A few weeks ago I tuned to the channel and found that there was no sound on the digital channel. I flipped to the analog channel and had no problems. I thought it was a temporary glitch and gave it no further thought. Last night was the first time that I returned to WPWR Digital and had the same problem. I do not have this problem with any other channels, and do not recall having this problem in the past. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

I receive WPWR Digital OTA with a Sony DHG-HDD500 and a roof mounted antenna. The settings in the Sony are the same for all Digital channels.

A co-worker received this reply from WLS-TV this morning, Murphy's Law is still in force.

"Our Sears transmitter took a power hit at approximately 8:30pm last
night and we lost power for about 45 minutes or so. We continued to
feed all local cable systems but our over-the-air analog and HD
transmissions were interrupted. The problem was exacerbated by a
second, unrelated problem - an electrician working at the Hancock Tower
earlier yesterday accidentally cut a fiber line that would normally feed
to our back-up transmitter so we were also unable to switch to our
back-up transmitter as that line was in the process of being repaired.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and we thank
you for your understanding.
Emily Barr
President & General Manager
ABC 7 Chicago"

has anyone heard if they will re-air thurs night's eli stone? it was the season finale and i only got the last half of it.


edit-

just found this...

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources&id=6088953

A few weeks ago I tuned to the channel and found that there was no sound on the digital channel. I flipped to the analog channel and had no problems. I thought it was a temporary glitch and gave it no further thought. Last night was the first time that I returned to WPWR Digital and had the same problem.

I've seen it a few times.  Occasionally WPWR gets its audio switched around and puts the Spanish first and the English second, but a lot of its programming has silence or English for the Spanish audio, so when they're transposed, you may hear silence or English rather than Spanish.  You might be able to pick up audio in English when this happens if you select Spanish audio.

There's an analog broadcast of Home Shopping Network that I get here at the edge of the Northwest Side on channel 46 OTA.  What station is that?  Antennaweb.org doesn't list anything; maybe Tvfool.com does, but their display is too hard to read.  Thanks.

There's an analog broadcast of Home Shopping Network that I get here at the edge of the Northwest Side on channel 46 OTA.* What station is that?* Antennaweb.org doesn't list anything; maybe Tvfool.com does, but their display is too hard to read.* Thanks.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

Thank you, but how can we be sure that that's the channel 46 I'm receiving?

Here is what response i got from WLS-Tv about the weather alert scrolls not being in HD


Thanks for contacting ABC 7 Chicago. We do appreciate questions and
comments. Weather alerts is not a HD feed. Therefore we have to switch
to an up converter the feed to 4x3.Eventually this should become 16x9.

Thank you
The Engineering Department

Thank you, but how can we be sure that that's the channel 46 I'm receiving?

Trust me, thats them. ;)

Trust me, thats them.
You're in a better position to say that than anyone else participating in this thread, but it still would be reassuring to see a station ID on the screen (which would have obviated my ever asking in the first place).  Since I don't get any sound on that station, an audio-only station ID wouldn't help.

You're in a better position to say that than anyone else participating in this thread, but it still would be reassuring to see a station ID on the screen (which would have obviated my ever asking in the first place).* Since I don't get any sound on that station, an audio-only station ID wouldn't help.
I wouldn't be supprised if they didn't ID themselves.

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't ID themselves.Even if they do, it's very difficult to get to the TV in time for the hour (I just missed it again) and then keep my attention on HSN long enough to watch for an ID and not miss it.  Even in the rare instances when the product is interesting, the sales presentation is mind-numbing.

Here is what response i got from WLS-Tv about the weather alert scrolls not being in HD


Thanks.. Just sounds like they are giving an excuse as under the system that you posted it allows the weather info to be posted in an HD format. They will eventually get with the program. Hopefully :)

For anyone who's using TV Guide on Screen out there:

They just added MeToo. (They also finally added WQRF-DT out here, too. It's about time.)

WLS-TV didnt get the Memo about ABC's This Week With George Stephanopoulos... :(
Whats up ?

For anyone who's using TV Guide on Screen out there:

They just added MeToo. (They also finally added WQRF-DT out here, too. It's about time.)


They also added FBT for 26.6. Now if we can finally get the listings for 21.3 Mhz WorldView (WYCC In Chicago)

WOCH hasn't sent a signal this way in almost a week.  It's not coming in through the roof antenna nor a settop loop or bowtie.  WOCK is still there, though.

WOCH literally blew a big fuse.

http://deiner.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=generalmsgs&action=display&thread=7181.

WOCH literally blew a big fuse.
Thank you.

ballpark audio (fan noise, P.A. system) and sound effects are much louder than Len Kasper and Bob Brenly.

two channel stereo decoding

ballpark audio (fan noise, P.A. system) and sound effects are much louder than Len Kasper and Bob Brenly.

straight two channel decoding

Yep, Len and Bob's voices are but a whisper. Everything sounds fine on the analog, but that's not why I bought an expensive TV. :D

(This is on WCIU-DT, by the way.)

Yep, Len and Bob's voices are but a whisper. Everything sounds fine on the analog, but that's not why I bought an expensive TV. :D

(This is on WCIU-DT, by the way.)


It's that way on WCIU-DT on Comcast as well. Switched over to ESPN-HD & their broadcast sounds normal.

they fixed it. be careful what you wish for...

Thanks.. Just sounds like they are giving an excuse as under the system that you posted it allows the weather info to be posted in an HD format. They will eventually get with the program. Hopefully :)

Second reply from them asking when....Heres their reply Hopefully soon.

WLS-TV didnt get the Memo about ABC's This Week With George Stephanopoulos... :(
Whats up ?
So I fired up the email to them asking them why.. here is their reply...

Thank you for your email. You are correct, the ABC Network is offering
This Week in HD. The Network provides three feeds of this show to the
ABC stations and, unfortunately, at the time it is aired in Chicago,
only the standard definition feed is available. That is why the program
was presented in SD last weekend.

We are, however, committed to providing our viewers with the best
possible programming and are taking steps to rectify the situation. As
such, we hope to broadcast the program in HD this weekend, and in the
future.

We appreciate you taking the time to write and thank you for your
interest in ABC 7.

WOCH literally blew a big fuse.They're still off the air. Turned out to be a much bigger problem than that I guess.

http://deiner.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=generalmsgs&action=display&thread=7185.

We can get public access channels via Comcast. Yet, I have D*.

Is there a way to get the public access channels via OTA?

It just seems wrong to have a monopoly on government/public access channels!

We can get public access channels via Comcast. Yet, I have D*.

Is there a way to get the public access channels via OTA?

It just seems wrong to have a monopoly on government/public access channels!

Hi Danny,

Nope, no way to do it. I wouldn't say it is a monopoly; that's the only way they can get them out there economically. If you really want them, for $15/month, ask for the "lifeline" package. Yeah, I know it involves a second box from the cable company (unless you use QAM). That's just the way it is.

We can get public access channels via Comcast. Yet, I have D*.

Is there a way to get the public access channels via OTA?

It just seems wrong to have a monopoly on government/public access channels!

Those public access channels & gov't programming are paid for by $$$ provided by the local cable TV tax in a city/village. Comcast is giving these cities the $$$, so they definitely want the channels to be exclusive.

Just got an email
WTTW's Chicago Tonight Program is set to air in HD in 2009

WTTW's Chicago Tonight Program is set to air in HD in 2009
It will be very interesting to see what happens in February 2009.

I suspect that the "main" programming will be "HD" on 11-1 and the separate HD programming we've had for the last few years will disappear.

Ron

WOCK's digital channel 4 signal...is unknown when they will sign it on, according to a message I just got from the station. However, their digital channel 8 in Kane county should hit the air this summer. I do not know what programming will be offered on that channel.

Is WYIN digital signal working ?
Im not getting it

Gotten word from WLS that their rebroadcasts of the 10pm news at 1am will be in HD
sometime soon as they will get an HD server hooked up

Is WYIN digital signal working ?
Im not getting it

Yes, it is working here.

Gotten word from WLS that their rebroadcasts of the 10pm news at 1am will be in HD
sometime soon as they will get an HD server hooked up

cool, thanks.

WBBM-DT has received a CP from the FCC for 8 kW (ND) @ 497 m. on channel 12.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=9617

It was approved yesterday... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13715418#post13715418

Steve

WOCH was back on the air when I checked yesterday evening.

WBBM-DT has received a CP from the FCC for 8 kW (ND) @ 497 m. on channel 12.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=9617

It was approved yesterday... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13715418#post13715418

Steve


Yep, saw that. 8 KW is better than 4.4 KW...and a lot better on 12 than on 3!
1,600' up...oh yeah. It'll get out.

Deal or no deal? Deal!

Retromzc: to resume that discussion that started in another thread, the seven digital stations that you get in Plano but I don't on the Northwest Side are WYIN, WWTO, and their subchannels.  The bowtie on the set in a second-floor room near a window facing east once pulled in WYIN's 56.1 and 56.2, but our roof antenna can't, and WWTO is out of the question.

You also listed WWME and WJYS; the former comes in regularly and the latter most of the time, so I included them in my count.

My home really need a better rooftop antenna.  Then we might get WWME-DT and WJYS-DT (not that we would watch WJYS, or WWTO for that matter) more reliably and even WYIN-DT some of the time.

By the way, WYIN's home site at lakeshoreptv.org (http://www.lakeshoreptv.com/main.taf?p=1) mistakenly says to tune to 17.1 and 17.4 for its digital signals.

dattier, I am actually surprised that WWTO-DT on VHF 10 (UHF analog 35)comes in here from the back side of my antenna but it booms in loud and strong. I am also a bit surprised that WWME 23-1 makes it out this far but it also comes in fairly strong, once the leaves come out on the trees we'll see what happens. I'm surprised to hear that you have problems with WJYS-DT as I thought they were broadcasting from the Sears tower.

Rex,

WWTO doesn't reach here; before joining AVSForum a month ago I hadn't even heard of it, much less heard of its being considered a Chicago market station.

WJYS-DT apparently is at pretty low power.  I haven't a chance to look up tvfool's or antennaweb's figures now -- maybe later I will do that and edit this post -- but I do remember that antennaweb.org listed it as purple for me rather than green, or whatever color is used for the strongest signals, and I'm within nine miles of Sears Tower.

Our roof antenna, as I mentioned some posts back, is a scrawny relic from the 1950s, probably aimed at the Prudential Building, but from here that's not a bad compromise angle between Sears Tower and the Hancock Center.

No need for tvfool or antennaweb, check out post #3 in this thread for power, frequency, and location.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9948418#post3

No need for tvfool or antennaweb, check out post #3 in this thread for power, frequency, and location.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9948418#post3
Thank you for the reminder.  It's not the power, then; maybe it's directionality?

Hi - first post, but I think I'll hang around for awhile - this board (and this thread) seem pretty helpful.

I do apologize for not reading the entire thread before asking - it's entirely possible that my answer is somewhere in the 70 (wow!) pages of this thread.

So I am tired of paying way too much for comcast + DVR to basically watch the local stuff. I am building myself a MythTV box, planning on using some (2 for now) Air2PC tuner cards and watch everything that way. My TV doesn't factor in because it's just a monitor at this point. Now my struggle is trying to determine what antenna to buy. I have no antenna currently, and I don't see any on the neighbors, so I'm not sure what to look for. I live in Crete, IL (60417) and I'm right at the 30-32 mile range from downtown, in about a 3 degree cone from the Sears & Hancock.

I'm most concerned about CBS, but I'm pretty sure with the right setup everything will work ok.

Because of aesthetic purposes, I am considering the channelmaster 3010 with the 3038 amp. I've also had the Winegard HD-1080 recommended to me (by somebody who sells it). The back of my two-story house faces north, and there is about a block's worth of open golf course before the next set of houses. However, the utility lines (cable/phone/electric - I assume) run in my backyard as well.

1) What kind of interference will the lines cause?
2) Any thoughts on either of those antennas?
3) Any other recommendations for a 30-32 mile antenna?

Thanks!

WBBM-DT has received a CP from the FCC for 8 kW (ND) @ 497 m. on channel 12.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=9617

It was approved yesterday... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13715418#post13715418

Steve

Allright! Thanks for the good news.

Something confuses me.

Why would WOCK ask for VHF-low frequencies for their digital signal instead of celebrating their luck in having channel 13 and flash-cutting there (whenever it will be that they go digital, since as a Class A station they're not subject to the 2009-02-17 deadline)?  First they wanted 6, then when WLFM wouldn't give up channel 6 WOCK asked for channel 4, which seems to be where they'll end up.

I don't get why they'd want to give up VHF-high for VHF-low.

Something confuses me.

Why would WOCK ask for VHF-low frequencies for their digital signal instead of celebrating their luck in having channel 13 and flash-cutting there (whenever it will be that they go digital, since as a Class A station they're not subject to the 2009-02-17 deadline)?* First they wanted 6, then when WLFM wouldn't give up channel 6 WOCK asked for channel 4, which seems to be where they'll end up.

I don't get why they'd want to give up VHF-high for VHF-low.

This document might shed some light on the reason: (PDF Warning)

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=377293

- Trip

Watching Wheel of fortune
Looks like WLS has addressed the issue with the Weather alert scroll
now it stays in HD

Hi - first post, but I think I'll hang around for awhile - this board (and this thread) seem pretty helpful.

I do apologize for not reading the entire thread before asking - it's entirely possible that my answer is somewhere in the 70 (wow!) pages of this thread.

So I am tired of paying way too much for comcast + DVR to basically watch the local stuff. I am building myself a MythTV box, planning on using some (2 for now) Air2PC tuner cards and watch everything that way. My TV doesn't factor in because it's just a monitor at this point. Now my struggle is trying to determine what antenna to buy. I have no antenna currently, and I don't see any on the neighbors, so I'm not sure what to look for. I live in Crete, IL (60417) and I'm right at the 30-32 mile range from downtown, in about a 3 degree cone from the Sears & Hancock.

I'm most concerned about CBS, but I'm pretty sure with the right setup everything will work ok.

Because of aesthetic purposes, I am considering the channelmaster 3010 with the 3038 amp. I've also had the Winegard HD-1080 recommended to me (by somebody who sells it). The back of my two-story house faces north, and there is about a block's worth of open golf course before the next set of houses. However, the utility lines (cable/phone/electric - I assume) run in my backyard as well.

1) What kind of interference will the lines cause?
2) Any thoughts on either of those antennas?
3) Any other recommendations for a 30-32 mile antenna?

Thanks!

Welcome to the OTA club. See posts 5 and 8 (I think) on the first page of this thread - Glibert keeps those posts on the front page up to date with all sorts of info, FAQs, including how to get WBBM reliably, and why it's kinda hard.

Utility lines may cause interference on WBBM, but probably not on anything else. Unless they are high-power electric lines, you will probably be OK.

A UHF-only antenna won't get you WBBM, and after Feb. 2009, WLS either, since they will both be on VHF-Hi.

See post 1004 on this thread for my setup and results.

This document might shed some light on the reason: (PDF Warning)

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=377293
Thank you, Trip.  Maybe it does shed some light for a reader who knows all the engineering talk and such in there.  But even if it explains why they want to get off channel 13, nothing in it seems to say why they want a VHF-low frequency instead, at least nothing that I could find while my eyes were glazing over.

Watching Wheel of fortune
Looks like WLS has addressed the issue with the Weather alert scroll
now it stays in HD
I noticed it during "Jeopardy" this afternoon and again during "Wheel of Fortune."

The best I can tell, they're receiving severe interference on channel 13 from something operating on the spectrum immediately above channel 13. It's making their analog signal virtually unwatchable to 10% of their potential viewers. And interference like that would likely destroy a digital signal.

- Trip

I'm having a weird problem with 7-1 and my T&B quad shield connectors. I'm loosing SS down to 50 and 60, and getting break ups or total loss of the station. I replaced the connector at the antenna a ways back and SS shot up to around 75. I lost signal again last week and replaced a connector at the TV / HTPC. SS shot back up from 60 to 75. I lost signal again last night, this time I used the antenna rotor to move the antenna around but note that I ended up back where I started (115 degrees). SS shot back up from 60 to 90.

I'm thinking the T&Bs at the antenna are not strong enough and I need to go with a Radio Shack silicone filled outdoor crimp style. I think I'll add standoffs while I'm up there.

Am I on the right track here?

The best I can tell, they're receiving severe interference on channel 13 from something operating on the spectrum immediately above channel 13. It's making their analog signal virtually unwatchable to 10% of their potential viewers. And interference like that would likely destroy a digital signal.
Trip, yes, thanks again, and the .pdf file whose link you gave got that across.  But it doesn't answer my other question: if they want to get off 13, and there's no room for them elsewhere on VHF-high, why have they been seeking a spot on VHF-low instead of UHF?  They applied for channel 6, were turned down, and then applied for channel 4.

Thank you for the reminder (WGBO-DT is still listed as being on Sears, though, rather than Hancock).* It's not the power, then; maybe it's directionality?

Or, if you are that closse to the transmitters, multipath.

And I thought I fixed WGBO. D'oh! Grrr. OK, I got it now. Sorry about that!

Or, if you are that close to the transmitters, multipath.We're the same distance from WJYS-DT's transmitter as from all the others on Sears Tower.  Multipath might explain our roof antenna's trouble with WYCC-DT (though our indoor UHF loops and bowties pull it in just fine), though.

And I thought I fixed WGBO. D'oh! Grrr. OK, I got it now. Sorry about that!Thank you, but maybe it's still not quite right: you list WGBO-DT as an HD station.

Trip, yes, thanks again, and the .pdf file whose link you gave got that across.* But it doesn't answer my other question: if they want to get off 13, and there's no room for them elsewhere on VHF-high, why have they been seeking a spot on VHF-low instead of UHF?* They applied for channel 6, were turned down, and then applied for channel 4.

There may not have been a suitable alternative:

7 WLS-DT
8 WMVS-DT
9 Possible, but interference from WWTO-DT/WMVS-DT is a real possibility.
10 WWTO-DT
11 WMSN-DT/WLFI-DT
12 WBBM-DT
13 Receiving interference

14 Land Mobile
15 Land Mobile
16 Land Mobile
17 WYIN-DT
18 WVTV-DT
19 WGN-DT
20 Possible? (WHA-DT/WOTV-DT)
21 WYCC-DT
22 WSBT-DT/WVCY-DT
23 WIFR-DT/WMYS-LD
24 Possible? (WTLJ-DT)
25 WCGV-DT
26 Possible? (WKOW-DT/WCCU-DT)
27 WCIU-DT
28 WSJV-DT/WTMJ-DT
29 WMAQ-DT
30 Possible
31 WFLD-DT
32 Possible (WBUW-DT)
33 WITI-DT
34 WISN-DT
35 WNIT-DT/WMVT-DT
36 WJYS-DT
38 WGBO-DT
39 WWME-LD
40 WPXE-DT
41 Possible? (WICD-DT)
42 WNDU-DT/WQRF-DT
43 WCPX-DT
44 Possible? (WWAZ-DT)
45 WSNS-DT
46 WDJT-DT
47 WTTW-DT
48 WHME-DT/WJJA-DT
49 WBND-LD
50 WXFT-DT
51 WPWR-DT

And almost every spot that says "Possible?" currently has an analog on it, and since I believe they filed for a companion channel, those would not be available either.

- Trip

Trip, yes, thanks again, and the .pdf file whose link you gave got that across.* But it doesn't answer my other question: if they want to get off 13, and there's no room for them elsewhere on VHF-high, why have they been seeking a spot on VHF-low instead of UHF?* They applied for channel 6, were turned down, and then applied for channel 4.

Hello Dattier,

The UHF dial is full. Literally. They could find a spot but the signal would have to be so directional that many areas would have to be nulled out.

When analog shutdown occurs, there will be room. I noticed that WEDE-CA channel 34 hasn't filed for a companion channel. They may stay on after analog shutdown (low power stations are exempt from the full-power station shutdown in 2/2009), but I have no clue what their plans are after that.
Heck, you could put a 300 watter on channel 11 after WTTW signs off, or even channel 9. Or 13 for that matter. But right now, everything is full on the UHF side of things, for all practical purposes.

We're the same distance from WJYS-DT's transmitter as from all the others on Sears Tower.* Multipath might explain our roof antenna's trouble with WYCC-DT (though our indoor UHF loops and bowties pull it in just fine), though.

Thank you, but maybe it's still not quite right: you list WGBO-DT as an HD station.

Yep, but even a fraction of an inch can make the difference between locking a signal and not in an urban environment. Also, each tuner is better or worse at multipath. This one might be a tad worse.

I really need to wake up before I do edits. :D OK, double checked it...yep, it's correct. Thanks!

I'm having a weird problem with 7-1 and my T&B quad shield connectors. I'm loosing SS down to 50 and 60, and getting break ups or total loss of the station. I replaced the connector at the antenna a ways back and SS shot up to around 75. I lost signal again last week and replaced a connector at the TV / HTPC. SS shot back up from 60 to 75. I lost signal again last night, this time I used the antenna rotor to move the antenna around but note that I ended up back where I started (115 degrees). SS shot back up from 60 to 90.

I'm thinking the T&Bs at the antenna are not strong enough and I need to go with a Radio Shack silicone filled outdoor crimp style. I think I'll add standoffs while I'm up there.

Am I on the right track here?

You got it. Especially with all the rain and snow we have had in the last year, it would be brutal on connectors with leaks in them.

EDIT: I posted this before Trip edited #13734420 to list the UHF situation.  At the time, that post covered only the VHF-high crowding.

{Trip's post says, in summary, that there's no room on VHS-high.}

Thanks, Trip.

That left open the question of why not move to a UHF frequency, and I typed a response asking that; but when I submitted it, Sebenste had already anticipated it:

The UHF dial is full. Literally. They could find a spot but the signal would have to be so directional that many areas would have to be nulled out.

When analog shutdown occurs, there will be room.

Heck, you could put a 300 watter on channel 11 after WTTW signs off, or even channel 9. Or 13 for that matter. But right now, everything is full on the UHF side of things, for all practical purposes.
And apparently KM doesn't want to wait until full-power analog stations shut down.  Thank you for explaining.

I noticed that WOCK-CA channel 34 hasn't filed for a companion channel.You mean WEDE-CA?

There may not have been a suitable alternative:

7 WLS-DT
8 WMVS-DT
9 Possible, but interference from WWTO-DT/WMVS-DT is a real possibility.
10 WWTO-DT
11 WMSN-DT/WLFI-DT
12 WBBM-DT
13 Receiving interference

- Trip


Channel 8 will also be out in Kane county, 40 miles west of Chicago, signal blasting east-southeast and west-southwest. 9 should be fine for a 300 watter. 11...well, yeah, those will interfere from time to time and also with
a channel 11 in Grand Rapids. There really shouldn't be non-broadcast interference with 13; why the FCC allowed that stuff to interfere on that channel, I don't know, but don''t forget, WREX-DT Rockford got high power on channel 13 after analog shutdown. They have city-grade signal (read: very good, according to the FCC) into Elgin! :eek:

I'm having a weird problem with 7-1 and my T&B quad shield connectors. I'm loosing SS down to 50 and 60, and getting break ups or total loss of the station. I replaced the connector at the antenna a ways back and SS shot up to around 75. I lost signal again last week and replaced a connector at the TV / HTPC. SS shot back up from 60 to 75. I lost signal again last night, this time I used the antenna rotor to move the antenna around but note that I ended up back where I started (115 degrees). SS shot back up from 60 to 90.

I'm thinking the T&Bs at the antenna are not strong enough and I need to go with a Radio Shack silicone filled outdoor crimp style. I think I'll add standoffs while I'm up there.

Am I on the right track here?
For our Sat Dishes at the station we use a substance that comes in a roll and it has a similar consistency of chewed bubble gum. I can't for the life of me think of what its called but its used to wrap completely around the connector and connection and form a water tight seal. That or you could use shrink tubbing. (which is what I use at my house with good pressure fit connectors.)

You could just glob a bunch of silicone around the tightened connector until it's completely covered.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I should have added that the connector does have an add on boot that is snugged up to the balun. I replaced the connector about a month ago. I'm not sure it it is a water problem as far as no water is visible. Would just humidity cause it? Again, just rotating the antenna got the signal back. I'm wondering if the connector just doesn't get grounded tight enough on the coax and then the wind loosens it up a bit. I don't know it is weird.

this may not be the place to ask but do the "in" and "out" f-connectors on a rf splitter really matter?

Everyone getting the Guide data for WLS ?
My HDTV box lists it as "No Information"

Everyone getting the Guide data for WLS ?
My HDTV box lists it as "No Information"

Haven't had any for days, but WMEU's guide data started coming in again today.

Thanks
I sent a email to WLS Engineering
Hope they fix the issue

this may not be the place to ask but do the "in" and "out" f-connectors on a rf splitter really matter?

Technically they're bi-directional unless otherwise stated. You can use a splitter as a combiner if thats what you're inquiring about.

EDIT: I posted this before Trip edited #13734420 to list the UHF situation.* At the time, that post covered only the VHF-high crowding.



Thanks, Trip.

That left open the question of why not move to a UHF frequency, and I typed a response asking that; but when I submitted it, Sebenste had already anticipated it:


And apparently KM doesn't want to wait until full-power analog stations shut down.* Thank you for explaining.

You mean WEDE-CA?

Yep! Wow, what side of the bed did I roll out of this morning? Oh, there it is, I was looking for a couple of those marbles! :D

Technically they're bi-directional unless otherwise stated. You can use a splitter as a combiner if thats what you're inquiring about.

Yes, thanks.

What component would make them uni-directional? One way resistor?

Yes, thanks.

What component would make them uni-directional? One way resistor?A unity-gain amplified-splitter would be uni-directional because the amplification stage would block signals on the output port(s) from reaching the input port. The cheapests 2-way splitter is a 3-port device containing 3 resistors inside in a "star" configuration where the signals on any port pass through to the others.

So did anyone catch ABC's This Week With George Stephanopoulos Today ?
was it in HD ?

Yes, thanks.

What component would make them uni-directional? One way resistor?

A Diode.

I'm still pissed about the fact that D*TV won't transmit WGN in high-def here in S.Florida.

I'm still pissed about the fact that D*TV won't transmit WGN in high-def here in S.Florida.

Well, its contractual issues, and sat issues. You wont see it untill D* 11 reaches its orbital location, that wont be for a few more months as its still testing. Once the bird gets there then they need to sign the contract before they can offer you wgn superstation in hd.

Just got an email from WLS said that they are aware of the guide data not showing up and hope to fix it sometime this week

So as I understand it each 6MHz ATSC channel supports a data rate up to ~19Mbps. As stations add sub-channels each one takes a bite out of the data that could be used for the main HD sub. Is there a place which shows local OTA stations and the % each sub takes? Or is this highly dynamic and varies with the content?

It would be interesting to see WTTW's allocation over time -- seems like all 11.3 and 11.4 impact the quality of the main 11.1 sub. Also, will 11.2 go away after the switchover?

As stations add sub-channels each one takes a bite out of the data that could be used for the main HD sub. ...

It would be interesting to see WTTW's allocation over time -- seems like all 11.3 and 11.4 impact the quality of the main 11.1 sub. Also, will 11.2 go away after the switchover?

For that matter, why does 20.2 exist at all?  Unlike 9.2, surely it does take bits away from 20.1.

So as I understand it each 6MHz ATSC channel supports a data rate up to ~19Mbps. As stations add sub-channels each one takes a bite out of the data that could be used for the main HD sub. Is there a place which shows local OTA stations and the % each sub takes? Or is this highly dynamic and varies with the content?

My website will do that eventually, if I can ever find anyone with a computer-based tuner hooked to antenna who's willing to play with the TSReader program for me...

- Trip

So as I understand it each 6MHz ATSC channel supports a data rate up to ~19Mbps. As stations add sub-channels each one takes a bite out of the data that could be used for the main HD sub. Is there a place which shows local OTA stations and the % each sub takes? Or is this highly dynamic and varies with the content?

It would be interesting to see WTTW's allocation over time -- seems like all 11.3 and 11.4 impact the quality of the main 11.1 sub. Also, will 11.2 go away after the switchover?
A good chunck of us are variable bit rate so those #'s you get will be averages not the actual readings.

....Is there a place which shows local OTA stations and the % each sub takes? Or is this highly dynamic and varies with the content? It would be interesting to see WTTW's allocation over time -- seems like all 11.3 and 11.4 impact the quality of the main 11.1 sub. Also, will 11.2 go away after the switchover?
I have a USB tuner stick. I downloaded TSreader Lite mostly to see what WTTW is doing. It is rather dynamic. 11-1 video seems to run 9-10 Mbps typically.

AFAIK, WTTW has not disclosed their plans for after 2/17/09. My guess is that separate HD programming on 11-1 will go away.

Every couple of days I turn my Zenith DTT900 on and go through the channels it receives just to check on the reception.

This morning on WWME sometime between 11 and noon (during "Hawaii Five-O" FWIW), every time I pressed the DISPLAY button while the box was tuned to 23.1 or 26.2, it shut off instead: not immediately as if I had pressed POWER, but over about three seconds’ time the video would freeze while the audio continued, the audio would stop, the screen would go blank (blue with a "No Signal" display), and the box's signal light would change from blue to red.

The DISPLAY key worked correctly on every other station that the box receives.  It misbehaved only when the box was tuned to WWME-LD or to WCIU-DT's subchannel for WWME, and it did the same thing on both stations where a digital signal for WWME appears!

I had to go out on some business and some errands, but when I got home just after 2 PM (during "Leave It to Beaver" if that matters), the problem was gone and everything was fine.

The manufacture date is January 2008, but I'm posting first in the Chicago OTA thread on the guess that maybe it was something in the signal.  I hope to remember to try it again around the same time tomorrow.

Every couple of days I turn my Zenith DTT900 on and go through the channels it receives just to check on the reception.

This morning on WWME sometime between 11 and noon (during "Hawaii Five-O" FWIW), every time I pressed the DISPLAY button while the box was tuned to 23.1 or 26.2, it shut off instead: not immediately as if I had pressed POWER, but over about three seconds’ time the video would freeze while the audio continued, the audio would stop, the screen would go blank (blue with a "No Signal" display), and the box's signal light would change from blue to red.

The DISPLAY key worked correctly on every other station that the box receives.* It misbehaved only when the box was tuned to WWME-LD or to WCIU-DT's subchannel for WWME, and it did the same thing on both stations where a digital signal for WWME appears!

I had to go out on some business and some errands, but when I got home just after 2 PM (during "Leave It to Beaver" if that matters), the problem was gone and everything was fine.

The manufacture date is January 2008, but I'm posting first in the Chicago OTA thread on the guess that maybe it was something in the signal.* I hope to remember to try it again around the same time tomorrow.
We use the Insignia version of that tuner to monitor our DTV's. I will try that when I get in today.

It did not recur later yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening, nor this morning at the same hour: not on 23.1, nor 26.2, nor any other channel.

I'm totally baffled.  Yesterday morning it was happening reproducibly every time I tried it on either digital channel that carries WWME, time and time again.

Is anyone able to get CBS 2.1 with an indoor antenna? If so, what brand? I have gone though 4 different indoor amplified antennas and none get 2.1. The only requirement is it must be an indoors antenna.

Is anyone able to get CBS 2.1 with an indoor antenna? If so, what brand? I have gone though 4 different indoor amplified antennas and none get 2.1. The only requirement is it must be an indoors antenna.I can receive it -- about eight miles NW of Hancock -- on the rabbit ears that came with a vintage-1980s Zenith 13" portable TV, on the General Electric TV24734 settop antenna that I bought a couple of months ago, and on the generic rabbit ears from another long-since-lost portable that are now on a Symphonic-branded Funai 19" analog TV (when I was testing a Zenith DTT900 CECEB on that set).  Everything is going to depend the location and conditions where you're trying to pick it up.

Just position the antenna as high as you can and spread those dipoles as far apart and close to horizontal as you can.

Oh, I just noticed that you said "amplified."  My experience with amplified indoor antennas (all of which I ended up returning, but I must have tried five or six) was that 2.1 came in better with amplification off.

since no question is a dumb question -
can anyone receive the closed captioning on WMEU - the METOO 26.3
or even on analog 48 ?

the captioning was gone once before and came back a couple weeks later
it has been gone for a week now

i know the CC is dependent on signal strength - but have no trouble with 26.1 or 26.2

comments, critisms and questions of sanity are always welcome
don

since no question is a dumb question -
can anyone receive the closed captioning on WMEU - the METOO 26.3
or even on analog 48 ?

the captioning was gone once before and came back a couple weeks later
it has been gone for a week now

i know the CC is dependent on signal strength - but have no trouble with 26.1 or 26.2

comments, critisms and questions of sanity are always welcome
don

As of now, captions are not required on older programming which WMEU airs. If the show has caption on it, believe me we'll pass it along. :D

thanks for what ever you did
captioning is back as of 3 pm when i checked magnum, pi

don

i can get wbbm with my philips manta 950-indoor/outdoor antenna and i am out here borderline matteson/frankfort,il

Doogie, Get an amplifier and just about any indoor antenna if you are within 30 miles of the Hancock and not in a steel building. You mighty need a 20-25 dB signal amplifier. Make sure it covers the VHF band beginning at 50 or 55 MHz. How far out are you? What floor of the building is the antenna on?

I have a USB tuner stick. I downloaded TSreader Lite mostly to see what WTTW is doing. It is rather dynamic. 11-1 video seems to run 9-10 Mbps typically.

AFAIK, WTTW has not disclosed their plans for after 2/17/09. My guess is that separate HD programming on 11-1 will go away.

Yep, WTTW is not the only station doing that... and their picture pays the price.

Here's part 2 for anyone who wants to see what the stations are doing

Last of the last stations..

This morning on WWME sometime between 11 and noon (during "Hawaii Five-O" FWIW), every time I pressed the DISPLAY button while the box was tuned to 23.1 or 26.2, it shut off instead: not immediately as if I had pressed POWER, but over about three seconds’ time the video would freeze while the audio continued, the audio would stop, the screen would go blank (blue with a "No Signal" display), and the box's signal light would change from blue to red.

The DISPLAY key worked correctly on every other station that the box receives.  It misbehaved only when the box was tuned to WWME-LD or to WCIU-DT's subchannel for WWME, and it did the same thing on both stations where a digital signal for WWME appears!

I had to go out on some business and some errands, but when I got home just after 2 PM (during "Leave It to Beaver" if that matters), the problem was gone and everything was fine.
The problem did not recur for the rest of last week, but it was back today.  Like last Tuesday I had to go out and couldn't be home to try during "In the Heat of the Night" between noon and 1 PM, but now that it's after 1 PM and "Bonanza" is on, there's no trouble at all.

Maybe it happens only Mondays and Tuesdays during "Hawaii Five-O."  But again, it occurred on both digital channels that carry WWME, 23.1 and 26.2.

Hi everyone,

I've been using an RCA roof mount antenna for about 18 months now, and need to do better. Between tv's and DVRs I'm driving 5 tuners, and I'd like to add 3 more. I'm having trouble with several channels depending on the weather, season and time of day. I'd like to have better consistency and fewer dropouts. At Lowe's today I found a Philips SDV7700K/17, a much larger antenna.

I live about 22 miles north and a little west of downtown (border of Highland Park and Deerfield), the current antenna is mounted about 17 feet high. Its an older neighborhood so there's plenty of mature trees.

My current antenna is an RCA ANT3030X (I think this is the model). So I'm just looking to hear if this larger Philips might be the way to go. Reading various posts over the last couple of years I know that many people like other brands from the place in Mt Prospect, but its a bit far and Lowe's has an easy return policy.

Here's a link to the antenna specs:

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_language_us/_productid_SDV7700K_17_US_CONSUMER

Thanks!

Hi,

Just caught this note. I also use mythtv with air2pc cards. The cards are older technology will not tune as well as a recent TV. My 18 month old Vizio will show broadcasts that the air2pc cards can't pick up.

I'm about 22 miles north of downtown, outdoor antenna RCA 3030x. I'm moving to an HD Homerun tuner when I get the time (its here, I just have to make the switch.) But Mythtv is great, I'm glad I did it. Good luck!


Hi - first post, but I think I'll hang around for awhile - this board (and this thread) seem pretty helpful.

I do apologize for not reading the entire thread before asking - it's entirely possible that my answer is somewhere in the 70 (wow!) pages of this thread.

So I am tired of paying way too much for comcast + DVR to basically watch the local stuff. I am building myself a MythTV box, planning on using some (2 for now) Air2PC tuner cards and watch everything that way. My TV doesn't factor in because it's just a monitor at this point. Now my struggle is trying to determine what antenna to buy. I have no antenna currently, and I don't see any on the neighbors, so I'm not sure what to look for. I live in Crete, IL (60417) and I'm right at the 30-32 mile range from downtown, in about a 3 degree cone from the Sears & Hancock.

I'm most concerned about CBS, but I'm pretty sure with the right setup everything will work ok.

Because of aesthetic purposes, I am considering the channelmaster 3010 with the 3038 amp. I've also had the Winegard HD-1080 recommended to me (by somebody who sells it). The back of my two-story house faces north, and there is about a block's worth of open golf course before the next set of houses. However, the utility lines (cable/phone/electric - I assume) run in my backyard as well.

1) What kind of interference will the lines cause?
2) Any thoughts on either of those antennas?
3) Any other recommendations for a 30-32 mile antenna?

Thanks!

I know you're all bored with this, but it continues.

Today the trouble with WWME (both on 23.1 and on 26.2) and my Zenith DTT900 recurred: it wasn't there at 11:06 AM and I was already to post that it wasn't happening today, but at 11:44 AM it was back.

Maybe on the days when it seemed OK, I was testing too early?

Hi everyone,

I've been using an RCA roof mount antenna for about 18 months now, and need to do better. Between tv's and DVRs I'm driving 5 tuners, and I'd like to add 3 more. I'm having trouble with several channels depending on the weather, season and time of day. I'd like to have better consistency and fewer dropouts. At Lowe's today I found a Philips SDV7700K/17, a much larger antenna.

I live about 22 miles north and a little west of downtown (border of Highland Park and Deerfield), the current antenna is mounted about 17 feet high. Its an older neighborhood so there's plenty of mature trees.

My current antenna is an RCA ANT3030X (I think this is the model). So I'm just looking to hear if this larger Philips might be the way to go. Reading various posts over the last couple of years I know that many people like other brands from the place in Mt Prospect, but its a bit far and Lowe's has an easy return policy.

Here's a link to the antenna specs:

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_language_us/_productid_SDV7700K_17_US_CONSUMER

Thanks!

I doubt it is the build quality of the winegard platinum line. I have the 8200p and use to have the RS-190. Take a look at the construction of both and go from there.

Hi everyone,

I've been using an RCA roof mount antenna for about 18 months now, and need to do better. Between tv's and DVRs I'm driving 5 tuners, and I'd like to add 3 more. I'm having trouble with several channels depending on the weather, season and time of day. I'd like to have better consistency and fewer dropouts. At Lowe's today I found a Philips SDV7700K/17, a much larger antenna.

I live about 22 miles north and a little west of downtown (border of Highland Park and Deerfield), the current antenna is mounted about 17 feet high. Its an older neighborhood so there's plenty of mature trees.

My current antenna is an RCA ANT3030X (I think this is the model). So I'm just looking to hear if this larger Philips might be the way to go. Reading various posts over the last couple of years I know that many people like other brands from the place in Mt Prospect, but its a bit far and Lowe's has an easy return policy.

Here's a link to the antenna specs:

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_language_us/_productid_SDV7700K_17_US_CONSUMER

Thanks!

http://www.abt.com/product/27315.html

The Zenith DTT900 had a new game this morning: every few tests of the DISPLAY button (this was around 11:29 to 11:35 AM, on both WWME digital stations, 23.1 and 26.2), instead of turning off, the box froze the video, let the audio continue, and ignored button presses both on the remote and on the box itself.  I had to unplug and replug.

Otherwise, pressing DISPLAY while it was tuned to 23.1 or 26.2 shut it off as before, while pressing it on any other station displayed the available information about the show.

Update: I called Zenith this afternoon after the new events of the box's locking up.  The rep swore he'd heard of nothing like that (no surprise, since nobody else on this thread has either) and asked me to do a lot more testing, for example, using an RF connection to the TV instead of A/V (which I haven't tried, as it's downstream of the problem and shouldn't make a difference).  I did try a different antenna and it didn't help, but if I can get enough chances during the periods when it occurs, I'll take the DTT900 to some other televisions in the house as well.  Maybe switching the output channel from 4 to 3, or having the RF output going, will make a difference.

there is another group on this site a couple of mouse clicks away
that may have info on the DTT990 problem -
in the "forum jump" box, click the arrow, then coupon eligible converter box (CECB)
then click "go" and then click the LG Zenith branded DTT990

lots of extra comments, but there is discussion on problems with the box
might find something helpful there

comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

don

Hey gang,

Been busy and I haven't had much chance to post. A couple of digital details on the low power DTV front:

1. WCHU-LD 49 had their application shot down by the FCC. The analog channel is on 61 showing MTV Tres. Don't know what they will do now.

2. WFBT-LD 46 has been approved by the FCC! Analog 46, which is showing the Home Shopping Network, has just been approved to go to channel 25.

There you go. Hmm, hows the WCIU-DT variable bit allocation project going, HVS?

Gilbert, 2. WFBT-LD 46 has been approved by the FCC! Analog 46, which is showing the Home Shopping Network, has just been approved to go to channel 25.Any indication of what the virtual channel will be for WFBT-LD?  48 as it had in its analog days before WMEU bumped it?  And will W52BR's new signal on 25 be digital or analog?

A couple of days ago I noticed that WYCC changed the displayed name for MegaHertz Worldview on 20.3 from "MEGA SD" to "Megaher," FWIW.

Hey gang,

There you go. Hmm, hows the WCIU-DT variable bit allocation project going, HVS?

Been online for a couple of weeks now.

Gilbert, Any indication of what the virtual channel will be for WFBT-LD?* 48 as it had in its analog days before WMEU bumped it?* And will W52BR's new signal on 25 be digital or analog?

A couple of days ago I noticed that WYCC changed the displayed name for MegaHertz Worldview on 20.3 from "MEGA SD" to "Megaher," FWIW.

Are you referring to FBT (ethnic programming) or WMEU-LD? FBT will stay where it is at 26.6, WMEU-LD would be 48.1.

[WCIU-DT's dynamic bit allocation has] Been online for a couple of weeks now.
Could that be part of the cause of my problem with WWME?  Maybe not, because it happens on 23.1 as well as on 26.2, and UHF39 has no subchannels.

Are you referring to FBT (ethnic programming) or WMEU-LD? FBT will stay where it is at 26.6, WMEU-LD would be 48.1.Viewer relations might be outside your job description, HVS, but I can't help wondering what the effect has been of pulling FBT from analog and making it digital-only when WMEU went on the air.  Have their been complaints or confusion in significant numbers?  Or were so many of FBT's viewers already watching it by cable or satellite or digital OTA that only a few were affected?

Are you referring to FBT (ethnic programming) or WMEU-LD? FBT will stay where it is at 26.6, WMEU-LD would be 48.1.

Well, that's a great point, because at the time, it was to be a companion channel to then WFBT. But you're right, since it is now WMEU, I guess you'd carry that programming on there. So it would be WMEU-LD 48.1.

And W52BR (nice job, Dattier! I was too lazy to look up the call sign) will be analog on 25.

Now to see how (yep, been that busy) much of an improvement 26-X is with variable rate encoding.

I'm also trying to figure out who applied for a low-power digital on 33. Oh wait, I see it...the fine folks who brought you channels 6 and 61 analog. It's still an application and hasn't been approved yet.

Viewer relations might be outside your job description, HVS, but I can't help wondering what the effect has been of pulling FBT from analog and making it digital-only when WMEU went on the air.* Have their been complaints or confusion in significant numbers?* Or were so many of FBT's viewers already watching it by cable or satellite or digital OTA that only a few were affected?

Not officially in my description but thats why I make it a part to be here. One of our engineers is a big fan of FBT and it's a bit harder for him to watch since we don't have a monitor in the shop.

Could that be part of the cause of my problem with WWME?* Maybe not, because it happens on 23.1 as well as on 26.2, and UHF39 has no subchannels.

I wouldn't think so but hey in the digital era, anything is possible. I keep forgetting to test our receivers here during that time period. I'll set a reminder for next week.

I wouldn't think so but hey in the digital era, anything is possible. I keep forgetting to test our receivers here during that time period. I'll set a reminder for next week.

Thank you.  If you find anything out, or if any other reader here does, Zenith's case number for it (or trouble ticket number, or whatever term they use) is C08050871326.  (The second, fourth, and sixth characters are each the digit zero.)

I snagged a Magnavox TB-100MG9 at the KMart in Mayfair today (they had three on the shelf) and now have a second box to test with, having returned the Digital Stream DTX9900 to Radio Shack before noticing the problem.

Still no problems here from over 40 miles out with reception of WCIU-DT and it's subs, with the Zenith or any other of my ATSC receivers.

Still no problems here from over 40 miles out with reception of WCIU-DT and it's subs, with the Zenith or any other of my receivers.None for me either; reception isn't the problem.

The problem (which did not occur today) is that if my Zenith DTT900 is tuned to 23.1 or 26.2 during roughly the second half of "Hawaii Five-O" (it happens on both WWME digital channels, but on no other channels, and during no other broadcasts on WWME, and so far never before about 11:25 AM and never so far after 12:00 PM nor on weekends), and I press DISPLAY, then, when it's misbehaving, either

1. the video freezes, then the audio freezes, then the box shuts off;

or

2. the video freezes, the audio continues, but all buttons on the remote and the buttons on the box are ignored and the unit has to be unplugged and replugged.

Today, for example, there was no trouble at all.  The DISPLAY button brought up the proper information and had no other effect.

Hi everyone,

I've been using an RCA roof mount antenna for about 18 months now, and need to do better. Between tv's and DVRs I'm driving 5 tuners, and I'd like to add 3 more. I'm having trouble with several channels depending on the weather, season and time of day. I'd like to have better consistency and fewer dropouts. At Lowe's today I found a Philips SDV7700K/17, a much larger antenna.

I live about 22 miles north and a little west of downtown (border of Highland Park and Deerfield), the current antenna is mounted about 17 feet high. Its an older neighborhood so there's plenty of mature trees.

My current antenna is an RCA ANT3030X (I think this is the model). So I'm just looking to hear if this larger Philips might be the way to go. Reading various posts over the last couple of years I know that many people like other brands from the place in Mt Prospect, but its a bit far and Lowe's has an easy return policy.

Here's a link to the antenna specs:

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_language_us/_productid_SDV7700K_17_US_CONSUMER

Thanks!

I don't know about the antenna switch, but with 8 drops, I'd recommend looking into a pre-amp and/or a powered splitter. I've got 8 different devices (currently) hanging off my antenna feed and I'm about 35 miles away - Naperville/Aurora. I don't have any trees in the way, but my antenna is in the attic. I use a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp (high gain, low noise) and two variable gain powered splitters (distribution amps). I have the powered splitters turned down to unity gain (or there-abouts) but I do avoid the loss of a passive splitter. My signal is in good shape at all destinations. I recommend a variable gain amp, so that if you do find you are overloading some of your stronger signals, you can turn it down.

Dan (Woj...)

None for me either; reception isn't the problem.I just meant "reception" as an overall, general term.

Are you sure the signal strength or SNR isn't borderline? Whenever I've had a "freeze-up" like that with any tuners, it was always because the signal was not solid enough or was dropping down or out. That's just the way some tuners respond - they freeze. And usually only the video.

I just meant "reception" as an overall, general term.I'd find it really hard to generalize "reception" to include the box's turning off.

Are you sure the signal strength or SNR isn't borderline?Fair question.

Regarding signal strength: I sometimes have a weak signal on 23.1, since the connection is on an indoor antenna, but it doesn't make the box turn off.  The signal strength is pretty darn good all the time on 26.2.

Regarding the SNR: I don't know how to measure that, but 26.2, where the problem can occur, have a different SNR at the same time from 26.1, 26.3, and 26.6, where it never happens, even in the middle of a bout of the problem on 26.2 and 23.1?

For that matter, why does 20.2 exist at all? Unlike 9.2, surely it does take bits away from 20.1.

I agree these things seem ridiculous, but for me there is an upside. If I want a smaller size recording without post-processing, I record the subchannel.

I don't know about the antenna switch, but with 8 drops, I'd recommend looking into a pre-amp and/or a powered splitter. I've got 8 different devices (currently) hanging off my antenna feed and I'm about 35 miles away - Naperville/Aurora. I don't have any trees in the way, but my antenna is in the attic. I use a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp (high gain, low noise) and two variable gain powered splitters (distribution amps). I have the powered splitters turned down to unity gain (or there-abouts) but I do avoid the loss of a passive splitter. My signal is in good shape at all destinations. I recommend a variable gain amp, so that if you do find you are overloading some of your stronger signals, you can turn it down.

Dan (Woj...)

I installed a Radio Shack amplifier. Its a two-part amp (box at the antenna, powered box in the house) and it seems to have done the trick. I did have to turn down the gain a little but I'm pretty much getting everything now.

Hi,

Just caught this note. I also use mythtv with air2pc cards. The cards are older technology will not tune as well as a recent TV. My 18 month old Vizio will show broadcasts that the air2pc cards can't pick up.

I'm about 22 miles north of downtown, outdoor antenna RCA 3030x. I'm moving to an HD Homerun tuner when I get the time (its here, I just have to make the switch.) But Mythtv is great, I'm glad I did it. Good luck!

I now have the HDHR working AND the air2pc cards. A $59.99 two-piece amp from Radio Shack did the trick!

-------[edit Sunday morning]-------------

....All this rain is now giving the signal a good bit of interference. Maybe time to try a new antenna anyways....

Um, is Fox having some problems with their HD Cubs/Diamondbacks feed this afternoon? Picture quality is horrible...very grainy. Juts looking at the scoreline at the top of the screen is making my eyes hurt.

Um, is Fox having some problems with their HD Cubs/Diamondbacks feed this afternoon? Picture quality is horrible...very grainy. Juts looking at the scoreline at the top of the screen is making my eyes hurt.

Yes, there is a thread in the programming forum complaing about MLB on Fox, all of their games today seems to be SD widescreen.

Yes, there is a thread in the programming forum complaing about MLB on Fox, all of their games today seems to be SD widescreen.

Gee, and I was going to blame the quality on Comcast. :D Although I did watch their postgame later and the studio looked great, the hilites, well they looked like.........:(

Does anyone know if there is a technical issue with WLS still not broadcasting Sunday's This Week in HD? This is the 4th week that it's being broadcast locally in SD.

Does anyone know if there is a technical issue with WLS still not broadcasting Sunday's This Week in HD? This is the 4th week that it's being broadcast locally in SD.

Hmm the responce i got said they will fix it so it broadcast it in HD the second week... they werent aware of it the first week
let me send out another email to them...and see whats up..

20.1 was actually showing some true widescreen HD tonight. Nice.

20.1 was actually showing some true widescreen HD tonight. Nice.Which program?  I'd like to try to catch it when it's on again.

Which program?* I'd like to try to catch it when it's on again.One was a talking heads show, and I forgot what the other one was (looked good, but a bit over-edge-enhanced and a little "clayfaced". You could still see lots of detail, though). They're showing more today, too. The logo in the corner says "WYCC HD" now.

Hi everyone,

I've been using an RCA roof mount antenna for about 18 months now, and need to do better. Between tv's and DVRs I'm driving 5 tuners, and I'd like to add 3 more.

You're not that far away that you'd need a massive antenna.
Keep your present antenna and get a mast mounted preamp, to overcome your splitting losses down the line. I use a Channel Master CM-7777, which works very well and is only about $60.

http://starkelectronic.com/allamps.htm

Good luck!

I reported before that I had very little luck getting WBBMDT (digital 3) with a VHF-LO yagi in my attic. Well this weekend I was tinkering with a CECB and I checked digital 3 and much to my surprise it locked in solid. I checked my other CECB and my TV with ATSC tuner and all were locking digital 3. My much older standalone tuner was also bringing in enough signal to see a pixelated picture on digital 3.

The only change that I can firgure out is that the 2 story mound of dirt across the street (to the east) from my house has recently been reduce to a 1 story mound of dirt. I wonder if diffraction of the VHF-LO signal over the mound of dirt was causing multipath on digital 3.

I have given up on channel 2. It is too frustrating. I have tried many different antennas and amplifiers and nothing works. I've spent dozens of hours moving the antennas around and nothing works. Screw channel 2. If they don't want to broadcast so everyone gets it, then CBS can go to hell.

HVS,

I am watching Frasier right now on WCIU-DT and the picture is continually going through a cycle of freezing, speeding up and slowing down. Also, the audio is way out of sync. As with the WLS-DT unstable motion issue a few months back, this only occurs on my new Olevia 537H TV. My two LG tuners look normal. I think this is the first time I have watched 26-1 on this particular TV for several weeks so I'm wondering if this has something to do with the new VBR allocation? Most (not all) of the commercials look fine, as do 26-2 and 26-3. Would you like me to continue to monitor and report on this?

Greg

Update: King of Queens is having the same issues.

One was a talking heads show, and I forgot what the other one was (looked good, but a bit over-edge-enhanced and a little "clayfaced". You could still see lots of detail, though). They're showing more today, too. The logo in the corner says "WYCC HD" now.Is there some way to know in advance when an actual HD program is scheduled, without having to wake up or come home at least once during each program to check?  WYCC's own schedule information at wycc.org doesn't say, tvguide.com's doesn't say, and titantv.com doesn't seem to have listings for 20.1 at all.

In other news, the WWME problem was back today, but before "Hawaii Five-O" actually ended, when the info display switched over prematurely to that for "In the Heat of the Night," things were fine.  I'd blame something in the info display for "Hawaii Five-O" but it doesn't occur every day, and last Wednesday it was OK around 11:10 but the problem was there by 11:44, and certainly nothing in the info display changed in the middle of the program.

HVS,

I am watching Frasier right now on WCIU-DT and the picture is continually going through a cycle of freezing, speeding up and slowing down. Also, the audio is way out of sync. As with the WLS-DT unstable motion issue a few months back, this only occurs on my new Olevia 537H TV. My two LG tuners look normal. I think this is the first time I have watched 26-1 on this particular TV for several weeks so I'm wondering if this has something to do with the new VBR allocation? Most (not all) of the commercials look fine, as do 26-2 and 26-3. Would you like me to continue to monitor and report on this?

Greg

Update: King of Queens is having the same issues.

I love technology; really I do.:rolleyes: Its a known problem of our VBR system. WTTW has/had the same exact same problem.

You're not that far away that you'd need a massive antenna.
Keep your present antenna and get a mast mounted preamp, to overcome your splitting losses down the line. I use a Channel Master CM-7777, which works very well and is only about $60.

http://starkelectronic.com/allamps.htm

Good luck!

I ended up installing a mast mounted preamp from radio shack. It did help, but when the rain was heavy a few days ago I still was having trouble with clear reception on several stations like WTTW and ION.

The preamp is on the mast but the amp itself is about 25' from the TV. I'm trying to keep the TV area from getting any more cluttered than it already is. Would the amp work better if it was closer to the TV and therefore powering a longer run of coax?

HVS,

I am watching Frasier right now on WCIU-DT and the picture is continually going through a cycle of freezing, speeding up and slowing down. Also, the audio is way out of sync. As with the WLS-DT unstable motion issue a few months back, this only occurs on my new Olevia 537H TV. My two LG tuners look normal. I think this is the first time I have watched 26-1 on this particular TV for several weeks so I'm wondering if this has something to do with the new VBR allocation? Most (not all) of the commercials look fine, as do 26-2 and 26-3. Would you like me to continue to monitor and report on this?

Greg

Update: King of Queens is having the same issues.

I have the same problem on one set. It seems to only appear on filmed shows like George Lopez, King of Queens, etc. Videotaped shows like People's Court are fine.

WLS-DT, 7.1 did have a similar problem a while back, but was able fix it.

From HDTV Programming thread 03-19-08

"ABC HD Video content Jerky/Choppy
I did some research and with the help of Harris tech's disabled the "Film
Detect" setting on our new NetVX encoder (unchecked the box). Hopefully that fixes the video stutter! Please post a reply if you had this issue and
whether the fix helped/or not.
Thanks.
Kal Hassan
VP & Dir of Engineering
WLS-TV Chicago"

From HDTV Programming thread 03-19-08

"ABC HD Video content Jerky/Choppy
I did some research and with the help of Harris tech's disabled the "Film
Detect" setting on our new NetVX encoder (unchecked the box). Hopefully that fixes the video stutter! Please post a reply if you had this issue and
whether the fix helped/or not.
Thanks.
Kal Hassan
VP & Dir of Engineering
WLS-TV Chicago"



What would one do if they experienced this same problem with an HD satellite receiver on high bit rate feeds?

reply from wls....

the
second week, it was in HD. The third week - the ABC Network didn't
offer HD as the broadcast did not generate from the usual Washington
studio. Last week, though, it was all on us.

We sincerely apologize for this. We have been assured by our engineers
that the gremlins have been hunted down and banished. We do hope you
will stick with us and enjoy this show in HD this weekend, and from then
on in.

Thank you for your patience and your support of our station.

I have the same problem on one set. It seems to only appear on filmed shows like George Lopez, King of Queens, etc. Videotaped shows like People's Court are fine.

WLS-DT, 7.1 did have a similar problem a while back, but was able fix it.

Yup. That's exactly what was happening here. Always wondered what WLS did to fix it. But why does it only happen on my Olevia set?

I love technology; really I do. Its a known problem of our VBR system. WTTW has/had the same exact same problem..

Actually, I never noticed this on WTTW. I sure hope it's not contagious. :D

Had the WWME/DTT900 problem again today. The Magnavox TB-100MG9 did not exhibit it.  (I had a Digital Stream DTX9900 but returned it before noticing this trouble, so I never tested for it on the DTX9900.)  I tried the RF out on the DTT900 as the Zenith rep said and even moved the DTT900 to a different television in another room: the same thing occurred.  At least today it was only turning off and not locking up.

My current theory is that it's something to do with the content or length of the default description for "Hawaii Five-O" episodes that talks about the series in general rather than the specific episode.  Maybe that's what's doing it.

Yup. That's exactly what was happening here. Always wondered what WLS did to fix it. But why does it only happen on my Olevia set?



Actually, I never noticed this on WTTW. I sure hope it's not contagious. :D

Does your TV have a 'Film' mode? My Mitsubishi LCD has a setting for 480i signals that will do 3:2 pulldown on shows that were shot at 24fps on film, then converted to 30fps video. It does nothing with HD content. (I'm loosely paraphrasing my TV manual)

Try switching it on if off, or off if it's currently on.

I ended up installing a mast mounted preamp from radio shack. It did help, but when the rain was heavy a few days ago I still was having trouble with clear reception on several stations like WTTW and ION.

The preamp is on the mast but the amp itself is about 25' from the TV. I'm trying to keep the TV area from getting any more cluttered than it already is. Would the amp work better if it was closer to the TV and therefore powering a longer run of coax?

Having the preamp on the antenna is always the best option, because it negates the losses in your downlead and splitter system (within reason - doesn't mean you can run 10 TVs, but 2 or 3 shouldn't be a problem)

Your preamp may not be the problem - Do you have a lot of trees in front of your antenna? UHF signals are attenuated by trees - especially when the leaves are wet (WTTW and ION are Ch 47 and 43 or 45).

George, The TV does have some settings like this for 480i inputs (from DVD), but nothing for HD inputs which is where the video stuttering occurs.

This is apparently caused by an MPEG decoding incompatibility in the TV with certain types of VBR encoders. It only seems to occur when the source is film. Video is OK. And it only does this on cloudy Tuesdays. ;)

Having the preamp on the antenna is always the best option, because it negates the losses in your downlead and splitter system (within reason - doesn't mean you can run 10 TVs, but 2 or 3 shouldn't be a problem)

Your preamp may not be the problem - Do you have a lot of trees in front of your antenna? UHF signals are attenuated by trees - especially when the leaves are wet (WTTW and ION are Ch 47 and 43 or 45).

Yes I'd say so. My neighborhood was built in the late 50's and has many mature trees (30' and higher) starting about 40' from the antenna.

Having the preamp on the antenna is always the best option, because it negates the losses in your downlead and splitter system (within reason - doesn't mean you can run 10 TVs, but 2 or 3 shouldn't be a problem)



One problem to watch out for is receiver and amplifier overload. If you're within 20-30 miles of downtown, you could actually be worsening your reception with the preamp. The amps can only take so much signal level input before they oscillate and work very squirrely. So, use a preamp if you need it, and use one with low noise figure and high input immunity (such as Winegard and Channel Master).

One problem to watch out for is receiver and amplifier overload. If you're within 20-30 miles of downtown, you could actually be worsening your reception with the preamp. The amps can only take so much signal level input before they oscillate and work very squirrely. So, use a preamp if you need it, and use one with low noise figure and high input immunity (such as Winegard and Channel Master).

Valid point, but if you're so close that signals strong enough to overload it, you shouldn't really need a preamp. There should be enough signal to easily split 3 or 4 ways without loss problems.

I'm 38 miles out, and use a Channel Master Cm-7777, which works very well. I can see a trace of intermod on some of the weaker low-power analog stations, but it doesn't affect any of the DTV stations.

After Feb '09, with all the high-power analog signals going away, preamp overload issues should be much less a problem.

One problem to watch out for is receiver and amplifier overload. If you're within 20-30 miles of downtown, you could actually be worsening your reception with the preamp. The amps can only take so much signal level input before they oscillate and work very squirrely. So, use a preamp if you need it, and use one with low noise figure and high input immunity (such as Winegard and Channel Master).

I'm mostly digital, just one analog DVR that's downline from 2 spliters and sees almost no use. So I'm really just concerned with the digital signal. With the digital stations, overload doesn't seem to be happening (I'm not checking every station at every time of day, but I'm not seeing any problems yet either.) My real problem at this point, the only one I've observed, is when its raining I'm getting dropouts.
---
Update Sat 5/17/08 can't seem to get steady reception of WTTW digital, with amp at full or low power. Is it my antenna's way of telling me I should be out on a beautiful spring day?
---

Still no HD. I emailed engineering at WLS-TV's again. Can't wait to find out the reason this time.

Anyone near the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago? We're thinking of moving there and wanted to know if the elusive channel 2.1 could be had with an OTA antenna :cool:

Anyone near the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago? We're thinking of moving there and wanted to know if the elusive channel 2.1 could be had with an OTA antenna :cool:

We are at 91st & Western and used to pull in WBBM-DT with a Winegard 7210 in the attic. I did not attempt any indoor antennas except for a home-made folded dipole that the wife did not appreciate. We have since gone over to WOW Cable, which is a decent option in the neighborhood. Our biggest problem for all stations was from multipath from planes coming in to Midway, as we are close to one of several approaches.

thanks for the info foamy, hope to join the 'hood soon!

Maybe I missed this, since I haven't been reading the forum diligently, but is WLS playing games with 7-03? Sometimes it's there, and other times it isn't - usually when I want to see what the forecast is. Are they shutting it down to provide more bandwidth when they have HD programming on 7-01?

As some of you remember, certain airings of "Hawaii Five-O," both on 23.1 and on 26.2, make my Zenith DTT900 freeze the audio and shut off when I press DISPLAY.  It occurs on no other station and during no other program, and not during all episodes of "Hawaii Five-O."

It seems to happen only when the PSIP stream's synopsis for "Hawaii Five-O" is the generic one about the series rather than a specific one for that episode.  Maybe it's the length (it is just about the longest I've seen of synopses through PSIP), or some particular string in it, or the backtick character in it, or the number of hyphens, or that long hyphenated compound that is broken in the Magnavox TB100MG9's display.  (The Magnavox CECB has no problem with it and happily displays the entire text.)

Maybe that's just a coincidence, but so far the correlation is unbroken.  However, typically the situation comes up early in the week -- Mondays, Tuesdays, some Wednesdays -- and never on Thursdays or Fridays, so there could be some other cause.

Maybe I missed this, since I haven't been reading the forum diligently, but is WLS playing games with 7-03? Sometimes it's there, and other times it isn't - usually when I want to see what the forecast is. Are they shutting it down to provide more bandwidth when they have HD programming on 7-01?

They don't need to shut it down, for 720p---they can handle that bandwidth just fine. I suspect their PSIP data has a glitch in it.

As some of you remember, certain airings of "Hawaii Five-O," both on 23.1 and on 26.2, make my Zenith DTT900 freeze the audio and shut off when I press DISPLAY.* It occurs on no other station and during no other program, and not during all episodes of "Hawaii Five-O."

It seems to happen only when the PSIP stream's synopsis for "Hawaii Five-O" is the generic one about the series rather than a specific one for that episode.* Maybe it's the length (it is just about the longest I've seen of synopses through PSIP), or some particular string in it, or the backtick character in it, or the number of hyphens, or that long hyphenated compound that is broken in the Magnavox TB100MG9's display.* (The Magnavox CECB has no problem with it and happily displays the entire text.)

Maybe that's just a coincidence, but so far the correlation is unbroken.* However, typically the situation comes up early in the week -- Mondays, Tuesdays, some Wednesdays -- and never on Thursdays or Fridays, so there could be some other cause.

OK I had a chance to test our boxes today at 11:30a and PRESTO both 23-1 and 26-2 boxes shut off. How bizzare!!! There has to be something in the software code on the DTV box that doesn't like the PSIP for the show. I'm not supprised since I've found several other software related problems with the box and the manufacturer doesn't want anything to do with it. I guess we get what we paid for.

Gilbert - I don't know if you've seen them yet, but what do you think of the big, 24/7 ads plastered up in the top, left-hand corner of your favorite weather sub, NBC Weather Plus?

I'm not supprised since I've found several other software related problems with the box and the manufacturer doesn't want anything to do with it. I guess we get what we paid for.As far as the left channel audio issue, Zenith has apparently fixed that in their April '08 builds.

Just thought I'd let you know.

OK I had a chance to test our boxes today at 11:30a and PRESTO both 23-1 and 26-2 boxes shut off. How bizzare!!! There has to be something in the software code on the DTV box that doesn't like the PSIP for the show.Thank you for testing it.

LG would probably take the position that there's something in the PSIP for the show that the software code on the box doesn't like and make it out to be Weigel Broadcasting's responsibility to change it.  Do the specs for PSIP say what's permitted or not in a synopsis?  And maybe it isn't the synopsis.I'm not supprised since I've found several other software related problems with the box and the manufacturer doesn't want anything to do with it. I guess we get what we paid for.The rep at 1-877-9ZENITH who answered my call yesterday said she'd refer the matter to the product engineers, and that one will call me back. Of course, I don't expect that the phone call will actually happen.

If anyone else experiences it, the case number at Zenith support is C08050871326.  Please let them know.

Thank you for testing it.

LG would probably take the position that there's something in the PSIP for the show that the software code on the box doesn't like and make it out to be Weigel Broadcasting's responsibility to change it.* Do the specs for PSIP say what's permitted or not in a synopsis?* And maybe it isn't the synopsis.

Of course they'll point their finger. Why admit that they have a problem. :D PSIP generators are pretty simplistic. You can either enter all the info manually or give it a location (3rd party) to grab the data.

As far as the left channel audio issue, Zenith has apparently fixed that in their April '08 builds.

Just thought I'd let you know.

I wonder if they'll let me exchange the boxes???

I wonder if they'll let me exchange the boxes???I've been wondering the same thing: will they exchange it if I claim it has the audio problem?  The stumbling block there is that I can't hear the audio problem, even from the postings of samples, and therefore couldn't describe it to them.

My thought is to blame it on the buffering error that is supposed to have been fixed and to ask for an exchange on those grounds.

Well, coming up on 11 AM CDT; time to see what happens today.

I think they have exchanged them for some people (and they have repaired some - although some people say they really haven't been repaired), but you have to be careful that they give you an April build back. Many are getting earlier ones back (still with the problem) and have to exchange them again. There's a number and/or address in the LG threads in the CECB Tuner sub-forum I think. There's a sound bite posted there of a new box, and it sounds absolutely perfect.

My Zenith wasn't bad - I couldn't really hear any problem at all - and it was a March build - but I returned it, because they're getting April builds in here now (CC), and the 901 is due out sometime soon (I think), hopefully before my coupons are up on 06/27, and it's supposed to have RF pass-thru (which I want).

... they're getting April builds in here now (CC),The Circuit City in Niles had all Aprils today, at least those I could check.and the 901 is due out sometime soon (I think), hopefully before my coupons are up on 06/27, and it's supposed to have RF pass-thru (which I want).Not holding my breath for that.  My coupons were up June 24, and I used one on the DTT900 already, so I used another on a Magnavox TB100MG9.  Besides having RF passthrough, it actually permits scrolling though entire synopses instead of truncating them like every other ATSC tuner I've seen, including those built into televisions.  We've had two TVs already whose manuals said to press volume-up to scroll through the rest of the synopsis, and on both of them it exited the display and raised the volume.

Exchanging the DTT900 at a store is impossible, because I bought it at Radio Shack, and they no longer carry it.  If I had bought it at Circuit City (who were out of it at the time) I might have tried to exchange it there.I may just end up using my coupons on 2 DTVPals, though (formerly the Sling/Echostar TR-40), because it will have pass-thru, program timer, and a full, 7-day EPG (likely TVGOS, or so it sounds like).With no coupons left, I'm figuring on getting a DTVPal instead of a new recorder; it would allow keeping my VCR in use.What I'm really waiting for is that TR-50, though.Same here, but its price may lock me out.

Exchanging the DTT900 at a store is impossible, because I bought it at Radio Shack, and they no longer carry it.

I saw that one at the Highland Park Radio Shack just a few weeks ago. Try calling them.

Gilbert - I don't know if you've seen them yet, but what do you think of the big, 24/7 ads plastered up in the top, left-hand corner of your favorite weather sub, NBC Weather Plus?

They've had that since day 1...they just have more advertisers now, which is a good thing, IMO. Gotta pay those weather people somehow! :D

I saw that one at the Highland Park Radio Shack just a few weeks ago. Try calling them.Thanks, but with gasoline prices nowadays, the Edens torn up, a few weeks’ already having passed, my thirty-day exchange period from Radio Shack already over, the unlikelihood of their having any April boxes if any DTT900's at all, and there still being nine months before the cutoff, I'll try exchanging through Zenith/LG instead.

I saw that one at the Highland Park Radio Shack just a few weeks ago. Try calling them.

Highland Park is the "hub" for the CECB box distribution in the district.

Every store in the northern Chicagoland area gets their quota of CECBs from Highland Park, according to the store manager in Lake Zurich.

HTH!

Regards,

Randy

Can't seem to find it in this thread ... sorry if it's been stated but I missed it.

On what physical channel will WMEU-LD 48.1 be broadcast?  I thought someone said 49 but somewhere else I read that WCHU-LD (virtual channel 61.1?) will use UHF49.

Is it possible for UHF39 to carry both WWME-LD for virtual channel 23.1 and WMEU-LD for virtual channel 48.1?

Would seasonal changes affect reception of WBBM-DT?

In my first experiences with ATSC late last summer, I couldn't receive it with the rooftop antenna nor any indoor one, but it improved over the course of the winter and has been coming in reliably.

Saturday night, May 24, I began to have trouble getting with an indoor antenna that had been pulling it in fine for months.  Adjusting the antenna took care of it, for now.  The rooftop antenna had no trouble.

Could the temperature or the length of daylight be factors?  The trees have been back in leaf for some time now, and there was no problem until May 24, so foliage doesn't seem to be the reason.  Maybe the length of daylight isn't a factor either, as the days are longer now than they were when my first attempts failed late last summer.

But still, could there be seasonal differences?  Should I be prepared to lose WBBM-DT for the summer soon and not see it again until autumn (and hopably keep it next summer when it's broadcasting on channel 12 from Sears Tower)?

For the record, I'm just over eight miles NNW of the Hancock Center.

Can't seem to find it in this thread ... sorry if it's been stated but I missed it.

On what physical channel will WMEU-LD 48.1 be broadcast?* I thought someone said 49 but somewhere else I read that WCHU-LD (virtual channel 61.1?) will use UHF49.

Is it possible for UHF39 to carry both WWME-LD for virtual channel 23.1 and WMEU-LD for virtual channel 48.1?

WMEU just got a construction permit approval to sign on channel 46 with 15 kilowatts. I have no idea when they'll light the candle, but they have to get the low power Home Shopping Network off of there first; it's heading to channel 25.

As for the latter, ANYTHING is possible, but since they already simulcast on much stronger 26.3, I don't see the purpose of it. However, all of us may be able to get channel 46 when it signs on. Outside of analog 46 in South Bend, it's got no competition around northern Illinois. 15 kw from Sears is pretty potent...I picked up WCIU from my attic antenna in DeKalb when they were at 15.1 kw...

Would seasonal changes affect reception of WBBM-DT?

Yes.

First and foremost, summer mornings especially, but also evenings, distant signals tend to travel further due to tropospheric ducting. This means that WISC-TV on 3 and other signals from other cities will start to come in and the interference will impact your reception. It will likely get better later in the morning, about 11AM or so. This one can affect any frequency range, but since the low channels tend to bend around terrain the most, it's particularly easy to do on channels 2-6.

The second problem is called e-skip. This is when the E layer of the ionosphere creates a sort of mirror which reflects signals from up to 1500 miles away back down to Earth, thus destroying reception on channels 2-6. This one will hit you the worst on hot, humid afternoons, but can happen at any time of day. It's very unpredictable.

The last thing to keep in mind is that lightning from storms will disrupt your channel 3 signal, as will anything with an electric motor in it, such as a vacuum cleaner or shredder.

With all of these problems, is it any wonder why stations are avoiding low-VHF like the plague?

- Trip

WMEU just got a construction permit approval to sign on channel 46 with 15 kilowatts. I have no idea when they'll light the candle, but they have to get the low power Home Shopping Network off of there first; it's heading to channel 25.

As for the latter, ANYTHING is possible, but since they already simulcast on much stronger 26.3, I don't see the purpose of it. However, all of us may be able to get channel 46 when it signs on. Outside of analog 46 in South Bend, it's got no competition around northern Illinois. 15 kw from Sears is pretty potent...I picked up WCIU from my attic antenna in DeKalb when they were at 15.1 kw...

Already in motion. :)

Is anyone else having this problem or is it something local to me? I have a split screen on the Insignia HD Box. My Fusion HD tuner card won't show a picture at all. It's right before Indy Race time and the left side is on the right and the right side is on the left. All other channels are good...including the HD ones. I'm not happy. :( Not sure if I should be mad at WLS or ABC.

Phew...they just fixed it as of 12:05 PM. Very strange. I'm happy now. :)

WMEU just got a construction permit approval to sign on channel 46 with 15 kilowatts. I have no idea when they'll light the candle, but they have to get the low power Home Shopping Network off of there first; it's heading to channel 25.Ah, yes, 46, not 49.  Thank you, Gilbert.

Maybe when W52BR moves to 25, Titantv.com will acknowledge that I can't receive WCGV-DT on UHF25 (have to remember to configure my account there not to display it).15 kw from Sears is pretty potent.Yes.  I wish WWME-LD had more than its 1.8 kW.  I usually end up watching it on 26.2.

First and foremost, summer mornings especially, but also evenings, distant signals tend to travel further due to tropospheric ducting. ...

The second problem is called e-skip. ...

The last thing to keep in mind is that lightning from storms will disrupt your channel 3 signal, as will anything with an electric motor in it, such as a vacuum cleaner or shredder. ...Thanks, Trip.  Some of those might also explain my rare reception of WYIN-DT for a while last night.

Thanks, Trip.* Some of those might also explain my rare reception of WYIN-DT for a while last night.

Tropospheric ducting would be the culprit on that one. The others are only related to low-VHF reception.

- Trip

Is anyone else having this problem or is it something local to me? I have a split screen on the Insignia HD Box. My Fusion HD tuner card won't show a picture at all. It's right before Indy Race time and the left side is on the right and the right side is on the left. All other channels are good...including the HD ones. I'm not happy. :( Not sure if I should be mad at WLS or ABC.

It wasn't just you - I recorded the race on my MythTV setup with an OTA card (PCHDTV-5500) and just about freaked when I started to watch the race later this afternoon. Thankfully, like you said, it fixed itself aftet about 5 or 6 minutes.

Ah, yes, 46, not 49.* Thank you, Gilbert.

Maybe when W52BR moves to 25, Titantv.com will acknowledge that I can't receive WCGV-DT on UHF25 (have to remember to configure my account there not to display it).Yes.* I wish WWME-LD had more than its 1.8 kW.* I usually end up watching it on 26.2.

We'll see what happens to 23.1 after Feb 17, 2009 when WQRF in Rockford signs off. That should increase reception in the outer areas a bit better.

With all the information with DTV from home, I thought I'd give a little info about receiving DTV from an RV.

My father has a trailer at a campground in Garden Prairie, IL (halfway between Marengo and Belvidere.) Yesterday, I bought one of those Magnavox DTV boxes (literally the only one WalMart had.)
http://www.magnavox.com/index.cfm?event=main&cat_id=1&subcat_id=7&product=163#

The antenna is one of those Winegard wing-shaped things that can be rotated around and cranked up and down.
http://www.winegard.com/mobile/sensar.htm

Basically, after fiddling with the position, I was able to pick up the digitals for 13, 17, 23, 27 (good signal strength, but heavy pixelation), and 39.

My experimenting was cut short when the area lost power Sunday evening.

It wasn't just you - I recorded the race on my MythTV setup with an OTA card (PCHDTV-5500) and just about freaked when I started to watch the race later this afternoon. Thankfully, like you said, it fixed itself aftet about 5 or 6 minutes.

:eek:

It wasn't just you - I recorded the race on my MythTV setup with an OTA card (PCHDTV-5500) and just about freaked when I started to watch the race later this afternoon. Thankfully, like you said, it fixed itself aftet about 5 or 6 minutes.
It must have been ABC or WLS themselves. The recording on my Comcast DVR did the same.

Those Winegard amplified batwing antennas are actually not bad for what they are, and they are in my experience the smallest unit which is capable of locking WBBM-DT (if the signal reaches your area). They probably work best on the VHF band, though, as they don't seem quite as immune from multipath as evidenced by their variable UHF performance.

With all the information with DTV from home, I thought I'd give a little info about receiving DTV from an RV.

My father has a trailer at a campground in Garden Prairie, IL (halfway between Marengo and Belvidere.) Yesterday, I bought one of those Magnavox DTV boxes (literally the only one WalMart had.)
http://www.magnavox.com/index.cfm?event=main&cat_id=1&subcat_id=7&product=163#

The antenna is one of those Winegard wing-shaped things that can be rotated around and cranked up and down.
http://www.winegard.com/mobile/sensar.htm

Basically, after fiddling with the position, I was able to pick up the digitals for 13, 17, 23, 27 (good signal strength, but heavy pixelation), and 39.

My experimenting was cut short when the area lost power Sunday evening.

Hey WYCC is actually showing something in sorta wide screen. It looks like the talking head show about ecinomics was shot in SD 1440 X 1080I. When are we going to see some real HD coming from this channel. If it was me I would have pointed a dish to AMC3 and braudcasted the PBS National HD channel. I wont Tell :D.. But WTTW might, because that channel shows better programming than WTTWHD and looks better :)

We'll see what happens to 23.1 after Feb 17, 2009 when WQRF in Rockford signs off. That should increase reception in the outer areas a bit better.Good for those people in the outer areas, then.  For us where 773 borders 847 or 708, WWME-LD's power is just too low.  An amplifier has helped tremendously, though.  (I'm beginning to suspect, however, that my difficulty with WYCC-DT is from multipath issues.)

While we're speaking of WWME, today "Hawaii Five-O" had the generic synopsis that shuts off the Zenith DTT900.  As soon as I saw that it did, I headed straight to the Best Buy in Village Crossing, because they have an Insignia CECB (November 2007) on the floor connected to a TV with a Terk antenna for demonstration, and the remote is left out and available.  I couldn't get it to pull in 39, but by rotating the antenna I got 27, and surely enough, on 26.2 pressing DISPLAY shut the CECB off.

Does LG stand for "Lucky Goldstar" or "last gasp"?

Those Winegard amplified batwing antennas are actually not bad for what they are, and they are in my experience the smallest unit which is capable of locking WBBM-DT (if the signal reaches your area). They probably work best on the VHF band, though, as they don't seem quite as immune from multipath as evidenced by their variable UHF performance.
I wasn't able to pick up any Chicago stations, although during one autoscan it set 11.1, but I couldn't tune it in.

It's hard to determine just the right orientation of the antenna. The little arrow on the drum I turn inside to rotate it is actually pointing East to get the best signal for the Rockford's, especially 13.x.

I'll have to look at antennaweb or similar to see just where the transmitters are in relation to the trailer.

The batwings pick up from both front and back, albeit moreso in front. The receptor area is directly in the center of the wing; you just have to figure what the front of the unit is and aim it facing the transmitters. I was able to get WBBM-DT at 88-91% strength with an amplified batwing at 30 feet up in Arlington Heights, but all the other DT stations on UHF weren't quite as rigid. This tells me that it is probably best as a VHF unit.

I wasn't able to pick up any Chicago stations, although during one autoscan it set 11.1, but I couldn't tune it in.

It's hard to determine just the right orientation of the antenna. The little arrow on the drum I turn inside to rotate it is actually pointing East to get the best signal for the Rockford's, especially 13.x.

I'll have to look at antennaweb or similar to see just where the transmitters are in relation to the trailer.

It wasn't just you - I recorded the race on my MythTV setup with an OTA card (PCHDTV-5500) and just about freaked when I started to watch the race later this afternoon. Thankfully, like you said, it fixed itself aftet about 5 or 6 minutes.

The Fusion Lite 5 card detected a problem right away and wouldn't even display an image. My only issue was who could I call to get it fixed!

Thanks.

Good for those people in the outer areas, then. For us where 773 borders 847 or 708, WWME-LD's power is just too low.

You're not in an "outer area" - I can watch WMME-LD without problems in Geneva, 39 miles out. Sure, it's not as potent as the full power stations but is solid and reliable. Using a CM 4221, 20ft high outside.

After weeks of tinkering, I've found WWME-LD to be weak enough that when it does come in, I can only get it to lock some of the time off the shorter of two leads, max 60% strength on a good day. It is definitely not reliable for me at only 25 miles from the tower. I too would vouch for them to kick it up a notch.

(Is there any hope of someday putting WWME up closer to the 15kw specified for digital WMEU? If so, maybe this would solve our problems.)

Don't you guys get 26-2?

After weeks of tinkering, I've found WWME-LD to be weak enough that when it does come in, I can only get it to lock some of the time off the shorter of two leads, max 60% strength on a good day. It is definitely not reliable for me at only 25 miles from the tower. I too would vouch for them to kick it up a notch.

(Is there any hope of someday putting WWME up closer to the 15kw specified for digital WMEU? If so, maybe this would solve our problems.)

I'm also having problems getting it, about 22 miles north (and a little west) of downtown.

(Is there any hope of someday putting WWME up closer to the 15kw specified for digital WMEU? If so, maybe this would solve our problems.)

Sure, once WQRF-TV in Rockford signs off next year.

26 itself comes in like a siren, but my concern is that if WWME ever becomes HD capable the only way we would be able to receive it at full resolution is off the dedicated station.

Once Rockford analog 39 signs off, how much do you think WWME-LD can be boosted?

Don't you guys get 26-2?

You're not in an "outer area" - I can watch WMME-LD without problems in Geneva, 39 miles out. Sure, it's not as potent as the full power stations but is solid and reliable. Using a CM 4221, 20ft high outside.
I am also 39 miles out (Gurnee), and I lock WWME-LD without a hitch using a who-knows-what attic antenna and a CM 7777 preamp. Signal strength is lower than most of the other stations, but it always locks and I've yet to see a breakup or glitch.

Perhaps there's something stomping on the signal in other directions, but up north it seems pretty good.

Don't you guys get 26-2?

Yeah, but 23-1 has (I presume) full bandwidth available for a higher bitrate.

When 26-2 first signed on it looked rather bitstarved. It's definitely better since hvs & company installed the VBR stuff, but a non-scientific small-sample-size comparison :) by my eyes tells me that 23-1 looks better, especially during fast motion.

Don't you guys get 26-2?Yes, now, but what happens after 26.2 goes dark?  Isn't it the plan to drop 26.2 and 26.3 some time next year and to carry WWME and WMEU only on 23.1 and 48.1?

I'm 46 miles out in Manteno and all traces of 23-1 have gone with the wind and the folliage.. im out untill winter or good tropo.. wich ever comes first... :)

26 itself comes in like a siren, but my concern is that if WWME ever becomes HD capable the only way we would be able to receive it at full resolution is off the dedicated station.

Once Rockford analog 39 signs off, how much do you think WWME-LD can be boosted?

As much as the FCC would allow us. Who knows realisticly. We have room to expand on power.

Yeah, but 23-1 has (I presume) full bandwidth available for a higher bitrate.

When 26-2 first signed on it looked rather bitstarved. It's definitely better since hvs & company installed the VBR stuff, but a non-scientific small-sample-size comparison :) by my eyes tells me that 23-1 looks better, especially during fast motion.

23.1 and 26.2 are the same bitrate, unfortunately. :(

Yes, now, but what happens after 26.2 goes dark?* Isn't it the plan to drop 26.2 and 26.3 some time next year and to carry WWME and WMEU only on 23.1 and 48.1?

There's no immediate plan to drop the simulcast that I'm aware of. (Although it would be nice.;) )

23.1 and 26.2 are the same bitrate, unfortunately. :(
Ah, so it was my imagination then. Figures. I assume that's because otherwise you'd have to have two separate encoders or whatever, right?

One presumes that if and when you drop the 26.2 simulcast you'd be able to crank up 23.1's bitrate, correct?

Ah, so it was my imagination then. Figures. I assume that's because otherwise you'd have to have two separate encoders or whatever, right?

One presumes that if and when you drop the 26.2 simulcast you'd be able to crank up 23.1's bitrate, correct?

:D

good morning how are you doing today?Me and many of us on dbstalk.com have been contacting Wiegel broadcasting who owns WMEU Channel 48 out of Chicago and also have been calling directv and requesting them that they add this channel to our lineup.I would like to get WMEU on our directv satellite so we can some of that great excellent classic tv show programming that they offer.The problem is i live about 100 miles southwest of chicago and the channel is avaiable over the air and many cable system.I have talked to directv so many times i even talked to a specialist and they told the reason why they would not add the channel because it is a low class power A tv station and also on wikipedia website this is also what it says.Well i talked to Wiegel Broadcasting and they told me as soon as they hear something that they would let us know.here is WMEU "Metoo" website if you would like to go and check it out at and check it out.I know many of us on directv would like to get the station including I also and many of us have contacted to with no avail.This is what i need from you could you please contact Directv at !-800-531-5000 and please ask them to add this channel to your lineup.We appreciate your help very much.

Thanks and Have a Great Day ;-)

Allen Culver
Streator,Illinois

Great evening for DX'ing, folks. I've been getting in WYIN-DT, and even WWTO-DT (for the first time EVER) at about 72% all evening.

WWTO is worse than I ever could've imagined - 5 absolutely horrible looking channels with absolutely nothing worth watching on any of them - at least from what I'm seeing tonight. A lot of really cut-rate productions. It looks like 5 really bad public access channels. The best thing on any of them right now is JCTV, but they've got some kind of real cr*ppy white Rap band on.

On the other hand, Austin City Limits on PBS has been showing a great new R.E.M. concert in HD lately.

Great evening for DX'ing, folks. I've been getting in WYIN-DT, and even WWTO-DT (for the first time EVER) at about 72% all evening.

WWTO is worse than I ever could've imagined - 5 absolutely horrible looking channels with absolutely nothing worth watching on any of them - at least from what I'm seeing tonight. A lot of really cut-rate productions. It looks like 5 really bad public access channels. The best thing on any of them right now is JCTV, but they've got some kind of real cr*ppy white Rap band on.

When WWTO finally went to full power, I noticed that it was a bit snowy and had mild ghosting. When the wind blew, the picture would fade in and out! That's when I realized that while they were at 50 watts, they took a cheap TV with some type of "rabbit ears", or more accurately, a "loop" antenna with a video output, and fed THAT into their digital transmitter. This was with their old encoders, too. When they got the new ones and started multicasting, 35-5 (kids channel) had extremely low audio. I notified the local engineer, but it stayed that way for well over a year. And it also seemingly took months before they went with a direct satellite feed of TBN, instead of that horrid off-air upconvert.

WWTO was supposed to have gone HD by now, but I bet equipment delays or costs have stopped it and the other stations from doing so. An HD channel with 4 subs...I can't imagine that looking great, even with 720p. But maybe they can at least get it to DVD widescreen quality.

I've given up on WBBM-DT for the summer; it and WWME-LD are just not coming in watchably through the roof antenna now.  Unless we can get some upgrades to our setup (which means paying someone else to do them, and I've no idea whether the service would be affordable), the only OTA in this house for the next several months will be through the indoor antennas on the second floor TVs.  The sets on the first floor are back on Comcast's coax now: that makes more sense to us than watching WBBM in analog.

Let's hope that by this time next year the move to channel 12 will fix WBBM-DT (since I've no experience trying to receive DTV on VHF-high; WWTO doesn't reach us) and that either channel 39 will have more power or that WCIU-DT will continue carrying WWME.

Thanks, Trip. Some of those might also explain my rare reception of WYIN-DT for a while last night.

I can get WYIN-DT all the time from the south side with my outdoor antenna. The other night I was getting WNDU 16 South Bend Indiana. This was my first Digital Dx tropo lock. I've gotten channel 16 for years in analog but only saw it as clear as I did in digital once back in about 1983 in analog. That night I was getting channels as far as Detroit, Windsor Ontario and Dayton Ohio on UHF. To bad I don't have that monster antenna system I had in the 80's any more.

It may be worth getting back into Dxing again since digital is perfect or nothing.

Watching OTA NBC HD in Chicago... For some reason, all night, a lot (most?) of the dialog has been coming through the surround speakers rather than the center... Other channels are fine, so it seems to be a (possibly local) NBC problem. Anyone else seeing this??

Is there any news on WOCH's digital plans?

They don't have any plans on changing over at all at this point, just from everything I've heard and read. If you check out their website, they talk about it a bit, and mention no plans.

They also just moved into a new place right next door to the old one. It's a former strip mall. Maybe now they have room for 3 employees rather than the former 2 (a joke). I hear one of the VCR's they play the dramas on is screwing up at the bottom of the picture and warping the subtitles to the point of unreadability lately. Seems stuff like this happens often. All I know is that when they fixed whatever blew out before, they improved things so much that 41 is interfering with my digital 41 so bad now that I can't receive it anymore (WIFR-DT, CBS, Rockford).

I wish they would go digital, though. Number one, I could probably get them in then reliably, and two, I could start getting WIFR-DT in again. As it is, I don't believe WIFR has any plans to switch their frequency come 02/'09.

Thanks, Rammitinski.They don't have any plans on changing over at all at this point, just from everything I've heard and read.Odd, since they do have digital plans for WOCK.They also just moved into a new place right next door to the old one. It's a former strip mall.Yes, you can actually see their paper sign from the street now, and it's still a strip mall.  Errands take me along that stretch of Kedzie fairly often.

I also meant to ask about WEDE.  At one point TitanTV listed it at 62.2 on WJYS's UHF36 signal, but no longer, and on the rare occasions when I can pull in WJYS-DT on 62.1, there doesn't seem to be a 62.2.  But that's just idle curiosity on my part, to fill in the gaps, since neither WJYS nor WEDE carries anything to my interest.

For more fun, W52BR seems to have disappeared from UHF46 without reappearing yet on UHF25.  Maybe it's a temporary malfunction.

Don't really know anything about any of those other channels you mentioned. Never really had any interest in any of them, either. I can get WJYS-DT in pretty well, but I've never seen any evidence of a 62.2.

Others here would know more about those other channels, I'm sure.

Paper sign - that figures. I understand they're a very small-budgeted station - but talk about stereotypes. Maybe it's just a temporary sign though, because of just moving in.

I can get WJYS-DT in pretty well ...And that's always surprised me.  2150.com (who omit WBBM, WMAQ, or WLS when I try to get data for my location) shows WJYS-DT's signal going almost entirely to the southwest, trying to make it back home to Tinley Park.  That explains the poor reception (when there's any at all) that I get here.

I didn't even realize that. I guess that makes me lucky......I think.

WYIN-DT is the one I really want (of course), but that's just too darned far from me.

I do currently get WYIN on Dish, but it really looks like complete cr*p. Possibly the worst looking channel I have, period.

I wish they would go digital, though. Number one, I could probably get them in then reliably, and two, I could start getting WIFR-DT in again. As it is, I don't believe WIFR has any plans to switch their frequency come 02/'09.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1233283&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=4689

WIFR-DT will be returning to channel 23 next year.

And WJYS-DT's problem is that they are on DT-36 and had to protect analog WMVT-36 in Milwaukee. I wonder if they might try to maximize and drop their directional pattern once the shutoff occurs or something. It may be too expensive to justify though...

- Trip

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1233283&Service=TV&Form_id=387&Facility_id=4689

WIFR-DT will be returning to channel 23 next year.Great. Thanks. I only checked antenna web, which tells of the pending changes for the Chicago stations, but doesn't do so for the outer ones (at least when I entered my address).

WJYS-DT's problem is that they are on DT-36 and had to protect analog WMVT-36 in Milwaukee. Thanks, Trip.  They're going overboard, though, and losing anyone on the North Side or the nearer northern suburbs who might want to watch WJYS (not me; I care only in mild curiosity about the RF reception).  WMVT doesn't reach here.  If I get anything on 36, it's a weak hint at WJYS-DT.  When it's not there, WMVT isn't either.

Well, well...

WLS-DT just got permission for a waiver from the FCC; they filed it just before the FCC dropped post-transition maximization power filings.

Instead of 3.2 kw, WLS-DT will get a whopping 4.75 kw when it goes to channel 7. And they will be almost 4 kw less than WBBM-DT when it moves to 12!

Now that the filing freeze has been lifted, I think WLS should go for broke and join WBBM at 8 kw or so.

I apologize if this is in the wrong section, but here goes:

I have been able to successfully record OTA HD with GBPVR & a Pinnacle HDTV PCI card in ts format. As a favor for friends who've missed shows I'll occasionally convert said files to DVD with HDTV2DVD. However, WGN constantly gives me troubles. I can record from CBS & NBC at 1080i, as well as ABC, FOX, and WTTW-DT at 720p and convert all the ts files to an in sync DVD. But no matter what I record from the CW at 1080i, HDTV2DVD chokes on it. It says:
Type: System.NullReferenceException
Source: HDTV2DVD
Message: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
InnerException:
StackTrace: at x14ee85f5d732c07f.xd3764d4f1e921081.AuthorDVD(xc76139390a97d ebb xd2637df501625a82, x81974c36d7fdf1e1 xb4ee5c1758e9e983, Int32 xdc4f66b5011a3c9d, String[] x738d70b20493db82, Boolean x6b20cb17e8070d92, Boolean x3c21da9f928aac10)
at x14ee85f5d732c07f.xd3764d4f1e921081.x2e6504f39decc498()
at x14ee85f5d732c07f.xd3764d4f1e921081.xf81783e1b359ffc3()

Whatever that means??? It appears to me that WGN is doing someting to their broadcast that affects the ability to convert it since all the other stations are not giving me a problem.

Any information for my ignorance is appreciated.

WOCH-CA has filed for displacement on channel 41. They want a digital channel 49 at 0.13 kW DA. See here:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1249135&Service=DC&Form_id=401&Facility_id=35101

- Trip

WOCH-CA has filed for displacement on channel 41. They want a digital channel 49Didn't WCHU-LP file for digital channel 49?at 0.13 kW DA.And I thought that WWME-LD's 1.8 kW was weak.  Maybe they'll boost it after some of the analog signals are gone next year.

Didn't WCHU-LP file for digital channel 49?And I thought that WWME-LD's 1.8 kW was weak.* Maybe they'll boost it after some of the analog signals are gone next year.

Yes, WCHU-LD did, but that application was shot down...reasons unknown.

They need to keep the power low so as not to interfere with 49 in Milwaukee. Funny thing is...49 just moved to Milwaukee, so they have more leeway now.

Thank you, Gilbert.Yes, WCHU-LD did, but that application was shot down...reasons unknown.

They need to keep the power low so as not to interfere with 49 in Milwaukee. Funny thing is...49 just moved to Milwaukee, so they have more leeway now.Where was Milwaukee's 49 before?  Close enough that WOCH-LD would really need to hold it down to 130 W?

Thank you, Gilbert.Where was Milwaukee's 49 before?* Close enough that WOCH-LD would really need to hold it down to 130 W?

Still in Racine, WI at the moment. DTV will be moving to Milwaukee closer to the transition date.

Still in Racine, WI at the moment. DTV will be moving to Milwaukee closer to the transition date.

Thank you.  If there being in Racine means WOCH-LD needs to hold it down to 130 W, Milwaukee is hardly any farther and the other station's move probably won't allow for much of an increase.

Thank you.* If there being in Racine means WOCH-LD needs to hold it down to 130 W, Milwaukee is hardly any farther and the other station's move probably won't allow for much of an increase.

Their analog signal is on channel 49 anyway. With the digital going to 48 (and staying there) it won't matter once the analog is gone.

- Trip

W52BR, if that's still the right way to refer to them (the all-HSN channel that's been on 46) is now coming in on 25 instead, so I guess that means 46 is now open for WMEU-LD ... when they're ready and permitted to use it.

WOCH-CA has filed for displacement on channel 41. They want a digital channel 49 at 0.13 kW DA. See here:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1249135&Service=DC&Form_id=401&Facility_id=35101

- Trip

Great info! Thank goodness. My parents watch this channel exclusively. To watch this channel without static would be awesome.

While I'm happy that during the ABC 7 broadcast of the NBA Finals they don't switch to SD when doing the weather warnings and no annoying beeping, anyone getting audio dropouts?

W52BR, if that's still the right way to refer to them (the all-HSN channel that's been on 46) is now coming in on 25 instead, so I guess that means 46 is now open for WMEU-LD ... when they're ready and permitted to use it.

:D

OK I had a chance to test our boxes today at 11:30a and PRESTO both 23-1 and 26-2 boxes shut off. How bizzare!!! There has to be something in the software code on the DTV box that doesn't like the PSIP for the show. I'm not supprised since I've found several other software related problems with the box and the manufacturer doesn't want anything to do with it. I guess we get what we paid for.

Today, I was able to test my Zenith DTT900 box, April manufacture date, for the problem of the generic Hawaii Five-0 display info on channels 23.1 and 26.2. shut down. I didn't encounter any problems at all, so maybe the later made boxes have corrected the problem.
However, I discovered my Samsung TV, model TX-P2675WH, does suffer from the same problem, on both channels. When opening the guide and trying to read the info, the sound goes off, the TV shuts down, but turns back on all by itself.
The TV is a few years old and I have noted the occasional turning off and on throughout its lifetime, but never associated it with anything in particular. I just blamed the remote.

Today, I was able to test my Zenith DTT900 box, April manufacture date, for the problem of the generic Hawaii Five-0 display info on channels 23.1 and 26.2. shut down. I didn't encounter any problems at all, so maybe the later made boxes have corrected the problem.Tvropro said the same thing about the April-build box on one of the DTT900 threads.  Had I purchased my DTT900 from Circuit City I'd have exchanged it for a newer DTT900, but since I bought it from Radio Shack, the best I could do was to exchange it for a Digital Stream DTX9950 (since I didn't expect any satisfaction trying to exchange it through LG).  The DTX9950 somehow recognizes generic-for-the-series synopses, discards them, and displays "No Information Acquired" just as it does when the station is sending no synopsis at all.However, I discovered my Samsung TV, model TX-P2675WH, does suffer from the same problem, on both channels. When opening the guide and trying to read the info, the sound goes off, the TV shuts down, but turns back on all by itself. The TV is a few years old and I have noted the occasional turning off and on throughout its lifetime, but never associated it with anything in particular. I just blamed the remote.Well, maybe it's long synopses in the PSIP data.  Thanks for checking into it, DWright.

If the DTVPal turns out to be a bust, I'll get a DTT90 for my third box.

Dont know if anyone noticed but on the CBS2 News
At the 10:00pm newscasts they announced that they are just started to put together the new studio newsdesk..
and said they expect to start broadcasting from the new studio in HD :D first or second week July...

good morning how are you doing today?I wanted to know when will WMEU channel 48 will finally apply to the FCC to become a digital television station?We have been calling directv so many times trying to tell them that we want this station so bad.Any help would be very appreciated.

Have a great day :-)

Allen Culver
Streator,Illinois

It is available digitally right now, on 26-3 I believe. HVS should be able to tell you any other plans that Weigel may have.

what is HVS?

what is HVS?

You mean "who" - hvs10trk is a poster here who works for WCIU. Look up a few messages and you'll see his postings.

good morning how are you doing today?I wanted to know when will WMEU channel 48 will finally apply to the FCC to become a digital television station?We have been calling directv so many times trying to tell them that we want this station so bad.Any help would be very appreciated.

Have a great day :-)

Allen Culver
Streator,Illinois

A digital companion was applied for WMEU a while ago. The channel applied for was in use at the time. We are waiting for a construction permit to be issued before we can proceed any further.

HI HVS how long does it take for a construction permit to be issued.and after that what else should we do.We have been calling directv so much to let them know about the station.

Thanks

Allen

So when will WMEU become a DT station?and when could we see it added onto directv?

So when will WMEU become a DT station?You can get it c/o WCIU-DT on 26.3 now.  It's going to be a while before it shows up as WMEU-LD on 48.1.and when could we see it added onto directv?That's something only DirecTV can tell you.

HI HVS how long does it take for a construction permit to be issued.and after that what else should we do.We have been calling directv so much to let them know about the station.

Thanks

Allen

That's all you can do. Until they decide to carry MeToo, viewers are encouraged to make requests to their respective Sat Providers.

hi hvs once you guys get your construction permit will you guys be changing over to all digital channel instead of an Class A Tv Station before FEB 2009 when the DTV Transtion must be finished.I talked to a specialist from directv and one of the reason they would not carry METOO because it is a Class A TV Station.

Thanks ;-)

Allen

hi hvs once you guys get your construction permit will you guys be changing over to all digital channel instead of an Class A Tv Station before FEB 2009 when the DTV Transtion must be finished.I talked to a specialist from directv and one of the reason they would not carry METOO because it is a Class A TV Station.

Thanks ;-)

Allen

No. Low power, Class A, and Translator stations are not required to shut off on Feb 2009 unless they conflict with the new channel requirements. As for WMEU, analog 48 will probably keep going for a bit once WMEU-LD is signed on.

hi hvs what does LD mean at the end of WMEU I am kind of new atthis stuff and i am learning by reading all your guys posts.

hi hvs what does LD mean at the end of WMEU I am kind of new atthis stuff and i am learning by reading all your guys posts.I believe that is Limited Distance.

I talked to a specialist from directv and one of the reason they would not carry METOO because it is a Class A TV Station.But MeTV (WWME-CA) is also Class A.  Are DirecTV carrying that station?

But MeTV (WWME-CA) is also Class A.* Are DirecTV carrying that station? Currently, DirecTV carries very few digital channels. For the most part they offer only major network outlets. They don't even have PBS yet. In Chicago, it's only 2, 5, 7, 9 and 32. No sub-channels either.

This may change after they get another satellite going, but their priority has been to add network channels in smaller markets before addressing all the independents in the large ones.

You can get analog independent stations, including WWME, from DirecTV, though, although obviously this rules out any HD broadcasts any of them might transmit. Only WTTW and WCIU seem to do much there, though. I suppose WPWR might, too, but I haven't caught them in the act.

Anyway, it's still worthwhile for DirecTV users to have OTA equipment.