Does anyone know if the Red Sox are on any channels we can receive this afternoon?

EDIT:WTXX 20

I just caught this. This is awesome, and I can only hope that this type of thing will happen every time in the future that the Sox and Yanks both play at the same time on Fox. I am very surprised that they were able to work this out.

http://fox61.trb.com/sports/wtic-pr-mlbonwtxx,0,2611065.story?coll=wtic-sports-1
Geez-Maybe I should look 2 posts up. DOH :o

The dishes are not ugly, but the 1970's style rooftop antenna are a different story.

This is true too! Who looks up today anyways?
Mark

WHNB,
I have bought the Samsung Antenna from the Job Lot. This is the best indoor antenna I've found. That was at the Joblot for $35. If you are closer to the tower than me, it is a good investment...
Quick Question, is channel 27 new? I have never received it until yesterday. I didn't move anything, but I now receive it. It is a univision.
Mark

Hi Mark,
I did some checking on Channel 27. The station has been around since 1970, but became a Spanish-language station more recently. It's WUNI, and is coming out of Worcester, Mass., and also has been assigned digital channel 29. Here's their website: http://www.wunitv.com/main_e.html

If that Samsung antenna that you mentioned looks like a gray plastic version of the Starship Enterprise, I saw that at the Lot yesterday. It was marketed on the box as a "HDTV antenna", which is a little misleading given that all working TV antennas - even older ones - are capable of receiving HDTV and standard digital signals.

I hear what you're saying about the satellite dishes. Last month I moved to a new apartment complex where they do not allow them (or outdoor aerials) because they want to maintain a certain "look" about the place. My Dish Network receiver has the built-in tuner to receive local digital channels over-the-air. But to function as a local station tuner, the receiver has to be hooked up to a dish that can "see" one of Dish Network's satellites in orbit. No dish = no local digital channels with the set-up that I have.

I was paying Dish $45.20 a month. To get the same channels would cost $62.98 plus box rental and tax with Cox Cable. I'm currently not hooked up to anything and just watch DVDs/VHS. I researched having the dish inside and pointed out a southwestern-facing window. While one person posted on a forum that his dish works in his living room even with the plastic window blinds closed, other posters indicated that an indoor dish probably wouldn't work 95% of the time.

Even my former apartment complex was not going to allow the dishes after they replaced their roofs, so people are being limited to indoor antennas or price-gouging cable.

"Quick Question, is channel 27 new? I have never received it until yesterday. I didn't move anything, but I now receive it. It is a univision."

WUNI Ch 29.1 just upgraded their signal from 11 kw to 200 kw and their elevation by more than 200'. What was basically a signal from Worcester to Boston has expanded greatly in the more traditional circular pattern reaching me in NH and obviously to coastal CT

Here is a link to view the before and after.

Antenna came down, Oh Crap (http://users.adelphia.net/~ctraider75/index.htm) :eek:

The 1 1/2 in mast bent at the clamp.

I could only put up 3 guy wires and the wind usually comes from the direction I couldn't use a guy wire on.

Now that the mast is down :( I won't mind changing the pre-amp so much. I think I am going to mount the mast on a tripod at the other end of the house that has a more clear shot of RI. Then I could also install 4 guy wires to secure the thing. Any suggestions on a particular tripod?

If you were around to remember my fiasco. I finally got the antenna back up.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/NoBugster/83272f23.jpg
This time I used a tri-pod and 6 guy wires (3 at the top and 3 in the middle). It may look like it's tipping but it's not.

My house is two story in the sense that I have a basement garage at the street level. The antenna is 20' above roof line.

I haven't done any major testing yet. I have to find my paper with all the channel frequencies listed. Antennaweb doesn't show all of them to me.

My wife asked me after I spent the weekend getting this back up, "Why did you put that thing back up if we get all the channels in HD from D*TV except ABC?". :mad: "Because I'm not gonna be defeated by some scraps of metal, the wind and the A-holes at ABC in CT (the only ones that won't give me a waiver)!" :D

If you were around to remember my fiasco. I finally got the antenna back up.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/NoBugster/83272f23.jpg
This time I used a tri-pod and 6 guy wires (3 at the top and 3 in the middle). It may look like it's tipping but it's not.

My house is two story in the sense that I have a basement garage at the street level. The antenna is 20' above roof line.

I haven't done any major testing yet. I have to find my paper with all the channel frequencies listed. Antennaweb doesn't show all of them to me.

My wife asked me after I spent the weekend getting this back up, "Why did you put that thing back up if we get all the channels in HD from D*TV except ABC?". :mad: "Because I'm not gonna be defeated by some scraps of metal, the wind and the A-holes at ABC in CT (the only ones that won't give me a waiver)!" :D

Excellent! Good job and good luck. It's nice to be a little independent of the video distributors, even if only for OTA stations.

Chris

This is true too! Who looks up today anyways?
Mark
Unfortunately the condos acroos from ours is on a higher level and when they look out the window, they are even with our roof. :(

Quick background:

Live in a condo facing north-received permission to put D* dish on roof.

Roof is being worked on-the dish must be remove briefly and then reattached. The word I have received is that no way will the reattached dish be aligned. The roofers will not realign dish.

I set up an appointment with D* for tomorrow for them to realign the dish.
I was thinking of adding the D* antenna to my service call for tomorrow.

I currently have an indoor ota set-up. works like crap.
I have a Zenith ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor and a Channel Master CM7778. I have no attic.

The condo complex was very cooperative with the dish so I certainly did not want to push with a large ota antenna on the roof. There are around 160 units and there are zero roof antennas.


Now my question-has anyone seen or have opinions on the D* clip-on antenna?
From D*'s website.

Quote:
Omni/semidirectional, UHF/VHF antenna. This antenna is ideal for consumers who live between two or more television transmitting stations because of its ability to pick up signals from different directions. Its compact size allows the antenna to be conveniently disguised behind a satellite dish.



Do you think it will work and is it unobtrusive? Since i am at work, there are very few sites I can access and almost all images are the red x in a box.

Here is my local info.
DTV Antenna
Type Call Sign Channel Network City State Live
Date Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
yellow - uhf WTXX 20 WB WATERBURY CT 289° 10.6 20
yellow - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 246° 9.1 8
* yellow - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 246° 9.1 10
yellow - uhf WCTX 59 UPN NEW HAVEN CT 246° 9.1 59
* yellow - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 UPN NEW HAVEN CT 246° 9.1 39
* green - vhf WEDY-DT 6 PBS NEW HAVEN CT FCC Ext 216° 13.0 6
lt green - uhf WEDY 65 PBS NEW HAVEN CT 216° 13.0 65
red - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 15° 18.8 3
* red - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 15° 18.8 33
red - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 10° 13.9 61
red - uhf WUVN 18 UNI HARTFORD CT 16° 18.8 18
red - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 10° 13.7 30
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 10° 13.7 35
red - uhf WEDH 24 PBS HARTFORD CT 15° 18.7 24
* blue - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 10° 13.9 45
blue - uhf WHPX 26 i NEW LONDON CT 114° 32.4 26
* blue - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 WB WATERBURY CT 10° 13.9 12
blue - uhf WLNY 55 IND RIVERHEAD NY 201° 42.2 55
blue - uhf WFTY 67 TFA SMITHTOWN NY 204° 43.0 67
blue - uhf WEDW 49 PBS BRIDGEPORT CT 245° 24.7 49
* blue - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 16° 18.8 46
blue - uhf WSAH 43 SAH BRIDGEPORT CT 252° 18.3 43
* blue - uhf WSAH-DT 42 SAH BRIDGEPORT CT TBD 252° 18.3 42
* violet - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 10° 13.9 31
violet - uhf WRNN 62 IND KINGSTON NY 316° 77.5 62
violet - uhf WXXA 23 FOX ALBANY NY 336° 98.5 23
violet - vhf WRGB 6 CBS SCHENECTADY NY 337° 99.0 6
violet - uhf WWLP 22 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 22° 40.6 22
violet - uhf WGBY 57 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 23° 51.7 57
violet - uhf WGGB 40 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 23° 51.7 40
violet - uhf WTBY 54 TBN POUGHKEEPSIE NY 298° 62.9 54
violet - uhf WMBC 63 IND NEWTON NJ 264° 98.4 63
violet - uhf WNJU 47 TEL LINDEN NJ 243° 83.0 47
violet - vhf WCBS 2 CBS NEW YORK NY 244° 80.3 2
violet - vhf WNBC 4 NBC NEW YORK NY 244° 80.3 4
violet - uhf WLIW 21 PBS GARDEN CITY NY 228° 59.5 21
violet - uhf WXTV 41 UNI PATERSON NJ 244° 80.3 41
violet - uhf WNYE 25 NYC NEW YORK NY 244° 80.3 25
violet - uhf WPXN 31 i NEW YORK NY 244° 80.3 31
violet - vhf WNYW 5 FOX NEW YORK NY 244° 80.3 5
violet - uhf WEDN 53 PBS NORWICH CT 102° 33.4 53

Thanks

__________________
Weekend Update:

I arrived home on Fri. and I can tell that the roofers had done a lot of work. I could tell that they at least had been around the dish, as the cables that were all tucked in nice were now all visible and kind of just hanging loosely.

They had obviously moved the dish, or had they? It is extremely easy to see where new tiles had been laid, as they were much darker that the previous tiles. Is it dark underneath the dish? I cannot tell 100%. Not only was the cable hanging a little, the tiles at the edges have not been evened off and trimmed.

I also know they are not 100% finished because there is still unused materials at the peak of the roof where all the material had been at one time. The thing is, the unused materials are in a location directly above the dish area (although about 30 feet or so above).
There is no doubt that "some" work still needs to be finished in the vicinity of the dish. Is it just trimming, or have they actually not done the section 4x4 section directly under the dish?

I have a great view of the roof from the row of condos that are across and on higher ground from us. I must have walked by ten times and I still can't tell.

Bottom line thus far is that the D* reception is still coming in clear as a bell. So if they have moved and re-bolted the dish, than life is wonderful. I canceled and did not reschedule my service call for Saturday. There was no one to talk to after 5 on Friday when I came home, so I could not contact the association or roofers, so there was no way to confirm the actual status. It was a weekend of wondering and hoping that they had indeed finished with any movement of the dish.

I have decided even if I must reschedule with D*, I will not be asking them to put on any type of clip-on or any other aerial antenna.

Update 2-today still not 100% sure they are done, but now I am 99.9% sure, and the dish is still working :)


tase2 wrote:

I currently have an indoor ota set-up. works like crap.
I have a Zenith ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor and a Channel Master CM7778. I have no attic.



Now I am turning my attention back to the indoor OTA. I started a thread this morning on TCF seeking some advice as to whether or not there is a better set up for indoor OTA than I currently have set up.

I have been doing a little reading and it appears that the Silver Sensor is highly directional, but my main towers are in completely opposite locations. I was hoping maybe there are some better options. However I do understand that the HR10-250 has an extremely weak tuner.

So far I get channel 12 out of RI real good. Monday night the signal strength was at 61 and last night at 81. Both were locked in. I guess that's obvious.

I did try using by Dir3cTivo unit to pull in the signal but it did not work at all for channel 12 the night the signal strength was at 61. I didn't try it last night. So I plan on sticking with my TV to do the processing.

I also get 26.1, 53.1, 69.1, 69.2, and 69.3 real strong as well which is expected at my distance from the transmitting towers I guess.

So I obviously don't get ABC which is the only thing I'm really looking to get.

Prov, RI WLNE ABC 6 signal is 240 kW ERP
Prov, RI WJAR NBC 10 signal is 974 kW ERP
N. Haven, CT WTNH ABC 8 signal is 20.5 kW ERP

Prov, RI WPRI CBS 12 signal is 13. kW ERP

It appears to me that the station I get the best has the weakest signal. :confused:

Does anyone have a map of the RI antenna locations?

Any suggestions on my next action to take?

Could another channel be interfering with the ABC signals?

The RI digital stations for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS are all at the same location. It is the same hill that tha analog CBS, NBC and FOX transmit from. It takes much higher power from a UHF station than from a VHF station to get equal coverage. WPRI and WTNH are on VHF channels 13 and 10 the rest of the Providence channels are UHF. The picture of your antenna you posted looks like a large VHF antenna. I wasn't sure if the front of the antenna was UHF. A seperate UHF antenna would probably give you better results. The best way to try for CBS and NBC out of Providence is to put the TV on analog channel 64 and aim for the best picture. It can have a moderate amount of snow but if you get next to nothing don't expect Providence CBS and NBC. John

Antenna is a Channel Master 3671 and the amplifier is a Channel Master 7777.

I finally got to our old posts to review what I was going to do before the antenna came down. Too bad this forum doesn't have under the "Quick Links" button a selection for "my posts" like another forum has.

When you get chance, describe your channel 64 reception.
John

anyone in the northwest corner of CT using a small clip on antenna with directv? or do you need a "real" antenna?

thank you

I disconnected the amplifier (not just the power), so the signal would go from the antenna direct to the TV.

I started with the only NETWORK channel I get in HD. I selected channel 12.1 (WPRI) and the signal strength was 5.

I then selected the channel I'm really trying to get in HD, WLNE. The signal strength was 41. :confused:

So with NO signal boosted I get a stronger signal from the station I can't even get when the amplifer is hooked up.

ctdish - do you want a description of channel 64 with AND without the amplilfier?

Ok I just punched in channel 64 (amp hooked up) and I don't get my screen that allows me to see signal strength.

The channel 64 description could be either way, but both would be better. 64 is FOX analog so most receivers will not show signal strength. WLNE-DT is on channel 49, If the receiver has never received it, it will not know how look for channel 6 digital. John

ctraider, be proud you got a waiver from cbs. I got denied from both cbs and abc and I'm not too far from you. I'm in norwich. Was forced supplement my mpeg2 NBC and FOX with mpeg4 NBC and CBS. I have a channelmaster 4228 I'll be installing on my roof soon.

Seeth, you should try an outdoor antenna. More elevation is one perk, another is less obstruction and possible reflection. I only get PBS (Norwich), PAX (N.L.) and I (Providence) with an antenna in my attic. I have a multi-story house (basement, 2 levels and attic). Let's see what putting an antenna outdoors will do for me. If I can pull anything else I can pretty much guarantee some if not all of your issues will be resolved. I have a very good authority helping me with equipment choices and positioning. Will post results if interested.

@Jamesflames

I am VERY happy and grateful with the other waivers I received for sure.

@ctdish

I did check the receiption of channel 64 with the amp working. I had no sound and a very snowy picture but not so snowy that I couldn't tell what the show was.

I'll check out the channel again with the amp removed later today.

@Jamesflames


I did check the receiption of channel 64 with the amp working. I had no sound and a very snowy picture but not so snowy that I couldn't tell what the show was.

I'll check out the channel again with the amp removed later today.

I have two UHF antennas. Here is a picture with both pointed at Providence TV stations. It might not show in the picture but even the better one has a little snow. The sound comes in OK from either. Both can get WLNE-DT the weaker one just barely with an occasional break up. The other is more robust. The signal strength readings are 38 and 65 but would be different with a different receiver. Only the better one can get digital FOX from Providence. Your location/antenna might not be sufficient for WNLE-DT.
John

Is the PGA Championship being broadcast in HD in the CT area? I know it is on TNTHD today.

yes CBS HD over the weekend

http://cbs.sportsline.com/cbssports/story/9595076

Anyone having problems getting a signal from WTIC-DT, 61-1? Trying to see the Giants in HD and I'm getting zero signal strenght - stuck with crappy SD picture. Tried the old reboot to see if that would clear it but no luck.

Come on WTIC, please get your OTA act together. This has been happening all summer, I just didn't care since I'm not interested in watching reruns, but it's pre season football time!

Well, either it's a coincidence or WTIC is reading this site because the WTIC digital OTA signal is back, and it looks MARVELOUS!

I have two UHF antennas. Here is a picture with both pointed at Providence TV stations. It might not show in the picture but even the better one has a little snow. The sound comes in OK from either. Both can get WLNE-DT the weaker one just barely with an occasional break up. The other is more robust. The signal strength readings are 38 and 65 but would be different with a different receiver. Only the better one can get digital FOX from Providence. Your location/antenna might not be sufficient for WNLE-DT.
John

What antenna are you using that gets the stronger signal?

Well, either it's a coincidence or WTIC is reading this site because the WTIC digital OTA signal is back, and it looks MARVELOUS!

Looked really good last night

What antenna are you using that gets the stronger signal?

The better antenna is an array of four CM 4248's up at about 45 feet. They are combined with a Lindsay 4WCU1469 which feeds a Research Communications' 9250 preamp that has a 0.4 dB noise figure. John

Hi Mark,
I did some checking on Channel 27. The station has been around since 1970, but became a Spanish-language station more recently. It's WUNI, and is coming out of Worcester, Mass., and also has been assigned digital channel 29. Here's their website: http://www.wunitv.com/main_e.html

If that Samsung antenna that you mentioned looks like a gray plastic version of the Starship Enterprise, I saw that at the Lot yesterday. It was marketed on the box as a "HDTV antenna", which is a little misleading given that all working TV antennas - even older ones - are capable of receiving HDTV and standard digital signals.

I hear what you're saying about the satellite dishes. Last month I moved to a new apartment complex where they do not allow them (or outdoor aerials) because they want to maintain a certain "look" about the place. My Dish Network receiver has the built-in tuner to receive local digital channels over-the-air. But to function as a local station tuner, the receiver has to be hooked up to a dish that can "see" one of Dish Network's satellites in orbit. No dish = no local digital channels with the set-up that I have.

I was paying Dish $45.20 a month. To get the same channels would cost $62.98 plus box rental and tax with Cox Cable. I'm currently not hooked up to anything and just watch DVDs/VHS. I researched having the dish inside and pointed out a southwestern-facing window. While one person posted on a forum that his dish works in his living room even with the plastic window blinds closed, other posters indicated that an indoor dish probably wouldn't work 95% of the time.

Even my former apartment complex was not going to allow the dishes after they replaced their roofs, so people are being limited to indoor antennas or price-gouging cable.

Thank you for checking that out. I guess this station is coming up in the world. I wish 20, or 3 would be as easy.

The Antenna companies may advertise their antennas are built for HDTV, because the normal consumer may think an antenna cannot do HD, unless stated. We who know better, see it as a crock. I understand how you can feel misleaded.
I'm glad I no longer live in a Condo. The dish stuff is only one headache! We own our house, there is no problem! Many houses on our street were converted into apartment buildings, most of which there are a few dishes per house. Landlords seem to be better about it now.
In door dish is tricky, but if you have a dish, and a receiver (even if not active), play around. It never hurts to try to get a signal.
I still don't think Dish is worth the $200 non refundable box fee for HD. Cable is expensive, and in New London pretty Ghetto. I knew going in that I needed to choose a TV with a tuner. Now I can wait for the right time to worry about HD cable networks.
One day, I hope one of the Dish provider will put out a solution allowing more than one unit to jack in. Then some places might be more willing to put up one, or two dishes. Either that, or Condos should include basic cable free. Atleast you will only pay the upgrades. Believe me, I do feel your pain.
Thank you again for the info. I'm sorry I write back late. Some weeks I don't get enough time on the net.
Take care!
Mark

WUNI Ch 29.1 just upgraded their signal from 11 kw to 200 kw and their elevation by more than 200'. What was basically a signal from Worcester to Boston has expanded greatly in the more traditional circular pattern reaching me in NH and obviously to coastal CT
Thank you for the added info. This sucker is strong now! I wish they would have english CC. Some of the shows look entertaining!
Mark

Raider,
Owch dude! Yer right though, perfect time to sneak some upgrades into it!
Mark

Unfortunately the condos acroos from ours is on a higher level and when they look out the window, they are even with our roof. :(
Bummer!!!!! Can you do tricks with mirrors? LOL.
Mark

Seeth, you should try an outdoor antenna. More elevation is one perk, another is less obstruction and possible reflection. I only get PBS (Norwich), PAX (N.L.) and I (Providence) with an antenna in my attic. I have a multi-story house (basement, 2 levels and attic). Let's see what putting an antenna outdoors will do for me. If I can pull anything else I can pretty much guarantee some if not all of your issues will be resolved. I have a very good authority helping me with equipment choices and positioning. Will post results if interested.
I do eventually want to go outdoors. The biggest thing is I hate heights!! Kristy is also not too into having an "ugly" thing outdoors. I actually have a good antenna for outdoors.
Last night was very clear, so I got NY, PA, RI, MA, NJ, and CT. Still no CT3, nor CT20 though! My attic crawlspace has no siding. It is all wood, with the roofing tiles outside. I don't think I lose too much at this height, even if kinda indoor. I am the highest house, but more height can never hurt. I'd love atleast 5-20 feet to clear a couple of trees in the back yard.
Since last night was so signal rich, I adjusted all 3 antenna to the best of my ability. Currently, I have (not listing minor networks) 8,30,59,61. I also have NY2 for CBS, and NY5 for a second Fox. I expect later to get a few RI, MA stations. The other states only come in once in awhile. I might get a couple more from NY, like WWOR, or NY4 later on. This is enough for me, for now. I know I'll be screwed once CW is up. It appears they will use the WB stations for CW. UPN's will have that "My" stuff. I don't really watch their shows, as I'm an older demographic.
I took down the ladder, sealed the attic, and tacked my coax to the wall. I'm ready for the Fall season now. I got a nice A/B switch w/remote at RS when they closed. it was $2.50. B is hooked to a manual A/B/C switch. CT/NY antenna gets the A spot. Until I go outside, I think this is the best I'll get.
I'd love to see your results. I have been thinking of taking screenshots, and putting them up on a web page. I even have a hard time believing I could get Philly!
Good luck!
Mark

I got Philly stations once just by chance. Perfect and no break up. I was so stunned I watched news and other programming I wouldnt normally watch since I couldnt believe it.

I got Philly stations once just by chance. Perfect and no break up. I was so stunned I watched news and other programming I wouldnt normally watch since I couldnt believe it.
It is my best guess, but you can point the antenna right down the coastline, SW. The antenna seems to pick up coastal stations. The conditions have to be right though. Conditions may be tides, meteror showers, or just the planets aligning right. I do get 3 NY stations most times I look for them.
Fighting terrain is tougher. RI Gives me some stuff at night. Boston has a few high-powered signals at night too.
It is fun to watch the news elsewhere. It is almost like traveling while in your armchair!
I consider myself lucky to be in a spot that gives me most networks. The other stuff that comes to visit is fun too. I'm just glad I have a consistant baseline now. My attic days are over, I hope. I should have everything I need for the fall season. When the trees shed their leaves, I could get RI/MA better. I lived in both of those states, seeing their stations is nostalgic.
I was watching the Baseball game yesterday (Sox VS. NY), I noticed it was widescreen. The picture did not look high def though. Was there a problem with the feed? It still looked good, but was very grainy to me.
Happy channel hunting!
Mark

.
I was watching the Baseball game yesterday (Sox VS. NY), I noticed it was widescreen. The picture did not look high def though. Was there a problem with the feed? It still looked good, but was very grainy to me.
Happy channel hunting!
Mark[/QUOTE]

The Fox Saturday games are in widescreen, but not hd. Booo!!!

Chip,
Thanks. It was a little of a let-down. I actually had the time to watch the game!
Mark

I have been on vacation for two weeks and am just catching up. Couple of notes. I am pleased that WTIC is no longer stretching the picture, but they should go to black side bars instead of grey, or custom like ESPN.

There has been a lot of discusion of signal strength on the meter of the set tops. The settops don't give a true strength measurement, just a quality measurement. With an amp installed, I cannot get WTNH, without the amp I can. The amp amplifies the common path distortions too much for me to get the channel reliably, even though I am feeding the set top box 11db more signal. With the amp I am at 35% without I am at 70%.

Be aware of your building materials when placing your indoor antenna. I have aluminum siding. My antenna is in the attic, if I place the antenna too close to the gable end of the house the siding blocks the signal, but the wood/asphalt roof does not seem to affect the signal at all.

Schmitter,
Welcome back! I hope you had a restful time.
I don't mind the borders some channels put up, as I normally go to the zoom1 on my TV. I still see some bar, and the overscan on the top, or bottom does not affect my picture too much. I have a built in Tuner (I have a Sanyo Direct View), so I think the zooms are meant for it.
For me, most of the time the amp is needed. Ironically, NY gives the same signal with, or without.
I'm lucky with our attic. The only downside it is very tight to navigate! The roofing nails can be a hazzard! I must not get too much from 3, or 20. I have tried all over the attic. I have doubts that I'd get them outside too. Their analogs are clear as a bell. Last I read, please correct me if I am wrong is that 20's broadcaster is facing towards Waterbury. Also, Channel 3 is low powered, and too low on the tower. I think it is their fault I can't reach them. Or perhaps I am passing the buck, because I am new to this, and could not find them...
Mark

Last I read, please correct me if I am wrong, is that Channel 3 is low-powered, and too low on the tower.Mark

Quite awhile back someone who is familiar with Channel 3 posted that the station had a new antenna installed on the top of their Avon/Talcott Mountain tower that is a combination analog/digital. I believe that the digital antenna is just above the analog one. So WFSB appears to be at full power and its antenna is in its final position.

The other TV transmitting antenna on Channel 3's tower belongs to Connecticut Public Television's Channel 24. It is analog-only and side-mounted.

There's a website that's updated every couple of months that gives the digital TV build-out status of CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates in markets 11-30. WTIC (FOX61) is one of only five stations in the country in markets 11-30 with Special Temporary Authority to not be at full power. Channels 3, 8, and 30 all appear to be at full power because they have no qualifying footnotes in the last column of the chart. There's no mention of WTXX (WB20) because it is not affiliated with one of the big four networks.

The website (currently dated July 13, 2006) is:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvstat11.html Scroll down to Hartford/New Haven/New Britain.

I saw "24-1* Ant" appear in my "ALL CHANNELS" list on my HR10-250. I added it to the favorites but there was no signal at any antenna position. I drive by the Rattlesnake complex every day and have not seen any progress on the candelabra, so I was a little surprised to see it in the channel list. I first thought it maybe coming by way of DirecTV HD locals, but the "Ant" is indicative of OTA. I'm not sure what the "*" signifies. I saw it on the Univision HD listing too.

I saw "24-1* Ant" appear in my "ALL CHANNELS" list on my HR10-250. I added it to the favorites but there was no signal at any antenna position. I drive by the Rattlesnake complex every day and have not seen any progress on the candelabra, so I was a little surprised to see it in the channel list. I first thought it maybe coming by way of DirecTV HD locals, but the "Ant" is indicative of OTA. I'm not sure what the "*" signifies. I saw it on the Univision HD listing too.

Interesting! I wonder if there has been a resolve between CPTV and WABC over the use of digital channel 45. IIRC, and I may not, one of the local channels appeared as a digital channel on one of my Directv receivers before it actually went live. Maybe that is was is going on this time. Let's hope!

Hello everyone,

Current Dish SD customer thinking of making that HD leap. So, trying to do as much research as possible and cover all my bases. Which leads me to thinking about antennas for OTA HD reception. I'm really mostly concerned with the "big 4" locals; anything else is a bonus. I live in Manchester (hi, schmitter... :)) and here is what antennaweb has to say:

* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 276° 14.9 33
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 276° 14.7 46
* yellow - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 261° 17.6 31
* yellow - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 261° 17.6 45
* green - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 260° 17.8 35
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 WB WATERBURY CT 261° 17.6 12
* red - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 UPN NEW HAVEN CT 235° 34.7 39
* red - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 235° 34.7 10
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 348° 21.4 11

So, it seems to be reccommending a medium range directional antenna. How directional is directional? It looks like there's a 40 degree spread between WTNH-DT and WFSB-DT, with WTIC and WVIT in between. Looking on antennasdirect, the 42XG looks like a directional antenna that would fit the critera. Or would I be better off with the multi-directional DB4? Or, something else entirely? :)

IF you are able to help schmitter (or anyone familiar with Manchester), I'm off of Oakland Street, near UHaul and that abomination of a VIP that they are building. A little worried, because my condo unit sits below street level (compared to Oakland Street), but the antenna would not be facing that way, anyway.

Thanks, as always, for the help....
Mike

Interesting! I wonder if there has been a resolve between CPTV and WABC over the use of digital channel 45. IIRC, and I may not, one of the local channels appeared as a digital channel on one of my Directv receivers before it actually went live. Maybe that is was is going on this time. Let's hope!

I just received a PM from Arnold Chase who owns the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex.

Here are the guts of it.

If you look at the tower, you will see it has been rigged by the tower crew, and the long awaited tower project is FINALLY underway!
They are currently increasing the size of the guy cables, and they will then remove the Channel 61 analog antenna and replace it with the new candelabra assembly resulting in full power 61DT, 20DT, and 24DT signals (as well as a new CH 24 analog signal) very soon.


GREAT NEWS!

Awesome news.

I just received a PM from Arnold Chase who owns the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex.

Here are the guts of it.

If you look at the tower, you will see it has been rigged by the tower crew, and the long awaited tower project is FINALLY underway!
They are currently increasing the size of the guy cables, and they will then remove the Channel 61 analog antenna and replace it with the new candelabra assembly resulting in full power 61DT, 20DT, and 24DT signals (as well as a new CH 24 analog signal) very soon.


GREAT NEWS!

This is awesome news. Wonder if they're trying to get it up and running for the start of the Fall Season in a few weeks.

[QUOTE=AreBee]I just received a PM from Arnold Chase who owns the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex.

Here are the guts of it.

If you look at the tower, you will see it has been rigged by the tower crew, and the long awaited tower project is FINALLY underway!
They are currently increasing the size of the guy cables, and they will then remove the Channel 61 analog antenna and replace it with the new candelabra assembly resulting in full power 61DT, 20DT, and 24DT signals (as well as a new CH 24 analog signal) very soon.

You mention 24DT. Does this mean that channel 24 will be broadcasting digitally soon?

[QUOTE=AreBee]I just received a PM from Arnold Chase who owns the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex.

Here are the guts of it.

If you look at the tower, you will see it has been rigged by the tower crew, and the long awaited tower project is FINALLY underway!
They are currently increasing the size of the guy cables, and they will then remove the Channel 61 analog antenna and replace it with the new candelabra assembly resulting in full power 61DT, 20DT, and 24DT signals (as well as a new CH 24 analog signal) very soon.

You mention 24DT. Does this mean that channel 24 will be broadcasting digitally soon?

It sounds like it. I have an email address somewhere for CPTV's station amnager, so I'll shoot out an email to him. I believe they have been supplying a digital feed to certain cable systems, they just haven't had the ability to transmit OTA. WVIT did the same thing a few years back.

I just received a PM from Arnold Chase who owns the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex.

Here are the guts of it.

They are currently increasing the size of the guy cables, and they will then remove the Channel 61 analog antenna and replace it with the new candelabra assembly resulting in full power 61DT, 20DT, and 24DT signals (as well as a new CH 24 analog signal) very soon.


GREAT NEWS!
What physical channel will 24DT be on?
John

WEDH station manager is out of the office. His assistant stated he will get back to me next week.


What physical channel will 24DT be on?
John


This application filed 5/30/06 seems to say channel 45 which is the same for WEDN-DT.

See these links below.

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101131376&formid=386&fac_num=13602

http://www.fcc.gov/oet/dtv/start/dtv2-69all.txt

The plan was to move WEDH out of Hartford at 45 and move the existing WEDN out of Norwich to VHF 9. Since I havent seen the outcome of the FCC request, this may be the new allocation as well.

I just received a PM from Arnold Chase who owns the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex.

Here are the guts of it.

If you look at the tower, you will see it has been rigged by the tower crew, and the long awaited tower project is FINALLY underway!
They are currently increasing the size of the guy cables, and they will then remove the Channel 61 analog antenna and replace it with the new candelabra assembly resulting in full power 61DT, 20DT, and 24DT signals (as well as a new CH 24 analog signal) very soon.


GREAT NEWS!
Any idea about the schedule that will be very excited news!

Hi Johnner, do you get the local HD's with Direct TV?

Ken, I got the Hartford HD locals (CBS and NBC) from D* but decided to "move" my address to Boston when they decided to jerk over CT residents with NESN HD. The Boston CBS is pretty much unwatchable but the rest are looking good now. (The Hartford ones did look good when I had them). The combo with my OTA HD channels locally makes a good configuration.

How are you getting WBZ-TV with a Hartford address?

How are you getting WBZ-TV with a Hartford address?
He changed his service address from CT to the Boston area.

How are you getting WBZ-TV with a Hartford address?
How did he get CBS HD from D* when he "lived" in Hartford?

The Hartford HD locals launched in June on D*. But only WFSB (CBS) and WVIT (NBC) were made available. You need the new 5 LNB AT9 dish that can get the MPEG4 local spotbeams with an H20 HD Receiver. The new HR20 HD DVR will get the channels as well.

What happened after they launched, D* launched NESN HD but excluded NESN territories outside of Boston zip codes. Since I get all my locals OTA anyways, I called D* and had them change my service address to Boston. Since we are on the same spot beams, Boston locals. I viewed the Hartford ones when I had them and they did look good comparable to OTA. The Boston CBS is however fraught with many many issues. I am very happy to watch WFSB CBS off antenna.

Well I have been reading this forum for months and doing research on how to get local channels. I was very dissapointed that D* wanted me to spend money for one more local channel so I bought the bullet and bought a CM4228 today and installed it on my roof in Vernon. We just finished watching Prison Break in HD and get all the networks (includung WTNH) now in HD. Amazing the greed of two of the local channels that you can't pay to watch them, but can watch them for free. Oh well enough for now we are going to watch Vanished now. Thanx to all the people on this forum that recommended the CM4228.

Awesome Jestjuggle. Welcome to the forum.

Well I have been reading this forum for months and doing research on how to get local channels. I was very dissapointed that D* wanted me to spend money for one more local channel so I bought the bullet and bought a CM4228 today and installed it on my roof in Vernon. We just finished watching Prison Break in HD and get all the networks (includung WTNH) now in HD. Amazing the greed of two of the local channels that you can't pay to watch them, but can watch them for free. Oh well enough for now we are going to watch Vanished now. Thanx to all the people on this forum that recommended the CM4228.
I thought the CM4228 was a UHF only antenna, but it looks like that's not true. Are you able to pick up WTXX-DT on channel 12?

Yep - can get WTXX too. That is further away and I have the antenna pointed toward WTIC so the signal is not as strong, but no drop outs. If you read the stats for the 4228 it works well on the higher end of VHF. I was amazed that WTNH came in so well as the antenna is actually picking it up from the side. Must be because VHF is not as directional as UHF. I was also amazed that I got channel 22 from Springfield. It is actually picking it up from the backside of the antenna. I think if I bought a rotor that I could get numerous channels and we are located in one of the lowest spots in Vernon. I will be tweaking more in days to come and will keep you posted as to my findings.

Yep - can get WTXX too. That is further away and I have the antenna pointed toward WTIC so the signal is not as strong, but no drop outs. If you read the stats for the 4228 it works well on the higher end of VHF. I was amazed that WTNH came in so well as the antenna is actually picking it up from the side. Must be because VHF is not as directional as UHF. I was also amazed that I got channel 22 from Springfield. It is actually picking it up from the backside of the antenna. I think if I bought a rotor that I could get numerous channels and we are located in one of the lowest spots in Vernon. I will be tweaking more in days to come and will keep you posted as to my findings.
Are you using an amplifier? I live in Prospect (near Waterbury, Cheshire) and have this problem (not to stray off the topic, but I am). I have a RadioShack 160 dual boom UHF/VHF antenna, and pointing towards Hartford I pick up WVIT-DT, WFSB-DT, WTNH-DT, WTXX-DT, and WCTX-DT. If I connect my amp, I can get WTIC-DT with a good signal, and can only also receive WVIT-DT and WFSB-DT. WTNH-DT, WCTX-DT, and WTXX-DT lose all their signal. I can leave the amp on and turn towrads the south an pick them up, but lose the rest. And like I said, facing Hartford I get everything with the exception of WTIC-DT without an amp. Does anyone have a solution to this problem? Seems like the amp is overloading WTXX-DT, WTNH-DT, and WCTX-DT.

I didn't buy an amp or rotor until I checked out the antenna. No sense buying things you don't need. I was able to get digital signals WTNH, WTIC (with lots of drop outs) and WFSB before I even put antenna on the roof and pointed it where I wanted. It really is a great antenna and it costs less than $60.

I didn't buy an amp or rotor until I checked out the antenna. No sense buying things you don't need. I was able to get digital signals WTNH, WTIC (with lots of drop outs) and WFSB before I even put antenna on the roof and pointed it where I wanted. It really is a great antenna and it costs less than $60.

It s an excellent antenna. I have mine mounted on the roof here in Cheshire. I get all of the locals except WEDN-DT from Norwich. I have it pointed at Rattlesnake Mtn but pick up WTNH-DT and WCTX-DT from
Gaylord Mtn just fine, even though WTNH-DT is high vhf. I am not using any amp.

PaulieORF, have you tried an omni-directional antenna? I know they don't generally work as well, but from Prospect you should have better signal strength than most of us.

It s an excellent antenna. I have mine mounted on the roof here in Cheshire. I get all of the locals except WEDN-DT from Norwich. I have it pointed at Rattlesnake Mtn but pick up WTNH-DT and WCTX-DT from
Gaylord Mtn just fine, even though WTNH-DT is high vhf. I am not using any amp.

PaulieORF, have you tried an omni-directional antenna? I know they don't generally work as well, but from Prospect you should have better signal strength than most of us.
I had one of these way back, when WTNH and WFSB were the only stations broadcasting HD here. WTNH was at full power, and I had no problem getting it. WFSB was at low power, and all I got was a low signal with non-stop breakup.

WTNH-DT isn't even at full power today, although I can get it here in New Britain's south end with little trouble. They can't increase power because of WJAR-TV (NBC) channel 10 in Providence, RI.

WTNH-DT isn't even at full power today, although I can get it here in New Britain's south end with little trouble. They can't increase power because of WJAR-TV (NBC) channel 10 in Providence, RI.
Here's a question related to that:

When the analog cutoff occurs, will stations be using their old analog channel for their digital broadcast? i.e. WTNH stops using channel 10 for WTNH-DT, and starts using channel 8 for that. Or are all these channels going to change their names, like WTNH will be "News Channel 10"?

Here's a question related to that:

When the analog cutoff occurs, will stations be using their old analog channel for their digital broadcast? i.e. WTNH stops using channel 10 for WTNH-DT, and starts using channel 8 for that. Or are all these channels going to change their names, like WTNH will be "News Channel 10"?
According to a NECRAT chart (from 2/15/05)....
WTNH WILL revert back to channel 10 from channel 8 in 2009, when analog is (supposedly) ended.....
WEDN (Norwich) will revert back to channel 9 from channel 53
WEDY (New Haven) elected to wait to "Round 2" of the frequency allocation; no word (per my chart) whether they'll stay on channel 6 (probable) or 65 (doubtful, given relatively poor signal propagation on such a high UHF channel....).
Here in NH.....WMUR-DT (59) will revert back to 9....WENH-DT (57) will return to 11.
FYI....WHDH-DT (42) will go back to 7.....
HTH! :)

Well I have been reading this forum for months and doing research on how to get local channels. I was very dissapointed that D* wanted me to spend money for one more local channel so I bought the bullet and bought a CM4228 today and installed it on my roof in Vernon. We just finished watching Prison Break in HD and get all the networks (includung WTNH) now in HD. Amazing the greed of two of the local channels that you can't pay to watch them, but can watch them for free. Oh well enough for now we are going to watch Vanished now. Thanx to all the people on this forum that recommended the CM4228.

Good stuff Jest... I'll have to keep that antenna in mind as well (live in Manchester).

Thanks,
Mike

According to a NECRAT chart (from 2/15/05)....
WTNH WILL revert back to channel 10 from channel 8 in 2009, when analog is (supposedly) ended.....
WEDN (Norwich) will revert back to channel 9 from channel 53
WEDY (New Haven) elected to wait to "Round 2" of the frequency allocation; no word (per my chart) whether they'll stay on channel 6 (probable) or 65 (doubtful, given relatively poor signal propagation on such a high UHF channel....).
Here in NH.....WMUR-DT (59) will revert back to 9....WENH-DT (57) will return to 11.
FYI....WHDH-DT (42) will go back to 7.....
HTH! :)

dsanbo,

Thanks for the info but I need to check one item. Will WTNH revert back to channel 10 or 8? Analog is on 8 and digital is on 10, so I'm guessing when analog shuts down, the digital signal on 10 will revert to channel 8. Is that correct? Thanks in advance.

Chris

Yes, analog WTNH-TV is channel 8 while WTNH-DT is channel 10. As for WEDY-DT, they will NOT be on channel 65 for digital because that part of the UHF band will be for other services after 2009.

Check here to to see where channels are probably going to end up. http://www.xmtr.com/fcc/dtvch.zip
John

The other TV transmitting antenna on Channel 3's tower belongs to Connecticut Public Television's Channel 24. It is analog-only and side-mounted.



Minor correction:

WEDH-24 is top mounted on an adjacent tower that belongs to CBS Radio (WTIC-FM).

I'm looking for a few "volunteers" who are around in the day time to QSL WEDY-DT in New Haven. It's been on a few times since the end of July but will probably start more lengthy testing in a few days. Keep in mind this is a VHF pea-power station (we like to say, 440,000.0 mw) that will only give coverage to metro New Haven. So, if you live in Hartford you won't receive it.

Please PM me if interested.

mdodge,
I would not considered your 440,000 mw station pea-powered because of power. When WTNH-DT was running less than a Kw it came if fine in Mystic, when WJAR was off air on channel 10. It looks like the antenna for WEDY-DT will not be up as high which will limit range, but it still might go well bebeyond New Haven. Probably not too well in eastern CT because of WLNE on channel 6. Also some people might have trouble if they are near an FM station. Let people know here when the station will be ont he air, if you can.
Did WEDH get authorized for channel 45? It has been mentioned that work is going on at the tower site. Any info on its operational time table.
John

The transmitter is on at the moment. (3:57 PM). I'll leave it on for a while - maybe the night operator can wait until midnight to shut it off.

We are having a problem and can't identify where it is. Neither our pro receiver (Ktek) nor consumer receiver (Samsung) is receiving the signal.

I'm leaving to head back to Hartford then Providence. I'll be at WEDN tomorrow so I doubt if it will be on. If you PM me we can swap email addresses to converse off the forum.

mdodge,
I would not considered your 440,000 mw station pea-powered because of power. When WTNH-DT was running less than a Kw it came if fine in Mystic, when WJAR was off air on channel 10. It looks like the antenna for WEDY-DT will not be up as high which will limit range, but it still might go well bebeyond New Haven. Probably not too well in eastern CT because of WLNE on channel 6. Also some people might have trouble if they are near an FM station. Let people know here when the station will be ont he air, if you can.
Did WEDH get authorized for channel 45? It has been mentioned that work is going on at the tower site. Any info on its operational time table.
John

You'd laugh if you saw the antenna. Because of the size of the antenna on Ch. 6, we had to go with a dual-bay, 0dB gain (which actually gives a loss in ERP from the TPO). WLNE is too close to you, it would blow us away (though, you could try a LB-yagi antenna mounted on top of the Morgan's main mast.

No word yet from the FCC on WEDH-DT. Arnold's boys from Canada are busy changing out the guy wires at the moment. The candelabra will be next. I don't know what antenna we will be putting up there; last minute choice I'd imagine. I'd bet on 45, though. Our late CE used to say, "Do something;Even if it's wrong."

WEDH-24 is definately moving to Arnold's tower. Signed PO and all.

You'd laugh if you saw the antenna. Because of the size of the antenna on Ch. 6, we had to go with a dual-bay, 0dB gain (which actually gives a loss in ERP from the TPO). WLNE is too close to you, it would blow us away (though, you could try a LB-yagi antenna mounted on top of the Morgan's main mast.

No word yet from the FCC on WEDH-DT. Arnold's boys from Canada are busy changing out the guy wires at the moment. The candelabra will be next. I don't know what antenna we will be putting up there; last minute choice I'd imagine. I'd bet on 45, though. Our late CE used to say, "Do something;Even if it's wrong."

WEDH-24 is definately moving to Arnold's tower. Signed PO and all.

Hopefully it wont be 45 as those of us in western Ct will lose WABC. It is nice having the choice of Ct or NY channels.

Hello everyone,

Current Dish SD customer thinking of making that HD leap. So, trying to do as much research as possible and cover all my bases. Which leads me to thinking about antennas for OTA HD reception. I'm really mostly concerned with the "big 4" locals; anything else is a bonus. I live in Manchester (hi, schmitter... :)) and here is what antennaweb has to say:

* yellow - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 276° 14.9 33
* yellow - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 276° 14.7 46
* yellow - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 261° 17.6 31
* yellow - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 261° 17.6 45
* green - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 260° 17.8 35
* red - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 WB WATERBURY CT 261° 17.6 12
* red - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 UPN NEW HAVEN CT 235° 34.7 39
* red - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 235° 34.7 10
* blue - vhf WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 348° 21.4 11

So, it seems to be reccommending a medium range directional antenna. How directional is directional? It looks like there's a 40 degree spread between WTNH-DT and WFSB-DT, with WTIC and WVIT in between. Looking on antennasdirect, the 42XG looks like a directional antenna that would fit the critera. Or would I be better off with the multi-directional DB4? Or, something else entirely? :)

IF you are able to help schmitter (or anyone familiar with Manchester), I'm off of Oakland Street, near UHaul and that abomination of a VIP that they are building. A little worried, because my condo unit sits below street level (compared to Oakland Street), but the antenna would not be facing that way, anyway.

Thanks, as always, for the help....
Mike

Well, plasma is on the way and I will be calling Dish on Tuesday to see about when I can get a 622 installed. I have a Dish 500... as far as I know that needs to be switched out as well. My questions are in regards to antennas and mounting... the CM4228 seems to be highly reccomended. If I order the CM4228 and the Channel Master CM 4834 5 ft 2-Leg Mount, am I good to go as far as mounting the antenna? Or are there any options to share the mast that the Dish currently is using? (doesn't seem like it, but figured I'd ask anyway)... if I get all this stuff before the installer comes for the dish, would he be able to take care of the antenna installation as well?

As my goal is to get the main 4 local networks in HD, would aiming the antenna towards WTIC-DT (as Jest has done) be my best bet?

Thanks for having patience with me guys, much appreciated.

Looking forward to HD at last!

Thanks,
Mike

Well, plasma is on the way and I will be calling Dish on Tuesday to see about when I can get a 622 installed. I have a Dish 500... as far as I know that needs to be switched out as well. My questions are in regards to antennas and mounting... the CM4228 seems to be highly reccomended. If I order the CM4228 and the Channel Master CM 4834 5 ft 2-Leg Mount, am I good to go as far as mounting the antenna? Or are there any options to share the mast that the Dish currently is using? (doesn't seem like it, but figured I'd ask anyway)... if I get all this stuff before the installer comes for the dish, would he be able to take care of the antenna installation as well?

As my goal is to get the main 4 local networks in HD, would aiming the antenna towards WTIC-DT (as Jest has done) be my best bet?

Thanks for having patience with me guys, much appreciated.

Looking forward to HD at last!

Thanks,
Mike

Mike,

Regarding the mounting issues, I have D* and haven't seen any means to mount antennas the size of the CM4228 on the dish mast. There are some special antennas that mount to the mast, e.g., square shooter, but not the big gun types. I guess you could jury rig something but you'd take the chance of antenna movement affecting the dish's aim.

As for mounting apparatus, I got my mounting poles and brackets at Lowes. They have 5' and 10' poles that can be stacked as needed. And they have a good selection of mounting hardware. The nice thing is that you can return what you don't need or what doesn't work.

No help on the aiming as I'm in Killingworth, though I think WTNH will be an issue for you since it is much farther south than the hartford stations.

I have a Dish 500... as far as I know that needs to be switched out as well.


Mike - They probably won't touch your existing Dish 500. They will have to add a second dish to receive from the 61.5 satellite location.

Frank

You'd laugh if you saw the antenna. Because of the size of the antenna on Ch. 6, we had to go with a dual-bay, 0dB gain (which actually gives a loss in ERP from the TPO). WLNE is too close to you, it would blow us away (though, you could try a LB-yagi antenna mounted on top of the Morgan's main mast.

No word yet from the FCC on WEDH-DT. Arnold's boys from Canada are busy changing out the guy wires at the moment. The candelabra will be next. I don't know what antenna we will be putting up there; last minute choice I'd imagine. I'd bet on 45, though. Our late CE used to say, "Do something;Even if it's wrong."

WEDH-24 is definately moving to Arnold's tower. Signed PO and all.

I just got an email from WEDH's Jerry Franklin. As mdodge said, there is still no ruling on the frequency issue.

Thanks Guys. I'll be ordering the CM4228, and checking out the mounting hardware at Lowes on Friday.

I know this isn't directly related to the thread, but according to two different people at Dish, nothing should be added or changed with my current Dish 500 - it should be sufficient for HDTV. Not that the folks I spoke with would be the most knowledgeable, but that's what I was told.

Anyway, the installer for the 622 DVR will be here on Friday and I figure if I have the CM4228 and mounting hardware, I could ask him to possibly install it (for an additional fee, I'm sure.)

Thanks again,
Mike

I just got an email from WEDH's Jerry Franklin. As mdodge said, there is still no ruling on the frequency issue.

I got an email from him, also. He said there was no ruling on their application to the FCC. He also said CPTV asked our two "esteemed" (my word) senators to get involved.

Thanks Guys. I know this isn't directly related to the thread, but according to two different people at Dish, nothing should be added or changed with my current Dish 500 - it should be sufficient for HDTV. Not that the folks I spoke with would be the most knowledgeable, but that's what I was told.

Thanks again,
Mike

If you want the VOOM channels, you will need another dish. As was stated, in New England the added dish will need to be aimed at the 61.5 deg. Sat.
John

Thanks, CTDish. I'll see what happens when they come out tomorrow. :)

If you want the VOOM channels, you will need another dish. As was stated, in New England the added dish will need to be aimed at the 61.5 deg. Sat.
John

It's not just the VOOM channels, it's most of the new HD channels: ESPN2, NFL, Universal, Nat.Geo, Starz, HGTV, FOOD, and possibly the CT locals when they get around to adding them. I don't think they'll install a new HD reciever without the ability to get these channels, which in CT means the second dish.

Guess I just "wanted to believe"... I should have known better when they were thoroughly puzzled at the idea of using an antenna for HD locals... :)

My only concern was, being in a condo, having a whole array of dishes/antennas on the roof... but then again, they aren't particularly visible where they are located, either, so no big deal...

(fateful words... :) )

Thanks,
Mike

Is there anyone out there with a Radio Shack Accurian who can look at CH 40 for me. On 40-1 and 40-2 I only get the tube, with no audio (9-06). Same last Saturday looking for the Notre Dame game. Ch 40 replied to an e-mail and has had no complaints. Perhaps someone out there has an answer. Tried the usual, rescan, etc. All my other channels are fine. Football on NBC tonight HD, no problem.

I got an email from him, also. He said there was no ruling on their application to the FCC. He also said CPTV asked our two "esteemed" (my word) senators to get involved.

To reinforce what has been reported earlier:

http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2006/db0829/DA-06-1675A1.pdf#search=%22da%2006-1675%22

Copy/Paste this to your favorite browser and you can read everything there is to know about the FCC's decision is on this matter.

This is everything we know, our attorneys know and, probably, what our "esteemed" senators know. When the FCC makes its decision, this is where we ALL can read about it. If I recollect, when we get a call from our Washington attorneys with new information, it's because they read it in the Federal Register or the FCC PN.

When the magical date in 2009 arrives, WABC-DT, most likely, will be on their elected channel 7 and WEDH-DT will be on their elected channel 45. In the meantime, while OTA DT viewers in Western Connecticut can enjoy two ABC network stations, viewers in Central Connecticut can not watch a local PBS DT OTA station.

As an aside... I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) WABC is the only station in the country trying to protect two DTV channels; 7 & 45.

WEDY-DT6, 65-1, New Haven is on the air and transmitting program.

WEDY-DT6, 65-1, New Haven is on the air and transmitting program.
I'm not even getting a blip from 65-1 here in Prospect, CT (15 miles from New Haven). It must be running at very low power..?

EDIT: I was looking at digital channel 65, when in actuality it's digital channel 6. I'm able to get some signal on my meter, but nothing comes up, no video and no station ID. Kinda weird that I can get the two furthest PBS channels in the state in (52 in Bridgeport, 45 in Norwich) but can't get the closest one to come in.

I'm not even getting a blip from 65-1 here in Prospect, CT (15 miles from New Haven). It must be running at very low power..?

EDIT: I was looking at digital channel 65, when in actuality it's digital channel 6. I'm able to get some signal on my meter, but nothing comes up, no video and no station ID. Kinda weird that I can get the two furthest PBS channels in the state in (52 in Bridgeport, 45 in Norwich) but can't get the closest one to come in.

I'm real surprised that you can't pick it up. I'm getting it here in Cheshire. The signal is a bit weak, only about 50% on my H20, but not too many breakups.

No Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune in HD in Connecticut.

Here is the email I just got from WTNH.

Dear Scott,

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail us.

WTNH has been broadcasting in HD since 1998 and will continue to do so.
However, additional equipment is needed in order to receive the HD version
of syndicated shows such as WHEEL OF FORTUNE and JEOPARDY. At this time, we
are uncertain when we will have this equipment. ABC will still be available
in true HD, when made available by ABC, through WTNH.

Have a nice day!

Sincerely,
Deanna Banas Kluk
Program Manager

I'm real surprised that you can't pick it up. I'm getting it here in Cheshire. The signal is a bit weak, only about 50% on my H20, but not too many breakups.
I'm surprised myself. Maybe when the leaves really begin to fall off of the trees I'll be able to get it. I just don't unerstand why I am able to receive Providence channels, but can't get something as close as New Haven. I can get every other station being broadcast in CT, just not WEDY.

No Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune in HD in Connecticut.

From what I've heard, many ABC affiliates have yet to get the equipment to deliver HD syndicated programming. I'm not too worried about it much until more syndicated programs are provided in HD, and at that time I think there will be a lot of pressure on stations like WTNH to get that equipment. Plus, HD Wheel of Fortune would have been nicer 10 years ago while Vanna was still holding onto some youth. :)

From what I've heard, many ABC affiliates have yet to get the equipment to deliver HD syndicated programming. I'm not too worried about it much until more syndicated programs are provided in HD, and at that time I think there will be a lot of pressure on stations like WTNH to get that equipment. Plus, HD Wheel of Fortune would have been nicer 10 years ago while Vanna was still holding onto some youth. :)

In addition to what you mentioned, the "equipment" is not just a VTR or DVR, it would require a whole replacement and upgrade of the signal path. Routing and switching equipment included. In the case of WTNH, there is an extra problem in that since syndicated programming and commercial playback originates in Springfield, the path and media by which the programming is delivered to New Haven or Hamden must have the bandwidth to support HD, and the local station needs the equipment to pass that signal on to the transmitter.

Most OTA stations that pass network HD do it all right at the transmitter, taking in the network feed almost directly from the receiving equipment. The only other input would be the upconverted NTSC from the station's control room for local commercials and programming. This leaves most of the station's infrastructure untouched and still operating SD NTSC analog.

WVIT is now 2/2 in screwing up the Sat football games. Seems their inept "engineering/management" departments have the "HD" feed from Boston or NY on their monitors and not the SD Upconvert they actually broadcast OTA during the 4th quarters. :(

WVIT is now 2/2 in screwing up the Sat football games. Seems their inept "engineering/management" departments have the "HD" feed from Boston or NY on their monitors and not the SD Upconvert they actually broadcast OTA during the 4th quarters. :(

Did you call them to let them know?

Did you call them to let them know?

Yes, I did. Last week I had to call twice before they finally fixed it 45 minutes later.

Yes, I did. Last week I had to call twice before they finally fixed it 45 minutes later.

That good. Alot of people will do nothing, and then complain about it. If you don't let them know, they can't fix it.

Didn't notice the WVIT issue as I didn't sit down to watch any TV until late in the day. I tried to catch the end of the Yanks-Bosox game on WTIC, but as usual, they had no signal OTA. Tried a reboot but that didn't fix it. It is maddening that they can loose signal so often and it seems they are totally unaware of it unless someone calls or maybe posts on this site.

I repeatedly checked the signal later last night just to see and I continued to get zero signal strength. They best have it up for today's football game. If there is an explanation for all this that makes sense, I sure wish someone from TIC would post it here. Otherwise, all I can assume is that they are inept, don't care, or both.

Channel 30 has one of the best engineering departments in this market. During the Olympics they went above and beyond to correct a problem a particular receiver was having, including buying that receiver for tests. While we sit in the comfort of our homes it's easy to complain, but I know that problems are not taken lightly by CH 30 engineering.

Channel 30 has one of the best engineering departments in this market. During the Olympics they went above and beyond to correct a problem a particular receiver was having, including buying that receiver for tests. While we sit in the comfort of our homes it's easy to complain, but I know that problems are not taken lightly by CH 30 engineering.

Were it only so for WTIC engineering. Their digital signal was off the air until Sunday evening; too late for the Giant's football game. A total joke!

Question for anyone in CT with Direct TV receiving MPEG-4 feeds via the new 5 LNB dish. Can you tell me if you are able to received the MPEG-4 HD feeds of YES and SNY? I see where NESN HD is not available in CT without "moving" to Boston, but I haven't heard anything about the New York RSNs.

I've held off getting the 5 LNB dish since I can get the CT locals OTA most of the time but would be interested in getting non national YES HD games and Mets HD games, but the question is are those feeds available to CT subs? I'm thinking most of CT would be in the spot beams for New York since they would have to reach Eastern Long Island anyway.

Thanks in advance.

Question for anyone in CT with Direct TV receiving MPEG-4 feeds via the new 5 LNB dish. Can you tell me if you are able to received the MPEG-4 HD feeds of YES and SNY? I see where NESN HD is not available in CT without "moving" to Boston, but I haven't heard anything about the New York RSNs.

I've held off getting the 5 LNB dish since I can get the CT locals OTA most of the time but would be interested in getting non national YES HD games and Mets HD games, but the question is are those feeds available to CT subs? I'm thinking most of CT would be in the spot beams for New York since they would have to reach Eastern Long Island anyway.

Thanks in advance.

The only hd rsn available to CT is YES on channel 95, which is CONUS and mpeg2, or if you are in Fairfield county, you are in the NY dma and get all of their channels, including YES hd on channel 96. I am not sure if SNY is in hd on D* yet.

The only hd rsn available to CT is YES on channel 95, which is CONUS and mpeg2, or if you are in Fairfield county, you are in the NY dma and get all of their channels, including YES hd on channel 96. I am not sure if SNY is in hd on D* yet.

Thanks Chip. Disappointing to hear. I thought SNY appeared in the guide as a second version of 625 if you can receive MPEG-4, or maybe in place of it. I have to believe the HD RSNs can be seen in CT and it is just D* policy not to make them available (yet?). At this point, other than getting the HR20 eventually, I see no reason to move to the 5 LNB dish//MPEG-4.

I'm not even getting a blip from 65-1 here in Prospect, CT (15 miles from New Haven). It must be running at very low power..?

EDIT: I was looking at digital channel 65, when in actuality it's digital channel 6. I'm able to get some signal on my meter, but nothing comes up, no video and no station ID. Kinda weird that I can get the two furthest PBS channels in the state in (52 in Bridgeport, 45 in Norwich) but can't get the closest one to come in.

PM me with your street address and I will run a path study to see if there is a major obstruction to your location. Off hand, though, I would say that you are just too far away. After all, the ERP is only 400 watts. WEDW-DT 52, Bridgeport and WEDN-DT 45, Norwich are 200,000 watts.

Howdy All,

We've just moved to CT from Milwaukee and I am attempting to figure out an HD solution for my OTA receiver (Samsung). The new house will be in Durham and according to AntennaWeb, it doesn't appear that I can get all the majors, digitally, from either Hartford or Newhaven alone. So I guess that means a rotator? I was hoping to avoid that extra bit, but would like to hear from someone else who is "conveniently" located between these major cities.

-pjc

Antenna Call Sign Channel Network City Compass Miles Frequency
yellow - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD 344° 16.7 31
yellow - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD 344° 16.7 45
green - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 MNT NEW HAVEN 265° 15.2 39
green - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN 344° 16.5 35
green - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN 265° 15.2 10
red - vhf WEDY-DT 6 PBS NEW HAVEN 241° 16.6 6
blue - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD 355° 20.6 46
blue - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD 355° 20.7 33
blue - uhf WSAH-DT 42 SAH BRIDGEPORT 262° 24.5 42
violet - uhf WHPX-DT 26.1 i NEW LONDON 115° 25.1 34

Howdy All,

We've just moved to CT from Milwaukee and I am attempting to figure out an HD solution for my OTA receiver (Samsung). The new house will be in Durham and according to AntennaWeb, it doesn't appear that I can get all the majors, digitally, from either Hartford or Newhaven alone. So I guess that means a rotator? I was hoping to avoid that extra bit, but would like to hear from someone else who is "conveniently" located between these major cities.

-pjc

Antenna Call Sign Channel Network City Compass Miles Frequency
yellow - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD 344° 16.7 31
yellow - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD 344° 16.7 45
green - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 MNT NEW HAVEN 265° 15.2 39
green - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN 344° 16.5 35
green - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN 265° 15.2 10
red - vhf WEDY-DT 6 PBS NEW HAVEN 241° 16.6 6
blue - uhf WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD 355° 20.6 46
blue - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD 355° 20.7 33
blue - uhf WSAH-DT 42 SAH BRIDGEPORT 262° 24.5 42
violet - uhf WHPX-DT 26.1 i NEW LONDON 115° 25.1 34

Actually, you may be ok without a rotator. I live in Wallingford and pick up reasonably well the Hartford Channels via a ChannelMaster 4228. It's spec'd as a UHF only antenna, but also picks up high-band VHF which works out good for ABC (10) and WB (12). From Wallingford, I'm pointing generally towards Hartford and pick up ABC off the back-end of the antenna since ABC is strong in our neck of the woods. I know a few others on the forum who live in the same area (Cheshire, etc) are also having the same luck with a similar model. Just expect lots of trial & error as even a few degrees can make a big difference. I must admit that I don't get the PBS stations with any consistency, but get NBC & ABC at 90+ signal, Fox & WB at @ 75 and CBS at @60. CBS is probably the toughest of the bunch to dial in.

One thing that may be problematic is where you're located in Durham due to the massive amount of forestry. If your new place is surrounded by giant trees, you're going to have a problem. The key thing I've found is the higher you place the antenna, the better.

Good luck.

Thanks for the glimer of hope Stumacdo: My goal was to get the installer there, point the new antenna at about 350° and see if it will be close enough to pull from both Hartford and New Britain (355° & 344°). If so, I might skip the rotator. I will be installing a pre-amp, so my hopes are high.

I've been in touch with Tony from Ultra-Chanel in W.Haven. Anyone work with him/them before?


Thanks again,

-pjc

Thanks for the glimer of hope Stumacdo: My goal was to get the installer there, point the new antenna at about 350° and see if it will be close enough to pull from both Hartford and New Britain (355° & 344°). If so, I might skip the rotator. I will be installing a pre-amp, so my hopes are high.

I've been in touch with Tony from Ultra-Chanel in W.Haven. Anyone work with him/them before?


Thanks again,

-pjc

I had some work done by a contractor from West Haven, but can't remember the name. Wasn't too thrilled as their goal was just to get the antenna up and running with minimal signal (plus they charged a pretty penny). Not sure if this guy is the same one I had, however. I must say that the best luck I had was basically going up on the roof myself and using either a cell phone/walkie talkie to converse with the wife who was watching the signal meter on the set. Realistically, you can purchase an appropriate antenna online for like $50, a 10 foot mast from Lowe's/Home Depot for $20 and then a good cable run for $25. Add it up - if you're not bothered by heights and you've got somebody to help you out with watching the antenna signal on your set, it's probably much more cost-efficient to try it yourself. Also, grab a compass to determine your orientation to the signals in Hartford. Good luck.

It's been just over a month since the news about the Rattlesnake Mt. antenna complex. Does anyone have an update on what's happening or when it'll be done?

Thanks!

Is WFSB as strong as the other stations? I'm in Simsbury with ATI HDTV tuner card and Zenith indoor ant. I get Wtic, NBC30 and ABC40 out of Springfield fine but CBS WFSB is jerky. I watch mostly sports. Any ideas? Thank you (newbie)

Is WFSB as strong as the other stations? I'm in Simsbury with ATI HDTV tuner card and Zenith indoor ant. I get Wtic, NBC30 and ABC40 out of Springfield fine but CBS WFSB is jerky. I watch mostly sports. Any ideas? Thank you (newbie)

I think they are still running on reduced power. I'm sure someone out there knows more about it than I do.

I am getting no signal for 3 today. Anybody else having problems? All the other channels are working as usual so it doesn't seem to be a hardware problem on my end.

Is WFSB as strong as the other stations? I'm in Simsbury with ATI HDTV tuner card and Zenith indoor ant. I get Wtic, NBC30 and ABC40 out of Springfield fine but CBS WFSB is jerky. I watch mostly sports. Any ideas? Thank you (newbie)

Well the word here, earlier up the thread, is that WFSB is at full power. I get it fine most of the time in Killingworth, so I don't think it's signal power for you in Simsbury. WFSB broadcasts from Avon Mt, you should be very close in Simsbury. If you are using a high gain antenna or especially any type of amplifier, you may be getting signal overload. Try removing the amp if you're using one and see if that helps. Also, if you have a set top UHF antenna, try hooking that up to see if things improve.

I am getting no signal for 3 today. Anybody else having problems? All the other channels are working as usual so it doesn't seem to be a hardware problem on my end.

Ditto here (after just posting how I get it about all the time). I did watch the Jet game in HD OTA, so it was good an hour or so ago.

Ditto here (after just posting how I get it about all the time). I did watch the Jet game in HD OTA, so it was good an hour or so ago. My reception worked fine for the Jets game (except for HORRID audio) but the Pats aren't coming in at ALL.. I'm in Cheshire BTW.

I called WFSB during the first quarter and it was fixed somewhere in the second quarter. Then it was kind of spotty for the rest of the game. What's up with inserting local comercials in the middle of a play?

Nothing for me either on WFSB-DT around 4:00 PM Sunday.

Never flipped back to see if it improved though. I just watched the game on the Sunday Ticket channel.

I called WFSB during the first quarter and it was fixed somewhere in the second quarter. Then it was kind of spotty for the rest of the game. What's up with inserting local comercials in the middle of a play?

...elaborate

Nothing for me either on WFSB-DT around 4:00 PM Sunday.

Never flipped back to see if it improved though. I just watched the game on the Sunday Ticket channel.
..the pats? shouldnt that be blacked out?

For some reason, this year the HD channels of Sunday Ticket are not blacked out. The SD games still are. It's been like this every week.

WFSB is at full power. Their tower is lower than the other tower though, so that makes it more difficult for some people who have terrain problems to pick up.

For some reason, this year the HD channels of Sunday Ticket are not blacked out. The SD games still are. It's been like this every week.
Well this is obviously a grevious oversight on DirecTV's part.. I must notify them immediately!!
:p

Well this is obviously a grevious oversight on DirecTV's part.. I must notify them immediately!!
:p

I've been enjoying this oversight. As much as OTA is better, I am using the HD channels for ST to take advantage of the interactive features on my HR20.

I live in Prospect, and Comcast just added WTXX-DT to our Adelphia system. The thing is, this channel looks like crap compared to the other HD locals. I haven't viewed WTXX-DT OTA since last year (before they did multicasting with The Tube), and I probably won't be able to watch it OTA until sometime the next month or two (leaves fall off). Basically, I want to know if WTXX-DT looks like crap OTA as well as from Comcast. I would appreciate as many comments on this as possible. Thanks guys.

WTXX-DT during non-CW hours looks like crap because they still stretch the picture to the left and right to eliminate the pillarboxing flanking the regular 4:3 picture. At least sister station WTIC-DT (FOX) solved that problem somewhat. Now if they could just change the gray pillarboxes on either side to black? Here in New Britain, I get WTXX-DT "20-1" on QAM tuner channel 82-1 while The Tube is on channel "20-2" (I own a 26" Sanyo LCD HDTV set).

WTXX-DT during non-CW hours looks like crap because they still stretch the picture to the left and right to eliminate the pillarboxing flanking the regular 4:3 picture. At least sister station WTIC-DT (FOX) solved that problem somewhat. Now if they could just change the gray pillarboxes on either side to black? Here in New Britain, I get WTXX-DT "20-1" on QAM tuner channel 82-1 while The Tube is on channel "20-2" (I own a 26" Sanyo LCD HDTV set).
Absolutely, the stretching is horrible. However, HD programs look dowright disgusting on WTXX-DT on my Adelphia cable system. How would you compare network stuff (be it un-stretched SD or HD) to the other broadcast networks?

The CW stuff in HD looks OK here. I think the HD looks best on CBS first, then NBC.

I disagree about CW HD programming. Too little bandwidth is causing a lot of pixelation.

Hi everyone. I recently moved into the Simsbury area and get SD locals and the Superstation package from Dish. Reception on all of the stations is fine, except WEDH, which looks snowy -- as if I'm watching through a mesh screen. Any reason why this one station would come in poorly when all the others come in fine?

Hi everyone. I recently moved into the Simsbury area and get SD locals and the Superstation package from Dish. Reception on all of the stations is fine, except WEDH, which looks snowy -- as if I'm watching through a mesh screen. Any reason why this one station would come in poorly when all the others come in fine?

WEDH is not broadcasting a digital signal yet.

That's probably it, although it seemed much better when I first subscribed and I have noticed that it has seemed to worsen lately.

Is there something WRONG with WTIC Fox 61? I live in Cheshire, CT and I am having a REALLY hard time getting a good signal, but according to antennaweb the signal source is like less than 1 mile away from WVIT 30, which gets EXCELLENT reception.. am I missing something here? Anything I can do to help my signal? Everything is doing ok with my indoor antenna except for this damn station.

WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT both transmit from Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington. They're on channels 35 and 31, respectively. I'm usually good with both of them here in the south end of New Britain. The one I always have problems with is WFSB-DT channel 33. That's due to Avon Moutain being in the same direction as New Britain's Walnut Hill (and park with the same name). I live at the bottom of that said hill. :(

WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT both transmit from Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington. They're on channels 35 and 31, respectively. I'm usually good with both of them here in the south end of New Britain. The one I always have problems with is WFSB-DT channel 33. That's due to Avon Moutain being in the same direction as New Britain's Walnut Hill (and park with the same name). I live at the bottom of that said hill. :(

35? 31? 33?? Am I missing something here? :confused:

35? 31? 33?? Am I missing something here? :confused:

Those are the digital channels numbers for WVIT, WTIC, and WFSB. BTW, I am in Cheshire also, but have no issues with any of the locals. PM me. Maybe I can help.

Is there something WRONG with WTIC Fox 61? I live in Cheshire, CT and I am having a REALLY hard time getting a good signal, but according to antennaweb the signal source is like less than 1 mile away from WVIT 30, which gets EXCELLENT reception.. am I missing something here? Anything I can do to help my signal? Everything is doing ok with my indoor antenna except for this damn station.

I'm in Killingworth and have lots of issues with WTIC. There is some problem with their transmission from time to time, sometimes for a minute or two, sometimes for days it seems. I can have a lock at 75% signal strength for an hour and then breakups and no signal. At times, I get a strong signal (75% +-) but a black screen, so the signal is strong but there is no picture being sent. This has gone on for a few years. Lost the giants and cowboys game a few times yesterday and the baseball game too. I wish they'd fix it or explain why it happens.

My understanding is that they are not at their permanent antenna height on Rattlesnake Mt due to some FCC issue, but my issues are not with signal strength; they are with them sending a constant signal.

Those are the digital channels numbers for WVIT, WTIC, and WFSB. BTW, I am in Cheshire also, but have no issues with any of the locals. PM me. Maybe I can help.
Are you using an indoor or outdoor antenna? I'm using my new Terk HDA antenna indoors.

Are you using an indoor or outdoor antenna? I'm using my new Terk HDA antenna indoors.

I have a Channel Master 4228 on the roof. Your antenna is probably the problem.

I live in Coventry, CT, pretty much in the woods on the lake. I have no idea what antenna to use. Half of the house is facing the lake, which is free of tree's pretty much though.

I'd prefer a fairly cheap antenna (>$50)

And hopefully indoors for my bedroom.

I live in Coventry, CT, pretty much in the woods on the lake. I have no idea what antenna to use. Half of the house is facing the lake, which is free of tree's pretty much though.

I'd prefer a fairly cheap antenna (>$50)

And hopefully indoors for my bedroom.

If you want reliable reception, plan on using an outdoor antenna. You can try an indoor antenna, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work for you. If you go the outdoor route, a ChannelMaster 4228 will work, and you may even be able to pick up WTNH (VHF ch 10) with it. Keep in mind that UHF signals are impaired by heavy tree (leaf) cover, so hopefully the part of your house facing the lake is facing west/southwest.

Ross

Please be aware that the long awaited Rattlesnake Mountain tower candelabra project has been underway for several weeks now. Because tower workers must pass through areas on the tower containing active broadcast antennas, transmission interruptions and/or power reductions are necessary to let the workers safely pass by. Starting Thursday, October 12, WTIC-TV (and others) will temporarily shift their operations to standby or temporary antennas until the project is completed. This will mean 8 weeks or so of reduced coverage. Hopefully the engineers from the respective stations will provide you with more detail.

Thanks for the heads-up achase!

Ross

If you want reliable reception, plan on using an outdoor antenna. You can try an indoor antenna, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work for you. If you go the outdoor route, a ChannelMaster 4228 will work, and you may even be able to pick up WTNH (VHF ch 10) with it. Keep in mind that UHF signals are impaired by heavy tree (leaf) cover, so hopefully the part of your house facing the lake is facing west/southwest.

Ross

Here in Cheshire I pick up WTNH-DT fine with a CM 4228. I get WTXX-DT, also. Both are high UHF channels, 10 and 12 respectively.

Please be aware that the long awaited Rattlesnake Mountain tower candelabra project has been underway for several weeks now. Because tower workers must pass through areas on the tower containing active broadcast antennas, transmission interruptions and/or power reductions are necessary to let the workers safely pass by. Starting Thursday, October 12, WTIC-TV (and others) will temporarily shift their operations to standby or temporary antennas until the project is completed. This will mean 8 weeks or so of reduced coverage. Hopefully the engineers from the respective stations will provide you with more detail.

Thanks for letting us know, we appreciate that. Can you tell us what the "(and others)" channels are? I believe the other channel is WTXX-DT?

Does standby or temporary mean totally off of the tower, or just lower down the tower? The term temporary brings thoughts to mind of a very low temp tower. At least I know now to change any of my Tivo recordings from WTIC-DT. Not good news for football fans.

Please be aware that the long awaited Rattlesnake Mountain tower candelabra project has been underway for several weeks now. Because tower workers must pass through areas on the tower containing active broadcast antennas, transmission interruptions and/or power reductions are necessary to let the workers safely pass by. Starting Thursday, October 12, WTIC-TV (and others) will temporarily shift their operations to standby or temporary antennas until the project is completed. This will mean 8 weeks or so of reduced coverage. Hopefully the engineers from the respective stations will provide you with more detail.

achase,

Thank you for the update. I got the sense that work was underway as my WTIC-DT signal would go from rock solid to almost nothing and back from time to time. I wish WTIC would provide this type of update more often. I do hope they have plans to be up as powerful as possible in prime time and weekends, assuming the tech's don't work at night or Sat/Sunday.

That said, the timing could not be worse as the 8-week span will cover the MLB playoffs and the bulk of the football season, which WTIC has a heavy hand in broadcasting.

That said, the timing could not be worse as the 8-week span will cover the MLB playoffs and the bulk of the football season, which WTIC has a heavy hand in broadcasting.

I concur....

Finally WTXX-DT has stopped stretching their non hd feed! It's about time. Now if WCTX would stop stretching theirs.....

Thanks for letting us know, we appreciate that. Can you tell us what the "(and others)" channels are? I believe the other channel is WTXX-DT?

Does standby or temporary mean totally off of the tower, or just lower down the tower? The term temporary brings thoughts to mind of a very low temp tower. At least I know now to change any of my Tivo recordings from WTIC-DT. Not good news for football fans.

The main WTIC-TV analog antenna is now disconnected and will be lowered next week. They are on their stand-by antenna, which is about halfway up the tower. After the old WTIC-TV antenna is taken down, the top section of the tower will be replaced with a candelabra array. WTIC-TV (analog) will immediately return to the top of the tower (as part of the candelabra) and will be joined by WEDH (analog) broadcasting from their new location for the first time. WTXX-DT will be combined with WTIC-DT in a joint antenna stack when their new antenna is built and delivered, but as is the case with WEDH-DT, the F.C.C. STILL hasn't gotten around to giving the stations their final approval. I know you don't want to hear this, but that means even though the candelabra will be in operation in about a month, the permanent (and full power) WTIC-DT, WTXX-DT, and WEDH-DT antennas will not be delivered in time for the winter construction shutdown... :(

Other than short periods of shutdown and/or reduced power, WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT's existing temporary facilities shouldn't degrade from where they've been.

I lost WTIC-DT during the Tigers-A's game Wednesday night. I don't think it was a case of reduced coverage as I am basically at the foot of Rattlesnake Mt. In fact I can see the tower lights from my living room window when the leaves fall.

Thanks as always for the update Mr. Chase even though the news is mixed. Can't believe that the WEDH problem is still going on.

WEDH-TV analog coming off of Rattlesnake Mountain is news to me...GREAT NEWS! I can't get a good signal whatsoever from their existing Avon Mountain transmitter here in New Britain's south end (I'm at the bottom of Walnut Hill, which is in the same direction). The same thing with WUVN-TV (UNI) analog channel 18. Are there any plans to put them on Rattlesnake as well (analog or digital)? Also, will any of this work affect the cable feed of WTIC-DT, WTXX-DT and The Tube on WTXX-DT 12-2 ("20-2")?

I just did an analog channel scan. Channel 61 looked the same as it always did. When I tried the digital antenna scan, nothing showed up on WTXX-DT (same with The Tube, since it's a WTXX-DT subchannel).

I have a Channel Master 4228 on the roof. Your antenna is probably the problem.
Yeah... thing is though that I don't want to have to mount a huge, ugly antenna to my roof. I'm leaving that as a very, very last resort. I think I have 2 other options beforehand to consider: either try an Attic solution, or attach an antenna on to my DirecTV satellite dish. Which would be more likely to provide a better signal? BTW I have Vinyl siding on my house. Could that cause interference?

WEDH-TV analog coming off of Rattlesnake Mountain is news to me...GREAT NEWS! I can't get a good signal whatsoever from their existing Avon Mountain transmitter here in New Britain's south end (I'm at the bottom of Walnut Hill, which is in the same direction). The same thing with WUVN-TV (UNI) analog channel 18. Are there any plans to put them on Rattlesnake as well (analog or digital)? Also, will any of this work affect the cable feed of WTIC-DT, WTXX-DT and The Tube on WTXX-DT 12-2 ("20-2")?

I just did an analog channel scan. Channel 61 looked the same as it always did. When I tried the digital antenna scan, nothing showed up on WTXX-DT (same with The Tube, since it's a WTXX-DT subchannel).

Part of your problem with WEDH is the fact that since a piece of transmission line burned up last spring, the transmitter has been at half power. That will be addressed by, as Arnold mentioned, a new transmitter is being installed on Rattlesnake Mountain (Nov/Dec). The new antenna has been delivered and will be installed along with WTIC "and others".

Unfortunately, the WEDH-DT situation hasn't changed as yet, although, rumors have been comming out of New Jersey and New York. So, that may change. There is light at the end of the tunnel... let's hope it's not a train.

As far as WUVN, I'm surprised you can't get it blasting in. I just did a quick terrain plot and unless you have a poor antenna (indoor) you should get it. If you get WTIC then WUVN is right across the street.

I don't think WEDH-TV channel 24 being at reduced power is the problem. It's always been poor ever since my family moved into New Britain's south end back in 1978. The same thing goes for the many incarnations of channel 18. Using a roof antenna in the attic only made things slightly better (but still problematic). Proof it's the terrain? I once lived in New Britain's east end by East Street for a 5-month span in 1991. Channels 18 and 24 came in beautifully. Also, I'd get a decent signal of channels 22 and 40 from Springfield, MA (don't remember how channel 57 was). Channel 3 was always decent, with channel 8 of New Haven coming in better at times.

Move to today and the digital: Up until the transmitter work at Rattlesnake Mountain, I had the best results from WVIT-DT (NBC) and WTIC-DT (FOX). WTXX-DT (CW) was fair while WTNH-DT (ABC), WHPX-DT (I) and WCTX-DT (MY) are OK. Throw in the above problems with Avon Mountain and what do I get? Very sporadic signal from both WFSB-DT (CBS) and WUVN-DT (UNI). This is why I'm hoping that WEDH-DT (PBS) will be on Rattlesnake as opposed to Avon Mountain.

Yeah... thing is though that I don't want to have to mount a huge, ugly antenna to my roof. I'm leaving that as a very, very last resort. I think I have 2 other options beforehand to consider: either try an Attic solution, or attach an antenna on to my DirecTV satellite dish. Which would be more likely to provide a better signal? BTW I have Vinyl siding on my house. Could that cause interference?

The clip on type antennas have mixed results, meaning that they don't work very well, usually. Any siding will block some signal, as will roofing materials or anything solid.
Send me a private message.

I live in Manchester, and the only problem I have getting some channels is the aluminum siding at the gable ends of my house. If I point the antenna through the roof so that it doesn't need to go through the ends it works fine. Same thing with my wireless router. If I want a signal in my garage, I need to put the router right at a window or my laptop won't see it, but at a window it works great.

KML0224:

PM me with your street address and I'll do another terrain plot (include an email address that I can send the results to). If you are due south of the hospital on Walnut Hill, the hill is probably blocking Avon Mountain.

FYI: The WEDH-DT antenna will be mounted on the same pylon as WEDH-24 analog antenna.

Yeah... thing is though that I don't want to have to mount a huge, ugly antenna to my roof. I'm leaving that as a very, very last resort. I think I have 2 other options beforehand to consider: either try an Attic solution, or attach an antenna on to my DirecTV satellite dish. Which would be more likely to provide a better signal? BTW I have Vinyl siding on my house. Could that cause interference?

Dave,

I currently have a CM 4228 but first tried a Winegard Square Shooter. Using a CM 7777 pre amp with both, I got about the same reception except for WTNH-DT. The Square Shooter was more directional and with it pointed at New Britain, I could not pick up WTNH. It would pick it up if I rotated it towards New Haven, but then I lost the New Britain stations. The CM 4228 picks up WTNH while being pointed at New Britain. Anyway, it's a smallish antenna that can be mounted on the satellite pole with pretty good, albeit not perfect, performance. I still have it in my garage in fact. Here's a picture of it: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SS-1000

Dave,

I currently have a CM 4228 but first tried a Winegard Square Shooter. Using a CM 7777 pre amp with both, I got about the same reception except for WTNH-DT. The Square Shooter was more directional and with it pointed at New Britain, I could not pick up WTNH. It would pick it up if I rotated it towards New Haven, but then I lost the New Britain stations. The CM 4228 picks up WTNH while being pointed at New Britain. Anyway, it's a smallish antenna that can be mounted on the satellite pole with pretty good, albeit not perfect, performance. I still have it in my garage in fact. Here's a picture of it: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SS-1000

That's exactly my experience, Chris. Here in Cheshire I have mine pointed at Rattlesnake Mtn and get WTNH-DT and WCTX-DT with virtually no dropouts.

Hi. I just joined DishNetwork from Cablevision. Because I'm in Ffld county I can only get the locals out of NY so I'm searching for a good OTA antenna instead to keep my CT locals. I want to pick up WFSB, WVIT 30 and WTNH. My distances to the towers are 42.4 (VHF), 37.2 (UHF), and 17.3 (vhf) respectively. So far all I've tried is the Terk TV5 which yielded pretty decent WTNH but none of the other two. My dish is mounted with its back to the towers so a tie in there might not work (right?).

I am not using the HD services and the hardware is the dvr 625. I am open to an attic or roof install but if it's on my roof I (read, "my wife") would love to stay away from a huge metal antenna. Thanks in advance and I really appreciate any input you could offer to help me find a solution.

--Don--

Hi. I just joined DishNetwork from Cablevision. Because I'm in Ffld county I can only get the locals out of NY so I'm searching for a good OTA antenna instead to keep my CT locals. I want to pick up WFSB, WVIT 30 and WTNH. My distances to the towers are 42.4 (VHF), 37.2 (UHF), and 17.3 (vhf) respectively. So far all I've tried is the Terk TV5 which yielded pretty decent WTNH but none of the other two. My dish is mounted with its back to the towers so a tie in there might not work (right?).

I am not using the HD services and the hardware is the dvr 625. I am open to an attic or roof install but if it's on my roof I (read, "my wife") would love to stay away from a huge metal antenna. Thanks in advance and I really appreciate any input you could offer to help me find a solution.

--Don--

From those distances and the terrain here in CT, you should get the Channel Master 4228. It's a UHF antenna, but it will pick up WTNH-DT and WTXX-DT just fine. You may need to use an amp with it.

From those distances and the terrain here in CT, you should get the Channel Master 4228. It's a UHF antenna, but it will pick up WTNH-DT and WTXX-DT just fine. You may need to use an amp with it.

I concur with raoul5788 except I'd say you'll definitely need the pre-amp given your distances. Aim at Rattlesnake Mt in New Britain. WFSB will be the hardest to get as it originates from Avon Mt.

KML0224:

PM me with your street address and I'll do another terrain plot (include an email address that I can send the results to). If you are due south of the hospital on Walnut Hill, the hill is probably blocking Avon Mountain.

FYI: The WEDH-DT antenna will be mounted on the same pylon as WEDH-24 analog antenna.

If the WEDH-DT antenna is going to be on the same pylon as the analog one, does that mean WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT are going to be on a separate one and if so why do they have to wait until the WEDH mess is settled before putting them up and getting them running.

Can someone help me out. I am trying to figure out this OTA antenna. I live in Mystic and just had Dish Network installed. I bought a indoor OTA antenna and did the channel scan and it only brought up 4 channels.

They are:
QUBO
PAX
some worthless infomercial channel
WORSHIP

Am i doing something wrong? I read earlier posts about a waiver. What is that?

I am trying to get locals in HD for football. Is anyone in the Mystic-Newlondon area recieving HD locals?

Can someone help me out. I am trying to figure out this OTA antenna. I live in Mystic and just had Dish Network installed. I bought a indoor OTA antenna and did the channel scan and it only brought up 4 channels.

They are:
QUBO
PAX
some worthless infomercial channel
WORSHIP

Am i doing something wrong? I read earlier posts about a waiver. What is that?

I am trying to get locals in HD for football. Is anyone in the Mystic-Newlondon area recieving HD locals?
I'm no expert but given that you live in Mystic I'd guess you need a stronger antenna, meaning an outdoor/roof antenna. I seriously doubt you're going to get good reception using an indoor antenna. I mean I live smack in the middle of the state and I have issues getting continual reception of NFL games.

Here's my thing.. and I'm probably going to be "shunned" for this comment, but I'm reading all this stuff about outdoor antennas, pointing them in various directions, reception issues based on where the antenna is pointed, etc etc... I mean.. I just want to be able to sit down and watch a HD show without having to deal with it dropping out every few seconds. Now I'm reading about putting an ugly antenna on my rooftop, or getting a smaller one and making sure it points in the right direction, getting amplifier/pre-amp/post-amp, etc etc and it makes my head spin.. Say I go out, get one of those channelmaster things, and pay someone to install it on my roof and run it in.. am I looking to spend like $150/$200 just so I can get HD programming along with what I've already spent on my setup to begin with? Another unfortunate thing about my situation is that I'm not living in my own place where I can just do whatever I want cosmetically. I live with my mom at the moment, and I know she's not up for installing a big antenna on the top of our house, or streaming a wire from my attic to my tv. Sorry for this long winded, whiny post, but this whole thing is very frustrating, and I didn't imagine that I'd have to go through all this stuff to be able to just get a consistent HD signal...

To the above two posters, If you don't live within a few miles of stations you want and you want ot receive the without a large antenna, get cable. Or if the station you want is available, get Dish TV or Direct TV. John

To the above two posters, If you don't live within a few miles of stations you want and you want ot receive the without a large antenna, get cable. Or if the station you want is available, get Dish TV or Direct TV. John
I have DirecTV, but I'm on the fence about their HD programming.. especially with threads like this: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=732741

Can someone help me out. I am trying to figure out this OTA antenna. I live in Mystic and just had Dish Network installed. I bought a indoor OTA antenna and did the channel scan and it only brought up 4 channels.

They are:
QUBO
PAX
some worthless infomercial channel
WORSHIP

Am i doing something wrong? I read earlier posts about a waiver. What is that?

I am trying to get locals in HD for football. Is anyone in the Mystic-Newlondon area recieving HD locals?

You're only getting WHPX-DT channel 34 of New London. Their transmitter is in Montville. You should also get WPXQ-DT channel 17 (analog channel 69) from the Providence market, since the transmitter isn't that far away in Exeter, RI. I sometimes get that signal here in New Britain, to the southwest of Hartford.

On a separate note to a different poster, Rattlesnake Mountain is in FARMINGTON, not New Britain.

FARMINGTON[/I], not New Britain.

Well I'll be. I guess I'm repeating bad info that I picked up somewhere. Thanks

And to others trying to pick up OTA HD, I'll just say that I went through the same emotions; being confused and do I really want to hassle with an antenna and do I want to spend the money. All I can say is, now that I have, it's totally worth it. Other than some occasional issues with WTIC, the major nets' HD signals are rock steady and OTA HD is a pure, uncompressed signal that looks great. I also like that during those occassional heavy rains storms, my local OTA signals don't go out like satellite (though lightning will interrupt the signal some). But I can understand if you don't totally control the situation, or are not comfortable doing the work yourself, that cable would be a logical choice.

I have DirecTV, but I'm on the fence about their HD programming.. especially with threads like this: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=732741


I have a Sony 60" SXRD and DirecTv HD with the NFL superfan package (to get the games in HD). It IS worth it to me.

Are there problems? Yes. Does it look as good as OTA HD? No. But after spending 40 hours and 400.00 for my antenna set up and only getting one channel 50% of the time, I'll take SOMETHING. And if it's got to be Dir&cTV in HD so be it. I know from my neighbors that my local cable company looses a signal more than I do with my dish.

I have a Sony 60" SXRD and DirecTv HD with the NFL superfan package (to get the games in HD). It IS worth it to me.

Are there problems? Yes. Does it look as good as OTA HD? No. But after spending 40 hours and 400.00 for my antenna set up and only getting one channel 50% of the time, I'll take SOMETHING. And if it's got to be Dir&cTV in HD so be it. I know from my neighbors that my local cable company looses a signal more than I do with my dish.
Well, if you were to rate OTA picture quality a 10, what would you rate DirecTV HD quality, both on Locals and others?

Hi,

I currently use the SA8300HD DVR in Trumbull and I'm in the market for a different HD solution. I wanted to explore OTA local broadcasts so I went to antenna.org and plugged in my location.

Given the results below, is it worth trying out OTA? I'm not real sure how to interpret this but it looks like there isn't much in the way of digital network TV and most are pretty far away. I didn't really want to get a rooftop antenna if at all possible but given these results, I don't know if another option is possible. Any suggestions? I don't care if the channels are from CT or NY.

My display is a Samsung HL6187W and with a pair of rabbit ears I was able to pick up a 720P Fox broadcast pretty well.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7353/newfaststoneuf1.th.jpg (http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newfaststoneuf1.jpg)

Around 1:30 this afternoon, I did an analog and digital scan on my Sanyo 26" LCD HDTV in New Britain's south end. Analog channel 61, along with the digital channels of WTXX and WTIC were off the air. Yep, the transmitter work has begun! The analog and QAM tuner digital counterparts were still the same on cable.

God I hate using Antennas.. :-P

God I hate using Antennas.. :-P

Dave - Did you get my private message?

I currently use the SA8300HD DVR in Trumbull and I'm in the market for a different HD solution. I wanted to explore OTA local broadcasts so I went to antenna.org and plugged in my location.


What's the url please? antenna.org to me looks like some lame domain squatter with some searches to ads. how did you do the coverage thing?

What's the url please? antenna.org to me looks like some lame domain squatter with some searches to ads. how did you do the coverage thing?

He meant www.antennaweb.org

Dave - Did you get my private message? Yes I did thank you. I'm still mulling over my options.

Recently I noticed a kind of crackling sound coming out of 5.1 audio on some WFSB HD programming. I'm getting it through Charter so don't know if that's the problem. Anyone experiencing this OTA?

Recently I noticed a kind of crackling sound coming out of 5.1 audio on some WFSB HD programming. I'm getting it through Charter so don't know if that's the problem. Anyone experiencing this OTA?

I experienced it OTA on WFSB-DT during Jericho last night. The crackling was not present during commmercials only during the regular programming.

If the WEDH-DT antenna is going to be on the same pylon as the analog one, does that mean WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT are going to be on a separate one and if so why do they have to wait until the WEDH mess is settled before putting them up and getting them running.

Picture this...

Same tower as now but with a candelabra at the top set in a triangular fashon. At the tip of each angle of the triangle would be a mount for an antenna or pylon depending on the type of antenna used. In the case of WEDH, both the NTSC and DTV antennas are side mounted on an 82' pylon. The other two mounting positions will have WTIC NTSC & DTV and WTXX DTV; I won't address the positions they will take because I don't remember (old age).

The "WEDH mess" has no effect on the timetable for installation of the other antennas.

I experienced it OTA on WFSB-DT during Jericho last night. The crackling was not present during commmercials only during the regular programming.

Yes, and only on 3.1. 3.2 did not have it. Anyone notice the placement of vocals in the rear channels when the signals are local, not national?

What's the url please? antenna.org to me looks like some lame domain squatter with some searches to ads. how did you do the coverage thing?

Sorry, wrong URL quote.

Can anyone in the Brideport area recommend an antenna that works well for them? I assume I'm more likely to pick up signals from NY than CT given the distance but even that seems challenging at distances between 25 to 50 miles.

I experienced it OTA on WFSB-DT during Jericho last night. The crackling was not present during commmercials only during the regular programming.

I experienced crackling on the New Adventures of Old Christine on WFSB-HD through Charter. I really noticed it when coming back from commercials when the theme played loudest.

howdy everybody. I am new to this OTA HD. I went through the different sites and I calculated my longitude and latidute and I am 3.7 miles from WTNH (8) and about 23-24 miles from several other stations (ABC, CBS, FOX etc...) I was trying to set up an antenna in my attic Terk TV55 but I was not doing so good on the more distant stations. I was able to get WTNH but a good amount of pixilation (sp). By the way I am in the hilly section of Bethany. Any suggestions besides getting a massive external which I am trying to avoid.

Cheers

Nick

howdy everybody. I am new to this OTA HD. I went through the different sites and I calculated my longitude and latidute and I am 3.7 miles from WTNH (8) and about 23-24 miles from several other stations (ABC, CBS, FOX etc...) I was trying to set up an antenna in my attic Terk TV55 but I was not doing so good on the more distant stations. I was able to get WTNH but a good amount of pixilation (sp). By the way I am in the hilly section of Bethany. Any suggestions besides getting a massive external which I am trying to avoid.

Cheers

Nick

Nick,

Hate to break it to you, but at that distance, you'll have a hard time picking up any HD signals from the Northern sites (NBC, CBS, FOX). You can probably pick up ABC with ease with an internal antenna but the rest you'll have quite a problem with. I know that many of the members on this forum who live surrounding you (Cheshire, Wallingford, etc) have all had good luck with the ChannelMaster 4228. Yep, it's an ugly outside antenna but it picks up distant UHF channels along with high-band VHF channels (ABC, WB). After experimenting with various products, I have to say that it's been my best single-antenna solution. Some people have placed them in their attics and had some luck - don't know if that's a possibility for you. Good luck.

Nick,

Hate to break it to you, but at that distance, you'll have a hard time picking up any HD signals from the Northern sites (NBC, CBS, FOX). You can probably pick up ABC with ease with an internal antenna but the rest you'll have quite a problem with. I know that many of the members on this forum who live surrounding you (Cheshire, Wallingford, etc) have all had good luck with the ChannelMaster 4228. Yep, it's an ugly outside antenna but it picks up distant UHF channels along with high-band VHF channels (ABC, WB). After experimenting with various products, I have to say that it's been my best single-antenna solution. Some people have placed them in their attics and had some luck - don't know if that's a possibility for you. Good luck.

I was going to say that! ;) :D

Attached are two Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files.

The first, New Britain.pdf, is a topo map of the New Britain area showing
your home address and three radials to, Left to Right, 1- WTXX-DT/WTIC, 2-
WEDH/WFSB and 3- WUVN.

The second, 111Monroe.pdf, shows a line of sight from your home to Avon
Mtn. Add about 450' to the right side of the line to get the actual
antenna height of WEDH and you will see that your LOS does, indeed, clear
all of Avon Mountain but runs directly into Walnut Hill. You would need a
tower approximately 100' to clear the hill.

FYI: WEDH-NTSC might be on the air at Rattlesnake Mountain by
mid-December. WEDH-DTV has possibilities by next summer; We are hoping to
hear something from the FCC by the end of the year.
_______________________________
Marc Dodge
Transmissions Services Supervisor
Connecticut Public Broadcasting
1049 Asylum Ave.
Hartford, CT 06105

Home of UConn Women's Basketball

mdodge@cptv.org
www.cptv.org
www.wnpr.org

Tel: (860) 278-5310
FAX (860) 275-7402
Network Operations Center: (860) 275-7373

(Attachments successfully scanned for viruses.)

Attachment 1: NEW BRITAIN.pdf (application/pdf)

Attachment 2: 111Monroe.pdf (application/pdf)


http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/45382C68000ABD4100005F912200761394CBCDCDCF040305/NEW_BRITAIN.pdf?cmd=MimePart&no=8&uid=681&sid=c0&format=raw&mimepart=2&content_type=application/pdf&name=NEW_BRITAIN.pdf

http://mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/45382C68000ABD4100005F912200761394CBCDCDCF040305/111Monroe.pdf?cmd=MimePart&no=8&uid=681&sid=c0&format=raw&mimepart=3&content_type=application/pdf&name=111Monroe.pdf

Basically, his second document proves that Walnut Hill does indeed block my line of sight. When he says "100 foot tower", does he mean a 100 foot mast sitting atop our roof? That will absolutely NEVER work here.

P.S. Now for something amazing...Today, I checked some woman's Emerson 13" TV/VCR combo at the service desk of the Newington Wal-Mart. I put in a blank videotape along with an UNBENT PAPER CLIP as a quickie antenna (just enough to get a signal to make a sample recording for her). Low and behold, I had virtually no signal for analog channel 3 or 8 (even though the Service Desk is near the front entrance). However, the UHF lit up. I got a near perfect 18, a so-so 20, a weak 22 (Springfield), a near perfect 24, nothing on 26, a so-so 30, a weak signal of low-power 38, a weak 40 (Springfield), a weak signal of low-power 47, nothing on 59 and a near perfect 61. Again, this was with a PAPER CLIP! Why not do a signal scan for 3164 Berlin Turnpike in Newington? (That's the store's address.) :)

Nick,

Hate to break it to you, but at that distance, you'll have a hard time picking up any HD signals from the Northern sites (NBC, CBS, FOX). You can probably pick up ABC with ease with an internal antenna but the rest you'll have quite a problem with. I know that many of the members on this forum who live surrounding you (Cheshire, Wallingford, etc) have all had good luck with the ChannelMaster 4228. Yep, it's an ugly outside antenna but it picks up distant UHF channels along with high-band VHF channels (ABC, WB). After experimenting with various products, I have to say that it's been my best single-antenna solution. Some people have placed them in their attics and had some luck - don't know if that's a possibility for you. Good luck.



Actually I do not mind it too much. but in its specs it says UHF antenna. does it do VHF (do I need VHF after all?)

Here is a kind off ugly snapshot of antennaweb.org (underlined are the miles off me)

yellow - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 71° 3.7 10
red - vhf WTNH 8 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 71° 3.7 8
* red - vhf WEDY-DT 6 PBS NEW HAVEN CT FCC Ext 144° 7.1 6
red - uhf WCTX 59 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 71° 3.7 59
* red - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 71° 3.7 39
blue - uhf WEDW 49 PBS BRIDGEPORT CT 242° 12.1 49
* blue - uhf WSAH-DT 42 SAH BRIDGEPORT CT TBD 261° 5.8 42
blue - uhf WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 11° 8.5 20
blue - uhf WSAH 43 SAH BRIDGEPORT CT 261° 5.8 43
violet - uhf WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 37° 23.2 61
violet - vhf WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 35° 28.3 3
violet - uhf WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 37° 23.1 30
violet - uhf WEDY 65 PBS NEW HAVEN CT 144° 7.1 65


It does not show too many DT stations.
with the Terk 55 I have I get snowy feed for channel 30 (NBC) good reception of WTNH (channel 8)


Now what are my options for locals via cable? I think we have Adelphia or comcast?

cheers

Nick

Actually I do not mind it too much. but in its specs it says UHF antenna. does it do VHF (do I need VHF after all?)


Now what are my options for locals via cable? I think we have Adelphia or comcast?

cheers

Nick

The CM4228 states it's a UHF antenna - however, it's pretty well known that it also picks up high band VHF channels as well. i.e., 8 thru 12. Being that local ABC is 10 and local WB is 12, this antenna works quite well. I used to have a distinct VHF antenna that I joined to the CM4228 until I figured out that the VHF channels came in JUST AS GOOD with the CM4228 UHF antenna. I know that several other members are also utilizing the same situation for local hi-def. Give it a shot.

I live in Pawcatuck in the south east corner of the state. I am looking to receive the Providence networks as I am within 45 miles or so from transmitters. I bought a CM 4228 with a 7775 preamp. With the antenna on the ground, picked up WLNE and WJAR at about 50-60%. Looked promising. Mounted antenna over garage with very minimal change in reception. Maybe 60-70% on the stations I already received and not a blip more on the ones that weren't coming in before. I am surround by trees but seem to be clearing the bulk of them. LOS is not ideal. Also some of my coax connectors are a little dubious (I'm trying run the line into the house from an old Comast cable that hasn't been used in maybe 10 years). Should I be expecting more? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Helped install the 4228 for friend in Ledyard and it cant get a thing except PBS out of Norwich. We tried several things and placement and notta. I know the CM 4228 is good but given the terrain, high trees, 45 miles is too much to ask. So I think your strength is a good start and not sure you can get more.

I get the Providence channels pretty well in Mystic, so there is a good chance that reception in Pawcatuck or Ledyard is possible, if there is not a hill to the Northeast.
Keep in mind that CBS is on channel 13 so a VHF antenna is needed also. Did either of you get channel 17, the PAX channel in RI. I had a problem with overload from it, so the high gain 7775 preamp may have a problem. John

I get the Providence channels pretty well in Mystic, so there is a good chance that reception in Pawcatuck or Ledyard is possible, if there is not a hill to the Northeast.
Keep in mind that CBS is on channel 13 so a VHF antenna is needed also. Did either of you get channel 17, the PAX channel in RI. I had a problem with overload from it, so the high gain 7775 preamp may have a problem. John

If you are going to use a Channel Master 4228, then channel 13 is no problem. Although it's a UHF antenna, it picks up high VHF channels very well.

Thanks for everyone's help and insight.
I don't seem to get 17 but PAX 69 has an extremely strong signal. Without the preamp that was the only channel I was picking up. Do people in this area generally have better luck with the Hartford/CT stations?

PAX 69 is the RI analog channel the digital channel is on 17. With remapping your TV may be indicating channel 69.
Chip, although the 4228 may be a fair antenna at channel 13, at 45 to 50 miles with hills blocking the signal a real VHF antenna is more likely to work in SE CT.
John

The CM4228 states it's a UHF antenna - however, it's pretty well known that it also picks up high band VHF channels as well. i.e., 8 thru 12. Being that local ABC is 10 and local WB is 12, this antenna works quite well. I used to have a distinct VHF antenna that I joined to the CM4228 until I figured out that the VHF channels came in JUST AS GOOD with the CM4228 UHF antenna. I know that several other members are also utilizing the same situation for local hi-def. Give it a shot.


Now I am still tooling around here what do you guys think about an Antennas Direct XG91 instead a CM4228?

Also it seems that shipping is killer for this antenna like $28. Lowe's has CM antennas but not this one (I am guessing it is an old model). Lowe's is nice since I can return if need be. But from the dimensions I see the WAF going through the roof.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=56239-000000693-3020&lpage=none

What do you guys think?

Cheers

Nick

Thanks for everyone's help and insight.
I don't seem to get 17 but PAX 69 has an extremely strong signal. Without the preamp that was the only channel I was picking up. Do people in this area generally have better luck with the Hartford/CT stations?
I think Providence is closer so it should be easier unless you have a hill in the way. If you PM me with your lat and long I could try running radiomobile to see what chance you have. The two Pax stations and the Norwich PBS station are normally strong for SE CT which can cause pre-amp overloading issues especially since the other stations are weak.

John
The Providence antennas are actually in MA. The distance from Mystic is very nearly equal to the Hartford antennas. Although Pawcatuk is a little closer to the Providence stations terrain will be the reason that one is stronger than the other. However NBC and CBS are adajacent channel to the Waterford PAX channel, which is tough on preamps and digital receivers.
John

I'm here in New Britain's south end. On occasion, I will pick up WPXQ-DT here. It sometimes meets or exceeds the signal I'll get from WHPX-DT. It helps that their transmitter is in Exeter, RI, between Westerly and Providence. As for Norwich, WEDN-DT is an extreme rarity here. It's never stable enough to watch. (I've never received any other Providence market station on digital here.)

Now I am still tooling around here what do you guys think about an Antennas Direct XG91 instead a CM4228?

Also it seems that shipping is killer for this antenna like $28. Lowe's has CM antennas but not this one (I am guessing it is an old model). Lowe's is nice since I can return if need be. But from the dimensions I see the WAF going through the roof.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=56239-000000693-3020&lpage=none

What do you guys think?

Cheers

Nick

Nick:

I'm over in Naugatuck and use a 4228, 7777 preamp, and a rotator. For DT I get WFSB, WTNH, WXTT, WVIT, WTIC, WCTX, WUVN. The hardest to pull in for me is WTIC. I have a 5 degree window to have the antenna pointed in order to pull in a 75% signal without any dropouts. All of the other digital stations will come in regardless of the antenna direction. I picked mine up from Warren electronics on the web. It was the best price I could find and shipping wasn't too expensive. From what I can tell, your surroundings is what drives your reception. I'm at the top of a hill; a relative of mine is slightly down the western side of a hill (in the 'valley') near me and the analog reception is OK but nothing like mine. If all you driving is a DT set, you may get away without a rotator and aim it toward the Hartford channels. You'd probably still need the amp but I think you may get away without overloading channel 8 by using only the "side looking" characteristics of the 4228 to pull in the NH stations. The worst thing that could happen is that you wind up with an ugly antenna on the roof that doesn't work... :D

Good luck

within the past week WFSB-DT has vanished for me in east longmeadow, MA. it used to be very strong. are they having issues???

I live in Oxford, CT. I'm thinking of putting up an HDTV antenna. My digital stations are as follows:

* yellow - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN 103° 8.9 10
* green - uhf WSAH-DT 42 SAH BRIDGEPORT 185° 4.2 42
* green - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 MNT NEW HAVEN 103° 8.9 39
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 51° 24.7 45
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN 52° 24.5 35
* red - vhf WEDY-DT 6 PBS NEW HAVEN 133° 13.0 6
* blue - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 47° 29.5 33
* blue - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY 51° 24.7 12
* violet - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD 51° 24.7 31

These range from around 4 to around 30 miles. I was thinking of putting up a non-directional medium range antenna, but I have very large trees that surround the house. Should I put up a larger antenna? I would prefer not to put up a rotor, but I guess that is a possibility, too. Thanks for any help.

Bob - non-directional antennas are just asking for trouble due to multipath issues, particularly with a lot of trees around. Ideally, someone in your location will tell you what works for them, but I'll give you a couple of suggestions. The CM4228 is generally the antenna of choice, and while a UHF antenna, it will probably pick up WTNH for you just fine. Only potential issue is it's fairly directional, which means a rotor might be required. Alternatively, you could try the CM4221 (the 4 bay version of the CM4228) - less gain, but also less directional. Given your proximity to the stations, the CM4221 might be the compromise you're looking for to avoid the rotor. You might need a preamp with the CM4221 (CM7777). Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer - OTA reception is often trial and error, but you'll be happy once you've got it working.

Ross

Sorry for not knowing any better, but are these CM4228/CM4221 antenna you speak of roof antennas? Here in New Britain, I'm faced with both omnidirectional issues and being blocked from Avon Mountain by Walnut Hill. That's when my TV's QAM tuner really comes in handy! :)

yup, both are outdoor antennas (kinda ugly looking, but they work well). You can check out this link for more info if you're interested: http://www.pctinternational.com/channelmaster/documentation.html

Ross

The picture of their indoor antennas look the same as any I've seen already. As for the roof ones, I still don't think they'll help my Walnut Hill situation. :(

If there's a mountain in the way, all that's going to help is a lot of dynamite. :D

Bob - non-directional antennas are just asking for trouble due to multipath issues, particularly with a lot of trees around. Ideally, someone in your location will tell you what works for them, but I'll give you a couple of suggestions. The CM4228 is generally the antenna of choice, and while a UHF antenna, it will probably pick up WTNH for you just fine. Only potential issue is it's fairly directional, which means a rotor might be required. Alternatively, you could try the CM4221 (the 4 bay version of the CM4228) - less gain, but also less directional. Given your proximity to the stations, the CM4221 might be the compromise you're looking for to avoid the rotor. You might need a preamp with the CM4221 (CM7777). Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer - OTA reception is often trial and error, but you'll be happy once you've got it working.

Ross


Thanks, Ross. I don't mind installing a rotor, but I was wondering what happens if I wanted to have two TVs access the local stations? Is it possible to control a rotor from two TVs?

Also, where does everyone buy their supplies? In particular, the antenna mast and the like? I was thinking of installing an antenna and some satellite dishes, and the mast might be the hardest part of the installation (well, except cutting down some trees to enable satellite reception). Masts also seem to be the hardest to find online.

I got a mast and clamps from Radio Shack

Hey is anyone else at 1:40 pm on Fox 61 HD getting TONS of errors? Right now I have a color bar test pattern on my screen.. and before the game started I had another weird screen.. Ok NOW it just came back on.

Bob - you can use a splitter to route the OTA signal to more than one TV. As far as controlling the rotor is concerned, you should be able to have the control unit for the rotor with one TV, and use an IR or RF repeater to control the rotor from the location of the other TV. You'll only be able to watch different OTA channels at the same time on the two TVs if the stations are in the same direction the antenna is pointing. As wittmer said, Radio Shack is a good source of masts, clamps and mounts. You can also try Lowes.

Ross

Thanks, Ross. I don't mind installing a rotor, but I was wondering what happens if I wanted to have two TVs access the local stations? Is it possible to control a rotor from two TVs?

Also, where does everyone buy their supplies? In particular, the antenna mast and the like? I was thinking of installing an antenna and some satellite dishes, and the mast might be the hardest part of the installation (well, except cutting down some trees to enable satellite reception). Masts also seem to be the hardest to find online.

Got my supplies at Lowes, which has a decent selection of mounting hardware and takes returns. As for the antenna, however, if you go with one of the CM bow tie antennas, or just about any that are recommended here, you'll have to order over the internet. Unfortunately, many of the internet retailers either won't take a return or charge a restocking fee. I think there's a place in West Hartford - Signal Electronics - that stocks these antennas, but I found their prices high and they won't take returns if the antenna doesn't work out for you.

I live in Oxford, CT. I'm thinking of putting up an HDTV antenna. My digital stations are as follows:

* yellow - vhf WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN 103° 8.9 10
* green - uhf WSAH-DT 42 SAH BRIDGEPORT 185° 4.2 42
* green - uhf WCTX-DT 59.1 MNT NEW HAVEN 103° 8.9 39
* red - uhf WEDH-DT 45 PBS HARTFORD CT 51° 24.7 45
* red - uhf WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN 52° 24.5 35
* red - vhf WEDY-DT 6 PBS NEW HAVEN 133° 13.0 6
* blue - uhf WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 47° 29.5 33
* blue - vhf WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY 51° 24.7 12
* violet - uhf WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD 51° 24.7 31

These range from around 4 to around 30 miles. I was thinking of putting up a non-directional medium range antenna, but I have very large trees that surround the house. Should I put up a larger antenna? I would prefer not to put up a rotor, but I guess that is a possibility, too. Thanks for any help.

I posted my setup a few posts up. One thing about Oxford is the airport. If your near it, you'll get poor reception. I have a relative almost in line with the runway a couple of miles out and they don't get any OTA reception. I'd go with the 4228 and 7777 pre-amp. If your elevation is high enough, you'll probably pull in more than you have listed. Warren electronics (internet store) was the least expensive place I could find for the antenna. I think it was under $50.00

Bob - you can use a splitter to route the OTA signal to more than one TV. As far as controlling the rotor is concerned, you should be able to have the control unit for the rotor with one TV, and use an IR or RF repeater to control the rotor from the location of the other TV.

Thanks, Ross. That was my initial thought, too, but I thought there might be a different solution. I have bookmarked Warren Electronics and will check out Radio Shack. I am near the airport -- well, I should say I'm in the landing path of the airport, but I'm about 5 or so miles away.

The issue with the airport is likely to do with signal reflections off of landing and departing aircraft causing multipath. Unfortunately as with most things OTA, the only way to know if it's a problem for you is try it out. I imagine the two worst situations would be to have the airport directly between you and the transmitters, or have landing/departing aircraft going directly over your house.

East Lyme is a bit of hike for you, but if you're in the neighborhood, I have a CM4228 sitting in my garage if you want to try it out before buying one. You can PM me if you're interested.

Ross

I was at Lowe's in plainville the other day and didn't notice anything that looked like a candelabra on the top of WTIC's tower. Looked like old antenna is still up. thought it was down already. Isn't it the long red thing on top of tower?

I was at Lowe's in plainville the other day and didn't notice anything that looked like a candelabra on the top of WTIC's tower. Looked like old antenna is still up. thought it was down already. Isn't it the long red thing on top of tower?
Yes. Due to the recent windy and wet weather the tower crew could not take it down prior to their scheduled break. They return on Tuesday when you'll see great changes!!!

db999md ASKED
Member

Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 19

is WFSB-DT messed up now?
within the past week WFSB-DT has vanished for me in east longmeadow, MA. it used to be very strong. are they having issues???

I too don't have 3.1,,was work but stopped last weekend.. :mad: :mad:

I was at Lowe's in plainville the other day and didn't notice anything that looked like a candelabra on the top of WTIC's tower. Looked like old antenna is still up. thought it was down already. Isn't it the long red thing on top of tower?
The parking lot of the Newington Wal-Mart on the Berlin Turnpike (US 5/CT 15) has a unique perspective. Stand in the right spot by the front entrance and you can get a good view of the West Peak transmitters from Meriden, the Radio Park transmitters from Farmington AND the WVIT-TV/DT | WTIC-TV/DT towers in Farmington. The WRYM-AM 840 New Britain transmitter view is now blocked thanks to Panera Bread and some other store next to it that's under construction.

Head inside the store and place a good indoor antenna on one of the LCD HDTV sets and you'll get largely the same results: WFSB-DT is decent, WUVN-DT is spotty, WVIT-DT is good and WTIC-DT is excellent. Switching to the analog tuner, 3, 8, 20 and 59 are non-existant (no VHF inside?), 18 is fair, 24 is OK while 30 and 61 are excellent. One of the TVs also gets a half-decent signal of WRDM-LP channel 50 from near Avon Mountain.

As for a good view of the Rattlesnake transmitters, another good vantage point is the parking lot of Bonanza Bus by Exit 37 of I-84 in Farmington. :)

Apparently WFSB got WF-ed up AGAIN.. they've been broadcasting on SD for at least 2 hours now.. not fun for my football viewing.

I am thinking of buying an HDTV rear projection unit and was PO'd to find out that I have to pay more for HD signal (not content) on my cable (Charter) while being underwhelmed with the number of channels and choices (11 or so).
My monthly cable bill is high (3 DVR's, 1 regular box [and internet, which doesn't enter this discussion I guess]). I pressed Charter to add HD for free and , no go.
So, I'm questioning if I should consider Direct TV or satellite but I don't know anything about the pro's and con's like reception, choice, and price. I have visted the sites but I know that, obviously, the negatives of each will be hidden there and are only available on forums. For example, I know that a few years ago a friend of mine (since moved) had reception problems all the time with satellite. I definitely want local news channels and such.
Does anyone in CT have opinions?

I am thinking of buying an HDTV rear projection unit and was PO'd to find out that I have to pay more for HD signal (not content) on my cable (Charter) while being underwhelmed with the number of channels and choices (11 or so).
My monthly cable bill is high (3 DVR's, 1 regular box [and internet, which doesn't enter this discussion I guess]). I pressed Charter to add HD for free and , no go.
So, I'm questioning if I should consider Direct TV or satellite but I don't know anything about the pro's and con's like reception, choice, and price. I have visted the sites but I know that, obviously, the negatives of each will be hidden there and are only available on forums. For example, I know that a few years ago a friend of mine (since moved) had reception problems all the time with satellite. I definitely want local news channels and such.
Does anyone in CT have opinions?
Where in CT are you located? Depending on where you are you may be able to get the local digital HD stations over the air. For satellite info I think the forums are now at:
www.dbstalk.com
You can get the local stations in crappy SD from both Dish's and DirecTV's satellites but I think Dish doesn't carry CT locals in HD and from here:
http://www.dbstalk.com/hr20/html/DTV_HDLIL_DMA.html
it looks like only WFSB and WVIT are available in HD on DirecTV. For satellite reception you need a clear view to the southwest for the dish but assuming you have that then you should get solid reception for their signals except during severe thunderstorms (your friend may have been using an over the air antenna for analog local stations when he had satellite).

I have Directv so I will just comment on my configuration.

I have 3 DVRS (1 HR20 the new MPEG4 HD DVR, and 2 HD Tivos). They are centrally located in my basement but are viewable throughout my house with a matrix switcher and some wiring. I control them via remoted extenders. So there are no physical boxes next to my TV's but get full HD viewing.

I have the basic package plus locals, HBO, Showtime, and HD Package. I got the HBO and Showtime free as I call every 6 months or so and say I am going to cable and they give them for free to stay. With a free installed AT9 dish, it gets all the satellites including local HD channels. Since only 2 available in Connecticut right because of Tribune and Lin companies (Fox and ABC), I told D* my address is in Boston so I get all local HD channels including NESN HD. You can do that easily after you install. Just call D* and say you moved but keep your billing address.

With that combo, it costs me about $75 which includes base cost, 2 extra receivers, HD Package, and DVR charge. I get my true HD locals via an external antenna which I used primarily so the Boston HD locals are used as a backup. I do use the ABC version as WTNH is not that reliable of a signal. So for the price and configuration I have, I am extremely happy. I get all HD locals, ESPN's, HBO, Showtime, HDNet (very important to me), others (Discovery, TNT, HDNet movies, Universal), select RSN sports in HD, NESN HD. And all the benefits of HD DVR features.

So the only negative I have is D* hasnt quite fixed 1080i HD programs that are delivered via the new compression of MPEG4 which includes CBS, NBC and NESN HD. You can read more about it in the threads but there is a strange 8 mm effect. Picture appears choppy and not very smooth. Supposedly that is fixed with NY but they are taking their time with the fix to other markets. The Hartford market does not have this issue but you are only getting CBS and NBC and no NESN HD. So its a give and take.

Hope this helps.

HD on D*Tv compared to OTA, there is a difference. Even worse on Sunday. D*Tv is rumored to steal bandwidth to make up for the NFL HD channels they add on Sunday. I do know for sure that they completely block an entire HD channel every Sunday on a revolving schedule.

The HD from D*Tv is a little pixellated in the black areas whereas over the air it is not. The only channel I can compare is CBS. Which is the only one I can get so far OTA.

With all that being said. I still subscribe to D*Tv's HD package. The benefits for me out weight the negatives.

Where in CT are you located? Depending on where you are you may be able to get the local digital HD stations over the air. For satellite info I think the forums are now at:
www.dbstalk.com
You can get the local stations in crappy SD from both Dish's and DirecTV's satellites but I think Dish doesn't carry CT locals in HD and from here:
http://www.dbstalk.com/hr20/html/DTV_HDLIL_DMA.html
it looks like only WFSB and WVIT are available in HD on DirecTV. For satellite reception you need a clear view to the southwest for the dish but assuming you have that then you should get solid reception for their signals except during severe thunderstorms (your friend may have been using an over the air antenna for analog local stations when he had satellite).

Trumbull, CT.

Trumbull, CT.

Trumbull puts you in the NYC dma. That means you would get the NY stations from Directv. Also, YES is in hd! The other sports nets will be hd at some time, too.

I am moving from Wallingford to Durham in another month. I currently have a great setup with a Channel Master OTA antenna and D*. I am planning on getting the 5 LNB dish and eventually the HR20 receiver. I know about HD Lite, but you know what, it's not that big a deal.

The new house in on a hill; per AntennaWeb WTIC is 16 Miles away, WTNH is 8 Miles and WFSB is 20 Miles. Does anyone have any experience with the antennas you can put on top of the D* dish. Anyone think I can pick up any stations that way other than Channel 8?

I am moving from Wallingford to Durham in another month. I currently have a great setup with a Channel Master OTA antenna and D*. I am planning on getting the 5 LNB dish and eventually the HR20 receiver. I know about HD Lite, but you know what, it's not that big a deal.

The new house in on a hill; per AntennaWeb WTIC is 16 Miles away, WTNH is 8 Miles and WFSB is 20 Miles. Does anyone have any experience with the antennas you can put on top of the D* dish. Anyone think I can pick up any stations that way other than Channel 8?

Whereabouts in Durham? I get channel 59 well and channel 8 intermittently, but I'm in a bit of a valley. The Hartford stations are hard to get if I get them at all. Some hills are better than others in town. If you're on a good hill, you'll even pull in some Springfield stations. I would bring your Channel Master with you and run a dedicated line, no diplexers since you're going to the 5LNB, to your TV. D* will provide WVIT and WFSB. Since you can get WTNH, the only major left is WTIC.

Will_Morr, I am going to be about 2 miles south of Powder Ridge Ski Area on Powder Hill Road. The house is on a hill with a fairly good view North. I am thinking about getting the Wineguard SS-2000 Squate Shooter Antenna since it can be connected to the D* Dish; the Channel Master is a bit big.

I didn't know that D* will provide WFSB? When is that going to happen? I also thought there was still some debate about getting OTA signal through Diplexers using the 5 LNB dish. From what I read about it it is supposed to be possible. I plan on running the OTA signal to two TVs (I have the HR10-250), so dedicating a line isn't really possible at this time.

Will_Morr, I am going to be about 2 miles south of Powder Ridge Ski Area on Powder Hill Road. The house is on a hill with a fairly good view North. I am thinking about getting the Wineguard SS-2000 Squate Shooter Antenna since it can be connected to the D* Dish; the Channel Master is a bit big.

I didn't know that D* will provide WFSB? When is that going to happen? I also thought there was still some debate about getting OTA signal through Diplexers using the 5 LNB dish. From what I read about it it is supposed to be possible. I plan on running the OTA signal to two TVs (I have the HR10-250), so dedicating a line isn't really possible at this time.

D* is providing WFSB and WVIT only to this point in hd. You may get ota to work through a diplexer for now, but when D* starts using certain frequencies, it won't work.

Will_Morr, I am going to be about 2 miles south of Powder Ridge Ski Area on Powder Hill Road. The house is on a hill with a fairly good view North. I am thinking about getting the Wineguard SS-2000 Squate Shooter Antenna since it can be connected to the D* Dish; the Channel Master is a bit big.

I didn't know that D* will provide WFSB? When is that going to happen? I also thought there was still some debate about getting OTA signal through Diplexers using the 5 LNB dish. From what I read about it it is supposed to be possible. I plan on running the OTA signal to two TVs (I have the HR10-250), so dedicating a line isn't really possible at this time.

I tried the Square Shooter (version without amplifier) from Killingworth and it picked up hartford and new haven stations fine with a CM 7777 pre amp. My only problem was that it was too directional to get both Hartford and New Haven at the same time. The CM 4228 fixed that for me. I still have it sitting in my garage. If you're interested PM me. From Durham, you'll likely have the same issue. One thought is to point the SS at Hartford and use a small indoor antenna to get WTNH.

Yes. Due to the recent windy and wet weather the tower crew could not take it down prior to their scheduled break. They return on Tuesday when you'll see great changes!!!

I wonder if they will work in this miserable weather. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow too.

The only reason I looked at the Square Shooter is the ability to connect to the D* Dish. If I could do that with the CM4228 I might go for that. As for WTNH, I am only 8 miles away from WTNH; you'd think that a tin foil antenna could pick it up.

Will_Mor - Are you saying that WVIT and WFSB are the only two HD locals available with the 5 LNB dish?

Will_Morr, I am going to be about 2 miles south of Powder Ridge Ski Area on Powder Hill Road. The house is on a hill with a fairly good view North. I am thinking about getting the Wineguard SS-2000 Squate Shooter Antenna since it can be connected to the D* Dish; the Channel Master is a bit big.

I didn't know that D* will provide WFSB? When is that going to happen? I also thought there was still some debate about getting OTA signal through Diplexers using the 5 LNB dish. From what I read about it it is supposed to be possible. I plan on running the OTA signal to two TVs (I have the HR10-250), so dedicating a line isn't really possible at this time.

You will have much more altitude than I do and you'll be sitting on top of the ridge that apparently gives me trouble. Hopefully, the square shooter will work well. You may get lucky and get 8 and 59 anyway. If your house is new construction and it's not too late, you should consider running extra RG6 so that when D* starts using mpeg-4 more, you can keep your antenna on a separate line. Or, D* comes to some agreement with Channels 8 and 61 and you won't need an antenna. Good luck and welcome to town.

PatG25 - just a couple of other thoughts to add to the advice the guys have given you. I'm a little surprised Chris had better luck with the CM4228 than the Squareshooter, since the CM4228 is the more directional antenna, but lobing or rear rejection differences might explain that. If you're going to try the Squareshooter, you might want to consider trying an SS1000 first, then add a CM7777 preamp if necessary; if you buy the SS2000 with the built in preamp and end up overdriving your receiver, I'm not sure you can defeat the built-in preamp. You're unlikely to pick up WTNH with the Squareshooter, whereas the CM4228 probably will. Like the guys said, you should seriously consider running a separate coax line for your OTA. Good luck.

Ross

PatG25 - just a couple of other thoughts to add to the advice the guys have given you. I'm a little surprised Chris had better luck with the CM4228 than the Squareshooter, since the CM4228 is the more directional antenna, but lobing or rear rejection differences might explain that. If you're going to try the Squareshooter, you might want to consider trying an SS1000 first, then add a CM7777 preamp if necessary; if you buy the SS2000 with the built in preamp and end up overdriving your receiver, I'm not sure you can defeat the built-in preamp. You're unlikely to pick up WTNH with the Squareshooter, whereas the CM4228 probably will. Like the guys said, you should seriously consider running a separate coax line for your OTA. Good luck.

Ross

Ross,

I expect you are right about lobbing or rear rejection for the CM4228. In fact, I was concerned that with the CM7777 pre-amp, WTNH would over load the tuner, but the fact the antenna is pointed towards Farmington I think helped by reducing the signal strength of WTNH enough that it all works out. I think I'm 15 miles or so from WTNH as the crow flies.

yeah, that makes sense Chris; like they say, if it works..... :D

Ross

Can some of the OTA users confirm what areas WFSB-DT is working in.

I have not had 3.1 for weeks now. I get 8.1,8.2, 20.1, 20.2 , 30.1, 30.2, 31.3, 59.1, 61.1
But 3.1 signal is weak to nothing. I sent WFSB this question and the first time they answered check with your cable or sat company, I have neither and an antenna was noted in their question. Go figure.
I asked again and have not had a reply.
I use 4 different HD receivers. Mits, Sony, Hughes, Samsung. 2 are old direct Tv units that are working over the air only. The other 2 are ASTC air units only. The Sony is a DVR and their are pleanty of channel 3.1 recordings from months ago on it. I've rechecked the signal several times on all the units and got some 26.1 stupid channel.
But no 3.1 or 3.2. / Shows up but never a picture. My antenna is 60 feet in the air and had no problem all ofthis year through August and Sept. Lost picture sometime around Oct. 30th? answers?
Second time asking? :(

It has been coming in fine for me in Tolland, Ct.

I'm in the Woodbury Area and the signal is too weak.

Does anyone have an update on WEDH ch 32. Are they going to be on the air anytime soon.

Does anyone have an update on WEDH ch 32. Are they going to be on the air anytime soon.

The last I heard they were going to use channel 45, pending FCC approval. WABC is fighting it, because they are also digital 45 and claim there would be some interference.

Can some of the OTA users confirm what areas WFSB-DT is working in.

I have not had 3.1 for weeks now. I get 8.1,8.2, 20.1, 20.2 , 30.1, 30.2, 31.3, 59.1, 61.1
But 3.1 signal is weak to nothing. I sent WFSB this question and the first time they answered check with your cable or sat company, I have neither and an antenna was noted in their question. Go figure.
I asked again and have not had a reply.
I use 4 different HD receivers. Mits, Sony, Hughes, Samsung. 2 are old direct Tv units that are working over the air only. The other 2 are ASTC air units only. The Sony is a DVR and their are pleanty of channel 3.1 recordings from months ago on it. I've rechecked the signal several times on all the units and got some 26.1 stupid channel.
But no 3.1 or 3.2. / Shows up but never a picture. My antenna is 60 feet in the air and had no problem all ofthis year through August and Sept. Lost picture sometime around Oct. 30th? answers?
Second time asking? :(

I am getting a strong signal here in Cheshire.

Does anyone have an update on WEDH ch 32. Are they going to be on the air anytime soon.

According to some posts a few pages back:

WEDH-DT (Connecticut Public Television for greater Hartford) will not be available over-the-air until possibly next summer (2007).

But...

The long-awaited move of analog WEDH-TV from the WTIC-FM radio tower on Avon/Talcott Mountain to the TOP of the much taller Channel 61 tower on Farmington's Rattlesnake Mountain may occur possibly by the end of this year (weather permitting).

While digital Channel 24 is still a ways off, viewers may notice improved reception of analog Channel 24 by this December because its brand new analog antenna will be perched much higher than the old one was on Avon Mountain, and because the station's current transmitter, which has been operating at half power since this past spring, is being replaced by a new transmitter on Rattlesnake Mountain.

CPTV hopes to receive a decision from the FCC by the end of this year concerning its new digital channel assignment. The decision most probably will come after the winter weather arrives - too late to allow the manufacture and installation of the digital antenna until the warm weather returns late next spring.

The FCC approved Channel 45 for CPTV about two weeks ago.