Excellent news! Now I need to figure out a way to get WJFW without moving any of my existing antennas!

Bill

Is KTTC currently broadcasting digital on channel 50 or analog on 67 from the W67CH tower?

I have a digital-only tuner so I'm not sure if I can't pick it up or if it's still analog (or both).

tvfool.com says both KTTC 10, and W67CH 50 are both grey-area for my location meaning that they will take extreme measures to pick up. I've always picked up KTTC 10, but now that it's digital it's been pretty unreliable reception.

The only way to know for sure is to dig into the menus and find the RF channel it's being received on. If W67CH, I'd like to know so I can post about it on Tech 55901.

Is KTTC currently broadcasting digital on channel 50 or analog on 67 from the W67CH tower?

I have a digital-only tuner so I'm not sure if I can't pick it up or if it's still analog (or both).

tvfool.com says both KTTC 10, and W67CH 50 are both grey-area for my location meaning that they will take extreme measures to pick up. I've always picked up KTTC 10, but now that it's digital it's been pretty unreliable reception.

KTTC-DT-50 is not going to be on the air for a few months, their DT-50 antenna is getting installed on the WXOW tower (one would assume at the same time as WXOW-DT-48's antenna install) KTTC-TV-67 will be on the air until the DT comes online W67CH tower (from what I have read on KTTC's website.)

KTTC-DT-50 is not going to be on the air for a few months, their DT-50 antenna is getting installed on the WXOW tower (one would assume at the same time as WXOW-DT-48's antenna install) KTTC-TV-67 will be on the air until the DT comes online W67CH tower (from what I have read on KTTC's website.)

Thanks for the info.

What is WXOW-DT-48 going to be?

Thanks for the info.

What is WXOW-DT-48 going to be?

The WXOW-DT-14 antenna is current mounted under the WXOW-TV-19 antenna (the top mounted antenna), will be taken down and a new antenna for channel 48 will be top mounted on the tower running 371kW!

Speaking of the WXOW tower:
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s129/gjvrieze/TV%20Transmitters%20WI/?action=view&current=WXOW.jpg

I can't comment on WEUX-DT, but WLAX-DT runs HD on 25.1 and an SD simulcast on 25.2. What you are seeing on your cable is most likely their HD feed being run by fiber to the cable company and may not be what they are pushing out over the air. I believe WFXS has had HD for a while now, but didn't have the capabilities to broadcast it OTA until they flash-cut, however their fiber feed to the cable providers allowed them the cable providers to carry it in HD. I can't imagine the same is going on with WEUX-DT, but I may be wrong as I can only receive WLAX-DT.
The FOX HD station in Eau Claire on cable is actually the WLAX signal from LaCrosse which does put out an HD signal. WEUX 48 does NOT do HD over the air.
Yes, I believe (looking back in time on this thread) that WLAX-HD is what has been carried on EC Charter cable for over a year. Gotcha, I guess I didn't realize that b/c at news time they must cut away to Local EC's bastard news program. Thanks for the replies, cleared up one mystery as to that.

Disappointing that the FCC has at this point denied the additional power upgrade for WEAUTV 13. Missing the UHF.

Nm

Not seeing much activity here lately...is that good news or bad news?!? Either everyone has given up on DTV, or most folks are OK with it. Hmmm...

Anyway, just a heads-up that WPT will be shutting down their analog transmitters for good on Sunday. In this market, WHRM/Wausau, WHWC/Menomonie, and WHLA/LaCrosse will all be pulling the big switch Sunday night. Of course, analog at WLEF/Park Falls is already shut down.

Ustabe

Does anyone know of any way to actually contact someone from Charter, in the Rhinelander area, that actually knows anything? I can only get a hold of tech support people from India who are no help at all.

For about 6 weeks Charter's feed of WYOW 34 from Eagle River (the rebroadcast of WAOW 9 ABC from Wausau) has been experiencing many problems similar an antenna being at low signal strength. Compression macroblocks appearing on screen, clicking noises when the artifacts appear, video stuttering, and several times we've watched it the channel has completely gone out for 15 minutes, with maybe 1 messed-up frame appearing every couple minutes. This happens on both analog and digital cable at the same times, and I've talked to other people in the Rhinelander area who experience the exact same problems at the exact same times in the show, only on this channel.

I talked to the engineer from WAOW and he said that Charter receives this channel for rebroadcasting with an antenna, so the problem would be explained if the antenna is not aligned correctly or there is some other issue with the receiving equipment. I can't believe that Charter doesn't know about this, as it has been going on for about 6 weeks, but maybe no one else can get in touch with someone from Charter who knows anything either! Thanks.

Does anyone know of any way to actually contact someone from Charter, in the Rhinelander area, that actually knows anything? I can only get a hold of tech support people from India who are no help at all.

For about 6 weeks Charter's feed of WYOW 34 from Eagle River (the rebroadcast of WAOW 9 ABC from Wausau) has been experiencing many problems similar an antenna being at low signal strength. Compression macroblocks appearing on screen, clicking noises when the artifacts appear, video stuttering, and several times we've watched it the channel has completely gone out for 15 minutes, with maybe 1 messed-up frame appearing every couple minutes. This happens on both analog and digital cable at the same times, and I've talked to other people in the Rhinelander area who experience the exact same problems at the exact same times in the show, only on this channel.

I talked to the engineer from WAOW and he said that Charter receives this channel for rebroadcasting with an antenna, so the problem would be explained if the antenna is not aligned correctly or there is some other issue with the receiving equipment. I can't believe that Charter doesn't know about this, as it has been going on for about 6 weeks, but maybe no one else can get in touch with someone from Charter who knows anything either! Thanks.

Try this (http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/10/19/granny-smashes-comcast-equipment-with-claw-hammer/) :cool:

Does anyone know of any way to actually contact someone from Charter, in the Rhinelander area, that actually knows anything? I can only get a hold of tech support people from India who are no help at all.

For about 6 weeks Charter's feed of WYOW 34 from Eagle River (the rebroadcast of WAOW 9 ABC from Wausau) has been experiencing many problems similar an antenna being at low signal strength. Compression macroblocks appearing on screen, clicking noises when the artifacts appear, video stuttering, and several times we've watched it the channel has completely gone out for 15 minutes, with maybe 1 messed-up frame appearing every couple minutes. This happens on both analog and digital cable at the same times, and I've talked to other people in the Rhinelander area who experience the exact same problems at the exact same times in the show, only on this channel.

I talked to the engineer from WAOW and he said that Charter receives this channel for rebroadcasting with an antenna, so the problem would be explained if the antenna is not aligned correctly or there is some other issue with the receiving equipment. I can't believe that Charter doesn't know about this, as it has been going on for about 6 weeks, but maybe no one else can get in touch with someone from Charter who knows anything either! Thanks.


Over in the Moxi thread there's someone named "Umatter2Charter". You might try contacting him via this site or his stated email address: Umatter2Charter@chartercom.com

Over in the Moxi thread there's someone named "Umatter2Charter". You might try contacting him via this site or his stated email address: Umatter2Charter@chartercom.com

Thanks a lot for the info!

Not seeing much activity here lately...is that good news or bad news?!? Either everyone has given up on DTV, or most folks are OK with it. Hmmm...

Anyway, just a heads-up that WPT will be shutting down their analog transmitters for good on Sunday. In this market, WHRM/Wausau, WHWC/Menomonie, and WHLA/LaCrosse will all be pulling the big switch Sunday night. Of course, analog at WLEF/Park Falls is already shut down.

Ustabe

I have given up on it, I lost WKBT and WEUX is still not broadcasting in HD. Not sure what there situation is. I am sure they have good excuses, but it seems like we have been waiting a long time since Mark said we were close.

Anyways, I dont the see the status of those 2 channels changing for me, so I have given up and am waiting patiently for Dish to uplink and activate the lacrosse HD locals.

Yup, the stations that went digital and VHF-hi are underpowered. It sucks that good stations go away because of the digital switch. For me it's WKBT channel 8 and WEAU channel 13.

It looks like WFXS 55-2 is showing up with outdoor type programming on the Titan TV guide. I cross referenced the shows and it looks like they are going to add Untamed Sports Tv to the line up.

http://www.untamedsportstv.com

Great news!

I have no problem with WKBT but WEAU is hit or miss. I've seen between 10 and 80% signal strength. I don't know the brand of my outdoor antenna (came with the house) but it has two driven elements, a reflector and ~6 directors. It is pointing at least roughly the correct direction.

Sometimes it is hust fine, sometimes I get nothing, and sometimes I get bordeline jaggie/blockie reception.

Brian

Are there any antenna installers in the area? I have a friend from Friendship, WI that is looking for an installer. Any leads to give her?

Are you talking a tower or just a roof top?

I'm not totally sure. She started this thread: http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hdtv-info-reception/92759-need-antenna-installer-central-wi.html

I'm not totally sure. She started this thread: http://www.highdefforum.com/local-hdtv-info-reception/92759-need-antenna-installer-central-wi.html

It is on a utility pole, so closer to tower work...

I think she is not in the best place to pick up either Wausau or Madison. My father in law is about 20 miles north and can get Wausau better than Madison, but he has a good line of site without many hills. She might want to look at calling a cell phone tower service guys. I found one guy a few years back who would climb the tower at our old house, but in never worked out. They do travel around so its a crap shoot trying to find one though.

Okay, I'll pass your suggestion along to her. Is there anyone that does a roof install? It may be possible to install on the roof...

Has anyone checked out WFXS Fox 55 today? Check out the new 55.2! :)

Has anyone checked out WFXS Fox 55 today? Check out the new 55.2! :)

Do tell! In the past it was either channel 9 or the same SD feed.

Extreme Sports Network...hunting and fishing!

Extreme Sports Network...hunting and fishing!

* Untamed Sports TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untamed_Sports_TV)

:)

- Trip

Thanks Trip! THAT is what I meant! It looks like something like the old Outdoor Life cable channel.

Bill

If anyone is ever in the local EC/Altoona Charter office will you please get the local phone number.

Secondly, is anyone that is getting Charter HD using there "New" box? (actually about 1.5 years since they changed or started using them)?
I'd like to get the Make and Model of it and can't get that information off the 1-888 clowns in any department. [No I bite my tongue and don't actually call them clowns].

I'm having some issues with either the old box or the TV itself. It's connected (BOX) DVI - to HDMI (TV) cable - and when I change from HD Channels to SD channels quite often I'll get left with Green / Purple only colors. If I go back to a HD channel everything is fine until I'd switch back to a SD Ch. As a work around I flip the Input to something else and then back to tuner; it ALWAYS clears up or if I shut the TV (Plasma) off - next time it's fine.

I'm in trouble shooting mode. I am going to try Component cables to see if the problem continues there as well. But I was wondering if the (newer) HD boxes from Charter have HDMI ports and a Firewire port. Wondering if my TV which in the past has disliked the DVI to HDMI crossover and seems to classify it as Component in some menues.

Basically if I can find the Make/model I can hopefully look it up online. Hoping it's not the TV!

If anyone is ever in the local EC/Altoona Charter office will you please get the local phone number.

Secondly, is anyone that is getting Charter HD using there "New" box? (actually about 1.5 years since they changed or started using them)?
I'd like to get the Make and Model of it and can't get that information off the 1-888 clowns in any department. [No I bite my tongue and don't actually call them clowns].

I'm having some issues with either the old box or the TV itself. It's connected (BOX) DVI - to HDMI (TV) cable - and when I change from HD Channels to SD channels quite often I'll get left with Green / Purple only colors. If I go back to a HD channel everything is fine until I'd switch back to a SD Ch. As a work around I flip the Input to something else and then back to tuner; it ALWAYS clears up or if I shut the TV (Plasma) off - next time it's fine.

I'm in trouble shooting mode. I am going to try Component cables to see if the problem continues there as well. But I was wondering if the (newer) HD boxes from Charter have HDMI ports and a Firewire port. Wondering if my TV which in the past has disliked the DVI to HDMI crossover and seems to classify it as Component in some menues.

Basically if I can find the Make/model I can hopefully look it up online. Hoping it's not the TV!

I have a recently new Charter HD STB here in Rochester. It is a DCH-6200 with HDMI and firewire (History and USA HD among others) The firewire is active, but a lot of my favorite channels are 5c'ed. if you are interested in a HTPC using the STB, bare in mind, to change channels, you have to add "-f" to the channel change command. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Hi, a bit of news I just noticed,

KQEG-CA channel 23 (analog) in La Crosse was FamilyNet this morning as usual, but tonight they are broadcasting the ION network!

Anyone here in the know about what they're up to at KQEG? Kind of interesting!

They were recently sold to the owner of the LPTV station in Tomah, which was rumored to carry ION, so maybe that has something to do with it. ION is really only on the air from 2-10p (paid programming at other times), so maybe they will mix FamilyNet and ION.

Incidentally, I checked for the LPTV station in Tomah on a recent trip through the area and couldn't pick it up within their theoretical coverage area.

I have been emailing back and forth with an engineer at WXOW and he says that WXOW is going to be ready to move to RF channel 48 at 9AM June 12th. The new transmitter is running into a dummy load, for stress testing and the "new" antenna will be showing up on the top of the WXOW tower soon:)

He said that he expects the new signal to match that of WHLA-DT, so for people like (in Rochester), it is the addition of another source of ABC and CW. (I personally like having multiple markets!)
Should make it an easier grab for those of you in Toma and the East side of La Crosse!

Dish Network uplink reports are showing our La Crosse stations. It's gonna be any day now folks!

Dish Network uplink reports are showing our La Crosse stations. It's gonna be any day now folks!

I am assuming you mean the HD uplink as the SD has been
uplinked and on for quite awhile now.

Dish Network uplink reports are showing our La Crosse stations. It's gonna be any day now folks!

I saw that myself,

I cant wait. I am still waiting for FOXHD, but the real annoyance has been losing WKTB HD since the transistion. We watched a lot of programs on that channel.

.......the real annoyance has been losing WKTB HD since the transistion.......
Any chance they'll be boosting the power a bit on June 12??

Any chance they'll be boosting the power a bit on June 12??

No filling yet about a power increase. More power is going to make it more reliable, but I doubt that will help those of you who currently do not get. Anyone inside of 60 miles not getting WKBT currently, needs a good VHF-HI antenna and they would be all set. I have done an install at 50miles out in a 200ft valley and had very good success with the Winegard YA-1713.

Dish Network uplink reports are showing our La Crosse stations. It's gonna be any day now folks!


According the Charley Chat on Dishnetwork this will be available on July 1st.

"Note to Self" Throw antenna in Garbage on July 2nd.



Murphys Law will indicate that WEUX will be going HD June 30th, you wait and see.

"Note to Self" Throw antenna in Garbage on July 2nd.


Where's your garbage? I could always use extra antennas... :)

The WXOW-DT-14 antenna is current mounted under the WXOW-TV-19 antenna (the top mounted antenna), will be taken down and a new antenna for channel 48 will be top mounted on the tower running 371kW!

Speaking of the WXOW tower:
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s129/gjvrieze/TV%20Transmitters%20WI/?action=view&current=WXOW.jpg

What transmitter is WXOW using? Just wondering if the Atlas that I installed is going to be used? Or the Diamond?

I remember the problems that I had with the Atlas when it was installed.

What transmitter is WXOW using? Just wondering if the Atlas that I installed is going to be used? Or the Diamond?

I remember the problems that I had with the Atlas when it was installed.

I shot a message off to Dan at WXOW. Will let you know what I hear back. I do know that he said they have a new xmtr for RF-48 and that it has been running into a dummy load for a while now. I think that cabinets from the DT-14 xmtr are going up to WQOW to join their DT-15 xmtr after the shutdown, so they can boast power up...

What transmitter is WXOW using? Just wondering if the Atlas that I installed is going to be used? Or the Diamond?

I remember the problems that I had with the Atlas when it was installed.
Here is a response...

WXOW will be using the Harris Atlas for digital on channel 48. Steve Finton from Harris did the Atlas conversion from Analog to Digital. So far, it has been heating up the dummy load with few issues.
Our Diamond transmitter will become parts for another station.

Here is a response...

Thanks for the info. Nice to know that transmitter is still working.

I believe that there was a severe winter snowstorm that happened while we were installing that transmitter. Not the best weather when we were up there the first time.

Eric

Digital transition is just about here.. The only station left in analog in my area is WBIJ-TV Crandon. My question is what is the latest on this station? I checked tonight and it looks like Family Net is still running. Are they going to stay on with analog service until the deal with WAOW is complete? or Shut down? The FCC website doesn't list any specifics. It is obmitted from the lists of stations required to shut down, but I did find they notified the FCC the analog shut down will take place as scheduled.

Also, my parents have Dish Network. WTPX is now showing up in the line up BUT its not an over the air broadcast. It is a rebroadcast of the national Ion feed. I can tell because there is no ID and sloppy Dish Network commerical inserts in the programming...The Dish Network inserts are a complete simulcast of the National Ion Feed. Is there any hope the station can someday be on the air at full power? The station can't be running more than a few watts. You really need to be a direct line of sight.. Practically SEE the tower to get a fraction of a signal.

I did hear rumors Ion filed bankruptcy.. with 16 hours of informercials, you would think they could make a profit.. LOL

WTPX-DT is on the air at 50 kW, which is plenty of power, but is extremely directional toward Wausau. If you're not on that path, you're very power-limited. WTPX-DT is for sale, though, assuming someone wants to buy it.

WBIJ hasn't filed anything lately, so it's impossible to know what's going on with it, so this one should have been on the FCC list but isn't. (That FCC list was so full of mistakes...)

- Trip

The signal doesn't get anywhere near Wausau. People with high gain 60 foot towers in Wausau aimed at the WTPX tower can't get a channel lock.. The signal stops about 6 miles from Wausau.. The station has a coverage of probably 5 miles. My parents have a 80 foot tower in Antigo (the city of license) but can't pick it up. It doesn't appear to broadcasting anywhere near the power they are suppose to.. The station is acting like a 10 or 20 watt station,. but not 50 K. Its possible people with a visual on the tower from south of Merrill and along highway 64 might be able to see the station. No its not getting into Wausau at all.

The signal doesn't get anywhere near Wausau. People with high gain 60 foot towers in Wausau aimed at the WTPX tower can't get a channel lock.. The signal stops about 6 miles from Wausau.. The station has a coverage of probably 5 miles. My parents have a 80 foot tower in Antigo (the city of license) but can't pick it up. It doesn't appear to broadcasting anywhere near the power they are suppose to.. The station is acting like a 10 or 20 watt station,. but not 50 K. Its possible people with a visual on the tower from south of Merrill and along highway 64 might be able to see the station. No its not getting into Wausau at all.

My best friend and I did testing and got the data that is on Rabbitears for your market. And WTPX-DT was within 3dB as strong as WFXS-DT. We were in Wausau at Mt. Rib and could barely see the tower at 15 miles and got a good lock on it... (actually right under the Mt. Rib tower, so those stations were hitting the antenna with huge signals, and no direct LOS to WFXS-DT with the trees blocking LOS plus an old 5th gen computer tuner, no pre-amp) If I had a spectrum analyzer, I would love to have looked at the signal and seen what it looked like, maybe it needs to tuned properly... Yes we were 400ft up, but even still, the signal was super strong, so I doubt it would completely drop going down into the valley.
50kW direction, is pretty weak in areas that do not get 50kW ERP in that direction, so I suppose there are people who cannot get it, but I really find it hard to believe that people in Wausau with direct LOS to the tower, cannot get it with good signal strength...

Well, WXOW-DT-48 just went on the air! (getting pretty good signal on my place in Rochester)

Well, WXOW-DT-48 just went on the air! (getting pretty good signal on my place in Rochester)

Can I get some new TSReader data on it? :D

- Trip

Can I get some new TSReader data on it? :D

- Trip

Soon, my dad is taking up my only tuner for LAX watching WLAX, so when I get home, I will boot him over to KXLT and get some data!

Soon, my dad is taking up my only tuner for LAX watching WLAX, so when I get home, I will boot him over to KXLT and get some data!

Awesome, thanks. :D

- Trip

Thanks for the info.. It seems you have better luck than I have finding that signal.. LOL

But have you tried the signal in downtown Wausau? I didn't try anything on Rib Mountain.. But if you are getting a signal with the millions of watts of RF on that mountain I should get something in Downtown Wausau.. :confused:

My best friend and I did testing and got the data that is on Rabbitears for your market. And WTPX-DT was within 3dB as strong as WFXS-DT. We were in Wausau at Mt. Rib and could barely see the tower at 15 miles and got a good lock on it... (actually right under the Mt. Rib tower, so those stations were hitting the antenna with huge signals, and no direct LOS to WFXS-DT with the trees blocking LOS plus an old 5th gen computer tuner, no pre-amp) If I had a spectrum analyzer, I would love to have looked at the signal and seen what it looked like, maybe it needs to tuned properly... Yes we were 400ft up, but even still, the signal was super strong, so I doubt it would completely drop going down into the valley.
50kW direction, is pretty weak in areas that do not get 50kW ERP in that direction, so I suppose there are people who cannot get it, but I really find it hard to believe that people in Wausau with direct LOS to the tower, cannot get it with good signal strength...

WLAX-DT appears to be offline or at low power. Can anyone in LAX or near the tower site, confirm that it is online or offline?

Thanks for the info.. It seems you have better luck than I have finding that signal.. LOL

But have you tried the signal in downtown Wausau? I didn't try anything on Rib Mountain.. But if you are getting a signal with the millions of watts of RF on that mountain I should get something in Downtown Wausau.. :confused:

Anywhere tvfool shows LOS, should get it, no problem. Outside of that, I don't know why it is getting everyone fits. Trip was wondering, if maybe their signal was not tuned correctly, making RF strong, but the quality very poor, which would make it a hard lock...

Possibly but thanks for the input.. :)

If anyone is interested WBIJ (the only analog station left on the air in the Wausau market) Appeared off the air at 5:30 this afternoon.. They were back on when I checked about 8 PM.. but was off again at 10:30.. I just checked at 11:50 PM and they are off. I think the station may now have officially pulled the plug.

It is gone, rescan to receive WXOW-DT-48!

WLAX-DT appears to be offline or at low power. Can anyone in LAX or near the tower site, confirm that it is online or offline?

I live in Holmen and I can't get WLAX-DT this morning either.

I live in Holmen and I can't get WLAX-DT this morning either.

I think they are at really power, by the fact that tons of people are not on here asking, so it must up enough to hit the cable headends...

Why is it that WXOW which I live like 2 miles from and can recieve with safety pin is improving its signal but WEAU which I only get sporadically isn't?

(not really a question - just complaining)

Brian
(yes, I do have VHF rooftop antennna)

Why is it that WXOW which I live like 2 miles from and can recieve with safety pin is improving its signal but WEAU which I only get sporadically isn't?

(not really a question - just complaining)

Brian
(yes, I do have VHF rooftop antennna)

WEAU should install a translator at the WXOW site for the LAX area, WEAU is a tough signal to get in the city, from all the reports that I have read.. I really good VHF-HI and pre-amp will usually get it, but most people do not have the right setup to start with...

WEAU should install a translator at the WXOW site for the LAX area, WEAU is a tough signal to get in the city, from all the reports that I have read.. I really good VHF-HI and pre-amp will usually get it, but most people do not have the right setup to start with...

I have a small Terk hdtva antenna in my house in Holmen and get WEAU in at about 80% signal. I just must be very lucky.

You are right, WEAU should install a translator in La Crosse, and WKBT should install one in Eau Claire, but neither has applied for one.

However, KTTC has a construction permit to convert is low-power channel 67 translator from La Crescent to a 15kW digital signal, which should cover La Crosse adequately. (The Winona translator will also go to 15kW DTV.) KTTC is co-owned with WXOW. I'm surprised WEAU is letting them get away with it.

Just re-scanned on my Dish VIP722, I'm only getting WXOW-48 at the moment. WLAX and WHLA are gone.

WXOW-48 is coming in @ 81% which is about 20% more then WXOW-14.

Just re-scanned on my Dish VIP722, I'm only getting WXOW-48 at the moment. WLAX and WHLA are gone.

WXOW-48 is coming in @ 81% which is about 20% more then WXOW-14.

I am still getting WHLA, but it is pretty weak... WLAX has not graced my tuner in almost 24 hours... I wish that I knew what happened.......

I have a small Terk hdtva antenna in my house in Holmen and get WEAU in at about 80% signal. I just must be very lucky.

I think part of the problem is the bluffs just north of La Crescent partially block the signal. For me sometimes WEAU comes in at ~80% and sometimes it is below 50%.

Brian

All of the doomsday talk from the media is such a load of crap! The Wausau sations that I can receive all switched early and the Green Bay stations have been set for a long time EXCEPT for Fox 11, which was dropping UHF 51 and returning to their analog channel 11. To show how well this has gone, there has not been one single post on the Green Bay HDTV thread on here on AVS. All day I have been checking in and I have seen the activity for those of you in the LaCrosse area, but really not a whole lot of negatives.

WSAW (physical channel 7) asked for and was granted over 4 times the signal that they were originally alloted. WAOW (physical channel 9) asked for and was granted just under double their alloted power. Perhaps WEAU and WKBT will follow and raise their power more than the few kilowatts they asked for originally.

In Green Bay, a UHF station nearly doubled their power while the powerful NBC station has asked to raise their antenna height. In time, I figure things will get straightened out. The wheels are already in motion or have occurred in many instances.

Smile! We are digital!

Bill

I am still getting WHLA, but it is pretty weak... WLAX has not graced my tuner in almost 24 hours... I wish that I knew what happened.......

Tried again this evening and got WHLA in at around 70%. WXOW-48 is now at a whopping 100% :eek: Still no WLAX, my dad who lives south of Rockland can't pick it up either.

I was looking at the FCC website and noticed that it looked like
their power increase was approved. I called and talked to
Ron Weidemier (sp) their engineer. He said they had boosted
thier power to 29 (sorry did not get exact number)
something, and that is the highest power that
the FCC allows for their antenna height.
Increased power Friday night.
So I swung my antenna back to the direcition
I used to have it to get WEAU, and at least right now
I am getting a 40 to 50 percent signal on the Channel
Master receiver I have. My 2 year old Samsung
HDTV would still not find it with a new scan.

So the power increase has helped some.

WLAX-DT appears to be offline or at low power. Can anyone in LAX or near the tower site, confirm that it is online or offline?

A wee bit late to reply, but here within the City I did catch the other day where WLAX was running a text scroll saying that were broadcasting at low power due to some kind of equipment failure. So whatever happened, they knew about it, and they ended up getting it fixed pretty quickly.

So I spent the weekend hearing all media outlets tell me that the digital transition is complete, because apparently all major media are unaware of the existence of low power television stations. And the fact that there's no deadline for low power TV to go digital (yet).

Here in La Crosse we still have:

- KQEG-CA analog channel 23 FamilyNet/ION. Anyone know if they intend to go digital some day?

- W67CH analog channel 67 KTTC/NBC Rochester. Now that the new WXOW is online, can we expect the flash changeover from W67CH to W50DR-D soon? (please??)

I thought we would also still have W44BF analog channel 44 TBN, but that channel's been dark for several weeks now. Maybe something broke and they won't bother fixing it, since they do seem to have plans to take that channel over to digital with W26DI-D some day? Anyone know? Or can anyone actually see channel 44 still?

- W67CH analog channel 67 KTTC/NBC Rochester. Now that the new WXOW is online, can we expect the flash changeover from W67CH to W50DR-D soon? (please??)

My contact over at WXOW said that he expects to see KTTC move W67CH to digital and move to the WXOW tower before the end of summer. I have the chief engineer at KTTC as a contact too, so I will fire off an email and see what the plans are. At 15kW from the WXOW tower, KTTC should have a nice signal in La Crosse.. Many may find that a VHF antenna aimed to WKBT/WEAU and a UHF antenna to WLAX/WHLA/WXOW/KTTC will work nicely!

If La Crosse gets a translator for KTTC, why don't we up in Eau Claire get one for WKBT or WCCO? :confused: I bet most of the people with antennas up here either don't get CBS anymore or never got it to begin with.

If La Crosse gets a translator for KTTC, why don't we up in Eau Claire get one for WKBT or WCCO? :confused: I bet most of the people with antennas up here either don't get CBS anymore or never got it to begin with.

KTTC is hoping to have W67CH flashed to digital before the end of August. The parts have been ordered and they will get it installed as soon as they can.

Just reporting some observations since adding a new antenna for Ch 8.1/2 and Ch. 13.1/2:

Had problems receiving WLAX yesterday morning and it didn't return until about 6PM.

WEAU seems spotty. Had a pretty decent picture Saturday night, but I have not been able to receive a lock since. I have to aim my antenna in between that station and WKBT, but even when directly pointed at WEAU's antenna, the signal only improved a few percentage points compared to where I have it now.

Oh and I did some adjusting to the antenna giving me WLAX/WXOW/WHLA and able to receive a strong 100% lock on 19.1/2 and 31.1/2/3. 25.1/2 is in the high 70s I believe... when they aren't having the issues noted above.

And just as an aside, went to my grandparents' on Father's Day and helped them with rescanning their converter box. Fun times! :D

Just reporting some observations since adding a new antenna for Ch 8.1/2 and Ch. 13.1/2:

Had problems receiving WLAX yesterday morning and it didn't return until about 6PM.

WEAU seems spotty. Had a pretty decent picture Saturday night, but I have not been able to receive a lock since. I have to aim my antenna in between that station and WKBT, but even when directly pointed at WEAU's antenna, the signal only improved a few percentage points compared to where I have it now.

Oh and I did some adjusting to the antenna giving me WLAX/WXOW/WHLA and able to receive a strong 100% lock on 19.1/2 and 31.1/2/3. 25.1/2 is in the high 70s I believe... when they aren't having the issues noted above.

And just as an aside, went to my grandparents' on Father's Day and helped them with rescanning their converter box. Fun times! :D

WLAX is removing their analog tower the past week or so, they may be at low power again to deal with climbers in the strong radiation zone.
WEUX is completely off the air at the moment, I see on their website, that part of the transmitter went bad late Monday morning.

WLAX-DT appears to be offline or at low power. Can anyone in LAX or near the tower site, confirm that it is online or offline?

Sorry to keep you guys in the dark for these couple of weeks...

On the infamous day of "The Great "O" Re-schedule" - we lost a little tiny fan (5VDC, about 60mm. x 60mm. x 15mm.) that kept an $8K tube cool...no one locally had the thing, so we had to wait 'til Saturday to get it...in the mean time, we we're on the little unit (2.46kW ERP) and standby antenna...and we were right in the middle of removing the old antenna from the top of the old tower...so working in the building, underneath a ton of dangling metal, wasn't a too smart thing to do...

But, following the antenna's landing, we were able to get back in the building and complete the repair...we had the full-powered WLAX DT back up and running about 1150 Saturday, the 13th...

Now, as some folks are aware, WLAX is removing its old tower ... so occasionally, we have to reduce the power of WLAX DT to keep from toasting the tower crew while they're up in the RF Beam from the new tower's antenna...and at the same time, we were also moving the two microwave dishes from the old tower over to the new tower...

The microwave antenna moves couldn't be done last fall due to weather constraints and man-power issues the tower crew was having...so we decided to move the stuff off the old tower this spring...at this time, we have about 240' of the old tower left and hopefully, by Monday/Tuesday, the old tower will be nothing more than a memory...

...and HD will eventually be coming to Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire...stay tuned...

... I thought we would also still have W44BF analog channel 44 TBN, but that channel's been dark for several weeks now. Maybe something broke and they won't bother fixing it, since they do seem to have plans to take that channel over to digital with W26DI-D some day? Anyone know? Or can anyone actually see channel 44 still?

Sorry to let you folks know, but W44BF/Ch. 44 TBN is no more...

TBN pulled its share of the funding for any low-powered TVs out in the hinterlands...they are, now, only funding Full-powered operations...so the owner of 44 had no choice but to pull the plug.

WLAX is removing their analog tower the past week or so, they may be at low power again to deal with climbs in the strong radiation zone.

We're pretty much done with lowering the power...all the work in the "RF Zone" was completed about a week ago...

WEUX is completely off the air at the moment, I see on their website, that part of the transmitter went bad late Monday morning.

A tiny transistor (SSSMD = SuperSmall Surface Mounted Device) went bad, taking out 5 $85.00 fuses (those were available locally, the transistor wasn't), so the order went out and we were promised a plane-load of parts by 3PM Tuesday afternoon...by 4PM, no parts came off the airplane...now the hunt was on...eventually, another plane showed up with...you guessed it...the parts, at 9PM...after the travel from MSP, the transmitter was back on the air about 1:16AM Wednesday morning...fun and games in Cellphone-free Wisconsin... :D :rolleyes:

Sorry to keep you guys in the dark for these couple of weeks...

On the infamous day of "The Great "O" Re-schedule" - we lost a little tiny fan (5VDC, about 60mm. x 60mm. x 15mm.) that kept an $8K tube cool...no one locally had the thing, so we had to wait 'til Saturday to get it...in the mean time, we we're on the little unit (2.46kW ERP) and standby antenna...and we were right in the middle of removing the old antenna from the top of the old tower...so working in the building, underneath a ton of dangling metal, wasn't a too smart thing to do...

But, following the antenna's landing, we were able to get back in the building and complete the repair...we had the full-powered WLAX DT back up and running about 1150 Saturday, the 13th...

Now, as some folks are aware, WLAX is removing its old tower ... so occasionally, we have to reduce the power of WLAX DT to keep from toasting the tower crew while they're up in the RF Beam from the new tower's antenna...and at the same time, we were also moving the two microwave dishes from the old tower over to the new tower...

The microwave antenna moves couldn't be done last fall due to weather constraints and man-power issues the tower crew was having...so we decided to move the stuff off the old tower this spring...at this time, we have about 240' of the old tower left and hopefully, by Monday/Tuesday, the old tower will be nothing more than a memory...

...and HD will eventually be coming to Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire...stay tuned...

Mark, thanks for posting this info!

Which microwave dishes needed to be moved? (I am guessing the links over to WEUX??)

Mark, thanks for posting this info! ... Which microwave dishes needed to be moved? (I am guessing the links over to WEUX??)

The first dish was the one feeding up to WEUX - that's a 2GHz. setup...it's the first of 3 hops on 2GHz. to get the signal to the Colfax site...it's actually the 2nd hop overall...

The 2nd dish to get moved over to the new tower was the 7GHz. dish that brings both the WLAX & WEUX signals up to the La Crescent site from the Studios...the WLAX signal terminates at the La Crescent site, whereas the WEUX signal is fed straight into the 2GHz. gear and is then sent on its way North...

Now, for something completely different...

Last night, WEUX DT got knocked off the air...again...due to the little storms that came through around dinner time...once I got to the site, a few breakers needed to be reset, but a wiring problem in the RF Switch cropped up and it took until 2330.00 last night to located, fix and then bring the transmitter back on line and up to full power...

Gremlins bite... :mad:

The first dish was the one feeding up to WEUX - that's a 2GHz. setup...it's the first of 3 hops on 2GHz. to get the signal to the Colfax site...it's actually the 2nd hop overall...

The 2nd dish to get moved over to the new tower was the 7GHz. dish that brings both the WLAX & WEUX signals up to the La Crescent site from the Studios...the WLAX signal terminates at the La Crescent site, whereas the WEUX signal is fed straight into the 2GHz. gear and is then sent on its way North...

Now, for something completely different...

Last night, WEUX DT got knocked off the air...again...due to the little storms that came through around dinner time...once I got to the site, a few breakers needed to be reset, but a wiring problem in the RF Switch cropped up and it took until 2330.00 last night to located, fix and then bring the transmitter back on line and up to full power...

Gremlins bite... :mad:

Does the signal from the WLAX site get beamed straight to the WEUX tower, or is there another site in between? (I was always curious about the links in the Eau Claire/La Crosse market, as it is not real common to have multiple full power transmitters for the same station in an area like this)

Does the signal from the WLAX site get beamed straight to the WEUX tower, or is there another site in between? (I was always curious about the links in the Eau Claire/La Crosse market, as it is not real common to have multiple full power transmitters for the same station in an area like this)

WLAX DT's signal (25.1/25.2) goes from as far north as the upper edge of Trempealeau County to as far south as into Iowa (Allamakee/Winneshieck (sp?)) and Grant county and as far east as Jackson's/Monroe's eastern edges and as far west as Fillmore...

The microwave signal for WEUX DT is started at the studio on its own 7GHz radio link up to La Crescent, then the A/V is passed directly to the 1st of 3 2GHz. microwaves and sent 1st to Whitehall, where the A/V is demod'd, remod'd and sent on a shorter hop to Strum, where again, it's demod'd and remod'd for the 3rd and final 2Ghz. hop up to Colfax where the Full-powered Xmtr. is located...a total of over 90.529 miles of microwaving going on...hot, buttered popcorn not included...some batteries are, though! ;) :D :cool:

But hopefully, by this fall (before football I hope!) these radios will be retired and we'll have a new, fresh set of better, cleaner radios, with better audio and video being delivered - I waiting on the HD gear and the 7GHz. radio at this time...once it arrives, there will be certain interuptions in our programming up in the Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire area...but I hope to keep it to a minimum...and we might be able to have spares!!! What a novel concept! Replacement parts and whatnot...

What will they think of next? :confused: ;) :D

BTW, the microwave path for the ABC stations is a bit more complicated and bi-directional...you don't even want to know how that one was planned out...another company did it and it took about 16 separate radio links to do it...all from La Crescent, up to Colfax, into Eau Claire and back...

Ouch!

WLAX DT's signal (25.1/25.2) goes from as far north as the upper edge of Trempealeau County to as far south as into Iowa (Allamakee/Winneshieck (sp?)) and Grant county and as far east as Jackson's/Monroe's eastern edges and as far west as Fillmore...

The microwave signal for WEUX DT is started at the studio on its own 7GHz radio link up to La Crescent, then the A/V is passed directly to the 1st of 3 2GHz. microwaves and sent 1st to Whitehall, where the A/V is demod'd, remod'd and sent on a shorter hop to Strum, where again, it's demod'd and remod'd for the 3rd and final 2Ghz. hop up to Colfax where the Full-powered Xmtr. is located...a total of over 90.529 miles of microwaving going on...hot, buttered popcorn not included...some batteries are, though! ;) :D :cool:

But hopefully, by this fall (before football I hope!) these radios will be retired and we'll have a new, fresh set of better, cleaner radios, with better audio and video being delivered - I waiting on the HD gear and the 7GHz. radio at this time...once it arrives, there will be certain interuptions in our programming up in the Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire area...but I hope to keep it to a minimum...and we might be able to have spares!!! What a novel concept! Replacement parts and whatnot...

What will they think of next? :confused: ;) :D

BTW, the microwave path for the ABC stations is a bit more complicated and bi-directional...you don't even want to know how that one was planned out...another company did it and it took about 16 separate radio links to do it...all from La Crescent, up to Colfax, into Eau Claire and back...

Ouch!

I was ambiguous with my question, but you answered anyway, thanks! (I was asking about the microwave links, whereas the broadcast radiation data, I have right in front of me for all US TV/FM stations, thanks to TVfool..)


Also, another question for ya: how does the news sharing work with WEAU, do they just pick you up OTA and rebroadcast your news programing, or do you have microwave links to their studio as well?

I recieved a twitter message back from Dish and it sounds like the Lacrosse/Eau Claire HD local activation is still on track. Hopefully all goes well.

They are online according to the uplink report on satelliteguys.us.:)

They are online according to the uplink report on satelliteguys.us.:)

Yep and looking awesome. I see no difference in the quality compared to OTA. I am very satisfied.

They are online according to the uplink report on satelliteguys.us.:)

Wow, they are finally in the 100+ markets, this good news, when they finally have all the market's locals in HD, it will be a good thing:)

Wow, they are finally in the 100+ markets, this good news, when they finally have all the market's locals in HD, it will be a good thing:)

I am not sure of what number they are on, but I am pretty sure they have went out of order a little bit. I hear from guys at other forums that are still waiting and belong to bigger DMA's than ours.

Got a Postcard from CHARTER - EAU that states they will be adding the following
HD channels on AUgust 8th:

USA, HGTV, FOOD and MLB

I'm having some issues with either the old box or the TV itself. It's connected (BOX) DVI - to HDMI (TV) cable - and when I change from HD Channels to SD channels quite often I'll get left with Green / Purple only colors. If I go back to a HD channel everything is fine until I'd switch back to a SD Ch. As a work around I flip the Input to something else and then back to tuner; it ALWAYS clears up or if I shut the TV (Plasma) off - next time it's fine.

I'm in trouble shooting mode. I am going to try Component cables to see if the problem continues there as well. But I was wondering if the (newer) HD boxes from Charter have HDMI ports and a Firewire port. Wondering if my TV which in the past has disliked the DVI to HDMI crossover and seems to classify it as Component in some menues.
Basically if I can find the Make/model I can hopefully look it up online. Hoping it's not the TV!
I have a recently new Charter HD STB here in Rochester. It is a DCH-6200 with HDMI and firewire (History and USA HD among others) The firewire is active, but a lot of my favorite channels are 5c'ed. if you are interested in a HTPC using the STB, bare in mind, to change channels, you have to add "-f" to the channel change command. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!Hey, thanks for the information. I wanted to wait until I got over there (took a while but finally got there) and I got the new box. Mine was DCH-3200... Old one was DCT-6200 I wonder if they have two models or if you just transposed the 6 & 3? The new box seems to have cleared up all the issues I was getting from the old box (either via Component or DVI Out of the Box into HDMI on the TV).

What OS & programs are you using for FireWireSTB? I got started "trying" to do this a few months back (but I wanted to use Windows), I got completely overwhelmed with compilers for the software etc...
I can and do use Linux, but i'm a lite user. I know Myth TV is well liked but i'm still more comfortable in Windows hell I need to commit more time to get off this terrible addiction/affliction.

Got a Postcard from CHARTER - EAU that states they will be adding the following
HD channels on AUgust 8th:
USA, HGTV, FOOD and MLB Yeah, I thought that was well PRETTY DISAPPOINTING! :mad:

This morning W67CH in La Crosse has a most curious problem. There is as much signal as usual, but the picture consists of a completely frozen mess of pixels (this is an analog channel), and the sound consists of a repeating clicking noise. Along the bottom a few words are legible which suggest the picture was in the middle of an infomercial at the time of freezing up. The channel was fine last night.

The first thing I did was rescan for the digital replacement for channel 67, but no dice so far. :)

This morning W67CH in La Crosse has a most curious problem. There is as much signal as usual, but the picture consists of a completely frozen mess of pixels (this is an analog channel), and the sound consists of a repeating clicking noise. Along the bottom a few words are legible which suggest the picture was in the middle of an infomercial at the time of freezing up. The channel was fine last night.

The first thing I did was rescan for the digital replacement for channel 67, but no dice so far. :)

The OTA receiver that picks up KTTC is prolly not working.

The digital will not be online until sometime in August.

W67CH is back in business. Must've been a pretty easy fix!

W67CH is back in business. Must've been a pretty easy fix!

More then likely there is a monitor for W67CH that is watched, prolly not as closely watched as a stations' main feed, but even still, a few hours of downtime is not too bad for a translator. I have a feeling (but could be wrong) that WXOW monitors W67CH.

... Also, another question for ya: how does the news sharing work with WEAU, do they just pick you up OTA and rebroadcast your news programing, or do you have microwave links to their studio as well?

We have a "bureau" in our offices in La Crosse...Ray Ogren is the "local" guy...he gets his marching orders from the News Director up at WEAU, goes out and does the story(ies), then comes back and TPFs the stuff to a server that all the Gray Broadcast Entities (about 39 of them or so) can get into, then WEAU pulls out what they need, puts together the "NEWS AT 9" show, sends it out, raw, on their "13.2" right at 2100.00 (± 1 second). We use an LG-4200A demod, pull it in and then we turn around and put it right back out on our air (or store it in our spot-player 'til we're able to close out the previous programming and time-shift the news to then start at that particular time) after we tag it according to what needs tagging.

WEAU also has access to our FOX iPump News Server (Stories (from FOX) stored on a separate server at our facility.) to add to their production of our news...

About 99% of the time, we're actually live with their studios in Eau Claire and running right along side with them...we "SKYPE" the director's cues into our Master Control and CG and ID our product when called for...we roll the commercials when cued, too...just as if they were in the next room.

Now you all know the "deep dark secret" of why you see our "news" on 13.2 at 2100 each night... ;) :cool:

What is the latest update on Fox HD in Eau Claire OTA ?

What is the latest update on Fox HD in Eau Claire OTA ?

Here is a quote from Mark over at WLAX (WEUX):

The microwave signal for WEUX DT is started at the studio on its own 7GHz radio link up to La Crescent, then the A/V is passed directly to the 1st of 3 2GHz. microwaves and sent 1st to Whitehall, where the A/V is demod'd, remod'd and sent on a shorter hop to Strum, where again, it's demod'd and remod'd for the 3rd and final 2Ghz. hop up to Colfax where the Full-powered Xmtr. is located...a total of over 90.529 miles of microwaving going on...hot, buttered popcorn not included...some batteries are, though! ;) :D :cool:

But hopefully, by this fall (before football I hope!) these radios will be retired and we'll have a new, fresh set of better, cleaner radios, with better audio and video being delivered - I waiting on the HD gear and the 7GHz. radio at this time...once it arrives, there will be certain interuptions in our programming up in the Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire area...but I hope to keep it to a minimum...and we might be able to have spares!!! What a novel concept! Replacement parts and whatnot...

Because of the hops with their signal to WEUX, I would expect it would take a good crew a few days to do all the work at the sites involved. Hopefully Mark will catch this post and reply with a better time frame (and maybe knows dates for a tower crew if the actually microwave dishes have to be switched and radio replacement)

Friday NFL game (Wittenberg channel 55) was full of hiccups both audio and video in the first half.
Was it just me or did others have the same problem?

What game was on Friday? I have had problems with my Fox signal sitting at 85-89% and still getting a few video problems and audio drop outs. The Packer game on Saturday with channel 9 was 100% perfect. I sure hope Fox can do the same thing this year.

I see Dish Network now has WQOW TV 18 as a local
station for the Eau Claire La Crosse area. It appears
to only be a standard definition signal at this point.
I noticed as well this morning that their over the
air signal is having intermittent drop out and other
weird problems. I wonder if this has something to
do with them uplinking their signal to dish network?

I see Dish Network now has WQOW TV 18 as a local
station for the Eau Claire La Crosse area. It appears
to only be a standard definition signal at this point.
I noticed as well this morning that their over the
air signal is having intermittent drop out and other
weird problems. I wonder if this has something to
do with them uplinking their signal to dish network?

The OTA dropouts should have nothing to do with Dish grabbing the signal. Dish and DirecTV's uplink site is in the middle of the markets and they grab the locals OTA with commercial grade antennas and whatnot....

That I realize. I just thought it was an unusual coincidence
that the night they begin picking up WQOW's Signal that
the OTA signal has problems. Thought maybe WQOW changed
something to affect the signal. It was very weird. It would
switch for like 1 second to an almost analog fuzzy signal then
would revert back.

That I realize. I just thought it was an unusual coincidence
that the night they begin picking up WQOW's Signal that
the OTA signal has problems. Thought maybe WQOW changed
something to affect the signal. It was very weird. It would
switch for like 1 second to an almost analog fuzzy signal then
would revert back.

The OTA would get fuzzy? When exactly was this? (I have a good contact at WXOW, so I can find out what was up with WQOW!)

I can't believe how long this is taking. Football starts in a few more weeks and still not a peep out of WEUX regarding OTA FOX HD in Eau Claire. Please update us!!

The OTA would get fuzzy? When exactly was this? (I have a good contact at WXOW, so I can find out what was up with WQOW!)

Actually I've noticed that for quite some time.
As long as I've had my HD receiver, and I noticed it again during the game.

It happens, right at an "edit". A change from one shot to the next.
Particularly, if the next shot is bright and highly detailed.

During the game, it was noticeable when they cut to a wide shot.
I think it's always there, but just more noticeable on some shots.

My conclusion,(best guess).... compression artifacts.
WXOW needs to "dial up it up", a bit.

My conclusion,(best guess).... compression artifacts.
WXOW needs to "dial up it up", a bit.

This is often an artifact of low bitrates and/or older encoders. KTTC, Rochester's NBC station is notorious for this kind of thing (they are using a circa 2001 encoder). A scene change will result in a 1+ second blurry period that is pretty easy to see on our standard def TVs.

This is often an artifact of low bitrates and/or older encoders. KTTC, Rochester's NBC station is notorious for this kind of thing (they are using a circa 2001 encoder). A scene change will result in a 1+ second blurry period that is pretty easy to see on our standard def TVs.

Ah man, Matt beat me to replying. (I was out on a service call) I think he is right about what you seeing.

I have not watched WXOW much, simply because I only got them for about 1 month before moving out of Rochester, and I have yet to get an antenna aimed to LAX from Kasson, MN yet. (I have gotten WLAX, WHLA, and WXOW off of the side of my Twin Cities aimed antennas quite a few times though, so signal is pretty strong over here!)

When watching HD transmission that includes your local logo (WFXS), Why would you break in with SD transmission with your local logo and the time and temperature?
It sure ruins the HD experience and doesn't make any sense.

Answer: Robert Raff <rraff@wfxs.com>
Thousands of people love that stuff. It is a throw back to many years ago when all stations did it every 15 minutes, but many, many viewers still want that on the screen and many advertisers want it to reach those viewers. When we have tried to stop or when we have had equipment problems we get so many complaints about it being missing.

So in other words they do not have the updated equipment to place the logo and temp on the HD stream and it needs to drop down to SD to do this function?

So in other words they do not have the updated equipment to place the logo and temp on the HD stream and it needs to drop down to SD to do this function?

The logo should be able to be applied on the fly with the FOX hardware, but the temps and any other info would require other re-encoding to be done to the video. (unless they put them in the logo space, which I do not know if FOX allows) Not sure how a station would even do the temps on FOX, as I have never seen it done on a FOX affiliate. The bug actually gets inserted in the final encoded video right from FOX, there is a small area where the logo goes that gets re-encoded at the station, the rest of the video does NOT get touched. (this solution is pretty decent compared to many stations using old encoders and trying to run subs) The PDF with the specs on the logo from FOX HQ was on AVS a while back, but I cannot recall where I found it at this point (must have been nearly 2 years ago that I remember it)

Nobody posted that WFXS Fox 55 in Wausau began broadcasting RTN today on channel 55-3, so let me break the ice!

Bill

Is that RTV? The retro TV channel? The web site looks cool if i can watch A-Team 24/7! How bad is 55-1 going to look for compressed HD now?

55-1 will look the same. The Fox splicer shapes all other content on the channel such that during network programming, Fox network content looks the same pretty much everywhere in the US.

- Trip

What is the latest update on Fox HD in Eau Claire OTA ?

Hi folks! It's been awhile... :rolleyes:

As you may have been able to tell...some work is progressing on 48.1 this past week... :cool:

I'm hoping by tomorrow I'll be able to give you folks the GOOD NEWS (*wink*wink*knudge*knudge*)...yep, that news... ;)

Stay tuned... :eek:

There will be a "few" more "slight outages" during today and hopefully, all the "funky video" will be no more... :o

I'll chat with you all later! :D

Gotta' run...

:D :D :D :D :D :D

Hi folks! It's been awhile... :rolleyes:

As you may have been able to tell...some work is progressing on 48.1 this past week... :cool:

I'm hoping by tomorrow I'll be able to give you folks the GOOD NEWS (*wink*wink*knudge*knudge*)...yep, that news... ;)

Stay tuned... :eek:

There will be a "few" more "slight outages" during today and hopefully, all the "funky video" will be no more... :o

I'll chat with you all later! :D

Gotta' run...

:D :D :D :D :D :D

Good news, good luck and thanks for updating everyone!

It's done!

As of 1408.56 this afternoon...WEUX DT is now HD/720p on 48.1 (49.1 for you purists...) and SD/480i (49.2) on 48.2.

You'll have everything in HD and in case "something" should happen to the (GOD FORBID!) the HD encoder (like what happened about a month or so back) on 25.1...you can still watch the ".2" channel and still get a picture...it'll be in SD, but it's better than the "BSoD" (Blue Screen of Death).

For those of you who have been tried to your patience end, thank you for hangin' in there...

And, for those of you who've been bustin' my chops...go watch HD...it's here...finally.

Enjoy those Packers/Vikings or whatever we're running...I'll be doing my best to be sure it stays on the air...whatever it is...

:D

Thanks! Mark, This is great news. I've been depending on the twin cities for Packer HD and that's only a few games during the season. Now finally all the Packers Fox games will be in HD. Gotta love this. Chad

Thanks Mark for all of your hard work. Hopefully the equipment won't have any
hiccups and we will be good to go for a long time.

Nobody posted that WFXS Fox 55 in Wausau began broadcasting RTN today on channel 55-3, so let me break the ice!

Bill


http://northpine.com/broadcast/index.html

WISCONSIN:
WFXS (Wittenberg-Wausau) has added Retro TV Network (RTV) on channel 55.3. The station continues to carry FOX on 55.1 and Untamed Sports TV on 55.2. (9/11/2009)

http://northpine.com/broadcast/index.html

It's done!

As of 1408.56 this afternoon...WEUX DT is now HD/720p on 48.1 (49.1 for you purists...) and SD/480i (49.2) on 48.2.

You'll have everything in HD and in case "something" should happen to the (GOD FORBID!) the HD encoder (like what happened about a month or so back) on 25.1...you can still watch the ".2" channel and still get a picture...it'll be in SD, but it's better than the "BSoD" (Blue Screen of Death).

For those of you who have been tried to your patience end, thank you for hangin' in there...

And, for those of you who've been bustin' my chops...go watch HD...it's here...finally.

Enjoy those Packers/Vikings or whatever we're running...I'll be doing my best to be sure it stays on the air...whatever it is...

:D
Mark,

On behalf of all Football fans in the EC area who were stuck watching Packers games in SD the past couple of years, THANK YOU! Just in the nick of time for the start of the NFL regular season!

Anyone watching Fox (House) tonight? The show is broadcast in HD but Fox here in La Crosse doesn't appear to be broadcasting it in HD. Not sure why. I'm on DirecTV but I also have the OTA signal and neither is HD.

The Fox HD signal is looking good in Eau Claire. I am on the North
side of Eau Claire with a Dish Network VIP 722 receiving a steady
signal strength of 75.

I have also noticed this A.M. that WQOW TV-18 ABC out of Eau
Claire does not broadcast the HD signal of Good Morning America.
Anyone know what is up with that?

Mark,

On behalf of all Football fans in the EC area who were stuck watching Packers games in SD the past couple of years, THANK YOU! Just in the nick of time for the start of the NFL regular season!


+1!

When I heard the news that you guys went HD, I swung my Channel Master around and am pulling in 48.1 perfectly. No more missed football games. I'm in New Richmond and very happy with my "new" WI Fox channel!

Here is some info for the La Crescent KTTC translator. I recieved this message today (Oct 8)

We will start installing the broadcast antenna early next week, perform
some testing and hopefully start broadcasting a digital channel 50
signal by the end of the week. Stay tuned to WXOW or KTTC analog channel
67 in the La Crosse area as we will be promoting the start date for this
channel.

Thank You,
Tim Morgan, KTTC-KXLT-NTTC Director of Engineering

Forgive me if this subject has been discussed before, but can someone please explain why Mediacom still does not carry FOX, ABC, IA and WI PBS in HD yet?

I am a Mediacom cable subscriber (I live in the Prairie du Chien valley, so no antenna will work). I understand that the subscribers in Marquette and McGregor, IA DO have FOX, IA PBS, etc.....we are probably paying the same rate but still have to watch the Packers in SD. I get the standard "it may be available soon" from Mediacom...they have been saying that for 3 years now.

I also know some folks in the Viroqua Mediacom area and they are in the same situation.

Is there a technical reason?

Thanks.

m and n: Just out of curiosity, go to TVFool.com and post your results (we'll see if reception is possible).

Here are my results from TVfool:

//www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d03fbe4db476ff4

Please add http: to the above as the Forum would not allow me to post URL's...

Um..... yeah. You are most definitely in a valley (I'd peruse satellite or digital cable).

For what it's worth, WPT is available off-air in Prairie du Chein via the Bloomington translator. Can't help you out with the other stations, but I've checked WPT reception in several places along HWY 35 right in town, and had solid reception with a simple 4 bay bowtie antenna @ 15'.

Ustabe

At 2:10PM today, W50DR went on the air, from an antenna that is about 606 meters above sea level. Side mounted, the antenna is on the Wisconsin-side leg of the WXOW tower.
I am getting traces of it in Kasson, MN and it is at 15kW ERP, so it should get out well with decent LOS.
Rescan to get channels 10.1, 10.2

Awesome. Since I can almost see the WXOW tower from my house I'm hoping for good reception.

Brian

Awesome. Since I can almost see the WXOW tower from my house I'm hoping for good reception.

Brian

Please do report back!

I was watching KTTC news at noon today via W67CH, when they explained that W50DR has come online. HOORAY!! I rescanned immediately, and yes there it is! 10.1 is the HD KTTC/NBC signal, and 10.2 is CW (redundant with WXOW's 19.2).

Sunday Night Football will be a treat this week!

I'm a bit surprised that W67CH is still online today alongside W50DR, I assume W67CH will disappear shortly?

W50DR is coming in at 90-95%.
I can even get in on my office TV (inside antenna)

Brian

W50DR is coming in at 90-95%.
I can even get in on my office TV (inside antenna)

Brian

Cool!

WFXS (Wittenberg-Wausau) has added Retro TV Network (RTV) on channel 55.3. The station continues to carry FOX on 55.1 and Untamed Sports TV on 55.2. (9/11/2009)

I really wish one of the La Crosse stations would pick up Retro TV as a subchannel. I really don't see the point of KTTC and WXOW both broadcasting the CW and WLAX just rebroadcasting it's HD channel in SD.

KTTC and WXOW are in different markets.

- Trip

I really wish one of the La Crosse stations would pick up Retro TV as a subchannel. I really don't see the point of KTTC and WXOW both broadcasting the CW and WLAX just rebroadcasting it's HD channel in SD.

As Trip said, WXOW carries CW for LAX and KTTC for the Rochester/Austin/Mason City market. The LAX translator (W50DR) for KTTC, just picks up KTTC-DT-10 OTA and effectively repeats it, so they have no way of controlling the programing on it independently...)

That said, WLAX would be a great place to put it, other then the fact that many cable head-ends probably use 25.2 for the SD feed to their clients...

As Trip said, WXOW carries CW for LAX and KTTC for the Rochester/Austin/Mason City market. The LAX translator (W50DR) for KTTC, just picks up KTTC-DT-10 OTA and effectively repeats it, so they have no way of controlling the programing on it independently...)

That said, WLAX would be a great place to put it, other then the fact that many cable head-ends probably use 25.2 for the SD feed to their clients...

That's true, but now that the W50DR repeater is operational to carry CW for the La Crosse market, you would think that there would be little incentive for WXOW to carry it anymore. After all, WXOW is listed as one of the RetroTV affiliates:

http://www.myretrotv.com/affiliates.html

Also, what prevents one of these stations from carrying 2 sub channels like WPT does?

Anyway, I just read about W50DR coming online today and I was surprised to find that I get very good reception (despite what TVFool led me to expect). I guess I get to try to sell the VHF antenna I bought for KTTC now.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d507ca15a380e7e

That's true, but now that the W50DR repeater is operational to carry CW for the La Crosse market, you would think that there would be little incentive for WXOW to carry it anymore.

You have to think big picture here. W50DR is designed to cover the immediate LaCrosse, WI area, whereas WXOW is designed to cover the entire market area. There's a big difference. I'd also think that WXOW's CW is picked up by local analog cable, etc.. (Signal Hill CW [10.2] is on analog cable here in Rochester). Most people are probably going to watch their local network affiliate unless they have reason to do otherwise (picture quality, programming) so I don't know that 19.2 is going to loose a lot of viewers as 10.2 becomes available to the LaCrosse audience.

You have to think big picture here. W50DR is designed to cover the immediate LaCrosse, WI area, whereas WXOW is designed to cover the entire market area.

Yeah, but W50DR is a lot different than W67CH used to be in terms of coverage. It's more than just the immediate La Crosse, WI area now.

Before:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TX145104.html

After:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1256301.html

I see your point though. It's not the entire coverage area, but it's pretty significant coverage.

Wow... that is quite a difference in coverage.

I guess my point is, cable/satellite carriage and people watching the locals rather than translators is probably more of a factor than actual OTA coverage.

Now that I'm getting W50DR so well, I'm wondering if I'll even be able to get KQEG once it goes digital.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72207

Does anyone know when that's scheduled to happen?

Also keep in mind that W50DR is a translator. It exists primarily to fill in the hole for NBC programming left by WEAU being so far away. The cheapest way to operate it, considering it cannot be carried by local cable and is thus feeding only OTA viewers, is to feed the exact same signal that KTTC feeds. Doing anything to modify that signal requires a whole extra set of gear.

- Trip

Wow... that is quite a difference in coverage.

I guess my point is, cable/satellite carriage and people watching the locals rather than translators is probably more of a factor than actual OTA coverage.

Yeah, I often forget that WEAU is the "local" NBC affiliate for cable/satellite here. It seems so strange to have a local channel from Eau Claire when it's so far away and KTTC is what's broadcast OTA.

Yeah, I often forget that WEAU is the "local" NBC affiliate for cable/satellite here. It seems so strange to have a local channel from Eau Claire when it's so far away and KTTC is what's broadcast OTA.

Remember that well the WEAU tower favors the Eau Claire side of the market, it is in between LAX and Eau Claire. It is not impossible for MOST people to receive it in either city. But in La Crosse it takes a pretty decent VHF-HI antenna/amp...

I'm confused about the call letters for KTTC's digital translator in La Crosse. The channel reports itself as W50DR, but isn't this it's entry in the FCC database, still listed as W67CH? http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=W67CH

I also noticed that the TitanTV web site didn't know about W50DR, but did list a W67CH-D.

I'm confused about the call letters for KTTC's digital translator in La Crosse. The channel reports itself as W50DR, but isn't this it's entry in the FCC database, still listed as W67CH? http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=W67CH

I also noticed that the TitanTV web site didn't know about W50DR, but did list a W67CH-D.

It will take a while for the FCC database to get updated. I do not know how long, but I am guessing that Trip will be along any second with a better estimate....

As to TitanTV, lots of emails is usually what it takes...

Once the license is granted.

- Trip

Now that I'm getting W50DR so well, I'm wondering if I'll even be able to get KQEG once it goes digital.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72207

Does anyone know when that's scheduled to happen?

FWIW, I sent KQEG an email and they got back to me. As of right now, it sounds like their transition to digital hasn't gotten any farther then getting the FCC permit which looks like it is only a couple of months old. I'm really hoping that they move ahead with it soon. Like with W50DR, it looks like they will be significantly increasing their broadcast range. I'm looking forward to Reno911! syndication and midnight movies if I can manage to receive it.

OK, I talked with Mediacom yesterday and they still have no idea when they will transmit FOX 25/48 in HD on their system and I am ready to experiment with a long-range UHF antenna with preamp and see if I can receive the signal off the air here in Prairie du Chien.

Before I do that, I'd like to ask a basic question to confirm: FOX 25/48 does transmit their signal (specifically the Packers) in HD over the air, correct?

Thanks in advance to your responses....

OK, I talked with Mediacom yesterday and they still have no idea when they will transmit FOX 25/48 in HD on their system and I am ready to experiment with a long-range UHF antenna with preamp and see if I can receive the signal off the air here in Prairie du Chien.

Before I do that, I'd like to ask a basic question to confirm: FOX 25/48 does transmit their signal (specifically the Packers) in HD over the air, correct?

Thanks in advance to your responses....

Yes, WLAX does transmit the NFL in HD and does favor Packers games over Vikings games in the same time slot *shakes fist*.

I worry that you may have a really hard time getting WLAX down in the valley there. Thankfully, you probably have a long shot over the river valley before hitting the Iowa bluffs though. You might want to drive around town looking for any newer-looking fringe antennas on people's roofs to get an idea of what others might be using.

Edit: Actually, tvfool.com seems to think that you should not have too hard of a time getting WLAX with a good antenna and booster.

Best antenna for WLAX and WHLA is the Winegard HD-8800. It has more gain in the lower UHF channels (especially at RF-17) then the 91XG. It will be a bit (2-4dB) weaker at WXOW (RF-48) but if WLAX is what you are after, you will want every bit of gain on RF-17 that you can get. That the Winegard HD-8800 is....

I'll second the HD-8800. Just get that antenna mounted as high as possible down in the valley.

Would a corner reflector style of antenna work better than a bowtie?

Would a corner reflector style of antenna work better than a bowtie?

It depends on how it was engineered. The Winegard HD-8800 is the best signal consumer antenna for UHF channels below RF-30. I like the Antenna Direct 91XG better for channels above RF-35.

I live in Kasson, MN and get WHLA, WXOW, and WLAX off a 91XG with CM7777 pre-amp very well day and night, but I up high in the air. For the Twin Cities, I switched out a 91XG for a HD-8800 and the lower UHF channels improved a bit while KSTC-DT-45 went down a bit...

W67CH, the analog KTTC translator station in La Crosse, is off the air as of tonight, Wed. November 4 2009. It was still on the air as of this morning.

Anyone happen to be able to confirm that this is the permanent end of W67CH, having been replaced with digital translator station W50DR?

Otherwise I'll just keep checking channel 67 for a while in case it reappears. :)

WAOW-DT has applied for a power increase from 31.6 kW to 63.2 kW.

I have accomplished my goal...I have Fox in HD off the air in the valley here in Prairie du Chien. Thanks to the data on tvfool.com, I felt I had a chance to obtain a signal, so I bought an Antennacraft MXU59 and 28db preamp from my local Radio Shack and installed it in my attic. On a cheap RCA digital converter in the attic I was able to obtain a 47% signal, so I wired it the rest of the way to the Sony and I have been enjoying the Packers in HD even though they currently stink.

I am not able to receive WXOW at all...probably due to the higher UHF channel and the fact that I'm looking through my roof. I realize that a big snowfall would most likely kill the WLAX signal, but I am willing to face the music, and if Mediacom ever decides to transmit Fox in HD, I'll just sell the antenna and preamp at a garage sale and still claim victory!