Boston, MA - OTA

nicoge21 · 07-25-09, 07:23 PM

I did a scan earlier and WMFP is coming in at 45% clear and stable. It has RTN on both 62.1 and 62.2. I don't know if it's the tropo or what! lol. This is with the philips UHF loop/dipoles. (no amp).

First time I ever picked this channel up. (RF 18).

alg2468 · 07-29-09, 11:41 AM

According to the WJAR web site, WJAR's digital transmitter work is complete as of June 20 and the station is transmitting antenna is at the top of their Rehoboth, MA tower with more power. Is anyone viewing TV over the air in the Boston area noticing any difference since June 20 with WJAR's signal, and for that matter, WLNE's signal, as they are also on WJAR's tower just slightly below WJAR's antenna? Here on the Pawtucket/Attleboro border, I do not notice any difference, and the signal level for both WJAR and WLNE are still equal (very strong).

pato_ma · 07-29-09, 01:28 PM

I still don't get WJAR in Lunenburg, MA even though I get WPRI out of RI at 61%.

steved1990 · 07-29-09, 10:33 PM

I live 8 miles west of Boston and I have always been able to receive WJAR with my antenna. As for WLNE I can get it at times... most of the time I just get random pixels.

nicoge21 · 07-31-09, 03:00 PM

has WLVI been approved yet for power increase

nicoge21 · 08-01-09, 09:45 PM

We moved today. Using my neighbors wireless until monday. Anyhow, here's what the box picked up with just a UHF loop/VHF dipole antenna. (RCA ant111 no amp). All are 60%-80% with no dropouts. No boston stations unfortanetly. WZMY also comes in at around 80% but if I aim the antenna for it everything else dissapears.

WMUR - (VHF 9)
WENH (VHF 11) x3
WUNI - (UHF 29) x2
WNEU - (UHF 34)

I'm suprised at how good the new hampshire stations come in up here in bradford!!

KML-224 · 08-02-09, 08:00 AM

What does the "X2" and "X3" mean in your post?

Bstn268 · 08-02-09, 09:53 AM

Hey, Do any of you know when WGBH's Ch 2 and WGBX's Ch 44 On Air Bug Logo changed a bit, not the channel 2 and channel 44 logos but the PBS logo that appears about 5-10 minutes after the ch 2 an 44 logos came on during PBS' Adult Programming, that got changed a bit because back in 2002, when this package debuted, the PBS Logo just only showed The P-Heads Logo in a white circle, but somewhere between December 25, 2008 and January 26, 2009, there is now a text saying:"PBS" that has now just been added to the On Air Bug When they air PBS' Adult Programming, can anyone help me figure out when this happened between December 25, 2008 and January 26, 2009? here are some links to why this happened: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxvg3l5HqGc, video.google.com/videoplay?docid···on&hl=en, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XISRR5TVYqQ, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp4Aaeuk···=channel, type me back if anyone of you has answer for me!

-Bstn268

Tschmidt · 08-02-09, 11:20 AM

Did a quick check on TVfool, Bradford NH:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...582ffa3552431b

Might want to check out VT stations.

Plug in your exact address to get more accurate prediction.

Interesting you are able to receive WZMY. It is only 15 miles away from me and cannot receive it. Looking at the terrain map there are some hills in the way.

nicoge21 · 08-02-09, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML-224

What does the "X2" and "X3" mean in your post?

The sub-channels.

WNEU goes as high as 90%
WENH - 88%
WMUR - 85%
WUNI - 62%
WPXG (ion?) - 25%

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tschmidt

Did a quick check on TVfool, Bradford NH:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...582ffa3552431b

Might want to check out VT stations.

Plug in your exact address to get more accurate prediction.

Interesting you are able to receive WZMY. It is only 15 miles away from me and cannot receive it. Looking at the terrain map there are some hills in the way.

I'm in Bradford Massachusetts, not NH, and I'm also 15 miles away. They have a low ERP (7.3kW), that's why people have trouble getting it.

Tschmidt · 08-02-09, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicoge21

I'm in Bradford Massachusetts, not NH, and I'm also 15 miles away.

That makes sense, don't bother with VT stations.

What I find curious about WZMY is even with low ERP and intervening hill TVfool models signal strength reasonably high. -81.3 dBm. Have never been able to receive digital signal.

nicoge21 · 08-02-09, 08:17 PM

It's low power because of WPME-DT in Lewiston, Maine and WVIT-DT in Hartford, Connecticut, both on channel 35. But really, why not move back to channel 50 and increase power? Or another vacant channel? The analog signal reached as far as boston I'd imagine, the DT signal is non existant down there.

It's even spotty in Derry.

KML-224 · 08-02-09, 09:02 PM

If only I can remember where the WPME-DT site is in Maine? As for WVIT-DT (NBC) channel 35 of New Britain, CT? Their site is Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, CT. You get an awesome view of their tower when driving by on US Route 6 between Fienemann Road and the Colt Highway cutoff (to CT Route 10). The WTIC tower is right next to WVIT's. It hosts the transmitters of WRCH-FM 100.5 (Lite 100.5), WTXX-DT (CW) channel 20, WEDH-DT (PBS) channel 45 and WTIC-DT (FOX) channel 31.

nicoge21 · 08-04-09, 11:12 AM

Quote:

NHPTV to Replace Channel 11 Antenna

Viewers May Experience Temporary Interruptions in Service During Changeover

(Durham, July 24, 2009) — New Hampshire Public Television’s Channel 11 antenna at Saddleback Mountain in Deerfield, NH, is slated to be replaced with a new antenna which will extend the range and reception capability for NHPTV’s viewers. During the week of the switchover, NHPTV will likely experience brief outages and will be off the air for most of one day. The new antenna will allow NHPTV to increase power which will improve reception and extend NHPTV’s signal to many viewers who have had difficulty watching NHPTV over the air since the digital transition.

Keene, Littleton and Pittsburg will not be affected by this work but Hanover will go off the air whenever Channel 11 does.

New Hampshire Public Television completed its conversion to digital in February and has been transmitting digitally on channels 11 (WENH-Durham), 48 (WLED-Littleton), and 49 (WEKW-Keene) and 50 (Hanover).

For questions or updates about the antenna replacement, go to NHPTV’s website www.nhptv.org or call (603) 868-1100.

WENH is off the air right now it seems.

The Wizard · 08-04-09, 04:20 PM

I was getting ch 11 rather solid last night on my OTA TV at home, but I was getting ch 10 from RI as well, so I figgered the ionosphere was at work.
Lately I've not been able to get either 10 or 11 with any regularity.

So this looks like good news; I'll check the signal strength on 11 tonight...

Tschmidt · 08-04-09, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicoge21

WENH is off the air right now it seems.

Yup - off for me today.

They were not sure the exact date due to all the rain.

According to the permit they are increasing power and switching to a directional antenna - optimized to NE. Looks like Western and Southern coverage says the same but won't know until they fire it up.

BTW: picking up 27 out of Worcester last night even though UHF antenna was misaligned. Boston stations are 147 degrees for us, Worcester is 184.

nicoge21 · 08-04-09, 10:04 PM

WUNI 27 in worcestor is @ 85% for me right now. Granted it's a spanish channel and I don't even watch it. Telemundo is pretty strong too. Weird.

I need to work on getting WZMY. Maybe I should attempt to build another coat hanger DB4.

I have no idea what direction the signals are coming from here.

The Wizard · 08-06-09, 10:24 AM

The best thing about WZMY is their Reno 911 show.
This is arguably the best show on free TV.
Upgrade to a good outdoor UHF antenna and you should be able to get it reliably!

BobColby · 08-06-09, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wizard

The best thing about WZMY is their Reno 911 show.
This is arguably the best show on free TV.
Upgrade to a good outdoor UHF antenna and you should be able to get it reliably!

Regarding WZMY, does anyone know if there are any plans afoot to upgrade the signal from 480i?

chitchatjf · 08-06-09, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobColby

Regarding WZMY, does anyone know if there are any plans afoot to upgrade the signal from 480i?

I was told last Christmas just before their switchover no.

Tschmidt · 08-07-09, 09:21 AM

WENH was back up as of last night.

Here in Milford NH signal is stronger then before.

nicoge21 · 08-07-09, 04:51 PM

Pool. I'll check it out.

nicoge21 · 08-07-09, 05:29 PM

WENH still blasting in the 90's here. Gotta love antiques roadshow. Do you get the ION station from Concord? I got some specs of it once and never seen it again.

Tschmidt · 08-07-09, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicoge21

Do you get the ION station from Concord? I got some specs of it once and never seen it again.

Yes but it involves using the rotor so we don't usually bother. We get WPXG the ION station out of Boston about half the time. They have requested an increase in power. When that happens signal goes from -99.1 dBm to -84.6. Ought to come in all the time then.

RoyGBiv · 08-11-09, 09:03 AM

to Rob Yankowitz,

Rob, it seems Jeopardy in 38 is in SD at least half the time the last few weeks. What gives?

SMK

RYankowitz · 08-12-09, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyGBiv

to Rob Yankowitz,

Rob, it seems Jeopardy in 38 is in SD at least half the time the last few weeks. What gives?

SMK

I don't think it was quite as bad as your impression. We had two issues recently that forced us to play back the SD versions. One was caused by a commercial change that required a last-minute re-feed, and we were unable to take the HD feed. The other was simple human error on our part.

This Friday's show will be in SD, also caused by human error.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

The Wizard · 08-13-09, 10:42 PM

WBZ showed a Pats pre-season game tonight.
So they switched CBS programming to Ch 38.
The Mentalist is one of my favorite shows so I checked it out at 10 PM and was DISMAYED to find that 38 was broadcasting it in 4:3 aspect ratio.
I'm watching OTA on my Samsung plasma and the Info button says 1080i 16:9 but it is clearly letter-boxed down to 4:3.
I'd switch over to ch 12 but I don't have my high-VHF antenna yet.
I'm guessing ch 4/38 is using summer interns to toggle the controls after 7 PM or so.
This is sad...

RYankowitz · 08-14-09, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wizard

WBZ showed a Pats pre-season game tonight.
So they switched CBS programming to Ch 38.
The Mentalist is one of my favorite shows so I checked it out at 10 PM and was DISMAYED to find that 38 was broadcasting it in 4:3 aspect ratio.
I'm watching OTA on my Samsung plasma and the Info button says 1080i 16:9 but it is clearly letter-boxed down to 4:3.
I'd switch over to ch 12 but I don't have my high-VHF antenna yet.
I'm guessing ch 4/38 is using summer interns to toggle the controls after 7 PM or so.
This is sad...

You are guessing wrong...
We had a problem with the audio on the HD side, so we were forced to switch to upconverting the SD signal. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

pato_ma · 08-14-09, 06:46 AM

Last night must have been unusual. For the first time I received two channel 6-1's WCSH and WLNE. Also I got the following channels for the first time.
WMTW, 8NWSNOW, WLWC, WZMY, and WMFP. Of course they are not there this morning.

Tschmidt · 08-14-09, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pato_ma

Last night must have been unusual.

We picked up WCBB (RF 10) out of Maine for the first time. They are 125 miles away.

On a side note did anyone notice 2, 4, 5 were off air for a little while last night, then came back up at reduced power, then finally back to normal?

07-25-09, 07:23 PM	#9421 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	I did a scan earlier and WMFP is coming in at 45% clear and stable. It has RTN on both 62.1 and 62.2. I don't know if it's the tropo or what! lol. This is with the philips UHF loop/dipoles. (no amp). First time I ever picked this channel up. (RF 18).

07-29-09, 11:41 AM	#9422 \| Link
alg2468 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 136	Providence's WJAR and WLNE According to the WJAR web site, WJAR's digital transmitter work is complete as of June 20 and the station is transmitting antenna is at the top of their Rehoboth, MA tower with more power. Is anyone viewing TV over the air in the Boston area noticing any difference since June 20 with WJAR's signal, and for that matter, WLNE's signal, as they are also on WJAR's tower just slightly below WJAR's antenna? Here on the Pawtucket/Attleboro border, I do not notice any difference, and the signal level for both WJAR and WLNE are still equal (very strong).

07-31-09, 03:00 PM	#9425 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	has WLVI been approved yet for power increase

08-02-09, 09:53 AM	#9428 \| Link
Bstn268 New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 14	Question About WGBH 2 And WGBX 44 On Air Bug Logo Hey, Do any of you know when WGBH's Ch 2 and WGBX's Ch 44 On Air Bug Logo changed a bit, not the channel 2 and channel 44 logos but the PBS logo that appears about 5-10 minutes after the ch 2 an 44 logos came on during PBS' Adult Programming, that got changed a bit because back in 2002, when this package debuted, the PBS Logo just only showed The P-Heads Logo in a white circle, but somewhere between December 25, 2008 and January 26, 2009, there is now a text saying:"PBS" that has now just been added to the On Air Bug When they air PBS' Adult Programming, can anyone help me figure out when this happened between December 25, 2008 and January 26, 2009? here are some links to why this happened: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxvg3l5HqGc, video.google.com/videoplay?docid···on&hl=en, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XISRR5TVYqQ, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp4Aaeuk···=channel, type me back if anyone of you has answer for me! -Bstn268

08-04-09, 04:20 PM	#9435 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
The Wizard Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reading, MA Posts: 161	I was getting ch 11 rather solid last night on my OTA TV at home, but I was getting ch 10 from RI as well, so I figgered the ionosphere was at work. Lately I've not been able to get either 10 or 11 with any regularity. So this looks like good news; I'll check the signal strength on 11 tonight...

07-29-09, 01:28 PM	#9423 \| Link
pato_ma Boston Area Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lunenburg, MA Posts: 86	I still don't get WJAR in Lunenburg, MA even though I get WPRI out of RI at 61%.

07-29-09, 10:33 PM	#9424 \| Link
steved1990 New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6	I live 8 miles west of Boston and I have always been able to receive WJAR with my antenna. As for WLNE I can get it at times... most of the time I just get random pixels.

08-01-09, 09:45 PM	#9426 \| Link
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	We moved today. Using my neighbors wireless until monday. Anyhow, here's what the box picked up with just a UHF loop/VHF dipole antenna. (RCA ant111 no amp). All are 60%-80% with no dropouts. No boston stations unfortanetly. WZMY also comes in at around 80% but if I aim the antenna for it everything else dissapears. WMUR - (VHF 9) WENH (VHF 11) x3 WUNI - (UHF 29) x2 WNEU - (UHF 34) I'm suprised at how good the new hampshire stations come in up here in bradford!!

08-02-09, 08:00 AM	#9427 \| Link
KML-224 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Britain, CT Posts: 394	What does the "X2" and "X3" mean in your post?

08-02-09, 11:20 AM	#9429 \| Link
Tschmidt Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Milford, NH Posts: 124	Did a quick check on TVfool, Bradford NH: http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...582ffa3552431b Might want to check out VT stations. Plug in your exact address to get more accurate prediction. Interesting you are able to receive WZMY. It is only 15 miles away from me and cannot receive it. Looking at the terrain map there are some hills in the way.

08-02-09, 08:17 PM	#9432 \| Link
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	It's low power because of WPME-DT in Lewiston, Maine and WVIT-DT in Hartford, Connecticut, both on channel 35. But really, why not move back to channel 50 and increase power? Or another vacant channel? The analog signal reached as far as boston I'd imagine, the DT signal is non existant down there. It's even spotty in Derry.

08-02-09, 09:02 PM	#9433 \| Link
KML-224 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Britain, CT Posts: 394	If only I can remember where the WPME-DT site is in Maine? As for WVIT-DT (NBC) channel 35 of New Britain, CT? Their site is Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, CT. You get an awesome view of their tower when driving by on US Route 6 between Fienemann Road and the Colt Highway cutoff (to CT Route 10). The WTIC tower is right next to WVIT's. It hosts the transmitters of WRCH-FM 100.5 (Lite 100.5), WTXX-DT (CW) channel 20, WEDH-DT (PBS) channel 45 and WTIC-DT (FOX) channel 31.

08-04-09, 10:04 PM	#9437 \| Link
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	WUNI 27 in worcestor is @ 85% for me right now. Granted it's a spanish channel and I don't even watch it. Telemundo is pretty strong too. Weird. I need to work on getting WZMY. Maybe I should attempt to build another coat hanger DB4. I have no idea what direction the signals are coming from here. Last edited by nicoge21; 08-04-09 at 10:20 PM..

08-06-09, 10:24 AM	#9438 \| Link
The Wizard Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reading, MA Posts: 161	The best thing about WZMY is their Reno 911 show. This is arguably the best show on free TV. Upgrade to a good outdoor UHF antenna and you should be able to get it reliably!

08-07-09, 09:21 AM	#9441 \| Link
Tschmidt Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Milford, NH Posts: 124	WENH was back up as of last night. Here in Milford NH signal is stronger then before.

08-07-09, 04:51 PM	#9442 \| Link
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	Pool. I'll check it out.

08-07-09, 05:29 PM	#9443 \| Link
nicoge21 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Haverhill, MA Posts: 390	WENH still blasting in the 90's here. Gotta love antiques roadshow. Do you get the ION station from Concord? I got some specs of it once and never seen it again.

08-11-09, 09:03 AM	#9445 \| Link
RoyGBiv AVS Special Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Pawtucket, RI Posts: 1,272	to Rob Yankowitz, Rob, it seems Jeopardy in 38 is in SD at least half the time the last few weeks. What gives? SMK

08-13-09, 10:42 PM	#9447 \| Link
The Wizard Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Reading, MA Posts: 161	WBZ showed a Pats pre-season game tonight. So they switched CBS programming to Ch 38. The Mentalist is one of my favorite shows so I checked it out at 10 PM and was DISMAYED to find that 38 was broadcasting it in 4:3 aspect ratio. I'm watching OTA on my Samsung plasma and the Info button says 1080i 16:9 but it is clearly letter-boxed down to 4:3. I'd switch over to ch 12 but I don't have my high-VHF antenna yet. I'm guessing ch 4/38 is using summer interns to toggle the controls after 7 PM or so. This is sad...

08-14-09, 06:46 AM	#9449 \| Link
pato_ma Boston Area Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lunenburg, MA Posts: 86	Special Night Last night must have been unusual. For the first time I received two channel 6-1's WCSH and WLNE. Also I got the following channels for the first time. WMTW, 8NWSNOW, WLWC, WZMY, and WMFP. Of course they are not there this morning.