Seattle, WA - OTA - Page 319

Hi all-

Just noticed that Sabado Gigante is in 16x9 HD on 51.1 and there is a 51.2 on with color bars. 51.1 ID's as KUNS-1 and 51.2 ID's as KUNS-2. Anybody know what changed? Is 51.2 going to be something different or a SD version of 51.1 like the two KONG channels? And are they still from Tiger Mt. or did they switch to Queen Anne hill from presumably the KOMO tower?

Val

Edit: I noticed that their facility on Queen Anne is still listed as a CP on the FCC website, but I bet it's actually the one in use.
Edited by valvashon - 9/30/12 at 10:18am

Further edit- 51.1 is now Univision in 1080i and 51.2 is now Mundo Fox in 720p.

I just looked and both 51.1 and 51.2 are 704x480, as reported by EyeConnect.

Also, 51.1 is identified as CRTV and 51.2 as Azteca.

Edit: Now they are back to Univision (1020i) and MundoFox (720p).


Edited by rdn - 10/2/12 at 10:45am

KUNS over-the-air changed to HD last week. Mundo Fox came on line Monday morning as the 2nd channel with Univision as the dot-1. Both are HD. KUNS continues to transmit from West Tiger Mountain at this time.

Thinking about dumping comcast:

I was trying to figure out what stations i'd really get with an antenna?

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d2df928e116f620

what kind of antenna do you think I need? Looking at the chart i think i need both VHF and UHF coverage, because thats the only way i'll get some stations

is something like:

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-C5-ClearStream-Combiner/dp/B002E1UNWS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349462203&sr=1-1&keywords=ClearStream5

and do i need

http://www.amazon.com/Antennas-Direct-ClearStream4-HDTV-Antenna/dp/B001BRXW74/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349465519&sr=1-1&keywords=clearstream4

to go with it? or?

what i need? do i need a amplifyer to go with it?

http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-ANWI8700-AP-Signal-Amplifier/dp/B001DFZ5EW/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z

or?

just looking for an idea what i'd have to buy, i'm assuming i'd point my antenna straight north, and hope to get the ones that are a bit west and a bit east?

Cole
Edited by cole123456 - 10/5/12 at 12:32pm

I've heard that KRUM-LD channel 24 is on the air now, is anyone receiving this channel? I wish I could check but I am several hundred miles away.

cole123456
What's your nearst cross streets?
Dan

I just re-scanned, and am receiving 24-3 and 24-4, with the same program on both. I wasn't getting any PSIP data, but there is a crawl identifying as KRUM and "El Canal de la Familia".

Nothing here, but it looks like I am too far north: http://www.krumtv.com/krum/coverage-map.html

That coverage map is old, they are now broadcasting from downtown Seattle.

Looks like their old coverage was krummy! (Sorry, could not resist)

24th st e and 122nd ave in Edgewood, wa

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=24th+st+e+and+122nd+ave+in+Edgewood,+wa&hl=en&sll=47.235765,-122.267087&sspn=0.007037,0.013078&hnear=122nd+Ave+E+%26+24th+St+E,+Edgewood,+Pierce,+Washington+98372&t=m&z=17

Hi Dan , Just wanted to let you know I have the CM 2018 up and its working good, I do get 28.1 PBS(real 24) , along with all the standard issue locals. The SNR (db) runs at about 17.50 and the level on the colored bar scale is steady at 16 (today)on my SXRD sony...and the picure is great.A 16 level is far less than the other channels, but it works ,so all is good.I watched some of the Packers/Colts game on CIVT-DT (32.1)yesterday untill the signal slowly faded.., Pretty impressive considering the antenna is pointed the other way and the tower is 102 miles away . How does that happen?(holy cow , makes me wonder what would happen if I pointed it North.) Thanks for the help , theres alot to the antenna hobby , you and the others here are greatly appreciated.

cole123456
That's a pretty good spot. Unless there's some trees right near you, to the north and west, a good out side antenna might make
it with a Channelmaster CM2020. I would use a preamp, though. It's a fair distance, and it couldn't hurt to have some extra signal.
I use the Channelmaster 7777 preamp. It's got a bit more gain, than the Winegard, or others out there, but it also has very low noise figure.
They mount it in a metal box, too, unlike some others that come in plastic. They've been very reliable for me.
Ch28 from Tacoma comes in almost due west from you, maybe a bit north of that. Thing is, it might just come in on the side of the antenna.
Surprising how that works sometimes. Seen it on similar jobs in you area. Keep it at least a couple feet above your roof or chimney and you
should be good.
In theory, you should be able to get 4-5-7-9-11-13-16-20-22, and pretty sure you'll get 28. There are some stations from Tiger Mt to the NE
of you that should also come in, 33, 44 and 51. I haven't had many people want to get those, but they should come in as well.
Key is just how many trees are near you that might get in the way. I know there are some pasture areas around there which would make
life real easy.
Call if you have questions. I'm very familiar with your area, and I'm just over the hill in Twin Lakes.
Dan
206-794-3993

rkmkinney,

Wow, you've got a nice location to get those BC channels (CBUT RF 43, maps to 2.1, and CTV RF 32). I wish I could get them reliably as you can. I'm on the Mill Creek side of I-5, but i just ocassionally get RF 26, 20 and CBUT RF43 , 2.1).

When you point north/northwest, can you get other BC channels, like CHAN (RF 22) now unfortunately co-channel with KCPQ 22 repeater, CBUTF (26), OMNI (RF 20), CIVI2-(RF17), and CHEK (RF49 from Victoria)?

Also, if you're trying to get KBTC 28.1 (RF 27), why not point north and you should get KBTC on RF 24 easily, since you should also get KVOS 12. (RF 35) and ShopNBC on RF 19 at the same location Bellingham/Orcas Island/Mt Constitution towers?

quote name="DanKurts" url="/t/254620/seattle-wa-ota/9540#post_22476230"]
cole123456
That's a pretty good spot. Unless there's some trees right near you, to the north and west, a good out side antenna might make
it with a Channelmaster CM2020. I would use a preamp, though. It's a fair distance, and it couldn't hurt to have some extra signal.
I use the Channelmaster 7777 preamp. It's got a bit more gain, than the Winegard, or others out there, but it also has very low noise figure.
They mount it in a metal box, too, unlike some others that come in plastic. They've been very reliable for me.
Ch28 from Tacoma comes in almost due west from you, maybe a bit north of that. Thing is, it might just come in on the side of the antenna.
Surprising how that works sometimes. Seen it on similar jobs in you area. Keep it at least a couple feet above your roof or chimney and you
should be good.
In theory, you should be able to get 4-5-7-9-11-13-16-20-22, and pretty sure you'll get 28. There are some stations from Tiger Mt to the NE
of you that should also come in, 33, 44 and 51. I haven't had many people want to get those, but they should come in as well.
Key is just how many trees are near you that might get in the way. I know there are some pasture areas around there which would make
life real easy.
Call if you have questions. I'm very familiar with your area, and I'm just over the hill in Twin Lakes.
Dan
206-794-3993[/quote]

Dan

Thanks for the info, and now off to do the hard sell with the wife.. i'll have to figure out if i need to put a mast out in the yard, so i can get around a big tree in the way or not.. just something for me to think about.

thanks for the advice.

Cole

Does anyone know the maximum distance you can be away from a broadcast and still get a usable program? I am curious if it is even possible to receive Vancouver stations which are 100 miles away with any degree of consistancy by using a "Deep Fringe" antenna. I realize there can be hills and trees and other obstructions but if it is a fairly open line how far will the various broadcasts reach? The Channelmaster 5020 claims to receive VHF 100 miles while UHF is only good to 60 miles according to their data. Are there better antennas for long distance? I am unfamiliar with the Vancouver programs. Are there any UHF stations worth receiving? Thanks,
Tom

According to http://members.shaw.ca/nwbroadcasters/tvpage.htm, all Vancouver stations are UHF (although the channel number displayed may be the old analog one). They also tend to run much lower power than US broadcasters.

Hi be236 , I'll get up on the roof this weekend and re-point and let you know what happens. Randall

There's not a *max* distance from towers where you can still receive signals. It all depends. I'm about 107 miles awayin Mill Creek and get can some BC stations ocassionally at night. And I do have one of the deep fringe long range antennas outdoors.

Whereabouts are you in Seattle (cross-street or Tvfool report)? That can determine if you have enough signal that far south to get BC stations. It'll help if you're on high ground/hill facing north, such as Queen Anne or along the shores of Puget Sound in Ballard area and north.

As for channels worth having, there's one multi-ethnic channel, and even though they have lots of US shows, they have their local news, which is fun to watch with different perspectives, etc.

Great! I can't wait to hear your results... You should be able to get most of the BC channels, except for CKVU (RF 33) conflict with ION 33 and maybe CHEK 49.

In the days of analog reception of Canadian stations, Everett's high ground East Casino Road area (near Cascade High School) was a great location. Even though the Van/Vic stations are operating with less power than most US broadcasters, I suspect the area is still a great location for a northern pointing antenna for Vancouver, and a northwest pointing antenna for Victoria.

Ah yes, it still is for digital TV from BC as well. Tvfool confirms it. Also when I drive the area, I can pick up BC radio stations that I can't get normally in other locations.

That is a great area (Casino Rd near Boeing) with high elevation.

Also if you use Tvfool and put your location on top of the Boeing hanger building, you'll get LOS (line of sight) to those BC towers over 100 miles away! heh... Great reception there!

Hi be236 , I pointed north with the CM 2018 and get 2.1CBUT(43) and CIVT 32.1(32) real good, CIVI DT2 17.1(17) weakly(just noticed the weak signal...weather sucks for further tweaking), CBUFTDT 26.1(26) good, OMN 42.1(20) kinda low but no problem locking on.
No sign of CHEK 6.1(49), CHAN 8.1 (22), CKVU 10.1 (33) . Also great imporovement on KBTC 28.1(24) and KVOS 12.1(35) KBCB 24.1(19) KBCB 24.1(19). Barely get 5.1, 7.1, no 4.1.....9.1 works 13.1 as well , so I plan on playing with antenna location a bit more...when the wind dies down ,
and then getting another antenna for northern placement. Maybe one with more oomph...like a CM 2020 or CM 4228. Any thoughts on antenna selection? Have a nice day, rkmkinney

Hi rkmkinney,

I've heard that RCA antenna is a pretty good outdoor one ... But you're CM VHF/UHF antenna now?

Still those are pretty good results you have.. I wish I could get all those channels stable as you are. The weak RF 17 (CIVI2) is likely due to the conflicting local RF 17 in Marysville.

The RF 33 CKVU I dont expect you'll ever get since ION 33 is too strong in your area.

RF 22 (CHAN) you can't get due to RF 22 KCPQ on Capitol Hill turned on a few months ago..I used to be able to get CHAN until KCPQ went online... I wish they had picked a different RF to use! Alas.

RF 49 CHEK, now that one I would expect you to be able to get it, since it should have no channel interference, but it is on the upper UHF range, so you might need antenna tuned for upper UHF.

For me , I can only get RF 20, 26, and 43 occasionally and usually at night or when its cold, but lots of drop-outs. Even though I'm on high ground, I still have lots of trees in front of me... You must be on a side of the hill with a somewhat clear view of Puget Sound facing NW towards Victoria, etc...

Ok, if you want to get RF 49 and possibly CHAN 22, I'd suggest the Antennas Direct 91XG (which I currently have)... You can go on Amazon and see the many good reviews on it.. it's very directional and hence most those BC stations come from pretty much the same location (NW).

So, again reading from your Tvfool report, you should get all those BC stations, except for CKVU 33 (CityTV), which I would like to get myself... Alas, seems my location can never get those... though I've seen a few spots in the Marysville/Arlington area west of I-5 that have LOS (line of sight) to those stations... hehehhehe...

rkmkinney
You're obviously in a good spot for the Canadian stations. You didn't mention it, but if you don't have a preamplifier on on the antenna, that's great reception.
Since all the Canadian channels are UHF, you can get more antenna for the buck. The two different styles are the 4228 bow tie and the long yagi's. The main difference is their reception angles. The 4228 can see signals coming in over roughly 60 degrees either side of center. The yagi types, like the 91XG or the Antennacraft MXU59 are very narrow in reception, and work better in the trees. Their gain numbers are similar, give or take. Trying to compare antennas by specifications is not very accurate. Each type and brand can react a bit different depending on the frequencies, distance, terrain, and more. The real test is just trying one out where you need it. Since you've had good luck with the 2018, which is not really a big one for UHF or VHF hi-band, either type of the big ones mentioned would do well. The two factors to consider would be how many trees are near you in the direction of Vancouver, and do you want to try and get the stations more northwest like KVOS and Victoria. If trees are not a problem, then the 4228 would be the ticket. Otherwise, the large yagi style would be better to get you through the trees. You might still be able to get KVOS, as it's strong and could still work off angle a bit. My choice is the MXU59. I have tried many antennas over the years, giving each one a try in the same location. The older Channelmaster 4248, no longer available, and the MXU59 both worked better than the 91XG. They had better construction, too, in my opinion. After 6 months I usually have seen enough to know which one to use and where.
The most important part is to get as much signal as you can from the antenna, and then use a preamp. Gives you a better signal to noise ratio. You will need it going for the long distances. Try the antenna first, and then if you need a preamp, try the Channelmaster 7777. Well built and works better than anything else I've tried for the money.
When you get the cables from each antenna down to your set, use a remote A/B antenna switch, like the one RatShack sells for about $35. They actually work and don't screw up the signal. Be sure to put the preamp power supply between the switch and the preamp. It sends power up the coax to run the preamp, so nothing should be between them.
You're lucky to be in such a great spot. Let us know how it all works out.
Dan

Hi be236 I still have the rca antenna, I wanted a bigger one because I wanted to split the signal and I lost some channels and didnt want to amplify it because of the cable routing I would have to do,I'm giving up on that idea though, as I just ordered a CM 7777 preamp. So I need to make a choice between the bow tie design
or the yagi type( Dan mentioned in a post after yours) for canadian channels, and use thge CM2018 for Seattle locals,although eventually I'm sure I will buy another antenna(heck I'm saving alot of money per month...why not) I have attached a picture right where the antenna points to 343 degrees north The evergreens on the right I hope to trim, the other trees are across the street . The antenna is a few feet higher than the camera.I am on the northern sloope of a north facing hill...the CM 2018 works ok there, I would like to leave the antenna there instead of drilling holes in my new roof. Dan mentioned the CM 4228 and MXU59 options as well.
I was hoping the CM 4228 would work because it would be the easier for me to put up on its own mast. How much separation would I need on one mast for the CM 2018 facing one direction and a Yagi UHF facing the other direction? Thanks for your time, Randall

Randall
Looks good. Does the hill fall away to the norht beyond the trees in the picture? If so, I would use an eave mount on the north end of the house, and a 4228. The bottom of the antenna only needs to be a foot above the roof peak. Here's a picture of the mount I would use there
http://www.summitsource.com/images/products/MTR460.jpg
You get a lot of wind there, and height isn't going to much for you. Be sure to use a ground block like this
http://www.summitsource.com/channel-master-dual-grounding-block-7180-type-port-antenna-hdtv-block-cm7180-satellite-dish-coax-cable-outdoor-aerial-lnbf-receiver-signal-lighting-ground-spike-voltage-protector-part-7180-p-7132.html
You can run both antennas through it. Mount it near the entrance point to the house. Use a good ground rod, like this
http://www.summitsource.com/aspen-copper-grounding-bonded-antenna-electrode-satellite-dish-aerial-electrical-wire-ground-lighting-with-clamp-part-0004-p-5159.html
The combo of the antenna and preamp should work great. Mount the preamp just below the 4228 on the mast. Leave the 2018 where it is pointed south. This will give you two short masts with little windload.
Trying to put the two together on one mast is going to require a lot more height with at least 3ft between them, or over 4ft between the mounting clamps. And a beefy mount. Take the extra time for two separate mounts, you'll be glad you did.
Sun tomorrow, no dodging raindrops!
Dan

Dan , the hill does drop off, not drastically, but it slopes and ends up at the Puget Sound. Also I took the picture standing next to the chimney and the roof angles down in the front over another roof area so there isnt an eave. I plan on getting a CM 9067 strap kit and some galvinized pipe for a chimney mount. I'll make sure the antenna (4228) is at least a foot above the peak as well. So the 4228 will be on the north side and the 2018 will be on the south side. I've got my blocks and will get the rod and antenna ordered. Thanks for the advice, Randall
(The CM 9067 should work shouldn't it?)










































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