Little Rock, AR - HDTV - Page 407

PBS probaly have one of strongest signal in LR as it is almost maxed out on my TV strenght meter. You just have to play with postion, height and rotation of antenna untill it locks in. Radioshack have variety of HD (UHF) antennas for indoor and outdoor if you're looking to buy one.

I would stay away from amplified indoor antennas though.

That all depends where in the zip code you live. Seriously, PBS is strong enough with an outdoor antenna, but as was pointed out, its in a different direction (as is 38-1). A small radio shack antenna pointed that way will work if mounted on the roof, however, might have a problem picking the up main channels from the mountain without some careful aiming, since it will be picking those signals up from the side of the antenna. At least if you buy at Radio Shack, you can return it usually.

You might also try one of the flat panel antennas which mount indoors or outdoors, and put it outside. They are omni-directional, however, its hit or miss if the built in amplifier will overload your tuner causing problems tuning close by stations.

Unfortunately, KETS-DT (RF 7 = VHF) is not UHF. However, the OP can probably pick it up on a rabbit ears antenna in the Little Rock area. I am 25 miles north of LIttle Rock and have used rabbit ears to pick it up. I also got KTHV-DT (RF 12 = VHF), KATV-DT (RF 22 = UHF), KLRT-DT (RF 30 = UHF) and KARK-DT (RF 32 = UHF). They were not strong but I am having to pick up 2 Edge signals. Never could get KARZ-DT (RF 44 = UHF) or KASN-DT (RF 39=UHF). As you indicated It took quite a bit of putzing around with rabbit ear length/position but that cheap rabbit ear antenna served well for 2-3 months until it was replaced with a Channel Master 4228 HD w/ 7777 pre-amp.

BTW, the rabbit ear antenna was taped outside on a 10 ft. mast. There's no doubt that outside is better than inside. I got virtually nothing inside and had to look for a hot spot outside. I wound up with about 40-50 feet of coax and still got the channels I mentioned.

dmatch
Edited by dmatch - 8/7/12 at 9:36pm

I live in the Heights area of Little Rock, and on a hill top due East of Shinall Mtn.
I have the cheapest, smallest outdoor VHF/UHF antenna RS makes mounted about 20 feet above ground and connected using RG 6 coax.
With my antenna pointed directly at Shinall, I pull in 2-x with a stable signal of 95 %.
Edited by Dr_Jan_Itor - 8/8/12 at 11:37am

I never thought of using Rabbit Ears that way. That's ingenious

I'm using indoor antenna and had better luck building a simple antenna (3 foot dipole with a balun feeding coax cable) than using a rabbit ears. I have mounted it by the celing next to a window facing west.

But it was a pain to get antenna in right position to pick up all of local channels as in one position, some stations would come in while some get blocked. And in another antenna position, the opposite would happen.
Edited by Bobby_D - 8/9/12 at 8:57pm

Even more annoying than getting them all to come in, but having one or two drop out when someone walks through the living room

Antennas are funny that way

While back when MeTV (49.1) had really weak signal, the station would just barely come in during night time. But lost it during day time. So adjust your antenna at night for weak signals

I've been up in the attic trying to get PBS (SSE) and all the other UHF channels (WNW). I haven't had very good luck with the RCA flat panel (ANT1450BR). Either PBS comes in clear and I start losing the UHF channels or vice-versa. I guess the next step is a rabbit ear antenna from radio shack and see if that improves things. Else I will go with an outside antenna.

Do you have room in the attic for something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202698434/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=antenna&storeId=10051#.UCXTaqCIhzc ?

Yeah, I think so. That's a good price too, plus maybe I can buy it locally. I'll check that out!

I noticed after I posted, that one is amplified. That might cause some problems. If they have a version that is not amplified, it would be a better choice.
Radio Shack probably has one that looks similar.

I am hoping that [high] directional property of that antenna work to timn420 advantage rather than disadvantage so he don't have to rotate it to pick up all stations.

If he have a rabbit ears handy (don't buy it if don't have it), he can try that in his attic to see if any improvements. Make sure the ears are not too long and its impedance matches the coax cable feed. Just keep playing with position and lenght of the ears to see if having better luck. If not, then it might be time tio move outdoors

Just had to repost my DBSTalk comment here, since it is appropriate...

It was so exciting to actually be able to watch the whole uncut commercial free closing ceremony live. I am watching the somewhat sharper 1080i broadcast on my local affiliate now since I can record it...

They are cutting out lots of actual content for commercials...
The announcers are talking over the music and public announcer...
And we have a 1/3 screen weather bug map on the screen with a severe thunderstorm warning 140 miles away, and WELL out of the stations DMA, and even outside our local NWS offices area of responsibility....

I pray in the next 4 years, technology improves enough that we dont have to put up with this ignorant network anymore.

Looks like the new MundoFOX (KMYA-LP) spansih station will be permanent on digital channel 47.1 in HD as Test Signal logo (in spanish) has been removed.

Picture quality is pretty good since it is in 720p, but must say the picture quality of the spanish station UNIVISION on 20.1 looks a bit sharper since that channel is 1080i.

well I see again I am getting 2 49-1 channels again
49.1 KMYA displayed on both and about 10 seconds difference in broadcast times.
its real funny since they have different commercials but same time and length.

20-1 is now 2 of the same channel but the second one dropped picture and now its just a blue screen.
maybe I need a new tv LOL

Must have been another temporary glitch or a TV problem or a combination of both. It seems normal here today. When they (KMYA/KKYK) were having stream info problems the channel mapping would change every few seconds. KKYK would get identified as KMYA and KKYK had no ID in the stream, so my Vizio wouldn't even see it. Then both would be there again briefly and the cycle would repeat. Some TVs would probably handle the SNAFU differently or not see the problem at all unless a scan was done during the problem.

dmatch

I cut out cable (Comcast) couple of years ago and really don't miss it. Couple of nights ago just for fun of it, I connect my TV to Cable outlet in my room and surprisingly picked up about 36 digital channels. I'm guessing the channels are coming thru TV's QAM tuner.

All the local channels coming thru (except few religion channels), and major networks are in HD. Plus I get ARTS/UALR, NASA, Fox sport and Weather channels also, plus couple of bulletin board channels.

The picture quality is pretty good, but must say that local channels via over the air look a bit better than on Cable, especially the ones that are in HD.

Is there a store in town that stocks the larger antennas? I guess I've just been unlucky. I've been to 2 radio shacks in west little rock, home depot, and the big Walmart on shackleford, but no luck. They all have plenty of rabbit ears and small indoor antennas.

The Walmart had an RCA ant751, but it had been opened, had no packaging, and contained parts in a ziplock bag.

I would like to buy locally, to save some on shipping and make sure it works well.

Also, what do you guys use for Internet service? I'm definetly dropping cable tv, but I need Internet, which means u-verse or comcast. I know they charge more without tv service.

Appreciate the help so far. HD on OTA is so much better. Now to just find an antenna
Edited by timn420 - 8/23/12 at 6:12pm

First, no antenna dealers I know of in town. Perfect Vision in NLR used to sell them, but I dont think they will sell to the public. Best just order one online to suit your needs. Solidsignal.com is one source.

Im not sure AT&T will sell internet without TV, but if they do, and you can get good speeds, Ive heard it is OK. I have Comcast, because I could buy my own modem at Best Buy and eliminate the monthly modem rental fee. Comcast is solid at my house. 25down/2,5up.

NOW....I just watched the elimination game of the Little League world series on ESPN. The team from the country I used to live in won. The big international game is on Saturday between my team and Japan. Its at 11:30am on ABC. My guide shows PAID PROGRAMMING. Ahhhhhhh. If you watch sports (any sports) get on KATV's facebook page and complain. If enough people complain, maybe they will actually show some network programming on a weekend.

I was looking at Radioshack web site, and they do free shipping to their store when ordering online. So don't have to pay for shipping

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032205

I have AT&T internet DSL (bundle with land line) and been pretty happy with service. They also do internet alone called Naked DSL. But if you want higher speed, have to sign up with U-Verse which is not available in some locations.

I have had extremely good reception with a new indoor antenna called "LEAF." it is paper thin and believe it or not actually works. Developed by former military antenna engineers. I am able to get KETS 2.1-2.4 (VHF ch 7) and ALL other UHF locals (18+) channels. Ilive in chenal valley area and have not been able to get reliable KETS lock-ins until I got the Leaf.
Pricy ($49) but I spent more than that experimenting with others including the RCA noted above. I can not be used outdoors. Check it out at www.store.mohu.com
the main website is www.mohu.com a divisionof Greenwave Scientific.

Good Luck:)

UPDATE on Leaf Antenna. Correct web site is www.gomohu.com
Sorry.

Lol! Looks like Mohu got a local shill.

The leaf isn't a magic antenna, it's just a UHF array with poor VHF performance. A paperclip or a simple loop and rabbit ears might do almost as well.

That Mohu Leaf seems to be one of the better indoor flat panel style of antennas. And while it is optimized for UHF, it does appear to do well with HiVHF in certain locations. I think they may use some sort of special design circuitry in addition to just a basic UHF bow tie configuration, but I am not sure. But there have been many favorable reviews, and they also now have an amplified version.

Welcome to Central Arkansas... #KATVFAIL again. No international Little League World Series game for us.... No sir... Paid Programming and E/I for us.....
Thank God the hurricane bypassed Puerto Rico. WPRU-HD is looking good. Our ABC affiliate sux.

#KATVFAIL #2.... While I am watching Nascar on ABC, KATV is showing their cheesy newscast instead. Probably break into Nascar late. Ill be so happy when the FCC gets rid of the stupid rules disallowing subscribing to out of DMA stations. Thank God there is WPRU-HD.
Edited by Davenlr - 8/25/12 at 4:09pm

From Jayski.com:

NASCAR fans in six affected markets will be able to watch ABC's telecast of Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on alternate channels through arrangements made by the local ABC affiliates. The ABC affiliates in the six markets will be airing NFL preseason games Saturday night rather than the NASCAR race but with the alternate channels in each market, the race telecast will still be available nationwide. ABC's coverage begins with NASCAR Countdown at 7:00pm/et.
In four of the affected markets, the race telecast will air on ESPN, including Buffalo, Tulsa, Weslaco, Tex., and Quincy, Ill.
In Detroit, ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV will move the race telecast to its digital tier 2 channel and then join the race in progress when the Detroit Lions preseason game ends.
In Rochester, N.Y., ABC affiliate WHAM-TV will move the race telecast to its digital tier 2 channel.
ABC affiliates in Little Rock, Ark., Corpus Christi, Tex., and Omaha, Neb., will pre-empt NASCAR Countdown at 7:00pm/et for local news but will join the ABC telecast at 7:30pm/et.
UPDATE: Due to hurricane coverage, ABC affiliate in Miami not airing race tonight it will be on ESPN in Miami. The race's green flag is scheduled for 7:43 pm/et.(ESPN)(8-22/25-2012)

Well, at least they only preempted the Countdown show. I still watched it on WPRU-HD. Thanks for the link though, Ill be sure to check it before every ABC race just in case.

Of all local little rock stations, THIS (16.2) and BOUNCE(42.2) channels play the most movies. The problem is since channel feed is SD, most movies are modified to fit into 4:3 aspect ratio which mean almost half of widescreen films are hacked away.

I wish they show movies in their original widescreen aspect ratio so I can use zoom feature to fill out 16:9 TV screen without any distortions.

Point the antennas EAST this morning...




Edited by Davenlr - 9/22/12 at 7:48am

Ugh, what is going on with NBC tonight on DirecTV? It's completely breaking up. Actually, I couldn't tell if it was NBC or DirecTV so I called a friend who had Uverse. His was just fine. So I checked my satellite signal. 97% strength. Sunday Night Football is pretty unwatchable right now.