They're still at 16 kw as of this morning. I know they wanted to do the antenna replacement this summer, but that was before the CP got approved, and they're going to need a directional antenna now. I know the VP of engineering there and have an email into him to see when they are planning on doing it.

Edit: Got the message back...he (Ben Miller, VP of Engineering) said, "The good news is that we do plan in doing the power increase at WWTO later in the year. There is no date set at this time.". And he also said all their translators are being "sold or dismantled" as few are watching them anymore. That means channels 40 (Sears/Willis Tower), 57 (Elgin), and 22 out of the northwest suburbs and others around Illinois are going off the air soon. That also means Waubonsee college's channel 40 CP low-power digital station will have much less interference now, if and when they decide to build it out.

Bummer. I must be one of the few people who watch channel 40...mainly for the kids programming. Currently I am not able to recieve their digital. I was hoping that after they bump-up the power I would be, but was happy to get them on 40 unitl that time...

They load up the subchannels on their WDJT station (CBS) out of Milwaukee, too.

Thus making WBBM the one Chicago station that actually has better PQ than its Milwaukee counterpart.

I live between Milwaukee and Chicago markets and get both. When we had direcTV, I was boycotting WDJT because Weigel refused to broadcast in HD unless DTV would pick up their subs. Needless to say I can keep up with my boycott :). They have to realize that CBS is NOT the same as MeTV or MeToo or This or That.

Yep. So here's a question...is anyone seeing anything on physical channel 2?

Mostly snow with just a hint of something analog fading in now and then.

Do we really need both MeTV and MeToo?

YES!!!!!

The more choices the better. I have cable right now, but will be switching back to OTA soon. If I was limited to only 1 subchannel per channel, I probably would be forced to keep paying cable. Getting 2 or 3 subchannels per channel greatly increases our viewing choices.

I will be buying the DTVPal DVR for OTA recording. If we did not have subchannels I may run out of stuff to watch.

I don't. Do we really need both MeTV and MeToo?]
Yes because the demand was there.

Wait a minute - I forgot for a split second there - it's not about us.
Acutally it IS about the viewer. We don't just add subchannels because we can. BTW, did you happen to notice our subchannel quality improve over the past few months?

Now that you mention it, it does seem to look a bit better lately than it had been a month ago.

Still, I don't know why they even bother to call this an "HD" sub-forum and not a digital one. There's a certain moderator over in the other HD threads here that admonishes people all the time when they start talking about 480i channels, subchannels and material. He usually says something like, "This is an HD sub-forum and people have HD displays - that's really not relevant here" (and it's most often in response to someone coming in and raving about wanting more subchannels).

Then people usually tell them to take it either to the "CECB" sub-forum, or the "Cable, Digital Cable - Non-HDTV" one (never to their local, "HDTV" ones).

They're apparently either not moderating this area very closely, or they have different standards for it (actually, I don't ever read the threads from other areas, so for all I know, the different standards could only apply to this one).

The thing is that discussing subchannels is relevant to local HDTV since they diminish the quality of the HD streams. There may be differing opinions on them, but I can definitely see an argument that SD subchannels are relevant to local HD discussion.

- Trip

The thing is that discussing subchannels is relevant to local HDTV since they diminish the quality of the HD streams.What makes this HDTV sub-forum any different from the HDTV Programming and Technical ones when talking about subchannels? The mods generally put the kibosh on pro-subchannelers there pretty quick.

What makes this HDTV sub-forum any different from the HDTV Programming and Technical ones when talking about subchannels? The mods generally put the kibosh on pro-subchannelers there pretty quick.

Well, SD programming has nothing to do with the HDTV Programming forum outright. That one makes perfect sense.

Subchannels should have little or nothing to do with matters in HDTV Technical which should largely be antennas and receivers (I could be wrong, I don't spend too much time there).

At least, that's how I see it.

- Trip

All I'm saying really is that they should change the name of this sub-forum from "HD" to "Digital". You don't agree that would be more specific and appropriate at this point?

All I'm saying really is that they should change the name of this sub-forum from "HD" to "Digital". You don't agree that would be more specific and appropriate?

Yes, simply because one can't effectively separate discussion of HD subchannels from SD subchannels.

- Trip

All I'm saying really is that they should change the name of this sub-forum from "HD" to "Digital". You don't agree that would be more specific and appropriate at this point?

Why not call the forum ATSC TV (AKA: Digital TV)???

*shrug*

hello all... hope you had a great 4th of july...


any new news on the issues pertaining to channels 7 and 26 in terms of power up getting better reception???


also over the weekend i lost channel 9 for no reason... it was breaking up when i turned on the tv on friday after work and nothing since... i was getting a perfect picture up till then... remember i live near the lake and only about 7-8 miles from the transmitters....



help....



mookie

hello all... hope you had a great 4th of july...


any new news on the issues pertaining to channels 7 and 26 in terms of power up getting better reception???


also over the weekend i lost channel 9 for no reason... it was breaking up when i turned on the tv on friday after work and nothing since... i was getting a perfect picture up till then... remember i live near the lake and only about 7-8 miles from the transmitters....



help....



mookie

There's multipath problems up the north shore of the lake. Although some will disagree, I really believe the new Trump Tower has some play in that. It seems that's when our calls picked up. WCIU-DT should hopefully get better after our construction project. I don't have a definiative date for completion, but rest assured it will be sooner than later.

ok.. do we have a start date on channel 26's yet, let alone a completion date....


channel 9 is back this morning... any news on channel 7


thanks



mookie

ok.. do we have a start date on channel 26's yet, let alone a completion date....


channel 9 is back this morning... any news on channel 7


thanks



mookie

No news on 7. If and when I get it, I'll pass it along ASAP.

ok.. do we have a start date on channel 26's yet, let alone a completion date....
mookie

They must be doing something..... WCIU now scans in as channel 27-3 through 27-9, and a 27-16 also.

ok.. do we have a start date on channel 26's yet, let alone a completion date....


channel 9 is back this morning... any news on channel 7


thanks



mookie

Things are already in motion for us.

They must be doing something..... WCIU now scans in as channel 27-3 through 27-9, and a 27-16 also.

Nope, thats the sign of something bad.

Nope, thats the sign of something bad.

Things are already in motion for us.

good...


if i type in 27.5 and go backwards i get channel 26 with my kitchen cabinets open... if things are in motion then you should have started and should have an estimated completion date....


i am sure once you guys are done this will fix my problem with the 26's... by the way when does 26.5 ( that) start to broadcast.....


mookie

Things are already in motion for us.

why is channel 9 now going out when it has more then enough power and i am very close to the the transmitter.....


please help



mookie

In case anyone wants to talk or rave about subchannels extensively, beyond the local programming level, here's the "official" thread for it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1071664

Hey, Rammitinski.. is your Tivo giving you programming data for 23-1? I haven't had any info for that channel since the digital changeover. I can tune in to the channel and see programming, but there is never any information for it when I pull up the channel guide.

Maybe I just need to do another rescan.

hope you guys can help me out....


i have a friend who lives in a condo down the street from me and they have bulk direct tv as there cable service....

she has two issues with the service... she has no receiver or box... it is in bulk and just the co-axle is connected to the tv.


1. weather channel... she gets the weather channel but when the they go to the local on the 8's she does not get the local forecast but a regional and national forecast... the directv website says that they offer a local forecast for local on the 8's with direct tv but she can not get it... she contacted the direct tv reseller that provides this service and they can not figure out how to keep this service on... they turn it on and it only lasts a couple of days and then goes back to the regional or national forecast....


2. mlb on tbs sundays... she also loves baseball and has noticed that the national game of the week on tbs is blacked out in her local market even if the game does not involve her local teams... i thought that they are suppose to get the game unless it involves a local team....



you guys have been great... hope you can help me help a friend....




mookie

The Weather Channel on DirecTV only shows Locals on the 8's on the SD channel, not the HD. The red button should work if you're on that channel (362 SD, I think). If not, there might be something strange in the way MDUs (multi-dwelling units) work.

OK, is anyone noticing at 1 AM that "Crowded House" (the rock band) is on WYCC-DT right now in HD with "Austin City Limits"? To prevent pristine copies from showing up illegally on your favorite video site, WYCC has keyed over "WYCC DT Chicago" at the bottom.

No way! You're sh$#!$%#'in me! I always thought WYCC's HD channel was just a simulcast of their SD content! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

(Every last time I set something to record on WYCC, my DVR records the HD and SD versions, and I've never seen WYCC actually broadcast anything in HD... just postage stamp SD. And these are programs that are available in HD, too!)

The Weather Channel on DirecTV only shows Locals on the 8's on the SD channel, not the HD. The red button should work if you're on that channel (362 SD, I think). If not, there might be something strange in the way MDUs (multi-dwelling units) work.

the mdu head end set does not have direct tv remotes... or boxes/ recievers... they use the remote that came with the tv... they made all of the channels 2 digit channels... so they do not have a remote with a red button...


please help

Why not call the forum ATSC TV (AKA: Digital TV)??

Heh, learn something new every day. I always come here by typing in "AVSFORUM CHICAGO OTA" into google. :)

good...


if i type in 27.5 and go backwards i get channel 26 with my kitchen cabinets open... if things are in motion then you should have started and should have an estimated completion date....


i am sure once you guys are done this will fix my problem with the 26's... by the way when does 26.5 ( that) start to broadcast.....


mookie
LOL. Should be fixed now. No estimation on a completion date yet.

why is channel 9 now going out when it has more then enough power and i am very close to the the transmitter.....


please help



mookie

multipath is a common problem close to downtown. Maybe too much signal hitting your tuner as well.

Do we really need both MeTV and MeToo?
All I'm saying really is that they should change the name of this sub-forum from "HD" to "Digital". You don't agree that would be more specific and appropriate at this point?

You asked the question, and when you didn't like the answer you want to chase people out of the CHICAGO OTA forum?

In case anyone wants to talk or rave about subchannels extensively, beyond the local programming level, here's the "official" thread for it:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1071664

I want the engineers at MeTV and MeToo to know I appreciate the viewing choices. If you ask me, I would give up the one CBS HD channel before I would give up all the viewing choices that MeTV offers.

Must be heavy tropo tonight, WCIU dropped out, and now I picked up 26.1 WGBH from Appleton/Green Bay!:D Not bad being I'm in SW MIchigan.

Must be heavy tropo tonight, WCIU dropped out, and now I picked up 26.1 WGBH from Appleton/Green Bay!:D Not bad being I'm in SW MIchigan.

Before anyone comments pointing out that WGBA-DT is on channel 41 and not 27 like WCIU, keep in mind that WACY-DT 27 from Appleton could very well be coming with it and thus demolishing WCIU reception.

- Trip

Before anyone comments pointing out that WGBA-DT is on channel 41 and not 27 like WCIU, keep in mind that WACY-DT 27 from Appleton could very well be coming with it and thus demolishing WCIU reception.

- Trip

I can get WBAY-DT from Green Bay from time to time on 23. But WACY-DT 27 is only at 50 kw. It would have to take some amazing tropo to knock out WCIU.

the mdu head end set does not have direct tv remotes... or boxes/ recievers... they use the remote that came with the tv... they made all of the channels 2 digit channels... so they do not have a remote with a red button...


please help

Hey guys,

I'm not a moderator here, but it's much more appropriate to ask this question on the Chicago-DBS forum here on AVS. You'll probably get your answer there.

No way! You're sh$#!$%#'in me! I always thought WYCC's HD channel was just a simulcast of their SD content! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

(Every last time I set something to record on WYCC, my DVR records the HD and SD versions, and I've never seen WYCC actually broadcast anything in HD... just postage stamp SD. And these are programs that are available in HD, too!)

It looked great, too. I couldn't believe it! It was so good that it compelled WYCC to put that key-over on the bottom so that people wouldn't obviously copy it!

I can get WBAY-DT from Green Bay from time to time on 23. But WACY-DT 27 is only at 50 kw. It would have to take some amazing tropo to knock out WCIU.

I agree, it would take something incredibly strong and colossal to knock out WCIU. They've got one helluva strong signal..any other signals that would try to knock it out and over ride it are basically hitting a huge brick wall head on. It would take a signal stronger than theirs that's on the same channel/frequency to do it.

Also, I want to apologize for my last post..I was talking about stations on a purely local level and didn't mean if I caused a de-rail or trouble. I was thinking my insights and opinion would be interesting to read. I meant no harm :)

You asked the question, and when you didn't like the answer you want to chase people out of the CHICAGO OTA forum?



I want the engineers at MeTV and MeToo to know I appreciate the viewing choices. If you ask me, I would give up the one CBS HD channel before I would give up all the viewing choices that MeTV offers.

Thank you. :) I have forwarded your compliments on to our higher ups.

Just curious hvs10trk, any word on if and/or when there may be a power increase for WWME-LD? (I don't mean like a specific date, but general terms like ''later summer'' or ''early fall'', etc. if you can say/know any news about it)

By the way, nice touch to have the music on all of the THAT stations of 23 and the one on 26. :)

By the way, nice touch to have the music on all of the THAT stations of 23 and the one on 26. :)

Interesting...right now I'm not getting 26.5 at all. I am getting 26.1-26.4 just fine. I've never gotten anything on channel 23 other than 23.1.

So what is the talk about the construction on ch 26 im hearing about here.. ?

whats the outcome going to be ?

what's up with that on 23.3 ?
that UmeFM

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

If you ask me, I would give up the one CBS HD channel before I would give up all the viewing choices that MeTV offers.So would I (there really isn't a damned thing I watch on WBBM anymore - and there is lots of stuff I watch between all the WCIU channels). I complain because I care - and I would like to see the best of that remain at as high of quality as possible - which means PQ-wise, too.

But the main, HD channel is always the priority in the HDTV area of this forum.

There are lots of people out there that want to see 26-1 remain high-quality - even if it would mean getting rid of some of the subchannels, or at least moving them to another frequency. For instance, maybe you don't care about free, live, local professional sports (or aren't watching on a large and high-resolution enough display for it to matter, anyway) - but there are hundreds of thousands in this market that do (it's good to have something more watchable for that than that awful WGN - it would be nice for it to stay that way).

By the way, I said "talk or rave about subchannels extensively, beyond the local programming level" - that's why I linked to that thread. Nothing wrong with side talk or questions about them here - it's always been fine - just don't get carried away. It's not, nor will it ever be the priority here - not as long as this is called the "Local HDTV and Reception" sub-forum, and it remains in the HDTV area of AVS forum (which has first and foremost always been pro, non-degraded-as-possible HDTV).

That subchannel thread was created for a reason - for pro-subchannelers that want to have detailed, pro-discussions about subchannels (it was actually created a few months back in an HD sub-forum for separate discussion, and moved by the administration to the CECB one in anticipation of the huge influx of pro-SD/subchannel newbies that were expected because of the analog cutoff).

If you don't like it, petition the administration to change it (but don't be surprised if they just end up directing you to that other, specific thread I linked to).

This is the way it's always traditionally been here, and I seriously doubt if any newbies are ever going to change it. Lord knows they they tried last year, after the CECB's started being released - but they failed miserably.

And no - I didn't like the answer, and I don't fully believe it, either. The bottom line is always money - not the viewer. Nobody in this business that makes these decisions is doing it for altruistic reasons. Sure, they may be trying to strike some sort of a balance, but I'm talking about the bottom line. I don't blame them - but I don't have to like it, either. You can easily stop repeating stuff so much and compact MeTV, MeToo and ThisTV down to two channels if you really wanted to. And as far as the ethnic stuff, let WJYS have that. Or just move some of it over to 23 or 48. There's really no good reason (in our favor) for them to degrade 26-1 any further. Or add more subchannels to it that will degrade the better subchannels further.

Hey, Rammitinski.. is your Tivo giving you programming data for 23-1?I don't know - I use 26.2, and there's been no problem with that.

Just curious hvs10trk, any word on if and/or when there may be a power increase for WWME-LD? (I don't mean like a specific date, but general terms like ''later summer'' or ''early fall'', etc. if you can say/know any news about it)

By the way, nice touch to have the music on all of the THAT stations of 23 and the one on 26. :)

Thanks.! :D I believe we're at max power for a LD station. :(

So what is the talk about the construction on ch 26 im hearing about here.. ?

whats the outcome going to be ?

Better overall signal. New antenna, higher power, health spa in the transmitter room. :D Gonna take a little time as we have some work at sears tower to do.

So would I (there really isn't a damned thing I watch on WBBM anymore - and there is lots of stuff I watch between all the WCIU channels). I complain because I care - and I would like to see the best of that remain at as high of quality as possible - which means PQ-wise, too.

But the main, HD channel is always the priority in the HDTV area of this forum.

There are lots of people out there that want to see 26-1 remain high-quality - even if it would mean getting rid of some of the subchannels, or at least moving them to another frequency. For instance, maybe you don't care about free, live, local professional sports (or aren't watching on a large and high-resolution enough display for it to matter, anyway) - but there are hundreds of thousands in this market that do (it's good to have something more watchable for that than that awful WGN - it would be nice for it to stay that way).

By the way, I said "talk or rave about subchannels extensively, beyond the local programming level" - that's why I linked to that thread. Nothing wrong with side talk or questions about them here - it's always been fine - just don't get carried away. It's not, nor will it ever be the priority here - not as long as this is called the "Local HDTV and Reception" sub-forum, and it remains in the HDTV area of AVS forum (which has first and foremost always been pro, non-degraded-as-possible HDTV).

That subchannel thread was created for a reason - for pro-subchannelers that want to have detailed discussions about subchannels (it was actually created a few months back in an HD sub-forum for separate discussion, and moved by the administration to the CECB one in anticipation of the huge influx of pro-SD/subchannel newbies that were expected because of the analog cutoff).

If you don't like it, petition the administration to change it (but don't be surprised if they just end up directing you to that other, specific thread I linked to).

This is the way it's always traditionally been here, and I seriously doubt if any newbies are ever going to change it. Lord knows they they tried last year, after the CECB's started being released - but they failed miserably.

And no - I didn't like the answer, and I don't fully believe it, either. The bottom line is always money - not the viewer. Nobody in this business that makes these decisions is doing it for altruistic reasons. Sure, they may be trying to strike some sort of a balance, but I'm talking about the bottom line. I don't blame them - but I don't have to like it, either.

We're using the latest/greatest DTV encoders on the market as I speak. We've spent the money so we can have the biggest bang for our buck and still have good quality pictures. There is a fine line that get's walked between having subchannels and quality. We spend the money because we care about the end product. There are limits in technology, so as it improves, so do we.

Thanks.! :D I believe we're at max power for a LD station. :(

If the FCC site is to be believed, WWME-LD is operating at 4.4 kW. The FCC power limit is 15 kW.

New antenna, higher power, health spa in the transmitter room. :D

Dang, I knew those larger markets had nicer equipment, but I certainly didn't expect a health spa in the transmitter room! :D

I just hope the employees of said spa don't complain about the high RF! That'd make it much less relaxing.

- Trip

If the FCC site is to be believed, WWME-LD is operating at 4.4 kW. The FCC power limit is 15 kW.

- TripHi Trip, Do they de-rate low power stations' ERP for excessive height above average terrain like they do full power stations??

Hi Trip, Do they de-rate low power stations' ERP for excessive height above average terrain like they do full power stations??

No, HAAT is not factored in for low-powered stations. There's not even a place for it on the application. It's a power cap of 15 kW (for UHF) regardless of height.

- Trip

If the FCC site is to be believed, WWME-LD is operating at 4.4 kW. The FCC power limit is 15 kW.



Dang, I knew those larger markets had nicer equipment, but I certainly didn't expect a health spa in the transmitter room! :D

I just hope the employees of said spa don't complain about the high RF! That'd make it much less relaxing.

- Trip

I can never get our power's correct on the spot. (too many transmitters to memorize) :D

......I want the engineers at MeTV and MeToo to know I appreciate the viewing choices. If you ask me, I would give up the one CBS HD channel before I would give up all the viewing choices that MeTV offers.

i agree 100%.....especially re metv and metoo....

except for local news/weather and some '60 minutes' shows there is almost nothing on cbs ch 2.1 worth watching...and its been that way for many years now...so the hd quality is meaningless....and the same thing applies to the abc and nbc networks, in most regards....in my opinion, of course...

Thanks.! :D I believe we're at max power for a LD station. :(

If the FCC site is to be believed, WWME-LD is operating at 4.4 kW. The FCC power limit is 15 kW.

So, does this mean that WWME-LD could possibly increase to 15 kW sometime in the future?

Last night I happened to notice that the HSN analog 25 is back on the air.

So, does this mean that WWME-LD could possibly increase to 15 kW sometime in the future?

Anything is possible. No idea what's in the works.

I don't know - I use 26.2, and there's been no problem with that.

so I take it that it's the same station then, 23.1 and 26.2?

so confusing in that channel area. maybe if I watched those channels more often, I'd have a better handle on what's what; metv, metoo, this, that, wciu, etc. They all kind of melt together as one single station entity in my mind.

so I take it that it's the same station then, 23.1 and 26.2?Yep - they're both MeTV.

And 48-1 and 26-3 are both MeToo.

26-2 was the "original" MeTV station, so that's why they probably never got around to updating things.

Thanks.

What's strange is that after I posted my query to you last night, I changed my selections from the available Tivo channel list. I have two sets of 23.1 and 23.2 listed there, and the ones I have had selected for the past couple weeks (since the digital transition) were, naturally, the digital versions with the MeTV descriptive ID info attached.

The other two available channels also listed as 23.1 & 23.2 are using some 4 letter station ID's that I do not recognize, plus, they are described/listed as "low power". Naturally, I would think these are not the versions of 23.1 & 23.2 I need. I am, afterall, in the Chicago area market, 25-ish miles from the city limits, not in some far outlying area where I would think some low power designation for this station might be applicable.

But, just for the heck of it.. I switched & designated these latter two versions of 23.1 & 23.2 as the preferred ones last night, and guess what? Now I have all the programming scheduling info listed for these two channels when I pull up the Tivo guide menu to search the upcoming programming calender/data. This shouldn't be this way, I dont think. :confused:

By the way, nice touch to have the music on all of the THAT stations of 23 and the one on 26.I'm getting music only on 23.3, which is now labeled "UmeFM" instead of "23.3" as before.  23.4 through 23.8 are still labeled by their virtual channel numbers and 26.5 as "THAT?" and all six of them are silent.

I am, afterall, in the Chicago area market, 25-ish miles from the city limits, not in some far outlying area where I would think some low power designation for this station might be applicable.
As long as you're getting all the guide data and receiving it well, it doesn't matter which version of the channel you actually use. I've just always used 26-2 mostly out of habit, because it was the original version.

(Always worked best with my TVGOS units, too.)

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/307698-Weigel_Launching_Morning_Content_Mix.php

Weigel Launching Morning Content Mix
“Fast-paced, lifestyle focused” programming to air in Chicago
By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/7/2009 3:00:21 PM EDT
Weigel Broadcasting is launching the content mix You and Me This Morning in the fall. The You and Me fare “breaks away from the traditional news format by seamlessly integrating news and features around entertainment programming,” said Weigel in a statement.

You & Me will air each weekday morning between 6 and 9, with segments interspersed on Weigel’s WCIU, The U and Me-TV on WCIU’s digital channel. The content is hosted by Chicago TV/radio vet Jeanne Sparrow.

“Weigel Broadcasting Co. has always been successful in doing things differently. Our introduction and creation of You & Me This Morning will reflect that personality,” said Weigel Broadcasting Executive Vice President Neal Sabin. “We believe Jeanne and the format of You & Me This Morning are a perfect fit with the audience and advertisers alike, providing a unique way to connect with the viewers across multiple platforms.”

WCIU Station Manager Molly Kelly told the Chicago Tribune that Weigel could not produce the “same-old, same-old” in the morning. “This is going to be very focused on local,” she said. “We are weaving it in and around entertainment programming. It's targeted to lifestyles rather than hard news."

I'm getting music only on 23.3, which is now labeled "UmeFM" instead of "23.3" as before.* 23.4 through 23.8 are still labeled by their virtual channel numbers and 26.5 as "THAT?" and all six of them are silent.

Well, at the time that I posted that yesterday (Monday night), all of the THAT channels had music on them, but now today (Tuesday) I'm only getting music on 23.3/UmeFM, as you mentioned above.

I'm getting music only on 23.3, which is now labeled "UmeFM" instead of "23.3" as before.* 23.4 through 23.8 are still labeled by their virtual channel numbers and 26.5 as "THAT?" and all six of them are silent.

That's the way it should be. Last night was work in progress.

That's the way it should be. Last night was work in progress.
I just wish that you guys would raise the power on WWME-LD because I have never been able to receive it here Homer Glen/Orland Park since June 12th, and I my antenna has a straight shot in my attic 3 stories up. And its not available in Evergreen Park either!!!!!

Well, at the time that I posted that yesterday (Monday night), all of the THAT channels had music on them, but now today (Tuesday) I'm only getting music on 23.3/UmeFM, as you mentioned above.

What kind of music is it? I searched for info on it and find nothing but this thread. :D

- Trip

I was just told by my friends that they have been playing music by The Police and James Blunt.

I just wish that you guys would raise the power on WWME-LD because I have never been able to receive it here Homer Glen/Orland Park since June 12th, and I my antenna has a straight shot in my attic 3 stories up. And its not available in Evergreen Park either!!!!!

*nods* I agree, which is why I asked about a power increase a page or two back in this thread. Usually I don't get WWME-LD where I'm at (in Northwest Indiana-Jasper County), but the past few days I tweaked my antenna a little bit and now some of the time I've been locking WWME-LD on my Zenith DTT901 and my Apex DT250; locking about at the halfway point and around 22-27 respectively for each tuner.

That's the way it should be. Last night was work in progress.

Then I guessed it a while back what That will be. I said either a in-demand movie service or music channels. Do I win a prize :D

What kind of music is it? I searched for info on it and find nothing but this thread. :D

- Trip

A variety of everything.

A variety of everything.

How should I list it on my website? :confused:

By the way, WTMJ 4-3 to pick up "The Cool TV" which shows mostly music videos...

- Trip

What kind of music is it?Seems to be mostly soft rock from the 1960s onward.  Without sticking around to listen to it but just occasionally checking the update of the label on one ATSC tuner or another, I've actually heard "Everything That Touches You" by the Association twice, and that was at most their fourth biggest hit after "Cherish," "Windy," and "Never My Love."

Fifth-

#4 would be "Along Comes Mary".

I just wish that you guys would raise the power on WWME-LD because I have never been able to receive it here Homer Glen/Orland Park since June 12th, and I my antenna has a straight shot in my attic 3 stories up. And its not available in Evergreen Park either!!!!!

I don't get any of the 23.x subchannels. Channel 23.1 (RF39) shows up in the channel list because my TiVo thinks I should be getting it but it fluctuates between 0 and 30 percent, not enough for any picture. The rest never get scanned in. Too weak.

Why is MeTV being broadcast on both 23.1 (RF39) and 23.1 (RF27) if both signals are originating from the Sears Tower? I originally thought it was being broadcast from a tower in Aurora. I thought the idea behind WWME-LD (RF39) was to fill in coverage for the suburbs. For that matter, why is MeTV (RF27) being mapped to both 23.1 and 26.2?

Last night I did a rescan of channels on my Dish Network 622, and I seem to be picking up WITI 6-1 from Milwaukee pretty well. It was coming in around signal strength 70 last night. This morning, it's at around 60, but still locked.

I'm assuming since there is that big a difference between then and now, it's some kind of tropo thing that is allowing it to reach me down here? And I probably shouldn't expect it permanently?

Last night I did a rescan of channels on my Dish Network 622, and I seem to be picking up WITI 6-1 from Milwaukee pretty well. It was coming in around signal strength 70 last night. This morning, it's at around 60, but still locked.

I'm assuming since there is that big a difference between then and now, it's some kind of tropo thing that is allowing it to reach me down here? And I probably shouldn't expect it permanently?


Milwaukee and South Bend were rocking in here last night. I just finished installing my new DX antenna stack yesterday. WITI just like WSBT in South bend have impressive signal output.

good morning when could we see WCIU be broadcasting in full 1080p HD.Also how about doing the You and ME show in HD?Just a sugesstion

Digital TV switch not smooth for all
WLS, WBBM | Some viewers still not getting local stations

July 8, 2009
BY LEWIS LAZARE AND FRANCINE KNOWLES llazare@suntimes.com fknowles@suntimes.com

Chicago TV stations spent months trying to prepare local residents for the nationwide digital transition on June 12 in hopes it would be as problem-free as possible.

Despite that effort, thousands of local residents were unable to get digital signals from CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 and ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 after the transition. The trouble was traced to the two outlets being assigned digital channels that had to be changed during the transition.

Some TV viewers are still experiencing problems since the switch to digital.

Most viewers have resolved the issue by re-scanning their channels, but for some, problems continue.

"WLS in Chicago is probably one of the three or four stations that is mentioned most" in calls about signal problems, said Federal Communications Commission spokesman Bill Lake.

The continuing problems may be linked to the power of WLS' signal, which is relatively low. The FCC is letting WLS increase its power on a trial basis to see if that helps.

WLS General Manager Emily Barr said her station continues to hear from a few households still having problems because they live in buildings constructed out of materials that may prevent the digital signal from fully reaching the TV set. Antenna positioning may be another factor affecting the digital signal, Barr said.

At its peak, the FCC's call center received 230,000 calls nationally in one day from TV viewers having problems. Calls are down to about 10,000 to 12,000 a day now, about 2 percent of them from Chicago, Lake said. In all they've received about 1.3 million.

Radio Shack stores report they continue to get calls from people who say they can't get Channels 2, 5, 7 and 66.

good morning when could we see WCIU be broadcasting in full 1080p HD.Also how about doing the You and ME show in HD?Just a sugesstion

Mornin' bluegras,

WCIU, and all other broadcasters, can't broadcast in 1080p...there just isn't anywhere near enough bandwidth in 6 MHZ to do it. WCIU is already in HD when programming is available; Me-TV, you'll have to ask HVS.

Fifth-

#4 would be "Along Comes Mary".Thank you.  To be honest, I'm surprised that there was only one I overlooked.

Channel 23.1 (RF39) ...

Why is MeTV being broadcast on both 23.1 (RF39) and 23.1 (RF27) if both signals are originating from the Sears Tower? ... For that matter, why is MeTV (RF27) being mapped to both 23.1 and 26.2?
23.1 is MeTV from RF27.  MeTV from RF39 is on 23.2, and if your TiVo is making a second 23.1 out of it, it's lousing up.  As to why RF27's MeTV and MeToo are on 23.1 and 48.1 as well as 26.2 and 26.3, that's some proprietary secret at Weigel.

good morning when could we see WCIU be broadcasting in full 1080p HD.Also how about doing the You and ME show in HD?Just a sugesstion

1080p is not an ATSC standard therefore we will never be broadcasting in that resolution. If you were referring to 1080i, there would really be no benefit for us to switch to 1080i at this time.

As to why RF27's MeTV and MeToo are on 23.1 and 48.1 as well as 26.2 and 26.3, that's some proprietary secret at Weigel.

I assume the ostensible reason for this is so that viewers that were used to watching analog MeTV on RF23 and MeToo on RF48 would still be able to "easily" locate the digital versions of those channels. But I suspect the real reason is that they do this just to make their channels show up more frequently on viewer's TVs (and thereby increasing the odds of somebody watching one of them).

I fear that this may ultimately lead to some sort of "PSIP Wars" in the future where each station tries to map itself to every possible channel that they can in an attempt to gain more viewers. Imagine the chaos that will ensue when some marketing "genius" at (for example) ABC decides to try "multi-mapping" 7.1 so that it shows up as 7.1, 2.7, 5.7, 7.7, 9.7, 11.7, 20.7, etc...

I'm not sure how much the FCC regulates this. Is a station allowed to map to any channel number(s) they want -- or can they only map to their current RF and/or their pre-transition RF only?. If it's the latter, a station could still mess things up just by using multiple channel numbers on their current and pre-transition RF channels -- for example something like WBBM mapping themselves as 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, ... 2.99 and 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 ... 12.99.

23.1 is MeTV from RF27.* MeTV from RF39 is on 23.2, and if your TiVo is making a second 23.1 out of it, it's lousing up.* As to why RF27's MeTV and MeToo are on 23.1 and 48.1 as well as 26.2 and 26.3, that's some proprietary secret at Weigel.

I think that the mappings of 26.2 to 23.1 and 26.3 to 48.1 is so MeTV and MeToo could be found more easily and to help the elderly find the channel. I do hope that the mappings will stop one day but doubt it.

23.1 is MeTV from RF27.* MeTV from RF39 is on 23.2, and if your TiVo is making a second 23.1 out of it, it's lousing up.* As to why RF27's MeTV and MeToo are on 23.1 and 48.1 as well as 26.2 and 26.3, that's some proprietary secret at Weigel.

I hope Weigel lets TiVo know what their proper lineup is supposed to be. Otherwise listings will never show up properly.

By the way, WTMJ 4-3 to pick up "The Cool TV" which shows mostly music videos...

Yeesh... in my brief sampling, that channel doesn't spend much on their computer graphics.

The info graphics for the clips are pretty much a black bar with a scrolling marquee in one of the stock Windows fonts.

Last night I did a rescan of channels on my Dish Network 622, and I seem to be picking up WITI 6-1 from Milwaukee pretty well. It was coming in around signal strength 70 last night. This morning, it's at around 60, but still locked.

I'm assuming since there is that big a difference between then and now, it's some kind of tropo thing that is allowing it to reach me down here? And I probably shouldn't expect it permanently?

Probably not, but it should be noted that've been working off and on on their tower lately; in a few weeks, they're moving their digital antenna from its temporary position to the top of the tower.

I imagine once that's done, it certainly won't HURT reception of WITI.

Yeesh... in my brief sampling, that channel doesn't spend much on their computer graphics.

The info graphics for the clips are pretty much a black bar with a scrolling marquee in one of the stock Windows fonts.

As of yesterday 4.3 was color bars.

Probably not, but it should be noted that've been working off and on on their tower lately; in a few weeks, they're moving their digital antenna from its temporary position to the top of the tower.

I imagine once that's done, it certainly won't HURT reception of WITI.

Oh cool!:D it's got a big signal down on the south side of Chicago now. Height can only make it better.

As of yesterday 4.3 was color bars.Yeah, 5:30 this morning was the launch time, if I heard right.

Yeesh... in my brief sampling, that channel doesn't spend much on their computer graphics.

The info graphics for the clips are pretty much a black bar with a scrolling marquee in one of the stock Windows fonts.

Fun.

Before this WTMJ agreement, The Cool TV had never been anywhere but on leased low-powered digital subchannels, so...

http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=network_search&network=the+cool+tv

- Trip

Fun.

Before this WTMJ agreement, The Cool TV had never been anywhere but on leased low-powered digital subchannels, so...

Heh, it looks like the sort of channel that the Max Headroom video pirate (err, both way before your time and a Chicago TV-only thing) would have called home.

/hums CLUTCH CARGO theme

Yeah, 5:30 this morning was the launch time, if I heard right.

Yep got it. Milwaukees now coming in 2 days in the row 90 miiles away. Giving my new DX antenna a good test out :D

hello all:


still having issues with channel 9... never had the problem before friday july 3rd in the evening...


if i open the kitchen cabinet above the tv or put something in front of the dtv box the signal comes in... if i do not do these things no signal... however i never had the issue before friday night...


not sure what is going on....


please help.....



mookie

WTMJ's website has a brief article about the new CoolTV channel (http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/50217567.html).

From what CoolTV's website says, much of the programming is locally chosen, which considering we're talking about the market that originated the classic rock format, would explain the Police, Cream, Zeppelin videos (I've seen some Marley and the Hives, too).

If WTMJ is the only full-power station carrying it, I imagine they've got a lot of say in the "national" programming part, too. So far, the ads REALLY don't mesh with the demo that's probably going to be watching this - at all.

Heh, it looks like the sort of channel that the Max Headroom video pirate (err, both way before your time and a Chicago TV-only thing) would have called home.

I've seen the video of the "hijacking" on YouTube. :)

- Trip

I've seen the video of the "hijacking" on YouTube. :)

Back then, I always watched Dr. Who on WTTW, so I actually got to see it unfold.

(Didn't know about the earlier attempt on WGN before I saw it on Dr. Who - the "message", such that it is, makes more sense if the original plan was to break into WGN's programming)

Seems to be mostly soft rock from the 1960s onward.As long as they stick to Rock of any type, I'll definitely check it out. Even Adult Contemporary, if it's pleasing enough to the ear.

Any Hip-Hop, Modern Country-Pop or Britney Spears-type teenybopper stuff mixed in there, and I absolutely won't watch. None of that Christina Aguilera/Joss Stone/Mariah Carey all over the scale, look what I can do with my voice, painfully constipated-sounding, cat in heat, make your ears bleed, wailing pseudo-Soul crap, either. Or "loudmouth yelling" stuff, that makes my spine scrunch up, like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion or Michael Bolton.

The only subchannel we ever had access to that's gone now and I miss is The Tube. You couldn't pay me enough to watch the type of stuff shown on 9-2, MTV, or even VH1 these days (and CMT is a given).

As long as they stick to Rock of any type, I'll definitely check it out.

Any Hip-Hop, Modern Country-Pop or Britney Spears-type teenybopper stuff mixed in there, and I absolutely won't watch. None of that Christina Aguilera/Joss Stone/Mariah Carey all over the scale, look what I can do with my voice, painfully constipated-sounding, cat in heat, make your ears bleed, wailing pseudo-Soul crap, either.

The only subchannel we ever had access to that's gone now and I miss is The Tube. You couldn't pay me enough to watch the type of crud shown on 9-2 or MTV these days.

Been watching it for an hour now reminds me of TheTUBE.

Been watching it for an hour now reminds me of TheTUBE.

I believe he's talking about 23.3/U-Me FM, not the videos on 4.3.

EDIT: Heh, 4.3's playing 99 RED BALLOONS by Nena. Haven't seen this video in... forever.

I'm not sure now what Dattier was talking about in the post I cited, but I was talking about CoolTV.

That sounds pretty decent. Maybe there is some hope after all that they haven't completely forgotten about the demographic I (and it sounds like some here) belong to.

I believe he's talking about 23.3/U-Me FM, not the videos on 4.3.

EDIT: Heh, 4.3's playing 99 RED BALLOONS by Nena. Haven't seen this video in... forever.

It's really reminding me of The TUBE. 99 Red Balloons was a great video. :)

I'm not sure now what Dattier was talking about in the post I cited, but I was talking about CoolTV.

That sounds pretty decent. Maybe there is some hope after all that they haven't completely forgotten about the demographic I (and it sounds like some here) belong to.

Yeah, I know you've said Milwaukee stations are kind of hit-and-miss for you lately, but it might be worth a shot to try and pull in WTMJ.

The non-classic rock stuff they've played is stuff like Marley ("Jammin'), before-he-went-weird Michael Jackson ("Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough"), early REM ("Radio Free Europe"), etc.

They just got done playing ONE FROM THE ROAD-era, arena-rock phase, live Kinks, then Queen ("Tie Your Mother Down"), and "She's So Cold" by the Stones. Good stuff!

PQ isn't great, but given that it's a 4:3 subchannel and most of the source material wasn't stellar to begin with, it doesn't bother me personally.


EDIT: They have seemed to start playing new stuff after 4 PM, though. (Chris Cornell, Kaiser Chiefs, Pussycat Dolls (!)). Hmm.

EDIT 2: Maybe it was just an hour-long thing. Now they're back to playing the Kinks and old-school Bon Jovi after an hour of the new Top40ish stuff. Can't see how the demo that would watch the 4 o'clock stuff would stomach the rest, and vice versa.

I assume the ostensible reason for this is so that viewers that were used to watching analog MeTV on RF23 and MeToo on RF48 would still be able to "easily" locate the digital versions of those channels. But I suspect the real reason is that they do this just to make their channels show up more frequently on viewer's TVs (and thereby increasing the odds of somebody watching one of them).

I fear that this may ultimately lead to some sort of "PSIP Wars" in the future where each station tries to map itself to every possible channel that they can in an attempt to gain more viewers. Imagine the chaos that will ensue when some marketing "genius" at (for example) ABC decides to try "multi-mapping" 7.1 so that it shows up as 7.1, 2.7, 5.7, 7.7, 9.7, 11.7, 20.7, etc...

I'm not sure how much the FCC regulates this. Is a station allowed to map to any channel number(s) they want -- or can they only map to their current RF and/or their pre-transition RF only?. If it's the latter, a station could still mess things up just by using multiple channel numbers on their current and pre-transition RF channels -- for example something like WBBM mapping themselves as 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, ... 2.99 and 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 ... 12.99.
You are correct. We did this because the general public was having a hard time finding "23" and "48". As for the FCC, as long as we don't interfere with another channel's mappings, then its ok. As far as we know, we're the first in the country to "creativly map" our DTV streams.

Yeesh... in my brief sampling, that channel doesn't spend much on their computer graphics.

The info graphics for the clips are pretty much a black bar with a scrolling marquee in one of the stock Windows fonts.

Looks like a SDI Chyron Codi CG. Industry standard for EAS graphics.

Rammitinski, I'd know you'd appreciate this:

After seeing all those new Top40ish videos on CoolTV from 4-5 PM, I went to the LakeFM website (they're owned by the same company as WTMJ and are the ones who are handling the local part of the CoolTV programming) and they had a feedback section for CoolTV.

So I sent a polite email expressing my preference for the classic-rock/80s mix they had earlier over the Top40ish stuff.

Got an email back from the radio station PD (in about ten minutes!) and it was mentioned that it was a one-hour after-school type block. The classic-rock/70s/80s type of mix is also that radio station's format, but sounds like they're trying to figure out how much contemporary stuff to sprinkle in.

The PD did seem genuinely interested about what viewers wanted, so I tried to do my small part to ensure that the Pussycat Dolls don't sully the channel any more :D

As far as we know, we're the first in the country to "creativly map" our DTV streams.

Depends on what you mean by "creatively map."

http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=kesq

No longer listed, but in Charlottesville where I go to school, WAHU-LD (Fox) was on the air long before its CBS and ABC sisters, and so it was doing split mapping to 16-1, 19-1, 19-2, 27-1, and 27-2 (all in SD) for quite some time. Nowadays, 19-2 is actually on the 27-x stream while 19-1 and 19-3 are on their own frequency.

- Trip

Got an email back from the radio station PD (in about ten minutes!) and it was mentioned that it was a one-hour after-school type block. The classic-rock/70s/80s type of mix is also that radio station's format, but sounds like they're trying to figure out how much contemporary stuff to sprinkle in.Maybe I'll give them a holler and suggest it should be the other way around - meaning the Top 40 stuff just at a certain hour.

Maybe I'll give them a holler and suggest it should be the other way around - meaning the Top 40 stuff just at a certain hour.

That seems to be what they're trying right now - after 5, they went right back to the primarily 60s-80s mix (which is the format of the LakeFM radio station).

When I wrote my email to the station, I was worried that the pre-4PM programming (the retro mix) was the abberation, but it sounds like the inverse is true - the Top40 stuff is.

Looks like a SDI Chyron Codi CG. Industry standard for EAS graphics.

For some reason, I find that amusing. They repurposed the Emergency Broadcast stuff?

hello all:


still having issues with channel 9... never had the problem before friday july 3rd in the evening...


if i open the kitchen cabinet above the tv or put something in front of the dtv box the signal comes in... if i do not do these things no signal... however i never had the issue before friday night...


not sure what is going on....


please help.....



mookie

Not sure what your problem is mookie. All I can think of is some sort of multi-path, but it's odd that it just started happening. WGN-DT reception here is fine. The quality of their hd leaves a lot to be desired though.

Does anyone in the Chicagoland area use the DTVPal DVR? I am about to drop cable so the DVR they are renting is going back. Does the DTVPal DVR pick up as many stations as your HDTV? Does Chicago get the 10 day programming guide? Does the DTVPal need to be plugged into a telephone line to work?

So anyone else notice that the Sox game looks really bad tonight? I've noticed before that Cubs/Sox on WGN or WCIU has a "pusling" at times. Screen tends to get a little brighter or in tonight's case, it is going "pixely." My signal on both the HR10-250 and Mitsubishi ATSC tuners are 90+ so I doubt it's due to the weather (I've also noticed this during broad daylight/clear conditions). Is there maybe something wrong with the feed?

good morning when could we see WCIU be broadcasting in full 1080p HD.Also how about doing the You and ME show in HD?Just a sugesstion

Not in the near future..
FYI i dont think the OTA transmission supports 1080p anyway

I think I figured out my WGN problems. Looking at my TVFool data, it seems that my antenna was picking up multichannel interference from WMTV (out of Madison, I'm guessing), which is also on RF 19. I moved my antenna around and found a location that blocked some of the signal. I sealed the deal with a piece of cardboard and aluminum foil behind the antenna. As a tradeoff, I have lost some signal quality for some Wisconsin stations, and 4.1 is completely gone (it was before, too). I have a feeling that 4.1 is also getting co-channel interference, but I can't figure out what it could be...

Anyone have any ideas? I'm closer to Milwaukee than most of you, yet I'm not getting 4.1 GRRR!!!!

Edit: I think I found RF28 - Fox in South Bend, IN. That'd explain why on "good tropo" nights, I lost 4.1 as well as WGN. The bad part is that from my position, it'll be nearly impossible to block South Bend without blocking Chicago...

Does anyone in the Chicagoland area use the DTVPal DVR? I am about to drop cable so the DVR they are renting is going back. Does the DTVPal DVR pick up as many stations as your HDTV? Does Chicago get the 10 day programming guide? Does the DTVPal need to be plugged into a telephone line to work?

If you don't get any replies here, you may want to check over in the DTVPal DVR thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071&page=198

Does Chicago get the 10 day programming guide?

Up to 8 days, depending on if you have a CBS station w/TVGOS - if not, then whatever each station transmits itself in it's PSIP data.

Does the DTVPal need to be plugged into a telephone line to work?

No, gets all info OTA - the ethernet port is only for software updates.


The 1st post is VERY informative:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071

I think I figured out my WGN problems. Looking at my TVFool data, it seems that my antenna was picking up multichannel interference from WMTV (out of Madison, I'm guessing), which is also on RF 19. I moved my antenna around and found a location that blocked some of the signal. I sealed the deal with a piece of cardboard and aluminum foil behind the antenna. As a tradeoff, I have lost some signal quality for some Wisconsin stations, and 4.1 is completely gone (it was before, too). I have a feeling that 4.1 is also getting co-channel interference, but I can't figure out what it could be...

Anyone have any ideas? I'm closer to Milwaukee than most of you, yet I'm not getting 4.1 GRRR!!!!

Edit: I think I found RF28 - Fox in South Bend, IN. That'd explain why on "good tropo" nights, I lost 4.1 as well as WGN. The bad part is that from my position, it'll be nearly impossible to block South Bend without blocking Chicago...

Correct. WSJV moved back to 28 on June 12, at high power. So, with any tropo from the east, they'll be a blowtorch. WMTV is due to triple their power , if they haven't done so already.

For some reason, I find that amusing. They repurposed the Emergency Broadcast stuff?

They now have an HD graphic weather crawl, therefore the Chyron is probably idle...so why not? :) Saves them some money.

They now have an HD graphic weather crawl, therefore the Chyron is probably idle...so why not? :) Saves them some money.

Heh... I suppose. It does look kind of cheap, but I suspect it's not exactly a high-budget operation.

I'm not sure now what Dattier was talking about in the post I cited, but I was talking about CoolTV.I was talking about UmeFM, whose label has since reverted to "23.3" again.

OK, sorry - I just grabbed your post out of the bunch.

Up to 8 days, depending on if you have a CBS station w/TVGOS - if not, then whatever each station transmits itself in it's PSIP data.WBBM-DT (CBS) here does transmit the digital TVGOS data.

Heh, it looks like the sort of channel that the Max Headroom video pirate (err, both way before your time and a Chicago TV-only thing) would have called home.

/hums CLUTCH CARGO theme

You can still see it here (http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/screen.php) along with lots of old Chicago TV stuff on there. Station ID breaks, sign offs, local commercials, etc. I like the corrugated metal background spinning to simulate the actual Max Headroom background. I remember both. Clutch Cargo on the other hand... I only remember something about cartoons with human lips and someone named Paddlefoot.

"This is Channel 26 - Chicago's First Ultra High Frequency Station - Broadcasting from the Top of the Board of Trade Building. WCIU-TV Chicago."

You can still see it here (http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/screen.php) along with lots of old Chicago TV stuff on there. Station ID breaks, sign offs, local commercials, etc. I like the corrugated metal background spinning to simulate the actual Max Headroom background. I remember both. Clutch Cargo on the other hand..
"Max" starts humming/singing the theme song at about 1:16 of that video.

You can actually see a little bit of the room the people are filming in here and there when the metal is swinging around (upper right hand corner).

So anyone else notice that the Sox game looks really bad tonight? I've noticed before that Cubs/Sox on WGN or WCIU has a "pusling" at times. Screen tends to get a little brighter or in tonight's case, it is going "pixely." My signal on both the HR10-250 and Mitsubishi ATSC tuners are 90+ so I doubt it's due to the weather (I've also noticed this during broad daylight/clear conditions). Is there maybe something wrong with the feed?

Fixed half way through.

Been getting Milwaukee 3 days running with my new setup. Im really impressed with WITI it really burns up the airwaves down here. Almost constant even in the rain. :)

One thing that does bug me about digital Dx is what I think allot of the guys with problems with weak channel 7 and 2 deal with by airports. Planes cause breakup. Im within a mile of Midway and although they don't touch my Chicago channels they cause havoc on Milwaukee and South bend depending on there direction there flying. We used to see airplane flutter on analog DX now that's replaced by breakup (pixelation). I can feel your pain the ones having this problem with Chicago stations. Digital is a totally different animal. :(

I think analog 32 going off air has really helped WITI. It is far more reliable than it used to be only a couple months ago.

PiP watching the Bears (win) and Green Bay (lose)... going to be fun this season. I'm crossing my fingers on WSBT for the Colts games.

What is the actual frequency (or frequencies) that WBBM is using now? I know the range for VHF 12 in analog days was 204 through 210, and stations only used a couple discrete frequencies in that range.

The reason for my question is wireless mic usage. My good wireless mic is now useless (channel 69), but my back-up is VHF 208.200. It worked fine pre-conversion, but now that WBBM has moved to 12 I'm nervous. It works fine in my basement studio, but I have an outdoor gig next week on the Northwest side, and I'm wondering if it's even worth trying to use it.

I think analog 32 going off air has really helped WITI. It is far more reliable than it used to be only a couple months ago.



That makes sense since WITI is on 33. It's definitely a barn burner down here with WTMJ and CBS 58 probably next in signal.

Channel 22 WSBT is a rocker too (massive signal) with WNDU 16 next.

http://www.themusicworkshopchicago.com/satellite/electronic.htm

What is the actual frequency (or frequencies) that WBBM is using now? I know the range for VHF 12 in analog days was 204 through 210, and stations only used a couple discrete frequencies in that range.

The reason for my question is wireless mic usage. My good wireless mic is now useless (channel 69), but my back-up is VHF 208.200. It worked fine pre-conversion, but now that WBBM has moved to 12 I'm nervous. It works fine in my basement studio, but I have an outdoor gig next week on the Northwest side, and I'm wondering if it's even worth trying to use it.

The frequencies are the same, just that now the whole channel is used instead of a few selected ones in the 6 MHz range. You're probably going to want to retune your mic...

- Trip

WITI has been a barn burner down here too. Im actually kind of surprised at the frequency that I have been getting Milwalkee's DTV channels. I almost feel like I live up there EH. :D

Correct. WSJV moved back to 28 on June 12, at high power. So, with any tropo from the east, they'll be a blowtorch. WMTV is due to triple their power , if they haven't done so already.

Any suggestions for filtering out South Bend? It's probably 10 degrees off axis to Chicago for me, so I'm not sure if I even can block it...

Also, interestingly enough, I had best signal quality when I leaned the antenna back say 15 degrees.

WITI has been a barn burner down here too. Im actually kind of surprised at the frequency that I have been getting Milwalkee's DTV channels. I almost feel like I live up there EH. :D

Your like 55 miles south of me. Im at 90 miles here from Milwaukee so at 145 down there that's impressive. Wonder how far south WITI gets ? How's WSBT 22 South bend come in by you?

I actually got a lock on WTVO 17 Rockford last night with my Milwaukee fixed antenna, first lock on Rockford Digital. Wonder how Madison will fair with heavy tropo. Im thinking about building another clone ant from parts here, throwing it up on my Chicago mast and point it towards Rockford and Madison. Man my house has got to be an lightning rod :D

Any suggestions for filtering out South Bend? It's probably 10 degrees off axis to Chicago for me, so I'm not sure if I even can block it...

Also, interestingly enough, I had best signal quality when I leaned the antenna back say 15 degrees.

Only way I would think you can do something like that is with a phase canceler and two antenna's with one nulling.

Funny thing about 28 If I lock WSJV it kills my mapping for TMJ and when I lock TMJ I loose my mapping on SJV. My Zenith box is having fits I bet. :D

Sometimes tilting your Antenna upward a bit can help.

Wonder how far south WITI gets ?:D

I'm in SW Mich, and I pull in WITI most of the time. I do have a 65' tower though.

I sent ABC engineering a signal strength report when they did the 9.5kw testing on 7/2. Some moron in their engineering department sent this reply.

Thanks for contacting ABC 7 Chicago. We do appreciate questions and
comments. You need a VHF or VHF/UHF antenna (WBBM Channel 2 also
broadcasts on VHF). We now broadcast our DTV signal on VHF channel 7.
Thanks
Engineering

It appears they don't deserve our help in trying to get out of their mess if all they can generate is a canned response that makes it obvious the didn't even read the e-mail.

Hi Moxie,

As I described in an earlier post, they wanted you to post that info here. That would be seen by the appropriate person(s). Go ahead and do that.

sent an e-mail to wls tv regarding continued signal issues...

i received the following response:


Sorry it's not happening as fast as anyone would like. WLS and the FCC are still working on the best way to rectify this situation.

they do not seem to be in a hurry to fix the problem....


still wondering about channels 9 and the 26's... how come i can get 23.2 without any issues, being broadcast from the same place as the 26's but have trouble with 26's...

channels 2, 5, 11,16,20,22,23.2,28,32,34,38,40,41,43, 44, 50, 54, 57, 60, 62 and 66 come in clear( i might have missed a couple) but have problems with 26's, 7 and now 9... i have called channel 9 twice, left messages and received no response...



please help with the 26 and 9 issues


do not think the 9 issue is interference from another station as before friday 7/3/09 i had no problem with it... just since this weekend... think they might be doing some kind of maintenance at the sears tower or someone else is and it is messing up the signal....


please help....



mookie




mookie

Fixed half way through.

why can i get 23.2 and the rest of the substations with the exception of 23.1 without any issues but still am having trouble with the 26's...


i can also get your channel 57 from southbend without a problem... i was told it also is being beamed from the sears tower....


please help

Hi Moxie,

As I described in an earlier post, they wanted you to post that info here. That would be seen by the appropriate person(s). Go ahead and do that.

Okay, I didn't realize they wanted it here. Will delete the referenced post.

Here is the comparison for WLS on the 7/2 test.

Location: N 42 04' 46" W87 43' 5.5"
From you to me is 14.5 mi bearing 347 magnetic.

Equipment: Channel Master 4221 UHF antenna(Old Style).
2nd floor bedroom facing the south. Receiver is a Tivo Series 3.
On 6/12, 6/18, and early on 7/2:
signal strength is 78-80 and SNR is 25dB.

On 7/2/2009 1930hrs and 2115hrs:
signal strength is 86 and SNR is 27dB.

how come i can get 23.2 without any issues, being broadcast from the same place as the 26's but have trouble with 26's...

I have told you why already. WCWW-LD is on the same channel and is interfering with it.

I've also told you that WBND-LD is not coming from the Sears Tower, it is coming from South Bend.

If you want to receive 26-x, you have to make the South Bend stations weaker.

- Trip

The frequencies are the same, just that now the whole channel is used instead of a few selected ones in the 6 MHz range. You're probably going to want to retune your mic...

- Trip

Darn- I was hoping they were using less of the bandwidth. Most of the major wireless manufacturers are saying it is cheaper to buy a new one than to have the freq changed. I may just have the mics converted to wired until I can afford to buy a new AMT.

What is the actual frequency (or frequencies) that WBBM is using now? I know the range for VHF 12 in analog days was 204 through 210, and stations only used a couple discrete frequencies in that range.

The reason for my question is wireless mic usage. My good wireless mic is now useless (channel 69), but my back-up is VHF 208.200. It worked fine pre-conversion, but now that WBBM has moved to 12 I'm nervous. It works fine in my basement studio, but I have an outdoor gig next week on the Northwest side, and I'm wondering if it's even worth trying to use it.

State police and Cook County are soon going to be utilizing frequencies in and around Channel 69.

State police and Cook County are soon going to be utilizing frequencies in and around Channel 69.

<laughs> Yeah...that was to fix another can of worms which is about as nightmarish as the digital television transition!:rolleyes:

I have told you why already. WCWW-LD is on the same channel and is interfering with it.

I've also told you that WBND-LD is not coming from the Sears Tower, it is coming from South Bend.

If you want to receive 26-x, you have to make the South Bend stations weaker.

- Trip

however you failed to advise how to do this, after all i have a zenith converter box and a non amplified antenna that came with the tv...

please explain how to make the south bend station on the same frequency weeker... i have no way to make this weaker...


mookie

You could buy a better receiving antenna which is more directional (and discriminates against signals from the sides and rear) and point it toward the Sears transmitters with its blind spot in the direction of the unwanted South Bend station. Some times tricky reception problems require extra measures on the part of certain viewers.

george:


already tried this... tried two different non amplified antennas... did not make a difference.. because of where i am located on the lakefront and because i live in a high rise i get the indiana stations regardless... unless i delete them and that does not make a difference....



thanks for your help but i have already tried this and am looking for some additional help....



mookie

george:


already tried this... tried two different non amplified antennas... did not make a difference.. because of where i am located on the lakefront and because i live in a high rise i get the indiana stations regardless... unless i delete them and that does not make a difference....



thanks for your help but i have already tried this and am looking for some additional help....



mookie


Something I was going to try was to take a large piece of cardboard and wrap aluminum foil around one side, and place it to the side of the antenna (aluminum foil facing out) such that it reflects signals coming from South Bend. I'll let you know if it works, though I'm guessing from your position (where exactly do you live anyway?) you'll have an easier time doing this than me.

So I did some fun stuff with my compass today to determine a few things.

1. South Bend's transmitters are roughly 40 degrees off-axis to Chicago's. So I'll need to devise a way to block that portion and yet still let Chicago's signals through.

2. My cardboard/aluminum should block signal from Madison. Unfortunately, it may be blocking Milwaukee, too (though I am able to get most MIL stations except for WTMJ-4 thanks to South Bend).

3. Time to get some more cardboard and aluminum foil :)

State police and Cook County are soon going to be utilizing frequencies in and around Channel 69.

I know. My $600 AMT clip-on mic for my sax is now a piece of electronic debris. It was the only one on the market at the time I bought it that didn't require a belt pack transmitter. The new "legal" replacement model is selling for $759.

When I was watching Me-TV earlier today I noticed the guide data/program difference again.

TIME RANGE-----GUIDE DATA--------- ACTUAL PROGRAM
11am-12pm ------Kojak----------------Charlie's Angels
12pm-1pm -------Gunsmoke------------Wild Wild West


hvs10trk possibly to the rescue to fix this? :p :)

So I messed around w/some stuff, got channel 4, but lost WGN and others(!). So back to the old setup we go.

I'm looking to get a new antenna. This budget RS isn't cutting it. I'm thinking of getting one that's good for UHF and using the budget RS dipoles for VHF (and the CM-7777 to combine the signals). Any ideas on what to get? My gut's telling me a DB-4 would work well for me...

So I messed around w/some stuff, got channel 4, but lost WGN and others(!). So back to the old setup we go.

I'm looking to get a new antenna. This budget RS isn't cutting it. I'm thinking of getting one that's good for UHF and using the budget RS dipoles for VHF (and the CM-7777 to combine the signals). Any ideas on what to get? My gut's telling me a DB-4 would work well for me...

Gotta go for the ChannelMaster 4228 HD. If you're serious about reception, that WILL do it. And if you're closse to Chicago, you won't need that strong of an amp.

Gotta go for the ChannelMaster 4228 HD. If you're serious about reception, that WILL do it. And if you're closse to Chicago, you won't need that strong of an amp.

Don't know; that seems a bit overkill for his situation.

For whatever reason, around the state line region, it seems a simple UHF loop/single bowtie [INDOORS] is good for about ~40 mile reception. 4-bays I've tried indoors have been good for the ~55 miles needed. Even my indoor 2-bay (which is on the north side of the house, and has to go through the walls of the rest of the house to get the Chicago signals) gets Chicago UHF most of the time.

He's going attic, so with the extra height he'll be even better off than my situation (I believe he and I are at comparable elevations). He's almost smack dab at the exact midway point between the Milwaukee and Chicago transmitters.

Don't know; that seems a bit overkill for his situation.

For whatever reason, around the state line region, it seems a simple UHF loop/single bowtie [INDOORS] is good for about ~40 mile reception. 4-bays I've tried indoors have been good for the ~55 miles needed. Even my indoor 2-bay (which is on the north side of the house, and has to go through the walls of the rest of the house to get the Chicago signals) gets Chicago UHF most of the time.

He's going attic, so with the extra height he'll be even better off than my situation (I believe he and I are at comparable elevations). He's almost smack dab at the exact midway point between the Milwaukee and Chicago transmitters.

yup and I want to be sure I can get both milwaukee and chicago... though mostly chicago (WBBM, WMAQ, WGN primarily; CBS Milwaukee would be nice as a backup in case WBBM disappeared due to swamp gas or weather balloon). Thanks for the suggestions, guys! Keep'em coming :).

I think the problem I'm having right now is that the simple rabbit ears + loop design is forcing me to choose two out of the three stations. And I want all 3 :). The RE+Loop would work better on top of a tv so it can be adjusted as necessary.

I'm looking to get a new antenna. This budget RS isn't cutting it. I'm thinking of getting one that's good for UHF and using the budget RS dipoles for VHF (and the CM-7777 to combine the signals). Any ideas on what to get? My gut's telling me a DB-4 would work well for me...

As I understand it, I'm considerably farther south than you (I'm in Skokie). I have a DB-4 about fifteen feet up, and WBBM & WLS come in fine with my DB-4...

...but I think that's just because of my lack of distance to the transmitters. I wouldn't recommend it for someone close to the WI/IL border, just being conservative. (i.e. I believe I can get away with it simply because the signal strength due to proximity overcomes the antenna's non-VHF-ed-ness.)

1. South Bend's transmitters are roughly 40 degrees off-axis to Chicago's. So I'll need to devise a way to block that portion and yet still let Chicago's signals through.

Yeah, wow... I think you're thinking of this the wrong way. I think you need to think of it as more of a case of selective reception vs. blocking.

In other words, you probably need something like a parabolic dish, which would have a really small angle of reception. Point that at Chicago, and you (theoretically) should get Chicago and not South Bend.

A regular long distance / selective antenna should be good enough to discriminate between madison and milwaukee (IMHO).


YMMV, just some late night ramblings.

When I was watching Me-TV earlier today I noticed the guide data/program difference again.

TIME RANGE-----GUIDE DATA--------- ACTUAL PROGRAM
11am-12pm ------Kojak----------------Charlie's Angels
12pm-1pm -------Gunsmoke------------Wild Wild West


hvs10trk possibly to the rescue to fix this? :p :)

So much for auto update. :eek:

george:


already tried this... tried two different non amplified antennas... did not make a difference.. because of where i am located on the lakefront and because i live in a high rise i get the indiana stations regardless... unless i delete them and that does not make a difference....



thanks for your help but i have already tried this and am looking for some additional help....



mookie

This describes one technique of using two antennas to "null" stations from a particular direction, while receiving stations from a different direction:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/ganging.html#TAT

No one said it would be easy, but it's possible...

Don't know; that seems a bit overkill for his situation.

For whatever reason, around the state line region, it seems a simple UHF loop/single bowtie [INDOORS] is good for about ~40 mile reception. 4-bays I've tried indoors have been good for the ~55 miles needed. Even my indoor 2-bay (which is on the north side of the house, and has to go through the walls of the rest of the house to get the Chicago signals) gets Chicago UHF most of the time.

He's going attic, so with the extra height he'll be even better off than my situation (I believe he and I are at comparable elevations). He's almost smack dab at the exact midway point between the Milwaukee and Chicago transmitters.

There is no such thing as overkill. It is better to have too much than too little signal. And for solid, consistent reception and DX'ing, big is critical in attics. Remember, you lose 50%-95% of your signal up there, depending on what the roofing/exterior wall material is (aluminum siding, vinyl siding, etc).

Sure, a small antenna *could* work, but why risk it? The bigger the antenna, generally the more directonal it is. A small antenna is not very directional. You can pick up UHF stations 50 degrees off the side of a CM 4221. Good luck trying that with a 4228, except on good tropo nights!

There's doing it, and doing it right. From DeKalb, on some good tropo nights, I can null out WSNS-DT and get a Grand Rapids religious station, also on 45. That was about 30 degrees (or a little less) antenna turning. I could get both just by swinging the antenna 30 degrees over to get one or the other. I'm guessing that is what you want...

There is no such thing as overkill. It is better to have too much than too little signal. And for solid, consistent reception and DX'ing, big is critical in attics. Remember, you lose 50%-95% of your signal up there, depending on what the roofing/exterior wall material is (aluminum siding, vinyl siding, etc).

..

Always go with the biggest head you can afford. You can always pad down any overloading. Plus as directors increase so does the beamwidth narrow.

So much for auto update. :eek:

LOL, seem good now though *thumbs up*

There is no such thing as overkill. It is better to have too much than too little signal.No disagreement there, but as a practical matter factors such as $$$ and the ability to squeeze the antenna in the desired area do have to be considered.

And for solid, consistent reception and DX'ing, He's got the unamplified rabbit ears/UHF loop from RS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077&y=8&x=7&retainProdsInSession=1) in the attic now, and that's been working 90%+ of the time. It's just when tropo conditions became more prevalent he had problems, since he's using an antenna that has almost no directionality whatsoever.

Unless I'm misunderstanding, he's not DXing, he just wants Milwaukee/Chicago - that's not too difficult at all, and has always been expected around here. Plop an antenna on the roof (massive trees would be the one exception, which doesn't seem to be a problem for him judging from the sat pic he posted yesterday), and this topic wouldn't be coming up at all.

Sure, a small antenna *could* work, but why risk it? The bigger the antenna, generally the more directonal it is. A small antenna is not very directional. A bigger-than-he-has-now antenna, with some directionality, would be good. An ever-bigger-antenna with even more directionality would be bad.

In this area/situation, some bidirectionality is good. Point at the weaker of the two markets, and get the stronger coming through the backside of the reflector. No rotator.

Unless costs have changed recently, for the price of a 4228HD, one could pick up a DB4-type antenna, and then if needed for the VHF end of things, pick up that ~$30 shipped AntennaCraft hi-VHF yagi.

So much for auto update. :eek:

Where exactly are the listings coming from? You would think it would be the same source. Even the channel lineups/PSIP info are different.


Here is what Tribune/TitanTV shows:

23 WWME IND
26.1 WCIU-DT IND
26.2 WCIU-DT2 METV CH 23
26.3 WCIU-DT3 ME-TOO
26.4 THIS TV THIS
26.6 WCIU-DT6 FBT
39.1 WWME-LD IND
48 WMEU IND

Here is what my TiVo shows:

23 WWME-CA
23.1 MeTV *RF27
23.1 WWME-LD *RF39
26.1 WCIU-DT
26.2 WCIU-DT2
26.3 WCIU-DT3
26.4 WCIU-DT4
26.5 THAT?
26.6 WCIU-DT6
48.1 MeToo *RF27

No disagreement there, but as a practical matter factors such as $$$ and the ability to squeeze the antenna in the desired area do have to be considered.

He's got the unamplified rabbit ears/UHF loop from RS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103077&y=8&x=7&retainProdsInSession=1) in the attic now, and that's been working 90%+ of the time. It's just when tropo conditions became more prevalent he had problems, since he's using an antenna that has almost no directionality whatsoever.

Unless I'm misunderstanding, he's not DXing, he just wants Milwaukee/Chicago - that's not too difficult at all, and has always been expected around here. Plop an antenna on the roof (massive trees would be the one exception, which doesn't seem to be a problem for him judging from the sat pic he posted yesterday), and this topic wouldn't be coming up at all.

A bigger-than-he-has-now antenna, with some directionality, would be good. An ever-bigger-antenna with even more directionality would be bad.

In this area/situation, some bidirectionality is good. Point at the weaker of the two markets, and get the stronger coming through the backside of the reflector. No rotator.

Unless costs have changed recently, for the price of a 4228HD, one could pick up a DB4-type antenna, and then if needed for the VHF end of things, pick up that ~$30 shipped AntennaCraft hi-VHF yagi.

wow you picked it up exactly! I'm probably going with the DB-4 and pointing it at Milwaukee. With luck, it'll also pick up the Chicago stations (but won't be sensitive enough to pick up South Bend). For VHF, I figured I could use my budget antenna's dipoles and see where we go from there. There's only one channel in the VHF range I care about - WBBM. I could care less about WLS.

As for location, no trees towards Chicago. There's a forest preserve that starts just on the Milwaukee line, but it's not super tall trees or anything.

No, I'm not into DX'ing. I might do that in the future, but if that was the case, I'd spend a lot of time and completely re-do my setup, which would include putting a mast on the roof and probably a 4228HD/DB8. Add in an A/B switch or two and possibly a rotor and I'll be happy. At this point, this is just a nerdy hobby for me to do - by no means pleasing to the wife or wallet :).

btw, a special thanks goes out to you guys in the OTA thread for helping me get this far! Extra-special thanks to Rammitski and EscapeVelocity :).

Where exactly are the listings coming from? You would think it would be the same source. Even the channel lineups/PSIP info are different.


Here is what Tribune/TitanTV shows:

23 WWME IND
26.1 WCIU-DT IND
26.2 WCIU-DT2 METV CH 23
26.3 WCIU-DT3 ME-TOO
26.4 THIS TV THIS
26.6 WCIU-DT6 FBT
39.1 WWME-LD IND
48 WMEU IND

Here is what my TiVo shows:

23 WWME-CA
23.1 MeTV *RF27
23.1 WWME-LD *RF39
26.1 WCIU-DT
26.2 WCIU-DT2
26.3 WCIU-DT3
26.4 WCIU-DT4
26.5 THAT?
26.6 WCIU-DT6
48.1 MeToo *RF27

We provide out listings to the appropriate companies. There's a few out there so Comcast has one, RCN has one, and so on...... Our local data gets provided back to us by "our" provider automatically. Our local PSIP generator automatically updates once a day (at least thats what we tell it to do) and makes necessary changes to our Guides.

In case any one is wondering what happened to WTTW tonight, from their Twitter site: "To our viewers: WTTW is off the air due to power outage. More info to come." (WTTW's twitter site saying about the outage - http://twitter.com/wttw/statuses/2575637676) Apparently this was posted about an hour ago from just seeing it now, so probably around 6:30pm-6:45pm tonight.

Hey, what's happened to WTTW. No signal on WTTW-1 -2 -3 or -4 since at least 7pm or earlier. All other channels working. Confirmed by a friend and WTTW's phones are busy.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/07/wfld-to-eliminate-10-pm-newscast-the-office-reruns-debut-in-september.html

I'm guessing The Office will be available in HD. However, I've never seen any syndicated show on WFLD and WPWR in HD just news and network programs. Do they not have the proper equipment considering almost every other station in town shows syndicated programs in HD whenever available. WITI which is also a Fox O&O does show HD syndication cause I saw Seinfeld in HD on WITI while the same episode was in SD on WFLD.

WITI is owned by LocalTV. It is no longer a Fox O&O.

- Trip

Didn't know that, I know the graphics and music on Fox 6 news are very similar to WFLD so that's why I thought they were still a Fox O&O.

the u is maping to 27 on my channelmaster 7000 converter box?

Location: Geneva, IL
Antenna: ClearStream 4 mounted on tripod in corner of room on 3rd floor ;)
Tuner: TiVo Series 3 (HD)

Signal Strength before and after Winegard 8700 Preamp

_ 2.1 (12) 59% -> 84%
_ 5.1 (29) 72% -> 81%
_ 7.1 (7) 0 - 46 Declared LOST CAUSE without dedicated VHF antenna or if WLS boosts their power as in their tests
_ 9.1 (19) 89% -> 93%
11.1 (47) 71% -> 85%
20.1 (21) 50% -> 58%
23.1 (39) 0 -33 Declared LOST CAUSE (actually 23.2)
23.1 (27) 70% -> 82%
26.1 (27) 70% -> 82%
32.1 (31) 86% -> 88%
35.1 (10) 0 -27 Declared LOST CAUSE
38.1 (43) 68% -> 76%
44.1 (45) 69% -> 78%
48.1 (27) 70% -> 82%
50.1 (51) 92% -> 94%
56.1 (17) 0 - 33 Declared LOST CAUSE
60.1 (50) 62% -> 64%
62.1 (36) 54% -> 60%
66.1 (38) 76% -> 89%

All that show a percentage are coming in clear except WGBO-DT 66.1 (38) which shows the same breakups before and after the amp was added. It is coming in fine on the WXFT-DT 60.2 sub-channel however, despite signal strength being 25% lower.

the u is maping to 27 on my channelmaster 7000 converter box?

I've got the following PSIP oddities on my TiVo Series 3 HD DVR:

17.3 (17) WYIN <no picture>
17.4

21.1 (21) WYCC <no picture>
21.2
21.3

23.1 (39) WWME <no picture> TiVo thinks RF39 is 23.1, not 23.2 ?

38.1 (38) WGBO <no picture>

47.3 (47) WTTW <no picture except on 47.4>
47.4 WTTW Prime
47.5
47.6
47.7
47.8

50.1 (50) WXFT <no picture>
50.2

I've got the following PSIP oddities on my TiVo Series 3 HD DVR:

....

50.1 (50) WXFT <no picture>
50.2

my tivo hd had the 50.1, 50.2 problem awhile back. it is fixed now not sure why though, sorry. i do remember rescanning didn't help and took FOREVER. so don't waste your time on that.

All that show a percentage are coming in clear except WGBO-DT 66.1 (38) which shows the same breakups before and after the amp was added. It is coming in fine on the WXFT-DT 60.2 sub-channel however, despite signal strength being 25% lower.

Last night, I was playing around with my DTT901, and WGBO was pixelating like crazy, but the signal strength was normal (nearly max). Oddly, it didn't 'beep' like normal, although the bar was under the Good text. It would beep occasionally, and the bar would sometimes jump to poor, then right back to good. Other stations were normal.

I live in Hinsdale by Ogden and I-294 in a 20-story tower.

Unfortunately, my apartment windows face the SW towards Joliet.

What kind of indoor antenna would work best? Any recommendations?

So far, I've tried a RCA ANT1400 and the results were OK but not great.

Does anyone in the Chicagoland area use the DTVPal DVR? I am about to drop cable so the DVR they are renting is going back. Does the DTVPal DVR pick up as many stations as your HDTV? Does Chicago get the 10 day programming guide? Does the DTVPal need to be plugged into a telephone line to work?

I have a DTVPal, connected to an attic antenna in Elgin. (West of Randall rd., and South of Rt. 20.) I can get all of the Chicago stations. The tuner quality is very good. It's a bit better than my Mitsubishi WD65732 DLP from 2006. You do not need to connect to a phone line.

The Guide info can sometimes vary from channel to channel, but generally speaking I get the good info on all of the major stations.

The unit has HDMI and Component Video outputs for HD. It can also use a composite video connection for non-HD sets.

This unit has undergone quite a bit of recent software development. The early units were not too stable. Fortunately, the firmware is easily upgradable via Ethernet, or USB. The software that has been out since April is pretty solid.

The interface and guide are easy to use, and pretty functional. It is not quite as slick as a TiVo, but considering that there is no service charge, this is a solid unit. It is also a perfect choice many people who have HD Ready TVs without ATSC tuners. Many people who bought SD CECBs will be happy to finally see an HD signal. Of course, there is no QAM for Cable, and despite the Dish Name, it is not compatible with satellite.

Overall, I think it is a great choice for OTA viewers.

the u is maping to 27 on my channelmaster 7000 converter box?

Great, another device running its own course. DTV is sooooo over rated. :mad:

Great, another device running its own course. DTV is sooooo over rated. :mad:


My neighbors Sanyo DTV is mapping to 27. All my stuff here is on 26. Go figure :D Not ready for primetime DTV :eek:

I drove in from Ft.Wayne to install by request an outdoor antenna. It was a residential home and I used a chimney mount with a 10 foot mast. The top antenna was a Channel master 4220 h.d. and a winegard ya-6713 my last one. On the set top box meter almost all were showing 100% signal and a few were 97 to 98 on the scale. Channel 2 D.T.12 was 100% as channel 7 D.t.12 as well. I ran two lines down and under the eve i installed the UHF/VHF combiner and one line to the set. I logged 46 channels but D.T.13 Wock-lp could not lock This must not be intended to reach into Downers Grove. Customer was happy with the install and I was soaked from the rain on saturday and got off the roof just as lightning was starting. Location of install was Grand just north of 55th. Street.

Believe it or not I already have the antenna! It came today - I ordered it last night after talking to you. DB-4. Hooray for Amazon's FSSS!

Ironically, I was able to pull in the most stations by pointing it at Chicago (and removing the reflector piece). I'm not getting stations at 100%, but I have seen a good 10-20% boost in most stations, which is a far better gain. It also pulled WBBM and WLS! Though I am using the old rabbit ears for the VHF signal - I found it gave a 10% gain over the DB-4.

Thanks again for your help!

WCIU isn't coming in strong. Weird. Anyone know if they're changing power/transmitters? It's the only Chicago station that's not coming in strongly (aside from 60/66).

WCIU isn't coming in strong. Weird. Anyone know if they're changing power/transmitters? It's the only Chicago station that's not coming in strongly (aside from 60/66).

They are going to be upgrading antennas fairly soon, IIRC.

Look at the contour map of what they're currently using (and look at where the signal dies off and goes 'splat' - it doesn't make it to the state line): http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS620965.html

Compare it to what it'll eventually be: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1286794.html

Sunday night may be good, too.

For the first time, on my DTT-900 and ChannelMaster 4228 in my attic, I locked WMBD-DT with an 80% hard lock signal from Peoria. First time I've ever locked a station from that market, right over WSPY-LP, still humming away from Plano on physical (rf) channel 30.

Milwaukee, Madison, and Quad Cities booming in like locals. South Bend making a presence, too. Nice. :)

Sunday night may be good, too.

For the first time, on my DTT-900 and ChannelMaster 4228 in my attic, I locked WMBD-DT with an 80% hard lock signal from Peoria. First time I've ever locked a station from that market, right over WSPY-LP, still humming away from Plano on physical (rf) channel 30.

Milwaukee, Madison, and Quad Cities booming in like locals. South Bend making a presence, too. Nice. :)

Gilbert, right on with the tropo. Over here in 60626 im locking WKOW and WHA from Madison (first time for WHA) - both near 75% on my DTT-901 with a CM-4221 and 7777 amp. I firmly believe this equipment is the best for DX. My CM-7000 cant lock either Madison station. I have RF carriers about 20% on KLJB, KWQC and WMBD but not locked yet, suprisngly.

But again, the real question is what to do with all these danged house centipedes over here, should I set up a tank and keep them as pets :rolleyes:

Sunday night may be good, too.

For the first time, on my DTT-900 and ChannelMaster 4228 in my attic, I locked WMBD-DT with an 80% hard lock signal from Peoria. First time I've ever locked a station from that market, right over WSPY-LP, still humming away from Plano on physical (rf) channel 30.

Milwaukee, Madison, and Quad Cities booming in like locals. South Bend making a presence, too. Nice. :)

Shame Im sleeping when the fun is happening. This morning Milwaukee Rockford and South bend are booming in on my new DX stack. When tropo dropped out the last couple days WITI and WSBT always showed blips, full bad scale (DTT-900) and above just below lock on my new setup. I guess that's good.

Was looking at my extra pieces of old antenna parts I have. I may try to put together one more and point it NW on my Chicago mast for Rockford and Madison. What would be nice is to round up a bunch of friends and pull my old dead DX array off my chimney I used in the 80's (rotors shot). I want my old CS 9095 That antenna is killer. It would be a major job taking it down though. I have enough old junk parts to build something else right now for Rockford and Madison. But I still want my 9095 back did tropo up to 500 miles in the 80's :D

Picture far from perfect for WLS-Ch. 7
Digital switch leaves some viewers with no signal
By Wailin Wong | Tribune reporter
July 13, 2009
Before June 12, Glenview resident Roger Grubb would turn on his HDTV and marvel over the picture quality of his over-the-air channels, especially WLS-Ch. 7.

"It was spectacular," said Grubb, whose six-story apartment building has a master antenna on the roof. "Of all the channels I got, it was Channel 7 where you would drool over it. And then, all of a sudden, it was just gone."

Since that Friday, when broadcasters across the country switched from analog to digital signals, he hasn't been getting WLS. And neither have pockets of other viewers in the Chicago area.

Although the transition was mostly smooth, some still are experiencing signal problems, and the Federal Communications Commission and WLS are still working to resolve them.



"This is one of the few stations in the country that we're looking at most closely," said FCC spokesman Bill Lake. For those viewers who seem to have done everything right to get digital signals, the FCC believes the problems may center on signal power.

The FCC dispatched additional staff to Chicago, as well as Philadelphia and New York, shortly after the digital transition. The agency granted WLS permission to experiment with power levels for two weeks. That testing period ended last week, and now engineers will analyze the results.

"The hope, obviously, would be that the increased power would relieve the reception problems and wouldn't cause interference" with neighboring stations, said Lake. "But if that's not the case, we and the station need to continue to look for solutions."

Chicago viewers need an antenna that can handle both UHF and VHF frequencies, one reason some consumers may not be getting all the new stations. In the transition, WLS moved its digital signal from Channel 52 on UHF to Channel 7 on VHF. Emily Barr, president and general manager at WLS, said early testing showed that signals would cover the same geographical area as before.

"What we were unable to replicate was what happens if you're in a stone building, a stone house or a high-rise and using an indoor antenna," Barr said.

VHF frequencies can have difficulty getting through windows, as well as brick and stone. That's part of the reason Chicago and other metropolitan areas with tall buildings continue to have lingering problems with the digital signals. And unlike in the analog era, when a weak signal might result in a snowy picture, a digital picture appears crystal clear or not at all.

Barr said the trouble spots appear isolated and that WLS viewership, as indicated by ratings, has stayed steady.

Marlene Peterson, a self-professed "news junkie," has switched from watching "ABC World News" to "NBC Nightly News" because the WLS signal is inconsistent.

"Sometimes it comes in beautifully, and other times it doesn't come in at all," said Peterson, who has an antenna on the roof of her Glenview ranch home. "For example, I just turned it on now, and it's fine. Last night we wanted to watch the news and we didn't get it at all."

The FCC and WLS are continuing to recommend that consumers look into outdoor antennas.

For those who aren't able to do so, "we've told them to check back with us because we're interested in resolving this for absolutely everybody," Barr said. "We know it's not a significant number of people, but, frankly, even one person is significant."

wawong@tribune.com

Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune

They are going to be upgrading antennas fairly soon, IIRC.

Look at the contour map of what they're currently using (and look at where the signal dies off and goes 'splat' - it doesn't make it to the state line): http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS620965.html

Compare it to what it'll eventually be: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1286794.html


i had the same problem with channel 26 ( wciu)... it was mapping back to channel 27... another interesting thing that happened when i put in 26.1 it mapped for a second to channel 14, then went back to 27....

what is going on here... and does this mean that they are doing construction on the antenna for channel 26 and its substations... finally...

also i got channel 26 free and clear when channel 11 had its power outage on friday night then it went back to jumbled when they got there power back...


the issue with 26 might be that channel 11 is interfering with there signal....


please help....



mookie

i had the same problem with channel 26 ( wciu)... it was mapping back to channel 27... another interesting thing that happened when i put in 26.1 it mapped for a second to channel 14, then went back to 27....

what is going on here... and does this mean that they are doing construction on the antenna for channel 26 and its substations... finally...

also i got channel 26 free and clear when channel 11 had its power outage on friday night then it went back to jumbled when they got there power back...


the issue with 26 might be that channel 11 is interfering with there signal....


please help....



mookie

No, the channel mapping problem is on our end. It has nothing to do with WTTW.

I live in Hinsdale by Ogden and I-294 in a 20-story tower.

Unfortunately, my apartment windows face the SW towards Joliet.

What kind of indoor antenna would work best? Any recommendations?

So far, I've tried a RCA ANT1400 and the results were OK but not great.

bump....

I live in Hinsdale by Ogden and I-294 in a 20-story tower......Unfortunately, my apartment windows face the SW towards Joliet......What kind of indoor antenna would work best? Any recommendations? So far, I've tried a RCA ANT1400 and the results were OK but not great.

i assume u cant get access to the roof....that would be great at 20 stories up!

so fwiw > i've read a few reports from tv engineers that this WINEGARD indoor model works well....

SS-3000 (VHF, UHF) HDTV Amplified Indoor Antenna
http://www.winegard.com/offair/zone1.php

or if u can hide it somewhere maybe try the HD-1080, also on that page.....its fairly small, i think....buy.com recently has had that one for $32 delivered....

With several people from local stations on here, I have a question: How do some of the local cable and satellite providers get their feeds? I thought at least some of the SD used to be through some form of direct feed. Now that everything is digital, are they relying on antennas?

With several people from local stations on here, I have a question: How do some of the local cable and satellite providers get their feeds? I thought at least some of the SD used to be through some form of direct feed. Now that everything is digital, are they relying on antennas?

General theory is Fiber main, antenna backup.

i assume u cant get access to the roof....that would be great at 20 stories up!

so fwiw > i've read a few reports from tv engineers that this WINEGARD indoor model works well....

SS-3000 (VHF, UHF) HDTV Amplified Indoor Antenna
http://www.winegard.com/offair/zone1.php

or if u can hide it somewhere maybe try the HD-1080, also on that page.....its fairly small, i think....buy.com recently has had that one for $32 delivered....

Sorry I didn't see this, but I will back up PM on this one. This antenna works about the best as any of them indoors.

They are going to be upgrading antennas fairly soon, IIRC.

Look at the contour map of what they're currently using (and look at where the signal dies off and goes 'splat' - it doesn't make it to the state line): http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS620965.html

Compare it to what it'll eventually be: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1286794.html


is the transmitter and new antenna being worked on... signal has gotten worse in the last few days....

mookie

is the transmitter and new antenna being worked on... signal has gotten worse in the last few days....

mookie

As HVS said earlier, no date has been set. The weather has not helped your reception, but it will starting tomorrow...but only a bit. Don't count on it this summer.

As HVS said earlier, no date has been set. The weather has not helped your reception, but it will starting tomorrow...but only a bit. Don't count on it this summer.


how is the weather starting tomorrow going to help... the weather has not been that bad...


what about channel 9... i get it in the morning but late afternoon and early evening it seems to go away but comes in clearly later at night and again the next morning

how is the weather starting tomorrow going to help... the weather has not been that bad...


what about channel 9... i get it in the morning but late afternoon and early evening it seems to go away but comes in clearly later at night and again the next morning

Channel 9 is at full power. What you see is what you get. With a more stable atmosphere tomorrow, things will be a little better for you. Not much, just a little, to help you pick up the stations.

FWIW, my signal level has been down on WCIU for about the last week, too.

I'm still getting it steadily, but it's under 60% now, where it was at least 85% before, without an amp.

Channel 9 is at full power. What you see is what you get. With a more stable atmosphere tomorrow, things will be a little better for you. Not much, just a little, to help you pick up the stations.

could something with the channel 26 antenna be causing the problem??? if they are doing any work on the sears tower i believe the two stations antennas are either next to each other ... i think this is why channel 9 is suppose to be raising there antenna by 150 feet sometime this summer... so that they do not get the interference from channel 26 and its substations especially once channel 26 puts in the new antenna....


someone from channel 26 insists to me that this will be done sometime this summer... they are also adding vertical polorization for high rises which is currently missing....

let me know if i am right or not....


thanks



mookie

FWIW, my signal level has been down on WCIU for about the last week, too.

I'm still getting it steadily, but it's under 60% now, where it was at least 85% before, without an amp.


i do not have any kind of amp... wonder if they are actually working on this somewhere... inside the control room and not on the actual antenna yet...

FWIW, my signal level has been down on WCIU for about the last week, too.

I'm still getting it steadily, but it's under 60% now, where it was at least 85% before, without an amp.

Same here. Signal dropped considerably about a week ago. Still strong but it's further down the list.

Well, if they've actually temporarily dropped it, then I don't understand why they just don't admit it and explain that it's only temporary. Seems like nobody wants to "tell" anyone anything anymore these days.

could something with the channel 26 antenna be causing the problem??? if they are doing any work on the sears tower i believe the two stations antennas are either next to each other ... i think this is why channel 9 is suppose to be raising there antenna by 150 feet sometime this summer... so that they do not get the interference from channel 26 and its substations especially once channel 26 puts in the new antenna....


someone from channel 26 insists to me that this will be done sometime this summer... they are also adding vertical polorization for high rises which is currently missing....

let me know if i am right or not....


thanks



mookie

Mookie,
We haven't touched anything in a few weeks. The power output, MER and EVM have not changed for quite a while. WGN's DT antenna is on the opposite side of the building from us and would not be interferring in any way, shape, or form. Our analog antenna has not moved and would not interfere with DT 27 as well. Things are in motion for us with our new DT specs but they take time. There is quite a bit to get accomplished before we can power up the new and improved WCIU-DT.

Well, if they've actually temporarily dropped it, then I don't understand why they just don't admit it and explain that it's only temporary. Seems like nobody wants to "tell" anyone anything anymore these days.

Please be nice. If we were starting something, I would say so. None of our specs have changed recently.

Found another fatal flaw with the 1st gen boxes. Apparently if you set a streaming cell phone down on top of it, it errors out and shuts off. :eek: Talk about your cra**y part 15 devices.

I wasn't really referring to just you guys specifically, so don't take it personally. Lately this forum is just chock full 'o' issues like that.

Macrovision/TVGoS, cable companies, Echostar/DTV Pal DVR, Funai/Magnavox DVD/HDD recorders, and so on and so on. Just seems to be the way more and more companies are conducting their business nowadays.

I just came over here from reading about a lot of that stuff, so that's where my thinking was at.

Found another fatal flaw with the 1st gen boxes. Apparently if you set a streaming cell phone down on top of it, it errors out and shuts off. :eek: Talk about your cra**y part 15 devices.A few people in the CECB forum have reported that their Zenith's crapped out completely after about the 1 year point. Any of them done that so far?

(I tried to tell them early on that they can't expect any of the cheaply-made CECB's to last all that long, but many tried to argue "Oh, no - these are made by LG, so these are different".

One guy even tried to argue that they should easily last 10 years. :rolleyes:

The Zenith DTT901 that I purchased on June 11, 2008, is still working without a problem, but it's never had heavy use.

But starting tomorrow, it will not be receiving any signals from Sears Tower any more.

A few people in the CECB forum have reported that their Zenith's crapped out completely after about the 1 year point. Any of them done that so far?

(I tried to tell them early on that they can't expect any of the cheaply-made CECB's to last all that long, but many tried to argue "Oh, no - these are made by LG, so these are different".

One guy even tried to argue that they should easily last 10 years. :rolleyes:

We've got 5 running monitoring out DTV's and so far so good. (and now that I've said that they're all going to crap out in the morning :D )

I wasn't really referring to just you guys specifically, so don't take it personally. Lately this forum is just chock full 'o' issues like that.

Macrovision/TVGoS, cable companies, Echostar/DTV Pal DVR, Funai/Magnavox DVD/HDD recorders, and so on and so on. Just seems to be the way more and more companies are conducting their business nowadays.

I just came over here from reading about a lot of that stuff, so that's where my thinking was at.

Now that analog is gone, all sorts of issues are surfacing.

Found another fatal flaw with the 1st gen boxes. Apparently if you set a streaming cell phone down on top of it, it errors out and shuts off. :eek: Talk about your cra**y part 15 devices.

LOL

You should see what an iDen phone does to audio!!!

I loves me some rattlesnake sound!

:eek:

LOL

You should see what an iDen phone does to audio!!!

I loves me some rattlesnake sound!

:eek:

Got one of those too! I can always tell when an email is coming in.

Any one else getting the program guide for WBBM on your converter boxes, cable guide boxes, etc? I think about since Monday or Tuesday I have no info on my converter boxes for CBS 2. Just didn't know if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.

Any one else getting the program guide for WBBM on your converter boxes, cable guide boxes, etc? I think about since Monday or Tuesday I have no info on my converter boxes for CBS 2. Just didn't know if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.


yes i am getting mine... sometimes you need to click on the channel first then the guide will update for that channel... try that...

if you tv or box is not getting channel 2's signal then it has no idea what is on that channel...



mookie

Found another fatal flaw with the 1st gen boxes. Apparently if you set a streaming cell phone down on top of it, it errors out and shuts off. :eek: Talk about your cra**y part 15 devices.

Cell phones will cause problems with anything regardless of price or quality. I've had a cell phone cause the IS motor in a $1,200 camera lens go crazy so that it couldn't focus properly.

yes i am getting mine... sometimes you need to click on the channel first then the guide will update for that channel... try that...

if you tv or box is not getting channel 2's signal then it has no idea what is on that channel...



mookie

I'm getting channel 2 with a ''good'' signal on my converter box, so it should know what's there. I've tried that what you suggested many times before and that still doesn't give me any programming displayed on my converter box.

Do you have a converter box or do you have dish/cable and get your listings through there? Just curious to see how you are getting your listings.

I'm getting channel 2 with a ''good'' signal on my converter box, so it should know what's there. I've tried that what you suggested many times before and that still doesn't give me any programming displayed on my converter box.

Do you have a converter box or do you have dish/cable and get your listings through there? Just curious to see how you are getting your listings.

yes i have a zenith/ lg Dtt901 box....


you can also contact channel 2 and give the the name of the box and error and they should be able to tell you how to fix it...

But starting tomorrow, it will not be receiving any signals from Sears Tower any more.

Sure it will. Naming rights, schmaming rights! :D

yes i have a zenith/ lg Dtt901 box....


you can also contact channel 2 and give the the name of the box and error and they should be able to tell you how to fix it...Watching CBS2 from Chicago at my home in South Bend my RCA DTC-100 in the living room says INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE and my Zenith DTT-901 in the bedroom says NO PROGRAM INFORMATION, NO DESCRIPTION, but only for Chicago channel 2, and all the South Bend plus other Chicago channels display program descriptions on both sets.

Any one else getting the program guide for WBBM on your converter boxes, cable guide boxes, etc? I think about since Monday or Tuesday I have no info on my converter boxes for CBS 2. Just didn't know if anyone else is experiencing the same thing.

I just checked and No Program Information on my Zenith DTT901 box guide

Watching CBS2 from Chicago at my home in South Bend my RCA DTC-100 in the living room says INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE and my Zenith DTT-901 in the bedroom says NO PROGRAM INFORMATION, NO DESCRIPTION, but only for Chicago channel 2, and all the South Bend plus other Chicago channels display program descriptions on both sets.

I just checked and No Program Information on my Zenith DTT901 box guide

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that has no guide data for WBBM. :) Thank you both for letting me know. :)

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that has no guide data for WBBM. :) Thank you both for letting me know. :)

I've got the same problem with an RCA DTA800B1 box.

I've got the same problem with an RCA DTA800B1 box.

Ditto on my Zenith on my desk.

Ditto on my Zenith on my desk.

Clear-QAM from Comcast on a Samsung TV. Blank title. The program time shows (as of 4:09 PM) as 4:00pm - 7:00pm.

With the VHF signal issues WHDH D.T. 7 has moved back to D.T.42 in Boston. Currently they are simulcasting on D.T.7 as well. Wpvi and Wrgb are also having VHF woes as well. Has the FCC made another costly blunder to broadcasting again. Lets get it corrected quickly. Either increase VHF power to 30 or 50 K.W. or go back to UHF high power!

With the VHF signal issues WHDH D.T. 7 has moved back to D.T.42 in Boston. Currently they are simulcasting on D.T.7 as well. Wpvi and Wrgb are also having VHF woes as well. Has the FCC made another costly blunder to broadcasting again. Lets get it corrected quickly. Either increase VHF power to 30 or 50 K.W. or go back to UHF high power!

Easier said than done. There are no slots on UHF for channel 7. They were on channel 52 and your fine government sold that frequency and above. Increasing the power on VHF that high would play havoc with other channels broadcasting on that frequency.

I've got the same problem with an RCA DTA800B1 box.

The guide info for WBBM seems to be back on.

What the heck was up with WCIU showing 'Married with Children' in Stretch-O-Vision today?

At least it was a linear stretch so I could rectify it with my TV's aspect ratio control easily enough, but I sure hope this isn't the wave of the future.

Also, it really sucks that The Stooges are on MeTV now (at least they were tonight) - because the PQ is nowhere as good as 26-1, and besides sports, that's really the only thing that was ever important to me on 26-1. In fact, it really didn't look very good at all tonight (fuzzy, blurry and soft), and it's really too bad that the fine re-mastering they've done to many of the episodes is going to complete waste now.

What the heck was up with WCIU showing 'Married with Children' in Stretch-O-Vision today?

At least it was a linear stretch so I could rectify it with my TV's aspect ratio control easily enough, but I sure hope this isn't the wave of the future.

Also, it really sucks that The Stooges are on MeTV now (at least they were tonight) - because the PQ is nowhere as good as 26-1, and besides sports, that's really the only thing that was ever important to me on 26-1. In fact, it really didn't look very good at all tonight (fuzzy, blurry and soft), and it's really too bad that the fine re-mastering they've done to many of the episodes is going to complete waste now.

It is only a temporary switch. Rich Koz explained this on his weekly blog. I am with you though, Svengoolie and Stoogapalooza are two of the reasons I am so determined to receive WCIU.

Yeah, I originally felt that way about Svengoolie, too - but I've gotten really tired of seeing the same old films over and over and over and over and over again. (If I see an Abbott and Costello horror flick one more time, I'm gonna scream.) Also, lately it seems they've been showing some films that are just so bad that I can't even watch them (bring back "Creature Features" on WGN, I say!). Really, Koz himself is often the best part of watching these days - and that's really not enough for me - because I can usually find something else on I'd much prefer to sit through (I actually went to a theater last week for a show in which Svengoolie was supposed to MC or at least appear, but he backed out. :( The buddy I went with has already met and talked to him in length before at some sort of show or convention - said he was a pretty cool dude).

Of course, with The Stooges, I've seen them a zillion times over, too - but I still catch something new in every episode every time I see one (yep - even after nearly 50 years of watching them!). That's what makes them so great. For instance, just pick one guy out and only watch him closely through the whole episode, instead of the main focus. Larry is always a good choice. Just watching his facial expressions is a whole treat in itself (it will immediately dispel that erroneous notion that a lot of people have that Larry "does" or "adds nothing", or that he's "the least important member" of the team). Then, when you get tired of studying him, you can move on to the supporting actors during the scenes that they're in.

Of course, with The Stooges, I've seen them a zillion times over, too - but I still catch something new in every episode every time I see one (yep - even after nearly 50 years of watching them!). That's what makes them so great. For instance, just pick one guy out and only watch him closely through the whole episode, instead of the main focus. Larry is always a good choice. Just watching his facial expressions is a whole treat in itself (it will immediately dispel that erroneous notion that a lot of people have that Larry "does" or "adds nothing", or that he's "the least important member" of the team). Then, when you get tired of studying him, you can move on to the supporting actors during the scenes that they're in.

Isn't it amazing they're still showing them and making people laugh after 75 years! Do a Google search for the 3 stooges 75 year anniversary collection.
I didn't realize they started in 1934! :eek:

What the heck was up with WCIU showing 'Married with Children' in Stretch-O-Vision today?

At least it was a linear stretch so I could rectify it with my TV's aspect ratio control easily enough, but I sure hope this isn't the wave of the future.

Also, it really sucks that The Stooges are on MeTV now (at least they were tonight) - because the PQ is nowhere as good as 26-1, and besides sports, that's really the only thing that was ever important to me on 26-1. In fact, it really didn't look very good at all tonight (fuzzy, blurry and soft), and it's really too bad that the fine re-mastering they've done to many of the episodes is going to complete waste now.

No, the stretch-o-vision is on our end. It's technology trying to be smarter than we want it to be. Just when ya think it's licked, it comes back.

Did something knock out CH 26, 23 and 48? I lost them all for 15 minutes or so and now they are back.

Did something knock out CH 26, 23 and 48? I lost them all for 15 minutes or so and now they are back.

Not that I'm aware of, but then again I wasn't on call last night. :D

Is WLS still working on things? I've got all other channels locked at 70+ but haven't been able to get a signal from them for awhile now. Nothing, zero, zip, zilch...

It sucks, as it was one of the better looking and most stable channels I had. Then the sub-channels came and picture deteriorated. Now, post-move, I can't see anything.

last night I lost 7, 9, 26, and possibly more (didn't really check the others).

I have been playing with DXing digital for a couple months now and have learned about what it requires for stable operation.

The signal must be strong as possible without multipath or any disruptions that can cause the signal to waver allot. Planes will cause digital breakup when signal is weak or in a multipath situation. So even if you have a strong multipath condition it can go bonkers because the reflections are causing errors.

The digital television system has quite a few bugs in it. It needs more of a buffer and error correction for starters. In some situations no matter what you try you will not be able to overcome the problems that are commonplace. Analog even though snowy and ghosty was allot more forgiving.

Is WLS still working on things? I've got all other channels locked at 70+ but haven't been able to get a signal from them for awhile now. Nothing, zero, zip, zilch...

It sucks, as it was one of the better looking and most stable channels I had. Then the sub-channels came and picture deteriorated. Now, post-move, I can't see anything.

I wish they would shut those sub channels off. I was watching the other day, and 7.1 looked horrible. It's such a shame, they were such a leader in HD, being the first to have HD news, HD syndicated programming, now they are the first to ruin their HD signal.

Something is wrong with WLS, There is audio but the screen is purple!!!!

Something is wrong with WLS, There is audio but the screen is purple!!!!

I don't think I could duplicate that if I tried!

I don't think I could duplicate that if I tried!

You guys are doing something right at 26 you are the strongest station by me. :D

I don't think I could duplicate that if I tried!
Yea its like something went wrong with their encoder. It was like that for a good 5 min, even Directv threw up a no need to call us screen.

Note to those with the ability to pick up Milwaukee more easily than WREX out of Rockford: WITI (FOX) will be adding Retro TV (RTV, formerly RTN) on 6.2 at a date TBA.

The RTV website (http://www.myretrotv.com/affiliates.html#) believes WITI is located in some city called "Milwaukie", though (and they mispell it several times on their site!)

The RTV website believes WITI is located in some city called "Milwaukie", though (and they mispell it several times on their site!)

Whoever misspelled "Milwaukee" on RTV's site may have been confusing Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Milwaukie, Oregon.

On the other hand, NTNgod, if you are going to criticize someone else's misspelling, you shouldn't leave one of the S's out of "misspell."

On the other hand, NTNgod, if you are going to criticize someone else's misspelling, you shouldn't leave one of the S's out of "misspell."/whistling

Erm, fussy/uncooperative "S" key on the keyboard. Better replace the thing. Yeah.

/continues whistling

Note to those with the ability to pick up Milwaukee more easily than WREX out of Rockford: WITI (FOX) will be adding Retro TV (RTV, formerly RTN) on 6.2 at a date TBA.

The RTV website (http://www.myretrotv.com/affiliates.html#) believes WITI is located in some city called "Milwaukie", though (and they mispell it several times on their site!)

Chicago needs an RTV (RTN) affiliate. I get there master east and west coast feed on AMC-9 ku satellite in DVB. They are a great addition to Me Tv & Me Too. Those that never seen it would really enjoy the programming if you like old tv.

WITI is a barn burner down by Midway airport. Although there not a 24/7 gig for me unless I jacked my antenna up another 30 feet and currently I don't see that happening.

Chicago needs an RTV (RTN) affiliate. I get there master east and west coast feed on AMC-9 ku satellite in DVB. They are a great addition to Me Tv & Me Too. Those that never seen it would really enjoy the programming if you like old tv.

WITI is a barn burner down by Midway airport. Although there not a 24/7 gig for me unless I jacked my antenna up another 30 feet and currently I don't see that happening.

What.....and give up our monopoly? :D

What.....and give up our monopoly? :D

Ya I hear you... but RTV has some cool shows you never air. I'm glad I have the best of both worlds :D

You can never have too many channels, dishes or antenna's :)

Really, from looking at the programming on their website, RTN only has maybe a couple of shows that we don't already have that I might even watch (at least I've never seen those shows on the WCIU retro channels here - like "It Takes a Thief").

I much prefer the lineup here. More, older "film noir" B&W (and late 60's color) sci-fi and detective suspense dramas (and comedies, like "Get Smart" - possibly the funniest sitcom ever made). I really don't care as much for a lot of those color shows from the late 60's, 70's and 80's (like "Charlie's Angels", "The A-Team", etc.). Most of those are too schlocky for my tastes. I do always get a kick out of Dragnet's (and Jack Webb's) unintentionally square humor, though. The "Blueboy/Benji Carver" episode is considered one of the all-time greatest TV classics, and for good reason. One of the most hilarious things I've ever seen.

(I had a great link about the show, Webb and that particular episode, but I don't think they'd allow it. Anyway, just Google "acid logic - dragnet" - it should be the first site on the list.)

You can never have too many channels, dishes or antenna's :)

Explain that one to my wife, please. :D

I much prefer the lineup here. More, older "film noir" B&W (and late 60's color) sci-fi and detective suspense dramas (and comedies, like "Get Smart" - possibly the funniest sitcom ever made).

Some of the shows like "Thriller" hosted by Boris Karloff, aren't even available on DVD. That's why I like the channel so much.