well, the superbowl yet again in SD. That's ok, most of the great commercials were in SD only anyway. Maybe we can get the Daytona 500 in HD this year? Isn't it on NBC?

that's correct. I just got through watching 24 on the local fox affiliate. What a waste. I will say that shows such as CSI, and Office look great. I think it would benefit everyone if each and everyone of us on this forum send email to ABC/FOX to put some pressure on them (keep it tactful if you want results). Let this be the last Superbowl ever broadcast in SD! oljim, can you reply with the most appropriate contacts?

that's correct. I just got through watching 24 on the local fox affiliate. What a waste. I will say that shows such as CSI, and Office look great. I think it would benefit everyone if each and everyone of us on this forum send email to ABC/FOX to put some pressure on them (keep it tactful if you want results). Let this be the last Superbowl ever broadcast in SD! oljim, can you reply with the most appropriate contacts?


Tactful? Did you watch the largest TV night of the year last night? It was PATHETIC. So much for ABC/FOX in Savannah. They are both owned by the obvious cheapest owners in the area. WJCL has been hiding behind a waiver for the past 2 years and WTGS was GIVEN the HDTV equipment for FREE from the FOX network and still can't get it right a year later. That's just pathetic.

I don't think talking to the local affiliates will do any good. But a few pointed emails from the people in this group to ABC or FOX might. Especially FOX, since they forked the money out for WTGS's equipment which STILL isn't properly installed and running over a year later now. A few letters and emails to the Public Service Commission of GA and/or FCC might actually light a fire under these slackers too. Although, I'd save that for when all other avenues are exhausted.


By the way. If you are upset about all this digital and HDTV technology PUSHED onto us consumers in the past few years with the PROMISE that we'd at least have OTA by now, I'd write your congressmen. They're the ones that took the money to extend the deadline and give waivers to cheap statations.

I just bought a jensen amplified amp on ebay and now I'm able to get CBS, NBC and ABC (not hi def) digital signal. Woo hoo!

As much as I would like to send correspondence to all of thos individuals about the lack of Hi Def I cant see them taking our word over the stations that contribute. By the way, how much pressure can the national networks put on the local affiliates anyways? From what I see, that seems to be the best idea so far.

John

FOX and ABC
edyoumans@wjcl.com

As much as I would like to send correspondence to all of thos individuals about the lack of Hi Def I cant see them taking our word over the stations that contribute. By the way, how much pressure can the national networks put on the local affiliates anyways? From what I see, that seems to be the best idea so far.

John

Yes, but I think it would be funner to have the networks call the affiliates. I'm sure their ONE phone call would raise more attention than thousnads of our calls/emails.

Besides, I'm sure it would at least cause them more headaches, if not actually drive the point across.

I am a Direct TV subscriber. Thanks to the help of some of the folks on this forum I am able to receive the two NBC Digital Channels and the four CBS Digital Channels through the use of an antenna in my attic and my Direct TV HD Receiver. I get a signal above 85% and a good picture on all the channels except one of the CBS channels which has no picture at all. I share everyone's frustration waiting for ABC and FOX to get up to speed. I get no indication in my guide that they even exist even though I remember some people saying the can receive them occassionally. The only way I can get a new digital channel to show up in the guide is to run a scan. I do that periodically. Should I be getting some indication that ABC is broadcasting even at low power? I assume they are, Is that correct? I cannot "tune" the receiver to a particular UFO Channel manually. Are all other Direct TV subscribers in a similar situation?

What really confuses me is that WGSA-DT (34-1) appears in my guide as if it is actually broadcasting even though I usually receive no signal when I select 34-1. A few times I have had a signal strength of 10% but never a picture. Can anyone shed some light on this? The Direct TV people have been no help at all. Thanks!

I can't remember if I've ever "locked" WJCL in, but I have at least had a signal. I have been able to lock WTGS and watch it before. FOX ota is not even digital. Its the same signal as analog with the lines popping up all over the place. I watched American Idol from Augusta last night with no dropouts and in DD 5.1.

I will give them until the dates that were given for this year and then I will start with the emails again.

ED I get fox 24 from Charleston very good, they went full power a few weeks ago.
Last night I could get it off the back side of my 4228. Why did you put ant in the attic?

Has NBC been cutting out on anybody else tonight. I must admit that it looks great but it was anoying me all night long.

The storm in NY was the problem, they had snow and lots of wind.
Only messed up HD feed

Just for info, did everybody hear about Directv adding TNT-HD on the 17th of Feb. It will be channel 75... FINALLY!

What really confuses me is that WGSA-DT (34-1) appears in my guide as if it is actually broadcasting even though I usually receive no signal when I select 34-1. A few times I have had a signal strength of 10% but never a picture. Can anyone shed some light on this? The Direct TV people have been no help at all. Thanks!

Instead of relying on the PSIP data that the individual stations sends out, DirecTV relies on Guida Data from Tribune Media Services. If Tribune Media Service has false guide information, then so does DirecTV.

I live in the Albany, GA DMA, and receive "Grade B" analog service (digital service this Summer) from the Columbus, GA DMA as well as the Tallahassee, FL DMA. Zap2it.com fails to list guide data for two sub-channels my local NBC affiliate runs, as well the sub-channel for the CBS affiliate in Columbus, and the ABC and NBC affiliate in Tallahassee. They also fail to mention two digital channels in my DMA who operate, and DirecTV doesn't list them either.

I've contacted some of the local stations trying to get them to understand my problem, and with the exception of one station, either the people have no idea what I'm talking about, and blame it on other things, or they don't bother to reply to my E-Mails. I've also contacted Zap2it.com about it, and nothing.

I'm currently talking to someone from Tribune Media Services, and we'll see how that goes.

~Alan

Other than PBS stations why would you need a EPG for radar or the tube like Wtoc has on 11-3

Other than PBS stations why would you need a EPG for radar or the tube like Wtoc has on 11-3

Well, in my DMA, two digital stations are not even listed (a UPN and an IND), as well as a digital station in a neighboring DMA. As far as Sub-Channels go, I want them to add guide data mainly for the fact that one local channel (and a couple of neighboring DMA stations) run a SD digital simulcast sub-channel, and since DirecTV doesn't offer LIL to my DMA, if I want to TiVo an NBC program that doesn't broadcast in HD ("Scrubs" for instance, as well as if I wanted to record the local news), I'd have to set a manual recording (time and channel) instead of setting up a "Season Pass".

As far as why an EPG would come in handy for weather radar, it doesn't, but I'd prefer to see the name of the channel like "Super Doppler 10 Weather Radar" than I would "Programming Information Not Available" (or something like that) on several channels.

Plus, for those people who are not receiving some Low-Powered DTV stations, I like to go ahead and receive guide data for them, so I can just flip to the channel and see if they're coming in (something that happened to me last August with a neighboring DMA's CBS affiliate), instead of having to go in and check signal strength occasionally.

BTW, for those who haven't been following the news, Dish Network will soon be getting getting rid of the 105° SuperDISH in the respective SuperDISH markets (I have relatives getting our locals through Dish Network via SuperDISH) and I'm aware that Savannah is also on the SuperDISH. A Dish500 will soon be able to receive the Savannah locals.

~Alan

Where did you get the info on SD105 going to 110,
110 is full now, and it will be yrs till they go to MEPG 4 for SD locals

Where did you get the info on SD105 going to 110,
110 is full now, and it will be yrs till they go to MEPG 4 for SD locals

Read Retailer Chat highlights from 2/07/06 (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=55639) and Retailer Chat, February 7, 2006: some details... (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=52559) for details...

~Alan

I'd heard the locals were coming off 105 also. My local retailer said this a few weeks ago. I didn't believe him, but I guess they will. Is that what their saying?

They just want to get even for me spending money for a 105 dish just to get EPG for local stations LOL
Looks like the HD stuff is going to 129, that is going to be fun with all my trees and only 26 deg el.

Bryan they are going to put up a new 110 bird with more spot beams.

Gotcha! Is that the one thats launching soon? Or should I say the one that was supposed to have already launched?

Gotcha! Is that the one thats launching soon? Or should I say the one that was supposed to have already launched?

It's currently supposed to launch today. I guess we'll see...

~Alan

WJWJ-DT is up and running.

Yep DTV 44 16-1/16-2/16-3 HD is 16-3

Oljim:

I had 16-1 16-2 & 16-3 rock solid on Thursday. Friday it was gone and today it is severely breaking up. I assume eveyone is running into that? Do you know if the signal is coming from Savannah? Do you know if it is operating at "full power"? Thanks!

The tower for 16-1/2/3 is up at Whitehall Off hwy 17 and 303 about 18 miles N of Beaufort.
They are not full power yet and still testing

WJWJ-DT breakup is a transmitter problem and they are working on it. So sit tight and don't do anything at this time.

WJWJ-DT has repaired their problem.

I noticed on Fox 28's web site that they claim to be broadcasting in HD now. Has anybody been able to pick up the station at all? I scanned this evening and did not pick up anything. Also, does anybody know when they will be at full power?

They've claimed to be broadcasting a digital signal for a while. I guess they mean if you live in Savannah and have Comcast cable, you can have HD. If you are so fortunate to live across the street from their studio, you may be able to pick up their digital, uhh, analog II signal on channel 27. :rolleyes:

Bryan see if you can get ch 251 on your 921, dish just put up a WB feed for DMAs with no local WB station

Not that it matters, but I get WB DT on the sub channel of Augusta's CBS. I will check when I get home tonight on 251. Also I've been watching 24 and American Idol on FOX 54 out of Augusta for two weeks now with no dropouts. At least when AI is on I get the wife and daughter back in the den for an hour or two. :D

EDIT: Jim, I had the channel in the guide, but after selecting the channel, nothing was showing.

EDIT II: WB is up now. Also, I dont have the digital WB, I have the digital UPN, sorry. :o

They just put that up in the last few days.
Should have my 622 monday, was sent out to day

I'm waiting till April to get mine. I've been reading all the post about it, and it looks pretty stable, so far.

Will let you know how it works in a few days, will get it hooked up monday