Is anybody getting a weird channel on their UNC multicast? My receiver is showing a 25.100 channel. Receiver reads no A/V. I've done 2 rescans and keep getting this blip... Anybody have any idea what this would be?

BTW, 25.100 says UNC-DA (digital assignment?)...

Also, TitanTV says WYDO 21 says it is under review... Hasn't it been that way for a while now?

MY UNC 39 out of Delco is now showing 29xs. That is the assigned dt channel. Must be a systems failure.
All FXI/YDO records are sealed, that is why Titan has no clue either.
Eastern, do you have any further info about what happened with Nikki?

well now UNC went back to 39xs! Crazy

Must be a bug in the UNC system. I remember reading somewhere that Public Television was supposed to do a national channel. I think it was going to be called Create, maybe. I wondered if that was coming to the UNC multicast.

I must confess that UNC HD looks terrible with lots of pixelization when I've watched Soundstage, I think it's called.

It's amazing to me how good WTVD and WRAZ look with 3 channels; because of 720p, I guess. WNCN looks much better now than it used to; for 1080i anyway. Wish UNC TV could figure out how to do it.

Anything I've heard re: Nikki Preede I wouldn't repeat. People come and go in this market all the time. Leave it at that as far as I'm concerned.

Is anybody getting a weird channel on their UNC multicast? My receiver is showing a 25.100 channel. Receiver reads no A/V. I've done 2 rescans and keep getting this blip... Anybody have any idea what this would be?Yep! My HD-TiVO was using that channel for signal strength the other day. It was/is coming up 2-100, WUND-DA. I can't tune my HD-TiVo past xx-99... :(

They won't be; they're supposed to start out as an SD channel. That is, if they ever come on the air to begin with. Long story...

Actually, Cox cable viewers ought to petition Cox to get WRAZ Fox 50 on the HD suite. Cox already provides WRAL HD and the Newschannel.

WRAL probably qualifies for carriage under the archaic "significantly viewed" provisions. Doutful that WRAZ would, in that they didn't even exist when the qualifying stations were defined.

In other words Cox couldn't carry WRAZ even if they wanted to unless it was determined to be significantly viewed in the county of interest, and I guarantee you it is not.

Sorry.

WRAL probably qualifies for carriage under the archaic "significantly viewed" provisions. Doutful that WRAZ would, in that they didn't even exist when the qualifying stations were defined.

In other words Cox couldn't carry WRAZ even if they wanted to unless it was determined to be significantly viewed in the county of interest, and I guarantee you it is not.

Sorry.

No problem... I was just tossing it out there. I already view WRAZ HD ota! :D

dont rub it in man! lol
I have to still watch analog fox...........

Awww, sorry about that...

guys,
i am getting UNC-DA on channel 39-100. IT is blank. Weird

In January, Dish announced DishHD and indicated 50 markets would get HD locals some time this year.

I have a dilemma: should I install a Channel Master 3020 OTA antenna I just bought (which I desperately need help with installing...no real instructions came with it and I'm no expert with this stuff) or should I wait for Dish and pray they choose our market for HD locals?

I have a Terk 55 in my attic with a Radio Shack pre-amp, and it helped me get channels 7, 9, and 25 digitally (and consistently, except ch. 7 was on the fringe). I really wanted Ch. 12 (ABC) and attempt to clean up FOX's analog picture. I live in Simpson, NC (just east of Greenville).

I put the CM 3020 in the attic (what a behemoth!) and connected it to the existing pre-amp and all channels are much worse than with the Terk. I tried various positions with no success. I might not have the right wires connected in the right place. Like I said, I have no clue where to connect the wire on the antenna, and I've got a very long coax running to my Dish 811 receiver from the attic.

Does anyone know someone in Greenville that installs good 'ol OTA antennas on poles or might be able to get things situated in my attic so I can get my local HD OTA channels? I'm willing to pay, but the phone book doesn't seem to list these folks.

Thanks!

Mike Dixon
Simpson, NC
Samsung HDTV 50" DLP (2004)
Dish Network 811 receiver (Dish 500 dish w/HD package)

Yep! My HD-TiVO was using that channel for signal strength the other day. It was/is coming up 2-100, WUND-DA. I can't tune my HD-TiVo past xx-99... :(
The 2-100 or 25-100 etc. channel that you are receiving is a datacast channel.
Receivers are not really supposed to tune this but several are.
At present it has data for agricultural extension service. We, UNC-TV are participating in an experiment and placing data receivers at rural ag extension offices around NC. We are doing this in conjunction with NC State University.
Receivers that are not fully ATSC compliant will show this channel.

Ken,
Are you having a Superbowl Celebration? :D At least the game is NOT on FOX!

The 2-100 or 25-100 etc. channel that you are receiving is a datacast channel.
Receivers are not really supposed to tune this but several are.
At present it has data for agricultural extension service. We, UNC-TV are participating in an experiment and placing data receivers at rural ag extension offices around NC. We are doing this in conjunction with NC State University.
Receivers that are not fully ATSC compliant will show this channel.I stumbled across it by accident. Interesting that the HD-TiVo was using that stream for signal "strength" purposes.

And speaking of UNC-TV, any idea when WUND will be added to D* Norfolk DMA LILs??

In January, Dish announced DishHD and indicated 50 markets would get HD locals some time this year.

I have a dilemma: should I install a Channel Master 3020 OTA antenna I just bought (which I desperately need help with installing...no real instructions came with it and I'm no expert with this stuff) or should I wait for Dish and pray they choose our market for HD locals?That's easy... Use an antenna... :D It'll be quite awhile before Dish or DirecTV offers HD LILs down there...

No PSIP on WCTI HD/dt

No PSIP on WCTI HD/dt

It must be going around; no PSIP on WRAL either. *LOL*

jsp, have you seen the new WRAL Weather Center channel? They revamped their's just this week. It is more L-shaped like weather plus, abc accu weather, and WITN's 24/7.

jsp, have you seen the new WRAL Weather Center channel? They revamped their's just this week. It is more L-shaped like weather plus, abc accu weather, and WITN's 24/7.

No, I am having some antenna problems I think. I cant even get WCTI to stay on without frequent break-ups. But I have not had any problems with WITN in a long time now. I think the problem is my Greenville New Bern antenna. The WIlmington antenna I always have rock solid performance from. So I guess I will be watching the game on WWAY.

I'm resetting my psip generator just in case

Ken

I can't wait to see the game on 12 on Sunday! This is my first Super Bowl with an HDTV! I'm sure it's going to be off the hook! I haven't had any antenna problems with 12 for a long time...

Btw, 12 has been knocking the ball out of the park with severe weather coverage over the past couple of weeks; they nailed 7 and 9. I'm beginning to think Skip has a cot in the weathercenter! *LOL*

Skip and Bobby both seem to stay on top of any hazardous weather conditions. Now if they just had a Titan radar... LOL I think they could blow NCT/ITN radars away.

Ken, everything seems fine with digital on my end now! Thanks!

I saw a new guy on 12 doing weather the other day. I guess Jonathan Myers left WCTI? I was surprised by that. I went to school with him, but he was like 2 or 3 years behind me in school. Hope things go well for him wherever he lands.

You're right about Skip and Bobby; both rock!

I wondered what happened to Jonathan? I thought maybe he found a higher position somewhere, but never heard anything mentioned.

Me either.

Hello everyone! Been enjoying your posts. The WITN 24/7 Weather channel is now on Channel 167 Cox Cable Greenville.

Neat about 24/7 being on Cox; knew WITN would get cable carriage eventually.

Is anybody else watching GMA in HD at 11:20 a.m. this morning? Did 12 get a new HD recorder or something? Or is this the West coast feed?

Nope I was at work then... LOL ----- Helping Re-build a yaght on the coast. Actually for the past 4 months I have not had much TV time...

This cable group down here cant even get WNCT, WECT, WWAY HD or the "i" subs on the system... or UPN for that matter on the digital sector. Antenna is the only way to get what
is on the air. I wish people would give them hell about the quality of the analog channels, they just stink. Mono and wavy lines on most channels and ghosts on some locals, 2, 5, 7, 11, 12 are awful at times.

Directv is adding TNT-HD next Friday on ch 75. Also on 3/1 Directv is dropping the HD package price $1.00 to $9.99.

Directv HD channels
70 HBOHD-FREE WITH HBO
71 SHOWTIME HD-FREE WITH SHOWTIME

101 CD USA- FREE TO ALL CUSTOMERS WITH HD RECIEVER

HD PACKAGE
72 ESPN2 HD
73 ESPN HD
74 UNIVERSAL HD
75 TNT HD
76 DISCOVERY HD THEATRE
78 HD NET MOVIES
79 HD NET
94-97 MLB,NBA, SPORTS
98 NFL NETWORK HD PROGRAMS, OLN HD
99 DIRECTV HD PPV

Isnt the NC state game on somewhere? I cant find it on direct TV or WECT/WCTI

Also last night the first half of the Carolina-Duke game was on ESPN , but the second half
was Blackened out!!!!!! SO I watched it on 6.1... LOL

Bertie has the Dolby 5.1 coming in the way it was meant to be! Outstanding WNCT!
This is what music was designed for. :D

The Grammys are awesome in HD!!!

Question for Ken12,

I live on the north side of Raleigh, and must be on a "sweet" spot, because I get very reliable reception from WITN-TV and DT, WNCT-TV and DT @ 77 miles. WCTI-TV is 90 miles, and varies in reception from fair to pretty good. WCTI-DT has only locked in once, relative signal strength normally around 30, my TV needs around 60 to grab a signal. Both WITN and WNCT range from high 70's into the 90's depending on mother nature.

I know that you are directional more southerly, and are only 161 kw. I'm probably out of luck, but my question is: is this the status quo until the big analog shutdown, and what do you think you'll be doing as far as power and pattern once you switch your digital to 12????

Just curious...

What antenna(s) do you use posg? That is outstanding reception for that far out!
I have family in Sampson County and they can get our channels as well as Raleigh, Wilmington and Florence fairly well with a huge CM.

What antenna(s) do you use posg? That is outstanding reception for that far out!
I have family in Sampson County and they can get our channels as well as Raleigh, Wilmington and Florence fairly well with a huge CM.

I use the smaller highband VHF Winegard yagi (YA-6713 7db gain) and a Group A (470-600 Mhz) "BBC approved" UHF Yagi (12db gain) I got when in the UK, both feeding into the respective ports of a CM7777 preamp.

Installation is in my half attic at second floor level. I have 12db worth of pad on the output side of the preamp to prevent the TV's tuner from being overloaded.

And of course PBS 25/23 comes in quite nicely as well.

Ironically, I get dropouts on the local Raleigh signals on windy days due to "dynamic multipath", and the antennas being 30 degrees off. These three distants never drop out.

I am seeing WITN HD break up several times a minute tonight while watching the Olympics. I am seeing it via Cox cable, but it seems to be isolated to the one channel. I was wondering if anyone else was seeing the same.

I am seeing WITN HD break up several times a minute tonight while watching the Olympics. I am seeing it via Cox cable, but it seems to be isolated to the one channel. I was wondering if anyone else was seeing the same.

Definitely a network problem. I saw the same problems on WITN and WNCN. WNCN aborted the HD feed, and went to SD.

Has anybody noticed WITN 's logo has changed. It used to say "Eastern Carolina's News Channel." Now it says "Eastern Carolina's Weather Authority. Could this be because WCTI is now known as "News Channel 12?"

Thread been slow as of late, guess everyones been busy.
Just upgraded my HD setup, I got a new Samsung LCD flat panel HDTV. My old Samsung HDTV was a 4:3, I really love my new 16:9 LCD.

Only one problem, I went to hook up my HDMI cable from my Directv HDDVR, and the TV says no signal. So I didnt know if it was my TV or the HD box, I went and got my uncles HD box and his worked so it was the reciever, called directv and they said they would send me a new HD DVR, I ll try it when it gets here.
I didnt see hardly any difference in PQ, but the HDMI will carry Video and Audio, eliminating 2 cables.

Only one problem, I went to hook up my HDMI cable from my Directv HDDVR, and the TV says no signal. So I didnt know if it was my TV or the HD box, I went and got my uncles HD box and his worked so it was the reciever, called directv and they said they would send me a new HD DVR.Simple workaround, even though we shouldn't have to do this. Simply unplug the HD-TiVo for a couple of seconds and then walk away while the machine restarts. Leave the TV on! It's crazy but I've gotten use to it...

Hello Everyone!
Just got back from vacation. I will say that I missed my HD reception, but had fun anyway... :D

Eastern.
I never heard and was curious who won the news rating last time around. Do you know?
Thanks,
jspENC

FOXENG,
I flew out/in of the Triad airport for my vacation. When we came back in on Saturday it was
snowing! First site of snow for this season and it was 3 hours from Jacksonville. My first trip
ever to Greensboro. Saw the Sheraton Hotel on my way to the airport, and the coliseum.
Lots of roadways to confuse you by the way, but I thankfully had no problem getting to where
I needed to go. :D Traffic moved along smoothly too.

Simple workaround, even though we shouldn't have to do this. Simply unplug the HD-TiVo for a couple of seconds and then walk away while the machine restarts. Leave the TV on! It's crazy but I've gotten use to it...


Tried that, did not work, Directv is sending me a replacement HD DVR.

Anybody here having trouble picking up WNCT-DT (CBS affil)? Are they lower power than WITN? I'm currently using a DB4 antenna from Antennas Direct (forum sponsor). It's designed for UHF I know but I was under under the impression that I should be able to get the higher band VHF channels (like WNCT's assigned frequency of 10) as well. I'm in Hubert (next to Swansboro) and I am about 45 miles from their tower. On both my HDTivo and Sony SXRD TV I get WITN with signal strength in the low to mid 90s whereas WNCT will not lock and signal strength ranges from 15-30.
TIA...

FOXENG,
I flew out/in of the Triad airport for my vacation. When we came back in on Saturday it was
snowing! First site of snow for this season and it was 3 hours from Jacksonville. My first trip
ever to Greensboro. Saw the Sheraton Hotel on my way to the airport, and the coliseum.
Lots of roadways to confuse you by the way, but I thankfully had no problem getting to where
I needed to go. :D Traffic moved along smoothly too.


The major roads are marked fairly well. They are building the loop around town and that can get kinda ugly at times, but the weekend isn't too bad. We aren't as bad as Raleigh or Charlotte, but we seem to be catching up with them all of the time!

Rick, I think you may want to get a high band yagi antenna. join the two with a splitter in reverse. I am 42 miles from the tower and use a combo U/V and have no problem with WNCT.
Another thought, if you have just a plain rabbit ear laying around try hooking that up on the pole with your UHF, that might do the job too.

The major roads are marked fairly well. They are building the loop around town and that can get kinda ugly at times, but the weekend isn't too bad. We aren't as bad as Raleigh or Charlotte, but we seem to be catching up with them all of the time!

Yea definetly not as bad as Charlotte! They are one of the worst cities I have visited.
Wish I could have taken some time to find a TV and check out the stations up that way. LOL
I have not had reception on my TV from up there for probably 6 months now.

Yea definetly not as bad as Charlotte! They are one of the worst cities I have visited.
Wish I could have taken some time to find a TV and check out the stations up that way. LOL
I have not had reception on my TV from up there for probably 6 months now.

Conditions have been bad.

You will have to make a weekend trip up this way and check out our TV!!

Ken usually gives us first rate TV programs around here too. LOL
We just dont have a FOX network provider that can even compare part way with WGHP
Yea maybe one weekend I will make it up to the triad again.

Who is engineering this station? All the PSIP I get says DTV program. :confused:

Ken12,
I am listening to my surround system with NC state game, and hear a slight sizzle in my
center channel. Is this in the feed you are getting? I have not noticed this issue on UPN before.

First, great thread. Just what I was looking.

I'm new to HDTV OTA. Recently got a HDTV with built-in HD tuner couple months ago. Already had an outside CM3010 (stealth) with a 3038 card/amplifier accessory left from CRT days. The antenna is about 16-18 feet high and directed more or less toward Greenville. With the first station scan, I was so excited to receive local DTV channels i've never tweeked the position.

However, today I realize the need for Fox in HD. Did a google search for WYDO-DT and found this thread...Great Discovery!! I went back through the threads over the past year and got the WYDO answer I was looking for, basically Fox HD won't be offered via channel 14. Therefore, looks like I need to pull in the Raleigh antenna farm signals. And that leads to the question.?.?

Given my current OTA antenna arrangement, what might be the advised approach to best pull in the Raleigh digital signals (I can get WRAL analog and others). I want to retain the great digital signals I get from our local big 3. If I need to add another section of mast (10 ft), want to have any other antennas attached if recommended so it would be a one-time job. I read were some people are stacking antennas and using an inverse splitter. I'm open to all suggestions.

FYI, Elm Grove isn't on many maps, but it's located SE of Kinston off Hwy 58 travelling toward Trenton.

Many thanks in advance.

First, great thread. Just what I was looking.

I'm new to HDTV OTA. Recently got a HDTV with built-in HD tuner couple months ago. Already had an outside CM3010 (stealth) with a 3038 card/amplifier accessory left from CRT days. The antenna is about 16-18 feet high and directed more or less toward Greenville. With the first station scan, I was so excited to receive local DTV channels i've never tweeked the position.

However, today I realize the need for Fox in HD. Did a google search for WYDO-DT and found this thread...Great Discovery!! I went back through the threads over the past year and got the WYDO answer I was looking for, basically Fox HD won't be offered via channel 14. Therefore, looks like I need to pull in the Raleigh antenna farm signals. And that leads to the question.?.?

Given my current OTA antenna arrangement, what might be the advised approach to best pull in the Raleigh digital signals (I can get WRAL analog and others). I want to retain the great digital signals I get from our local big 3. If I need to add another section of mast (10 ft), want to have any other antennas attached if recommended so it would be a one-time job. I read were some people are stacking antennas and using an inverse splitter. I'm open to all suggestions.

FYI, Elm Grove isn't on many maps, but it's located SE of Kinston off Hwy 58 travelling toward Trenton.

Many thanks in advance.
Beanpod,
The Stealthtenna may be a little to small to pick up the Raleigh digitals in your area. You might want to try a larger antenna, but first, I would advise that you try turning your antenna a little in order to find a possible sweet spot that will give you both Greenville area and Raleigh stations. That's what I ended up doing here in Wilson. I have my antenna pointed at New Bern, yet I get all the Raleigh antenna farm digitals just fine.

I experimented with two antennas at first, with one aimed east and the other west with disappointing results. I think they were cancelling each other out since they were basically 180 degrees out of phase with each other. You may have better luck with two antennas than I did, but it would sure be easier if you could get away with just one.

You should be able to get WRAZ. The FCC coverage map shows that it gets all the way out to Jones County. Also, check out antennaweb org. I think you'll find it helpful.
Good luck!

The FCC coverage map shows that it gets all the way out to Jones County.

Remember that FCC coverages (FM and TV), hence all of the other databases that pull from the FCC database, assumes a non gain receive antenna with no feedline loss at 30 feet above ground (a non typical receive setup). The FCC has never based coverage on indoor "rabbit ear" antennas. This is an urban legend that has bitten many new HDTV viewers.

So the best advise is to get a channel master UHF 4221, aim for Raleigh. You may get Greenville, New Bern, if not, then just use all Raleigh channels, unless local news is important,
if so get a High band VHF and turn it to Greenville 5 feet below your UHF. Most of all go outdoors.

Please also keep in mind that all of the stations in Greenville area are going to be required to increase to their fully licensed power by July 1st of this year.
Right now every one of them is operating at reduced power to save on cost of electricity.

If you install a strong antenna with a power booster, you might find that you will get overloaded and completely lose the signal when they boost power.

I think you are somewhat right and wrong canicitnow. WITH and WNCT are at full pwr.
WCTI will change over to VHF at some point which will increase the coverage area a lot. WUNM
will increase power according to their engineer. WFXI and WYDO is anyones guess!~

Thanks for the info.

I'll consider the 4221. Went back to the FAQ and started educating myself...yet to finish it though. Main objective is to have equipment with the greatest potential (within reason) in place to prevent a re-do later.

Do you think I would need to go another 10 foot pole section higher (currently at ~18 ft) regardless of antenna choice??? Forntunately I have no obstructions for about 100-120 degrees east and west of true north.

Thanks again.

Marti Skold last night at 11pm, said that this would be her last night at WNCT. She said she is moving west to a new job. She didnt say where or what it was.
I wonder who will get her job?

Thanks for the info.

I'll consider the 4221. Went back to the FAQ and started educating myself...yet to finish it though. Main objective is to have equipment with the greatest potential (within reason) in place to prevent a re-do later.

Do you think I would need to go another 10 foot pole section higher (currently at ~18 ft) regardless of antenna choice??? Forntunately I have no obstructions for about 100-120 degrees east and west of true north.

Thanks again.

There is really no way to know how high until you experiment, or at least that is what I found. Sometimes you can get interference if you go too high.

MyNetworkTV Signs 17 Sinclair Stations

By Michele Greppi - Television Week

The new-network affiliate wars heated up with the announcement Thursday that Fox's MyNetworkTV has signed as affiliates 17 of the 24 Sinclair Broadcast Group owned-or-operated stations that have been affiliated with The WB or UPN, which is merging into The CW.

The announcement was made jointly by Fox Television Stations CEO Jack Abernethy and Sinclair President and CEO David Smith.

The 17 stations cover 11.9 percent of the U.S. TV universe.

The WB-affiliated Sinclair stations signed in the deal include WTTA-TV in Tampa, Fla., (the 12th-largest market in the country), WCWB-TV in Pittsburgh (market No. 22), KVWB-TV in Las Vegas (48), WSTR-TV in Cincinnati (34), WBSC-TV in Greenville, S.C. (35), KRRT-TV in San Antonio, (37), WTVZ-TV Norfolk, Va. (42), WNYO-TV Buffalo, N.Y. (49), WNYS-TV Syracuse, N.Y. (76), and WDKA-TV in Paducah, Ky. (80).

The UPN-affiliated stations affiliating with MyNetworkTV include WRDC-TV in Raleigh, N.C. (market 29), WUXP-TV Nashville, Tenn. (30), WCGV-TV in Milwaukee (33), WABM-TV in Birmingham, Ala. (40), WUPN-TV Greensboro, N.C. (47), WMMP-TV Charleston, S.C. (64).

Also part of the deal is Sinclair's independent station WFGX-TV in Mobile, Ala. (market 62).

In a handful of markets where Sinclair has UPN-WB duopolies, it retains stations that presumably face the choice of going independent or competing for affiliation with The CW.

Foxeng, I see that your channel has been added all across the Raleigh area and southward on Directv! You will have a lot more people tuning in for sure. Isn't Hoke county outside of your
coverage zone?

Foxeng, I see that your channel has been added all across the Raleigh area and southward on Directv! You will have a lot more people tuning in for sure. Isn't Hoke county outside of your
coverage zone?

Really? News to me. Can you elaborate?

I think this is due to the significantly viewed rules, here is where I read WGHP and WFMY have been added to Raleigh TV viewers local channel lists...

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=284249

I think this is due to the significantly viewed rules, here is where I read WGHP and WFMY have been added to Raleigh TV viewers local channel lists...

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=284249


Wow. Thanks. I didn't know they had started that. Of course it is only for the viewers in the western part of the Raleigh market that would normally receive us OTA. That is why channel 12 (NBC) and 45 (ABC) isn't on in the Raliegh market. There analog transmitters are on Sauratown Mt, north of Winston-Salem, so they don't make it that far east. As a matter of fact, they have trouble getting to Burlington. If not for cable, they wouldn't be viewable in many areas in the eastern part of the Triad market.

hmm, then it doesn't seem right that WFXI and WYDO are carried by satellite and cable well outside of their broadcast coverage area! :D
Maybe our channel 12 kept your 12 from moving their tower further east... WCTI reaches pretty close to Raleigh and Fayetteville

hmm, then it doesn't seem right that WFXI and WYDO are carried by satellite and cable well outside of their broadcast coverage area! :D
Maybe our channel 12 kept your 12 from moving their tower further east... WCTI reaches pretty close to Raleigh and Fayetteville

I have no doubt, but WXII has been on the air about 8 years longer than WCTI. WXII really doesn't want to move from the top of the mountain. They like it there.

Check out the Youngstown Ohio thread. Looks like the stations owned by Piedmont in that
area are finally getting ready to come on the air. Maybe our FOX will get its act together now??
LOL! The engineer for the two stations sounds excited! Come on WFXI, we are still waiting
patiently! :D

Guys, just got my first HDTV couple days ago for house on the river.
Currently have standard Dishnetwork hooked up (model 311 receiver).
Vizio LCD has ATSC tuner built-in. I was wanting to set things up to get OTA reception of local HD channels without having to splurge for the HD upgrade on dishnetwork for the time being.
I would be able to install outside antenna on roof.
I am new to this HD stuff, but what I am learning is most channels are on UHF
and will benefit from pre-amp most likely? Is rotor needed?

This house in Blount's Creek area - 8 miles east of hwy 17, still considered Chocowinity area.

Should I look at radioshack or Lowes and just get biggest antenna I am comfortable with. I understand bigger is usually better and higher is better.

Will I get Greenville, New Bern stations only?
No chance of WRAL in raleigh?



Any advice or if more details needed, I will provide.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Just got a email from Don Fisher at WYDO 14, he said they will have a low power signal up on channel 21 within 60 days, he said a HD signal is too far off to give a time.

As far as the post above in Blounts Creek, Id go with the Lowe's antenna's.
They are Channel master and they are better than radio shack brand.
I live about 10 miles north east of Washington and I am using the Channel master 3020 $99 , 100mile VHF / 60 mile UHF, I get All the Raliegh locals around 5pm till about 9am, I also have a radio shack uhf only antenna that I picked up for about $25. I use this to get New bern WCTI12. I aimed my CM3020 towards RDU area. Also Im using a Channel master preamp $50 also form Lowes, I tie my UHF antenna into the VHF terminals then run a single coax to the preamp. I use to run to lines into the preamp, but to many problems with signal loss.
Go to www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx
to get compass readings for you site.

If you need help with picking out the antenna at Lowes in Washington, Im a manager there and Ill be glad to help you.

Sounds good about WYDO, but aren't all stations supposed to be high power by July 1 at the latest? If they do not get on high power by then, they will lose protection from other digital
signals. But I guess that wouldn't effect these two channels anyway.... LOL unless...

Screen Pic! I took this one with my digital cam. When I get some Charleston signals coming
in again I will post them... LOL
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/jsp699/me.jpg

Dear UNC-TV DTV Viewers,
I wanted to let OTA viewers know that UNC-TV has not been broadcasting OTA HD since 10:20 PM on Friday March 3, due to some serious technical problems. We had a failure of our large UPS and tripped a 1600 amp 3 phase 480V breaker at our headquarters network operations center and we were off the air statewide digital and analog for awhile Friday night. We hope to return our 8pm to 11pm OTA HD schedule as soon as we can get equipment up and running. We had numerous equipment and computer failures, servers, automation etc. related to the power outage. We regret this inconvenience to our viewers.

Wayne, I was thinking the HD channel was off due to festival. Hope you can get it back on
soon. By the way, I have been getting the WUNM dt signal fairly well for the past week or so.
I have not changed anything. It reads 21 dbs on my STB. I guess maybe a bird or something fixed my antenna... The signal from WUNJ dt reads around 18 dbs during the day, and at night
it goes up to 25 dbs most times.

Dear DTV viewers in Eastern, NC;

As I explained earlier, we had not been broadcasting HD due to equipment blowup here at the Network Op Center at RTP last Friday night. Hopefully thanks to some hard work by our digital studio engineers, it will work tonight.

One of the items that crashed during the power failure was the computer that does the switch to HD every evening and controls the encoding system. This computer had to ramp down bitrate on encoders, make the switch on the multiplexer under Harris automation and then ramp up the bitrates on the proper respective encoders.

We had received a new software upgrade version for this ( before the blowup) so now we decided to bring it up along with the new computer (killing 2 birds with one stone) so you will hopefully now see a still picture on the HD channel during the off period. This is called trickle-stream and is a very small bitrate still image. The same should be true for the ED and NC channels when HD is on. We are not sure how various legacy receivers out there will behave with this since this process does a PSIP rebuild during the switch at 8 p and again at 11 p.

I had to rescan my LG STB to get all channels.

One thing I noticed on my LG STB is that audio remains from the previous channel when tuning to the static channel. If you tune from the kids channel, the kids audio remains because there is no audio PID on the trickle stream. We are considering what to do with this.

I will be interested in hearing how this works for you all.

Regards,

Im getting the SLIDE on my Directv HD DVR, it says HD service will resume at 8pm.
Cool!!!

Wayne, I spoke to you about a year ago with issues I was having with my Samsung HD box. You were telling me about you had ties here in the Washington Area.

Well I really enjoy the UNC services and really wish UNC would extend HD hours. The picture and sound is really good on UNC, I get WUNK and WUNM here. I get WUND from Columbia but it drops out alot, because my antenna is aimed in the opposite direction to get the Washington Greenville New Bern channels.
I pull in WRAL, WNCN, WTVD, and WRAZ every night from 5pm-9am. During the summer I often pull in WUNC 4.

Keep up the great work, One request how about running the How digital tv works special that I believe I saw on unctv.org a while back, It would be great to air on UNC TV, especially with the change to DT coming soon.

Thanks
Jamie

Getting the HD slide here in Virginia Beach on WUND/2. Boy, that thing is bit-starved for a static image... :-)

I see the slide, but I reverted back to the 29xs from WUNJ

Is it just me or does it look like UNC KD has lost some picture quality from this slide?

With this slight breeze, I am getting quick break-ups on UPN 48. What would be the cause of this? Is it multi-path? My signal will go from a strong 25 db signal to nothing. Then come back. etc... Should I turn my cheapo antenna? LOL---- Or raise it up and down? Any suggestion from
people with experience with this type of problem is welcome! :) I never used to have a problem until I added the pre-amp.

With this slight breeze, I am getting quick break-ups on UPN 48. What would be the cause of this? Is it multi-path? My signal will go from a strong 25 db signal to nothing. Then come back. etc... Should I turn my cheapo antenna? LOL---- Or raise it up and down? Any suggestion from
people with experience with this type of problem is welcome! :) I never used to have a problem until I added the pre-amp.

You are experiencing "dynamic multipath". UHF signals are diflected off trees waving in the wind and causing your problems. A more directional antenna might help reduce the effect. Unless you can get significant increase in height, i.e. more than 10 feet, you probably won't acheive much.

WCTI-DT is only 161,000 watts, as opposed to the 1,000,000 watts that is considered "full power" for UHF DTV stations. It is also directional south to protect WUPN in Greensboro. Once WCTI-DT moves back to channel 12 (in 3 years), the coverage should be signficantly better.

Thanks posg, I am going to get another 4221 for now, and get rid of this piece of junk
radio shack... LOL----- WIll probably get a high band VHF and rotor once the big change from analog to full digital occurs. We will have 4 VHF channels to pick up then.

I went out and pointed the 4221 toward UPN 48, and what an inprovemet! But I cannot get WNCT with it... So I am not sure, I may just get a high band and rotator now...

Thanks posg, I am going to get another 4221 for now, and get rid of this piece of junk
radio shack... LOL----- WIll probably get a high band VHF and rotor once the big change from analog to full digital occurs. We will have 4 VHF channels to pick up then.

I went out and pointed the 4221 toward UPN 48, and what an inprovemet! But I cannot get WNCT with it... So I am not sure, I may just get a high band and rotator now...

Get the highband VHF, then go inside the 7777 and switch the inputs from "combined" to "seperate" and connect accordingly. If you're using multiple UHF antennas, consider using "join-tennas" to avoid the problems you encounter mixing antennas for different channels in different directions.

I have UHF channels coming from all directions... LOL
So I figure go ahead and get the rotator, put the 4221 on top, and the High Band 5 ft below
that. Point the High Band toward WNCT and not connected to the rotor. But use the rotor
with the UHF for multiple directions... Does this sound like the right idea? And like posg said, use the seperate inputs on the amp.
I checked out Foxengs home antenna, and that looks like the best way to go! ;)

I have UHF channels coming from all directions... LOL
So I figure go ahead and get the rotator, put the 4221 on top, and the High Band 5 ft below
that. Point the High Band toward WNCT and not connected to the rotor. But use the rotor
with the UHF for multiple directions... Does this sound like the right idea? And like posg said, use the seperate inputs on the amp.
I checked out Foxengs home antenna, and that looks like the best way to go! ;)

You're dead on, except you may want to be able to rotate the high VHF after the final assignments, WTVD Raleigh goes back to 11. Don't forget you'll need WCTI off 12 eventually as well. Just a thought.

WNCT and WCTI are close enough in line that I dont think the rotation would be needed.
But WTVD and WFXI are the ones that would need precise tuning.

Directv has added UNC channel 2 as a Neighboring Local Channel to its lineup for Edenton, NC 27932

I checked out Foxengs home antenna, and that looks like the best way to go! ;)

You mean this? :)

http://www.w4cl.net/fox/p2050021.jpg

Yep! That is the one. :D

It is actually two antennas. One is the CM 4228 (the top one) and the lower bigger antenna is a VHF only Delhi (Jerrold) VIP-307SR. I bring both antennas in on seperate lines and then combine them inside after a pre-amp on the 4228 antenna and no pre-amp on the 307SR. I like to TV-DX (in VHF-low analog) when I get a chance so I spent the money for the 207SR (it is about $250 by itself). I have received WNCT-DT several times with this setup. I can't receive WITN-DT or WCTI-DT because of a local DT station on 32 (WUNL-DT) and local analog on 48, WUPN-TV. TV DXing can be tough around here since there is a station on just about every channel these days within 90 miles, analog or digital. We receive the Charlotte, Raleigh and Roanoke markets fairly well here so you are talking about a lot of stations, analog and digital. For example, WNCT's sister station, WSLS Roanoke is analog on channel 10 (about 90 miles and 4000 feet up on Poor Mt due north) so conditions have to be just right when WSLS is weak in signal (not very often) and WNCT-DT (at about 100 degrees from me) is strong enough to override WSLS analog. It gets interesting at times.

Here is a screen cap I took of WNCT-DT in 2004:

http://www.nchdtv.com/captures/WNCT10-1.jpg

I like to DX meself! I have gotten channels from Florida before, a PAX and FOX 30. analogs
Digitals I have received from Charleston and Richmond VA. Channels 47 and 54. DT
And I get the WRAL/WTVD channels all the time in the evenings and mornings... all with
this cheap radio shack set-up, which I am about to update.

Wayne, I am not getting any audio feed on the ED or NC channels on either WUNM or WUNJ.

I was hoping to see some of the basketball games on 9.2, but I guess we wont? I had
to tune to analog 9 for the Boston game... :(

Well, it is time for me to replace my antenna set-up due to mother nature. Last week, I had a direct hit to the Channel Master 4257 Diamond Quantum (UHF). This is my favorite antenna, as it had excellent gain, F/B, and durability. For VHF, I am using the Channel Master 3610 (the monster).

Since, I will be replacing the UHF antenna, I thought why not also put up a new VHF as well.

So, I would like to get some feedback on the Delhi (Jerrold) VIP-307SR antenna. I see several of you guys already have this installed, and it appears to be the best antenna on the market. Any feedback prior to my purchase, and if you think this is the best VHF antenna to go with?

Is this the best place to buy it?

http://www.starkelectronic.com/del307.htm

And lastly, what do you recommend for the ultimate UHF? Currently, looking at the Antennas Direct 91XG and the Winegard 9032.

Any feedback or suggestions would greatly help my decision.

Thanks Wayne! Everything is working now... [:D] But my audio menu does say Spanish Dolby instead of English, although the dialog is English.

Sirchadwick, Are you getting that big antenna for analog or digital?

This monster antenna will be for Analog, Channels 2 - 13. (VHF).

I am trying to find the optimum UHF antenna. Unfortunately, I am unable to find an older CM parabolic.

Any ideas on what the "best" deep fringe UHF antenna is, please advise.

Thanks,

Chad

My best estimate for Deep UHF reception would be the CM 4228, like the one shown in Foxengs picture. All the gain charts I have seen show it to be the top performer. You might also look at the Antenna's direct 8 bowtie model, although it is a bit pricey.

I dont know if UPN28 from Raliegh has gone full power or not, but Ive only seen it flicker once or twice in my 2 years of having digital tv, well last night I checked it and I was getting a strong signal and it stayed on all night and was still on as of 7am this morning.
Ill keep monitoring it also Im getting WB22, I ve gotten in the past, but it seems to stay on now better.

I dont know if UPN28 from Raliegh has gone full power or not, but Ive only seen it flicker once or twice in my 2 years of having digital tv, well last night I checked it and I was getting a strong signal and it stayed on all night and was still on as of 7am this morning.
Ill keep monitoring it also Im getting WB22, I ve gotten in the past, but it seems to stay on now better.

Yes, apparently they've upped the power. I'm getting 98's on my signal strength bar whereas before it was in the low 80's. I'm 16 miles from thier transmitter. In a probably related event, the low power shopping channel on 58 (WLFL--22's DTV assignment is 57) has been off the air for a few days.

Regardless, WLFL still looks awful, with their K-mart encoder, and the 4:3 picture zoomed and cropped, with the gray side bars. WRDC has never passed UPN network HD. Fortunately for me, there isn't a single program on either channel that is of any interest to me personally, nor is there likely to be on CW or MYNTV.

Wow! I'm getting WRDC UPN 28 at 80% signal strength today. Not picking up WLFL WB22 right now. Maybe they're fixing that stretched out picture. Hope so! BTW, today it was announced that Sinclair is partnering with The Tube music network so we should see that this summer on one of these channels.

Now, if Fox 14 would just get on a stick, we'd be good to go.

What do you guys think?
Any chance Alan and Gary will anchor together again? Now that Marti is gone that would be
an ideal pair!

The CW Signs 30 New Affiliates
By Michele Greppi of Television Week

The CW on Tuesday announced 30 long-term affiliation agreements that increase clearances to 114 stations reaching more than 74 percent of the country.

The newly signed affiliates include four General Media properties: UPN affiliate WASV-TV Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.-Asheville, NC-Anderson, S.C., (the 35th-largest market in the country); WB affiliate WJWB-TV in Jacksonville, Fla. (market No. 52); a digital channel of NBC affiliate WCBD-TV in Charleston, S.C. (101); and a digital channel of CBS affiliate WNCT-TV in Greenville-New Bern-Washington, N.C. (105).

Two of the deals were for low-power UPN affiliates owned by Raycom Media: WSTQ-LP in Syracuse, N.Y. (76); and KXTU-TV in Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colo. (93).

Six of the deals of the deals involved digital channels of Quincy Newspapers-owned stations: NBC affiliate WREX-TV in Rockford, Ill. (133); ABC affiliate WXOW-TV in La Crosse, Wis. (123); ABC affiliate WAOW-TV in Wausau-Rhinelander, Wis. (134); NBC affiliate KTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa (143); NBC affiliate WVVA-TV in Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, W.Va. (149); NBC affiliate KTTC-TV in Rochester, Minn.-Mason City, Iowa-Austin, Minn. (152); and NBC affiliate WGEM-TV in Quincy, Ill.-Hannibal, Mo.-Keokuk, Iowa (169).

Four deals involved digital channels of stations owned by Gray Television: NBC affiliate WJHG-TV in Panama City, Fla. (157); ABC affiliate WBKO-TV in Bowling Green, Ky. (for the digital station currently operated as a WB affiliate) (183); ABC affiliate WTOK-TV in Meridian, Miss. (184); and NBC affiliate KKCO-TV in Grand Junction-Montrose, Colo. (187).

Affiliation deals were made with Grant Communications for two WB affiliates: WBVA-TV in Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va. (68); and KGWB-TV in Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Ill. (95).

The other deals announced involved UPN affiliate KBEJ-TV in Austin, Texas (53), owned by Corridor Television and operated by Belo Corp.; Banks Broadcasting's UPN affiliate KNIN-TV in Boise, Idaho (119); Camino Real Communications-owned WB affiliate KWWT-TV in Odessa-Midland, Texas (159); KM Communications' WB affiliate KPIF-TV in Idaho Falls-Pocatello, Idaho (163); and Rocky Mountain Broadcasting's KMTF-TV in Helena, Mont. (206).

Other deals made for digital channel space included Barrington Broadcasting's ABC affiliates WHOI-TV in Peoria-Bloomington, Ill. (117) and KVII-TV in Amarillo, Texas (131); Catamount Holdings' CBS affiliate KHSL-TV in Chico-Redding, Calif. (130); the University of Missouri's NBC affiliate KOMU-TV in Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo., (138); Delmarva Broadcast Service General Partnership's ABC affiliate WMDT-TV in Salisbury, Md.(148); and Block Communications' NBC affiliate WLIO-TV in Lima, Ohio (185).

"We're very pleased to sign our first long-term, multistation affiliation agreements with Media General and Raycom Media, two of broadcasting's largest, most admired station owners, as well as with Grant Communications and Quincy Newspapers, companies whose strong entrepreneurial spirit is grounded in local station ownership," said John Maatta, chief operating officer of The CW. "We're also adding to the number of Banks, Barrington, Belo, Block Communications [and] Gray stations in the CW fold, as well as sealing new deals with a number of other companies with whom we've previously partnered for The WB. All of these companies share our excitement and enthusiasm for the unique and exceptional programming and promotion opportunities that The CW creates for them."

The CW, announced Jan. 24 as a joint venture of CBS Corp. and Warner Bros. Entertainment, will launch in September with programming from UPN and The WB, which will close at the end of August.

I sure hope that the CW and My Network TV outlets that are going to be"side-car" channels of parent stations broadcasting in HD for their main programming can at least figure out how to transmit a 16:9 480p version of the secondary channel.

That is great news! Thanks WNCT! And HA HA to Time Warner, no more monopoly on a local
WB!

Now, I wonder if WCTI will pick up the My Network TV that Rupert Murdoch is launching. I guess if they do, they will go from UPN48 to MyTV48? Time will tell, I suppose...

That is great news! Thanks WNCT! And HA HA to Time Warner, no more monopoly on a local
WB!

I'm sure it will cost them 1000's of subscribers. ;) ;) ;)

Now, I wonder if WCTI will pick up the My Network TV that Rupert Murdoch is launching. I guess if they do, they will go from UPN48 to MyTV48? Time will tell, I suppose...

I know that it will more than likely be on Directv one way or another. But it would
be nice to have a localized feed. Now if someone would pick up The Tube! :p

I'm sure it will cost them 1000's of subscribers. ;) ;) ;)

LOL :cool:

Now if someone would pick up The Tube! :p

Me too! I want The Tube as well! I think I'll be able to catch it at least on WB22 or UPN28. 'Course CTI could pick that up or MyNetwork or both...

WITN could get in that game too, but they'd have to dump 24/7 or get a much better encoder like the one WNCN is using up in RDU.

Personally, since Fox 8/14 is going to be SD and not HD for the foreseeable future, they could always snap up The Tube, My Network TV, which would be a natural fit since it's a Fox property anyway, and anything else that's out there. I doubt that will ever happen though; they're too sluggish on even getting on the air than to do more than one channel! *LOL*

I saw where Eyewitness 9 had news tonight filled with lottery stuff. Well after watching all the
hype I went out and bought 3 tickets, and won $15.00 :D

LOL

Awesome man! I didn't get to buy any myself today though. I looked up in my rear view mirror on the way to work and saw some lady scratching the heck out of some tickets! Hillarious!

Funny close to the noon news Friday on WNCT. At the close Scott Sumner said be sure to join Allan Hoffman and Marti Skold...oops Allan Hoffman at 6pm.

*LOL* I missed that... I'll have to review a tape on that one!

I have it on DVD. Hillarious!
Then right after that on the Closed Caption it Says, "Hello I am Gary Dean sitting in...

LOL

Hello everyone. Did anybody else get a signal out of dtv 24 tonight. I only had it for a while, long enough to tell it was one of the fox's can't remember which one is 24, WYDO OR WFXI. WFXI I think. Oh well I was just curious.

Where are you located? 24 is Fox 8 out of Morehead City. From their signal output, I don't think it carries very far at all.

In Greenville, we're still waiting on 21 to come on the air which will be Fox 14's digital signal.

I'm in wallace which is in duplin county in case you haven't heard of it lol. Last night was the first time I had seen anything out of that channel. I had read in the past they were only covering their city or barely that. After I made that post, the signal came in at about 70 percent or 7 bars on my samsung tuner. The channel was still coming in this morning at around 6:30 or 7, but isn't any longer. Maybe they were just testing?

Possibility, I suppose.

I just remembered I promised to post these channels. I took some pics of WCSC which I receive on a regular basis. DXing of this channel occurs for me a lot!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/jsp699/me131.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/jsp699/me132.jpg

24 is working again right now if anyone wants to try and get it.

I got it last night also, 24 is WTAT dt from Charleston. Channel 40 dt.

Foxeng,

Just installed my new VIP-307, with the Channel Master 7777 Preamp. Instead of going with the CM 4228, I decided to go with the Winegard 9032 (windloading, and a tighter beamwith).

I sure love this combo! I watch all of the digital stations from Detroit, which is 74 miles as the bird flies. I am the only one in my area that can pull in these stations reliable.

Hats off to the VIP-307 as the best VHF antenna made for us DXers.

Might be worth reporting for viewers in the Greenville area... I'm home for lunch and getting around 80% signal on digital channel 21, which would be Fox 14. Not decoding any audio/video, but it looks like they're at least in a testing phase. Maybe Fox 14 is thisclose to coming on the air?

I am not getting anything tonight on 21. Is the signal still up?

Foxeng,

Just installed my new VIP-307, with the Channel Master 7777 Preamp. Instead of going with the CM 4228, I decided to go with the Winegard 9032 (windloading, and a tighter beamwith).

I sure love this combo! I watch all of the digital stations from Detroit, which is 74 miles as the bird flies. I am the only one in my area that can pull in these stations reliable.

Hats off to the VIP-307 as the best VHF antenna made for us DXers.

How about a pik?!

I am not getting anything tonight on 21. Is the signal still up?

I'm still getting between 60-70%. Still no audio/video.

I'm not getting anything from the Triad, Hampton Roads, Fayettville, or Wilmington; I don't know where this signal could be coming from... WYDO is the only thing I can think of. If I were at least getting signals from my normal tropo areas, I could assume it was something from one of them or further off.

I dunno...

I am gettting both Charleston channels tonight, 24 and 5.
Still nothing on 21.

I wish somebody from Greenville would say I'm not imagining it. *LOL*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/jsp699/me133.jpg

Haha! Show off !

LOL
My antenna are primed and receiving! :D

Hey all,

I'm in Cape Carteret - kinda between Greenville and WIlmington markets/threads, but after reviewing what's goin on on this one, I really like the info that's passed around. I'm glad to hear that there's problems with Fox 8 and 14 - DT, I coulnd't seem to pick them up last time I tried, but got a great analog signal from 8. I've got a big RS antenna and rotor. I'm thinking of adding a UHF up there, in part to keep from having to rotate, esp when Fox gets on-air for good.

I'm still not sold on preamps, as they tend to amplify the noise as well as the signal, and i'm not sure the gain is truly real. But being a trueelectronics junkie, am always willing to try. That said, here's my questions:

1) How do you combine the signals from multiple antennas? with an inverted splitter or is there another gizmo?
2) (I know this will be a polarizing question) UHF antenna recommendations?
3) Preamp recommendations?

This stuff sure is fun.
I've got a JVC-ILA rear projector, Dish 811

Thanks

Welcome to the forum Matt!
I have tried both the Radio Shack UHF only yagi and the CM 4221. They are both strong
performers. But I think the 4221 is slightly better. The pre-amp can be tricky. I had to tilt
my Radio Shack combo antenna at an angle before I could get a solid pic with no break-ups. It is not a very strong performer anyway.
Everything is fine now, so I am going to leave well enough alone!

WFXI dt should come in for you. I am just too far away from the weak signal to even bother
aiming for it right now.

Do you get WWAY dt 46 in your area? It is the strongest signal I get besides WCTI & WNCT.

Where is Ken12 lately? I wonder if he got his new transmitter in yet?

Where is Ken12 lately? I wonder if he got his new transmitter in yet?

Is WCTI getting a new transmitter??? More power??? Non-directional??? While I get WITN-DT, WNCT-DT, WUNK-DT rock solid in north Raleigh, WCTI is an extemely rare catch only during the most intense of tropo events.

easternncnewswat ,

I'm not in greenville as I said in an earlier post, but the light on my tuner was blinking on 21 last night and 2 - 3 bars of signal. 24 was coming in again and I saw the 10 o'clock news with Phillip Williams doing the weather the other night. So both fox channels must be testing. Just wanted you to know you're not crazy lol.

The reason I call it by 24 is because when it came in it didn't remap to 8 so it is
24-1, not the channel 40 out of charleston remapping to 24.

soso, What antenna are you using? Do you have it pointed due east? I have never been
able to get WFXI, so I must be in a suckhole spot or something!
It is wild that I can get something 200 miles away but not something that is only 45!

Wow! Cool, I'm glad to know someone else is seeing digital channel 21 also. I'm still only getting around 60% so I'm not decoding anything. I've been able to decode down to about 30-40% in the past, so I don't think Fox 14 is passing any audio/video yet. They must be just testing out the signal, maybe? I've never seen a brand new channel come on before so this is new for me. I've seen a new multicast channel, but that's off of something already established of course. As per my normal mantra, time will tell what's going on with Fox 14...

The microwave STL has been awful on WYDO analog for a long time. At least since Floyd came through. Maybe they have to get that squared away before they can get a picture to come in on digital?

Been pretty busy with several projects here at the station. The new transmitter is on the air for 12 analog I still have a few bugs in it that need to be worked out but nothing that effects picture quality. This is the same transmitter that I will convert to digital in 2009 when and if analog goes away.

Be looking for some other on air changes coming up in the near future on 12 especially with weather.

Ken

Hey Ken,
Good to see you are still peeking in on us! LOL

With the weather gadgets I would look into one of those Titan radar's. They look really
cool to me. Or get you one of those Doppler Radars you can mount out back. I think WWAY
has theirs on the roof of the station. It will reach about 70 miles away.

Now the above was for Ken12's eyes only! ;) No copy cats... LOL!

I have a CM 4228 with a CM 7777 preamp and its pointed about north to northwest. I was trying to pick up the Raleigh stations. Put it up maybe a month ago. I've been following the forums here for a while, just never got an account.


Oh, I forgot to say... you're probably just trying to find the channel when it's not on. That's probably it.

Ok, being new to the area, I need some splaining. I really appreciate all the info that's being shared here. That said, here's what I'm reading through the lines here:

Fox 14 DT = not on air, but trying/testing/not really worth the bother unless you're really into putting notches on your belt because you got a signal.
Fox 8 DT = sorta on air some of the time but a really weak signal even when it's up? May be worth trying to get or just don't bother?

12 ABC DT = kinda flaky transmission

19 PBS DT= no problem
9 CBS DT= No problem
7 NBC DT = No problem

I'm more into being able to watch as much DT/HDTV as possible on a regular basis and am happy to put some time into it, but if the station is only up 25% of the time, forget it.

Please help me decode this stuff!

Depending on your location you can get some things fine, others no. Or you may be able
to get everything.

I am in Onslow County. I get

WWAY-46 excellent
WECT- 44 nights and mornings
WITN- 32 Good infrequent pixelation. Not enough to bother me.
WNCT- 10 Excellent
WCTI- 48 EXcellent
WUNM- 18 fair/ kind of in and out
WPXU- 34 "i" Excellent
WUNJ- 29- Excellent
WSFX-26 analog good, will be at full power digital in June.

At times I can get Charleston and Raleigh stations.

Following up on what jspENC said, I'm in Greenville and I get:

WRAL 5.1 (CBS)
WRAL 5.2 (WRAL Newschannel)
WITN 7.1 (NBC)
WITN 7.2 (24/7 Weather)
WNCT 9.1 (CBS)
WNCT 9.2 (Radar, soon to be The CW?)
WTVD 11.1 (ABC)
WTVD 11.2 (News/Radar)
WTVD 11.3 (ABC 11 News Now)
WCTI 12.1 (ABC)
WCTI 12.3 (UPN; maybe My Network TV when UPN dissolves?)
WNCN 17.1 (NBC)
WNCN 17.2 (NBC SD)
WNCN 17.3 (Weather Plus)
WLFL 22.1 (WB; not sure if it will be CW or My Network TV after WB dissolves)
UNC TV 25.1 - 5 (SD, HD, Kids, Education, and News)
WRDC 28.1(UPN; see WLFL above- one will be running The Tube music videos as sub this summer)
WRAY 30.1 - (Home Shopping Network)
WRAZ 50.1 (Fox)
WRAZ 50.2 (Fox SD)
WRAZ 50.3 (WRAL Weather Center Channel)

I also get stations from Norfolk, the Triad, and Wilmington occasionally. And of course, depending on what's going on with WYDO, may soon be able to add 14.1 to my list for Fox SD.

Depending on your location you can get some things fine, others no. Or you may be able to get everything... At times I can get Charleston and Raleigh stations.I was getting FM stations all over the place in Virginia Beach this morning... eastern NC, Richmond, DC, Eastern Shore/Delaware. Anyone try dx-ing DTV this morning???

I was running late for work this morning; didn't get a chance to see if I had any fringe activity.

Same here eastern, I always rush to work and never get to turn on the TV during the week
early...

I was getting all RDU channels up till I left for work at 12p today, not sure how long they stayed on, usually I loose them around 8-9am.

Got lucky and all the bad weather passed right around my Neighborhood. :D

TVWeek.com

April 18, 2006

MyNetworkTV Signs Affiliation Deals With 9 Stations

By Michele Greppi

Four digital stations owned by Pappas Telecasting Cos. are among the nine newly signed affiliates Fox's MyNetworkTV announced Tuesday. The deals boost clearance for MyNetworkTV to stations in 105 markets representing 65 percent of the country.

The Pappas-owned affiliates include a new operation, KDMI-DT in Des Moines, Iowa (market No. 73); and from the digital channels of Fox affiliate KPTM-TV in Omaha, Neb. (75); CBS affiliate KDBC-TV in El Paso, Texas (99); and Fox affiliate KPTH-TV in Sioux City, Iowa (143). KPTM-DT's signal will be simulcast by low-power station KKAZ.

Nine Pappas stations signed in March as affiliates of The CW, which is competing for clearances with MyTV.

Two Fox affiliates will create digital MyTV affiliates: Huntsville Television Acquisition's WZDX-TV in Huntsville-Decatur, Ala. (84); and Piedmont Television's WFXI-TV in Greenville, N.C. (105).

MyNetworkTV will launch Sept. 5 with two English-language telenovelas stripped on weeknights and hour-long wrap-ups on Saturdays.

TVWeek.com

April 18, 2006

MyNetworkTV Signs Affiliation Deals With 9 Stations

By Michele Greppi

Four digital stations owned by Pappas Telecasting Cos. are among the nine newly signed affiliates Fox's MyNetworkTV announced Tuesday. The deals boost clearance for MyNetworkTV to stations in 105 markets representing 65 percent of the country.

The Pappas-owned affiliates include a new operation, KDMI-DT in Des Moines, Iowa (market No. 73); and from the digital channels of Fox affiliate KPTM-TV in Omaha, Neb. (75); CBS affiliate KDBC-TV in El Paso, Texas (99); and Fox affiliate KPTH-TV in Sioux City, Iowa (143). KPTM-DT's signal will be simulcast by low-power station KKAZ.

Nine Pappas stations signed in March as affiliates of The CW, which is competing for clearances with MyTV.

Two Fox affiliates will create digital MyTV affiliates: Huntsville Television Acquisition's WZDX-TV in Huntsville-Decatur, Ala. (84); and Piedmont Television's WFXI-TV in Greenville, N.C. (105).

MyNetworkTV will launch Sept. 5 with two English-language telenovelas stripped on weeknights and hour-long wrap-ups on Saturdays.

All but four of the top thirty markets have commitments for carriage of CW. Guess who owns the likely candidates in those four markets. If you guessed Sinclair you'd be correct. Really kind of points the finger at who's to blame in the ongoing Sinclair/Cable wars.

All but four of the top thirty markets have commitments for carriage of CW. Guess who owns the likely candidates in those four markets. If you guessed Sinclair you'd be correct. Really kind of points the finger at who's to blame in the ongoing Sinclair/Cable wars.

And what does this have to do with Pappas, Piedmont, or MyNetworkTV? Did I miss something?

WXFI is off air for American IDol!!! LMAO~!

Too bad the poor saps with cable cant see it! :D

And what does this have to do with Pappas, Piedmont, or MyNetworkTV? Did I miss something?

Only that many people who read this thread also rely on Raleigh market stations for some or all of their network programs, and might be interested in what's happening, or not happening there.

The fact that CW will be a "side-car" service of WNCT means that it will not be available in HD. Also, nobody seems to know whether or not WFXI/WYDO will ever do HD Fox, let alone HD MyTV. Therefore a lot of east Carolina residents point their 4228's toward Raleigh for HD.

Your comment is related to the overall transition of WB and UPN into CW and MyTV and since we have overlapping markets, I felt this could be of interest.

It is also an opportunity to bash Sinclair. ;) ;) ;)

P.S. CW and MyTV being digital sidecars does nothing for the viewer who does not have a built in ATSC tuner, so those folks will HAVE to watch Raleigh.....

[QUOTE=foxeng]Two Fox affiliates will create digital MyTV affiliates:[/b] Huntsville Television Acquisition's WZDX-TV in Huntsville-Decatur, Ala. (84); and [b]Piedmont Television's WFXI-TV in Greenville, N.C. (105).[QUOTE]

Wow! I find this news shocking... WFXI/WYDO must be ramping up to deliver a digital signal to ENC to take on a second network as well as Fox. The GM at Fox has said over and over that they would only provide an SD signal initially; no plans for HD. Anyone heard if they're actually going to be able to go full power by June (isn't that the date)?

Wonder if 12.3, UPN48, will become an independent station or evolve into something else? Should be interesting to watch how everything plays out...

[QUOTE=foxeng]Two Fox affiliates will create digital MyTV affiliates:[/b] Huntsville Television Acquisition's WZDX-TV in Huntsville-Decatur, Ala. (84); and [b]Piedmont Television's WFXI-TV in Greenville, N.C. (105).[QUOTE]

Wow! I find this news shocking... WFXI/WYDO must be ramping up to deliver a digital signal to ENC to take on a second network as well as Fox. The GM at Fox has said over and over that they would only provide an SD signal initially; no plans for HD. Anyone heard if they're actually going to be able to go full power by June (isn't that the date)?

Wonder if 12.3, UPN48, will become an independent station or evolve into something else? Should be interesting to watch how everything plays out...

One would at least hope that these channels doing digital sidecars will at least present them in 16x9 480p.

I find it rediculas that we cannot get these channels in HD. All that needs to be done is
one more Tower go up somewhere in the center of the market, and that could do Fox, and Mynetwork on seperate antennas, and do the CW if WNCT put another antenna up. It is stupid to have two FOX towers that do not even come close to covering the
whole market now, and never will at the height of those short UHF sticks.

The 'i' towers are another waste in my opinion. Nothing but ads and old shows over and over.

Um, how about telling us how you really feel, jsp? *LOL* j/k

Um, how about telling us how you really feel, jsp? *LOL* j/k

I agree with jsp, though. ITV, Pax, whatever you want to call it, what an absolute waste of broadcast real estate.

I agree myself; regarding both versions, what a missed opportunity...

Now that WNCT is putting up the CW, When CBS launches CBS2 will WNCT carry
9.1 WNCT HD
9.2 CW
9.3 CBS2

I wonder what WCTI is going to do when UPN converts to CW and moves to 9?

Ken any info you can share with us???

Nothing firm yet We are looking at several possibilities But I can say that we will defiantly have something even if it is a independent. Pass on your suggestions and I will make sure management sees them

Ken

Now that WNCT is putting up the CW, When CBS launches CBS2 will WNCT carry
9.1 WNCT HD
9.2 CW
9.3 CBS2

I wonder what WCTI is going to do when UPN converts to CW and moves to 9?

Ken any info you can share with us???

I haven't heard much more about CBS2 since that initial word many many months ago. I kinda think that the CW may be what CBS2 was going to be maybe without the hyper local content. Of course, this is all speculation on my part...

Glad to hear CTI isn't going to throw in the towel just cause UPN folded. After all the time and money spent to launch UPN48, it would be a shame to just toss it all away. My personal opinion, keep it independent and hyper localize it maybe? Just my thoughts.

Ken, I would recommend The Tube Music Video channel, but WSFX already has that on 26.2
and just as soon as they move to the tall WWAY tower in Brunswick I should get it fine.
I will think on this some and come up with some kind of idea! LOL

Maybe we can all put our heads together on this one. I will ask around also and see what other people might like.

Yeah, I'll have the Tube from RDU too... I want something different... Hmm... What else is out there?

You been visiting ENC again Eastern? LOL We have a thread over there going strong that started out hmmm and is still going like crazy...
I think a channel like TV Land with some of the old shows might be good. I notice WNCT airs Beverly Hillbillies and Andy Griffith sometimes on weekends. The only thing is you can see
these shows all over the place now. Maybe some Miami Vice, MacGyver or Murder She Wrote Re-runs? Sister, Sister or Laverne and Shirley?
Whatever happened to Judge Mills Lane? He was hillarious! One show I liked that is off now is the Street Smarts.
Maybe some sort of Comedy channel with Raymond!

OK I'm done. :D

Funny you mention that type of programming, jspENC. There was something in one of the trade magazines in the past 3-6 months about a station in the NE that did that with their digital bandwith. They made it like a WXYZ 2 channel and programmed it with reruns of sitcoms, dramas, etc. They're targeting an niche audience; which is what all these multicast attempts are. Think it's been pretty successful for them. Successful is probably subjective since it's not measured by Nielsen; more like audience reaction to it.

Personally, if you could get network approval or whatever is needed, I'd love a timeshifted channel of programming. You guys know I love my dns on satellite! :)

A lot of people would probably like your idea of a shifted feed eastern. The only thing with me
is I don't like The View, or ABC soaps, so it really wouldn't be something I would watch... LOL

How about ABC News Now? I thought they were supposed to come back on?

Nothing firm yet We are looking at several possibilities But I can say that we will defiantly have something even if it is a independent. Pass on your suggestions and I will make sure management sees them

Ken

Anything, ANYTHING, that has nothing to do with "weather".

Actually, Univision or any of the other spanish language nets would probably not be a half bad idea.

Anything, ANYTHING, that has nothing to do with "weather".

Actually, Univision or any of the other spanish language nets would probably not be a half bad idea.

Yeah, I think even I have enough weather channels now! *LOL*

I kinda like the Spanish channels, but I need a translator please... That way, I can learn Spanish as I watch the shows! :D

Did anyone else notice that WFXI dt reduced power down to practically nothing?

Did anyone else notice that WFXI dt reduced power down to practically nothing?

Did they have any to begin with ???

FCC database lists them operating under Special Temporary Authorization with 1,500 watts at 44 meters, with a Contruction Permit for 1,000,000 at 216 meters.

Maybe they're working towards satisfying the July 1 deadline. WRDC over here in Raleigh got even weaker than normal in the days prior to going to full power. Then again, maybe they just loaned "foxeng" their tubes. ;) ;) ;)

Cross your fingers.

Does anyone know their plans (or no plans) for HD ???

Then again, maybe they just loaned "foxeng" their tubes. ;) ;) ;)


This thread has no idea what you are talking about and we have no connection with WFXI other than they share a channel and a network with us.

This thread has no idea what you are talking about and we have no connection with WFXI other than they share a channel and a network with us.

Actually, I think there are only four or five of us who ever seem to visit this thread anyway. Those who do also seem to visit the Raleigh and Greensboro from time to time and might have gotten the "rib".

posg, I wouldn't piss off Foxeng if I were you!

WFXI did have this,

Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 5.027 kW ERP

Now they have this...

Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 1.5 kW ERP

Looking at the FCC site it looks as if they just made a correction to their STA from the 5kw to 1.5kw which is what it was from the begining

Ken

posg, I wouldn't piss off Foxeng if I were you!

I am not mad. Just most people on this thread have no idea that I have been having tube problems in my digital transmitter. I am sure some went, "say what?" that is all.

posg can poke all he wants. Free country (last I looked).

I'd love to know what's going on with WFXI/WYDO. I've been getting signal for WYDO for two weeks now, but still no audio/video. Usually the signal fluctuates between 60-80. I'm ready for them to be on the air even if it is just standard definition especially since they'll be running MyNetwork this fall; wouldn't mind seeing what other programming they'll run on the channel in off network time. I just hope it's not paid programming. Blech!

Foxeng, I had no idea you were having problems. This is the first time I have had a chance
to read this thread all week, let alone Greensboro! :D

I wish you luck on working out the bugs. Also I was only joking around with you and posg ;)

If I had known the real story as you say, I wouldn't have done that! Yikes.

Looking at the FCC site it looks as if they just made a correction to their STA from the 5kw to 1.5kw which is what it was from the begining

Ken

Oh Ok, Then it's no wonder I could never get a lock on the signal.... :p I try to keep checking the FCC page once in a while for any kind of changes. (fingers crossed)

I've tried a quite a few times to pick up WFXI digital with no luck(the wife has a few shows on fox she likes) My only option for a half decent picture is through DirecTV and that is WYDO. I even tried at a friends house Havelock and couldn't get it there either. Has anybody seen a picture on their digital?

Ken

I only wish Ken. I have gotten lucky from here in Jacksonville about 4 or 5 times total to view Fox in HD from WRAZ, and three times so far from WTAT in Charleston.

24 in HD is sweet! :D

Ken if you couldn't get the signal in Havelock, then I just as well stop trying from my house...
I don't have a lot of patience anyway, at least for antenna tuning... LOL
The GM/VP from WFXI asked me in an e-mail that one time if I had tried to receive it, and seemed kind of surprised that I could not. I told him the signal is just too weak for me to unscramble any kind of video...

I am not mad. Just most people on this thread have no idea that I have been having tube problems in my digital transmitter. I am sure some went, "say what?" that is all.

posg can poke all he wants. Free country (last I looked).

Actually, the post was intended for "foxeng" as he would certainly have "got it", and hoped that he would see some humor in it, at least that was the intention. :o :o :o

Posg,
I was just funnin' too. I am sorry I said what I did now, because I didn't know the whole deal, meaning the stuff said over on the Greensboro thread.

Actually, the post was intended for "foxeng" as he would certainly have "got it", and hoped that he would see some humor in it, at least that was the intention. :o :o :o

I got it. No offense taken. I just hated to have an "inside joke" so to speak. And I did think it was humorous. Just rough day today.

Anything new happening with WYDO? Jamielee can you get a signal where you are?

I see a low signal in the 20's but its in and out.

Ken12 Is there anyway to add side panels on 12.1, I hate the plain black side bars, seems as if I remember when wcti-dt first started it had grey panels.

We can do almost anything we want in the side panels on 12-1 but no mater what we do we will get complaints the black bars seem to be the least objectionable to most people. We got quite a few complaints on the gray bars and if I put any kind of image in the side bars viewers would complain due to burn in problems on some types of sets.

Ken

I found the grey bars to be worse than the black. I think it was WWAY that had them for a while also, and then they changed to black too.

I've been looking at LCD sets. I want a 30" widescreen. Anybody have any advise on a good choice? The set I have now is a tube TV. I want to take it out of the living room and put in the LCD. lol and the Tube in the bedroom. Right now I just have an analog set in there.

Interesting that viewers there didn't like the grey bars. We (and the CBS station) have been using the grey bar since we signed on in 2002 and have had no complaints.

Foxeng,
Did you change your website? I tried to get onto nchdtv.com but it was something called postnuke...

Anything new happening with WYDO? Jamielee can you get a signal where you are?

I sent an e-mail to our local Fox last week, but no one has bothered to reply to it. I had to send to the generic e-mail address since I didn't have Don Fisher's; lost it along with some other e-mails in a reformat of my computer. If anyone still has Fisher's e-mail, I'll resend and ask him what is going on with WYDO.

I've still got a signal, which usually flucuates between 60-80%. Hopefully, they don't think they're on the air, when they're not putting out an audio/video signal. Then again, you never know...

e-mail from Don Fisher May 3:

"We are testing a signal on 21.1 now for WYDO. There is currently no video, but you will be able to see if you can receive the signal or not. We will be up with a standard signal within days and HD will follow, but not immediately."

hmmmmm, I can't get a signal down here, so I guess I am out of the viewing area...

e-mail from Don Fisher May 3:

"We are testing a signal on 21.1 now for WYDO. There is currently no video, but you will be able to see if you can receive the signal or not. We will be up with a standard signal within days and HD will follow, but not immediately."

Thanks for the update; I'm glad somebody got a response... :rolleyes:

hmmmmm, I can't get a signal down here, so I guess I am out of the viewing area...

Maybe you'll catch them at full power; isn't that deadline coming up soon?

Maybe you'll catch them at full power; isn't that deadline coming up soon?

Yes, but I doubt they make it. Maybe WYDO, but I doubt WFXI, unless they have
been doing some serious work on it.

I guess they are burning in the tubes at WYDO? Maybe that is why there is no video?

Got me... Maybe this is the week they'll go live with audio and video. I can't wait to see how they'll pull off not just Fox but MNT come September when it launches. Should be interesting to see...

In related news, and I never watch this channel, but WRAY 30, 42.1, has had nothing but garbled audio for like at least 2 weeks now. Then this week, their signal just vanished. Nothing coming from 42 at all. Maybe they closed up shop?

Foxeng,
Did you change your website? I tried to get onto nchdtv.com but it was something called postnuke...

Postnuke is the name of the software. I have been so busy with work the last 10 months that after a crash, I haven't had time to put it up back up. I do want to get it back up, but don't know when at this point.

In related news, and I never watch this channel, but WRAY 30, 42.1, has had nothing but garbled audio for like at least 2 weeks now. Then this week, their signal just vanished. Nothing coming from 42 at all. Maybe they closed up shop?

Probably just equipment failure. When they were on the air, the audio level was a least 10 db hotter on the digital channel. Doubt there's much urgency to get the digital signal back up. I wonder how stations like that actually do financially.

I wonder how stations like that actually do financially.

Me too; it's so weird to have a shopping channel over the air like that... To me it is anyway. My satellite is chock full of them as I imagine cable is. I really don't see what the point is but I guess somebody out there must watch it.

Ken on the side bars I like the ones that the national nets use from time to time with the motion graphics in them, also like the WRAZ side bars, gray with the WRAZDT logo in them.

From Broadcasting & Cable

Over the years WRAL Raleigh, NC, has been consistently one of the first TV stations to move forward with new HDTV technology and it recently became the first in another HD category: High Definition Weather Center.

WRAL make the move with the help of Baron Services and the company’s newly released HD versions of the VIPIR, FasTrac, and StormWarn weather products.

WRAL chief engineer Peter Sockett says the new systems have been working fine since its installation in early April. “It’s more flexible [than the SD gear] and after we hooked it up and looked at in the control room we were amazed at how stunning it looked,” he says.

While most stations HD newscasts typically don’t go beyond the studio walls WRAL is one of the few stations in the nation to have actual HD news crews in the field. Making the move to HD for weather completes the HD newscast puzzle.

With more and more TV stations embracing HD newscasts the ability to deliver HD weather graphics becomes important. It also helps make the information more valuable to viewers as wide-screen maps can display weather conditions over a wider area.

“The market for quality HD content is not expanding; it’s exploding. We believe that demand extends to weather coverage, as well,” says Bob Baron, Baron Services president and CEO.

It wasn’t too long ago that 3D weather graphics would have required dedicated and powerful workstations. But VIPIR HD uses the Windows XP operating system and requires a high-end PC with 512MB video RAM, as well as a DVI connection.

Baron Services says all three of the company’s core products benefit from HD. “FasTrac, our 2D storm tracker, looks great in high-def, featuring crisp visuals and full widescreen presentation while StormWarn, our HD-capable alert crawl, provides warnings and radar display in a customizable layout,” says Baron. “And VIPIR represents the total package, delivering a complete weather show in high-def and with not one second of rendering time.”

I read that article about HD VIPIR earlier this week, VARTV... It's a real nice presentation like most of the stuff RAL does. I'm glad I'm in their viewing area or at least the overlapping area...

So, today I went out and bought one of the Best Buy Insignia 27" SDTV's that has the built in NTSC, ATSC and QAM tuners. Thus far, I'm very happy with it! The price was great; I actually thought the price was for a 24"... I got 3" more for the same price!

Anyways, the tuner seems to be much better than my old Samsung 350? model set top box. You guys probably remember I've mentioned that I used an amplified indoor antenna. With the tuner in this new set, I don't have to go as high with the amplification to catch my signals. I also don't seem to be having as many drops in signal from my couple of problem channels.

Also, SD shows I can zoom and the picture isn't distorted. It fits the screen properly... With my Samsung HD tuner, the zoom would stretch out the picture and make everyone look "fat" and the bugs would be off the screen.

All in all this is a great secondary tv for digital content if not true HD quality picture! The picture off air is vastly superior to what's coming in from satellite. Satellite is just way too compressed!

Anyway, my two cents...

hi all
I have a jvc hdtv with built in digital tuner. I need sone advise on what type of antenna to put up.

I now have a radio shack 50 inch boom-VHF range: 75 miles UHF range: 50 miles. I get fairly good reception, but wral is snowy. antenna is up 30 feet.
with no amp. Question should I buy a better radio shack antenna, or another brand? Should I use a amp? I would prefer not to use a rotor if possible. Also what is the best directuion to point antenna to get the most amount of channels in greenville? Any one know where to buy antennas here other than Radio shack?

Any help is greatly appreciated- thanks Pete

Eastern, I am looking at TV's, and just don't know about these off brand models. I may go with a Samsung 30" slim fit HDTV... This is a tube model. But if I went with the off brand, I could get an LCD screen for just a little more money. Not sure if I trust the technology enough to go LCD yet or not... lol
My main objective is to buy something without the "fat tube" in the back taking up a lot of space.
I may consider an Insignia now that I have heard how good it looks at home.

My Directv is getting worse as far as SDTV is concerned. It looks blurry and foggy on some channels. The more junk channels they add, the worse it is becoming. They are almost as bad as analog cable is.......

I had a CRT tube tv by Samsung 32" HDTV, I just got me a 32" LCD Samsung HDTV, I love my LCD. I like it better than plasma, LCD will not have screen bun like plasmas and CRT.
You can get a 32" LCD from $1000-$1500, my father in law got a Westinghouse 32" LCD from best buy for $999 on sale, it usually runs 1299-1399, its on sale about every 2-3 weeks. Its a good tv, parts are Sony parts. Only thing is the lamp in the Westinghouse is a little darker than the samsungs.
It has a 1200:1 contrast ratio, the Samsung has 3000:1, and the new model samsungs just out have a 4000:1 ratio, the higher the ratio the better.

Best buy has some good choices.
Average lamp life is 65,000 hours or about 20 yrs

Eastern, I am looking at TV's, and just don't know about these off brand models. I may go with a Samsung 30" slim fit HDTV... This is a tube model. But if I went with the off brand, I could get an LCD screen for just a little more money. Not sure if I trust the technology enough to go LCD yet or not... lol
My main objective is to buy something without the "fat tube" in the back taking up a lot of space.
I may consider an Insignia now that I have heard how good it looks at home.

My Directv is getting worse as far as SDTV is concerned. It looks blurry and foggy on some channels. The more junk channels they add, the worse it is becoming. They are almost as bad as analog cable is.......

At the pricier end of the scale is the Sony XBR's. The 32 inch recently dropped from $2699 to $2299. What makes this set a cut above the others is not just the fact that the HD is as good as it gets, but it handles standard defintion better than any other product I've seen.

Stay away from CRT's. The picture gradually will loose it's luminance, focus, and convergence. An LCD will look as good as the day it was new until it simply quits.

Hopefully you will not need service, but I am alway wary about where one might take a "Farquarphonic" for repairs if required. The name brands will always be there to support their products. The off name brands may not.

Well, I finally know what happened to WRAY 30, digital 42.1... Scripps pulled the plug on Shop At Home. Guess that's why there is no longer a signal from them.

Well, I finally know what happened to WRAY 30, digital 42.1... Scripps pulled the plug on Shop At Home. Guess that's why there is no longer a signal from them.

So does it go Spanish or "religious" ???

Thanks for the advise everyone! I am just waiting to find a set that has all the features I want. Must have is PIP. :D

Something strange, I can get WRDC-DT almost every evening, but cannot get any other Raleigh channel... without strong ducting. The audio on UPN 28 is much better than UPN 48. I guess it is in the processing.

Shop at Home goes dark on June 22. WRAY is an O & O of Shop at Home and will be sold according to all of the news releases.

Any thing showing on WYDO DT yet in Greenville?

Still getting a signal, but no audio/video from them. So much for "a matter of days," I think were Don Fisher's words! I think we all knew that was coming...

Eastern, bring back encdtv, I miss the site!!!

Still getting a signal, but no audio/video from them. So much for "a matter of days," I think were Don Fisher's words! I think we all knew that was coming...

July 1 is the FCC deadline for getting the DT transmitters on and up to full authorized power. What's the penalty if that is not accomplished ??? Anybody ???

July 1 is the FCC deadline for getting the DT transmitters on and up to full authorized power. What's the penalty if that is not accomplished ??? Anybody ???

Stations can apply for one final extension but they have to show VERY good cause for the FCC to extend this time. Applications from stations have already started.

Point of fact, the "Big 4" extensions from last year have not been acted upon by the FCC yet so all of those extensions are still hanging out there so the FCC hasn't said what they will do if an extension is not granted. If history is to be a guide, the station will be admonished and given 6 months to comply and provide monthy reports on the progress to the FCC.

Stations can apply for one final extension but they have to show VERY good cause for the FCC to extend this time. Applications from stations have already started.

Point of fact, the "Big 4" extensions from last year have not been acted upon by the FCC yet so all of those extensions are still hanging out there so the FCC hasn't said what they will do if an extension is not granted. If history is to be a guide, the station will be admonished and given 6 months to comply and provide monthy reports on the progress to the FCC.

Does WGHP make the deadline?? You've been "quiet" lately. ;) ;) ;)

Does WGHP make the deadline?? You've been "quiet" lately. ;) ;) ;)

I have been fighting tubes and have a CP mod in right now that I have been waiting for a year on.

My opinion is if there is a station out there that will bend the rules and get away with it, it is FOX in ENC. They will be the exceptions to the rules, you wait and see.... ;)

At least we know what is going on with WGHP, and we are not even able to watch them, FOXeng is at least working to meet the deadline, and is making progress I am sure.

I have been fighting tubes and have a CP mod in right now that I have been waiting for a year on.

Just out of curiosity, is the tube problem unique to your installation, or does the manufacturer have a history of problems, and what exactly is the problem??

Foxeng, do you have to burn in tubes slowly, or do you just crank them up full blast? I think I was reading somewhere that you burn them in before you really go full blast with them. Just curious how all this stuff works... lol

I keep getting a lot of pixelation on WNCt. Is it just me? I know that last week they said they were turning off the HD signal for fine tuning or something with the sound, but I can't tell any difference. lol

Just out of curiosity, is the tube problem unique to your installation, or does the manufacturer have a history of problems, and what exactly is the problem??

Unique to us, but it does happen. IOTs are strange beasts and are very temperamental. I have the transmitter rep and the tube rep here now scratching their heads.

Foxeng, do you have to burn in tubes slowly, or do you just crank them up full blast? I think I was reading somewhere that you burn them in before you really go full blast with them. Just curious how all this stuff works... lol


Anytime you put in a new tube you need to bring them up slowly and then you can hit them full power with no problem. With IOTs you really need to let them burn in for a short time. Once you get them from bucking and kicking, (it is called crowbarring) they are alright, but when you first turn on a new one, they do have a tendency to trip off and overload for no reason. I want to get a month on them before I put them on the air to be sure they stay up. Good thing that was my plan from the start since I haven't gotten that much time on them yet!

Unique to us, but it does happen. IOTs are strange beasts and are very temperamental. I have the transmitter rep and the tube rep here now scratching their heads.

I hope you didn't get a lemon piece of equipment there! It sounds complex for sure.

I keep getting a lot of pixelation on WNCt. Is it just me? I know that last week they said they were turning off the HD signal for fine tuning or something with the sound, but I can't tell any difference. lol

The right channel audio of WNCT-DT is dead or nearly dead except with HD pass-through. I e-mailed the engineer Monday, but no response.

The right channel is barely working on mine also, thought it was just my setting... LOL
Maybe someone will read this and let the engineer know things are still off. Pixelation is awful on my end also still..

Maybe someone will read this and let the engineer know things are still off. Pixelation is awful on my end also still..

Done.

For anyone interested we went live with our new weather system today. I'm sure the wx guys will do quite a bit of tweaking over the next few weeks But I think it will be a nice improvement.

Ken

Hey Ken! I saw your new wx computers and they are outstanding! The 3D Radar is nice! As soon as Skip learns his remote device I'm sure we will see lots of neat things with that. :D

I like that temperature touch feature also! The seven day is a lot more legible for people too I think.

Done.

Thanks Eastern!

By the way the new Vipir graphics on 9 are a lot clearer now. It seems like more towns pop up with this version also.

Hey Ken! I saw your new wx computers and they are outstanding! The 3D Radar is nice! As soon as Skip learns his remote device I'm sure we will see lots of neat things with that. :D

I like that temperature touch feature also! The seven day is a lot more legible for people too I think.

Cool! I missed the 5; can't wait to see it at 6!

Thanks Eastern!

By the way the new Vipir graphics on 9 are a lot clearer now. It seems like more towns pop up with this version also.

Yeah, PW and SS were playing with that the other day when I walked into the forecast center. They looked like they were having some fun!

For anyone interested we went live with our new weather system today. I'm sure the wx guys will do quite a bit of tweaking over the next few weeks But I think it will be a nice improvement.

Ken

I live in North Raleigh, but I use WCTI-TV (rarely catch the DT) and WITN-DT and WNCT-DT as back ups when the Raleigh stations go wall-to-wall weather, as they too often do.

The problem with all this fancy expensive weather equipment is that stations feel compelled to turn garden variety thunderstorms into a biblical apocalyptic events.

Please try to use SOME discretion ;) ;) ;)

Posg, we have one channel here right now that has blown weather all out of proportion. I won't call them out, because they know who they are. ;) But they are just shooting themselves in the foot with all the fancy sayings and garble.
So far the trap they have set for our conservative channels has failed. They are not responding to all of this and I don't think they should. If anything they should come up with some slogan about how cutting off programming has been taken overboard, and that crawls will be used unless extreme weather warrants live air time.

The right channel audio of WNCT-DT is dead or nearly dead except with HD pass-through. I e-mailed the engineer Monday, but no response.

Seems better tonight. Thanks for attending to it.

Posg, we have one channel here right now that has blown weather all out of proportion. I won't call them out, because they know who they are. ;) But they are just shooting themselves in the foot with all the fancy sayings and garble.
So far the trap they have set for our conservative channels has failed. They are not responding to all of this and I don't think they should. If anything they should come up with some slogan about how cutting off programming has been taken overboard, and that crawls will be used unless extreme weather warrants live air time.

Having grown up in the tornado belt, the local stations simply had a "weather alert" in the corner of the screen, and would run a crawl every five minutes or so. There would have been NO regularly scheduled programming if they'd gone to the extremes stations in this area do. But that was then.

Back in the days of "Happy Mr. Sun" and "Mean Mr. Cloud" map magnets, we had the good fortune to have a local weatherman named David Letterman on WLWI Indianapolis. He made the weather much more fun than Super Viper HD Mega Radar ever will. :D

Back in the days of "Happy Mr. Sun" and "Mean Mr. Cloud" map magnets, we had the good fortune to have a local weatherman named David Letterman on WLWI Indianapolis. He made the weather much more fun than Super Viper HD Mega Radar ever will. :D

Which hurricane was it he, on air, congratulated for being upgraded from a tropical storm to full hurricane and then fired?

Which hurricane was it he, on air, congratulated for being upgraded from a tropical storm to full hurricane and then fired?

Don't remember the story. Confused, Letterman fired the hurricane, or Letterman got fired????

Don't remember the story. Confused, Letterman fired the hurricane, or Letterman got fired????

The story goes after he made the comment, management fired him for "being funny" with a serious weather condition.

The story goes after he made the comment, management fired him for "being funny" with a serious weather condition.

Rumour has it his career eventually rebounded. ;)

Rumour has it his career eventually rebounded. ;)

That is debatable! :D

That is debatable! :D

Touche !!!

Eastern, Tell Bertie when you get a chance that WNCT-HD is back to normal! No more pixelation on my end. :D

Hey All,

I'm still trying to receive WFXI-DT in Cape Carteret.
Right now I've got a big Radio Shack UHF/VHF combo on the roof, and can get everything I need except FOX. I am asking these questions to determine if it's worthwhile to try further (different antennas, preamp, etc) . So here are some specific questions that may help me:

1) Does WFXI-DT broadcast HD, or just digital SD?
2) Does WFXI-DT broadcast all the time or just sometimes?
3) Does anyone in the Cape Carteret/EI/Swansboro area receive WFXI-DT?
4) Will WYDO-DT (when it comes on line) be a better/stronger signal even though it's farther away (53 vs 35 miles)? I realize this is a subjective question.

Thanks for the help.

Hey All,

I'm still trying to receive WFXI-DT in Cape Carteret.
Right now I've got a big Radio Shack UHF/VHF combo on the roof, and can get everything I need except FOX. I am asking these questions to determine if it's worthwhile to try further (different antennas, preamp, etc) . So here are some specific questions that may help me:

1) Does WFXI-DT broadcast HD, or just digital SD?
2) Does WFXI-DT broadcast all the time or just sometimes?
3) Does anyone in the Cape Carteret/EI/Swansboro area receive WFXI-DT?
4) Will WYDO-DT (when it comes on line) be a better/stronger signal even though it's farther away (53 vs 35 miles)? I realize this is a subjective question.

Thanks for the help.

Answers:

1) SD only for now, HD down the road.
2) As far as anyone knows, they are still operating on extremely low power, but the FCC has mandated completion of full power facilities by July 1.
3) Doubtful
4) You should have no problem with WFXI once they come up to their full power of 1,000,000 watts. WYDO will be a stretch in that their full power will only be 50,000 watts and the additional distance. Both operate from relatively short towers, around 600 feet. The other guys are all at 2,000.

Best solution. Wait.

I'm not in your area, but the few times I have received WFXI were in the late night/early morning period. Probably from midnight to around 4 or so. I've only gotten it maybe 4 or 5 times since I first posted about it so not very often. The picture was stretched to widescreen so everything appeared widescreen even commercials. Whenever they go full power full time you should have no problems getting it as posg said.