I was wondering if anyone here lives in Windsor Locks, Suffield or East Granby, and how their reception is. I can pull ABC out of New Haven and NBC out of West Hartford with an outdoor directional antenna (Channel Master) facing south, but that's about it (I haven't tried in the last couple of weeks, so I don't know if I can get the new, stronger CBS signal out of Hartford).

With an omnidirectional antenna mounted in my garage, I get NBC out of Springfield only (on lucky nights, I get FOX out of Hartford).

Am I screwed because I live about a mile of the airport (as the crow flies)?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated...

thehud2112: WFSB is having problems with their 5.1 audio equipment. Sometime between today and the year 2016 it will be fixed and then you will be able to listen with 5.1 sound.

tonymus: WFSB signal is MUCH STRONGER now. I live about 20 miles North of you and I do not live on a hill yet my WFSB signal strength went from 10-30% up to 90% last week when they went up to full power.

Get youself a decent indoor UHF antenna like a Zenith/Antiference "Silver Sensor" and point it Southwest around 231degrees on your compass.

Fiddle around with it a bit. Rotate the antenna slightly. Tilt it up or down slightly. Move it around the room until you find a sweet spot.

Or you can place a nice UHF outdoor antenna on your roof, but make sure that you use highest quality cable and connectors. It does make a difference.

You should try your old antenna first because you should be able to get a strong signal and may not need to get any new equipment.

Unbelievable, I'm getting a solid 85% up here in Goshen, MA. The highest my signal strength had ever been previously without tropospheric ducting was around a 2 or 3. Now we just need to convince WFSB to stop multicasting.

RPMcormick, how did you convince WWLP to get rid of their 4x3 signal?

Originally posted by JasonAndreas
Unbelievable, I'm getting a solid 85% up here in Goshen, MA. The highest my signal strength had ever been previously without tropospheric ducting was around a 2 or 3.Gotta agree - I live about 50km northeast of WSFB's transmitter site (northeast of Springfield) and WFSB-DT is booming in. Big Signal I can even maintain a solid lock on it with just a clip lead on a piece of coax cable!

Note: the numbers that a lot of ATSC tuners display aren't percentages - they're really just arbitrary numbers. And you really can't compare what one (model) box says to another (model) ...Now we just need to convince WFSB to stop multicasting. RPMcormick, how did you convince WWLP to get rid of their 4x3 signal?Although I was involved with some discussions you give me credit for something I can't claim. In any event, here is a bit of the history:

Originally WWLP-DT came on the air with a 4:3 standard def subchannels (which is what many of the early digital stations were doing). Over time a number of changes were made, including the addition of a 16:9 HD encoder (in conjunction with getting the NBC HD feed on the back side).

For some time the WWLP-DT bandwidth was divided between three subchannels: HD 16:9, simulcast 4:3 version of the 16:9 and the SD weather radar. There was a lot of experimentation with upconverted programming on the 16:9 subchannel ... what is being done today is very much akin to what most viewers seemed to advocate / indicate they liked best. The subchannel simulcasting the 4:3 programming - since it was totally duplicated - was dropped in favour of allocating that bandwidth toward the 16:9 HD subchannel, to provide a better viewing experience.

I think in WFSB's case the programming on 3-2 is not a 4:3 SD simulcast of what is on 3-1. If you watch 3-2 you'll notice the ID's are for WFSB's sister station WSHM-LP channel 67 serving Springfield MA.

Originally posted by cbagger01
WFSB is having problems with their 5.1 audio equipment. Sometime between today and the year 2016 it will be fixed and then you will be able to listen with 5.1 sound.

Have you ever had a problem with something such as the sound on a computer and when you try to get some resolution everyone you talk to tries to direct you somewhere else? You call Microsoft tech support and they say it's not the software and you should talk to the hardware manufacturer. So you call the sound card manufacturer's tech support and they tell you that because it's an OEM component you need to go to the computer maker. And then they try to tell you it's a software issue and want to deflect you somewhere else.

That's very similar to the run-around that the WFSB engineers were getting on the 5.1 audio components. It has only been very recently that they were finally able to get the manufacturers to acknowledge that there was a compatibility issue between the audio equipment that was delivered and the rest of the HD chain. Now that they have, it should make it possible for them to correct it.

Anyone else having trouble with audio breaking up?

Anyone west of Waterbury able to pick up this channel. From the looks of their transmitter map, they seem to be highly directional and mainly focused on the area east and north of Hartford - is this the case?

I live in Prospect, 1 minute walk away from Waterbury. WTIC-DT shows up for me at 100% on my receiver.

What a difference a couple of months make! I went back up on my garage roof (Suffield, CT) and put back up an antenna (CM 3020) that a couple of months ago only got me two channels. Today, I received WSFB, WVIT, WTXX, WTNH, and WWLP. That's not too bad, although I was surprised I can't get WTIC...

My question - WFSB is going in and out - when it's in, I'm showing about 9 bars on my reception meter (probably about 60% - my receiver is a SamsungSIR-T151). Is anyone else having problems with WFSB, or is it a problem with antenna location/orientation?

Thanks for your help in advance...

Anyone in the Ridgefield area able to pick up OTA signals out of NYC? I'm dying to pick up my first HDTV set, but I also want to be able to get OTA HD. I have no idea what to expect from my area.

Thanks for any help.

Tony,

It would be a great help if you could at least tell us from what location in CT (Town for example). In fact, I don't understand why people don't put it in their "location".

Now that the housekeeping has been done.

What did everyone think of yesterday's WTIC 1:00 pm NFL game. At points during the broadcast all I got was "Fox Networks" in the upper left corner then, magically, the game would appear several seconds later. Maybe even minutes. They even had it in SD at one point.

Why is it so difficult for the broadcasters to get this right? :mad:

I believe this to be a bias toward cable. If you want to get local HD easily...just go cable. No antenna's, no rotors, no hassels (pretty much). Major suppliers only though as our little rincky dinck provider (Eastern CT Cable with it's massive 17,500 subscriber base) has no plans nor intends on ever being able to provide HD. [EDIT: well it would appear that they do offer HD...HBO, ESPN and Discovery but no local HD yet.]

Unlevel playing field as many consumers will not want to be "cutting edge" and put up an antenna. Plus putting up an antenna is not "free" when you consider the STB/Antenna/RG-6/preamp/distribution system/rotor/etc. If the cable cos. charge ~$16/mo (HD subscription and box fee) then that equates to $960.00 for the next five years. Seems okay to me as many OTA setups would probably cost that, or close to it, without installation.

Still have yet to get on the roof to try and pick up WFSB...strange though I get WTIC, WVIT, WTNH no problem with few dropouts. May need, and hope all it is, a simple realignment. Perhaps dropping some signal strength on WTNH (runs ~ 92%) to pick up WFSB.

I am experiencing some frustration with my OTA HD. Here are my gripes. First, my neighbor has an antenna farm for his shortwave radio hobby, and when he is chatting with friends in Nova Scotia, I loose my HD signal completely, on ALL channels. This only happens when he keys his mic. This is very frustrating because my receiver clicks and beeps when it looses/re-acquires audio signal, and he never keys the mic during commercials. Fortunately I am friendly with this neighbor, and if I want to watch a particular program, I can just call him, and he will accommodate me. We have found that it doesn't matter what power he transmits, even the lowest settings affect my HD.

My second issue is that I also loose my HD signal when one of these stupid "Kazoo Cars" drives by my house. When they modify the car and put the pretty spark plug wires on it, it will also cause my signal to disappear, and when the car is gone reappear. Again very aggravating.

I have the same problem when small airplanes from the local airport fly overhead.

Has anyone noticed how bad WTIC-DT has been lately?

Periodically lost the picture during the football game yesterday and jumped back and forth between HD and SD throughout.

Last night I actually switched to the SD channel. During baseball games (not football) there has been annoying "skip" that occurs every minute or two. It's not a typical dropout, but sort of reminds me of the black cat in "The Matrix". It affects both audio and video. Haven't seen others mention it in the Fox ALCS thread, so I'm thinking it's local.

What's worse is WTIC-DT continuouosly forgets to flip back to HD after running messages at the bottom of the screen. The info bar at the top was completely cut off and the PQ is horrible. Usually had to wait 5-10 minutes before it returned to HD.

For those of us having antenna problems, and issues with the cable co., let's hope that DirecTV's plans to provide HD locals by next year works out.

When I turned on the Sox-Yanks game last night on Comcast in the ninth inning, the game was in SD. I checked the national thread and nobody mentioned a problem. Did any of you folks notice this?

Originally posted by jake14mw
For those of us having antenna problems, and issues with the cable co., let's hope that DirecTV's plans to provide HD locals by next year works out.

When I turned on the Sox-Yanks game last night on Comcast in the ninth inning, the game was in SD. I checked the national thread and nobody mentioned a problem. Did any of you folks notice this?

Yes. They run a banner on the bottom of the screen to say that
the news will be on after the game. IIRC, they cannot be in HD
and have the banner at the same time. They forgot to switch back
to HD afterwards.

Originally posted by schmitter
I am experiencing some frustration with my OTA HD. First, my neighbor has an antenna farm for his shortwave radio hobby, and when he is chatting with friends in Nova Scotia, I loose my HD signal completely, on ALL channels. This only happens when he keys his mic. This is very frustrating because my receiver clicks and beeps when it looses/re-acquires audio signal ...That's interesting ... it is likely that your neighbour is a amateur (ham) radio operator (as I am). Based on the fact he's communicating to NS Canada I'll assume its on the shortwave bands - be interesting to find out what band or frequency he is using. FWIW, I can operate at home with 100 watts and a small vertical antenna and it doesn't cause my ATSC tuners any problems. (Though I do cause a touch on/off light to flicker!)

It may be related to the proximity of your antennas ... and the power he's transmitting coming down into your box. Of course - the frequencies he's transmitting on shouldn't affect off-air frequencies ... but they may be interfering with the computer part of your tuner! One solution may be to put a filter in the feedline to your tuner to help reject all frequencies lower than the low-VHF television band. Been a while since I had to troubleshoot such things - but filters like this may be available at Radio Shack (they were years ago).

Some of the older ATSC tuners do strange things upon loss of signal / acquire signal ... I'm using an older Samsung box that does basically the same thing: I'm feeding optical out of it into a Sony tuner/amp ... and it goes pop every time the signal drops (and it has to re-determine what the format of the AC3 audio stream is).My second issue is that I also loose my HD signal when one of these stupid "Kazoo Cars" drives by my house. When they modify the car and put the pretty spark plug wires on it, it will also cause my signal to disappear, and when the car is gone reappear. Again very aggravating.This is a bit stranger ... I'm not sure what a Kazoo Car is ... but it only happens with cars with these add-on devices? Maybe those devices radiate broadband noise which is getting into your tuner. Alternatively - I have seen on an ATSC tuner at home with just rabbit ears and an UHF loop that sometimes when cars drive by I loose signal ... this is most likely due to multipath problems. Usually only happens with the weaker stations; never with the stronger ones.

HTH

Originally posted by Bfadams
I have the same problem when small airplanes from the local airport fly overhead. This is multi-path: when signals from the transmitter reach your receiver (tuner) at different times it causes problems. For example, some of the transmitted energy may reach you directly whilst other energy may bounce off these planes and then reach you at a slightly different time.

Sometimes in analogue television this was evident by ghosting or slight shift in the picture. But when this happens with ATSC digital television - the data stream is received in error ... if you get enough packets in a row in error the tuner can't process the info - and has to reacquire. What you'll see is pixelation or stuttering of the video ... and if its bad (or long) enough audio dropouts.

Sometimes just a slight reorientation of your antenna may solve this problem.

Sorry, I should have been more clear on what a Kazoo car is. A Kazoo car is the small import car with the lowered suspension, tinned windows, $38000 stereo and coffee can sized exaust on it.

Sorry, I should have been more clear on what a Kazoo car is. A Kazoo car is the small import car with the lowered suspension, tinned windows, $38000 stereo and coffee can sized exaust on it.

Sorry, I should have been more clear on what a Kazoo car is. A Kazoo car is the small import car with the lowered suspension, tinned windows, $38000 stereo and coffee can sized exaust on it.

I will definitely try the filter trick. I do have a bunch of filters that block from 50Mhz down. My neighbor says that he is using the 6 meter band right at about 50 Mhz.

Originally posted by schmitter
I will definitely try the filter trick. I do have a bunch of filters that block from 50Mhz down. My neighbor says that he is using the 6 meter band right at about 50 Mhz. Thanks for the car description. That's funny! :D

Ok on 6 meters ... yup - that's a ham band ... a bit above 50 MHz. Try those filters - they may help. Otherwise you may need to try a filter that notches specifically the 6m ham band - that may help.

Here's some links that may help as well:

K1UHF filters (http://www.qsl.net/k1uhf/filters.html)
Array Solutions (http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/ice/filtersrf.html)

Came up with these via Google - you may want to look around a little more extensively. I seem to remember that Unadilla made some pretty good filters ... I would also suggest trying to put filtering on your AC power lines (start with the ATSC tuner) as well. Often that helps, too!

Originally posted by AreBee
Has anyone noticed how bad WTIC-DT has been lately?

Periodically lost the picture during the football game yesterday and jumped back and forth between HD and SD throughout.

Last night I actually switched to the SD channel. During baseball games (not football) there has been annoying "skip" that occurs every minute or two. It's not a typical dropout, but sort of reminds me of the black cat in "The Matrix". It affects both audio and video. Haven't seen others mention it in the Fox ALCS thread, so I'm thinking it's local.

What's worse is WTIC-DT continuouosly forgets to flip back to HD after running messages at the bottom of the screen. The info bar at the top was completely cut off and the PQ is horrible. Usually had to wait 5-10 minutes before it returned to HD.

AreBee,

I'm in southington and my wtic and wfsb was all out of whack yesterday AND last Sunday. The other 6 days of the week, the reception has been fine. What could the problem be? Anyone else?

Well, WTIC was at it again last night during the ALCS. Was getting test pattern from the LA feed (that was annoying as hell) for a while and at one point they had the game in SD. :rolleyes:

Totally ruined what should have been enjoyable. I changed the channel to ABC and watched the football game instead.

To reduce payroll costs do you think they are using monkeys to "flip the switch"?

Truly aggravating. :mad:

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Thanks for the car description. That's funny! :D

Ok on 6 meters ... yup - that's a ham band ... a bit above 50 MHz. Try those filters - they may help. Otherwise you may need to try a filter that notches specifically the 6m ham band - that may help.

Here's some links that may help as well:

K1UHF filters (http://www.qsl.net/k1uhf/filters.html)
Array Solutions (http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/ice/filtersrf.html)

Came up with these via Google - you may want to look around a little more extensively. I seem to remember that Unadilla made some pretty good filters ... I would also suggest trying to put filtering on your AC power lines (start with the ATSC tuner) as well. Often that helps, too!

One thing to keep in mind is to put the filter before any preamp to prevent inter mod distortion which is harmonics of the original signal which can be generated by overloading a preamp. Also the Ham operator could be spewing out harmonics if there is no filtering after a linear that might be operating in a overload situation.
Jim

Heard from Fox61 that they are having reception problems from the Fox national feed. That's causing the audio drop outs and the flips back and forth to SD & the test pattern. Tech's from Fox are on their way out today to attempt a resolution. I agree, an ugly viewing experience last night.

Between the Patriots game on Sunday and all of the baseball, Fox continues to demonstrate that they are not ready for prime time with HD. Most of the glitches appear to originate with the network, so you can't really blame WTIC-TV for that. However, I still don't understand why it should take up to 10 minutes to restore the HD picture after the local station drops into SD to run a crawl with the lottery numbers or announcing that the News at 10 will be shown after the ballgame.

Can anyone post the current WTIC-DT transmitter pattern map? I'm pretty sure the reason I cannot pick them up in Western CT is that they are probably directed most of their transmitter power North and East of the tower. I now have no problem with WFSB (hallelujah!) and WVIT which are generally in the same direction from my house.

Thanks in advance.

Bruce

Line of orientation is to Fairfield, but same general problem.

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
I'm pretty sure the reason I cannot pick them up in Western CT is that they are probably directed most of their transmitter power North and East of the tower.

No wonder why people are having problems picking up WTIC-DT. They are only servicing half of the state. How can you call yourself a Connecticut station when these people are more worried about getting pieces of RI and MA? (That goes for WFSB and WVIT also.)

HEY WTIC!!! Service your own state first!!!

I am in Milford and am in the same boat with WTIC, it is very frustrating that they are not getting there signal this way at all!!! I cant pick it up at all. Yet, they will not give waivers for the HD from D* (when they have it)

I understand the waivers are only for the analog signal which I can pick up no problem with my antenna, hopefully the laws will change soon with the digital signals becoming more and more predominate.

scottte

Originally posted by BillN96
No wonder why people are having problems picking up WTIC-DT. They are only servicing half of the state. How can you call yourself a Connecticut station when these people are more worried about getting pieces of RI and MA? (That goes for WFSB and WVIT also.)

HEY WTIC!!! Service your own state first!!!


You have to remember that WTIC serves every county in CT MINUS Fairfield! Why would any of these stations waste bandwidth pointing towards an area they don't serve? (Fairfield County is part of the NY DMA)

Just a WAG, but WTIC-DT's odd pattern to the northeast is to probably to protect WPXN-TV-31 in NYC from interference. FWIW, WPXN-TV's pattern is mostly to the northwest, away from Hartford.

Hello.

I have a new Panasonic DLP and DirecTV HDTiVo on the way. I live in Columbia, CT. I tried searching the thread for towns around me and didn't have any luck. Could anyone who lives in my area give me an idea of what kind of OTA HDTV reception I should expect (if any). I'm interested in putting an antenna on my roof, but am trying to avoid a rotor, because I don't think there is any way to tell my TiVo to turn it when it tries to tune in a station when I'm not around. :)

Thanks!

Originally posted by KevinSartori
I'm interested in putting an antenna on my roof, but am trying to avoid a rotor, because I don't think there is any way to tell my TiVo to turn it when it trys to tune in a station when I'm not around :)
You're right, the TiVo won't trun the rotor for you :(. It would be a nice, but it doesn't.

There are lots of folks utilizing multiple antennas with filters and joiners. I myself have two antennas, one for just VHF, the other UHF. I have them joined and connected to my HD-TiVo. I get the 4 major networks no problem (I live in Burlington).

Look to antenna web for starters, then start shopping for antennas and the joining/filtering hardware. I used Signal Electronic in W. Hartford. They were very helpful in designing the antenna system.

Frank

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
Well, WTIC was at it again last night during the ALCS. Was getting test pattern from the LA feed (that was annoying as hell) for a while and at one point they had the game in SD. :rolleyes:

Totally ruined what should have been enjoyable. I changed the channel to ABC and watched the football game instead.

To reduce payroll costs do you think they are using monkeys to "flip the switch"?

Truly aggravating. :mad:

We are experiencing problems receiving FOX network feed. FOX has engineers on site doing RF Surveys trying to determine what the problem is and the best remedy for our situation. Once they are complete we will take action to remedy the situation.

Thank you for the information n1ety. Please keep us updated in the situation.

I also noticed that when Fox ran a crawler about the local news being on WB and being late on Fox that it went to SD. It did it again when they ran the lotto numbers. How aggravating is that!? Many audio drops and video ticks. A shame...

Obviously someone at the Fox network got their act together in time for Wednesday's game. I can't recall a single video or audio glitch (I'm not counting the moronic commentary from Buck & McCarver as"glitches"). And on this time, when Fox-61 switched to SD to show a crawl or squeezeback, they wasted no time switching back to HD when they finished. Good job. And good job SOX!

Originally posted by docbone
And on this time, when Fox-61 switched to SD to show a crawl or squeezeback, they wasted no time switching back to HD when they finished.

I recall seeing the "crawl" with the station still in HD mode. It scrolled across the bottom of the screen and looked like you were watching through a "fish eye" lens.

Good job. And good job SOX!

Totally agree...thanks WTIC/FOX. :)

Originally posted by docbone
Obviously someone at the Fox network got their act together in time for Wednesday's game. I can't recall a single video or audio glitch (I'm not counting the moronic commentary from Buck & McCarver as"glitches"). And on this time, when Fox-61 switched to SD to show a crawl or squeezeback, they wasted no time switching back to HD when they finished. Good job. And good job SOX!

Fox did do a great job switching back and I applaud that, but I still sawseveral glitchces relating to the feed. In one instance McCarver was saying "Aaron Boone", and I heard "Boone, Boone, Boone, Boone." Talk about a kick in the groin for a Sox fan!

I saw the test pattern a few times and a black screen a few times too. All with a solid signal of 77% on my Samsung SIRT-160.


How was it last night? To tired to stay up!

I've lost the WFSB signal on my HR10-250.
Have they reduced power or off the air?
Was getting 40 to 50 on signal meter.
Nothing now.

Rich:

You gone up on your roof yet to see if you can get WFSB? Still nada in Niantic.

Ross,

Not yet...I'm hoping for tomorrow in the pm.

Rich

"I've lost the WFSB signal on my HR10-250.
Have they reduced power or off the air?
Was getting 40 to 50 on signal meter.
Nothing now."

WFSB signal on 33-1 and 33-2 is now being received.
Signal meter reads 50 to 60 on strength.
Antenna must have been down for repairs or something.
Hope it stays up.

WFSB signal on 3-1 and 3-2 was on early (7am) this morning. Reading 50-60 signal. Time now is 10:55 am and signal is ZERO. Was going to try another antenna today but without signal is hard to evaluate. Anyone have any idea what is happing with WFSB digital broadcasting?

I'm also getting 0 in Old Saybrook for WFSB. It had been consistently in the low 70's. Whatever they have been doing seems to be confined to the daytime thankfully. I just checked several recordings on my HR10-250 for last week and each of them recorded.

Must be working on their system. If everything comes back this evening then we'll know whats up. Wish I new this over the last couple of days. I kept moving my antenna around looking for the signal. I'm referring to physical location, so you know the work involved. Anyway, thanks for your input. It helps.

The reason why you don't see WFSB-DT is because they are still having tower work done. All the re-enforcment was completed and now they are tying up the loose ends on the tower. When there are people on the tower, high power antennas cannot be active.

WFSB has also been fighting problems with their new analog antenna. Apparently, it had problems from the factory that could not have been caught until they put a load on it. They have been working on that the last couple of days with reps from the antenna company in town. That problem should hopefully be fixed next week.

There is nothing wrong with the DT, it is just off while the work is being done.

GO SOX!:D

Next week (October 25 through 29) WWLP-DT will be performing modifications to its antenna system. These adjustments are required for the forthcoming power increase.

The tower crews should be on-site on Monday and be working through the week. It is expected that WWLP-DT will be off-air for part of this period as the crews make adjustments.

By week's end WWLP-DT should be back on the air with 10 kW ERP, which is the maximum power as authorised by the FCC.

During this outage there will also be adjustments made to the digital encoders. The PID's (internal numbers
that are used to identify the content of a sub channel) will be incremented by one to comply with some forthcoming changes. After the upgrade you may need to rescan (or delete and re-add) WWLP-DT channel 11 (22.1 and 22.2).

These changes will not affect WWLP analogue channel 22.

Is 10 kw the new power level or what you broadcast at now? I don't get signal strong enough to lock in now and am not sure if I will after but want too know when to recheck. Thanks RP, your info has been really informative.

They are now running 750 watts, so this will be a big increase. John

Originally posted by pmalve
Is 10 kw the new power level or what you broadcast at now? I don't get signal strong enough to lock in now and am not sure if I will after but want too know when to recheck. Thanks RP, your info has been really informative. Currently WWLP-DT is broadcasting with 750 watts ERP. This is with an STA (FCC special temp license) whilst awaiting the FCC's final decision on the full power license (which was granted a few months ago). Everything necessary to run the 10 kw ERP has always been in place - the final grant requires some adjustments to the antenna.

You can find a lot of information on FCC TV station licenses on their web site:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

Lots of way to search - one would be to just enter the station's callsign! All the power levels, antenna plots, etc. are available there.

If your set top box does pickup the channel during a scan - it is likely that you may be able to receive it after the power upgrade. Not sure where you are located ... signal reports would be much appreciated once the work is complete!

When WFSBDT (3-1)(3-2) is up and running, are they at FULL power yet?
What is FULL power? My signal will run anywhere from 40 to 60 on the HR10-250 signal meter. Some sound loss, picture freezing, ect. If they are running at
FULL power then I might need extra height or better location. Hate to start adjusting antenna if they are not at Max yet.

This afternoon, WFSB-HD came in pretty well, no dropouts at all. Maybe they've fixed most of their problems?

I can't get WTIC-HD, even though my Samsung T-151 appears to lock on some kind of signal. This is just a mystery...

I get the following stations:

WWLP (Springfield) - By far, my strongest station. I guess when they ramp up to full power, I'll be able to get it with the TV off... :-)

WTNH (New Haven)
WFSB (Hartford)
WTXX (Waterbury-Hartford)
WVIT (West Hartford) - These 4 channels come in acceptably if not perfectly.

Stations I'd like to get:
WTIC (Hartford)
WCTX (New London)
PBS (from anywhere)

Is there any news on the latter three increasing their power?

WTIC-DT looked great yesterday. Both the football game and baseball game were excellent.

SD-HD switches were timely, not glitches or dropouts.

Nice job Fox techs!

Now if only Fox could find a way to shut up McCarver and Buck. :D

Originally posted by JackR
Hate to start adjusting antenna if they are not at Max yet.

Number one reason why I haven't been on my roof either.

RE: WTIC yes it was very good yesterday...all day. I got rid of Buck and McCarver by turning the sound down and turning the hot tub on. :D

Originally posted by tonymus
This afternoon, WFSB-HD came in pretty well, no dropouts at all. Maybe they've fixed most of their problems?

I can't get WTIC-HD, even though my Samsung T-151 appears to lock on some kind of signal. This is just a mystery...

I get the following stations:

WWLP (Springfield) - By far, my strongest station. I guess when they ramp up to full power, I'll be able to get it with the TV off... :-)

WTNH (New Haven)
WFSB (Hartford)
WTXX (Waterbury-Hartford)
WVIT (West Hartford) - These 4 channels come in acceptably if not perfectly.

Stations I'd like to get:
WTIC (Hartford)
WCTX (New London)
PBS (from anywhere)

Is there any news on the latter three increasing their power?

You should be able to get WGBY (PBS) from Springfield. They are on 58, and it should repmap to 57.1,2,3,4 during the day and 57.1 and .2 at night.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Currently WWLP-DT is broadcasting with 750 watts ERP.
Wow that's amazing, WWLP comes in at a 98 signal for me on my Dish 6000. Infact WWLP-DT comes in better for me then WVIT-DT, so when I want NBC HD I usually watch WWLP. :)

BTW I am in Newington, CT.

I am about to get an HD Set with intergrated HD cable tuner/card set up. Comcast is the cable Co. My current service is analog expanded basic, no extras like HBO etc and I am fine with that. If I get the card from Comcast, must I pay a.) a charge for the card, b.) a monthly extra charge to have them upgrade upgrade to digital c.) both d.) neither...I can just pull in HDTV off the existing service if I get the card. Thanks for some help here!

Originally posted by schmitter
You should be able to get WGBY (PBS) from Springfield. They are on 58, and it should repmap to 57.1,2,3,4 during the day and 57.1 and .2 at night.
For WTIC try punching in 31-2. I have an RCA that I need to do this on. 61-1 locks but no picture.
I also have a Samsung and with that punching in the number is not an option. You can try but it only locks onto stations in the autoprogram mode.
WTIC antenna is only half way up the tower, same with WTXX DT12 approximately.
Next summer we'll be at the top of tower with both antennas. This should help considerably.

Originally posted by schmitter
You should be able to get WGBY (PBS) from Springfield. They are on 58, and it should repmap to 57.1,2,3,4 during the day and 57.1 and .2 at night.

Nope, I can't get any channels other than what I previously posted. Probably, the reason I can't get WGBY is because my roof antenna is pointed towards Hartford (Lookout Mtn, I hope). I get WWLP because their antenna is very close by (Agawam?)...

Anyone have any ideas on getting WTIC-HD?

Originally posted by n1ety
For WTIC try punching in 31-2. I have an RCA that I need to do this on. 61-1 locks but no picture.
I also have a Samsung and with that punching in the number is not an option. You can try but it only locks onto stations in the autoprogram mode.
WTIC antenna is only half way up the tower, same with WTXX DT12 approximately.
Next summer we'll be at the top of tower with both antennas. This should help considerably.

Thanks for the useful information, I really appreciate it.

Originally posted by sgbroimp
I am about to get an HD Set with intergrated HD cable tuner/card set up. Comcast is the cable Co. My current service is analog expanded basic, no extras like HBO etc and I am fine with that. If I get the card from Comcast, must I pay a.) a charge for the card, b.) a monthly extra charge to have them upgrade upgrade to digital c.) both d.) neither...I can just pull in HDTV off the existing service if I get the card. Thanks for some help here!

Check out the latest issue of Sound & Vision magazine. They have a couple articles about CableCard, costs, and working with your cable company to get it installed.

Originally posted by n1ety
WTIC antenna is only half way up the tower, same with WTXX DT12 approximately. Next summer we'll be at the top of tower with both antennas. This should help considerably.

Will the transmission pattern for WTIC change as well to better serve western CT? Right now it looks like most of the signal is being directed north and east. Don't even get a blip here in Newtown, although I can get WFSB (somebody pinch me!) and WVIT.

Cox added Fox WTIC-DT today. It is on 704 on your HD or DVR box.

Originally posted by schmitter
Cox added Fox WTIC-DT today. It is on 704 on your HD or DVR box.

I am so psyched about this. I can now watch the World Series in High Def!!! I just happened to be browsing the guide when I noticed Fox61 on channel 704!!! Too bad they didn't have this for the beginning of the playoffs, but better late than never!

Go Sox!!!!:D

Anybody have any info on when CPTV OTA will be up and running in Hartford?

Thanks Schmitter!

Now how about WTNH for Monday Night Football?

WFSB-DT will be going off the air or reducing power a couple more times in the next two weeks. The Analog channel 3 is running at low power while a critical piece of equipment is rebuilt at Dielectric, Inc. in Maine (the company that made the antennas) and will need to be replaced on the antenna on Avon Mountain thus requiring them to power down.

Hello.

I wonder if someone could comment on a problem I'm having with reception.

I live in Columbia, CT. I have a DirecTV HR10-250. My Panasonic 50" DLP is coming tomorrow. Yesterday, I decided to try OTA reception by mounting a Radio Shack VU-90XR in the attic of our two-story house. There is a 25' RG-6 (new) cable run to the receiver. It took a bit of adjusting to get good reception on almost all of the channels. There didn't seems to be any major issues, except that WTIC-DT would very briefly break up every minute or two. In the hopes of improving my reception overall, I decided today to run to Lowe's and pick up a Channel Master 3042 amplifier. Here are the signal strength numbers before and after the amp installation:

10 08-1 WTNH-D1 83-88% AMP: 85-88%
12 20-1 WTXX-DT 59-65% AMP: 62-71%
31 61-1 WTIC-DT 40-57% AMP: 65-68%
33 03-2 WFSB 33 51-57% AMP: 65-68%
34 26-1 WHPX-DT 90-92% AMP: 90-92%
35 30-1 WVIT-DT 57-65% AMP: 65-68%
45 53-1 WEDN-1. 90-92% AMP: 90-92%

This was at about 7:00 PM tonight. What I noticed was that with the amplifier, the signal didn't fluctuate as much and I didn't notice any break-ups on any of the channels. I was very happy...

Here is my problem. At around 10:00 PM tonight, I turned on my locals just to see how everything was going. I had not changed anything in my setup. WVIT-DT was now breaking up so severely that Law & Order SVU was totally unwatchable. More black screen than picture. I canceled the recording and checked out the signal strength. It was all over the place and constantly lost the signal. Oddly enough, even WEDN-1 is breaking up every minute or so. WEDN-1 is only 12 miles away from me and when I checked the signal strength, it would be pegged at 90-92%, then every minute or so it would drop to ZERO, lose signal and then come back a split second later pegged at 90-92%. I tried adjusting the antenna and removing the amplifier, but nothing will reverse the situation. WFSB 33 is also stuttering every minute or so.

WTNH-D1, WTXX-DT, WTIC-DT and WHPX-DT all seem to be okay right now.

Is this what OTA reception is like in Connecticut? One hour reception is very good and then drops right off the next? I'm not being sarcastic, I just don't know what to expect. Can anyone tell if something is wrong in my setup? Would I have the same type of reception variation with a roof-mounted antenna?

Please help! It's so disappointing that this is happening!

Originally posted by Crescent
Thanks Schmitter!

Now how about WTNH for Monday Night Football?

The guy I know says that Linn Broadcasting, the parent of WTNH is not being very helpfull in the negotiations, and Cox is trying to add the HD networks without having to do a rate increase.

Myself I can't wait. When it is on Cox, maybe I will be able to see an entire MNF game in HD, because I will be able to record it on the DVR box. I just can't keep my eyes open long enough on Monday nights.

Originally posted by KevinSartori
Is this what OTA reception is like in Connecticut? One hour reception is very good and then drops right off the next? I'm not being sarcastic, I just don't know what to expect. Can anyone tell if something is wrong in my setup? Would I have the same type of reception variation with a roof-mounted antenna?

Please help! It's so disappointing that this is happening!

My two cents worth: first suggestion would be to try to be patient for a few days and see if the problems you describe are consistent, intermittent, and do they always happen at the same time of day. OTA reception is not perfect, and even with the best set-up, you're probably going to experience times when reception is less than ideal (if for no other reason than changes in atmospheric conditions, leaves on or off trees, etc.). Sounds like you've determined the pre-amp is not the problem. If you want to do something right now, I would suggest getting the antenna out of the attic, i.e., on the roof. What you describe sounds like a multipath problem (reflected signals reaching the antenna at different time than the primary signal and interfering with each other), which is a problem in attics, but I'm not sure why it would have occurred specifically when it did. There are some other possibilities based on the stations you were having problems with: I presume you have your antenna pointed generally to the west; the WEDN transmitter is pretty much to your side/behind you and the only reason you're picking it up is you are so close to it. WEDN also has chronic problems with their transmitter and it has been long overdue for an upgrade (don't be surprised to find them off the air for days-weeks at a time). WFSB-DT reception in most of CT has always been a problem - if you're getting it at all right now, consider yourself lucky; it's not clear to me that their new digital transmitter is at full power yet. Can't think of any reason specific to WVIT that would have caused a problem. Last idea - is there any other piece of equipment in your home or your neighbors might have that could have caused interference? I doubt anyone was mowing their lawn at 10 pm, but for example, if my neighbor turns on his lawn mower, my reception is trashed until he turns it off. This stuff can be very frustrating at first, but the HD makes it all worthwhile! Good luck!

Originally posted by KevinSartori
Hello.

I wonder if someone could comment on a problem I'm having with reception.

Here are the signal strength numbers before and after the amp installation:

Is this what OTA reception is like in Connecticut? One hour reception is very good and then drops right off the next? I'm not being sarcastic, I just don't know what to expect. Can anyone tell if something is wrong in my setup? Would I have the same type of reception variation with a roof-mounted antenna?

Hey Kevin,

I'm not an expert in the HD OTA field. I've just been using my HD-TiVo for a few months now, but have a few thoughts for you.

You mention Signal Strength. What the meter is reading is signal quality, not strength. That may explain why the very high signals numbers did not go up very much after the install of the amplifier. I would love it if someone would give a good explanation of the difference between signal strength and signal quality.

I've also read that too much signal results in poor quality. Maybe you shouldn't be amplifying the already strong signals? I believe there are filters to help with this.

I live in Burlington and get the 4 major stations without a hitch. Channel 8 in New Haven being the worst signal at 65%. Only once have I had a problem with a program.

I have two antennas in my attic joined together. The placement of each was critical. Just moving them an inch made a big difference! That fact I don't quite understand or like :rolleyes:.

Good luck,

Frank

Signal Quality is usually a measure of the error rate of digital data. The number of errors can be determined because the data includes error correction bits (like parity bits). It depends on signal to noise ratio not just signal level. The amp, if working properly, raises the signal but also adds its own noise. The net effect is an improvement if the TV was adding more noise or the transmittion cable loss was high. It can cause signicificant loss if it is non linear and then adds other signals into the channel you are trying to receive. John

Originally posted by garberfc
I would love it if someone would give a good explanation of the difference between signal strength and signal quality.I'll take a stab.

Signal strength: simply put, the amount of energy from the transmitter that reaches your tuner/receiver. A spectrum analyzer can show you this graphically - I don't know of any consumer ATSC tuner that actually tells you the received signal levels but there may be one.

Broadcasters transmit with a certain amount of power from their transmitter. That energy goes up a feed line (like coax) to the antenna. There is loss in all feed lines - so not all the energy that comes out of the transmitter reaches the antenna.

Antennas have what we call gain; that is to compare the effective ability to radiate energy over a basic standard antenna. The end result is what you see on the FCC licenses: ERP or effective radiated power.

Some stations transmit with an omni-directional antenna pattern, e.g., the energy is transmitted equally in all directions. But most stations have a directional pattern that may send more energy in one direction(s) than another. This is usually to minimize interference to distant, adjacent and nearby stations - sometimes in other cities. Note: just because an antenna pattern is not in your direction doesn't mean energy isn't coming in your direction ...

Then - as the signal radiates out from the transmitting antenna it degrades over distance. This can actually be pretty well predicted. In general, given the same distance, a higher frequency (like UHF) will degrade more than a lower frequency (like VHF). That's why the higher frequency stations typically transmit with more power (sometimes a lot more power) to get the same coverage area (as compared to a lower frequency station).

Terrain also affects the amount of energy received from a station's transmitter. The more obvious is if you're sitting on the far side of a mountain that separates you and the station: RF energy doesn't pass through the earth!

When the FCC granted all broadcast stations an ATSC channel they engineered the antennas and power levels to provide effectively the same coverage area as the broadcaster has with their NTSC (analogue) channel.

Of course - a lot of stations are not at their final power levels, antennas, etc. and as such, are not fully covering their analogue broadcast areas.

At the receiving end you have an antenna, coax and receiver. A better antenna would have more gain, in effect, picking up more of the transmitted energy and getting it to your receiver. Usually higher gain antennas are larger - and directional.

Directional antennas have to be pointed towards the transmitter to be most effective. This is where you may need either multiple antennas and/or a rotor to orient an antenna towards the station you want to tune ... since not all stations broadcast from the same location!

The coax (and even the connectors) from your antenna to the receiver are also very important and sometimes overlooked. The better quality coax would have less loss (see mention of transmitter feed line above). The less loss - the more energy gets into your receiver, and that's what you're attempting to accomplish. Cheap lossy coax, poorly installed connectors or even a piece of coax that is significantly longer than necessary can degrade your received signal strength.

Once that signal gets into your receiver the receiver has to decode it. Up to this point in the description there's really not much difference between NTSC, ATSC, FM radio, etc. Those are all just modulation schemes - ways to get information on to a transmitted signal.

Coming down the antenna is more than just the energy for the station you are attempting to receive. Adjacent stations and even transmissions from other services are all coming down your coax. And that includes man made energy that may be wide-band noise: this can include ignition noise from that lawn mower or car ... street lights (especially from shops and parking lots) ... even noisy power lines.

Your receiver has to discern the difference between all that noise and the desired signal. Hence we get something we call the signal to noise ratio. A good signal to noise ratio would exist when you have a strong signal and weak noise. ATSC receivers will lock on to signals with good S/N ratios and you'll have an enjoyable experience.

But when the noise level increases - that otherwise seemingly strong signal may now be just a little bit stronger than the noise - or maybe even totally overcome by the noise. In this case, you've got a poor S/N ratio and your viewing experience degrades - or you loose reception all together.

VHF and maybe the lower UHF channels would tend to experience more interference from lights, ignition, power line and similar noise sources ...

What I didn't mention above was a preamp. Preamp's (aka pre-amplifiers) actually amplify the signal being received. Sometimes they can be very helpful - and sometimes can create more problems as well.

Best place to put a preamp is at the antenna, before any loss (of signal) that you would experience down the other end of your coax. To accomplish that you have to mount the preamp at the antenna and get power to it. (That's beyond this description.)

One problem with a preamp: it may amplify the noise as well as the signal ... in which case your results may vary. Another common preamp problem is that if you live near a transmitter site the signal from that site (station) may be so strong that the signal that comes out of the preamp will overload your receiver - impairing your ability to receive other signals. (Often called front end overload.)

Another thing that has been often discussed on here is multipath. Multipath occurs when some of the transmitted energy reaches your antenna slightly ahead or behind the rest of the stations transmissions. In analogue NTSC you typically get ghosting and other artifacts. With digital transmissions your receiver is unable to decode the digital information ... you get blotches of video, possibly audio stutter and maybe even total loss of the station.

One of the TV's at my house has an ATSC tuner with rabbit ears and a loop antenna. And in watching some channels when anyone drives up or down the street I loose the signal for a few seconds because of multipath!

As you can see - with multipath you may have a very strong signal ... and maybe even a good signal to noise ratio. But if the digital information can't be decoded by your receiver you get a bad viewing experience. Sometimes reorienting your antenna may help greatly with this.

For digital transmissions, signal quality could be measured in what is the bit error rate. ATSC transmissions are comprised of a continuous stream of 188 byte (character = 8 bits) packets transmitted at a constant bit rate of 19.39 mbps (million bits per second). Your receiver can tolerate a packet now and then being trashed without too much effect. But if many packets are being trashed (received with errors) you start seeing those video artifacts, audio dropouts and even total loss of the channel.

There are other factors that also get into what signal quality is ... but most of that is not exposed by any consumer receivers that I'm aware of. (You'd need expensive test equipment or a computer that can capture the ATSC transport stream and analyze it.)

I've long been frustrated by the numbers (or bars, like cell / GSM phones) ATSC receivers display ... the numbers are arbitrary ... and you can't compare one box from one vendor with another box from a different vendor.

The best situation would be to have a high, steady readout.

This issue may actually be on the way to being addressed. Earlier this year (June 2004) the Advanced Television Systems Committee approved a recommended practice that establishes some voluntary guidelines for receiver performance. Among other things, it also provides guidelines for implementation of received signal quality indicators for use by consumers.

I typed this quick - so I apologize in advance if its a bit sketchy ... or creates more questions than it attempts to answer. I think we've all had so many years of cable ... many folks have never had outdoor antennas, rotors, etc. Combine that with the newer technology - and we're learning all over again how to build these receiving systems!

BTW: the ATSC folks maintain a web site at:

http://www.atsc.org

(though much of the information there is of a fairly technical nature)

Nice job Mr. McCormick!! :):):)

So glad Fox is on Cox now. Save my having to turn my antenna between shows. I can just leave it pointed at ABC and record that on my HTPC, and everything else on the PVR. Though I do admit, having come from the Voom world, there is a LOT of HD I wish they would offer at least for a tiered HD fee.

I thought it was federal law that they can't charge more for HD.

For locals perhaps, but I'm talking StarzHD, TNT-HD, stuff like that.

The law may not allow the cable company to charge more, but it doesn't restrict the network from charging the cable company more and forcing the cable company to take on additional SD channels at the cable company's expense.

WFSBDT - 3-1 and 3-2. Are they off the air tonight??? Or is my antenna acting up??? Was getting a solid 68 signal very early this morning. I hope the signal is down because there working on the antenna or equipment or something. Anyone have an input please???

Originally posted by JackR
WFSBDT - 3-1 and 3-2. Are they off the air tonight??? Or is my antenna acting up??? Was getting a solid 68 signal very early this morning. I hope the signal is down because there working on the antenna or equipment or something. Anyone have an input please???

Go back one page to the post by TV_TX_Engineer.

That's interesting.

Tonight I got blips (signal strength would show 49% jump to 54% then back). Couldn't lock but was getting constant fluctuation.

If they are at a lower power...there is light at the end of the tunnel?

Still haven't returned my emails nor voice mails.:mad:

Originally posted by JackR
WFSBDT - 3-1 and 3-2. Are they off the air tonight??? Or is my antenna acting up??? Was getting a solid 68 signal very early this morning. I hope the signal is down because there working on the antenna or equipment or something. Anyone have an input please???
I was able to watch CSI on 3.1 Unfortunately I can't see the signal strength while watching a program.

Frank

I live in Tolland which is not that far from Columbia. I am experiencing the same problem with WVIT. I think this is front end overlaod. WVIT used to be fine until WFSB started with their increased power. I am getting WFSB very well. I am going to try turning down the amplifier at the antenna and see if this helps.


Pete

Originally posted by KevinSartori
Here is my problem. At around 10:00 PM tonight, I turned on my locals just to see how everything was going. I had not changed anything in my setup. WVIT-DT was now breaking up so severely that Law & Order SVU was totally unwatchable. More black screen than picture. I canceled the recording and checked out the signal strength. It was all over the place and constantly lost the signal. Oddly enough, even WEDN-1 is breaking up every minute or so. WEDN-1 is only 12 miles away from me and when I checked the signal strength, it would be pegged at 90-92%, then every minute or so it would drop to ZERO, lose signal and then come back a split second later pegged at 90-92%. I tried adjusting the antenna and removing the amplifier, but nothing will reverse the situation. WFSB 33 is also stuttering every minute or so.

WTNH-D1, WTXX-DT, WTIC-DT and WHPX-DT all seem to be okay right now.


Please help! It's so disappointing that this is happening! :(

It's 10:39 AM on Friday, and I'm not getting WFSB-DT on Tele-Media Cable in Prospect. Is WFSB-DT down via OTA, or is it just Tele-Media? Thanks.

12:15 PM - No signal for WFSBDT at this time. Very low signal at 8 PM last night and would not stay locked in.

Originally posted by schmitter
Cox added Fox WTIC-DT today. It is on 704 on your HD or DVR box.

I can't pick this one up on my TV with a built in HD QAM Tuner (I do get WVIT and WFSB though)

Arnt all the Digital locals supposed to be unscrambled on cable?

I am on COX in Newington.

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
I can't pick this one up on my TV with a built in HD QAM Tuner (I do get WVIT and WFSB though)

Arnt all the Digital locals supposed to be unscrambled on cable?

I am on COX in Newington.

I thought so too, Scott. I even emailed the FCC about it
and I got a phone call from one of their agents! He said
that it had not been determined if local digitals had to be
unscrambled, but they were looking at it now in some
sort of hearing. Actually I had inquired about WEDH-DT
being scrambled but the same should apply to WTIC-DT.

That is the reason I purchased a TV with a QAM tuner. (It wasnt so I got Music Choice for free) I just don't want a Digital Cable box when I dont need one, I get all the HD premiums from Dish Network and VOOM.

Anyone else having trouble with WCTX-DT? It keeps shifting
between HD and SD and there are alot of audio breakups.

Yeah, I'm getting audio breakups watching Enterprise.

Originally posted by ToddHealy
Yeah, I'm getting audio breakups watching Enterprise.

I called the station to let them know. The signal cleared up
shortly afterwards. Did they actually listen to a customer??

COX must be reading the forums, I got home today and now I have PBS on 107-1 and WTIC on 107-2

Thanks COX!

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
COX must be reading the forums, I got home today and now I have PBS on 107-1 and WTIC on 107-2

Thanks COX!

Thanks for the info, Scott. This is good news since I cannot get
either digital OTA signals from CPTV.

Speaking of QAM, does anyone here use a QAM tuner with Tele-Media Cable? If so, what channels are you able to pull in? Thanks.

I'm curious about that myself.

I know this is off topic of HDTV but I didn't know where else to ask. I have DirecTV and get all my locals through the satellite. I just started watching a few ABC shows this season, Lost and Desperate Housewives. There is a constant popping and screen interference on both of these shows. It doesn't happen to any other channels and DirecTV just says that's the way they are getting the signal from the local affiliate. Does anyone else get this? Do they know there is a problem? It's really annoying.

-Joe

Originally posted by JosephR
I just started watching a few ABC shows this season, Lost and Desperate Housewives. There is a constant popping and screen interference on both of these shows. It doesn't happen to any other channels and DirecTV just says that's the way they are getting the signal from the local affiliate. Does anyone else get this? Do they know there is a problem? It's really annoying.I assume you're mentioning WTNH on DirecTV. Is it all programming, or just network, local, etc.? I think we have a DirecTV box in our facility that's programmed for the Hartford CT market - I'll have a look see. Have also forwarded your comments to one of the engineers at WTNH as well.

Well, WFSB-DT is down AGAIN!!!! They had better be back up in time for the Patriots game at 4pm, or else I'm gonna flip!

WFSB is back up...coming in loud and clear here in Ludlow,MA!

Fabulous, I had considered being able to watch the Eages and Ravens as a bonus.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
I assume you're mentioning WTNH on DirecTV. Is it all programming, or just network, local, etc.? I think we have a DirecTV box in our facility that's programmed for the Hartford CT market - I'll have a look see. Have also forwarded your comments to one of the engineers at WTNH as well.
So you know it's not just him, but I get this as well with directv. I've noticed it mostly on Jeopardy because I'll watch the HD OTA feed for most other shows.

RP, Is the tower work done and if so is WWLP broadcasting at full power now?

Originally posted by pmalve
Is the tower work done and if so is WWLP broadcasting at full power now?No - sorry. The crews got pulled off a few days last week ... and the project is not yet complete. Sorry for the delay - in this case its totally out of our control. Will most certainly post more info when we have a better idea when the work will be completed.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
I assume you're mentioning WTNH on DirecTV. Is it all programming, or just network, local, etc.? I think we have a DirecTV box in our facility that's programmed for the Hartford CT market - I'll have a look see. Have also forwarded your comments to one of the engineers at WTNH as well.

Yes it's DirecTV, I never really watched anything on ABC before lol, but this season I decided to watch a few shows and wow they are good! So far I just watch Lost and Desperate House Wives and they both have the popping scratchy sound and occasional lines in the video. I just watched a little of the Live Election on WTNH and that is coming in fine. So either it's fixed or it's only certain shows. I'll let you know when I check out Lost tomorrow night.

-Joe

I called DirectTV the other day to let them know the problems I was also seeing on WTNH. The rep told me that they had no other reports but they would look into it and to call back in a couple of days if I didn't see an improvement. I also noticed that last night seemed to be much better with just a little snow from time to time. Let's hope they are fixing the problem.

Well, I've just come to the conclusion that WFSBDT 3-1 is operating on low power or at least not at MAX power. Why you ask? A week or more ago I was getting a signal from 50 to 60 on HR1-250 signal meter. Picture would jump in and out once in awhile, but could still watch program. Then they started working on antenna for some reason. Signal was not there at all for awhile, then returned in the 15 to 30 signal range. Not locked on with that low type signal.
Some people on the forum are receiving a good signal so I decided that I must adjust my antenna again.

Today I raised my antenna additional 10 feet. Guess what? Signal still at 15 to 30 on meter and no picture. Channel 53-1 booms in at a steady 88. As it did before I raised antenna.

Anyone have information about WFSBDT signal. Are they at full power yet?
Or is that MAINE antenna company still working on tower?

Any information will be appreciated, to save me any unnecessary antenna adjustments.

Thanks
Jack R

Has anyone purchased an HD recorder and tried to record a Comcast HD broadcast? I would like to purchase one but am concerned that Comcast somehow requires you to use their product, which I do not want to do.

Thanks.

BGM

Odds are the locals in your area will be unencrypted QAM256, but don't count on anything more than that.

Lost was perfect on DirecTV WTNH last night. Thanks if anyone here had anything to do with getting it fixed!

-Joe

Joe,

I had called DirecTV earlier this week and within hours I noticed an improvement in the feed from WTNH.


On another note I was cleaning up and found an old bow-tie UHF antenna that clips on the back of a portable TV. I decided to attach it to my DirecTV Sony SAT-HD300 receiver just to see if I can pickup anything and I was pleasantly surprized. I was able to get WFSB 3.1 in the 60-70 range as well as WTNH 10.1 in the 80s and NBC 30.1 in the 90s. The old bow-tie UHF antenna only has about a 1 foot lead and I had just layed it on the receiver. I ordered last week a CM4228, 9521 and 7777 and can't wait for them to come in now after this test. I guess it helps that my house is on the highest part of a mountain and not in the valley.

WCTX - WTXX - WTIC Stretch Modes

Why do these stations use the stretch mode when
they are not broadcasting HD? It would be better if
they left it up to us to decide whether or not to use
zoom or stretch modes. Are you listening stations?

Anyone on here have the COMCAST HD box with the built in DVR? IF so, can anyone confirm, if when recording with the DVR, you are unable to watch other programming? Is this what they consider single tuner? A friend of mine has the COX HD cable box with DVR, looks exactly the same, and he is able to record shows, but yet change the channels to watch other programming.

If this is the case with the Comcast boxes , there's not much of a point to Keep the DVR box, unless you like the ability to pause or rewind a show..

Thanks

WTXX Channel 12 is now transmitting network in Dolby Digital 5.1.
The non network feed is spliced in to prevent audio distortion when transitioning too and from local programming. Over the last couple of nights you probably noticed us tweaking the hardware to get this working properly. Fingers are crossed here that the new audio splicer doesn't become a headache for me and an annoyance for viewers.

Originally posted by n1ety
WTXX Channel 12 is now transmitting network in Dolby Digital 5.1.
The non network feed is spliced in to prevent audio distortion when transitioning too and from local programming. Over the last couple of nights you probably noticed us tweaking the hardware to get this working properly. Fingers are crossed here that the new audio splicer doesn't become a headache for me and an annoyance for viewers.

The way your post is worded I assume you work for WTXX.
If so, can you explain why you zoom the picture when it is not HD?
It would be better if you did it the way that WVIT and WFSB do.
They leave the picture in the original aspect ratio.

Channel 31 WTIC High definition transmitter will be off the air on Monday November 8th to allow the tower crew to work near the antenna reinforcing tower. The shutdown will be at 7:00 AM and stay off most of the day.
After this I will be shutting down the 31 transmitter approximately 4 times a day for about two weeks to allow the tower crew to pass up and down the tower, reinforcing tower above the DT-31 antenna mounted at 500 feet. This work is in preparation for next springs candelabra at the top of tower where the new Ch. 31, and WTXX DT12 antennas will be permanently mounted.
I suspect that we will have more entire days off air over the next several weeks. Sometimes construction doesn't go exactly as planned.

Also in a few weeks we will be replacing the current transmitter with a brand new Harris "Power CD", Serial #2, or there about. The existing transmitter will remain in place as a backup for some time after install but during this install I'm planning another entire day off air to replace a bad section of feedline.

Originally posted by raoul5788
WCTX - WTXX - WTIC Stretch Modes

Why do these stations use the stretch mode when
they are not broadcasting HD? It would be better if
they left it up to us to decide whether or not to use
zoom or stretch modes. Are you listening stations?

This IS NOT STATION speaking, just my PERSONAL OPINION!

My wife gets aggrevated when I'm playing around with formats during a show. The format that WCTX-WTXX-and WTIC are in doesn't require constant fiddling with remote to fill the screen. My wife and I like it better this way. When I'm not home and the wife is watching our new 16:9 television I know that the tubes are wearing evenly since the entire screen is filled and she is not aggrevated by pillarbox, etc.

Originally posted by n1ety
This IS NOT STATION speaking, just my PERSONAL OPINION!

My wife gets aggrevated when I'm playing around with formats during a show. The format that WCTX-WTXX-and WTIC are in doesn't require constant fiddling with remote to fill the screen. My wife and I like it better this way. When I'm not home and the wife is watching our new 16:9 television I know that the tubes are wearing evenly since the entire screen is filled and she is not aggrevated by pillarbox, etc.

Easier is NOT better! By zooming, some of the picture is lost off of the screen. If stretched, it is distorted. I would rather watch with bars on
the side. I watch enough HD that there is no burn in issue. Besides,
who care what the wife thinks! (ducking!)

Is there anyone on the board here who gets their HDTV from Cox Communications, Enfield area? It's seems the viewers in the Manchester area recently were treated to a few more channels. (PBS for one) Cox Guide only shows 5 total channels. Are the new channel additions also available in the Enfield area?

Originally posted by n1ety
Also in a few weeks we will be replacing the current transmitter with a brand new Harris "Power CD", Serial #2, or there about.

Will the new transmitter have a different transmission pattern to better cover western CT?

The HD lineup for Cox should be the same for all of the areas in CT.

700-WVIT
701-WFSB
703-WEDH
704-WTIC
710-DiscoveryHD
711-ESPN
712-INHD
713-INHD
720-HBO.HD (if you subscribe to HBO)
721-SHOW.HD(if you subscribe to Showtime)

Originally posted by mfino
Anyone on here have the COMCAST HD box with the built in DVR? IF so, can anyone confirm, if when recording with the DVR, you are unable to watch other programming? Is this what they consider single tuner? A friend of mine has the COX HD cable box with DVR, looks exactly the same, and he is able to record shows, but yet change the channels to watch other programming.

If this is the case with the Comcast boxes , there's not much of a point to Keep the DVR box, unless you like the ability to pause or rewind a show..

Thanks

I have the SA 8010 HD from Comcast. It is a dual tuner DVR. You can record something and watch something else at the same time. It has some very clunky things about it, but it does do most things very well. I just love being able to record HD.

I called them earlier and they in fact confirmed that I have a single tuner. How do I know what the model Motorola number I have?

I have the SA 8010 HD from Comcast. It is a dual tuner DVR. You can record something and watch something else at the same time. It has some very clunky things about it, but it does do most things very well. I just love being able to record HD.

Originally posted by n1ety
This IS NOT STATION speaking, just my PERSONAL OPINION!

My wife gets aggrevated when I'm playing around with formats during a show. The format that WCTX-WTXX-and WTIC are in doesn't require constant fiddling with remote to fill the screen. My wife and I like it better this way. When I'm not home and the wife is watching our new 16:9 television I know that the tubes are wearing evenly since the entire screen is filled and she is not aggrevated by pillarbox, etc.

n1ety - I don't agree with you about the format that WTIC or WTXX are using when not broadcasting in HDTV. Take a look at yor competition. For the most part they are broadcasting in 480p non stretched. Their SD signals look much better.


Pete

WWLP-DT update

The antenna work is running longer than expected - a combination of the availability of the tower crews and days lost due to rain and high winds. If things go well the final work will occur over the next couple of days. During this period you may find WWLP-DT off-air.

The encoder changes mentioned in a previous post will not occur during this time but instead will be accomplished at a future date later in the month.

Thanks for your patience and feedback!

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
WWLP-DT update

The antenna work is running longer than expected - a combination of the availability of the tower crews and days lost due to rain and high winds. If things go well the final work will occur over the next couple of days. During this period you may find WWLP-DT off-air.

It's funny that whenever WFSB experienced these same unavoidable setbacks, there was no shortage of posts proclaiming that they sucked. You guys and WTIC are lucky the folks around here are more willing to cut you some slack. :cool:

Originally posted by docbone
It's funny that whenever WFSB experienced these same unavoidable setbacks, there was no shortage of posts proclaiming that they sucked. You guys and WTIC are lucky the folks around here are more willing to cut you some slack. :cool:

Maybe because they have been up front with the schedule and
have gotten the work done when they said they would, for the
most part anyway! And they didn't spend years at low power!

yes, exactly. Totally different.

Question on WCTX. Is it operating at the full strength and the final location on the tower. I have not been able to get it more than sporadically, ever. Even with the leaves gone from the trees it is not coming in. I'm in S-W Ct.

On the FCC web site WCTX are not shown as liscenced, but the STA's they might be operating undre are not much different from their final requested construction modification. This means they don't seem to be planning any changes at this time. Go here: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=Wctx
and click on service contour map to see a rough guess at their coverage. John

I am well within the contor map, just east of Danbury. Am getting the other stations that are operating at full power, but not them.

The contour maps don't seem to take into account terrain or interference both of which are very important in SE CT. They seem to be very optimistic. John

It must be a good tonight for OTA.....calm, clear and cold. I finally locked on to WFSB and WHPX out in little old Oxford MA (southern Worcester county). If anyone is interested, I am using a DB8/7777/40'/LG3100A.

Hopefully when WFSB goes to full, my lock will stay during the not so perfect weather.

Originally posted by Bfadams
I am well within the contor map, just east of Danbury. Am getting the other stations that are operating at full power, but not them.

I too am well within the contour map and the relative polar plot of the antenna...it's sporadic at best. :(

Originally posted by hobbes382
Anyone in the Ridgefield area able to pick up OTA signals out of NYC? I'm dying to pick up my first HDTV set, but I also want to be able to get OTA HD. I have no idea what to expect from my area.

Thanks for any help.

Hobbes382,

Did you get an answer to this question. Wondering the same thing as I am getting a new set with built-in HDTV Tuner. Any folks able to answer the Ridgefield question?

Originally posted by n1ety
Channel 31 WTIC High definition transmitter will be off the air on Monday November 8th to allow the tower crew to work near the antenna reinforcing tower. The shutdown will be at 7:00 AM and stay off most of the day.
After this I will be shutting down the 31 transmitter approximately 4 times a day for about two weeks to allow the tower crew to pass up and down the tower, reinforcing tower above the DT-31 antenna mounted at 500 feet. This work is in preparation for next springs candelabra at the top of tower where the new Ch. 31, and WTXX DT12 antennas will be permanently mounted.
I suspect that we will have more entire days off air over the next several weeks. Sometimes construction doesn't go exactly as planned.

Also in a few weeks we will be replacing the current transmitter with a brand new Harris "Power CD", Serial #2, or there about. The existing transmitter will remain in place as a backup for some time after install but during this install I'm planning another entire day off air to replace a bad section of feedline.

When the transmitter is on is it at reduced power? Up until this weekend WTIC was rock solid at 80% or better. Since Sunday afternoon it's been jumping all over the place from 0% to 85% making it unwatchable.

It's great that you are progressing with the new antenna array for WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT, and I'm sure it's a lot of work, and dangerous work, as well. There was some talk about CPTV also being included on the same tower, but I haven't seen anything definitive about it. Will they also be included on the tower, and has there been any determination of what channel they will operate on? Also, are there any plans to include Dolby Digital 5.1 on WTXX-DT? I see that a number of WB stations nationally are beginning to offer Dolby Digital 5.1.

Originally posted by cgorra
It's great that you are progressing with the new antenna array for WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT, and I'm sure it's a lot of work, and dangerous work, as well. There was some talk about CPTV also being included on the same tower, but I haven't seen anything definitive about it. Will they also be included on the tower, and has there been any determination of what channel they will operate on? Also, are there any plans to include Dolby Digital 5.1 on WTXX-DT? I see that a number of WB stations nationally are beginning to offer Dolby Digital 5.1.

You should check first, but WTXX-DT has been in 5.1 for couple of weeks now.

I noticed that tonight: I guess I don't watch WB often enough!

I'm new to the HDTV realm, and am trying to optimize my viewing options with my new plasma screen. I am still up in the air as to whether I am going to go for dish or digital cable, but I am thinking I will be setting up for OTA too, regardless.

Since I have been tied to standard cable with a CRT for the last 25 years of my life, I'm not sure how to put this all together. In other words, what kind of antenna system will I need to hookup for OTA? Are the antennas static or powered, what kind of cost am I looking at? Waht measures the signal strenths? I assume I'll need a HD reciever to decode the HDTV signals (which will be dumbed down to 480p, but way better than 480i SD analog), but how would that be hooked up in light of already having a cable box or satellite reciever? Do they run seperately into the TV, having to toggle between them?

I know its a lot of questions, but any advice as to how to to put this all together would be appreciated. BTW, I live on the Kensington/New Britain line, I hope I will receive a good broadcast signals, but there are some hills around (e.g., Ragged Mtn near Timberlin Park). Anyone else in the area with results to report?

Thanks in advance!

Originally posted by jmarkey

Since I have been tied to standard cable with a CRT for the last 25 years of my life, I'm not sure how to put this all together. In other words, what kind of antenna system will I need to hookup for OTA? Are the antennas static or powered, what kind of cost am I looking at? Waht measures the signal strenths? I assume I'll need a HD reciever to decode the HDTV signals (which will be dumbed down to 480p, but way better than 480i SD analog), but how would that be hooked up in light of already having a cable box or satellite reciever? Do they run seperately into the TV, having to toggle between them?


I'll give you my 2 cents worth, and I'm sure others will be happy to chime in with other opinions and fill in the blanks. The best source for antenna information is www.antennaweb.org Type in your zip and it will spit out the stations in your area, direction, distance, channel and general antenna type recommendations. Around here though, you're going to need both VHF and UHF antennas (separate or combined) to receive all the stations (pretty sure ABC and WB are the only VHF, the others are all UHF). Based on where you say you live, you're likely going to need a rotor as well. Can't give you any advice about good combo antennas or rotors, but a good UHF antenna is the ChannelMaster 4228. You may also need a preamp (CM 7777) - that's probably what you mean by "static or powered" but I would try without first; preamps can often make reception worse by overdriving your receiver. Receivers have a signal strength meter of some type, but most of them actually measure signal quality, not strength. In any case, it's probably sufficient to help you accurately point your antenna.

You will need an HD receiver, which both Dish and DirecTV sell; just make sure it accepts an OTA antenna input. It used to be you didn't have to buy an HD receiver from DirecTV (don't know about Dish); my understanding is that has changed, but you still might find some DirecTV compatible HD receivers in electronics stores. Depending on the receiver and what the station is broadcasting, the receiver will output 720p or 1080i in addition to 480p, and you won't have to switch back and forth between satellite and OTA, or use multiple cables to the TV. I have no experience with cable HD, so someone else will have to comment on that.

Cost? Depends on a lot of things, including where and how you are mounting the antenna. I would think $300 (antenna, pre-amp, rotor) wouldn't be too far off, but you need to figure out what you need/want and shop around for prices. The HD receiver costs probably could range from $300-$1000 depending on what type you get and whether it has TIVO or a recorder. I imagine Dish or DirecTV would probably give you some kind of discount for signing up if you get the receiver from them.

Hope that helps; good luck!

You may want to look at cable as your option for HD. I wouldn't just jump to satellite without taking a close look. Ultimately the choice is yours but some things to consider are as follows.

Entertainment on Demand or VOD or EOD whatever you want to call it. This technology is not available on satellite.

DVR or PVR, like tivo, it will alow you to record programs, and most have dual tuner capabilities, so record one, watch another. The other thing with the cable PVRs is that you CAN record HD content. The Tivo boxes that allow that are a billion doallars.

With cable, you can get at least analog content on other sets in your home at no extra cost. You could also get a basic converter for premiums in key areas, so there is a little more flexability.

Cable companies typically give back to the community, by employing your friends and neighbors. They also have public accsess studios, where anyone, even you could make your own TV show and broadcast it to everyone with cable, a la Wayne's World. You can also often find Town Hall meetings here. This is also where Cable in the Classroom resides.

The satellite dish the cable company uses is a lot bigger than the ones you see all over the place, and in most cases are heated, so the snow doesn't bother them, like a small dish. The cable company has also already dealt with any tree issues that might exist.

You can also in many cases get a bundle discount through cable if you use their high speed internet and telephone services if offered.

Again the decision is ultimatly yours, but I would at least consider all options before choosing.

I'll disagre slightly with my esteemed colleague from Manchester ;). Comparing the DVR (at least the one Cox gives us, the 6412) to a HDTivo is an insult to the Tivo. The 6412 is currently a bug-ridden headache, and misses almost half the shows I ask it to record. There is some VoD capability to satellite subscribers as well, though it's not as comprehensive as what cable currently provides. Line of site is, for me, a huge issue here in Manchester. Might be a lot less so for you. Having gone from Voom (HD Satellite) to cable (Cox) and now back to satellite (this time DirecTV) in many ways it will be a matter of preference. I'm finally content.

-MP

I want to correct some misinformation about satellite vs cable. Weather is not generally a problem with satellite. I have had satellite for two years and have only lost signal a couple of times due to very heavy thunderstorms. Snow has never been a problem with satellite. Sure trees can be a problem but only an installer can tell you if satellite will work in your location.

All satellite signals are digital. That doesn't mean they are always better. Some are analog signals converted to digital. Cable has a mixture of digital and analog signals.

Local channels used to be an issue with Satellite but it isn't anymore. DirecTV provides all local channels in CT.

The satellite boxes have inputs for both satellite and OTA (over the air signals). I assume the new cable boxes have the same. On my satellite box both the satellite and over the air signals are integrated and they switch seamlessly back and forth. The guide information integrates both OTA and satellite signals.

In Tolland, I can get CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, and WB channels that offer HD signals. I also subscribed to DirecTV HD package which provided ESPNHD, BravoHD, HDNet, HDNEt movies, and Discovery HD.

Your choice of which source for HD comes down to what channels you want. For example, with comcast in Tolland I could get all Red Sox home games in HD(ESPNHD). I can't get that with DirecTV.

Both cable and satellite only offer a few HD channels at this point. In fact, I recently canceled the DirecTV HD package because there was simply not enough HD programming that interested me and there were too many repeat programs. I gave them a year and they only added BravoHD.

Recording HD is another issue. I know the DirecTV Tivo HD box can do it, but I don't know about OTA. I have not bought the DirecTV Tivo HD box because I am not goint to pay $999 for it. Simply too much cost. Someone else will have to comment about the cable PVR box and whether or not they can record OTA HD.

Finally, let me comment about the quality of OTA versus satellite. For an HD picture, in my opinion, nothing beats the OTA picture. Satellite HD is good, but OTA is visually better.

While schmitter has a strong feeling about cable, ultimately the decision about HD source comes down to programming. Neither cable or satellite can brag about their HD offerings at this point in time.

We need to have a post in this thread that lists all the current HD offerings from satellite and the cable companies in the CT. area. This would really help newcomers.


Pete

The cable boxes do NOT have OTA tuners. They cannot record OTA. The HDTivo can.

-MP

Interesting cable vs. Satellite debate. There is no one right answer for everyone. For me, a good DVR is most important. I can’t go back to watching without a DVR.

I have had three DVRs, the DirecTV Tivo, DirecTV UltimateTV, and Comcast’s Scientific Atlanta 8000 HD. The DTivo is clearly the best in my opinion. I have three TVs and one on each TV.

My comparison list.

Cable Advantages:
Simplicity. You call the cable company. They come and install the stuff you need.
Free analog TV channels to any number of extra sets in your house.
As mentioned above, some people that work for them are local.
Community Access TV.
No need to buy equipment, they provide it.
OnDemand service can be nice, If the programs they offer interest you.
Discount for Hi-speed internet service, if available
No 1-year commitment

Cable Advantages for HD:
No antenna needed for local HD channels.
HD DVR is available at no up front cost!
Red Sox HD available on InHD


DirecTV Advantages:
DTivo is simply the best device for watching non-HD TV on the planet.
For most people, most channels have better picture quality (this varies)
For most people, the equivalent service is a little cheaper.
NFL Sunday Ticket is available that lets you see all games each Sunday.
Equipment is generally better quality.
Any service interruption that you might have is very brief.
All channels are digital. As stated above, that does not necessarily always mean better, but it can be important for the DVRs.

DirecTV HD Advantages:
A Choice of receivers is available
Receivers are basically bug-free
All HD receivers have the ability to get FREE over the air local HD.
If you have $900 to spend, the HD Tivo is TV heaven.
NFL Sunday Ticket has ~ 6 HD extra HD games per week.


As you can see I used DirecTV for my satellite comparison. I am biased because that’s what I have, and I do think they are the better service mainly because their equipment is better. One good thing about Dish Network is that they do have a plan that does not require a 1 year commitment. I have also seen plans that offer an HD receiver for a very low up-front price. DirecTV has just announced a HUGE investment for upgrading their HD offerings including offering local HD channels by the end of next year. This will leave Dish in the dust for the time being HD wise. No time to discuss the seemingly dying Voom satellite service.

Weather interruptions for satellite is almost a non-issue. It does happen occasionally for very short periods of time.

Before recording HD came to cable, I would have always recommended DirecTV because of the DTivo, especially if you have 3 or less TVs. The cable HD recorders are buggy and have many annoyances, but they generally work and cost you nothing up front. I can’t justify spending $900 for an HDTivo, as good as they are. Not having to deal with antennas is a big bonus too.

I would say try your cable company first. It’s easy and it’s no risk. You can then choose to switch to satellite at any time, and you’ll have something to compare it to.

As I stated before, ultimatly the decision is yours, and yours alone to make.

I have not had any problems with my 6412 not recording what I want it to record, with the exception of when the football games run late and into the Simpson's start time. I like football better anyway. I will add that I wish it had more capacity, maybe in the future I will be able to add a firewire HD to the 6412.

Rogers cable in Canada has started to carry its entire analog lineup in a digital form, for its customers with digital set top boxes. I see this as something that will be happening in the us in the relatively near future.

Myself personaly, I like to watch the town hall meetings, just to see how my tax dollars are being wasted. But that could just be me.

Heh, you must have the only working 6412 on the planet schmitter ;). Go check out the HD Recorders forum and the nice long thread we have going there about it. I am not convinced they will move to an all digital format. Those first 72 or so analog channels are pretty easy on the bandwidth. I will say that the best deal right now (at least in our area) is to buy the absolute basic cable package ($12 or so) and use a QAM256-capable tuner. You can get all of the HD locals in clean QAM. I'm doing that for my locals in HD since my location is abysmal for an antenna. My monster on the roof with a 7777 amp doesn't do me a lot of good :(

Originally posted by madpoet
I will say that the best deal right now (at least in our area) is to buy the absolute basic cable package ($12 or so) and use a QAM256-capable tuner. You can get all of the HD locals in clean QAM. I'm doing that for my locals in HD since my location is abysmal for an antenna:(

Are you saying that you can use your own HDTV receiver to decode HD signals out of basic cable? Don't you have to have digital cable coming in to even begin to do this, or am I to assume the only thing that makes cable "digital" when you buy it is the STB they give you? I guess I always thought that you get the service you want with a combination of them switching the service you want from the street/source and a box that descrambles the signal. I also assumed their digital signal could only be read by their STB.

If I am mistaken about al this, what exactly can one do with the various cable services available (e.g., basic, standard, standard digital, etc.) using your own equipment. What exactly can you get? One thing about your post that I especially don't understand is that I thought the HD locals were on the 100+ digital channels, and that doesn't even get fed in with basic cable?

Also, I have Comcast here in Berlin, I think you said you have Cox, are the service setups different?

Originally posted by jmarkey
Are you saying that you can use your own HDTV receiver to decode HD signals out of basic cable? Don't you have to have digital cable coming in to even begin to do this, or am I to assume the only thing that makes cable "digital" when you buy it is the STB they give you? I guess I always thought that you get the service you want with a combination of them switching the service you want from the street/source and a box that descrambles the signal. I also assumed their digital signal could only be read by their STB.

If I am mistaken about al this, what exactly can one do with the various cable services available (e.g., basic, standard, standard digital, etc.) using your own equipment. What exactly can you get? One thing about your post that I especially don't understand is that I thought the HD locals were on the 100+ digital channels, and that doesn't even get fed in with basic cable?

Also, I have Comcast here in Berlin, I think you said you have Cox, are the service setups different?

I can answer this question. Yes, you can receive all of the local HDTV (digital) channels that your local cable company offers with a QAM tuner that you can get on your own. Some cable companies are sloppy, and actually leave a few other digital channels unencrypted, but for the most part, it's just the locals.

As far as your confusion as the what makes your cable "digital". All of the cables being fed into houses are all digital ready. Whether you have digital cable or not, the coaxial cable connected to your TV is the same cable you'd use for digital. Nothing outside, or at the source, or in your house is changed, with he exception of connecting the cable to some sort of STB, be it from your cable company or your own QAM. I hope this can clear up your confusion.

Yes it does, and thanks, it may change my whole A/V setup at home ultimately. With all due respect to Schmitter (he does make some good points for cable in his post), the only reason I was going to keep/upgrade cable after my move was to get discounted high speed internet. I would have prefered to keep my SBC phone/DSL package and add Dish for a much-more reasonably priced package, but my new location doesn't get DSL, even though its only a mile away!!!:confused:. I would then use OTA HD locals for free (after equipment of course)

With this info however, I may get basic cable for my HD locals and discounted internet, combined with Dish or Direct. At this point, I see no non-local HD programming that I care about on cable (I want Weather Channel HD!!!) That is until SBC gets DSL expanded to our location. I am getting a free 2 month upgrade to Digital Gold HD as a promotion after the move, so I'll get a true opinion of digital cable/HD/EOD before making my decision.

A couple thing that I'm still not sure about, and that is I thought digital (including HD locals) are carried on the upper channels (>100) that seem to not even get through the door. I know you said that all programming comes in with the cable, and they use the box to descramble what you want, but I get standard now, and my TV doesn't see and scrambled upper channels. Granted, my current TV doesn't have a digital tuner (at least I don't think so), so maybe that's why it doesn't at least "see" them?

If what you say is true however, this should mean I can get "basic cable" (~2-23), but actually access all the standard cable channels (~(24-72) as well as long as my TV/receiver is capable of tuning them? I assume this since my standard cable is tuned directly through my TV , and if the signals coming in aren't controlled outside, then that should mean ~24-72 is never encrypted? How do cable companies even sell "basic cable" then since any TV made since 1990 should be able to tune all these channels without a STB?

Or can they change the encryption coming in per your service? And still, what about HD locals being >100?

Help me see the light!!!!

OK, so a big question is how much does a QAM256 capable tuner cost? Can anyone provide buying info on them?

It depends on how you want to do it. I have 2. One is built into my TV set (Hitachi 57XWX20b, discovered by accident it could do QAM). The other is a PC card in my HTPC, the Fusion III QAM. There are also set top boxes that can do QAM decoding, and even some that can act as recorders. I would spend some time reading in the HD Hardware and Recorders forums.

If you go this route, what you will get is basic 2-23 AND whatever unencrypted QAM256 channels your local cable company provides. Generally this is just the locals. So no, you will not get 24-72.

Originally posted by madpoet
Heh, you must have the only working 6412 on the planet schmitter ;). Go check out the HD Recorders forum and the nice long thread we have going there about it. I am not convinced they will move to an all digital format. Those first 72 or so analog channels are pretty easy on the bandwidth. I will say that the best deal right now (at least in our area) is to buy the absolute basic cable package ($12 or so) and use a QAM256-capable tuner. You can get all of the HD locals in clean QAM. I'm doing that for my locals in HD since my location is abysmal for an antenna. My monster on the roof with a 7777 amp doesn't do me a lot of good :(

Have you tried it without the amp? I removed my amp and now I get more channels and almost zero dropouts.

Yep. It's my location, absolute crap (West Vernon Street, if you know where that is. I have some really weird signal reflection issues. If I turn my antenna 90d off the heading, I can pick them up NBC and Fox in the low 40s for signal strength. Dead on and within a few degrees, nothing. Tried removing the amp, took out all the splitters, reran new cable, used mutliple tuners... I'm just in a bad neck of the woods (litterally!)

Madpoet, so that would mean you would not get the local HD channels (the ones in the 100's), just the old standard analog ones?

No, you get 2-24 analog and then whatever the QAM ones are these days (112-1, 112-2, etc). You just do not get any of the rest of the analog spectrum, nor do you get much else in QAM (though I do get the music channels, forgot to mention those).

What does QAM stand for anyway? What are the QAM channels anyway (don't know what 112-1, 112-2 are). Comast lists the local HD's in the 300's.

QAM is quadrature amplitude modulation. It is the way digital data is placed on an RF carrier by cable companies. Over the air uses 8vsb which is 8 different levels mostly on one sideband. Cable uses up to 256 levels on QAM to allow a higher data rate per channel but needing a higher SNR. John

Is anyone west of Hartford getting WTIC HD 61 (31)?

I have a CM4228/CM7777 with a DirecTV Sony SAT-HD300 and a DirecTV Hughes HR10-250. I currently get WTNH 8 (10) at 95%, WFSB 3 (33) at 72%, WVIT 30 (35) at 90%; however, I can only get WTIC 61 (31) at 16% with no sound or picture.

A friend who lives in Suffield is currently a DirectTV subscriber (SD). He has SD boxes in two locations in his house and now would like to upgrade the one in his basement to HD. He called DirectTV and they told him it would cost $350 plus another $16 for shipping (plus an additional $12 a month after the free first 6 months). That price apparently includes the new box plus a new dish and new cabling if he needs it, as well as installation.

Is this a reasonable cost or is there a more economical route for him to take? He already has a dish that is capable of accomodating multiple receivers and he made whatever upgrade was necessary in order to receive the local SD channels so is it likely that he would need a different dish or new cabling which it seems he must pay for whether he needs them or not?

His main reason for having DirectTV in the first place is for NFL Sunday Ticket. I have explained to him that even with the new HD setup, he'll need to pick up CBS, Fox and an ABC affiliate over the air in order to get the locally televised games in HD. I know there is no way he's going to pick up WTNH, but what do you reckkon his chances of getting WFSB or WTIC in his basement with just an indoor antenna? I'm pretty sure there is no terrain blocking his line of sight from Suffield to the Avon/Farmington area.

I got an HD box for $50 after all the D*TV credits. They charged me $399 for the unit and I got ~$350 in various credits. You need to have him call the Customer Retention number & tell them he's thinking of switching to Cable for HD service give the high cost of an D*TV Hd receiver & that he heard that for long term subscribers they were offering some rebates/credits. The customer retention number is (800) 600-8977.

Not sure if its still going on, but I got my deal back in Feb. You need to be a customer for more than 2 years & don't bite on the initial offering, tell him to keep asking if there is more they can do.

[/B][/QUOTE]I have explained to him that even with the new HD setup, he'll need to pick up CBS, Fox and an ABC affiliate over the air in order to get the locally televised games in HD. I know there is no way he's going to pick up WTNH, but what do you reckkon his chances of getting WFSB or WTIC in his basement with just an indoor antenna? I'm pretty sure there is no terrain blocking his line of sight from Suffield to the Avon/Farmington area. [/B][/QUOTE]

If he is going to upgrade dishes and receivers, then tell your friend that it's time for a roof-top antenna, which can be installed at the time that he upgrades the dish. WTNH, WTIC, and WFSB should all be easily available in Suffield with a decent antenna

WTNH, WTIC, and WFSB should all be easily available in Suffield with a decent antenna WTNH-DT channel 10 can be received with a modest antenna in Agawam and Southwick, Massachusetts. I can receive both WTIC-DT and WFSB-DT northeast of Springfield with just a loop antenna - so those should be just fine in Suffield CT!

WTNH-DT can be received in Belchertown, MA with an amplified VHF antenna (2-story house with no objects blocking the signal).

The amplification is important for WTNH if your antenna is mounted remotely because of the weak signal strength (if you have > 20 FT of RG-6 cable) and I have found that installing a VHF/UHF splitter actually helped with reception of WTNH, although I am not sure why.

Thanks for all the info. I'm pretty sure my friend will not want to install an external antenna on his house. My guess is that if he can pick up WFSB and WTIC well enough, he'll just wait for WGGB for his Monday night fix.

FYI,

As of this week I am able to get WTNH-DT with occasional dropouts using an indoor amplified antenna. I am still tweaking the arrangement to eliminate the occasional dropouts. Here are some more details:

(1) You need a 2-story house with a clear southwest shot. The higher elevation, the better.

(2) Buy a Terk (yes, I know people hate them but I was short on time and Circuit City was nearby and has a good return policy) indoor amplified antenna TV-3.

(3) Extend the "Rabbit Ear" dipoles fully and flatten them out so that they are both in the full horizontal position.

(4) Place the antenna assembly AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE in your house. I used the UHF loop to mount the antenna on the blade of a ceiling fan in a second floor bedroom.

(5) Power up and dial your amplifier to the limit of the green LED status (right before it turns yellow). You may need to dial it down slightly if you are oversaturating the amplifier. Play around with it a little bit.

(6) Don't ask me why, but using the included VHF/UHF splitter (ignore the UHF output connector because WTNH-DT is a VHF station) at the "antenna" end of the cable helped get the station locked.

(7) I am using cheap RG-59 cable for now but am going to replace with RG-6 cable from your friends at Walmart.

Crank up your TV volume so you can hear the station come to life when you find the proper mounting angle or use a friend to help you.

What's going on with WFSB now? On Weds. night I recorded CSI:NY. It was pixelated with dropouts and showed a recording time of 34 minutes (a sure sign of problems).On Thurs, I recorded CSI, and the picture was flawless. Are they still screwing around with their antenna?

Originally posted by mspicer1234
Is anyone west of Hartford getting WTIC HD 61 (31)?

I have a CM4228/CM7777 with a DirecTV Sony SAT-HD300 and a DirecTV Hughes HR10-250. I currently get WTNH 8 (10) at 95%, WFSB 3 (33) at 72%, WVIT 30 (35) at 90%; however, I can only get WTIC 61 (31) at 16% with no sound or picture.
No - I'm in Newtown and don't even get a blip. If you look at their transmitter pattern, west of the transmitter doesn't have a chance. They are focusing their power north and east of Hartford.

I live in West Hartford; two story house; Chan Master roof top VHF/UHF w/rotor. I used to get WTNH-DT fine, though I had to move the rotor from the position where I could pick up everything else. Now when I point the antenna to 220 degrees, the direction of the transmitter, or do a 0 to 360 sweep, I get absolutely nothing. I have two Zenith HD-520s with the same result, so it's not the tuner. Help.

I live in West Hartford, too, and have experienced recent problems with some DT stations ever since WFSB-DT went to full power. I have a Wade-Delhi antenna on the roof with a rotator, and find that WTNH-DT and WCTX-DT are harder to get ever since WFSB-DT went up. I use an LG LST-3100 tuner, which has similar circuitry to the LG-made Sony SAT-520. I am in the northern part of West Hartford, about 3 1/2 miles from the WFSB transmitters. Are you using any kind of preamplifier or distribution amplifier in your antenna system? Have you tried installing a variable attenuator in the TV antenna line?

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
No - I'm in Newtown and don't even get a blip. If you look at their transmitter pattern, west of the transmitter doesn't have a chance. They are focusing their power north and east of Hartford.

I just got off the phone with an engineer from WTIC and he said the reception problem must be my equipment. I told him that from what I have read they are broadcasting their signal towards the north east and that I can receive a strong signal from WFSB-DT which is broadcast from the same area. I told him that WTIC's DT is the only broadcast that I can't receive. His reply is don't believe everything you read :mad: and that he doesn't work for WFSB so he can't tell me why I can receive their signal better than WTIC's. He also said WTIC has a project to move their transmitter higher up but that won't happen until the weather gets warm again (April or later).

It looks like this part of the state isn't going to see much from WTIC-DT :mad:

Maybe we should flood WTIC with calls and complain that we want better service!:D

Originally posted by mspicer1234

It looks like this part of the state isn't going to see much from WTIC-DT :mad:


I live in Prospect, not too far from Oxford. I am able to pick up WTIC-DT at 100%. And even during the summer, I was able to pull it in at around 75-80%.

Originally posted by PaulieORF
I live in Prospect, not too far from Oxford. I am able to pick up WTIC-DT at 100%. And even during the summer, I was able to pull it in at around 75-80%.

You have the advantage of being on a hill, probably the best spot around here for reception. I'm next door in Cheshire, not as high in elevation, but still a good area. I get all the digitals except WEDN and WEDW.

Originally posted by PaulieORF
I live in Prospect, not too far from Oxford. I am able to pick up WTIC-DT at 100%. And even during the summer, I was able to pull it in at around 75-80%.

I am on a hill top in Oxford and use a CM4228, CM7777 and CM9521A. What setup do you have and how high above the peak is it?

Originally posted by mspicer1234
I am on a hill top in Oxford and use a CM4228, CM7777 and CM9521A. What setup do you have and how high above the peak is it?

I have a Radio Shack UHF/VHF antenna. Not sure the model number of it. It is supposed to be able to pull in channels from up to 90 miles away. I have it mounted 4 feet above the peak of my roof, on my 2 story house. I am able to pull in the following solidly, with no problems:

WFSB-DT
WTIC-DT
WVIT-DT
WTNH-DT
WTXX-DT
WCTX-DT
WHPX-DT
WEDN-DT (fluctuates between 50 and 80 on the meter, but never breaks up)

I can sometimes pull in WWLP-DT from Springfield. It is crazy, anywhere from 22 on the meter and no picture or sound, to 68 with a flawless picture and sound.

As far as analog goes, I can pick up channels as far away as Springfield and Rhode Island. But, I can barely pick up anything out of NYC, odd.

I also have an indoor RCA UHF/VHF antenna from RCA. With it, I can pick up the following with pretty much no problems, with the exception of lowing readings on the meter.

WVIT-DT
WFSB-DT
WTIC-DT
WTNH-DT
WTXX-DT

Can't pull in WCTX-DT with it for some reason.

Originally posted by PaulieORF
I can sometimes pull in WWLP-DT from Springfield. It is crazy, anywhere from 22 on the meter and no picture or sound, to 68 with a flawless picture and sound.Looks like, depending on where you are in Prospect, something a little more than a 40 mile haul from the WWLP-DT transmitter site to you. What is your terrain like to your north? (You are south southwest of Provin Mountain.) Sounds like maybe some multi-path ... but I'm wondering if there is any interaction with WTNH-DT on channel 10 and WTXX-DT on channel 12. Both of those are pretty close to you by my estimate.

Got DirecTV the other day, and was surprised when I applied for my waivers that we automatically get NBC-HD. Yay me. I'm going to have to fight for CBS and Fox however. If I can get them out here to view my terrible signal, maybe I'll win.

-MP

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Looks like, depending on where you are in Prospect, something a little more than a 40 mile haul from the WWLP-DT transmitter site to you. What is your terrain like to your north? (You are south southwest of Provin Mountain.) Sounds like maybe some multi-path ... but I'm wondering if there is any interaction with WTNH-DT on channel 10 and WTXX-DT on channel 12. Both of those are pretty close to you by my estimate.

There are some hills to the north of here, as the crow flies to Springfield. This probably is the difference between what I'm getting for WEDN-DT from Norwich, as well as PAX out of New London, I believe. I am kinda surprised that I can't get a blip on any NYC digital channels.

Originally posted by madpoet
Got DirecTV the other day, and was surprised when I applied for my waivers that we automatically get NBC-HD. Yay me. I'm going to have to fight for CBS and Fox however. If I can get them out here to view my terrible signal, maybe I'll win.

-MP

We automatically qualify for NBC-HD because WVIT in CT is owned and operated by NBC, as opposed to WFSB, WTIC, and WTNH.

Ahh, good to know. Still hopeful I can get the CBS and Fox waivers. I can't get them no matter what I try.

I haven't heard of anyone in CT getting a waiver from either WFSB or WTIC.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Looks like, depending on where you are in Prospect, something a little more than a 40 mile haul from the WWLP-DT transmitter site to you. What is your terrain like to your north? (You are south southwest of Provin Mountain.) Sounds like maybe some multi-path ... but I'm wondering if there is any interaction with WTNH-DT on channel 10 and WTXX-DT on channel 12. Both of those are pretty close to you by my estimate.
WTXX DT Ch12 is about 300 feet below WTIC DT31 on tower in Farmington, CT.


As far as comment made by engineer he was misinformed of WTIC-DT31 coverage and I apologize for his comments.
As far as flooding station with calls, it won't help anything. WTIC DT31 and WTXX DT 12 will move to the top of the tower next spring. Our hands are tied by a little thing called football playoffs and the Superbowl. If we continued construction through the winter the Super Bowl on NTSC 61 would suffer as to perform construction at the top of the tower will require NTSC 61 antenna to be removed. Thus WTIC 61 antenna will be living at reduced power at reduced elevation until construction at the top of the tower is complete. Also worth mentioning is during construction we'll be powering down 31 and 61 4 times a day to allow the tower crew to safely get up and down the tower. With that, construction towards getting maximum coverage for WTIC DT31 and WTXX DT12 has come to a halt until after Superbowl. I don't expect construction to be complete until July 1st 2005.
One more thing, our coverage is controlled mostly by the FCC. We'd love to get our signal out to everyone but I'm afraid the FCC wouldn't allow that as this would create problems for other stations coverage in neighboring markets.

Originally posted by n1ety
WTXX DT Ch12 is about 300 feet below WTIC DT31 on tower in Farmington, CT.


As far as comment made by engineer he was misinformed of WTIC-DT31 coverage and I apologize for his comments.
As far as flooding station with calls, it won't help anything. WTIC DT31 and WTXX DT 12 will move to the top of the tower next spring. Our hands are tied by a little thing called football playoffs and the Superbowl. If we continued construction through the winter the Super Bowl on NTSC 61 would suffer as to perform construction at the top of the tower will require NTSC 61 antenna to be removed. Thus WTIC 61 antenna will be living at reduced power at reduced elevation until construction at the top of the tower is complete. Also worth mentioning is during construction we'll be powering down 31 and 61 4 times a day to allow the tower crew to safely get up and down the tower. With that, construction towards getting maximum coverage for WTIC DT31 and WTXX DT12 has come to a halt until after Superbowl. I don't expect construction to be complete until July 1st 2005.
One more thing, our coverage is controlled mostly by the FCC. We'd love to get our signal out to everyone but I'm afraid the FCC wouldn't allow that as this would create problems for other stations coverage in neighboring markets.


Here is the response that I received from my email to WTIC:
************************************************

We're well aware that not everyone in our coverage area can
receive our digital signal.

It's especially true of people like you, who are on the edge
of our area. You are very close to Fairfield County which
is actually part of the New York TV service area.

It's true that our signal is not deliberately directional, but
it's also true that a number of factors (including geography
and the way our omni-directional antenna is temporary mounted
prevent the signal from being truly circular).

Eventually we'll be able to increase our power, antenna height
and correct some of the directional characteristics. Unfortunately
that won't be until next summer.

In the meantime there are some things you can do that may
improve your reception. Here's a web site that may help.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Obviously it's in our interest to reach as many
people as possible as quickly as possible.
*************************************************

Originally posted by PaulieORF
I haven't heard of anyone in CT getting a waiver from either WFSB or WTIC.

I have been attempting to talk with WFSB about the denial of my wavier but no one seems to care enough there to return calls. I haven't given up; however, since they increased power on the OTA I am not as driven to get a wavier from them.

I did receive a waiver from WTIC and I receive Fox NY & LA in the 380s; however, DirecTV does not offer any Fox HD Broadcasts at this time. They did have the World Series in HD in high 80s so I hope they will do they same with the Superbowl.

mspicer1234,

Did u get the waiver from WTIC recently??? Maybe I will try again if you did!!

scottte

Originally posted by scottte
mspicer1234,

Did u get the waiver from WTIC recently??? Maybe I will try again if you did!!

scottte

I got it the beginning of last month (October) when I added the HD package with DirecTV.

Hopefully my WTIC waiver goes quickly as well. A for CBS, I defy them to come to my house and get a signal. If my Winegard 7084P with a CM7777 amp on a 10' mast can't do it, then they better give me a waiver. After you are denied the initial waiver (as I fully expect to be) how do you go about fighting it?

I'll be honest, I do have backup since I've got the basic Cox package and unencrypted QAM256 locals. But I would much ratehr have an all-in-one solution rather than be forced to record on 3 different devices.

There is supposedly some FCC objection you can file that will force them to come to your site and prove you can get a usable signal. Though I don't know the details. You may want to check the FCC.gov site & do a search.

As far as flooding station with calls, it won't help anything. WTIC DT31 and WTXX DT 12 will move to the top of the tower next spring. Our hands are tied by a little thing called football playoffs and the Superbowl.

Flooding a station with calls NEVER helps anything. All it accomplishes is annoying the receptionist who is not in a position to solve your problem in the first place.
In the above instance, the circumstances are such that no amount of complaining is going to change the outcome but in cases where a protest or request might bring about some action, one letter is worth more than a thousand phone calls.
The same applies to waiver requests. A phone call is guaranteed to get you nowhere. An e-mail is somewhat better. But a letter trumps them all. You still may fail in the end but at least you'll get on someone's radar screen.

Originally posted by Such
There is supposedly some FCC objection you can file that will force them to come to your site and prove you can get a usable signal. Though I don't know the details. You may want to check the FCC.gov site & do a search. The FCC's web site for the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/shva/

See the section regarding:
Distant stations provided to some subscribers

Basically a computer model has pre-determined whether subscribers may be able to receive (or not receive) local stations off-air. If you disagree with this model you can request a "waiver" from each local network TV station that you were predicted to be able to receive.

If the local station denies the waiver request you can submit a request to your satellite company to have a signal strength test performed at your location to determine whether your signal is at least Grade B intensity. A qualified independent person will be jointly selected by the satellite company and station to perform the test.

Oddly - if the satellite company and station don't agree on someone to do the test the FCC has designated the American Radio Relay League (ARRL, the national ham radio organisation, which BTW is based in Newington CT) to be the independent neutral entity.

Grade B contours are defined as field strengths in dB (decibles) above one microvolt per meter, or dB/uv/m. These are based on what analog channel the station is transmitting on:
Channels 2-6 47 dB/uv/m
Channels 7-13 56 db/uv/m
Channels 14-69 64 kB/uv/mThe actual model goes way beyond just signal strength and is supposed to take into consideration a number of other factors as well.

Even given all this - I'm sure that in any given DMA there are people who have been classified as being able to receive local signals when in fact (or practicality) they're unable to. But these numbers should be pretty small ...

May get a bit more complicated with the fact that (at least for) DirecTV carries locals now for both Hartford/New Haven as well as Springfield MA. If you live within the DMA's for those markets - all you have to do is request them. Remember that the southwestern part of CT is the NYC DMA. Satellite companies handle the requests, not local stations. (But local stations get communications from satellite companies.)

HTH

I also agree with n1ety's comments regarding calling stations - not a productive thing to do - especially a coordinated campaign. It will only burden the reception or newsroom folks ...

As docbone points out, well crafted written comments are probably the most valuable. Although many broadcasters read postings here and elsewhere ... more traditional letters of praise or frustration addressed to the general manager or station manager (or department head) will likely be addressed by appropriate station management staff.

Email may work well ... but that may depend greatly on the broadcaster. One suggestion: if you are fortunate to have email correspondence with someone at a station don't publish their email addresses - most broadcasters are overwhelmed with email on every subject imaginable! And broadcasters may be reluctant to send direct email replies (or even participate in newsgroups, AVS forums, etc.) due to issues regarding being quoted, misquoted, etc.

What's nice is that tools such as the Internet have gone a long way to changing what broadcasting is all about. Something that was once a one-way medium is changing ... and the AVS Forums (IMO) are helping greatly! Where else can you see something like WNBC's first airing of a Dolby 5.1 program - with people in NYC area posting comments noticing it during the show ... only to immediately have responses from folks at NBC as well as the company that produced the programming?! :)

RPMcCormick, thanks. I'll have to wait and see what the response is. Ihave the standard locals through Direct, its the HD locals (in this case CBS and I guess Fox) that I need waivers for.

Originally posted by madpoet
Thanks.. I'll have to wait and see what the response is. Ihave the standard locals through Direct, its the HD locals (in this case CBS and I guess Fox) that I need waivers for. Look through some of those FCC pages in more detail. I did see some mention regarding DTV in those pages - but remember that much of this was developed back in the 1999 and 2000 time frame ... which is a long time ago in ATSC (eg HD) days!

This is all pretty involved - but I think the key is that if you can demonstrate that you can't receive the signal (if you go down the path that far) all it does is flag the fact that you can't and gives the satellite operator the ability to provide the signal to you (in effect overriding any denial by the local station). But I don't see anything that indicates or mandates that the satellite operator has to make it available to you. (There may be agreements between satellite operators and national networks that we're not privy to.)

And what's really not clear is what happens with ATSC transmissions where the broadcaster is operating at something less than the FCC assigned power, temporary antenna, etc. Check some of the other AVS Forums ... in any of the other markets have satellite viewers been granted reception of network HD content where there is NO HD (like ABC in Springfield MA) or a broadcaster is at reduced power, etc.???

Since I can no longer get Chan.8, but can get Chan. 40, does anyone know when or if this idiotic Sinclair owne station is going to start broadcasting in HDTV.

Since the problem is apparently with Chan.3's higher power, if I used an attenuator to lower Chan. 3's signal, it would also attenuate Chan. 8's signal, which would again result in no Chan. 8 again, right?

I am not sure that the waivers apply to DTV signals. This whole process was crafted in the days of analog signals. If they come out and measure signal strength, they will probably do it on the analog signals.


Pete

Originally posted by Robert Whitehead
Since the problem is apparently with Chan.3's higher power, if I used an attenuator to lower Chan. 3's signal, it would also attenuate Chan. 8's signal, which would again result in no Chan. 8 again, right? Not necessarily true. WFSB-DT is a UHF station and WTNH-DT is a VHF station. This gives lots of possibilities for separate antennas, feeds, attenuators, amps, etc.

Robert Whitehead,
If your problem with WTNH is really overload, you have a fairly easy problem to solve. The first thing is not to use a preamp or other amplifier between the antenna and HDTV receiver. WTNH-DT is on channel 10 and WFSP-DT is on channel 33. The UHF and VHF signals can be split in a test and only feed the VHF to the TV and see if you receive WTNH. The splitters are readly available at Radio Shack and most places that sell antennas. In the event that your interference is from anlalog channel 3, (I don't think they channged the power much) a similar test can be performed by obtaining a VHF lo , VHF Hi / UHF splitter that Radio Shack sells and only connecting the VHF hi to the HDTV receiver. John

Can you receive the high VHF channels with a CM 4228 antenna? I get WTNH and WWlP with stealth antenna in Thomaston with antenna sitting on front porch. It is my sons house and he doesn't want me to put up anything too big. I want the high gain for UHF as he has a hill between him and Hartford towers. Smaller combo antennas don't have a lot of range like the 4228 does and I figure if I can get them with stealth antenna maybe UHF antenna will work.

Pmalve...you should be ok using 4228 for high VHF. Check out this link and read the section 'using UHF antennas for VHF'. It will give you the reasons why the 4228 could work. But still it's a matter of locations, directline of sight etc. If your closer to the transmitters, it probably has a better shot of working.


http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html


Hope this helps.

Paul

Unfortunately, I am using DB8 and it does not seem to work well with VHF.
The DB8 is somewhat similar to the 4228.

I read somewhere that the back part (reflector) of the 4228 being one piece aids in catching VHFs very well..as it has some good gain characteristics. The DB8 is comprised of two seperate pieces that are not joined as a continous piece yielding possibly not as good results. Though the trade off is 4228 is much heavier when mounted to a mast high up.

I am going to be installing an antenna craft VHF (dual separates).


My test for this finding using the DB8 was in trying to lock WPRI DT13 Rhode Island which is well within the contour map ofwhere Ilive. Also WLWP out of springfield DT11 does not even register any signal.


PL

I live on the CT shore, have expanded basic with Comcast (analog), no premium channels and don't want any. If I buy an HD set with cable tuner built in (with cable card slot) will I have to a.) pay for the card, one time or monthly and/or b.) pay to get my analog upgraded to digital, one time or monthly? Like to know what I am getting into up front. Thanks for any reliable info, experience.

Is WWLP at the higher power now. I haven't heard anything about it in a while. Thanks for the info on the antenna. I am going to try the 4228 and see what we get. If I have to I will put up a small VHF antenna.

Where i live, you have to have digital cable in order to get the basic HD channels.

If your tv has a builtin HD tuner, you may be able to get all of your locals with only an antenna. Check www.antennaweb.org .

Originally posted by mspicer1234
I have been attempting to talk with WFSB about the denial of my wavier but no one seems to care enough there to return calls. I haven't given up; however, since they increased power on the OTA I am not as driven to get a wavier from them.


WFSB is not obligated to talk to you about waivers. If you want to press the issue, you must ask your satellite company for a signal test. If you can get WFSB analog on channel 3, the test will fail and you must pay for it. Other than lack of an analog signal, there is no legal way to get a digital waiver. The illegal way of getting HD on satellite is to get a mailbox at the UPS store in Stamford and tell DirecTV that you "moved" there.

John-

I don't know what the problem is with getting WTNH-DT. I used to get it fine, though I had to change rotor orientation. Now, I get absolutely nothing. Another poster said he had difficulty w/WTNH-DT after WFSB-DT boosted is signal stength. I am now using no amps, preamps, VHF/UHF splitters, or attenuators. Just the antenna split 3 ways into 3 boxes, feeding into the TV input on each. I don't know if this gives you any more info to help.

And does anyone know when or if Chan. 40 is going HDTV?

Bob

Anyone have an estimate for Cox getting WTNH-DT? That would make the HD football lineup complete for Cox.

Originally posted by sgbroimp
I live on the CT shore, have expanded basic with Comcast (analog), no premium channels and don't want any. If I buy an HD set with cable tuner built in (with cable card slot) will I have to a.) pay for the card, one time or monthly and/or b.) pay to get my analog upgraded to digital, one time or monthly? Like to know what I am getting into up front. Thanks for any reliable info, experience.

Sorry sgbroimp, I don't have an answer to your question, but i hope someone does, because I have a similar situation. My main source of TV is DirecTV, but I have Comcast cable temporarily because I needed them to get a great tial period discount on hi-speed internet. I have digital and their HD DVR, so I'm wondering if I cut back my service to lifeline cable, will I be able to keep the HD DVR. I know some people in some parts of the country with Comcast have reported being able to receive HD locals with just the lifeline service and a Comcast HD box. I think it's definitely not allowed in the basic procedures that their service reps follow, but it can be done.

Does anyone have Direct TV in the valley in CT. If so do you know our options for HDTV. Like if any of the locals come in HD and DD 5.1. Also which affiliates we receive. The help would be much appreciated.

Comcast Danbury Area
Hope this is the correct place-if not sorry still fairly new.
using a SA 3250HD comcast box-on diagnostics signal level is orange showing -14. Understood that all "normal" readings are in white-Do I need the Techs to come out and improve the signal-New TV and new service so I have nothing to compare to-that siad HD PQ looks pretty good-Thanks

Robert Whitehead,
Try connecting the antenna direct to one ditigal receiver without the splitter. Is the splitter amplified? The next thing to try is a UHF/VHF splitter. Connect the antenna to the input and only connect the VHF output to the digital receiver. John

Is the cm 4228 good or bad with multi-path problems? I hooked it up on the ground on a tripod before mounting it to the roof and have a hard time getting a good analog signal on WVIT and WTIC. Trying to get a decent signal there before trying to get digital signal. Surprisingly I get a good picture on analog WWLP which is much farther away. Only 12.5 miles from Farmington towers according to antennaweb. Are Yagi antennas better at multi-path? I am doing this in Thomaston, not in the valley but not on top of hill either. Any help would be appreciated.

John/ctdish-
Interestingly, my reception on Chan 8 analog now is terrible, too. Plus, although I should point to 220 degrees for best reception, I have to point to about 140 degrees for best reception. My antenna is not out of alignment, because all the other stations get threir best reception (analog) or max signal stength (digital) at the correct antenna orientaion. If chan. 40 would just go HDTV, I wouldn't care since I get it w/no problem (grrr).
Does this help in figuring out what is going on? Not spliting the signal did not help, by the way.
Bob

FYI,

The splitter actually HELPED me.

In other words, Amplified antenna direct into tuner = BAD WTNH-DT

and

Amplified antenna into splitter. VHF port on splitter into tuner = GOOD WTNH-DT

When you use a splitter, w/one one antenna input, do you have to keep reconnecting the VHF/UHF splitter output depending on the station you want to receive? Or are there splitters w/a switch on them?

I don't know if a splitter w/switch exists but I suspect that a switch would be a potential source for a loss of signal strength due to a bad connection.

For my situation, I am fortunate enough that my HDTV tuner (AccessDTV PC card) has 2 coax inputs and you can program each one differently.

So I have one "VHF" input and one "UHF" input.

I use the Terk TV3 amplified indoor antenna + included splitter for VHF reception (WTNH-DT).

I use the Zenith/Antiference nonamplified indoor Silver Sensor antenna for UHF reception.

Robert,
The U/V splitter is functing as a low pass filter when you connect the VHF output. This reduces the level of channels above 13. First try it and see if you can get WTNH. If it works you can try putting an attenuator on the UHF line and adding the signal back in with a transformer or another U/V splitter. John

Originally posted by Crescent
Anyone have an estimate for Cox getting WTNH-DT? That would make the HD football lineup complete for Cox.

I would like to know as well.

Is there a place where I can get a list of what HD channels I can get and what their typical listings might be if I order Comcast cable? I am in Danbury CT and the Comcast website is useless and does not match what I see on the Guide.

Go to www.comcast.com
Click the 'What's in My Area' button
Enter your zip code and click Check Availability
Click My Channel Line Up to see a list of all available channels.

I tried that. It says HDTV is not available and lists a couple of HD channels but I know the guide on my Digital box has all the locals on it. Ill call them and get a proper list tomorow.

Originally posted by cmartyn
I tried that. It says HDTV is not available and lists a couple of HD channels but I know the guide on my Digital box has all the locals on it. Ill call them and get a proper list tomorow.

It lists channels 173 - 192 as being hd channels. Check again.

Can anybody in Fairfield County pick up WFSB?
This ought to get real interesting once WPIX starts transmitting from the ESB on channel 33 also. I currently get NYC stations better than CT stations because of multipath problems but I don't know what to expect when the two stations will be broadcasting on channel 33.

No problem with the WFSB reception here.

raoul5788, For Zip code 06811 it says

High Definition Television is not yet available at the address you entered. Click Here to be notified when HD is available in your area.

Yet when I was in the Comcast office in Danbury a few weeks ago they had info sheets on HDTV. I think the Web site is out of date or incorrect or something.

Originally posted by cmartyn
raoul5788, For Zip code 06811 it says
Yet when I was in the Comcast office in Danbury a few weeks ago they had info sheets on HDTV. I think the Web site is out of date or incorrect or something.

Definitely. The Danbury Comcast has several local HD channels. All from NYC. CBS, ABC, NBC, WNET, Fox. No WB or UPN

Originally posted by ToddHealy
Go to www.comcast.com
Click the 'What's in My Area' button
Enter your zip code and click Check Availability
Click My Channel Line Up to see a list of all available channels.

Just for fun I checked the website and punched in my zip code. Just as I would expect from Comcast, the information it provided was hopelessly out of date. For my area it does not show either WTIC or WTNH as being available, although they are, and it lists INHD2 despite the fact that they dropped it about a year ago when they added WFSB.

Originally posted by cmartyn
raoul5788, For Zip code 06811 it says

High Definition Television is not yet available at the address you entered. Click Here to be notified when HD is available in your area.

Yet when I was in the Comcast office in Danbury a few weeks ago they had info sheets on HDTV. I think the Web site is out of date or incorrect or something.

If you put in just the zip code it shows channels 173 - 192 as hd.
Did you put in a street address, also?

Raoul, No I just put the Zip code in. I am sure its screwed up somehow. Doesn't matter though. I will call them. My HDTV arives on THursday so maby next week I will look into it after I get bored with DVD's.

Originally posted by Bfadams
No problem with the WFSB reception here.

Hopefully that will not change for you in a week or two when WPIX goes back on the air through the ESB combiner, on channel 33 and with more power.
I am pretty sure both will interfere with my reception as they are pretty close to 180 degrees apart for me.

Hi All,

Its been awhile since I last visited this site (yrs) I was hoping to get some general feedback as to what some people might be able to pick up on the shoreline (Milford) with the 4228 no preamp on a rooftop. I’ve been periodically using my silver sensor with my zenith 420 tuner and easily pick up WTNH as well as UPN and CPBS out of Bridgeport. On really good days in the winter (no leaves) I can pick up CBS out of New York. I was holding out on getting the 4228 until all the major networks were running and
Am finally getting around to it. I’m hoping to hook it up this weekend, but I’m wondering If anyone In this area with a similar setup can pick up all the stations coming from NY. IE NBC,CBS,ABC,FOX. so that I wouldn’t need a rotor. Or likewise, If I aimed it north towards Rattlesnake mountain would I be able to pick up all the networks in that direction? I guess either way I’ll find out this weekend, but any pre advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Vince

Anyone have any idea when we can expect some movement by Comcast to get some more HD channels? Here in the Vernon area, no Discovery HD, no InHD2. Nothing new for months. I'm so-o-o depressed.

DOes anyone know when 33 WFSB will be licenced to full power?

Thanks in Advance.

PL

Originally posted by wmccullough
Anyone have any idea when we can expect some movement by Comcast to get some more HD channels? Here in the Vernon area, no Discovery HD, no InHD2. Nothing new for months. I'm so-o-o depressed.

I'll 2nd that question. Same exact case with the New London county, CT Comcast region (SA boxes with SARA software).

Anyone hear anything? Possibly ESPN 2 in January? (or any that wmullough mentioned?)

I know some cable companies in "lucky" regions already have upwards of 12 HD channels and that's NOT counting any premium movie HDs.

Then again cable users in "unlucky" regions of smaller cable companies only have 2 HD channels not counting premium channels.

Vince,

I am here in Milford and have a 4228 with amp and rotor. I am sorry to tell you but I would not put the antenna up without the amp and rotor. It seems everyday I have to tweak the antenna for tougher channels.

Now, with that said, If you could be content with WTNH, WFSB, and WVIT you could get away without a rotor as pointing the antenna at about 30 degrees or so, or even 210 degrees will get you those as they are pushing out great signals and dont require precise direction of the antenna. If you want to get FOX out of NY, as you will not get it from CT, you will have to aim precisely at it, and on any given day, depending on atmosphere, you could be in totally different parts of the compass within a 60 degree range.

To add to all that, soon, FOX out of NY will be kicking up there power big time and there strongest signals will be heading our way!!!! I have to assume that when that happens we will get that signal very easily, and in fact, if you point the 4228 at FOX (about 250 degrees) you may be able to get the other 3 CT stations as the backside of the antenna will be pointing in there general direction!!

Whew.....get it??? I dont think I do anymore!!!

Anyway, hope that helps and good luck. Let us know how you make out.

scottte



Originally posted by ctvince
Hi All,

Its been awhile since I last visited this site (yrs) I was hoping to get some general feedback as to what some people might be able to pick up on the shoreline (Milford) with the 4228 no preamp on a rooftop. I’ve been periodically using my silver sensor with my zenith 420 tuner and easily pick up WTNH as well as UPN and CPBS out of Bridgeport. On really good days in the winter (no leaves) I can pick up CBS out of New York. I was holding out on getting the 4228 until all the major networks were running and
Am finally getting around to it. I’m hoping to hook it up this weekend, but I’m wondering If anyone In this area with a similar setup can pick up all the stations coming from NY. IE NBC,CBS,ABC,FOX. so that I wouldn’t need a rotor. Or likewise, If I aimed it north towards Rattlesnake mountain would I be able to pick up all the networks in that direction? I guess either way I’ll find out this weekend, but any pre advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Vince

Anyone have any info on when WEDH will be on the air?
I have emailed them SEVERAL times with no response. :mad:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by raoul5788
Anyone have any info on when WEDH will be on the air?
I have emailed them SEVERAL times with no response. :mad: [/QUOTE

Not until next summer sometime when they put up new antenna on Rattlesnake mountain. Supposed to put up antenna for WTIC,WTXX and WEDH. Not sure if they are using a combiner antenna like NYC or 3 separate antennas. I think it is supposed to be done in spring but these things always take longer than they are supposed to.

Originally posted by raoul5788
Anyone have any info on when WEDH will be on the air?
I have emailed them SEVERAL times with no response. :mad: I recently spoke to one of the guys at CPTV ... he noted that they've got their filings in with the FCC ... requesting channel 45 for WEDH (effectively moving the WEDN-DT allocation to Hartford) and petitioning the FCC for a new ATSC allocation on channel 9 for WEDN-DT. Sounds like not much more will be happening until the FCC takes some action - he suggested I watch the FCC site for updates.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
I recently spoke to one of the guys at CPTV ... he noted that they've got their filings in with the FCC ... requesting channel 45 for WEDH (effectively moving the WEDN-DT allocation to Hartford) and petitioning the FCC for a new ATSC allocation on channel 9 for WEDN-DT. Sounds like not much more will be happening until the FCC takes some action - he suggested I watch the FCC site for updates.

Is there somewhere we can send comments to the FCC. I hope they don't get channel 45 for WEDH as I will lose WABC from NYC. Why must they put channels in 2 adjoining DMA's on the same channel. WPIX is supposed to go to channel 33 so I probably won't be able to get that now that WFSB is at full power. You would think they could put CT stations on same channels as Philadelphia instead of NY channels. RP, Is WWLP at higher power now?

Originally posted by pmalve
Is there somewhere we can send comments to the FCC.Its been a while since I sent in any personal comments to the FCC. I think my last comments may have been filed on paper. Search the FCC's web site a bit - you may find more info there. The FCC has made much of its filing and databases on-line maintainable, so you may be able to do it all on-line.I hope they don't get channel 45 for WEDH as I will lose WABC from NYC.Well - CPTV currently has channel 45 ... its serving the Norwich city of license from Bosrah CT. As I understand the filings on the FCC's site, they're requesting a move of 45 about 40 km to the northwest and that's what WEDH-DT would use. I think what really is in question is the request to allocate channel 9 for use in the DTV service.

If you go to the FCC's web site and look at the antenna maps for the proposed WEDH-DT (45) and WABC-DT on 45 ... you'll see there is not that much overlap. Do you get any interference from WEDN-DT (or can you even receive it?)Why must they put channels in 2 adjoining DMA's on the same channel. WPIX is supposed to go to channel 33 so I probably won't be able to get that now that WFSB is at full power. You would think they could put CT stations on same channels as Philadelphia instead of NY channels.Its a pretty complex thing. Overall what's happening is that we're loosing 18 channels (52 to 69) ... and every full power station now has two channels. If you dig into the FCC rules there's all kinds of restrictions on where you can have channels. The analog allocations are a lot more complicated; digital allocations are supposed to more efficiently utilise the RF spectrum (adjacent channels, etc.) Most of this revolves around signal levels, distance between transmitters and interference to receivers in the intended marker.Is WWLP at higher power now? Antenna work has been completed as some testing at higher powers as well. I think they're waiting on some FCC paperwork. Will post more when I know.

I finally solved my problem w/WTNH-DT. My antenna is properly aligned. Rather than getting it at 220 degrees, the maximum strength is at 160 degrees (analog and digital). At about 300 degrees I get full strength on WFSB-DT, WVIT-DT, WTXX-DT, and WTIC-DT. Weirdly, at 180 degrees, I get all inc. WTNH-DT, with stable signals. This is way off from the transmitters for all of them. I do occasionally get signal flucuations on WFSB-TV, but I get them at 300 degrees, too, though not as bad as 180 degrees.

Well - CPTV currently has channel 45 ... its serving the Norwich city of license from Bosrah CT. As I understand the filings on the FCC's site, they're requesting a move of 45 about 40 km to the northwest and that's what WEDH-DT would use. I think what really is in question is the request to allocate channel 9 for use in the DTV service.

If you go to the FCC's web site and look at the antenna maps for the proposed WEDH-DT (45) and WABC-DT on 45 ... you'll see there is not that much overlap. Do you get any interference from WEDN-DT (or can you even receive it?)

quote:
WEDN is a lot farther away from the Western side of CT which is where we get both Hartford and NYC channels. I can get WEDN sometimes by turning antenna although I never watch it as I get PBS from Bridgeport much easier. I think if they move transmitter to rattlesnake mountain I will lose NY. I think that the FCC's determination of overlap is too conservitive as they think I am too far from NYC at 75 miles to get signal at all. I never have trouble getting NY channels here unless they are playing with transmitters.When combiner is done I should get all NY channels. It is nice to have the choice for when local channels preempt network shows. Also nice for football as sometimes NY fox shows a different game.

Originally posted by pmalve
WEDN is a lot farther away from the Western side of CT which is where we get both Hartford and NYC channels. I can get WEDN sometimes by turning antenna although I never watch it as I get PBS from Bridgeport much easier. I think if they move transmitter to rattlesnake mountain I will lose NY. I think that the FCC's determination of overlap is too conservitive as they think I am too far from NYC at 75 miles to get signal at all. I never have trouble getting NY channels here unless they are playing with transmitters.When combiner is done I should get all NY channels. It is nice to have the choice for when local channels preempt network shows. Also nice for football as sometimes NY fox shows a different game. Yea - I understand the issue! At one point I lived (decades ago) in central Mass and I think I could receive something on every VHF channel ... though a lot of those channels were not necessarily for the market I was located in. (Boston: 2,4,5,7, sometimes something on 3; New Bedford/Providence: 6, 10, 12; sometimes 8 from Mt. Washington, 9 from Manchester, 11 from Durham and rarely 13 - I guess from Maine?) And that's not to count the emergence of the UHF stations (which were predominantly independent broadcasters).

Are you in the Hartford DMA or NYC DMA? (I think Fairfield county belongs to NYC DMA and the rest of CT belongs to Hartford/New Haven.)

In this part of the country - its sort of a blessing that the DMA's are so closed together. For example, in Texas the cities of Odessa & Midland are about 30km apart - and represent a DMA. But they are a long way from any of the other DMA's; there's not a lot of overlap. A complete list of DMA's can be found here (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/DMAs.html). (To be totally accurate - in some parts of the US counties are actually split between DMA's ... basically due to the size of the county and the reach of typical broadcast signals.)

I don't know that much about programming - but I think in general programs (especially syndicated) are sold to broadcasters for rights in their DMA. Kind of a form of exclusivity. Similar issues for blocking out some programming ... like sporting events.

I don't think we're totally done with the conversion to NTSC to ATSC. A number of stations have ATSC channels above 51; those will have to relocate to an allotment in 7 to 51. In the end - NTSC gets turned off and all we'll have is ATSC. Up here in the Springfield MA area WGBY-DT is on 58 and needs a new home; WGGB-DT is on 55 and will likewise have to move.

I'm sure the goals of most broadcasters is not to have to re-engineer their infrastructures yet again in the future - but it may be a requirement, or it may be desired. For example, the ABC affiliate in Springfield MA is WGGB. Their analog NTSC channel is 40 whilst their ATSC channel is 55. One might assume that they'll eventually turn off the NTSC and move the ATSC to channel 40. (Note that WGGB's analog signal precludes the ability for me to receive WCTX-DT on channel 39; that's the only source we have for off-air UPN in western Massachusetts.) So its not just same-channel interference, but may be adjacent channels ... or even harmonics of channels (especially with NTSC).

When WWLP first came on the air - it was on channel 61! After a couple of years it was moved to channel 22 (more of an issue of the quality of UHF tuners at the time - better propagation the lower the frequency & channel number). WWLP even had a sales office in downtown Hartford - and carried both the ABC & NBC network. I think at one time CT viewers actually had the opportunity to watch NBC programming on three different NBC affiliates: WWLP 22 Springfield, WATR 20 Waterbury and WHNB 30 New Britain. (And there were even translators like WHNB's W79AI on channel 79 in Torrington.) Gads - things have changed! (Guess we have cable to thank a bunch for that, though not sure if that's good or bad.)

Hi Scottte,

Thanks for the input. I put up the antenna on Saturday (about 20ft off the ground) and for the time being have it on my back deck mounted to my chimney. My results were:

WVIT had a good signal
WTNH very good signal
WUPN good signal
WEDW very good signal
WFSB poor signal (couldn¡¦t pull it in)

These were all with the antenna pointed towards rattlesnake.
I then twisted it towards New York:

WCBS borderline, was just able to pick it up. As the weather got worse yesterday it became poor
WNBC poor
WTNH still strong
WEDW very good signal
WUPN good signal
FOX good signal (Just like CBS though this signal deteriorated as the weather got worse.)

I think my next step is to purchase a CM7777. I¡¦ll hold off on the rotor till last. I don¡¦t mind walking out the door and spinning the antenna even though my wife rolls her eyesƒº

My biggest concern is when the leaves come back. All my NY stations are through the trees and even the north stations are probably going to have some tree interference as well.

Scottte, you can pick up WFSB without any problems? I had no luck getting a strong enough signal no matter where I aimed the antenna. Also, when I get the preamp, does it get placed outside by the antenna or inside by the tuner?

Thanks

Vince

I am a little confused about the CPTV postings. Tell me though, is CPTV Hartford broadcasting digital on some channel? I cannot seem to find it. And altough I am in Windsor, I cannot pull the Springfield stations in, probably due to my indoor antenna. when the warm weather returns I will put up an outdoor antenna, but do not want to use a rotor, so again, the Springfield pbs station is out. But where is Hartford PBS HD?

Originally posted by arich
I am a little confused about the CPTV postings. Tell me though, is CPTV Hartford broadcasting digital on some channel? I cannot seem to find it. And altough I am in Windsor, I cannot pull the Springfield stations in, probably due to my indoor antenna. when the warm weather returns I will put up an outdoor antenna, but do not want to use a rotor, so again, the Springfield pbs station is out. But where is Hartford PBS HD? CPTV's Hartford station WEDH is not transmitting on an ATSC channel.

For Norwich: WEDN analog channel 53 WEDN-DT digital 45
For Bridgeport: WEDW analog channel 49 WEDW-DT digital 52

You can find a copy of their analog coverage map here (http://www.cptv.org/images/tv/TV_coverage_map.gif).

As determined by the FCC filings (which you can search here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html)) CPTV is looking for the FCC to assign channel 9 for use in the digital TV service in Norwich will move the channel 45 allocation from Norwich to Hartford.

CPTV also has a CP (construction permit) for New Haven: WEDY analog is on channel 65 and the CP is for WEDY-DT on channel 6. I'd bet we don't see WEDY-DT built out (that's just my personal opinion).

And lastly - CPTV has (or had) an analog channel 12 (W12BH) in Waterbury. With that being WTXX-DT's digital channel ... is the CPTV Waterbury translator still transmitting on channel 12? (Its still listed as being licensed!)

CPTV direct feeds a number of CT cable operators. You can tell if your system is a direct feed by watching after midnight; I think they shut off all their transmitters at midnight but keep the cable feed going 24x7.

WGBY is the Springfield PBS affiliate. Analog is on 57 whilst digital is 58. Comparatively speaking, 57 operates with an ERP of 1,480 kW whilst 58 is only running 50 kW. Can you receive 57? The coverage map for WGBY-DT can be found here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT494904.html). I'm surprised that you have problems down in Windsor ... I know a number of people in East Windsor and Ellington that can receive it. Wonder if you have some significant terrain blockage?

Thanks for the response. I am currently running a silver sensor inside, and to point it towards Springfield means going through more walls than pointing it towards CBS, Fox, etc. My stb (LG) did not pick up 58 on auto scan. Still, I will try it on manual and see how it goes. In the Spring I will put up an outdoor antenna but do not want a rotor, so unless 58 will come in off the back side, I still wont get it. Although if Hartford is not going to have a station in the foreseeable future I may have to reconsider. It is a joke Hartford PBS not having ota hd.
East Windsor and Ellington are North of me, so I would think that they would have a better shot. But I do not doubt Ill be able to get it with a decent antenna on the roof. But I really would like a fixed antenna.
I may try a db2 indoors and see if that pulls better than the silver sensor.

Originally posted by mspicer1234
I did receive a waiver from WTIC and I receive Fox NY & LA in the 380s; however, DirecTV does not offer any Fox HD Broadcasts at this time. They did have the World Series in HD in high 80s so I hope they will do they same with the Superbowl.

Update Dec. 21, 2004

I noticed last night that I now receove the Fox HD on channels 88 (NY) and 89 (LA). Additionally, I read this news release from DirecTV this morning:

DirecTV Adds Local Fox HD Programming

DirecTV scored a deal with the Fox Television Station Group that will allow the satellite TV service to offer Fox high-def programming in 26 designated market areas.

The Fox HD programming, available beginning today from WNYW in New York and KTTV in Los Angeles, will be available to eligible DirecTV customers in markets where Fox owns and operates stations. Those markets include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas-Forth Worth, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Tampa, Fla., Minneapolis, Cleveland, Phoenix, Denver, Orlando, Fla., St. Louis, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Mo., Salt Lake City, Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Tenn., Greensboro, N.C., Austin, Texas and Gainesville, Fla.

Customers who subscribe to a DirecTV local channel package in the Fox markets will receive Fox HD channels free of charge. Customers in the Pacific and Mountain Time zones will receive KTTV from Los Angeles and those in the Central and Eastern Time zones will receive WNYW from New York.

The Fox owned-and-operated stations reach nearly 45 percent of U.S. television homes, DirecTV said. And those viewers will have something to look forward to when Fox televises upcoming NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 in HD format.