http://www.wfxs.com/CFForumsExpress/index.cfm?page=viewForumTopic&topicId=323&pageNo=1#67A32904-D0B7-8295-0E38331EC427605Bthread2205

Posted last Wednesday:

Our lawyers and engineers are crunching the numbers.. The channel and power allocation (ERP) does not cover the full area or population that we requested and we're trying to figure out if the allocation can be fixed or improved.. There is also a potential for interference from another channel that exceeds the FCC's own threshholds, so i'm not sure what the FCC was thinking.. Or more likely not thinking.. It might be necessary to look at another channel and see if we can get more power allocated.


When we actually get to the bottom of the legal and engineering issues, we'll try to give viewers an update on the process.

As for your thoughts on 12 going to 16, and low power 4 going to 12, I stopped trying to figure out the method to the madness a long time ago.. If you are looking for a solid plan behind this digital transition, you will be looking for a very long time.

It's too late for that now, until 2009, that is. The FCC has everything locked in now. I agree, 50 is tightly spaced. But it wasn't until recently that just about all of the stations went to full power, digitally...so nobody really knew how it was all going to look until now. There will be room to move, but with the FCC comment period closed, they will have to wait a few years to move if they so choose.

If the digital channels are locked in.. What happens to the translators? Like Channel 12's translator in Mosinee/Wausau on UHF Channel 27. Will that channel eventually go dark?

If the digital channels are locked in.. What happens to the translators? Like Channel 12's translator in Mosinee/Wausau on UHF Channel 27. Will that channel eventually go dark?

Translators have the option to "flash-cut" to digital. Basically, one day they broadcast in analog, the next on digital. Same channel. Same effective ERP (about 1/4 of their analog power - which really is the same thing because analog and digital are different.) Or they can continue on forever as an analog translator because there is no digital mandate for LPTV.

I've seen a few new channels on my QAM tuner over the past week (one of the religious channels, as well as duplicates of the CBS/MyNetwork stations...

...but still no WJFW HD! :mad:

I've already lost G4 and GSN, could they at least get one part of this "upgrade" right....please? (I'm not even going to mention the tease of adding WFXS HD just before the Packer season.)

Is anyone who pays for Charter's HD package able to get the WJFW HD? (I can't believe that they'd leave an extra Green Bay station unlocked, but lock down the HD station I've been waiting nearly a year for.)

I don't know if WFXS is even sending a signal to the cable company. But I can sympathize - GSN and G4 got moved to digital in Eau Claire too. They got advertised as part of the Expanded Basic lineup, you should be getting them via QAM... Then again, it's Charter. :|

Similar to BJKrautk a few days ago,

Stevens Point here. I don't pay for Charter's HD package. In fact my nice HD TV (with tuners) isn't hooked up to a cable box, and I found ABC (101.1), CBS (104.1) and PBS (101.2) among some others like my neighborhood's on-demand. ;).

We got a flyer a few weeks ago saying NBC and FOX were going to be HD last week. I know FOX was a mistake, but I can't yet find NBC. Anyone have any luck finding it in NBC's spectrum, or did they make a mistake about carrying it as well?

Has there been any updates at all regarding when the La Crosse FOX station will be broadcasting in HD? Last time I talked with the engineer about a year ago, he thought 2008 was a possibility. Just curious if anyone else has an update on this.

They don't even have stereo sound :(

Is something up with channel 7 in Wausau? I thought the Packer game was in HD today and I looked again tonight and saw another primetime show in SD. Are they having problems?

Is anybody in the Central Wisconsin area having problems with CBS Channel 7.1 WSAW-DT? The Green Bay/San Diego game was not broadcast in HD on Sunday and the Monday night prime time programming(CSI Miami) is not in HD either. What's going on?:confused:

I e-mailed the station about HD during the Packer game, and received the following response:

We have an HD encoder problem. It will be fixed as soon as possible.

Chad Myers
Chief Engineer
WSAW
1114 Grand Av
Wausau , WI 54403
Cell 715-581-7754
Office 715-845-4211
Fax 715-842-2649


Curious if anyone in Wausau was able to watch Heroes in HD (still no QAM love here).

No Heroes in HD here...WJFW 12.1 in Rhinelander is a no go for me here in Weston.

I got to watch Heroes and Journeyman tonight in HD in Wausau. It definitely added to the experience. I'm using the HD box provided by charter and enjoy receiving NBCHD, now if the FCC would get on the ball for FOX55 so I can watch the Packers in HD.

We just got a letter from Charter stating that they are expanding there HD lineup and are adding A&E HD, ESPN2HD, MOJO HD, and they also stated they are adding WFXS-HD and WJFW-HD. This is for the Wausau area and will begin August 28th.


So did Charter ever get any of the HD channels going yet? I know Fox was wrong from the start, but what about channel 12?

At least FOX55 will be in HD eventually. They need to get a license, while FOX25/48 needs to actually get the equipment. Maybe the ABC affiliates will get some new stuff that can handle 5.1 surround and sell the old equipment to WLAX/WEUX. That's just wishful thinking, though...

I'm guessing FOX 55 doesn't have any equipment yet either. I'm going to throw a date of early second quarter 2009 before we see FOX in HD in Wausau.

OK, so I haven't read every reply in this thread but I'm wondering what the deal is with the Fox affiliate here in La Crosse. Are they just too cheap to buy the HD equipment or what? Its ridiculous that they still aren't broadcasting in HD when everyone else is.

Are they just too cheap to buy the HD equipment or what?

Basically, yes. Of course, you could also argue that it is Fox that is being too cheap.

WEUX/WLAX have been laggards with the whole digital conversion. They're still operating at power levels that are laughable.

But the HD issue is a different one. Apparently, Fox typically buys the digital receivers for each affiliate, but in their opinion, WEUX and WLAX are one affiliate, not two, so they'll only buy one decoder/encoder. WEUX/WLAX has to foot the bill for the other one or do without. You can tell by the results which method they've chosen.

This isn't the first time that a network didn't buy the receiving equipment for some affiliates. Back when WFTC was the UPN affiliate in the Twin Cities, UPN wouldn't buy the equipment because the affiliate was owned by Fox. So WFTC didn't do HD. Then UPN and WB merged, became the CW, and suddenly WFTC is a "MyNetwork" affiliate. Fox ponied up the money instantly, and WFTC is now doing HD. So I guess you could hope that WLAX becomes a MyNetwork station so they can do HD...

MyNetworkTV is owned by Fox, so I don't see that helping.
Even if they just had HD in one city, it would be La Crosse. How come La Crosse always comes before Eau Claire in the television industry?

P.S. Packers at Bears on WEAU-DT on Oct. 7. Darn, I guess I just disproved myself :P

For the second Monday in a row those brilliant minds at WEAU Channel 13 have switched their network feed at 7:30 p.m. from the popular new show "Chuck" to the west coast network feed of NBC news. Since it happened last week, one would think they would be on top of it, but no, the news is still on and it is now 7:38. Oops, just came back on after only 8 minutes. Luckily I can pick up the Rochester NBC station on 67 uhf and it was showing "Chuck". It's always something with Ch. 13 like last year sending the audio feed for only the background music and not the speech or their constant weather warnings telling us the sky is falling. Amateurs.

I've noticed over the last week or so that Channel 7, WSAW-DT 7.1, has an audio sync problem. This is really frustrating when watching. I never use to have a problem with this at all. Nothing has changed with my setup. I receive my OTA locals via my Directv HD receiver and a rooftop antenna. I get this audio sync problem on both of my TV's. One is hooked through an AV receiver, and the other is directly connected with simple RCA cables. All of my other digital stations are fine, no audio sync problems at all. Any thoughts? Anybody else noticing this?

THANKS :)

I've noticed over the last week or so that Channel 7, WSAW-DT 7.1, has an audio sync problem. This is really frustrating when watching. I never use to have a problem with this at all. Nothing has changed with my setup. I receive my OTA locals via my Directv HD receiver and a rooftop antenna. I get this audio sync problem on both of my TV's. One is hooked through an AV receiver, and the other is directly connected with simple RCA cables. All of my other digital stations are fine, no audio sync problems at all. Any thoughts? Anybody else noticing this?

THANKS :)

I have the same problem but I think its due to using the sound card output rather than the digital audio output on the MyHD tuner card in my PC. I have an older RCA HD tuner to install and will keep you posted if i have the same problem.

I was watching the SD feed in my room and didn't notice any problems. Strange...
And I really wish we has a CBS UHF translator up here in Eau Claire like the NBC one for KTTC in La Crosse.

I was watching the SD feed in my room and didn't notice any problems. Strange...
And I really wish we has a CBS UHF translator up here in Eau Claire like the NBC one for KTTC in La Crosse.

It was the HD feed on WEAU 13. You would think that since it happened last week that they would have been on top of it. Kind of like the audio problem last year which happened more than once, getting just the channel with the background music and not being able to get the closed captioning. The funny thing is that the sound was just fine during the commercials. I do not like WEAU and wish I could get KTTC clearly.

There are worse local-station situations for me to worry about than WEAU-DT. I wonder what's going on down there, though?

There are worse local-station situations for me to worry about than WEAU-DT. I wonder what's going on down there, though?

How do you spell WEUX :eek: The biggest joke of them all!

Couldn't agree with you more,

They don't even reply to my emails anymore.

Anyone know why WEAU stopped broadcasting HD OTA? I was thinking about getting DirecTV a year ago and checked antennaweb.org, which showed that they had an OTA signal available. I decided against it last year but signed up this summer and noticed that only CBS/ABC HD are available OTA in La Crosse. Just curious why they would do that.

Anyone know why WEAU stopped broadcasting HD OTA? I was thinking about getting DirecTV a year ago and checked antennaweb.org, which showed that they had an OTA signal available. I decided against it last year but signed up this summer and noticed that only CBS/ABC HD are available OTA in La Crosse. Just curious why they would do that.

Antennaweb is a tool, not a reliable source of information. What Antennaweb does is try to predict reception for a given area. They are constantly tweaking and adjusting that tool, and so results on the fringe are going to be different at different points. WEAU still broadcasts in HD, and the FCC projected contours predict coverage for La Crosse. Of course, local terrain may change your results dramatically, as most of La Crosse is well below average terrain.

Who is supposed to pay for HD receiver equipment, the station (WLAX/WEUX) or the network (Fox)? I want to know who to be angry at.

Who is supposed to pay for HD receiver equipment, the station (WLAX/WEUX) or the network (Fox)? I want to know who to be angry at.

Well, be mad at both of them.

Typically, networks provide local stations with the HD receiver equipment. They view it as their responsibility to get the HD signal into the production environment. It is then the local station's job to get that signal packaged and put back out.

The problem in this case is that Fox considers WEUX and WLAX to be one station, not two. WEUX/WLAX is maintaining that they are, in fact, two stations and thus need two HD receivers. This is somewhat dubious, since the only thing that they need to do differently is to monkey with the PSIP stream to change call letters and channel info - this can be done post-processing, and is rather trivial.

I suspect the real problem is that they don't have the capacity on their current microwave link from where they put the signal together for broadcasting to where the other station's transmitter is, so they don't want to do HD until they can do it in both locations.

So be mad at Fox for not giving them the equipment. Be mad at WEUX/WLAX for not finding a way to make it happen with one set of equipment instead of two. But be especially mad at WEUX/WLAX for not investing in the equipment to go full-power. A HD signal isn't worth anything at 2.35kw ERP.

Who are we supposed to be mad at in Wausau, with WFXS? Is it still the FCC's fault?

Who are we supposed to be mad at in Wausau, with WFXS? Is it still the FCC's fault?

IIRC, WFXS came on the air after the digital transition, so they don't even have a digital channel allocated to them at this point. However, with the finalized digital table now completed, they should be able to apply for one. Given the difficulties the FCC had in coming up with a table that satisfied everyone and minimized interference, it's hard to say what that channel will be.

So yes, in a way it's the FCC's fault for not giving them a digital allocation channel. Or it's WFXS's for coming to the game so late. Your pick.

New member... I live in Chippewa Falls.. Does anyone know if DirecTV will be getting HD local channels on DirecTV?

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question.

DirecTV plans to offer HD LiL for all markets in the near future. However, due to a failed SeaLaunch in early 2007, the schedule for launching satellites has been pushed back dramatically. DirecTV didn't lose a bird, but they were in line for launching their birds via SeaLaunch.

The last I heard was the launch of the delayed bird will take place in the 1st Quarter of 2008. Following testing, and a variety of other things, they'll probably start opening up markets a few at a time as they test and implement things.

My best guess is the end of 2008. Why not put up an antenna and get a better, clearer picture now?

DirecTV plans to offer HD LiL for all markets in the near future. However, due to a failed SeaLaunch in early 2007, the schedule for launching satellites has been pushed back dramatically. DirecTV didn't lose a bird, but they were in line for launching their birds via SeaLaunch.

The last I heard was the launch of the delayed bird will take place in the 1st Quarter of 2008. Following testing, and a variety of other things, they'll probably start opening up markets a few at a time as they test and implement things.

My best guess is the end of 2008. Why not put up an antenna and get a better, clearer picture now?

Thanks for the info. My parents do not want an antenna up on the roof. I did buy one of those small indoor ones and it works GREAT (so far, at least)

I live at 54853 and I was wondering how I can get the packer games. I have Dishnetwork and have had DirectTV. The local package I have is from the TC in MN. I get the Vikings no problem. :( I have an OTA antenna 4228 at 35 fT in the air but I still can't get 48 maybe once in a blue moon I do. I don't think I can change my locals to somewhere in WI or can I? I know alot of people who will not switch from the local cable company sense they carry FOX48. Is there anyway of getting a FOX channel that has the packers?

Thanks

I have an OTA antenna 4228 at 35 fT in the air but I still can't get 48 maybe once in a blue moon I do. I don't think I can change my locals to somewhere in WI or can I?

WEUX 48 analog is your best bet. TVFool gives it very low likelihood though - you'd need to do everything right, or have a little luck. What preamp are you using? How old is your cabling? Is it RG-6 or RG-59? You are using a rotor to aim, right?

The next best bet for you is to call your local cable company and ask for lifeline service. That should get you all the broadcast stations they carry (and little else) for about $15/month. Depending on your cable company and if you have a QAM tuner, you might even get the networks (no Fox, though, yet) in HD that way. Cheaper than Sunday Ticket.

It is not legal to "move" your locals with Dish.

I can get 48 analog in okay I have a Channel master 7777 pre-amp and yes I used the good RG-6 cabling and yes I have rotor, all of my stuff is new I put in this past spring. I can get channel 18 DTV on a regular basis. My cable company sucks its a local mom and pop cable Lakeland communications. I don't have a QAM tuner but I have setup others and there are only 4 channels which are out of the TWC. Right now I have my OTA plugged in my Vip722 which only looks for Digital. Gosh I guess I will have to wait intill 48 upgrades there stuff LOL. I just figure I should be able to get locals from my own state I know what is going on in MN more than I do in WI.

Thanks for your help sregener

Why the FCC put counties west of Eau Claire in the MSP market is a mystery to me...

Why the FCC put counties west of Eau Claire in the MSP market is a mystery to me...

Just look at the map and it's not hard to see why: http://www.northpine.com/broadcast/wi/tvmarkets.html

Most people who live in those MSP market counties commute to the Twin Cities.

Dunn County is a bit of a stretch, though. Menomonie is a very short distance from Eau Claire, and it is even the home of WHWC. The other counties I understand.

Great info here, I'm in Weston and was curious about he local HD channels, now I know. Thanks!

Hey Wausau guys, are you getting channel 7&9 on HD through the air?

I bought an HD antenna at Best Buy and hooked it up, but I couldnt get a clear picture on 7 or 9, it was a little snowy looking. Anyone else have this issue?

First off, there is no such thing as an "HD" antenna...an antenna is an antenna, and the "HD" part is all hype.

Second, there is no snow with digital. There either is a picture or there isn't. My guess is that you tuned to channel 7 or 9 and received (poorly) the analog channels.

To get HD, you need an HDTV and a digital tuner. This could happen with over the air signals in two ways. You could have an "HD Ready" TV (which has no built in digital tuner) and an outboard tuner, or you could have an actual HDTV with a built in digital tuner.

If you have a TV capable of displaying HD and you have either a built in digital tuner or an outboard tuner, you should be able to get channels 7 and 9 as long as you live close enough and the antenna is of decent quality and installation as well as being aimed correctly.

Digital channels 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 can be found on UHF channel 40. Digital channels 9.1 and 9.2 can be found on UHF channel 29.

Use the "channel search" feature of your digital tuner to find all of your stations.

Bill

Thanks Bill, I'll try again.

I am getting sooooooo tired of waiting for Fox 55 Digital/HD. I have spent a fortune on HDTV's, Directv programming and a couple of new Radio Shack antenna's to maximize my OTA HD viewing, and I am loving everything I get, but I still have to watch a piss poor analog signal from Fox 55. It is the only HD that I am missing. I can't DVR anything from it and the PQ on my 37" TV, the only one in the house that has a analog tuner in it, is simply awful. I get Sunday Ticket so all of the NFL games I've wanted to watch have been in HD. So, I get to thinking about watching the Packer/Lions game tomorrow and realize that it isn't Sunday, and it is on Fox. Not only that but I wanted to DVR it since we are going out for Turkey day dinner at 11am.

I've corresponded with the GM at 55 and he keeps coming up with more excuses. They have their digital signal assignment, but they weren't given enough power. Their lawyers and engineers are working on what to do next. If their GD company can't get their act together, I wish they would just sell the outlet to someone who can. This is totally unacceptable in this digital age.

Anyone have any ideas as to how we can get these *********** off their butts and provide us with the HD we want? :mad:

MikeR7, I think we all agree 100% with you. I must have been the other PITA for Robert at WFXS with their HD problems. I'm not sure what we can do or if it even pays to write a letter to their corporate head. The thing i hate to think about is Favre retiring and the Pack going to hell and then we finally get HD. My only solution right now is to try and pull in Fox 11 in Green Bay. I get the analog channel at night some time, but even digital channels 2 & 5 are very hit or miss. The next thing i might try is a 60 foot tower, it could be a big waste of money.

Dave

The next thing i might try is a 60 foot tower, it could be a big waste of money.

Generally speaking, a tower ceases to be effective once you get about 10-12' above the local interference, usually the tree line. If you've got a hill to clear, getting above it could help, too.

However, my experience with long-distance daytime reception with a 60' tower (which replaced a 25' install on my roof) is that stations that were marginal are better with the tower, but nothing went from nothing-to-perfect.

What antenna and preamp are you using?

I'm new to this great forum, finally found a local one.
North end Rib Mountain Address. After two antennas, now a third, my system is as follows;
34' tower, a rotor, Antennas Direct 91-XG (lovin' it) antenna, picked up the 91-XG up for only $47.00.

Receiving channels;
7.1, 7.2, 7.3 9.1, 9.2, 12.1 (16), 12.2 (16), 13.1, 13.2, 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4, 20.5, 27 analog, and 55 analog.

MY ISSUE > I can't lock on WTPX ION Network even though it is supposed to be only 12.5 miles from me.
01) Any ideas or experience with ION?

20) Is ANYONE in my area, Wausau, doing well with Green Bay Stations?
Thanks for any help
John

To my knowledge WTPX is NOT on the air. Although they told the FCC they were on the air many years ago.

The schedule is showing up in TV guides.. but I can't pick up the station. Nobody I know can receive it either.

IF WTPX is on the air at low power, I think the station is at least suppose to serve the city of license (Antigo). I have family and friends there. Nobody I know can receive the signal.

I wonder if this station is breaking the FCC law? Off the air for an extended period of time or possibly never signing on. No listed phone number in the city of license, or in its viewing area. No studio or control point that I know of. No news programming. No educational programming. Although I did see the station was granted a license renewal. I wonder where I can go to view the station's public file?

Ask and you shall receive!

http://www.stationindex.com/tv/callsign/WTPX

Click on the links and view any paperwork you want.

Bill

Nope that's not what I am looking for. I would like to see the Public File. The public file is something found at the station's business office. It should be available for inspection anytime during regular business hours. I would like to see what they are doing locally for Public Service. Did they air any community calendars? Did they sponsor any non profit community events? How much airtime was given to local organizations? Did they give equal time to political candidates? What did they offer for news on the station? When were the announcements aired during license renewal taking station comments and how to view the public file. All of that stuff is difficult to do if the station isn't on the air.

The address and phone number listed is a location 2,500 miles away. They are required by FCC law to have a business office and studio location somewhere in the viewing area. Where is it? No phone number listed in the Wausau (or more important Antigo) phone book. FCC law requires they have a local phone or toll free phone number listed at least in its city of license (Antigo). Which is kind of hard to do since they have no local business office or control point anywhere in its viewing area that I know of. :\

I am not that upset about it, just that there are dozens of other broadcast groups that would love to have that channel. Its a shame to not see them do anything with it.

Anyone getting anything from WEUX-DTV? On there site it says their tower is between Colfax and Hwy 29 and from what I know I am about 10 miles away in Menomonie and I can't get anything except once in awhile some sound and I'll get a very fuzzy picture for a few seconds of what is on Fox when I check to see what is on channel 48. I just found this thread while looking for some info on WEUX-DTV so I thought I would check with people. I can get PBS, NBC, and ABC in perfect quality.

I have a question, how do you pick up channels 7.1, 7.2,7.3, 9.1, etc etc etc.

Is there a channel list to tell you which to tune in to?

WEUX-DT does not come in in Eau Claire either, it seems.

GETTING THE LISTINGS

I do a channel scan, then rotate the antenna toward other towers & do another one, then again, and a fourth time. I'm still trying to find a way to get WFRV Green bay by Thursday night. Fat chance I'betting. I'm too close to 7,9,20 towers to install a amp (Tried it).....
John

WEUX-DT does not come in in Eau Claire either, it seems.

It's too bad we can't pick up WEUX-DT. I would really enjoy watching football on Fox 25/48 when it is on because from my experience the game isn't the same on Sunday between Fox 25/48 and Fox 9 from my Dish Network. I still get a decent signal from the analog channel 48 so that'll do for now but it would be nice in HD. ;) I went to Fox 25/48 website about getting DT and it didn't help.

I'm running 2 antennas by using a cable splitter backwards and it picks up all those other stations perfectly. Menomonie PBS which usually has a 7-9 bar signal. Eau Claire WEAU-DT and WQOW-DT which will get between 3, sometimes 2, and it will usually go up to 5 bars and sometimes 6 bars of strength. One antenna is 10 year old rabbit ears that came with my old 13" television and then I'm using a uhf/vhf transformer with some aluminum foil around it. I'm pretty sure that should be enough to pick up WEUX-DT since the other stations except PBS are farther away from me than WEUX-DT is. Hopefully by 2009 it will be working better.

I know for sure that neither WLAX nor WEUX has high-definition equipment. You can't even get any FOX HD programming through cable.

I know for sure that neither WLAX nor WEUX has high-definition equipment. You can't even get any FOX HD programming through cable.

Yeah, you're probably right. I thought there was but it doesn't look like there is any WEUX-DT. Sometimes I get a little sound and I'll get a fuzzy picture but that is it. At least WEUX (48) works pretty well. Hopefully it comes out soon so I can watch some HD shows on Fox.

ARRRGHHHHH. I just looked at the Bowl game schedule. Do you guys realize how many of the top games are on Fox and we have no Fox HD!!!!:mad:

Looks like I am going to have to do something drastic to get some.:eek:

ARRRGHHHHH. I just looked at the Bowl game schedule. Do you guys realize how many of the top games are on Fox and we have no Fox HD!!!!:mad:

Looks like I am going to have to do something drastic to get some.:eek:

..........and NFL games, baseball playoff, world series, NASCAR and then all of their shows,

Channel 49 is interesting because I can get that channel working in just sound mode with a fuzzy analog picture but since Fox 25/48 doesn't have HD working I'm going to get a bigger antenna for outside so I can get Fox 9 with HD.

My setup is pretty good for now with a splitter that connects to the tv and has 2 antennas to it. Rabbit ears with tin foil around them and a uhf/vhf transformer with tin foil around the ends of the transformer. I get from 5-8 bars out of 10 on WEAU and WQOW and then since I live in Menomonie I get around 7-10 bars out of a maximum of 10 from PBS.

Channel 49 is interesting because I can get that channel working in just sound mode with a fuzzy analog picture but since Fox 25/48 doesn't have HD working I'm going to get a bigger antenna for outside so I can get Fox 9 with HD.

My setup is pretty good for now with a splitter that connects to the tv and has 2 antennas to it. Rabbit ears with tin foil around them and a uhf/vhf transformer with tin foil around the ends of the transformer. I get from 5-8 bars out of 10 on WEAU and WQOW and then since I live in Menomonie I get around 7-10 bars out of a maximum of 10 from PBS.

A channel master 4228 should get you most of the Twin Cities digital stations from Menomonie.

A channel master 4228 should get you most of the Twin Cities digital stations from Menomonie.

Yep,
That is what I will be purchasing next in the near feature. I have NBC, ABC, PBS right now but Fox (9) and CBS (4) from Minnesota it won't pick up with my small antenna. But I'm amazed though the channels I can pick up with rabbit ears and a uhf/vhf transformer. About 6 years ago I used to live on one of the higher hills in Menomonie and did I ever pick (analog) channels. I remember if I adjusted the rabbit ears I could pick up 2,4,5,8,9,13,18,28,29,45,48.

..........and NFL games, baseball playoff, world series, NASCAR and then all of their shows,


Anybody have a credible update on WLAX's HD status? I heard spring, but I'm sure it was just a rumor.

Anybody have a credible update on WLAX's HD status? I heard spring, but I'm sure it was just a rumor.

I emailed them about 10 days ago, and they've not responded. I think that's a good indicator of their progress. No good.

Boy, it was nice watching the Packers yesterday on CBS in HIGH DEFINITION with an antenna!

If only the rest of this season was on CBS....

I e-mailed Fox 55 last week for an update too, but no response. Nothing must be happening. Very, very poor customer service. Thank God for Sunday Ticket and DirecTV.

How do you get Packer games on the Ticket if you're in their home market? Don't you have to go through a local affiliate?

How do you get Packer games on the Ticket if you're in their home market? Don't you have to go through a local affiliate?

If you have the Superfan HD package the games are never blacked out, even in the home market. :)

Anyone one else picking up 48-1? I'm picking up WEUX-DT now but it is broadcasting only in 480 right now.

Check out WEUX's analog channel. That doesn't look like Everybody Loves Raymond.
WEUX FOX 48
IS CURRENTLY HAVING TECHNICAL
DIFFICULTIES. IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU
WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE
FOX STATION.
WEUX FOX 48 (608-781-0025)
HOPES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE
RESOLVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING

FYI. I have been getting WJFW NBC through Charter QAM for the last few weeks. Sunday Night Football in high def finally!

VsGLF is now active on Charter in EAU/CF...

Hockey in HD, about time..

Check out WEUX's analog channel. That doesn't look like Everybody Loves Raymond.
WEUX FOX 48
IS CURRENTLY HAVING TECHNICAL
DIFFICULTIES. IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU
WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE
FOX STATION.
WEUX FOX 48 (608-781-0025)
HOPES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE
RESOLVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey Kids!

Haven't checked in for a little while...seems a few of you are getting a little testy...

Anyways, here's an update...

As for the little announcement CHARTER-Eau Claire had running back on Wednesday...

WEUX-TV (48.0-Analog) went off the air at 0800.05 in order to transition over to a new transmission line that had been installed on the tower during the previous week...

Before the Xmtr. could be re-attached to the line, the new line had to be swept and "tuned" for flat response and checked for any anomolies...once that was completed, the full transmisison system had to be tested for the same responses.

That was completed and the transmitter was brought back on the air around 1752.30 Wednesday evening.

Long story short...we avoided a line burn-out.

NOW...AS FOR THE CURRENT STATE OF DIGITAL UPGRADING...

During the past 4 months, I've been getting an addition added to our building. That was "completed" just in time to take delivery of the new High-powered Digital transmitter. That unit is currently being tested for "infant-mortality" purposes...i.e.: "If it burns up now, better now than after it's on the air."

As it stands, once the FCC approves a few applications for CP modifications, we can order our antenna, get it installed and THEN, the new Digital Transmitter can be put on-line and the digital power can then be increased.

If you're all nice and everything, I'll keep you posted as to what's happening WHEN it occurs...due to the recent spate of copper thefts and related vandalism in the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area, and for SECURITY REASONS, I will NOT be posting anticipated schedules for any work...Only COMPLETED PROJECTS will be announced...

I'm sorry for any inconvenience caused by this policy, but with the way stuff disappears, ANY problems in any of the projects will cause extreme delays that may lead to further issues not already discussed here.

Thank you for your time, patience and understanding...

Respectfully,

Mark G. Burg
Chief Operator/Chief Engineer
WLAX TV-DT / WEUX TV-DT
La Crosse / Chippewa Falls-Eau Claire, WI.

o-608.781.0025, x.205
<engineering@fox25fox48.com>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for the update, Mark.

Any word on WLAX-DT? Actual, honest-to-goodness HD content?

Thanks for the update, Mark.

Any word on WLAX-DT? Actual, honest-to-goodness HD content?

Nope. Not yet...

FYI. I have been getting WJFW NBC through Charter QAM for the last few weeks. Sunday Night Football in high def finally!

:confused:

...Apparently I'm going to have to rescan my channels. I'd be curious to hear where on the dial you're pulling in the station, just in case I can't find it using my XBR970's auto-scan. (I get WAOW-DT at 101.1, WSAW-DT and -DT2 at 104.1 and 104.2, respectively, and WHRM-DT at 101.2. The 80's and 90's are mainly digital duplicates of analog stations, and the 110's are my PPV. 116.1 used to be TNT HD - video only - but that hasn't come in for over a month now.)

I'm not sure what the point of going full power on the digital channel is if it's not going to be HD.

I'm not sure what the point of going full power on the digital channel is if it's not going to be HD.

Two things, actually. One, it satisfies the FCC's demands that stations cover their license area. And it allows them to continue to reach their customers with a signal once they turn the analog transmitter off on 2/17/09.

Note that the FCC has never mandated HD, just digital.

92.4 :)

Mark

Thanks for the update,.... but just to clarify,.. will this new digital transmitter do HD? Can ya throw out even a 6 month window that you "think" WLAX will be broadcasting in HD? I'm sure this is a money issue. Who do we have to send our emails to?

Hey Kids!

Hi Krusty! ;) :D


NOW...AS FOR THE CURRENT STATE OF DIGITAL UPGRADING...

If you're all nice and everything, I'll keep you posted as to what's happening WHEN it occurs...due to the recent spate of copper thefts and related vandalism in the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area, and for SECURITY REASONS, I will NOT be posting anticipated schedules for any work...Only COMPLETED PROJECTS will be announced...

I'm sorry for any inconvenience caused by this policy, but with the way stuff disappears, ANY problems in any of the projects will cause extreme delays that may lead to further issues not already discussed here.

Thank you for your time, patience and understanding...

I hate to make a drive-by comment, but Mark, I feel for you. This is been happening for years, but now, it's getting really bad. To the point where people have reportedly tried to steal cable while it was still live...with rather sad and predictable results.

Thank you Mark, and please don't be a stranger so much...we do appreciate it when any and all engineers, including you, just stop by to say hello and say "yep, things are continuing to progress." And hopefully the FCC will issue
your CP's. You mean this one for WEUX, correct?

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=2709#10004

Unless I have missed something, WLAX has the CP it needs.

Merry Christmas and take care!

Here's my sob story haha. I called Dish Network and was told they had the local channels in HD. Boy was I sucker - signed a two year agreement and found out after it was all hooked up they don't in the La Crosse area - and not only that, they seem to compress the signal as the local channels don't seem like they are even digital. That said - like a dummy I figured well gee Sparta is only 20 minutes from La Crosse - I oughta pick up the stations over the air easy enough and off to WalMart I went for stuff. I bought the Philips MANT-940 antenna, 100ft. of cable, and off I went. I am able to pick up NBC great (13-1 and 13-2) and CBS (8-1 and 8-2) no problem (a little less powerful signal, but good anyways).

Anyways - here's where I need help. Clearly Fox has the Packer games and I wanna' get that working. I know Fox hasn't got HD yet, but they do have digital - and I can't for the life of me get the signal in. I've got their analog signal at channel 25 coming in very very snowy but with clear audio. It's really no different than the other analog stations such as NBC's analog - so I'm thinking if I can get the digital station I'll be fine (digital you either have picture or not, no snow). So my question is this:

1) Is fox's signal really that weak that I'm having such a hard time getting a signal when every other station seems to be no problem?

2) As some of you probably have seen the digital channels despite being called for example 13-1 are actually something like 39-1 for NBC or 41-1 for CBS. Does Fox have this sort of setup for their digital where 25-1 can also be accessed on another channel? My TV seems that even with the NBC and CBS I had a hard time finding them using the channel tuner, but when I punched in the 39-1 manually it found it and boom I'm watching the channel - maybe I'll get lucky with Fox.

Thoughts?

To provide as much info as possible:

1. I have a hill behind my house between me and La Crosse - so I'm aware that could be an obstacle, just doesn't seem unsurmountable.

2. Antennaweb.org has been suggested to me already, but I'm picking up channels it says I shouldn't be already so clearly just because it doesn't list Fox as something in my location I should be able to get doesn't mean I can't.

Fox is digital 17-1. I live in Tomah and could get all of the channels from LaCrosse except Fox digitally. I could get the analog version which looked pretty good.

Fox is digital 17-1. I live in Tomah and could get all of the channels from LaCrosse except Fox digitally. I could get the analog version which looked pretty good.

La Crosse's Fox HDTV 17/ 25.1 is running a VERY weak output yet. Sometimes I can't get it if I have my antenna set slightly off true heading, and I'm just across the river, and can see their tower lights - anytime other than total white-out (snow or fog).

92.4 :)

92.4 Finally came in for me tonight, as did a few other channels in the 92.x range (duplicates of 104.1-3, CBS's HD station, their MyNetworkTV / Funimation network, and their weather broadcast).

Oddly enough, though, I've lost access to 101.2-3 (PBS HD and Digital SD)....I'm wondering if Charter is realigning their channels to save space. Then again, with Charter, I wouldn't be surprised if all my digital channels disappear tomorrow. ;)

Great news on Fox in Central WI!!!

http://www.myfoxwausau.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=5448498&version=7&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Now they just need to get going with the OTA signal for us non-charter subscribers.

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

(I can't get charter where I live).

Mike,

I have one of your DVD players and chance of updating to HD players in the future?

Never say never, but highly unlikely. It never hit critical mass to justify the cost of development.

Mike

Woke up this morning and it's my birthday and Wausau finally has FOXHD. What a day. Just in time for the packer game too. Anyone wanna shed some light on why they couldn't have done this earlier? Is it cost or something else?

FYI for anyone who has Charter service, but doesn't have the HD package.. If you've got an ATSC tuner in your TV (not "HD Capable" but "HD Ready"), bypass the cable box. Plug the coax right into your TV to get the HD channels:

The new fox HD channel is 74.1
CBS is 104.3
ABC is 101.1
PBS is 101.2
:)
This is in Stevens Point anyway. Still never found the new NBC though.

No WEUX of course. Can I go to Wausau? Please?

Woke up this morning and it's my birthday and Wausau finally has FOXHD. What a day. Just in time for the packer game too. Anyone wanna shed some light on why they couldn't have done this earlier? Is it cost or something else?


Consider yourself lucky. No Fox in HD here. In fact, I emailed the "engineering" department (as listed on their website) and never received a response on November 26th. To me that would indicate they're doing nothing and don't care. So, there will be no local high definition Superbowl here. :mad:

I wish they would just give Charter permission to carry the Super Bowl from another station. What does the local affiliate get from airing the Super Bowl? It's not like they can sell any ad time.

I wish they would just give Charter permission to carry the Super Bowl from another station. What does the local affiliate get from airing the Super Bowl? It's not like they can sell any ad time.

Actually, yes they can. There are a few slots (I think 8) for 30-second spots for the local affiliate to sell. KMSP in the Twin Cities, for instance, is running a Minnesota Twins commercial during the Super Bowl.

FYI for anyone who has Charter service, but doesn't have the HD package.. If you've got an ATSC tuner in your TV (not "HD Capable" but "HD Ready"), bypass the cable box. Plug the coax right into your TV to get the HD channels:

The new fox HD channel is 74.1
CBS is 104.3
ABC is 101.1
PBS is 101.2
:)
This is in Stevens Point anyway. Still never found the new NBC though.

:)Just verfied in Rhinelander I am receiving the 74.1 HD FOX Channel along with the others as well using my ATSC 42" Plasma TV. Channel states 720p High Definition. Just in time for the party at my house this Sunday to watch the Packers win the NFC Championship game.

Now where/when is NBC HD going to be avaliable to Northern and Central WI though????

QUOTE FROM FOX
Over the next 60 days, FOX will broadcast the NFC Conference Playoffs, the NFC Championship Game, Super Bowl XLII, the Pro Bowl and the Daytona 500 all in high definition. In addition to sports, top shows like American Idol, House, 24 and Bones, are produced in full 16x9 720p high definition

:)Just verfied in Rhinelander I am receiving the 74.1 HD FOX Channel along with the others as well using my ATSC 42" Plasma TV. Channel states 720p High Definition. Just in time for the party at my house this Sunday to watch the Packers win the NFC Championship game.

Now where/when is NBC HD going to be avaliable to Northern and Central WI though????


It already is here in Wausau (92.4), although it's not the strongest signal (sometimes skips a bit -- I didn't get it reliably until I replaced one of my coax cables). Charter has been getting the WJFW HD feed since before they were even broadcasting at full strength; they've just taken their time in making it available to customers. Given that WJFW is a Rhinelander station, I have to assume it's being broadcast in your area.

Be warned though -- WJFW stretches out their picture for SD content from 4:3 to 16:9. If you're not watching native HD content, you're probably better off watching the analog station (IMO).

FYI for anyone who has Charter service, but doesn't have the HD package.. If you've got an ATSC tuner in your TV (not "HD Capable" but "HD Ready"), bypass the cable box.

Last I checked, "HD Ready" meant that it didn't have an internal tuner. "HD Built-In" includes a tuner.

A little info on Fox HD here in La Crosse.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/01/18/news/00lead.txt

La Crosse-area Packers fans lucky enough to have high-definition televisions will have to settle for a regular old picture when their team plays in the NFC championship Sunday.

That’s because the game is on Fox and local affiliate WLAX isn’t able to transmit high-definition signals yet.
Adam and Jennifer Fleis of Onalaska look over the selection of HD TV's at Best Buy. Erik Daily

The good news for viewers: The station is “very, very close” to finishing the switch, said program director Barb Quillin.

Quillin said they are waiting for some equipment to be delivered and hope to start installing it next week. They are optimistic Channel 25 could be broadcasting an HD signal in La Crosse in time for the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, which also is on Fox.

A little info on Fox HD here in La Crosse.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/01/18/news/00lead.txt

La Crosse-area Packers fans lucky enough to have high-definition televisions will have to settle for a regular old picture when their team plays in the NFC championship Sunday.

That’s because the game is on Fox and local affiliate WLAX isn’t able to transmit high-definition signals yet.
Adam and Jennifer Fleis of Onalaska look over the selection of HD TV's at Best Buy. Erik Daily

The good news for viewers: The station is “very, very close” to finishing the switch, said program director Barb Quillin.

Quillin said they are waiting for some equipment to be delivered and hope to start installing it next week. They are optimistic Channel 25 could be broadcasting an HD signal in La Crosse in time for the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, which also is on Fox.


This is great news. Any chance of them having it done before the Superbowl? I'd really hate to have to watch the SB in standard def.

I see in the article they're hoping to get it ready in time for the Super Bowl. I won't hold my breath, but sure would be nice. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but just because WLAX will broadcast an HD signal, that doesn't mean your local cable company will broadcast the HD signal correct? I have Mediacom here and can see that happening with them. My local ABC (KCRG) broadcasts in HD, but for whatever reason Mediacom doesn't broadcast it in HD. Don't they have to have an agreement with the station?

This is great news. Any chance of them having it done before the Superbowl? I'd really hate to have to watch the SB in standard def.

I see in the article they're hoping to get it ready in time for the Super Bowl. I won't hold my breath, but sure would be nice. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but just because WLAX will broadcast an HD signal, that doesn't mean your local cable company will broadcast the HD signal correct? I have Mediacom here and can see that happening with them. My local ABC (KCRG) broadcasts in HD, but for whatever reason Mediacom doesn't broadcast it in HD. Don't they have to have an agreement with the station?

I don't know any specifics but I won't be holding my breath. I have DirecTV so it won't be picked up by then anyway, as they don't yet carry La Crosse HD locals. I do, however, have an OTA antenna so I hope they'd make it available OTA but I don't really have any idea of what they plan on supporting.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but just because WLAX will broadcast an HD signal, that doesn't mean your local cable company will broadcast the HD signal correct?

I have asked someone at Charter, and they will carry it on 785 as soon as Fox is ready. I don't know about others.

I doubt anyone knows this but is there any info regarding OTA? That is what I'd really like to see since DirecTV doesn't offer the La Crosse locals in HD.

I doubt anyone knows this but is there any info regarding OTA? That is what I'd really like to see since DirecTV doesn't offer the La Crosse locals in HD.

I would think as soon as they start kicking out an HD signal you should be able to get it OTA.

If Charter carries it on 785 in La Crosse, it would be here in Eau Claire also, correct? It's the same DMA, and our HD channels are in the 780s too (782 for WHWC, 783 for WEAU, 788 for WKBT and 789 for WQOW.)

I would think as soon as they start kicking out an HD signal you should be able to get it OTA.

I would highly doubt they will have any kind of HD signal ready for the superbowl. Summer might be more realistic. If they happen to get the equipment installed they will probably do what they did in Wausau and that is send the feed directly to the cable co. without even having the OTA signal being broadcast. But seriously, do you really think they will have it by the Superbowl? Remember who this is.... Fox 25 / 48.

Yeah.... I got a little tingly when I first read this story... but it went away fast. Seriously, in time for the Superbowl? Where's Mark the engineer when you need him to give us the real story? "optimistic Channel 25 could be broadcasting an HD signal in La Crosse in time for the Super Bowl" Sounds like upper management propaganda. Mark! Tell us it's not so!

But seriously, do you really think they will have it by the Superbowl? Remember who this is.... Fox 25 / 48.

Yeah good point. I wouldn't get it anyway because my crappy cable company has headend issues down here by Prairie. I don't even get my local ABC in HD even though they broadcast the signal. As soon as D* gets the locals in HD I'll probably make the switch.

25/48 are the exactly the same arent they, so if 25 were to be online, then 48 would also be. I am probably way off on this.

25 would probably get the tower equipment before 48, but on cable there should be no difference (and on satellite it's always 25, never 48.)

Grumble. Watching this early game on CBS is just making me more and more angry about the Pack on SD Fox.

Folks:

As I stated earlier...I will let you know WHEN WLAX or WEUX (or both, for that matter) will have any changes in broadcasting upgraded signals to the masses...

CHARTER does not have fibre-optic cable into/from our building in La Crosse, so ANY signal on their system (either in La Crosse or Eau Claire) has to come from OTA signals.

WLAX is currently tying to get the required equipment needed for converting the SD signal to HD.

At this time, THERE IS NO EQUIPMENT IN WLAX's/WEUX's possession. No item has been delivered as of this date.

As for the statement that the station is "...'very, very close' to finishing the switch..." - I'm letting you folks know that WLAX might be in a better position next week to let you folks know what's what.

Until then, don't fret...if you're getting the SD signal OTA, then that's what you'll be getting IF the HD equipment comes in and works out properly.

As for what CHARTER is doing/saying...I'm not keeping up on what's happening there, but my understanding is that IF WLAX finally gets the HD signal to the Xmtr. site, AND CHARTER is able to receive it and demodulate it, then they'll put THAT signal on their system, and make it available to La Crosse-area customers and the Eau Claire-area customers, on Channel 785, I believe. Maybe someone else can confirm that bit of information.

Again, I'm not making any promises or telling anyone anything just to placate the quizzer.

And, since the Giants just beat Green Bay on a field goal in Overtime...it just might all be a moot point for true Packer fans...

Oh well, there MIGHT be HD for NASCAR...- :rolleyes:

It already is here in Wausau (92.4), although it's not the strongest signal (sometimes skips a bit -- I didn't get it reliably until I replaced one of my coax cables). Charter has been getting the WJFW HD feed since before they were even broadcasting at full strength; they've just taken their time in making it available to customers. Given that WJFW is a Rhinelander station, I have to assume it's being broadcast in your area.

Be warned though -- WJFW stretches out their picture for SD content from 4:3 to 16:9. If you're not watching native HD content, you're probably better off watching the analog station (IMO).

Very cool. Your right I do receive that. Know what you mean about them stretching 4:3 to 16:9 though, thats funny. But now the HD NBC shows will be great.
To recap for anybody else looking for these channels in this area. I get:

HD NBC = 92.4
HD FOX =74.1
HD CBS =104.1
HD ABC = 101.1
HD 24/7 weather - 104.3
HD PBS 101-5


thanks for your help...

Has anyone used a MyHD PC tuner card to get the local HD stations with Charter? I had problems at a friends house a year ago. I did an auto search which picked up lots of channels but nothing would display. I just tried a new LCD flat panel and had great luck getting all of the stations at a different home about a block away. I thought the MyHD card would pick up everything, maybe i need to do another scan.

I have just received a mesage from a WPTV engineer located in Western Wisconsin, who states:

". . . we installed new DTV encoders on 1/14, and migrated from
1080i to 720p for our HD. The new encoders are **much** better than the
old. I expect you'll see significant improvement."

Also, their programming source switched last October from PBS to APT (American public Television), which aquires old programming from PBS and elsewhere, some of which is not actually HD, even when "stretched" to 16 X 9 (several promgrams from Australia , at least - the quality of the video looked like home VHS). The reason for this was that PBS charges a lot of money, and APT is the "Discount King":rolleyes:

Not to mention that they are filling up time overnight by running the same program several times in one day, and/or even more throughout the week.

I remember when WPTV was the only HD signal in town - with just one (the primary) channel, and they mostly ran "demo loops" (over and over and over).

...migrated from 1080i to 720p for our HD. The new encoders are **much** better than the old. I expect you'll see significant improvement."

Also, their programming source switched last October from PBS to APT (American public Television)...


Ah, yes. The "less is more" argument. Or, in other words, "We've been starving the signal so much and it has looked so bad for so long that now we're going to reduce the resolution and hope you think a lower-resolution signal looks better." Sadly, it often does.

As far as PBS HD, it is a rather expensive product for a rather limited audience. The powers that be at PBS will no doubt learn that they can't continue to charge a mint if they want to be on the majority of systems in the country. I suspect that should the price be reduced to a more reasonable number, WPT will re-up their subscription.

Qincy Newspapers, Inc., has signed up to carry Equity Media's "Retro Television Network" brand on digital subchannels of all but one of its TV stations. The stations are KTIV (Sioux City, IA), KWWL (Waterloo, IA), KXLT (Rochester, MN), WQOW (Eau Claire, WI), WXOW (La Crosse, WI), WKOW (Madison, WI), WYOW (Rhinelander, WI), WAOW (Wausau, WI), WREX (Rockford, IL), WSJV (South Bend, IN), and WVVA (Bluefield, WV). No launch date was given. QNI flagship WGEM (Quincy, IL) will not carry RTN, presumably because it already has two subchannels. It's not clear what this announcement means for Equity's KWWF/22 (Waterloo), which was one of the original RTN stations; adding coverage on KWWL-DT would expand the station's coverage area. (1/25/2008)

Has anyone noticed that WQOW TV 18 signal out of Eau Claire for the last few days has been acting funny? When I watch the news it kind of has like a flickering effect. I am watching their digital signal through a dish network
vip 622 receiver. All of my other OTA channels I am not having any
problems with. Anyone else noticing this?

Is anyone able to pull WFXS Fox 55 HD out of the air with an antenna? I have Charter and I get it on 785, but a friend has Dish Network and has a seperate antenna for his HD locals. What channel does he need to tune to for Fox HD?

They, unfortunately, are not broadcasting OTA at this time.

Good morning La Crosse!

At approximately 0200.00 this morning, WLAX-DT transistioned from 480i/SD to 720P/HD.

The HD version is available on 25.1 and the SD version is on 25.2...

~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: POSSIBLE RUMOR MATERIAL!

LA CROSSE AREA CHARTER CABLE CUSTOMERS

Rumor has it, the "Big Game" should also be available to the Eau Claire Charter area customers on Charter's HD Tier.

Please, call Charter to verify this information...I don't know where I heard this but I know I didn't hear it DIRECTLY from any Charter employee...

~~~~~~~~~~

Now, the HD signal, from WLAX-DT is approx. 2.49kW ERP...so you'll need to be sure your properly installed, UHF outdoor antenna is properly pointed towards the WLAX/WXOW/WHLA towers located approx. 2.5 miles SW of La Crescent, MN..

Good luck with the signal capturing...

:p

They, unfortunately, are not broadcasting OTA at this time.

How can they broadcast over cable but not OTA? I dont understand.

Good morning La Crosse!

At approximately 0200.00 this morning, WLAX-DT transistioned from 480i/SD to 720P/HD.

The HD version is available on 25.1 and the SD version is on 25.2...

~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: POSSIBLE RUMOR MATERIAL!

LA CROSSE AREA CHARTER CABLE CUSTOMERS

Rumor has it, the "Big Game" should also be available to the Eau Claire Charter area customers on Charter's HD Tier.

Please, call Charter to verify this information...I don't know where I heard this but I know I didn't hear it DIRECTLY from any Charter employee...

~~~~~~~~~~

Now, the HD signal, from WLAX-DT is approx. 2.49kW ERP...so you'll need to be sure your properly installed, UHF outdoor antenna is properly pointed towards the WLAX/WXOW/WHLA towers located approx. 2.5 miles SW of La Crescent, MN..

Good luck with the signal capturing...

:p

Anyone know if the Onalaska Charter will carry this? It would be nice.

How can they broadcast over cable but not OTA? I dont understand.

Most cable companies no longer receive local channels OTA but have direct fiber links to the stations. This gets them better picture quality and reliability and also reduces the cost of maintaining outdoor antenna systems.

In some cases, for stations that lack the OTA facilities, it allows them to send HD signals to the local cable companies. DirecTV and Dish both have antenna systems at their uplink facilities for LiL.

Good morning La Crosse!

At approximately 0200.00 this morning, WLAX-DT transistioned from 480i/SD to 720P/HD.

The HD version is available on 25.1 and the SD version is on 25.2...

~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: POSSIBLE RUMOR MATERIAL!

LA CROSSE AREA CHARTER CABLE CUSTOMERS

Rumor has it, the "Big Game" should also be available to the Eau Claire Charter area customers on Charter's HD Tier.

Please, call Charter to verify this information...I don't know where I heard this but I know I didn't hear it DIRECTLY from any Charter employee...

~~~~~~~~~~

Now, the HD signal, from WLAX-DT is approx. 2.49kW ERP...so you'll need to be sure your properly installed, UHF outdoor antenna is properly pointed towards the WLAX/WXOW/WHLA towers located approx. 2.5 miles SW of La Crescent, MN..

Good luck with the signal capturing...

:p



This is positive news, now when is it Eau Claire's WEUX turn? Any idea?

Good morning La Crosse!

At approximately 0200.00 this morning, WLAX-DT transistioned from 480i/SD to 720P/HD.

The HD version is available on 25.1 and the SD version is on 25.2...

:p

That sentence must have felt very good to write! Thanks for the great news, Mark. Now if we can only get DTV to carry all these HD locals....

I'm about 10 miles NE of FOX 25's tower and, with some maneuvering, I pulled in 25.1 with an indoor antenna (Philips MANT940) hooked directly to my DTV HR20 but I'm guessing my wife will never let me keep it draped over the family portrait, even for HD. Looks like I'll need that outdoor antenna after all.

Larry

Good morning La Crosse!

At approximately 0200.00 this morning, WLAX-DT transistioned from 480i/SD to 720P/HD.

The HD version is available on 25.1 and the SD version is on 25.2...

~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: POSSIBLE RUMOR MATERIAL!

LA CROSSE AREA CHARTER CABLE CUSTOMERS

Rumor has it, the "Big Game" should also be available to the Eau Claire Charter area customers on Charter's HD Tier.

Please, call Charter to verify this information...I don't know where I heard this but I know I didn't hear it DIRECTLY from any Charter employee...

~~~~~~~~~~

Now, the HD signal, from WLAX-DT is approx. 2.49kW ERP...so you'll need to be sure your properly installed, UHF outdoor antenna is properly pointed towards the WLAX/WXOW/WHLA towers located approx. 2.5 miles SW of La Crescent, MN..

Good luck with the signal capturing...

:p

Fantastic, now only if my cable co would pick it up. No chance for OTA in my area, plus too far away from your tower.

To Charter: Eau Claire please!

How can they broadcast over cable but not OTA? I dont understand.

If the cable company runs fibre/cable into the TV Station's facility, the cable company can pull the signal from whatever source the TV Station gives it.

The signal doesn't necessarily have to be the OTA signal itself...

Therefore, if Charter had wanted to put fibre into our building and tie into the FOX gear we had here, Charter could have had the '07 Football season in 720p all along.

But, money matters to those that want more, and in this case, Charter felt the money needed to stay in their hands.

In the mean time, it's our fault we didn't have HD for the past Football Season...:rolleyes:

Anyone know if the Onalaska Charter will carry this? It would be nice.

Hopefully, with the rest of the wiring that NEEDS to be COMPLETED this afternoon, FOX will be in true HD, starting at 1800...

Once that's done, I believe CHARTER does have the gear available to take the OTA signal and get it onto their system...

As I understand it (Keep in mind, this may be a rumor...), CHARTER will have WLAX-DT (25.1/HD) on in the Onalaska-area systems. THEY MAY, ALSO, have WLAX-DT (25.1/HD) on in the Eau Claire-area systems. YOU WILL NEED TO CALL YOUR LOCAL CHARTER OFFICE AND VERIFY THIS INFORMATION - AT THIS TIME, I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT. PLEASE CALL CHARTER FOR THE OFFICIAL "WORD FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH."

:p

In some cases, for stations that lack the OTA facilities, it allows them to send HD signals to the local cable companies. DirecTV and Dish both have antenna systems at their uplink facilities for LiL.

The DishNet system, for the La Crosse/Eau Claire Market is a single-end pickup point (site non-disclosable) that went on the air a few years ago.

The FOLLOWING year, DirecTV approached all the parties involved in the DishNet system and gave everyone the impression that they (DirecTV) would be going on with their own system. Then, about a week before they were suppose to start, they called everyone involved and cancelled out of their contracts...

Then, to everyone's surprise, about a week later, they announced that they would be going on the "bird" around their original "on-air" date.

As it turned out, DirecTV had a bit of a disagreement w/one of the support services and they couldn't quite work out the details to their satisfaction. They cancelled the contracts with the other "vendors" and then proceeded to work out a deal with their competitor, DishNet.

So, what you're viewing off satellite (If you're a DirecTV customer) is a "re-purposed" retransmitted picture of DishNet's product. Dishnet picks up WXOW (ABC), WHLA (PBS), WKBT (CBS), WEAU (NBC) & WLAX (FOX) and re-sells the signal to DirecTV, who, in turn, sells that batch of signals to you, their customers.

Believe me, if you knew what the rack-gear, alone, cost DishNet when they first went on-line, let alone the added costs of UPS systems and fibre-optics to get the signal from the La Crosse/Eau Claire area back to Colorado, you would have made the kind of deal I believe DishNet and DirecTV made.

BOTTOM LINE? In this market (La Crosse/Eau Claire), one source for all your satellite viewing pleasure, courtesy of DishNet and their initial capital outlay.

Enjoy the viewing!

;)

This is positive news, now when is it Eau Claire's WEUX turn? Any idea?

At this time, WEUX has ordered a new antenna (to replace the one we have at the Xmtr. site now) and we should expect delivery of that unit sometime around the 4th of July...

Then...we need to go off the air (48.0/Analog) for a few days while we remove the old unit, put the new one in place, "sweep" and test it, then put it (48.0) back on the air and then the 48.1 (Digital) Xmtr. on the new antenna too! One Antenna - Two Stations - From the same location!

I'm hoping before the Football season starts - everything will be HD and Full/Near-full powered.

Later!
:p

That sentence must have felt very good to write! Thanks for the great news, Mark. Now if we can only get DTV to carry all these HD locals....

I'm about 10 miles NE of FOX 25's tower and, with some maneuvering, I pulled in 25.1 with an indoor antenna (Philips MANT940) hooked directly to my DTV HR20 but I'm guessing my wife will never let me keep it draped over the family portrait, even for HD. Looks like I'll need that outdoor antenna after all.

Larry

Good thought!

Don't you wish you worked on that a few days ago? :rolleyes:

Dang this Wisconsin/Minnesota weather!!!

:p

Fantastic, now only if my cable co would pick it up. No chance for OTA in my area, plus too far away from your tower.

Contact you cable provider today...maybe they already have something in the works for when WLAX finally went HD!

Good luck!
;)

Fantastic, now only if my cable co would pick it up. No chance for OTA in my area, plus too far away from your tower.

Contact your cable provider today...maybe they already had something already in the works for when WLAX finally went HD!

Good luck!
;)

To Charter: Eau Claire please!

Contact CHARTER and see what they will be providing in the HD tier...it may be WLAX-DT ... at least for the "Big Game" and a bit beyond...

BUT, call 'em...you'll never find out unless you ask. :rolleyes:

Good thought!

Don't you wish you worked on that a few days ago? :rolleyes:

Dang this Wisconsin/Minnesota weather!!!

:p

Indeed.

And in honor of the Packers (what could have been...), I'll put up that antenna sleeveless.

Larry

Just wanted to say I have Charter in Tomah and I'm getting the WLAX station over clear Qam on channel 108.5. The info states that it is a 720p signal.

Contact you cable provider today...maybe they already have something in the works for when WLAX finally went HD!

Good luck!
;)

Called them this afternoon and complained again about the commercials they continue to air here claiming we get all of our locals in HD for free when it's simply not true. My local ABC (KCRG Cedar Rapids) has been broadcasting HD for many years now and I STILL don't have it here in HD despite having one of Mediascam's HD tuners. They told me maybe sometime in 2009. :rolleyes: I'm in a small market (Prairie Du Chien). They don't give a **** about us here.

OH MY!!!! FOX in HD OTA!!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA - GOD BLESS MY 30 DOLLAR ANTENNA - GOD BLESS MGBURG!

(am I gonna have to change my screen name?)

...let alone the added costs of UPS systems and fibre-optics to get the signal from the La Crosse/Eau Claire area back to Colorado, you would have made the kind of deal I believe DishNet and DirecTV made.

I'm not 100% sure of this, but it would surprise me if Dish is really sending the locals to their central office. Spot-beams work two ways - up and down. So the uplink can happen locally, meaning no need to send the signal all the way out to Colorado to get it up to the bird.

If, on the other hand, Dish was really carting all their LiL signals to their central office, they'd have to turn around and send them right back - they'd run out of uplink space long before they'd cover the country with LiL.

All of this assumes that Dish is using Spot beams.

Just wanted to say I have Charter in Tomah and I'm getting the WLAX station over clear Qam on channel 108.5. The info states that it is a 720p signal.


Yep here in Onalaska Charter has it at 108.5 (in clear QAM also)!

Took a bit to get the HDHomerun to pick it up, God Bless Windows Media Center!

I'm not 100% sure of this, but it would surprise me if Dish is really sending the locals to their central office. Spot-beams work two ways - up and down. So the uplink can happen locally, meaning no need to send the signal all the way out to Colorado to get it up to the bird.

If, on the other hand, Dish was really carting all their LiL signals to their central office, they'd have to turn around and send them right back - they'd run out of uplink space long before they'd cover the country with LiL.

All of this assumes that Dish is using Spot beams.

Dish uses Spot beams for sure.

I got home only to find that my OTA setup is not getting the signal. I do get CBS and ABC signals here in Holmen, though, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Antennaweb.org does show it as available for my address. The compass orientation is only 1 degree (217) different than ABC (216) so it seems like it should just work. The distance away is only a few tenths of a mile different than the others, as well. Any ideas? I have DirecTV and re-did the OTA setup but it shows a 3% signal strength. I don't think I can move the antenna around much as it is zip-tied to the dish.

Excellent news Mark. Got the email from you today. Don't do any of the OTA, just use Charter Digital, but I'm sure they will be carrying the signal very soon. Thanks for the update!!

Eau Claire Charter customers, try 102.5 for HD Fox.

Hmm, looks like I'm not the only one having a problem. One of the posters in the blog/article below has the same problem with 3% signal strength. Is anyone outside of La Crosse getting the signal?

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/01/29/newsupdate/08wlax.txt

I'm getting it perfect near the Town of Holland Airport. (North of Holmen) Directional antenna IN my garage.

I'm getting it perfect near the Town of Holland Airport. (North of Holmen) Directional antenna IN my garage.

What direction is your antenna facing? It seems odd that my antenna can pick the others up just fine but not Fox.

I've got 2 tied together - one is facing FOX - (which also picks up 19.1) and the other is facing 13.1. They each have about 3 feet of coax going to a splitter (must be EXACT same length if you have 2 directional antennas hooked up),.... and then about 30 feet runs along the back of my house and into my utility room. I do have an amp right after the antenna splitter (power in the house of course). Every signal is VERY strong except for FOX,.... but it's strong enough to stay locked without any glitches.

DAMN it looked nice tonight!!!

I too am having the same problem as Schlar01. I have always been able to get the SD channel 25, but the picture has I think what you call "ghosting". I tuned to channel 17 and I get nothing. Is 17 the right channel?

I have a Zenith ZHDTV1Z indoor antenna resting above the ductwork in my basement. I can get WKBT, WXOW, and PBS. I live between Holmen and Onalaska. I plan to try moving my antenna around tonight, but am I fighting a losing battle. Is there a better indoor antenna to use? Would the attic be better? My wife does not want an outdoor antenna.

NoFoxHD, what kind of antennas are you using? How are they mounted? Is 13.1 the NBC HD feed?

mgburg, does WLAX plan on boosting the power?

Thanks,
Bill

I too am having the same problem as Schlar01. I have always been able to get the SD channel 25, but the picture has I think what you call "ghosting". I tuned to channel 17 and I get nothing. Is 17 the right channel?

I have a Zenith ZHDTV1Z indoor antenna resting above the ductwork in my basement. I can get WKBT, WXOW, and PBS. I live between Holmen and Onalaska. I plan to try moving my antenna around tonight, but am I fighting a losing battle. Is there a better indoor antenna to use? Would the attic be better? My wife does not want an outdoor antenna.

NoFoxHD, what kind of antennas are you using? How are they mounted? Is 13.1 the NBC HD feed?

mgburg, does WLAX plan on boosting the power?

Thanks,
Bill

It would be interesting trying what NoFoxHD did with two antennas.

Let me know if you need any help moving that antenna bro.

Fox HD is now on 102.5 thru Charter in Menomonie. Still no ABC or CBS hi-def over QAM here yet.

I am not a charter customer, but there website claims that FOX HD is now on channel 785 through there lifeline channels. This was not the case yesterday. As much as I hate to say it, I think charter is an option I might have to consider.:o

I am not a charter customer, but there website claims that FOX HD is now on channel 785 through there lifeline channels. This was not the case yesterday. As much as I hate to say it, I think charter is an option I might have to consider.:o


Yes indeed. Just checked 785 and it's HD! Woohoo! Bout time! Party!

How is the quality through charter.

I am thinking about adding there very basic service along with my dish.

I've got charter, but I'm using my QAM tuner to pick up fox/abc/cbs/abc through their cable network (I'm in Chippewa Falls). I'm VERY geeked about fox finally being in hd...albeit after the packer season...

Very good quality! Although I do think I'm starting to notice a slight difference between 1080i and 720p....but I could be talking out of my ass.

I've got charter, but I'm using my QAM tuner to pick up fox/abc/cbs/abc through their cable network (I'm in Chippewa Falls). I'm VERY geeked about fox finally being in hd...albeit after the packer season...

Very good quality! Although I do think I'm starting to notice a slight difference between 1080i and 720p....but I could be talking out of my ass.

I am not sure about the 720p or 1080I with charter, but with dish it really doesnt seem to make a difference in my opinion.

I'm not 100% sure of this, but it would surprise me if Dish is really sending the locals to their central office. Spot-beams work two ways - up and down. So the uplink can happen locally, meaning no need to send the signal all the way out to Colorado to get it up to the bird.

If, on the other hand, Dish was really carting all their LiL signals to their central office, they'd have to turn around and send them right back - they'd run out of uplink space long before they'd cover the country with LiL.

All of this assumes that Dish is using Spot beams.

S:

What I believe is going on is this;

Dish is "fibering" the cumulative signals of the La Crosse/Eau Claire Market and getting it to either Colorado or some other uplink site...either -via- T3, Fiber, "spot-beam" or whatever...they have to get the signals to some point to be able to "code it," shoot 'em up and then back down...They also have a serious control area where they measure and monitor basic parameters of EACH station on their "birds/systems" and will call a particular stations' rep. if something does go out of "whack" with the video and/or the audio...I know...I've been called quite a few times, a few even before my operators have had a chance to call me first!

Now, as I understand it, DirecTV (at least in this market) acts as a "reseller" for DishNet's product...which, in this case, is all the TV Stations currently on DishNet's bird. They don't tell you that...it would seem a bit "whacky" - but then, what's new?

So, S, you could be right...regardless, Dish has the "Big Office" in Colorado and their TOC is in the same area...one way or another...they can get the information, required for authorization of receivers and such, out to each customers' dish and enable the programming to be viewed...either muxing the signals as an 'overlay' of control over programming or ????

Anyways, if someone from the Dish or DirecTV group wants to jump in a explain it, that would be more preferred than guessing as to how the whole process works...

:cool:

I got home only to find that my OTA setup is not getting the signal. I do get CBS and ABC signals here in Holmen, though, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Antennaweb.org does show it as available for my address. The compass orientation is only 1 degree (217) different than ABC (216) so it seems like it should just work. The distance away is only a few tenths of a mile different than the others, as well. Any ideas? I have DirecTV and re-did the OTA setup but it shows a 3% signal strength. I don't think I can move the antenna around much as it is zip-tied to the dish.

First...get rid of that zip-tied antenna arrangement...get a real antenna. Did DirecTV charge you for that? How much? AND, if the "bird" that their dish is looking at is not in the same vertical plane that our tower is located at...you're not even aimed correctly.

Go back to Antennaweb.org and pick out the APPROPRIATE OUTDOOR ANTENNA for your address and put that outside and as high as possible, pointed in the correct direction...THAT should correct the "weak" signal issue enough that there should be enough to light up the bar and give you a picture.

Otherwise, PM me with your address and phone and we'll talk later this week.

:cool:

I'm getting it perfect near the Town of Holland Airport. (North of Holmen) Directional antenna IN my garage.

You'd get a much better/stronger signal IF the antenna was mounted OUTSIDE of the garage and at least 5-10 feet above the asphalt shingles of that roof...

:p

What direction is your antenna facing? It seems odd that my antenna can pick the others up just fine but not Fox.

WLAX-DT is broadcasting with 2.49kW of power...peanut power compared to WXOW-DT, WKBT-DT, WEAU-DT and WHLA-DT.

As I stated in various posts (many months ago), WLAX has to refurbish the current tower we're broadcasting from now. Until the weather clears, the refurbishing can't begin...

Within the coming few months, WLAX will be installing the new high-powered transmitter and when the refurbishing is completed, a new digital antenna will be installed on the tower, connections will be made from the xmtr., to the new transmission line, and then, to the new antenna...BIG BUCK$$$$$$$!

( That sucking sound, you hear in the backround, isn't your mother's HOOVER!!! ) :eek:

The FCC is getting close to approving a CP (construction permit) that needed to be filed this past winter. Once that's done, then the weather has to "clear" enough that the rest of the projects can be started and pushed to completion...hopefully before the end of August...

;)

I too am having the same problem as Schlar01. I have always been able to get the SD channel 25, but the picture has I think what you call "ghosting". I tuned to channel 17 and I get nothing. Is 17 the right channel?

I have a Zenith ZHDTV1Z indoor antenna resting above the ductwork in my basement. I can get WKBT, WXOW, and PBS. I live between Holmen and Onalaska. I plan to try moving my antenna around tonight, but am I fighting a losing battle. Is there a better indoor antenna to use? Would the attic be better? My wife does not want an outdoor antenna.

NoFoxHD, what kind of antennas are you using? How are they mounted? Is 13.1 the NBC HD feed?

mgburg, does WLAX plan on boosting the power?

Thanks,
Bill


First...WLAX is working on getting the power "boosted" - see the other posts I have just made...

Second...rescan your channels...I believe that because we've gone from SD to HD and the PIDS information has changed, your receiver might not recognize 25.1 as the SD channel anymore and will regard it as an OOM (out of market) signal.

25.1 will/should show up as HD and 25.2 will show up as the old SD format. Same programming on .1 and .2, but different definitions.

BTW, the .2 is more for the cable companies that don't have HD gear in place and for when the transition to Digital takes effect on 17 Feb.'09, they may be using the .2 to down-convert to NTSC for their customers that haven't jumped on the "digi-bandwagon" by that time...

;)

WLAX-DT is broadcasting with 2.49kW of power...peanut power compared to WXOW-DT, WKBT-DT, WEAU-DT and WHLA-DT.

As I stated in various posts (many months ago), WLAX has to refurbish the current tower we're broadcasting from now. Until the weather clears, the refurbishing can't begin...

Within the coming few months, WLAX will be installing the new high-powered transmitter and when the refurbishing is completed, a new digital antenna will be installed on the tower, connections will be made from the xmtr., to the new transmission line, and then, to the new antenna...BIG BUCK$$$$$$$!

( That sucking sound, you hear in the backround, isn't your mother's HOOVER!!! ) :eek:

The FCC is getting close to approving a CP (construction permit) that needed to be filed this past winter. Once that's done, then the weather has to "clear" enough that the rest of the projects can be started and pushed to completion...hopefully before the end of August...

;)

Thanks for the response. I can probably wait for the new power upgrade if its done this summer. I don't know much about the antenna but I had it installed with my DirecTV dishes by Dean's Satellite. I'll PM you a photo. I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable swapping it out myself. I'll take a closer look once its warm enough for me to actually want to go outside :)

How is the quality through charter.

I am thinking about adding there very basic service along with my dish.

On 785, the quality is quite good. My TV is telling me it's a 1080i signal through Charter. Is that true, or just my tv upconverting it from 720p? Kinda dumb when it comes to this stuff.

ETA: The quality is actually not as up to par as I first thought. When comparing it to ESPN HD, the picture quality is not even close IMO. Maybe it will take a while for the signal to get better. :dunno

I have Charter basic cable and am unable to receive FOX in HD in Merrill (Wausau) on QAM. I know it is on channel 74.1 but both my Samsung tuner and my LCD tv's qam tuner pass right over it. I do get the other locals in the 90's and 100.1 Im guessing this is because I don't have access to 74.1 with basic cable. Any thoughts?

On 785, the quality is quite good. My TV is telling me it's a 1080i signal through Charter. Is that true, or just my tv upconverting it from 720p? Kinda dumb when it comes to this stuff.

ETA: The quality is actually not as up to par as I first thought. When comparing it to ESPN HD, the picture quality is not even close IMO. Maybe it will take a while for the signal to get better. :dunno

My guess is you were not watching a High Definition show. (Based on the times of your post/edit, and the fact that the Standard Definition is being stretched to fill the screen during times other than 7-9 pm, which may have tricked you into thinking it was HD at first glance).

In my opinion, the HD I have seen on Fox 25 (through Charter on 785) has looked great so far. (so far I have seen some of American Idol, and a couple game shows). Good job Mark, and Fox.

First...WLAX is working on getting the power "boosted" - see the other posts I have just made...

Second...rescan your channels...I believe that because we've gone from SD to HD and the PIDS information has changed, your receiver might not recognize 25.1 as the SD channel anymore and will regard it as an OOM (out of market) signal.

25.1 will/should show up as HD and 25.2 will show up as the old SD format. Same programming on .1 and .2, but different definitions.

BTW, the .2 is more for the cable companies that don't have HD gear in place and for when the transition to Digital takes effect on 17 Feb.'09, they may be using the .2 to down-convert to NTSC for their customers that haven't jumped on the "digi-bandwagon" by that time...

;)

I tried moving my antenna around upstairs and here are the results. I found a spot in which I could get channel 25(analog?) in nice and clear. I then rescanned the channels and the TV found a few more, but not 25.1 or 25.2. BTW, I can actually type in 25-1 to manually change the channel but nothing happens. It also seems that no matter what I do with the antenna, short of unplugging it, I can get WXOW-DT and WBKT-DT just fine. Do I need to do anything special with the TV before I rescan?

Is the channel 25 I'm getting the analog channel?
Is this a different transmitter than the one for 25.1 and 25.2?
Does it have more power than the new one?
Is it realistic to expect to be able to pick up a 2.49kW signal anywhere but right next to the tower?
Can anyone else in the Holmen area pickup 25.1 and 25.2 with an OTA antenna?

Thank you all for your responses and enjoy watching the Super Bowl in HD.
Bill:(

Is the channel 25 I'm getting the analog channel?
Is this a different transmitter than the one for 25.1 and 25.2?
Does it have more power than the new one?
Is it realistic to expect to be able to pick up a 2.49kW signal anywhere but right next to the tower?
Can anyone else in the Holmen area pickup 25.1 and 25.2 with an OTA antenna?

If you see "snow" or "ghosting" when you aim your antenna in directions that are not "nice and clear" the answer is that you're getting the analog channel.

Yes, WLAX-DT (which is broadcasting on channel 17) is a different transmitter.

WLAX analog has much more power than WLAX digital at this time.

You can see the FCC's projected coverage here: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS1032166.html

As for your particular reception, I'm guessing you need a good outdoor antenna pointed at the tower. Of course, if you're physically blocked by bluffs or hills, I doubt you'll get anything. The fact you get a good picture on WLAX analog, though, suggests you have a shot with an outdoor antenna.

Once WLAX increases their digital transmitting power, an indoor antenna should suffice.

My guess is you were not watching a High Definition show. (Based on the times of your post/edit, and the fact that the Standard Definition is being stretched to fill the screen during times other than 7-9 pm, which may have tricked you into thinking it was HD at first glance).

In my opinion, the HD I have seen on Fox 25 (through Charter on 785) has looked great so far. (so far I have seen some of American Idol, and a couple game shows). Good job Mark, and Fox.

Well tonight for instance, House was on at 8 pm (assuming that was HD). Compared it to Channel 3, and there was not a great difference like there is with other local channels. For instance, WEAU tonight (Ch. 13 & 783). Compared Friday Night Lights. A world of difference to me. Really really sharp compared to Fox's HD. I guess the Super Bowl will be the real test.

Well tonight for instance, House was on at 8 pm (assuming that was HD). Compared it to Channel 3, and there was not a great difference like there is with other local channels. For instance, WEAU tonight (Ch. 13 & 783). Compared Friday Night Lights. A world of difference to me. Really really sharp compared to Fox's HD. I guess the Super Bowl will be the real test.

I agree that House didn't look like HD last night. I am not sure if it was supposed to be or not (I don't watch the show). But, American Idol (and others) have looked much better. We will see for sure on Sunday. :)

Even with the SD programming you can see a noticable improvement between the Analog and the Digital versions of the station. The colors are brighter, skin tones are more natural, there is no ghosting, and the audio is stereo instead of mono. (The audio with HD I even noticed as DD 5.1, which I wasn't expecting... since ABC still isn't doing 5.1 after years of HD)

The only negative I have seen is that they are ~sometimes~ stretching the SD content to fill the screen, which I find very annoying, and unnecessary. I noticed this a couple days ago, but then they weren't doing it yesterday (5:00 pm, 2-1), and now they are stretching it again (7:30 am, 2-2).
I hope they just leave the 4:3 content alone, and let people fill their screen on their own if they desire that 'look', or have screen issues that require it. Let the viewer choose, not the broadcast. If nothing else, it makes their newscasters look about 30 pounds heavier... which I would guess they are not thrilled with :)

Looking forward to an HD Superbowl... and Packer season in the fall!

This is a good website to see what is on in High Definition.
http://www.hdtvgalaxy.com/whatson.php?day=&tab=&time=Central%20Time

As you can see, there is actually nothing on Fox today in HD.

The only negative I have seen is that they are ~sometimes~ stretching the SD content to fill the screen, which I find very annoying, and unnecessary. I noticed this a couple days ago, but then they weren't doing it yesterday (5:00 pm, 2-1), and now they are stretching it again (7:30 am, 2-2).

Exactly! WEAU doesn't seem to do this with most of their programming, yet last night Fox seemed to be stretching it. Hate that.

Well tonight for instance, House was on at 8 pm (assuming that was HD). Compared it to Channel 3, and there was not a great difference like there is with other local channels. For instance, WEAU tonight (Ch. 13 & 783). Compared Friday Night Lights. A world of difference to me. Really really sharp compared to Fox's HD. I guess the Super Bowl will be the real test.

Hmm, not sure what to say about this. I have USA HD through DirecTV and the older episodes of House are definitely in HD.

Edit: I watched an episode last night that wasn't in HD but I know I have seen other episodes of House in HD.

Charter is really driving me crazy. I was excited since I was in Chippewa Falls this weekend and saw that Fox 25/48, WEAU, and WKBT were added as local HD channels. I returned home to Rice Lake, where I also have Charter and these are also the local channels. No HD! Why does Chippewa get them and not Rice Lake, since they are the locals for both cities?

Thanks FOX 25/48!! And to the Packers, who may have helped speed this along.....?? Anyhow, a very enjoyable SB XLII in HD!

Exactly! WEAU doesn't seem to do this with most of their programming, yet last night Fox seemed to be stretching it. Hate that.

We were doing what we were told to do...

It should be straightened out now...

Also...some of the wiring was NOT the way it ended up being...FOX gave us some "out of date" data and that resulted in some "non-switched" scenarios for the the HD/Non-HD programming...

It got straightened out Saturday afternoon/evening...

Keep watching and bitchin'!

:rolleyes:

Keep watching and bitchin'!

:rolleyes:

I'll take the bait. Been waiting patiently for years for FOX HD. Denied waivers through Directv several times. Called to talk to engineer several times never to return my calls. Arrogant attitude by the station management.

So now I am pumped, finally HD for the Superbowl! Only to find no signal available apparently because of pathetically low power level. Was able to get 25.1 SD before this without problem here in Onalaska and always get 19.1 and 31.1 with 100% signal strength. Now apparently being told to put a powerful antenna on my roof. Horse----!

So now I am pumped, finally HD for the Superbowl! Only to find no signal available apparently because of pathetically low power level. Was able to get 25.1 SD before this without problem here in Onalaska and always get 19.1 and 31.1 with 100% signal strength. Now apparently being told to put a powerful antenna on my roof. Horse----!

Agreed, the signal is weak, but I'm also in Onalaska and was able to pull in the signal with an indoor antenna (with either the MANT940 or the PHDTV1 Silver Sensor - both by Philips) connected to my DTV HR20's OTA input. It took some positioning but I was able to get a clear signal for the entire game. I do have a fairly unrestricted view towards the La Crescent tower so that may be the difference in our reception abilities.

Hopefully DTV will add HD locals soon and I can ease my HD10-250 into a well-deserved retirement!

Larry

Only to find no signal available apparently because of pathetically low power level. Was able to get 25.1 SD before this without problem here in Onalaska and always get 19.1 and 31.1 with 100% signal strength. Now apparently being told to put a powerful antenna on my roof.

If you had no problems getting 25.1 SD (in other words, digital WLAX broadcasting on channel 17) then the problem is not your antenna or their power level. The problem is that your tuner has a "sticky" memory when it comes to PSIP data.

Simply put, when WLAX-DT switched to HD, there was no way to keep their PSIP information the same. PSIP information includes lovely little details like what part of the ATSC 8VSB stream is the video and what is the audio and how it is encoded and stuff like that.

Most tuners will reset the PSIP data if you tune to the real (not virtual) channel, in this case, 17.1. Some require a rescan. And those with really sticky memory require you to unplug the antenna, do a scan (finding nothing - which wipes out the memory) and then reinsert the antenna cable and do a second scan. If you follow all those steps (stopping once you get it to work) and then a problem still exists, it could be a tuner incompatibility issue between your receiver and the encoders that WLAX-DT is using, but those types of issues are quite rare these days.

Switching from SD to HD does absolutely nothing to reception in all but the most borderline of situations. Even then, you'd at least be getting a lock *some* of the time.

Thanks FOX 25/48!! And to the Packers, who may have helped speed this along.....?? Anyhow, a very enjoyable SB XLII in HD!

To bad Fox 55 is not moving forward with their OTA signal, that would have been a great game to see in HD.

Keep watching and bitchin'!

:rolleyes:
Hope you're joking because if you thought that was bitchin, then you haven't seen anything yet. By the way, the Fox SB in HD was ghetto faboulous! Excellent image throughout the entire game. Well done.

To all,

The delays WLAX had in getting up to speed with HD were in no way due to problems with Charter Television.

Throughout this process, Charter has been a wonderful partner and did a great job getting our OTA signal up on channel 785 in EC and LaCrosse.

Regards,


Robert Weinstein
Station Manager
WLAX-WEUX
info@fox25fox48.com

To all,

The delays WLAX had in getting up to speed with HD were in no way due to problems with Charter Television.

Throughout this process, Charter has been a wonderful partner and did a great job getting our OTA signal up on channel 785 in EC and LaCrosse.

Regards,


Robert Weinstein
Station Manager
WLAX-WEUX
info@fox25fox48.com

Robert, any idea why Mediacom in the Prairie area isn't carrying your HD signal? Is there, or does there need to be an agreement in place of some sort?

Keep watching and bitchin'!

:rolleyes:

I'll bite as well... what the hell was up with squishing the damn screen during the final play of the Super Bowl, just to show the Fox 25/48 info!?! Damn, Fox, that was pretty f-ing weak.

But back on topic... glad to see the SD content is now displaying properly!

Live in a high location in SW part of Rochester MN.
I have a tower and large antenna that GS Antenna setup, so it is a good system.
I normally receive Eau Claire probably 99% or the time with my setup.
For about a day now, I have not been able to get any signal on 13.1.
Check for signal strength which is usually good, and I get nothing.
Tweaked my rotor back and forth and still get no signal.
The old NTSC 13 is there pretty much as normal, snowy but
watchable. Anybody else seeing anything different with
this station?

I live approximately 30 miles to the east of their tower and have been receiving their digital signal at around 85-90 %. Have not been able to get them for the past day or so either.

Response back from WEAU about their digital channels on 2/6/08....

Yes, unfortunately we have been experiencing major problems with our transmitter/DTV signal. We are waiting for a part to come in so hopefully it will be back up and running today! Thanks for your patience.

Jolene Jensen
Executive Assistant
WEAU-TV

Response back from WEAU about their digital channels on 2/6/08....

Yes, unfortunately we have been experiencing major problems with our transmitter/DTV signal. We are waiting for a part to come in so hopefully it will be back up and running today! Thanks for your patience.

Jolene Jensen
Executive Assistant
WEAU-TV


Channels are back online.

Channels are back online.


Since coming back, I have been getting about 92-98 signal. It used to be 72-85 tops. Anybody experiencing this.

I have a Samsung TV I use and it does not give numbers, just bars. But I seem to be getting about 7 bars where in the past, normally I would get around 5 bars (somewhat weather dependent). I would say that the signal at this point is a seems stronger. Hope this is true. It will be interesting to see what happens when the weather changes. Just tried WKBT with antenna pointed right at it and I get 10 bars, the most.
So I guess a bar equals 10%. Thanks for the feedback from everyone on my initial question and Thanks to WEAU if they indeed did tweak up their power.

Hey Guys!

I live in Holmen, WI (actually out on County W, in the bluffs) between Holmen and West Salem, by Half way creek lutheran church.

Anyway, I've had HD via my dishnetwork for a number of years now, but want to get rid of that and just buy an antenna to receive my digital stations OTA here locally. I live right in the side of the bluff, but up high. right now with NO antenna what so ever hooked up I can receive WKBT CH 8, but it's fuzzy, so I assume once I add an ota antenna that channel will be easy to get, even though it's on the other side of the hill, so to speak. I have the bluff behind me, facing south towards Lacrosse, but open sky to the north, facing Eau Claire.

I'd really like to hear from you guys in the area what antenna I should get, and what is working around this area. I wouldn't even be opposed to any of you guys that are local to come out and take a look at where I live and give me your opinion on what setup I should go with.

Ok, this has gotten long enough for now. Anyway. I am SO glad to see there are some locals here I can talk to rather than a "tech support" for an antenna company 500 miles away.

Dan

flyweed - I live in Onalaska with a bluff blocking line of sight to ch. 8. I can pick up a fuzzy picture on analog but no digital signal at all. From what I understand digital signals are harder to get a lock if you do not have line of sight. Plus all of our local stations are operating at low power which complicates the matter. I do have line of sight to ch. 19,31,25. I get 100% signal on both 19 and 31 but 25 is giving me fits because of their extremely low power output. I am using an indoor silver sensor antenna. I'm sure an outdoor roof antenna would be much better but don't think Ill ever be able to get ch. 8. Don't know if this helps but has been my experience.

flyweed - I live in Onalaska with a bluff blocking line of sight to ch. 8. I can pick up a fuzzy picture on analog but no digital signal at all. From what I understand digital signals are harder to get a lock if you do not have line of sight. Plus all of our local stations are operating at low power which complicates the matter. I do have line of sight to ch. 19,31,25. I get 100% signal on both 19 and 31 but 25 is giving me fits because of their extremely low power output. I am using an indoor silver sensor antenna. I'm sure an outdoor roof antenna would be much better but don't think Ill ever be able to get ch. 8. Don't know if this helps but has been my experience.

If I remember correctly, Channel 8 (WKBT) is using UHF channel 41 for their digital tv, until the analog shut down, when they will switch back to VHF channel 8. VHF signals travel over hills/bluffs much better, plus they simply travel farer.... That said, there are a lot of us in Rochester, MN that get a 24/7 lock on WKBT-DT, even in bad locations, so it may work great for you....

John and GJ

thank you both for your answers. From ALL of the reading I have read, the first MUST HAVE for good OTA digital reception is an outside antenna. No offense to you John, but from what I have read, even the silver sensor is a very very distant second to any outdoor antennas.

With that said, I've had a friend suggeset the Channelmaster Crossfire 3671 with the channel master 7777 pre-amp. He said to mount at least 5 feet off my rooft top and see what happens. Since it is directional, he said I should get a rotor for it too.

After all these years of being away from rooftop antenna's and the "rotorbox" that sat on my parents tv set top, I CANNOT believe, I am going to be installing one on my house!!! ha ha ha.

I am hoping to pick up both Eau Claire and Rochester fairly easily, again, where I am located there is nothing but open, clear sky to the north, northwest and northeast. Just to the south I have this little "bluff" towering over my house!! Well, not towering, but if I had to guess the top of the bluff is another 40 feet above my roof line.

Anyway, do you guys have any antenna suggestions, or equipment suggestions?

Talk soon, and like I said, if you'd want to come over and see where I live and the terrain, just let me know.

Dan

I am hoping to pick up both Eau Claire and Rochester fairly easily...

Eau Claire should give you no trouble. I'm guessing that you'll get La Crosse, too, with a good setup. Rochester...? Unlikely at best. You're far enough outside of the projected contours that I doubt you'll get anything. You *might* get KTTC-DT, as they almost reach La Crosse. But KXLT-DT is lower powered, and KSMQ-DT is very low, and everything else is so far away as not to be worth considering.

Keep in mind that WKBT-DT and WEAU-DT are going back to channels 8 and 13 next February...

A good UHF antenna should serve you well for now. You can add a hi-VHF next year if you need it (most good UHF antennas pick up some VHF, and it might be enough.) I'd recommend the AntennasDirect 91XG. Amazon has a good discount on it. A good preamp is a must, too, if you're fighting distance. Winegard and Channel Master both make 28dB models that are very good, though the Channel Master will overload if you have strong VHF (including FM) nearby.

I have Charter basic cable and am unable to receive FOX in HD in Merrill (Wausau) on QAM. I know it is on channel 74.1 but both my Samsung tuner and my LCD tv's qam tuner pass right over it. I do get the other locals in the 90's and 100.1 Im guessing this is because I don't have access to 74.1 with basic cable. Any thoughts?

as of up to a week or so ago i was getting HD FOX on 74.1 as well. now no longer receive as of today. Did it move? Anybody else receiving it?

Hey guys, just an update.

As you know, I live up on the NORTH side of a bluff between holmen and west salem. Anyway, I figured I'd be able to get NBC out of Eau Claire pretty easily, but since the bluff TOWERS over my house to the south of us, I thought it might not be an easy task to get WXOW or WKBT or FOX for that matter, since they are "up over the hill"

So....before I went out and invested ANY money in an antenna for my rooftop, I brought home an el cheapo pair of powered rabbit ears from my work place that were just sitting around. Since I have dishnetwork HD reciever downstairs in my Rec room, I hooked the rabbit ears up to the the dish receiver's antenna input and then scanned for digital channels. (mind you I am IN MY BASEMENT, in the side of a hill now) and I picked up 8.1 and 82. WKBT digitals at 80%!!!!!:D

What the?? I did not however pick up any other signals down there. So I am guessing that once I get a rooftop antenna with amplifier..I will be able to get my locals pretty easily, and hopefully NBC out of Eau Claire as well.

Anyone have any comments? I still can't believe I am getting a digital signal down here at all. BUt like I said, it's all I got on the first digital scan, and when I scanned analog I got nothing.

Dan

Dan Flyweed - not surprised you are getting 8.1 since you are close to the transmitter with clear view. The transmitter is in Gailsville, north of you. I am still very curious if you will get the others that are to your south over the bluff. Please keep us posted. I hope you don't set up a roof antenna only to be skunked. I am in the exact opposite position where I can get 19.1 and 31.1 to the south with clear view but don't have a chance with 8.1 that is over a bluff to the north. Best of luck!

John

yea, if it warms up a little, I may just take these rabbit ears up to the top of the roof, and run a scan and see what I pick up. BEFORE I buy any bigger antenna.

OH...I WILL GET the signals. if the roof doesn't work, I am going to the top of the bluff (which I own) and install my antenna in the largest oak tree up there, and run the coax down to my house. LOL!! I'm a very determined individual!!

Dan

as of up to a week or so ago i was getting HD FOX on 74.1 as well. now no longer receive as of today. Did it move? Anybody else receiving it?


found it. rescanned channels, Charter moved the channel again. FOX HD 720P is now on 93.1. American Idol looked like it was live in the living room its so dang clear. Hope this helps for the other guy that was also looking for it.
thanks,
JC

I am going to the top of the bluff (which I own) and install my antenna in the largest oak tree up there, and run the coax down to my house. LOL!! I'm a very determined individual!!

Dan


That will definately work! Go for it. But use high grade cable for a long run that goes for $.80 a foot. Good luck! LOL

Hi
I'm new to the forum and really am glad I found it!. Live in Wausau. Can only get digital stations for WAOW (9) and PBS via OTA signal. Cannot get any for WSAW channel 7. Does anyone know if they are broadcasting digital over the air? I've tried calling and emailing the guy at the station but never get a reply. Any help would be appreciated!

I live in Weston and have gotten a strong signal for WSAW DT 7-1 for a couple of years. Where do you live? What kind of antenna are you using?

I live north of Wausau. Right now I'm just using an indoor antenna - one that lets you increase the gain. It gets the signals from 9.1, 9.2 and all the 20 digital channels but nothing from channel 7. It's funny inasmuch as the three channels are broadcasting from the same tower and need the same antenna orientation settings. You would think if I could get the other two, I sure should be able to get 7. I don't have cable HD and don't plan on it unless push comes to shove. Come warm weather (???!!) I will get an outside antenna.

Hey flyweed, hope you are getting all your OTA in order, this is your PyroU friend:) I probably should have suggested this forum for you as the first thing to do, especially since I know little to nothing about your areas reception, good luck with it:)

I live in Rapids and always get 9 & 20 in the 95-100% range with an attic antenna. Channel 7 will be in the 70's to high 50's at times its either the higher frequency of channel 40 or less power.

lovehohn and others
Ok dumb question here. How do you KNOW what your range is if you're using an antenna? I'm not concerned with the HD as I don't have an HD tv yet - just a digital.

Most HDTV's or the tuner boxes will express a value on the signal strength. When i said 95-100% it means i had a good strong signal with no dropouts. On my PC tuner card all i need is about a 25% signal to not have signal problems. On my older RCA tuner it needs to be in the 50% range. This helps with aiming your antenna.

Channels 9, 7, and 20 broadcast from the same tower.. HOWEVER, Channel 7's digital antenna is more directional to the south and they use lesser power than 9 and 20. Many people north of Wausau have trouble seeing it unless they have an outside antenna. I am not sure why 7 did that.. When channel 7 moves from Digital channel 40 back to channel 7 next February that should be fixed.

Charter in Eau Claire sent a message to the cable box last night
stating that TLC-HD and Discovery-HD would be available in March.

Other than USA or SCIFI, what other HD channels would be nice?

Charter in Eau Claire sent a message to the cable box last night
stating that TLC-HD and Discovery-HD would be available in March.

Other than USA or SCIFI, what other HD channels would be nice?

I believe that charter is finally getting close to what Dish has to offer minus NFL network and Big ten network.

Dish may have more HD but a lot of it is garbage.

Hey Arkyman...I thought that was you!! I knew it was only a matter of time before you found me on here! ha ha ha

THing that puzzles me is that that atennaweb.org or whatever it's called, says that WKBT towers are SOUTH of me, and the guy on here said they are actually just north of me in Galesville???????

Also, something weird, is that my dishnetwork box will display signal strength. And most of the guys are saying they get the channels on their TV's just fine with a single strength as little as 25%...man, if my dish box signal strength drops below 80% I loose the signal or it pixelates.

What's up with that?

Dan (aka flyweed)

Just thought I'd bump this thread for the La Crosse area. It's finally getting warmer outside, and the snow is slowly clearing off my roof, I am then going to be doing some "antenna tests" to see what I can recieve up there with my cheap amplified rabbit ears, before I decide what antenna(s) to buy to get hopefully CBS, ABC, FOX and NBC out of Eau Claire. If I can pull those in, I can get rid of the extra payment to dishnetwork for my local channels.

Dan

Also, something weird, is that my dishnetwork box will display signal strength. And most of the guys are saying they get the channels on their TV's just fine with a single strength as little as 25%...man, if my dish box signal strength drops below 80% I loose the signal or it pixelates.

What's up with that?

Different FEC rates. Satellite is a very reliable technology once you precisely aim the parabolic antenna (dish) to the right spot. No reason to pad it with tons of FEC data. The television broadcast signal, however, has to cover a very large area and deal with issues like multipath and signal decay that starts to require more and more robust (large) antenna systems. Thus, almost 2/3 of the data sent OTA is FEC data. With that much FEC information, it's possible to recreate a stream with far less "good" data.

The 25% figure sounds low to me. Most of the ones I've seen are around 40% for a stable picture.

Boy, even at 40% I should would take that. Like I said, MOST of the time my digtal 8.1 and 8.2 WKBT channels I get, are at 89 and 90%...but if I drop down below say 70% it's very badly pixelated or gone all together. I hope that's not the case with all my digital channels out here

Dan

Anyone else's new TLC and Discovery HD messed up? Mine goes about 90% across the screen, and has a small black bar on each side. All the other HD channels are fine and go all the way across. It isn't 4:3, which takes up about 60% of the screen with BIG black bars on each side...this is different. Anyone else have the same issue?

Hmm....tuned to Lacrosse's PBS last nite for the first time in a few months and noticed that its HD channel is now at 720p instead of the 1080i that it had been. Just an observation.

Anyone else's new TLC and Discovery HD messed up? Mine goes about 90% across the screen, and has a small black bar on each side. All the other HD channels are fine and go all the way across. It isn't 4:3, which takes up about 60% of the screen with BIG black bars on each side...this is different. Anyone else have the same issue?
I see the same thing. But... it isn't 100% of the time on these channels. I have seen a program or two (and a few commercials) fill the entire screen. Is it possible it is supposed to look this way?

Around the first of the year, PBS added a new channel for PBS 2 DT: The Wisconsin Channel. At the same time, they updated their equipment. The new equipment broadcasts PBS 5 HD in 720p. The old equipment was indeed 1080i. You may need to change the setting on your TV for PBS 5. PBS 5 broadcasts in 720p HD...in 16/9 widescreen format.

Bill

OK, just to be clear - channels 8 and 13 will be moving back to 8 and 13 (instead of 41 and 39) for ATSC FEB 2009?

The reason I ask is that I currently have two non-rotating rooftop antennas. The UHF is pointing west, and the VHF is pointing basicly north. I get the (H)DTV UHF stations OK, but not 8/13 (which makes sense since my UHF antenna is not pointed the right way). I DO get analog 8 and 13 OK (though 13 can sometimes be not the greatest). I don't want to get a new UHF antenna if I don't have to.

thanks
Brian
(LaCrescent, MN)

Around the first of the year, PBS added a new channel for PBS 2 DT: The Wisconsin Channel. At the same time, they updated their equipment. The new equipment broadcasts PBS 5 HD in 720p. The old equipment was indeed 1080i. You may need to change the setting on your TV for PBS 5. PBS 5 broadcasts in 720p HD...in 16/9 widescreen format.

Bill


I had no problem with them switching to 720. I'm not sure I'll ever see the difference between the two with the TVs I'm likely to have, the distances I'll be viewing them from, and the condition of these aging eyes.

I assumed it was a tactic to free up a bit of bandwidth and it did get me wondering if it was sign of things to come from other broadcasters.

With the talk over the last few months or so about cable/sat channels claiming HD but delivering HDlite, it had me thinking about something they used to say about images on computer monitors years ago. The sum of it was that for an image like a photograph (as opposed to a line drawing like a draftsman would produce on a screen), it looks "better" to the human eye if you lean more towards color depth than pixel count. For example (just throwing out numbers here) a screen with 800 x 600 pixels and a palette of 64K different colors would look more realistic to the eye than an image the same size with 1280 x 1024 pixels and a palette of only 16K different colors.

Maybe all broadcasting will end up at 720, and leave 1080 to blueray.

OK, just to be clear - channels 8 and 13 will be moving back to 8 and 13 (instead of 41 and 39) for ATSC FEB 2009?

The reason I ask is that I currently have two non-rotating rooftop antennas. The UHF is pointing west, and the VHF is pointing basicly north. I get the (H)DTV UHF stations OK, but not 8/13 (which makes sense since my UHF antenna is not pointed the right way). I DO get analog 8 and 13 OK (though 13 can sometimes be not the greatest). I don't want to get a new UHF antenna if I don't have to.

thanks
Brian
(LaCrescent, MN)

Yes Brian, La Crosse's CBS will be digital on 8 and Eau Claire's NBC will be digital on 13. Also, Rochester's NBC will be digital on 10, if that's any help to you.

I am confused as to why you are getting 8 and 13 digital channels up on 41 and 39??? I get these digital stations as 8.1 and 8.2 and 13.1 off my roof antenna if my memory serves me correctly.

Dan

Because they actually transmit on channels 41 and 39 but appear on your TV as such. It's called PSIP, and it's to allow stations to continue branding with their current channel, regardless of what channel they actually transmit on.

- Trip

I see the FCC has published the eighth Table of Allotments for DTV and WFXS is still listed as physical channel 50. Hopefully now they will finalize their transmitter and begin transmitting OTA.

Bill

Bill,
Do you have a link as to where you found the information on the FCC web page?

I think this was it...from just a few days ago. The excel file.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-72A2.xls

Here was the notice:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-631A1.pdf

Perhaps they have one last chance to petition for channel 30-something.

EDIT: Here is the FCC main query page. It also has links to all of the latest FCC documents.

http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/

Bill

I live in downtown Eau Claire and can get 13.1, 13.2, 18.1, 18.2, and the 28 multi cast for my OTA digital. No cable or satellite either. Channel 8 WKBT can be grabbed in a very very poor analog from my residence. Also, oddly enough I pick up an analog 45 :confused:that is nothing but a staticcy blue screen that says "Recieving Channel Information"(see pic below) How weird! Anyone know what this is or could be? No programming has ever came through that I have noticed.

Now my WEUX question is: Why can I not pick up the digital 48.1 signal? I can pull in the analog 48 signal in very good quality. From my interpretation of what I read on the FCC website Chippewa Falls is the location of the signal.

Thanks!

http://http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9563/dsc00040sb6.jpg

Hm, I looked around and this might be your channel 45:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=130843

Looking around, that station is apparently supposed to repeat KQEG-CA from La Crosse. The station used to be UPN but now is a general entertainment or religious station, something along those lines.

As far as 48-1, it's either not on the air or at extremely low power. Their last filing with the FCC indicates they intend to power up at the end of September.

Hope it helps, though you might want to wait for someone from your area to give you advice, since they'll know better than I do.

- Trip

I'm a bit surprised that no one else has mentioned it, but it seems as though Charter has started blocking QAM Pay-Per-View content, as I haven't been able to see anything on Channel 110.x for almost a month now.

Also, is anyone else in the Wausau area getting signal bleed on 92.4? (Not sure 'bleed' is the right term for it; I have horizontal stripes from whatever channel I was watching prior to turning to 92.4 - WJFW HD.)

BJKrautk,

Unfortunately I think that you are correct about Charter and the QAM as I noticed the same thing... although I can't say I'm too heartbroken - gets pretty annoying watching 2/3 of a show/movie and then someone skips all the way back to the beginning. Funny, I always had those channels show up on in the 91.x range.

I am cancelling my Charter this week anyways because they jacked up my monthly bill by more than double... (im a student and was on the 19.99/mo. internet access). I'll prob sign up again in a few months when they run a new promotion. What is the likelyhood that the non pay per view QAM channels will be gone by then?

I live in downtown Eau Claire and can get 13.1, 13.2, 18.1, 18.2, and the 28 multi cast for my OTA digital. No cable or satellite either. Channel 8 WKBT can be grabbed in a very very poor analog from my residence. Also, oddly enough I pick up an analog 45 :confused:that is nothing but a staticcy blue screen that says "Recieving Channel Information"(see pic below) How weird! Anyone know what this is or could be? No programming has ever came through that I have noticed.

Now my WEUX question is: Why can I not pick up the digital 48.1 signal? I can pull in the analog 48 signal in very good quality. From my interpretation of what I read on the FCC website Chippewa Falls is the location of the signal.

Thanks!

http://http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9563/dsc00040sb6.jpg

I also live in Eau Claire and have a larger UHF antenna in my attic aimed toward lacrosse to get 8.1.

I am able to sometimes pick up 48.1 , but rarely. I am fairly convinced that if I aimed the antenna towards colfax I would do much better.

Since there is no HD being broadcast right now I dont even waste my time.

I live in downtown Eau Claire and can get 13.1, 13.2, 18.1, 18.2, and the 28 multi cast for my OTA digital. No cable or satellite either. Channel 8 WKBT can be grabbed in a very very poor analog from my residence. Also, oddly enough I pick up an analog 45 :confused:that is nothing but a staticcy blue screen that says "Recieving Channel Information"(see pic below) How weird! Anyone know what this is or could be? No programming has ever came through that I have noticed.

Now my WEUX question is: Why can I not pick up the digital 48.1 signal? I can pull in the analog 48 signal in very good quality. From my interpretation of what I read on the FCC website Chippewa Falls is the location of the signal.

Thanks!

http://http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9563/dsc00040sb6.jpg


I live on the North side of Eau Claire and with my UHF Antenna pointed slightly
to the south east I am able to get 8, 13, 18 and 28. Channel 8 out of La Crosse is actually stronger than 13. I get channel 8 around 80. To get channel 48 I need to turn the antenna to the Northwest. I suggest you check out antenna web at http://antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx
type in your address and it will give you a visual on where exactly to point
your antenna to get channels. Good Luck!

Hello,

I currently live in Holmen which is just north of La Crosse and I was wondering if anybody had any antenna recommendations. I would like to pull in the following...

WLAX - FOX - La Crosse
WXOW - ABC - La Crosse
WEAU - NBC - Eau Claire
WKBT - CBS - La Crosse

I can pretty much get everything but WEAU with an indoor antenna but I can't ditch cable without NBC. Any help would be great. Thanks

Greetings... :)
I thought I would jump in and ask if anyone knows when Retro Television network will be added in the Wausau, La Crosse/Eau Claire, and Madison Markets?? It is suppose to be on WAOW 9.3, WYOW 34.3, WXOW (18.3?), WQOW (19.3?), and WKOW (27.3?) in the near future. If they are added on any of these stations please post it in here.. :)

So far I haven't found any these on.. But the website for Retro Television Network http://www.rtnville.com/ is listening them on the air.

Greetings... :)
I thought I would jump in and ask if anyone knows when Retro Television network will be added in the Wausau, La Crosse/Eau Claire, and Madison Markets?? It is suppose to be on WAOW 9.3, WYOW 34.3, WXOW (18.3?), WQOW (19.3?), and WKOW (27.3?) in the near future. If they are added on any of these stations please post it in here.. :)

So far I haven't found any these on.. But the website for Retro Television Network http://www.rtnville.com/ is listening them on the air.

I just did a channel scan last night on a new HD tuner card and did not pick up WAOW 9.3. The Retro TV is news to me.

I e-mailed Ion-TV and asked why nobody is receiving WTPX Antigo. I believe WTPX's transmitter is suppose to be located on the same tower as WFXS.

This is the e-mail I sent:

I was just checking in to see if the Ion station for the
Wausau/Rhinelander Wisconsin market (Call letters WTPX) has signed on
yet? The guides are showing the station is on the air but nobody in our
area can receive it. Is the station on the air yet? If not is there a
target date when the station might be on the air? I was just curious.. I
see the programming in the guides and would like to see the programs..
:) Thanks!!!


This is the reply I got:
WTPX is currently broadcasting only in the digital, which is
why you are probably not able to receive the channel. Please visit this
website http://www.dtv.gov/ to find out more information regarding
digital television. Thank you for contacting ION Media Networks.


IS THE STATION ON THE AIR OR NOT? IF SO WHY CAN'T ANYONE RECEIVE IT? :mad:

Is the power so low you have to be within a few miles to get a signal?

I am not sure if my first message made it.. I'll resend again..

It is possible they might be on a very low power. However, the signal should be strong enough to serve its city of license.. Here is the coverage map from the FCC database.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1018246.html

I should be able to pull in even a bad signal from the area on that map, no luck with my scan last week.

Its probably on but on low power.. haha.. Unless you are a few miles from the tower in the middle of nowhere.. You probably can't get it.. LOL

Hello,

I currently live in Holmen which is just north of La Crosse and I was wondering if anybody had any antenna recommendations. I would like to pull in the following...

WLAX - FOX - La Crosse
WXOW - ABC - La Crosse
WEAU - NBC - Eau Claire
WKBT - CBS - La Crosse

I can pretty much get everything but WEAU with an indoor antenna but I can't ditch cable without NBC. Any help would be great. Thanks

Good luck with Fox/NBC. I live in Holmen and can't get either one. I don't have a large antenna, though. ABC and CBS come in perfectly. I can't say which brand I have since Dean's satellite installed it at the same time that they installed my DirecTV dish. I'm hoping DirecTV adds our HD locals in August when the next satellite is supposed to become operational.

Good luck with Fox/NBC. I live in Holmen and can't get either one. I don't have a large antenna, though. ABC and CBS come in perfectly. I can't say which brand I have since Dean's satellite installed it at the same time that they installed my DirecTV dish. I'm hoping DirecTV adds our HD locals in August when the next satellite is supposed to become operational.

Don't hold your breath on those locals from Directv. Even though they will have the capacity in Aug-Sept I am betting it will be months before LaX and EC and Wausau/Rhinelander get HD locals

I live in Sparta, and I've been using my DISH ViP722 and a Vista Media Center to receive OTA HDTV signals with a Terrestrial Digital DB8 for the last year or so. When I first installed the antenna I was able to pick up WXOW and WHLA's HD signals. However, since around May 1st I haven't been able to pickup WXOW. Are they not transmitting as strongly as they were in the past?

WLAX-DT is broadcasting with 2.49kW of power...peanut power compared to WXOW-DT, WKBT-DT, WEAU-DT and WHLA-DT.

As I stated in various posts (many months ago), WLAX has to refurbish the current tower we're broadcasting from now. Until the weather clears, the refurbishing can't begin...

Within the coming few months, WLAX will be installing the new high-powered transmitter and when the refurbishing is completed, a new digital antenna will be installed on the tower, connections will be made from the xmtr., to the new transmission line, and then, to the new antenna...BIG BUCK$$$$$$$!

( That sucking sound, you hear in the backround, isn't your mother's HOOVER!!! ) :eek:

The FCC is getting close to approving a CP (construction permit) that needed to be filed this past winter. Once that's done, then the weather has to "clear" enough that the rest of the projects can be started and pushed to completion...hopefully before the end of August...

;)

What is the statuts on the transmitter upgrade? Will it be done by football season?

Thanks,
Bill

What is the statuts on the transmitter upgrade? Will it be done by football season?

Thanks,
Bill

Along with that, what is the status of actually getting Fox48 in HD and powered, I know Mark had said hopefully by Football, is this still a go.