How important is signal strength? I get about 75% on 4-1, 5-1, 8-1, and 11-1? Wondering what I would gain by climbing back on the roof and fine tuning the antenna placement. I'm in 75238 using a Winegard HD7694P.

Unless you are experiencing reception faults, the actual "numbers" are pretty irrelevant EXCEPT when tweaking antenna alignment.

If you are not experiencing problems during the worst of conditions, leave well enough alone.

I am so ticked! Yesterday a Time Warner Cable installer butchered my rooftop antenna wiring and antenna grounding system. All I needed was coax cable run from the overhead lines to the dual grounding block that I installed on the exterior brick facing. The installer proceeded to cut the coax cable from the antenna to the grounding block, the coax cable from the grounding block to the splitter which splits the antenna signal between the master bedroom and the living room, the coax cable from the splitter to the master bedroom, the coax cable from the splitter to living room, and the ground wire from the dual grounding block to the antenna ground rod. Not only did he cut my coax cables and leave them attached to the exterior brick facing but he also stole my dual grounding block and splitters. The installer also tried to sell my wife a $40 wireless cable modem because he didn't have a wired cable modem.

I am so ticked! Yesterday a Time Warner Cable installer butchered my rooftop antenna wiring and antenna grounding system. All I needed was coax cable run from the overhead lines to the dual grounding block that I installed on the exterior brick facing. The installer proceeded to cut the coax cable from the antenna to the grounding block, the coax cable from the grounding block to the splitter which splits the antenna signal between the master bedroom and the living room, the coax cable from the splitter to the master bedroom, the coax cable from the splitter to living room, and the ground wire from the dual grounding block to the antenna ground rod. Not only did he cut my coax cables and leave them attached to the exterior brick facing but he also stole my dual grounding block and splitters. The installer also tried to sell my wife a $40 wireless cable modem because he didn't have a wired cable modem.
Did the installer set things up so that you now have cable in your home in both rooms? That would have been a normal type of installation.

I am so ticked! Yesterday a Time Warner Cable installer butchered my rooftop antenna wiring and antenna grounding system. All I needed was coax cable run from the overhead lines to the dual grounding block that I installed on the exterior brick facing. The installer proceeded to cut the coax cable from the antenna to the grounding block, the coax cable from the grounding block to the splitter which splits the antenna signal between the master bedroom and the living room, the coax cable from the splitter to the master bedroom, the coax cable from the splitter to living room, and the ground wire from the dual grounding block to the antenna ground rod. Not only did he cut my coax cables and leave them attached to the exterior brick facing but he also stole my dual grounding block and splitters. The installer also tried to sell my wife a $40 wireless cable modem because he didn't have a wired cable modem.\

sounds like the installer a friend of my family had a new DCX3400 installed and the tech stole their hdmi cable.

I am so ticked! Yesterday a Time Warner Cable installer butchered my rooftop antenna wiring and antenna grounding system.. I would be on the phone with TWC demanding they send someone back out to put your property (antenna system) back like it was and return what was stolen. Or you will be sending them a bill from a licensed electrician for the rework. No excuse for that.

For the last few weeks we've been having a problem the DVR not recording shows that are part of a scheduled Series. I think I've discovered the problem and I doubt tht it is unique to my DVR, but if it is I'd sure like to know about it.

In MANY cases the HD versions of programs are not considered to be an eligible part of a series!

This can be seen most clearly by doing a search for shows such as "Ugly Betty", "Numb3rs", "Bill Moyers" or most other (but not all) popular series. If you do a search and then look for alternate times, in most cases you will see that the program is listed on, for example, channels 374 and 376, but that the HD channel, 375, is does not show! BUT you can view the Guide and see the show listed. If you setup a Series recording for the HD program you will find that the show is not recorded! Apparently this is because the DVR is not considering the HD version to be part of the series!

As mentioned above, the problem started a few weeks ago but it is very annoying and has made our DVR almost worthless.

OK, here is the last word from TWC, at least for Richardson-Plano. They are aware of the problem that I diagnosed as being a problem with the Guide. They are in the process of testing a newer version and when that is implemented they expect the problem to be resolved. They expect the implementation of the new Guide to be completed in 1Q2010 but do not have a more precise schedule. They do not know if subscribers will be able to tell the difference and they do not know if they will send a message to the DVR's informing viewers of the update.

I would be on the phone with TWC demanding they send someone back out to put your property (antenna system) back like it was and return what was stolen. Or you will be sending them a bill from a licensed electrician for the rework. No excuse for that.

They came back out to the property and addressed my concerns at no charge. In the end I am happy and it was all taken care of in a timely matter.

Anyone else have a time problem with KERA 13-1?
Yesterday, I tried to record Celtic Woman to my DVR from 7 to 9 PM because I knew I wouldn't be able to watch it in real time. I have an HDTV with TVGOS and built in DVR on an off-air antenna. I pulled up the on-screen guide and set the record mode on the KERA Celtic Woman listing.
Later, well after 9 PM, I pulled up the recording and noticed it only showed 1 hr and 43 min. as being recorded. I went back to the KERA off air program and pressed info. The time display was 17 minutes ahead of the actual time (and still is today). I checked other stations and all except 27-1 were in synch with the actual time. 27-1 was 3 minutes ahead. All the stations check the same today. And they check the same on my two other TV sets, one being analog with digital converter box.
Anyone else notice this problem?

Checking at 3:40 PM, everything seems to have corrected itself except 27-1. I wonder if that was deliberate to screw up DVR recording?

KFWD/52 (RF-9) is owned by HIC Broadcast, Inc. but is, for all practical purposes, an adjunct of WFAA.

Aside from upgrading 52-1 to high definition from its current 480i/SD, what would you do to enhance KFWD? And what subchannel content (if any) would you add?

Economic times are tight so this presumes that cost is no object for D/FW's oft-forgotten independent.

I would move the SD subchannels from WFAA over to KFWD, convert WFAA to the ABC network standard 720p, and fix the automation equipment to not miss the first 2 seconds of network when coming out of local breaks. We were talking about improving WFAA, right? :D

How about moving both WFAA and KFWD to UHF? :D

- Trip

You got that right - then everyone's antennas might actually work for all DFW channels. VHF is so old-school, and the antennas need to be WAY larger. For one friggin holdout station...

KFWD/52 (RF-9) is owned by HIC Broadcast, Inc. but is, for all practical purposes, an adjunct of WFAA.

Aside from upgrading 52-1 to high definition from its current 480i/SD, what would you do to enhance KFWD? And what subchannel content (if any) would you add?

Economic times are tight so this presumes that cost is no object for D/FW's oft-forgotten independent.

Better coverage/stronger signal is my recommendation. I'm in East Fort Worth and can't get a strong enough signal to pull it in anymore. So if a stronger signal is not possible (FCC and all) then moving to UHF (like others have mentioned) would help me. I was really enjoying some of KFWD's programing until the last change in coverage killed it for me. :(

Mike

KFWD/52 (RF-9) is owned by HIC Broadcast, Inc. but is, for all practical purposes, an adjunct of WFAA.

Aside from upgrading 52-1 to high definition from its current 480i/SD, what would you do to enhance KFWD? And what subchannel content (if any) would you add?

Economic times are tight so this presumes that cost is no object for D/FW's oft-forgotten independent.

Upgrading 52-1 to HD is the obvious change -- they do carry quite a bit of content that is available in HD, starting with the rebroadcasts of channel 8's newscasts and Oprah Winfrey. But HD availability also includes some less obvious material -- CBS has HD masters available for some of the older syndicated shows that 52 currently airs, and seeing some of that stuff in HD would be pretty cool.

As for subchannel content, the obvious thing seems to be adding RTV as a subchannel -- the classic TV shows on RTV would be an obvious complement to the classic shows that air in the daytime hours on 52-1. I would expect some great cross promotion opportunities would be present to cycle viewers of the classic shows on 52-1 over to RTV on 52-2.

Can anyone in the far, far north suburbs of D/FW receive either KSFW/2 (200 watts) or KQFW/7 (300 watts). Evidently, they both just fired up within the past day and are transmitting from the big strobe-lit Collinsville tower.

The programming is of no concern -- just interested in how reception is for these low power facilities. Channel 7 might be a stretch since it's directional up toward Sherman-Denison.
KQFW comes in at 90% in Decatur. KSFW- 50%. With a new preamp. Top o the line. KQFW shows HCCN and KSFW show infomercials.

KQFW comes in at 90% in Decatur. KSFW- 50%. With a new preamp. Top o the line. KQFW shows HCCN and KSFW show infomercials.

How are they mapping?

- Trip

How are they mapping?

- TripKSFW maps well since it is on the lowest VHF channel, 2 and KQFW maps to 7.

There is no listing for WFAA 8-1 on either of my TV's with TVGOS. In addition on my TV with the converter Box, the EPG listing for WFAA 8-1 only goes to noon. I looked at their website, but there is no information there about the problem.
Anyone else?

As I was posting this, the EPG listing filled out for the full day. Still nothing on TVGOS though.

There is no listing for WFAA 8-1 on either of my TV's with TVGOS. In addition on my TV with the converter Box, the EPG listing for WFAA 8-1 only goes to noon. I looked at their website, but there is no information there about the problem.
Anyone else?

As I was posting this, the EPG listing filled out for the full day. Still nothing on TVGOS though.

Just checked.. same here. But showing until 9pm now. Same thing on 13.2. I figure it's the stations only sending the PSIP data on those channels since the rest of the usual channels TVGOS lists are out several days didn't check exactly how many, did check to 24 hrs ahead (Sat) and Ch 8.1 shows not available and others show their listings. Might want to contact Ch 8 WFAA and let them know you've noticed their schedule problem.

KSFW maps well since it is on the lowest VHF channel, 2 and KQFW maps to 7.

So does KSFW map to 2-1? Same as KDTN?

- Trip

So does KSFW map to 2-1? Same as KDTN?


I've tried and tried to get KSFW from my location to no avail (in spite of being well within the contour as shown in the application). I have no problem at all getting low-V KHPK/3, with 300 watts from a further distance. And yes, I've rotated the antenna to aim toward KSFW's site north of me.

As far as mapping to the same virtual channel as KDTN, wouldn't that be permitted since KSFW is in another DMA (Sherman-Denison-Ada) vs. D/FW)?

So does KSFW map to 2-1? Same as KDTN?

- TripYes it does, but my dtv box maps it well, and every other Tv just takes the brunt of havin' two 2's.

KQFW comes in at 90% in Decatur. KSFW- 50%. With a new preamp. Top o the line. KQFW shows HCCN and KSFW show infomercials.


As I recall you're using a big Radio Shack VU-190XR antenna with 51 elements. Is that right? How high do you have it mounted? And I presume you have a rotor?

I'm curious because the service contour map for KQFW/7 shows Decatur not far off the axis of the null:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1344171.html

As I recall you're using a big Radio Shack VU-190XR antenna with 51 elements. Is that right? How high do you have it mounted? And I presume you have a rotor?

I'm curious because the service contour map for KQFW/7 shows Decatur not far off the axis of the null:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1344171.htmlYes, at 30 feet and no rotor. But a preamp works.

here is the channel change notice

Just checked.. same here. But showing until 9pm now. Same thing on 13.2. I figure it's the stations only sending the PSIP data on those channels since the rest of the usual channels TVGOS lists are out several days didn't check exactly how many, did check to 24 hrs ahead (Sat) and Ch 8.1 shows not available and others show their listings. Might want to contact Ch 8 WFAA and let them know you've noticed their schedule problem.

I e-mailed WFAA tech about the problem Friday after the above post, but, as I expected from past experience with WFAA, I haven't heard back.

The EPG on the TV with the converter box is back to normal.

As far as TVGOS goes, I have an unusual situation. Starting Monday I have had Program Listings for WFAA 8 (not 8-1) analog. If call up the TVGOS program guide and enter on the WFAA program listing, it tunes me to analog 8. If I am watching WFAA 8-1 and press info, I get "No Program Information". I also have Program Listings for WFAA2 8-2 digital and it acts normal.

I have been unable to change the 8 to 8-1 when I go into the TVGOS Setup, Channel Display Listing, where you can tell it what channel to tune. Both TV's with TVGOS are the same. I have been hoping the TVGOS would correct itself over the last two days, but it hasn't.

Anyone with any ideas?

The following is for OTA:

Just a reminder that TVGOS data is broadcast from the local CBS affiliate (KTVT 11/19) not by each individual station. As to where CBS obtains the details for inclusion into the TVGOS data stream, you're guess is as good or better than mine.

As I understand it what is commonly called EPG is PSIP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_and_System_Information_Protocol) based and broadcast by each station as part of their ATSC signal.

Since the digital conversion, my experience with the TVGOS data has been problematic to say the lest. I routinely have the listing completely clear itself and my TV reverts back to ONLY looking for the NTSC version of the data. And that is exactly what has happened to me today, so I can't speak to what I'm seeing with WFAA until my TV repopulates the data again. When it returns I'll let you know if 8.1 has data on my end or not.

I'm hoping that once KTVT ceases their dual channel broadcast that some of the TVGOS data instability will cease but I'm not holding my breath.

Mike

KTVT just leases out a bit of bandwidth to Rovi (née Macrovision), who is responsible for everything TVGOS. Complain to Rovi if something is wrong - Ce_customer_support@rovicorp.com or 800-386-7380.

KTVT just leases out a bit of bandwidth to Rovi (née Macrovision), who is responsible for everything TVGOS. Complain to Rovi if something is wrong - Ce_customer_support@rovicorp.com or 800-386-7380.

Thanks Coyotez, I knew it had changed from Macrovision to someone else but had no idea who (hadn't really tried to find out yet). You've saved me from having to take the time. :D

Y'all may recall me asking KERATech about getting 'KERA World' added into the TVGOS data stream, now I've also asked for it from the other end (Rovi). Who knows, it might help....

Mike

As far as TVGOS goes, I have an unusual situation. Starting Monday I have had Program Listings for WFAA 8 (not 8-1) analog. If call up the TVGOS program guide and enter on the WFAA program listing, it tunes me to analog 8. If I am watching WFAA 8-1 and press info, I get "No Program Information". I also have Program Listings for WFAA2 8-2 digital and it acts normal.

I have been unable to change the 8 to 8-1 when I go into the TVGOS Setup, Channel Display Listing, where you can tell it what channel to tune. Both TV's with TVGOS are the same. I have been hoping the TVGOS would correct itself over the last two days, but it hasn't.

Anyone with any ideas?

My TVGOS listing has rebuilt and WFAA 8-1 had dropped from the listing. In the master station list (under setup) I now found WFAAD at the bottom of the list, where new entries typically show up. I don't recall how it was tagged previously. So I have activated WFAAD and set it's channel number to 8-1 and am now awaiting updating to see if it'll populate with any show data or not. I'll let you know in a day or so what happens here.

BTW, 8-3 THIS was/is still listed, so it wasn't all of 8-* that changed/dropped.....

Mike

My TVGOS listing has rebuilt and WFAA 8-1 had dropped from the listing. In the master station list (under setup) I now found WFAAD at the bottom of the list, where new entries typically show up. I don't recall how it was tagged previously. So I have activated WFAAD and set it's channel number to 8-1 and am now awaiting updating to see if it'll populate with any show data or not. I'll let you know in a day or so what happens here.

BTW, 8-3 THIS was/is still listed, so it wasn't all of 8-* that changed/dropped.....

Mike

I have been experimenting with different settings trying to get 8-1 to come in since I have two TVs with TVGOS. Last night one of the TVs, with WFAAD turned on, changed from 8 to 8-1 and gave me a program listing. I have now set the other TV to WFAAD on and hope tonights download will change the 8 to 8-1. It still would not let me to manually change 8 to 8-1.

I too would like to see a program listing for KERA PBS World. I have one of my TVs set up with KERA 13-2 in the TVGOS but have never obtained a program listing. If I REALLY want to see what's on, I go to my analog TV with converter box and check the EPG. By the way, the last time I checked, KERA"s time was varying from about 4 minutes fast to 20 minutes fast.

As of this evening I have 8-1 and program information on both TV's TVGOS. Also KERA's time seems to be synched to real time. The last time I had checked KERA's time was several days ago.

today i was bored. i thought to myself and scan for new networks. today i found out there a 26.1 in HD. in 1080i. there is a sub station of it. 26.2 is the same thing but in 480i. what is enero or mega 26 hd??

hey is .2 network comming to dfw? http://www.dot2network.com/national/

.... what is enero or mega 26 hd??

Enero (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/enero) - Spanish for "January".

Enero (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/enero) - Spanish for "January".

thx

Time Warner giveth, and Time Warner taketh away.

SyFy HD, channel 762, was there for at least a day or two, but it is gone now. Doesn't show up in the Guide either. But it is listed in the online channel listing.

I took in my 6416 DVR to the office on Greenville in Richardson and traded it for a new 3400 with a 320GB harddrive. The new box is smaller, quieter and better looking than the old one, as well as having twice the storage capacity.

I have been receiving WFAA about at 90% since 6/12 and now it's seeing major dropouts at my location.

I have been receiving WFAA about at 90% since 6/12 and now it's seeing major dropouts at my location.

No dropouts on WFAA 8 here in NW Dallas, but it did drop to about 90% after June, before it had always been up to 100%. KFWD on 9 (where 8 was before the transition) is now always 95-98%.

No dropouts on WFAA 8 here in NW Dallas, but it did drop to about 90% after June, before it had always been up to 100%. KFWD on 9 (where 8 was before the transition) is now always 95-98%. The dropouts are gone, it was the christmas lights.

The dropouts are gone, it was the christmas lights.
And I found a new channel on 30-2.

So what's on 30-2? And what's the physical channel, since KMPX/29 is physically on RF 30?

It's KMPX's second sub but without mapping, as best I can tell. Just color bars, I hear.

- Trip

It's KMPX's second sub but without mapping, as best I can tell. Just color bars, I hear.

- TripIt's like KVFW's first days on the digital spectrum.

hey is .2 network comming to dfw? http://www.dot2network.com/national/

Not likely. This network has not launched yet. It has run into numerous problems from what I've read.

And I found a new channel on 30-2.

what on 30.2??

is there new stations commin to dfw this year or this month??

So I live DTD and I can see the Antennas from my window ( 7th floor) I have my TV running off the roof top ant ( 11th floor) and all of a sudden... BOOM I get nothing.

Well almost nothing. I did get 4,5,8,11,13,21,27,33,39,52. Now I get 5,2,39,52
not the best selection. I don't know what could of caused this. I've tried getting my TV to rescan for these channels w/o any luck. Any one else have these problems ?


Thanks
Ryan.

Could it be a problem with the rooftop antenna, or the cables and amplifiers between that antenna and your unit?

Located in the Irving, Las Colinas area.

Will an HDHomeRun suffice or do I need an external antenna for digital OTA?
If yes, any recommendations on a good antenna?

The HDHomeRun is a tuner. It needs to be connected to an antenna or cable. The best antenna for the DFW area in my opinion is the Winegard HD769 series, probably the 7694P (smallest in the series) if you have a decent view towards the towers in Cedar Hill. I believe Frys carries them locally, or there are plenty of places online to find them.

I was watching the Green Bay vs Arizona Football game OTA HD and KDFW's station identification came on the screen without going to standard definition. This happened right before half-time. Does this mean that KDFW can finally put emergency weather information without having to switch to the standard definition feed of the program like they used to?

It happened again right before the end of the game.

Are you referring to the legal ID? The Fox splicer has been able to insert the legal ID in HD for years, though I've never seen KDFW use it in the past. Anything other than the normal HD bug and the legal ID still requires dropping to SD.

I doubt KDFW will upgrade any time soon. Their local news didn't go HD until a year ago.

I have pictures to post but I need 3 posts so I am not trying to spam. I also wish that KFWD would upgrade to HD.

Here (http://www.mediafire.com/file/4zind4jwxty/KDFW during football game.gif) is a similar logo I saw last night during the football game except where it is blue it was red and where it says KDFW it said KDFW-DT. That graphic was looked at the very bottom of the screen in the middle. Here (http://www.mediafire.com/file/22xtzmzzhmz/KDFW normal.JPG) is logo I normally see during primetime and it is located in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Fox guidelines state that nothing except the actual broadcast equipment should be downstream of the splicer. This means that any station following the guidelines is incapable of overlaying things on HD network content and must switch to an upconvert running through the local side to do any modification of the network stream beyond the legal ID and local bug. The new generation of splicers was originally supposed to allow for overlays, but that feature still isn't present and AFAIK there is no confirmation that it will ever happen on the current hardware.

I have pictures to post but I need 3 posts so I am not trying to spam. I also wish that KFWD would upgrade to HD.

Here are the images you were unable to post:

Normal:

http://www.matthilton.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/KDFWnormal.JPG


Seen during game:

http://www.matthilton.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/KDFWduringgame.gif

Charter HD DVR boxes in fort worth. I am currently in roanoke under the Charter Fort Worth area of service. Moved here 2 months ago from Lubbock. I recently got a SA 8300hdc box. The guide blows it is the Sata or how ever you say it, plain terrible. I have searched and searched for the best place to most this with little to no luck under the Charter HDTV form in AVS. So I decided to most the question here. Does anyone know if I can go to any other Charter office in the area and get a different better HD DVR with a better Guide interface. I am willing to drive I am just curious if anyone else in DFW can help me on where to go and what model to request. If it helps I got the current box from the Watauga office. Thanks

Not likely that you're going to be able to get anything different. Most cable providers have one line of boxes, and use a consistent interface across all of them. You might want to consider DirecTV, or if it's available in your area, U-verse. If you really want to stay with cable, your options are a Tivo or Moxi with CableCard.

Thanks Coyotez, I knew it had changed from Macrovision to someone else but had no idea who (hadn't really tried to find out yet). You've saved me from having to take the time. :D

Y'all may recall me asking KERATech about getting 'KERA World' added into the TVGOS data stream, now I've also asked for it from the other end (Rovi). Who knows, it might help....

Mike

As I noted above, I sent a request to ROVI for 'KERA World' to be added to our local TVGOS stream and today I got this response:

Hello Mike,

13.2 KERAW has been added to our database for your zip code. You should see it show up in your OTA lineup in 3-5 days.

Let us know how this works out.

Thank you,

CE Tech Support


Cool, now if I can just get my TV to cooperate, it's been rebooting every few hours and clearing whatever TVGOS data has been collected since the last reboot...... :eek:.

Mike

AI tonight just went SD 30 minutes in on FOX 4 (I get FOX 4 on DirecTV if that matters, I don't think it does), very annoying. Saw a commercial in HD which makes me think it could be a FOX problem, but you never know for sure.

AI tonight just went SD 30 minutes in on FOX 4 (I get FOX 4 on DirecTV if that matters, I don't think it does), very annoying. Saw a commercial in HD which makes me think it could be a FOX problem, but you never know for sure.
I had the same problem ota and during the SD part of the program, my tv was showing it to be in stero not 5.1. So I think it was KDFW problem not a Fox Network problem and the HD commercial you saw was most likely a local commercial also the promo for Good Day was in HD.

Edit
I watched Access Hollywood tonight and they showed the HD feed from KTTV, Fox 11 in LA, so I definitely think it was KDFW fault it wasn't in HD.

It was HD everywhere but here. KDFW has had a lot of problems staying in HD over the last month or so.

Next year's Super Bowl TV coverage according to NFL.com is still TBA. Cowboys stadium. Let's hope they get their issues worked out J.I.C. FOX gets it. Wouldn't it be a shame to watch it in SD? ESPECIALLY if the 'boys have home field in the Super Bowl. BTW has that EVER happened? A team have home field in the SB?

Well, I Googled it:
There has never been a team to play a Super Bowl on their home field. The closest was Super Bowl XIV when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Rams at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. and Super Bowl XIX when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins at Stanford Stadium. The NFL awards the Super Bowl to a city four years in advance. If a team won their conference championship and the Super Bowl was scheduled on their home field, the game would go on as planned.

It was HD everywhere but here. KDFW has had a lot of problems staying in HD over the last month or so.
I think KDFW is either upgrading equipment/software or maybe they hired some new.

Next year's Super Bowl TV coverage according to NFL.com is still TBA. Cowboys stadium. Let's hope they get their issues worked out J.I.C. FOX gets it. Wouldn't it be a shame to watch it in SD? ESPECIALLY if the 'boys have home field in the Super Bowl. BTW has that EVER happened? A team have home field in the SB?
NBC last year, CBS this year, and Fox next year. It rotates between the 3 broadcast networks.

NBC last year, CBS this year, and Fox next year. It rotates between the 3 broadcast networks.

Well, here's for hoping. For the 'boys and Fox:D

Thanks for the repies.

I need advice on what indoor/outdoor TV antenna to get to pick up WFAA (VHF 8) with high signal strength. I have had so much trouble with indoor antenna to even find the existence of channel 8. Finally, Trek HDTVa found a low signal on WFAA how it VERY pick about location. I had to put on top of my computer printer (so now I can't print!) and if I move it a few inches I lose WFAA.

I am about 37.5 miles from the tower in Murphy, TX. I have been thinking about an outdoor Antenna and if I do get one I want make sure the HOA won't complain. I have already got into trouble with the HOA enough so don't want them on my case yet again.

Any info about what you guys are using to get high signal from WFAA would be helpful. What I want to know exactly is the distance from the tower, signal strength, and TV antenna model.

Thanks in advance!

As long as you own the outside of your home (not like a townhouse with a shared roof), the HOA has very little they can say about the antenna. The OTARD rules (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html) limit them to legitimate concerns for safety and historical preservation, and limits that do not add unreasonable expense or delays, or cause unacceptable signal quality. In other words, if you need the antenna on a 10' mast at the front of your house to reliably receive the signal, they can't stop you and any halfway competent lawyer wouldn't let them try.

As for an antenna, I'd go with the Winegard HD7696P. I'm not a fan of antennas that pick up VHF low since there's nothing worth watching down there, and it just adds a lot of size, weight, and ugly.

Anyone notice that the PSIP data is missing in 13-1 and 13-2. It has been like that for at least 4-5 days. Also, the clock is drifting again. It is now at least 8 minutes fast.

Anyone notice that the PSIP data is missing in 13-1 and 13-2. It has been like that for at least 4-5 days. Also, the clock is drifting again. It is now at least 8 minutes fast.I also notice that 13-1 and 13-2 PSIP data is missing. I think that some equipment is going out at KERA because I remember reading on this forum that KERA needed some new part that costs alot of money to fix this issue.

I was watching the Green Bay vs Arizona Football game OTA HD and KDFW's station identification came on the screen without going to standard definition. This happened right before half-time. Does this mean that KDFW can finally put emergency weather information without having to switch to the standard definition feed of the program like they used to?

It happened again right before the end of the game.

It happened again today during the Cowboys football game in the second quarter with less than 7 minutes on the game clock. As I recall there hadn't been a local promo for KDFW for little while so maybe that is why that different station id came. I know that Fox won't let them put their normal station id on during sporting events.

As long as you own the outside of your home (not like a townhouse with a shared roof), the HOA has very little they can say about the antenna. The OTARD rules (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html) limit them to legitimate concerns for safety and historical preservation, and limits that do not add unreasonable expense or delays, or cause unacceptable signal quality. In other words, if you need the antenna on a 10' mast at the front of your house to reliably receive the signal, they can't stop you and any halfway competent lawyer wouldn't let them try.

As for an antenna, I'd go with the Winegard HD7696P. I'm not a fan of antennas that pick up VHF low since there's nothing worth watching down there, and it just adds a lot of size, weight, and ugly.

Agree with coyoteaz both on the HOA issue and on the antenna. If you read the OTARD rules you will find the FCC rules limit what your HOA can do. I am on the board of my HOA so have an inside view of this issue.
The HD7696p is a good antenna that should work well for you. I am in Parker just north of you but further away from Cedar Hill where the transmitters are. I use a CM4228 for UHF, and a separate YA1713 for channels 7-13 VHF. The VHF performance of the HD7696p is about the same as my YA 1713, and I get consistently good strength signals on WFAA.

Fox guidelines state that nothing except the actual broadcast equipment should be downstream of the splicer. This means that any station following the guidelines is incapable of overlaying things on HD network content and must switch to an upconvert running through the local side to do any modification of the network stream beyond the legal ID and local bug. The new generation of splicers was originally supposed to allow for overlays, but that feature still isn't present and AFAIK there is no confirmation that it will ever happen on the current hardware.
You are correct because on Wed 1/20/10 AI went to SD for a couple minutes while KFWD put the tornado warnings out. I am glad that the SD feed for AI is fullscreen unlike most shows where it is widescreen. I just wish in the future Directv would open up the HD feed of WNYW on channel 398 during primetime.

Edit
I was watching the viewers voice and the actual logo that came on during the Vikings football game came on the screen because KDFW recorded that game live. That picture is attached below.

I jumped on the forum this morning to ask if any of you are seing a break in our sync (resulting in a "glitch", tiling, and audio stammer)? We've started seeing this occur roughly anywhere from 7 to 20 minutes between occurances...
Yes I am seeing and hearing that. Was noticing it Sat night watching the Jeff Beck show. I figured it was reception problems since 13 is still my weakest received signal of the full powered stations. (NW Dallas-Farmers Branch area)

I too have seen the brief audio and video dropouts. (I receive KERA over-the-air.) It does seem to occur every ten-twenty minutes as you mention. Not a big deal, but rather just a nuisance issue. Thanks very much for the explanation, (even though much of it's over my head); it lets me know that the problem's not on my end! I was trying to figure why this glitch would occur with both my antenna reception, and on my in-law's FIOS.

Dan, any update on KERA providing DD5.1 audio when available? I would expect the NetVX to easily handle 5.1 passthrough even if it can't do the encode itself.

I jumped on the forum this morning to ask if any of you are seing a break in our sync (resulting in a "glitch", tiling, and audio stammer)?


Yes, I am seeing this on DirecTV...

I can't add anything to the KERA glitch problem as I get it OTA.

But I am seeing old problems again. Number one is that the time broadcast in the PSIP data is running fast and is slowly diverging from reality.

The second is that shortly before the top of the hour (real time, not the bogus time in the PSIP) the electronic program guide data vanishes for a few minutes.

On TWC, just watched the NOVA on butterflies. No dropouts but did have some strange clicking for a few seconds near the end. No idea if it was a KERA issue or TWC issue.

According to Rebecca Miller, The 33 News is making moves (studio & cameras, etc) to go HD.

On Tuesday 2/2/10, we'll put in the new Linear AT7001 exciter between 9am and noon that morning. Since our transmitter can accept two exciters (a main and back-up), we'll stay on our current exciter until the Linear is ready to test.

After we swap it out, we're hoping to see a significant improvement in the data stream that makes up KERA 13.1, KERA PBS World 13.2, and the sub data (minimizing packet loss to actual weather issues and multi-path which are, for the most part, out of our control).

Dan --

Thanks for the ``inside baseball'' accounts of what's happening at KERA.

Over the past few days, I've been rather preoccupied with assisting Trip Ericson in the preparation of the Longley-Rice DTV coverage maps on ``RabbitEars''.

For everyone's viewing pleasure, here's a direct link to KERA's RF-14 interactive map:

http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=692208&map=Y

There's a lot of green there -- green is good :-). So when the data stream is fine tuned with the AT7001, a lot of us should be getting KERA at 5x5.

Hoping tomorrow brings a better picture.

Dan:

Did the new Linear AT7001 exciter get installed today down at KERA's xmtr? Not nagging -- just curious. :-)

Still picking up a bunch of errors on KERA using a QAM tuner on FiOS. Hoping the exciter install was delayed because it seems to be the same now as it was before.

FWIW, Dan, still running three 2/0 192k audio streams.

According to Rebecca Miller, The 33 News is making moves (studio & cameras, etc) to go HD.
Hopefully they will do something about their studio audio, sounds like they boost the upper bass a lot.

I missed the equalization question... "Hopefully they will do something about their studio audio, sounds like they boost the upper bass a lot".
Nope... we don't EQ studio audio. Part of my discussion on the audio processing would certainly resolve this.


The original poster was referring to the studio audio for KDAF/33. Unless NTPB has made a deal with Tribune, you're off the hook on this one, Dan! :-)

And...I'm excited about your new exciter. Hope the new one works out next week.

Has iGuide A28 been deployed in TWC DFW in areas using Motorola headends/equipment? Out here in TWC North San Diego County, CA (our division is overseen by TWC San Diego <twcsd.com>) was formerly served by Adelphia, our Motorola STBs/DVRs received iGuide A28 software upgrade last night. And I have to say, it's for the better IMHO. I'm wondering because TWC areas that were formerly served by Comcast or Adelphia mostly use Motorola headends/equipment.

Has iGuide A28 been deployed in TWC DFW in areas using Motorola headends/equipment? Out here in TWC North San Diego County, CA (our division as overseen by TWC San Diego <twcsd.com>) was formerly served by Adelphia, our Motorola STBs/DVRs received iGuide A28 software upgrade last night. And I have to say, it's for the better IMHO. I'm wondering because TWC areas that were formerly served by Comcast or Adelphia mostly use Motorola headends/equipment.

yes we use motorola boxes. 870MHz motorola line gear with motorola SG2000 nodes and auroroa networks 1GHz nodes(all new nodes will be these)

not yet but they are testing 4 vod barkers like North county has

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:92008#lineup_1576342

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:76014#lineup_1526382

Kevin120, what is a video on demand barker? I honestly don't know what that is. And did you guys get iGuide A28 yet in TWC DFW?

One additional note, our engineers worked on our EPG system today and feel the drifting clock issue is resolved. Please let me know if you see any drifting on our clock (and thanks for letting us know.. and your patience!)

It isn't fixed and is currently about 9 minutes fast.

I don't understand why someone at the station doesn't notice this. Waiting for viewer complaints is not a good strategy.

Schultdw... Can you confirm that the time still appears fast? The PSIP generator and NetVX are slaved to the Atomic clock now and should be accurate (as of last Thurs). Thanks, Dan

I used TS Reader to look at KERA's time and it is running fast as reported.
I checked WFAA and it is right on.
JStigler

Schultdw... Can you confirm that the time still appears fast? The PSIP generator and NetVX are slaved to the Atomic clock now and should be accurate (as of last Thurs). Thanks, Dan

Slaved? Really?

It might have been correct Thursday but it has been slipping ever since and is now about 11 minutes fast.

What was up with WFAA's audio, last night? Specifically during Lost, the audio was popping and artifacting and echoing like crazy. Commercials sounded just fine.

What was up with WFAA's audio, last night? Specifically during Lost, the audio was popping and artifacting and echoing like crazy. Commercials sounded just fine.

I don't know what it was, but I definitely had the same thing going on. Commercials were fine. LOST had distortion/pops throughout. I watched/recorded from the OTA channel 8-1 attic antenna input through my DirecTV HR20 DVR. Every friend I have asked had the same thing. Several of them were on FIOS. Hopefully they are aware of it and can get it resolved. I emailed the station using the contact form. Really kept me from getting, well...lost, in my favorite show.

I noticed the same thing, but it seemed to get better towards the end of the show. Or I maybe noticed it less.

I thought it got better, too. It did it through the entire 7:00 broadcast and I'd say 80% of the 8:00 broadcast.

WFAA: LOST There was a problem with the audio on Lost. I got a phone call describing the issue. I had the operator go to the backup ABC Satellite RX and that seemed to clear the issue. I later rebooted that receiver.

Had the same issue on 3 out of 4 receivers the next night. NY has no clue. It was a problem with our ABC Network HD receivers. Now the commercials vs the pgm is a news to me. I was not aware of this. Most of their spots are 2/0 audio and the show is 3/2.

This digital stuff just needs a reboot on occasion. We have an IP strip on the receivers so we can remote in and kick it when needed. I was not home that night.
JStigler

It almost sounded like there were two audio feeds fighting it out. It was most noticeable during dialogue.

A while back, ABC moved to a new setup where the audio is distributed as stereo pairs which then need to be fed into the encoder which spits out the DD5.1. If the stereo downmix L/R channels get fed in instead of the L/R intended for 5.1 use, you get dialog in the center channel and the sides, and a nasty "recording in a tunnel" effect if they're out of phase. I am not an engineer nor do I play one in TV, but my guess is that WFAA somehow got the wrong pair.

One additional note, our engineers worked on our EPG system today and feel the drifting clock issue is resolved. Please let me know if you see any drifting on our clock (and thanks for letting us know.. and your patience!)

KERA time: 2:48 PM
actual time: 1:40 PM

still not fixed.

Audio for LOST was great last night. Thanks JStigler et al.

KSTR (Telefutura) and KUVN (Univision) are now available in HD on FiOS with a clear QAM tuner, KSTR on 67-1520 (virtual 49.1) and KUVN on 69-1523 (virtual 29.1). Still no HD for KXTX (Telemundo).

Bought a Winegard 8200U for my attic. I thought about just mounting it outside however. Given I am in grapevine (about 22 miles from the transmitters) will it be too much? I split the signal between 4 tuners.

Will it need an attenuator?

Bought a Winegard 8200U for my attic. I thought about just mounting it outside however. Given I am in grapevine (about 22 miles from the transmitters) will it be too much? I split the signal between 4 tuners.

Will it need an attenuator?

You must have a huge attic!

No, you won't need an attenuator...

You must have a huge attic! (for a Winegard 8200U).


Wow...14 feet long. That's a big one.

I ended up going with dedicated antennas for each band in order to squeeze into my attic space:

Low-V: AntennaCraft Y5-2-6
High-V: AntennaDirect C-5
UHF: AntennasDirect 91XG

...and now I'm as happy as a clam (and *still* have some room to stuff odds and ends into the attic).

You must have a huge attic!

No, you won't need an attenuator...

Thanks Guys. Was worried that big an antenna that close to the towers would overload the 4 tuners. Going to have it mounted outside this week.

I have a 2500 sqr ft house and all the attic is connected. I could mount a couple antennas that size in there.

Just FYI the KERA time is running about 15min fast. You can view this with TS Reader (and a Home Run box) to verify it is not the consumers STB causing the issue.
JStigler

Might KERA consider asking the FCC for a channel swap if the problems continue? If most of the problems are due to the tight mask needed to protect the band below channel 14, a move to 21 or 24 could open things up a bit. Or perhaps channel 18 when KTXA moves to 29? Maybe CBS needs a tax writeoff and would donate the old channel 18 gear to a good cause :D.

18 won't work because of KYTX. 21 won't work because of KWBU on 20, I suspect. I swear I found a problem with 24, but now can't remember what that problem was.

They'd probably have to relocate to 47 or 49.

- Trip

18 won't work because of KYTX. 21 won't work because of KWBU on 20, I suspect. I swear I found a problem with 24, but now can't remember what that problem was.

They'd probably have to relocate to 47 or 49.


What about 34 if KJJM does build the CP granted per BDISDTL-20090622ADP on 49?

The ``Available Channels'' tool in RabbitEars looks pretty clean for 34 with adjacent channels for only 35 here in town and 33 a good distance away in Shreveport and Austin.

Yeah, I think 34 might work as well.

- Trip

I swear I found a problem with 24, but now can't remember what that problem was.


KTAB/24 in Abilene? KLTS/24 in Shreveport? OKC?

Might KERA consider asking the FCC for a channel swap if the problems continue? If most of the problems are due to the tight mask needed to protect the band below channel 14, a move to 21 or 24 could open things up a bit. Or perhaps channel 18 when KTXA moves to 29? Maybe CBS needs a tax writeoff and would donate the old channel 18 gear to a good cause :D.

As Denzel said, ``Talk to me like a 4 year old''. Explain the mask for protection *below* 14. I know that LM is allocated in the market for channel 16 (which is quite entertaining to watch on NTSC, BTW -- it's probably blow up an old CRT...flash flash flash!) and I thought that was also a factor, too.

If there is a filter < 14, then aren't channel 14 plants hosed everywhere (like WCMH in Columbus)?

KTXA has been on 18 since shortly after the transition and it didn't seem to break anything. 47 won't work, KUVN-CA analog is there and IIRC as a class A can't be kicked off. 24 might work, Abilene and Shreveport should be outside the 160 mile radius. Maybe 33 as welll?

Below 14 is FRS, business radio, and a bunch of public safety channels. I didn't think the filter at the high end needed to be too steep because 15 was intentionally left empty as a buffer, but my knowledge of the RF side is pretty limited.

If there is a filter < 14, then aren't channel 14 plants hosed everywhere (like WCMH in Columbus)?

There's a reason channel 14 is the least used UHF channel in the country.

KTXA has been on 18 since shortly after the transition and it didn't seem to break anything.

Required an interference agreement with KYTX, in which KYTX agreed to accept interference from KTXA for one year, after which the agreement would expire.

47 won't work, KUVN-CA analog is there and IIRC as a class A can't be kicked off.

Forgot about that one. Does KUVN-CA do anything valuable at all?

24 might work, Abilene and Shreveport should be outside the 160 mile radius. Maybe 33 as welll?

KVUE might limit power. I'm not certain.

- Trip

Forgot about that one. Does KUVN-CA do anything valuable at all?
Not that I know of. AFAIK it's essentially a repeater of KUVN-DT that isn't technically a repeater since a class A has to have a local presence and provide local programming and not just repeat something else. Not exactly in keeping with the spirit of what class A was intended for, but apparently within the letter of the law.

We tentatively have Linear here again on Thursday 3/4 to install and test their exciter. They suggested the past two tests didn't work due to a problem with their test gear.
This will mean Thursday starting at about 9am, we'll likely have glitching and a high signal-to-noise ratio while it is installed and calibrated.


Dan --

I take it that Linear did make it today?

I base this solely on the much different reading I'm now seeing for signal quality on my consumer-grade ATSC tuner. KERA 13-1 and 13-2 are both down from the usual solid 77 reading to what is now a fluctuating 68-70 on the meter.

Of course, it being RF, other factors may be coming into play but I thought it noteworthy that KERA happens to being showing anything other than the invariant 77% that I normally get.

...and, BTW, the EPG time for both KERA 13-1 and 13-2 is correct.

On 3/4/10 at about 3pm or so, KERA went on to a new loaner exciter from Axcera (the company that made our transmitter). We did see a reduction in the signal to noise, but also it appears the 7 to 20 minutes "glitching" has gone away.
..

I've watched it now for 40 minutes and not one glitch. Signal strength at 60-65% is still the weakest of all the full power stations but no pixelation or dropouts so far.

On 3/4/10 at about 3pm or so, KERA went on to a new loaner exciter from Axcera...

Appreciate the feedback as part of our subjective testing.


I had KERA on for about a half hour tonight. To followup on my post of a few days ago and to expand on what ex_in_tx reports, it was solid without any dropouts (audio or video).

You mentioned the S/N ratio and I presume that's why the signal quality meter is now showing a lower value of 69-70% compared to the previous 77% that I've had for months? Since just a handful of us watch the signal diagnostics, what counts is how it looks and sounds. Just fine is my subjective analysis.

On the other hand, the nerd side of me would like to know more. If Trip Ericson ever heads here to D/FW, he better well bring his Sencore along! :-) All kidding aside, I would like to be able to dig deeper to better understand things like actual signal strength, BER, MER and the other factors not revealed by the crude signal diagnostics we get on just a consumer ATSC tuner.

On the other hand, the nerd side of me would like to know more. If Trip Ericson ever heads here to D/FW, he better well bring his Sencore along! :-) All kidding aside, I would like to be able to dig deeper to better understand things like actual signal strength, BER, MER and the other factors not revealed by the crude signal diagnostics we get on just a consumer ATSC tuner.

Hehe, I'd bring it if I came to visit!

- Trip

...and, BTW, the EPG time for both KERA 13-1 and 13-2 is correct.

You got lucky.

After the last claim that the KERA PSIP time problem had been cured, I decided I needed to collect some data. What I would like is a logger that would strip the time data from the digital data stream and record it along with a reference based on a 1PPS output from a GPS receiver. A simple XY plot would then show any problems. But that seems like more trouble than it is worth.

Instead I grabbed the best time reference that I have which is a Garmin GPS receiver. I then watched the time displayed by my CM-7000 converter and compared the two. Since this doesn't display minutes I waited for it to roll over. There are probably delays involved but this is the best I can do without more sophisticated equipment.

I try to check this once a day around 7PM or when I remember it. The results are:

2-23: +15
2-24: +20
2-25: +2
2-26: +6:23
2-27: +5:00
2-28: +19:28
3-1: +54
3-2: 0
3-3: +6
3-4: +2
3-7: +8:30


(Positive indicates KERA faster than GPS. minutes:seconds or just seconds)

There are apparently two problems. The first is a system clock that keeps wildly inaccurate time and the second is that it is very infrequently corrected to a time standard.

KERA also messed up the DST transition. On 14 February the time was one hour fast. Most likely the result of setting the fields for the day and time of change one day early. See ATSC standard (http://www.atsc.org/standards/a_65cr1_with_amend_1.pdf) Annex A for details on the DST change.

With all of this talk about timekeeping, I went around the dial to see how accurate the other Dallas stations are. Be glad that you aren't Ch. 26!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=169289&d=1268026242

With all of this talk about timekeeping, I went around the dial to see how accurate the other Dallas stations are. Be glad that you aren't Ch. 26!

(2036-06-30)


Just two years until ``time_t'' rolls over! Then we're all DOOMED! :-)

Should give Trip a summer job :D.

Should give Trip a summer job :D.

Sadly, I need to take classes over the summer. In addition, I have a 12-month lease on an apartment in Charlottesville that begins in June, so it doesn't make much sense to live elsewhere for the summer.

It's too bad, really; I've received offers that I've had to turn down. I really cannot wait to get out of school. I figure I'll try to do a number of things once I get out of school, none of which will allow me to stay where I live in rural Virginia. The only things I won't miss are the Internet speeds and Blue Ridge PBS (WBRA-3).

- Trip

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/671/030910181900.jpg

What kind of antenna is this? There are a lot of these Southwest of the Metroplex in the Hico area. My rental house had one, and it didn't do squat, and the same for a friends house who I took it down and put up a Winegard.

I'm just curious if someone can shed some light on these?

Microwave antenna for fixed-point wireless Internet?

Microwave antenna for fixed-point wireless Internet?
+1 :) I'm currently in Lavon and they are everywhere. Outskirts do not have cable\DSL so we rely on WISP's.

Microwave antenna for fixed-point wireless Internet?

I would guess no because both my rental house and the friends house are old houses and I don't think either owner was young enough to care about internet. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

Must have been a Wireless Cable TV supplier in the area. You need the STB for the system to work.
JStigler

Must have been a Wireless Cable TV supplier in the area. You need the STB for the system to work.
JStigler

Wireless cable tv? Was this pre-satellite days? Early 90's? Do they still exist?

As for the PSIP clock, I'll get back with our chief. The iron here is that it is tied in to a GPS clock, so the drifting shouldn't be measurable with any gear any of us would have. I appreciate the daily time hack done by one of the AVS members as it really helps us.


Based on data collected Saturday (13 March) your clock is running about 4% fast with occasional resets. I cannot imagine how anything based on a quartz crystal clock could run that fast unless the software is completely insane. There is something seriously wrong and the occasional resets are only keeping it from being hours or days off.

If you are really tied to a GPS clock then it is junk. Worse than useless. (It might not be the GPS clock but the time format conversions if the systems use different formats.)

GPS time seconds fast
10:10:15 705
10:41:46 794
11:50:34 986
13:01:26 1174
14:25:55 1385
15:29:22 38
16:17:25 35
18:00:05 235
18:53:15 405
19:59:50 610
20:49:16 764
21:37:42 78
23:00:42 18

For the past 48 hours or so, KTXA/21 (still on RF-18 with 220 kW) is showing a reading on my signal diagnostic meter far down -- currently at 44%.

Normally, KTXA reads full scale, which tops out at 97% on the tuner. All of the other facilities are nominal, even the LPTVs are in the 80's or 90's. (I realize that the signal diagnostic meter measures quality not signal strength).

Anyone else noticing this on KTXA?

For the past 48 hours or so, KTXA/21 (still on RF-18 with 220 kW) is showing a reading on my signal diagnostic meter far down -- currently at 44%.


Anyone else noticing this on KTXA?
I am not receiving it at all... "No Signal".

KTXA RF18 is usually the lowest of the full powers for us in Lavon, but right now it's typical ~75% signal on Dish 722k and 222k. Signal levels are normal on DTVPal and Dynex ATSC.

UPDATE just got a call from KTXA's Chief Engineer. They have tracked down the problem to a low power station on a building in downtown Dallas "testing" their transmitter on RF18 the same as 21 transmits on. (Apparently they couldn't wait until KTXA vacates the RF18 channel in a few months for their move to RF29) The engineer doing the testing forgot to turn off the transmitter and left it running with color bars, essentially "jamming" KTXA's signal! So in about an hour when someone gets back up there to shut it off all will be good again. KTXA was receiving complaints from N Dallas and Mesquite areas for the most part.

Wow. That's pretty illegal, I think.

- Trip

Wow. That's pretty illegal, I think.

- Trip

Yes I would think so!

The interfering signal has ceased as of now. 21 is back.

My parents have a Tivo on Time Warner in Dallas. They just got a letter about Switched Digital Video. Letter says SDV goes live on April 5 and they will need a tuning adapter by then. SDV channels will be "lesser-watched digital channels." They had a list of channels but I can't remember what they all were. I remember Animal Planet HD, A&E HD.

Tuning adapter is free for cable card customers. If your Cable Card device doesn't support a tuning adapter, you can swap your cable card for a basic HD receiver. (This receiver won't do on-demand, interactive guides, etc) Said you can get this receiver for the same price as your cable card for at least one year.

UPDATE just got a call from KTXA's Chief Engineer. They have tracked down the problem to a low power station on a building in downtown Dallas "testing" their transmitter on RF18 the same as 21 transmits on. (Apparently they couldn't wait until KTXA vacates the RF18 channel in a few months for their move to RF29) The engineer doing the testing forgot to turn off the transmitter and left it running with color bars, essentially "jamming" KTXA's signal! So in about an hour when someone gets back up there to shut it off all will be good again. KTXA was receiving complaints from N Dallas and Mesquite areas for the most part.

Thanks for the detective work on this, Ed.

I'm surprised that I was able to get KTXA at all (albeit at less than half signal quality per the meter). I was under the impression that the two signals would have just canceled each other out as what happens when tropo comes in and KCEN (RF-9) from Temple/Waco clobbers local KFWD (also on RF-9) and nothing comes in on that channel.

My parents have a Tivo on Time Warner in Dallas. They just got a letter about Switched Digital Video. Letter says SDV goes live on April 5 and they will need a tuning adapter by then. SDV channels will be "lesser-watched digital channels." They had a list of channels but I can't remember what they all were. I remember Animal Planet HD, A&E HD.

Tuning adapter is free for cable card customers. If your Cable Card device doesn't support a tuning adapter, you can swap your cable card for a basic HD receiver. (This receiver won't do on-demand, interactive guides, etc) Said you can get this receiver for the same price as your cable card for at least one year.

There has been a bit of discussion about this over on the DFW TWC thread at Broadbandreports.com. Apparently TWC doesn't yet have the Tuning Adapter to give out, and the latest post over there suggests that they won't be available until April 5. This is the 3rd or 4th date that has been mentioned and is unverified, but wouldn't be terribly surprising. Here's hoping they show up sooner....

Randy

Thanks for the detective work on this, Ed.

I'm surprised that I was able to get KTXA at all (albeit at less than half signal quality per the meter)... I figure in Frisco you are out about 30 miles or so from downtown, and the low power station at that distance wasn't powerful enough to block KTXA's signal. I'm about 12 miles straight line to downtown so at my distance, that signal was strong ehough to block KTXA.

We are looking for an indoor antenna for my grandparents. They live in an assisted-living complex and do not have a balcony or anything where they can set up anything outdoors; hence the need to be indoor antenna. Some suggestions will be greatly appreciated. They are located in Richardson (Plano Rd and Beltline area)

We are looking for an indoor antenna for my grandparents. They live in an assisted-living complex and do not have a balcony or anything where they can set up anything outdoors; hence the need to be indoor antenna. Some suggestions will be greatly appreciated. They are located in Richardson (Plano Rd and Beltline area)

The Terk HDTVa (amplified) has worked very well for me at a distance of 40 miles from the Cedar Hill towers. You can get one at Best Buy to try and then return if it fails to meet expectations. Alternately, Amazon has it for far less.

The Winegard SS3000 is probably the best indoor antenna I've run across. Unlike the HDTVa's rabbit ears, it actually has a decent front-to-back ratio on high VHF, which helps cut down on multipath-related issues.

UPDATE just got a call from KTXA's Chief Engineer. They have tracked down the problem to a low power station on a building in downtown Dallas "testing" their transmitter on RF18 the same as 21 transmits on. (Apparently they couldn't wait until KTXA vacates the RF18 channel in a few months for their move to RF29) [...]


1). KPFW/61 (the station that was interfering with KTXA over the weekend) has gotten the OK from the FCC to operate on channel 29 until 18 September 2010:

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=17708

2). So it's going to be up to 6 months before the KTXA/KTVT changes are complete. I suppose that means KTVT will have until then to keep simulcasting on RF-11 and RF-19?

3a). In other D/FW television news, KHDF (RF-51) has gotten the OK to fire up a 5 kW plant from Cedar Hill.

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101342939&formid=346&fac_num=127785

3b). And KSFW (RF-2) has been granted a CP for 130 watts from Bank of America (the green building) in downtown Dallas:

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101357785&formid=346&fac_num=130934

So, what will KSFW's virtual channel be in order to not conflict with KDTN/2 (RF-43)?

I and other North Texas DishNetwork customers are receiving a letter stating that their dishes need to be re-aimed. ( http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=174324 ) I a have 1000.2 dish aimed at 110/119/129 for two HD receivers, and a 500 dish aimed at 110/119 for two SD receivers. Does anyone here know what is going on, and what Dish is likely to do when they come out to re-aim?

Thanks!

I and other North Texas DishNetwork customers are receiving a letter stating that their dishes need to be re-aimed. ( http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=174324 ) I a have 1000.2 dish aimed at 110/119/129 for two HD receivers, and a 500 dish aimed at 110/119 for two SD receivers. Does anyone here know what is going on, and what Dish is likely to do when they come out to re-aim?

Thanks!

You don't need to re-aim.

9 new HD channels were launched in February and more are to come. These channels are either on 72.7 (east) or 129 (west). Furthermore, some HD channels are being moved from 61.5 to 72.7.

If you are full Eastern Arc (77 / 72.7 / 61.5) or full Western Arc (110 / 119 / 129), you are fine and don't need a re-aim.

Some (? many) customers have hybrid setups i.e. 110 / 119 & 61.5. Up until this point that worked. Now, it will result in loss of some HD. Hence the reason DISH wants you to have a single dish system, 1000.2 (Western Arc) or 1000.4 (Eastern Arc) so you are without a doubt pointing to a single arc set of satellites.

You probably got the letter because you have 2 dishes which probably puts up an alert on DISH's computers. However, with regard to HD, you are full Western Arc. Your 110/119 is simply not an HD system.

Long story short? You're fine.

You don't need to re-aim.

9 new HD channels were launched in February and more are to come. These channels are either on 72.7 (east) or 129 (west). Furthermore, some HD channels are being moved from 61.5 to 72.7.

If you are full Eastern Arc (77 / 72.7 / 61.5) or full Western Arc (110 / 119 / 129), you are fine and don't need a re-aim.

Some (? many) customers have hybrid setups i.e. 110 / 119 & 61.5. Up until this point that worked. Now, it will result in loss of some HD. Hence the reason DISH wants you to have a single dish system, 1000.2 (Western Arc) or 1000.4 (Eastern Arc) so you are without a doubt pointing to a single arc set of satellites.

You probably got the letter because you have 2 dishes which probably puts up an alert on DISH's computers. However, with regard to HD, you are full Western Arc. Your 110/119 is simply not an HD system.

Long story short? You're fine.

Thanks for the quick reply. In the other thread, one poster stated that the Dallas locals were moving to Eastern Arc ONLY at some future date. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Is it speculation or fact?

Thanks!

I'm watching Visions of Italy/Southern Italy on KERA HD via TWC. The picture is horrible. I'm curious if this is the fault of KERA or TWC.

...In the other thread, one poster stated that the Dallas locals were moving to Eastern Arc ONLY at some future date...

That would be odd and quite expensive for DISH since they are currently swiching everyone in the DFW DMA they can over to Western Arc.

From a purely logistical point of view, it would be a nightmare. When you're driving around, just look at all the DISH dishes. In which direction are the majority pointed? I see mostly western-facing dishes.

I have the compact monoprice antenna (product ID 4730), it works great for almost all channels mounted inside my attic, I live in Plano, TX.

The only issue I have is with channel 8. It picks it up only sometimes randomly. It doesn't seem to correlate with weather that much.

I've read that this channel is on a low VHF that this antenna is not very good for, if this is the case does anyone know if there is a way to add a second antenna for channel 8?, somehow add an element for the antenna? Or a second antenna, how do you mix the two signals?

Has anyone faced and solved a similar issue? I really like this antenna because it's so compact and mounted inside the attic is not visible or in the way of anything, however channel 8 is abc, one of the big networks and I'd really like to be able to watch it.

Thanks in advance

Franke46

I have the compact monoprice antenna (product ID 4730), it works great for almost all channels mounted inside my attic, I live in Plano, TX.

The only issue I have is with channel 8. It picks it up only sometimes randomly. It doesn't seem to correlate with weather that much.

I've read that this channel is on a low VHF that this antenna is not very good for, if this is the case does anyone know if there is a way to add a second antenna for channel 8?, somehow add an element for the antenna? Or a second antenna, how do you mix the two signals?

Has anyone faced and solved a similar issue? I really like this antenna because it's so compact and mounted inside the attic is not visible or in the way of anything, however channel 8 is abc, one of the big networks and I'd really like to be able to watch it.

Thanks in advance

Franke46

WFAA operates on VHF channel 8. The antenna you have is about as efficient as a brick on VHF channels. A simple set of rabbit-ears will out-perform it on channel 8.

A UVSJ can combine a UHF and a VHF antenna without significantly affecting either signal.

Thanks a lot for your response. This is an amplified antenna though, will this UVSJ be able to still pass power to the antenna?, otherwise I may have to move the power adapter to the attic (currently it is next to the TV) where I do not have an outlet and I'm not sure if one can be installed.

Franke46

Thanks a lot for your response. This is an amplified antenna though, will this UVSJ be able to still pass power to the antenna?, otherwise I may have to move the power adapter to the attic (currently it is next to the TV) where I do not have an outlet and I'm not sure if one can be installed.

Franke46

You'd have to use a UVSJ that passes power on the UHF port. I've identified only two so far that do so: Antennas Direct EU385CF and the Radio Shack 15-2586.

I live about 60-70 miles away from the towers and I don't want an outdoor antenna due to the fact of the severe weather and almost all but not all DFW stations come in with a indoor antenna here but I need to have WFAA and I am able to get it.... if I set it in a very unpleasing area. What antennas should you suggest? I am looking at a Terk and a simple budget antenna model no. T#749.

What about bad weather makes you not want an outdoor antenna? If you mount and ground it properly, the only issue would be a tornado.

Any indoor antenna you can buy is going to be worse than a simple set of rabbit ears. You might consider building your own twinlead antenna cut for channel 8.

http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/dipole.html (http://www.wfu.edu/%7Ematthews/misc/dipole.html)

I live about 60-70 miles away from the towers and I don't want an outdoor antenna due to the fact of the severe weather and almost all but not all DFW stations come in with a indoor antenna here but I need to have WFAA and I am able to get it.... if I set it in a very unpleasing area. What antennas should you suggest? I am looking at a Terk and a simple budget antenna model no. T#749.

It is improbable that you will get reliable indoor reception of WFAA's channel 8 signal from 60 miles out.

A directional antenna in the attic might do it, but you need something better than a simple indoor rig would offer.

An outdoor antenna is the only real recommendation you'll get that will actually work reliably.

Yep KERAtech, I've been spreading the word on this FCC spectrum takeback since last October. Seems they want another 120 mHz of spectrum in addition to UHF channels 52-69 freed up last year with the DTV transition, and the UHF spectrum they took back (channels 70-83) and sold to cellular providers (Verizon) which is currently underutilized. Total so far about 186 mHz of spectrum taken back. I've also written my congressman and two senators about this.

I cannot understand what is so desirable about UHF spectrum for mobile wireless devices. All those nowadays are up in the 2 to 3 gHz range. UHF does not lend itself to small compact RF devices and tiny unobtrusive antennas.

Verizon in particular has most of their network on the 850 MHz band (former channels in teh 70s). All of US Cellular is on 850 (they're regional though) as does AT&T in some places.

- Trip

Verizon in particular has most of their network on the 850 MHz band (former channels in teh 70s). All of US Cellular is on 850 (they're regional though) as does AT&T in some places.

- Trip

I thought they shut off all that 800 mHz cellular, both analog and digital, a few years ago. I had ATT Cellular up 'til 2006-7 and had to buy a new phone because ATT was ending the 800 mHz digital cell phone service. ATT also discontinued my "deal" I had, and jacked up the monthly charge $10, so I switched providers too. :D

Nope. Just saw it on the spectrum analyzer a few weeks ago. Definitely still on 850 (Verizon and USCC).

- Trip

TV will be really screwed the day OTA comes to an end. DXing will be a thing of the past except for AM/FM/SW DX. Then we will have to go to TVRO or satellite DX which I don't none of us could even have the equipment for it.

Nope. Just saw it on the spectrum analyzer a few weeks ago. Definitely still on 850 (Verizon and USCC).

- Trip

ATT was discontinuing the old TDMA system as they replaced it with GSM.

They still use the same frequency bands (800 cellular & 1900 PCS) as before.

ATT and Verizon have a LOT of facilities on 800 MHz, especially in rural areas where they originally had analog cellular service.

In my area, US Cellular is 1900 MHz only as they don't have any 800 MHz licenses.

A good resource to check what licenses are active in an area is wirelessadvisor.com

I would be ok with the OTA move if they forced the VHF channels to UHF and sold the VHF frequencies. I hate VHF anyway given there is only 1 channel locally and moving it would let me cut off most of my antenna. It would probably have more of an effect in NY/LA I am sure they make more use of VHF. I am guessing that is not practical because the frequency is not good for cellular traffic for the same reason I need a huge antenna just to get channel 8. Just a guess, though.

I would be ok with the OTA move if they forced the VHF channels to UHF and sold the VHF frequencies. I hate VHF anyway .. In the proposals, there is some mention of resolving VHF DTV reception issues anticipating migrating OTA away from UHF to VHF, just the opposite direction they had been encouraging stations to go. Ch 8 and 52 (on RF9) might be ahead of the game. Better get your VHF antennas set up!

migrating OTA away from UHF to VHF

Doh!

I thought they shut off all that 800 mHz cellular, both analog and digital, a few years ago. I had ATT Cellular up 'til 2006-7 and had to buy a new phone because ATT was ending the 800 mHz digital cell phone service. ATT also discontinued my "deal" I had, and jacked up the monthly charge $10, so I switched providers too. :D

May have been a TDMA phone with analog also on 800...All analog has been discontinued...ATT moved toward GSM as well as 800/1.9Ghz coveragand that is possibly why your phone had to be changed.
The old 70-83 is was mixed....SMR (trunked 2way radio systems), cellular and Nextel (which started as a SMR under the name Fleet Call) with its iDEN...but due to the jumbled mix, Nextel offered to pay for moving everyone around on 800MHz to put all of public safety and other SMRs in one area and Nextel's iDEN in another...in exchange for all that, they got a chunk at 2GHz..under Sprint's name by then)...lots of older TV ops on 2GHz had to be moved (Remote Pickups, etc) which were going digital and some TSL (transmitter to studio links), etc....It was called Rebanding......and it cost Nextel(and Sprint) a pretty penny...they paid for others to move!:eek: 800MHz cellular is just that...cell phone..no 3/4G, etc...that needs the wideband section of 2GHz.
If you go into an area where you have no 3G or data coverage, chances are, your phone (which is likely a triband) is on 800MHz digital cellular....

I would be ok with the OTA move if they forced the VHF channels to UHF and sold the VHF frequencies. I hate VHF anyway given there is only 1 channel locally and moving it would let me cut off most of my antenna. It would probably have more of an effect in NY/LA I am sure they make more use of VHF. I am guessing that is not practical because the frequency is not good for cellular traffic for the same reason I need a huge antenna just to get channel 8. Just a guess, though.

Actually VHF hiband (channels 7-13 or 174 thru 216 Mhz) would be good IF the FCC gave everyone the correct ERP (Effective Radiated Power)...in those cases where they have, the stations report excellent coverage (like Houston's 8,11 and 13..where 11 and 13 went BACK to their analog channels with their digital from UHF) BUT those like poor WAFB in Baton Rouge, La who is running a flea power VHF signal (and barely covers the city) is on the losing end...adj channel KLFY in Lafayette is also suffering...yet when they were analog, they both ran full power with no issues...why the Commish :cool: set both KLFY and WAFB's ERP to such ridiculously LOW levels is anyone's guess...(KPLC in Lake Charles is back on their original 7 and running 60+ KW ERP...and has better coverage than they did on analog!)
Lowband VHF (chs 2-6 or 54 through 88Mhz) are the ones that DONT work well for DTV (especially the LD-3 at Cedar Hill!) and would be best used for long haul fixed communications..or see what happens with higher ERPs there!! hehehe

3b). And KSFW (RF-2) has been granted a CP for 130 watts from Bank of America (the green building) in downtown Dallas:

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101357785&formid=346&fac_num=130934

So, what will KSFW's virtual channel be in order to not conflict with KDTN/2 (RF-43)?

Guess they will use 43.1 (isn't "virtual" mapping wonderful?? :rolleyes: )

Beaumont has a similar issue where a LD-6 was issued...and KFDM (formerly on 6, now 21 but moving to 25 due of adj channel issues) is still using 6.x .....Their CE shakes his head over that one...the LD will have to call themselves some thing else..maybe 25.x?? BTW, Richard doesnt like VM anymore than the rest of us)

Hmm, apparently someone at KDFI didn't get the memo that the Stars game was being backhauled in widescreen SD tonight. The HD channel is showing the widescreen picture squished into the 4:3 area. Nothing my box can't fix with the normally-hated stretch mode, but I imagine those watching in SD are wondering why everyone looks so tall and skinny.

Edit: guess they figured it out in the first intermission and switched back to 4:3 SD. Shouldn't have said anything :(.

WFAA operates on VHF channel 8. The antenna you have is about as efficient as a brick on VHF channels. A simple set of rabbit-ears will out-perform it on channel 8.

A UVSJ can combine a UHF and a VHF antenna without significantly affecting either signal.

The funny thing is Channel 8 works some of the time, even several days in a row, then it pixelates or goes out althogether for random periods of time.

Franke46

The funny thing is Channel 8 works some of the time, even several days in a row, then it pixelates or goes out althogether for random periods of time.

Franke46

Even a brick works sometimes.... then it doesn't. That was my point.

Even a brick works sometimes.... then it doesn't. That was my point.

yeah, just like the shuttle!! it rolls and turns but its "glide" rate?? Like a brick with wings ;)

The funny thing is Channel 8 works some of the time, even several days in a row, then it pixelates or goes out althogether for random periods of time.

Franke46
Could it be co or adjacent channel interference???
Also do you have a preamp at the antenna? (Only one I recommend is the Channel Master 7777)

This monoprice antenna (product ID 4730) is an amplified antenna, it receives DC power thru the coax. I don't think I need another amp do I?

I will try another antenna for VHF and combining the signals. Is channel 8 the only one in VHF?

Also when I go up to the attic to try to adjust the antenna the picture is always perfect when I touch the coax at the connector point. when I let it go it disappears again or goes back to pixelation. I wonder if I could just add some element (wire) and tie it to the coax?

Franke46

...

Is channel 8 the only one in VHF?

...
Franke46

VHF stations in the DFW area include:
KSFW-LD 2.1 (RF-2, low VHF, GAINESVILLE)
KHPK-LD 3.1 (RF-3, low VHF, DE SOTO)
WFAA-DT 8.1 (RF-8, high VHF)
KTVT-DT 11.1 (RF-11, high VHF) but also simulcasting on RF-19 (UHF)
KFWD-DT 52.1 (RF-9, high VHF)

Mike

VHF stations in the DFW area include:
KSFW-LD 2.1 (RF-2, low VHF, GAINESVILLE)
KHPK-LD 3.1 (RF-3, low VHF, DE SOTO)
WFAA-DT 8.1 (RF-8, high VHF)
KTVT-DT 11.1 (RF-11, high VHF) but also simulcasting on RF-19 (UHF)
KFWD-DT 52.1 (RF-9, high VHF)


I'll also add KXII/12 (on RF-12) to the VHF list. Although it's part of the Sherman DMA, it comes in reliably in large swatches of Collin County.

An acquaintance who lives in McKinney used KXII for CBS content for a number of weeks post-transition because KTVT on RF-11 wasn't receivable. That, of course, was resolved in August 2009, when KTVT fired up on RF-19.

How bad is the PQ on KXII? I imagine it has to be pretty terrible since they're cramming CBS and Fox in HD plus MNT in SD onto their single ATSC channel.

How bad is the PQ on KXII? I imagine it has to be pretty terrible since they're cramming CBS and Fox in HD plus MNT in SD onto their single ATSC channel.

Holy c***!!!! Are they downconverting CBS to 720p or leaving it at 1080i?? If they are not downconverting it, that is truly choking the data stream for bits..and I thought Alexandria, LA was bad...

Holy c***!!!! Are they downconverting CBS to 720p or leaving it at 1080i?? If they are not downconverting it, that is truly choking the data stream for bits..and I thought Alexandria, LA was bad...

KXII/12 transmits the CBS feed at 1080i on 12-1. MYN is on 12-2 at 480i and Fox is on 12-3 at 720p.

I'm quite likely the worst person in the world to comment on PQ since I watch on a 19-inch screen and all three streams look fine to me. Moreover, my preferences are more content-driven than visual or aural quality-driven.

So, aside from the cited technical specs, I'll defer to others who are more attuned to PQ.

TVFool puts me in deep deep fringe for KXII here at the northern edge of Dallas County, so I don't think I'm in a position to receive it with a south-facing apartment :). Maybe it's time to get a USB ATSC tuner for the laptop and head north and get some recordings for testing purposes. Would make a good excuse to head up to Clark's Outpost in Tioga for the best brisket I've found north of Lockhart :D.

Maybe it's time to get a USB ATSC tuner for the laptop and head north and get some recordings for testing purposes.

You could grab some TSReader data too. :)

- Trip

You know me, Trip, I'll hook you up with anything I get :).

VHF stations in the DFW area include:
KSFW-LD 2.1 (RF-2, low VHF, GAINESVILLE)
KHPK-LD 3.1 (RF-3, low VHF, DE SOTO)
WFAA-DT 8.1 (RF-8, high VHF)
KTVT-DT 11.1 (RF-11, high VHF) but also simulcasting on RF-19 (UHF)
KFWD-DT 52.1 (RF-9, high VHF)

Mike

8 has been working for about a week now without interruption. I love the monoprice antenna, it's very non-intrusive. I'm waiting for it to fail to try adding another antenna element or something else.

Franke46

You know me, Trip, I'll hook you up with anything I get :).

Of course, just being certain. :D

- Trip

I mention this in the D/FW thread because WFAA has been the source for ABC programming in the Sherman/Denison market.

KTEN/10-3 will be the ABC affiliate for that sprawling (sizewise) market. They dropped the weather feed and will be adding ABC in about a month:

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=12234399

From 1954-1998, KTEN was ABC (primary) and NBC (secondary).

This evening, April 6, we discovered that the iGuide software on our DVR in Richardson has been updated. Several new features. It is too late at night to experiment and list them all, but it looks good. Among the features that I noticed:

Program clipping - handle the situation for programs which are scheduled to extend up to five minutes past an hour
Prompts to continue if llive shows run over
DVR history showing actions taken adn why!
DVR cleanup - delete multiple recordings at once
Search by title or keyword. Save searches.


Now I hope that it does a better job of recording series that we've scheduled too.

This evening, April 6, we discovered that the iGuide software on our DVR has been updated. Several new features. It is too late at night to experiment and list them all, but it looks good. Among the features that I noticed:

Program clipping - handle the situation for programs which are scheduled to extend up to five minutes past an hour
Prompts to continue if llive shows run over
DVR history showing actions taken adn why!
DVR cleanup - delete multiple recordings at once


Now I hope that it does a better job of recording series that we've scheduled too.

I was about to post that. I've also noticed channels 1001-1040 as well. Nothing airing yet but they are there.

This evening, April 6, we discovered that the iGuide software on our DVR has been updated. Several new features. It is too late at night to experiment and list them all, but it looks good. Among the features that I noticed:

Program clipping - handle the situation for programs which are scheduled to extend up to five minutes past an hour
Prompts to continue if llive shows run over
DVR history showing actions taken adn why!
DVR cleanup - delete multiple recordings at once


Now I hope that it does a better job of recording series that we've scheduled too.

Hi,
What area of town are you in?

Thanks!
Randy

Hi,
What area of town are you in?

Thanks!
Randy
Richardson. Sorry, I should have said that in the first place. I'll edit the original to indicate that.

I've noticed that the Search function has a lot more features now too.

Attached is a Word file listing unencrypted TWC channels in north Dallas / Richardson / Plano. The list shows analog channels, digital channels, and channel names. The file is sorted by analog channel number and then by digital channel number. You can resort it by digital channel or by name.

I haven't found unencrypted HD versions of the major network channels, only analog versions. If you have found HD versions of the digital channels, or errors or omissions let me know and I'll try update this chart.

Bernie

[Note: a newer version of the file is attached to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18474891#post18474891 ]

Unless they've moved in the last day or two, KTVT HD on 104.1, KTXA HD on 104.3, KERA HD on 105.1, WFAA HD on 105.2, WFAA 2 on 105.3, WFAA 3 on 105.4, KERA 2 on 105.5, KDFW HD on 107.1, KXAS HD on 107.2, KXAS 2 on 107.4, KXAS 3 on 107.5, KDAF HD on 110.1, KDFI HD on 110.2, and KPXD HD on 110.3.

Unless they've moved in the last day or two, KTVT HD on 104.1, KTXA HD on 104.3, KERA HD on 105.1, WFAA HD on 105.2, WFAA 2 on 105.3, WFAA 3 on 105.4, KERA 2 on 105.5, KDFW HD on 107.1, KXAS HD on 107.2, KXAS 2 on 107.4, KXAS 3 on 107.5, KDAF HD on 110.1, KDFI HD on 110.2, and KPXD HD on 110.3.
I wish, but none of those channels are detected on either of my HDTV's when they are connected directly to cable.

They may have moved/been deleted this week. I am in an area that was upgraded to the latest version of the iGuide software this week and that upgrade is pretty widespread now in Richardson/Plano/North Dallas.

Shucks.

TWC provides PSIP data so all the local HD channels and their channel should remap to the broadcast location if the TV's decoder is working correctly - KDFW HD on 4.1, KERA World on 13.2, and so forth. The channels that you are able to receive don't have that PSIP data, which suggests that the problem might be with the PSIP decoder in your TV. What makes/models are your TVs?

Richardson. Sorry, I should have said that in the first place. I'll edit the original to indicate that.

I've noticed that the Search function has a lot more features now too.

It looks like we have the new guide in Frisco, too. I hadn't noticed since I generally use my TiVo S3, but this version of the guide looks somewhat better...

Randy

TWC provides PSIP data so all the local HD channels and their channel should remap to the broadcast location if the TV's decoder is working correctly - KDFW HD on 4.1, KERA World on 13.2, and so forth. The channels that you are able to receive don't have that PSIP data, which suggests that the problem might be with the PSIP decoder in your TV. What makes/models are your TVs?

Thanks! You're right and I'm really glad I've asked here. It is too late tonight to determine all the stations and update my chart, but I will do it over the weekend.

Bernie

VHF stations in the DFW area include:
KSFW-LD 2.1 (RF-2, low VHF, GAINESVILLE)
KHPK-LD 3.1 (RF-3, low VHF, DE SOTO)
WFAA-DT 8.1 (RF-8, high VHF)
KTVT-DT 11.1 (RF-11, high VHF) but also simulcasting on RF-19 (UHF)
KFWD-DT 52.1 (RF-9, high VHF)

MikeI have to say there's actually 2 VHF's in DFW (KSFW-LD= no one can get it. KHPK, nothing, KTVT-DT is on 19 so why watch it?

Anyone in Valley Ranch found a good indoor antenna to pick up the HD network stations? We are done with Time Warner.

Attached is a Word file listing unencrypted TWC channels in north Dallas / Richardson / Plano.


Nice work, but I think you're missing some. Some time ago, there was another poster who would occasionally share his findings on this, I *think* it was "Kevin120"?

EDIT: OK this is the latest one I could find, sadly >1 yr ago

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15628605&postcount=4712

I think I also found an equivalent once on a DSL reports forum.

EDIT 2: Funny what a little googling will reveal

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r24080450-Re-TWC-TWC-North-Texas-unencrypted-channels

Nice work, but I think you're missing some. Some time ago, there was another poster who would occasionally share his findings on this, I *think* it was "Kevin120"?

EDIT: OK this is the latest one I could find, sadly >1 yr ago

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15628605&postcount=4712

I think I also found an equivalent once on a DSL reports forum.

EDIT 2: Funny what a little googling will reveal

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r24080450-Re-TWC-TWC-North-Texas-unencrypted-channels
Thanks for the feedback. I'm still working on updating the file that I posted here and on dslreports.

I have to say there's actually 2 VHF's in DFW (KSFW-LD= no one can get it. KHPK, nothing, KTVT-DT is on 19 so why watch it?

KSFW has a CP to move to downtown and be licensed to Dallas at 130watts ERP...oh yeah that will cover a lot! Well, better than they have from the former 94.5 tower in Collinsville

Attached is a Word file listing unencrypted TWC channels in north Dallas / Richardson / Plano. The list shows analog channels, digital channels, and channel names. The file is sorted by channel number. You can resort it by name.

If you have found errors or omissions let me know and I'll try update this chart. The chart contains channels that might be of interest to my family and is pretty inclusive, but there are some other channels. You can edit the chart to create your own version.

Bernie

[Note: this is an update for http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18459554#post18459554 and contains a file dated April 12, 2010.]

KSFW has a CP to move to downtown and be licensed to Dallas at 130watts ERP...oh yeah that will cover a lot! Well, better than they have from the former 94.5 tower in Collinsville

With a proper antenna, it actually ought to cover reasonably well for the power. At my location (40 miles from Cedar Hill), KHPK/3 with 300 watts is solid. I suspect that 130 watts from the closer in location of Bank America should also be receivable.

Not that either station has scintillating programming. :-)

8 has been working for about a week now without interruption. I love the monoprice antenna, it's very non-intrusive. I'm waiting for it to fail to try adding another antenna element or something else.

Franke46

I noticed that Channel 8 would work perfectly when I was touching the antenna connector but once I let it go it would fail again. I then added an "element" to the antenna by connecting two 2-3 ft long pieces of cat 5 wire, one pointing north and one south following the attic beam they "face" cedar hill, making electric contact with the exterior of the coax connector at the center. The picture immediately stopped having issues and has worked perfectly for several weeks.

I'm sure there are multiple reasons why this is wrong but it works.

P.S. I meant one pointing east and one west, just like the elements of an antenna would when it is trying to catch a station located directly south.

Franke46

I noticed that Channel 8 would work perfectly when I was touching the antenna connector but once I let it go it would fail again. I then added an "element" to the antenna by connecting two 2-3 ft long pieces of cat 5 wire, one pointing north and one south following the attic beam they "face" cedar hill, making electric contact with the exterior of the coax connector at the center.

...which reminds me, WFAA has has an app pending since 24 DEC 2009 and an STA since 1 MAR 2010, both of which would result in a slight power increase from 45 kW to 55 kW.

I know the FCC has a backlog, but it seems that such a negligible increase (with an interference agreement already signed) would have been approved by now. In particular, the form 301 is about to hit 4 months of age in a just a few days.

I believe we got the 55kw STA and are at that power level as of sometime Tuesday 4-20-10
JStigler

I believe we got the 55kw STA and are at that power level as of sometime Tuesday 4-20-10
JStigler
Wow! A whole whopping .67 dB signal increase if I am figuring it right. I see no difference in the usual signal strength in NW Dallas. Still not 100% like it was when 8 was on RF9.

I believe we got the 55kw STA and are at that power level as of sometime Tuesday 4-20-10.
JStigler

I flipped on WFAA/8 last night -- not yet knowing at that time if the power increase had happened.

For the first time ever at my location in Frisco, RF-8 showed 97% on the signal quality meter, which is full scale for that tuner.

As ed_in_tx point out, the difference between 45 kW and 55 kW is less than one dB. But it did make a small difference, boosting WFAA from 94-95% to 97%.

I also examined the Longley-Rice maps at RabbitEars. There is now a bit more green (good signal) areas in Frisco with the extra 10 kW. So, at least at my site, there does appear to be more signal density.

As for Ed's better readings on the old 18.6 kW plant (on RF-9), my wild guess (and that's all it is) is that perhaps the former facility's greater HAAT may have been beneficial at your location.

Has anyone had issues with the new software recording series'? In the DVR History I have two instances of Lost, Castle, and Flash Forward that show "canceled by system". I called TWC and they are aware of a serious bug in the new software in relation to series recording. I asked about a new box and they said it wouldn't help because it effects all their hardware. I asked for a refund for the three weeks since the upgrade the they agreed. They never indicated when the problem would be fixed.

Has anyone had issues with the new software recording series'? In the DVR History I have two instances of Lost, Castle, and Flash Forward that show "canceled by system". I called TWC and they are aware of a serious bug in the new software in relation to series recording. I asked about a new box and they said it wouldn't help because it effects all their hardware. I asked for a refund for the three weeks since the upgrade the they agreed. They never indicated when the problem would be fixed.
It has been working very well for us, and much better than the old iGuide where we did have problems with series.

We did have a couple of shows that were "canceled by system" the first day or two that the new iGuide was on our system, but we haven't had a problem since.

I have a stubborn TV that still refuses to tune channel 8. There are another 3 hd devices sharing the same splitter and they all see ch 8, in fact two of them even share the signal via a second splitter and they do ok, presumably with half the signal strength.

The TV is an off brand "element electronics" 32 inch and about 4 years old. The rest of the channels are displayed fine but channel 8 shows no signal. I should also mention that using simple rabbit ears sometimes I can get this TV to show channel 8, of course with that orientation other channels are missing.

I can move another tv to this position and it displays ch8 fine so for some reason this tv perhaps needs just a bit more signal power, do you think adding an amp would do it? Or what other options can I try?

Thanks

Franke46

Sorry... off on a tangent. But an interesting tangent! Thanks for the info and insight.

Seems that Genachowski and the FCC have adopted a more conciliatory attitude recently. Hopefully that isn't a ruse to divert attention away from the main underlying plot! Perhaps their initial proposals met with more resistance and concern from lawmakers and citizens than they had originally expected.

Glad to see you're making progress, Dan. Dare I bring up DD5.1 audio :)? Or maybe getting someone to turn on statmuxing for 13.1 and 13.2 now? The 12.132Mb/s the HD channel has now looks fine during low motion, but fades and high motion scenes like water or fire get some pretty nasty blocking that could be minimized by better bitrate distribution. WFAA and KXAS are both pretty aggressive with their statmuxing and as a result usually have better PQ than KERA, even though they're both carrying 2 subchannels. Maybe give it VBR up to 16Mb/s, which would still leave 13.2 with at least 2Mb/s at all times.

Since we "rest" up against all the two-way frequencies in Dallas, we have (what appears to be) a bunch of 50 gallon drums that filter our signal to prevent interference to the two-ways. This filter is the third the station has had since going digital over 10 years ago. We run about 10% short on our power to prevent this beast from overheating (a failure would put us off the air for weeks and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars). A local company, Cesium Communications.. owned by David Gates (not of the group "Bread") is helping us with some of the long-standing RF issues.


Dan (and anyone else):

The channel 14 situation is interesting because of the two-way filter. As we discussed briefly (privately), WCMH up near where you were (Zanesvile) is running a full megawatt on 14. Realizing they may have had deeper pockets, did you ever find out what voodoo they pulled off to make 14 work?

With KWBU (PBS for Waco) shutting down in a few weeks, I'd surmise this might be an opportunity for KERA in that market. So crank her up to a million watts and blast into Centex! :-) :-)

Or...maybe petition to swap RF-14 with Waco and Dallas gets RF-20 once KWBU goes dark. Maybe Trip can file the paperwork. Heh!

There has been a bit of discussion about this over on the DFW TWC thread at Broadbandreports.com. Apparently TWC doesn't yet have the Tuning Adapter to give out, and the latest post over there suggests that they won't be available until April 5. This is the 3rd or 4th date that has been mentioned and is unverified, but wouldn't be terribly surprising. Here's hoping they show up sooner....

Randy

I just got off a chat with TWC Sales Support. They don't have tuning adapters available as of today. I don't know if they ever did, but now they don't and have no estimate of availability.

RTV is now on K31GL (31-4) replacing AMG-TV. Note that K31GL is a low power station (with 8 kW from Cedar Hill) but with a decent receiving antenna, it does cover the immediate D/FW area pretty well.

Is anyone using a 3-tuner Moxi with Time Warner cable in the North Dallas/Plano area?

I'm chomping at the bit to move to Moxi (sadly, my ReplayTV seems to be on its last legs after 6 years of loyal service), but can't seem to get any straight answers from TWC. Through 3 different contacts with their CSRs (2 chats, 1 phone call) I've gotten 3 different answers about how TWC handles tuning adapters. One says they're not available now. One says I can pick one up at the local office. The third says a tech will bring one along for the CableCard install and I can't pick one up on my own.

Does anyone here know how they're handling this in real life?

I've got TWC digital cable with the HD tier and HBO. I just need to know the tuning adapter delivers the SDV channels and premiums like it's supposed to. I know others around the country are seeing good results, but since TWC just recently rolled out SDV in our area I want to see how it's working locally.

Thanks to everyone here for the feedback/discussion on the Moxi DVRs. This thread has been a great resource.

Note: I'm cross-posting this to the local Dallas HD thread, too.

Is anyone using a 3-tuner Moxi with Time Warner cable in the North Dallas/Plano area?

I'm chomping at the bit to move to Moxi (sadly, my ReplayTV seems to be on its last legs after 6 years of loyal service), but can't seem to get any straight answers from TWC. Through 3 different contacts with their CSRs (2 chats, 1 phone call) I've gotten 3 different answers about how TWC handles tuning adapters. One says they're not available now. One says I can pick one up at the local office. The third says a tech will bring one along for the CableCard install and I can't pick one up on my own.

Does anyone here know how they're handling this in real life?

I've got TWC digital cable with the HD tier and HBO. I just need to know the tuning adapter delivers the SDV channels and premiums like it's supposed to. I know others around the country are seeing good results, but since TWC just recently rolled out SDV in our area I want to see how it's working locally.

Thanks to everyone here for the feedback/discussion on the Moxi DVRs. This thread has been a great resource.

Note: I'm cross-posting this to the local Dallas HD thread, too.

The confusion is because things are in a state of flux right now and the SDV implementation has been postponed indefinitely. The SDV implementation requires that cablecards be supplemented with Tuning Adapters but the Tuning Adapters are not available in this area yet. The date has slipped a couple of times and no new schedule has been published.

People with a cablecard received a letter a while ago telling them that they would qualify for a Tuning Adapter when they became available.

There is a thread on this topic at dslreports that has more information.

Tuning adapters do not replace CableCards. Tuning adapters are basically cable modems that connect to the incoming cable and a USB port on the device, and send a request to the cable company when you want to watch an SDV channel, and receive a reply back stating where the channel is. This is then passed on to the host device which tunes the specified channel. The CableCard is still needed to decrypt the stream.

RTV is now on K31GL (31-4) replacing AMG-TV. Note that K31GL is a low power station (with 8 kW from Cedar Hill) but with a decent receiving antenna, it does cover the immediate D/FW area pretty well.Now if only TheCoolTV comes back to D/FW.

The confusion is because things are in a state of flux right now and the SDV implementation has been postponed indefinitely. The SDV implementation requires that cablecards be supplemented with Tuning Adapters but the Tuning Adapters are not available in this area yet. The date has slipped a couple of times and no new schedule has been published.

People with a cablecard received a letter a while ago telling them that they would qualify for a Tuning Adapter when they became available.

There is a thread on this topic at dslreports that has more information.

I see that North Texas is on the "unknown deployment" list over at dslreports. This runs counter to what TWC is saying. I've been told three times that SDV is live (for some channels or all) in the area, but the availability of TAs seems to vary depending on who I'm talking to.

So can you confirm that SDV has, in fact, NOT been implemented here?



Tuning adapters do not replace CableCards. Tuning adapters are basically cable modems that connect to the incoming cable and a USB port on the device, and send a request to the cable company when you want to watch an SDV channel, and receive a reply back stating where the channel is. This is then passed on to the host device which tunes the specified channel. The CableCard is still needed to decrypt the stream.

Thanks, coyoteaz. I understand what what a TA is and how it works in conjunction with CableCard. Just trying to get a handle on how/if they've been deployed in the Plano area. Specifically, I'm looking for anyone that might be using one with a Moxi DVR... or a Tivo, for that matter.

Of course, this is all moot if TWC hasn't implemented SDV yet.

KDAF The 33 News was in HD tonight. according to Wikipedia they began broadcasting last saturday on May 22nd.

Anyone having problems with any of the WFAA channels. I went from 70 to 20% signal strength overnight. I've scanned several times and now I'm in the process of resetting my TiVo back to factory settings. I'm hoping its not my antenna.

Never mind. Its my TiVo. My HDTV's tuner is picking up WFAA when plugged in.

Looks like KHFD-LD RF 51 has moved from Royse City to Cedar Hill. I'm in 75006 and it's coming in this evening.

Looks like KHFD-LD RF 51 has moved from Royse City to Cedar Hill. I'm in 75006 and it's coming in this evening.

It's blasting in here (Frisco). The signal meter is strong and steady at 72% but the picture and sound drop out frequently. My guess is that they're having problem between the origination site and Cedar Hill.

KHFD's strong signal here shows that 5 kW on UHF can be surprisingly potent. They're at just over 1000' on the Richland Tower on Potter Street, the tallest stick in Cedar Hill (and home of a trio of CBS FMs). As far as I know, that's the first TV to light up on that tower.

Although they've had a CP for the move for several months, I was surprised to see it light up this soon. I would have thought it would've happened in the fall when tower crews were already out there for other jobs such as the KTXA and KTVT project.

Is the CM-3020 good at it's job? I live 60 miles from the Hill and I pick up WFAA at 80% with the antenna at 40 ft. But I don't feel like it's living up to it's full potential.

Is the CM-3020 good at it's job? I live 60 miles from the Hill and I pick up WFAA at 80% with the antenna at 40 ft. But I don't feel like it's living up to it's full potential.

Check the reviews here, notably the one from "tigerbangs":

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/reviews/ChannelMaster-CM3020-reviews.html

1). I thought you were using a VU190XR. Did you replace it with the CM-3020?

2). Over on Radio-Info, I thought I saw you mention that you received KHPK at your location. If so, getting a 300-watter at all from 60 miles away is a pretty good performance indicator for the Channel Master rig.

Check the reviews here, notably the one from "tigerbangs":

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/reviews/ChannelMaster-CM3020-reviews.html

1). I thought you were using a VU190XR. Did you replace it with the CM-3020?

2). Over on Radio-Info, I thought I saw you mention that you received KHPK at your location. If so, getting a 300-watter at all from 60 miles away is a pretty good performance indicator for the Channel Master rig.No, I thought the CM-3020 was the VU190XR. I'll post a picture of it before the wind takes it down due to no guy wires.

Here's the CM-3020, I think but not sure. http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs551.snc3/30153_129360163748960_100000249313916_265466_7623267_n.jpg

It's blasting in here (Frisco). The signal meter is strong and steady at 72% but the picture and sound drop out frequently. My guess is that they're having problem between the origination site and Cedar Hill.

KHFD's strong signal here shows that 5 kW on UHF can be surprisingly potent. They're at just over 1000' on the Richland Tower on Potter Street, the tallest stick in Cedar Hill (and home of a trio of CBS FMs). As far as I know, that's the first TV to light up on that tower.

Although they've had a CP for the move for several months, I was surprised to see it light up this soon. I would have thought it would've happened in the fall when tower crews were already out there for other jobs such as the KTXA and KTVT project.KHFD's coming in good with one turn of the antenna. RCA's readout at 15%.

Tried to pause a program on live TV this evening on my 3416 and it won't do it. A "not allowed" symbol, a circle with a diagonal line through it, appears on the timeline that pops up. Same thing happens if I try to backup.

This was a big surprise, but I just realized that I don't know how long this problem has existed. Normally everything we watch has been recorded, excpet news and I guess we haven't tried to pause a news show in a long time.

Anyone else see this behavior?

(Recorded shows work fine, no problem pausing, reversing, and no problem recording either.)

Tried to pause a program on live TV this evening on my 3416 and it won't do it. A "not allowed" symbol, a circle with a diagonal line through it, appears on the timeline that pops up. Same thing happens if I try to backup.

This was a big surprise, but I just realized that I don't know how long this problem has existed. Normally everything we watch has been recorded, excpet news and I guess we haven't tried to pause a news show in a long time.

Anyone else see this behavior?

(Recorded shows work fine, no problem pausing, reversing, and no problem recording either.)
Fixed it by simply turning off the DVR an then turning it back on.

Jimmy Kimmel Tech Note for Tonight, Tuesday, June 22nd:

As you may be aware, a localized power failure occurred just before last night’s Jimmy Kimmel episode. Although an alternate pre-recorded show aired in its place last night, an improvised live show proceeded and was recorded using a laptop computer webcam.

ABC plans to air that improvised show tonight. Please be advised that it originated with 4x3 SD video with 2-channels of audio. As with all programs that don’t originate in HD, this show will be upconverted and transmitted on your standard ABC HD satellite service as normal.

In July we add a new engineer who replaces one we lost in February. Then three days after he starts we lose a great senior engineer to the film industry (a new TV series starting filming in Dallas). We've received about 50 resumes for the first position, so at least we have a head start towards finding a replacement.

Hope this engineer is of benefit to you folks out there. Many of you are friends of the station and with an engineering background, so it's nice to be able to give you an update.

Have a great week!

Dan

I was shocked when I found out about dear friend Joe Carnes passing in his sleep (worked with him before he came to KERA)...and then Bill Ryan leaving to go to Univision (Bill was the one who told me about Joe).......now two more??? OUCH!!!

(ahhh, btw where do you send a resume?? :)

[...] we are hoping to replace our DTV exciter with a new unit. This will improve our signal to noise ratio and put us back on track for future technology changes (including mobile DTV). (We're evaluating a number of exciters and current have a demo Axcer exciter on the air being tested.) Improved signal to noise will improve reception since DTV is as dependent on a clean signal as it is a strong signal.. if not more so. This is why interference and noisy home pre-amps tend to take a strong DTV signal and kill it for the viewer.


Thanks, as always, for the update Dan. It's great to be in the loop for the inside baseball stuff at KERA.

Although I don't have professional test gear like a Sencore, I do now have a Sony Bravia which has more detailed signal diagnostics than the simple meter on other consumer sets.

The readings on KERA/13 (RF-14) are interesting -- compared to some of the 15 kW LPTVs from Cedar Hill:


Calls/RF Channel Signal Strength SNR
---------------- ---------------- ---
KERA/14 Max 23
KODF/27 62 26
KJJM/34 72 28
KVFW/38 64 25
KATA/50 70 28


Presuming my interpretation is correct, this suggests that KERA (even with ``only'' 475 kW) is delivering a nice hot signal up to Frisco but that its S/N ratio doesn't compare favorably against those stations that really are signal challenged with much lower ERP. By the way, all of the full power stations in the market have SNR values of at least 28 on the Bravia.

So the values with KERA's new exciter ought to be interesting.

The PQ on the fireworks show on WFAA was stunning. Coulda dropped the graphics. A little too much of the screen taken.

Yes, the fireworks were a pleasant surprise since most of WFAA's remotes are bad upconverted SD.

PQ on the FC Dallas match could have been better though. WFAA's normal 720p->1080i conversion on ABC content is decent, but the game (which was presumably originated in 720p by FSN) had a lot of flickering on the graphics and other sharp edges like the lines on the field. I'm wondering if they used a different converter.

I had to rescan the stations on my older Vizio TV yesterday and now Channel 11-1 shows up twice in the channel list. Both tune in to the channel when "clicking through" the stations. In the past when there were mapping issues going on I would occasionally do things like enter actual station frequencies into the manual scan but this time I did an auto scan which should have wiped out the existing stations (trust me, I had to go remove all the unwanted junk in the list after the scan!!!). I can go and un-check one of the 11-1 entries but before I do this I was just curious if anyone had any thoughts about what may be going on in my little twisted world here :)

KTVT is being temporarily transmitted on two different frequencies, and thus shows up twice.

- Trip

KTVT is being temporarily transmitted on two different frequencies, and thus shows up twice.

- Trip

Any idea how long KTVT will continue simulcasting?

I assume it will be right up until they pull the 11 antenna off the tower to put up the 19/29 combo antenna.

- Trip

... Channel 11-1 shows up twice in the channel list. Both tune in to the channel when "clicking through" the stations. In the past when there were mapping issues going on I would occasionally do things like enter actual station frequencies into the manual scan but this time I did an auto scan which should have wiped out the existing stations (trust me, I had to go remove all the unwanted junk in the list after the scan!!!). I can go and un-check one of the 11-1 entries but before I do this I was just curious if anyone had any thoughts about what may be going on in my little twisted world here :)

KTVT is being temporarily transmitted on two different frequencies, and thus shows up twice.

- Trip

They are on RF-11 and RF-19. Odds are that the RF-19 one will be a stronger signal, so if you can either check signal strength on each or detect which one is the RF-19 one, then you'd want to leave the stronger one hot. Also the RF19 signal is the expected longterm home for KTVT.

Mike

I assume it will be right up until they pull the 11 antenna off the tower to put up the 19/29 combo antenna.


They *may* not have to do that. If the following app is granted...

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101368889&formid=301&fac_num=23422

...then KTVT and KTXA's facility will be out at Richland Tower's Tar Road site instead of the current location off US-67 near Parkerville Park. If (and that's a *BIG* if) they can get the new facility built in time, it ought to be just a matter of turning off RF-11 from the current facility.

Reading between the lines, the present location is ASRN 1047708. It was sold within the past few months by CBS to Richland Towers. I haven't chatted with anyone at CBS about this but I'd guess this is one of the reasons why KTVT wants to abandon their longtime home and move out to the widely-used 2133 Tar Road site.

If this all shakes out, it will leave KERA as the sole television facility on the US-67 tower.

They *may* not have to do that. If the following app is granted...

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101368889&formid=301&fac_num=23422

...then KTVT and KTXA's facility will be out at Richland Tower's Tar Road site instead of the current location off US-67 near Parkerville Park. If (and that's a *BIG* if) they can get the new facility built in time, it ought to be just a matter of turning off RF-11 from the current facility.

Reading between the lines, the present location is ASRN 1047708. It was sold within the past few months by CBS to Richland Towers. I haven't chatted with anyone at CBS about this but I'd guess this is one of the reasons why KTVT wants to abandon their longtime home and move out to the widely-used 2133 Tar Road site.

If this all shakes out, it will leave KERA as the sole television facility on the US-67 tower.

Seems Richland is buying up a lot of vertical real estate...I am surprised CBS sold it....but then considering all the happenings over the last 10 yrs esepcially -- with the tilt when the original DTV build was done in 99/2000, maybe CBS decided not to hold on to the site......KEGL had to move off the tower to make room for the KTVT DTV equipment inside...Is KERA FM off the site? If so, then the tower goes from 11, 13, KERA FM and KEGL FM to just KERA! Yikes! The Tar Road site was built with expansion and max use in the 1st place....IIRC WRR was supposed to be 1st on the tower with a top down mount antenna, hanging from the candelabra, but I cannot remember that happening.

Seems Richland is buying up a lot of vertical real estate...I am surprised CBS sold it....but then considering all the happenings over the last 10 yrs esepcially -- with the tilt when the original DTV build was done in 99/2000, maybe CBS decided not to hold on to the site......KEGL had to move off the tower to make room for the KTVT DTV equipment inside...Is KERA FM off the site? If so, then the tower goes from 11, 13, KERA FM and KEGL FM to just KERA! Yikes! The Tar Road site was built with expansion and max use in the 1st place....IIRC WRR was supposed to be 1st on the tower with a top down mount antenna, hanging from the candelabra, but I cannot remember that happening.

A lot of the FM backups are out at Tar Road. I'm not familiar with anyone using that site for its full service FM.

It seems the most popular location for FM is American's Cowboy Tower. That's where KEGL is now as well as WRR, KHKS, KKDA, KLUV, KVIL and KZPS.

KERA-FM is still on the US-67 site. Should the KTVT/KTXA application be granted for Tar Road, then US-67 will become rather empty, with only KERA's FM and TV out there. There probably a number of non-broadcast facilities using it, so it's unlikely to become a ghost tower. Also add KDTN to your list of facilities that were once at that venerable site (for analog). They're part of the lineup at 2133 Tar Road.

By the way, Richland's South Potter very tall tower (ASRN 1053452) which is home to KRLD-FM, KJKK and KMVK just recently got a television added when KFHD/51 lit up from there a few weeks back.