QAM went away for me in Ashburn this morning as well. NFL and NBA networks are still on though
We lost QAM on the 15th here in MoCo. Oddly, they left the digital versions of all the analog channels we get and they left Universal HD for some reason.
I'm so disgusted with Comcast.
J

I still can't figure this one out myself. It's working fine on my desktop through the same HDHomeRun tuner that the other machines use. I'm getting WCDA over-the-air same as you guys.

I'll take another look at the guide data. It has to be something screwy in there.

Hopefully this is OK for this thread, I think it's relevant enough to continue discussing, but if anyone disagrees, PM me and I'll stop and PM the other folks if I figure this out

edit: I still can't find anything wrong with the guide data, I'm going to ask SiliconDust to have a look at what my 2 different machines are doing to my HDHomeRuns, maybe they can help determine why one works and one doesn't. I'm recording a debug session for them now.

Attachment: WDCA working on my Win7 x64 Desktop. Doesn't work anywhere else.
Just FYI - I'm using Hauppauge HVR-1850 cards, so it's probably not your HDHR.

To whom it may concern:

I have been posting on the Harrisburg HDTV thread regarding new and pending translators that conflict with existing neighboring stations.

In brief, I live at the intersection of the Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Washington DMAs, roughly 3 miles north of the Mason Dixon line in Pennsylvania. This area is a sweet spot for receiving OTA television but I am noticing an alarming trend that is chipping away at the available stations.

I used to enjoy WTTG for its 10pm evening news. However, thanks to the DTV transition there are now two stations sharing channel 36 that are merely ~100 miles apart (WITF and WTTG). I can only speculate that this was a result of poor planning by the FCC as there are other channel assignments that could have been made to prevent this conflict.

As difficult as losing WTTG was, I am now faced with losing other channels due to the addition of nearby translators.

Just recently, WITF added a translator near Chambersburg PA (W38AN) and has put this translator on channel 33, which happens to be the same bandwidth occupied by WHUT (Washington DC). What happened when this translator was turned on? You guessed it, I completely lost WHUT, a signal that used to be solid. The worst part about it is the fact that WITF (36) is one of the strongest signals to begin with from my location, so as to why the FCC allowed this translator I am completely dumbfounded.

On the pending list, WGAL has proposed a translator in Carlisle, PA on Channel 27, the very same bandwidth occupied by my favorite channel, WETA in Washington DC. WGAL's signal in my location (Mason Dixon line) is very strong (VHF 8) and I am blown away that there are people having trouble receiving the station. I suspect that people are refusing to install VHF antennas and are complaining and WGAL is making irrational requests for up to 6 translators to help calm the masses. The real problem is that the FCC might be too eager to approve such requests without thoroughly reviewing the ramifications of the neighboring viewers. I really don't want to lose WETA, so I am very concerned about this.

Bottom line is that there are many people in south-central PA that prefer to receive Baltimore / DC channels over Harrisburg channels (I know this by simply driving around and looking at tv antenna orientations) and the new translator requests are threatening to derail the traditional broadcast TV model and limit the viewers' choices.

I have submitted my feedback to the FCC directly but have not received any feedback to date. I would encourage others that are impacted by new/pending translators to contact the FCC and share your experiences.

On a positive note, on Sunday, June 6, I locked in Channel 12 (WWBT) out of Richmond, VA. It was at around 7:30am and the EM conditions must have been just right. The distance between WWBT and my house is roughly 160 miles! Needless to say, I was absolutely amazed to be watching the weather forecast for Richmond/Norfolk from my Pennsylvania television. For those interested, my setup includes a Winegard YA-1713 and Channel Master CM-3023 mounted at roughly 50 feet. I also just installed a Clearstream 4 oriented towards Baltimore to pick up the channels in that DMA without having to rotate my antenna. Thanks to Dish Network providing me with my Harrisburg DMA channels (for free), I can now receive all 3 DMAs without having to rotate my antenna! I am thrilled with this setup.

I can only speculate that this was a result of poor planning by the FCC as there are other channel assignments that could have been made to prevent this conflict.

I'd be interested to know what your alternate channel assignments are.

The worst part about it is the fact that WITF (36) is one of the strongest signals to begin with from my location, so as to why the FCC allowed this translator I am completely dumbfounded.

Because people in Chambersburg cannot receive the main WITF signal despite being in the Harrisburg DMA. I was there last week and with my Silver Sensor + amp outdoors, no sign of WITF-36.

WGAL's signal in my location (Mason Dixon line) is very strong (VHF 8) and I am blown away that there are people having trouble receiving the station.

Is that on an outdoor or indoor antenna?

I suspect that people are refusing to install VHF antennas and are complaining and WGAL is making irrational requests for up to 6 translators to help calm the masses.

I sincerely doubt WGAL wants to spend the money to build out six UHF translators. I suspect what will happen is they'll light up channel 49 in Harrisburg, find that it resolves most of their problems, and leave it at that. If people can get WITF at 50 kW, I imagine they'll get WGAL-49 at 15 kW without too much trouble.

They were likely filed "just in case." Plus it keeps anyone else from using those channels until they know for sure.

The real problem is that the FCC might be too eager to approve such requests without thoroughly reviewing the ramifications of the neighboring viewers.

Stations are required to demonstrate that they do not cause interference to more than 0.5% of the population capable of receiving those neighboring market stations.

- Trip

Just FYI - I'm using Hauppauge HVR-1850 cards, so it's probably not your HDHR.

I know, I even made sure to indicate as much to SiliconDust. The HDHRs are capable of sending diagnostic information back to SD, so I was able to give them data on a tuning request that worked and one that didn't. They did look at it for us (they rule), and indicated that Media Center is tuning the channel but not asking for the data streams.

The recommendation was to disable WDCA from the Guide and then do a channel scan in Media Center. I'm doing that now, waiting for results before hitting "Submit Reply". If this works (and even if it doesn't), I think we owe SiliconDust our thanks for looking into a problem that's got nothing to do with them :)

(Probably need an account to see this)
http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8870

Results:

- Media Center found 4 new channels, 2 were ones I had previously disabled , 1 was WDDN-LD, and the remaining one was WDCA-DT.
- After setting my Guide up to use just the ATSC HDHomeRuns for WDCA ... it works! I also had to clean up the channels it found that I didn't want, but water under the bridge.

SiliconDust rocks. Hope this works for you guys as well. If it does, and you can drop SD a line to thank them, I think it's a nice gesture.

PS - I highly recommend applying the KB981129 hotfix to Win7 before you do any channel scans. It prevents the scan from locking up and making you miserable.

Comcast (Calvert County) added two new HD local Spanish language stations to our system today - WFDC 794 and WMDO 795. Just in time for the World Cup!

I know, I even made sure to indicate as much to SiliconDust. The HDHRs are capable of sending diagnostic information back to SD, so I was able to give them data on a tuning request that worked and one that didn't. They did look at it for us (they rule), and indicated that Media Center is tuning the channel but not asking for the data streams.

The recommendation was to disable WDCA from the Guide and then do a channel scan in Media Center. I'm doing that now, waiting for results before hitting "Submit Reply". If this works (and even if it doesn't), I think we owe SiliconDust our thanks for looking into a problem that's got nothing to do with them :)

(Probably need an account to see this)
http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8870

Results:

- Media Center found 4 new channels, 2 were ones I had previously disabled , 1 was WDDN-LD, and the remaining one was WDCA-DT.
- After setting my Guide up to use just the ATSC HDHomeRuns for WDCA ... it works! I also had to clean up the channels it found that I didn't want, but water under the bridge.

SiliconDust rocks. Hope this works for you guys as well. If it does, and you can drop SD a line to thank them, I think it's a nice gesture.

PS - I highly recommend applying the KB981129 hotfix to Win7 before you do any channel scans. It prevents the scan from locking up and making you miserable.

Thank you for pursuing this! I will give this a try later tonight.

The recommendation was to disable WDCA from the Guide and then do a channel scan in Media Center. I'm doing that now, waiting for results before hitting "Submit Reply". If this works (and even if it doesn't), I think we owe SiliconDust our thanks for looking into a problem that's got nothing to do with them :)


Thanks for update, and kudos to SiliconDust. This worked!

Anyone having issue with WMAR off-air today?

Thanks for update, and kudos to SiliconDust. This worked!

Worked for me, as well!

My 1 year $29.99/mo promo Digital Starter Comcast deal is expiring in a month for Baltimore and I'm looking for other deals.

I keep getting some very tempting Dish Network ads in the mail, but I've never had satellite before. Our row home has large dish on the roof (I've been told by a contractor that it says DirecTV on it), larger than the ones you see on the sides of houses sometimes...
.

Saw in my latest MotorTrend for a big ad by DirecTV starting @ $19.99 for all the locals plus ~100 channels including the must haves CNN, ESPN, HGTV.
Another $5/mos gets you HD.

...On a positive note, on Sunday, June 6, I locked in Channel 12 (WWBT) out of Richmond, VA. It was at around 7:30am and the EM conditions must have been just right. The distance between WWBT and my house is roughly 160 miles! Needless to say, I was absolutely amazed to be watching the weather forecast for Richmond/Norfolk from my Pennsylvania television. For those interested, my setup includes a Winegard YA-1713 and Channel Master CM-3023 mounted at roughly 50 feet. I also just installed a Clearstream 4 oriented towards Baltimore to pick up the channels in that DMA without having to rotate my antenna. Thanks to Dish Network providing me with my Harrisburg DMA channels (for free), I can now receive all 3 DMAs without having to rotate my antenna! I am thrilled with this setup.

I live south of you in central MD and I guess I'm just far enough away that the translator problems you describe don't affect me at all. I get all Washington/Balt stations plus channel 8. My biggest problem is signal to noise ratio and I wish bypassing my Channel Master amplifier was a little easier so I could find out in these digital days if I'd lose anything without it. It was a must for analog but now I'm not sure.

I used to pick up analog Channel 6 in Richmond pretty regularly. The coolest thing about the switch to digital is that from noon to 1PM I was getting channel 3 analog out of Louisiana quite clearly because all the other noise between here and there was gone.

I haven't picked up any out of market digital yet, though.

Comcast has added ESPN 3D in Baltimore City.

[Thanks for the reply, Trip.]

I'd be interested to know what your alternate channel assignments are.

[I believe a peer mentioned that Channel 16 could have been used for WITF instead of 36.]

Because people in Chambersburg cannot receive the main WITF signal despite being in the Harrisburg DMA. I was there last week and with my Silver Sensor + amp outdoors, no sign of WITF-36.

[Chambersburg is a good hop from Harrisburg, no one should be trying to use a compact antenna from Chambersburg. In these rural parts, all TV viewers should be expected to have an outdoor antenna that fulfills the needs of a rural TV viewer (e.g. VHF yagi, UHF yagi/grid). I'd like to see if anyone is having trouble receiving WITF-36 with an outdoor yagi, as I would be amazed if that was actually happening. Viewers need to be accountable to ensure their rig is fit for their location and modify it if necessary.]

Is that on an outdoor or indoor antenna?

[I currently have a Winegard YA-1713, Channel Master 3023, and Antenna Direct Clearstream 4 mounted approximately 40 to 50 feet. I am using the former two antennas to receive DC stations and the latter antenna to receive Baltimore stations (roughly 30 degrees apart). I receive my "local" stations through Dish Network (WGAL, WHP, WHTM, WITF, WLYH).].

I sincerely doubt WGAL wants to spend the money to build out six UHF translators. I suspect what will happen is they'll light up channel 49 in Harrisburg, find that it resolves most of their problems, and leave it at that. If people can get WITF at 50 kW, I imagine they'll get WGAL-49 at 15 kW without too much trouble.

They were likely filed "just in case." Plus it keeps anyone else from using those channels until they know for sure.

[I sure hope you're correct. All I know is that I lost a channel that was easily received (WHUT) because of a new translator and that is most definitely a negative thing. And, I can only assume that the other pending translators may get approved, wiping out other channels from my (and other local resident's) tvs. I see this as a possible trend in the broadcast tv arena and am simply noting my frustrations with this trend.

Stations are required to demonstrate that they do not cause interference to more than 0.5% of the population capable of receiving those neighboring market stations.

[I don't know the numbers, but can only speculate that the number of affected people is greater than 0.5%. I imagine it has affected some/most of the Gettysburg/Littlestown/Emmitsburg area. As to the population number specifics, I do not know. What I do know is that it most definitely is affecting my location. Regardless, WITF and WTTG are two major stations that should not be sharing the same bandwidth due to their relative close proximity, as it goes against good engineer practices. Just like WHP isn't sharing the same bandwidth with WRC, as it wouldn't make common sense due to the close proximity.]

[My largest complaint to the FCC is to have too low expectations on viewers to be responsible for installing the appropriate tv reception equipment for their locations. Broadcast TV is being provided for free to viewers, on the condition that the viewers install the necessary equipment to receive the signals. :)]

- Trip

[Thanks again Trip for opening dialogue on this issue.]

I live south of you in central MD and I guess I'm just far enough away that the translator problems you describe don't affect me at all. I get all Washington/Balt stations plus channel 8. My biggest problem is signal to noise ratio and I wish bypassing my Channel Master amplifier was a little easier so I could find out in these digital days if I'd lose anything without it. It was a must for analog but now I'm not sure.

I used to pick up analog Channel 6 in Richmond pretty regularly. The coolest thing about the switch to digital is that from noon to 1PM I was getting channel 3 analog out of Louisiana quite clearly because all the other noise between here and there was gone.

I haven't picked up any out of market digital yet, though.

Thanks for the reply. You are quite a bit south of my location so I wouldn't expect the translator problems to impact you. I believe the affected area is roughly along the mason-dixon line, and may include some/all of the area from Hanover, PA to Greencastle, PA. I live approximately 3 miles north of the mason-dixon line in the Gettysburg/Littlestown area.

That is quite impressive that you picked up 3 out of Louisiana before. I used to do DXing with my Amateur Radio license and I can relate to how exciting it is to receive something from so far away. I have been trying to receive WWBT (12) ever since I received it last week, but so far no luck. The conditions must have been just perfect as that was a 160 mile haul on hi-VHF.

My biggest disappointment so far has been losing WTTG. Lucikly, I have WBFF to rely on for 10pm HD news, although I much preferred WTTG. My "local" channel, WPMT 43, does not yet have HD news. PA is definitely behind the curve on this front and this is why many viewers in my neck of the woods (south-central PA) point their antennas southward to Baltimore/DC.

[Thanks for the reply, Trip.]

The way you replied makes this hard to respond to. Let's see...

I believe a peer mentioned that Channel 16 could have been used for WITF instead of 36.

That was me. That resolves one issue, now what about all the rest of the short-spaced allotments? Also, who is going to pay for WITF to move to 16?

Chambersburg is a good hop from Harrisburg, no one should be trying to use a compact antenna from Chambersburg. In these rural parts, all TV viewers should be expected to have an outdoor antenna that fulfills the needs of a rural TV viewer (e.g. VHF yagi, UHF yagi/grid). I'd like to see if anyone is having trouble receiving WITF-36 with an outdoor yagi, as I would be amazed if that was actually happening. Viewers need to be accountable to ensure their rig is fit for their location and modify it if necessary.

It clearly bothered them enough that they felt it necessary to have an analog translator in the area as well, so it's nothing new to digital.

I currently have a Winegard YA-1713, Channel Master 3023, and Antenna Direct Clearstream 4 mounted approximately 40 to 50 feet. I am using the former two antennas to receive DC stations and the latter antenna to receive Baltimore stations (roughly 30 degrees apart). I receive my "local" stations through Dish Network (WGAL, WHP, WHTM, WITF, WLYH)..

So you actually have an atypical setup. The typical person is definitely not up 40-50 feet (even the FCC only uses 30 feet) and have a single V/U antenna on their roof. If they even have a roof antenna. I remember hearing somewhere that 80% of OTA viewers are on indoor antennas, but as I don't remember where I heard it, I don't know how reliable that number is.

I sure hope you're correct. All I know is that I lost a channel that was easily received (WHUT) because of a new translator and that is most definitely a negative thing. And, I can only assume that the other pending translators may get approved, wiping out other channels from my (and other local resident's) tvs. I see this as a possible trend in the broadcast tv arena and am simply noting my frustrations with this trend.

Understood. I actually disagree; anything that makes more people come to OTA (like stronger signals leading to more reliable reception of local signals) and thus makes it more popular and saves it from the loons at the FCC is good to me.

You have other Fox and PBS stations; in fact, you have lots of them. Where it's a problem in my mind are where signals overlap and there are no alternatives, like WCBS and WFSB are both CBS and both on 33 and there are no other CBS stations available. If my local PBS had moved to channel 26 like they proposed at one point, they'd have clashed with the Fox in Richmond and been wiped out, thus losing PBS for me more than being on channel 3 already has.

I don't know the numbers, but can only speculate that the number of affected people is greater than 0.5%.

Really? I would have expected the populations of DC and Baltimore would leave far less than 0.5% of the WTTG population in parts of rural Pennsylvania.

I imagine it has affected some/most of the Gettysburg/Littlestown/Emmitsburg area. As to the population number specifics, I do not know. What I do know is that it most definitely is affecting my location. Regardless, WITF and WTTG are two major stations that should not be sharing the same bandwidth due to their relative close proximity, as it goes against good engineer practices. Just like WHP isn't sharing the same bandwidth with WRC, as it wouldn't make common sense due to the close proximity.

I don't disagree, but there are simply not enough channels to fit everyone in perfectly. Believe me, I've tried to make it work. Somewhere along the way things are going to overlap. And with the FCC war drums beating, I don't expect it to get any better.

My largest complaint to the FCC is to have too low expectations on viewers to be responsible for installing the appropriate tv reception equipment for their locations. Broadcast TV is being provided for free to viewers, on the condition that the viewers install the necessary equipment to receive the signals.

If the DTV transition taught us anything, it's that the FCC had expectations that were way WAY WAY too high for people's reception equipment. Falcon_77 in Los Angeles used a number of 10 dB attenuators to determine analog versus digital reception. When all the digital signals finally dropped out with 30 dB or so of padding, he looked at the analog and said "that's unwatchable." I looked at the pictures he sent and said that's how I watched Star Trek on UPN for all those years, and I know plenty of other people in the same boat with major network affiliates. He then said something to the effect of "if that's the case, we're in trouble." As the complaints regarding VHF in particular showed, we were.

- Trip

Thanks for your response. I sense a bit of animosity coming from your last message. I am writing as a peer and professional, and am in no way putting blame on anyone here. If that slant was implied, my apologies.

As to the format for replying, I am not very familiar with the methods for inserting replys, so my apologies.


The way you replied makes this hard to respond to. Let's see...


That was me. That resolves one issue, now what about all the rest of the short-spaced allotments? Also, who is going to pay for WITF to move to 16?

_________

That's one less issue to worry about then. The goal should be to optimize the use of the broadcast bandwidth, not necessarily perfect it (if that is not feasible). In this instance, there is a workable solution.

In terms of who is going to pay for it, that is a step beyond the issue. The problem is that it should never have happened in the first place, so there should be at least an admission of the conflict by the responsible party. Many other stations had to change their transmission frequencies and buy new equipment, so why was WITF and/or WTTG left without having to do so, particularly with such close proximity (~100 miles) with each other. If you look at the WITF signal coverage map, it extends well into Maryland, so it appears to me that the signal power/transmit height is too great for that particular channel with a nearby channel using the same spectrum WTTG. The overlap is significant.

____________________

It clearly bothered them enough that they felt it necessary to have an analog translator in the area as well, so it's nothing new to digital.

___________

If there are problems in a specific area, then the translator should be designed to target that area (Chambersburg) through directionality and transmission power, with minimal bleedover into neighboring areas that do not have issues with reception. WITF-36 is the strongest signal from my location and is line of site at 40 feet, despite being 40+ miles away. A translator is definitely not needed here.

_____________
.

So you actually have an atypical setup. The typical person is definitely not up 40-50 feet (even the FCC only uses 30 feet) and have a single V/U antenna on their roof. If they even have a roof antenna. I remember hearing somewhere that 80% of OTA viewers are on indoor antennas, but as I don't remember where I heard it, I don't know how reliable that number is.

___________

I completely agree that my setup is a atypical. However, the only atypical part is the height, the equipment itself is completely typical for rural viewers and is easily and cheaply obtained. It should be on the onus of viewers to do the homework to determine what equipment is needed to receive tv signals in their area(s). In rural/remote areas, no one should be using an indoor antenna unless there happens to be stations very close by.

_____________


Understood. I actually disagree; anything that makes more people come to OTA (like stronger signals leading to more reliable reception of local signals) and thus makes it more popular and saves it from the loons at the FCC is good to me.

____________

I understand your view as well and agree. I'm all for stronger signals, but only if they don't interfere with markets immediately adjacent. Otherwise, it is just redistributing the issue from one group of people to another.

____________

You have other Fox and PBS stations; in fact, you have lots of them. Where it's a problem in my mind are where signals overlap and there are no alternatives, like WCBS and WFSB are both CBS and both on 33 and there are no other CBS stations available. If my local PBS had moved to channel 26 like they proposed at one point, they'd have clashed with the Fox in Richmond and been wiped out, thus losing PBS for me more than being on channel 3 already has.

____________

I completely agree and am thankful for the stations that I have access to. I am merely looking at this from an EE standpoint. I am the type of person that believes strongly in optimization and making a system as efficient as possible. We just identified one case of a poor frequency assignment, and I imagine that there are dozens (?) more such cases in the country. If just these were addressed, that would be a great step towards meeting the goal.

___________



Really? I would have expected the populations of DC and Baltimore would leave far less than 0.5% of the WTTG population in parts of rural Pennsylvania.

___________

As I mentioned, I am only speculating, I am not a statistician by profession and do not know the population distribution. I do know that there are a fair amount of people in south-central pa and northern maryland that are likely affected by the same issue I am. Could it be less than 0.5% (1 in 200)? I suppose it could. I can't make that call.

___________



I don't disagree, but there are simply not enough channels to fit everyone in perfectly. Believe me, I've tried to make it work. Somewhere along the way things are going to overlap. And with the FCC war drums beating, I don't expect it to get any better.

___________

Overlap is ok, as long as it doesn't occur with immediately adjacent DMAs. If the overlapping DMAs are two layers apart, it's not an issue.



If the DTV transition taught us anything, it's that the FCC had expectations that were way WAY WAY too high for people's reception equipment. Falcon_77 in Los Angeles used a number of 10 dB attenuators to determine analog versus digital reception. When all the digital signals finally dropped out with 30 dB or so of padding, he looked at the analog and said "that's unwatchable." I looked at the pictures he sent and said that's how I watched Star Trek on UPN for all those years, and I know plenty of other people in the same boat with major network affiliates. He then said something to the effect of "if that's the case, we're in trouble." As the complaints regarding VHF in particular showed, we were.

____

Yes, the inherent nature of digital TV required all viewers to re-evaluate their equipment and in some cases make upgrades. However, throughout the technology boom, there have been many other instances where consumers have had to do the same thing (e.g. CDs introduced to replace cassettes). Someone at some point made the decision that the benefits of digital tv outweighed the detriments, and the general community must have agreed as a whole for it to have taken place. Unfortunately, there were many people that did not know what was taking place, for whatever reasons, and it caught them off guard. It represents an important life lesson I suppose to always keep the eyes and ears open and ask lots of questions.

____

- Trip

Thanks again for your reply, I do appreciate and respect the insight that you bring to this forum.

Comcast has added ESPN 3D in Baltimore City.

What channel do you have it on? I can't find it here in Frederick. We had the Masters, thought sure we would have the WC.

what channel do you have it on?

980.

Not much activity on the Comcast Forum, so I'll ask here: Anyone receiving World Cup in 3D in Montgomery County?

Thanks for your response. I sense a bit of animosity coming from your last message. I am writing as a peer and professional, and am in no way putting blame on anyone here. If that slant was implied, my apologies.

As to the format for replying, I am not very familiar with the methods for inserting replys, so my apologies.

I feel bad. I intended no animosity. However, I was frustrated as I wrote my reply, and that's likely what you sensed. Anything that is left inside QUOTE tags as your responses have been, are erased when I myself press the "QUOTE" button. Therefore, I was having to copy and paste each piece of your message in to quote it. In the future, if you remove the QUOTE tags in your responses, it will be much easier to reply to your messages. :)

First of all, I'd just like to say that I don't think you and I are all that different in opinion actually; I spend a lot of time playing devil's advocate on these things simply to try to figure out what the various points and counterpoints are in an effort to make my own opinions better reflect reality and all available information.

In terms of who is going to pay for it, that is a step beyond the issue. The problem is that it should never have happened in the first place, so there should be at least an admission of the conflict by the responsible party. Many other stations had to change their transmission frequencies and buy new equipment, so why was WITF and/or WTTG left without having to do so, particularly with such close proximity (~100 miles) with each other. If you look at the WITF signal coverage map, it extends well into Maryland, so it appears to me that the signal power/transmit height is too great for that particular channel with a nearby channel using the same spectrum WTTG. The overlap is significant.

It happened in the first place because there weren't enough channels. Basically, when the transition process started, the final channel plan was supposed to be channels 7-59, so allotments outside that range were avoided to prevent stations from having to move twice, if possible. That's why there were almost no allotments in the 60s except in places where they couldn't be avoided, like WLVT-62, WPVI-64, WUVP-66, and WCAU-67 in Philly. Even 2-6 were avoided, and we saw WHP wound up on 4 because there really wasn't anywhere else to put it. It's important to keep in mind that, from what I've been told, a computer did this. It was designed to try to pack things in with as little predicted interference as possible.

The other component to this is that when the allotments were made, analog was still around. Between WLYH-15 and WNEP-16, there would have been no way for WITF to be assigned channel 16.

And besides, whether it should have happened or not, the reality is that it did happen. Someone would have to pay for it, and I know WITF is not a station that's flush with cash. (I remember being told they were supposed to light up a subchannel and couldn't afford the gear, not sure how accurate that is.) Though if the FCC gets their repacking wish, it may happen anyway. We may see a great equipment exchange pop up for stations rechanneling all over the place. Better to swap gear around than spend $500,000 or more on new gear and labor for a second or third time.

If there are problems in a specific area, then the translator should be designed to target that area (Chambersburg) through directionality and transmission power, with minimal bleedover into neighboring areas that do not have issues with reception. WITF-36 is the strongest signal from my location and is line of site at 40 feet, despite being 40+ miles away. A translator is definitely not needed here.

If your computer and connection are fast enough, here's a coverage map off my website of W38AN-D on channel 33. It uses the same Longley-Rice modeling the FCC uses, except at a receive height of 13 feet instead of the FCC's 30 foot standard.

http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1296978&map=Y

Bear in mind that the DMA stretches down I-81 to the Maryland state line, so even cities like Waynesboro would need coverage from this translator. There's a very tiny bit of signal that jumps over the mountains, but I'd say that's pretty well contained as I doubt much can be done about that little bit of knife-edge diffraction.

I completely agree that my setup is a atypical. However, the only atypical part is the height, the equipment itself is completely typical for rural viewers and is easily and cheaply obtained. It should be on the onus of viewers to do the homework to determine what equipment is needed to receive tv signals in their area(s). In rural/remote areas, no one should be using an indoor antenna unless there happens to be stations very close by.

And yet many people do. I've visited so many homes near me, 60 miles from my local ABC and 80-90 miles from the rest, where people with rabbit ears got only the ABC and they were happy with that. Many people I know with roof antennas have a single V/U combo antenna or VHF-only antenna, sometimes with an amp and sometimes without, and were very happy with their snowy or non-existent analog reception on UHF and reasonably clean reception on VHF. When the transition came, many who hooked up CECBs could scan in just 15-1 (RF channel 3) with no picture decoding, and nothing else. Instead of putting up a new antenna, they got satellite.

(In fairness, I imagine people in your area are more likely to have UHF antennas since all the networks in Harrisburg except for NBC were on UHF in analog. In my area, the big three were all on VHF, plus in the right places, PBS was available from WUNC-4 in North Carolina.)

I understand your view as well and agree. I'm all for stronger signals, but only if they don't interfere with markets immediately adjacent. Otherwise, it is just redistributing the issue from one group of people to another.

I guess it depends on your school of thought. If the argument is that everyone should have access to each network and not necessarily as many stations as possible, then the added translators solve a problem. Whether right or wrong, this is the modern attitude, especially in the face of DMAs and network exclusivity. If the argument is that people should have access to as many stations as possible, even if they're duplicates, then you're correct. I'm actually not sure where I fall on this issue, though I think that with Mobile DTV being the likely future of over-the-air broadcasting, the first argument will win out regardless of what I think. The only way to get building penetration is with lots of power and lots of extra transmitters.

I completely agree and am thankful for the stations that I have access to. I am merely looking at this from an EE standpoint. I am the type of person that believes strongly in optimization and making a system as efficient as possible. We just identified one case of a poor frequency assignment, and I imagine that there are dozens (?) more such cases in the country. If just these were addressed, that would be a great step towards meeting the goal.

As a fellow EE, I also like the idea of an efficient system. However, one could make the argument that having WTTG and WITF on the same channel is most efficient because the most people are benefiting from use of that same spectrum.

There are actually a lot of things we could do to improve efficiency that make a lot of sense, but they're not politically possible. I argued from the beginning that the converter boxes should have supported MPEG-4 such that increased compression could take place, but it's now too late. People are not going to go out and buy new boxes so soon after the transition. Same story with changing to a modulation scheme that would allow for single frequency networks to work properly. And stations buying new and pricey gear designed to last 20+ years are not going to want to toss it after less than 5.

Moving WITF to 16 would certainly clear things up for you, but I'm not sure that "efficiency" is a clear-cut enough word to describe it, as it seems to me to be a matter of point of view.

As I mentioned, I am only speculating, I am not a statistician by profession and do not know the population distribution. I do know that there are a fair amount of people in south-central pa and northern maryland that are likely affected by the same issue I am. Could it be less than 0.5% (1 in 200)? I suppose it could. I can't make that call.

First of all, I want to apologize here. My sentence sounded exceptionally rude, and I did not intend it to be. Please accept my apology.

This FCC rule is actually an obvious shot at rural viewers. If your main city has 1 million people in it and your rural edges have only 5,000, you can bury those 5,000 in interference without issue. But of course, requiring 0% interference is also unreasonable as you have people on mountaintops who can see everything for 200 miles that would make channels unusable over enormous distances.

I absolutely agree that there should be separation between markets for co-channel, but even under such a rule, would Baltimore not fit under that definition for you? Disregarding the I-81 corridor for a second (I think Hagerstown should be its own DMA anyway) the Baltimore market is largely in between DC and Harrisburg and I don't think any of the Baltimore stations are co-channel with Harrisburg. I could see the FCC making that argument even if such a rule existed.

With that said, I don't think there are enough channels in the band to make such a rule work. There are co-channel stations between New York, Philly, and Scranton and when you add up the numbers of stations in the three markets, there are more stations than there are channels in 7-13, 21-36, and 38-51 (plus adding in places on 14-20 which actually are usable in the various parts of the region). I have not done similar math for Baltimore, DC, and Harrisburg, but I suspect it to have a similar problem.

Yes, the inherent nature of digital TV required all viewers to re-evaluate their equipment and in some cases make upgrades. However, throughout the technology boom, there have been many other instances where consumers have had to do the same thing (e.g. CDs introduced to replace cassettes). Someone at some point made the decision that the benefits of digital tv outweighed the detriments, and the general community must have agreed as a whole for it to have taken place. Unfortunately, there were many people that did not know what was taking place, for whatever reasons, and it caught them off guard. It represents an important life lesson I suppose to always keep the eyes and ears open and ask lots of questions.

A number of people don't want to know and they don't want to think about it. They just know their TV worked fine for the last 50 years and now "you broke it." (I took calls at a TV station on transition day, and I can't count the number of times my coworkers and I heard that.) They don't view it as a personal failing, they view it as someone else causing them a problem, and thus it's that someone's responsibility to fix it.

And if not, then they buy cable and satellite as then there's someone to yell at on the phone when it doesn't work. :)

- Trip

Just an FYI you need an MPEG 4 Capable box to receive ESPN 3D and while it costs nothing you have to call them up to enable it. Comcast ESPN 3D Faq. (http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/FAQListViewer.aspx?topic=Cable&folder=e2451edc-b7e7-492b-9057-d5f14b49c44a)

980.

Thanks, WOOHOO! It wasn't there yesterday but we have it today. :)

Not much activity on the Comcast Forum, so I'll ask here: Anyone receiving World Cup in 3D in Montgomery County?

Hey Conversr We have it comming in on Ch. 980 in Frederick. It wasn't there yesterday but I just tuned in and it is 3D alright! :D

After calling Comcast and being shunted around to multiple numbers, I was finally connected to someone who identified himself as a Comcast ESPN3D rep. He told me that ESPN 3D is only compatible with certain specified Comcast-supplied boxes, and is specifically NOT compatible with a cable card, which I am using in my Tivo HD XL box.

This really sucks! My new 3D TV is being delivered Monday, but the BD player is on backorder, so it looks like I won't have any 3D content to view.

I'll check around on some Tivo forums to see if what the Comcast guy says is correct.

Alberio, we had a conversation about allocations before. In fact, it was started by your comments about WITF/WTTG. I thought that you had realized that you were looking at the end result of an algorithm that was constrained by spectrum, demand, cost, and other factors. Trip has reviewed many of those factors with you just now. Do you remember the last time we discussed this?

As far as translators go, Trip also reviewed the facts with you. I invite you to look back to the problems some folks around Winchester have had.

Did anyone figure out what the problem was with WDCA? My girlfriend said she lost it earlier in the month on her Series 3 TiVos. I just checked on my TiVo Premieres and I don't get anything either. The signal strength is showing up at 80 out of 100. the same as before but I get no picture and the TiVo shows a message that says "Problem with the signal on this antenna channel. trying again"

I did a rescan of the OTA channels and the results stay the same. Strong signal but no picture and the message on the screen.

I guess I'll need to hook the antenna up to the TV to see if there are any different results.

Hmm, something is going on. I just connected the antenna to a Samsung LCD set and did a channel scan. I get a picture there from the TV tuner for WDCA but I can't get anything from the TiVo even though it has a strong signal.

Hmm, something is going on. I just connected the antenna to a Samsung LCD set and did a channel scan. I get a picture there from the TV tuner for WDCA but I can't get anything from the TiVo even though it has a strong signal.

Force a re-scan on the Tivo.

Force a re-scan on the Tivo.

Yes. that was the first thing I did. The results were the same. I just knwo it affects both my girlfriends Series 3 tiVos and my Series 4 TiVos, but it didn't affect teh Samsung set. I guess I'll check it out with my Toshiba set to see what that does.

Thanks for the reply, Trip. I am also in agreement that we are thinking along the same lines. Unfortunately, living in a rural area, there aren't too many people looking out for you in terms of available services. Without the availablility of cable or high-speed internet, I rely on broadcast tv and am especially attuned to the airwaves. My observations indicate that, in my area, there is a potential for loss of channels commencing in a way that it has not before. In this particular instance, there is little that I can do as a viewer to "regain" those channels (unlike the digital transition, where the viewer could generally install bigger/better/higher/multiple antennas with a positive effect). It is generally a losing battle to try to tune a channel being shared by sources of roughly equal distance from the viewer. For rural viewers like myself that are on the fringe of multiple DMAs, each translator that is added has the potential to block existing stations. As I see it, if the trend continues, fringe zones (such as the area I live in) will continue to lose stations. The best thing I can do is share my experiences and attempt to inform, discuss, and learn from other rural viewers.

Dave: Thanks for your reply as well. I do recall past conversations. I may be mistaken, but I am using this forum to reach out to fellow viewers that may be experiencing some of the same reception issues that I am, as well as to inform people near my community (and other communities straddling multiple DMAs) of potential trends for rural viewers. I have not seen a similar discussion to date from other viewers on these boards, so I am trying to get the word out that translators are not a win-win solution for all viewers (as is probably the general public opinion on the matter). I have also attempted to reach out to viewers on the Harrisburg AVS forum on this topic, but to date have not received a report of similar issues. I may very well be in a unique situation, but I suspect other fringe viewers are also impacted.

Thanks again for the replies as I appreciate the opportunity to interact/discuss.

Okay - I know I'm going to sound like a total idiot. I certainly feel like one trying to glean info/help from this thread. But, I'm shameless (and desperate) so here goes.

I'm not a huge tv person, so I didn't see the need for cable (altho I have a comcast hi speed cable for my computer) or satellite dish, etc. etc. Since the switchover, I've been able to watch all the local Baltimore networks as well as most of the DC stations as well as both pbs affiliates, channels, 24, 54 and a bunch of others. (btw, I live in the Ellicott Mills section of Catonsville) My tv is a sony bravia kdl32xbr6 and I've done fine with an RCA 1845gm antennae which is one of those flat jobs. My reception has been great and, for the most part, I've really had no complaints. UNTIL a couple of weeks ago.

I have no idea what changed, but all of a sudden, I lost almost every channel I had been able to get before and went down to a total of seven channels: channel 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, which are WMARhd, WMARdt, and WxNET respectively, channel 24 WUBTD, 45.1 WBFF, 45.2 WBFF2, and 54.1 WNUVD.

I've lost all of WBAL, WJZ, MPT, and the DC stations as well as a few spanish stations that I don't really care about.

This happened once before shortly after the switchover, but it only lasted a few days and things were in such flux back then. It corrected itself less than a week later. But this has persisted for several weeks. I've tried reprogramming the channels just about every day. I've plugged and unplugged the antennae, moved it around, etc. etc. Nothing works and I have no clue as to what the precipitating cause of this was.

Does anyone have any ideas? Should I just purchase a new (and presumably better) antennae? Is there something else I should try? I'm seriously thinking about going with the cheapest DISH offer that I see advertised, even though I'd really like to avoid it. As I said, I don't watch all that much tv, but I do watch SOME and being limited this way sucks.

HELP PLEEEEZ !!!

Albeiro, no worries, overall, but I was taken aback a little by your description of the WITF/WTTG allocation. The implication was that stupid people had to be involved to do such a thing. I thought we had moved on to understand that less than optimal situations develop when you try to gracefully integrate parallel broadcast services (which, ya gotta admit, was what NTSC and transition ATSC were).

A couple of points that you should carry with you in evangelizing for rural service:

1) the FCC has a method for determining service area. It wildly overpredicts in hilly/mountainous terrain and underpredicts in perfectly flat areas. A station enjoys protection from interference from any other service in this area. This method is slightly better than using distances between transmitters as far as spectrum usage goes

2) LPTV (digital or analog) and translators are a secondary service, and cannot cause interference to any primary service, period. In other words, if a full-power station delivers service outside its nominal service area, then a translator can't wipe it out.

The key to get a translator shut down/moved is to get enough people to complain about it.

I'm moving this to the table of allotments/channel change thread.

katiecakes, don't worry! You can do one thing to help us help you better: go to TVFool.com, select the Start MAPS option, ensure that the red pointer is right over your location (you can zoom the map in as needed), update the height of where you would put your antenna, then click the create radar plot button. The instructions with the resulting page tell you how to share that with us.

Before seeing your report, there are a couple of possibilities:

Are there trees close by? They can severely impact reception once the leaves come out, especially after it rains.

Have you changed anything electrical in the house, like switching to those new CFL bulbs or having a computer power brick plugged all the time? Added electrical noise can knock out reception.

With the warmer weather, propagation of distant signals will sometimes be enhanced (this is a sporadic thing, though). The extra interference will, all together now, knock out normal reception.

I'm not a big fan of the flat antennas.

First, to answer your questions, the ONLY thing that has changed inside the house (in the same room as the tv actually) is that I moved the couch a couple of feet. I don't think that's the problem, because I tried moving it back to see if that had any effect and it didn't.

I do have lots of trees on my lot, but I was getting fine reception even after they were all in full bloom.

I was very skeptical about the flat panel antenna, but it was the one recommended and it worked so well until recently. I don't mind purchasing a new antenna at all. My preference, however, IS an indoor antenna - I don't want to have to go thru the trouble of mounting an outdoor antenna.

I did run a report on TV Fool anddddd here it is:

www DOT tvfool DOT com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9fbeb0d62e8b1b (apparently I'm too new to post urls so maybe this will work)

ANY help is very greatly appreciated. Georgetown Law definitely didn't prepare me for this... sigh :(

One more thing .....

I'm not entirely certain of this, but ALMOST certain, that wmar, wjz, and wbal all transmit from the same place - i.e. tv hill in Baltimore. The one difference that I did note after looking at dtv.gov is that the stations that I get now are all transmitted on a uhf band. WJZ and WBAL are listed as broadcasting via Hi-V. I don't know if that has always been the case, or if that represents something that has changed very recently (i.e. if it changed a few weeks ago, then it would coincide with when I stopped being able to get them..)

One more thing .....

I'm not entirely certain of this, but ALMOST certain, that wmar, wjz, and wbal all transmit from the same place - i.e. tv hill in Baltimore. The one difference that I did note after looking at dtv.gov is that the stations that I get now are all transmitted on a uhf band. WJZ and WBAL are listed as broadcasting via Hi-V. I don't know if that has always been the case, or if that represents something that has changed very recently (i.e. if it changed a few weeks ago, then it would coincide with when I stopped being able to get them..)

I think Dave is right on the mark, it's the warm humid air and the changes it causes that's probably caused the recnt change with your reception. I was unable to find a picture of that exact antenna, but I think I know what you're using based on the description.

You're right, WBAL, WJZ and WMAR all transmit from the same location. WBFF and WNUV are also very close by to that tower, you can see both towers from I-95. WBAL and WJZ are broadcasting on VHF again, and it's been that way for almost a year now. They've both actually increased their power notably since the original conversion, and you're plenty close based on the tvfool report.

The problem is, little antennas aren't very good for VHF. VHF requires a physically larger antenna to get the same reception as smaller antennas do for UHF. If you picture the typical rooftop TV antenna, all those long rods are for VHF. The little pointy part in front is for UHF.

When you're close to the signal, UHF antennas will frequently "work" for VHF, but anything at all, weather, moisture in the air, a lawn mower nearby, can knock it out. Like Dave said, other channels might be traveling farther and reaching your antenna, and since the "gain" is so low, probably negative, for VHF, the TV tuner just can't figure out which signal is which. Not the most technical explanation, sure, but the short of it is that the antenna is likely insufficient.

Here's something you can try. Do you have an old pair of rabbit ears lying around? If you do, try hooking them up instead of the RCA antenna. Make about a 45-degree "V" with them, and point it towards Baltimore ("point" in this case means if you're looking towards Baltimore, you see the "V", the rods themselves are 90 degrees away from Baltimore). My guess is that WBAL and WJZ will probably tune in.

If rabbit ears work for WBAL and WJZ, you should probably consider a new antenna. Not sure what to recommend, though, VHF antennas are by nature big and don't look good on a shelf :) Do you have an attic? Attic-installed antennas aren't anywhere near as good/reliable as outdoor ones, but you can hide a much larger/uglier device up there. I think a small UHF/VHF antenna in the attic will get you very reliable reception from Baltimore. D.C., probably not, since a new antenna will likely be more "directional", which means it can't pick up channels from the back or the sides very well. Given your proximity to Baltimore, you really shouldn't need much at all, but it should be designed for both VHF and UHF.

Just my thoughts :)

edit: This will make pretty much everyone out here cringe, but if rabbit ears work for WBAL/WJZ well enough for you and you don't want to go crazy, if you can find a place to hide the rabbit ears that still works well enough for you, like expanding them flat and putting them on a shelf, or taping them to the back of an entertainment center, etc, for a few bucks you can get a little device that can combine them with the RCA so that the rabbit ears will be for WBAL/WJZ and the RCA for all the other UHF-based channels. It's a possibility. It won't be ideal by any means, but I look at how close you are to the towers and can't help but think there's something cheap and easy you might be able to do here.

WBAL and WJZ moved their digital broadcasts to their analog channels when analog broadcasting ended (and WMAR moved to 38 at the same time). So that's not the problem either. My other questions were "shots in the dark" to eliminate issues that I and others have come across. I'll check out your report.



Here (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d9fbeb0d62e8b1b) is her TVFool report.

Holy cow! You're only a mile from WUTB and six miles from TV Hill! The most important data in your report, however, is that you are shadowed by a nearby hill. Click on any of those stations in the table and a path profile will open in a new window. You can see how you are shadowed.

Guess what. Diffracted paths are more sensitive to air density changes than line of sight. With the soupy air we've had, the characteristics of the path have changed, and multipath combinations have likely changed and are giving you fits.

Before I continue, I have to ask if the RCA antenna is amplified. If so, you have been VERY lucky to get anything, as WUTB should be absolutely swamping it. If the antenna amp is not overloaded, then your tuner certainly is. If WPOC or 98Rock show up on multiple places on any of your FM radios, then a similar thing is happening to your TV's tuner.

The first thing you should try is the Terk HDTVi. I emphasize the i, as that specifies the UNamplified model. Beyond looking kinda cool, it has modest directivity (the ability to discriminate or favor one direction over another) and a slight positive gain. Rabbit ears are integrated for VHF reception. Experiment with aim, as pointing the skinny end towards TV Hill might not be the best solution. Although this applies more for outside antennas, you should also elevate the front of the antenna 10 degrees or so. djp952 already told you how to use the rabbit ears.

Good luck!

I was very skeptical about the flat panel antenna, but it was the one recommended and it worked so well until recently I'll bet the amp in that antenna died, or it's switched off, or the power cord fell out of the receptacle.

I'm wondering if WUTB has recently increased their power? I'm not sure if they ever increased their power during the transition.:confused:

Any amplified antenna that close to the transmitters is susceptible to issues. The unampilfied Terk antenna looks like a good recommendation from Dave.

We just "lost" all our unencrypted basic in Berwyn Heights (next to College Park) this morning. Now, only the "lifeline" tier, digital and analog, is unencrypted. Guess I'll have to get a "box". I've been the free rider here, with the residents with boxes splitting the cable bill among them.

We just "lost" all out unencrypted basic in Berwyn Heights (next to College Park) this morning. Now, only the "lifeline" tier, digital and analog, is unencrypted. Guess I'll have to get a "box". I've been the free rider here, with the residents with boxes splitting the cable bill among them.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe another resident with a expanded digital package who doesn't need an analog box can get 1 for you.
My landlord @ her place gets 2 full boxes that she uses & 3 basic boxes of which 2 she doesn't need.

So she gave them to me, I activated it online, & the commiecast signal for the expanded cable comes through no problems.
I just used a splitter to get my unencrypted signal (mostly OTA's) in HD.
Otherwise, I just watch the other cable channels in SD.

Same as before when it was coming straight from the wall to my QAM'ed TV.

YAYYYYYYYY !!!

Ah guys, thank you all so much ! Here, I thought that the fact that the antenna was indeed amplified meant it was better (duh!).

We picked up the Terk as recommended this evening. Abracadabra, presto chango, etc. etc. Problem solved. Good thing, too. In laws are visiting this weekend and if I can't park them in front of the tv for at least some portion of the time..... :eek::eek::eek:

Thanks again.

I'm glad that worked for you.

Don't feel bad about the amplifier business. Unless you have studied the theory, there's no way you would know that.

We just "lost" all out unencrypted basic in Berwyn Heights (next to College Park) this morning. Now, only the "lifeline" tier, digital and analog, is unencrypted. Guess I'll have to get a "box". I've been the free rider here, with the residents with boxes splitting the cable bill among them.

we lost them here in NW DC too. I'm dreading having to buy a cablecard tuner for my htpc now....

Sorry for the repost


Ok I have a cable tv's with QAM tuner and tv tuner in my computer with QAM tuner. We do not have cable but we get all the OTA channels, plus channels 2-55 plus MASN, BRAVO, ABCFamily which are channels 100, 101 and 102 and HBO channel 110.1 and Cinemax 110.21. Now here is something that is interesting, a friend of mine who lives literally 1 mile away does not get these channels with his QAM tuner. We both have Cox for internet so that is our service provider.

Does it make sense that I get these channels and he does not?

Did anyone figure out what the problem was with WDCA? My girlfriend said she lost it earlier in the month on her Series 3 TiVos. I just checked on my TiVo Premieres and I don't get anything either. The signal strength is showing up at 80 out of 100. the same as before but I get no picture and the TiVo shows a message that says "Problem with the signal on this antenna channel. trying again"
I had this issue earlier this month on WDCA on my Tivo HD. A reboot fixed it for me.

What's the deal with WMAR2? When I looked-up their listing on the FCC it said their frequency 38 transmitter was "under construction"? Are they still broadcasting on the old frequency 52 transmitter?

Also are they really sending 1000 kilowatts? That sounds really high - http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WMAR

Sorry for the repost


Ok I have a cable tv's with QAM tuner and tv tuner in my computer with QAM tuner. We do not have cable but we get all the OTA channels, plus channels 2-55 plus MASN, BRAVO, ABCFamily which are channels 100, 101 and 102 and HBO channel 110.1 and Cinemax 110.21. Now here is something that is interesting, a friend of mine who lives literally 1 mile away does not get these channels with his QAM tuner. We both have Cox for internet so that is our service provider.

Does it make sense that I get these channels and he does not?

Unfortunately, yes. Different sections of Cox's system could configured differently. The chs available could also be a simple missing filter that folks without TV service are supposed to have on their line.;)

What's the deal with WMAR2? When I looked-up their listing on the FCC it said their frequency 38 transmitter was "under construction"? Are they still broadcasting on the old frequency 52 transmitter?

Also are they really sending 1000 kilowatts? That sounds really high - http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WMARI would assume WMAR is using the former WJZ-13 digital transmitter & antenna.

As far as the 1000 kw's, I'm sure thats correct, but I do find channel 2 a little harder to get in most of northern VA than the less powerful channels 45 & 54.

The FCC is slow to act on covering apps which would show WMAR as "licensed." It was filed a year ago by WMAR and is awaiting action, but confirms they're at 1000 kW on channel 38.

- Trip

After calling Comcast and being shunted around to multiple numbers, I was finally connected to someone who identified himself as a Comcast ESPN3D rep. He told me that ESPN 3D is only compatible with certain specified Comcast-supplied boxes, and is specifically NOT compatible with a cable card, which I am using in my Tivo HD XL box.

This really sucks! My new 3D TV is being delivered Monday, but the BD player is on backorder, so it looks like I won't have any 3D content to view.

I'll check around on some Tivo forums to see if what the Comcast guy says is correct.

Comcast just added Tivo Series 3, HD, and Premiere to their ESPN 3D Compatibility list.

From another forum, I found a link to a Comcast FAQ which says

[[Note: TiVo series 3 and Premiere HD/DVRs currently support the HD 3D format that ESPN3D will be broadcast in. For that reason, if you have a TiVo receiver, you will be able to access to ESPN3D. You must contact Comcast to have ESPN3D enabled on your account.]]

I'm receiving Comcast 980, listed on the guide as ESPN 3D "To Be Announced". However, when I tune the Tivo HD to that channel, all I get is a gray screen. Signal strength shows as 100.

Seems like the possibilities are:

the Tivo HD XL will NOT decode ESPN3D, despite what Comast says,;
OR
despite calling a few days ago, Comcast has NOT activated the chanel for me.

Anything else?

RCN has just added the following new HD Channels:

619 BET HD
625 Spike TV HD
632 Comedy Central HD
649 Nickelodeon HD
675 MTV HD
676 VH-1 HD
677 CMT HD

Living in Fairfax and was getting HBO and Cinemax using my QAM tuner, but lost them, it happened sometime over the weekend.

Dang

Living in Fairfax and was getting HBO and Cinemax using my QAM tuner, but lost them, it happened sometime over the weekend.

Dang


One has to wonder if cableco reps are lurking in here for people pointing out their mistakes? :cool:

Again tonight, Wheel and Jeopardy! are in SD on WJLA. This has been happening a lot lately. Does this happen in Baltimore? Does anyone at WJLA even care?

Again tonight, Wheel and Jeopardy! are in SD on WJLA. This has been happening a lot lately. Does this happen in Baltimore? Does anyone at WJLA even care?

While I haven't watched the nightly games on our local ABCs in a while, it used to happen a great deal on WMAR. I have to assume it still does, WMAR has never really impressed me with keeping HD in HD. Other than "Lost" and for a while "FlashForward", I really haven't watched WMAR/WJLA at all for quite some time.

don't post in here very often but i have a basic question.

i live in p.g. county and have basic comcast service (no receiver) plugged directly into the back of a vizio tv. since yesterday, i have lost every single digital channel. only analog channels work now. when i flip through the channel lineup, the digital channel number appears on the screen but no picture. i tried to re-scan the channel lineup with the tv with the same results.

my question is did comcast remove all the "clear" digital channels or did the digital tuner on my tv go belly up?

Is anyone using one of the newer Comcast DCX boxes and are they performing better than the DCTs? I'm not even sure if Comcast is even handing out the DCXs yet in Frederick. From what I read, we will need a DCX for future 3D programming. I have 3D now with the WC playing on my DCT with no problem but I hear this is going to change (MPEG2 to MPEG4). Right now my PQ is excellent with the DCT. I'd hate to loose that.

Different parts of P.G. receive different choices on Comcast Basic. I lost many clear Qam channels in Beltsville a few days ago, but I still have the standard channels like 4,5,7,9 in digital.

Is anyone using one of the newer Comcast DCX boxes and are they performing better than the DCTs? I'm not even sure if Comcast is even handing out the DCXs yet in Frederick. From what I read, we will need a DCX for future 3D programming. I have 3D now with the WC playing on my DCT with no problem but I hear this is going to change (MPEG2 to MPEG4). Right now my PQ is excellent with the DCT. I'd hate to loose that.
I switched from the DCT box to the DCX box a few months ago. They seemed to have plenty of the DCX's at our local office. I don't think you will see much difference in HD picture quality. There are a few nice features - it can handle native format, the disk is larger, and there is an adjustment to the sharpness for the SD channels. The sharpness adjustment seemed to give me a bit better picture for the SD channels. Some people say that the native format improves the HD picture, but I see little difference. The larger disk is always nice since you can save more stuff. Since getting the DCX, my box seems a bit flakier than before, but I am not sure if this is a result of the hardware or the software and firmware upgrades that have occurred since I switched.

I switched from the DCT box to the DCX box a few months ago. They seemed to have plenty of the DCX's at our local office. I don't think you will see much difference in HD picture quality. There are a few nice features - it can handle native format, the disk is larger, and there is an adjustment to the sharpness for the SD channels. The sharpness adjustment seemed to give me a bit better picture for the SD channels. Some people say that the native format improves the HD picture, but I see little difference. The larger disk is always nice since you can save more stuff. Since getting the DCX, my box seems a bit flakier than before, but I am not sure if this is a result of the hardware or the software and firmware upgrades that have occurred since I switched.

Thanks for the reply. I will check the Comcast office and see what they have. I'll also have to do some more searching about Comcast's plans for MPEG 4 and 3D. I've only read one other person's post that after the World Cup games, Comcast would not pass thru 3D content on MPEG 2 boxes. I don't like to hear about the "flakiness" though. That will take me back to early DirecTV days.

don't post in here very often but i have a basic question.

i live in p.g. county and have basic comcast service (no receiver) plugged directly into the back of a vizio tv. since yesterday, i have lost every single digital channel. only analog channels work now. when i flip through the channel lineup, the digital channel number appears on the screen but no picture. i tried to re-scan the channel lineup with the tv with the same results.

my question is did comcast remove all the "clear" digital channels or did the digital tuner on my tv go belly up?

I'm in P.G. county too and most of the digital channels that were clear are now encrypted. The local broadcast channels(HD and SD) are still clear along with C-SPAN, and junk like QVC.

I'm in P.G. county too and most of the digital channels that were clear are now encrypted. The local broadcast channels(HD and SD) are still clear along with C-SPAN, and junk like QVC.
I checked my list on Comcast Basic in Beltsville a few minutes ago, and I find a total of 60 digital channels, excluding the music channels. The list includes 7 as HD. I agree most of the non-HD channels are of low value.

Anyone with FIOS in MoCo lose a bunch of channels (with cable cards/Tivo)? I just noticed, but they might have disappeared a while ago, as I don't generally watch live TV, and there's nothing much being recorded in the summer (and I get locals OTA).

Any ideas? Did FIOS shuffle the QAM lineup again?

Thanks,
Mark

Anyone with FIOS in MoCo lose a bunch of channels (with cable cards/Tivo)? I just noticed, but they might have disappeared a while ago, as I don't generally watch live TV, and there's nothing much being recorded in the summer (and I get locals OTA).

Any ideas? Did FIOS shuffle the QAM lineup again?

Thanks,
Mark

They deleted a number of the duplicate movie channels

Two things:

1) It looks like WAZW-LD 46 is back on the air. Can anyone see it and does it have programming this time around?

2) It looks like WQAW-LD 20 is on the air now mapping to 69-1 through 69-4. Is anyone seeing it, and if so, what programming do the various subs have? If someone can see it with TSReader, I'd be very appreciative if someone could get me updated data on it.

Thanks, all. :)

- Trip

It looks like WQAW-LD 20 is on the air now mapping to 69-1 through 69-4.Not even a whiff here in Arlington.

Not even a whiff here in Arlington.

The signal looks to be aimed primarily at Baltimore and it's on the WMPT tower.

- Trip

The signal looks to be aimed primarily at Baltimore and it's on the WMPT tower.

- TripThanks Trip!! WQAW is LOS & stronger here than 2 edge WBOC which is detected 24/7. I would have think the DTT 901 would show some activity if RF20 was on the air.:confused:

Hopefully Steve in Shady Side will chime in with better news.

There's a possibility they're not yet on their permanent antenna. They have an STA to operate from a much more directional antenna that is much lower on the tower due to delays in the delivery of the permanent antenna, so that could be preventing you from seeing it.

- Trip

Two things:

1) It looks like WAZW-LD 46 is back on the air. Can anyone see it and does it have programming this time around?

2) It looks like WQAW-LD 20 is on the air now mapping to 69-1 through 69-4. Is anyone seeing it, and if so, what programming do the various subs have? If someone can see it with TSReader, I'd be very appreciative if someone could get me updated data on it.

Thanks, all. :)

- Trip
From Annapolis, I (obviously) see WBFF-DT on RF46. I don't see anything on RF20, and I live close enough to the WMPT tower that I can get WMPT on RF42 with a paperclip as an antenna, and it prevents me from ever getting a good lock on RF41. (I don't think there's anything on RF43 or it'd probably affect that too.)

That said, I'm not between WMPT and Baltimore, so maybe it is possible that not enough signal is coming my direction?

That said, I'm not between WMPT and Baltimore, so maybe it is possible that not enough signal is coming my direction?

If they're on the STA antenna, that's probably the case. It's literally aimed straight at Baltimore with no radiation in any other direction.

The permanent antenna looks to be much friendlier.

- Trip

Thanks Trip!! WQAW is LOS & stronger here than 2 edge WBOC which is detected 24/7. I would have think the DTT 901 would show some activity if RF20 was on the air.:confused:

Hopefully Steve in Shady Side will chime in with better news.

I have noticed the new antennas 1/2 way up the WMPT tower and it does appear to be on the North side of the tower. I'll check tonight to see if I can receive any signal on RF 20 and report back to you guys!!

WMPT comes in with a paper clip for me too.

Thanks Trip!! WQAW is LOS & stronger here than 2 edge WBOC which is detected 24/7. I would have think the DTT 901 would show some activity if RF20 was on the air.:confused:

Hopefully Steve in Shady Side will chime in with better news.

Absolutely zero signal detected here in Southern AA County on RF20.

Maybe they signed it on and then signed it off again. It definitely was showing up on SiliconDust, and in fact, still is: http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:22201#lineup_1171657

It can take a while for signals which sign off to be reflected as gone on SiliconDust.

- Trip

Still no 54.2 (TheCoolTV). Any word when that is supposed to go live?

2) It looks like WQAW-LD 20 is on the air now mapping to 69-1 through 69-4. Is anyone seeing it, and if so, what programming do the various subs have? If someone can see it with TSReader, I'd be very appreciative if someone could get me updated data on it.

- Trip

I see WQAW-LD here, near I-97 & MD-100, with a stable, if weak, signal. 40% signal strength, according to my TV's meter. (WMPT, on same tower?, blasts in at full strength.)

69.1 is showing the Spanish-language Azteca America network, 69.2 and 69.3 have billboards advertising this sub channel for rent, 69.4 is showing the same video as 69.1 but no audio.

I'm using a Winegard HD-1080 with Channel Master 7777 in the attic pointed at DC towers. Another set, using unamplified rabbit ears, can't lock on.

Thanks. :)

- Trip

I see WQAW-LD here... 69.2 and 69.3 have billboards advertising this sub channel for rent...Interesting... why not...

There are actually a number of LPTV stations which do that particularly out west. The Cocola stations are known for it, for instance.

- Trip

Two things:

1) It looks like WAZW-LD 46 is back on the air. Can anyone see it and does it have programming this time around?

2) It looks like WQAW-LD 20 is on the air now mapping to 69-1 through 69-4. Is anyone seeing it, and if so, what programming do the various subs have? If someone can see it with TSReader, I'd be very appreciative if someone could get me updated data on it.

Thanks, all. :)

- Trip

Yes, WAZW-LD 46 is now on the air and broadcasting regularly much to my (and a lot of other people's) chagrin - because it knocked out the valley's reception for a full-power network affiliate WBFF Fox 45 out of Baltimore because the FCC allowed this low power Christian station to use the same channel (46) that WBFF Fox 45 was using thereby blocking Fox from being received in the here in the valley when WAZW started broadcasting. It was actually a double-edged sword because with this action we also lost WBFF's sub-channel 45.2 which was "This TV" which showed great old movies 24-7. So we lost two more desirable channels, to be preached at all day- great! WAZW-LD is broadcasting on 46.1 and also has three sub-channels - 46.2, 46.3 and 46.4 - which they currently only show color-bar patterns. Isn't that great? Real progress. Thank goodness at about the same time this debacle happened TV3 here (ABC Winchester) - put Fox on their sub-channel 3.2 and they put My Network TV on their sub-channel 3.4 - So at least we got a Fox affiliate here after losing the one of out Baltimore. But WAZW-LD is one of those stations just broadcasting religion and preaching all day and very little of anything with entertainment value. But I am constantly told on here that I just have to "put up with it" - so there you go. Great!

There are actually a number of LPTV stations which do that particularly out west. The Cocola stations are known for it, for instance.

- Trip

Pardon the simple camera snaps, but here are some screen shots for the WQAW-curious.

179690

179691

Thanks! :)

- Trip

Still no 54.2 (TheCoolTV). Any word when that is supposed to go live?
Yea, I'm looking forward to this channel as well. I liked the last music TV service they had and am looking forward to seeing how this compares.

I'm in Dover DE and get 54 (RF 40) quite well. I just hope it comes up before I move back to southern California next month. :)

Trip,

Do you know of any reasons why WQAW-LD in Annapolis has not gone full power or perhaps is not being allowed to go full power using Digital RF20?

Have you heard about or are you familiar with any Washington area low power digital stations using Digital Channels RF14, RF25, RF32, and RF44?

http://mysite.verizon.net/kj6ms/tvl-wadc.html

Trip,

Do you know of any reasons why WQAW-LD in Annapolis has not gone full power or perhaps is not being allowed to go full power using Digital RF20?

It depends on what you mean.

If you're asking why they're on a low-power license rather than full-service, it's because the FCC is not granting new full-service licenses. Plus there are fewer regulations for low-power broadcasters, so they're cheaper to operate, generally.

If you're asking why they're operating at reduced facilities, it's because their final antenna has not arrived yet.

Have you heard about or are you familiar with any Washington area low power digital stations using Digital Channels RF14, RF25, RF32, and RF44?

http://mysite.verizon.net/kj6ms/tvl-wadc.html

They're not yet operating digitally.

- Trip

Anyone else in the DC area been experiencing reception issues with Directv due to the heat/humidity?

I get my locals in HD via both rooftop antenna and DTV - and both are still coming in fine. But HD channels like ESPN 1/2, Travel Channel, Golf Channel etc have gotten awful the last few days. Not sure if its due to the humidity or not as this is the first time in 10 years or so as a DTV customer I can think of having heat related issues and just a week ago even during bad rain I did not lose a signal. Signal strength appears to be the same as its always been on the three main satellites - mid 90s.

Can record breaking heat indexes like this cause these symptoms - strong signal strength yet choppy/pixalated HD channels? Its been 10 summers now and I dont think I can remember a heat related issue before.

I am just wondering if anyone has an answer to this question that I just emailed WBAL TV-11's engineering department:

On Wednesday's (7/7/10) newscast Marianne Bannister reported that BGE requested that it's customers reduce power and that BGE specifically asked WBAL to use Generator power. I guess my questions are how much power does WBAL, WIYY, and WBAL AM consume on a daily basis? Were the other TV Stations asked to use back up power? Can a single generator power an entire TV station and it's 25 KW transmitter? And finally could it be a way of BGE to get more money from the broadcasters who instead of using power straight from the grid and generate their own power using BGE's natural gas system?

After I sent the email I realized that they probably have several generators but could it be a way for the local electric company to exploint more money out of consumers. And Does anyone know how much power in a % does a TV station and it's transmitter take off from the grid.

That would be appreciated. I actually like to watch Dave Ramsey at 8pm on Fox Bidnez. I tried to like Stossel, but he sure lost something once leaving 20/20. Maybe its the talk show format.

where I live I only have basic cable and fox business is on digital where I live. what is Stossel's show exactly?

Will this block out any channels like 20.1 wdca?

And can some one find the link to the fox business new sub channel on 20.1. I think that will be awesome. Thanks.

been unable to find it. I hope it does happens.

Anyone else in the DC area been experiencing reception issues with Directv due to the heat/humidity?

I get my locals in HD via both rooftop antenna and DTV - and both are still coming in fine. But HD channels like ESPN 1/2, Travel Channel, Golf Channel etc have gotten awful the last few days. Not sure if its due to the humidity or not as this is the first time in 10 years or so as a DTV customer I can think of having heat related issues and just a week ago even during bad rain I did not lose a signal. Signal strength appears to be the same as its always been on the three main satellites - mid 90s.

Can record breaking heat indexes like this cause these symptoms - strong signal strength yet choppy/pixalated HD channels? Its been 10 summers now and I dont think I can remember a heat related issue before.

I have not been but if you have a leaky LNB housing or cable connections, humdity can cause a problem. But in most cases you will see signal drops or fluctuations on your signal meter. (To see quicker fluctutions in signal, go into the signal meters area within the satellite signal screen (one of the boxes on the lower right of the screen. This will show you immediate changes, not the once every few seconds that the screen with all transponders on it does. You want to look at 99c, 103ca and 103cb for HD channels.)

How old is your dish? And wiring? You may need DirecTV to come check things out or you may want to replace outdoor cabling yourself and see if that helps.

MASN2 HD Now on FiOS1 in D.C., Maryland, Virginia

by Heather_Wilner on 07-13-2010 02:03 PM

Many of you have asked when MASN2 would become available in HD on FiOS TV. Well, the time is now. Whether you’re rooting for the Nationals or the Orioles, or if you’re looking forward to seeing the Ravens in high def, you’ll now get it all on FiOS in HD.

MASN2 HD will be available on Channel 501 on FiOS1, our local channel for news, sports, traffic and weather. We offer FiOS1 throughout the D.C. metro area, including parts of Maryland and Virginia. Right now just the MASN2 programming will be in HD, but we hope to bring Verizon’s local programs to you in high-def down the line. And for those of you in the area outside the FiOS1 footprint, we’re working on a technical solution to make the MASN2 HD feed available to you as well.

Once the All Star Game is over, there will be plenty of action, starting this Friday when the Nationals play the Marlins. Let’s see what Strasburg can do in HD.

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at-Home/MASN2-HD-Now-on-FiOS1-in-D-C-Maryland-Virginia/ba-p/224794

MASN2 HD Now on FiOS1 in D.C., Maryland, Virginia

by Heather_Wilner on 07-13-2010 02:03 PM

Many of you have asked when MASN2 would become available in HD on FiOS TV. Well, the time is now. Whether you’re rooting for the Nationals or the Orioles, or if you’re looking forward to seeing the Ravens in high def, you’ll now get it all on FiOS in HD.

MASN2 HD will be available on Channel 501 on FiOS1, our local channel for news, sports, traffic and weather. We offer FiOS1 throughout the D.C. metro area, including parts of Maryland and Virginia. Right now just the MASN2 programming will be in HD, but we hope to bring Verizon’s local programs to you in high-def down the line. And for those of you in the area outside the FiOS1 footprint, we’re working on a technical solution to make the MASN2 HD feed available to you as well.

Once the All Star Game is over, there will be plenty of action, starting this Friday when the Nationals play the Marlins. Let’s see what Strasburg can do in HD.

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/Verizon-at-Home/MASN2-HD-Now-on-FiOS1-in-D-C-Maryland-Virginia/ba-p/224794

It's not the full time dedicated channel though. It will be shared with the FiOS 1 channel on 501.

It's not the full time dedicated channel though. It will be shared with the FiOS 1 channel on 501.

The "full-time" channel is just a simulcast of ESPNews.

Well it's about time.

The "full-time" channel is just a simulcast of ESPNews.

Yes, but there is a channel being broadcast which FiOS is only partially broadcasting. No matter what MASN2 shows, FiOS is not showing 100% of the feed.

Yes, but there is a channel being broadcast which FiOS is only partially broadcasting. No matter what MASN2 shows, FiOS is not showing 100% of the feed.

It's just the cable company remapping ESPNews and sticking MASN2 on it.

It's just the cable company remapping ESPNews and sticking MASN2 on it.

Is it? The MASN2 programming schedule shows ESPN news on it. It seems odd that they would list a schedule and then have to rely on the cable provider to remap the espn programming for them. I would not trust any provider I've used to do it properly several times every day.

I believe MASN has actually acquired the rights for ESPN news and is showing this program when they have no content of their own.

I think the biggest concern with not having a full-time MASN2 HD channel is whether or not FiOS will consistently remember to flip the switch when there is a game on. Before it was in HD, MASN2 shared space with the community bulletin board on RCN, and there were many instances when the game simply didn't show up on the channel. It was completely impossible to get any resolution by calling RCN, and I can't imagine calling FiOS over a similar issue would get any better results. Calling MASN would sometimes do the trick, but it was almost always the result of someone on the cable operator side neglecting to flip a switch.

Comcast used to put MASN2 on C-Span 2.

Since FiOS has ESPNews anyway, no programming is being missed.

Anyone else get the message (via e-mail for me) about Cox's new rates? I'm trying to figure out what the speeds are for the "new" internet Starter and Essential packages. They wouldn't lower the current speeds, would they?

I think the biggest concern with not having a full-time MASN2 HD channel is whether or not FiOS will consistently remember to flip the switch when there is a game on. Before it was in HD, MASN2 shared space with the community bulletin board on RCN, and there were many instances when the game simply didn't show up on the channel. It was completely impossible to get any resolution by calling RCN, and I can't imagine calling FiOS over a similar issue would get any better results. Calling MASN would sometimes do the trick, but it was almost always the result of someone on the cable operator side neglecting to flip a switch.

Watching Strasburg in HD and loving it!

It's not the full time dedicated channel though. It will be shared with the FiOS 1 channel on 501.

Nor is it on in Howard County or any place further north.

Comcast Sportsnet has been telecasting the Wizards' NBA Summer League games. Steve and Phil are claiming the games are in "glorious HD." If it is indeed HD, it is perhaps the worst HD I've seen. I believe the same games are being telecast by the NBA channel (HD), and look a whole lot better.

Will somebody else confirm?

Comcast Washington DC area subs:

Do you get HDNet and or HDNet Movies?

Comcast Sportsnet has been telecasting the Wizards' NBA Summer League games. Steve and Phil are claiming the games are in "glorious HD." If it is indeed HD, it is perhaps the worst HD I've seen. I believe the same games are being telecast by the NBA channel (HD), and look a whole lot better.

Will somebody else confirm?

They look great on DirecTV's feed of NBATV...

Here's an idea that I just thought of: I was thinking about how the signal for WUTB is not available to the south (i.e. P.G. , Montgomery, D.C.) and wondered what if WUTB-24(41) swapped signals with WNVC-56 mHZ(24). Also, WBAL should increase their power to the level of WJZ or slightly higher.

Comcast Washington DC area subs:

Do you get HDNet and or HDNet Movies?

No for Montgomery County, MD and I have not seen it advertised anywhere around the DC area.

Here's an idea that I just thought of: I was thinking about how the signal for WUTB is not available to the south (i.e. P.G. , Montgomery, D.C.) and wondered what if WUTB-24(41) swapped signals with WNVC-56 mHZ(24). Also, WBAL should increase their power to the level of WJZ or slightly higher.

WBAL is already operating at a power level similar to WJZ.

WNVC could not move to channel 41 due to the interference numbers that would result with regard to WNUV-40. They would not willingly put a null toward Baltimore (and thus DC).

- Trip

No for Montgomery County, MD and I have not seen it advertised anywhere around the DC area.
Thx.

Here's an idea that I just thought of: I was thinking about how the signal for WUTB is not available to the south (i.e. P.G. , Montgomery, D.C.) and wondered what if WUTB-24(41) swapped signals with WNVC-56 mHZ(24).I get a very excellent signal from WUTB-24 (41) here in Olney, MD using a rooftop antenna. My meter shows a consistent 98 percent. I can see why you have a reception problem in Forestville, MD. You're located to the south of the transmitter. You probably need a rooftop antenna for WUTB.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/polarplot?frame=Y&temp=97757&rotate=0.00&p0=0.899&p10=0.900&p20=0.905&p30=0.917&p40=0.936&p50=0.963&p60=0.988&p70=1.000&p80=0.987&p90=0.940&p100=0.854&p110=0.733&p120=0.588&p130=0.437&p140=0.302&p150=0.218&p160=0.207&p170=0.232&p180=0.245&p190=0.232&p200=0.207&p210=0.218&p220=0.302&p230=0.437&p240=0.588&p250=0.733&p260=0.854&p270=0.940&p280=0.987&p290=1.000&p300=0.988&p310=0.963&p320=0.936&p330=0.917&p340=0.905&p350=0.900&p360=0.899&

Check it out everybody in the I -81 corridore and in the valley!!!
Channel 50-1 and 50-2 This Tv is now broadcasting. This is great news for everyone who lost Wbff 45. Yes I am still upset about that whole mess. But this pretty much makes up for it. And I am still excited about getting at least one more channel this fall. Cool Tv. Hopefully 54-2 will be up and running soon. It's great feeling when you can recieave more channels.

Check it out everybody in the I -81 corridor and in the valley!!! Channel 50-1 and 50-2 This TV is now broadcasting. This is great news for everyone who lost WBFF45. Yes I am still upset about that whole mess. But this pretty much makes up for it. And I am still excited about getting at least one more channel this fall. Cool TV. Hopefully 54-2 will be up and running soon. It's great feeling when you can receive more channels.Maybe I am missing something. Why are you all of a sudden receiving WDCW-DT50? Their digital signal has been on the air for several years. Also, WBFF-DT45 is a FOX affiliate, isn't it? How does receiving WDCW-DT50 which is an affiliate of The CW Network make up for the loss of a FOX affiliate?

I'm assuming he means W51CY-D is on the air.

- Trip

I'm assuming he means W51CY-D is on the air.

- TripThanks, Trip, but I still fail to understand how gaining The CW Network makes up for losing a heavyweight like the FOX Network.

Trip, I have a few questions for you while I've got your attention. After the June 12, 2009 transition, WJZ-DT had to request a temporary emergency STA because their licensed 9.8kW ERP non-directional signal on RF13 was largely ineffective in reaching their targeted audience. I believe that the emergency STA allowed them approximately ?27? kW ERP still using a non-directional pattern. They used this STA for about three months while they continued to construct their permanent and current directional facility, a 28.8 kW ERP directional antenna. I do remember that the new boosted up emergency temporary STA non-directional signal really gave them excellent coverage. Now, their permanent antenna has to protect WWPX-DT60 (RF12) in Martinsburg, I guess, so they have to limit their signal to the west.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/polarplot?frame=Y&temp=85234&rotate=0.00&p0=0.799&p10=0.880&p20=0.939&p30=0.978&p40=0.997&p46=1.000&p50=0.999&p60=0.985&p70=0.964&p80=0.944&p90=0.935&p100=0.935&p110=0.937&p120=0.935&p130=0.935&p140=0.944&p150=0.964&p160=0.985&p170=0.999&p174=1.000&p180=0.997&p190=0.978&p200=0.939&p210=0.880&p220=0.799&p230=0.699&p240=0.589&p250=0.493&p260=0.446&p270=0.458&p280=0.494&p290=0.512&p300=0.494&p310=0.458&p320=0.446&p330=0.493&p340=0.589&p350=0.699&p360=0.799&

Here are my questions:

1. Could WJZ-DT13 have kept that emergency temporary STA 27 kW non-directional pattern as a permanent facility if they had requested it from the FCC? Did that 27kW non-directional signal interfere with WWPX-DT?

2. WBAL-DT11 is using a non-directional antenna with a power of 26.6 kW ERP, aren't they on Channel 11? Why can they continue to have a non-directional pattern of almost 27 kW ERP and not WJZ?

Thanks, as always, for the invaluable expertise you bring to this board.

- StevenJB

Thanks, Trip, but I still fail to understand how gaining The CW Network makes up for losing a heavyweight like the FOX Network.

He seems to have been more worried about This TV (on 45-2 and 50-2) than by Fox which is available both through WHSV 3-2 (SD) and WTTG 5-1 (HD).

1. Could WJZ-DT13 have kept that emergency temporary STA 27 kW non-directional pattern as a permanent facility if they had requested it from the FCC? Did that 27kW non-directional signal interfere with WWPX-DT?

If WWPX agreed to accept the interference, then yes. Whether it actually interfered or not, I don't know. What I do know is that the omni antenna is actually still on the tower and licensed at 4.5 kW for a backup, so I suspect they could go back to omni operation down the line.

But bear in mind that they'd already had the directional antenna purchased and fabricated (I think) by the time the transition took place, so they were not about to scrap it. They'd already had to scrap a channel 49 antenna in Pittsburgh.

2. WBAL-DT11 is using a non-directional antenna with a power of 26.6 kW ERP, aren't they on Channel 11? Why can they continue to have a non-directional pattern of almost 27 kW ERP and not WJZ?

They can't; they're operating under experimental authority. They've run into interference problems and have basically asked the FCC to ignore them. They had to sign interference acceptance agreements with WWPX and WHTM, and WVPT and WBRE want money in exchange for accepting the interference. (WBRE wants $420,000, which is unreasonable, thus why WBAL hopes the FCC will let them ignore the interference.)

Until they either make the necessary agreements or the FCC agrees to ignore them, they can only operate at 26.6 kW under experimental authority.

Thanks, as always, for the invaluable expertise you bring to this board.

- StevenJB

Glad to be able to lend a hand. :) Let me know if there's anything else I can help with, or if you need the above info clarified.

- Trip

They (WBAL) can't; they're operating under experimental authority. They've run into interference problems and have basically asked the FCC to ignore them. They had to sign interference acceptance agreements with WWPX and WHTM, and WVPT and WBRE want money in exchange for accepting the interference. (WBRE wants $420,000, which is unreasonable, thus why WBAL hopes the FCC will let them ignore the interference.) Until they either make the necessary agreements or the FCC agrees to ignore them, they can only operate at 26.6 kW under experimental authority. - TripThat is an astonishing situation with WBAL and what you have described there. I had no idea that WBAL was still operating under the experimental authority after all this time. The FCC is literally caught between that proverbial rock and the hard place. They can't make WBAL go back to their 5 kW ERP licensed power because that won't work but they can't ignore the interference complaints indefinitely, can they? Baltimore is too big a city for the FCC to simply throw WBAL under the bus. WBAL provides NBC coverage to millions in MD, PA, and DEL. The fault lies with the FCC for failure to provide adequate, realistic, practical, and hands-on engineering and technical guidelines and models for High VHF digital television. It's too late now because the government has already given away UHF Channels 52 through 69. Now, they probably wish they had those back as well as 70 through 83!

You may get a big laugh from this because I am not an engineer. But, I have a solution and if I was the Chairman of the FCC, here is what I would do. It's really very simple. Let the market decide. Let every television station on High VHF (7 through 13) operate with an allowable maximum power not to exceed 50 kW ERP but not less than a minimum of 30 kW ERP using a non-directional pattern. Try it for a minimum of one year and see what the public has to say about reception and interference issues. A maximum allowed power of 50 kW ERP should satisfy the needs of the distant fringe area viewer located over 50 miles from the transmitter. You never had these problems with analog when 316 kW ERP was allowed. You always had a picture, albeit a little snowy, but it was viewable. Analog was forgiving. Digital is not. I'm afraid that the FCC never anticiapated how unforgiving DTV is. A 50 kW ERP non-directional signal should be very forgiving. What do you think?

Actually what the FCC didn't account for were the amount of viewers using rabbit ear antennas or antennas installed in attics. The assumption, as the way it's been since the 1940's in calculating coverage area, was the receive antenna would be of a certain gain, horizontally polarized, and 30 feet above ground level.

Longer wavelength, lower frequency channels, do indeed travel further but are less able to penetrate structures.

We should move any more discussion of this to the allocation thread, but here are a couple of other points to ponder:

1) the utility of a model is limited by the data that supports it

2) IIRC, the bulk of data used to build propagation models for VHF and UHF were collected at 30 feet.

3) fudge factors (there are always some) to compensate for various and sundry require a lot of testing to ensure that there are no undesirable effects

If there is to be some compensation for losses encountered by indoor reception, it would be factored in via statistics. Predictions are never made for 100% of cases, usually 90%, 50%, or 10% depending upon what is needed. So, if best estimates for indoor antenna use are 30% (just a number), those losses wouldn't be much of a factor to 50% locations predictions but would be a factor in 90% locations predictions.

A 50 kW ERP non-directional signal should be very forgiving. What do you think?

There is precedent for something like this: AM stations on local service frequencies (Class C, old Class IV): 1230, 1240, 1340, 1400, 1450, and 1490 kHz. They were first licensed as 250 watts full-time. At some point, 1000 watts daytime was authorized and Class IV stations had to accept any interference caused. Eventually 1000 watts was authorized for nighttime hours in order to overcome greater local noise despite the massive increase in skywave interference.

A more recent example is the interference agreement between WPVI Philadelphia, WRGB Schenectady, and a PBS station in Connecticut, all on channel 6. They all agreed to raise power and accept whatever interference each of them caused to one another.

More about this in the allocation thread, but I disagree with letting the market decide...

Actually what the FCC didn't account for were the amount of viewers using rabbit ear antennas or antennas installed in attics. The assumption, as the way it's been since the 1940's in calculating coverage area, was the receive antenna would be of a certain gain, horizontally polarized, and 30 feet above ground level. Longer wavelength, lower frequency channels, do indeed travel further but are less able to penetrate structures.What the FCC also didn't account for were the fascist and dictatorial homeowner associations which forbid its members from installing outside antennas on their roofs through the use of restrictive covenants. I bought my two story single family colonial in 1984 before my county offered Cable TV. I was the first occupant in my neighborhood and fortunately before my HOA had promulgated its official covenants, I erected a UHF/VHF/FM antenna with a rotor in order to receive all of the available OTA channels in my region. My home is located 25 miles from Baltimore and 15 miles from Washington. An outside antenna gave me perfect OTA analog television reception from both cities. My home IS located within the Washington market. My HOA later challenged my right to erect an antenna and threatened me with legal action after their covenants became effective. I told them to shove their antenna exclusion rule where the sun didn't shine because my antenna predated their covenants. They backed down just as I expected they would.

Unknown to just about everyone outside of the Baltimore-Washington region is the little known fact that Baltimore and Washington are two distinct media markets within the same region. I believe that we're the only region in the country which has two complete sets of OTA TV channels for each market and yet Baltimore and Washington are but only 35 miles apart. Seattle/Tacoma, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose all share a common set of OTA channels. Baltimore and Washington do not share because circa 1948 when the channel assignments were made by the FCC, both cities were totally and physically separate from each other.

Well, anyway around 1990 we got cable and the cable company covered both the Baltimore and Washington areas OTA locals. Slowly but surely, the company, which became Comcast, by 2000 completely discontinued coverage of one of the cities OTA analog channels depending upon your county of residence. The local Washington channels didn't want you watching Baltimore locals and vice versa because of advertising revenues. Fortunately, the bottom line was that I had an outside antenna so I could still pull in all of the Baltimore OTA locals.

Then came the mixed blessing of digital television. I have already told you that Comcast or the satellite providers cannot or will not offer people in the region both cities' full array of OTA local channels. With the nuances of digital television and without an outside antenna with a rotor you can just about forget about receiving a Baltimore local OTA digital television channel within the Washington metro area. You could always get some reception of the OTA analog channels using an attic antenna or even rabbit ears, but those days are history. Dependable and consistent reception of digital OTA television VHF high band channels 7 through 13 is near impossible without an outdoor roof antenna. There is your Catch 22. You can't receive digital OTA channels without an outside antenna but you may not be allowed to erect such an antenna or you can't and your cable company may not offer you service for that OTA local channel. Americans, by and large, took down and disassembled their outside antennas in the 1980s and 1990s because they figured cable would provide them with coverage. There was also developing a certain stigma with having an antenna on your chimney. Cable had snob appeal and if you had an antenna on your roof then that meant that you couldn't afford cable. Outside antennas were so blue collar and modern yuppies couldn't allow people to think that they were just a bunch of beer drinking rednecks who god forbid didn't have cable. But, unfortunately, cable doesn't cover all of the digital television sub-channels. It's really absurd that the FCC created our digital television standards based upon the reception demographics of the 1950s and 1960s when just about everyone used a high gain antenna.

What the FCC also didn't account for were the fascist and dictatorial homeowner associations which forbid its members from installing outside antennas on their roofs through the use of restrictive covenants.


Actually, Congress did. So long as you own the roof, you can put an antenna on it. Trumps all covenants.

Who is using channel 39 now? Since WJLA left it to go back to 7, can't WBAL move to that or what about WUTB using 39 and WBAL using 51?

Who is using channel 39 now?WJAL (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1325423.html) north of Hagerstown, MD is presently using RF 39.

Actually, Congress did. So long as you own the roof, you can put an antenna on it. Trumps all covenants.I believe that Congress only exempted the less than one meter satellite dish from HOA covenants. Are you sure that Congress included the ordinary standard television antenna?

Google "FCC otard"

jim

Who is using channel 39 now? Since WJLA left it to go back to 7, can't WBAL move to that or what about WUTB using 39 and WBAL using 51?

Channel 39 would be short-spaced to WJAL and WLVT.

Channel 51 would be short-spaced to WDCW.

- Trip

Per my latest bill, Big Ten Network HD & CBS College Sports HD coming to Cox-Northern Virginia in Mid-August.

I finally checked on FiOS availability on the streets adjacent to mine in Annandale. Everyone's got it but me (multi-unit condominium) development. :(

-SUO

I believe that Congress only exempted the less than one meter satellite dish from HOA covenants. Are you sure that Congress included the ordinary standard television antenna?

It covers both antennas and small satellite dishes, but that doesn't seem to stop HOAs from putting language in their bylaws that would lead the average person to believe that they are forbidden from putting an antenna or a dish on their roof.

The one exception to the OTARD rule I can think of is historic status of a structure or neighborhood. People who live in historic districts in DC are forbidden from putting a dish or an antenna anywhere on their home, if it is visible from the street.

Channel 39 would be short-spaced to WJAL and WLVT.

Channel 51 would be short-spaced to WDCW.

- Trip

I could see WBAL using 51. Wouldn't it be the same as when WJLA 7 was on 39 and they had WNUV 54 on 40?

I could see WBAL using 51. Wouldn't it be the same as when WJLA 7 was on 39 and they had WNUV 54 on 40?

The FCC assigned those. These would be voluntary requests, held to an entirely different standard.

The rule back in 1999 or whenever was that you could apply for 2% more interference on top of whatever the FCC already had you causing.

The rule now is that if you apply for a new channel, it cannot cause more than 0.5% interference to any single allotment. So even though it would go back to exactly the way it was by putting WJLA on 39, for instance, it would be required to adhere to the 0.5% rule, making it virtually impossible to have assigned.

Same would be true for WBAL on 51.

And don't forget that WETA-27 and WWPX-12 still have pending mutually exclusive petitions for rulemaking to relocate to channel 51. (Notwithstanding the fact that WWPX on 51 would cause more than 30% (!) interference to WDCW.) I don't think the FCC has dealt with those yet.

- Trip

...
And don't forget that WETA-27 and WWPX-12 still have pending mutually exclusive petitions for rulemaking to relocate to channel 51. (Notwithstanding the fact that WWPX on 51 would cause more than 30% (!) interference to WDCW.) I don't think the FCC has dealt with those yet.

- Trip

What if WWPX uses 44, then WBAL can stay on 11 and just increase their power to the south and southwest. Put WUTB on 39 same as WPXW on 34, WDCA on 35 and WTTG on 36. I've almost given up on trying to find a solution for WUTB because I don't want WMPT to move from 42. Since their analog 22 went off the air I can easily get WBOC from the Eastern Shore.

What if WWPX uses 44, then WBAL can stay on 11 and just increase their power to the south and southwest.

WWPB is already on 44.

Put WUTB on 39 same as WPXW on 34, WDCA on 35 and WTTG on 36. I've almost given up on trying to find a solution for WUTB because I don't want WMPT to move from 42. Since their analog 22 went off the air I can easily get WBOC from the Eastern Shore.

You don't have to worry, as I doubt any of them will be moving.

- Trip

Looks like WDCW has a new oriental channel (50.3) called "New Tang Dynasty Television". According to wiki, the channel mainly focuses on human rights problems in China...

BTW, what happened with the CoolTV music channel that WNUV was suppose to get?

Looks like WDCW has a new oriental channel (50.3) called "New Tang Dynasty Television". According to wiki, the channel mainly focuses on human rights problems in China...That would require broadcasting 24/7 without a single pause or commercial!

No for Montgomery County, MD and I have not seen it advertised anywhere around the DC area.

re: HDNet and or HDNet Movies ? ...Not in DC, either.

Speaking of which, where is FIOS available in DC? The three blocks around the Mayor's house? Every time I ask about our downtown neighborhood (which they promised in 07 would be up and running by 09) they say no... maybe 2012....

In 2009 press release they said 'are required' to deploy throughout the District over the next NINE years...

Hi,

I currently am living in Arlington, VA and wondered if anybody on here had any suggestions for picking up WJZ-Baltimore 13.1. I used to be able to pick it up before they switched to Hi-VHF. A rooftop antenna is not an option and I care ONLY about this channel.

My TVFool results:

WJZ-TV 13 (13.1) CBS 41.2 2Edge 1.1

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

After a download last night (and making my boxes unuseable for an hour after) my guide has listings for 15 days instead of 10.

Also, I finally see a soccer game listed on Team HD.

Hi,

I currently am living in Arlington, VA and wondered if anybody on here had any suggestions for picking up WJZ-Baltimore 13.1.Andrew, What are you using now? Where do you live in Arlington?

If room permits, I suggest this antenna. (http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Outdoor-Optimized-Reception/dp/B0024R4B5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1280798486&sr=8-1) It's the smallest antenna I know of with decent VHF performance. I mounted one to a fence only 5 feet off the ground & it works well down to around -55 on both VHF & UHF.

I was using a Terk HDTVa amplified antenna, it no longer could pull in 13.1 after they switched to Hi-VHF so it's sitting in a closet.

No More Ravens Preseason Games For MASN - 8/2 - The Baltimore-based Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will no longer be the "official cable network" for the Ravens. According to baltimoresun.com, the regional cable network and the Ravens were unable to reach an agreement, which ends a partnership that began in 2006, Ravens president Dick Cass confirmed Monday. "We've tried to work an arrangement with MASN along the lines with the arrangement we have had for the past four years and we're unable to work it out," Cass said. "So, we're pursuing alternatives." MASN spokesman Todd Webster said the split was amicable. "MASN remains a strong supporter of the Ravens' organization," he said. "We look forward to seeing them making another run to the playoffs." The Ravens' preseason opener will be broadcast on Channel 13/WJZ and ESPN, and the other preseason games will continue to be broadcast on Channel 11/WBAL. But the Ravens are working on keeping the games being aired in the Washington, Eastern Shore, and Harrisburg markets that MASN reached. An announcement for a new Ravens preseason network is expected later this week. DCRTV wonders: Could the new regional cable TV network home of the Ravens be Comcast SportsNet, which just started a Baltimore sports news website, CSNbaltimore.com? Stay tuned.....

http://dcrtv.com/

If CSN grabs the Ravens' rights, I wonder if that will push them to finally add a full-time, CSN+ feed in HD.

No More Ravens Preseason Games For MASN - 8/2 - The Baltimore-based Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will no longer be the "official cable network" for the Ravens...

What restrictions does the NFL place on the cable transmissions of live out of market broadcasts? Allowing for the simultaneous availability of a second football game undermines trhe audience for the game being carried by the local network affiliate. Could Comcast choose to become the official network of the New England Patriots.

What restrictions does the NFL place on the cable transmissions of live out of market broadcasts? Allowing for the simultaneous availability of a second football game undermines trhe audience for the game being carried by the local network affiliate. Could Comcast choose to become the official network of the New England Patriots.

I believe Mid Atlantic Sports Network is what is known as an RSN, Regional Sports Network. Comcast is a national cable provider. It wouldn't be a good idea for a national cable provider to climb into exclusivity bed with any particular team. Same goes with their soon-to-be-network NBC. Networks form agreements with the league, not just a single region.

I was using a Terk HDTVa amplified antenna, it no longer could pull in 13.1 after they switched to Hi-VHF so it's sitting in a closet.

That is part of your problem. Depending on where you are in the county, you could be getting overload from WNVC or from WETA-FM or WMZQ. Usually, amplifying an indoor antenna is pointless for DTV - it doesn't improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver. The Terk HDTVi is what has worked well for many. I concur with the RCA antenna recommendation, too.

I was using a Terk HDTVa amplified antenna, it no longer could pull in 13.1 after they switched to Hi-VHF so it's sitting in a closet.

I'm using the same antenna but I have to turn off the amplifier and take the dipoles down to halfway extended.

I went with the RCA antenna and I'm pulling in 2,11,13,24,and 54 quite nicely (75% or better). I cannot get 45 no matter what direction I point it in. 13 gets an 80% signal, but no sound..every other channel has sound! Any suggestions on how to get sound?

Check your receiver for a SAP or Audio function. WJZ has SAP audio which can be Spanish or descriptive audio when active, and some stations make it silent when there's no such alternate audio for a given program.

- Trip

Nailed it! Now how do I get 45? :)

What type of receiver are you using? Some of them will allow you to manually input a channel number. Try looking at 46-1 or 46-3 and if it allows you to tune either of them, see what the signal meter says.

- Trip

Yes, try punching in 46 & see what happens. WBFF-45 should be quite strong at your location, since you are already seeing the very weak WUTB-24.

When I type in 46, it automatically goes to 46-3. I get the message "Poor Signal Quality" and my Signal Meter says 10%. What is 46-3? Is that the SD feed for WBFF?

That's very strange as there is no 45-3 or 46-3. Have you tried re-scanning all channels from scratch? If so, can you tell it to only scan for digital channels? Maybe try 46-0 if nothing else works.

Ok, so I kept trying to increase the signal of 46-3, once it got to 20%, my TV changed it to 45-1 and named it WBFF-HD. The best I can get so far is in the mid 20s with some blips here and there, but I think I'm getting very close!! Thanks for all your help everybody!

What is 46-3? Is that the SD feed for WBFF?

That's very strange as there is no 45-3 or 46-3.

Some tuners, when looking for direct tuned signals, will only identify it if you have the correct MPEG2 Program Number. For WBFF, what PSIP shows as 45-1 is, in reality, 46-3 (RF channel 46, with MPEG2 Program Number 3).

I have that listed on RabbitEars in the column labeled "Physical Channel." Look here: http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=wbff

- Trip

Cox clearQAM viewers should rescan.

I recently (in the last month or so) lost WRC and MPT, but somehow gained WBAL. I had them last winter-is it the humidity? Anyone have a good explanation? I'm in Germantown Montgomery Co.
Just curious,
J

I recently (in the last month or so) lost WRC and MPT, but somehow gained WBAL. I had them last winter-is it the humidity? Anyone have a good explanation? I'm in Germantown Montgomery Co.
Just curious,
J

Maybe yes, maybe no. One source I like to suggest is this one: http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html. He does a good job of explaining things like fading and multipath, which are likely reasons your reception may vary in August as opposed to January or February :)

What kind of antenna are you using, and is it outside or inside/attic? Outside all you may need is to re-adjust your aiming/height to deal with the changes summer/trees/humidity/etc causes. Inside or especially in a 110 degree high-humidity attic you may be fighting a losing battle. You'd need a fairly wide beamwidth to get both Baltimore and D.C. from Germantown reliably year-round with a single antenna, IMO. Wider beamwidth usually means lower gain and more susceptibility to fading/multipath/etc. But then again, what do I know, I gave up and got FiOS for locals last year and only use 1 high-gain yagi antenna pointed towards D.C. to fill in the missing channels :) I gave up, doesn't mean you have to, right? LOL

Thanks for the reply. I don't know what kind of antenna it is off hand (amplified, UHF/VHF), its in the attic and came with the house. Its pointed towards DC, I'm not that interested in getting Baltimore, and I redid the connections a few years ago. My reception is mostly pretty good, so I'm not going to stress over it too much, its more out of curiosity. I do kind of miss Wendy Rieger. :D
Thanks for the link.
Jack

Hi, new here. I live in Easton, MD and currently have 2 antennas in the attic, one pointed to Baltimore and one pointed towards DC. Having two antennas was the only way I could pick up 7, 9 and 11, 13 without moving it each time.

Anyway I rescanned the other day and I picked up WGAL 8, WLYH 15, and WUND 2, PBS from Elizabeth City, North Carolina on the antenna facing Baltimore. I thought the WUND was odd since it was so far away and the antenna was pointing in almost the opposite direction. I have checked it a few times and all but once its been there.

I was wondering if anyone else in the area as been able to pick these channels up? I know WGAL recently increased its power but according to TVFool I am barely in one of the last little coverage spots for their signal. Last night I watched CBS21 on CW15 at 10pm with signals in the upper 70's and low 80's.

I have been picking them up for a few days and I was wondering if these will stick around or if its just a temporary weather/atmosphere thing?

I have been picking them up for a few days and I was wondering if these will stick around or if its just a temporary weather/atmosphere thing?

Welcome. :)

WUND is definitely atmospheric, and the others are almost certainly so.

- Trip

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=195671&site=lr_cable&

In a deal announced early Thursday, Cox has agreed to promote and support TiVo's new broadband-ready Premiere HD-DVR at retail and to take full ownership of all the installation hassles that go with it. (See Cox, TiVo Connect at Retail , TiVo 'Premiere' DVRs Go Retail, and New TiVo DVRs Built for Web & Cable Content.)

Cox is also integrating its video-on-demand (VoD) service, which currently holds about 15,000 hours of titles, while also embracing the box's ability to feed in Web video from TiVo's wide range of partners, which include Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) and Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN).

This is the first US example of a retail set-top that integrates cable linear and on-demand video services with broadband video, plus a third-party interface (TiVo's, in this case). Panasonic , which just scuttled its tru2way TV products, baked in only two of those pieces -- cable linear and on-demand video.

"We like providing more choice, and being in the business of linear and on-demand video, but we also fully understand consumers like access to broadband video," Cox VP of product development Steve Necessary tells Light Reading Cable. "This is a way to basically get both in the same box in a fashion that's pretty darn fast."

Cox has committed to support the TiVo box in its "major" markets, phasing some of them in starting early next year. The MSO isn't saying which markets will offer that support first, but some candidates include Phoenix, Northern Virginia, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

^ for those Cox customers that want to cut the cable co STB cord.

Cant believe the Redskins game on 4 isnt in HD! Feels like 1980.

Cant believe the Redskins game on 4 isnt in HD! Feels like 1980.Same thing here in SE VA on Channel 3 WTKR. It's in HD on NFL Network and CSN...

CSN paid for exclusive HD rights.

Cant believe the Redskins game on 4 isnt in HD! Feels like 1980.Technically, WRC-4 did broadcast the game in 1080i HD. I checked the OTA broadcast output of WRC-TV4.1 and it was definitely in 1080i HD 16:9. They were contractually prohibited from using HD full visual widescreen and had to broadcast the black side pillars as part of the 1080i 16:9 HD output signal which made the picture appear as 4:3. However, Channel 4.1 is always 1080i HD regardless of whether it is 16:9 or 4:3. Technically, any broadcast that is 720p or 1080i is considered HD quality even though black side pillars may be present. By the same opposite reasoning, CSNMA often carries some out of town Capitals hockey games using 480i 16:9 widescreen. The picture may be using a full 16:9 aspect ratio but technically is not HD but SD because it is not being carried in 720p or 1080i but 480i. In the case of these Capitals games, CSNMA is not using 480i Stretch-O-Vision. The actual picture is not stretched or distorted but is a true form full bodied accurate 16:9 aspect ratio 480i. Maybe somebody here can tell me whether CSNMA is actually using a 480i SD 16:9 aspect ratio or 480p ED 16:9 aspect ratio for these out of town games. 480p ED is used by Cable TV systems for the Music Choice channels in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

No dice, that game was SD (technically upconverted to 1080i, but still SD).

I don't receive CSNMA so I can't tell what they do. Heck, I'm still waiting for TheCoolTV to turn on, instead we get a lame Chinese channel without English subs (54-3).

Thank goodness one of the pre-season games will be against the Ravens, so I'll be able to tune into 11 for a true HD broadcast!

Cox clearQAM viewers should rescan.

Anything specific we should be finding? No noticeable changes noted.

A couple of Verizon FiOS posts moved to proper forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16127098

Technically, WRC-4 did broadcast the game in 1080i HD. I checked the OTA broadcast output of WRC-TV4.1 and it was definitely in 1080i HD 16:9. They were contractually prohibited from using HD full visual widescreen and had to broadcast the black side pillars as part of the 1080i 16:9 HD output signal which made the picture appear as 4:3. However, Channel 4.1 is always 1080i HD regardless of whether it is 16:9 or 4:3. Technically, any broadcast that is 720p or 1080i is considered HD quality even though black side pillars may be present. By the same opposite reasoning, CSNMA often carries some out of town Capitals hockey games using 480i 16:9 widescreen. The picture may be using a full 16:9 aspect ratio but technically is not HD but SD because it is not being carried in 720p or 1080i but 480i. In the case of these Capitals games, CSNMA is not using 480i Stretch-O-Vision. The actual picture is not stretched or distorted but is a true form full bodied accurate 16:9 aspect ratio 480i. Maybe somebody here can tell me whether CSNMA is actually using a 480i SD 16:9 aspect ratio or 480p ED 16:9 aspect ratio for these out of town games. 480p ED is used by Cable TV systems for the Music Choice channels in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

It was a 4:3 480i SDI feed, run through an aspect ratio converter to add 'wings', then upconverted to 1080i, which is the NBC HD standard. The WRC ATSC DTV encoder is probably always set for 1080i, as are all CBS and NBC stations.

Technically, WRC-4 did broadcast the game in 1080i HD. I checked the OTA broadcast output of WRC-TV4.1 and it was definitely in 1080i HD 16:9. They were contractually prohibited from using HD full visual widescreen and had to broadcast the black side pillars as part of the 1080i 16:9 HD output signal which made the picture appear as 4:3. However, Channel 4.1 is always 1080i HD regardless of whether it is 16:9 or 4:3. Technically, any broadcast that is 720p or 1080i is considered HD quality even though black side pillars may be present. By the same opposite reasoning, CSNMA often carries some out of town Capitals hockey games using 480i 16:9 widescreen. The picture may be using a full 16:9 aspect ratio but technically is not HD but SD because it is not being carried in 720p or 1080i but 480i. In the case of these Capitals games, CSNMA is not using 480i Stretch-O-Vision. The actual picture is not stretched or distorted but is a true form full bodied accurate 16:9 aspect ratio 480i. Maybe somebody here can tell me whether CSNMA is actually using a 480i SD 16:9 aspect ratio or 480p ED 16:9 aspect ratio for these out of town games. 480p ED is used by Cable TV systems for the Music Choice channels in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

It was a 4:3 480i SDI feed, run through an aspect ratio converter to add 'wings', then upconverted to 1080i, which is the NBC HD standard. The WRC ATSC DTV encoder is probably always set for 1080i, as are all CBS and NBC stations.

Broadcast stations don't usually encode with 480i or 480P 16:9 on their primary channels if they do any HD at all. Most will take a 16:9 SD image and run it through an upconverter before going into their encoder which broadcasts at 1080i 16:9 or 720P 16:9 (for ABC and FOX affiliates).

CEI signed to help upgrade Comcast SportsNet facility to HD

May 28, 2010 10:14 AM, By Michael Grotticelli

System design and integration firm Communications Engineering (CEI) has been selected by Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic to upgrade and expand Comcast SportsNet's Bethesda, MD, studio and news facilities HD capability. The HD upgrade project will be completed by September and enhance the original programming that originates from the studio, as well as improve the functionality of the facility.



Studio shows are now in HD.

Anything specific we should be finding? No noticeable changes noted.
I only check it sporadically, probably every few months or so, but when I ran the scan a couple of weeks ago there was a lot of stuff I hadn't seen before. Hadn't seen anything about it here so I posted. I thought it might be temporary, but it’s still the same today, so maybe not.

I have to say I'm really enjoying channel 786 EpixHD here in Fairfax VA. I haven't seen anything talking about a trial so I'm hoping it's here to stay at no additional cost. Can anyone shed some light on this? thx:confused:

Dish has added AMC HD.

I am not sure where you live, but you might be getting interference on WBFF Fox 45 from that new low power Christian station that the FCC allowed to use the same channel as WBFF 45 - channel 46 - it is WAZW using 46 out of Winchester, Va. - There has been much consternation over this - as when they went on the air using the same frequency as Fox 45 in Baltimore- then WBFF 45 reception was blocked for all viewers here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia - all the way up to Martinsburg, W. Va. - I have also heard reports of it interfering with WBFF's reception much closer to their viewing area down in Maryland as well. - I have no idea how or why the FCC allowed a low power secondary TV station to use the exact same channel - 46 - as an already existing full-power network affiliate. The only answer I get on here is "because they can". - I still think the whole thing is ridiculous. But I would bet that has something to do with you not being able to receive WBFF Fox 45 where you are located. It has to be the reason.

I have no idea how or why the FCC allowed a low power secondary TV station to use the exact same channel - 46 - as an already existing full-power network affiliate. The only answer I get on here is "because they can".

This is not true. We have tried to explain to you how the process works, and it is much more than "just because they can."

Yes. I have read all the explanations as to why they do the things they do and their rationale for doing it. But a lot of the decisions are not only unrealistic, but impractical as well. Typical of engineers looking at things on graphs and charts and projections and not taking into account actually how many people are watching these OTA stations that are impacted by these decisions. But it is clear, that they simply don't care, because they know that the public is virtually powerless to do anything about it. It is very sad really.

Sorry to hear about your frustrating reception problem...but are you not able to receive WTTG Fox-5 from DC instead? And what about the other DC/Baltimore stations? I understand digital reception of Baltimore channels in northern Va is more problematic than analog. Used to live near Leesburg Va for several years and got good analog reception from both areas, but of course those days are gone. Also miss Roy Rogers restaurants, but that's another topic...

..Also miss Roy Rogers restaurants, but that's another topic...

Me, too. "Real food for real people". There's a Roy Rogers on US Route 1 in Ft. Belvoir. I always arrange to be hungry whenever I konw I'll be in that neighborhood.

FYI, Arby's got rid of the roast beef buns that had the burnt onions baked onto the top of them.

I hate the rubbery meat products that pass for roast beef at Arby's. Hate is not strong enough. I vote with my wallet and avoid Arby's. Loved Roy Rogers.

I hate the rubbery meat products that pass for roast beef at Arby's. Hate is not strong enough. I vote with my wallet and avoid Arby's. Loved Roy Rogers.
if anybody wants the best pit beef in the world go up to elkton,md on rt 40 and go to fast eddies. you will never regret it. it is next door to the royal farms gas at the corner of mechanicsville rd and rt 40.

Yes. I have read all the explanations as to why they do the things they do and their rationale for doing it. But a lot of the decisions are not only unrealistic, but impractical as well. Typical of engineers looking at things on graphs and charts and projections and not taking into account actually how many people are watching these OTA stations that are impacted by these decisions. But it is clear, that they simply don't care, because they know that the public is virtually powerless to do anything about it. It is very sad really.

Again, this is all patently untrue. There is a procedure for allocating channels and for changing or adding to those allocations. This all based on the physics of VHF/UHF propagation. The only arbitrary part of the process is the application for a construction permit - the applicant can propose whatever he wants. The assessment of applications by the FCC is NOT arbitrary.

Additionally, you do have the power to change your situation. The low-power station is a secondary service that is not allowed to interfere with with primary (full-power and Class A) services. The trick is to find more people that used to watch WBFF and cannot now and get them to file complaints.

For some reason my antenna isn't working so well any more...

Actually, the top of the old maple tree fell on my house. The antenna sacrificed itself to save the roof (I haven't found any roof problems yet). I have to get a new antenna - any suggestions in the Laurel area?

For some reason my antenna isn't working so well any more...Yikes, you really lucked out. You should do quite well with a Winegard 7694 (http://www.google.com/products?q=WINEGARD+7694&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=VjxxTOGHDYGKlwfz9rSPDg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQrQQwAA). Was that a Radio Shack antenna. (VU-160)?

For some reason my antenna isn't working so well any more...

Actually, the top of the old maple tree fell on my house. The antenna sacrficed itself to save the roof (I haven't found any roof problems yet). I have to get a new antenna - any suggestions in the Laurel area?

Back in the analog days, when I used to do residential installations in Laurel, I was able to get reception of all the stations from Washington, DC, Baltimore and Annapolis PBS using the basic omnidirectional "trash can lid" antennas. You should do better now, since those antennas functioned poorest on lowband channels 2, 4, and 5, which are no longer in use.

There is a hair-styling joint on Route 1 in Laurel by the Giant store that is using a Terk, "wand shaped" antenna to get Laurel and Washington, DC reception for 47 TVs.

Did you need to actually use the rotor to switch from Baltimore to Washington with your old set-up??

Yikes, you really lucked out. You should do quite well with a Winegard 7694 (http://www.google.com/products?q=WINEGARD+7694&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=VjxxTOGHDYGKlwfz9rSPDg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQrQQwAA). Was that a Radio Shack antenna. (VU-160)?

To tell you the truth, I was given the antenna by a friend of mine who didn't want it any more. I'm not sure of the model...

Thanks for the Winegard idea.

Did you need to actually use the rotor to switch from Baltimore to Washington with your old set-up??

I usually aimed the antenna at Baltimore, and got the DC stations off the back side of the antenna, when I wanted to watch them off air.

I have the DC locals on Dish Network (which gives me the local station guide info), but it's always nice to see the picture with the full data rate!

I used the rotor to look around and see what else I could see.

After I sent the email I realized that they probably have several generators but could it be a way for the local electric company to exploint more money out of consumers. And Does anyone know how much power in a % does a TV station and it's transmitter take off from the grid.


belated reply:

Poco's offer different rates: X $/KWH if 24x7; {say} 0.75X if we can get you to reduce demand when needed. Many large consumers use the latter, inc. Ma Bell, big buildings etc.

The generators can be as small or large as you want; how big is your wallet? I've seen dual 500-750 KW White Superior Diesels in AT&T facilities. A large locomotive could be twice that.

The larger power bills for UHF is allegedly one reason some stations reverted to their old VHF assignments on D-Day.

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP and The COUNTRY NETWORK (TCN), a Country music video network located in NASHVILLE, have entered into an agreement to launch TCN on the broadcast digital tier in most of SINCLAIR’s markets. Currently SINCLAIR is in 35 markets with 58 stations, covering 22% of the U.S. television households. (read more - AllAccess (http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/79705/sinclair-broadcast-group-to-air-the-country-networ))

NOTE: TheCoolTV and Sinclair is a no-go???

NOTE: TheCoolTV and Sinclair is a no-go???[/QUOTE]

You can look forward to both in many markets. CoolTV is still happening.

NOTE: TheCoolTV and Sinclair is a no-go???

You can look forward to both in many markets. CoolTV is still happening.Yep... I did get confirmation a little bit after my post...

Cox clearQAM freeview has ended.

Anyone who wants to view ATSC-MH on traditional receivers, check here:

http://tvtechnology.com/article/105706
http://www.mobile-dtv-viewer.com/DownloadATSC.html

If you happen to give it a shot, I'd love to know what each MH-capable station in the DC/Baltimore markets is running. :D

- Trip

Anyone who wants to view ATSC-MH on traditional receivers, check here:

http://tvtechnology.com/article/105706
http://www.mobile-dtv-viewer.com/DownloadATSC.html

If you happen to give it a shot, I'd love to know what each MH-capable station in the DC/Baltimore markets is running. :D

- Trip

I run the Hauppauge 950Q tuner they mention, so I might give it a try. Thanks for the link!

It should work on most tuners which use BDA drivers. I have it running on my Artec USB receiver and Falcon_77 has it running on his OnAir GT. My Pinnacle PCI does not seem to work with it.

- Trip

Yuck. Fios is center cutting WTTG for their SD version of the Steelers/Broncos game. WBFF is letterboxed as it should be.

I sent WTTG an email about it last week. Apparently nobody there cares.

Yuck. Fios is center cutting WTTG for their SD version of the Steelers/Broncos game. WBFF is letterboxed as it should be.

Comcast did the same thing for WTTG. I also read on dcrtv.com that it also happened on DirectTV and Dish. I don't think they know that the picture is cropped that way. Hopefully, someone that works there will see it for themselves during the season and it will get fixed.

Anyone who wants to view ATSC-MH on traditional receivers, check here:

http://tvtechnology.com/article/105706
http://www.mobile-dtv-viewer.com/DownloadATSC.html

If you happen to give it a shot, I'd love to know what each MH-capable station in the DC/Baltimore markets is running. :D

- Trip

I've installed it on my netbook, and after doing a scan, I'm seeing ATSC-M/H streams on the following stations:

WUSA
WFDC
MHz Networks (not sure if it's WNVC or WNVT)
WHUT
WPXW
WRC

The program seems really buggy on my netbook. I can't seem to actually view any of the channels, and chances don't look good that I'm going to pay for the license to use it after 7 days at this point.

It looks like some of the stations have multiple streams. I'm seeing "WTTG" and "FOX News" on WTTG's stream, so it looks like there might be some stuff out there that isn't available on the regular broadcasts. Too bad I can't get it to work right. I was hoping to try it out in the car this weekend, to see if I can actually get the "mobile" benefits using it this way.

Maybe the respective ATSC USB tuner manufacturers will update their software to integrate M/H tuning eventually.

EDIT: I played around with entering channel numbers manually, and apparently WPXW is streaming a bunch of interesting stuff: MSNBC, CNBC, qubo, MTV, Nick, and Comedy Central. Can't seem to get a picture from any of those streams, though. I was able to tune in WRC's mobile broadcast, as well as MHz1 and MHz7, and they all looked pretty nice.

I spoke with someone at the company and they acknowledge it needs a fair bit of work. They just wanted to demonstrate the technology as soon as possible.

I'm curious if you could tell me what the various labels are for the MH subchannels on each station. (Also, WNUV in Baltimore should be running MH as well. I think WNVC-24 is the MH station from MHz.)

If you can't view them, it's possible you don't have the VLC libraries installed the way they want them. If you can get a viewer window to open and click the little wrench at the top right, the resulting screen will offer to download and install their VLC libraries such that you can watch video hopefully.

One final note, I was told that all the MH error correction is not yet implemented, so taking it on the road will be disappointing. They're aiming to have that corrected by October.

- Trip

I'm curious if you could tell me what the various labels are for the MH subchannels on each station. (Also, WNUV in Baltimore should be running MH as well. I think WNVC-24 is the MH station from MHz.)

I grabbed a couple of the labels, but after running the scan and trying to view a stream, it would crash. The scan was taking quite a while. If I have time tonight, I'll give it another shot and try to get a full list of the labels. By entering frequencies manually, I was actually able to watch a couple of the mobile streams and they looked great.

The most interesting part was seeing the streams that were apparently available at one time here:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c200/machpost/atsc-mh1.png

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c200/machpost/atsc-mh2.png

While I could tune in the standard ATSC subchannels of these two using the program, I got a blank screen when I tried to tune in the "cable" channels listed. I'm guessing they were either used during the testing period before there were any commercially-available tuners, or it's part of some future subscription model. Very interesting, nonetheless.

They're probably still there, but encrypted as part of the subscription model they've been working on. Still, very awesome.

When you get the chance, I'll be quite excited to see what the other local stations have to offer. :) Thanks!

- Trip

I'm curious if you could tell me what the various labels are for the MH subchannels on each station. (Also, WNUV in Baltimore should b
- Trip

This is everything I could pull in this evening:
WUSA:
'WUSA 9'

WFDC:
'Univision'
'E!'
'Food Network'

WHUT:
M/H Main

WPXW:
'MSNBC'
'CNBC'
'qubo'
'MTV'
'Nick'
'Comedy Central'

WDCA:
'WTG Fox5'
'Fox News'
'Fox Business'

WRC:
M/H Main

I can't seem to get WJLA anymore, which is odd because I get WHUT and WDCA, WPXW, and WUSA, all of which are apparently emitted from the same place based on the antennaweb distance and angle. I'm 2.7 miles SE of the emitter. It used to work mostly fine in the past, although when I would tune to that channel I would have to wait a bit longer than typical for the image to show up. Now I get zilch signal, no matter how long I leave the TV on that channel.

I have the RCA 751 (http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Outdoor-Optimized-Reception/dp/B0024R4B5C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283451132&sr=8-5) rooftop mounted and pointed roughly in the direction of the towers (+- 10 degrees) with clear line of sight. I do have a large building directly behind the antenna, but all the other channels from that tower come in with about 75% strength and 100% quality (at least according to the pioneer 5020 tuner).

Thoughts?

I can't seem to get WJLA anymore, which is odd because I get WHUT and WDCA, WPXW, and WUSA, all of which are apparently emitted from the same place based on the antennaweb distance and angle. I'm 2.7 miles SE of the emitter. It used to work mostly fine in the past, although when I would tune to that channel I would have to wait a bit longer than typical for the image to show up. Now I get zilch signal, no matter how long I leave the TV on that channel.

I have the RCA 751 (http://www.amazon.com/RCA-ANT751-Outdoor-Optimized-Reception/dp/B0024R4B5C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283451132&sr=8-5) rooftop mounted and pointed roughly in the direction of the towers (+- 10 degrees) with clear line of sight. I do have a large building directly behind the antenna, but all the other channels from that tower come in with about 75% strength and 100% quality (at least according to the pioneer 5020 tuner).

Thoughts?

I was wondering if anyone had any issues with WJLA recently. My girlfriend said that for a few days she could not get a signal from WJLA. Although I could still get one where I live. She lives in Fort Washington, although the signal came back for her at some point since she said she was going to watch her ABC soaps last night on the TiVo.

Anyone else having issues with WJLA OTA? Or alternatively, any one getting rock solid WJLA OTA from the DC Area (NW DC in particular)?

It could be the atmosphere. The Tropospheric Ducting forcast shows unfavorable reception for our area right now,

WJLA coming in perfectly for me at 10 mi SW of the tower.

This is everything I could pull in this evening:
WUSA:
'WUSA 9'

WFDC:
'Univision'
'E!'
'Food Network'

WHUT:
M/H Main

WPXW:
'MSNBC'
'CNBC'
'qubo'
'MTV'
'Nick'
'Comedy Central'

WDCA:
'WTG Fox5'
'Fox News'
'Fox Business'

WRC:
M/H Main

Thanks. :)

I think MH Main means it's there but hasn't decoded the MH yet...

- Trip

Hey local guys/girls,

Just moved to the NoVA area (Alexandria) from SW Ohio. I'm very unhappy with the HD-DVR that Comcast gave me (Cisco RNG200 w/Sara O.S.)... it's flat out ugly. I'm looking at building an HTPC with Windows 7 Media Center, but I'm wondering what channels I'll be able to get through the cable service. Again I'm happy with the channels I get (Disney HD for my toddler, ESPN HD & ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN HD, etc.)... are those channels "Clear QAM" meaning I'll get them if I use a digital tuner card in my HTPC? The list of channels earlier in this topic wasn't clear.

I understand this thread is geared more toward receiving HD channels over the air using an HD antenna, but any help would be appreciated.

What it looks like with the Comcast CISCO RNG200.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab63/randommcfly/Comcast-RNG200.jpg

What it looks like with my Win7 Media Center hooked up.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab63/randommcfly/Win7MC.jpg

It could be the atmosphere. The Tropospheric Ducting forcast shows unfavorable reception for our area right now,

What i don't get though is that I'm getting multiple other channels from presumably the same tower just fine. Is it possible for the atmospheric disturbance to affect channel 7, but not 9, which appears to be co-located?

Could the problem be with my tuner/antenna? Or would it be impossible to just have one channel be off and all others perfectly fine?

Well, WJLA is back now. Signal strength is about 78%, 100% quality. Don't see the rhyme or reason.

Well, WJLA is back now. Signal strength is about 78%, 100% quality. Don't see the rhyme or reason.

The atmosphere was about as screwed up as it could possibly get the past 24 hours or so. Was picking up TV all the way from Florence, SC to Boston, MA. This morning, New York City was stronger than the locals. I recorded a few new finds. They were: wjar on 51.3 (10.1 providence RI), wcbs on 33.1 (2.1 ny), wnbc 28.3 (4.1 ny), wnyw 44.3 (5.1 ny), wtnh 10.3 (8.1 ct), wgbh 19.3 (2.1 MA), and wcvb 20.3 (5.1 MA). FM radio was the same by the way.

The only 2 local channels that I could receive this morning were WMPT and WNUV. The others, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 20, 26, 32, 45, 50, and 66 were totally unreceivable due to other stations interfering with their physical channels.

The atmosphere was about as screwed up as it could possibly get the past 24 hours or so. Was picking up TV all the way from Florence, SC to Boston, MA. This morning, New York City was stronger than the locals. I recorded a few new finds. They were: wjar on 51.3 (10.1 providence RI), wcbs on 33.1 (2.1 ny), wnbc 28.3 (4.1 ny), wnyw 44.3 (5.1 ny), wtnh 10.3 (8.1 ct), wgbh 19.3 (2.1 MA), and wcvb 20.3 (5.1 MA). FM radio was the same by the way.

The only 2 local channels that I could receive this morning were WMPT and WNUV. The others, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 20, 26, 32, 45, 50, and 66 were totally unreceivable due to other stations interfering with their physical channels.

What sort of antenna do you have that you were getting stations from so far away? Also, where did you find out about the condition of the atmosphere? Forgive my naivete, but is this something you can get from the weather report?

What sort of antenna do you have that you were getting stations from so far away? Also, where did you find out about the condition of the atmosphere? Forgive my naivete, but is this something you can get from the weather report?

It had nothing to do with my antenna. Check out this link http://www.om3rkp.cq.sk/articles.php?lng=en&pg=76. It even talks a little about hurricanes. A good tropo forecast can be found at http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html.

It had nothing to do with my antenna. Check out this link http://www.om3rkp.cq.sk/articles.php?lng=en&pg=76. It even talks a little about hurricanes. A good tropo forecast can be found at http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html.

Thanks for the info! I've also been having problems with WUSA, WJLA and WDCA. I can get Fox and WRC just fine though. Any thoughts? I used to get these stations, but now I can't. Does it have to do with the tropo forecast?

Thanks for the info! I've also been having problems with WUSA, WJLA and WDCA. I can get Fox and WRC just fine though. Any thoughts? I used to get these stations, but now I can't. Does it have to do with the tropo forecast?

I didn't notice any tropo today so if you're still having problems, I would say that the issue is with something in your system. What type of antenna do you have (internal/external? VHF/UHF? UHF only?) Also, what city/town are you near? If you're not sure of your antenna type, post a pic.

If you're in an urban area, do you have any buildings nearby that may block your signal from whatever tower you are trying to receive from?

Looks like we are going to get AntennaTV (http://www.wgnamerica.com/shows/antenna/) starting January 3rd 2011 on Tribune stations (Channel 50 locally).

Sounds like what Good TV used to be.

Looks like we are going to get AntennaTV (http://www.wgnamerica.com/shows/antenna/) starting January 3rd 2011 on Tribune stations (Channel 50 locally).

Sounds like what Good TV used to be.

Will they be discontinuing their relatively new 50.3 Chinese channel? I just connected a former Comcast customer to an off-air antenna system that included that vchannel, and they were very pleased to see they would be getting it.

Looks like we are going to get AntennaTV (http://www.wgnamerica.com/shows/antenna/) starting January 3rd 2011 on Tribune stations (Channel 50 locally).

Sounds like what Good TV used to be.

Sweet! I ended up taking 50.3 off my DTV box anyway, I just have to remember to put it back in January...

I've measured a strong channel 12 (60.1-60.3) on the rooftop of the 18 story condominium at 1600 North Oak Street in Arlington recently. The bearing of maximum signal strength is due north, pointed at the Wisconsin Street tower cluster. Is this just an atmospheric fluke, or is there a low power repeater being operated here that I don't know about? The field strength is comparable to that of Baltimore channels 11 and 13.

Also, is the WWPX 60.x programming exactly the same as that of WPXW 66.x all day, or just in prime time? For that matter, does WPXW even run any independent reruns during the day anymore, or are all of their non-network hours used for infomercials. I remember when they used to carry The Love Boat, Bonanza and The A Team in the afternoon. Ah, the good old days!

http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1328932

- Trip

http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1328932

- Trip

So is this just something to cover reception holes in the WPXW 66.x Washington, DC metro coverage, rather than to extend some unique programming from the WWPX 60.x Fredericksburg station?

Is the transmitter in Martinsburg off the air or something? Seems like this LP channel 12 would keep people close to the transmitter in DC from getting 11 & 13 out of Baltimore. Makes no sense to me since the signal from WPXW on UHF 34 gets out to fringe areas so well already?????? UHF 34 is the most robust DC signal from my experience.

Also, is the WWPX 60.x programming exactly the same as that of WPXW 66.x all day, or just in prime time?Yes, all day as far as I have seen. Same exact picture quality & programming. I see zero signal coming Martinsburg now & slightly lower signal levels from 11 & 13 than previously.

TMZ went HD today. WUTB showed it in HD.

So is this just something to cover reception holes in the WPXW 66.x Washington, DC metro coverage, rather than to extend some unique programming from the WWPX 60.x Fredericksburg station?

Neither. It was set up because at one time, they had WWPX up for sale and wanted to be able to claim it had DC coverage to increase the sale price.

This is also why they had applied to relocate WWPX from 12 to 51.

- Trip

So screw anyone in NW DC that may be interested in receiving channel 11 or 13 OTA? I thought FCC regulations would protect the viewing area of 11 & 13 from adjacent channel interference? We've got this ridiculous predicament between Nexstar & WBAL and then this is OK? What gives?

BTW Trip, really impressive how Rabbit Ears is so much more up to date than the FCC site. Keep up the good work.;)

When WBAL and WJZ wanted their power increases, they had to get waivers from WWPX. The permission to build this [very weak] signal in DC was the condition WWPX put on it. Both agreed.

I think that's correct.

And I'm glad you like it! :D

- Trip

Thanks Trip, the signal is certainly weak, so hopefully it won't affect those close to the tower.

The formal designation for WWPX's low power repeaters is DTS - distributed transmission system. The idea is to add synchronized localized transmitters to fill in terrain-blocked areas while causing minimal self-interference. Converting broadcast TV into an entirely DTS service was one of the ideas floated by the wireless comms. industry to try and pack the channels tighter.

So is this just something to cover reception holes in the WPXW 66.x Washington, DC metro coverage, rather than to extend some unique programming from the WWPX 60.x Fredericksburg station?

WPXW's COL is Manassas and WWPX's COL is Martinsburg.

Access Hollywood went HD today on WBAL.

It was not in HD on WRC. It took them several weeks to get Early Today running in HD, and that's straight off the network feed, so I'm not surprised.

It was not in HD on WRC. It took them several weeks to get Early Today running in HD, and that's straight off the network feed, so I'm not surprised.
I fired off an e-mail to NBC-4's programming department. There is no excuse for this.

According to dcrtv.com, CSN Plus is going HD. All Wizards games (and hopefully all Caps games) will be broadcast in HD this seasosn...

CSN To Carry All Wizards Games In HD, CSN Plus To Go HD - 9/8 - Comcast SportsNet will carry 83 Washington Wizards games this season in high-def, including the 10 games that will be seen on Comcast SportsNet Plus. On area Comcast systems, the CSN Plus-HD channel will probably replace MASN2-HD channel 844 through the winter months, but you'll need to check with your local provider the location of CSN Plus-HD on other area systems. As details regarding Comcast SportsNet Plus HD carriage and channel location become available, you can check CSNwashington.com or CSNbaltimore.com for more information. CSN's carriage of the Wizards kicks off on October 5 with a preseason outing against the Mavericks. The network's regular-season broadcast schedule opens on October 30 when the Wizards play the Hawks. Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier will call the games, with Chris Miller handling sideline reporting work.....

Well Knicks_Fan, it looks like the e-mail worked. Access Hollywood made the switch to HD today.

According to dcrtv.com, CSN Plus is going HD. All Wizards games (and hopefully all Caps games) will be broadcast in HD this seasosn...


I wonder is CSN Plus HD will make it to VZ FiOS?

Hi,

I'm new here, I have some limited technical knowledge on TV reception. I'm on the east side of Baltimore, in Bowleys Quarters MD. I can get the following stations on a regular basis (I'm in an apartment; the one advantage I have is being on the top floor). I'm using a TERK i1080 antenna pointed at my window with a tin foil reflector helping on some of the further off stations.

WMAR--2 (plus sub channels)
WRC--4 (plus sub channels)
WBAL--11 (plus sub channels)
WJZ--13
WDCA--20
WMPT--22 (plus sub channels)
WUTB--24
WETA--26 (plus sub channels)
WBFF--45 (plus sub channels)
WFTY--50 (plus sub channels)
WNUV--54
ION--66 (plus subchannels)

These stations are sometimes received;

WTTG--5
WFDC--14
WNVC--30 (plus subchannels)
WHUT--32 (plus subchannels)

The channel I would really like to get better reception on is WNVC. I like watching WorldView (much better news coverage than anything available on Cable these days). I can get it fairly reliably in the early morning, and about 50% of the time in the evenings. The tin foil reflector also helps when conditions are not the best. I checked their coverage map, and I'm only about 5 miles outside the boundary. That said, I would like to be able to receive it all the time; any ideas on what I could do antenna wise (it would have to be something indoors...:()?

Post a TVFool analysis (www.tvfool.com) based on your address and share the report's URL with us. Your address won't show. If you're projected to be outside of the station's service area by the simple method used to establish service areas, then you probably can't do much better than what you're doing with any other indoor antenna. The details of your report will give us a clue.

Hi,

Apparently I haven't posted enough here yet to paste a URL in. TV Fool did show WNVC as an outer fringe station. The thing is, some nights it comes in fine, other nights (like tonight) nothing.

The terk i1080 attempts to be an omnidirectional antenna. You will probably do much better with a directional antenna pointed at WNVC.

Comcast SportsNet to produce Wizards/Caps games all in HD

by Mike Allen on September 9, 2010

Comcast SportsNet will produce all local Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals games this season in high-definition (HD). Comcast SportsNet holds the rights to local games played by the two teams, which includes 80 regular season Wizards games and 82 regular season Capitals games. This news comes via the Washington Post who reports that even if the teams play on the same night, one of the Comcast SportsNet (CSN) produced games will be moved to Comcast SportsNet Plus (CSN+) but will still be broadcast in HD. This is great news for Caps fans who got shafted out of hi-def last year when the Wizards happened to be playing the same night. The upcoming 2010/2011 season will be the first time the entire regular-season will be broadcast in high-definition.

http://www.hd-report.com/2010/09/09/comcast-sportsnet-to-produce-wizardscaps-games-all-in-hd/