ugh - knew you would ask that. Sigh. Going to flip my coax to the ATSC tuner and take a look, before it's gone :)

I've heard nothing but bad things about VHF-low and digital TV. I'll believe it when I receive it...IF that happens.

FYI,

WEDY DT-6 New Haven (PSIP 65-1, 65-2) will be on the air soon. Have to make sure the local squirrels have their sun glasses on.

OTA program testing may begin as early as today, Tuesday June 9, 2009. But FYI, WEDY DT-6 is only 400W ERP, intended to fill the NH shadow areas close in caused by the mountain ridge it's on.

Would definitely like an initial reception report. The site is operated by R/C, currently the OTA return is not yet available in Hartford.

What does analog 7 look like now.
John

So, gosh darnit, it may actually work! Analog is slightly fuzzy, but very watchable. This 4228/777 combo really impresses me. I have no business pulling in a useable 7 signal with it.

FYI,

WEDY DT-6 New Haven (PSIP 65-1, 65-2) will be on the air soon. Have to make sure the local squirrels have their sun glasses on.

OTA program testing may begin as early as today, Tuesday June 9, 2009. But FYI, WEDY DT-6 is only 400W ERP, intended to fill the NH shadow areas close in caused by the mountain ridge it's on.

Would definitely like an initial reception report. The site is operated by R/C, currently the OTA return is not yet available in Hartford.

EXCELLENT news. I may have an outside shot at pulling this in. Let me know if it gets fired up today.

At the risk of being proven wrong, attached is my best guess of WEDY's coverage area. I used -70dBm, which is quite a bit higher than I would normally use (for UHF). The Low-VHF noise floor is clearly higher, but is highly variable by location.

I will be most interested in hearing any and all reports.

I'd bet I get it, if I tried hard enough. I'm on a sizeable enough hill that I have LOS to the ESB in NY (from Monroe at 55+ miles out).

I doubt I'd see WEDY-DT in New Britain (south end) at all. My Insignia digital converter box hesitates with WEDW-DT channel 49 Bridgeport, but can't quite lock in enough of a signal. I used to get WEDN-DT out of Norwich when it was on channel 45, before the change with WEDH-DT. In fairness, I'm only using an RCA indoor batwing antenna, resting it horizontally and sitting atop a south-facing second floor window.

I doubt I'd see WEDY-DT in New Britain (south end) at all. My Insignia digital converter box hesitates with WEDW-DT channel 49 Bridgeport, but can't quite lock in enough of a signal. I used to get WEDN-DT out of Norwich when it was on channel 45, before the change with WEDH-DT. In fairness, I'm only using an RCA indoor batwing antenna, resting it horizontally and sitting atop a south-facing second floor window.

The WEDY DT-6 FCC authorization to begin program tests is in the que, during the past month the FCC needed to get all the ducks in a row, first renewing the WEDY New Haven license, updated its CDBS database, so that it could then issue the DT authorization.

CPTV optimistic for authorization on or before June 12, 2009...

It would be interesting to note over the June 13th weekend, if the WEDW DT-49 ERP boost from 41 kW to 91 kW and / or the WEDN DT-9 ERP boost from 1.25 kW to 4.2 kW improves your reception.

Thanks for the tip! I will indeed check on those other CPTV stations! :)

I noticed that WEDY's License to Cover was granted yesterday. I don't remember seeing this happen to any other stations over the recent past. Licensed but not yet allowed to operate... amazing.

Well, hopefully, this situation will finally be ending.

My wife is threatening to go cable- she is at the end of her rope even though I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel (hopefully by the end of the month). I am in "gap"/shadows one poster made mention of. I have received intermittent reception on 24 and heavily pixelated digital snow (so much for the all or nothing proposition) on 49 since my last post- currently nothing.

I will regularly scan for channels and let you know if I pick up any CPTV stations esp. EDY.

Surprised no one has yet noticed that analog goes away Friday morning for CPTV (9:00AM) and, probably, noon for the commercials.

... analog goes away Friday morning for CPTV (9:00AM) and, probably, noon for the commercials.

Hopefully, none of the commercial stations in the state are going to keep analog on for yet another month with "nightlight service". I've been checking the FCC website daily for the list of volunteer stations that was suppose to be released early this week, but it's not available yet.

The only news that I've found, courtesy of Monday's "Northeast Radio Watch", is that three Boston stations will suspend regular programming as of noon on Friday on their analog version. But their analog will stay on until July 12th with a continuous video on how to hook up a converter box, interrupted by news and weather emergency bulletins.

The stations are WCVB 5, WGBH 2, and WBZ 4.

If the Connecticut stations aren't making their plans known yet, we'll all find out soon enough when we turn on our TVs come Saturday. It would be nice if all the area full-power analogs went off on the 12th so that viewers can finally see what over-the-air digital reception is like without analog on to possibly interfere.

Hopefully, none of the commercial stations in the state are going to keep analog on for yet another month with "nightlight service". I've been checking the FCC website daily for the list of volunteer stations that was suppose to be released early this week, but it's not available yet.

I recall NBC saying all their O&O stations would be nightlighting. If that's correct (I don't remember anymore), then WVIT will be doing it.

- Trip

... then WVIT will be doing it.
- Trip

Thanks, Trip. I can also envision that powerhouse Channel 3 might decide to keep the nightlight burning.

I recall the channel 3 transmitter is on death's door. I have to think they'd want to kill it.

- Trip

I recall the channel 3 transmitter is on death's door. I have to think they'd want to kill it.

- Trip

FYI...

Because of the new FCC regulation and NAB recommendation that came out late Tuesday evening indicating the public would be best served if the analog shut down occured during Friday's normal business hours, CT broadcasters decided early Wednesday morning to FCC file for shut down Friday June 12, 2009 between 6 AM to 12 Noon.

No one wanted to incur the added expanses of manning a call center from Friday evening and overnight through out the entire weekend to Monday...

As of Wednesday morning, the Friday June 12, 2009 approx times...subject to changes...Believe it when you don't see it...jdz.

CPTV & WFSB 9 AM
Others typically 12 Noon.
At 11:59 AM on June 12th WTIC-TV NTSC61 will shut down, no channel change on WTIC-TV DT31.
At 11:59 on June 12th WTXX-TV NTSC20 and DT12 will shut down.
At 11:59:59 AM on June 12th WTXX-TV DT20 will commence to transmit from Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, CT.


FYI:
[I]Subject: DMAs Not Covered By Nightlight Program - Checklist

To All Hartford/New Haven General Managers (including those whose stations have already transitioned):

Hartford/New Haven is currently one of approximately 80 markets nationwide without a participating "nightlight" station. Without a regularly televised post-transition reference to the FCC's DTV hotline through the "nightlight" program, your station could experience a high volume of phone calls from affected viewers because, without a nightlight broadcast, viewers will have no on-air reference to the FCC's hotline. In order to meet FCC expectations on handling calls effectively, you need to take the following steps:

1. Stations are expected to answer reception-related questions, while general questions can be referred to the FCC

* Staff should be made available to handle calls coming into the station at the time of the transition, during the overnight hours, and through the weekend. The FCC is expecting stations to answer calls.

* If a station turns off analog at night, the FCC expects stations to have staff available to answer calls for several hours after the shutoff.

* A voicemail system could also be utilized to direct callers with general DTV questions to the FCC hotline, 1-888-CALL-FCC, or coupon inquiries to the NTIA phone center, 1-888-DTV-2009.

* NAB's guide on how to answer phone calls is available as a Q&A document to download at: http://www.dtvanswers.com/quickanswers/DTVQ&A.pdf. Also, staff should be aware of new features available on www.dtv.gov <http://www.dtv.gov/> , including local walk-in centers and in-home installation resources that are available for local viewers.

* Note that the FCC is happy to take referral calls from television stations on "general" DTV questions about converter boxes, re-scanning and coupons.

2. Viewers should receive multiple daily reminders about the need to re-scan their digital TVs or converter boxes

* With stations transitioning at various times on June 12, viewers should be alerted that they may need to re-scan multiple times that day and/or re-scan on June 13

3. Utilize radio PSAs

* Additionally, if your station has a good relationship with a local radio station(s), you may want to consider asking for courtesy time to run spots promoting the DTV hotline. NAB has fully produced DTV Action radio spots, as well as scripts for stations wishing to use their on-air talent. They are available in 60, 30 and 15-second taggable versions, English and Spanish. All radio spots can be downloaded for broadcast at www.dtvanswers.com/radiospots.

Even if your station is not participating in the "nightlight" program, the NAB-produced "nightlight" informational video is available in an online version that your station can stream on its web site. This version is available to download at www.dtvanswers.com/nightlight.

So there you have it in a nut shell, no CT night light...

So from what I understand, WTXX-DT (CW) is the only station in Hartford/New Haven who is physically moving on Friday. Are any other stations changing their signal patterns, increasing power or moving their sites? Lastly, will WTXX-DT still be licensed to Waterbury?

Are any other stations changing their signal patterns, increasing power or moving their sites? Lastly, will WTXX-DT still be licensed to Waterbury?

WEDY technically falls into this category (though it has been dark for years). Any updates on its status?

WTXX will still be licensed to Waterbury. As long as the COL is adequately covered, the actual transmitter can be located elsewhere. We have several stations on Mt. Wilson in California which have COL's other than Los Angeles. Also, I don't believe the FCC freeze on COL changes has been lifted yet.

FYI...

So there you have it in a nut shell, no CT night light...

Update as of Thursday morning, June 11, 2009.

WFSB indicated this morning they volunteered to be the night light station.

Their analog programming ends at 9 AM Friday morning, June 12, 2009, followed by the repeating announcement loop on the analog transmitter.

And so it goes...

[QUOTE=Falcon_77;16626218]WEDY technically falls into this category (though it has been dark for years). Any updates on its status? QUOTE]

The CPTV Attorneys stated the FCC indicated that CPTV should have received authorization yesterday, but CPTV did not.

CPTV did see renewals occurring for the WEDY Ch 65 New Haven, although silent, was required to occure first to allow the associated microwave and CDBS updates to happen. The the WEDY DT-6 was to follow...

Just waiting now for the program test authority...

WFSB indicated this morning they volunteered to be the night light station.

Thank you for the updates, Z.

I would imagine that WFSB was "encouraged" to "volunteer," but will analog 3 remain functional that long (2 weeks or 1 month)?

Hopefully, the FCC will publish a list of all the nightlights once they are determined.

Thank you for the updates, Z.

I would imagine that WFSB was "encouraged" to "volunteer," but will analog 3 remain functional that long (2 weeks or 1 month)?

Hopefully, the FCC will publish a list of all the nightlights once they are determined.

You're not kidding - that's a SERIOUS power hog to keep up :)

hi everyone ...

i read this entire thread and still not sure what to get for a HD antenna ..

i live in waterbury ( i know sorry for me lol ) and i need to get a indoor HD antenna becasue i live in a condo ( first floor ) the condo is also brick face so im sure that will hurt the signal ...

Im looking at the Terk HDTVa but im still not sure if it will work for me... maybe there is a better indoor antenna that i dont need to move around to get signal??

maybe someone has a suggestion ( other then comcast and dish ) ..
im just looking to get CT locals and maybe some PBS

thanks in advance

In general, Waterbury is not an indoor antenna friendly area. However, if you can run a plot for your location we can review your predicted signal strengths. TV Fool is one site that does this:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

Do you have any attic access or access above the 1st floor? If not, this may be too much to hope for with an indoor antenna.

attached is my map ...

NO ( LOL ) no attick as i live on the first floor ..i guess i might be SOL ...DAMN:mad:

attached is my map ... NO ( LOL ) no attick as i live on the first floor ..i guess i might be SOL ...DAMN:mad:I don't know Waterbury too well - but I do know there are a lot of elevation changes - so one factor you have to consider is where you are located and whether terrain and other factors will inhibit your reception.

I don't have the link handy - but there is here on the AVS Forums someplace a thread that has a write-up and compairson of a lot of indoor antennas. You may want to search for and read through that.

The suggestion then would be to maybe find an outlet/store that has a liberal return policy. Bring it home and try it out - if it doesn't work to your satisfaction then return it.

By chance is your TV location near an outside wall and maybe near a window? And on the side of the apartment that would look towards the station(s) you are interested in seeing? The stations that are on Rattlesnake should put a reasonable signal into your area: WTIC, WTXX, WVIT, WEDH. And up the ridge a bit is WFSB -they are quite strong up here in western Mass and I have no problems with reception via a small UHF loop antenna (worth all of $1).

[QUOTE=Falcon_77;16626218]WEDY technically falls into this category (though it has been dark for years). Any updates on its status? QUOTE]

The CPTV Attorneys stated the FCC indicated that CPTV should have received authorization yesterday, but CPTV did not.

CPTV did see renewals occurring for the WEDY Ch 65 New Haven, although silent, was required to occure first to allow the associated microwave and CDBS updates to happen. The the WEDY DT-6 was to follow...

Just waiting now for the program test authority...

FYI. WEDY DT-6 was turned on today, Thursday June 11, 2009 at 4:43 PM.

Please provide reception reports.

Thank you

I don't have the link handy - but there is here on the AVS Forums someplace a thread that has a write-up and compairson of a lot of indoor antennas. You may want to search for and read through that.

Here is the link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779

An indoor antenna is going to need some luck to work with the above plot. An HDTVa is probably the one I would try, but just make sure that it can be returned if it doesn't do the job.

[QUOTE=jzareski;16626943]

FYI. WEDY DT-6 was turned on today, Thursday June 11, 2009 at 4:43 PM.

Please provide reception reports.

Thank you

Nothing that a tuner could lock on in Mystic. There might be some signal on my Spectrum Analyzer but it doesn't look good.
john

WEDY-Signal is solid gold one half mile from the transmitter- any idea if EDY will follow suit with 24 and 49 and air Create on .2?

[QUOTE=jzareski;16628891]Nothing that a tuner could lock on in Mystic. There might be some signal on my Spectrum Analyzer but it doesn't look good.WLNE still on the air? Would that make any difference? (Wonder if WLNE is going off on the 12th.)

[QUOTE=ctdish;16629813]WLNE still on the air? Would that make any difference? (Wonder if WLNE is going off on the 12th.)

WLNE-6 analog has been off since April 17th.

WEDY-Signal is solid gold one half mile from the transmitter- any idea if EDY will follow suit with 24 and 49 and air Create on .2?

You actually received and viewed a moving picture with audio on 65-1?

If so...you should have also received 65-2 Create.

FYI, CPTV digital transmitters will remain on now 24/7/52...

Z -

Sorry I missed this yesterday - will test WEDY from WEDW-land with my master rescan tonight. :)

Good reception near Long Hill School in Shelton of 65-1.

No program on 65-2. Same on coupon converter and Directv H20 receiver.

I watched WFSB sign off a few moments ago...

They showed Scot Haney welcoming people to the Digital age, then the screen went black and an old Channel 3 test pattern was show.

Then some grainvy video of the antenna with audio of WFSB signing on the air. Then it when to the national anthem then the channel 3 logo and repeated once...

And now we have the NAB video telling people how to setup their DTV converters.

Good reception near Long Hill School in Shelton of 65-1.

No program on 65-2. Same on coupon converter and Directv H20 receiver.

The last two CPTV OTA analog transmitters WEDH Ch 24 Hartford and WEDN Ch 53 Norwich were shut down at 9 AM today...finally!!!

Could someone please confirm that:

-The OTA -2 service is being received OK from WEDH DT-45, WEDN DT-9, WEDW DT-49 and WEDY DT-6?

-Is the OTA digital Macrovision GemStar "TVGuide" capable TVs/DVRs indicating digital reception?

PS: ERP increase occurred today, Friday June 12, 2009 for WEDN DT-9 and WEDH DT-45. WEDW DT-49 tomorrow morning, Saturday June 13, 2009 around 9 AM+/-.

Don't forget to re-scan. And / or if that fails, delete the suspected defective channel and do a re-scan.

Thank you...

The last two CPTV OTA analog transmitters WEDH Ch 24 Hartford and WEDN Ch 53 Norwich were shut down at 9 AM today...finally!!!

Could someone please confirm that:

-The OTA -2 service is being received OK from WEDH DT-45, WEDN DT-9, WEDW DT-49 and WEDY DT-6?

-Is the OTA digital Macrovision GemStar "TVGuide" capable TVs/DVRs indicating digital reception?

PS: ERP increase occurred today, Friday June 12, 2009 for WEDN DT-9 and WEDH DT-45. WEDW DT-49 tomorrow morning, Saturday June 13, 2009 around 9 AM+/-.

Don't forget to re-scan. And / or if that fails, delete the suspected defective channel and do a re-scan.

Thank you...

Received confirmation of the -2 services working properly at WEDH DT-45 Hartford and WEDN DT-9 Norwich.

Checking here in New Britain's south end at 9:40 AM:

Not a trace of anything on channels 6 (WEDY-DT) or 9 (WEDN-DT). WTNH-DT (ABC) keeps cutting in and out, more so with the picture than sound. WTXX-DT (CW) on channel 12 is still coming in beautifully. The UHFs are good, except for a slight cut-out on WHPX-DT (ION). I have an indoor RCA "bat wing" antenna, resting horizontally atop a south-facing second floor window. A roof antenna is not an option for me here since I don't own the house.

Checking here in New Britain's south end at 9:40 AM:

Not a trace of anything on channels 6 (WEDY-DT) or 9 (WEDN-DT). WTNH-DT (ABC) keeps cutting in and out, more so with the picture than sound. WTXX-DT (CW) on channel 12 is still coming in beautifully. The UHFs are good, except for a slight cut-out on WHPX-DT (ION). I have an indoor RCA "bat wing" antenna, resting horizontally atop a south-facing second floor window. A roof antenna is not an option for me here since I don't own the house.

FYI,
WTIC / WTXX indicated:
At 11:59 AM WTIC-TV NTSC 61 will shut down, no channel change on WTIC-TV D-T31.
At 11:59 AM WTXX-TV NTSC 20 and DT-12 will shut down.
At 11:59:59 AM WTXX-TV DT-20 will commence to transmit from Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, CT.

Don't forget to re-scan throughout the day...

Hi, I'm in New London. Instead of Channel Master, I got my antenna, and amp at a closing Radio Shack (I'm poor). The Antenna is strong, I am unable to find the model number. RS no longer sells it I guess. It is gray, and almost looks like a stealth inspired design. VHF/UHF. I have 2. Right now, only one is set up in my attic (crawlspace above 3rd floor. Siding is very little in the north and south. Rest of the directions, it comes through wood, and roof shingles. I estimate it is 40 feet up, fixed arms going southwest. There are little to no obstacles in the way. I have an AOC/Envision 32inch HDTV, with dual tuner built in. I think that covers most of my stats. I thought I could lend a hand, by reporting what is going on around here. Keep in mind the weather this week, and that I may see more after the sky clears.

Normally, I get (Digital) 8,30,59,61,24, 26, 55, SAH (The New Zoo Revue, Really? Give me the times. Look up NZR with outtake on youtube, LOL), and 67,69. Half the time I also get 2NY,5NY, and 9NY. Sometimes, 11NY, 4NY, NJN. on a Great night, 25NY (love watching the traffic!), NJ, and Philly. Once Norfolk. Channel 2 in Boston has been making my scans at times. When so, channel 2NY is on 56.1, but with WGBH program info. LOL.

I have NEVER (With any gear) received 3, nor 20. They are seen, but not added to my scan. The signal is too erratic.

My Analog stations, up to today were plentiful, and onmi directional. That info is good until today. I tell ya to show my patterns.

Last night, at midnight, nothing too much had changed.

This AM about 8:30 show only the major networks are still up as far as analog goes.

I have not tuned in 9 yet. Still erratic. I am still getting my normal CT channels, though 30.1 is low.

Will the Digital channels boost in power near, or as soon as they switch? I plan to see the analog news broadcasts, before they are gone. I will Report back if anything awesome happens. If I left info out, or if there any questions, feel free!
Mark

The last two CPTV OTA analog transmitters WEDH Ch 24 Hartford and WEDN Ch 53 Norwich were shut down at 9 AM today...finally!!!

Could someone please confirm that:

-The OTA -2 service is being received OK from WEDH DT-45, WEDN DT-9, WEDW DT-49 and WEDY DT-6?

-Is the OTA digital Macrovision GemStar "TVGuide" capable TVs/DVRs indicating digital reception?

PS: ERP increase occurred today, Friday June 12, 2009 for WEDN DT-9 and WEDH DT-45. WEDW DT-49 tomorrow morning, Saturday June 13, 2009 around 9 AM+/-.

Don't forget to re-scan. And / or if that fails, delete the suspected defective channel and do a re-scan.

Thank you...
Confirmed, I was watching 53 when it went off!

Hi, I'm in New London. (snip) Once (received a station from) Norfolk.Any chance you remember which station in Norfolk? Digital or analog? That's a good haul - you have the benefit of the enhancement and then over the water (no terrain!).

I don't remember what station, but it was Digital HD. I once Got Maine too, when I had my Antenna pointed that way. They don't last long! I want to see them again, as well as Jersey/Philli. I found out they will send me a postcard as proof, if I give the time, day, and what I watched. I may do that just for laughs sometime.

Z - I'll also check WEDW -2 later. Maybe even WEDY -2 (!) :)

Tomorrow AM - need someone to kick the antenna at EDW? I'm cheap and close LOL

WEDW 49.1 and 49.2 are ok since about 10:45 AM. There was no signal for an hour or so before that.

WEDY 65.2 still has no programming.

FYI,
Don't forget to re-scan throughout the day...

I have the antenna temporarily attached to my DVD recorder, which has an analog and digital tuner. WFSB is already doing the night line service. WTNH and WCTX are running the crawl at the top of the screen. WEDH is indeed off the air as mentioned. I have it on WVIT analog right now and it looks the same as usual. Their anchor just mentioned a noon switch-off.

It looks like I'll record WVIT's analog shutoff. Now how to transfer a DVD+RW segment to youtube? :)

It looks like I'll record WVIT's analog shutoff. Now how to transfer a DVD+RW segment to youtube? :)
I was set up to record WVIT's analog shutoff as well, I thought they'd at least do a proper sign off, but it looks like they just pulled the plug....

Anyone else not receiving any video on WTXX-DT now that they're on 20? Signal meter is pretty strong, but I've yet to be able to decode any programming. WTIC, WEDH and WVIT all come in very strong here. And yes, I did a re-scan and was also able to get WGGB on RF 40 as well.

WTXX did the same, it appears they just pulled the plug! As to their digital signal, I am getting a signal but no programming on 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 20.5 .....

Does anyone know what is happening with WTXX-DT 20?

WTXX 20.3 and 20.4 just went live.

About 12:15, WTXX launched. I Never got this channel before. On 20.1, it is one of my strongest stations.

I still see changes on the signal meter for12.1, and 13.1. No reception though.
Mark

I recorded about four minutes of WVIT-TV. The weather guy mentioned that they had an TV set up in the corner with analog channel 30 on it. It would've been nice if they had got a shot of that. It went off the second The Bonnie Hunt Show started. A picture came back a few seconds later and then *POOF!* for good.

I checked the rest of the analog side once I finished the recording. Only WFSB-TV analog channel 3 remains.

On the digital end of the tuner:

WEDY-DT (PBS) channel 6 of New Haven has nothing whatsoever.
WEDN-DT (PBS) channel 9 of Norwich is there, but not enough to lock.
WTNH-DT (ABC) channel 10 of New Haven is giving me problems. I haven't moved my antenna, yet I'm either getting a blank screen or one huge video mess.
WTXX-DT (CW) channel 20 of Waterbury is fantastic! The signal is just as strong as it was on channel 12. I just happen to be watching when channel 12 went dead. A minute later, I saw the carrier on digital 20 come on. Call letters, picture and programming information popped up a few minutes later.
WHPX-DT (ION) channel 26 of New London had no change.
WTIC-DT (FOX) channel 31 of Hartford had no change.
WFSB-DT (CBS) channel 33 of Hartford had no change.
WVIT-DT (NBC) channel 35 of New Britain had no change.
WCTX-DT (MY) channel 39 of New Haven had no change, unlike WTNH-DT.
WEDH-DT (PBS) channel 45 of Hartford had no change.
WUVN-DT (UNI) channel 46 of Hartford had no change.

Kudos to WTXX. Very strong signal here in Shelton.

Were you able to ever get any signal of theirs when it was on channel 12?

I wasn't in Monroe - this is likely a benefit of the transmitter move. Can't wait to scan tonight!

I could never get 12.1 to come in. Strange, it still shows a signal at 12.1. Perhaps I had two signals working against each other. 13.1 too, which I thought was 12.1 in RI. 33.1 Never worked either, but sometimes I can get 11 out of NYC. Perhaps they did not play well together either. Right now, I have less erratic movement on 33.1. Poor signal on 3, and nothing on 3.1. Will 3 be moving to actual 3.1?
Mark

PS, for people with probs on channel 6, can an attenuator help? I Remember living in Newport, There is radio interference. There was also a contant line down the screen. People told me the Newport bridge did that.

No, I couldn't pull in 12. Still can't get WTIC or WEDH due to their pattern.

Can I be the first to complain about co-location of WFSB and WCBS on 33? what bonehead decided THAT was ok? :)

WEDW 49.1 and 49.2 are ok since about 10:45 AM. There was no signal for an hour or so before that.

WEDY 65.2 still has no programming.

Thank you.

Between about 0933 - 1055 DT-49 off due to United Illuminating commerical power failure, mostly in Trumbull, according to their site.

CPTV received confirmation now that WEDH DT-45, WEDN DT-9 and WEDW DT-49 have both -1 and -2 services running ok.

Appears to be WEDY DT-6 New Haven site issue with the -2. Anyone with a USB Autumn Wave and TS Reader may be able to tell if site PSIP failed for -2 service.

New Haven Equipment may need re-boot...

Thank you.

12.1 and 13.1 would be WNAC (FOX) and WPRI (CBS) from Providence.

- Trip

Lost CBS from NY.
Why would the FCC assign both cbs affiliates the same freq so geographically close?
I,m in Southbury and previously recieved all NY great.
Is anyone having issues with 55 from Long Island?
I can it my scope, but doesnt lock on my equipment.
Other than losing 2, I can finally see 11, 13 and 25.

Lost CBS from NY.
Why would the FCC assign both cbs affiliates the same freq so geographically close?

No idea. It's lunacy. Note - I already whined about this above :)

WFSB is the Nightlight station in the Hartford/New haven Market. WFSB will be up for 2 weeks and not 10 days as they said on the News. FCC requires 2 weeks. June 26 at 11:59p is the off day and time. The transmiiter engineers tweaked and peaked Analog 3 to keep it going. Kudos to them!

Can I be the first to complain about co-location of WFSB and WCBS on 33? what bonehead decided THAT was ok? :)
There's also issues with channels 20 and 31 being co-located between the Hartford and Boston markets. Apparently in areas of Northeastern CT and areas to the East of Springfield, there's a huge overlap.

Now that the official switchover has come, does that mean Fox 61 is going to bother remapping their signal properly (instead of just showing 31-3), and giving guide data?

Kudos to WTXX. Very strong signal here in Shelton.It's like magic. They went from unreceivable to my strongest station. 7 out of 10 bars. Interesting thing is that I still see a few dropouts, which I would expect.

well, they moved to rattlesnake mountain from waterbury, so things like that happen :)

well, they moved to rattlesnake mountain from waterbury, so things like that happen :)Were they really low power or something? Because I'm in the next town over from Waterbury.

33.1 is no go. At least, I got 20, so it is a good day.

After rescanning ...

Biggest Difference/Most Dramatic Improvement: WTXX, which went from 2 bars to a perfect 10 bars on the tuner rating.

Biggest Surprise: No sign of WGGB, ABC 40 from Springfield, either on 40 or 55.

Other perfect 10 out of 10 scores, even before today: WFSB 3, WUVN 18, WEDH 24, WVIT 30, and WTIC 61.

A little lower rating, but still solidly received: WWLP 22 (at 8 out of 10).

Coming in, but possible intermittent reception problems in the future: WGBY 57 (at 5 or 6 bars), and WTNH 8 (at 4 or 5 bars).

Still missing: WCTX 59 (MyTV, New Haven/Hamden) which came in good on analog, but now cast into oblivion in the post-analog world, and WHPX 26 (Ion, New London).

Left on analog: WFSB 3 (in nightlight mode), WCDC 19 (ABC, Adams, MA), WESA 34 (Springfield, Low Power), WHCT 38 (Spanish, Hartford, Low Power), WRNT 48 (Retro TV Network, Hartford, Low Power), and Channels 50 and 51, both showing the same thing in Spanish.

I still see changes on the signal meter for12.1, and 13.1. No reception though.Maybe WPRI-DT and WNAC-DT?

Right now, I have less erratic movement on 33.1. Poor signal on 3, and nothing on 3.1. Will 3 be moving to actual 3.1?WFSB-DT stays on RF channel 33.

Thank you all the wrote back with the good info. If I were to setup my other antenna, NNE, do you think I might get some luck? A consistent CBS would be nice.

I also noticed that when I put an attenuator on my line, NYC was squelched, but my CT stations did not lose any bars. No help for 33.1 though.

After rescanning ...
Biggest Surprise: No sign of WGGB, ABC 40 from Springfield, either on 40 or 55.

Funny, I rarely picked them up on 55 here in Middletown (I live in an RF hole). I used to receive 40 analog fairly well, and today they were coming in much better on 40. I have to play with antenna positions, but I received a fairly watchable signal.

I'll try another rescan on Saturday for WGGB. With that station on channel 40 and WCTX actually on channel 39, maybe they're interfering with each other in my area.

Some other observations:

WTXX, WTIC, and WVIT have now dropped from 10 to an 8 bar rating (with no noticeable picture degradation).

"Create" on 24-2 and 57-4 is now shown in letterbox form, with black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. It use to fill the screen.

Gone from the master channel list are WTNH-SD and WTNH-WX, which were black screens. There is the main channel WTNH-DT (8-1) and another labeled 8-4 that has "No Info" instead of a call letter designation, and "No Info" in all the time slots in the program guide for that subchannel.

Hello. Does anyone have any recommendation for a best hdtv indoor antenna? I live in a single story house in Danbury. I have couple of antennas which does not get any signal. There are both VHF/UHF antennas. Thanks

Hello. Does anyone have any recommendation for a best hdtv indoor antenna? I live in a single story house in Danbury. I have couple of antennas which does not get any signal. There are both VHF/UHF antennas. Thanks

I used to have a simple RCA power antenna for about $20 that worked great.

The people at FOX 61 NEWS didn't do any research. Just now, they ran a segment with Shelly Sindland in the transmitter building on Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington. It was bad enough that anchorman Brent Hardin said it was Bristol and not in Farmington. Then you heard the engineer mention the This TV subchannel, which is all well and good. Only problem with that? He mentioned it as 12-2 and never said 20-2. Oops! :(

P.S. Did Shelley Sindland actually turn off WTIC-TV?

WTXX, WTIC, and WVIT have now dropped from 10 to an 8 bar rating (with no noticeable picture degradation).

WEDH and WVIT have both dropped at my location in Vernon. They are both hovering around 18-20 dB S/N ratio which is right on the edge.

Are any further improvements forthcoming, or do I have to wait for the leaves to fall off the trees for stronger signals?

There's also issues with channels 20 and 31 being co-located between the Hartford and Boston markets. Apparently in areas of Northeastern CT and areas to the East of Springfield, there's a huge overlap.

I can confirm that in Ashford, CT. WTXX & WCVB, and WTIC & WFXT interfere with each other such that I get null from all of them no matter which way I point the antenna.

Draw ~60-mile radii around Hartford and Boston, and the intersected areas, more or less, have lost 4 previously reliable channels because of where they were allocated. And it's not like there are no other channels they could have been assigned to avoid this mess.

Not cool, FCC. Not cool at all.

Write our Congresscritters, please.

But barring any voluntary steps from the FCC and these broadcasters (which not probable at this stage of the game) is there a way to block signals coming from the back of an XG-91?

WEDH and WVIT have both dropped at my location in Vernon. ... right on the edge.

Are any further improvements forthcoming, or do I have to wait for the leaves to fall off the trees for stronger signals?

I think that most everything is set for the foreseeable future. I believe WEDH had an application into the FCC to bump up their power a little. Permission was granted, and the slight power increase went into effect yesterday. I don't think that WVIT has a back-up digital antenna, and the one that they are using is side-mounted lower down on the tower. To make full use of the total height of the tower, the station might at some point remove the now unused analog antenna at the very top and replace it with a new digital one. As 30's tower is the second highest (at least in central Connecticut), broadcasting digital from the very top instead of lower down on the side of it might improve reception for viewers living further from it.

My tuner's ratings today show that WEDH 24 is at a perfect 10, as is WFSB 3 and WTIC 61. WVIT is at 8 bars, sometimes very briefly at 10. WTXX has fallen yet again, now down to 6 bars, sometimes briefly at 7 bars around 1:30PM. WTNH is at 3 bars, very briefly rising to 4. During a rescan early this morning, my Samsung H260F tuner lingered at channels 39 and 40 (WCTX 59 & WGGB 40), but ultimately cannot lock onto either of them.

According to the broadcast industry websites, even though yesterday was the culmination of the digital switch, a process that was years in the making, it's not over yet. Stations and the FCC are monitoring the reception problems that have cropped up since yesterday, and supposedly will look into how the problems can eventually be resolved. Digital broadcasting technology will also presumably evolve as time goes by. (I remember reading awhile ago that, to keep up-to-date with the quickly-coming latest advancements, TVs will ideally have to be replaced as often as computers are today, assuming that people can afford to do this and are so inclined.)

I did read one comment yesterday, however, that the method to transmit digital TV in the U.S., called 8VSB, was allegedly chosen based on politics, rather than on performance. The commenter believed that the system chosen in Europe and other parts of the world, named CODFM, was the method that actually worked best in getting a problem-free signal into people's homes.

I think that most everything is set for the foreseeable future. I believe WEDH had an application into the FCC to bump up their power a little. Permission was granted, and the slight power increase went into effect yesterday. I don't think that WVIT has a back-up digital antenna, and the one that they are using is side-mounted lower down on the tower. To make full use of the total height of the tower, the station might at some point remove the now unused analog antenna at the very top and replace it with a new digital one. As 30's tower is the second highest (at least in central Connecticut), broadcasting digital from the very top instead of lower down on the side of it might improve reception for viewers living further from it.

My tuner's ratings today show that WEDH 24 is at a perfect 10, as is WFSB 3 and WTIC 61. WVIT is at 8 bars, sometimes very briefly at 10. WTXX has fallen yet again, now down to 6 bars, sometimes briefly at 7 bars around 1:30PM. WTNH is at 3 bars, very briefly rising to 4. During a rescan early this morning, my Samsung H260F tuner lingered at channels 39 and 40 (WCTX 59 & WGGB 40), but ultimately cannot lock onto either of them.

According to the broadcast industry websites, even though yesterday was the culmination of the digital switch, a process that was years in the making, it's not over yet. Stations and the FCC are monitoring the reception problems that have cropped up since yesterday, and supposedly will look into how the problems can eventually be resolved. Digital broadcasting technology will also presumably evolve as time goes by. (I remember reading awhile ago that, to keep up-to-date with the quickly-coming latest advancements, TVs will ideally have to be replaced as often as computers are today, assuming that people can afford to do this and are so inclined.)

I did read one comment yesterday, however, that the method to transmit digital TV in the U.S., called 8VSB, was allegedly chosen based on politics, rather than on performance. The commenter believed that the system chosen in Europe and other parts of the world, named CODFM, was the method that actually worked best in getting a problem-free signal into people's homes.

That commenter about 8VSB is a lier. This guy name is Bob and uses many other aliases. He was banned from AVS Forum many times. DVB-T based on COFDM is not any better than 8VSB which was proven with many indpendent tests. In the beginning it was a little better at handling multipath, but latest 8VSB chips fixed that. Also DVB-T requires at least 1/3 more power, needs higher carrier to noise of at least 4db and gets killed by any electrical interference. Basically DVB-T can't be used on VHF especially on channels 2 thru 6.

Here is the link to independent study from 2001 http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/archives/mstvtestsum.html

BTW, my signals after analog switch off are the same. Channel 20 is even higher now. Then again I have big roof top antenna.

FYI,

CPTV completed power upgrades to WEDH DT-45, WEDN DT-9 on Friday morning June 12, 2009 and WEDW DT-49 on Saturday morning June 13, 2009.

Would like to receive more reports on WEDY DT-6 status for 65-1 & 65-2 services.

Thank you.

And it's not like there are no other channels they could have been assigned to avoid this mess. Not cool, FCC.Important to remember that broadcasters had to simulcast both analog and digital for some years - so in most cases two channels were needed for each full power analog station. Although digital channels can be assigned in an area in close numbering (for example, in Hartford CT on 31, 33 and 35) analog channels can't (couldn't). The rules for analog channel assignments are (were) quite complex. Plus: channels 52 through 69 have been reclaimed for other use. So in many cases there may not have been scenarios where other channels were necessarily available. This is especially true here in the northeast where the markets are close together along with the population.

But barring any voluntary steps from the FCC and these broadcasters (which not probable at this stage of the game)In most cases there is no quick or simple fix. If moving channels would help it could be an extremely expensive proposition for broadcasters - especially when moving from a VHF to a UHF or vice versa.

... is there a way to block signals coming from the back of an XG-91?Not sure what an XG-91 is. You would be looking for a UHF antenna that has a decent side and back rejection. One would be a UHF parabolic grid antenna. (You may have to look for something outside of normal consumer channels.)

The spacing problem could be solved, I've already done the calculations on it, but it would be expensive and I'm sure the stations don't want to build out all new stuff again.

- Trip

For CPTV -

Not even a sniff of WEDY from "the other side of Jones Farm" in Monroe - pity. That beng said, I'm looking off-axis, and not really interested in futzing with my NY reception.

BTW - WEDW .2's existance has still not hit tribune.

For CPTV -

Not even a sniff of WEDY from "the other side of Jones Farm" in Monroe - pity. That beng said, I'm looking off-axis, and not really interested in futzing with my NY reception.

BTW - WEDW .2's existance has still not hit tribune.

Note, WEDY DT-6 (PSIP 65-1 & 65-2) antenna CL is only 130.7 M AMSL. There appears to be several ridges that greatly exceed that height between your line of sight location.

CPTV will have to deal with the -2 service listing on Monday along with the digital Macrovision GemStar TVGOS, which in some zip codes, indicates in error only 24-5...instead of 24-1 and 24-2.

...

That commenter about 8VSB was banned from AVS Forum many times.

Here is the link to independent study from 2001 http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/archives/mstvtestsum.html

Then again I have big roof top antenna.

Thanks for the link. Back then, I remember reading about the objections to 8VSB that were made by Sinclair, who owned an area station at the time (WGGB). Sinclair was dragging its feet on converting its stations. Interesting that the 2001 findings showed that neither method performed very well with indoor antennas. But there have been at least five generations of chips since then, bringing about some improvement. The three set-top antennas that I tried over the past seven years, including the Zenith Silver Sensor and an amplified VHF/UHF Samsung model, were all poor performers for my location. The arc-shaped over-the-air antenna that was clipped to my roof-top satellite dish (when I had Dish Network) wasn't all that great either. That is why, since 2007, I've had the Channel Master 4228 on a tripod indoors near a window (due to apartment lease restrictions against outdoor aerials and dishes).

I think that comment about COFDM was either on the website of Broadcasting and Cable or possibly even The New York Times. On AVS, I only read the Hartford and Springfield threads, and I didn't see it there.

Surfing the analog stations one last time on Thursday evening, I saw snow, ghosting, and no really clear reception on any channel. Digital is definitely an improvement, especially when it is being watched on an HD set and the local station is broadcasting content in hi-def. Since Friday, I haven't seen the receiver put up the "Weak Or No Signal" sign on any channel. That was the worst part about watching digital over the past seven years.

Important to remember that broadcasters had to simulcast both analog and digital for some years - so in most cases two channels were needed for each full power analog station. Although digital channels can be assigned in an area in close numbering (for example, in Hartford CT on 31, 33 and 35) analog channels can't (couldn't). The rules for analog channel assignments are (were) quite complex. Plus: channels 52 through 69 have been reclaimed for other use. So in many cases there may not have been scenarios where other channels were necessarily available. This is especially true here in the northeast where the markets are close together along with the population.

In most cases there is no quick or simple fix. If moving channels would help it could be an extremely expensive proposition for broadcasters - especially when moving from a VHF to a UHF or vice versa.

Not sure what an XG-91 is. You would be looking for a UHF antenna that has a decent side and back rejection. One would be a UHF parabolic grid antenna. (You may have to look for something outside of normal consumer channels.)

WHDH vacated a perfectly fine digital 42 in Boston (and it would seem like they now have a digital transmitter for sale). It would have been ideal for WFXT or WCVB to move to that channel to prevent at least one Hartford-Boston co-channeling.

I understand that such a move or transaction can be costly. And so, in the real world, what happened will happen. But it would be nice if the FCC c/would grease the wheels a little to help the region's viewers.

The XG-91 (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/XG91.html) (also seen as the 91-xg) is a large, yagi / corner reflector, paired with a CM7777. It's about the best you can do for this area.

Right after Boston's TV stations shut off their analog signals,by Saturday I've seen messages on the Boston, MA OTA section that the area is receiving WJAR, WLNE, and other Providence stations with a much better signal. Areas north of Boston are getting WJAR and WLNE in particular when they previously had no signal. Have anyone in this thread noticed any improvement in reception of the Providence stations since yesterday?

Okay, this is weird. From Cheshire WEDY is almost due south, and WEDH is due north. With my antenna pointed south, I get nothing from WEDY, but when it is north, I get a good strong signal from WEDY! Is WEDY really transmitting from New Haven?

What kind of antenna are you using?

What kind of antenna are you using?

Channel Master 4228. Now I am having trouble getting WEDY. I guess it comes and goes.

You have a UHF antenna. It is very poor at picking up low VHF, channels 2-6. Its directionality will not be the same on VHF as UHF so it could well pick up better from its backside.
John

You have a UHF antenna. It is very poor at picking up low VHF, channels 2-6. Its directionality will not be the same on VHF as UHF so it could well pick up better from its backside.
John

I know the 4228 is UHF, but it is pretty good with upper VHF, which we have with WTNH and used to with WTXX. That's why I bought it, since it is so good with UHF. I am just surpirsed that it would pick up a weak signal better from the back than the front, especially a VHF signal.

The screen is more like a director, which is narrower than a a half wavelength, than a reflector, which is widder than a half wavelength, at a VHF low frequency. What is the back on UHF is the front on VHF low. You might try fully extended rabbitears.
John

The screen is more like a director, which is narrower than a a half wavelength, than a reflector, which is widder than a half wavelength, at a VHF low frequency. What is the back on UHF is the front on VHF low. You might try fully extended rabbitears.
John

I think I understand what you said. No matter, I get WEDH just fine.

Note, WEDT DT-6 (PSIP 65-1 & 65-2) antenna CL is only 130.7 M AMSL. There appears to be several ridges that greatly exceed that height between your line of sight location.

CPTV will have to deal with the -2 service listing on Monday along with the digital Macrovision GemStar TVGOS, which in some zip codes, indicates in error only 24-5...instead of 24-1 and 24-2.

...

on WEDY - you would be surprised :) tvfool actually gives me 36dB, -54.8dBm. I live on a pretty high hill (keep in mind that I have LOS to the ESB in NY, plus LOS to everything in Hartford now, minus WFSB, and WEDY.

I'm actually considering turning my antenna towards hartford now, to see what I can get.

As for WEDW .2 - good news. I also have a TVGOS-enabled TV, but rarely use the tuner. Need a tester?

on WEDY - you would be surprised :) tvfool actually gives me 36dB, -54.8dBm. I live on a pretty high hill (keep in mind that I have LOS to the ESB in NY, plus LOS to everything in Hartford now, minus WFSB, and WEDY.

I'm actually considering turning my antenna towards hartford now, to see what I can get.

As for WEDW .2 - good news. I also have a TVGOS-enabled TV, but rarely use the tuner. Need a tester?

Yes, for digital TVGOS for Hartford zip code 06105 & 06106. Are WEDH 24-1 and 24-2 listed correctly? Some units still reporting in error 24-5.

FYI, It appears the WEDY DT-6 PSIP re-generator may have, in less technical terms, STB... Don't be too surprised if by the end of the day, one might temporally witness call letters WEDW DT 49-1 & 49-2 program services over the WEDY DT-6 New Haven transmitter. After a rescan, if one received WEDW DT and WEDY DT, there would be two listings, one for each, until resolved...does work, better than nothing.

To be fixed...

I haven't flipped my antenna over to Hartford *yet* , so not trying WEDH at this time. :)

STB - set top box? :) (kidding)

Yes, for digital TVGOS for Hartford zip code 06105 & 06106. Are WEDH 24-1 and 24-2 listed correctly? Some units still reporting in error 24-5.

FYI, It appears the WEDY DT-6 PSIP re-generator may have, in less technical terms, STB... Don't be too surprised if by the end of the day, one might temporally witness call letters WEDW DT 49-1 & 49-2 program services over the WEDY DT-6 New Haven transmitter. After a rescan, if one received WEDW DT and WEDY DT, there would be two listings, one for each, until resolved...does work, better than nothing.

To be fixed...

FYI. AS of 3 PM today, June 15, 2009, WEDY DT-6 is repeating WEDW DT-49 program services -1, -2 AND PSIP.

So two instances of WEDW may appear, both are valid, one is from WEDW DT-49, the other from DT-6. A temporally solution until WEDY DT-6 PSIP re-generator is fixed.

Thank you

I am in Newington and am not getting WEDH or WUVN. WEDH lights up at 85% on my Dish 722k Meter, then drops down to zero and stays that way, then comes back in again.

WUVN is coming in at 100% here then drops off to nothing...

As I said both were coming in fine a few weeks ago and now neither are keeping lock. I have changed anything on my end.

Channel 20 is coming in at 98 with no breakup.

I was getting them both fine a few weeks ago.

All other things are comming in including WWLP, WGGB and WGBY from Springfield, WTNH

The WEDY-DT PSIP has been restored as of 0930 today, June 17th. Create should again be visable. :D

I don't watch much local TV but I'm trying to get sorted out here. Two networks on one main frequency seems strange, but that's what it is? WGGB-DT is ABC and WGGBDT2 is Fox 6-D? OK.

I'm not getting guide data for either channel at 40, on either my stand-alone or DTV Tivos. Guide data still lists, correctly, for the old frequency, but no signal. Is this station problem, Tribune data catching up, or Tivo?

Is WFSB at 33 weaker now than before changeover? All my other stations from the North are strong near Cheshire/Wallingford/South Meriden conjunction, but WFSB is pixellating and reading 70 on 100 scale while others are 80-100. Well, WEDH is low 70s and occasionally pixellating but not bad.

I don't watch much local TV but I'm trying to get sorted out here. Two networks on one main frequency seems strange, but that's what it is? WGGB-DT is ABC and WGGBDT2 is Fox 6-D? OK.This is not uncommon. Happens a lot in markets where there are not two full power stations to carry each network. In this case WGGB provides ABC programming on its first sub-channel and FOX programming on its second sub-channel.

There is a problem with WGGB guide information. DirecTV is still lacking information for 40.1 as well the last I looked.

DirecTV still has no Guide Data for WEDW 49.2 or WEDY.

Tribune still lists analogs a week after transition at zap2it.com

I don't watch much local TV but I'm trying to get sorted out here. Two networks on one main frequency seems strange, but that's what it is? WGGB-DT is ABC and WGGBDT2 is Fox 6-D? OK.

I'm not getting guide data for either channel at 40, on either my stand-alone or DTV Tivos. Guide data still lists, correctly, for the old frequency, but no signal. Is this station problem, Tribune data catching up, or Tivo?

Is WFSB at 33 weaker now than before changeover? All my other stations from the North are strong near Cheshire/Wallingford/South Meriden conjunction, but WFSB is pixellating and reading 70 on 100 scale while others are 80-100. Well, WEDH is low 70s and occasionally pixellating but not bad.


Yep. 40.1 and 40.2 are wrong for TiVo. Tribune didn't make the switch from RF 55 to RF 40 so TiVo is wrong. I submitted an update request last Monday, but so far, nothing....

Im here in Middletown getting WEDH at 95 % 24-1 thru 24-4 although only 1 & 2 have programming.

I have a Digitalstream HD3150 Converter box.

The problem I am having is that the box will not save the WEDH channels. Ive deleted all channels and rescanned and still the box wont save WEDH for some reason. I have to rescan every morning as I turn the box off overnight.

Digitalstream tech support blames WEDH for a bad signal but I cant see how WEDH is to blame.

Any suggestions. I'd get a new box but the coupon cboxes have no HDMI outputs.

Are you able to get any signal from either WEDY-DT channel 6 of New Haven or WEDN-DT channel 9 of Norwich? (Me? No and no here in New Britain.) If you did, maybe you could see how the box would behave then.

Are you able to get any signal from either WEDY-DT channel 6 of New Haven or WEDN-DT channel 9 of Norwich? (Me? No and no here in New Britain.) If you did, maybe you could see how the box would behave then.

Curious if in New Britain (south of Walnut Hill Park?) you tried WEDW DT-49 Bridgeport (Trumbull / Shelton town line) since the June 13, 2009 ERP increase from 41 kW to 91 kW? We noted a measurable improvement in Hartford.

Hey anybody out there know where my CBS has gone? Stopped receiving sometime yesterday (had previously received four variations: Hartford, Springfield, some nonstop news etc.).

Channel 24 comes in intermittently with pixelation; Channel 65-1 and 65-2 EDY are crystal.

Hey anybody out there know where my CBS has gone? Stopped receiving sometime yesterday (had previously received four variations: Hartford, Springfield, some nonstop news etc.).

Channel 24 comes in intermittently with pixelation; Channel 65-1 and 65-2 EDY are crystal.

Thank you for your report from New Haven.

Hey anybody out there know where my CBS has gone? Stopped receiving sometime yesterday (had previously received four variations: Hartford, Springfield, some nonstop news etc.).

Channel 24 comes in intermittently with pixelation; Channel 65-1 and 65-2 EDY are crystal.

Best guess is interference from WCBS, also on 33. The FCC should be taken out and shot for allowing CBS's in adjacent LARGE markets to have the same channel number.

And then there's the other side of the state with channel 20 being sent out from both Farmington, CT (WTXX-DT) and Needham, MA (WCVB-DT). Lastly, isn't somebody using channel 45 in New York City? I know WEDH-DT is on channel 45 presently.

WABC-DT was on 45 before moving back to 7. I'm wondering if WABC-DT might end up back ont 45 before all is said and done...

- Trip

And then there's the other side of the state with channel 20 being sent out from both Farmington, CT (WTXX-DT) and Needham, MA (WCVB-DT). Lastly, isn't somebody using channel 45 in New York City? I know WEDH-DT is on channel 45 presently.

for me up in Massachusetts also..

WTIC Hartford and WFXT from Boston are on UHF 31

Granted I'm close to the 'fringe' for Boston, but WCVB was 80% on my Panny plasma's signal meter before the DTV switch. Now I get nothing on 20 since WTXX switched back to it for digital and when WFXT switched on at full power I lost anything on 31. Granted, WTIC wasn't coming in up here but my TV did scan it.

I think I also have reception issues with Boston's WSBK because WCTX and WSBK are both on 39. And no, I don't think it's WGGB on 40 causing interference. I receive WLVI on 41 fine, not to mention WHDH(42) and WGBX(43).

I have a clearstream4 antenna with a channel master 7778 amp pointed towards Boston's antennas on my roof.

I know signals can't be stopped at the State line and I'm not saying they should. The reason WTXX and WTIC have the signals they do is to cover most if not all of CT. Which I feel is good for you guys down there. But I don't think I should have to pay for it by losing reception of my stations and vice versa. It just seems the FCC didn't really look at this fully. The area between the stations lose out. There should be enough frequency available to prevent this situation.

I'll get off the soap box..

I know WVIT lost power during the height of the storm, mentioning to viewers that they were using generator power while detailing the weather problems around 4:50 PM or so on Friday in West Hartford. I don't presently have my antenna set up. The QAM Tuner Comcast signal never went out on channel 90-2. I'm in the southern end of New Britain and thankfully, it wasn't as bad here. No hail or power problems at my place.

Neither my DISH sat receiver nor my digital set top converter box show OTA picture on 30-1 thru 30-3, but signal strength shows mid 80s. Channels 35-3 thru 35-5 showing WVIT picture. I've gone ahead and done a rescan on my DISH 622 receiver and my Digitalstream coverter box.

The news anchors had said that Channel 30 was very briefly off the air yesterday afternoon before their generator kicked in. This may have somehow affected the PSIP information, as last evening and today my tuner also shows WVIT as being on channel 35-3. This is their actual OTA main digital channel - the PSIP code that is embedded in their broadcast signal normally tells TVs and receivers at home to display the channel as 30-1.

The other thing that I noticed was that their 24-hour weather subchannel and Universal Sports were back in my channel line-up without my selecting them to be there. Past experience has taught me that, when a station turns off its digital streams, either on purpose (maintenance) or involuntarily (transmitter power failure), and then turns them back on, the subchannels that I had long ago elected not to include in my line-up return to the line-up on their own. I then have to edit out those unwanted subchannels again.

This may have somehow affected the PSIP information, as last evening and today my tuner also shows WVIT as being on channel 35-3.

I'm seeing the same thing here on my Zenith STB.

Curious if in New Britain (south of Walnut Hill Park?) you tried WEDW DT-49 Bridgeport (Trumbull / Shelton town line) since the June 13, 2009 ERP increase from 41 kW to 91 kW? We noted a measurable improvement in Hartford.

I'm in the south end of New Britain, at the bottom of Walnut Hill. With the indoor antenna attached to my Insignia digital converter box, I'm getting the expected strong signal of WEDH-DT from Rattlesnake Mountain. My box hesitates on WEDN-DT from Norwich, but never locks. (It used to most of the time when WEDN was on channel 45 before the move.) I don't get a trace of either WEDY from New Haven or WEDW from Bridgeport. :confused:

All I have to use for an antenna is an RCA "batwing" antenna, resting horizontally atop a south-facing second floor window.:confused: :(

I'm in the south end of New Britain, at the bottom of Walnut Hill. With the indoor antenna attached to my Insignia digital converter box, I'm getting the expected strong signal of WEDH-DT from Rattlesnake Mountain. My box hesitates on WEDN-DT from Norwich, but never locks. (It used to most of the time when WEDN was on channel 45 before the move.) I don't get a trace of either WEDY from New Haven or WEDW from Bridgeport. :confused:

All I have to use for an antenna is an RCA "batwing" antenna, resting horizontally atop a south-facing second floor window.:confused: :(
Well, it's the same broadcasting on all of them. So if you get WEDH like gangbusters, there's nothing that WEDN or WEDY are going to add other than to your channel count.

Anyone else having issues receiving 61-1, 20-1, and 20-2? I am getting nothing with my Directv HR20-700. All other stations have very good to excellent signal strength.

Yay! PSIP on Fox 61. I've been complaining about my channel 31-3 for 6 months.

Edit: That lasted about 20 minutes, and then they started getting glitching, and seem to have given up.

Yay! PSIP on Fox 61. I've been complaining about my channel 31-3 for 6 months.

Always seemed to work fine here, on both my Zenith and Magnavox STB's

DIRECTV has added WEDW to NY DMA lineup. HD receivers only.

Tribune still has no guide info for WEDY or WEDW 49.2

The CPTV legacy analog equipment downloads were restarted by Macrovision on Monday April 6, 2009.

The analog units for OTA will be operating until June 12, 2009, when analog OTA is anticipated to be be turned off Friday night at 11:59 PM.

The analog unit for the Comcast direct fiber feed will remain in use for as long as Comcast continues to use it in support of their analog tier.

jzareski - FYI - I am now getting a consistent analog host on my TVGOS Sony DVRs from Comcast. Even my older RCA TV set with a much older TVGOS system that had been with no listings for a couple of months is back up and running. The good news is that even if I just get connect the OTA feed to my Sony DVRs, they work with the digital 24-1 host. So, if Comcast ever decides to terminate their digital to analog conversion, I'll still be in business. Thanks for all of the updates and info over the last several months!

Here's a silly question: Now that WTXX-TV analog channel 20 of Waterbury is off the air, what will happen to their old red and white striped tower in the Naugatuck/Prospect area? Radio station? Cell phone service? Hmmmmm!

Reception has been most interesting since I returned to Mystic. Having some NYC stations co-channel with Hartford stations is looking quite silly now, not that it didn't before. I have now logged WPXN/31 from NYC, despite, supposedly having a null in this direction. It is wiping out WTIC/31 quite frequently, even when I'm not pointing the antenna to NYC.

Here are the NYC results pointing a small 2-bay HD-1080 and a YA1713 towards NYC from earlier today (in dB), from my parents' house in Mystic, CT:

WABC 15-16
WNJB n/s
WPIX 27-29
WNET 28-29
WMBC 16-17
WLIW 23-24
WFTY 31-32
WNYE 30-32
WTBY n/s
WNBC 26-27
WFME 3-4
WFUT 30-32
WPXN 21-22
WCBS 25-27
WNJU 28-30
WWOR 25-27
WXTV 28-29
WSAH 0-3
WNYW 30-32
WLNY 27-28
WRNN n/s
WEDW 16-18
WNJN 20-21

It is fairly close to the water, so there isn't much in the way of NYC other than the curvature of the Earth itself. Many of these signals are stronger than what I can get from Hartford (Farmington).

I've already stated (probably too many times), that we shouldn't have given up at least 52-59, but I guess the FCC doesn't concern itself with tropo.

Wow! I thought the salt water would only enhance AM signals? (Perhaps it's your line of sight?) How do you do with the antenna pointed towards either Hartford or Providence?

How do you do with the antenna pointed towards either Hartford or Providence?

NYC is near LOS if not for the Earth's curve. Only a few trees (partial obstruction) and then it's open water.

Hartford and Providence are much more challenging. UHF signals from Providence have always been absent, so I haven't tried again yet this year. I will be trying VHF to Providence soon, but WNET worries me as re 13.

Here are the Hartford results, from last night - after tropo had faded a bit, with the CM4228 (fixed to Farmington) and the YA1713 pointed towards New Haven. I need about 17dB (SNR) for a workable signal.

WEDN 26-27
WTNH 26-27
WPXQ 16-18
WTXX 17-19
WLIW 17-18
WFTY 27-29 (It acts like a local station in the summer, but is at 59 miles - I even picked it up with unamped rabbit ears over WTNH and WEDN)
WHPX 30-32
WTIC 21-22 (variable)
WCBS 3-6
WFSB n/s (WCBS blocks)
WVIT 11-14
WCTX 3-4
WNYW 18-19
WEDH 22-23

Note that WTIC is highly variable and WFSB is absent, as always. Any hints I had in the past for WFSB have probably been from WPIX, now WCBS/33. WVIT/35 continues to disappoint. They really need to at least move to the top of their own tower. I would probably need to have them double their power as well.

WEDN Pictures

CPTV was kind to allow a tour of the WEDN/9 facility in Bozrah. Attached are some pictures of the facility and the tower.

Note that the 53 antenna is still at the top of the tower. The 9 antenna is side-mounted. Apparently, due to FAA regulations, it makes more sense to keep the 53 antenna at the top, even if it's no longer used.

The 45 antenna has been removed. The klystron pictured was for analog 53. The former UHF 45 had an IOT.

The transmitter cabinet for VHF/9 is much smaller than the UHF cabinets, due to the solid state transmitters used. Solid state transmitters are not practical for high power UHF installations, however.

Thanks again to CPTV and mdodge.

Apparently, due to FAA regulations, it makes more sense to keep the 53 antenna at the top, even if it's no longer used.

Could you expand on this? I would be curious to know what kind of silliness requires that an unused antenna should remain in the preferred position on a transmitting tower.

Tnx.

They need to keep the top height constant or they would have to do a new set of paper work for the FAA.
John

Tnx.

They need to keep the top height constant or they would have to do a new set of paper work for the FAA.
John
You would think that they'd want to switch out the antenna and do the required paperwork.

WVIT ran a promo in high definition at 5:39PM today wherein news anchor Gerry Brooks announced that "this is the week" that NBC 30 will become NBC 30 Connecticut HD. No specific day was mentioned for the inaugural hi-def newscast.

Last Friday during a commercial break for the 6PM news, I saw a high definition promo on Channel 30 for the upcoming "Jay Leno Show". It was the first time that I saw anything in HD during local (non-network) airtime on 30.

For quite awhile now, my first impression whenever I turned to Channel 30 was how dark the picture looked during their local news. It was as if the brightness level on my TV was stepped down below the midpoint of the scale, or as if a few overhead spotlights for the news set had burned out. The dark picture was also noticeable during the pre-taped news "packages" that were run. The cause for this dark quality is most likely the older equipment that this station has been using.

Beginning early last week, the darkness was less noticeable, so maybe at that point they started routing through the new master control. But since they are currently still using the older studio cameras and broadcasting in standard digital, the picture quality is yet to be at its best. When the station finally does permanently switch to the new HD equipment in their new building, the change on my HDTV screen should be nothing less than stunning.

I just hope that when they make the switch to high definition that they get rid of all that graphic garbage that they currently superimpose in the lower right during most of the newscast: two peacock logos and two references to NBC in their channel bug and in their website address, the time, and the temperature. They are under orders from their parent company to promote the web address, but it is so long that it extends to the bottom middle of the screen, and it is an eyesore. If a station spends millions on a new studio building and state-of-the-art equipment, why cover up the TV picture that is broadcast with words and numbers that state the obvious?

WFSB 3 has been running a high definition promo that features their meteorologists in front of New England settings: a red barn, the seashore, etc. I don't know if they produced this in-house or had an outside production company make it, but the picture quality is outstanding. It leads me to believe that whenever their parent company gives Channel 3 the greenlight and the funds to go fully HD, the results will be spectacular.

WVIT ran a promo in high definition at 5:39PM today wherein news anchor Gerry Brooks announced that "this is the week" that NBC 30 will become NBC 30 Connecticut HD. No specific day was mentioned for the inaugural hi-def newscast.

Last Friday during a commercial break for the 6PM news, I saw a high definition promo on Channel 30 for the upcoming "Jay Leno Show". It was the first time that I saw anything in HD during local (non-network) airtime on 30.

For quite awhile now, my first impression whenever I turned to Channel 30 was how dark the picture looked during their local news. It was as if the brightness level on my TV was stepped down below the midpoint of the scale, or as if a few overhead spotlights for the news set had burned out. The dark picture was also noticeable during the pre-taped news "packages" that were run. The cause for this dark quality is most likely the older equipment that this station has been using.

Beginning early last week, the darkness was less noticeable, so maybe at that point they started routing through the new master control. But since they are currently still using the older studio cameras and broadcasting in standard digital, the picture quality is yet to be at its best. When the station finally does permanently switch to the new HD equipment in their new building, the change on my HDTV screen should be nothing less than stunning.

I just hope that when they make the switch to high definition that they get rid of all that graphic garbage that they currently superimpose in the lower right during most of the newscast: two peacock logos and two references to NBC in their channel bug and in their website address, the time, and the temperature. They are under orders from their parent company to promote the web address, but it is so long that it extends to the bottom middle of the screen, and it is an eyesore. If a station spends millions on a new studio building and state-of-the-art equipment, why cover up the TV picture that is broadcast with words and numbers that state the obvious?

WFSB 3 has been running a high definition promo that features their meteorologists in front of New England settings: a red barn, the seashore, etc. I don't know if they produced this in-house or had an outside production company make it, but the picture quality is outstanding. It leads me to believe that whenever their parent company gives Channel 3 the greenlight and the funds to go fully HD, the results will be spectacular.

According to WVIT engineer they will start their local news in HD at 11am July 14, and they will be all HD from then on. It is about time. There are smaller TV markets than Hartford/New Haven that had their local news news in HD for few years already.

According to WVIT engineer they will start their local news in HD at 11am July 14, and they will be all HD from then on...

Thank you - I'll make it a point to watch tomorrow's 5PM news on 30 when I get home from work. The WEDH engineers made CPTV first in the state with local high definition, and WVIT's upgrade is historic as the first commercial station in Connecticut.

If I remember correctly, I think I read that Channel 30 had an earlier milestone as the first station in CT to convert to color, owing to their affiliation with the first network to go all-color, NBC. I would have thought that the original WTIC Channel 3 would have beaten them to it, owing to their deep-pocketed owner, Travelers Insurance.

WEDY has petitioned to move from channel 6 to channel 41, and thus increase power from 0.4 kW to 200 kW.

- Trip

Let's hope! I can't get even a trace of them here in New Britain.

Thank you - I'll make it a point to watch tomorrow's 5PM news on 30 when I get home from work. The WEDH engineers made CPTV first in the state with local high definition, and WVIT's upgrade is historic as the first commercial station in Connecticut.

If I remember correctly, I think I read that Channel 30 had an earlier milestone as the first station in CT to convert to color, owing to their affiliation with the first network to go all-color, NBC. I would have thought that the original WTIC Channel 3 would have beaten them to it, owing to their deep-pocketed owner, Travelers Insurance.


WVIT has postponed their local HD start until Thursday.

I am getting 3.1, 18.1, 20.1, 24.1, 30.1, 31-3, 40.1, 48 & 50 on my antenna but I do not get 59.1. Can you guys help me find out how can I get it? I scanned the channels several times but no luck.

I am getting 3.1, 18.1, 20.1, 24.1, 30.1, 31-3, 40.1, 48 & 50 on my antenna but I do not get 59.1. Can you guys help me find out how can I get it? I scanned the channels several times but no luck.

59.1 is in the same location as 10.1, WTNH. If you can't get WTNH, you won't get WCTX, 59.1. Where are you located? Have you tried turning your antenna towards Hamden where the towers are?

59.1 is in the same location as 10.1, WTNH. If you can't get WTNH, you won't get WCTX, 59.1. Where are you located? Have you tried turning your antenna towards Hamden where the towers are?

At a campground in NE CT with a DB-8, CM 7778 and an Insignia converter box, I got a picture on WCTX yesterday evening, after scanning several times since the transition.

When scanning, the tuner seems to hover at real-10 for WTNH, but it doesn't pick it up. Manually, when first going to 10.1 the signal flashes to ~90% for a split second, then flashes back and hovers at around 30%. Might this be an indication of co-channel interference, possibly by a radio station?

I'm not familiar with converting the frequencies. Are there any in the area that broadcast on the same/close freq as WTNH? If so, I might take a look at the 7778 to see if the FM trap is on. It's the only channel they used to get (crystal clear) that there's a problem with.

I'm aware of the lower amplification on VHF-lo & -high on the 7778. Can't be helped. But that it seems to get WTNH as well as the others, but only for a second, speaks to me of a different problem.

WTNH is on physical channel 10. A UHF antenna like the DB 8 is at a severe disadvantage when used to try for VHF station. VHF because of its frequency is best received by an antenna with elements much larger than the DB 8's.
John

Northeast Connecticut? There's a broadcaster in the Boston market, perhaps in Norwell, who is using channel 10 for their digital station. Do you ever get anything from Providence or Worcester where you are?

When scanning, the tuner seems to hover at real-10 for WTNH, but it doesn't pick it up. Manually, when first going to 10.1 the signal flashes to ~90% for a split second, then flashes back and hovers at around 30%. Might this be an indication of co-channel interference, possibly by a radio station?

I'm not familiar with converting the frequencies. Are there any in the area that broadcast on the same/close freq as WTNH? If so, I might take a look at the 7778 to see if the FM trap is on. It's the only channel they used to get (crystal clear) that there's a problem with.Channel 10 is 192 MHz to 198 MHz. There are some documented cases where the product (combination) of two (strong) FM frequencies that add up to one of the high band VHF television channels may cause interference with the ATSC (DTV) receiver. The Insignia box is a decent tuner - so I would be less likely to suspect that. Take any preamp you may have out of line just to make sure that you are not overloading that (including with an FM station mixing product).

WWLP-DT is on channel 11 ... about 4 miles north of the CT/MA border and 10 miles west of Springfield. Doubtful though that would be the problem. Channel 9 is the CPTV station in Norwich CT. In Providence WPRI/WNAC occupy channels 12 and 13.

Its likely the issue is attributed to multi-path ... unfortunately most consumer boxes don't have any way to communicate that kind of a problem to you.

Can you receive any of the other high-band VHF digital stations?

At a campground in NE CT ...Oops! I saw that, read that - and north *west* stuck into my mind. KML-224 is right - WWDP in Norwell MA has been allocated channel 10 for its digital signal. You can find coverage plots on this FCC link:

WWDP Norwell MA facility ID 23671 (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=23671)

That may tell you whether you have any issues with co-channel interference. From my experience - when there are two ATSC stations on the same frequency and you have the ability to receive even a weak signal from one of them - you usually won't be able to receive either. Let us know what you find!

I had used the DB-8 at our home (also in NE CT) and was getting decent reception on VHF-high. It got WEDH? on real-9 and WPRI on real-13 pre-switch, the only VHF-high here at the time. Despite its UHF label, it has some VHF performance.

At our home, I get Providence great. Before digital, it was pretty much all we got that was watchable. We need to do some tree trimming for a better LOS with digital. Quite a few branches (quite a few of them dead, which is no good for the deck or general safety) ~20-30 feet away from the antenna (XG-91) in that direction. I also have a separate XG-91 pointed toward Boston that often gets the Providence channels (not just when its good tropo), so I pointed the lower XG-91 on the mast toward Hartford, which had always been a bear for this location.

Post-switch co-channeling b/w Hartford-Boston on 20 and 31 was a serious issue. (perhaps especially here, b/c on the compass Hartford is at 257-8, Boston is 77 --- a perfect 180 degree difference). Put up an experimental piece of aluminum screen mesh behind the reflector grid as a partial Faraday cage (I'm calling it a "Faraday screen") has solidified Hartford reception. Bought some new mesh and clips but have yet to get around to trying this on the top Boston antenna to see if it will help get WCVB back and WFXT.

Oops! I saw that, read that - and north *west* stuck into my mind. KML-224 is right - WWDP in Norwell MA has been allocated channel 10 for its digital signal. You can find coverage plots on this FCC link:

WWDP Norwell MA facility ID 23671 (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=23671)

That may tell you whether you have any issues with co-channel interference. From my experience - when there are two ATSC stations on the same frequency and you have the ability to receive even a weak signal from one of them - you usually won't be able to receive either. Let us know what you find!

Thanks, I hadn't ever noticed WWDP in the plots. Considering the same signal meter patterns of jumping way up for a split second, then hovering at ~30% that I've had some experience with on 31 and 20, that might be the problem. Even a blip of co-channel and tuners don't know what to make of anything and, so, show nothing. (Not complaining about the tuners, it's the humans doing the co-channeling allowances on paper sitting at their desks in their offices that cause the problems that people in the real world have to figure out).

And all for a little POS home-shopping channel that has changed formats and low-rent, hand-to-mouth ownership more often than you change your underwear.

I may try a "Faraday screen" on the back of the DB-8 and see what happens.

Post-switch co-channeling b/w Hartford-Boston on 20 and 31 was a serious issue. (perhaps especially here, b/c on the compass Hartford is at 257-8, Boston is 77 --- a perfect 180 degree difference). Put up an experimental piece of aluminum screen mesh behind the reflector grid as a partial Faraday cage (I'm calling it a "Faraday screen") has solidified Hartford reception. Bought some new mesh and clips but have yet to get around to trying this on the top Boston antenna to see if it will help get WCVB back and WFXT.


James.. can you post some pictures? I'm wondering if I should try something similar on my CS4. It's pointed towards the Boston towers and receives Springfield and Hartford off the back.

It suxs.. Chronicle just had an episode about the Brimfield flea I would have loved to watch... seeing I live in Brimfield!

Let's hope! I can't get even a trace of them here in New Britain.
Why do you even need to pick up WEDY in New Britain? You get all of the CPTV programming that is on that channel on WEDH.

Chronicle just had an episode about the Brimfield flea I would have loved to watch... seeing I live in Brimfield!I know it is not the same as real television - but did you check out WCVB's on-line resources?

WCVB Chronicle Brimfield Fair 13 Jul 2009 (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20003875/detail.html)

Nicely done - enjoy.

Sitting here watching channel 30 with their final SD newscasts.

Seems like they are doing a lot of work in the backround, lots of static in the audio on the today show.

They just announced on the air that they will be in HD in an hour. :)

The first HD Newscast on Channel 30 is now on, and it looks good for the studio stuff, but everything else is in HD with blue NBC Connecticut HD bars.

Field reporters even got new Mic flags which look bigger then the mics they are holding. :)

The first HD Newscast on Channel 30 is now on, and it looks good for the studio stuff, but everything else is in HD with blue NBC Connecticut HD bars.

Field reporters even got new Mic flags which look bigger then the mics they are holding. :)

Only studio stuff is in HD. Everything else is crappy 4:3 SD with blue sidebars. It took them so long to go HD, they should have upgraded their field reports to at least 16:9 SD. CT broadcast stations still remain a joke.

I know it is not the same as real television - but did you check out WCVB's on-line resources?

WCVB Chronicle Brimfield Fair 13 Jul 2009 (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20003875/detail.html)

Nicely done - enjoy.

Thanks for the link..

Only studio stuff is in HD. Everything else is crappy 4:3 SD with blue sidebars. It took them so long to go HD, they should have upgraded their field reports to at least 16:9 SD. CT broadcast stations still remain a joke.

My question to channel 30 is... "Is it really an HD newscast if none of the news is actually shown in hd?"

What was wierd is they have YVONNE give some lady a tour of the new studio and this tour was shot and shown in standard definition! Whats up with that? Does channel 30 not have a way to record and playback HD video?

My question to channel 30 is... "Is it really an HD newscast if none of the news is actually shown in hd?"

What was wierd is they have YVONNE give some lady a tour of the new studio and this tour was shot and shown in standard definition! Whats up with that? Does channel 30 not have a way to record and playback HD video?And, what about the graphics?? I saw the new HD bug, but they have to retire the lame SD graphics they are still using....

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - WEDY/41

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1544A1.pdf

Attached is an estimated coverage map for WEDY/41 at 200kW. However, it seems probable that lower power might be needed and/or constructed (if approved).

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - WEDY/41

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1544A1.pdf

Attached is an estimated coverage map for WEDY/41 at 200kW. However, it seems probable that lower power might be needed and/or constructed.
Ironically it was reported on the Boston OTA board today that WLVI-DT 41 has requested to the FCC a power increase. They are already at 550kw.

I got a note from someone at Channel 30 letting me know they have new HD cameras for the fields and we will see increasing HD from the field over the next few days.

The news is on now and it looks like they are taking the SD video and stretching it to fill the 16x9 screen (The blue bars from this morning are gone.)

Honestly I liked the Blue Bars better.

Snipped from today's NBC Connecticut web site:

"NBC Connecticut is the first TV station in Connecticut to broadcast in high definition."

And today's quiz is:

Hum, what's wrong with this picture?

WTNH was on first with ABC HD shows as far as I know. I think WHPX and maybe WEDN were next. But WEDN had HD early on and WHPX still doesn't do HD.
John

The 5 - 6:30 newscasts were a little better, there was actual HD news shown, hen there as none on the 11am edition.

Overall not bad for the first day.

Snipped from today's NBC Connecticut web site:

"NBC Connecticut is the first TV station in Connecticut to broadcast in high definition."

And today's quiz is:

Hum, what's wrong with this picture?

Ch3's Scot Haney says they're the 1st station to broadcast in PHD
(Piled High & Deep)

James.. can you post some pictures? I'm wondering if I should try something similar on my CS4. It's pointed towards the Boston towers and receives Springfield and Hartford off the back.

It suxs.. Chronicle just had an episode about the Brimfield flea I would have loved to watch... seeing I live in Brimfield!

I'm up to my ears in alligators, but will try. It's not like it's anything too special. Literally, just a piece of old aluminum window screening placed over the reflector grid (and the piece doesn't cover the entire grid) and 'secured' with some plastic clothespins, at this point. I normally don't like to mickey-mouse things like that, but it was experimental. I believe on "good tropo" days its screening effects are reduced, but it has helped.

The first HD Newscast on Channel 30 is now on, and it looks good for the studio stuff, but everything else is in HD with blue NBC Connecticut HD bars.

Field reporters even got new Mic flags which look bigger then the mics they are holding. :)

It didn't look too bad when I checked it out today. I've read about other stations' attempts at local news in HD, with horrid results. WFXT in Boston, for one.

The picture is nice. It would be nicer if they could get anchors who can actually read a TelePromTer. Appears to be a common theme in the Hartford market, though. See: Terzi, Al.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - WEDY/41

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1544A1.pdf

Attached is an estimated coverage map for WEDY/41 at 200kW. However, it seems probable that lower power might be needed and/or constructed (if approved).

Ironically it was reported on the Boston OTA board today that WLVI-DT 41 has requested to the FCC a power increase. They are already at 550kw.

Quoted from the report: "CPBI states that the substitution of channel *41 for channel *6 will resolve any interference being experienced by its viewers."

And create even more interference while they're at it! Co-channeling Hartford/New Haven-Boston on 20, 31, 10, 39, and soon, 41. These people suck.

I'm up to my ears in alligators, but will try. It's not like it's anything too special. Literally, just a piece of old aluminum window screening placed over the reflector grid (and the piece doesn't cover the entire grid) and 'secured' with some plastic clothespins, at this point. I normally don't like to mickey-mouse things like that, but it was experimental. I believe on "good tropo" days its screening effects are reduced, but it has helped.



It didn't look too bad when I checked it out today. I've read about other stations' attempts at local news in HD, with horrid results. WFXT in Boston, for one.

The picture is nice. It would be nicer if they could get anchors who can actually read a TelePromTer. Appears to be a common theme in the Hartford market, though. See: Terzi, Al.





Quoted from the report: "CPBI states that the substitution of channel *41 for channel *6 will resolve any interference being experienced by its viewers."

And create even more interference while they're at it! Co-channeling Hartford/New Haven-Boston on 20, 31, 10, 39, and soon, 41. These people suck.
The overcrowding of DTV channels issue in New England in particular is pretty common. The FCC should never had sold off channels 52-69.

Quoted from the report: "CPBI states that the substitution of channel *41 for channel *6 will resolve any interference being experienced by its viewers." And create even more interference while they're at it! Co-channeling Hartford/New Haven-Boston on 20, 31, 10, 39, and soon, 41.WSHM-LD serving the Springfield/Holyoke market has a construction permit for a digital facility on channel 41 from a location northwest of Springfield MA:

WSHM-LD channel 41 facility ID 178233 (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168233)

Here are some quotes appearing on websites since the June 12th digital transition regarding reception on the VHF band, especially with an indoor antenna:

Oded Bendov, president of TV Transmission Antenna Group, "estimated that ... high VHF [channels] should have been given 6.3 times more power to adequately serve indoor antennas." A reader (possibly an engineer) commented following this article: "VHF high band channels in most cases are going to require a power increase if they are to stay in business." - Broadcasting & Cable, June 18th.

A Colorado station on digital channel 10, KKTV, wants to move to channel 49 to improve coverage. The station cites poor indoor reception inherent with high VHF digital, and also says that the move will improve future handheld and mobile device reception. -tvtech.com, July 3rd.

WTNH of New Haven is also on digital channel 10. I read somewhere, possibly on Northeast Radio Watch, that analog Channel 8 was one of the only over-the-air channels received on eastern Long Island that was affiliated with a big four network. Since analog 8 ended on June 12th, there have been several calls to WTNH from Long Islanders who can no longer receive the station.

There have been problems in Cincinnati with digital VHF (channels 2-13), which reportedly don't penetrate buildings, walls, or trees as well as UHF. The article's author wrote, "Unlike analog, digital signals can be interrupted - or blocked - by hills, people walking by, or multiple reflections off metal or moisture (everything from cars and aluminum siding to wet leaves)." An FCC spokesman, Mike Lake, was quoted as saying, "It took us 60 years to get analog right, and we're just starting with digital. I hope that in the next months and years, there will be technological advances." -news.cincinnati.com, July 13th.

Speaking of technological advances, there was mention of new ATSC standards to be developed for "file-based non-real time program delivery (ATSC-NRT) and the next generation of services for fixed receivers (ATSC 2.0)." -Broadcasting & Cable, June 15th. [Would ATSC-NRT be video-on-demand for over-the-air viewers, and would ATSC 2.0 be accomplished by a download to a home receiver rather than having to buy a new tuner?]

In Chicago, "the FCC believes that problems may center on [VHF] signal power." "VHF frequencies can have difficulty getting through windows, as well as brick and stone." -chicagotribune.com, July 13th.

DTV reception problems may be less of signal coverage than of signal penetration into urban dwellings such as apartment buildings, where many viewers rely on simple indoor antennas. -Broadcasting & Cable, June 22nd.

A Philadelphia VHF station (Channel 6) is allowed to boost power from 7.5 to 30.6 kW to make their "VHF signal penetrate better into urban homes that have experienced difficulty in receiving the station on indoor antennas." -Broadcasting & Cable, June 23rd.

WHDH (Boston) "found the challenges of indoor reception - especially in areas relatively close to its tower site in Newton to be insurmountable." -Northeast Radio Watch, July 13th.

And a less recent quote from a Wilmington engineer that is not directly about VHF, but concerns digital reception in general: "The 8VSB standard does not like motion in the transmitting or receiving antennas." -tvnewsday.com, September 11, 2008. (Outdoor home antennas should be mounted so as not to be easily moved by the wind, and broadcast towers that are designed to sway in strong winds may cause poor digital transmission during those periods.)

In Manchester I often have common path distortion issues with WTNH. When a large delivery truck drives by my house the picture will tile briefly. This is the only station I have the issue with.

WSHM-LD serving the Springfield/Holyoke market has a construction permit for a digital facility on channel 41 from a location northwest of Springfield MA:

WSHM-LD channel 41 facility ID 178233 (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168233)

Thats not new. It was granted on June 25, 2008 for Russell, MA.

Thats not new. It was granted on June 25, 2008 for Russell, MA.Actually - I believe it is Montgomery MA ... I think at the site of an old airways beacon.

Actually - I believe it is Montgomery MA ... I think at the site of an old airways beacon.

WSHM-LD41, Stand corrected, does appear to be at that site:

DESIGNATION - AIRWAY BCN 6 5 MI NW WESTFIELD
MZ1811 PID - MZ1811
MZ1811 STATE/COUNTY- MA/HAMPDEN
MZ1811 USGS QUAD - SOUTHWICK (1972)

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=MZ1811

OK...but how far is this site from their studio in downtown Springfield? Also, why isn't this all going up on Mount Tom in Holyoke instead?

OK...but how far is this site from their studio in downtown Springfield? Also, why isn't this all going up on Mount Tom in Holyoke instead?

1) Estimate 12 +/- air miles from One Monarch Place, Springfield, MA 01144-7012.
2) They apparently own some property off Pitcher Street in Montgomery, MA but are having some difficulties in getting the town to agree to permit building WSHM LD-41 4.7 kW ERP facility there.

Then it's safe to say that most people immediately near Springfield are simply watching either WFSB-DT 3-1 (Hartford) or WFSB-DT 3-3 ("CBS 3")? I assume that an Avon Mountain signal should do well in downtown Springfield?

On 30 Apr 2008 Meredith Corporation purchased a parcel on Pitcher Street in Montgomery MA from Connecticut Radio Repeaters, LLC. This comprises about 2.5 acres containing the old airways beacon (which likely dates back to the 1930's?).

I would expect that the move to Montgomery is one of pure economics - in the long term likely a lot cheaper to own your own small repeater site than pay rent for a lease. Whatever location is chosen the engineering for it would have to provide the FCC required signal over the community of license. Predicted signal plots are available at the FCC web site (see previously posted URL's).

The current WSHM-LP signal locally seen on channel 67 from Mt. Tom in Holyoke MA is carried on WFSB-DT 3.2. Channel 3.3 is Channel 3 Eyewitness News Now.

Yes...WFSB-DT 3-2. My bad! Silly me! Anyways, channel 67 is still on the air? Then again, low-power channel 50 (Telemundo) of Hartford is still on, so I guess it makes sense. Is there a timeline when even low-power stations, such as channel 67, have to be off the air for good?

DESIGNATION - AIRWAY BCN 6 5 MI NW WESTFIELD
MZ1811 PID - MZ1811
MZ1811 STATE/COUNTY- MA/HAMPDEN
MZ1811 USGS QUAD - SOUTHWICK (1972)

http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=MZ1811That is the place! In the NGS info the 2004 recovery note is mine. Photos are available in my Geocaching log for this benchmark:
Geocaching Benchmark MZ1811 (http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.aspx?PID=MZ1811)

I checked today to see OTA digital and the only station I can get is WTNH. I live in New Haven. Why dosen't the other 6-8 channels come in. Is it the weather?

I just came back from vacation and rehooked up my system and the only OTA station I can get is 8.1 WTNH. Has something changed? I scaned and nothing

I checked today to see OTA digital and the only station I can get is WTNH. I live in New Haven. Why dosen't the other 6-8 channels come in. Is it the weather?

:confused: If you're in New Haven, shouldn't you be getting at least WCTX-DT (MY) or WEDY-DT (PBS)?

My situation is that before I disconnected my TV due to floors being sanded for a week I was getting all the local channels in OTA HD. Now I come back and run a scan and none except WTNH are there. The OTA from the antenna is being run thru DISH 720 on the OTA connection in the back of the box. Confusing Do I have to disconnect the OTA cable and run through directly the Sony again to scan directly? Thx

I have a question about the Rattlesnake Mountain transmitters in Farmington: While driving past them on US Route 6 between Fienemann Road and the Colt Highway Cutoff (to CT Route 10), I noticed a short stubby tower sitting next to the WVIT-DT tower. Does anybody use it at all?

I guess I already suspect that there is not much I can do here, but being that I live in Prospect (near Waterbury) and on the top of a hill, I can't seem to get any CBS stations anymore. I used to get both channel 3 (WFSB) strong and channel 2 (WCBS) poor to mediocre, but since the switch to digital I rarely get either. Of course this is because they both broadcast on channel 33. Evenings are worse when get many of the NYC stations... clearly it is the interference from WCBS that messes me up. Things were actually better before the switchover! It also wreaks havoc with my digital converter box that syncs on one, then the other.

Any chance the FCC might fix this mess? I guess someone felt that no one in Fairfield county or New Haven county needs to watch CBS or that we all have cable TV! Ugh! I wish WFSB could be broadcast on someone elses secondary channel in Fairfield county (maybe WSAH 43.2) and do like the WNYW and WWOR arrangement.

If anyone has any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated. FYI, I have an attic mounted CM4228 with a 7777amp.Thanks.

Do you get WLIW? WCBS has asked the FCC for permission to put a translator on channel 22 from the WLIW tower. That would likely resolve your CBS issue, if you could receive it.

- Trip

Do you get WLIW? WCBS has asked the FCC for permission to put a translator on channel 22 from the WLIW tower. That would likely resolve your CBS issue, if you could receive it.

- Trip

Since this digital debacle I can no longer recieve CBS either. I used to get a strong signal form Ch 3 and and a weaker signal from Ch 2. I could also get WLIW most of the time. Now I get squat..
DTV is the biggest consumer rip off in recent history..
I E Mailed the FCC and all they send back is a canned reply without answering my specific questions..

WLIW moved to a higher spot on their tower at the same power level. With a rescan, I don't understand how your reception could have gotten worse.

No surprises on CBS though, hopefully the translator will be approved.

- Trip

I guess I already suspect that there is not much I can do here, but being that I live in Prospect (near Waterbury) and on the top of a hill, I can't seem to get any CBS stations anymore.

I'm in Naugatuck (top of the hill on west side of town) and have no problems pulling in WFSB - 95% rock solid. I have a 4228 fed into a 7777...

So am I to assume that within the last few months the amount of being able to receive OTA digital channels has gone down? Or do I need to scan on my TV again rather than thru the DISH 722 box?

Channel 8-4 used to be a black screen, and I had long ago de-selected it from my tuner's channel line-up. Tuesday evening while changing channels, I noticed that 8-4 had come back into my customized line-up on its own.

It is showing a map of Connecticut along with the Springfield area and portions of eastern New York state. Three weather radar beams repeatedly sweep across the map in succession, one beam originating in New York state, one coming from Long Island, and the third from Rhode Island. There is no audio.

Today at 6:15PM, parts of the map are covered with colors indicating thunderstorms and rain, especially in New York and western CT and MA. Every once in a while the map zooms in for a close-up look at certain areas, and then pulls back for a wider perspective.

Apparently based on an incomplete PSIP code, the receiver puts up the words "NO INFO" where the call letter designation would normally be displayed.

I think the second 8 subchannel is gone again. They have it scrambled most of the time but it seems to be in the clear once in a while.
John

I wonder if it matters what converter is used. With my Digital Stream, 8-4 has been weather radar for months now.

In an August 22nd Broadcasting & Cable article, WVIT's director of technology and engineering explained why Channel 30's field footage is shot in 16:9 and upconverted for broadcast, even though the station uses Panasonic P2 HD camcorders. It is "mainly because of the bandwidth efficiencies in transmitting standard-definition content back from the field, storing it and routing it through the plant."

The engineer said that it is easier to do 16:9 standard def for most news stories because HD requires "a really beefy IP network".

The article also mentioned that the station is getting new digital microwave gear from Sprint Nextel, and three of WVIT's six satellite trucks have these new radios installed. The new gear will make possible true HD from the field.

The article additionally said that WVIT is still using standard definition graphics that are up-converted, but the weather graphics are high definiton. HD commercials for local sponsors are also made at Channel 30's new facility.

Link to "Hi-Def News Hits Hartford": http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/328709-Hi_Def_News_Hits_Hartford.php?nid=2228&source=link&rid=5403928

For some unknown reason, although WVIT's public affairs program, "Connecticut Newsmakers", is done in the new building with all the HD infrastructure and a new set, it has been presented on-air in standard definition.

Hmmm - while history might not agree, I think it's "interesting" that the FCC is making us wait with WEDY moving to UHF? They were approving migrations "quickly," what's the holdup? Hmmmmmmmm

This is about how long a typical FCC petition takes. And since WLVI objected to it (with arguments that the FCC rejected the last time they were used) it might get another week or two tacked on.

- Trip

Ah, didn't see that. Jeez - a dinky NEw Haven trasnmitter, and they're worried. sheesh.

I doubt the FCC cares anymore, as I offer exhibit A of WCBS and WFSB on 33. Next. :)

The FCC's requirement is that it causes less than 0.5% interference for existing stations that want to move. For new stations, there's a hard spacing limit. WLVI is arguing that WEDY doesn't fit the spacing limit, even though that rule does not apply to this situation.

As far as WCBS and WFSB is concerned, there was really nowhere else to put WCBS. There are too few channel numbers available for the number of stations licensed.

- Trip

Ah, didn't see that. Jeez - a dinky NEw Haven trasnmitter, and they're worried. sheesh.

I doubt the FCC cares anymore, as I offer exhibit A of WCBS and WFSB on 33. Next.

Well.. for me up in Brimfield.. I'm happy WLVI is trying to protect it's signal. You have issues with WFSB and WCBS.. I have issues with the CW(UHF 20) and Fox(UHF 31) stations in Hartford on the same frequency as Boston's WCVB (20) and WFXT(31).. I get none of the stations since the transition. I wish the other stations would protect their signals like WLVI is doing.
I think what kills me the most is.. before the transition.. WCVB was my best station at 95% strength. It beat the closer Springfield Stations and now I get nothing.

As far as WCBS and WFSB is concerned, there was really nowhere else to put WCBS. There are too few channel numbers available for the number of stations licensed.

Does anyone know the status of the WCBS application for the Long Island translator?
I think they applied to use WLIW's tower but that seems like a while ago?
Has it been refused?
Thanks,

Still pending. Sometimes these FCC things take a really long time, especially in cluttered areas like the northeast.

- Trip

My situation is that before I disconnected my TV due to floors being sanded for a week I was getting all the local channels in OTA HD. Now I come back and run a scan and none except WTNH are there. The OTA from the antenna is being run thru DISH 720 on the OTA connection in the back of the box. Confusing Do I have to disconnect the OTA cable and run through directly the Sony again to scan directly? Thx
I also am in New Haven- experiencing intermittent signal loss of 3-1 through 3-4 (WFSB/CBS Hartford and Springfield); however, all other major networks are being received- via rooftop in East Rock.

Correction/update also am experiencing intermittent reception problems w/ NBC 30.

I've been having problems with WTXX 20 here in Middletown. Everything else from Rattlesnake comes booming in- 20 have been VERY fussy as to where I point the antenna.

Im getting no signal from Channel 61 OTA my neighbor check his and is getting the same message no signal Usaully we recieve at 100%, anyone else having similiar problem Its 8pm here

There were some very strong tropospheric ducting conditions the last two days. It is very possible you were receiving other stations into your receiver, and it couldn't decode between the two.

At the peak of it, I could not receive a couple of the normal stations I do get.

There were some very strong tropospheric ducting conditions the last two days. It is very possible you were receiving other stations into your receiver, and it couldn't decode between the two.

At the peak of it, I could not receive a couple of the normal stations I do get.
very true. yesterday morning here in S.NH I was receiving 61 but not 25 in Boston, both DT31. Also received DT17 from Philadelphia instead of Block Island.

i like to know if anyone from neighboring hartford area can pull nyc ota signals, im in queens near laguardia airport . i can pull in some stations from hartford area. wttx comes in in night time, also pbs ch 49.1 comes in real good. i get 43.1 strong also. not boasting or anything i agree with most people that digital transmission is not anywhere near what analog was as for tv reception.

I pull in nothing from that area. Only once was there enough signal for me to pull in WEDW-DT (PBS) and WSAH-DT (IND) from Bridgeport. I live in New Britain (southern Hartford County).

I can pull everything full blast from the ESB from Monroe, about 56 miles out. I live at elevation, though, and have a baseball field across street (and towards transmitters), so I'm a best-case scenario.

Something was screwy with WTIC-DT during Family Guy on Sunday. Their station ID popped up at the bottom center and you couldn't even see the "WTIC-DT Hartford/New Haven" graphic under the "FOX 61" logo. FOX then put up a quick mention of the LCS (baseball) playoffs and the date. Just afterwards, WTIC puts their tiny "FOX 61" bug in the bottom right over the black pillar bar (since the show is in 4:3). There was then a tiny picture jitter and the audio hesitated just slightly. Strange!

Do they not have the capability to put their ID up on a network feed?

From Prospect CT (the hill just south of Waterbury) I can pick up WNBC, WNYW, WABC, WWOR, WNET and NYC TV (channel 25). But these are all weather dependent and come in at night better than during the day.

WNET is the most reliable, WWOR & WNBC are pretty good, the others are fussy.

I was able to resolve my interference problem between WCBS and WFSB(both digital 33) here in Prospect in a most trivial way... a simple antenna movement. I really did not expect this to work, but I walked across the attic stepping from 2x4 to 2x4 carrying the UHF antenna and found a "sweet spot" for WFSB. WFSB is now one of my strongest stations.

Last year when I installed this new UHF antenna (4228) I just put it where my old VHF antenna was, but it turns out that this spot was just wrong for stations in the Hartford direction. I was motivated to move it by the "VSSMAN" post indicating that WFSB came in at Naugatuck. If Naugatuck can recieve WFSB, why can't I, I wondered? Now I can.

I pass this success story along just to show how seemingly minor changes can yield significant improvements.

Um... WVIT is on channel 35. It's WFSB that's on 33.

- Trip

Ahh. Right you are. I meant to say WFSB not WVIT.

While you've mentioned it, how did WVIT-DT change, if at all? :)

I pass this success story along just to show how seemingly minor changes can yield significant improvements.

I agree.
When CH 57 went to assigned channel 22 I lost them completely here in central CT. I have a double bow tie on a pole just above the gutter on a ranch house. Moving the pole was not an option. Since I had a little vertical room left on the pole, I moved the antenna 10" up. My CH 57 signal went from 0 to 78-80%. So far it's solid.
It's nice to have a second PBS,FOX,NBC,and ABC from MA. A week ago the Patriots were on 40-2 when 61 ran the Giants.

How is the reception of the Boston and Providence area channels in the eastern part of Connecticut?

Where I live in Mystic near the top of a 200 foot hill, Boston is non existent. Providence VHF's are pretty reliable. UHF 49 and 51 are OK most of the time. 22 is weaker but still useable most of the time. 21 is useable about half of the time.
John

While you've mentioned it, how did WVIT-DT change, if at all? :)

Whereas the improvement in WFSB was amazing, the other Hartford stations were nearly unchanged. WVIT may be a touch better, but it was good before. I still have trouble with WTIC and with WEDH, no change there. The other significant difference is that I can now recieve channels 40 and 57 from Springfield. So strangely I can sometimes get Fox on 40.2 when I can't get Fox on 61. With a spin of the antenna, I can also get Fox on 5.1 or 9.2 from NYC. But none of these come in 100% of the time. WEDH isn't a problem for me as I get both WEDW and WEDY.

I've convinced myself that the new antenna location may be as much good for WFSB as it is bad for WCBS, which is why they don't interfere anymore. I used to get WCBS occasionally, but I have never been able to get it since I moved the antenna.

Today I brought home my TV/PC Monitor from work to try a scan and see if I could get any OTA's from CT. I live in Bethel CT and knew it would be a challenge but I thought I might get at least one. I didn't.

I am using this Envision L22W898 (Amazon/Newegg/Tiger/Wallyworld) that does a nice job on QAM cable and I believe some reviewers said they pulled in OTA's:

I hand held a Philips Antenna (MANT940-Digital-Outdoor-Antenna) on my back deck but I think it's just UHF amd the amplifier was not the original for the unit. (Amazon)


If anyone has heard of a successful hookup in my area I would love to hear how they did it. I'm more than ready to dump my cable provider but it would be nice to know I could get something from CT OTA because SAT is in the NY DMA and we know there's no flexibility on that.

In the meantime I'll scour the threads - thanks..

jimdish - suggest looking your address up at http://www.tvfool.com , and posting your results. This will help us all deal with local terrain.

How is the reception of the Boston and Providence area channels in the eastern part of Connecticut?

At my parents' house in Mystic, w/o the benefit of being on a 200' hill, the Boston stations are also non-existent. NYC is easily received on most nights in the summer months, however, but to the detriment of co-channel Hartford stations.

As for Providence, UHF WLNE and WJAR are non-existent. I have seen hints of WLWC, but not a lock. There's just too many trees and hills in the way for UHF to be effective at 50+ miles. VHF WPRI and WNAC are borderline, with WPRI being hampered by WNET out of NYC when tropo is evident.

A friend who used to live in Westerly didn't have it much better. Though that was before the transition, I would expect similar results now, except for perhaps WNAC.

SE CT/SW RI seems to be a forgotten place for OTA, not that it was ever very good... At least we still have two reliable ION stations. :rolleyes:

UHF out of RSM is much better, but WVIT continues to elude me. WCTX is a joke, w/o tropo, though WTNH is reliable enough.

As for CPTV, I can receive both WEDH (most of the time) and WEDN (reliable, but drop-outs occur during thunderstorms).

jimdish - suggest looking your address up at, and posting your results. This will help us all deal with local terrain.

I may have to double-post to show the url image I apologize.

jimdish - suggest looking your address up at , and posting your results. This will help us all deal with local terrain.


Hope this comes through. I'm trying to show the chart images for my location. I'm just not clear on the signal strength numbers. A large outdoor antenna may not be an option (small possible) but in the attic I could put a larger one. If there is a good testing method or gadget for signals that would be helpful.

http://www.tvfool.com/modeling/tmp/befb/a38/3c4c896/Radar-Digital.png

Here it is,

1 or 2-edge is going to be tough - you're likely going to need a powerful outdoor antenna to get anything.

The good news is that everything from Hartford is close enough, angle-wise, for you to try a good yagi, like an antennas direct 91XG:

http://antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html

1 or 2-edge is going to be tough - you're likely going to need a powerful outdoor antenna to get anything.

The good news is that everything from Hartford is close enough, angle-wise, for you to try a good yagi, like an antennas direct 91XG:

http://antennasdirect.com/91XG_HDTV_Antenna.html

Can you explain what you mean by "close-enough angle wise", and also would the yagi need a pre-amp for a short run?

"close enough angle wise" means that you're pulling from nearly the same direction for 3,20,30,61,65. The Yagi will help cut down on multipath by having a "thinner" range from which it will pull from.

At your distance/signal level, I would suggest a pre-amp, as well, yes.

Can you explain what you mean by "close-enough angle wise", and also would the yagi need a pre-amp for a short run?

I would also recommend the XG-91 / 91XG.

That phrase is referring to the compass bearings found in the 'Azimuth - Magn' column of your tvfool report. Yagi-type antennas like the XG-91 have a narrower "beam width" than other types (but, that narrow beam means they're effective from farther distances). The Hartford stations are close enough together (between 62 and 66 degrees) in degree-readings that there shouldn't be a problem. But unless you get a rotor, you may not get WTNH. Looks like you could use a small indoor antenna for that, though.

Pre-amp: From your distance and numbers, it's probably necessary. You could try the antenna first. If that's not satisfactory, try a distribution amplifier, which provides a little boost. Then the next step would be a pre-amp --- the CM 7777 is the gold standard. With the same antenna-preamp combination, I get reception on stations up (or is that, "down"?) to -109dB.

Hmm i get no audio from commentators ota 3.01 but do get on dish hd channel 3.0
anyone else

i like to know if anyone from neighboring hartford area can pull nyc ota signals, im in queens near laguardia airport . i can pull in some stations from hartford area. wttx comes in in night time, also pbs ch 49.1 comes in real good. i get 43.1 strong also. not boasting or anything i agree with most people that digital transmission is not anywhere near what analog was as for tv reception.

Like you I can recieve many stations from Hartford or in general CONN. Regularly I get WTXX signal always strong, WVIT signal exellent,WEDW BRIDGEPORT great, WCTX NEW HAVEN very good weather permitting. WFSB very good signal most of the time, from Hartford! WTIC-61 very difficult at best to recieve. WTNH comes in good, NEW HAVEN. WEDH PBS comes in good when weather is good, HARTFORD. I recieve these stations with 2 MXU-59 antennas ganged together each amplified by CM 7777 UHF/VHF preamps also connected CM 4228 BOW TIE for WTNH AS ITS VHF. Just thought I would share my results with you guys. The antennas are in my attic, I found a sweet spot! PORT JEFFERSON L.I.N.Y. 11776

i was wondering to you get any nyc signals from port jefferson, that pretty far out,

Yes I recieve all the N.Y.C. stations. Because I also have XG91 uhf/ YA1713 VHF mounted above my roof approx 33ft. high with rotator, also amplified! I also recieve most N.Y.C. fm stations very well, some in hd with my sony xdr-f1hd! I do not have a dedicated fm antenna the fm signals are coming from my YA1713vhf . I can also recieve several am hd stations from N.Y.C. during the daytime. Iam, 49.5 miles from the Empire State Bldg. As you see I love free ota!;)

My audio on this channel is not comming in 5.1 surround
i have a dish 722 all my other ota channesl come in 5.1
During the game on sunday we heard no phil sims just the fans and on field play
anyone else having a problem
tonight old christine is comming in hd 5.1 surround on 3 from dish but my ota 3.1 signal is comming in prologic no surround 5.1

Now my ota signal fox 61.1 is at 100% but the audio is in spanish
fox 61 hd from dish is in surround sound 5.1 and in english what is going on is this just happening to me?
channel 3.1 ota is also still not in 5.1 surround and some audio drop outs
but 3.0 hd channel 3 is in surround sound 5.1

Is anyone seeing or hearing this as well?

my ota signal fox 61.1 is in spanish ... channel 3.1 ota is also still not in 5.1 surround...

I'm guessing that the audio setting on your over-the-air receiver may have somehow accidentally gotten set to SAP (Second Audio Program). That would explain why you're hearing the Spanish translation of the play-by-play on the Yankees game, and why the surround is lacking on Channel 3 (SAP is monaural).

I would press the "Menu" button on the remote control for your OTA receiver (or for your TV if it has the built-in OTA digital receiver). Choose "Set-Up", and then "Sound" or "Audio" from the choices that appear on your TV screen after you press "Menu". With the remote's "Up", "Down", "<", and ">" buttons, make sure that SAP is turned off and 5.1 is on.

I'm guessing that the audio setting on your over-the-air receiver may have somehow accidentally gotten set to SAP (Second Audio Program). That would explain why you're hearing the Spanish translation of the play-by-play on the Yankees game, and why the surround is lacking on Channel 3 (SAP is monaural).

I would press the "Menu" button on the remote control for your OTA receiver (or for your TV if it has the built-in OTA digital receiver). Choose "Set-Up", and then "Sound" or "Audio" from the choices that appear on your TV screen after you press "Menu". With the remote's "Up", "Down", "<", and ">" buttons, make sure that SAP is turned off and 5.1 is on.

ty for you imput,Yes I would think that as well, but other channel 24.1 30.1 all ota come in 5.1 surround and english by the way this morning ota 61.1 was back in english but i will make sure that sap is turn off. I have a 722 from dish i then send the sound into a surround sound reciever via optical cable and pic ture to tv via compotent cable. Stilll wondering why i recieve sound from the other otas in 5.1 and not from the 3.1 wsfb channel??

...other channels 24.1 & 30.1 all ota come in 5.1 surround and english by the way this morning ota 61.1 was back in english. ... Still wondering why i receive sound from the other otas in 5.1 and not from the 3.1 wfsb channel??

Hopefully other forum readers who have a set up similar to yours can suggest a solution for receiving surround from Channel 3.

WTIC's SAP goes away when not in Fox network programming and then defaults back to the standard audio.

WFSB has SAP audio that is in stereo only.

I would definitely check that setting. Both stations would have their language code set as "spa" for the SAP audio.

The data I have shows no SAP audio for WVIT. I do have data suggesting there is SAP audio for WTNH and WEDH, but WEDH's SAP is listed as "eng" and WTNH's as "fre" which is confusing since I'm pretty sure it should be "spa".

In short, your TV may be set on Spanish with it falling back on the first English feed it finds.

- Trip

hi ty for your help I had my dish 722 set to spanish not usre how that happened also under audio i had my dolby digital set to rf mode instead of line mode this fixed all my problems ty for your help

I recently switched from Comcast to DTV for more of the Network HD programming and some more HD Sports. Being in FFld County we wanted to get some Connecticut news and weather without keeping a live cable @ $20 a month! We're in the NY DMA for DTV.

After wasting $$ for a supposed HDTV antenna Philips MANT940, I just got a Radio shack 40" boom U75-R (UHF), held my arm out the balcony window in Bethel CT and the TV started to scan in some digital stations. I know it's only a directional antenna but I noticed slight rotation almost hit both Hartford and New Haven/BPT stations. I live in a condo so I had to mount it in the attic but still received WVIT 30-1 and WTNH 8-1 with some freezeups-unwatchable. A few other stations also come in. The setup I have was just a first shot, the cable is old RG-59 and too short, and the attic needs to be cleared to look for a sweet spot.

I'm not disappointed because I only was hoping for one or the other, and I'm in a lousy location with obstacles. But since I've gone this far and want to get greedy, I have a few questions.

Will a better quality cable help the signal like Quad shield RG-6 possibly?

Would a pre-amp like the Winegard AP 4800 (UHF) be helpful for the weak signals?

Should I have gone for a more expensive omni-directional antenna although I'm impressed at how this little RS one did on the first shot?

I'm ready to take a shot at the preamp unless someone tells me it's a waste of $$.

Just noticed "James" post above referring to the CM 7777 ($55 approx). Is it that much better than the 4800 UHF ($40 approx)?

Go here enter your location and then post your results: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29
This will allow us to determine if a preamp is appropriate for your location. WTNH is on VHF and located in New Haven. Your antenna is designed to for UHF reception only so adding a VHF high band antenna pointed at New Haven would be a big improvement for it.
A directional antenna properly aimed will get more signal than an omni directional antenna and will also reject most multi-path which can destroy DTV reception, so is likely the better choice for Hartford reception.
John

I'm an apartment dweller too, so I cannot mount an outdoor antenna either. I had originally purchased a Philips indoor "HDTV" antenna (a directional UHF/telescoping VHF) and had fair/poor reception with it. I recently purchased an Antennas Direct 2DXB online from Target. They state it's an outdoor antenna, but it was small enough to be used indoors. The performance was simply stellar! I was throughly impressed.

Note- this was also a UHF only antenna, but most of the stations in CT are UHF now anyway (save for a few). And yes, you want to upgrade the cable run from RG-59 to RG-6. There's much less loss and your reception will improve.

One way to solve the UHF-only antenna problem for some here in Hartford/New Haven:

Why not put WTNH-DT 8-1 onto WCTX-DT 59-2 and get rid of the radar that's there now? Sure, it would likely be ABC in standard definition, but more people would get them over the air? Yes, I get both WTNH-DT [channel 10] and WCTX-DT [channel 39] in New Britain. I nearly always get WCTX better than WTNH.

(I know LIN Broadcasting owns both WTNH and WCTX. I just doubt ABC would let them put their network feed onto another channel like that.)

I recently switched from Comcast to DTV for more of the Network HD programming and some more HD Sports. Being in FFld County we wanted to get some Connecticut news and weather without keeping a live cable @ $20 a month! We're in the NY DMA for DTV.

After wasting $$ for a supposed HDTV antenna Philips MANT940, I just got a Radio shack 40" boom U75-R (UHF), held my arm out the balcony window in Bethel CT and the TV started to scan in some digital stations. I know it's only a directional antenna but I noticed slight rotation almost hit both Hartford and New Haven/BPT stations. I live in a condo so I had to mount it in the attic but still received WVIT 30-1 and WTNH 8-1 with some freezeups-unwatchable. A few other stations also come in. The setup I have was just a first shot, the cable is old RG-59 and too short, and the attic needs to be cleared to look for a sweet spot.

I'm not disappointed because I only was hoping for one or the other, and I'm in a lousy location with obstacles. But since I've gone this far and want to get greedy, I have a few questions.

Will a better quality cable help the signal like Quad shield RG-6 possibly?

Would a pre-amp like the Winegard AP 4800 (UHF) be helpful for the weak signals?

Should I have gone for a more expensive omni-directional antenna although I'm impressed at how this little RS one did on the first shot?

I'm ready to take a shot at the preamp unless someone tells me it's a waste of $$.

Just noticed "James" post above referring to the CM 7777 ($55 approx). Is it that much better than the 4800 UHF ($40 approx)?

Switching to a good RG-6 cable will definitely help.

As ctdish suggested, see what results you get in tvfool. At your distance from the Hartford antennas, tho, it's safe say that a pre-amp will help. Many here cite the CM7777 as the gold standard, but if the specs are accurate on the Wineguard you listed, it should be decent.

At your distance in Fairfield Co., omni-directional isn't a good choice. Try out what you've got. If that doesn't work well --- and I've read a lot of people dissatisfied with Radio Shack stuff, and experienced it myself as well --- you might try a better, larger branded yagi-type. Moreso since you're forced to the attic. I'm not on the AD payroll, but the XG-91 (aka 91XG) is a nice little unit.

The AP-4800 is on order and I'll be switching to better cable. Hopefully it's not too much gain as they make a 4700 with less gain. Spent the day in that lousy attic getting full of fiberglass, cleaning up and adding some flooring.

Funny I didn't re-check some of my research and forgot WTNH was VHF. Surprised I get it at all but when it came in it was fantastic.

One question: does it matter what is behind the antenna? I've seen some kind of reflective on some homemade pictures but I wasn't sure what it was for.

If the pre-amp fails I'll look switch to the XG-91 antenna, if it improves but no WTNH maybe I'll add a VHF.

Thanks a bunch to everyone who is helping me out. My co-workers are pretty good usually with home improvement questions but on this they're clueless too, even the guys I talk to about electronics.

Also I did the TVFool address search and it is posted a few pages earlier on this thread if the link is still good.

Any homemade stuff you've seen behind the antenna is usually in an attempt to block a signal being picked up from the back and/or enhancing signal from the front.

In your case, it might prove useful to experiment, as the 2 CBS's will conflict with each other.