He said put WFSB on one of WHPX-DT's subchannels. So drop ION Life (does anyone actually watch it?) and put WFSB on there, is what he's saying.


Right. I can get 2 ION stations here with all their sub-channels, but no CBS (although I did pick up WCBS/56 briefly). Also, WNYW/44 has been solid for a couple hours now. Still no sign of WLIW, however. Attached are a couple screen caps. These were both exciting finds, so my above comments were too soon I guess. :D

Upon my return to Mystic, I was surprised to find that WTNH has an encrypted sub-channel. I don't remember that being the case in December. Does anyone know what happened here?

Also, WEDN does not appear to be carrying any sub-channels now. Is this by design or is it temporary until the move to 9?

I am now able to receive WVIT at night, with a 4228 that I added. It has also yielded some promising results for WTIC's STA, with typical readings of 6dB and as high as 12-13dB. When they move to the top of the tower, it should be relatively easy to receive. WVIT will probably become reliable when WHPX returns to 26 (I hope). Now, if WHPX could at least put WFSB on a sub-channel... WPRI has not come in yet this trip. It was ~18dB in December.

I haven't seen any tropo events from NYC of note (WLIW came in once) on this trip, but am hopeful to catch one before I leave.

WTNH had that encrypted subchannel for over a year now. It is weather crap that is on Cox cable. I am not entirly sure that it is legal what they are doing. I can't really find any info.

CPTV WEDH Site/Studio Visit - 7/10

Attached are some pictures from the visit. I was very impressed with the facility and was pleased by the progress of the WEDH-DT 45 transmitter construction. The 45 transmitter cabinet does not have the exciters in place yet and the transmitter tubes themselves were not yet installed at the time of my visit, but I should have thought to photograph them anyway. A picture of the active channel 24 transmitter is included, however. The tubes are smaller than I expected. The control room picture is from the studio in Hartford.

I want to thank CPTV for allowing a tour of their transmitter site and studio facilities, especially Marc Dodge as our tour guide for the day. I also want to thank Joe Zareski (Director of Engineering), Ken Stone and Bill Lapland for their input and Dave Emory for allowing us to visit the Chase tower.

John (ctdish) joined me on the tour, so he may be able to provide additional pictures from his camera that far surpasses the capabilities of mine.

CPTV WEDH Site/Studio Visit - 7/10

Attached are some pictures from the visit. I was very impressed with the facility and was pleased by the progress of the WEDH-DT 45 transmitter construction. The 45 transmitter cabinet does not have the exciters in place yet and the transmitter tubes themselves were not yet installed at the time of my visit, but I should have thought to photograph them anyway. A picture of the active channel 24 transmitter is included, however. The tubes are smaller than I expected. The control room picture is from the studio in Hartford.

I want to thank CPTV for allowing a tour of their transmitter site and studio facilities, especially Marc Dodge as our tour guide for the day. I also want to thank Joe Zareski (Director of Engineering), Ken Stone and Bill Lapland for their input and Dave Emory for allowing us to visit the Chase tower.

John (ctdish) joined me on the tour, so he may be able to provide additional pictures from his camera that far surpasses the capabilities of mine.

Thanks for the great pix! Did anyone mention August-September as a go live date for WEDH dt?

Cool set of pictures! Am I correct in saying that the tower in the first picture is the WTIC tower on Rattlesnake Mountain? Assuming that's the case, which "stick" is the WEDH analog transmitter? The little orange one?

Am I correct in saying that the tower in the first picture is the WTIC tower on Rattlesnake Mountain? Assuming that's the case, which "stick" is the WEDH analog transmitter? The little orange one?

Yes, it is the WTIC tower. Attached is a picture of the candelabra from John. It provides a much better view of the top antennas. It is my understanding that analog WTIC/61 is the lower one in the middle (back). I don't know about the rest.

Also attached is a picture I took of the neighboring WVIT tower and another picture of the control room area.

As I understand it, they are still on target for August for DTV operations on WEDH/45 and the move of WEDN to 9. I will look forward to testing them out on my next visit.

As I understand it, they are still on target for August for DTV operations on WEDH/45 and the move of WEDN to 9. I will look forward to testing them out on my next visit.

The email I got from Jerry Franklin said that WEDN dt had to go live at the same time that WEDH dt does, so I guess it hinges on WEDN's schedule, also.

WEDH analog is on top of the tower. If I remember it is on the left in this picture. I think both WEDH and WTIC antennas are now on top with a WTXX digital still to be added, probably channel 20.
John

Is WGBY Springfield now on digital channel 17? I'm picking up no signal on 58.1 and a poor signal on 17.1.

Is WGBY Springfield now on digital channel 17? I'm picking up no signal on 58.1 and a poor signal on 17.1.

Where are you?

WGBY on 57 analog, 58 digital. Moving to 22 digital for post transition.

There's a WPQX 17 digital in RI?

I'm in Hartford. I sadly cannot get a watchable picture on 58 on my Zenith converter box. I've always been able to watch WGBY on analog. Also I cannot get 39 (WCTX) anymore either with the box.

Maybe I was getting WPQX, although I rarely pick up Rhode Island stations on analog. My channel scan gave me 17, but I wasn't able to tune it in and the signal never crossed over the threshold that would give me a picture.

I'm in Hartford. I sadly cannot get a watchable picture on 58 on my Zenith converter box. I've always been able to watch WGBY on analog. Also I cannot get 39 (WCTX) anymore either with the box.

Maybe I was getting WPQX, although I rarely pick up Rhode Island stations on analog. My channel scan gave me 17, but I wasn't able to tune it in and the signal never crossed over the threshold that would give me a picture.


I would say you're picking up WPQX DT-17 (69-1 ION, 69-2 qubo, 69-3 IONLife & 69-4 Worship) as we are able to receive it in Hartford too, they're just across the CT Eastern border.

I would say you're picking up WPQX DT-17 (69-1 ION, 69-2 qubo, 69-3 IONLife & 69-4 Worship) as we are able to receive it in Hartford too, they're just across the CT Eastern border.

You're right, because I did receive those channels once on 69. I have yet to receive anything from WHPX in New London digitally. Are they broadcasting yet? Odd that I can receive them but nothing from WGBY or WCTX.

WHPX-DT is on channel 34. I only get them in New Britain IF I can find a sweet spot with my rabbit ears.

I'm in Hartford. I sadly cannot get a watchable picture on 58 on my Zenith converter box. I've always been able to watch WGBY on analog. Also I cannot get 39 (WCTX) anymore either with the box.

In East Windsor, I have similar reception problems as you with digital WGBY and WCTX. WGBY will come in perfectly one day, but the next day the picture will be plagued with pixel break-ups, hiccups, or the unwelcomed "Weak Or No Signal" sign that the receiver throws up on the screen when it loses its lock on the signal. My Channel Master 4228 antenna is indoors, so it is not moved by wind, and it always remains pointed in the direction that brings in the best reception from WGBY-DT.

According to FCC website information, WGBY will have a new digital antenna in place on the top of their tower on Mount Tom in Holyoke by October. The digtal antenna that they are using now is lower down on the tower, mounted on the side. They won't be able to turn on the new antenna until the analog switch-off on February 17th because they will be "flash-cutting" their signal on that date from channel 58 to channel 22. They have to wait for analog WWLP (NBC, Channel 22) to vacate UHF 22 on that same day. We can only hope that Channel 57 reception becomes more reliable for us in Connecticut as of February 18, 2009, but I believe that even then their power level will be low compared to other area stations.

Between now and next February, reception problems may get even worse. The analog antenna at the top has to be removed to make way for the new digital one. A temporary analog antenna will be mounted lower on the side of the tower, and it will operate at a lower power level until next February. So it may become harder to receive even the analog version of the channel south of the border in Connecticut.

I use to wonder why a relatively small market like Springfield had such a top-notch PBS station. I found out the reason: WGBY is the sister station of Boston's WGBH, one of the powerhouse PBS affiliates in the country. Funding from Boston allows WGBY to air better shows twenty-four hours a day. National PBS programs in high definition and WGBY's locally-produced programming in HD have picture quality that is superior to that on the big four networks.

My Samsung receiver usually adds WCTX to the channel line-up when it does a scan. But, without fail, when I channel surf past Channel 59 the receiver displays the "Weak Or No Signal" sign sooner or later. I delete WCTX from the line-up so that I can spare myself from seeing the "No Signal" screen. Repositioning the antenna might help, but I'd rather get WGBY than WCTX.

Your post has let me know why my receiver always pauses and lingers at channel 17 when it is scanning the off-air channels. The receiver is never successful at acquiring a lock on it. I didn't know that a digital channel was there.

I can receive an extremely snowy analog version of WHPX (New London), but I've never seen its digital version.

A few posts back there was mention of WTNH and its encrypted subchannel. According to a recent "Northeast Radio Watch" on-line column by Scott Fybush, Bridgeport's WSAH will lease a subchannel from WTNH if the FCC allows WSAH to move its antenna to the Empire State Building. This would enable WSAH to keep the same footprint that it has in Connecticut with its current antenna and tower. Wikipedia says that, when it is not airing infomercials, WSAH is hawking jewelry as an affiliate of GEMS TV. While the subchannel lease will be a revenue-producer for Channel 8, content-wise it is one of the worst possible uses of multi-casting.

Now that Charter and LIN have reached an agreement.. any idea when Charter customers will see ABC HD?

Now that Charter and LIN have reached an agreement.. any idea when Charter customers will see ABC HD?

I don't know but you could always put up an antenna. :)

I don't know but you could always put up an antenna. :)

Not an option where I live.

Last night CBS evening news with Katie Couric was supposed to go HD. The picture from ch 3 was in HD but there was no audio. This was true on both 3-1 from my antenna and ch 3 from the satellite(DirecTV). Later in the broadcast the audio came on but it was analog not dolby digital. This must be a local problem that caught WFSB unawares since other HD programs from CBS come through fine including the audio.

Last night CBS evening news with Katie Couric was supposed to go HD. The picture from ch 3 was in HD but there was no audio. This was true on both 3-1 from my antenna and ch 3 from the satellite(DirecTV). Later in the broadcast the audio came on but it was analog not dolby digital. This must be a local problem that caught WFSB unawares since other HD programs from CBS come through fine including the audio.

I believe it was a network problem as the audio issue was present in both Boston and Portland

WTNH-ABC HD will be added to Charter's channel line-up on Channel 788, effective August 11, 2008.

Does anybody here know if there was transmitter work today (TUE AUG 12) on Rattlesnake Mountain? I didn't see WTIC-DT on the air at all. Strange, since WTXX-DT came in nice and strong.

Separately, WFSB-DT seemed weaker than usual. I couldn't keep the signal in clean for more than 10 seconds at a time.

Lastly, and this is gonna sound a bit weird, but is it possible for wind to affect a digital signal while using a set of rabbit ears? It seemed to happen all the time with my analog UHF reception in southern Maine a lot (back in 1987).

The audio on WVIT-DT commercials is going up and down during olympic coverage. It seems to alternate commericals, but thankfully the the audio is fine for the actual coverage. Anyone else hearing this?

The audio on WVIT-DT commercials is going up and down during olympic coverage.
.
.
Anyone else hearing this?

Yes.

I noticed it; never gave it a second thought, but good call.

Yes.

I noticed it; never gave it a second thought, but good call.

I wish all the commercials were at low volume!

Any updates on when WEDH-DT (PBS channel 24 analog) will go live? It's still going to be on channel 45 right?

Any updates on when WEDH-DT (PBS channel 24 analog) will go live? It's still going to be on channel 45 right?

Yes it will be 45 digital. The last I heard from Jerry Franklin was August or September.

spoke

When I was growing up a neighbor had WHNB as his license plate. Let's call him Mr. B.

He had a remote control for his TV set that operated, I think, by striking a tuning fork inside the remote, which the TV set 'heard' and responded to -- with a servo motor! Circa 1972, I'd say.

Lastly, and this is gonna sound a bit weird, but is it possible for wind to affect a digital signal while using a set of rabbit ears? It seemed to happen all the time with my analog UHF reception in southern Maine a lot (back in 1987).

Wind just isn't a problem for rabbit ears. Dynamic multi-path from blowing leaves is still a problem for ATSC, even though static multi-path is essentially solved in newer generation chips.

Any updates on when WEDH-DT (PBS channel 24 analog) will go live? It's still going to be on channel 45 right?

Channel 45 is correct. M. Dodge has indicated that it is ready to go and will come when Norwich 45 is turned off. Look for it in the next few days.
John

When I was growing up a neighbor had WHNB as his license plate. Let's call him Mr. B.

He had a remote control for his TV set that operated, I think, by striking a tuning fork inside the remote, which the TV set 'heard' and responded to -- with a servo motor! Circa 1972, I'd say.

Maybe he was an engineer for Channel 30! When I was picking a user name for this Hartford forum, I chose the call letters that Channel 30 had during the 60s and 70s. They stood for West Hartford New Britain. In 1978 the station was sold to Viacom International Television, and the calls were changed to WVIT.

Any chance I'd pick up WEDN-DT once they sign on with VHF channel 9? I'm in New Britain's south end. I usually get a decent signal with WTNH-DT on channel 10 and WTXX-DT on channel 12 (the latter likely due to being 5 miles or less from Rattlesnake Mountain). I'm presently using an indoor Philips antenna with two 34" telescoping rods for VHF and a separate UHF piece between the rods on the base which can tilt and swivel around.

Any chance I'd pick up WEDN-DT once they sign on with VHF channel 9? I'm in New Britain's south end.

Not with an indoor antenna. WTNH and WTXX are much closer to New Britain, but you should be able to receive WEDH-DT when it goes live.

An outdoor grade 7-13 antenna has a chance to receive WEDN/9, but you may need an amp as well, which probably would be overloaded at your location.

Channel 45 is correct. M. Dodge has indicated that it is ready to go and will come when Norwich 45 is turned off. Look for it in the next few days.
John

CPTV is waiting for the antennas to be switched at the WEDN site. Once that is completed both WEDH/45 and WEDN/9 should be ready. With any luck, it will be soon.

Attached are some updated pictures of the 45 transmitter cabinet and waveguide feed to the transmission line, from last week, courtesy of M. Dodge.

Maybe he was an engineer for Channel 30! When I was picking a user name for this Hartford forum, I chose the call letters that Channel 30 had during the 60s and 70s. They stood for West Hartford New Britain. In 1978 the station was sold to Viacom International Television, and the calls were changed to WVIT.

I thought he might have been the station manager, but I never asked.

I'd always thought of it as 'double you Hartford and New Britain' for some reason. I think WVIT was the first time I noticed a commercial station re-brand itself -- it bothered me. The re-branding of WTIC-TV was even worse -- Big Three Theatre was super-important to me because of all those great Tarzan movies.

Boy! Hungawa!

I think WVIT was the first time I noticed a commercial station re-brand itself -- it bothered me. The re-branding of WTIC-TV was even worse ...

The moronic rebranding of WCTX still bothers me. I can't tell you how many people have called me looking for a UConn game on WWOR because of their usage of "MyTV9"

Guys - YOU'RE NOT CHANNEL 9 - I know, you may prefer that placement on cable, but big deal.

* ATTENTION *

The following is knowingly strayed from the topic of the technical aspects of viewing television with an antenna in the Hartford area. It is only peripherally related.



WHNB: I'll make this one my last on the subjects we've touched on -- I don't wish to annoy the others (and this takes up my morning composing this, anyway -- a guilty pleasure!)

Big Three Theatre - I remember a violin-laden instrumental rendition of "The Bells Of St. Mary's" was played before and after each commercial break. Back then local stations bought libraries of movies and showed them liberally throughout their broadcast day.


I'm hoping my memory will come up with those violins, but so far, nothing. I remember the consistency, though.

When I was home from school with the flu or what-have-you, I remember lots of black and white movies on TV, especially during the morning hours.


Nowadays you turn on the TV on the weekend after working all week and all that's on is paid programming! I guess they figure why show entertainment with commercials when you can just show the commercials.


Part of why I dropped my CATV subscription. The rooftop antenna wasn't very functional, so I've seen almost no television in five years. That changed with purchase of an LCD TV; I get WVIT-DT just fine with the same antenna.

If the Olympics in Beijing hadn't been on the day I got the set (8-08-08) I probably would have ignored the television functions and just used the VGA port (primary use of the display). I'd never seen HDTV (and understood what it was I was seeing). It's interesting, in that the picture quality and fidelity of the sound are quite advanced over what I'd grown used to expecting from OTA TV.

I have to say the commercials are fatiguing, even though some are quite well produced (arresting visuals, polished soundtracks). I've resumed my habit of turning my back to the set (on mute) to avoid being poisoned by all the commercial content.

I guess at the time intervals and usually miss some of the programmed content segments (the show itself). When the Olympics are over, I'll need to check into the Betty Ford clinic for television addicts, for a tune-up.

I also don't like the creepy slow-motion personality cult clips that NBC seems fixated on -- clips of the key players in the drama shows; nor the chroma-key bits with the weathermen hawking... the weather (the announcers shown free-floating on unnatural backgrounds, doing commercials promoting the station's weathercasting effort).



I do want to be able to choose to watch, or not to watch. There are national and regional events that somewhat transcend the usual carnival barker mentality; at least for the moment, broadcast media is still attended-to by human beings who might have useful editorial viewpoints during crisis (or more rarely, during positive shared moments in the community).

Still haven't figured out why bad news sells, nor why it can't be reported, straight. Specifically, why when there's no bad news for the day, they make some up (if only by reminding us of previous bad news, lacking anything currently bad enough to report on).


Yes, all the locals have changed as their ownership has changed. With Channel 30 and WTIC Radio up for sale again, who knows what alterations the new owners will make.


I suppose licenses are scarce enough that someone will want the stations. Wouldn't suprise me to see more religious fundamentalism on broadcast media, or maybe some secular equivalent (politics is a secular religion, in my book).

I'm wondering about HD radio or whatever they call it. With that kind of fidelity, I think they can do a bit more with it. With analog TV going dark, a large population of viewers will be shoe-horned into rapid adoption of DTV.

Unless there's a sudden destruction of analog AM/FM BC radio (in favor of some HD protocol for BC radio) I wonder how quickly HD radio would come into the public ear.

Or who will build the first crystal radio kit that tunes HD.


If you haven't seen these yet, here are two websites that might interest you:
http://www.wticalumni.com/ has pictures, audio, and video from the days when Travelers Insurance owned WTIC-AM-FM-TV3. I got a chuckle hearing Bob Steele ad lib when the production crew's voices accidentally went out over the air during a break in a morning newscast that he was doing for Channel 3. He deadpans to the audience, "You might be wondering what is going on here, and, I'm with you." Click on the "Raw Blooper Tape" in the audio section and drag your mouse over the progress bar on Windows Media Player until you reach 52:24.

WFSB has a Fiftieth Anniverary section on its website that has pictures of talent, news trucks, and logos from its WTIC era. It's at http://www.wfsb.com/50/index.html.



Thank you for those links. I've (just now) looked at the history page of the WTIC alumni; an interesting read. I often wondered about the unusually strong consistency of WTIC prior to 1974; this answers a lot of those questions.

The moronic rebranding of WCTX still bothers me. I can't tell you how many people have called me looking for a UConn game on WWOR because of their usage of "MyTV9"

Guys - YOU'RE NOT CHANNEL 9 - I know, you may prefer that placement on cable, but big deal.

I liked this post a lot. I was wondering what-the...? when I saw that logo on that station the other day.

Counting the days until WEDH-DT gets switched on from Rattlesnake Mountain. I get my strongest digital signals from WVIT-DT (NBC) and WTIC-DT (FOX). WTXX-DT (CW) at relatively low power seems to do well for me. Just for the asking, is WTXX-DT on top of the WTIC tower with the candleabra or is their transmitter side-mounted?

I'd always thought of it as 'double you Hartford and New Britain' for some reason.

I always thought that was the case as well. When this station came on, West Hartford was still primarily undeveloped lands between Hartford and New Britain.

I sometimes wondered why they built the old studio in West Hartford to begin with? It obviously predates I-84 which runs right past the old studio. Did it have to do with how they send their signals over to Rattlesnake Mountain which, admittedly, isn't very far at all? Did WVIT-TV/DT ever look for their new home (presently under construction) to be in another town, such as New Britain (their city of license) or Hartford? Did West Hartford give them incentives to stay where they've been since the mid-1950s?

I always thought that was the case as well. When this station came on, West Hartford was still primarily undeveloped lands between Hartford and New Britain.

I have to agree with you and 'tetonca', as I also thought this. In the past few years I read an online article that mentioned the 'W' as standing for 'West', and figured that somebody knew something of which I was unaware. It seemed to make sense given that the studio is physically located in West Hartford. We all agree that HNB stood for Hartford/New Britain.

Did WVIT-TV/DT ever look for their new home (presently under construction) to be in another town, such as New Britain (their city of license) or Hartford? Did West Hartford give them incentives to stay where they've been since the mid-1950s?

According to a Hartford Business Journal article that 'raoul5788' linked in one of his posts, WVIT's general manager said that the station initially considered other towns and downtown Hartford. Channel 30 decided to stay where it was because the news vehicles have easy access to I-84, Route 9, and I-91, and because the station has roots in West Hartford. The town also offered a one million dollar tax incentive. Link to article: http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/news1413.html

A fortieth anniversary retrospective that was aired in 1993 included film of the original studio being constructed. The narrator mentioned that the building was designed so that it could easily be converted into a warehouse if the TV venture didn't work out for the owners. A co-worker who commutes past the location every weekday tells me that the new building is now enclosed and has lights lit on the second floor. Although the Hartford Business Journal's April 2007 article gave this October as the completion date, Wikipedia says that it will be finished by next June.

That might also be the date when the in-studio portions of their news begin to be in high definition, as the article noted that new equipment will be installed in the state-of-the-art facility. (I read on tvtechnology.com that competitor Channel 3 may begin local high definition by next May's sweeps period. A Meredith Station Group executive said that, while he wouldn't give exact dates for competitive reasons, Meredith's five strongest stations most likely will make the conversion "within the year", and the article was written this past April. WFSB was number five on the list.)

Just for the asking, is WTXX-DT on top of the WTIC tower with the candleabra or is their transmitter side-mounted?

In a May 6th post, 'mdodge' said that WTXX-DT's new digital antenna was lowered onto the candelabra by helicopter on May 5th, the same day that WTIC-DT's antenna was put up there by the same method. He provided a picture of one of the antennas, but had to return to the CPTV studios before he could photograph the other antenna being installed. Both antennas have not been turned on yet. The digital version of Channel 20 is still coming from the side-mounted auxiliary antenna. In the past few weeks I have noticed that both Channel 61 and WTXX have changed their gray sidebars to black.

(I jump in here when I think I can provide an answer. When your questions don't get a reply (from me), it's because I don't know the correct answer.)

Based on FCC info the channel 12 WTXX DT antenna is located about 1000 feet below the top of the tower. The digital channel 20 antenna can not be used until the analog shut off in Feb. 09.
John

Posted by WHNB
"In the past few years I read an online article that mentioned the 'W' as standing for 'West', and figured that somebody knew something of which I was unaware. It seemed to make sense given that the studio is physically located in West Hartford. We all agree that HNB stood for Hartford/New Britain. "

I believe that stations east of the Mississippi begin with "W" and west of the river, "K", at least in most cases.

As for local TV studios, hasn't WTIC-TV/DT always been located at One Financial Plaza in Hartford? I can still remember the rainbow colored strip and "WTIC Television" just above that facing Church Street near Main Street. Speaking of that building, wasn't the transmitter of the old Telemundo channel 13 located on its roof?

Now a bit about WTXX-DT...was the placement of the digital transmitter on Rattlesnake Mountain done due to short-spacing with another station (the permanent digital 20 transmitter for next year) or just economic sense for Tribune to have everything they operate at one site?

From an unnamed source:
"1. WTIC's studio is located at 180 Church Street (The Stilts building).

2. Channel 13's transmitter shared the penthouse of 60 Washington Street with the pigeons until it came down on Jan. 28, 2001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm13ffugZ2k&feature=related

3. Probably, neither. More than likely to consolidate transmitters."

WEDH-DT is on the air on physical channel 45.
John

WEDH-DT is on the air on physical channel 45.
John

I am looking forward to trying it on my next trip. Also, if it works well, then my prospects for WTIC-DT should be very good when it moves to the top of the tower.

I want to thank CPTV for their efforts on getting WEDH-DT up and running. I know it took many years of negotiations to get this done and am glad to finally see it on the air! ...Or at least hear about it for now. :D

WEDH-DT is on the air on physical channel 45.
John

Thanks for the heads-up. I did a rescan at 6PM and it comes in crystal clear, without the ghost image that I get slightly to the right of everything on the analog version. The scan also brought in channels 24-2, 24-3, and 24-4. They are all black screens so I deleted them. My receiver's signal strength meter measures digital Channel 24 as 7.5/10 (seven bars light up blue and the eighth bar blinks on and off).

Between the excellent picture quality and the better programming that is on Connecticut Public Television, I know that my TV will be tuned to this channel often. The only negative is the recently super-sized logo in the bottom right corner. I'm looking forward to seeing how pristine their in-studio local HD programs look.

I watched "The NewsHour" at 7PM on Channel 24-1, and noticed very thin letterbox black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. The bars are not as wide as they are on the analog version, but they are there nonetheless. Normally there are no horizontal bars when the feed is in 16:9 HD. The picture also did not seem to be true high definition. It lacked sharpness and had some video fuzz. This continued into the PBS convention coverage at 8PM. After 8 o'clock I compared the picture to that on Channel 57-1, which is simulcasting the same coverage, and saw that the picture on that Springfield PBS channel had no black bars at the top and bottom, and had a truer HD quality. The colors were more saturated. This leads me to believe that the feed on Channel 24-1 may be up-converted standard digital. I throw this out just as an observation; I realize that the channel has only been up for a few hours and further tweaking will undoubtedly occur.

This station is a good part of the reason why we went out and bought an HDTV a few months ago. My partner is really looking forward to the UCONN Women's Basketball games. We are delighted to have the signal this early.

We see about the same signal strength and S/N ratio as WTIC-DT has and both are significantly better than WVIT-DT. I have never understood why WVIT-DT has such a poor signal here. It seems a little better this evening, so maybe there is a bit of ducting.

In Mystic at least, WHPX on 34 makes reception of WVIT/35 difficult. Hopefully, WVIT it will be more reliable when WHPX goes back to 26.

Also, WEDN-DT is operating on VHF 9 as of now, at 1.25kW ERP. I will be curious to see how far it can be received.

Fantastic news! I live in the south end of New Britain. The signal meter on my Insignia digital converter box is no less than 90% with this new service. Until now, only WVIT-DT channel 35 would give me 90% on the signal meter. WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT are just under that for me. Just out of curiosity, I manually tuned to WEDN-DT, which is now on channel 9. My box detected a slight signal, but doesn't start showing anything on the screen until I get at least a 33% signal. By the way, what is the visual ERP of WEDH-DT? Also, is WEDH-TV analog channel 24 going to remain on the air until February 17, 2009?

Wednesday August 27, 2008:

WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating today on one power amplifier at approximately 58% power. Additional work is needed to bring the second amplifier on line, which would provide 100% power (465 Kw ERP).
PSIP WEDH-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDH 24-1

WEDN DT-9 Norwich is operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP). On February 18, 2008, power will be increased to 4.2 Kw ERP.
PSIP WEDN-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDN 53-1

A failure this weekend in the CPTV HD MC has caused a temporary suspension of all HD transmissions. The current transmissions are originating from the CPTV SD MC which are being upconverted to HD. Equipment is on order and hopefully CPTV HD MC operations will be resumed in a couple of days...

You'll know it when you see it...!!!

[QUOTE=jzareski;14538760]Wednesday August 27, 2008:

WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating today on one power amplifier at approximately 58% power. Additional work is needed to bring the second amplifier on line, which would provide 100% power (465 Kw ERP)./QUOTE]

That's good news. Another two or two and a half dB will help when propagation is not as good as this evening.

Excellent, we're almost there on WEDH-DT. Now we have to get DirecTV to get our HD-DVRs to recognize it.

Wednesday August 27, 2008:

WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating today on one power amplifier at approximately 58% power. Additional work is needed to bring the second amplifier on line, which would provide 100% power (465 Kw ERP).
PSIP WEDH-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDH 24-1

Then it must be my closeness to Rattlesnake Mountain, explaining the 90% or so that my signal meter is showing!

Also, I was told at another forum that the digital channel 45 signal is directional to protect WABC-DT (ABC) in New York City.

Then it must be my closeness to Rattlesnake Mountain, explaining the 90% or so that my signal meter is showing!

Also, I was told at another forum that the digital channel 45 signal is directional to protect WABC-DT (ABC) in New York City.

Yes, I wonder who told you that. =)

Here's their directional pattern:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/polarplot?temp=84584&rotate=0.00&p0=0.936&p10=0.917&p20=0.905&p30=0.900&p40=0.899&p50=0.900&p60=0.905&p70=0.917&p80=0.936&p90=0.963&p100=0.988&p110=1.000&p120=0.987&p130=0.940&p140=0.854&p150=0.733&p160=0.588&p170=0.437&p180=0.302&p190=0.218&p200=0.207&p210=0.232&p220=0.245&p230=0.232&p240=0.207&p250=0.218&p260=0.302&p270=0.437&p280=0.588&p290=0.733&p300=0.854&p310=0.940&p320=0.987&p330=1.000&p340=0.988&p350=0.963&p360=0.936&

The weakest signal they'll be putting out when they're at the full 465 kW is 19.9 kW in the direction of their nulls. And WEDW-DT should fill at least some of those gaps.

- Trip

Trip in VA is a cut-and-paste genius! Silly me for not quoting you directly! Seriously, can Falcon_77 or anybody else in eastern and/or southeastern Connecticut comment on how they're now receiving WEDH-DT and/or WEDN-DT? (I can no longer receive WEDN-DT here in New Britain.)

Excellent, we're almost there on WEDH-DT. Now we have to get DirecTV to get our HD-DVRs to recognize it.

I reported issue to Directv. Hopefully they address soon. I get the channel on my HR10-250 (Directv HD Tivo) and Windows PC, but HR20 no go. It does look like on the HR20 that WEDNDT 53-1 is picking up WEDH's signal.

I am really happy to see this channel go live. I can resume my donations to CPTV. I was holding out for the digital channels. I know not all their fault but I refused to watch this channel in SD except for occasional UConn Women's basketball. You bet I will be watching CPTV thanks to HD and I will be gladly contributing to their funds.

Does anyone in the market have a computer-based receiver running on Windows? XP preferred, but Vista might work too. If you have one, are willing to help me out, and have some free time, please PM me or otherwise contact me, I'd like some help with something. =)

- Trip

can Falcon_77 or anybody else in eastern and/or southeastern Connecticut comment on how they're now receiving WEDH-DT and/or WEDN-DT? (I can no longer receive WEDN-DT here in New Britain.)

Unless I can get my parents to hook up the box, I won't know until I return. However, John (ctdish) seems to be having good results with his backup UHF antenna for 45. He is also getting WEDN ok with a VHF antenna pointed to WTNH.

1) Also, is WEDH-TV analog channel 24 going to remain on the air until February 17, 2009?

2) Then it must be my closeness to Rattlesnake Mountain, explaining the 90% or so that my signal meter is showing!

3) Also, I was told at another forum that the digital channel 45 signal is directional to protect WABC-DT (ABC) in New York City.

1) CPTV analog over-the-air TV operations are scheduled to cease on Tuesday February 17, 2009 at 11:59:59 PM +/-.

Note: WEDW DT-52 (PSIP WEDW 49-1) digital will crease operations on DT-52 approximately one month prior. WEDW will resume digital operations on DT-49 (PSIP WEDW 49-1) at 12:01 AM on Wednesday February 18, 2009. A digital tuner re-scan will be necessary.

The possibility exists that on Wednesday February 18, 2009, WEDY DT-6 (PSIP WEDY 6-1) New Haven may return to operation, TBD.

CPTV intention is operate the DTV transmitters 24 / 7 rather than the current 17.5+/- hours a day.

2) Sun shades not provided...

3) Yes. Both WABC-TV (DT-45 moving to DT-7) in NY, NY and WOLF-TV DT-45 in Hazelton, PA. The WEDH DT-45 coverage should improve toward the Southwest when the interference from WABC DT-45 turns off in February 2009.

My HR20 is finally seeing 24-1. I wonder if the other subchannels (if there are any) will be up soon.

My HR20 is finally seeing 24-1. I wonder if the other subchannels (if there are any) will be up soon.

Not fair! My HR20-700 isn't getting it. I am running version 0x254. Which one do you have? Which HR20 do you have? Did you have to edit your favorites to see it?

Not fair! My HR20-700 isn't getting it. I am running version 0x254. Which one do you have? Which HR20 do you have? Did you have to edit your favorites to see it?
- HR20-700 (0x254). I did an OTA Antenna Setup > Initial Setup and reset yesterday, but it did not show up. It just appeared when I turned it on. I also have a HR20-100 (0x254) upstairs, and 24-1 just appeared after a scan and reset.

- HR20-700 (0x254). I did an OTA Antenna Setup > Initial Setup and reset yesterday, but it did not show up. It just appeared when I turned it on. I also have a HR20-100 (0x254) upstairs, and 24-1 just appeared after a scan and reset.

I just did the antenna setup and it showed up, oddly though, not in numerical order in the setup guide! It's there, though. Thanks for the quick reply.

I just did the antenna setup and it showed up, oddly though, not in numerical order in the setup guide! It's there, though. Thanks for the quick reply.
- No problem. Now we just have to wait for real HD content to show up. I know my 3.5 year old daughter would be excited for Sesame Street in HD. :)

I checked the signal strength of WEDH-DT today with a little wire "antenna" quietly attached to the back of an LCD HDTV at my job in Newington. The signal meter was all over the place, with the slightest movement of said "antenna". the highest the signal got at any point was about 82%. Funny, considering you get a decent view of Rattlesnake Mountain off to the west. :)

The signal meter was all over the place,
Multipath

Unless I can get my parents to hook up the box, I won't know until I return. However, John (ctdish) seems to be having good results with his backup UHF antenna for 45. He is also getting WEDN ok with a VHF antenna pointed to WTNH.
I am getting 50% on the signal meter and a rock solid signal in Tolland.

Trip in VA is a cut-and-paste genius! Silly me for not quoting you directly! Seriously, can Falcon_77 or anybody else in eastern and/or southeastern Connecticut comment on how they're now receiving WEDH-DT and/or WEDN-DT? (I can no longer receive WEDN-DT here in New Britain.)

Wow this page is busy.....LOL

I am receiving WEDH ch 45 excellent here in Montville, I don't have a level for you but my receiver does give me a S/N of 32 dB, the best signal of all the channels I receive on this tower. I am using the same antenna(a UHF quad) WVIT-DT, WTIC-DT and now WEDH-DT .
This so far is the best signal by-far of all the channels I can receive on this tower from all directions and it is not at full power yet.
You should know that the tower is at 490' AMSL and the antenna is at about 250' on the tower but it is an extremely good signal for being at 58%.

Hope it hepls !

- HR20-700 (0x254). I did an OTA Antenna Setup > Initial Setup and reset yesterday, but it did not show up. It just appeared when I turned it on. I also have a HR20-100 (0x254) upstairs, and 24-1 just appeared after a scan and reset.

I've had channel 24-1 on my HR-20 for quite a while. It was listed as a local channel only. No call letters and obviously no picture.

Are you actually getting a picture on your HR20?

CABLE70, how are you receiving WEDN-DT on channel 9 there in Montville? Here in New Britain, the signal bar only goes up to about 30% for WEDN-DT. Clearly, the box is detecting something, but not enough to present a picture with.

Another poster mentioned multipath being the reason the signal fluctuates so much on the TV at work. I work on the Berlin Turnpike (US 5/CT 15). Also, I've noticed that customers standing in certain spots in the aisle will affect the signal level, sometimes making the picutre cut out and/or freeze. Would a roof antenna solve that problem? (It's not gonna happen where I work.)

I've had channel 24-1 on my HR-20 for quite a while. It was listed as a local channel only. No call letters and obviously no picture.

Are you actually getting a picture on your HR20?

I am on my HR20-700 here in Cheshire.

I am on my HR20-700 here in Cheshire.

That's great news!

CABLE70, how are you receiving WEDN-DT on channel 9 there in Montville? Here in New Britain, the signal bar only goes up to about 30% for WEDN-DT. Clearly, the box is detecting something, but not enough to present a picture with.

Another poster mentioned multipath being the reason the signal fluctuates so much on the TV at work. I work on the Berlin Turnpike (US 5/CT 15). Also, I've noticed that customers standing in certain spots in the aisle will affect the signal level, sometimes making the picutre cut out and/or freeze. Would a roof antenna solve that problem? (It's not gonna happen where I work.)

I will check for you, I need to set-up another receiver(the other receiver has customers on it)and find a VHF to point in that direction, I shouldn't have a problem other than maby multipath being that I can see the WEDN tower from about 30' up this tower.

WEDH 45.3 - 85+% in Naugatuck and that's with my CM4228 off angle (pulling in 45 on a side lobe). :D

I also pick up 45.10 and 45.11 (no picture or sound). Any idea what will be on those and when they will go live?

Where I work in Newington is a good perspective. Stand in the right spot of the parking lot, turning your head from south-southwest to northwest (our store front faces west) and you can see West Peak (Meriden), Rattlesnake Mountain (Farmington), the WRYM-AM 840 tower (Newington) and the WLAT-AM 910 towers (Farmington). You would probably see the Avon Mountain towers if you were on the roof! :)

Indoors, albeit with a fluctuating signal at times, we can only manage the digital channels of WFSB, WEDH, WVIT and WTIC. We get fair to weak analog signals from WUVN, WTXX, WEDH, WVIT and WTIC. VHF for analog (WFSB and WTNH) and digital (WTNH and WTXX) is non-existant.

As someone who doesn't care about HDTV but cares about content, does anyone know if WEDH-DT will be adding some content to their 3 subchannels?

My HR20 picked up 24-1 as WEDN-DT after a rescan. No subchannels though. I'll rescan on the HR21s in the AM.

Wednesday August 27, 2008:

1) WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating today on one power amplifier at approximately 58% power. Additional work is needed to bring the second amplifier on line, which would provide 100% power (465 Kw ERP).
PSIP WEDH-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDH 24-1

2) WEDN DT-9 Norwich is operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP). On February 18, 2008, power will be increased to 4.2 Kw ERP.
PSIP WEDN-1 pgm 3 only. 4, 5, 6 blank.
WEDN 53-1

3) A failure this weekend in the CPTV HD MC has caused a temporary suspension of all HD transmissions. The current transmissions are originating from the CPTV SD MC which are being upconverted to HD. Equipment is on order and hopefully CPTV HD MC operations will be resumed in a couple of days...

4) You'll know it when you see it...!!!


Saturday August 30, 2008:

FYI Update:

1) At 2:58 PM Friday, August 29, 2008, WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating at 100% power (465 Kw ERP).

2) WEDN DT-9 Norwich has been operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP) since 8:17 PM Wednesday August 27, 2008.

3) CPTV hopes to restore CPTV HD MC operations by the end of next week.

4) You'll definately know it when you see it...!!!

My HR20 picked up 24-1 as WEDN-DT after a rescan. No subchannels though. I'll rescan on the HR21s in the AM.

It won't show on your HR21. With no ota tuner, you can't get it until Directv adds it to their lineup. They are supposed to add PBS hd throughout the country sometime "soon".

My HR20 picked up 24-1 as WEDN-DT after a rescan. No subchannels though. I'll rescan on the HR21s in the AM.

HR20 or HR21 with AM21 do not have scan feature. Info comes from D*.

Saturday August 30, 2008:

FYI Update:

1) At 2:58 PM Friday, August 29, 2008, WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating at 100% power (465 Kw ERP).

Upon learning this, I re-checked the signal strength for Channel 24-1 on my Samsung H260F receiver, which is connected to a Channel Master 4228 antenna that is in another second-floor room near a westerly-facing large window.

The new signal strength for WEDH-DT registers a perfect 10 out of 10, up from the 7.5 of this past Wednesday.

The other channels' signal strength at 1PM Saturday:
Channel 3-1 ..... 10/10 (The first time that I've seen it this high, but I don't look at the signal strength frequently. I just go by whether the picture and audio have break-ups.)
Channel 8-1 ..... 2/10 (Currently unwatchable, but comes in perfectly at other times.)
Channel 20-1 ..... 2/10 (A few freezes, but right now not as bad as Channel 8-1 currently is.)
Channel 22-1 ..... 8/10 (This channel has given me the most consistently good reception in the six years that I've had over-the-air digital, using three different receivers and four different antennas.)
Channel 30-1 ..... 5/10 (Much lower than when it first signed on. Like 'Cable70' and 'Maljunulo', I notice frequent freezes as well on this channel, and avoid them by watching NBC Springfield.)
Channel 40-1 ..... 3/10 (Used as a back-up when Channel 8-1 doesn't come in, but this ABC affiliate's reception is equally unreliable.)
Channel 57-1 ..... 3/10
Channel 61-1 ..... 8/10

As someone who doesn't care about HDTV but cares about content, does anyone know if WEDH-DT will be adding some content to their 3 sub channels?

FYI,

The .2, .3 and .4 indications that are noted on WEDH DT-45, WEDN DT-9 and WEDW DT-52 are electronic PSIP announcement placeholders, no bandwidth is currently being allocated for SD services nor to provide the announcements.

There are left over from 2001-2004, the time CPTV ran 4 SD channels during the day (CPTV SD, PBS Kids, PBS XP and PBS You) and CPTV PBS HD at night.

CPTV stopped the multichannel broadcasts on September 13, 2004 when it move into the new digital facility, electing to dedicate the maximum bandwidth to one CPTV HD feed. The placeholders were left, as it makes it very easy to add channels to multiple transmitters and cable feeds should the need arise.

Currently, technical favors one CPTV HD channel. Marketing, Programming Underwriting and Viewer Services are trying to figure out if additional SD channels, including a SD CT Sports Network, low res proxies for mobile communications and phones, etc., which would steal bandwidth from the HD service, would actually provide a ROI and not be lost in a 500+ channel Cable TV VOD market.

With Connecticut being about a 95% cable TV market for Commercial and Public Broadcasting reception, CPTV has the capability to offer different services and bandwidth to the OTA and Cable TV viewer. SO, maybe sometime in the future, Cable TV viewers may see a SD sub channel and OTA viewers may see a low-res proxy for mobile communications and phones.

I noted yesterday morning; the OTA WFSB 3-4 appears to be a low-res proxy of 3-1, possibly testing for mobile communications and phones...???

Upon learning this, I re-checked the signal strength for Channel 24-1 on my Samsung H260F receiver, which is connected to a Channel Master 4228 antenna that is in another second-floor room near a westerly-facing large window.

The new signal strength for WEDH-DT registers a perfect 10 out of 10, up from the 7.5 of this past Wednesday.

Thank you for the report.

10 out of 10? WOW! Time for me to rescan here in New Britain then! :)

It won't show on your HR21. With no ota tuner, you can't get it until Directv adds it to their lineup. They are supposed to add PBS hd throughout the country sometime "soon".

My bad. The AM21 is so seemless to the HR21 that I forget that it is a separate unit.

After scanning today, I have 24-1 on both AM21s I rescanned with my Mistubishi TV's tuner and came up with a 45-10 and 45-11 both showing the same program. After remapping, I only had channel 24-1.

My bad. The AM21 is so seemless to the HR21 that I forget that it is a separate unit.

After scanning today, I have 24-1 on both AM21s I rescanned with my Mistubishi TV's tuner and came up with a 45-10 and 45-11 both showing the same program. After remapping, I only had channel 24-1.

Ah! That makes more sense. I understand now!

Saturday August 30, 2008:

FYI Update:

1) At 2:58 PM Friday, August 29, 2008, WEDH DT-45 Hartford has been operating at 100% power (465 Kw ERP).

2) WEDN DT-9 Norwich has been operating at 100% power (1.25 Kw ERP) since 8:17 PM Wednesday August 27, 2008.

3) CPTV hopes to restore CPTV HD MC operations by the end of next week.

4) You'll definately know it when you see it...!!!

CPTV HD operations was restored at 7:30 AM today, Wednesday September 3, 2008. Enjoy tonights broadcasts...

Note: WEDW DT-52 (PSIP WEDW 49-1) digital will crease operations on DT-52 approximately one month prior. WEDW will resume digital operations on DT-49 (PSIP WEDW 49-1) at 12:01 AM on Wednesday February 18, 2009. A digital tuner re-scan will be necessary.

...interesting. Interestingly enough, I get some pretty funky multipath from this transmitter, probably a combo of my distance (about 3 miles) and elevation (I believe I'm actually above the GL at the transmitter).

If I'm reading this right, WEDW-DT's power is actually due to DROP at the switchover. Any commentary on what we should expect post-switch-date?

Is anybody here getting two digital signals from CPTV? Hell...is anybody getting all 3 of the big digital signals right now? (Assuming Hartford, Norwich and Bridgeport.) Here in New Britain, I'm getting about 90% with WEDH-DT as you might expect. My Insignia digital converter box hesitates at channel 9 while making a scan past WEDN-DT, but doesn't add the channel since the signal is just under the minimum (~33%) to lock it. I've never received a trace of WEDW-DT whatsoever.

Anyways, I'm presently using an extended pair of telescoping rabbit ears, which were more likely meant for VHF reception. My reception isn't actually too bad with them:

WTNH-DT (ABC) 10 New Haven...Usually reliable
WTXX-DT (CW) 12 Waterbury...Good signal (likely due to distance from Rattlesnake)
WTIC-DT (FOX) 31 Hartford...Good signal
WFSB-DT (CBS) 33 Hartford...Usually reliable
WHPX-DT (ION) 34 New London...fairly poor, pops in once in a while
WVIT-DT (NBC) 35 New Britain...excellent
WCTX-DT (MY) 39 New Haven...Usually reliable
WEDH-DT (PBS) 45 Hartford...EXCELLENT! Not under 90% yet!
WUVN-DT (UNI) 46 Hartford...Comes in and out, hard to find a "sweet spot"

A roof antenna isn't going to happen where I live. There's an old one in the attic, but it's broken. I Last used it to receive analog channel 30 in 1993 for Super Bowl XXVII.

I get a signal on 24-01, 24-02, 24-03, and 24-04. Only 24-01 has audio and video.

I get a signal on 24-01, 24-02, 24-03, and 24-04. Only 24-01 has audio and video.

If you have a way to de-select or uncheck 24-02, -03, and -04 from your channel line-up, you might want to, as the engineer noted that these sub-channels will be intentionally blank for the foreseeable future. Here's his quote:

FYI,

The [24-02, 24-03 and 24-04] indications that are noted on WEDH DT-45 ... are electronic PSIP announcement placeholders, no bandwidth is currently being allocated for SD services nor to provide the announcements.

There are left over from 2001-2004, the time CPTV ran 4 SD channels during the day (CPTV SD, PBS Kids, PBS XP and PBS You) and CPTV PBS HD at night.

CPTV stopped the multichannel broadcasts on September 13, 2004 when it move into the new digital facility, electing to dedicate the maximum bandwidth to one CPTV HD feed. The placeholders were left, as it makes it very easy to add channels to multiple transmitters and cable feeds should the need arise.

...maybe sometime in the future, Cable TV viewers may see a SD sub channel and OTA viewers may see a low-res proxy for mobile communications and phones.

NBC30 ADDS NEW SUB-CHANNEL

WVIT has put up a third sub-channel; I noticed that it had popped into my receiver's channel line-up as of yesterday (Saturday, September 6th). Channel 30-3 is identified as "US", standing for "Universal Sports". This NBC/Universal channel is currently re-running the Olympics.

Thanks WHNB. I've gone ahead and deselected the extra channel 24s and added on 30-03. Unfortunately, I now see that 59-02 is gone. Yesterday the DishTV guide no longer showed it having the live weather radar and NOAA radio and today, the entire channel is gone. I liked that channel.

Addendum: checked again later on this evening. 59-2 is back and the guide is correct. All is well again!

I just checked here in New Britain. I'm still receiving WCTX-DT 59-2 and the NOAA Weather Radio audio.

NBC30 ADDS NEW SUB-CHANNEL

WVIT has put up a third sub-channel; I noticed that it had popped into my receiver's channel line-up as of yesterday (Saturday, September 6th). Channel 30-3 is identified as "US", standing for "Universal Sports". This NBC/Universal channel is currently re-running the Olympics.

Grrrrrr. Another reason that NBC's sports PQ will suck further.

I noticed this afternoon that Oprah is airing on WFSB-DT in high definition. Isn't Entertainment Tonight supposed to be in HD now, too?

To answer my own question, Entertainment Tonight never aired in HD when it finally showed up recently.

Now for a separate question entirely: It seems my Insignia digital converter box handles WFSB-DT better than my 26" Sanyo LCD TV does. Could it be that the TV was purchased in June of 2006 and the box was bought this past spring/summer? A friend told me that it's likely the chip for the Insignia tuner is better built. I'm questioning that one because my reception of the other local digitals is about the same.

To answer my own question, Entertainment Tonight never aired in HD when it finally showed up recently.

Now for a separate question entirely: It seems my Insignia digital converter box handles WFSB-DT better than my 26" Sanyo LCD TV does. Could it be that the TV was purchased in June of 2006 and the box was bought this past spring/summer? A friend told me that it's likely the chip for the Insignia tuner is better built. I'm questioning that one because my reception of the other local digitals is about the same.

It could be that the newer chip handles multipath better than the older one.

I am partially blocked from Avon Mountain with New Britain's Walnut Hill in the way, so you're probably right (same direction as Avon Mountain, to my north-northwest). Analog channel 3 has always been so-so, as I used to get better reception of analog channel 8. Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington has always done well here.

http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html

Now we know what WFSB 3-4 is.

- Trip

Is it going to be the same channel 3-4 feed I get over-the-air with that awful picture? Gee, I hope not. :(

Is it going to be the same channel 3-4 feed I get over-the-air with that awful picture? Gee, I hope not. :(

I see OTA @ 4:15 PM EDT
3-1 1920x1080i 16x9
3-2 720x480i 4x3
3-3 704x480i 4x3
3-4 352x480i 4x3 Definately lower res.

I'm going to have to say no there. There is no way WFSB would feed such a horrible picture and sound to the cable customers. It's probably the same picture with different commercials. Because, as we know, cable customers do not get their feed from the WFSB antenna.

i live in west springfield ma,i can pick up wsfb 3 @ 85-90% signal strength.but i can't get 61 in @ anything over 70% on a good day.aren't they both transmitted from the same tower,is one operating at a higher power than the other.just curious

WFSB-DT transmits a 1 million watt signal from Avon Mountain while WTXX-DT, WEDH-DT, WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT all transmit from Rattlesnake Mountain. WTXX-DT is on channel 12 now, but will switch to channel 20 in February.

You are correct. That feed is not going to the cable system!:)

Hi All,

I have been away from this thread for a while. I have lost track of the status of plans for tower transmitter changes, etc. Can anyone give any updates to when changes to HD transmitions are supposed to take place. For example Wasn't WTIC-DT supposed to be going higher on their tower? And what is the latest on CPTV? If anyone has updates on any of it, I would love to hear them. Thanks!

Hi All,

I have been away from this thread for a while. I have lost track of the status of plans for tower transmitter changes, etc. Can anyone give any updates to when changes to HD transmitions are supposed to take place. For example Wasn't WTIC-DT supposed to be going higher on their tower? And what is the latest on CPTV? If anyone has updates on any of it, I would love to hear them. Thanks!

I don't know about tower changes, but you do know that CPTV, more specifically WEDH, is in hd now, don't you?

Hi,
I live on the Oxford/Naugatuck/Middlebury line right smack in front of AndrewMountain/Huntington Hill. I believe this hill is right in the line of the Hartford transmitters. Is there any chance a Winegard SS 3000 or 2000 (indoors) be of any help to me? I currently get in Channel 8 and PBS (the Bridgeport one) with Radio Shack 15-1878, but that's it.

Wasn't WTIC-DT supposed to be going higher on their tower? And what is the latest on CPTV?

Try doing a re-scan as WEDH-DT is now operational from the top of the WTIC tower. It will be joined at the top by WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT next year (hopefully by 2/18).

If WTXX gets the power increase they want, then chances are if you can get WEDH-DT now, that WTIC and WTXX will be added to the list. At least that is what I'm hoping for in Mystic, as the current DTV signal from WTIC has been elusive and WTXX has been non-existent.

I am just wishing that WHPX would F/C back to 26 before 2/18, but the plan is to wait until the last minute. Co-locating on the WTIC tower would make more sense as WPXQ is so close, if they could find any room/takers. Then ion could sell their existing tower to WFSB for use as a translator.... Ok, I must be dreaming. :D

Hi,
I live on the Oxford/Naugatuck/Middlebury line right smack in front of AndrewMountain/Huntington Hill. I believe this hill is right in the line of the Hartford transmitters. Is there any chance a Winegard SS 3000 or 2000 (indoors) be of any help to me? I currently get in Channel 8 and PBS (the Bridgeport one) with Radio Shack 15-1878, but that's it.

I'm located on the other side of the hill up behind the Stop & Shop. I'm using an old VHF and a CM4228 combined in a CM7777 pre-amp. The only station that is hard to pull in is FOX 61. That should change when they finally transmit from the top of the tower as I can easily pull in PBS (CH45) all day long. That reception is based on the tuner on my Sony '960. I have 2 DTVPal tuners that will pull in FOX61 at approx 80% signal. If you can't pull in WVIT then you may have the hill causing a signal blockage issue as I can pull that in 99% with even a coat hanger... Look at TVfool.com or antennaweb.com. Put in your complete address and that my help determine what you need.

I'm located on the other side of the hill up behind the Stop & Shop. I'm using an old VHF and a CM4228 combined in a CM7777 pre-amp. The only station that is hard to pull in is FOX 61. That should change when they finally transmit from the top of the tower as I can easily pull in PBS (CH45) all day long. That reception is based on the tuner on my Sony '960. I have 2 DTVPal tuners that will pull in FOX61 at approx 80% signal. If you can't pull in WVIT then you may have the hill causing a signal blockage issue as I can pull that in 99% with even a coat hanger... Look at TVfool.com or antennaweb.com. Put in your complete address and that my help determine what you need.
Thanks for the response. I will probably have to take the plunge and get a rooftop, though I don't want to...

Hi,
I live on the Oxford/Naugatuck/Middlebury line right smack in front of AndrewMountain/Huntington Hill. I believe this hill is right in the line of the Hartford transmitters. Is there any chance a Winegard SS 3000 or 2000 (indoors) be of any help to me? I currently get in Channel 8 and PBS (the Bridgeport one) with Radio Shack 15-1878, but that's it.

Just doing a very quick look at a topo map, I'd say a 350' tower should give you LOS to WEDH's antenna on Rattlesnake Mountain. What's your street address, Griswold/Chestnut Road?

Just doing a very quick look at a topo map, I'd say a 350' tower should give you LOS to WEDH's antenna on Rattlesnake Mountain. What's your street address, Griswold/Chestnut Road?

Yes, I'm in that vicinity. No way am I having a 350' tower! Husband would flip if I even mentioned that to him!:rolleyes:

WEDH-DT and New Haven

I don't remember seeing any reports of how well WEDH-DT (45) can be received in New Haven. If WEDH-DT is not coming in adequately, what about WEDW-DT?

Looking at the combined TV Fool coverage maps would seem to indicate that one or the other should cover most of New Haven.

Attached is a combined simulation that I ran for the combined area of WEDH and WEDW around New Haven. I was able to find some holes, such as the area where Amity Road crosses Wilbur Cross, but that is a tough spot (see TV Fool plot).

I suppose what I'm getting at is whether WEDY is needed (Low-VHF issues aside).

Also, has interference from WABC/45 been a problem?

Thank you for any input.

Edit: Updated the combined plot to reflect more accurate antenna patterns.

I get CPTV 45 here in Middletown great; but after rescanning, updating and channel adding, 45 is the only station my Digital Stream box will not store.

Only if I turn the box off while the station is presently on will 45 be noticed by my box when I turn it back on. Otherwise, I have to manualy enter the channel number via the remote.

Whats up eith this ?

Did you try tuning digital channel 24? Channel 45 should be remapped to 24 by your box.

My box remaps 45 and picks up 24-1 thru 24-4 but they disappear when I turn off the box.

I channel add
I add 24-1 as a favorite and save
I rescan
I update

Non of these work. Here is what Digitalstream says:

Dear Valued Customer Chris,

Thank you for contacting us. Which converter box model do you have? Due to the low reception that ch.45 is sending, the box will sometimes scan it and sometimes it will "forget" that this channel is in the system. By February 17, 2009, channels will increase their current signals.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Mike
Digital Stream
1-866-706-4367

By they way, I get 24-1 (45) at 85+ signal strength.

Hello All.

I want to thank you for helping make the right decisions regarding my purchase of an Over-the-Air antenna for my HDTV setup. I received a lot of good information from this forum.

This posting is to basically share my success story in the hopes it will help others.

I live in Hamden, CT (06514). My concern was how many, if any, HD channels could I receive on my HDTV. I was certain to get excellent reception from at least one, channel 8. The tower is just a few miles from us and one almost doesn’t need an antenna at all to receive it. Back in the bad old days of analog only, its signal was so strong that it interfered with the reception of all the other channels. It was mounted on the roof. This time it would be installed in the attic. So I was concerned that I may need an amplifier or rotator or both to get good reception.

I started my research on antennaweb.org. After entering my address info, the site presented me with a map plus compass headings to the different TV towers. Rattlesnake Mountain had a compass heading of 27 degrees. I then discovered this forum (I forget how) and began reading nearly all the entries. I concluded that the best antenna for me was the Channel Master 4228. It was the largest long range UHF antenna I could fit into my attic. I also purchased a compass from Walmart to help me point the antenna correctly. It cost only $5! The antenna came preassembled, although I still needed a mast for it. I picked that up in our local RadioShack store.

I knew that if the antenna could receive a good signal from Rattlesnake Mountain (RSM) tower complex, I would be all set. In theory, I was well within range, but wasn’t sure if the terrain would get in the way.

Good news! My reception from RSM was excellent. And thankfully, channel 8 didn’t interfere with the other channels. I now receive excellent HD signals from the following channels:
3 – WFSB (CBS)
8 – WTNH (ABC)
18 – WUVN/WHTX/WUTH (Spanish)
20 – WTXX (CW)
24 – WEDH (PBS)
30 – WVIT (NBC)
31 – WTIC (FOX 61)
43 – WSAH (Bridgeport)
45 – WEDH (PBS) Not yet broadcasting.
49 – WEDW (PBS)
59 – WCTX (Waterbury)

I realize that some channel assignments will change by February, 2009, but it is so easy to rescan for channels, I am not concerned. I also don’t feel I am missing much by not being able to receive channel 26 from New London.

Thanks again.

Hello All.

I want to thank you for helping make the right decisions regarding my purchase of an Over-the-Air antenna for my HDTV setup. I received a lot of good information from this forum.

This posting is to basically share my success story in the hopes it will help others.

I live in Hamden, CT (06514). My concern was how many, if any, HD channels could I receive on my HDTV. I was certain to get excellent reception from at least one, channel 8. The tower is just a few miles from us and one almost doesn’t need an antenna at all to receive it. Back in the bad old days of analog only, its signal was so strong that it interfered with the reception of all the other channels. It was mounted on the roof. This time it would be installed in the attic. So I was concerned that I may need an amplifier or rotator or both to get good reception.

I started my research on antennaweb.org. After entering my address info, the site presented me with a map plus compass headings to the different TV towers. Rattlesnake Mountain had a compass heading of 27 degrees. I then discovered this forum (I forget how) and began reading nearly all the entries. I concluded that the best antenna for me was the Channel Master 4228. It was the largest long range UHF antenna I could fit into my attic. I also purchased a compass from Walmart to help me point the antenna correctly. It cost only $5! The antenna came preassembled, although I still needed a mast for it. I picked that up in our local RadioShack store.

I knew that if the antenna could receive a good signal from Rattlesnake Mountain (RSM) tower complex, I would be all set. In theory, I was well within range, but wasn’t sure if the terrain would get in the way.

Good news! My reception from RSM was excellent. And thankfully, channel 8 didn’t interfere with the other channels. I now receive excellent HD signals from the following channels:
3 – WFSB (CBS)
8 – WTNH (ABC)
18 – WUVN/WHTX/WUTH (Spanish)
20 – WTXX (CW)
24 – WEDH (PBS)
30 – WVIT (NBC)
31 – WTIC (FOX 61)
43 – WSAH (Bridgeport)
45 – WEDH (PBS) Not yet broadcasting.
49 – WEDW (PBS)
59 – WCTX (Waterbury)

I realize that some channel assignments will change by February, 2009, but it is so easy to rescan for channels, I am not concerned. I also don’t feel I am missing much by not being able to receive channel 26 from New London.

Thanks again.

FYI,

WEDH DT-45 (Hartford / RSM-Farmington) is broadcasting, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDH 24-1, pgm 3. Operating full power.

WEDN DT-9 Norwich / Bozrah, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDN 53-1, pgm 3. Power increase on February 18, 2009.

WEDW DT-52 Bridgeport / Trumbull, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDW 49-1, pgm 3. In mid January 2009, it will go off the air in order to change channel to 49 and antenna, returning on February 18, 2009 as WEDW DT-49-1, pgm. A re-scan will be necessary as channel changing from 52 to 49.

WEDY DT-6 New Haven, PSIP WEDY DT-6 (Actual channel), may return on February 18, 2009, or earlier, TBD.

Very nice,

My box remaps 45 and picks up 24-1 thru 24-4 but they disappear when I turn off the box. (snip) Non of these work. Here is what Digitalstream says:

(snip)Due to the low reception that ch.45 is sending, the box will sometimes scan it and sometimes it will "forget" that this channel is in the system. By February 17, 2009, channels will increase their current signals. (snip)

By they way, I get 24-1 (45) at 85+ signal strength.I am northeast of Springfield and WEDH-DT (digital channel 45) is one of the strongest signals received here and in the area. Not sure where you are but I doubt the problem is with signal strength. If an ATSC tuner can decode a station's stream and extract the program info then it shouldn't have any problem "remembering" it. I've got DirecTV HD20, LG LST-4200, Zenith 901 and Insignia DTV boxes and they all properly scan and remember WEDH-DT. Note: WEDH-DT has coded its PSIP to show four program streams: 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 and 24.4. Currently there is only programming on 24.1. IMO this may be a good idea - as by advertising additional channels they can add programming in the future without you having to rescan to find the .2 .3 and .4 subchannels.

FYI,

WEDH DT-45 (Hartford / RSM-Farmington) is broadcasting, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDH 24-1, pgm 3. Operating full power.

WEDN DT-9 Norwich / Bozrah, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDN 53-1, pgm 3. Power increase on February 18, 2009.

WEDW DT-52 Bridgeport / Trumbull, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDW 49-1, pgm 3. In mid January 2009, it will go off the air in order to change channel to 49 and antenna, returning on February 18, 2009 as WEDW DT-49-1, pgm. A re-scan will be necessary as channel changing from 52 to 49.

WEDY DT-6 New Haven, PSIP WEDY DT-6 (Actual channel), may return on February 18, 2009, or earlier, TBD.

Very nice,
Hello jzareski.
Many thanks for the additional info. I will be sure to rescan periodically until Feb 18, 2009.

FYI,

WEDH DT-45 (Hartford / RSM-Farmington) is broadcasting, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDH 24-1, pgm 3. Operating full power.

WEDN DT-9 Norwich / Bozrah, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDN 53-1, pgm 3. Power increase on February 18, 2009.

WEDW DT-52 Bridgeport / Trumbull, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDW 49-1, pgm 3. In mid January 2009, it will go off the air in order to change channel to 49 and antenna, returning on February 18, 2009 as WEDW DT-49-1, pgm. A re-scan will be necessary as channel changing from 52 to 49.

WEDY DT-6 New Haven, PSIP WEDY DT-6 (Actual channel), may return on February 18, 2009, or earlier, TBD.

Very nice,
Hello jzareski, again.
RE: WEDW DT-45 "...the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDH 24-1, pgm 3". Can you explain why as a virtual channel? Why can't I view it directly on DT-45? Does it matter if I can view the virtual channel and not the actual? Should I be looking for certain adjustments on my HDTV?

It is good to see that Hamden appears to be adequately covered even without WEDY operating at the moment. My simulations showed CPTV coverage (WEDW & WEDH) for Hamden as being somewhat weaker than New Haven.

Thank you for the updates, jzareski. It appears that when WEDY returns to the air on 6, the presence of other CPTV stations will allow viewers a choice (if they want to bother with a low-band antenna to get WEDY).

RE: WEDW DT-45 "...the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDH 24-1, pgm 3". Can you explain why as a virtual channel? Why can't I view it directly on DT-45?

Sometimes I wonder if the virtual channel system is worth it. What virtual channel will WEDY display, 65?

My concern with virtual channels is that viewers may not realize that they are using an antenna for the wrong band. e.g. in many major cities, they will be left wondering why "Channel 2", etc. doesn't work on their VHF antenna.

Networks to Test Analog Shut-Off

http://cable360.net/ct/news/thewire/32236.html

two 30-minute tests in Hartford on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Two 30 minute tests? Probably out of prime-time if I had to guess. Most tests like these are 1-2 minutes long.

Sometimes I wonder if the virtual channel system is worth it. What virtual channel will WEDY display, 65?

My concern with virtual channels is that viewers may not realize that they are using an antenna for the wrong band. e.g. in many major cities, they will be left wondering why "Channel 2", etc. doesn't work on their VHF antenna.When they came up with the ATSC standard which broadcasters adhere to by FCC requirement it was decided that embedded in the ATSC stream would be the major (and minor) channel number of the station. To eliminate viewer confusion all existing stations are to maintain their channel numbers - many of which actually use in their branding. So no matter what RF channel a station's digital signal transmits on they'll still be called by whatever channel number you knew/know them by.

Not sure of the exact numbers - but a fair number of stations will actually end up with their ATSC (DTV) transmissions back on their original analog channel.

You are right though - for those viewers who have off-air reception systems ... they're going to need to understand the issue of what kind of antenna they need for reception of a station's digital signal. A good example is WWLP in Springfield MA which transmits on analog (UHF) channel 22. Their digital signal is (and will stay) on (VHF) channel 11.

Other stations who have channels "out of core" (core channels post transition being 2 through 51) will certainly be transmitting on a new frequency - but will retain their channel identifier. Those will include WTIC 61 as well as CPTV's New Haven station on 65.

This is something probably new to US television viewers - but in most of the rest of the world ... the RF channel number has been meaningless really ... and you program your television to display whatever number you want for the channel. For example, a viewer in the UK may setup their TV with TV channels 1, 2 and 3 for BBC 1, 2 and 3 -- but the actual RF frequency for each of those BBC channels may be on any frequency (and certainly not on channels 1 through 3!).

Networks to Test Analog Shut-Off

http://cable360.net/ct/news/thewire/32236.html

Two 30 minute tests? Probably out of prime-time if I had to guess. Most tests like these are 1-2 minutes long.

I read on the FCC website that one test is tentatively scheduled for noon and the other for 5PM on that Wednesday. It looks like NBC 30, ION 26, and CPTV are on board so far.

DTV PROGRESS REPORTS

Speaking of the FCC site, this past Monday was a deadline for stations that have not finished their digital facilities to e-file a progress report to the FCC. The stations are mostly still working on their antennas and/or transmitters.

Of the unfinished, these area stations plan to be operational at full power on February 17, 2009: ION 26 (New London), and PBS 57 (Springfield). As 'Trip in VA' noted on the Springfield forum, PBS 57 will turn off their analog for good in twelve days - on November 5, 2008.

ABC 40 (Springfield) won't turn on full power until March 4, 2009, but they will have a temporary low-power digital transmitter in use from February 17-March 3, 2009. They will turn off analog for good on December 1, 2008.

FOX 61 and CW 20 might not be at full power until after 2/17/09; the side-mounted antennas must be used until the replacement of the existing coupler that connects the transmission line to the top-mounted antennas.

(Welcome back, RPMcCormick - long time no hear.)

For example, a viewer in the UK may setup their TV with TV channels 1, 2 and 3 for BBC 1, 2 and 3 -- but the actual RF frequency for each of those BBC channels may be on any frequency (and certainly not on channels 1 through 3!).

True, but the UK only has UHF, though they do have different "Aerial Groups," so they still need to use an appropriate antenna for their group.

Perhaps PSIP info could include the type of antenna needed to receive the signal or TV's could display both the virtual and RF channel, but the latter might be confusing.

Perhaps PSIP info could include the type of antenna needed to receive the signal or TV's could display both the virtual and RF channel, but the latter might be confusing.Interesting ideas - but unfortunately I think it would take some effort to make these changes at this point in time. The PSIP has to adhere to the ATSC A/53 standard (among other things). Changes would have to go through the standard revision process. For those really interesting in these kinds of things you can find more info at the ATSC standards (http://www.atsc.org/standards/) website.

Is anyone else with a Dish Vip 622 having a problem with Fox 61-1?

At about 1730 last night my 622 receiver started flashing lost signal screens repeatedly on TV1. I tried a front reset, no help. I tried a power cord reset, no help. My son was recording Family Guy & Simpsons from 61-1 at the time. TV2 worked fine. After the recording was done TV1 was back to normal, but now when I try to access 61-1 the flashing on the screen starts again. All other Dish and OTA channels are OK.... :confused:

Yes i am having same problem with my 722, I did a new scan channels and a new channel is up 44.1 it to has a strong signal but when you go to it it also blinks no signal
Were you able to fix your problem?

44.1 seems to be from waco texas a fox affiliate hmm wondering if weather is causing the problem 66.1 andd 44.1 keep blinking on our dish 722

44.1 seems to be from waco texas a fox affiliate hmm wondering if weather is causing the problem 66.1 andd 44.1 keep blinking on our dish 722I see the 44.1 after scanning too. On another standalone TV with a digital converter box, 44.1 is there also, on that TV it works, showing 61.1 programming with those wacky station call letters.... :confused:

I was flipping through channels on my bedroom tv tonight and I noticed that 44.01 was showing up as KWKT. It had the same programming as 61.1 WTIC. KXKT is a tv station from Texas. I've heard of signal bounce before...but I'm thinking that something else was going on? :)

I was flipping through channels on my bedroom tv tonight and I noticed that 44.01 was showing up as KWKT. It had the same programming as 61.1 WTIC. KXKT is a tv station from Texas. I've heard of signal bounce before...but I'm thinking that something else was going on? :)Is this off-air TV ... or possibly something from cable/satellite? KWKT is the FOX affiliate for Waco TX. They are analog channel 44 and are currently transmitting their digital signal on channel 57. Unlikely that there's any propagation (especially with all the reports posted here) from Waco to southern New England! More likely: PSIP information being transmitted in the off-air signal or a signal on the cable/satellite has KWKT's information. Tip: watch for local advertisements ... or better yet, watch during the local 10 PM timeframe to see if you get FOX 61 Hartford CT local news - or something else. (Waco TX is in the central time zone. I've been to KWKT *years* ago; I don't know if they have local news or not - check their web site.)

This is an ota problem. This afternoon Im no longer recieving 44.1 on my scan but still have 61.1 flashing Wondering is it just people with dish recievers having this problem?

This is an ota problem. This afternoon Im no longer recieving 44.1 on my scan but still have 61.1 flashing Wondering is it just people with dish recievers having this problem?I think it was. It was still happening to me late yesterday afternoon, but by WS time last night it was working again.....

Interesting find at the WFSB website. A national survey was done in the top 50 markets ans to which DMAs are the most ready for the digital switchover next February. Hartford/New Haven ranked second on the most prepared side. :)

http://www.wfsb.com/digital-tv/17957907/detail.html

I wouldn't read too much into this. What it doesn't say is that 50% of the Hartford/New Haven OTA viewers are completely unready, though some markets are in considerably worse shape (e.g. 84% of New York OTA viewers are completely unready).

Apparently, paying for ad supported TV is considered a "successful" transition, even if it means sacrificing free OTA HDTV for analog pay cable.

Is the soft analog shutdown test still on for tomorrow night?

In the LA area, it is scheduled for tonight, but I found no indication of such from the morning news, newspaper or any of the website.

Hopefully, the Hartford stations are doing a better job of promoting it, especially since 30 minute tests are a lot harder to miss than 2 minute tests.

The tests for Hartford are tomorrow from 12:00pm to 12:30pm and 5:00pm to 5:30pm.
Rhode Island is I believe on the 15th for 24hrs. That is quite a test if it is happening that for that duration.

I'm located in Cheshire, CT and was wondering which cable providers you prefer?

I was leaning towards Directv with their large # of HD channels. The other choices are cox and comcast.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated, I'm trying to avoid getting stuck in a contract with a carrier that has bad reception/service.

TIA,

Jason

...Hopefully, the Hartford stations are doing a better job of promoting it, especially since 30 minute tests are a lot harder to miss than 2 minute tests.

The general manager of Channel 8 / MyTV 9 was seated at the anchor desk along with the two news anchors and talked about the tests for about four minutes at 5:25PM Tuesday, 12/2. He said about 60,000 households in Connecticut receive their TV channels over-the-air. A sample message that analog viewers will see during the tests was shown: wavy color bars with a scroll stating, "If you see this message, you need to take action..."

At around 5:47PM, Channel 3 ran a three or four minute pre-taped piece with a reporter standing in front of their broadcast tower on Avon Mountain. There was a brief sound bite from their chief engineer at the studio. Channel 30's 6PM newscast made no mention of the tests.

During morning drive time, the state's major radio station, WTIC, had a live interview about the tests and about a preparedness meeting concerning them that was held later in the day at the State Capitol Building with government, cable, and local broadcast officials. If you'd like to hear that interview, click http://www.wtic.com/pages/5645.php Scroll down the page, looking in the left column under "Recent Episodes" for the headline in blue, "The Digital TV Test". Click on the play icon to launch audio in a separate window.

In one of these reports, it was stated that results of the tests, like the number of viewer phone calls to the number on the screen, would be released around next Monday, 12/8.

I'm located in Cheshire, CT and was wondering which cable providers you prefer?

I was leaning towards Directv with their large # of HD channels. The other choices are cox and comcast.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated, I'm trying to avoid getting stuck in a contract with a carrier that has bad reception/service.

TIA,

Jason

Hi Jason. The best people to ask about their experiences with Cox and Comcast are the current subscribers who post on two other AVS Forum threads.

The link for "Hartford, CT - Cox" is http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=592183&page=43

The link for "Hartford, CT - Comcast" is http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=585963&page=73

A good source for opinions about Direct TV is http://www.dbstalk.com

I hope that these links help you to decide.

Is CPTV broadcasting the UConn women in HD? I flipped to the game tonight on Cablevision, we only get the SD CPTV feed, and it was letterboxed in a 4:3 window (black bars all around). When I zoomed it filled up the whole 16:9 screen.

I've connected my converter box and get all my current analog stations except for either of the CBS affiliates.:mad:

I have a rotor and neither WCBS nor WFSB come in when the antenna is rotated to the proper direction.

Does anyone know if these 2 stations are broadcasting their digital signals at full power?

Thanks

I've connected my converter box and get all my current analog stations except for either of the CBS affiliates.:mad:

I have a rotor and neither WCBS nor WFSB come in when the antenna is rotated to the proper direction.

Does anyone know if these 2 stations are broadcasting their digital signals at full power?

Thanks

If you're getting WPIX-DT 11-1, you won't receive WFSB, as the two stations are on the same channel.

In fact, it's good news, really, since WCBS-DT will be inheriting WPIX-DT's current channel and transmission facilities after the transition. If you get 11-1 now, you'll get WCBS 2-1 after the transition.

Don't know why you don't get WCBS-DT now, though...

- Trip

I've connected my converter box and get all my current analog stations except for either of the CBS affiliates. I have a rotor and neither WCBS nor WFSB come in when the antenna is rotated to the proper direction. Does anyone know if these 2 stations are broadcasting their digital signals at full power?WFSB-DT is on RF channel 33 and is running at their final operating parameters. If you are in Monroe you should only be about 35 miles from the WFSB-DT transmitter site.

As Trip pointed out ... WPIX-DT is currently also on RF channel 33. When the transition occurs next Feb, WPIX-DT will go back to RF channel 11 and at the same time WCBS-DT will move from RF channel 56 to 33. That effectively means that there will always be a NYC based station on the same frequency as WFSB-DT.

A quick look at the map would put Monroe upwards of 60 miles from NYC? And although not exactly 180 degrees in the other direction I would expect that NYC would be "off the back of the antenna" when you are aming at WFSB-DT. Unless you have something that would degrade WFSB-DT's reception in your area (terrain) I would think that an antenna with some gain and decent front-to-back ratio (rejection of signals off the rear of the antenna) you should have a chance at receiving WFSB-DT.

FCC coverage map for WSFB-DT (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1023606.html)

Anyone know how Dish and DirecTV did on tonight's tests? I know they have failed a bunch of them so far in other areas. (They are still getting their signals via analog in many areas.)

Perhaps one of you can help me understand this problem. Reception of DT channels from Rattlesnake mountain seem to vary widely. I don’t believe the cause is due to any of my equipment because the ChannelMaster 4228 is installed in my attic and is not directly subject to weather, including wind and rain. I live in Hamden. My Samsung HDTV displays signal strength as a series of bars, 10 of 10 being 100%. While HDTV signal strength varies, analog channel signals do not. On a good day, signal strength is at least 4 bars for the following channels.
3-1 WFSB-DT
8-1 WTNH-DT
10-4 ?
20-1 WTXX-DT
24-1 WEDH-DT
30-1 WVIT-DT
31-1 FOX-61 (DT)
43-1 WSAH-DT
45-10 ?
59-1 WCTX
This morning, I ‘lost’ the following channels, meaning the signal strength was zero.
3-1
20-1
30-1
31-3
Other times, I noticed channel 3-1 was fine, but 24-1 was zero. There were other scenarios where some of the lost channels were fine while others disappeared.

Is this variation normal?
Does the stations’ transmission power vary that much for now, but will be more stable after February, 2009?
Does rain, wind, cold, sun spots, etc. affect the DT signal more than analog signals?
Do I need a pre-amp for my antenna?
Can you suggest other forums to investigate or books to read?
I look forward to any and all of your comments.
Thanks.

Perhaps one of you can help me understand this problem. Reception of DT channels from Rattlesnake mountain seem to vary widely. I don’t believe the cause is due to any of my equipment because the ChannelMaster 4228 is installed in my attic and is not directly subject to weather, including wind and rain. I live in Hamden. My Samsung HDTV displays signal strength as a series of bars, 10 of 10 being 100%. While HDTV signal strength varies, analog channel signals do not. On a good day, signal strength is at least 4 bars for the following channels.
3-1 WFSB-DT
8-1 WTNH-DT
10-4 ?
20-1 WTXX-DT
24-1 WEDH-DT
30-1 WVIT-DT
31-1 FOX-61 (DT)
43-1 WSAH-DT
45-10 ?
59-1 WCTX
This morning, I ‘lost’ the following channels, meaning the signal strength was zero.
3-1
20-1
30-1
31-3
Other times, I noticed channel 3-1 was fine, but 24-1 was zero. There were other scenarios where some of the lost channels were fine while others disappeared.

Is this variation normal?
Does the stations’ transmission power vary that much for now, but will be more stable after February, 2009?
Does rain, wind, cold, sun spots, etc. affect the DT signal more than analog signals?
Do I need a pre-amp for my antenna?
Can you suggest other forums to investigate or books to read?
I look forward to any and all of your comments.
Thanks.

Signal level should not change too much. It is either your HDTV or antenna that has the problem. You should use antenna pre-amp, especailly since it is in the attic. In some cases an attic can attenuate signal by 50%, plus being in the attic you can't really point the antenna exactly in the right direction.

AntennaMonkey:

Are you still around?

WFSB-DT is on RF channel 33 and is running at their final operating parameters. If you are in Monroe you should only be about 35 miles from the WFSB-DT transmitter site.

WFSB was granted a maximized CP for 1000kW with a non-directional pattern. Currently it has a "triangle" pattern (I'm sure there's a more technical name for it). When constructed, this will increase the ERP in the direction of Monroe by about 150kW (not very significant in dB terms).

Attached is a plot of interference received from the STA WPIX facility (160kW/310m AGL/ND) vs. WFSB's current facility. Note that WCBS will have more power than WPIX, so this will be slightly worse, post-transition.

It's situations like these which makes me wonder why 52-59 were auctioned off along with 60-69. We simply don't have enough channels. WFSB could go back to 3 I suppose. :eek:

Trading 52-59 (7-59) for 2-6 (2-51) was not a good move.

Edit: WTIC and WPXN will also be battling it out next year, on 31. Currently, KPXN's analog signal is on 31, but the DTV signal may be more problematic.

acrispin77 - PM me. I may be able to help...


As for WFSB in Monroe, I highly doubt it. Believe there's a pretty big terrain block to most of the town.

Example - I'm high enough to get LOS to the ESB here, but would need a 300' + tower to get LOS to WFSB :)

I am in Clinton and am thinking of putting up a top flight roof antenna, amp and rotator. Can someone give me an List of what stations I would pull in with decent signal (no breakups etc.) How about NYC - Do I have a shot at anything (about 90 air miles, no obstructions)? Set is a new Sony XBR6.

AntennaMonkey:

Are you still around?

Yes I am. I havent posted. Just reading

WFSB must be the lamest station in the universe. If you look out the window and there is snow on the road, there is a parking ban. I don't choose to watch an HD station to have the local affiliate screw it up by posting the stupid parking ban info on the bottom and ruin my experience. I demand a reshow of Nmumb3rs in full HD without the parking ban junk on the bottom. STOP CATERING TO THE BRAIN DEAD!!!

I use off air as well as cable (clear QAM)for HD. Most stations are now running multiple streams OTA. WGBY is at 4 all the time. Channel 30 has a sports stream, so heavy motion. CPTV still at one, WFSB 4, I think, etc.. I gather these streams take bits away from (compression?) the total available for the channel. That bit sharing may reduce the quality of the HD picture.

So the question. If there is an HD show I want to see will I get the best picture from clear QAM (COX) or OTA? Do cable companies steal bits? Is there a point I may notice things are not at their best?

I gather these streams take bits away from (compression?) the total available for the channel. That bit sharing may reduce the quality of the HD picture.Each program stream is compressed when it is encoded with the MPEG2 standard. The ATSC digital terrestrial television standard used in the US provides for approximately 19.39 mbps (megabits per second). Some of that is consumed for overhead: program guide and other information (in reality the overhead is quite minimal). The rest can be used for audio and video information. Most stations use constant bit rate (CBR) encoding - so you can think of that like a pie being divided up. If you have only one program stream the whole pie can be devoted to that single program. If you have multiple programs you have to divide the pie into pieces. HD programming needs a higher bit rate than SD programming and in general the more bits you devote (the more pie!) the better the quality will be on the receiving end.

I should also note that some broadcasters are moving towards a system where when they have multiple program streams they encode them with a variable bit rate (VBR). The encoders for all the program streams communicate with a multiplexer and the bit rates for each stream (sub channel) are dynamically adjusted based on what is being broadcast. In this way scenes with a lot of movement (which require higher bit rates) can be given more bits (pie) whilst scenes with little movement can be given less bits. VBR provides for better use of the available bandwidth with the result being (most of the time) overall better picture quality.


So the question. If there is an HD show I want to see will I get the best picture from clear QAM (COX) or OTA? Do cable companies steal bits? Is there a point I may notice things are not at their best?Most cable companies take the off-air stations' signals and put them bit-for-bit up on their cable systems. Therefore want you get off the cable is the same quality as what the broadcaster transmits. (I'm not sure what COX is doing - maybe someone else can provide info?) Typically a station that has only one program stream will have more information in that stream and thus maybe better picture quality. WEDH-DT 24.1 and WWLP-DT 22.1 are single streams; WWLP is 16.5 mbps which is quite high bandwidth. (You can really tell the difference when watching a decent HD show on NBC.) Other HD digital cable channels may be transmitted with the same or even more bandwidth - there's not a real easy way to tell unless you do something like record the QAM stream on your computer and use a utility that will tell you the effective audio and video rates.

I know this is a bit technical - hope it answers some of your questions.

My understanding is that local channels are fed to COX directly. I'm not concerned with that. I guess the cable part of my question is, do the cable companies alter the feed in any way? I'm sure they have bandwidth concerns and just wonder if they do a hack job. If they leave things untouched I'm guessing the best quality is with cable.

My understanding is that local channels are fed to COX directly. I'm not concerned with that. I guess the cable part of my question is, do the cable companies alter the feed in any way? I'm sure they have bandwidth concerns and just wonder if they do a hack job. If they leave things untouched I'm guessing the best quality is with cable.Two full-bandwidth off-air (ATSC) HD channels fit nicely into one cable 256QAM channel. The easiest thing for the cable operator to do is grab the packets (bits) from the broadcaster and put them unaltered on their system. I would say that would be the norm.

If a cable operator wanted to manipulate one of the off-air channels they could - there is equipment that can further compress the bandwidth (it can be done in a couple of ways). That equipment isn't cheap.

There is someone from COX who occasionally posts in the Providence RI AVS Local HDTV forum. You may want to ask there to see if they can find out if the CT/RI COX systems are passing the HD locals untouched or not. (I am in MA and don't have any COX contacts - COX only has one town with a few hundred subscribers in Massachusetts and that is fed from CT.)

In summary - yes, I would say that given the norm is for cable operators to pass HD locals through with the same bandwidth as what the broadcaster transmits there wouldn't be any difference in cable quality as compared to off-air quality.

Is CPTV broadcasting the UConn women in HD? I flipped to the game tonight on Cablevision, we only get the SD CPTV feed, and it was letterboxed in a 4:3 window (black bars all around). When I zoomed it filled up the whole 16:9 screen.

I would also like to know about CPTV and their HD plans for UConn women's basketball. DirecTV is starting to roll out PBS stations in HD. No CT yet as far as I know.

Bars on the top are "letter" boxes, bars on the side are "Pillar" boxes. During non-national feed stuff, WEDH is using a not quite HD. on a 16:9 screen, there are about 2" pillar bars on the sides.

Would I be able to pull in WTNH - Ch. 8 with a roof or attic mounted antenna?

I live in West Hartford and currently pull in the following with indoor antennas on top of my 3 TV's.

3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4

18-1, 18-2, 18-3

20-1 and .2 - occasionally

24-1

30-1 and .2

61-1

Thanks,
Kevin

Would I be able to pull in WTNH - Ch. 8 with a roof or attic mounted antenna?I live in West Hartford and currently pull in the following with indoor antennas on top of my 3 TV's.(snip)Hi Kevin - welcome to the AVS Forums.

The digital versions of 3, 18, 34, 30 and 61 are all on UHF and pretty close to you. WTNH channe 8 analog is on channel 10 digital. You may likely need a VHF antenna to receive that station. Can you get WWLP-DT channel 22 analog on channel 11 digital?

As terrain and your elevation will greatly play a role in your reception ability best to try one of these web sites to see what they say:

AntennaWeb
http://www.antennaweb.org

Winegard
http://winegard.com
(click on TV Antenna selector in upper right)

TV Fool
http://www.tvfool.com/

No, I cannot get 11 digital with my indoor antennas. I do get 3-2, CBS Springfield .... but that is transmitted from the same tower as WFSB, right?

No, I cannot get 11 digital with my indoor antennas. I do get 3-2, CBS Springfield .... but that is transmitted from the same tower as WFSB, right?Yes. All of the 3.* channels come from the same digital data stream from WFSB-DT on Avon Mountain. The 3.2 is being received at Mt. Tom in Holyoke MA and being rebroadcast on low power WSHM-LP channel 67 for the Springfield MA market. They continued to brand it CBS 3 Springfield since it took the place of WFSB (channel 3) on the cable systems - on channel 3.

To get WWLP-DT on channel 11 you'd need rabbit ear antennas for VHF versus a loop for UHF. It travels south along the mountain ridge pretty well - but since it is VHF you may need to make adjustments to receive it.

I checked those antenna websites...

To receive WTNH (25 miles away),
Wiregard says I would need the CS-2200 and AntennaWeb says I would need a (RED) medium directional antenna.

Even if I went ahead and did this, who could I get to install this for me. I don't go up on the roof.

... if I went ahead and did this, who could I get to install this for me. I don't go up on the roof.

Here's a suggestion:

Click on http://www.servicemagic.com/sem/task.Antenna-Install-or-Replace.40310.html

Just type in West Hartford's zip code on the webpage to see if a pre-screened installer is in your area. (I haven't used this service, but found it through an internet search.)

A little update for you....

By moving my radio shack VHF / UHF indoor antenna (connected to my Digital Stream receiver) up toward the ceiling....resting on the top ledge of the window frame, I am now able to pull in WTXX channel 20 (aka Ch. 12) with a near perfect signal 90%. My daughter will be so thrilled b/c she likes those teen oriented programs.

WTNH - 8 (ch. 10) -- comes in at about 33% from that window frame spot...wont come in. If I actually hold the antenna up to the ceiling with my hand....I get about 50% and it comes in slightly broken up. This is all with a $12 radio shack antenna, not amplified -- obviously

A little update for you....

By moving my radio shack VHF / UHF indoor antenna (connected to my Digital Stream receiver) up toward the ceiling....resting on the top ledge of the window frame, I am now able to pull in WTXX channel 20 (aka Ch. 12) with a near perfect signal 90%. My daughter will be so thrilled b/c she likes those teen oriented programs.

WTNH - 8 (ch. 10) -- comes in at about 33% from that window frame spot...wont come in. If I actually hold the antenna up to the ceiling with my hand....I get about 50% and it comes in slightly broken up. This is all with a $12 radio shack antenna, not amplified -- obviously
It's almost a certainty that with a low-end antenna and proper placement (if possible), you'll be able to get WTNH perfectly. I live in Leverett, MA (north of Amherst, MA), and with a Channel Master 4228 on the side of my house (facing south west) and signal booster, I receive WTNH, WCTX, and WTXX (in addition to WVIT, WTIC, WFSB). I'm up at about 1,000 feet above sea level, but the point is that I live probably 70+ miles from Hamden and can get the signal.

-- Rob

You can get New Haven that well? WOW! My house in New Britain is probably no more than 180' ASL. Walnut Hill starts it's rise at my property, oddly enough. It also gives me problems (at times) with WFSB-DT and WUVN-DT. Not once have I ever received analog channel 18 properly at this house. The same was true with WEDH-DT when analog channel 24 was coming off of Avon Mountain. Not a single problem with Rattlesnake for analog or digital with them. :)

Here's a suggestion:

Click on http://www.servicemagic.com/sem/task.Antenna-Install-or-Replace.40310.html

Just type in West Hartford's zip code on the webpage to see if a pre-screened installer is in your area. (I haven't used this service, but found it through an internet search.)

We used www.servicemagic.com , for are kitchen and were very happy with the serves.

Hey folks - quick question about WTNH and HD.

Some of the shows that appear like they SHOULD be in HD are coming in SD even on the HD WTNH feed. Shows like "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" and "Live with Regis and Kelly".

In trying to do some research, it appears like the syndicated shows are delivered via a separate path then the network shows, and this path might not be HD capable. I thought "Live with Regis and Kelly" might still come in HD since they broadcast the live feed, but its still SD.

Is my assumption correct as to why these shows are not appearing in HD? Does anyone know if WTNH has any plans to change this and start broadcasting these shows in HD?

Additionally, is there some place I can send a letter or email about it where it won't just wind up in the deleted mail/shredder?

In trying to do some research, it appears like the syndicated shows are delivered via a separate path then the network shows, and this path might not be HD capable. ... Is my assumption correct as to why these shows are not appearing in HD? Does anyone know if WTNH has any plans to change this and start broadcasting these shows in HD?You are fairly close on the situation. Work is underway to be able to provide syndicated and other HD programming in addition to the ABC HD network feed. If I can get an estimate as to when this will be complete I'll post the details in this thread.

To add a little background information from the AVS Forum archives:

Quite awhile ago (going back a few years), a forum member who was familiar with Channel 8 posted that before the station could broadcast local and syndicated programs in HD, they would have to upgrade their entire microwave transmission path from their studios in New Haven to their tower in Hamden to their master control, which is actually located in Chicopee, Massachusetts at their sister station, WWLP, Channel 22.

I was wondering if this upgrade somehow involved the analog-to-digital conversion of the microwave frequencies used by TV stations for electronic newsgathering that Sprint/Nextel hopes to complete in every TV market by August.

The microwave and/or fibre circuits are digital - they just pass bits. Its all of the infrastructure that is on each end of the connection that has to be upgraded. Even the major networks are still in the process of doing this sort of thing for their distribution to affiliates!

I would also like to know about CPTV and their HD plans for UConn women's basketball. DirecTV is starting to roll out PBS stations in HD. No CT yet as far as I know.

Due to budgetary constraints, this years UConn women's basketball will be SD only. If you have a few 10's of thousands sitting around and don't know what to do with it, make a donation.

The microwave and/or fibre circuits are digital - they just pass bits. Its all of the infrastructure that is on each end of the connection that has to be upgraded. Even the major networks are still in the process of doing this sort of thing for their distribution to affiliates!


CPTV has been HD capable since 2005. Full studio, microwave and most transmitters (all 4 now that WEDH is online). PBS distribution is HD. Our only glitch is above. The production truck we rent for UConn is analog. It's a major expense for even an SD let alone an HD one.

Is everyone seeing a window boxed picture (black bars all around) on CPTV? Because that's what I'm getting from Cablevision and I notice that when WFSB shows UConn Women's highlights that's how they show them too.

OTA Question - If I invest in the very best outdoor antenna around, maybe amp it if necessary, do I have a shot a pulling in NYC stations (at least VHF) from Clinton? I am near shore, have 45' height and no hills in the way. Air miles would be about 85 I expect.

OTA Question - If I invest in the very best outdoor antenna around, maybe amp it if necessary, do I have a shot a pulling in NYC stations (at least VHF) from Clinton? I am near shore, have 45' height and no hills in the way. Air miles would be about 85 I expect.
Of what "VHF" stations are you thinking? WCBS will be on 33 after the transition, WNBC is on 28 and will remain there, and WNYW is on 44 and will remain there. Only WABC (45 now) will be VHF after the transition, as it'll be on 7.

I suspect WFSB, which is on 33, would likely interfere with WCBS.

Of what "VHF" stations are you thinking? WCBS will be on 33 after the transition, WNBC is on 28 and will remain there, and WNYW is on 44 and will remain there. Only WABC (45 now) will be VHF after the transition, as it'll be on 7.

I suspect WFSB, which is on 33, would likely interfere with WCBS.

I was hoping for WCBS, WLIW (PBS) and WNET. If these guys are all going to be UHF I guess I do not have much of a chance with my distance, right? I just looked at antennaweb.org's mapping for my zip (06413) and there was nothing showing that far away.

Post the results of putting your address into www.tvfool.com and that will give a better idea of what you can expect.

- Trip

FYI,

WEDH DT-45 (Hartford / RSM-Farmington) is broadcasting, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDH 24-1, pgm 3. Operating full power.

WEDN DT-9 Norwich / Bozrah, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDN 53-1, pgm 3. Power increase on February 18, 2009.

WEDW DT-52 Bridgeport / Trumbull, the PSIP allows you to view it as the virtual channel WEDW 49-1, pgm 3. In mid January 2009, it will go off the air in order to change channel to 49 and antenna, returning on February 18, 2009 as WEDW DT-49-1, pgm. A re-scan will be necessary as channel changing from 52 to 49.

WEDY DT-6 New Haven, PSIP WEDY DT-6 (Actual channel), may return on February 18, 2009, or earlier, TBD.

Very nice,

Hey CPTV-types :)

Any update on when WEDW-DT is due to go down? Remembered to warn my wife this AM that this was forthcoming

I just looked at antennaweb.org's mapping for my zip (06413) and there was nothing showing that far away.

--

Well, antennaweb may or may not be accurate. I get *much* better reception than predicted by antennaweb. As I posted elsewhere in this thread, I live in western MA (a bit north of Amherst), and get WTNH and WCTX, despite being 70+ miles from the transmitter. I'm at a high elevation (1,000 feet) relative to the area, which helps a lot.

I've got a Channel Master 4228 antenna with signal booster.

Until you actually try it, you cannot easily predict what you'll really receive.

-- Rob

TVFool.com is much better than Antennaweb. =)

- Trip

Thanks for the input. I might have a chance at NYC (84 miles) according to the chart at tvfool. I am on a 300 ft hill and should not have anything in the way (line of sight is mostly over water). It is clear that I will need a top flight set up. Outdoor antenna with rotator and amp. Was thinking of an Antennas Direct 91xg with their best amp. Anyone got a better idea?

With yesterday's talk of the February 17th deadline possibly being pushed back, what does this mean for Hartford/New Haven? Can the stations in a single market still go ahead with the switch on that morning? Our market has a pretty high rate of cable penetration as it is. I can't see it being too much of a problem for us. (I personally hope it doesn't get delayed again.)

With yesterday's talk of the February 17th deadline possibly being pushed back, what does this mean for Hartford/New Haven? Can the stations in a single market still go ahead with the switch on that morning? Our market has a pretty high rate of cable penetration as it is. I can't see it being too much of a problem for us. (I personally hope it doesn't get delayed again.)That's a good question. A station can file with the FCC to close down analog early - up in the Springfield market the only full power analog station left is WWLP as both WGBY (PBS) and WGGB (ABC) have ceased their analog transmissions some time ago.

Hello all.
Long time since I lurked/visited last.
I know the tower work is done on Rattlesnake, but is FOX 61 and channel 20 finally broadcasting digital from there?
Awesome pics from the crew, thanks for posting!

Also, does anybody know how to get in contact with WEDW Engineering?
I have a new Insignia 32" plasma (NS-PDP32-09) that is having trouble on 49.1. It is getting perfect sound with a black picture. It is probably a small PSIP issue as sometimes changing the channel and back will render a picture. It is not a signal issue as 49.1 comes in fine with an Accurian and sylvania hd boxes, as well as a Zenith and Digital Stream CECB. 49.1 is my highest signal station as well as 49 analog being my clearest picture.
I have read in a review for this TV that someone returned it due to not being able to receive a station.

Fox and channel are transmitting from side mounted antennas not the top antennas they installed last summer. WTXX mounted a channel 20 antenna on top and can not use it until the analog shut down. Fox does not have a large enough transmission line to feed their top antenna and in fact the analog signal is running at half power. The top digital antenna will be connected to the transmission line sometime after analog shutdown.
Are we supposed to get the weather channel from WTNH?
John

yeah - WCTX-DT2 was showing an sd copy last night for me, and not the normal radar.

I still wish I had the #$%@#%@#$% to sue LIN for having a non-public feed on WTNH-DT2 (remember someone saying it was an encrypted comcast-only weather channel)

yeah - WCTX-DT2 was showing an sd copy last night for me, and not the normal radar.

I still wish I had the #$%@#%@#$% to sue LIN for having a non-public feed on WTNH-DT2 (remember someone saying it was an encrypted comcast-only weather channel)

I don't know what exactly it is, but there is a BISS-E encrypted subchannel there. Though you wouldn't get very far in a lawsuit, since the FCC allows such things...

- Trip

It's not encrypted now but only one out of three tuners that I have can receive it.
John

The data I have from the end of December showed it was still encrypted at that time. What is it airing?

- Trip

It is a weather channel with a format very similar to that used by NBC stations.
John

(I personally hope it doesn't get delayed again.)

Are you kidding? I'm prefer the analog transmissions stay forever (though admittedly I know that's not going to happen). There is nothing of value added to me with analog going away, only the ability to receive WCTX channel 59 and WHPX channel 26 is lost. WGBY channel 57 was one of my favorites but is already gone, and I doubt I'll ever pick it up again.

It is a weather channel with a format very similar to that used by NBC stations.
John

Oh sweet, another one. It's as if it's a joke, every other station is a weather channel.

Also, does anybody know how to get in contact with WEDW Engineering?
I have a new Insignia 32" plasma (NS-PDP32-09) that is having trouble on 49.1. ...

Well, I guess I'll wait on this issue post transition as I found this on the CPBN website this morning...

WEDW
On or about January15th, 2009, WEDW Bridgeport will no longer operate digital ch. 52. WEDW DIGITAL CH 49 will begin operation on Feb 17th, 2009. WEDW Bridgeport CH 49 analog will continue to operate until Feb. 17, 2009.

Is there now an 8-3, and if so, what's on it?

- Trip

One TV scans 8.2 10.4 and 10.5. 10.4 is a weather channel. Only 8.2 and 10.4 can actually be tunned in. 10.4 is not adajacent to 8.2 since I have WJAR as lower channel 10's. Attempting to get 10.5 moves the TV to channel 12. Another TV can not scan any channels from WTNH and a Dish 211 only gets 8.2. I have an HTML export from TSReader if you want.
John

Yes, please.

- Trip

I need a way to send it to you.

I need a way to send it to you.

Ah yes, sorry. webmaster at rabbitears dot info is my address.

- Trip

Thanks for the data... I'm confused. WTNH is using PSIP on 8-1 (10.3), but not for any of the other subchannels. They do have a 10.4 which looks like it should be encrypted but may not be, and a 10.5 which both exists and doesn't exist (there's 5 Mbps worth of data going into the video, but TSReader claims there's no actual video present).

I am thoroughly confused.

- Trip

Also, does anybody know how to get in contact with WEDW Engineering?
I have a new Insignia 32" plasma (NS-PDP32-09) that is having trouble on 49.1. It is getting perfect sound with a black picture. It is probably a small PSIP issue as sometimes changing the channel and back will render a picture. It is not a signal issue as 49.1 comes in fine with an Accurian and sylvania hd boxes, as well as a Zenith and Digital Stream CECB. 49.1 is my highest signal station as well as 49 analog being my clearest picture.


I guess I'm as close as you'll get for a WEDW engineer.

Obviously, it's not a PSIP problem if you can receive the audio and you receive the station OK on other sets.

Trip,
So are my receivers.

Trip,

The WTNH weather sub was not encrypted during my December visit. I thought I sent you an updated TSR for it. It is attached if you are interested. The weather sub was mapping to 10-3 on my On-Air GT.

As I recall, a Samsung STB tuner I tried didn't find it at all.

Edit: Added a screen cap. I'm not sure why the cap shows 10-4, unless my memory has failed me on 10-3. In any event, it was not mapped where it should have been.

Falcon_77, I've responded to you via e-mail.

- Trip

Well, I guess I'll wait on this issue post transition as I found this on the CPBN website this morning...

WEDW analog and digital:
On or about January15th, 2009, WEDW Bridgeport will no longer operate digital ch. 52. WEDW DIGITAL CH 49 will begin operation on Feb 17th, 2009. WEDW Bridgeport CH 49 analog will continue to operate until Feb. 17, 2009.

FYI:

WEDW DT-52 is tentatively scheduled to cease operation on Tuesday January 27, 2009, in order to re-tune the digital exciters and channel / mask filter for operation on DT-49 and to move the filter output to an existing spare input on the existing channel 49 transmitter / antenna / dummy load switch.

This will allow WEDW Ch 49 analog to continue operation until midnight (11:59:59 PM) February 17, 2009. Then upon the WEDW Ch 49 analog turn-off, the transmitter / antenna / dummy load switch will be remotely activated to changed to the WEDW DT-49 transmitter, thereby placing it on air, but now at the top of the tower on the main Ch 49 antenna.

Due to new FCC rules posted to broadcasters this week, CPTV filed on Friday January 16, 2009, to cease all analog OTA transmissions at midnight (11:59:59 PM), February 17, 2009.

The CPTV digital OTA transmissions will then join the 21st century, with the intention to leave all digital OTA transmitters on-air 24/7.

Is the same thing happening with WEDH-DT in Hartford or are they permanently on channel 45 from here on out?

WEDH will not be moving from 45.

- Trip

WFSB is running a crawl on the analog signal to inform those of us still watching analog that it's ending for good. I haven't noticed any other station doing that.

Due to budgetary constraints, this years UConn women's basketball will be SD only.... Our only glitch is above. The production truck we rent for UConn is analog. It's a major expense for even an SD let alone an HD one.

Any chance that you could retransmit analog "Widescreen" SD via this truck?

I know it is not true HD but it is a better use of a 16:9 TV's viewable area.

I guess I'm as close as you'll get for a WEDW engineer.

Obviously, it's not a PSIP problem if you can receive the audio and you receive the station OK on other sets.

Besides exchanging the TV, any suggestions on what I can do or try? The TV is getting other 1080i broadcasts, just not 49.1. I get a black screen with audio. The display info shows that there are 2 audio tracks and broadcasting at 1080i.

Any chance that you could retransmit analog "Widescreen" SD via this truck?

I know it is not true HD but it is a better use of a 16:9 TV's viewable area.

Analog is analog ; 4:3. Can't make it look any better (sure can make it worse). It comes off the truck as SD-SDI (525 lines) with embedded audio and goes via fiber/IP to the studio. I don't see the final image as I'm always at the truck. I can only assume that the studio up-converts to 14:9 (pillar) as they do with most all our other SD broadcasts on the digital channels. 14:9 clips some of the upper and lower portion of the image, barley noticeable. 16:9 would take a helluva chunk out and you would probably be seeing some players missing heads and feet.

It's also processed and converted to analog and sent to the analog transmitters.

If you get the opportunity to see the analog and digital side-by-side you can readily see the difference.

Here's a strange question for the board: We all know that Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington is home to many TV transmitters and (WRCH-FM 100.5). Can I ask why it was never chosen as the site for WFSB-TV/DT or WUVN-TV/DT? Did WVIT-TV/DT choose the site because of New Britain being their city of license?

If I remember correctly, WFSB was supposed to relocate to Rattlesnake Mountain. However, those plans were scrapped when it became clear a new tower would not be constructed.

I don't/won't have a chance at getting WFSB in Mystic, even when WHPX moves back to 26. Hopefully, ION will move back to 26 (from 34) on 2/17-18 even if the transition is delayed.

WFSB has not responded to my inquiries about a DTS or sub-channel site at WHPX, not that I expected them to. Also, I doubt we have enough room in the spectrum for a translator.

Edit: Added a coverage map, comparing WFSB with WEDH. Areas that WEDH can reach, but not WFSB, are in yellow (light blue areas indicate the reverse). I am using -85dBm as the "cliff."

CPTV also has WEDN in the area, which is easy to receive.

Thank you for the map. Anyways, could the original choice of analog channel 3's site in 1957 been becuase of the distance from analog channel 2 in New York City?

... could the original choice of analog channel 3's site in 1957 have been because of the distance from analog channel 2 in New York City?

I think that site was chosen because the then-owner of Channel 3, The Travelers Insurance Companies, already had purchased the land in 1929 and was using it as the home for their WTIC radio towers. The AM station would eventually have two towers and another was added for the FM station in the 1940s. Travelers also constructed a fairly elaborate brick building on the mountain to house the transmitting equipment.

According to Scott Fybush's tower website, when the TV tower was built, it was designed so that it could be tuned to broadcast the 1080 frequency (WTIC-AM) in the event of a catastrophic emergency. There is a radiation-proof room in the basement of the transmitter building that has a microphone and control board so that radio station personnel can broadcast if they are able to get up to the mountain during a crisis. The TV tower is self-supporting; there are no guy wires. http://www.necrat.com/wtic_proam.html Other Connecticut tower pictures: http://www.necrat.com/ct-pix.html

I suspect that the original transmitting sites of some of the area TV stations might have more to do with which landowners did or did not want to sell their mountain-top acreage. The stations might have had other locations in mind, but might not have been able to reach a deal on the selling price with the owners of those parcels. Competitors also blocked other stations' plans. I read in The Hartford Courant on-line archives that Channel 8 wanted to relocate their tower to Middletown in 1960, presumably to better reach central and northern Connecticut. But the then-owners of Channel 30 and Channel 22 successfully stopped the plan through protracted legal battles. They did not want Channel 8 encroaching on their "turf".

More recently, stations had the opportunity to put their digital antennas on Channel 61's Rattlesnake tower. But that would have required that they pay a sizable fee each month for rent. They probably thought, why rent when you already own? They had their own towers and land that they'd already paid for, and they'd fought lengthy zoning battles over the years to raise the height, etc. The station's resale value would probably be more with the transmitting facility included as part of the sale rather than having the transmitting operations dependent on a third party.

I was surprised to learn recently that Channel 18 no longer owns its tower on Avon Mountain. Somewhere along the way, they sold the transmitting plant to a company that owns and rents out TV towers across the country. The firm is called Pinnacle Holdings, and is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. WUVN must be paying a lower rent to this company than they would be paying had they installed their digital antenna on the candelabra on Rattlesnake.

Thank you for the history and for the links to the site. Lots of good pics there.

That explains some of the non-co-located stations, but they may decide it doesn't pay to be in a different direction than most. However, with roughly 5-6% using antennas locally, some stations may feel its not worth the expense to move.

Thank you for the wealth of information! I'm too far to see any portion of Avon Mountain from here. As for Rattlesnake Mountain, I can see the towers from the parking lot of my work place in Newington along the Berlin Turnpike, but not from my home. As for elevation, who is higher? Rattlesnake or Avon Mountain?

As for elevation, who is higher? Rattlesnake or Avon Mountain?

I'm not sure about the mountains' elevations, but, for overall height, I believe that Channel 61's tower on Rattlesnake is the tallest tower in Connecticut, and Channel 30's tower on Rattlesnake is the second tallest.

Wow.. there's a thread for everything and every one at AVS!

I was pretty amazed at the reception I get in Newington (base of Cedar Mountain, right behind Main St).. 61-1, 3-1, TXX (20-1?), 30-1(?.. NBC). PBS is perfect too(24-1?), almost all at 100% with a cheap Philips set top. I never bothered trying until this week when I switched to Uverse and was confronted with their horrible 'HD'. Blessing in disguise, though, as the OTA reception for the networks is superior to Cox. and I'm thinking of just firing TV services all together.

I'm struggling to pull in 40-1 and was considering putting an exterior antenna on the roof of my ranch. Unfortunately I'm litterally at th base of 'Cedar Mountain' which is really more of a tall hill separating the center of town from the Berlin turnpike. Before investing in a better antenna I wanted to find out if anyone here has had any luck pulling in ABC from this area. The affiliates are in New Haven and Springfield, which are a considerable distance. My tuner pulls in a broken signal on 40-1 and indicates a strength around 33% on it. the various sites for determining what's recievable for me has these stations as yellow so I'm assuming it's cedar mtn giving me the trouble.

edit: As for the pics above, I have tons of photos off cedar of those and never realized what they were! Thanks for the enlightenment!

I'm struggling to pull in 40-1 and was considering putting an exterior antenna on the roof of my ranch.WGGB-DT is currently transmitting on channel 55. They actually shut down their analog (channel 40) transmitter early and are working on the migration of WGGB-DT from 55 to 40. You'll need to rescan for them after the DTV conversion in a few weeks (since their channel is changing). They have also noted that after the conversion there will also be a power increase - so you may want to wait and see <sic> what their signal is like before you go the route of an external antenna.

Do you have any luck at all with the VHF stations? WEDN-DT on 9, WTNH-DT on 10, WWLP-DT on 11 and WTXX-DT on 12?

Do you have any luck at all with the VHF stations? WEDN-DT on 9, WTNH-DT on 10, WWLP-DT on 11 and WTXX-DT on 12?

The changes for ABC sound promising, really appreciate that info! I'll check out the VHF tonight and see what comes through although the auto scan didn't seem to pull anything in on those.

I'll check out the VHF tonight and see what comes through although the auto scan didn't seem to pull anything in on those.Remember that the typical UHF loop antenna will be pretty ineffective for VHF reception. You need something more like rabit ears. Also - a lot of people find success with a small outdoor antenna mounted fixed indoors in the attic.

Also consider checking out the Springfield MA HDTV thread here on the AVS Forums - you'll find more info and discussion on the stations to your north.

I'm not sure about the mountains' elevations, but, for overall height, I believe that Channel 61's tower on Rattlesnake is the tallest tower in Connecticut, and Channel 30's tower on Rattlesnake is the second tallest.

FWIW:

WVIT Rattlesnake Mtn 229m/751' AMSL (base of tower)
WEDH*/WTIC/WTXX Rattlesnake Mtn 216m/707' AMSL (base of tower)
WFSB Avon Mtn 216m/707' AMSL (base of tower)
WUVN Avon Mtn 205m/673' AMSL (base of tower)
WTHN Gaylord Mtn 195m/640' AMSL (base of tower)
* WEDH-24 is the highest TV antenna in the state

Also, the tower where WEDH, WTIC and WTXX reside is owned by Chase Enterprises not "Channel 61". It is managed by Communications Site Management; aka, Comsite.

FWIW: ... the tower where WEDH, WTIC and WTXX reside is owned by Chase Enterprises not "Channel 61". It is managed by Communications Site Management; aka, Comsite.

Yes, I should have worded that more clearly. I called it Channel 61's tower as a shorthand way of meaning the tower that Channel 61's antenna is on, and the tower that was originally built for Channel 61. I didn't intend to imply that the station still owned it.:)

For the newer readers who are unaware of what I meant by mentioning the word "candelabra" in my second-to-last post:

Mr. Chase had the tower built on Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington in 1984 for his new TV station, the reincarnated WTIC-TV on Channel 61. He retained ownership of the tower after selling the TV station, and he now rents out space on the tower to TV stations like The Tribune Company's Channel 61 and Channel 20, and Connecticut Public Television's channel for Greater Hartford, 24.

To accommodate the antennas of these stations at the top of the tower, the Channel 61 analog antenna, which used to be the only antenna at the very top, was temporarily removed. The candelabra - a platform with three "holders" - was installed at the top. Each holder can accept two antennas stacked one on top of the other, for a total of six antennas. One holder has antennas for Channel 24 analog and Channel 24 digital. The antenna for Channel 61 analog was put back up in another holder. There are also antennas for Channel 61 digital and Channel 20 digital, but they won't be activated until sometime after the analog shut-off. If you can receive Channel 24 digital now with good results, you should be able to get 61 and 20 with similar success once those antennas are turned on.

Currently, the digital versions of 61 and 20 are being sent from antennas that are mounted lower down on the side of the tower. These antennas will become emergency back-up antennas once the ones at the top are turned on.

With the status of the February 17 transition date possibly being pushed back to June, would WTXX-DT still be able to switch from the existing channel 12 transmitter over to the digital transmitter on channel 20? (Assuming WTXX analog still gets shut off next month?)

As for the switch, an article I read this afternoon talked about the likely delay for the transition. They mentioned that Hartford/New Haven was the most-prepared TV market in the nation, with "only" 1.76% of our households not ready.

Makes me wonder what the next closest markets are who will have a station using channel 20 for their digital assignment? I know the closest channel 20 broadcasters in analog are (were?) Utica, NY [WUTR], Saint Johnsbury, VT [WVTB] and Washington, DC [WDCA].

As for adjacent analog broadcasters...do we know what the assignments will be for WCDC-TV (ABC) channel 19 in Adams, MA and WLIW-TV (PBS) channel 21 in Garden City, NY?

Makes me wonder what the next closest markets are who will have a station using channel 20 for their digital assignment? I know the closest channel 20 broadcasters in analog are (were?) Utica, NY [WUTR], Saint Johnsbury, VT [WVTB] and Washington, DC [WDCA].

WCVB Boston, WNYI Ithaca.

As for adjacent analog broadcasters...do we know what the assignments will be for WCDC-TV (ABC) channel 19 in Adams, MA and WLIW-TV (PBS) channel 21 in Garden City, NY?

WCDC-DT 36. WLIW-DT 21.

- Trip

Please let us know how you make out.
I am in Killingworth about 350 ft elevation and fairly clear sight to LI.. (a few trees) Presently I have a combo UHF/VHF anrenna and preamp with rotator and I get the the WLIW analog signal - although it can be fuzzy on some days.
I would also like to get the digital version of Channel 25 from NY but that is much weaker. I noticed that the transmitter plot for WLIW for the digital seems to be aimed up and down Long Island and not across the water. I don't know if this is different from the analog set up.
I'm gonna screw around with the db-4? antenna shown on youtube but I doubt it will be strong enough..

-----------------------------

and also want to get WLIW.
Thanks for the input. I might have a chance at NYC (84 miles) according to the chart at tvfool. I am on a 300 ft hill and should not have anything in the way (line of sight is mostly over water). It is clear that I will need a top flight set up. Outdoor antenna with rotator and amp. Was thinking of an Antennas Direct 91xg with their best amp. Anyone got a better idea?

A NIT to WHNB, WTXX is now on channel 12 so I don't think its present digital antenna could be used as a back up.

I will add some other measurements, in addition to mdodge's above.

As respects antenna heights/AGL on the towers, the post-transition facilities are as follows:

WFSB: 160m
WTNH: 244
WUVN: 149
WTXX: 399 (future - currently appears to be at 79m)
WEDH: 388
WVIT: 312
WCTX: 189
WTIC: 389 (future - currently appears to be at 170m)

AMSL values (site + antenna height) are as follows:

WFSB: 376m
WTNH: 440
WUVN: 354
WTXX: 615 (future)
WEDH: 604
WVIT: 532
WCTX: 384
WTIC: 605 (future)

The Chase Tower facilities are the highest for both categories.

A NIT to WHNB, WTXX is now on channel 12 so I don't think its present digital antenna could be used as a back up.

Good point! Thank you. When I wrote that, I was thinking of the email that a forum member posted here awhile ago that he had received from the director of engineering at Channels 61 and 20. The engineer mentioned that the side-mounted digital antenna eventually would be used for back-up. I now realize that he meant only the antenna for 61 digital, which is actually for channel 31.

I might have put this up last summer but here is what is on top of the tower.
John

One of the Tribune stations (61 or 20) is supposedly going to add the This TV network on a subchannel.

One of the Tribune stations (61 or 20) is supposedly going to add the This TV network on a subchannel.

What network?

This TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_TV) network. :D

The puns, they kill!

- Trip

FYI:

WEDW DT-52 is tentatively scheduled to cease operation on Tuesday January 27, 2009, in order to re-tune the digital exciters and channel / mask filter for operation on DT-49 and to move the filter output to an existing spare input on the existing channel 49 transmitter / antenna / dummy load switch.


Thank you for the heads up on this. When I tuned my tuner to 49-1 last night and received no signal, I then remembered it was January 27th.

Now, is the digital transition next month or June? LOL
I haven't had time to sit down and read more about the new June date.

WFSB has filed to end analog operations on 2/17/09, regardless of a potential national delay.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=723941

On January 21, 2009, the Station’s analog transmitter experienced a failure, and the Station currently is operating at half power. The parts necessary for repair no longer are manufactured, so, for practical purposes, repair is not possible. In addition, operation at half power will be difficult to maintain. Accordingly, the Station wishes to terminate analog service on February 17, 2009.

I think WFSB was CT's only night light station that was able to stay on after the the transition.

There was some discussion earlier about 10.4 and 10.5. Does anyone know a reason they wouldn't show up as 8-2 and 8-3? The WVIT channels do show up on the same Samsung TV as 30-2 and 30-3.

Also, what's the point of 10.5? It's just rebroadcasting the main channel at SD.

Edit: Oh, I see that this was mentioned a few weeks ago, but no response:
Thanks for the data... I'm confused. WTNH is using PSIP on 8-1 (10.3), but not for any of the other subchannels. They do have a 10.4 which looks like it should be encrypted but may not be, and a 10.5 which both exists and doesn't exist (there's 5 Mbps worth of data going into the video, but TSReader claims there's no actual video present).

Still no PSIP on those feeds? Good grief.

- Trip

WHPX is joining CPTV and WFSB in shutting down analog broadcasts by 2/17/09, regardless.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=724100

The Station’s analog termination directly is related to the transition. For almost 3 years – since Congress in the Digital Television and Public Safety Act of 2005 established February 17, 2009, as the deadline for all television stations to terminate analog broadcast service – the Station has planned to transition as of February 17, 2009. The Station accordingly long ago scheduled a tower crew to install transmission equipment in February 2009 to convert facilities. The Station does not believe it can reschedule the tower crew and complete its transition prior to June 12, 2009, and thus must maintain its current construction schedule for a February 17, 2009 transition.3 The Station accordingly believes that this instant analog termination is necessary for purposes of the transition.

Some of us won't miss it impeding reception of adjacents, such as WVIT or WFSB I'm sure, though I doubt I'll have much of a chance with WFSB regardless.

So analog channels 3 and 26 will still shut off that day...didn't analog channels 20 and/or 24 already announce the same thing?

So analog channels 3 and 26 will still shut off that day...didn't analog channels 20 and/or 24 already announce the same thing?

24 has, not 20 though as far as I can tell.

- Trip