Roanoke, VA / Bluefield, WV - HDTV - Page 185

So how directional are these translators? Could it be that it's pointed at the NRV and that's why I can't pick it up in Hollins? Of course that would mean the signal strength maps are completely wrong, so I guess that really doesn't make sense.

I'm planning on going over to the Hidden Valley area tomorrow with my handheld HDTV and see if I can pick it up. I wish the dinky little TV had a signal strength meter. I could check the signal at different points on the way back from the transmitter to see how it drops off. But my main goal is to see if the signal even exists so it will do fine for that!

So the other day I punched in the coordinates of the W05AA antenna site into my GPS and took my little HDTV and went in search of a signal. I parked in a shopping center lot in the Hidden Valley area that I believed to be near the antenna site and tried to pick up 5.1. No luck. And I think I could even see the tower (but I'm not 100% sure on that - it was late in the day and almost dark.)

My little TV is crappy though. For one thing, it only scans. It doesn't have a signal meter and won't allow you to put in a specific channel. You point the antenna in a certain (hopefully correct) direction, start a scan, and either pick up the channel or you don't.

So I'm going to have to retool. I think I'm going to attach my CM3016 to the roof of my minivan, hook that into a ATSC tuner I have (which does have a signal strength meter), and attach that to a TV. Then I'll just drive the whole thing around that mountain until I get a signal! Hah, I'll let you know if I get pulled over for questioning!

Or what would be better is if someone could verify me that they are currently picking up WSET programming on channel 5.1. The whole idea for me is that if I think I have a reasonable chance to pick up a signal I'll get up on the roof of the house and re-mount the 14' antenna I have and try that. I really want to verify that there is a signal to be picked up first though. It's cold and windy up on that roof!

Boy you sure picked a good time of year to start this project!!

Have you tried calling/emailing WSET? That might be a good place to start...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post19657839

I find the moving color "background" on WDBJ very distracting...

I was looking at LCD TV's at WalMart the other day and ran into a friend shopping for their first big screen. I asked what they were using for a source of programing. He said they were on Direct TV and had called them about the Free HD programing. The tech came out and said they could not get it because the satellite that handles it was being blocked by some trees. Apparently regular programming is on a higher satellite where the HD stuff is on a lower one. They advertise free HD but the only way to get it is on a different satellite and the receiver has to pointed at a lower point. Is this true? The trees do not belong to him so there is not much he can do for now. Saying HD is free is just a come on.

Ive had Directv for over 15 years and there HD programming for about 4 years now.The satellites are in the KA, KU Frequency The HD is in I think a Higher Frequency not higher in the sky
the sd comes from the 101 and 110 and 119 degrees range and the HD comes from the 99 and 103 degrees range so he maybe be able to recieve the SD programming but the trees are blocking the 99 and 103 range where the Hd comes from.And the thing about the free HD is HD is added to any package for $10.00 a month extra but if you signup for autopay you get HD Free because you bill is automatically deducted monthly from say your checking account.I have a grandfathered package where my HD and DVR service was included in my base package before last year when the packages were changed.So I actually dont pay for HD or DVR service at all.Hope this helps to answer you question.

Numb3rs? Just mere digits?!? C'mon Trip...we also want PICTURES! :-)

How 'bout pressing the SPECT button for some Roanoke-Lynchburg waveform pr0n?

Do you have before and after SPEC screen shots of WSLS? If so, compare the power levels and the background noise levels. If the power levels are similar but your MER (digital equivalent of SNR) reading has decreased, an increase in background noise is the usual explanation.

You can also look at the constellation plot for that station on your 1456 and see if there are additional demodulation errors than previously recorded.

What range would you expect for MER and what number would you expect for WSLS? How would ghosting -- aaa multi-path -- affect the numbers?

I note that WDBJ is not at 1 Mega watt like WSLS. Is that a FCC restriction?

Finally -- Happy holidays everyone.

Great work, Trip! The side-by-side comparison is really nice.

This comes from the Winegard 8800?

Trip, you are the most knowlegeable person I know of when it comes to broadcast signals besides foxeng, any ideas why I can get WLFL 27 and WRDC 28 from Garner, but none of the others in the winter? Right now I am watching WLFL just fine, and WRDC is just before working, and not a sign of the others? This time of the year every year it is the same thing... Just as soon as it gets dark, I get WLFL. WRDC will come in probably by 8 PM, but again, none of the others out of that area... In the summer months, WLFL is the hardest to get.

Anybody having any issues with their TVPal and Channel 7? When changing channels all is normal until I get to 7-2 and 7-1, it takes several seconds or longer for it to tune in, very abnormal. I did a power down with all equipment, waited a few minutes, cranked everything back but didn't help. Wonder what is up?

Yes -- 7.x comes and goes. Been happening the last two days. I think I have seen it on the TV too but not as often. RF is there (lock-26 dB-70%) but no data...

We seem to be having PSIP issues. The transmitter is running fine. The problem is I am out recovering from arthroscopic surgery on my knee and will not be back to work until 1/4. We may have to call in outside help on Monday.

Windows XP? How about a reboot!!

OK Alan, thanks. Get well soon!

Gee, why didn't I think of that.

Could you all give it another scan and let me know what happens now.?

Right now after 3 minutes of viewing 7 is working normally.

I wish I recorded the News on Christmas Eve just for the last few minutes. I enjoy seeing the faces of all the people they make the station what it is and the clip goes by way too fast. I assume you were in the slide for Engineering. Who was with you?

Best wishes for a speedy recovery...

Excellent. Very odd problem.Had to do with PSIP but nothing really to do with PSIP. (I know that makes no sense what-so-ever ).

And yes, that was myself and Brian (IT guy and all around good fellow). My third guy and transmitter guy were off that day.

Isn't that really rapidly varying multi-path that ( I hope I'm am saying this correctly) the echo cancelling algorithm can handle?