Traverse City, MI - HDTV - Page 45

I wouldn't look for W42CB any time soon. The parent company is in bankruptcy and I've heard from a reliable source that another Tribune translator in a much more populated area is not going to make it on the air this year, so I wouldn't expect this one either.

- Trip

Why cant they all just put all channels in one location so we can all point one antenna at one spot like so many large cities do

I think you answered your own question: "like so many large cities." Stations need the finances to relocate transmitters to a central antenna farm. Where do you see that kind of money? Big stations in big cities. Besides, what challenge would there be getting OTA when all you have to do is point a little antenna at a bunch of towers all in the same location. I'm with ya, though. Pass the hat, I'll donate to the transmitter relocation program.

Depends on where it would all be located. If it would be some place like Kalkaska, I am out. Cadiliac would be fine, if I could get the signals as good as I can get 9.1 / 9.2. Seeing as I can get them at 100% the vast majority of the time.

I'm getting a strong signal on channel 45 that is carrying WWTV in HD on 45.1 and WFQX in SD on 45.2 (actual RF channel 45 as well).

I suppose it is the Vanderbilt transmitter testing, but wonder why WWTV is getting first billing on it.

P.S.: I think if WPBN is going to the bother of putting a new antenna and line on the Harrieta tower (WPBN analog site, 1959-2009), they should do something to run more than 15 kW on it, perhaps ask for a superpower translator, or apply for a third full station with perhaps Reed City or Baldwin as its COL.
With 15 kw at Harrieta, and and channel 47 at Kalkaska, much of Benzie and Leelanau will be left in the dark.

Well, the 15 kW will be approved without issue. If they want to power it up, they should do what they're doing, get approval for the 15 kW first, then later ask to power it up. That way they can at least have something on the air or something approved instead of having to wait on it.

That's exactly what WTVF in Nashville has done. They initially applied for 100 kW, then backed it down to 15 kW. The 15 kW was almost immediately approved, and then they asked to bump it to 100 kW again. That remains pending, but now at least they can put it on the air at reduced power, if nothing else.

- Trip

As they already had FOX on 33.1 (47) and 9.2, they put CBS on 45.1 to appease those who can't get 9 for whatever reason.

But 47 is going away.

Or, well, if approved, WPBN is getting it, but still.

- Trip

Fox33 announced on the Friday (7/31) morning news that they would be turning off the 33 (RF47) signal on Tuesday 8/4 after the morning news and be off the air for some (unspecified) time then return on RF Ch32. They also mentioned a new set and look for Fox32.
I see no mention of this on their website.

I like how they just say you'll need to rescan, but no mention that you will need to aim your antenna toward Cadillac instead of Kalkaska.

When they annouced date, I heard them say to rescan just before 7pm.

I know this is a really stupid question, but it's something I gotta know. On a DirecTV HD DVR, how are the local channels labeled in the guide. I'm pretty sure the HD ones use the call sign, but I'm not sure about the SD ones. I ask because I'm looking into getting DirecTV soon and I want to know how the locals from Traverse City are display. Again, I know it's kind of insignificant but it's important to me for some reason.

sandman989...
If you have a HD receiver/recorder....the guide will list call letters and OTA channel number. There will be entries for both the HD and SD feeds. and if you have a HR with OTA receiver.....your OTA channels will also show up in the guide with a darker background.

A side note to the above....it is interesting that Directv master schedule shows 7-3 (with NBC Plus). Wonder how long it will be before this happens

NBC Plus would be cool.
I've heard that the Grand Valley PBS feed has 2 PBSs and Create. I wonder if that's ever a possibility for CMU.

How many sub-stations can the broadcast, anyway? I assume it's a bandwidth thing, but I don't know the limit.

WKAR-DT in East Lansing runs one HD (720p) and three SD feeds at once. They have a new encoder to do it, and the HD feed looks OK on my 32 inch screen. Not sure the people with bigger screens like the reduced bandwidth HD feed.

How did the swtich from 33 to 32 go this morning? Anybody have trouble getting 32? I'm at work and haven't rescanned, yet.

As of 1:30PM, 32 is not yet on the air. They hinted they would like to be on by 4:00PM but at least in time for the 7:00PM news.

Surprise, surprise!

I also thought that 33 was moving to a new channel 32 transmitter SE of Cadillac, but all they did was changed their PSIP channel!

They are still on 47, only mapping to virtual channel 32 instead of 33.

FWIW, I thought the rules stated they had to use their analog channel (33) as their virtual channel in perpetuity, regardless of any facility (actual channel) changes, so I don't even know if this is legal or not.

I suspect they want to be known as 32 to attract the many potential vacationers and former residents of the Chicago area, which also has "Fox 32"

I'm not sure what itsthemultipath is talking about. 47 is off the air. (and will be until WPBN gets it...if they do) WFQX will be on 32 when they sign back on. Hence the name, Fox 32. It has nothing to do with Chicago vacationers.

So why exactly did Cadillac Telecasting or Heritage Broadcasting, whoever made the call, decide to change to on-screen branding of WFQX from 33 to 32. I know there are a number of stations in the area that have matching RF channel numbers and old analog/on screen branding numbers, but those were all a result of stations moving at the transition to their original channels. I didn't see any other stations in the state doing this, changing branding to match digital channel number. Couldn't have WFQX moved back to 33, or is there interference issues with that. I'm guessing there's some rhyme and reason to it, but I'm not seeing it, so I'm curious.

Looks like FOX was up with virtual ch. 32 (PSIP) on 47 earlier, but then they took that off the air. 45 was off for a while, too. They still have CBS in HD on 45.1 and FOX in SD on 45.2. If you don't get 32, you don't get FOX in HD, currently. I would guess they will correct that shortly. Reception for 32 in TC is not good, but 45 comes in good. Down in Mesick, 32 comes in strong where 45 is nonexistent.

Thanks for that update. Here in Charlevoix County, 32 is nonexistent - so I was wondering if it was really on. I get 9.1/9.2 with a good signal (78% now) and few - but occasional - drops. Ch45 is usually 80+ but as you said, so far CBS is the HD signal. I do notice that 45.1 is ID'd as WFUP-FX and 45.2 is ID'd as WFUP-CB . I was hoping to see the signal from 32 just to avoid having to move the antenna (lazy). Any idea if the signal is at full strength now?

I can get 32 with only a few dropouts here is SE Mason county. So as of right I can get 9, 13, 14, 21, and 32. I can ocassionaly get 2 out of Greenbay, 13 can give me some trouble, and 14 / 21 depends on what room I am in. I do like seeing the guide on 32.

Now if WPBN and WWTV could both get on UHF.

Now that WWTV has been granted permission to boost their ERP to 45kW, it should help. Have you tried something larger than rabbit ears, in the meantime?

Have they boosted their power yet?

Only rabbit ears. Thats all I can afford, and my attempt to make a home made antenna didn't work out too well. I just figured I would have an easier time of it, if all the stations were on UHF. If WPBN gets their wishes, WWTV will be the only one on VHF anymore.

I noticed that too. Where did WFUP come from?
What is FX and CB?