the only reason directv did finally carry MeTV because alot i mean alot of us called to request the channel they finanly added to our lineup.We have been calling and emailing directv so much this time trying to get METOO added because of their lineup and i would like to evenutally get to watch the A-Team also.

I believe that is Limited Distance.

No, it's Low-powered Digital.

- Trip

No, it's Low-powered Digital.

- Trip

Ding, ding, ding, ding. :D

what is HVS?

As soon as we figure him out, we'll let you know! ;) :D :D

the only reason directv did finally carry MeTV because alot i mean alot of us called to request the channel they finanly added to our lineup.And their capitulation probably had nothing to do with WWME-LD's appearing on 23.1, and likewise the prospect of WMEU-LD's coming on the air won't be a factor in whether they carry MeToo.  If they bring you analog 48 instead of digital 26.3 (or some day, digital 48.1), will it matter that much for the kind of material WMEU carries?

Macfan: I assure you, there is no HD on WWME or WMEU.

No, it's Low-powered Digital.Thanks for the update.

...Macfan: I assure you, there is no HD on WWME or WMEU. I know... most of their shows seem closer to VHS. ;)

I know... most of their shows seem closer to VHS.Most of what I watch on WWME or WMEU predates VHS.

Does anybody know where i can Locally in Chicago in a retail store buy HDMI Video/audio TV cable that is rated for 36bit color and 1.3version ?

I checked bestbuy and circuit city and they only have the 12bit color ones
Thanks

From today's Rob Feder column in the Sun-Times:

In yet another setback to development of Block 37 in the Loop, WBBM-Channel 2 has postponed the launch of its multimillion-dollar broadcast center at 22 W. Washington.

Joe Ahern, president and general manager of the CBS-owned station, told staffers Thursday that Channel 2 won't begin broadcasting from the new location until September at the earliest.

It also sets back the start of airing local news in HD.

Ahern had been aiming for a mid-July kickoff that would include broadcasts of "The CBS Evening News" and "The Early Show" here.

A station spokeswoman said the delay was prompted by a number of "technical and operational" issues, but declined to offer specifics.

"We only have one chance to make a first impression, and we want to make sure that everything is right from the start," she said.

While executive offices and some other departments have already made the move, Channel 2 will continue to broadcast out of its current studios in the 86-year-old cavern at 630 N. McClurg Ct.

Is there something going on with WBBM HD? I could get it in hd and all of a sudden I can barely get the analog channel anymore.:confused:

Does anybody know where i can Locally in Chicago in a retail store buy HDMI Video/audio TV cable that is rated for 36bit color and 1.3version ?

I checked bestbuy and circuit city and they only have the 12bit color ones
Thanks I believe you'll find 12-bit and 36-bit are the same thing in this context. 36-bit RGB just counts each of the sub-pixels.

Is there something going on with WBBM HD? I could get it in hd and all of a sudden I can barely get the analog channel anymore.:confused:

Hello Roy,

I'm getting it at my usual levels out here, which is to say, not good...but no better/worse than normal.

Still receiving ch. 2 analog in South Bend. Looks its normal self - noisy, but we're 75 miles from Hancock.

So, will the low power analog channel 34 in Arlington Heights be shut off in Feb '09 off since it conflicts with WISN-DT in Milwaukee?

Aha. No wonder I have so much trouble getting that station. It's the most problemsome (is that a word?) of all the Milwaukee channels for me. I wasn't aware it was on 34 (even though I barely get an image on analog 34 - probably because of the digital interference).

Aha. No wonder I have so much trouble getting that station. It's the most problemsome (is that a word?) of all the Milwaukee channels for me. I wasn't aware it was on 34 (even though I barely get an image on analog 34 - probably because of the digital interference).

"Problematic" is more better. :D I get ABC on 12.1 out of Milwaukee most of the time. And now I know why I don't get it all of the time.

So, will the low power analog channel 34 in Arlington Heights be shut off in Feb '09 off since it conflicts with WISN-DT in Milwaukee?

Low power analogs have no shut off date yet, and WEDE-CA 34 has no digital companion channel yet (although someone has applied for a low power channel 33---maybe that's them?).

From today's Rob Feder column in the Sun-Times:

I am not happy that this has been delayed, but I am happy that WBBM is taking the time to do this right. You know, with a strong VHF-HI signal off of Sears, and if their news in HD looks as good as their primetime and sports programs, many people will quickly forget or look wistfully back in the days where you couldn't get the analog signal in clear, much less the digital. So take your time, WBBM, I agree...WLS did it right out of the gate, and you do as well or better than they did, and we'll be very happy campers! :cool:

Is there something going on with WBBM HD? I could get it in hd and all of a sudden I can barely get the analog channel anymore.:confused:Empirically a least, it seems that the something going on is summer.  I can pull WBBM-DT in pretty well in cooler or drier weather but not if it's too warm or too humid.  That may be just a mistaken inference on my part, but it seems to be borne out.

I hope it won't be a problem next year, when WBBM-DT will be off VHF-low and off Hancock.

Empirically a least, it seems that the something going on is summer.* I can pull WBBM-DT in pretty well in cooler or drier weather but not if it's too warm or too humid.* That may be just a mistaken inference on my part, but it seems to be borne out.


That's been my experience. WBBM-DT goes on summer vacation up here too.

Empirically a least, it seems that the something going on is summer. I can pull WBBM-DT in pretty well in cooler or drier weather but not if it's too warm or too humid. That may be just a mistaken inference on my part, but it seems to be borne out.

I hope it won't be a problem next year, when WBBM-DT will be off VHF-low and off Hancock.

Probably because of skip causing channel 3 from Madison, Kalamazoo or somewhere else interfering with it. I haven't seen any problems yet with any of my Chicago digital channels including 2.1. This may change under heavy low band skip that happens in the summer months.

Im sure this is one of the reasons the FCC is getting rid of VHF low for digital next year.

Probably because of skip causing channel 3 from Madison, Kalamazoo or somewhere else interfering with it. I haven't seen any problems yet with any of my Chicago digital channels including 2.1. This may change under heavy low band skip that happens in the summer months.

Im sure this is one of the reasons the FCC is getting rid of VHF low for digital next year.

Yeppers. During the summer, WBBM is far more problematic for skip. I noticed analog 2 last night was trying to be stomped on by a channel 2 somewhere else. I'm guessing 3 was affected to at least a little extent. But...the FCC is *not* getting rid of VHF-LO (unfortunately) next year, but most stations are getting off of it. Those that aren't are in rural areas, and most of those are in the western U.S., who can run them at higher power levels. Still, by all indications, running 4 kw, say, on channel 7 is much better than 4 kw on channel 2. Case in point: a friend of mine locked PSIP on WWTO-DT 30 miles away from their transmitter broadcasting on channel 10...when they were at 50 watts at 400'! Considering their effective height was lower being close to the Illinois River, and in that valley, that's pretty wild! :eek:

Oh, and Ramm...I got 55 MPH winds at my house, 52 MPH at NIU, but 70 MPH + along I-88 where two trucks were flipped over. We could have more "fun" tonight and Sunday...

Hello Roy,

I'm getting it at my usual levels out here, which is to say, not good...but no better/worse than normal.

I am actually getting a "no signal"; but now the analog channel comes in great. When that happens, the digital is usually excellent.:confused:

Oh, and Ramm...I got 55 MPH winds at my house, 52 MPH at NIU, but 70 MPH + along I-88 where two trucks were flipped over. We could have more "fun" tonight and Sunday...Yeah, we had trees uprooting and power lines down all over the place here.

Trees into garages, transformers and sparking wires on the street, trees on fire - you name it. Nothing bad right around me, but I was getting more than a little nervous watching the huge, old oak maybe 15 feet away from the back of the house, though.

Yeah, we had trees uprooting and power lines down all over the place here.

Trees into garages, transformers and sparking wires on the street, trees on fire - you name it. Nothing bad right around me, but I was getting more than a little nervous watching the huge, old oak maybe 15 feet away from the back of the house, though.
Lost a tree across the street. I was listening to Skywarn and spotters from up to 10 miles away saw the transformers blow that night.

Is there something going on with WBBM HD? I could get it in hd and all of a sudden I can barely get the analog channel anymore.:confused:

Hello, I'm receiving WBBM-DT stronger than ever lately during low noise periods.
Signal strength is up like 10% in the last few weeks. But there were times this week when it was really weak, like 2 bars on my Samsung DLP ...:rolleyes:

As soon as we figure him out, we'll let you know! ;) :D :D


A mineral, I think.

Sayeth Bink.

A mineral, I think.

Sayeth Bink.

I always dreamed of being a part of the Periodic Table. :D

Does anyone know anything about LATV? My latest Comcast bill says it will be added to channel 245 on June 24. Looking around, it seems to be a English/Spanish channel that is mostly carried on broadcast subchannels. 245 is in the middle of several other subchannels that Comcast carries, so I wonder if anybody knows of it being added, or already airing, on one of the broadcast channels?

The web site doesn't list any Chicago stations:
http://www.latv.com/

Update: Just looked at press releases, and it's going to be on WGN, along with several other Tribune stations in NY and Dallas.

It's already on in Dallas and NY. I'm surprised it's not on WGN-DT yet.

- Trip

Hey all,

Here's some definitive results for you.

An engineer here has an LG-LST 3100 and now an Insignia model, the one that mirrors the DTT-900/901. He says that the DTT-900 locks stations over 6 dB lower than the 3100, and I can tell you the 3100 was a good tuner in it's day...

Hey all,

Here's some definitive results for you.

An engineer here has an LG-LST 3100 and now an Insignia model, the one that mirrors the DTT-900/901. He says that the DTT-900 locks stations over 6 dB lower than the 3100, and I can tell you the 3100 was a good tuner in it's day...

Gilbert, I completely concur with the engineer's assessment between the two units. I've owned the LG LST-3100A since it first came out and I now own both the Zenith DTT900 and the Insignia NS-DXA1. These new CECBs rock with locking stations that are very weak and fighting through analog interference, and that have to deal with multipath issues.

Many of the members in the DXing group I belong to now own either the Zenith or Insignia. They are very good at receiving and decoding Sporadic E (E-skip) signals this time of year. Because these DTV signals are usually mixed with a number of analog signals at the same time, it takes a very good receiver to decode the digital information (signal).

Even though I've been able to obtain the PSIP with various receivers over the past four years, this past Sunday was the first time I've been able to decode a few seconds of video from WTWC-DT 2, Tallahassee, FL @ 655 miles via E-skip. And this morning I caught KOTA-DT 2, Rapid City, SD @ 922 miles via E-skip. Both stations decoded via the Insignia with the Winegard YA-1026 @ 26ft. AGL.

BTW, this type of propagation (Sporadic E) is another reason why WBBM-2 and WBBM-DT 3 (low VHF channels) get wiped out from time to time.

Steve

Tvropro said that his April-build Zenith DTT900 doesn't have it, and I'm relieved to report that my May-build DTT901 doesn't either.  Curiously, it does drop the word "probes" from the synopsis, which my Digital Stream DTX9950 and Magnavox TB-100MG9 both preserve.

I'd noticed on the DTX9950 that the generic synopses for "Perry Mason" and "Kojak" in the two hours preceding "Hawaii Five-O" run to more screen lines than "Hawaii Five-O"'s does, but they never bothered the DTT900.  Perhaps it was choking not on the total length but on something else in it, maybe the long hyphen-linked string "forget-the-personal-stuff-and-just-get-the-bad-guys" or the backtick in "`felonies of every type'."

One of these days I must phone LG and tell them that the problem's been fixed (or fixed well enough: dropping one word is acceptable whereas shutting off was not), but my daytimes are too crazy lately.  It's not as if they were doing anything about it.  That call-back from a product engineer that a front-line rep promised me back on May 20 has, of course, not happened.

WWTO-DT proposes going from 14.5 kw on channel 10 to 40 kw:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101249891&formid=301&fac_num=998

WFLD-DT proposes going from 690 kw on channel 31 to 1 mw:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101250205&formid=301&fac_num=22211

There are more coming, but I am not at liberty to say who just yet. Stay tuned...

As long as none of them knock it back down post 2/'09, that's great news.

Actually, I've been receiving WWTO-DT just about every evening now for the last couple of weeks, ever since I found the sweet spot for it (guess I just never came across it before - never really tried that hard). I also replaced a non-functioning CM-7777 last fall with the Winegard AP 8275, which might be helping.

Now if only they'd get some programming I'd actually watch.

I can get a "fair" signal from analog WWTO on 35. I can't get the slightest whiff of WWTO-DT on 10 with any antenna I've tried, any location indoors (or outside on a second-story deck), at my location in Beecher, IL.

Beecher is about 40 miles directly south of downtown Chicago.

Those are good news, Gilbert.  I hope they're approved, and that there are others: true that neither WWME-CA nor WCIU-DT's 26.2 has to shut down come February, but it's hard to believe that they'll stay up indefinitely, but unless one or the other does or WWME-LD increases its power, we're going to be without OTA reception of WWME.

On another note, WYCC-DT and its subs have been coming in a lot better lately.  Maybe the warm weather is good for our reception of them.  They were never bad through indoor antennas, only that ancient atrocity on our roof.

As long as none of them knock it back down post 2/'09, that's great news.

Actually, I've been receiving WWTO-DT just about every evening now for the last couple of weeks, ever since I found the sweet spot for it (guess I just never came across it before - never really tried that hard). I also replaced a non-functioning CM-7777 last fall with the Winegard AP 8275, which might be helping.

Now if only they'd get some programming I'd actually watch.

LOL. :D

No, no one will be knocking down *except* for WLS-DT. And, with mobile TV coming and Verizon and other providers stepping up to provide UHF receivers on your cell phone...VHF-LO stations are out of luck and VHF-HI stations probably are. I still seriously wonder if WBBM and WLS are making the best decisions here...

Phil: I know you can get Rockford and Quad Cities in on "tropo" nights. A 1300' tower in a river valley that's nearly 200' below surrounding areas hurts them. 40 kw will help some, but if I were them and had the money, I'd apply for an ozone-layer busting 2000' and 10 kw.
That will get you some major league signal 90+ miles out. However, in close proximity to Chicago, and with the cost, it ain't gonna happen. Still, the signal WILL get out to more people if that gets approved.

Dattier: Signals go out farther in warmer weather. You may be getting less direct power into your antenna, less ghosting, and therefore, a better lock. May be wrong here, but that's my theory, and I'm stickin' to it until someone even remotely shoots it down. :D

Dattier: Signals go out farther in warmer weather. You may be getting less direct power into your antenna, less ghosting, and therefore, a better lock. May be wrong here, but that's my theory, and I'm stickin' to it until someone even remotely shoots it down. :DYou're as likely to be right as anyone else, except maybe someone with both as much knowledge as you and as much familiarity with my home and our antenna and our WYCC-DT reception as I, and that person doesn't exist.  I've suspected for a while that multipath or oversaturating was our problem with WYCC-DT, ever since I stuck a cheapie booster in the line and it did wonders for WBBM-DT and WWME-LD (at the time; now it's too damn warm) but had no effect on WYCC-DT and its subchannels, which still broke up.

WGBO-DT is also coming from Hancock and while sometimes it's weak it never has the problems that WYCC-DT used to (and probably will again).  I don't know how to adjust the difference in power (per your stickies at the front of this thread) for the difference in frequency.

I don't know how to adjust the difference in power (per your stickies at the front of this thread) for the difference in frequency.

You can't, unfortunately, short of one with a manual power adjust. Thus, kind of a curse of being so close to the towers: it really helps if all the transmitters are on the same tower, and near the same power levels. If not, then you get trouble. It's even worse in "spread out" markets. Here in Illinois, Springfield-Decatur-Champaign is simply a nightmare. They have a 1 million watt CBS affiliate halfway between Decatur and Champaign, and you can't get it reliably in Springfield. Rotors are a must for many people in that market.

I don't know how to adjust the difference in power (per your stickies at the front of this thread) for the difference in frequency.

You can't, unfortunately, short of one with a manual power adjust.

I wasn't talking about physically adjusting my antenna for the difference in power between WYCC-DT and WGBO-DT.  I meant that I don't know the mathematics for comparing the expected reception of a 98.9-kW signal on UHF21 at whatever the height of their transmitter is to the expected reception of a 180-kW signal on UHF53 from the same building at whatever the height of their transmitter is.

I wasn't talking about physically adjusting my antenna for the difference in power between WYCC-DT and WGBO-DT.* I meant that I don't know the mathematics for comparing the expected reception of a 98.9-kW signal on UHF21 at whatever the height of their transmitter is to the expected reception of a 180-kW signal on UHF53 from the same building at whatever the height of their transmitter is.

AH. Well, there's the math and then there's reality. A UHF channel 53 is harder to get because most antennas drop off above channel 50. Ideally, you want to be between channel 20 and 35, where the antennas are peaked for.
That's why, in part, at 98.9 kw, WYCC is such a blowtorch. Of course, frequencies in an attic vary in terms of how they reflect off walls. I'v found channels 38-46 really bounce off attic walls efficiently and analogs ghost like crazy.

BTW, I think today is the last day for stations to get filing priority for cranking their power up post-transition. Let's see what they do...

Are you really missing that much with WGBO-DT, though? ;)

Are you really missing that much with WGBO-DT, though?I'm not missing WGBO-DT at all, R'ski.  As a full-power DT station broadcasting on UHF from Hancock that I receive just fine, it provides a comparison to WYCC-DT, which I actually would like to receive reliably but usually cannot.  My not being part of WGBO's target demographic is besides the point.

Hey folks,

The FCC set June 20 as the day when you had to file to maximize your power after analog shuts off. You had to file and say what power and what channel you wanted. That's right---the FCC is allowing channel changes now, even to the last minute. A few stations have taken up on that offer in other states. But as of 8 minutes ago as I type this, that deadline has passed. It is June 21 in Washington, DC.

Now, you can still file, but you'll be given less preferential treatment. I told you about WFLD and WWTO, but there are more...I just am not at liberty to say until I see the whites of the FCC filings.

For those of you in Kane and McHenry counties, WIFR-DT on channel 23 has filed to go 170 kw, up from 49.6 kw. That puts them on par with WTVO, and they, too, will have a strong signal. There were 170 stations that had filed on Wednesday, and few seemingly have shown up since then...probably due to the large amount of applications. At 11:30 PM Sunday night, when the FCC's automated system processes many of them, we should find out who wants what.

It looks like LATV is on WGN sub channel 2 now. The quality doesn't look too good. Does that mean that more bits can be used on WGN's main digital channel?

Yeah, they probably compressed LATV as much as possible.

Is the Spanish HD feed still on 9-2, or did they replace it with LATV?

- Trip

No Spanish HD feed anymore. LATV replaced it.

will abc7-1,2,or 3 be simulcasting the game tonight?

No Spanish HD feed anymore. LATV replaced it.

Seen that, WGN used to broadcast theTUBE on 9.2 before they went under. LATV to me is useless since I don't understand spanish. Why can't the spanish stations 44.1, 60.1 and 66.1 have an english subchannel so those who don't speak the language can enjoy them? 60.1 plays some good movies.

Why can't the spanish stations 44.1, 60.1 and 66.1 have an english subchannel so those who don't speak the language can enjoy them? 60.1 plays some good movies.

$$$$$. The engineers at 60.1 and 66.1 have stated that the licensing fees would cause them to lose money.

LATV to me is useless since I don't understand spanish.LATV and MTV tr3s both seem to have a lot of stuff en inglés.Why can't the spanish stations 44.1, 60.1 and 66.1 have an english subchannel so those who don't speak the language can enjoy them?Wouldn't it be sufficient to have English SAP?  Same goes for V-Me on 11.4 and the future WOCK-LD when it shows up on 13.1.

Here are the ones requested on Friday, on the last day...note...a few more may trickle in.

Will update the info on the first page shortly.

WGN-DT wants to go from 645 kw to 600 kw on channel 19 (likely to raise
their antenna height, I didn't check, which requires a slight lowering of
power)

WCIU-DT wants to go from 160 kw to 590 kw on channel 27

WCPX-DT wants to go from 200 kw to 226 kw on channel 43

WSNS-DT wants to go from 467 kw to 660 kw on channel 45

WJYS-DT wants to go from 50 kw (very directional) to 145 kw almost
non-directional over land on channel 36

Northwest suburbs could get these blowtorches:


Rockford Market:

WREX-DT wants to go from 12 kw to 15 kw on channel 13


Madison market:

WHA-DT wants to go from 100 kw to 140 kw on channel 20

WKOW-DT wants to go from 400 kw to 1 mw on channel 26

Wouldn't it be sufficient to have English SAP? Same goes for V-Me on 11.4 and the future WOCK-LD when it shows up on 13.1.

That's what they should be do. Most English channels have a Spanish SAP channel. I think it's only fair. Actually it should be a law. This is the United States of America and it's primary language is English still, I think :confused:

LATV and MTV tr3s both seem to have a lot of stuff en inglés.Wouldn't it be sufficient to have English SAP?* Same goes for V-Me on 11.4 and the future WOCK-LD when it shows up on 13.1.

I know that I'd be a viewer of most of the the spanish stations if they had English SAP.

Another possibility would be English on one of the caption streams.  (There can be more than one, right?  I know nothing about CC.)

Thank you for the updates, Gilbert.WJYS-DT wants to go from 50 kw (very directional) to 145 kw almost non-directional over land on channel 36If they do, I'll see whether my difficulties receiving them really were due to the directionality.  Not that I have the least interest in their programming, but it's a useful datum to know whether a station comes in or not.

The FCC set June 20 as the day when you had to file to maximize your power after analog shuts off. You had to file and say what power and what channel you wanted. That's right---the FCC is allowing channel changes now, even to the last minute. A few stations have taken up on that offer in other states.

Gilbert, is there a separate form for the channel changes or are they just incorporated into the 301 filings? I would like to make notes of these changes on my spreadsheet.

I'm also curious to learn more about UHF tuners being added to cell phones. Are they passing on VHF to save costs or are they thinking more of the international market? I can't see Low-VHF being viable for mobile TV, for the 40 stations to be there (post-transition).

Thanks,

I know that I'd be a viewer of most of the the spanish stations if they had English SAP.But see, they don't want that. By tradition, the federal government/corporations expect us to pay for that kind of stuff, while that group gets it for free.

Besides, you oughta know by now - we only accomodate them - it's never the other way around.

Gilbert, is there a separate form for the channel changes or are they just incorporated into the 301 filings? I would like to make notes of these changes on my spreadsheet.

I'm also curious to learn more about UHF tuners being added to cell phones. Are they passing on VHF to save costs or are they thinking more of the international market? I can't see Low-VHF being viable for mobile TV, for the 40 stations to be there (post-transition).

Thanks,


Nope, they are mostly on form 301 AND some are on form 340. Search the CDBS and do a date search of June 18 through June 23. An eye-opener.

And as for cell phones, well...they're right around 700 MHZ anyway, so adding a UHF tuner is easy. VHF-HI will be problematic, but maybe doable close to the transmitter site. VHF-LO, of course...forget about it. Seriously, I'd rather have 30 kw on UHF channel 22, say, than channels 7-13. I get atmospheric noise like crazy on some days with those channels.

Where'd you find channel changes? I know of at least two stations which were to file for them and saw no filings for them. (KMBC and KLTS)

- Trip

Where'd you find channel changes? I know of at least two stations which were to file for them and saw no filings for them. (KMBC and KLTS)

- Trip

Haven't seen any yet. They're in those two forms, but remember, CDBS isn't perfect; I did a scan for anyone who hasn't requested higher power yet from *any* CDBS form, and that should yield any changes like that. And more are still coming in. I see at least one station more which has changed. Well, the heck with it, why start a second post, here we go:

WGBO-DT wants to go from 137 kw to 600 kw.

That's it for now...

Other stations applying to increase their DTV power:

South Bend:
WNDU from 650 to 800 kW, antenna goes up in height
WSJV from 205 to 250 kW
WSBT from 192 to 266 kW
WHME from 300 to 640 kW

Milwaukee:
WITI an increase in antenna height from 260m to 357m HAAT
WVTV from channel 61 @ 18.9 kW to channel 18 @ 368 kW
... not sure but looks like WDJT from 11.7 kW to 1MW (if not there already)

I believe WDJT-DT - CBS 58 - has been at 1 MW for the past few years. I have been watching them whenever I can't get WBBM, which is much of the time. I am nearly 60 miles away from the antenna and WDJT is on CH 46, so I doubt I could get them at 11.7 kW.

Veets---you are correct. CBS 58 has been at 1 mw for a few years.

Another power increase request, post-transition: WXFT-DT requests to go from 172 kw to 230 kw. No biggie, you won't notice a thing, probably.

Other stations applying to increase their DTV power:

South Bend:
WHME from 300 to 640 kW



Now WHME-DT wants to increase power and switch from channel 48 to channel 46, its analog channel.

WHME 46 48 48 295m 300. kW DA 46 305m 933. kW ND

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=178231

Steve

Why would they want to let them do that with WDJT-DT so close? Unless, WDJT's planning on changing channels, too.

I'd much rather keep receiving WDJT-DT. It's actually the most dependable CBS station for me right now, and I'd also miss those weekend MLB games on 58-2, and the MeTV affiliate that shows their stuff at different times than the one here on 58-3.

and the MeTV affiliate that shows their stuff at different times than the one here on 58-3.

The 8am "Rosanne" is the same episode/same time on both. Sometimes they're even sync'd up on the exact same time in the show. :eek:

Hey HVS i need some help on something we have been calling directv so many times trying to get WMEU Channel 48how do we get the digital channel on our tvs?

Thanks

Allen Culver
Streator,Illinois

Now WHME-DT wants to increase power and switch from channel 48 to channel 46, its analog channel.

WHME 46 48 48 295m 300. kW DA 46 305m 933. kW ND

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=178231

Steve

Oh, yeah? :) Well, WIFR-DT in Rockford has just applied to stay on channel 41. Where do you get the power information from?

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=178266

Also, WMSN wants to go from channel 11 to channel 49 in Madison; according to Trip, they want 280 kw. WBBM wasn't the only one who didn't want 11!

Another power increase request, post-transition: WFXT-DT requests to go from 172 kw to 230 kw. Did you mean WXFT-DT?  WFXT is in Boston.

Hey HVS i need some help on something we have been calling directv so many times trying to get WMEU Channel 48how do we get the digital channel on our tvs?WCIU-DT carries it on 26.3.  Can you receive it in Streator?

I don't think he can. It's way too far.

I was thinking the same thing last time he asked, because I really didn't know just where Streator was - until I Googled a map. I thought maybe it was a far south suburb, but it's actually near Peoria.

Rammitinski, I know where Streator is, just not how far WSW WCIU-DT's signal reaches.I thought maybe it was a far south suburb ...Maybe you were thinking of Beecher?

I had a job in the Loop back in 1974 where we regularly had to send shipments to a location in Rochelle.  Time and time again we saw the expressions of new courier drivers who thought they were going to Roselle when they found out where Rochelle was.

I don't think he can. It's way too far.

I was thinking the same thing last time he asked, because I really didn't know just where Streator was - until I Googled a map. I thought maybe it was a far south suburb, but it's actually near Peoria.

He has stated many times that he cannot receive the OTA signal from WCIU.
He has several threads over at dbstalk in the Directv forums asking for help getting Directv to add the channel.

Now WHME-DT wants to increase power and switch from channel 48 to channel 46, its analog channel.

WHME 46 48 48 295m 300. kW DA 46 305m 933. kW ND

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=178231

Steve

WMEU-LD has a construction permit for channel 46. Would there be interference with their signal if the change were allowed?

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168662

He has stated many times that he cannot receive the OTA signal from WCIU.
He has several threads over at dbstalk in the Directv forums asking for help getting Directv to add the channel.I only remember him stating it once here. And I just wanted to check to see where it was, because he didn't say how far, at least in the posts I read. I may have missed it somewhere else, though.

I thought maybe if he was out in the open, he might have a chance, but after seeing it was over 80 miles away, and figuring in WCIU's power level, I didn't even bother posting.

I don't regularly follow dbstalk. On the rare occasions I do read it, it's only the Dish forum I go to, because that's what I have, other than OTA.

Now WHME-DT wants to increase power and switch from channel 48 to channel 46, its analog channel.

WHME 46 48 48 295m 300. kW DA 46 305m 933. kW ND

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=178231

SteveTheir maximization application on the FCC website http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101249622&formid=301&fac_num=36117
indicates they're requesting maximization on channel 48.

"WHME-DT CHANNEL 48 APPENDIX B ALLOTMENT: 1,214,000 PERSONS
WHME-DT PROPOSED CHANNEL 48 POST-TRANSITION MAXIMIZATION: 1,535,583 PERSONS"

I wonder if there is a typo in the link you have cited.

Did you mean WXFT-DT?* WFXT is in Boston.

D'oh! Yes, I did. Fixed my typo. Thanks for pointing that out!

Their maximization application on the FCC website http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101249622&formid=301&fac_num=36117
indicates they're requesting maximization on channel 48.

"WHME-DT CHANNEL 48 APPENDIX B ALLOTMENT: 1,214,000 PERSONS
WHME-DT PROPOSED CHANNEL 48 POST-TRANSITION MAXIMIZATION: 1,535,583 PERSONS"

I wonder if there is a typo in the link you have cited.

Hi George,

Goldrich is right. See the DR here:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=178231

I don't have the time to find the power request, it's buried in a docket discussion, but it's there. And ColonelJulius, I don't have SPLAT! or anything to tell me for sure, but I bet they'll have to trim WFBT-LD back in broadcasting to the east. Full power stations trump LD's.

This is of course, dangerously assuming that WHME gets 46. The FCC may get objections, and heck, for that matter, Weigel can even work with them to do what they want to do and make both sides happy. Let me stress this is all speculation...it will be weeks and months before we see how all this plays out. Chances are good none or only part of these exact scenarios will happen! :D

He has stated many times that he cannot receive the OTA signal from WCIU.
He has several threads over at dbstalk in the Directv forums asking for help getting Directv to add the channel.In that case, I don't understand Allen's question:how do we get the digital channel on our tvs?If he's asking how to get it from DirecTV, readers of this thread (which is for Chicago OTA television, after all) can't do much for him.  So I took it as a question about how to get it OTA, for which the only answer is to pull it in from WCIU-DT if one can.

This is of course, dangerously assuming that WHME gets 46. The FCC may get objections, and heck, for that matter, Weigel can even work with them to do what they want to do and make both sides happy. Let me stress this is all speculation...it will be weeks and months before we see how all this plays out. Chances are good none or only part of these exact scenarios will happen! :D

What is happening to WDJT-DT (Milwaukee CBS) which is now on CH 46 come next February?

What is happening to WDJT-DT (Milwaukee CBS) which is now on CH 46 come next February?

They'll stay put. It would be a war of the 46's every spring-fall in the Chicago area. Point your antenna to Milwaukee, get CBS. Point it to South Bend, get WHME. Point it to Sears, and get the Geeky Engineering TV Show Featuring HVS. Ah, you know you want to, HVS! :D

FYI...given the power levels they request, WDJT aand WHME won't technically interfere. 46 could be allowed to interfere with Milwaukee, since they own both stations. South Bend and WHME may be an entirely different story.

They'll stay put. It would be a war of the 46's every spring-fall in the Chicago area. Point your antenna to Milwaukee, get CBS. Point it to South Bend, get WHME. Point it to Sears, and get the Geeky Engineering TV Show Featuring HVS. Ah, you know you want to, HVS! :D

FYI...given the power levels they request, WDJT aand WHME won't technically interfere. 46 could be allowed to interfere with Milwaukee, since they own both stations. South Bend and WHME may be an entirely different story.

Guess I better get my act together and start thinking of show names. :D

hi hvs how are you doing today?I am wondering whats going on at WWME looks like they are updating their website and am wondering whats going on there right now.Any help would be be very appreciated.

Thanks

Allen Culver

Cool, thanks for the links guys. Checking them right now.

I am wondering whats going on at WWME I'm wondering only what's going on with WWME-LD; it's been much weaker lately.  Effect of the weather?  Unexpectedly, WBBM-DT's getting more reliable of late, and a short time ago I thought we had lost it for the summer.

Reception of WLS-DT is getting bad here, though.  We don't have any DT stations on VHF-high now, so I've no gauge of how WLS-DT will come in after it moves to channel 7.

But yesterday LATV was the most fun of all.  It must have been out for several hours, and for a while channel 9.2 was pulling in an echo of 9.1 with the WGN-DT2 label.

Has anyone else noticed that 9.1 looks noticably worse since they've started LATV? It looked worse when The Tube was on there, and it looked better when they stopped it. Now it looks like total crap again. Ugh.

Has anyone else noticed that 9.1 looks noticably worse since they've started LATV? It looked worse when The Tube was on there, and it looked better when they stopped it. Now it looks like total crap again. Ugh.

Yes, I have also noticed this. The last HD Cubs game looked horrible! Tons of artifacting and some sort of "pulsing" affect on the graphics and on crowd shots. Not acceptable in my book.

I'm wondering only what's going on with WWME-LD; it's been much weaker lately.* Effect of the weather?* Unexpectedly, WBBM-DT's getting more reliable of late, and a short time ago I thought we had lost it for the summer.

Reception of WLS-DT is getting bad here, though.* We don't have any DT stations on VHF-high now, so I've no gauge of how WLS-DT will come in after it moves to channel 7.


Hmmm....I lost WBBM-DT two weeks ago, just get some random frozen pictures on it, also WBBM analog is now very snowy. WWME-LD and WLS-DT have remained fine here.

I know that I'd be a viewer of most of the the spanish stations if they had English SAP.


I saw Good Eats on 11-4 a few months ago. Ticked me off plenty that there wasn't an English simulcast for a show shot in English for an English speaking audience being broadcast here in Chicago.

For some time now, probably several months, 26-1 has had jittery video for me. I don't know how else to explain it, but the video just freezes momentarily and continues, probably once or twice per second. Its like watching video on an underpowered computer. Only 26-1, not the other subchannels, not any other channel. And only the video; the audio is fine. The TV in question is a Vizio LCD, bought about Jan 2007. We watch a lot of 26-1, and I can't take it, I'll just tune it in analog. Thanks for any help.

I saw Good Eats on 11-4 a few months ago. Ticked me off plenty that there wasn't an English simulcast for a show shot in English for an English speaking audience being broadcast here in Chicago.

They need to pass a law getting rid of the Spanish programs. This is the USA. The national language is English. The extra subchannel for Spanish takes away bandwith for the other programs.

They need to pass a law getting rid of the Spanish programs. This is the USA. The national language is English. The extra subchannel for Spanish takes away bandwith for the other programs.

I don't think that getting rid of Spanish programs is the answer. But, it is the public airwaves and should be a requirement to be broadcast in the majority language. Any other languages should be allowed as long as the majority language is broadcast in some format, either main or SAP.

For some time now, probably several months, 26-1 has had jittery video for me. I don't know how else to explain it, but the video just freezes momentarily and continues, probably once or twice per second. Its like watching video on an underpowered computer. Only 26-1, not the other subchannels, not any other channel. And only the video; the audio is fine. The TV in question is a Vizio LCD, bought about Jan 2007. We watch a lot of 26-1, and I can't take it, I'll just tune it in analog. Thanks for any help.

We are aware of the problem and awaiting on a solution from the manufacturer of our encoders.

hi hvs how are you doing today?I am wondering whats going on at WWME looks like they are updating their website and am wondering whats going on there right now.Any help would be be very appreciated.

Thanks

Allen Culver
Updating the website. That's about it.

tonight's sox game on the U looks like a LeRoy Neiman filter is being applied

and now it's fixed

lol, I just came here to report on this and see if anyone else was experiencing the same. Apt comparison, btw. :D

This is without doubt, the weirdest OTA experience I've ever had. The longest and strangest picture break-up I've ever encountered in digital OTA land.

EDIT: AS of 9:32 pm, all better!

FINALLY.

I started freaking out, because I thought my Sony DVR's tuner might be going. But then I checked on the TV's tuner (with a Silver Sensor I keep hooked up to it "for just such an occasion", as Foghorn Leghorn used to say) and it was the same.

I just watched the analog channel until it was fixed. The analog almost looked as good as the HD version. Because of the weather it was coming in stronger and cleaner than ever, and it was probably the best-looking analog broadcast I've ever seen.

Boy, I'm gonna really miss the analogs when stuff like tonight happens.

I wish I was intown to comment on the game but I'm not. I'm up north enjoying the lake that......well...... was. :D

Off Topic Question

If im not mistaken they show fireworks every Wednesday night downtown at the lakefront, right ?
How long does it go on ?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080706/ap_on_bi_ge/nbc_weather_channel;_ylt=Ar0ZKS1CnNbIa34Gw11KdIys0NUE

"The Weather Channel" via an OTA NBC sub will be on the heals of this deal!

anyone else missing WFLD-DT tonight? its been down for an hour over here, both HD DirecTV and OTA apparently.

anyone else missing WFLD-DT tonight? its been down for an hour over here, both HD DirecTV and OTA apparently.

I'm not getting FOX. It was originally 98% signal with a black screen. Now it is 0%. Something has to be wrong with FOX. I hope it gets fixed before Hells Kitchen starts.

WFLD-DT is coming in now ... but it's been over three hours since bclbob and doogiehowser posted.

WCIU-DT was effed-up again for awhile during the Sox game tonight.

WCIU-DT was effed-up again for awhile during the Sox game tonight.
i had no picture on 26.1 for the sox game starting at 10:30 pm until 11:00 PM
but the closed captioning was there the whole time keeping me "in the game"
totally amazed

anyone else missing WFLD-DT tonight? its been down for an hour over here, both HD DirecTV and OTA apparently.

They hiccuped twice for me last night. The first time I actually switched to WQRF and back and they were back.

WCIU-DT was effed-up again for awhile during the Sox game tonight.

Sorry Guys. There were problems at the truck last night that were out of our control. :o

They hiccuped twice for me last night. The first time I actually switched to WQRF and back and they were back.

that must be nice. I was able to switch over to the WNYW-DT via DirecTV but it sounds like I'm losing the NY HD DNS, which sucks for when the local stations screw up, or are perma 4:3 because they haven't spent the money on the HD weather alert overlays :mad:

They'll stay put. It would be a war of the 46's every spring-fall in the Chicago area. Point your antenna to Milwaukee, get CBS. Point it to South Bend, get WHME. Point it to Sears, and get the Geeky Engineering TV Show Featuring HVS. Ah, you know you want to, HVS! :D

FYI...given the power levels they request, WDJT aand WHME won't technically interfere. 46 could be allowed to interfere with Milwaukee, since they own both stations. South Bend and WHME may be an entirely different story.

Why not go to:
14
15
16 - frees up when WNDU signs off in Feb '09
20- frees up when WYCC signs off in Feb '09
22- Frees up when WSBT signs off in Feb '09
24- Frees up when WCGV signs off in Feb '09
26 - " WCIU "
35 - " WWTO "


... I'm sure there are more BETTER options than channel 46. 46 seems like the worst of options.

I will answer your question.

Why not go to:
14
15
16 - frees up when WNDU signs off in Feb '09

Channels 14 and 15 are reserved for emergency communications within 155 miles of Chicago. Channel 16 should be reserved within 110 miles to protect those emergency communications, but WNDU was there first and was grandfathered. Now, a digital 16 in South Bend would be short-spaced to WYIN-DT 17 in Gary.

20- frees up when WYCC signs off in Feb '09

Incorrect. WOTV in Battle Creek will be using it.

22- Frees up when WSBT signs off in Feb '09

Incorrect. WSBT is returning to 22 after the analog shutoff. Channel 30 would be unavailable due to short-spacing to WANE-DT 31 in Fort Wayne.

24- Frees up when WCGV signs off in Feb '09

Incorrect. WPTA-DT in Fort Wayne is on channel 24.

26 - " WCIU "


This one actually would be available.

35 - " WWTO "

VERY incorrect. WNIT-DT in South Bend is on channel 35.

... I'm sure there are more BETTER options than channel 46. 46 seems like the worst of options.

http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=channel&zipcode=&latitude=41.595&longitude=-86.161

There is an available channel finder result for you, from the WHME-DT coordinates. Realize that it is not an "interference study" which is required now to allocate channels, and that some of those available channels may not be as free as they appear. Also, the search leaves out some analog Class A stations that will need protection. Don't know which ones off-hand.

I wonder if they'll be able to reuse the existing channel 46 antenna. That would explain the decision to use 46 over one of the other available channels.

- Trip

I will answer your question.

22- Incorrect. WSBT is returning to 22 after the analog shutoff. Channel 30 would be unavailable due to short-spacing to WANE-DT 31 in Fort Wayne.



26 - This one actually would be available.

[I wonder if they'll be able to reuse the existing channel 46 antenna. That would explain the decision to use 46 over one of the other available channels.] - Trip

22 is also a Class A digital from Plano (WSPY-LP's low-power channel 30 digital companion channel, yet to sign on)

26 will have interference from a blowtorch 1 mw in Madison. It would definitely hit the far NW suburbs, and even modest tropo would frequently kill it in the farther west/northwest suburbs.

in regards to the sox on the U last night: 26 - (analog) was fine

when will they be back?

I deleted the post wrong area.

when will they be back?

Try 51-3. Sometimes they've mapped over there.

WPWR-DT is coming in OK on 50.1 now.

Initiated a channel scan (tivo hd) and 50.1 is back.

tonight's storm is a good test. -

passing on most -

some macroblocks on 2.1, 50.1

There were problems at the truck last night that were out of our control.Hey, hvs10trk - what's wrong with your power levels down there tonight? I'm only getting between 8% - 20% on my signal strength meter.

Hey, hvs10trk - what's wrong with your power levels down there tonight? I'm only getting between 8% - 20% on my signal strength meter.Does your signal strength meter really indicate that hvs10trk is sending out low power levels? I wonder if they have suffered storm related transmitter/power issues?

Often when we investigate similar claims we usually find that station power is normal but that the signal into the receiver is being tortured by dynamic multipath or co-channel interference. These could also be storm-related, although usually traced to issues with viewer's receiving antenna system.

The decoder chips work as hard as they can to produce a picture, but can't, which then results in the screen showing "weak signal" or displaying a low "signal strength" reading. And these "strength" complaints have also been tracked to PSIP syntax issues. With normal transmitting power but missing or scrambled tables certain decoders will also indicate "weak signal" or display low "signal strength" readings.

I know you're experienced and familiar with the finicky nuances of OTA DTV. But, lately more and more viewers have been calling in about "signal strength" issues as they get digital converters for their analog sets, wrongly blaming stations for reception issues due to mainly to poor receiving antennas. This does not bode well for the sunset of analog.

The reception problems during the two recent Sox games on WCIU-DT has been a much discussed irritant on local sports radio over the course of the last few days. Rightly or wrongly, WCIU is taking the hit, reputation-wise.

Hey, hvs10trk - what's wrong with your power levels down there tonight? I'm only getting between 8% - 20% on my signal strength meter.

That's because Madison, WI TV stations were blasting into northern/northeastern Illinois this evening due to the weather. Madison's ABC affiliate WKOW-TV 27 analog was coming in right over WCIU-DT here in DeKalb.

Does your signal strength meter really indicate that hvs10trk is sending out low power levels? I wonder if they have suffered storm related transmitter/power issues?

Often when we investigate similar claims we usually find that station power is normal but that the signal into the receiver is being tortured by dynamic multipath or co-channel interference. These could also be storm-related, although usually traced to issues with viewer's receiving antenna system.

The decoder chips work as hard as they can to produce a picture, but can't, which then results in the screen showing "weak signal" or displaying a low "signal strength" reading. And these "strength" complaints have also been tracked to PSIP syntax issues. With normal transmitting power but missing or scrambled tables certain decoders will also indicate "weak signal" or display low "signal strength" readings.

I know you're experienced and familiar with the finicky nuances of OTA DTV. But, lately more and more viewers have been calling in about "signal strength" issues as they get digital converters for their analog sets, wrongly blaming stations for reception issues due to mainly to poor receiving antennas. This does not bode well for the sunset of analog.

Totally agreed. (round of applause!!) :D

That's because Madison, WI TV stations were blasting into northern/northeastern Illinois this evening due to the weather. Madison's ABC affiliate WKOW-TV 27 analog was coming in right over WCIU-DT here in DeKalb.

Blasted KOW :(

Makes sense. I was getting in all kinds of stuff last night . Three of the South Bend channels, in fact. WSBT-DT was even pegging the meter for awhile.

Makes sense. I was getting in all kinds of stuff last night . Three of the South Bend channels, in fact. WSBT-DT was even pegging the meter for awhile.

WSBT is my most common capture on analog from South Bend.

So WWTO-DT does exist! Great Tropo tonight. My antenna is pointed towards Chicago like normal and Im getting WWTO-DT (usally this station is non existant) but im getting WYZZ-DT out of Peoria, Very Nice! Very stable and solid with few breakups.

Does anyone have an update on the news from last fall that ION TV (WCPX-DT 38.1) was going HD in the first quarter of 2008? Since we are now in the third quarter I have to wonder if or when this is going to happen.

Speaking of WYIN, according to the FCC website they still have an analog application to broadcast from the Sears, but I've not yet seen a digital counterpart. 5 million analog watts on 56 has got to be toast by now, but I wonder if they are still planning to expand somehow beyond 2009.

Around 11 AM today I phoned WCPX, pressed the selection for Engineering, and got someone who answered with just a first name.  I asked whether I'd reached Engineering, he told me yes, I said, "Your PSIP clock is thirty-six minutes slow," he replied, "That's interesting," and that they'd do something about it, and he thanked me, and I thanked him, and that was that.

They did do something about it: this evening it's only thirty-five minutes slow.

Speaking of WYIN, according to the FCC website they still have an analog application to broadcast from the Sears, but I've not yet seen a digital counterpart. 5 million analog watts on 56 has got to be toast by now, but I wonder if they are still planning to expand somehow beyond 2009.

I heard that the main reason WYIN didn't move to Sears was that WTTW didn't want them competing in there market.

Does anyone have an update on the news from last fall that ION TV (WCPX-DT 38.1) was going HD in the first quarter of 2008? Since we are now in the third quarter I have to wonder if or when this is going to happen.


From an Ion representative---



Gilbert,

I do not have any information at this time of when or if ION
Television will broadcast in high-definition, but we are available on
the digital spectrum in your market. For information regarding the
analog to digital transition occurring on February 17, 2009 please visit
this website www.dtv.gov <http://www.dtv.gov/> . Thank you for
contacting ION Media Networks.

I heard that the main reason WYIN didn't move to Sears was that WTTW didn't want them competing in there market.

Ding ding ding! :D

WCPX's PSIP clock is now forty-five minutes slow.  So much for their interest in an accurate clock.

I will answer your question.



Channels 14 and 15 are reserved for emergency communications within 155 miles of Chicago. Channel 16 should be reserved within 110 miles to protect those emergency communications, but WNDU was there first and was grandfathered. Now, a digital 16 in South Bend would be short-spaced to WYIN-DT 17 in Gary.

Channel 30 would be unavailable due to short-spacing to WANE-DT 31 in Fort Wayne.



- Trip

Ft. Wayne is 2 markets away. I can't see that should be an issue especially since Milwaukee and South Bend (adjacent markets to some extent) are interfering with each other across multiple co-channels (22, 28, and 46) over water and not adjacent channels over land which attenuates the signals more.

Seems to me that channel 30 is a clearly better choice than 46 which gets hammered from S.B. and Milwaukee. Milwaukee has WDJT with 1 MW ERP, too. We're not talking about a LD station in Milwaukee. If that was the case I'd think 46 was ok.

Prediction: alot of angry potential viewers in far north and far south suburbs.

Why is the Create subchannel on WTTW-DT and WYIN-DT? 2 same programs in the same market?

Ft. Wayne is 2 markets away. I can't see that should be an issue especially since Milwaukee and South Bend (adjacent markets to some extent) are interfering with each other across multiple co-channels (22, 28, and 46) over water and not adjacent channels over land which attenuates the signals more.

Seems to me that channel 30 is a clearly better choice than 46 which gets hammered from S.B. and Milwaukee. Milwaukee has WDJT with 1 MW ERP, too. We're not talking about a LD station in Milwaukee. If that was the case I'd think 46 was ok.

Prediction: alot of angry potential viewers in far north and far south suburbs.

Again, you have to protect channel 30 in Plano (they are a "Class A" station, meaning you can't interfere with them), and they will *not* shut down next February unless they want to. Low-power analogs can stay on as long as they want, for now.

Why is the Create subchannel on WTTW-DT and WYIN-DT? 2 same programs in the same market?Are they really the same market?  A lot of people can receive only one or the other, and isn't WYIN-DT's signal aimed mostly away from Chicago?  If so, not many people can receive both.

Are they really the same market? A lot of people can receive only one or the other, and isn't WYIN-DT's signal aimed mostly away from Chicago? If so, not many people can receive both.


I can! :p

Are they really the same market? A lot of people can receive only one or the other, and isn't WYIN-DT's signal aimed mostly away from Chicago? If so, not many people can receive both.

I can almost...get it in the NW burbs. Once in a great while the DT comes in just barely above locking and it breaks up; most of the time it's just a blip on the signal meter and nothing more. Analog 56 does come in regularly but is very fuzzy. How it would be nice to get a WTTW alternative up here that isn't also-rans (ie WYCC).

Geez... this gets me thinking of that 'North Side vs South Side' rivalry. Seems baseball teams and public television stations aren't really all that different after all.

One other note of mention from NW Indy - WJYS has officially applied to turn their power up to 145 kw omnidirectionally. After the analog shutdown, their signal will extend northward from the Sears past the WI border.

Seems baseball teams and public television stations aren't really all that different after all.I don't know about that.  Of the people who can receive both and see for themselves, so far nobody has contradicted Rammitinski's statement observation that 11.3 and 56.2 carry identical programming at all times.  You can't say that about the Cubes and the Wet Soax.

Does anyone know if the analog WYCC is having problems? My feed through Comcast is horrible. The analog shows scrolling noise interference, and the digital feed (which is apparently the analog run through an MPEG encoder) looks somewhat overboosted and shows interference on some large blocks of color, like red.

I tried using a tiny Casio LCD TV (the only TV I have with an antenna) to check the broadcast signal. I can't tell much from the low-res LCD picture, but the audio was buzzy, depending on the video being displayed. I don't have any ATSC tuner's to check against.

Again, you have to protect channel 30 in Plano (they are a "Class A" station, meaning you can't interfere with them), and they will *not* shut down next February unless they want to. Low-power analogs can stay on as long as they want, for now.

So what if 26 and 27 are adjacent channels, they aren't adjacent markets? Go to 26 after WCIU signs off then. They are pretty far away and better than the alternative of 3 adjacent markets (1 with a 1MW torch) on co-channels.

I just can't see that flying. The only unreliable Milwaukee DT station I don't get is WISN which is on a co-channel to an Arlington Heights LP analog. I see a similar problem if 46 is crowded, especially with band enhancement in the spring through fall.

I don't know about that.* Of the people who can receive both and see for themselves, so far nobody has contradicted Rammitinski's statement observation that 11.3 and 56.2 carry identical programming at all times.* You can't say that about the Cubes and the Wet Soax.

Unfortunately I wouldn't have known about that since I hardly ever get 56 DT in watchable form. I would have thought that WYIN might carry PBS Kids or something else unique, but I guess this isn't the case.

I would have thought that WYIN might carry PBS Kids or something else unique, but I guess this isn't the case.Is there a full-time PBS Kids feed?  I suppose that if qubo can run twenty-four hours a day, PBS Kids could.

WYIN's web site talks about eventually having four digital channels (which it misnumbers as 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, and 17.4; somebody didn't get it and nobody's fixed it), so there could be something else to come.  Meanwhile, maybe they figured there was more market for Create among the portion of their viewership who can't receive 11.3 than for PBS Kids among their entire viewership.

Meanwhile, tvguide.com doesn't list 56.3, but they do list 56.5, which looks mostly like repeats from 56.1.

This afternoon I did a search on OTA TV Networks and found a wikipedia listing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_over-the-air_television_networks. In the listing, it showed the .2 Network (Dot-Two Network). When I clicked for more information it listed Chicago with TBD for the station. There is no reference to a Chicago station on .2's website, www.dot2network.com. Does anyone have any additional information on this? It is supposed to be available in HD for their affiliates.

This afternoon I did a search on OTA TV Networks and found a wikipedia listing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_over-the-air_television_networks. In the listing, it showed the .2 Network (Dot-Two Network). When I clicked for more information it listed Chicago with TBD for the station. There is no reference to a Chicago station on .2's website, www.dot2network.com. Does anyone have any additional information on this? It is supposed to be available in HD for their affiliates.

Nothing listed anywhere near here, nearest is Kansas City or Detroit. According to the website, there are only a handful of other areas that carry it - ie Houston, San Antonio, Orlando, Portland. Judging from the show listing ('Davey & Goliath') this seems a Pax/Ion wannabe. I can't quite figure out who would carry this here.

Is there a full-time PBS Kids feed? I suppose that if qubo can run twenty-four hours a day, PBS Kids could.

WYIN's web site talks about eventually having four digital channels (which it misnumbers as 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, and 17.4; somebody didn't get it and nobody's fixed it), so there could be something else to come. Meanwhile, maybe they figured there was more market for Create among the portion of their viewership who can't receive 11.3 than for PBS Kids among their entire viewership.

Meanwhile, tvguide.com doesn't list 56.3, but they do list 56.5, which looks mostly like repeats from 56.1.

Acording to Lyngsat these are the PBS Feeds (see attachment) I had one of my dishes pointed at them a while back but currently don't. Can't remember if PBS kids was full time, I don't think so.

So what if 26 and 27 are adjacent channels, they aren't adjacent markets? Go to 26 after WCIU signs off then. They are pretty far away and better than the alternative of 3 adjacent markets (1 with a 1MW torch) on co-channels.

I just can't see that flying. The only unreliable Milwaukee DT station I don't get is WISN which is on a co-channel to an Arlington Heights LP analog. I see a similar problem if 46 is crowded, especially with band enhancement in the spring through fall.

Trust me, tropo is bad from the northwest (just ask Ramm). 44 would be a better choice, and probably, so would 50.

WCHU-LP analog channel 61 (programming MTV Tres) has just filed for a digital companion channel on channel 44 after WSNS' analog signs off in February. At a measly 100 watts.

If you don't think that would get far...you would be correct.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1254907.html

WCHU-LP analog channel 6Isn't WCHU channel 61, and WLFM is channel 6?(programming MTV Tres)They both carry MTV Tr3s, so that confuses the issue further.... has just filed for a digital companion channel on channel 44 after WSNS' analog signs off in February.Wasn't WLFM going to keep channel 6 and do a flash cut from analog to digital there?  As I recall, that was why WOCK was turned down for channel 6 and had to apply for channel 4.

Roseanne Tellez just mentioned that they (WBBM news) were going to be in the new studio soon. Sounded like maybe a couple of weeks (she just said "after she comes back from having her baby, which is due next Thursday").

WCHU-LP analog channel 6 (programming MTV Tres) has just filed for a digital companion channel on channel 44 after WSNS' analog signs off in February. At a measly 100 watts.

If you don't think that would get far...you would be correct.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1254907.htmlTough ti**ies.

They can't complain when "they" get their music video channels for free, while "we" have to pay for ours.

Roseanne Tellez just mentioned that they (WBBM news) were going to be in the new studio soon. Sounded like maybe a couple of weeks (she just said "after she comes back from having her baby, which is due next Thursday").

Their new WeatherGuy Dan on wednesday said that in 2 months..:rolleyes:

Roseanne Tellez just mentioned that they (WBBM news) were going to be in the new studio soon. Sounded like maybe a couple of weeks (she just said "after she comes back from having her baby, which is due next Thursday").

I seem to recall that sometime last winter they set a target for late July, so this sounds in the ballpark.

Their new WeatherGuy Dan on wednesday said that in 2 months..:rolleyes:That could be. Tellez didn't really mention how long she'd be taking off.

Isn't WCHU channel 61, and WLFM is channel 6?They both carry MTV Tr3s, so that confuses the issue further.Wasn't WLFM going to keep channel 6 and do a flash cut from analog to digital there?* As I recall, that was why WOCK was turned down for channel 6 and had to apply for channel 4.

Yes, you are right, I got it backwards...it is confusing. Sorry about that...right on all counts here. Ramm, you sure they get MTV Tres for free?
In that case, I wish they'd broadcast The Weather Channel, or CNN, or Fox News, or what the hey, think big and show HBO and Showtime! :D

Yes, you are right, I got it backwards...it is confusing.Then which is it?  WLFM still plans to do a flash cut on channel 6, and WCHU wants UHF44 for a 100W digital signal after WSNS drops analog?

Then which is it?* WLFM still plans to do a flash cut on channel 6, and WCHU wants UHF44 for a 100W digital signal after WSNS drops analog?

OK, here's the deal...after going to the FCC web site....

WLFM-LP is on 6, and I thought they had a flash-cut app on 6, but I can't find it right now. WCHU is on 61 and wants 44 for its digital.

Considering both have changed channels on analog, keeping them straight is not easy, especially since some of their digital apps have been shot down.

Ramm, you sure they get MTV Tres for free?
Yeah, it's free, because my buddy in La Grange has mentioned getting it in and watching it before.

OK, here's the deal...after going to the FCC web site....Thank you.

Has anyone else noticed that WGN news is now in HD? Slick graphics, SD field cameras, but it's a nice start.

Has anyone else noticed that WGN news is now in HD? Slick graphics, SD field cameras, but it's a nice start.

Yes.. My lips were closed until now :D ;)
Field Cameras along with Helicopter (Skycam9) will upgraded to HD within 6 months .:)

My apologies! As Ram pointed out, the original screen caps I used here were very bandwidth intensive. I took a shortcut and used Flickr's resized screen caps, but I forgot that they were still in lossless PNG format. I have resized and resaved these as lossy JPEG files, so this page should load a lot faster than before. Sorry about that!




I saw HDTV Tom's message about WGN News going HD, so I tuned in and caught the following screen caps. These were taken during the last 15 minutes of the broadcast, so I missed the opening graphics.


First, we have a few shots of the news anchors. The thing I really like about the WGN broadcast is the brightness of the picture. WLS and WMAQ are much darker and murkier in comparison. Kinda makes you wonder if they hired their grips from some dungeon master's guild.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2686073849_a0e1e72b88_o.jpg

I'm not sure how well you can see it here, but there are a lot of lights reflecting in Robert Jordan's eyeglasses. It was really distracting to watch the reflections moving around while Robert moved his head.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2686890548_77537788fb_o.jpg

Here's Jim Ramsey in the Weather Center. They really should clean up the taped up memos and notes. Actually, maybe they should go informal and put up lots of Post-It Notes and Dilbert cartoons and make it look like a real workstation.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2686073261_6171332cd4_o.jpg

Still playing it safe by putting everything in the 4:3 safe zone.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2686073337_a9f7163f5c_o.jpg

Look! 16:9 weather satellite photos! Remember how long it took WMAQ to get their weather graphics in 16:9 format?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2686889536_6b32184818_o.jpg

And more stuff in the safe 4:3 zone.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2686073107_e364b47548_o.jpg

As HDTV Tom mentioned earlier, the field cameras are still in 4:3.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2686074103_2630fccd14_o.jpg

The sports intro animation is pretty spiffy. In fact, all of WGN's graphics are clean, simple, and easy on the eyes.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2686073429_0c5749a55c_o.jpg

Nice shot of the two news anchors with Dave Eanet, the sports guy.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2686890054_7ac25d400d_o.jpg

Two things really struck me about this screen cap. First, it's nice and brightly lit. Compare that with the darker lighting used by WMAQ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12815516&postcount=1479). Also, the monitor in the background is tilted so you don't see any reflections off the screen. WMAQ should watch and learn.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2686890154_191e920dab_o.jpg

WGN needs to tweak the framing for this closing shot. That camera on the right is pretty distracting.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2686890272_edd950c1cf_o.jpg


Full hi-res versions of these pictures are available on my Flickr set (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fsugino/sets/72157606267072197/).

Should look real good - as long as nothing moves too fast, that is.

Great screen caps! I liked the full 16:9 weather images too. The one thing I would change is the seven day forecast graphic, even in 4:3 it is still too small. I wonder what the WGN Morning News show will do with HD, I'm sure the term "Zellivision" will make it's way on the air. Now it's up to CBS and FOX to jump on the bandwagon.

I'm sure the term "Zellivision" will make it's way on the air.If it does, let's hope it falls into obsolescence at least as quickly as "smell-o-vision" did.

WGN still got to work on making Sports recaps Highlights in HD
During tonights Instant Reply even the Cubs game Highlights wasnt in HD, even though cubs were aired on WGN..

Fsugino,

Thanks for the great screen caps! Yes, the camera on the right sside in the one shot was distracting, but the folks with 4:3 TV's didn't see it. That is the only flaw in what looked to be an otherwise flawless broadcast.

I know that the field cameras were messed up for a while on WMAQ, showing letterboxed and sometimes stretched or even squished video. This isn't easy, and my kudos for WGN on a nice start. With CBS likely coming online in August or September, and with FOX not far behind, this is the year Chicago news goes all HD!

My Zenith DTT900 captured this PSIP overnight. This has to be WBBM-DT 3.....right? If so, this is the first time I've been able to decode anything from this station @ 156 miles. Thanks in advance for any feedback/confirmation.

My Zenith DTT900 captured this PSIP overnight. This has to be WBBM-DT 3.....right? If so, this is the first time I've been able to decode anything from this station @ 156 miles. Thanks in advance for any feedback/confirmation.

Congratulations, sir. You've been able to do what many Chicagoans can't do 40 miles away! I will confirm WBBM-DT for you from near Indianapolis. :cool:

:mad::mad:

I've been trying to get 2.1 for 2 years now in Romeoville. And I'm only 29 miles from the loop.

It's switching to channel 12, UHF, right?

:mad::mad:

I've been trying to get 2.1 for 2 years now in Romeoville. And I'm only 29 miles from the loop.

It's switching to channel 12, UHF, right?Channel 12 is VHF.

WBBM-DT will move to channel 12 after WTTW's analog signal on VHF11 goes dark.

Channel 12 is VHF.

WBBM-DT will move to channel 12 after WTTW's analog signal on VHF11 goes dark.

Sorry, I think that's what I meant. Is 2/19/09 when it goes dark?

Here's the official press release regarding WGN News in HD.


WGN-TV LAUNCHES NEWS IN HD

WGN MORNING NEWS, NEWS AT NOON AND NEWS AT NINE NOW IN HD


CHICAGO, July 21, 2008 – This past weekend, WGN-TV premiered its newscasts in HD starting with the Saturday edition of “WGN News at Nine.” Beginning today “WGN Morning News,” “WGN News at Noon” and “WGN News at Nine” will air in HD, providing viewers with improved sound, clarity and resolution of 1080i HD.

WGN-TV’s High Definition Studio includes studio cameras, all graphics systems (including weather and traffic), a programmable control room monitor wall system, and a state-of-the-art multi-format production switcher. Additional station facility upgrades included a 160 x 128 HD router with supporting distribution and format conversion equipment for legacy sources. HD field report capability will be implemented over the next few months.

In addition to WGN News, all Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks games, and most CW shows including “Gossip Girl,” “One Tree Hill,” “90210,” “Privileged,” “Smallville,” “Supernatural,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “The Game” and “Reaper” air or will air in HD. The syndicated series “Two and a Half Men” is also broadcast in HD.

“Much of our sports and CW programming has already been broadcast in HDTV,” commented Tom Ehlmann, VP/General Manager of WGN-TV. “The addition of our HD newscasts is another important step in providing comprehensive high definition opportunities for our viewers.”

WGN-TV (Channel 9) is Chicago's CW network affiliate, programming a strong schedule of news, sports and entertainment. WGN's digital signals are available throughout the Chicago area on WGN-DT, with most CW programs and all Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks games in high definition on Channel 9.1 (Comcast Cable 192, RCN Cable 513, WOW Cable 206, DIRECTV HD 9, and DISH Network HD 9 & 6316); and LATV on Channel 9.2. Outside the Chicago area, WGN America is carried nationally via cable, telco and satellite. WGN-TV is a Tribune Broadcasting station. For additional information, visit WGN-TV's web site at www.wgntv.com

Sorry, I think that's what I meant. Is 2/19/09 when it goes dark?Not the nineteenth but the seventeenth, and by the same deadline WBBM has to drop analog on channel 2. I spoke briefly with a WBBM engineer a couple of months ago, and their hope is to cut off channel 2's analog signal and cut their digital signal over from 3 to 12 at the same time, but that will require that WTTW will already have stopped their analog signal on channel 11 and that the transmitter will already have been retuned from 11 to 12.

I wouldn't be surprised if WBBM ends up broadcasting only on digital 3 for a couple of hours after midnight in the wee hours of 2009-02-18 because WTTW will keep using analog 11 to the last minute and the retuning will take some nonzero amount of time.

EDIT: According to one of sebenste's stickies on the first page of this thread, there will be no need for retuning: WBBM is adding a second transmitter for digital 12 to the same antenna that WTTW is using for analog 11.

Makes sense about WBBM adding the second transmitter; retuning an analog transmitter set to 11 to send an 8VSB signal on 12 is not a trivial, 3-hour procedure, even with tuned components (bandpass filters, etc.) ready to bolt into place.

So, please indulge someone with zero engineering background: could the new transmitter be mounted while analog 11 is still broadcasting?

So, please indulge someone with zero engineering background: could the new transmitter be mounted while analog 11 is still broadcasting?

Absolutely; it's called diplexing. You have to filter out the other broadcast before it hits the other transmitter, of course. Ah, shucks, AVS, help me out here, you (26), 38, and 44 analog all use the same antenna, right? I know several signals are. That's how (to some degree) they make room for everyone up there.

Absolutely; it's called diplexing. You have to filter out the other broadcast before it hits the other transmitter, of course.So not only could the second transmitter be mounted, it could even, from a technological standpoint, be put into service while the first one is operating.

In this case, though, legalities would prevent putting it into service.  Surely the FCC will not let WBBM-DT move from 3 to 12 until after the full-power analog cutoff, so WTTW's analog signal will have gone dark by the time WBBM-DT is permitted to move.

From WBBM-TV's DTV status report: "To meet the February 17, 2009 deadline, WBBM-TV has entered into an agreement with Window to the World Communications, Inc., the licensee of station WTTW(TV), to purchase the Channel 11 analog transmission facilities of WTTW and convert the transmitter and antenna systems of WTTW to digital facilities operating on Channel 12.
It is anticipated that the conversion and testing of the Channel 11 facilities of WTTW to the Channel 12 DTV facilities of WBBM-TV will be completed before February 1, 2009."

FYI WTTW-TV has a non-shared VHF antenna on the East stack of the Sears tower and a roof top mounted auxiliary also at Sears. I would guess that WTTW-TV would switch to the auxiliary antenna for the last few weeks of analog to allow WBBM-DT to do the install and test on WTTW's main antenna.

Point of interest, when WLS-TV installed their analog back-up antenna on the East stack of the Hancock, they used a broadband VHF-Hi antenna to allow combining with WGN-TV, but it could easily accomodate both channels 7 and 12 after the conversion. Both WBBM-TV and DT antennas on the Hancock will become scrap metal on 2-18-2009. The antenna directly below WBBM is a dormant UHF Broadband antenna installed for future rental by the tower folks.

Enough crazy little-known details? OK. Geek-Central, Rainman Division, signing off.

that's all you got, but seriously not bad for 1 AM on a tuesday

Is it me or is the Cub game not in HD tonight? At the very beginning (pre-game) on 9-1 there was no video at all and terrible audio. The picture came back during a Theriot interview, but it was SD; the audio clicked into 5.1 almost right after that.

I keep waiting for the picture to click back into HD, but it ain't happening...

Yep Great job WGN on the lack of HD feed for tonights game. You would think that sence were over half way over with the season they would have had there act together allready.

In the 1st inning, Len apologized for the video difficulties and said that they hope to restore the HD feed soon. Here we are in the bottom of the 4th still without HD.

that's all you got, but seriously not bad for 1 AM on a tuesday

I'm a second shift kind of guy, 1 AM is prime time for me. I have lots more useless information, but I have to go tighten the grounding strap on the little propeller on my hat; that last lightning storm was a bit much!:D

I don't think that getting rid of Spanish programs is the answer. But, it is the public airwaves and should be a requirement to be broadcast in the majority language. Any other languages should be allowed as long as the majority language is broadcast in some format, either main or SAP. Or Captions.

NBC's telemundo broadcasts spanish programs but with english captions. That works for me.

Or Captions.

NBC's telemundo broadcasts spanish programs but with english captions. That works for me.Yeah, that's been suggested here or in the old thread more than once.

'Course, they're not likely to ever do that, because that would take away one excuse for Spanish-only speakers to not learn and speak English.

Yeah, that's been suggested here or in the old thread more than once.

'Course, they're not likely to ever do that, because that would take away one excuse for Spanish-only speakers to not learn and speak English.


No comprendo :D hahahha... I thought I moved south of the border lately.

Yeah, that's been suggested here or in the old thread more than once.

'Course, they're not likely to ever do that, because that would take away one excuse for Spanish-only speakers to not learn and speak English.

As I recall, someone (HVS maybe?) once pointed out that in many cases stations don't get the English-language rights to many of the movies, etc., and to include English on the SAP would cost considerably more.

Woot! WGN 9 o'clock news is in HD, but most of their feeds for offsite sources are still in SD. I say Ch. 7/ABC still got the best news broadcast, that's the one I watch the most. Most videos in HD.

been some time for me to see a summer skip
rabbit ears pulled in WNDU analog 16 last nite real good until sunrise

analog 28 - a FOX station - was there too but not very good


i am curious - with the high winds - do the broadcast anntennas "move"?
would this affect signal strength of the DTV signals ? cause some weird
multipath reflections?

comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome
don

After trying to receive WBBM-DT 3 for almost seven years, I've now received it twice in the same week. Earlier this morning, while camping at Mississinewa Reservoir (approx. 6 miles southeast of Peru, IN) and using a very small antenna similar to this http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANCM2001 at about 15 ft. AGL, the Zenith DTT900 fully decoded WBBM-DT off and on for around 5 minutes, courtesy of some regional tropospheric enhancement. According to www.tvfool.com the distance is 108 miles.

Using a CM 4221 with a 30+ year-old Winegard preamp, most of the Chicago UHF DTV stations were in and out for a few hours. WCIU-DT 27 and WCWW-LD 27, South Bend kept trading places. Also saw DTVs from Ann Arbor, Flint, Toledo, Bloomington,IN and even WTVW-DT 28, Evansville @ around 200 miles.

While the CM 4221 has decent gain, it's beam width is quite wide and as a result it had a difficult time sorting through multiple stations on the same channel, which is quite common in this particular location. At certain times, WGN-DT 19, WISE-DT 19 (Fort Wayne) and WTVG-DT 19 (Toledo) were all fighting each other, and as a result with the 4221, none of the three could decode. The next time I head to this campground, I'll try to make room to take the 91XG.

Steve

After trying to receive WBBM-DT 3 for almost seven years, I've now received it twice in the same week.Tell me about it! I've been receiving WYIN-DT solidly at about 77% average every evening for about the last 3 weeks since I've been using the Channel Master and DTVPal CECB tuners. And I'm probably 75 miles away from it. I even get WWTO-DT now all day.

These new boxes are really something else!

Tonight in Downers Grove, WBBM-DT 2.1 is unwatchable with frequent break-ups. Signal meter is going crazy. Anybody else see similar?

Tonight in Downers Grove, WBBM-DT 2.1 is unwatchable with frequent break-ups. Signal meter is going crazy. Anybody else see similar?

I have not been able to receive WBBM-DT for over a month now! It used to be fairly watchable here. Now, nothing but random frozen picture frames. It has never been this bad before. I can't find any antenna or connection problems and all other Chicago DTs are fine.

Here in Wayne I have the same thing with WBBM-DT. The signal is jumping around constantly - jumps from 0 bars up to 8 bars (out of 10). Sound comes through almost constantly, but no picture at all, or a very broken up picture.

Sox games on the U have been the target of some ridicule of late. Not to jinx it, but it looks like the engineers have figured it out in time for tonight's game.

Critical inspection on my 100" front projection has been unable to find any artifacts.

Hats off to you gentlemen.

Can you walk over to WGN and show them how?

How do you know that they figured anything out? Because when you happened to be tuned into the game you didn't notice any problems??

The two "problem" games I was tuned into looked great up until the very moment when they stopped looking great and remained not looking great for about a half hour each time. Then it went back to looking great. :p

Can you walk over to WGN and show them how?That would be almost a seven-mile hike each way, rather tiring especially if they have to bring posters or projectors.

Well, taking Milwaukee and Elston or taking Clybourn would shorten the distance.

WBBM Digital is down.. Both OTA & Directv feed

I recently purchased a Wingard Sensar GS2200. I live about 40 miles from most of the broadcast stations. I am getting great digital reception on all channels with the exception of WGN, WCIU, and WBBM(of course) my reception levels on the other locals range from 85-94%. I even get limited stations from Milwaukee. If I aim my ant towards Milwakee, WGN, WCIU, and WBBM come in perfectly!?, and I lose decent signal on the other locals. If you go to (any of the ant help sites) and type in my zip 60096 it will show you all the info on the channels, I don't see anything special about those three that should make a difference but I'm not a pro on all the ant jargon. Any suggestions would be nice.

Seeing the posts on WBBM above, I can still turn my ant towards Milwaukee and WBBM comes in at 75%.?

Sox games on the U have been the target of some ridicule of late. Not to jinx it, but it looks like the engineers have figured it out in time for tonight's game.

Critical inspection on my 100" front projection has been unable to find any artifacts.

Hats off to you gentlemen.

Can you walk over to WGN and show them how?

:D We have new encoders that we're still working out the nitty gritty. Thanks for being patient with us. :)

I recently purchased a Wingard Sensar GS2200. I live about 40 miles from most of the broadcast stations. I am getting great digital reception on all channels with the exception of WGN, WCIU, and WBBM(of course) my reception levels on the other locals range from 85-94%. I even get limited stations from Milwaukee. If I aim my ant towards Milwakee, WGN, WCIU, and WBBM come in perfectly!?, and I lose decent signal on the other locals. If you go to (any of the ant help sites) and type in my zip 60096 it will show you all the info on the channels, I don't see anything special about those three that should make a difference but I'm not a pro on all the ant jargon. Any suggestions would be nice.

Seeing the posts on WBBM above, I can still turn my ant towards Milwaukee and WBBM comes in at 75%.?

Do you have the amplified model?

Do you have the amplified model?

yes, it is the amplified model.

WBBM Digital is down.. Both OTA & Directv feedWLS also went out for awhile during Jimmy Kimmel last night.

I recently purchased a Wingard Sensar GS2200.Since that antenna is bi-directional (meaning it's picking up frequencies from both front and back), you may be picking up a lot of multipath. Maybe try a more directional antenna.

WBBM Digital is down.. Both OTA & Directv feed

A few stations signed off last week at midnight to 5 AM each day for Sears work and antenna maintenance. Don't know why WBBM did.

Since that antenna is bi-directional (meaning it's picking up frequencies from both front and back), you may be picking up a lot of multipath. Maybe try a more directional antenna.

I was hoping to pick up milwaukee and chicago. Is there another way I can achieve this (two anttenas?)

I was hoping to pick up milwaukee and chicago. Is there another way I can achieve this (two anttenas?)

I'm just a little south & west of you, (By Midlane). I have my antenna on a rotor, but if I keep it aimed NNNE, I get all Milwaukee, & all Chicago excpet Ch 2 pretty consistently. Antenna is on the roof of a high peak 2 story house, but where you are you should get similar results.

A few stations signed off last week at midnight to 5 AM each day for Sears work and antenna maintenance. Don't know why WBBM did.

Maybe to get ready for the digital transition. Did WTTW Analog shut down at the same time too?

Maybe to get ready for the digital transition. Did WTTW Analog shut down at the same time too?

Nah, that was to make sure everything was in good order, painted, etc in time for winter. WTTW and most stations went to their backup antennas;
WCPX and one other one which I can't remember don't have backup antennas.

It looks like two more months until the big day for WBBM. I just saw a commercial announcing the "new CBS2 HD" coming September 22.

It looks like two more months until the big day for WBBM. I just saw a commercial announcing the "new CBS2 HD" coming September 22.

I thought it wasn't going to happen until Feb of next year?

Those of us who can't get 2.1, will we be able to get 2.1 in September?

I thought it wasn't going to happen until Feb of next year?

Those of us who can't get 2.1, will we be able to get 2.1 in September?

I think they were referring to local news in HD.

I thought it wasn't going to happen until Feb of next year?

Those of us who can't get 2.1, will we be able to get 2.1 in September?

They moving into a brand spanking new studio on September 22... which will be all HD News.
In Febuary 17, 2009 thats when their Analog signal goes bye bye, and also the digital channel 3 will say bye bye too.. and will migrate to digital channel 12 ;) i hope i made it clear :D

I think they were referring to local news in HD.When I read your post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14379915#post14379915) I understood that you were talking about local news in HD, but still my reaction was similar to DH's: only their move to VHF12 qualifies as a "big day."  Local news in HD won't mean squat with their current signal.

Until channel 2 completes there transition to channel 12 next year were stuck with the problems associated with channel 3. This is a good thing though, it gives us time to perfect our television reception system (ie, replace that old beater antenna and wire and if inside get it outside) to get channel 3 the best. If were getting good signal on 3 without dropouts and everything else too, were ready to enter the digital age of OTA. I always believed in having a good outdoor antenna system for my OTA channels for 35+ years. My analog was always very good and using that guideline I have no problems with digital, including channel 2 currently.

Too many people think they can just hook up to that old rusted antenna with broken elements and expect a qualiy signal. While analog would play to some degree on that antenna digital is ALL or NOTHING so you have to strive to create the all condition by updating the means that receives the signal even if it has to get exotic.

WCIU-DT launches new MGM channel called "This TV" in November...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1053342

In my subdivision there are many trees that are easily 50 years or older.

In April 2007, I had an antenna reinstalled on our house and had it connected to our two TV’s; life was good.

In August 2007, we had a bad storm and a large branch from one tree (#1) from my neighbor to the south ended up wedged in another tree (#2) in my neighbors yard to the east (it is in the southeast corner of their property). Tree #2 was in the path of my antenna that is pointed southeast. When tree #1 was removed along with part of tree #2 in October, I started having multipath problems with WFLD-DT (32.1), This continued off and on until June 2008. At the time I asked if WFLD was having problems and others in the forum told me that their reception was fine.

In July 2008, tree #2 lost a large limb that wedged into my neighbors tree to the south (next to the tree #1 that was taken down). Since that time I have had multipath problems with WLS-DT (7.1) and WPWR-DT (50.1.).

This weekend tree #2 was taken down and I’m pleased to say that my problems are gone. In addition I can now pick up WJYS-DT (62.1) that I could only previously receive in the fall thru early spring.

Anyone who has large trees near them may encounter the same issues that I did.
:):)

...Too many people think they can just hook up to that old rusted antenna with broken elements and expect a qualiy signal... Worked for me! ;)

Of course, I live less than 15 miles from the towers, but, as a kind of what-do-I-have-to-lose gesture, I connected my antique rooftop antenna (circa 1965, and unused for at least a decade) to my digital TV, and -- Voila! -- a beautiful picture.

It was unexpected, and I was amazed, but it causes me to suggest that people with an existing outdoor antenna at least give it a try before spending a lot more money, either on cable/satellite or having a new antenna installed (many of us are not up to do-it-yourself roof installations). Obviously, YMMV depending upon circumstances, but there well may be unexpected life left in that beat up old antenna, even in locations like mine where analog reception is dubious due to multipath problems.

WCIU-DT launches new MGM channel called "This TV" in November...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1053342

According to Sebenste's post there, it will be on 26.4 with no existing subchannel removed.  That may not be such good news for the PQ and SQ of the other channels.

Ever since FBT was moved to 26.6 with two gaps in the numbering, I figured 26.4 and 26.5 were reserved for additional subchannels already in the works.

I hope that their VBR encoder is up to the task.

According to Sebenste's post there, it will be on 26.4 with no existing subchannel removed.* That may not be such good news for the PQ and SQ of the other channels.

Ever since FBT was moved to 26.6 with two gaps in the numbering, I figured 26.4 and 26.5 were reserved for additional subchannels already in the works.

I hope that their VBR encoder is up to the task.

Oh, we tested out some interresting configurations. It works and surpisingly well.

I am not able to tune in 26.1 (digital), but get a beautiful picture on 26 (analog). I tried this using the tuner's in a Sony DHG-HDD500 DVR, and a Pioneer Elite 6010 media receiver.

I have a 26" Samsung tube HDTV (newer tuner) in the basement, and it tuned 26.1, but the picture was heavily pixelated.

Do I need a sixth gen tuner to get 26.1? I get 2.1 just fine...most of the time.

Thanks.

Mark

Oh, we tested out some interresting configurations. It works and surpisingly well.Thank you for the reassurance.  Ultimately the proof will be in the pudding.  Since I don't receive (nor want) WWTO, that will be my first experience with a station that has four subchannels: even at that, 35.1 is at 480i, isn't it, while 26.1 is at 720p, so UHF27 will be broadcasting many more pixels per second than VHF10.

Worked for me! ;)

Of course, I live less than 15 miles from the towers



That makes a difference. You probably don't have multipath problems. I live about 10 miles from the towers (as the crow flies) But my antenna was replaced by me about 5 years ago. Just because the old one was about 12 years old.

What I was pointing out is an antenna with broken and bent elements, and a corroded 300 ohm twin lead in is very prone to problems. Although if your in a good signal area it may work to some degree, but also can cause issues as the weather changes

It's best to replace your antenna and lead in every 10 years or so and use 75 ohm coax for sure. There are area's in the city limits of Chicago that are very prone to multipath. Even though they are close to the towers the signal may be hot bit the reflections play havoc. Then on the flip side of the coin people in the burbs may not have multipath but a weak signal. So getting a good working system now will give you years of viewing enjoyment.

Why WCIU-DT even continues to have an HD channel is beyond me.

Screw digital. Screw TV.

I wish (I imagine I'm not the only one) that Weigel could get another full-service signal in Chicago. They could have 26-1 in HD and have all the other stuff multicasted on another station. (WJYS?)

- Trip

That makes a difference. You probably don't have multipath problems. I live about 10 miles from the towers (as the crow flies) But my antenna was replaced by me about 5 years ago. Just because the old one was about 12 years old.

What I was pointing out is an antenna with broken and bent elements, and a corroded 300 ohm twin lead in is very prone to problems. Although if your in a good signal area it may work to some degree, but also can cause issues as the weather changes

It's best to replace your antenna and lead in every 10 years or so and use 75 ohm coax for sure. There are area's in the city limits of Chicago that are very prone to multipath. Even though they are close to the towers the signal may be hot bit the reflections play havoc. Then on the flip side of the coin people in the burbs may not have multipath but a weak signal. So getting a good working system now will give you years of viewing enjoyment. I'm in west Skokie, about 12 miles from the towers (I didn't bother to look up the exact distance before) and I do have multipath problems. That's the sole reason I abandoned analog OTA and switched to cable and later to satellite. Years ago, the Tribune published a map showing the worst Sears/Hancock multipath zone, and my house was dead center. :mad:

Channel 2 in particular was unwatchable, but several other analog stations were very bad too. Mutipath is why I had such low expectations for digital. I was sure I would get nothing on 2-1, but the 2-1 digital reception is fine, albeit occasionally subject to some minor pixilation. Can't get it at all on any of the many indoor antennas I've tried though (for bedroom sets).

I'd certainly agree about twin leads. I'm sure I'd get nothing if that was what I had, but somewhere along the line (no idea when, but long ago), coax was installed. The old RG59 (presumably) was there four years ago when I first tried my venerable outdoor antenna with my new plasma. Later, when DirecTV upgraded me to HD, they replaced the old coax from my antenna with RG6. Shortly thereafter, I had problems which were cured by replacing a corroded connector on the antenna.

But the antenna itself dates back to my first color TV in 1965, and it's still working beautifully. :)

Why WCIU-DT even continues to have an HD channel is beyond me.

Screw digital. Screw TV.

The Sox are in first place. What the heck could you possibly be unhappy about? ;) :D

Let's see how it looks first. They claim they can make 'em all look nice. We shall see...

The Sox are in first place. What the heck could you possibly be unhappy about? ;) :DIt's called "compartmentalizing". ;)

This fall, several syndicated shows will be in HD (Insider, King of Queens, just to name a few)

Best tropo night of the year so far. New first-time locks in 4 years since I have been digital include WYIN-DT, with a 90% or so signal lock on my DTT-900; a 60% solid lock on---get this---WBND-LD, the ABC affiliate on rf 49,
even though they are throwing me only several kilowatts of signal from SOUTH BEND, INDIANA(!) :eek: and that is my first low-power (LD) station I've ever gotten! Also, all South Bend full-power digitals except for WNDU are coming in (WNDU is on the same rf channel, 42, as 900 kw WQRF FOX Rockford, but I think I am seeing blips of them!). Some Grand Rapids, MI is coming in as well. WBBM-DT is PEGGED. Excuse me, did the Cubs win the World Series, did Hades just freeze over, or what? :D

Analogs...first timers: WLNS-TV 6 Lansing, MI like a local! South Bend full power analogs AND channel 69 are all good enough to be worthy of a cable TV signal...pretty much perfect!

I love warm fronts oriented west-east across the Midwest. That's how you get great tropo!

It's called "compartmentalizing". ;)

LOL! :D

And you, Mr. Crystal Lake on a hill, must be getting tremendous tropo there! Tell me! Tell me! What do you see? This is very good tropo tonight!

Also, over the next few nights, there should be more...I'm thinking it will be tough to replicate tonight, but who knows...

Yes, actually - I am. I'm getting a bunch of digital S. Bend and Quad Cities stations in. WYIN and WWTO are also coming in like gangbusters. And my two, new CECB boxes are really locking in on the signals really well.

Best night of the season so far, easily.

I am not able to tune in 26.1 (digital), but get a beautiful picture on 26 (analog). I tried this using the tuner's in a Sony DHG-HDD500 DVR, and a Pioneer Elite 6010 media receiver.

I have a 26" Samsung tube HDTV (newer tuner) in the basement, and it tuned 26.1, but the picture was heavily pixelated.

Do I need a sixth gen tuner to get 26.1? I get 2.1 just fine...most of the time.

Thanks.

Mark

Any input?

Thanks.

Mark

Any input?

Thanks.

Mark

Hi Mark,

If you are getting a great picture on 26 analog, you should be hitting a home run on 26.1. I'm guessing those devicces aren't 6th gen tuners. Although I can't say 100% for sure, I would do two things:

1. Adjust the antenna to see if you can get it in that way;
2. A 6th gen should work a lot better, but no promises.

Hi Mark,

If you are getting a great picture on 26 analog, you should be hitting a home run on 26.1. I'm guessing those devicces aren't 6th gen tuners. Although I can't say 100% for sure, I would do two things:

1. Adjust the antenna to see if you can get it in that way;
2. A 6th gen should work a lot better, but no promises.

No, they are not 6th gen tuners.

I'm not crazy about adjusting the antenna, as I pointed it with a compass at the Sears Tower, and have been getting everything beautifully for three years; 2.1, not so much. It is in the attic, so I know it hasn't moved.

Are there any power output changes coming in February that will make it easier to get 26.1?

Thanks.

Mark

...Are there any power output changes coming in February that will make it easier to get 26.1?... FYI, sebenste helpfully posts information like this on page one of this thread. (See post #3.)

Any input?

Thanks.

Mark

Mark, Are you in the city itself? There are a couple of variables that could mess with our signal during tropo like we've been having. One of our sister stations in South Bend (WCWW-LD) is on the same channel and "could" step over WCIU. Also to the northwest, WKOW-TV is on 27 and from time to time steps over WCIU for our northwest customers.

FYI, sebenste helpfully posts information like this on page one of this thread. (See post #3.)

Duh! I've been around here for awhile, so I guess I just forgot!

I see that WCIU is one of the lowest power stations now. I get WLS-DT, which has less power, but is higher up in the UHF band.

Interesting...

Mark

Mark, Are you in the city itself? There are a couple of variables that could mess with our signal during tropo like we've been having. One of our sister stations in South Bend (WCWW-LD) is on the same channel and "could" step over WCIU. Also to the northwest, WKOW-TV is on 27 and from time to time steps over WCIU for our northwest customers.

I am in Homer Glen...in the Southwest 'burbs.

Mark

I see that WCIU is one of the lowest power stations now.If you're within the city limits, it's definitely not their power output that's the problem.

I am in Homer Glen...in the Southwest 'burbs.

Mark

Definately should not have any problems getting signal from us down there. May have stepped on by an out of market "27".

From Robert Feder's column in today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Chicago's Weigel Broadcasting and Hollywood's MGM Studios are teaming up on a new national television network geared to the expanding digital market. The two companies this fall will launch "This TV," a 24-hour channel consisting of movies and classic television shows from the MGM library.

In Chicago, "This" will air on one of the subchannels held by Weigel's WCIU-Channel 26.

More programming is always a plus but where is this (or should I say "This"?) going to get squeezed in? 26.2 and 26.3 already look like something off of YouTube whenever there's any fast motion. Adding another subchannel isn't going to help.

From Robert Feder's column in today's Chicago Sun-Times:



More programming is always a plus but where is this (or should I say "This"?) going to get squeezed in? 26.2 and 26.3 already look like something off of YouTube whenever there's any fast motion. Adding another subchannel isn't going to help.

We've been talking about it, above...but see this post here for full details.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1053342

WCIU-DT launches new MGM channel called "This TV" in November...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1053342

Oh no... Shakes Head... :( :mad:
that HD signal gonna look crap