Nashville, TN - OTA - Page 105

Hey guys. I am at a loss. No matter what I try, I cannot pick up Fox 17. According to TV Fool, it should be a no brainer picking up the signal. Im easily getting 2, 4, 5, 8, 30, etc etc, I just cannot pick up channel 17.1. I've read several articles/how to's/etc but I cannot figure this out. The antenna is in the attic at around the 270 degree bearing at the moment.

My TV Fool report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d99000515f6974f

My Antenna
Antennacraft HBU33

My Preamp:
Winegard ANWI8700 Winegard AP Signal Amplifier.

Am I overlooking something simple/stupid?

WZTV Fox 17 is one of my strongest, although when I was just using a single antenna(rabbit ears) if I put the antenna in the spot where I could pick up channel 5, WZTV's signal was pretty sketchy. I had to combine two antennas together http://www.buy.com/prod/rca-superior-flat-antenna-with-removable-amplifier-television-flat/211040171.html?listingId=-1 this one w/ standard non-amped rabbit ears, now I get all the "Nashville" channels rock solid, although WRTN-LD still eludes me, but I'm north of Nashville, so that could be the issue

Well Fox 17 is on the same tower as MyNetwork 30 as well as CW 58. Try rescanning. By the way Fox 17 is on real channel 15.

I will try without the preamp tonight to see if it makes any difference. Ive tried rescanning on two tvs. The other channels come in between 30-70% strength (depending on the channel). Thanks!

How good is the tuner in your tv's? I've owned several and some work great even on the weaker channels while others have problems locking onto a stronger signal.

WTVF must be close to making their OTA channel changes and finally settling on a frequency they like because they seem to be running their warning spot more often.

They settled on the frequency a long time ago. It just takes time to manufacture and install the necessary equipment.

What are the "warning spots" you're referring to?

Actually, they've changed their mind twice since they first elected to stay on VHF 5. They are warning OTA viewers another change is imminent and to sign up for e-mails for latest info.

http://www.newschannel5.com/category/240986/signal-upgrade

The asked the FCC to change to channel 25 about a year ago. The FCC approved the move about 6 weeks after the request. As was stated it just takes time to get everything set up.

NewsChannel 5 has begun a million-dollar plus upgrade to its over-the-air signal, giving area viewers stronger and more reliable reception.

That's debatable. Actually reception on channel 25 will be WORSE for me.

Actually, they asked to move to UHF 25 almost two years ago (a year after the transition). They had added the UHF 50 signal at 100 kW only a month after the transition after it became almost immediately apparent that the VHF 5 signal wasn't going to cut it in the urban area, especially with indoor antennas.

It looks like the VHF signal will drop to only 3 kW when the replacement UHF system comes online. It will be interesting to see just how many viewers will be affected, either adversely or positively, by the final change-over.

They've asked the FCC for 22 kW on 5.

- Trip

Is WTVF doing something with the main signal this morning? I can't receive them there, but can pickup WTVF-DR, so I am not at a loss entirely.

You're right. It looks like they got their request to operate at 22 kW under an STA with the provision they can't cause interference.

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=34755

That's what they've been doing for 3 years anyways. The difference is that channel 5 becomes the translator.

Yes, and as a translator, it looses some protections (in the event it causes impermissible interference) it had as the main licensed signal.

Being on RF 5 whom would they interfere with? WMC out of Memphis who have filed an application of their own to move to RF 17?

This is a "fill in" translator.....different rules than a actual translator station (which I usually associate with numbers in the callsign)

WMC is the station that needs protection. While they did apply to move to 17, the FCC has not acted on that request, and so WTVF must protect WMC until the FCC approves or denies the request.

- Trip

While that's true WTVF has been operating at 22 kW for 3 years now without any claims of interference to WMC. I live 75 miles form WTVF and I barley get it. WMC is 115 miles away from me on the opposite side. So I doubt there is much interference between the 2.. If there was I'd be right in the inference zone.

Longley-Rice says there would be interference. Therefore, according to the FCC, there is interference.

- Trip

And yet they are still allowed to operate at 22 kW. In fact in WTVF petition the FCC says the exact OPPOSITE. Which is exactly why the FCC will continue to let WTVF to broadcast at 22 kW. Both WTVF and WMC were allowed to IONCREASE power after the digital transition. If there was interference why did the FCC allow BOTH to have power increases?

They will operate at 22 kW with a directional antenna, the null aimed southwest.

http://www.rabbitears.info/pattern.php?request=ant_pat&ant_id=109816&rotation=0&erp=22

- Trip

Whatever interference existed when the FCC finalized the table of allotments was considered the baseline, with broadcasters allowed to increase power as much as possible to go up to 0.5% new interference. The original floor value was grandfathered in. Now, with WTVF moving from 5 to 25, they are applying for a new authorization to operate on channel 5, and that grandfathering goes away.

- Trip

From the FCC itself.

After a review of Station WTVF’s technical specifications, we are persuaded that no interference is likely to occur from the proposed experimental operations

Yes, and that comment was in regard to the directional antenna I noted above.

- Trip

Sorry. So by the link you posted it's not the same antenna as they have been using and in fact I live in the direction of the null so basically WTVF doesn't want anyone in my area to get them in via OTA obviously.

My OTA problem, too. Living SW in Bellevue behind nine mile hill I have a double whammy. Nothing helps.

I noticed that Tvfool has the new channel 5 antenna on their website. Drops my reception by 8 dB. Still 4.5 dB higher than what I will get from channel 25.

Hey guys - long time reader, first time poster I live about 18 miles southeast of downtown Nashville, TN, and I'm having some reception issue that I'm at a loss to solve. By the looks of previous threads, I'm not the only person having an issue with Channel 5.1 WTVF, but as everyone else seems to be SW of the city, I'm SE and I'm not sure that the issue lies with any sort of interference. Who knows though - that's why I'm defering to everyone here!

I'm using an HTPC, using Windows Media Center to watch/record live tv, and for some reason or another, WTVF (CBS, Channel 5.1) sporadically pixelates, stutters, or stops all together (video and audio, both). Seeing as all of the other local network channels come in perfectly fine (2.1, 4.1, 17.1), I'm a bit at a loss as to how to best solve this issue. My antenna is mounted indoors in the attic, aimed at roughly 325-300 degrees. Equipment is as follows:

Antenna: Channel Master 2016 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018BZJNS/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01)
Outdoor Amp/Splitter: PCT 4-Port RF Signal Amplifer With Active Return (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P12QME/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00)
I'd just like to know if this is an issue that 1) is equipment/setup related, or 2) I'm going to have to learn to deal. with. Thanks for any and all help! And if I've posted this in the wrong thread, be understanding.

Welcome to the forum ajcarroll1983. I have noticed the same thing and it is surprising no one has mentioned it until now. Ever since work began on the transmitter around the first of the month, WTVF-5 reception has been spotty or non-existent. Before that time I could get all the Nashville stations reliably with a UHF indoor antenna (Mohu Leaf) but cannot receive 5 anymore. I now use WTVF-50 exclusively so hopefully they don't mess with it until 25 is up and running. When that happens, your setup should work fine.