Hello Albuquerque HDTV viewers fans,

I just got a nice E-mail from KWBQ-TV, Anthony Liparoto of Engineering Manger saying KWBQ's transmitter will be moving to Sandia Crest and be on the air by October.

The digital verson will go on the air somtime after October!!

As for it's sister station KASY-TV digital plan is still unknown at this time but I will ask him on KASY-TV progress report.

Other than that not much else is going on here in the metro areas....

7-25-01

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"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Thanks for the update.

I'm driving myself nuts waiting for HD. I wonder how many people in the area are set up to receive programming. I know we ran a poll here a month or so ago, but there must be more than the three of four people who responded.


Pete

What is station KWBQ??? Never heard of it.

Greetings to fellow New Mexicans:

One more from the Abq area...Jeff from Rio Rancho, just moved here from central Florida in January.

I ordered a Dish 6022 pkg from allsat.com earlier this week and anxiously awaiting its arrival. A great deal, it seems, at $298 with a $199 rebate thru the end of the month for new subscribers.

I am trying to decipher the Dish/CBS hdtv planned offering this Fall...it seems KRQE, chnl 13 is privately owned (Emmis Communications?) so does that eliminate Abq from the coverage area for Dish's coverage?

Glad to be in touch with some other area hdtv fans.

later....jeff

Welcome Jeff

You'll find this forum to be a great resource (and addictive).

I think it's possible that KRQE will be on the air before CBS-Dish starts up. Just a guess on my part, but they've been saying "late summer or fall 2001" for some time now.

I'd suggest emailing or calling the general manager of the station. Maybe you can get a date for us if you use the Dish angle.

Pete

Hey! We've almost got enough people to start a home theater meet! Or local CBS-HD picket line!

Regards, Peter

Hello Fjerina,

KWBQ-TV ch. 19 "WB" and KAPX-TV ch. 14 "PAX Net." is a newsest TV station in New Mexico they are amost 2 year old!

But the funny thing is though KWBQ-TV has the digital channel 29 granted by the FCC, but the poor KAPX-TV HAS not given a digital channel by the FCC even they were on the air at the almost the same time!

BTW' has anyone noted K35FC channel 35 "GEMS Network" has went off the air? This channel is allocated to KNME-DT on channel 35.

Also channel 36 and 39 will be a new home for the low power TV stations as for the on air date is still unknown at this time.....

7-27-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Hey NM HD Folks:
Good news about KRQE. When they go live, I can drop Starchoice and buy some kind of OTA receiver. Using 4DTV for HBO/SHOW. Currently torn between Integra(combo sat/OTA) or Princeton Graphics(when available) which will have a scaler and OTA. Integra will pick up PBS/ABC/NBC off sat. Any words of wisdom from the group?
John M in NM

Hello JmcFerrin,

What I hear is Interga is a hot DX sat reciever to pick up anything up by decoding the FTA DVB SDTV and HDTV signals same goes for plain old WBFMTV modes!

This reciever will decode ups to DVB's bit rate 45 MBs and OTA 8VSB fixed 19.4 MBs?

You might get future HDTV backhaul sports feeds this way IMHO! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hopes that helps....

7-28-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

[This message has been edited by N5XZS (edited 07-28-2001).]

Tim:
Thanks for the reply. That's the direction I'm leaning. Since I've got a 4:3 Toshiba display the combo receivers by PG and Sensory Science are appealing because of the built in scalers. I've had the anamorphic squeeze procedure performed to my satisfaction, but I consider that a stopgap measure.
BTW, we're already getting ASCN HD feeds. Most of us don't think it will last. It will be interesting to see if we get any HD preseason Seattle Football in the next few weeks.
And to all who are persuing the ABQ broadcasters for info: Thanks!!!
John M in NM
This just in:
An acquaintance in mgmt in a local high end AV store says KNME will begin broadcasting by the end of August and his store will be involved in the kick off promotion. Can any of you guys with contacts at KNME confirm this??? http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by jmcferrin (edited 07-29-2001).]

I'll see if I can dig up any new information. I'm underwriting local broadcast of "This Old House" so maybe I'll be able to get a phone call returned.

When I toured their facility in late May, they said they have not done anything for the conversion except get the funding approved by the voters.

later
Pete

Maybe that why K35FC "GEMS Spanish Network" channel 35 have to go off the air to make room for KNME-DT!!

I hope that the case here!!

Gentalmen please start your STB engines!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

7-30-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Hi Guys:
FWIW the store's on Eubank(hint)if you want to inquire! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif
John M in NM

Here's the email I sent to Kathy Burnett at KNME:


Hello Kathy

My company has recently began underwriting local broadcast of This Old House. When I was at the station reviewing our video for the show, Carole Ross was kind enough to give me a quick tour of your facilities. She can tell you I am quite a technology junkie.

I'm a frequent reader of an excellent internet forum that discusses home theater, DVD, HDTV, etc. Speculation has been flying about when KNME-DT will begin service. There are quite a few people in Albuquerque who are now equipped to receive high definition programming. We're being driven nuts by reading posts from people in other markets who are bragging about the great programming on PBS in high definition.

We would greatly appreciate a post to the forum about KNME's timetable for digital broadcasting to begin. AVSforum has many members in the broadcasting industry and KNME would be a most welcome participant. Local members of AVSforum could be a good resource to KNME's technical staff in working out the glitches and bugs that are inevitable with an undertaking as complex as starting up a digital station.

I look forward to your reply, either by private email, or to the forum at http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum20/HTML/003738.html


Thanks in advance
Pete Williams
Pozzi Southwest

Pete:
Nice post; I see you're a window guy. That explains why you're underwriting "This Old House". I'm with Coldwell Banker Legacy in Cedar Crest. Quite a few of the builders out here are using your products. Thought you would like to know.
Curious to see KNME's response to your post.http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
John M in NM

John

We think This Old House will be good for us. They are using Pozzi windows in a project they're doing this fall. They used Pozzi last year too. They'll have one segment with a tour of the factory in Bend, OR. Hopefully it'll help some with the lack of name recognition Pozzi has.

Pete

Since we are still waiting for any news on KNME-DT status on going on the air date.

I am just wondering about K56FB channel 56 will the MTV 2 move to digital and broadcast 3 to 4 music video channels or will they go HD?

8-3-01

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"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I was visiting at my Dad's house and checking it out on local ota and I just noted there is a white digital noise on channel 35!

I had this experinces in Denver, CO when I tune in by using the analog TV set by going to digital channel 32 KDVR "FOX" showing white digital signal and look like the same thing maybe happing here in Albuquerque on channel 35!

This may be KNME-DT testing running right now and I went home to the Eastside mountain "Sandia Park" and I turn on my RCA DTC-100 and tune to channel 35 not showing a thing, and I think they went off the air or running very low power and very direct TX antenna.

Just to be on a safe side I went to channel 34 and 36 or any emtpty channels all emtpy are darker noises. "It may depend on your TV set"

If you see digital white noise on your tv set then it must be KNME-DT testing or your STB showing some nice picture!

Please anyone in the Albuquerque metro areas find out that is the true digital signal or is somthing else?

As I am typing still nothing on channel 35.

8-5-01

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"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Nothing on 35 Sunday evening. I'll take another look this afternoon.

Pete

I've got a few co-workers coming over tonight to see HD baseball on my 7' screen this evening (Sony VPL-VW-10HT). None of them are afflicted with the HDTV condition. I'm looking forward to their reactions.

Pete

Still no luck and I'll guess we have wait and see what happen.

I think channel 35 is asleep at this time...

But I am getting ready to watch WGN's HDTV live baseball on my Compaq 17" monitor but will be a hour late for me since I have to work late... http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif

8-7-01

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"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

To All:
Spoke to another source at Sound Ideas yesterday. He confirmed KNME rumor vis a vis kickoff promo but says time frame is more like October. He also says KRQE will follow shortly. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif
John M in NM

Seeing that Dish will start transmitting the CBS HD channels on Tuesday, Aug. 14, I have called Dish to apply for a waiver. I applied later July but can take 45 days for it to go through. I have a feeling our local CBS is going to drag their feet in getting their signal out to us. Look how long it took to get the Montano Bridge to get built!

KRQE-DT should be on the air in Spring 2002 according to the director of engineering that I fired off an email to earlier this week.

I checked earlier this week for HDTV testing, found none. If you find there is a particular time of day to test, I will be happy to monitor for testing at that time of day. I am just assuming overnight testing and have been checking in the wee early morning hours.

Robert

My waiver rejection took only a week. DISH suggested that I call the local station directly to request a waiver.

Not sure whom to contact, I tried the general number (243-2285) explaining what I was trying to do. I was cut off mid-sentence and given the name of Steve Laughrin. They must get many calls on this...

I left a message and am still awaiting a reply.

Regards, Peter

[This message has been edited by Abq-Pete (edited 08-09-2001).]

*rant mode on
I'd bet the Albuquerque stations will wait until the FCC deadline to hit the switch on the digital transmitters. Why would it be any other way? This is New Mexico. That's why the bomb was developed in Los Alamos. The feds figured it would be finished before any locals noticed the new fence they around the town. UNM can't even make their E-mail work. How are they expected to build a new DT station.
*rant mode off

The broadcasters whine about cable and DBS taking their customers away, and fight for "protection" in Congress. Here's the opportunity to bring in new viewers, and they tell us "screw you". Every one of my friends that came over to see the Cubs-Rockies game said "I'm getting one of these, what all can you see in HiDef?" Their enthusiasm disappeared pretty quickly when they found out the DirecTV demo loop was about it.

Pete:
With the 4DTV/BUD we're getting 2 HBO feeds, 2 Showtime feeds, Action Sports Cable Net, Starchoice Canadian(mixture of PBS, CBS, NBC, ABC). The cubs game is the first thing I couldn't receive in quite a while. Starchoice was asleep at the wheel. I don't even have a STB for OTA yet. I'd gladly buy one if the locals would get it together.
John M In NM

I wish I had room for a BUD. I'd get one in a minute. I'm a little less crabby now that I've had some coffee this morning.

Pete

If you request a CBS-HD waiver from Dish directly then if they do not receive an explicit decline from whoever decides (ABQ affiliate or whoever) then you automatically get it. I figured I have a better chance with this then having to go directly to our local KRQE station (which seems to be pretty unresponsive at the present time). Funny, I received an email from the general manager Bill Anderson and he said they have the green light to be on for this fall. Now I hear a different story from the engineering department at the station. I wonder what the true story is???

What ever the reason is the be delayed by the nasty weather on Sandia Crest caused by the moonsoon season or it's the TV station foot draging.

KNME-DT "Foot draging or it really being on right on time? IMHO it's hard to know what they are doing."

KRQE-DT "I think right on target for going on the air in early fall as Bill Anderson seems to keep us up to date in detail..."

As for the rest of other TV stations in Albuquerque is a big unknown timetable IMHO...

Anyway just drink your teqila and just scan for anything is out there for any signal testing! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

8-10-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Hi Everyone
Thanks to the business people who are supporting HDTV and talking to the stations. I have my 8VSB module in my 6000 ready to go. I will try the request to DISH and hope I get the CBS station. Should I start with calling into DISH? Thanks, Horton
MITS 65905, Dish 6000.

Originally posted by jmcferrin:
Pete:
With the 4DTV/BUD we're getting 2 HBO feeds, 2 Showtime feeds, Action Sports Cable Net, Starchoice Canadian(mixture
(...)
John M In NM


and with a DVB-S compatible HDTV receiver (like my Unity Motion), with a BUD you can get HDTV feeds for ABC, NBC, PBS, soon FOX, and occasional HDTV events like the Cubs game, the Dallas christmas parade, and some ACC basketball from Raycom that the WRAL HD truck is used for production.

Robert

Originally posted by fjerina:
(...)
Funny, I received an email from the general manager Bill Anderson and he said they have the green light to be on for this fall. Now I hear a different story from the engineering department at the station. I wonder what the true story is???[/B]

I don't know what the true story is, I just asked the director of engineering as I figured he was in the best position to know.

what is truly sad is that on the BUD, CBS uses some funky DC2 format that I can't receive with my receiver (I don't know if it's higher symbol rate or some other thing). If I could get CBS on satellite, I'd say forget KRQE, I'm using my BUD, but I have to rely on KRQE due to the way CBS is on satellite. CBS has by far the most HDTV content and it bites that KRQE can't get the ball rolling to get it on the air for college and pro football season.

robert

I would first contact Dish directly at 1-800-333-3474 and request a waiver from them. It may take up to 45 days but it doesn't cost you anything and someone has to explicitly decline your request otherwise Dish will give it to you automatically.

I have the Unity Motion HDR-1000A (it handles both satellite and off-air HDTV). I love my receiver but it only gets a minor workout due to the lack of HDTV on satellite and none off-air. that will change big time when the locals get up and going. 8^)

the only bad thing about the receiver is that the fans needed to be replaced once (but no big deal to obtain the fan and install it). a bad thing for you is that you would have to buy a used one if you wanted one as they are no longer being made AFAIK and the liquidation sale when I got mine is long over.

robert

Robert:
Do you have the old Unity Motion or the new Integra 910? I'm leaning strongly towards the Integra when the time comes to buy a stb. How do you like yours? I'm currently getting the CBS programming thru Starchoice. You have the BUD; if you don't already have it, the Motorola receiver/Hdd 201 combo is not too expensive to add on. You have to make arrangements with a program broker in Canada to get authorized. The CBS feeds use a proprietary technology supplied by motorola. There have been a lot of posts in the Delphi 4DTV forum about the CBS stuff.
John M in NM

Fred

Is Bill Anderson's understanding of the waiver issue correct? The burden is on the viewer requesting the waiver to get the answers I guess.

good luck
hope for a warm dry fall on the Crest
Pete

I sent this email to Bill Anderson in reponse to his reply...

14 August 2001

Bill, I appreciate your prompt response to my email from yesterday. I get the feeling from your email that you will not be transmitting high definition any time soon. I was hoping to hear sometime more encouraging.

As far as your understanding of the Dish Network waiver system I need to clarify something. When you grant a waiver it is for an INDIVIDUAL Dish subscriber and NOT all the local viewers/subscribers. I spoke with a Dish Network representative this morning and they confirmed what I said. You may check this out by calling Dish Network directly at 1-800-333-3474 and punch in options 1, 1, 2, 4 to speak to a respresentative to verify this.

You should know that there are only a handful of us that would want this waiver from you for the CBS high definition capability in the ABQ area and we would be interested in this only until your station came on-line.

I plead with you to grant me this waiver so I can enjoy CBS programming in high definition today. I promise you that I will respectfully give up my waiver once you start transmitting in the future.

I would again appreciate a response to this email.

Thanks, Fred Jerina.

I had a rather lengthy dialog with Bill Anderson inspired by Fred's message to him. The whole exchange follows. Sorry about the length.

**** My original email
Hello Mr. Anderson

Fred Jerina sent me a copy of the email message sent to you this morning regarding waivers for CBS high definition feeds on Dish Network. Although I have no interest in a waiver (I'm a DirecTV subscriber) I can certainly understand Fred's request.

I think what we'd all much rather see is CBS high definition broadcast lcoally by KRQE but I understand that the transition is difficult and expensive. Although I think the FCC came up with a pretty raw deal for the broadcasters, CBS should be applauded for their willingness to embrace the new technology and make the best of the situation. I think HDTV could be
what the broadcasters need to recapture viewers lost to cable and direct broadcast satellite over the last few years. I have not watched any local programming for the last six years or so that I've been a DirecTV subscriber. The picture and sound quality of NTSC just doesn't do it for me.

A small number of viewers in the Albuquerque market are equipped to receive high definition programming now. We would greatly appreciate an update from you about your progress and timetable in starting up KRQE-DT. Everyone that Fred copied his message to is a member of www.avsforum.com. (http://www.avsforum.com.) This forum is populated by dedicated home theater enthusiasts, hardware manufacturers and people from the broadcast industry. I've been impressed with the interaction between broadcast professionals and their viewers on the forum. It's truly a win-win situation for both. The broadcasters get feedback from technically savvy viewers about programming and transmissions. Viewers get reliable information from the broadcast industry. Broadcast engineers and other personnel from stations, as well as network executives (Bob Ross from CBS for one) regularly post comments, questions and
information.

Information from you would be MOST WELCOME by the forum members. There's a fairly active thread discussing HDTV in Albuquerque at (link given here). Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Good luck in your transition to digital broadcasting and thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
Pete Williams
505-xxx-xxxx

****reply from Mr Anderson****
Pete,

Smart observations, thanks. You are right that it has been very helpful for us to hear from DTV customers and prospects about their interest in our conversion timetable. We'll undoubtedly build out much sooner than critical demand, so it's some comfort to know that there is at least a small, informed group out there that will take advantage of our investements.

Our digital antenna was ordered more than a month ago, the critical first step. We are ordering the necessary equipment now with hopes of getting this installed this fall before the weather on the Sandia crest makes it impossible to continue.

Thanks again for writing.

Bill Anderson
VP and General Manager

**** my response *******
Hello Bill

Those of us obsessed enough to have the equipment before you do are the best salesmen out there. I had some people over last week to see the Cubs-Rockies high definition broadcast on WGN and DirecTV. They all left my home convinced that they'd own HDTV systems soon too!

We'll all hope for a warm fall and no snow on the crest. Do you mind if I post my original inquery and your reply to the forum?

Thanks for the info.
Pete

*****Bill's reply******
Not at all. Thanks for writing and feel free to check in.

By the way, your letter made me think that if there are a group of interested DTV folks out there, maybe we should hold a Open-House/meeting in our TV studio sometime and our engineers could give you all an update on our conversion timetable, field questions and maybe ask a few of our own. Let me know if you think that's an idea worth pursuing.

***** my response********
Bill

An open house would be a great idea.

The best place to organize it would be on AVSforum. A number of the other stations that post there have hosted open houses. You could probably get some milage if you contacted the high end dealers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. There's probably five or six in both cities that sell nice equipment. I don't know how aware you are of the home theater hobby (or obsession).
Some of these systems run three hundred grand for electronics only. It's nuts.

Let me know how I can help.

thanks
Pete

Pete,

Thanks for the update. Here's some info I got as well, albeit from a different individual.

Sent to Bill Anderson:

""Dear Bill,

Several members of the AVSFORUM having been discussing your station's direction and policy.
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum20/HTML/003738-2.html

The question that has not been clearly answered is will KRQE be broadcasting HDTV or only DTV? There is a substantial difference between HDTV's 1080i versus DTV at 480p. Can you confirm which version your hardware supports and what your plans are?

Thanks and regards, Peter""

Received from Frank Lilley:

""Peter, KRQE-TV will be building our plant to allow for HDTV. There are programming and economic issues with broadcasting in HDTV. As you know CBS is a leader in offering HDTV programming, and KRQE-TV will when possible, pass that programming on to our viewers. What you may not know is that CBS does not offer a Mountain time zone feed of their HDTV programming. For KRQE-TV to broadcast CBS HDTV programming, we will have to invest in expensive time delay equipment that the rest of the country does not. Our plans are to invest in that equipment, but it may not be when we first start telecasting in DTV this spring.

I hope this answers your questions.

Franklin Lilley
Director of Engineering
KRQE-TV
505-767-9400""

As you can see, there is clearly a differentiation between DTV (480p) and HDTV (1080i).

Regards, Peter

I just received this reply from Bill Anderson at KRQE about my request for a waiver so I can receive CBS-HD...

Fred,

The digital antenna was ordered to be built more than a month ago and other equipment is on order. We are trying to build this out before the snow makes it impossible on Sandia Crest. You are asking for a firm date. We don't have one from the antenna manufacturer and we don't know what the weather will do. We'll do our best, and do our best to keep interested viewers informed.

It's my understanding that there is no such thing as a DTV "waiver" as far as individuals are concerned. We either agree to let all local viewers have access to CBS digital, or we don't. Since we are in the process of spending millions to deliver that service, and since there is no getting it back once we provide even a short term "waiver", we will not be granting those requests. Hope you can understand our position.

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Bill Anderson
VP and General Manager

The following is the email I sent him...

Monday, 13 August 2001

Dear Bill Anderson (General Manger of KRQE-TV Albuquerque),

We have previously sent emails to each other regarding your local station
going high definition. You stated that you anticipated that sometime this
fall you would be up and running. I really hope this happens during that
time frame. I wish I would have gotten a firm commitment date from you.

I am a subscriber to the Dish Network system and have high definition
capability through them. They will start transmitting CBS HD programming
over their system starting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 14. I have, through
Dish Network, requested a waiver so I can start getting CBS programming in
high definition this week. I understand from them that my waiver was denied
by your station.

I understand you would rather have me watch your local CBS station with your
local commercials instead of New York's. I would be most happy to watch
station's programming in high definition if it was available. However, it
is not. I think it would be most reasonable to allow me the waiver UNTIL
your station is up and running then pull that waiver from me at that time.
I think that would be a most suitable compromise. This way I could be
receiving CBS's full array of high definition programming right now.

I would appreciate a response to this email.

Yours truly, Fred Jerina.

I wonder why KASA-DT,KOB-DT and KOAT-DT don't seem to asnwers very well to us while KNME-DT,KRQE-DT and KWBQ and it's sister station KASY-DT was fourh coming to us on E-Mail?

Is the channel 35 still emtpty or is the K35FC "GEMS Spanish Network" just got back on the air?

As for the house tour meeting at KRQE-TV I would prefered to be in daylight. "Can't drive well in the nighttime and live in the east of the mountain i'e, Sandia Park"

Anyway let's keep it up on the latest news....

Party on dudes!!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

8-14-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Maybe we can convince KRQE to broadcast the Pacific or Central feeds when HDTV is available, and just run a demo loop the rest of the time. It's pretty unlikely that I'd watch upconverted 480i.

Pete

Boy, the information about KRQE is getting more depressing as more of it is coming out. Not only will we not see a digital signal from them until this spring we will not see a high definition digital signal until later next year sounds like. I want my waiver NOW !!!

I would like to hear from all of you on who would be interested in joining me on a picket outside of the KRQE-TV offices downtown Albuquerque to protest their refusal to grant us waivers. We could contact the local new media to invite them to the protest and let them know our side of the story. Any interest???

Fred

KRQE has been the most responsive broadcaster in Albuquerque. At least they reply to email. We're not going to accomplish anything by raising a stink with them. If we stay positive and supportive, we'll be better off.

I seriously doubt that a picket line would get much press. I don't think KOB, KOAT or KASA want to bring ANY attention to the whole digital TV debacle.

Pete

Although I appreciate KRQE responding to most of our emails (haven't heard back from my latest one, still waiting), the station needs to realize how frustrating it is when you are fully capable of enjoying the richness of CBS's HD programming right now and we are not allowed to see it because of their selfishness. I feel like I am being held hostage by our local station here. It's just not fair.

I'll bet all the small market CBS affiliates are pretty pissed off at CBS for opening up this can of worms with Dish Network. Maybe that's what CBS intended.

IMHO the only one that truly deserve the wrath of the viewers is the CBS affiliate in Phoenix (KPHO?). They refuse to broadcast HD when they have all the infrastructure in place except for one or two pieces of hardware.

CBS should have gotten a waiver mechanism in place prior to the startup of the Dish deal and gotten their affiliates to buy into it. The affiliates have no motivation to grant waivers. It's easier for them to ignore the requests and leave a few viewers mad. The affiliates aren't the only ones to blame. CBS dropped the ball too.

Pete

I do feel for the smaller towns having to convert to digital sooner than they can really afford to (maybe the networks should help these stations out) but I can't see these small town affiliates not granting waivers to the small group of people having the capabilities that could be enjoying it right how.

I understand that our local CBS may be digital by May 2002 but it won't trasmit HIGH DEFINITION digital until way after that. I wonder if we will even see high definition by the end of 2002!

I too would like to be a part of the KRQE tour whenever it is. I think its a good idea for those of us here to show them our interest, and hopefully enter into a dialogue with them on the subject while there. BTW, did the station manager ever get clarification on whether the waiver is a blanket for the area, or for each individual receiver? That being done could remedy a lot of the concerns we have.

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

I have sent an email to Bill Anderson clarifying that the waivers are for INDIVIDUALS and not the WHOLE AREA three days ago but have not heard back from him. I feel they are not even interested in giving us individual waivers. They don't want to lose control or something. Who knows???

I was thinking maybe KRQE-DT should ask the FCC for a STA "Tempery permaent" "SP" by just putting up a low power temperary antenna on the crest in late or early summer and get on the air early!!

They should run at least 5 KW of ERP...

When that times come for a full power antenna comes on line in the springtime.

What you think of this ideas?

8-17-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

[This message has been edited by N5XZS (edited 08-17-2001).]

I find myself defending the broadcaster's position. I know I'm in the minority here.

The FCC mandate to the broadcasters is really just another form of taxation. They have NO economic incentive to incur additional costs to satisfy a few early adoptors by accelerating their DT startup. It's a bummer for those who have already paid OUR "dtv tax". But I understand their position.

Pete

I just noted that KRQE-TV's signal got somewhat poorer and getting some more ghosting.

Could it be a new digital antenna being added and causing the NTSC signal to bounce off and creating the ghosting effect? http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

The other thing I noted that KWBQ-TV's relay station on channel 15 for Egedwood and Sandia Park has been off the air for 2 days now...

Somthing is in the air at top of the crest!!

Have you guy noted any changes on analog TV signal and is the channel 35 still empty?

8-19-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Channel 35 is still empty. I have not watched any local TV since last year's World Series. I'm sure I'll have to watch it this year on crappy NTSC too.

NEWS FLASH!

I just got a call from the Director of Engineering at KNME. He said they would begin low power broadcasting from the Crest by Thanksgiving. They will be running at 300 watts. The signal should be strong enough to receive anywhere in the city limits with an outdoor antenna. They will go to full power in May, 2002. The low power NTSC station that was on 35 was ordered to vacate by the FCC.

KNME-DT will be passing through the PBS HD feed. It consists of a three hour loop, unless something else is on. So we will get all the PBS HD programming that's available. They will not be doing any local programming for years. They are looking for funding to build a new digital station to allow for local production. I think they're hitting on the private sector for that.

He confirmed that two of the commercial stations have equipment ordered for startup this fall. I told him that we had gotten word directly from KRQE that they were one of them. He wouldn't say who the other one is.

He invited me to the station to see what they're up to. He said their boardroom was fully equipped with direct view and projection, and a great sound system. Loren Bishop of Sound Ideas installed the sound system. I'll take him up on the offer. I think they may be willing to host a seminar too. He sounds enthusiastic about the future of television.

Pete

The way I understood it, they will be passing on the PBS feed unchanged. So whatever PBS is sending out, we'll get.

KNME won't have the ability to put anything on the digital channel EXCEPT the PBS feed. So we won't be getting up-converts of NTSC programming.

Pete

Thanks Pete! That's exactly what I wanted to hear.

Way to go KNME! Time to get out the checkbook. Maybe we need to see who is advertising on KRQE and start clueing them in on the high end market that will be watching HDTV (but not SDTV). Horton

That's a great news about KNME-DT plan to go on the air in late november!!

There other little breaking news!!!

I just go a E-mail from KOB-DT saying....

Tim...
We're looking at delivery of transmitting equipment this fall for ABQ. At first, we'll be rebroadcasting old-fashioned NTSC. Later, other stuff.
Don't have specifics, yet...'cause we're making this up as we go!
Thanks!
Dan Brown
(NTSC="Never-Twice-Same-Color")

Well I thinks is gonna to be fun through out this early fall if the weather behaves itself nicly on the Sandia Crest Mountain!

I am glad that my guess was right on this channel 35 low power station went off the air. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

I am still waiting for 2 more E-mail respones from KOAT and KWBQ and it's sister station KASY.

8-20-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Now that is good news!!! I hope that KNME will be transmitting full high-definiton material from PBS and not just a digital down-converted image (480p). I would love to attend a seminar at KNME if one opens up. Keep us informed and who would be invited. Thanks for the update. I am actually getting excited even with some of the bad news I have been hearing (e.g. although KRQE may transmit digital later this year they will likely not transmit high definition digital until later next year).

So what kind of reciever and antenna you will be using when KNME-DT goes on the air?

As for me I have a RCA DTC-100 hooked up to Terk TV 50 but I plan to replace it with silver sensor or just get a indoor channel master antenna.

I guess they will start on air testing "KNME-DT" early as late Steptember.

Let's keep up to date on any late breaking news!!

8-22-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I have a pretty good Radio Shack VHF/UHF antenna with the Dish 6000 receiver with the OTA module. I have a great direct line-of-sight to the Sandia towers from the NE Heights. I am anxious to see how well the Dish OTA module will work (it already receives the local analog stations).

I agree in let's keep us all informed as to when they start testing signals from the crest. I am ready and looking forward to it.

I've got a new Channel Master something or other. I don't know the model. The guy at Electronic Parts said it was over-kill for the distance I live from the transmitters, so I figured it would be perfect.

Sony HD100 dss-ntsc-dtv box (hate it), Sony VPL-VW10-HT projector (love it).

Can't wait! I'm tired of the 199 loop. Should be a good fall for the HDTV starved.

Pete

I HAVE BEEN GONE FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW WISH TO JUMP IN. I LIVE IN ANGEL FIRE NM AND HAVE A NICE HDTV SETUP. I ASKED DISH ON 8/11/01 TO REQUEST A WAIVER FOR THE CBS HD FEED. I FOLLOWED THIS REQUEST WITH AN EMAIL TO MR. ANDERSON ON 8/12/01 ASKING HIM TO REVIEW MY WAIVER REQUEST IN A FAVORABLE MANNER CONSIDERING THAT I LIVE IN A REMOTE MOUNTAIN AREA AND THAT I RECEIVE THE ANALOG TV SIGNALS, BARELY, THROUGH THE TRANSLATOR NORTH OF EAGLE NEST NM. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN, IF EVER, I WILL RECEIVE A DIGITAL SIGNAL FROM KRQE VIA THE TRANSLATOR. THEREFORE I ASKED HIM FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM HIM. I WOULD LIKE THE EMAIL ADRESS YOU ALL HAVE BEEN USING TO SUCCESSFULLY COMUNICATE WITH HIM. I USED THE EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED IN KRQE'S INTERNET HOME PAGE.

------------------
blackjack

I thought it would be very interesting to see if the KASA-DT would be the most tallest and at 1'000 KW ERP, it might reach out far as Lubbock, TX!

They plan to go non directional at 10'500 feet on Sandia Crest Mountain and run at max, legal power at 1'000KW of ERP on digital channel 27.

Since I found out at the FCC's database they have granted KASA-DT a C.P. permeant "SP".

It's sound like a clear channel TV broadcast "Sort like on AM radio clear channel with the 50'000 watts" and the best signal ranges in the country!

It would make TV DXer's very hungry!!

8-24-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Bill Anderson's email address is bill.anderson@krqe.com. Good luck in getting any response from him. I also requested a waiver (but I live in ABQ) to get the CBS-HD which they will likely not start transmitting until next year sometime. Although they may be transmitting digitally before the end of the year, they will likely not be able to transmit HIGH DEFINITION digitally until next year because of they needing equipment to delay the transmissions they get from New York (being of a time zone 2 hours ahead of us). As far as you are concerned, you probably won't see New Mexico transmit high definition digital to you until the year 2050. I wish you luck in getting a waiver. Let us all know if you get one.

Latest news from KOB-DT!!

They just have made a agrement to buy the Andrew Corporation's antenna to be put on Sandia Crest by late fall.

here's the website news.....
http//www.biz.yahoo.com/bw/010827/272267.html

Other than that not much else is going on....

8-28-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

[This message has been edited by N5XZS (edited 08-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by N5XZS (edited 08-28-2001).]

Sorry about that.....

Can't seem to make this clickable to work.... http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif

8-28-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Breaking News!!!

I just saw a huge crane on TV towers site on the Crest thanks to my hand held eye scope 7x35 ranges!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

You can use your telsscope and point it tower to Sandia Crest and the crane is located right in the middle of TV and Radio tower site!

Now I do not know which TV stations is working on its tower.

All local TV channels seems come in fine, no hints off backing off TX power or just go off the air for the TV tower crew to work on.

Just let me know if you see somthing else going on!

8-28-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Tim:
I played golf at Paa-ko today and could painly see the huge crane working up on the crest. I wonder whose tower they're putting up?

[This message has been edited by jmcferrin (edited 08-29-2001).]

[This message has been edited by jmcferrin (edited 08-29-2001).]

I wonder how long it's take to build a digital TV tower and get on the air?

Since I am guessing about 4 to 7 weeks to build it up.

By the way what is the best deal on telescope with the most powerful zoom so that I can look at the TV towers on Sandia Crest?

8-30-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I just noted that crane on Sandia Crest Mountain just went down!!

So keep your eye out for any digital TV signal!!

Boy I just wish I had a better telescope to see what is going on.

Of course I also try to scan 450 MHz band "Broadcaster's 2-way radio comm," on my scanner radio not much activy other than news crews running around the state.

I think it's going to be exciting IMHO for a few weeks to a month at this rate!

8-31-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Here I made my future digital channels listings..... http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

KCHF-DT ch. 10.1 I predect the signal strenth to be about "45" on my RCA DTC-100!!

The real signal strenth result is sometime in the future when this station goes on the air!

They will run at 30 KW of power and I think they will use 10.1 for main KCHF programings, 10.2 will be use for 1st alt, programings, 10.3 will be use for 2nd alt, programings.

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

Now we go on to KRQE-DT ch. 16.1 the signal strenth I guess it will be at "77" and 16.1 will be use for main CBS HDTV programings, 16.2 will be use for traffic cam only in the daytimes, 16.3 weather radar.

This station will run at 55 KW ERP.

------------------------------------------------------------
KAZQ-DT ch. 17.1
"81"
17.1 will be used for main KAZQ TV programings, 17.2 will be for 3ABN.
This station will run at 200 KW ERP
------------------------------------------------------------
KOAT-DT ch. 21.1
"89"
21.1 will be for main ABC HDTV 720P programings, 21.2 24 hours local news channel, 21.3 weather radar.

This station will run at 280 KW ERP

------------------------------------------------------------
KNAT-DT ch. 24.1
"81"
24.1 will be for KNAT main TBN programings, 24.2 TBN 2 Spanish programings,24.3 alt, programings.

This station will run at 200 KW ERP

------------------------------------------------------------
KOB-DT ch. 26.1
"86"
KOB main NBC if any HDTV programings will be on 26.1,26.2 All News Channel,26.3 Crest cam!
This station will run at 290 KW ERP
------------------------------------------------------------
KASA-DT ch. 27.1
"100"
27.1 will be for main FOX programings 480P at best IMHO...
27.2 alt, programings
This station will run at 1'000KW ERP making it the New Mexico's most powerful digital TV station.
------------------------------------------------------------
KWBQ-DT ch.29.1
"86"
29.1 will be used for WB programings, 29.2 alt,programings.
This station will run at 245 KW ERP
------------------------------------------------------------
KNME-DT ch. 35.1
"83"
35.1 will be used for PBS's HDTV sat, feeds during the primetime and will split up into 3 or 4 channels for edu, channels.
This station will run at 225 KW ERP "please note this station will run low power at 300 to 400 watts ERP at least til, early springtime 2002 they goes full power at this time."
------------------------------------------------------------

KLUZ-DT ch 42.1
"92"
42.1 will be used for main Univision programings, 42.2 Univision 2.
This station will run at 321KW ERP
------------------------------------------------------------
KASY-DT ch. 51.1 or move to 45.1???
"85"
51.1 will be used for UPN programing "Star Trek in HDTV?"
51.2 will be for alt,sport programings
This station will run at 245KW ERP
------------------------------------------------------------
Wonder why KAPX ch 14 "Analog" not listed?

Well, the FCC HAS not given them a new digital channel!!

let me know what you guys thinks if this this future digital channel plan....

Please show me your ideas!!!

8-31-01


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


"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

[This message has been edited by N5XZS (edited 08-31-2001).]

I have been doing an automatic scan of digital channels on my Dish 6000 every other day. I am excited that maybe ONE day this month of September I may catch someone testing their signal from the crest.

I have a question. Thanks to N5XZS for the run-down of the digital channels but I don't understand what the XX.1, XX.2, etc. means. On my dish I have digital channels 1-69 which are whole numbers, so where does the .1, .2 and .3 mean?

Hello Fjerina,

When the station IS not broadcasting HDTV on channel 35.1 it will split up into 3 or 4 diffrent channels so it's goes like this 35.1 KNME's main programing 35.2 PBS Kid's channel "Airs 6 AM to 6 PM" 35.3 can be used for NM gov't C-Span type channel "6 AM to 6 PM".

Now when 6 PM comes up 2 channels has gone away the only channel left is 35.1 "Main KNME programing channel" remain on and just started to go HDTV for the primtime hours.

That what the call it the sub channels .1"Main channel .2 2nd channel .3 3rd channel!!

Please let me know if you understand this channel line up.

9-2-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I guess I am still confused. I don't believe my Dish OTA module will allow me to select these sub-channels but only the main channel, such as, channel 35 or 36 or 37, etc. I guess my question is is what can I actually tune in from my Dish system when a digital station start to transmit here in ABQ?

Great site and thread. Thought I'd add my name as a local, New Mexico HDTV user. I'm in Los Alamos and currently have the DTV HDTV setup with a Sony STB to recieve locals when they come online.

2 years ago, I applied for and recieved waivers from all 4 locals (ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox). I have 4 letters from each of the local stations on their letterhead which authorize me to recieve network programming. I live in the bottom of a shallow canyon, and with a reasonable antenna, I can't get any of the Albuquerque stations. So, if anyone wants to see what a legit waiver looks like, let me know.

Now, last month I put a large antennea on a 25' mast (on top of my 2-story house) with the intention of recieving the local HD broadcasts. I get the analog stations pretty good at this point, so I'm ready to go when digital comes online.

I'll keep following this forum as I'm sure you'll immediately post once we have a digital signal off the crest.

Joe Martz

Originally posted by N5XZS:
I just saw a huge crane on TV towers site on the Crest thanks to my hand held eye scope 7x35 ranges!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


where on the crest is the new tower? I see what I think is a brand spanking new tower on the crest at the place where there was s thicker and shorter tower before (it's got like 5-10 microwave dishes on the lower part of the tower and a TV transmitter sticking above it). when I looked today, the tv transmitter was longer and seemed to be a more "fresh" red/white color than I seem recalling it to be before.

I wonder if that's KNME's tower and they added onto it with a new tower for HDTV transmissions.

robert

From a different post under HDTV Programming it seems that ABC will have an abundant amount of HD material this fall. I wrote to our local KOAT stations about when they are going to be transmitting high-definition digital and this was there response. Hope it happens.

Dear Mr. Jerina:

KOAT hopes to begin digital broadcasts before the end of 2001. We will make an
announcement when it happens.

Thank you for taking the time to write to KOAT.

Sincerely,

John Trambley
Program Director

Originally posted by fjerina:
From a different post under HDTV Programming it seems that ABC will have an abundant amount of HD material this fall. I wrote to our local KOAT stations about when they are going to be transmitting high-definition digital and this was there response. Hope it happens.

Dear Mr. Jerina:

KOAT hopes to begin digital broadcasts before the end of 2001. We will make an
announcement when it happens.

Thank you for taking the time to write to KOAT.

Sincerely,

John Trambley
Program Director

Originally posted by fjerina:
[B]From a different post under HDTV Programming it seems that ABC will have an abundant amount of HD material this

yes, ABC moves to #2 network content provider, but CBS is still where any good HDTV exists (SPORTS, I can't speak much of their comedy/drama stuff, I"m out of their intended audience range).

PBS moves to third and NBC stays at fourth place. FOX, WB and UPN won't have any programming in HDTV.

robert

Hello Fjerina,

Your reciever will show the sub channels only if the broadcaster choose to do it.

I just heard the Salt Lake City will have their CBS up and running in first week of November!

Can KRQE-DT beat CBS station in Salt Lake city in the record time?

Anyone know what new TV tower on the Crest belongs to?

Looking forward to watching the HDnet channel carrying a live HDTV baseball game "Minnesota VS Texas Rangers" on Directv's channel 199 and start at 6PM MST!

9-6-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Well, I just got a E-mail from Bill Anderson GM, of KRQE-DT saying.... "No antenna yet, so no firm date yet."

So I guess it won't be ready till late November or worse later till Springtime of 2002. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/frown.gif

Very fusterating IMHO.......

At least I got HDnet on Directv and there's a HDTV basesball game coming up in a hour from now!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Party on Dudes!!

9-7-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

[This message has been edited by N5XZS (edited 09-07-2001).]

I share you frustrations with KRQE-TV. I wrote a letter to the editor to the Alibi about KRQE-TV and their refusal to grant Dish Network HD waivers and they printed it this week (page 6). Here it is...

FLASH !!! Albuquerque CBS viewers being held hostage by KRQE-TV!!! That is a headline I don't believe our local CBS affiliate (KRQE-TV) would want to broadcast to the residents of New Mexico. They do not want the citizens of this state to know that they can receive national CBS high-definition programming right now over the Dish Network satellite system but will not allow it. KRQE-TV will not allow it because they want us to wait until they can start transmitting that programming from top of the Sandia Mts. themselves. Unfortunately, our local CBS affiliate will not be ready to broadcast high-definition digital signals until likely later next year. What that means is the for up to a year the residents of New Mexico will be deprived of the rich array of national CBS high-definition programming of movies, comedy/drama series, specials and sporting events.

KRQE-TV may be able to transmit CBS digitally later this year but they will not be able to transmit high-definition digital until later next year. There is a difference and that is an important difference.

High definition television has 6 times the resolution of regular television and is in a widescreen format. This wonderful technology can be viewed right how in many of Albuquerque/Santa Fe electronic stores (e.g. Ultimate Electronics, Best Buy, Circuit City and Sears).

CBS high-definition is currently being broadcast in over 35 of our nation's larger cities. CBS has the most high definition programming of any television network and the coming fall season will have an additional amount of programming in high-definition compared to last season.

Since Albuquerque is a smaller town it is taking awhile before we can get it from our local affiliate (KRQE-TV). However, if KRQE-TV would simply grant waivers then viewers, so equipped, could be enjoying that programming right now. The waivers are granted individually by local affiliate to Dish Network subscribers. But our local affiliate are not granting waivers because they do not want ANYONE in New Mexico to watch any national feed of CBS but instead they want us to watch their local version of CBS with our local commercials. I feel this is unfair and selfish on their part. KRQE-TV is keeping the residents of New Mexico in the dark ages until they feel the time is right for them, mainly economically. KRQE-TV is prohibiting the advancement and propagation of high technology in this state to serve their own interests.

I feel KRQE-TV should grant waivers to any individual requesting one and that when KRQE-TV starts to broadcast high-definition digital television then there would be no need for those waivers anymore and we could watch KRQE-TV's programming from that point. But until then, KRQE-TV please give us the residents of this state the opportunity to transition into the richness of CBS high-definition viewing right now.

Please contact Bill.Anderson@KRQE.com (General Manager of KRQE-TV) to express your own opinions on this matter.

I have just noted that KASY-TV "UPN" is off the air and same goes for the ch 15 KWBQ-TV's relay station feeding for Egdwood and Sandia Park areas.

2 ideas that I think it will happen.....

KWBQ's analog channel 19 transmitter move to the Sandia Crest Mountain or KASY-DT, KWBQ-DT one or both stations goes digital.

KASY-DT digital channel 51 or might move to channel 45.
KWBQ-DT digital channel 29.

9-8-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I have just noted that KASY-TV "UPN" is off the air and same goes for the ch 15 KWBQ-TV's relay station feeding for Egdwood and Sandia Park areas.

2 ideas that I think it will happen.....

KWBQ's analog channel 19 transmitter move to the Sandia Crest Mountain or KASY-DT, KWBQ-DT one or both stations goes digital.

KASY-DT digital channel 51 or might move to channel 45.
KWBQ-DT digital channel 29.

9-8-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Just got this reply from our UPN affiliate (KASY) and it looks like it will be a cold day in Hell before we see high definition out of these guys.

Fred-

Our market doesn't start to work toward HD until 2004. We will then have 10
years to complete the project. As for Jules Verne, we will air it on UPN50
Saturdays at 3pm. However, it will not be in High Definition.

Scott Fairhurst
Programming Manager
KASY-TV/KWBQ-TV
ACME Television of New Mexico
(505)797-1919

I want to keep this forum alive and since both CBS and ABC will have a full line-up of HD programming this fall I wanted to hear what the latest from our local community is? Since our KRQE CBS are going to be dragging their feet (probably won't see anything until next year), has anyone heard from KOAT ABC and what their latest schedule is??? I also heard PBS may be up by Thanksgiving.

Last time I heard that KOAT-DT will make press release somtime soon.

That E-mail from KOAT was last sent in August and haven't heard anything yet to this day.

Every day I scan the TV freq band for any digital signal and still no luck so far each day it's get more fusterating each days.

At least I go to the work and find single women to chase with and do some Ham radio DXing on the 6-Meter band. "50 to 54 MHz just below channel 2 TV"

Anyway just party on and drink your Klingon Bloodwine!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


9-21-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

"Anyway just party on and drink your Klingon Bloodwine!! "
and enjoy HDnet.

Pete

The best channel "HDNET" ever IMHO lot's of sexy babes on swimsuit contest show!!

How TV Dxing Petew, these days?

9-21-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I just went to a website called www.100000watts.com (http://www.100000watts.com) like every other day.

Boy I was shocked to see KNME's has been granted a new 2nd PBS channel on channel 9 and the new call letter has not be made yet!

It will be a plain old NTSC and the TX tower location will be in the wrong place just next door to KCHF's TX tower.

KUNM-TV "?" will run at 316 KW of TX power.

I just E-mailed to Chip's website to see if is true story on so called new PBS station on channel 9.

And at thei same time I will check FCC's TV database....

Just hold on your beer....

9-21-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Latest news updates on new PBS station on channel 9.....

I went to FCC's database and it say NEW "No Call letter yet"
University of New Mexico has been granted a CP perment.

About hour later I just got a E-Mail from www.100000watts.com (http://www.100000watts.com) saying one other competer just drop out and the FCC just gave UNM a CP for channel 9.

The other competer was a church group.

Whew!! We sure don't need a other church TV stations added on our areas since we just got too many of them!

9-21-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Since ch 9 is allocated to Santa Fe, it makes sense to colocate the transmitter site with KCHF. If the old ch 2 tower is still there, all that is needed is a new antenna. I think the ch 2 bldg. is still there.

I just noted that KASY-TV has just cut back their TX power and it's seems to be that someone is working on the KASY TV tower.

I just think they are working to get analog channel 19 on the air by October at this rate IMHO.

No latest news on digital to say at least.

9-24-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Possibly good news from Dish !!! Dish approached the FCC to allow them to provide HD programming to stations that can't get their stuff together by the May 2002 deadline. This would be even better for those remote areas of NM that will definitely not get their HD programming from ABQ stations for many decades from now. Contact the FCC showing your support for this by sending an email to the FCC contacts at www.fcc.org/contacts.html. (http://www.fcc.org/contacts.html.) Here is the summary of the proposal.

EchoStar Communications Corp. is seeking federal approval to offer
digital-broadcast signals in markets where TV stations have failed to meet
digital-TV rollout deadlines set by the Federal Communications Commission.

By next May, all 1,300 commercial TV stations are required to transmit digital
signals, but the industry expects about one-third of those stations to miss the
deadline and seek extensions from the FCC.

EchoStar -- the No. 2 direct-broadcast satellite carrier, with 6 million subscribers --
is asking the FCC to deny waivers to the affiliates of ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox unless
those stations agree to allow EchoStar to provide out-of-town digital-TV signals in
markets where the rollout has stalled.

'Under our proposal,' EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen said in a Sept. 20 letter to
FCC chairman Michael Powell, 'a broadcaster that fails to meet its digital deadline
would not be able to receive relief from the [FCC] while denying consumers digital
television.'

EchoStar said its proposal would serve the dual purpose of exposing consumers to
broadcast digital-TV signals and spurring TV stations to advance the build-out of
digital TV has quickly as possible.

'In other words,' Ergen explained, 'if the broadcaster will not provide consumers
with a digital signal, we will.'

The National Association of Broadcasters, which represents hundreds of network
affiliates, immediately rejected EchoStar's proposal. For years, the NAB has been
fighting satellite carriers that invade local TV markets with network programming
from out-of-town markets.

'Given the tremendous effort broadcasters have made and are making to meet the
DTV deadlines, Mr. Ergen's request is ridiculous on its face,' NAB spokesman
Dennis Wharton said.

Originally posted by N5XZS:
No latest news on digital to say at least.

[/B]


the only news I can provide is that Ch 35 is still on the air (so KNME probably isn't any closer to getting on the air than they might have been had ch 35 gone off the air).

robert

I finnaly got a waiver from KRQE for the CBS HD feed!!! After being denied, I sent another E-mail to Bill Anderson (KRQE) asking he reconsider the denial based on my location in the mountains on northern NM and getting a very poor signal from the Eagle Nest translator. After waiting about 3 weeks with no reply from Mr. Anderson, I assumed that the denial was final.

Yesterday, I received a E-mail from Steve Laughrin (KRQE translator engineer) asking some guestions about my location in Angel Fire, NM. After I answered his questions he called me on the phone, asked a couple more questions about my exact location. He agreed that I could not receive an adequate signal at my location and reversed the denial and granted the waiver for the CBS HD feed.

It took some time on the phone with Dish and their unknowledgable CSR's to get the CBS channel. They first connected me to the CBS East channel. After about an hour of talking with Tom, the CSR, then his suppervisor, and finally a "Tech" engineer assigned to a special group to CBS HD problems, I got the CBS HD feed (WCBS).

It looks great!! Thank's Steve (KRQE) and Tom (Dish).


------------------
blackjack

Hello Black Jack,

I am Happy for you that you won the battle and now getting your HDTV CBS satellite feed!

Just lets us all know how good is the colleges football game HDTV feed looks like!!

But for the rest of us here in the Albuqueruqe metro areas will have to wait little longer for KRQE to go on the air, and then of course if KNME-DT goes on the air early than expected then we got somthing better than nothing at it all.

Still searching for new new digital TV siganls every other days.

9-27-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Dear Blackjack,

Glad you got CBS-HD. I guess I will have to move from ABQ to Angel Fire to get it. I guess they have SOME compassion here at KRQE-TV. Now if they can get off their butts so the people in ABQ could enjoy it then it would be great.

I am at least looking forward to HD from our local PBS station. Hopefully by Thanksgiving as someone said.

I am totally behind Dish Network's request to the FCC to now allow any station a waiver from the May,2002 deadline unless they allow their viewers the right to receive it from Dish. Their reasoning is that "if the locals can't provide HD signals to their people, then we will".

Just read that Starchoice is moving their feeds off F1 to E2 so today's SEC game will be the only one I'll receive until KRQE get's off the dime and get's their signal on the air. I really wanted to see LSU/Florida next weekend. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/mad.gif

I just noted that KAZQ-TV 32 a church TV station was off the air for past 3 or more days now.

Any ideas on this?

I think they are out of money IMHO, their website looks very outdated and the last time they updated was May 2001!
www.kazq32.org (http://www.kazq32.org)

Since this a non comm, channel there are chances that someone will filed for a new PBS station, maybe by TVI?

Nothing new on digital signal yet but I am keeping eye on it though.

10-10-01



------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

Originally posted by N5XZS:
I just noted that KAZQ-TV 32 a church TV station was off the air for past 3 or more days now.



KAZQ is on the air - the only thing I've noticed is that they have gone off the air overnights (to a color bar).

Channel 35 (HSE) is still on the air so it looks like nothing is being accomplished on the HDTV construction front.

robert

Hello Robert,

No wonder they are running very low power "KAZQ-TV" since I can't get their signal at it all since I live east of Sandia Crest mountain.

They must be updating their transmitter to digital or they have some tech, problem.

As for K35FC "GEMS" they might be forced to go off the air by the end of this month but then again who's know what will happen!! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

10-11-01

------------------
"73's N5XZS"
From Timothy C. Johnson
Live Long and Prosper...

I am wondering about the KAZQ-TV channel 32 status on digital channel 17 and since this station has been off the air or running very low power for over a week now.

Is the low power station off the air on channel 14 K17DD "3ABN" amd making room for KAZQ-DT's digital signal to go on the air?

Anything else going on guys?

10-14-01

Well I just noted that KWBQ-TV's TX is now on the Sandia Crest and it's on the air.

The channel 15 relay station is still tranmitting but only a dead carrier just a black picture. "For the east side mountain areas only"

So far no hint's on any digital TV signal... :(

KAZQ-TV went back on the air and same old stuff....

KYNM-LP channel 61 is off the air for 2 days now they might be moving to channel 39....

Haven't heard anything from you Albuquerque HDTV fans!!

10-24-01

I ran an OTA scan on my Dish 6000 receiver last night and no digital signals detected (great surprise). I also called a week or so ago Jim Gail, lead engineer at KNME, to ask him of the status of HD from them and he never returned my call. Such is life in Albuquerque.

A few days ago I received this reply from Bill Anderson to my very nice request for a waiver for CBS:



"Dear Horton,
I am sorry that I can not grant this permission. My parent company is in active negotiations with both the network and the satellite companies and unless and until that is resolved I do not have the lattitude to honor these requests. "

It sounds like something is happening! I hope we get some good news soon.

Cheers, Horton

Originally posted by N5XZS
Well I just noted that KWBQ-TV's TX is now on the Sandia Crest and it's on the air.

KYNM-LP channel 61 is off the air for 2 days now they might be moving to channel 39....

Haven't heard anything from you Albuquerque HDTV fans!!



Yes, KWBQ-TV is so much nicer now that they are on the crest. Broadcast quality video! It's so weird to now not only have the choice of WB on satellite but also off-air! I have been taping the WB programs off the dish due to video quality but that may change now that off-air is great.

Channel 61 - is the move to 39 due to the fact the 60-69 channels have been auctioned off to wireless companies and this is the migration going on to clear off channels 60-69?

as for HDTV update, I"m not as bummed out as I thought I'd be. CBS has only the NFL in HDTV that I care about, so I'm not missing KRQE-DT not being on the air. All the other networks I can get off the dish so I've been getting my HDTV fix that way. I'm very impressed at all the HDTV material ABC is putting out this season! I've been watching a few more shows I might not normally have been due to the fact that ABC has increased their material available in HDTV.

as for off-air HDTV, channel 17 is still active as well as channel 35 so I guess not much progress is being made to get those transmissions active. I just hope it's in the tower construction/equipment wiring stage.

Robert

I spoke with the "underwriting" person (Carole Ross) at KNME the other day. She said that they were well under way installing the transmitter, and should be on the air sometime in November. I'll try to find out something from Jim Gail too.

I'm trying to light a fire under someone at KNME to do a "Colores" HDTV production with the help of HDNet. Carole thought it was a good idea and sent me email addresses for the people at KNME who can make it happen.

Pete

Well it's November and it's time to get ready for any digital TV signals.

Please report if any even a very brief test signal!!

I think KNME-DT will be the first one to go on the air IMHO....

As you know we are living in a very interesting time and getting very close to Star Trek technology and more fun yet to come!!

Good luck to HDTV and TV Dxers in Albuquerque and elsewere!!

11-01-01

Here's the latest news........

Got a E-mail from John Ramp, Manager of RF TX services,

KNME-DT channel 35 will go on the air sometime 10 + or - days from now and will run at 384 watts of ERP TX power!!

The full tranmitter power wil be upgraded to 250 KW ERP in the spring or fall of 2002.

Plans for channel 9 will be just a pure digital PBS station and will get on the air sometime in the 2003 or 2004 since it will take a lots of paperworks to be filed out "To change from analog to digital" and sent to the FCC.

The digital channel 9 WILL be on the Sandia Crest and its new call letter has yet to be named soon. "KUNM-DT"?

11-5-01

Well it's now the 15th of NOV, only I news I got was about the new 2nd PBS station is about a new call letter for channel 9 it will be called KNMD-DT.

I wish they would call it KUNM-DT IMHO! :)


I am still scanning for any new digital signal and still no luck so far....

But at least we got very nice fall weather so far and today this is the first time since 2 month ago since we got any wet weather!

I just hope our local TV broadcasters got ready getting their digital TX tower in time for by being in the nice weather on the Sandia Crest Mountain for the past 2 month. :)

That's the news!!!

11-15-01

I have been scanning every evening now from my Dish 6000 and nothing thus far. The broadcasters had great weather on the crest for the past several months to install their hardward. Hope I won't be hearing any sob stories from them about the recent weather and what may be coming up that it may be keeping them from going on-line.

I sent an email to the director of engineering at KNME yesterday. I'll post news when I hear from him. Hopefully he's spending his time on top of the Sandias with a wrench or torch or whatever they use!

Pete

BTW, have you noted that KRQE-TV was carrying the KRON-TV and DT's Lobos game feed!

Kinda strange that our lobos got to be on local S.F. digital channel.

It's seems that KRQE-TV can't hired the local TV crew or even worse can't get the digital transmitter on line early!

Anyway still no sign of any digital TV siganls yet so far.....


Has anyone try DXing on meter showers? It's seem too late for me to stay up that late! :) "3AM"

11-18-01

[QUOTE]Originally posted by N5XZS
[B]BTW, have you noted that KRQE-TV was carrying the KRON-TV and DT's Lobos game feed!
</QUOTE>

kinda neat if you are into upconverted HDTV broadcasts (the feed from albuquerque to san francisco was 4:3 525 line NTSC).

<QUOTE>
It's seems that KRQE-TV can't hired the local TV crew or even worse can
</QUOTE>

It seemed to me to be a problem of how to incorporate the KRQE logo into the graphic, so it was easier to just use KRON's graphic and run a KRQE bug in the lower left corner.

channel 35 still active so I wonder if KNME is going to use their DT on channel 25 (they still seem to have that channel according to my records). No other NM stations running HDTV yet but I'm at the point it doesn't matter much as I am enjoying the HDTV from NBC, PBS, and ABC and my favorite shows on CBS are not in HDTV.

robert

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

KNME-DT just went on the air!!!

It's on channel 35.3 and broadcasting PBS HDTV demo and I am getting the signal strenth of 65-67 on my terk TV 50 antenna!!!

Injoy the new digital channel 35!!

11-20-01

Great!

I called my son at home to check it out. Now I have to write them a check! Horton

I just spoke with Jim Gail of KNME. He say's they are getting interference from the spanish shopping channel transmitting on 35 from the west mesa. The FCC has ordered them to vacate the channel. FCC will cut the lock and turn it off themselves if necessary.

Jim said he would post here as soon as he can.

Pete

PS
N5XZS: check your private messages

Hello Petew,

I just talked to Jim Gail of KNME-DT and he was very happy to hear that I can pick up his digital station's signal!

Right now it's going through a on and off the picture seems to lock in for 15 to 25 minute and black out for maybe 10 to 15 minute.

There is little or no droupouts at times as I typing "8:16PM MST"
on my keyboard.

The picture is very crisp and very rich color it make Directv look like a winp IMHO, and somtime beating the HDNET's picture quality
from time to time!

I think K35FC "Spanish station" will face a stiff FCC fine for not shutting it's transmiter down in time for a new digital station to go on the air.

Anyway Jim Gail said to me the plan to upgrade the transmitter power to 250 KW ERP is sometime in the early spring. :)

The picture right now HAS no dropout so far "8:24 PM MST" and the audio is loud and very clear to understand.

The show is about EGYPT history and looks very interesting to watch. :)

How your reception look like Petew?

11-20-01

Originally posted by N5XZS
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

KNME-DT just went on the air!!!



It appears to be an occasional signal at this time 11/21/01 1:04am and nothing. Channel 35 analog is off the air so at least it appears KNME-DT has full time use of the channel now and can turn on the transmitter whenever they want.

robert

I spoke with the Dir of Engineering (Jim Gail) at KNME last night. He said the spanish shopping channel was still broadcasting on 35 at 1kw, causing interference with the 400 watt signal from KNME. The FCC will cut the lock off the unattended station and turn the transmitter off if they can't get the station owner (in Texas somewhere) to pull the plug. Apparently, stations with less than 1kw can run unattended, so there is no human there to pull the plug even though they have been ordered off the channel by the FCC. Timothy is able to receive KNME-DT in the east mountains since the Sandias block the signal from from the west mesa analog spanish shopping transmitter.

KNME's guy said KOAT-DT (ABC) was close to firing up their transmitter too. Jim said he would like to hear from anyone who is receiving their signal, and he will help resolve any reception problems. I asked him to join this forum - he said he would as soon as he gets some time to log on.

Pete

I just got a call from Jim Gail of KNME. He said 35 analog is history, so the digital channel should be coming in fine.

KNME will be carrying the PBS satellite feed. The schedule is posted in the Detriot station's web site at www.wtvs.org. Be sure to adjust for the time zone difference.

Pete

If I did a scan with my Dish 6000 would it show up as channel 35??? I will try a scan tonight. Is the signal being transmitted in the evening??? How exciting. Finally ABQ comes out of the Dark Ages!!!

I just visited KNME's RF shop, at the invitation of Jim Gail. I was not able to get a picture at home, although my receiver does lock on to the channel with 97/100 signal strength. We hooked up my box to their antenna and display. Where the RCA DTC100 they use for off-air monitoring works perfectly, my Sony HD100 doesn't display squat. Somehow, I'm not suprised. The HD100 is junk.

They are on physical channel 35, mapped to 5.1. They will be sending out the PBS HD feed, which is a three hour loop unless it's interrupted for HD and widescreen programming. KNME will also be doing testing at times. There should be a signal on 35 just about 24/7.

KOAT should be on the air in the next few days. It was somewhat of a race - KNME won! Apparently, KOAT won't be broadcasting HDTV any time soon. They don't have a digital link from their studio in the city to the crest. So they'll be up-converting the NTSC crap with equipment on the crest until they get the digital link installed.

KOB is on track to start up by the end of the year. KRQE is MIA.

Pete

FYI for those following this thread. I get a signal strength of 44 (out of 100) on KNME (channel 35) in Los Alamos using a very good off-air antenna and carefully aligning with the Crest. Unforunately, my SONY HD100 can't tune channel 35 as a digital station (something someone else noticed as well). If I can locate another HDTV tuner, I'll try that. I called Ultimate Electronics and explained the failure of the Sony box to tune channel 35 KNME-DT and he said they'll see if they can duplicate the problem. Otherwise, it's good to see this recent progress. Hopefully, KOAT and KOB will be up and running by the end of the year.

Joe Martz

Hello Joe

I spoke with Sony today on the failure of my HD100 to display a picture. They agreed to buy the box back from me. This is my third major issue with the unit. I'm getting a Mitsubishi or Panasonic box from Ultimate this afternoon.

KNME estimated coverage with the 400watt transmitter to only be about 30 miles radius from the crest. That's great that you're getting anything in LA. Hopefully they will post here soon so everyone can give them feedback directly.

Pete

I have a Dish 6000 receiver with the OTA module and when I did a scan it did not detect the KNME station. What a bummer. I guess I will have to figure out what is wrong now. And I was really hoping it would work the first time.

Well it's now more than 24 hours since they went on the air the signal has been rock steady so far :) it's holding at 70 percent of signal strenth or you want to call it BER "Bit Error Rate".

With my RCA DTC-100 and set it to no off air guide mode and it says 35.3 and if you turn your guide on it will map to 5.1 but I lose analog channel 5!

But remember to keep on air guide off line "That depends on your STB brand models" and that way you will get 2 different PBS programings and beside it's too early to get the EPG on air guide mode going IMHO.

Nice to know KOAT will be the next one to go on the air in the digtal in any days now!!

Since they don't have the digital microwave link up yet and I am wondering if they can put up a weather rader feed by just picking any analog microwave feed and feed it to digital encoder "8VSB tranmitter system"?

Well guys keep up the good work on any latest news about local Albuquerque digital TV news!! :)

Party on dudes!!

11-21-01

I just watched "Nova" on KNME-DT. I picked up a Mitsubishi box at Ultimate Electronics this evening. I had a few picture breakups. Starting out with MPEG blocks, then picture freezes for a few seconds. 199 HDNet seems okay. Signal is at 97-100 of 100. The Mits box is a VAST improvement over the sony POS.

Well. I am now receiving KNME DT !!! I had a problem last night with using a cheap splitter for the coax (one split going to my TV and the other to the Dish 6000 OTA module). After I removed it I did an auto scan and it detected KNME on digital channel 5. I am getting a few dropouts this morning and I hit a signal strength of typically 78-83%. Does the quality of the coax coming from the antenna to my receiver make a difference???

The daytime loop they are playing is very interesting. The segment on "Visions of Italy" is outstanding. The picture is so detailed and the colors so gorgeous. I am so pleased that I am getting local digital FINALLY !!!

KRQE and KOAT - Where for art thou???

WHOA, been away a few days, finally an excuse to order the Integra 910. I don't think anyone around here's using it. I wanted to see how good KNME's coverage would be at 384 watts before spending the bucks. KOAT and KOB right behind, cool. What ever happened to KRQE. I thought they were hurrying up to broadcast the Superbowl last winter. Ironic that the station with the widest selection of programming will apparently be last on the air.
I'll keep reading to see what everyone's experiences are.
:)

Hi Everyone The new PBS station is coming in well at my house in the Ridgecrest area near the airport. I am getting a signal strength of 63% to 67% on my Dish 6000 with an external roof top antenna. Where are you located Fjerina? I thought maybe the dropouts were due to the signal strength, but you saw the same with an 80% signal. I may still try to improve the signal. Pete, you have a strong signal on your new box, where are you located? The demo loop is great, but now I want some more content! Good job KNME. Horton

I am located in the NE Heights around Spain and Eubank. I will be tomorrow putting up a dedicated UHF antenna from Radio Shack ($20) with RG6 coax going directly to my Dish 6000. I will also with my friend aligning the antenna to maximize the signal using the signal strength meter while on the KNME DT station. I hope I can get rid of most of the dropouts I have been seeing.

I spoke with Jim Gail, head engineer at KNME today, and he recommends a dedicated antenna for the UHF digital stations. He mentionned how touchy digital signals are compared to analog.

I will report back tomorrow or Sunday on my progress.

He mentionned KOAT should be up within a week. Can't wait be I hear they will initially be broadcasting upconverted 480i stuff.

Originally posted by jmcferrin
[B]WHOA, been away a few days, finally an excuse to order the Integra 910. I don't think anyone around here's using it. I wanted to see how good KNME's coverage would be at 384 watts before spending the bucks. KOAT and KOB right behind,


I hear the 910 is nice. I myself am using an earlier generation dual mode (sat/terrestrial) box, the Unity Motion HDR-1000A.
So not only will you get KNME-DT, but you can get more PBS stuff in HDTV from satellite as well as NBC and ABC HDTV from satellite (and ABC has lots of goodies in HDTV, Toy Story 2 was really outstanding a few weeks ago!)


I'm in the NE heights off Tramway.

As for KNME, with rabbit ears I"m getting 2db over noise floor readings with my spectrum analyzer (not enough to lock the signal). With an outdoor scanner antenna, I'm getting 4db over noise floor and I get a decent lock (3-4 dropouts per hour roughly). With an outdoor TV antenna, I"m getting 6db over noise floor and also a decent lock with 3-4 dropouts per hour.

I expect when KNME-DT goes full power, it'll be a trivial lock with rabbit ears and a nice solid lock with scanner or tv antennas.

Robert

Horton,

I'm at San Mateo and Indian School. Both my new Mitsubushi box, and the piece of CRAP Sony HD100 (that Sony is buying back) get high 90's or better signal strength. I'm using a mid-size Channel Master outdoor antenna, with about 60 feet of RG6 and an amplified splitter.

I watched the show about Quincy Jones last night on PBS, with about a dozen breakups or picture freezes in two hours. It looked good for standard definition widescreen. I enjoyed it, except the part where the EX-president was on. Clinton on a 7' screen is more than my conservative bones can handle.

Jim Gail said his picture would be better than HDNet since DirecTV is trying to cut the bitrate to the absolute minimum. He's right - I can really see the mpeg garbage on 199, where KNME is free of them.

Pete

Robert:
Nice to know that someone around here is using UM/Integra box. From what I've read it can be a bear to install/program. I downloaded the manual and read it; doesn't sound like such a big deal(famous last words). I might have questions at some point. We're in Edgewood about 15 miles line of sight to the crest.
Also have the HBO/Showtime feeds off 4DTV/HDD201 system. The Integra will be slaved off this system. I understand NBC is moving to a different sat that's not in an inclined orbit. Might already be up.
Good to see everyone coming out of the woodwork on this. Where the heck is KRQE?:D

Originally posted by jmcferrin
Robert:
Nice to know that someone around here is using UM/Integra box. From what I've read it can be a bear to install/program. I downloaded the manual and read it; doesn't sound like such a D

If you get stuck with the Integra 910, please email me and I'll try to help you out (as I"m sure there are lots of similarities to my UM box).

as for NBC HDTV, it is on AMC-1 Ku now so no more inclined orbit satellite.

Enjoy your KNME-DT, NBC and ABC HDTV!

Robert
roberts@nmia.com

As suggested by Jim Gail, head engineer at KNME, I installed a dedicated UHF antenna ($20 Radio Shack) on my roof with a dedicated RG6 coax line to my Dish 6000 OTA module. I did not see any added signal strength (still around 76-82%) so I figure this is due to KNME transmitting low power for their digital station. I see some reduction in dropoffs but still see some. Looking forward to the network stations going on-line with their digital stations.

Still waiting for KOAT-DT or KOB-DT to go on the air......

I am wondering why KNME-DT choose 35.3? yep, that right channel 35 point 3!!

Anyhow the KNME-DT's signal has been very stable so far in the 70's on my DRV DTC signal meter.

Party on guys!!

11-26-01

Here's the latest news from KRQE-DT "Franklin Lilley Director of Engineering" saying it will take delivery of our DT transmitter this monday!

The real issue is can we mount the antenna this winter?

So that means if they can put up an antenna this winter and try to go on the air between now and early spring!!

So keep on your eyes on digital channel 16 "Will run at 55 KW ERP"! :)

11-30-01

Well, the integra arrived last week and after reorganizing the antenna wiring I have beautiful pictures from KNME with a signal strength in the mid 60's and very few dropouts. Thanks to Robert and the support folks at smallear for getting us going. I hope to have some time today or tomorrow to work on setting up the sat part for PBS, ABC, & NBC. Question: KOAT's starting up this week, which channel? KOB soon, which channel? I read somewhere the other day that the Winter Olympics will be broadcast by NBC in HD, come on KOB!!! I guess the best we can hope for from KRQE is the Masters?

Hello Jmcferrin,

KOAT-DT will be on digital channel 21 and KOB-DT will be on channel 26 and lastly the KRQE-DT will be on channel 16.

As for KOB-DT they will not have HDTV satellite receiver ready in time for the winter games in Salt Lake City. :(

The weather looks very good today for engineering going to the top of the Sandia Crest!!

BTW, I'am getting about 68 to 70 on channel 35.3 "KNME-DT" with just a Terk-TV 50!!

12-2-01

Tim:
Thanks for the info. I'm also using a Terk TV50 from Audio Designs. Interesting that the Integra shows KNME at 5.1 Digital. Once it scanned in, that's where the STB put it. I had nothing to do with it. Maybe by the time the Olympics are on I'll figure out how to to properly set up the sat channels and will be able to pick up the NBC feeds since KOB is falling into the KRQE category of asleep at the wheel/switch.
John

There's a little news update......

KASY-DT will be moving to a new digital channel 45 instead of channel 51 thanks to the FCC approvel.

Other than that no much else goings on.....

Happy Holidays to all!! :)

12-23-01

Any latest news on any TV stations?

Getting tired of waiting to see what happens next....

Any news on KOB-DT?

It would be interesting to see if they go on the air before May 1st deadline by a few weeks or 2 months early!

My best guess is.....

KASA-DT April, 25 2002

KOB-DT Jan, 10th 2002

KOAT-DT April, 30 but try makes a lame exuse to delay more time...

KCHF-DT I think they will try to sell the station because they are so broke and will not go digital. "I am hoping that Hubbard broadcast company "KOB-TV" or someone else will buy this station, and move the transmitter to Sandia Crest mountain and change this to pure Indy type of programings instead of boring church TV programings."

KRQE-DT Feb, 1st 2002

KAPX-DT 2006 or later

KWBQ-DT March, 15

KNAT-DT will try to delay because I think they are too broke and can't afford to build the digital transmitter.....

KAZQ-DT same thing here.....

KLUZ-DT April, 1st 2002

KASY-DT March, 15 2002

Anyone else to take a shot at it by preadicting "SP" the TV stations digital to go on air dates! :)

Happy New years to everyones!!!

1-3-02

Tim, what did you base your dates on?

I am still angry with our KOAT-TV (ABC) because they could be transmitting ABC HD right now but are not because they don't want to spend the money on the power to run the transmitters. How narrow minded can you get.

I love PBS HD that I am receiving right now but wish they would have more variety. Their demo loop gets a little tiring after awhile.

Hello Fjerina,

I am just guessing for fun, and see who would be the first trully commercal TV station to go on the air digital. "They must be on the air more than 24 hours, not the lame 4 hours by the KOAT-DT!!"

Yes I was angry at KOAT-DT as well too but more often on dunb CEO's in NYC, NY!!

As for KNME-DT demo loop.... yup it's getting tiring as well too but I think it's going to break that pattern somtime in the late spring or early summertime when they go full power at 250 KW ERP.

Anyway just have fun thinking who will go first go on the air and post your idea about on air prediction date.....

Good luck looking in the marble ball... :)

1-3-02

Just talked with Jim Gale (lead engineer) at KNME and he is helping KOB (NBC) with their HD antenna setup (they may be using a low power one initially). Jim said they may be up in 2 weeks. KOB would like to be up and running in time for the Olympics. Let's hope it happens !!!

No word on ABC or CBS however. Gee, what a surprise.

Here's my message:


-----Original Message-----
From: Pete Williams [mailto:petew@pozzisouthwest.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 8:51 AM
To: Steffens, Erick; Gardner, Mark
Subject: Superbowl in Widescreen


Hello KASA

I understand that FOX and RCA will be presenting the Superbowl in widescreen DTV. Is there any chance that KASA will have the new digital transmitter in operation in time for the February broadcast?

I've owned a HD capable system since March of 2001 (Sony HT10 projector, Mitsubishi STB). I have enjoyed High Definition programming from HBO and especially HDNet on DirecTV, and now KNME-DT on channel 35. I realize that FOX had determined that 480p is "good enough" and is not doing any high definition 1080i or 720p programming. The Superbowl would be very enjoyable in widescreen standard definition anyway. Looking forward to MLB on FOX and KASA!

Thanks
Pete Williams


and the reply:

Sorry, No. Our plans do not have us on line until May.

That's a shame for KASA-DT not to go on the air in time for the superbowl. :(

Even though FOX will send in 480P format look at the bright side on 480P will have much better color palite "SP" ranges WAY wuch better than NTSC and even PAL Euro TV system!!

But still I prefer 1080i and I wish FOX network would take the best of the best video format over the 480P system IMHO.

I think Raycom "Owns KASA" has the same mentally like Hearst Argyl "KOAT" to dealy the on air date to May 1st.

1-11-02

I heard that KOB-TV may be transmitting HD in low-power in about a week. Let's hope that it happens especially with the Olympics coming soon.

KOAT-TV ready to transmit but won't turn on the switch to save money.

KRQE-TV extremely tight lipped about HD. No one there is talking.
Talk about paranoia.

The latest breaking news!!.....................


Jim Gale, was just asking how was his KNME-DT's signal and I said to him all is well for,70 on my RCA DTC-100 digital signal meter sternth.

BUT the real breaking news is Jim Gail telling me KOB-DT will go on the air testing on 1-23-02 and run at 50 KW of ERP and will carry if any HDTV feeds!!

Will go on the air somtime around 10:30 AM MST 1-23-02!!

I will try to record on my VCR tape the first transmission of KOB-DT since I have to go to work that day. :(

I rather see it live if I have a day off but can't afford to so though!

Boy i't's gonna be fun!!

1-16-02

I hope that they will be running the KOB transmitter every evening thereafter so I can see Jay Leno and Crossing Jordan in HD along with the Olympics in February.

Jim Gail mentionned to me that they sent out an RFP for their full power transmitter for KNME-TV PBS and they will make a selection on February 15. They hope to have it installed and operational in the June/July time frame. This means that they will be going from 400 watts to 250,000 watts.

Jim also informed me that a user is receving the current low power PBS KNME signal in Belen. Seems like to lower power signal is extending quite far.

Jim said that the FCC notified the 1650 United States TV stations their requirement to be transmitting HD by May 2002 way back in April 1997. There are still about 1200-1300 stations that are not operational as of today. Talk about dragging their feet.

Here's some latest news..........

K35FC used to be on the air has filed an, aplication to the FCC for a new channel 25 and move the TX site near channel 11 by using a very tight beam antenna aimed at Albuquerque metro areas.

KYNM-LP has changed it mind by moving to channel 30 "Just filed to the FCC" and upgrade to 129 KW ERP instead of channel 39, this station is still on the air on channel 61.

KAZQ-TV has some problem with the STL and the TX antenna and is off the air for repair. "The picture gone whackey fading in and out.

It's gona be interesting when K45DL "Same owner of K35FC" will be forced to go off the air when KASY-DT goes on the air and there a chances there are no more room to move to a new channels.

That's the news in Albuqurque TV broadcasting world!!!

Please don't forget to watch the KOB-DT to go on the air for the first time on Wed, 23rd at give or take 10:30 AM and it mostly will be a test signal and will run at temperory TX power at 50 KW of ERP and later upgrade to 290 KW of ERP!!

1-21-02

Having just discovered this thread it was rather amusing to go back to the origin in July and read all of the overly optimistic projections for digital OTA transmission. Other than KNME, most stations have really dropped the ball.

It is certainly good news that Channel 4 (NBC) apparently has the goal of going live for the Olympics. But as for the rest of the stations, you would best go by the date they are legally required to begin transmission. I was told that is May 1,2002.

They will not do it until forced to.

I wonder how long it will take the commercial stations to pass through any available high definition programming? Since there's few or no mountain time zone feeds from the networks, they have to buy equipment to timeshift.

They couldn't possibly just pass thru the network feed like KNME does could they? Just think what a huge impact it would be on their ad revenue if the dozen of us in ABQ with HD equipment missed the commercials for Mac's Steak in the Rough.

I complain, but I understand their position. They are in business, after all.

Pete

I spoke with Jim Gale at PBS KNME-TV and he said that PBS digital is out right now. He said they had a lightenning hit or a power surge atop the Sandias. They hope to have it up and running sometime tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 23. He appologizes for any inconvenience.

Tomorrow is the day KOB may be up and running. Let's keep our fingers crossed. They are testing tomorrow and Jim is going to help them. Jim is also going to ask if they can keep is up and running through the day and night. Love to catch Jay Leno in high-def.

Well blame it on the crazy winter weather, but at least KNME-DT put their signal back on line......

I guess we will have to wait and see what happens next for KOB-DT, it may be weather related or some kind of tech, problems on the transmitter or the antenna itself.

Stay warm.... :)


1-23-02

Last night, Jan. 23 around 5:30 pm, I tried my auto scan and no KOB-TV signal detected. I was also having problems getting PBS back. I will try to call Jim Gale and find out what the story is. I guess we have to be patient.

Oh, one other thing I forgot to tell you about.....

I noted that KNME-DT was playing with PISP, causing my channel to change 35.3 to 35.1 and back to 35.5 after they went back on the air yesterday.

As of today the weather is nice and clear with little or no wind, but still no digital signal from KOB-DT so far yet.... :(

Anyhow back to my slow scan TV DXing on 20 meterband "14.230 MHz"......

Party on dudes!!

1-24-02

Just got a message from Jim Gail, 11:30 am Jan. 24, and he said that is was likely that lightening hit their DT system. They are working on repairing it and it should be up later today.

He said KOB (NBC) is still in the middle of getting their system tested. They need a high-def receiver from NBC corporate to be able to forward the NBC high-def signal. Their goal is to be up for the Olympics so we will see.

He said KRQE (CBS) is in the middle of their install which takes about 3-4 weeks total. No word when they will be up.

Thanks for all the new info. If anyone has the new channel numbers for KOB and KRQE, please post them here. I'm up in Los Alamos, and I'll let you know if I can pickup the 50kW signal from KOB as soon as they're on-air. I can pickup the KNME signal (15/100 on a Mitsu box) but there's not enough to decode anything.

Awaiting the higher-power transmission from the Sandias...

Joe Martz
Los Alamos

Hello JCmartz,

The new digital channels number are.......

KCHF-DT channel 10

KRQE-DT channel 16 ++ To be on the air soon....

KAZQ-DT channel 17

KOAT-DT channel 21

KOB-DT channel 26 ++ To be on the air soon....

KASA-DT channel 27

KWBQ-DT channel 29

KLUZ-DT channel 42

KASY-DT channel 45

Good luck on picking up those digital stations!! :)

1-24-02

Originally posted by fjerina
He said KOB (NBC) is still in the middle of getting their system tested. They need a high-def receiver from NBC corporate to be able to forward the NBC high-def signal. Their goal is to be up for the Olympics so we will see.

If KOB would like to install a microwave dish here, I'd be glad to microwave to the crest my NBC HDTV feed for them to transmit. 8^)

Robert

So where are YOU getting the NBC HD signal from??? Or are you just kidding.

Some HD feeds are available with MPEG2/HD receivers such as the Unity Motion/Integras. Hopefully, KOB will start transmitting soon and those of us with Sat equipment won't need to use it to see the olympics. That's good news about both KOB and KRQE.
We'll keep watching for the signals. Thanks.

Originally posted by fjerina
So where are YOU getting the NBC HD signal from??? Or are you just kidding.

I get NBC HDTV from satellite and watch Leno pretty much every night in HDTV. I am just standing by now for the Olympics (KOB-DT or not).

If KOB wants to send me a microwave dish for a STL link, I"ll be happy to feed their transmitter with the HDTV signal.

CBS is the only network that I can't get HD from but I don't care too much (as I"m only missing a football game or two a week, the rest is programming I don't watch or care for).

robert

So what satellite system are you getting NBC HD from?

Originally posted by fjerina
So what satellite system are you getting NBC HD from?

big backyard dish system.

robert

I just spoke with Jim Gale at PBS this morning and he told me the PBS material being transmited is from a file server (no national PBS signal). He said they are getting interference from another transmitter on the crest and that the FCC this week is going to investigate where that rouge signal is coming from and stop it. Hopefully this week they can do this.

Jim also said KOB is ready to transmit but they are waiting on that HD receiver from NBC corporate to they can send the national NBC signal to the crest for transmission. Hope that can happend before the Olympics.

That's all for now.

I can't wait to see the Olympics on KOB!

I just recieved an invitation from Jim Gale for the first meeting of "The New Mexico DTV User Group", which will be Thurs. Feb. 21 at 7:00 PM. You might want to attend, and the contact information is for Helen Tedla, htedla@knme1.unm.edu

See you all there. Horton

Robert,

I, too, have a "big backyard dish system" but am not set up for HD. Could you please say what receiver, etc. you are using?

Are the network feeds on Ku or C band?

Mike:
I've got a 10.5' mesh dish with C/Ku LNBs, Chapparal CoRotor, 4DTV receiver+HDD200 decoder for DCII and HBO/Showtime HD feeds, and an Integra IT910s slaved off the 4DTV for off air and NBC, ABC, PBS, MPEG feeds.
From talking to Robert(sthscan) I know he's got some even cooler toys than I do.
The things we go through to watch TV. :)

Originally posted by OzoneEnts
Robert,

I, too, have a "big backyard dish system" but am not set up for HD. Could you please say what receiver, etc. you are using?

Are the network feeds on Ku or C band?

I am using the Unity Motion HDR-1000A receiver (it does both off-air HDTV and satellite HDTV that is using the DVB-S or ATSC HDTV satellite modes).

NBC is on Ku-band, ABC is on C-band, PBS is on Ku-band.

Fox and CBS use other types of receivers for their HDTV feeds (and both are C-band feeds).

Robert

How much are those UM/Integras these days? Would it be possible for me to slave one off a simple Uniden Supra to get HD feeds? And is it worth doing?

Originally posted by OzoneEnts
How much are those UM/Integras these days? Would it be possible for me to slave one off a simple Uniden Supra to get HD feeds? And is it worth doing?

UM HDR-1000A's go for $300-400 used on Ebay (they are no longer being manufactured). You can get the Integra 910S in the $850-1000 range from a dealer on the internet or from ebay.

you can slave it to your uniden supra if you wish.

and it is worth doing unless you want to sit on your duff waiting for KOB and KOAT to get off theirs! it's been awesome to be watching PBS/NBC/ABC HDTV feeds for years before any stations here got the idea to start doing something about transmitting a HDTV signal

Robert

Robert,

That's so true about waiting for local OTA stations to broadcast HD. I'm betting that, even after May 1 when DTV transmission is mandated, most of our wonderful stations will Not do HD. They are too cheap to buy the extra equipment.

I already get some HD: PBS from KNME, HBO and HDNet from DirecTv. If KOB really does broadcast HD as stated, my need for the big dish HDTV receiver will be minimal. Since CBS and Fox use different methods, I would only gain ABC. But KOAT is one that I fear will not give us HD so we'll see. Thanks for the info.

Mike:
Even now I haven't been able to determine when KNME is going to broadcast anything other than the loop. Last night, for example, the PBS feed on GE3 showed American Family and later a Rudy Maxa travel segment about Italy(these are stunning) while the loop continued on DT35. I assume KNME is still assembling the necessary equipment to time shift and link the signals to the transmitter. I would like to see the digital services simulcast even upconverted material so we can stop watching these lousy analog pictures. I'm very curious to see how KOB and later KRQE will operate.

The reason you are seeing a demo loop all the time right now on KNME DT is because it is coming from a file server from KNME itself. They are transmitting this until they get something corrected on top the crest. There were hit by lightening a week or so ago and they have recovered from that. They are now being interfered in receiving the national PBS feed by satellite because of another signal on the crest interfering with their reception. The FCC is now involved in trying to track it down. Hopefully soon we will be able to resume receiving the direct pipe-through of the PBS national signal. I am looking forward to the Rudy Maxa "Travel Smart" series and the "American Family" series in HD.

Boy are we getting tired of crazy winter weather even though we need the moisture badly. :)

I have the gut feeling that KOB-DT may not be ready for NBA HDTV covereges on Feb, 3rd, what is holding up NBC's satellite receiver shipment or is due to red tape at NBC's headquater? "SP"

Any more news on KRQE-DT at this time?

1-31-02

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fjerina
They are now being interfered in receiving the national PBS feed by satellite because of another signal on the crest interfering with their reception. The FCC is now involved in trying to track it down.


I wish them luck. I used to work at a government site on the crest, and it is an RF nightmare up there. Some camcorders will barely work due to the intense rf. Uncle Sam built a shielded building to house it's comm gear. The walls ceiling and floor are all steel with the joints welded. Screening was used for all cable entrance and exit points. They dug a trench around the site and filled it with special mud used for grounding everything together. It's hard to get a good ground up there because the crest is basically just rock. Guess what? It didn't work. The interference came in from the antennas just the same as a signal would and it messed up all the receivers and transmitters big time. There are virtually an infinite number of harmonics up there due to all the different frequencies mixing together. As I said, I wish them all the luck. I too am waiting for some Programming, not just a demo loop. :( JR

Just spoke with Jim Gail this afternoon and he said that KNME Digital should be up-and-running with the PBS national signal today. They replaced several pieces of equipment along with adding more robust filtering of stray signals. He said they still have a couple of short dropouts every hour (which they had before) which is likely not originating from problems on the crest. Can't wait to check out the signal later this afternoon. Looking forward to Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa and the American Family series.

Jim also said KOB digital is functional but they are still waiting for that HD receiver from NBC. No word on when that will happen (as far as he knows). Would be nice to see the Olympics in HD.

He saw KRQE's digital setup last week and said they are half way done. No word on their completion and when they will be transmitting HD.

Sounds like all the major stations are all planning on being up-and-running for May 1 but no rush until then.

Happy Viewing.

One more piece of information just came in from Dan Brown of KOB-TV (on possibly being up for the Olympics). Here is my question with his reply.

Dave, how are the prospects looking that you may be transmitting the Winter Olympics in high-definition digital. I know you were waiting on a HD receiver from NBC. Would appreciate any update. Thanks, Fred Jerina.

His reply...

Well...
There is still a possibility that we'll be able to do this thing. There was one more piece of equipment we needed, an encoder. We've managed to rent one.
It ships next Monday. We'll be attempting to do this later in the week...possibly by Thursday. (We have an FCC inspection Wednesday, so we'll
be tied up.)
Stay tuned....
Thanks,
Dan Brown
dbrown@kobtv.com

There's a lot that must go right for KOB to be ready for the Olympics. At least they are trying and at least there is some events to be watched on HDNet.

BTW, what time is KNME due back up? I just checked and it was still that same loop they've been running.

I thought KMNE DT was up right now. I assume they flicked the switch from the file server to the national PBS feed. I would really like it to be up-and-running by 5:30 pm so I can see Smart Travels for this week.

I think they went back to satellite HDTV PBS feed for now since endless replay of Ryan story "Cute newspaper woman" has stopped for now. :)

There is some dropouts from time to time on channel 35.3 but the signal strenth is fine so far at 70 to 71 on my RCA DTC-100.

KOB-DT sure got their hands full for the next few days and I am sure hopes it goes well.

They better pass the test by the FCC inspections!!

It would be great if KRQE-DT go on the air early in time for the March madness games.

2-1-02

It does appear the PBS satellite feed is back. That is good news to me since I am still receiving the signal with my Zenith. Before KNME's transmitter went down, I could not receive it without "tiling" and loss of signal every few seconds. When the file server feed was used, I had no problem.

Two curiousities:
1) I have no program information with KNME now. Just says "regular programming". All other channels are providing info
2) KNME is mapping at 35-3. Prior to their transmitter going down, the channel was mapping at 5-1, which is where Jim Gale said it should be.

Wow! No sooner did I finish the above post and return to watch the PBS travelogue when my reception again resumed the tiling/no signal loop. Over and Over.

What is up with that Zenith? Or the PBS satellite feed?

Mike, did you get a new Zenith or is it the same one Jim checked out the other day. I'm wondering if the problem isn't the downlink. Send me an email at jerrich@abq.com sometime. JR

Jerry,

It is the same Zenith. They are supposed to be sending me another one but it's been two weeks and ?

I am beginning to think my Zenith is not the real problem. The reception was perfect when KNME was broadcasting from the file server. It is only now that they are back to the satellite feed that the problem appears again.

And I noticed that during that travelogue at 5:30, something happened and they went back to the good old demo loop- the one with the old fart and Ashley Judd.

Originally posted by OzoneEnts
Robert,

That's so true about waiting for local OTA stations to broadcast HD. I'm betting that, even after May 1 when DTV transmission is mandated, most of our wonderful stations will Not do HD. They are too cheap to buy the extra equipment.

I already get some HD: PBS from KNME, HBO and HDNet from DirecTv. If KOB really does broadcast HD as stated, my need for the big dish HDTV receiver will be minimal. Since CBS and Fox use different methods, I would only gain ABC. But KOAT is one that I fear will not give us HD so we'll see. Thanks for the info.

First of all, i don't think I can blame the local OTA stations for not broadcasting HDTV rapidly. for me, it's just a receiver or two to get it. for them, it's not only the receiver, but the transmitter, so they have a little more complexity than I have here. 8^)

CBS is the only HDTV I don't get from broadcasters due to their different system (I don't get HBO or HDNET as I don't have pay television or DirecTV HDTV setup).

Fox is not HDTV, but widescreen SDTV is still pretty nice from them despite all the slamming lately about their "HDTV". I"ll be watching the superbowl in widescreen 480p as the widescreen format is still much better for football than the 4:3 format.

Robert

As of 8:30 am this Saturday morning, I am having a problem getting KNME DT. I think they still must be having problems. Anyone out there getting something from them???

Robert,

I have no problem at all blaming the local stations for not broadcasting DTV (not even HDTV) until absolutely forced to by law. Especially considering that almost 50% of Americans can already receive some form of OTA HDTV. And May 1 I don't expect most of the locals to suddenly broadcast HDTV either, just a watered-down DTV version they can legally get by with. But then again, this is New Mexico....

I am a little confused about your ability to watch the Fox SDTV when in a prior post you said that:
"Fox and CBS use other types of receivers for their HDTV feeds (and both are C-band feeds). "
I assumed that you did not have this other type of receiver.

While I might be interested in adding yet another receiver for ABC and Fox (?), I am perfectly content to pay just $8 per month for HDTV HBO and the ever-expanding HDNet. It would take me 3-4 years to pay for a used Unity Motion and 8-9 years for a Integra at that rate.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by OzoneEnts
I have no problem at all blaming the local stations for not broadcasting DTV (not even HDTV) until absolutely forced to by law.

Seems like I dimly remember that the mandate had an 'out' built into it; something about digital tvs in 80% of the homes? How long before that happens? BTW, I got a good normal size signal this morning as of 9:30, but it was mapped up to 80-3 somehow. JR

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

KOB-DT is on the air on channel 26.3 and the signal strenth is 51 so they must be running very low power at this time!! :)

This is great they are also sending out in close captioning!!

They are sending out at 480i at this time....

I will stay up late to see if Jay Leno will be shown in 1080i HDTV mode at 10:30 MST......

Please send in your signal report!!!

First picked up the KOB-DT's signal at 4:05 PM MST on Feb, 4th, 2002.....

2-4-02

I, too, am now receiving KOB-DT. It is mapping at 4-1 on my Zenith. I don't have a numerical signal strength gauge but rather a simple scale from bad to normal to good. The signal is showing at the high end of good, better than DirecTv or KNME. However I am getting some audio dropouts.

Robert, how was the Superbowl in Fox faux HDTV? Besides being 16:9, how much better was the PQ compared with the Fox C-band feed that was available?

I am still receiving KOB-DT at 4-1 but there are frequent (1+ per minute), brief interruptions where the audio drops off and the picture shows a bit of tiling.

Is this my Zenith receiver or the KOB transmitter?

I'm getting signal strength in the upper third of the scale on my Mits box. Outdoor antenna, near I40 and San Mateo. No picture yet. Still messing with the damn box.

Pete

Got picture. Upconverted NTSC. Looks a lot better than the analog channel. Sound is better too. Does anyone know if we'll see HD Leno or is everything being upconverted?

COOL - TWO STATIONS ON THE AIR!
GOOD JOB KOB!!

I am also getting KOB-DT !!! It breaks up here and there once in awhile. Looks pretty good for NTSC upconverted. Maybe Cross Jordan (in HD) or Jay Leno (in HD) will be in HD here in ABQ. I think it won't be because they may not have all the equipment yet to uplink the national NBC HD signal to the crest. Keeping my fingers crossed though.

I congratulate KOB for getting this far. Let's hope for the Olympics in HD.

PBS is up-and-running again for me too. Now if they can just start transmitting the national feed instead of the demo loop on the file server then that would be great.

It was so cool to see TWO stations picked up my by Dish 6000 unit when I did the digital station auto-scan.

Well here's my more signal report so far.......

KOB-DT's signal still doing some breakup about 10 +- seconds to 3 minutes due to a wild signal strenth bouncing around lot....

It's ranges from lows as 40's up to high as 58 on my signal meter.... "RCA DTC-100 using Terk TV-50 antenna"

At the same time KNME-DT was at 76 on my signal meter so far....

I am guessing that KOB-DT must be running at very low power around 50 to 150 watts ERP but then again I may be not right on this type of signal format.

Still waiting for the Crossing Jordan in HDTV mode at 9PM MST!

I will report how good is the picture in HDTV later in the night.

So party on guys!!! :) :) :)

2-4-02

Crossing Jordan and Jay Leno NOT in HD tonight on KOB DT as I suspected. Hope they get the HD working in time for the Olympics.

I guess Jay Leno will be off because due to a Winter Olympics games in Salt Lake City.....

The KOB signal is still breaking up so far.....

Maybe they will try to raise the TX power tommrow?

Well time to crash out for the night and QRT for the night. :)

Good night everyone!!!

2-4-02

I sent this message to Dan Brown at KOB this morning and following is his response. Looks encouraging !!!

Dan, several of us are receiving your KOB DT signal. You must be transmitting the NTSC signal from your studio. We are detecting the picture breaking up periodically (but I would imagine you already know that). Hope all is going well at your end in your testing efforts. Congratulations in getting something going for NBC. Digital life in Albuquerque is encouraging. Regards, Fred.

Dan Brown's response:

Thanks!
We have the people from the transmitter company coming in today for the
purpose of fixing the intermittant "tiling" and loss of lock that we have
been seeing.
With a little luck, we may be able to get the Olympic feed to you in Hi-def.
We're gonna "up" the power a little today, too. We are only using a
temporary antenna with about 400 watts feeding it. It's stuck up on a pole
on the crest!
It's kinda like Ham Radio...If we can get the Olympics going in HD, we'll be
making a little bit of New Mexico history...Imagine that!
Thanks, again
Dan

Congratulations on lighting up your digital transmitter yesterday. I'm getting excellent signal strength with a Mitsubishi box and outdoor antenna at I40 and San Mateo. Your broadcast usually pegs the signal strength meter at 100. KNME-DT runs at about 90-95% on my receiver. If you ever need feedback, feel free to call me on my cell at 250-####.

Once again, good job being the first NM commercial digital station on the air.

Pete Williams

And his reply:
Thanks!!!
We still have some bugs to work out of the system and we are only running about 400 watts into a little, temporary antenna...but we're getting there!
We might (!) be able to get the Olympic feed going in H-D with a temporary lash-up. We're working on it!
Stay tuned!!
Dan Brown

Originally posted by OzoneEnts
[
I am a little confused about your ability to watch the Fox SDTV when in a prior post you said that:
"Fox and CBS use other types of receivers for their HDTV feeds (and both are C-band feeds). "
I assumed that you did not have this other type of receiver.

[/B]

I have the special receiver for FOX widescreen "SDTV" feeds. I didn't get a receiver for CBS HDTV feeds as I gave the special FOX receiver priority due to how many more satellite signals it gets me compared to the CBS receiver.

Super Bowl 36 in widescreen was awesome! the only way to watch football when you can see the complete formations on the field (not just the quarterback to the linebackers like 4:3).

robert

ABQ DTVers
Finally had a chance to map and check out KOB last night and this morning. Great upconverted pictures and much improved audio over NTSC; however, lots of break up and signal strength varies widely between 0 and mid 50's. I have a new Integra It910s with the new samsung 8vsb tuner incorporated using a TERK TV50. I'm about 15 miles with a good line of sight to the crest in Edgewood. By contrast, KNME is rock-solid. It sounds like everyone else is getting a pretty good lock? :cool:
John

Hi Everyone
Last night I tuned in KOB for the first time! Congratulations to KOB and it is very exciting when I consider the potential for the Olympics. The signal strength if fine (I think around 80% with my Dish 6000), but it still has lots of drop outs. The interference on the crest must be huge. The picture is much clearer and with better sound, but unwatchable until they fix the dropouts. I am located in Ridge Crest near the airport. Horton

Well, here is the official announcement from the NAB on KOB digital being on the air.

http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/PressRel/RELEASES/0702.htm

Seems like the KOB dropouts are much less but there are still some (maybe once a minute or so). Still hoping for the Olympics this Saturday in high-def.

Spoke to Jim Gail at KNME and he says there's a lot of interference up on the crest. Too many towers close together and too low to the ground. He ordered some new equipment for better filtering and hopes to be back transmitting the national PBS feed (instead of the file server loop) within the next week to 10 days.

Originally posted by fjerina
Spoke to Jim Gail at KNME and he says there's a lot of interference up on the crest. Too many towers close together and too low to the ground.

I used to have a CD player in my car that would go into la la land when I got within about 100yds of the parking lot Crest. Pretty ugly up there!

Pete

Since we are waiting to see if KOB-DT broadcast Tape delayed HDTV winter games from Salt Lake City..

I just found out that CBS will be broadcasting a live HDTV mens NCAA basketball game at 11 AM MST on sunday the Feb, 10th and was wondering can the KRQE-DT be on the air in time for that or it's too late to do it?

BTW, KOB-DT seems more stable now with much fewer breakups my signal strenth still bouncing around 35 to high as 58 "Right now as I typing now at 40.... HOLY COW at 10:57 AM I just saw a colorbar in HDTV for about 60 seconds the feed is from LA, Calf!!"

2-7-02

Seeing the color bars in HD is encouraging.

Now, you got to be kidding about CBS us being up by Feb. 10. We will be lucky if they are up by May 1 as much as they are dragging their feet !!!

But wonders never cease.

IT'S OFFICIAL - KOB WILL TRANSMIT THE WINTER OLYPICS IN HIGH-DEFINITION DIGITAL STARTING THIS SATURDAY!!!

I just spoke with Jim Gail and KOB just gave him the OK to spread the word. They fixed their problem (one of the oscillators in the upconverter was not working properly) and their high-definition path from national is also operational.

They also upped the power from 250 watts to 1000 watts on their transmitter.

This is truly a wonderful news and I can't wait to see the opening ceremonies this Saturday.

Enjoy !!!

That's is a very good news for all of us in central New Mexico!! :) :) :)

KOB-DT's signal seems to be very stable and no breakup in picture so far and rock steady at 40 on my signal meter.

Did they say anything about Jay Leno will be broadcast in HDTV tonight or not?

2-7-02

Don't know if Leno will be HD tonight or not. We will see.

I tried to lock in KOB-DT today for the first time since it lit up and I was unsuccessful. The Unity Motion scan didn't find it, yet on my spectrum analyzer it's at least 30db over noise floor strength (compared to KNME-DT's measly 4-6db over noise floor).

Someone please tell me which subchannel KOB-DT has active, as well as what symbol rate and polarization is being used. It makes no sense why I can't lock it when the signal is so strong so I may need to tweak the parameters of my receiver to get it.

thanks.

robert

Hello Sthscan,

KOB-DT is using UHF TV band channel 26 "Upper 500MHz" and the bit rate is 19.4 MB per second since is only fixed symbol rate "That is for C and KU band satellite TV bands that use non stander symbol rate" as for the Polarization is "H" the "V" polarization is very rare in this country other than Europe TV system that use "V".

Last I heard KOB-DT is now running 1 KW ERP....

You might try to turn off the pre amp off line you may be over loading the signal or your antenna has too much gain, if so move your antenna away from the Sandia Crest by few inchs.

Just wondering what kind of STB you are using?

Is your signal meter showing is max out at 100+?

Hopes thats help!!

2-7-02

Originally posted by N5XZS
KOB-DT is using UHF TV band channel 26 "Upper 500MHz" and the bit rate is 19.4 MB per second since is only fixed symbol rate "That is for C and KU band satellite TV bands that use non
(...)

You might try to turn off the pre amp off line you may be over loading the signal or your antenna has too much gain, if so move your antenna away from the Sandia Crest by few inchs.

Just wondering what kind of STB you are using?

Is your signal meter showing is max out at 100+?



What channel is it? 26.1 or...? I know it's ch 26 and I want the subchannel number.

I don't have a pre-amp and KOB-DT's signal is so strong I'm using indoor rabbit ears and still getting 30 db over noise quality signal!

KNME-DT doesn't even register with rabbit ears due to how weak it is.

I'm using the Unity Motion HDR-1000A satellite/terrestrial STB and it has no numerical signal meter (thus why my readings are with a spectrum analyzer instead of STB strength readings).

i'll try KOB-DT again tomorrow once I get a subchannel number, but for the Olympics and other network HDTV programming, it's moot to get KOB-DT (I just want to be ready for the local news in HDTV in a few years as the only reason I care to receive KOB-DT)

robert

Jay Leno not in HD last night. I think that KOB will be transmitting HD content only during the Olympics. Frank Lilly, director of engineering at KRQE, says that he believes they will be back to standard definition after the Olympics. Hope that is not true.

Hello Robert,

My RCA DTC-100 telling me its channel 26.3 off air guide still turned off.

Hopes thats helps.... :)

2-8-02

Does anyone know if the Olympics will be broadcast in Widescreen? The present signal is 4:3 and my tv (Pioneer 510) locks in full mode, so everyone is too fat. JR

The Olympics should be widescreen high-definition and Dolby Digital sound. Currently KOB is just passing their local TV signal on the digital channel. They will be patching the national NBC HD signal starting tomorrow morning and throughout the Olympics. So, stayed tuned sports fans.

Robert:
My Integra is mapping KOB-DT at 4.1. Their drop out problem seems to be largely solved. The upconverted opening ceremonies came across very good. Extremely long but good. Looking forward to today and tommorrow(Monday HD) when Jake Fiala(local kid) competes in Downhill.
Hope this helps
John

The HD version of the Olympics is suppossed to start at 3 pm EST. So maybe we may see it at 1 pm today. We will see. If they use their HD cameras and DD sound right it will be awesome from what I saw last night at the opening ceremonies.

Anyone get any wind damage last night? My ant. (RS vu90) was on a RS tripod that wasn't weighted enough, so it blew over. This morning it was pointed almost straight up in the sky, but I still received almost full signals from Ch. 4 & 5!! Additional cinder blocks are now on the feet of the tripod. Any word from KOB when their HD will actually start? Believe it or not, I'm getting tired of looking at Ashley Judd. JR

I just got home from work and I just tuned in KOB-DT's signal and it's HDTV right now!!

The picture is rock steady and it's seems to me they just upgrade their transmitting power, my signal meter is showing in the upper 60 to low 70s. :)

2-9-02

Getting the Olympics in Hi-Def from KOB-DT !!! A few breakups here and there but it sure looks good. Getting the sound in DD 2.0. Is anyone out there getting the sound in DD 5.1 from KOB-DT? Thank You KOB !!!

I, too, am only receiving DD 2.0 . Picture is great though with a occasional breakups. Now let's get to some competition.

By the way, HDNet is putting out excellent DD 5.1 for the Olympics. The coverage mirrors what is on NBC, at the same time. Curious that KOB-DT can't do the DD 5.1

Not receiving the Olypmpics today at 3:15 pm from KOB. Anyone know why???

Originally posted by fjerina
Not receiving the Olypmpics today at 3:15 pm from KOB. Anyone know why???

Same here, but don't know why. What's strange is that they left their carrier on. Normal signal strength, just no picture. This morning, Monday, it is only SD simulcast with ch. 4. Where did the HD go? Maybe they are busy cleaning the lenses. I read some posts about dirty lenses or dead pixels on the HDNet cameras. JR

The opening ceremony in HD was spectacular, and I was hoping to catch Saturdays competitions on HD. The editing of the HD version of the opening ceremony was very nice too. It is too bad they had problems yesterday, but at least I did not invite friends over to glory in the HD experience! I hope they get the HD feed back on, not just the upconvert. It was clear that there was a problem and not anything intentional because the carrier signal was still there.
Horton

I just spoke to someone in engineering at KOB and he said that there was a problem with their HD receiver unit they got from NBC. They rebooted it this morning and it is back on-line now. They didn't know it was out all day yesterday. They know now to monitor this unit while the Olympics are being broadcast over the next 2 weeks. They think so few of us out out there watching.

He also said they do not have the equipment to transmit the sound in Dolby Digital 5.1. They can just do 2-channel.

He also said they will go back to transmitting their standard definition 480i signal on their digital channel after the Olympics for quite some time in the future. Probably even after May 1 since their is so little HD material on NBC and since there are so few of us there watching.

Just wanted to let you know what's going on.

You all may want to send a letter or email to KOB saying how much you enjoyed them transmitting the Olympics in HD so they know WE ARE OUT THERE watching.

You may also want to send a letter to their parent company who is really promoting HD and send them your thanks. They are:

Stanley Hubbard
Hubbard Broadcasting
3415 University Avenue
St. Paul, Minn. 55114

Originally posted by fjerina
You all may want to send a letter or email to KOB saying how much you enjoyed them transmitting the Olympics in HD so they know WE ARE OUT THERE watching.
You may also want to send a letter to their parent company who is really promoting HD and send them your thanks. They are:
Stanley Hubbard
Hubbard Broadcasting
3415 University Avenue
St. Paul, Minn. 55114 [/B]


Good idea. Do you happen to have email addresses for either one? Thanks, JR

I found this on the KOBtv.com web site. I already sent a thank you.

Signal Problems and Digital TV
Questions or concerns regarding KOB-TV broadcast signal quality or digital television, including HDTV, can be sent to our Engineering Department via email at dbrown@kobtv.com or by calling (505)243-4411 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

Horton

Don't have email addresses for Hubbard but KOB can be reached at...

Mike Burgess, general manager mburgess@kobtv.com
dbrown, head engineer dbrown@kobtv.com
programming jgaray@kobtv.com
general kobtv@kobtv.com

The Olypmpics looked great last night, Monday, but with the occasional dropouts.

Thanks for the info Frank. I just emailed Burgess with my thank you and asked if he had an email address for Hubbard. Also asked they continue with programming after the Olympics; hope this doesn't die on the vine. JR

Here is a copy of the letter I sent to Hubbard in Minneasota. A physical letter is preferred over an email. Maybe Hubbard will help KOB forward the NBC network high-def stuff instead of just forwarding the standard-def stuff over the digital channel.

Stanley Hubbard
Hubbard Broadcasting
3415 University Avenue
St. Paul, Minn. 55114

Dear Mr. Hubbard,

I want to congratulate you on your Albuquerque NBC affiliate KOB-TV for going high-definition digital with the Olympics. This is truly a wonderful event. You are the first commercial station in New Mexico to do so.

You should be praised for your vision in bringing the best in television technology to our state. I have been waiting for over a year, since I got my HDTV, in receiving local digital broadcasts.

I have been enjoying tremendously the Winter Olympics in widescreen high-definition digital. I would have loved to hear the Olympics in Dolby Digital 5.1 but I know you had equipment limitations here in Albuquerque.

I know that going digital is not a profitable venture for any broadcaster but you accelerated the effort before you were even required to provide it for us per the FCC.

I hope that soon after the Olympics that you will be able to forward the high-definition NBC programming over your digital channel instead of just forwarding the standard definition programs over the digital channel.

Yours truly, etc.

Nice letter; let us know if you get any replies from them. Got a email from Mr. Burgess this morning that he forwarded my thank you note on to Minneapolis. Yaa. JR

Little news update......

KASA-DT just E-Mailed back to me today saying......

From Mark Gardner of Chief Engineering,

Plan is still not to be on the air untill May. When we are on we will passing whatever format FOX is providing to us. Outside of FOX primetime periods the discussions continue.

The KRQE-DT's E-mail from Bill Anderson sayings, they got the digital transmitter but waiting for the good weather so they can put up a digital antenna and be on the air well before the May 1st deadline! :)

That's the news!!

2-15-02

[QUOTE]Originally posted by N5XZS
[B]Little news update......
The KRQE-DT's E-mail from Bill Anderson sayings, they got the digital transmitter but waiting for the good weather so they can put up a digital antenna and be on the air well before the May 1st deadline! :)

Good news it is. I would be happy if they just stuck up a temporary antenna on top of their building and broadcast low power. Isn't that what Ch 4 is doing? JR

KOB has there digital transmitter on the Sandia Crest. I really hope that when KRQE does on-line digital that they will be transmitting the programming in high-definition and not just sending their regular analog 4:3 signal over the digital signal. That won't buy us anything.

I just noted that KOB-DT's HDTV satellite reciever may have a hicups and now showing SDTV NASCAR racing instead of winter sports covereges.

Also the other thing KOB-DT's signal seems got very weak around 28 to 40s if its dip below 33 the picture starts to break up at around 32 and below its goes black.

I think I am in a null spot since KOB-DT's antenna is pointing to Albuquerque metros areas.

I just hope they will upgrade their transmitter power sometime soon. :)

KNME-DT still coming in strong at 76 but as of right now its blank they must be testing this morning.

Not much else going on here and looking forward to a KNME-DT meeting on Feb, 21st and hope to see the rest of you guys here! :)

2-17-02

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fjerina
I really hope that when KRQE does on-line digital that they will be transmitting the programming in high-definition and not just sending their regular analog 4:3 signal over the digital signal. That won't buy us anything.

That's right, and in my case it's worse than SD over cable because my stupid tv locks in full mode every time it sees a prog. scan or HD signal. Nothing going on either channel, 4 or 5, today Sunday. Yawn. JR

Originally posted by jmcferrin
Robert:
My Integra is mapping KOB-DT at 4.1. Their drop out problem n

thanks for that info. that info, combined with a tweaking of the receiver's programmed frequency for channel 26, finally helped my box lock onto the signal.

btw, did anyone notice the new SDTV identification slate for channel 4? in addition to listing channel 4 and the satellite stations, there is the addition of text "KOB-DT 26"!

robert

Just a reminder. Whoever RSVPed for the DTV User's Group meeting tonight at KNME it starts at 7 pm tonight and Jim Gail says he has a full house.

I heard KRQE has their digital transmitter and is waiting for good weather and an installation crew to install it. Would be nice if they could be up and running within 30 days.

Ended up having to work last night. Anyone care to post news/events/rumors from Jim Gale's get-together?