Chicago, IL - OTA

[sebenste]

CHICAGO OTA: QUICK INDEX
Scroll down to the desired post, or click to open a new window.

• Post #2 - OTA channel lineup
• Post #3 - Broadcast location and power
• Post #4 - Longley-Rice signal propogation
• Post #5 - How to pick up WBBM-DT and WLS-DT
• Post #6 - Helpful links
• Post #7 - Essay: 6th gen tuners: picking up weak signal stations
• Post #8 - What antenna should I use?
• Post #9 - Analog over-the-air broadcasting shutdown in Chicago: How did it happen?

Click here for the previous Chicago OTA thread.

[sebenste]

OTA Channel Lineup

Format:
Station Callsign (actual channel assignment)
PSIP remapped channel: Programming - Resolution - Dolby Digital availability


Green indicates HD programming available (either 1080i or 720p resolution)
480i resolution is standard definition, and may or may not be in widescreen format.

HD Stations

WBBM-DT (12)
2-1 : CBS HD - 1080i - DD 5.1

WMAQ-DT (29)
5-1 : NBC HD - 1080i - DD 5.1
5-2 : NBC Plus (weather) - 480i
5-3 : Universal Sports - 480i

WLS-DT (7 - temporarily and 44 - permanently)
7-1 : ABC HD - 720p - DD 5.1
7-2 : LiveWellHD - 720p - DD 5.1
7-3 : ABC News Now / Accu-Weather - 480i

WGN-DT (19)
9-1 : The CW - 1080i - DD 5.1
9-2 : LATV - 480i - DD 2.0

WTTW-DT (47)
11-1 : WTTW-HD - 720p - DD 5.1
11-2 : WTTW-Prime - 480i
11-3 : PBS Create - 480i
11-4 : V-Me (espanol) - 480i

WYCC-DT (21)
20-1 : WYCC-HD - 1080i - DD 2.0
20-2 : WYCC SD simulcast - 480i
20-3 : MHz Worldview - 480i

WCIU-DT (27)
26-1 : Independent - 720p - DD 5.1
26-2/23-1 : WWME-TV 23 SD simulcast (MeTV) - 480i
26-3/48-1 : WMEU-CA 48 SD simulcast (MeToo) - 480i
26-4 : This TV - 480i
26-6 : FBT (Formerly WFBT-CA) - 480i

WFLD-DT (31)
32-1 : FOX - 720p - DD 5.1

WCPX-DT (43)
38-1 : ION - 720p - DD 2.0
38-2 : Qubo (children's programming) - 480i
38-3 : ION Life - 480i

WSNS-DT (45)
44-1 : Telemundo - 1080i - DD 2.0
44-2 : WSNS-TV 44 SD simulcast - 480i

WPWR-DT (51)
50-1 : MNTV HD - 720p - DD 2.0

WYIN-DT (17)
56-1 : PBS - 720p - DD 2.0
56-2 : 56.1 simulcast - 720p - DD 2.0
56-3 : 56.1 simulcast - 480i
56-4 : 56.2 simulcast - 480i

WXFT-DT (50)
60-1 : Telefutura - 1080i - DD 2.0
60-2 : 60.1 SD simulcast - 480i

WGBO-DT (38)
66-1 : Univision - 1080i - DD 2.0

Other Digital Stations

WOCK-LD (4)
13-1 : Mega TV - 480i
13-2 : KBC - 480i
13-3 : Adtec - 480i
13-4 : Revenue Frontiers - 480i

WWME-LD (39)
23-2 : MeTV - 480i

WWTO-DT (10)
35-1 : TBN - 480i
35-2 : The Church Channel - 480i
35-3 : JCTV - 480i
35-4 : TBN Enlace (spanish) - 480i
35-5 : Smile of a Child - 480i

WCHU-LD (33)
61-1 : Azteca America - 480i
61-2 : WLFM-LP simulcast - 480i

WJYS-DT (36)
62-1 : Independent (Religious/Shopping) - 480i
62-2 : WEDE-CA 34 SD simulcast (MCTV) - 480i

[sebenste]

Broadcast Location and Power

Format:
Station: Broadcast Power - (Digital Channel Assignment) - Network Affiliation

WILLIS TOWER
HD Stations
WBBM-DT : 8 kW - (12) - CBS
WMAQ-DT : 350 kW - (29) - NBC
WLS-DT : 4.75 kW, 473.3 kw - (7,44) - ABC [b]
WGN-DT : 645 kW - (19) - CW drops to 600 kw in 2010, but raises antenna height by ~150'
WTTW-DT : 300 kW - (47) - PBS
WCIU-DT : 160 kW - (27) - IND will raise power to 500 kw eventually, with some vertical polarization
WFLD-DT : 1 MW - (31) - FOX
WCPX-DT : 226 kW - (43) - ION
WSNS-DT : 467 kW - (45) - Telemundo will go to 660 kw in 2010
WPWR-DT : 1 MW - (51) - MNTV
WXFT-DT : 230 kW - (50) - Telefutura

Non-HD Digital Stations
WWME-LD : 7.2 kW - (39) - Ind/METV
(APP)WMEU-LD : 15 kW - (32) - IND/MeToo
WJYS-DT : 50 kW - (36) - IND will go to 145 kw and much less directional in 2010



HANCOCK CENTER
HD Stations
WYCC-DT : 98.9 kW - (21) - PBS
WGBO-DT : 180 kW - (38) - Univision - Currently 180 kw, with 600 kw in 2010

Non-HD Digital Stations
WOCK-LD : 300 W (vhf) - (4) - IND
(APP)WCHU-LD : 300 W (vhf) - (6) - IND
WLFM-LD : 11.3 kw - (44) - IND
(CP)WOCH-LD : 15 KW - (49) - IND



AON Building
Non-HD Digital Stations
(APP)W25CL-LD : .3 kW - (2) - Home Shopping Network


HD stations outside of downtown Chicago, but in the market
WYIN-DT : 300 kW - (17) - PBS - Transmitter: Just South of Crown Point, IN


Other Area Stations
Non-HD Digital Stations
WWTO-DT : 16 kW (vhf) - (10) - TBN - goes to 80 kw of power in 2010 - Transmitter: 2 miles SE of Utica, IL
(CP)WMKB-LD : .3 kW - (8) - A1 - Transmitter: Northwestern Kane County, IL
(CP)WSPY-LD : 10 kW - (18) - A1 - Transmitter: Just NW of Plano, IL
(CP)W20CX-LD : 10 kW - (22) - ? - Transmitter: near Schaumburg, IL
(CP)W54BE-LD* : 15 kW - (40) - WAUBONSEE COLLEGE TV - Transmitter: Just N of Sugar Grove, IL
(CP)W57DN-LD* : 15 kW - (57) - TBN - Transmitter: Elgin, IL

In 11/2009, WSPY and W54BE told the FCC they cannot sign on due to financial hardship at this time, and have gotten 6 month build-out extensions.

NOTES:

• kW = Kilowatts
  
• MW = Megawatts
  
• DT: Full Power digital station
  
• LD: Low Power digital station
  
• (CP): Construction Permit granted, but not yet on air
  
• (APP): Application to FCC has not yet been approved/disapproved
  

* CP/flash cut in 2010

[sebenste]

Everyone,

The 41 dBu UHF signal contours, the 28 dB VHF-LO signal contours, and the 36 dBu VHF-HI (channels 7-13) signal contours are just a general idea of what to expect, reception-wise, from a broadcast digital station as shown on the FCC signal maps; those are the minimum amounts of signal the FCC says you need to properly decode them. In actuality, as you all know, terrain and other factors contribute positively or negatively to the quality of the signal you get from a station.

When a station submits a broadcast coverage area map to the FCC for consideration, it uses a calculation known as the Longley-Rice method. This method bases the signal strength coverage of a station on the following factors:

For the broadcasting station:

1. Height of broadcast antenna
2. Power of the transmitter
3. Any "nulls" required by the transmitter to protect other stations

For the broadcast receiver:

4. Any terrain in the way between you and the transmitter
5. A "proper" receiving antenna up 30' in the air, without amplification
6. 50' of complete copper RG-6 cable from the antenna to the receiver

What is NOT considered in Longley-Rice maps:

1. Weather conditions, which can substantially extend or reduce the broadcast area at any given time
2. Interference from buildings, including multipath and signal blocking
3. Interference from electrical sources or anything else for that matter
4. Attic installations, which reduces signal strength by at least 50% in most cases
5. Antennas larger or smaller than "proper"
6. Signal amplifiers/preamplifiers placed on antenna systems

Having said that, a site came online back in 2007 that helps you determine signal strength via Longley-Rice maps, and they are updated frequently at Andy Lee's great site:

http://www.tvfool.com

Enjoy!

[sebenste]

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

All but two full-power stations here in the Chicago TV market broadcast on UHF. WWTO-DT broadcasts physically on channel 10; their PSIP data also shows 35.X as their channel number. WBBM-DT, once a hard-to-get analog and digital station, became much easier to get when they moved to channel 12 and at nearly double their power. They came from channel 3, which was subject to much interference.

The problem is that a standard UHF antenna likely cannot get these two channels. Thankfully, a relatively easy solution for many people is at hand.

You need to have a VHF-HI/UHF "combination" antenna. This type of antenna picks up channels 7-13, as well as channels 14-51. Close in, less than 30 miles away, depending on your line-of-sight to Sears Tower, a pair of "rabbit ears" with a "loop" UHF antenna MIGHT be all you need. If not, you'll need something stronger. People have reported success with indoor antennas such as this all the way out to Joliet, but beyond I-294, it will be a tougher go. Also, WWTO-DT has their transmitter very near Starved Rock State Park in Ottawa, IL, so it is quite far away from downtown and therefore very hard to get near the inner city.

Here are some *suggested* antennas for picking up all VHF-HI channels (note, this is NOT an endorsement, in any way, of any of these products; I may have used some of them, but I *personally* trust these brands, even if I haven't tried the model), and for picking up WBBM.

Suburbs out to route 59:

Winegard HD7082p

Suburbs beyond route 59 to Kenosha County, or DeKalb, or to past Kankakee, or to Renssalaer, IN, or to Laporte county, IN:

Winegard HD7084p
Winegard HD8200p (better for outdoor use, sturdier than 7084p)
Channelmaster 4228HD

With these on a rooftop at 30 miles, reception out to 70 miles should be decent. Exception: WBBM-DT has a slight null to the east, so range may be a little less.

For indoor antennas, these are good articles:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779
http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/79862

[sebenste]

Helpful Links


Other Chicago AVS Threads

Chicago, IL - DBS (satellite TV)
Chicago, IL - Comcast
Chicago, IL - RCN
Chicago, IL - AT&T
Chicago, IL - WOW

Gilbert's geeky list of favorite DTV links

William Hepburn's Tropo forecast!
Want to get out of market stations? If this forecast based on weather computer models is reasonably correct, areas shaded in the appropriate colors
will be active. If the general area of tropo is oriented more west-east, watch for Quad Cities, Rockford, and South Bend stations. If towards the northeast, watch for Milwaukee and Grand Rapids. In either case, it isn't foolproof, but if you're in a color beyond just weak tropo, keep an eye out!
My list (Gilbert) of stations and their power, network affiliation channel and network affiliation. Excel spreadsheet. Hope you enjoy it!

[sebenste]

6th generation tuners...the solution to getting weak signal stations?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back on December 19, 2007, I had the unexpected opportunity to install an HDTV for a fellow church member on the far northeast side of DeKalb. A few months earlier, to improve his reception and prepare him "someday" for an over-the-air digital converter box, I added a ChannelMaster 7777 preamplifier. He has a VHF/UHF Winegard combo antenna on a 30' tower using RG-6 cable except for a 2' RG-59 jumper; it's about 15 years old, and only the VHF portion of the antenna is used. It's diplexed with a ChannelMaster 4228 UHF antenna, installed at the same time, pointed at Rockford. I warned him: with all but two Chicago stations currently on UHF, and with the UHF antenna pointed at Rockford, most Chicago stations won't come in. And, WBBM-DT will be a no-show until 2009, and WWTO-DT from Utica, IL on channel 10 (just southeast of Starved Rock State Park) won't come in, because he is due north of the station by 45 miles, with the antenna pointed east towards Chicago. He can also lock PSIP on Milwaukee's FOX station on channel 33, even with a low power 33 in Rockford (and the antenna pointed at Rockford, of course)!

What I didn't know was that he decided to buy an HDTV that I recommended to him with an apparent 6th generation tuner. And after a Bible study, I found myself up late into the evening putting in the TV, and then checking out the reception, which blew me away!

From ~55 miles out, he has a rock-solid lock on WBBM-DT. When I mean rock-solid, the signal strength is 4 bars out of 4 on his new Initial brand HDTV! He has NO impulse noise breakups, except during a thunderstorm on December 22nd, when they occurred "one every great once in a while". And 3.5 bars out of 4 on WWTO-DT! All Rockford and most Chicago stations come in, but he cannot lock WYCC-DT and WCIU-DT. This is from major analog interference from two high-powered analogs in Madison, WI causing the inability to lock. He can lock all the other Chicago stations just fine.

Then, I got a report this morning from another gentleman who did an HD install near Elburn. With lots of electrical interference and snow on WBBM-TV analog, he, too, was still able to lock in WBBM-DT solid! It reportedly left him amazed, to say the least!

Up until now, I haven't had experience with 6th gen tuners, but had heard of their extreme sensitivity. Most DTV tuners need a signal to noise ratio of 20:1 to have a solid lock; go down to 19:1, and the picture breaks up. 15.7:1 is the theoretical limit, and these tuners reportedly go right up to it! This is not trivial: the improvement from signal reception alone is 66%+! Plus, the tuner chip features slightly to somewhat improved performance from interference and multipath, causing an even greater improvement! Those of you who are thinking about getting a second or third HDTV or your first one...and plan to use OTA reception...5th or 6th generation tuners are a must, in my mind (every tuner I know out there sold these days is at least 5th gen). But for WBBM reception, I now strongly recommend a TV with a 6th gen tuner. Those absolutely known to have it are:

1. All LG HDTVs that are 2007 models and later (note: Insignia brand HDTV's, made by LG, and sold exclusively at Best Buy, still only have 5th gen tuners!)

2. All LG/Zenith DTV digital converter boxes that are "coupon approved" by the FCC DTV converter box coupon program

3. All Mitsubishi 2008 HDTV models

Since most HDTV's use LG made tuners (they hold the patent), look for 6th gen tuners to sprout in off-brand and other name-brand models. I cannot confirm 100% the Initial branded TV having it, but the reception is way beyond anything I have ever seen. And if you want WBBM-DT reception, there are still no guarantees...but it substantially increases your chances of getting it with these latest generation tuners.

With a 30' high large antenna and amplifier, when WBBM goes high power on 12 and WLS goes high power on 7 in 2009, you'll be able to get both these stations, I'm thinking, in Rockford, and maybe beyond with a 6th gen tuner!

______________
Gilbert

[sebenste]

This post should not be construed as an endorsement by myself, AVSForum, or anyone else. I found this to be convenient and helpful for newbies to over-the-air reception on what antenna they may need. For specific antenna recommendations, please post in this forum, and we'll do what we can to help.

First, a general signal strength map from the FCC:

http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/markets/

And a breakdown of distance and direction by channel:

http://ota.winegarddirect.com/

[sebenste]

This post is a record of what full-power analog and digital stations did on June 12, 2009...the day analog over-the-air broadcasting was shut off.


WBBM-TV/DT 2.1: WBBM-TV analog stayed on until noon on 6/12/09. At noon, they changed to channel 12 from their channel 3 slot. They are using the old WTTW-TV analog antenna, and installed a new transmitter.

WMAQ-TV/DT 5.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at noon. The digital channel was completely built out and at full power on channel 29, so there were no changes there.

WLS-TV/DT 7.1: Flash-cut from channel 52 to channel 7 on 6/12/09 at noon, using 4.75 kw of power.
But, they had severe reception problems. In November, they went to channel 44, at roughly 300 kw of power, but will boost to 373 kw of power, and maybe more, in 2010 and beyond.

WGN-TV/DT 9.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 pm. The digital channel was completely built out and at full power on channel 19, but dropped power to 600 kw (a roughly 50 kw drop) so that it can go 150' higher on Sears Tower in 2010.

WTTW-TV/DT 11.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 5:59 AM. The digital channel was completely built and at full power on channel 47, so no changes there.

WYCC-TV/DT 20.1: They shut off on 4/16/09. The digital channel is completely built out and at full power on channel 21, so no changes there.

WCIU-TV/DT 26.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:40 pm. The digital channel stays on channel 27, but boosts power to 500 kw in 2010.

WFLD-DT 32.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 in terms of programming but continued until June 26 as a "night light". The digital channel is completely built out and at full power on channel 31.

WWTO-DT 35.1: They shut down on 4/16/09. They will move their digital broadcast antenna to the top of their tower, once the analog broadcast antenna is removed in summer. They
will go to 80 kw at roughly 1400' sometime in 2010.

WCPX-DT 38.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at noon. The digital channel is completely built and they did a slight power increase on channel 43.

WSNS-DT 44.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 PM. The digital channel is built out on channel 45, but they will be going to 660 kw in 2010.

WPWR-DT 50.1: The analog signal shut down on 6/12/09 at 11 PM; the digital channel is completely built and at full power on channel 51, so no changes there.

WYIN-DT 56.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 PM. The digital channel is completely built and at full power on channel 17, so no changes there.

WXFT-DT 60.1: They shut down on 6/12/09 at midnight. They went from channel 59 to channel 50, and increased power to 230 kw.

WJYS-DT 62.1: They shut the analog station down on 6/12/09 at 11:59:59 PM. The digital channel is built out on channel 36. However, they will go to a much less directional antenna, and increase power to 145 kw later in 2010.

WGBO-DT 66.1: They moved to channel 38 at 11 PM, and will go to 600 kw later in 2009.

[sebenste]

is reserved for future use.

[sebenste]

For future use.

[sebenste]

Welcome everyone to the latest saga of the Chicago OTA board! Because of the massive amounts of posts on the previous board which is starting to burden the server, those will be archived...and we start afresh with new, easy-to-follow posts on the first page on our market, including station lists, power/transmitter info, Longley-Rice maps, and even an essay on WBBM-DT, or more specifically, how to get it.

Enjoy, and welcome back to our discussion of all things Chicago-OTA!

[CPanther95]

Very nice job Gilbert.

[FSugino]

Hi Sebenste,

Nice job so far - at least it'll help centralize this info.

One suggestion: can you post the broadcast resolution (e.g. 720p) next to each channel listed? That question usually comes up from newbies.

Thanks,

- Frank

[greywolf]

Since I just look for the black dots when checking this forum, this will do that.

[moxie1617]

Good Job. Nice to have a reference in one spot instead of having to search.

[mudba]

Hello All.

I'm in downtown Chicago between the hancock and the sears and have had a real annoying time with the signals and lately it's gotten even worse.

I'm at the corner of Illionis and McClurg using two small antennas like the "AUDIOVOX - audiovox directional indoor uhf/vhf hdtv "

I placed them both in my cieling and ran some fairly cheap cables back to my HD TV. joining them together before running down my wall.

Here is my review
ABC- PERFECT
NBC- PERFECT
CBS- Patchy - WAS GOOD BEFORE, but has gotten worse now.
WGN - NOTHING
WTTW- GOOD
WPWR-GOOD
WCIU-GOOD
FOX-NOTHING, had service, but I lost it a couple weeks ago

I'm getting frustrated, but still not enough to call RCN

I'm sure their is more information needed to help, but let me know and I'll provide more information.

Thanks for any help

[cheer]

Love the new thread, Gilbert -- and I love the detailed intro posts; especially the WBBM one. Great stuff!

[sebenste]

Originally Posted by cheer

Love the new thread, Gilbert -- and I love the detailed intro posts; especially the WBBM one. Great stuff!

Thanks everybody! And thanks to Cpanther for letting me do this. That was way cool! By request above, I did add the resolution (1080i, 720p, 480i) to each channel and subchannel. And I cleaned up some typos, spelling errors, poor grammar, and other goodies since I had to do this in a hurry. If you see anything wrong, please let me know, and I'll fix it ASAP.

Now let's get started! Mudba says:

Originally Posted by mudba

Hello All.

I'm in downtown Chicago between the hancock and the sears and have had a real annoying time with the signals and lately it's gotten even worse.

I'm at the corner of Illionis and McClurg using two small antennas like the "AUDIOVOX - audiovox directional indoor uhf/vhf hdtv "

I placed them both in my cieling and ran some fairly cheap cables back to my HD TV. joining them together before running down my wall.

Sounds like those cheap cables are doing you in. Because you are so close to the towers, interference and bad weather, and signal from the stations themselves may be sneaking into that cheap cable. Especially where you are, you need to use the best RG-6 quad-shielded cable possible. Signal strength will not be an issue for you.

Second, where you are, you are probably getting severe "multipath". On analog TV, that shows up as "ghosts". Tuners don't like that at all. Try to put the antenna as close to an outside wall to minimize them.

[greywolf]

Using two antennas connected is asking for multipath interference. Unfortunately, an omnidirectional antenna can be just as bad. Experiment with antenna location as well as aim. A simple combination bowtie for UHF and long rabbit ears for VHF set perpendicular to a line between the Sears and Hancock may be your best bet. An Radio Shack variable attenuator might be useful to cut down the off axis reflections while allowing enough of the on axis signal through.

[WillieAntenna]

Gilbert, Nice work on the new Chicago-OTA thread. May I suggest adding analog & digital channel number in the post #3. So if new person moves in the Chicago area will know. Maybe also adding that all station will stay at the now assign digital channel and highlight with different color of they going to different channel after 2-17-09 analog shutdown just like you have now for the WBBM going to ch 11 VHF-high and WLS back to 7 VHF-high.

Keep up with the good work!

-Willie

[WillieAntenna]

Originally Posted by CPanther95

Very nice job Gilbert.

CPanther95, Yes, indeed Gilbert did a nice well done job and updating the info and thanks to you for suggesting and letting Gilbert to renew the Chicago-OTA thread

I would like to make a motion to nominate Gilbert to be a “Special Contribution Member” to the new Chicago-OTA thread.

All other member on the Chicago-OTA has been helpful too and I thank them also, but Gilbert has put a lot of time and work on this new thread and been helpful on the old thread on his own time.

-Willie

[sebenste]

Originally Posted by WillieAntenna

Gilbert, Nice work on the new Chicago-OTA thread. May I suggest adding analog & digital channel number in the post #3. So if new person moves in the Chicago area will know. Maybe also adding that all station will stay at the now assign digital channel and highlight with different color of they going to different channel after 2-17-09 analog shutdown just like you have now for the WBBM going to ch 11 VHF-high and WLS back to 7 VHF-high.

Keep up with the good work!

-Willie

Hi Willie,

Thanks! Actually, I do have the analog numbers in there in parenthesis, with a "-1" after it. I could separate it, but it is redundant and could be confusing. As for highlighting it...good idea, but that will take time. Very busy this week. Keep the suggestions and comments coming!

[epsilon]

Congrats on the newly reorganized thread and, FWIW, WCPX has two more subchannels: 38.5 - i West & 38.6 - TLN.

[sebenste]

Originally Posted by epsilon

Congrats on the newly reorganized thread and, FWIW, WCPX has two more subchannels: 38.5 - i West & 38.6 - TLN.

Hi Epsilon,

Thanks! Also, FYI, TLN chose not to renew their contract with PAX to carry it, and I-West was taken off WCPX-DT as well.

[mather]

Excellent job with this new thread Gilbert. For once I'm in the beginning of a thread instead of having to tread through hundreds of pages.

[epsilon]

Originally Posted by sebenste

Also, FYI, TLN chose not to renew their contract with PAX to carry it, and I-West was taken off WCPX-DT as well.

You are, of course, correct I just went by what the psip reported and didn't pay attention to the content. There is a signal on .5 and .6 but they appear to be mirroring qubo and ION Life, respectively.

[mudba]

Originally Posted by sebenste

Now let's get started! Mudba says:

Sounds like those cheap cables are doing you in. Because you are so close to the towers, interference and bad weather, and signal from the stations themselves may be sneaking into that cheap cable. Especially where you are, you need to use the best RG-6 quad-shielded cable possible. Signal strength will not be an issue for you.

Second, where you are, you are probably getting severe "multipath". On analog TV, that shows up as "ghosts". Tuners don't like that at all. Try to put the antenna as close to an outside wall to minimize them.

Hello All. Wow you guys are good. I purchased a 50 Foot quad shield cable tonight and played with my antenna placement again. Here is an update with the number of bars my TV says it's receiving

CBS- 4 BARS -PICTURE IS STABLE - Much Better
NBC- 4 BARS -PICTURE IS STABLE - Same
ABC- 3 BARS - 90% STABLE -Slight downgrade than before
WGN-0 Bars. Nothing Coming in - SAME
WTTW -3 BARS -PICTURE IS STABLE - SAME
FOX - 2 Bars - 90-95% Improvmeant - Much Better

I'm still have two antennas in my cieling and have some RCN issued coax cable going from the combiner to each antenna. These cables are less than 3 feet long each. Do you think changing these cables out will make a difference?

I'm almost scared to mess with it anymore

[sebenste]

Originally Posted by mudba

Hello All. Wow you guys are good. I purchased a 50 Foot quad shield cable tonight and played with my antenna placement again. Here is an update with the number of bars my TV says it's receiving

CBS- 4 BARS -PICTURE IS STABLE - Much Better
NBC- 4 BARS -PICTURE IS STABLE - Same
ABC- 3 BARS - 90% STABLE -Slight downgrade than before
WGN-0 Bars. Nothing Coming in - SAME
WTTW -3 BARS -PICTURE IS STABLE - SAME
FOX - 2 Bars - 90-95% Improvmeant - Much Better

I'm still have two antennas in my cieling and have some RCN issued coax cable going from the combiner to each antenna. These cables are less than 3 feet long each. Do you think changing these cables out will make a difference?

I'm almost scared to mess with it anymore

Yep. Severe multipath is likely causing the problems for you on WGN. WLS is coming in less strongly because it was likely getting a little signal through your leaky coax! Replace the short cables if they are "cheap". Then, your job is to remember where the antenna is now, and play with it to see what offers you the best signal, now that you are using good cable.

[Rammitinski]

So what's the story on WOCH-LP?

Are they going bye-bye, or are they just not listed because there's no official word yet?