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Dallas, TX - HDTV - Page 205

post #6121 of 6926
1/14/11 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by K5ING
Anyone notice that 27 is off the air this morning? Does this have anything to do with the big switch (now scheduled for Monday, the 17th)?
You would expect them to stay on the air since they are on a different transmitter..... Right?
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post #6122 of 6926
1/14/11 at 10:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nukeboy67 View Post
You would expect them to stay on the air since they are on a different transmitter..... Right?
Yes, I would. That's why I was asking on here if anyone had any insight. Since I don't know the physical proximity of the two transmitters/antennas, I thought it may be a safety issue. The timing is what got me curious.
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post #6123 of 6926
1/14/11 at 11:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by K5ING View Post

Anyone notice that 27 is off the air this morning? Does this have anything to do with the big switch (now scheduled for Monday, the 17th)?

I can't be certain (since I'm doing this remotely from work to home) but the trio of stations using a common antenna at Richland South are all off as of this moment:

KDTN (RF-43)
KDTX (RF-45)
KTAQ (RF-46)

- Those three are at the ~1620' level on the tower.

I seem to recall that KDFI shares an antenna with Ion's KPXD. What I do discern is that KDFI (RF-36) is down from its usual 100% signal power and signal quality (now showing only 85% and 72%, respectively). Oddly KPXD (RF-42) is 100% for both of those readings.

- Those two are at the ~1627' level on the tower.

And the two top-mounted facilities (KDAF RF-32 and KSTR RF-48) are both on, reading 100% for both signal power and quality.

As I posted a few entries back, it's a shame that aside from Johnny Stigler, no other engineer or tech posts here to keep we geeks better informed. The fortunate souls in Greensboro, New Orleans and Roanoke, among others, all have the benefit of participation from those really in the know.

In fairness, given the tight deadline compounded by the foul weather, I'd imagine that any broadcaster sited at Richland South likely has no time at present to join our discussion.

On the other hand, they may just think we're a bunch of nuts to even be interested in such things as towers, transmitters and OTA antennas! :-)
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post #6124 of 6926
1/14/11 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post


I can't be certain (since I'm doing this remotely from work to home) but the trio of stations using a common antenna at Richland South are all off as of this moment:

KDTN (RF-43)
KDTX (RF-45)
KTAQ (RF-46)

- Those three are at the ~1620' level on the tower.

I seem to recall that KDFI shares an antenna with Ion's KPXD. What I do discern is that KDFI (RF-36) is down from its usual 100% signal power and signal quality (now showing only 85% and 72%, respectively). Oddly KPXD (RF-42) is 100% for both of those readings.

- Those two are at the ~1627' level on the tower.

And the two top-mounted facilities (KDAF RF-32 and KSTR RF-48) are both on, reading 100% for both signal power and quality.

As I posted a few entries back, it's a shame that aside from Johnny Stigler, no other engineer or tech posts here to keep we geeks better informed. The fortunate souls in Greensboro, New Orleans and Roanoke, among others, all have the benefit of participation from those really in the know.

In fairness, given the tight deadline compounded by the foul weather, I'd imagine that any broadcaster sited at Richland South likely has no time at present to join our discussion.

On the other hand, they may just think we're a bunch of nuts to even be interested in such things as towers, transmitters and OTA antennas! :-)

Isn't KTXA on the Richland North site?
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post #6125 of 6926
1/14/11 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nukeboy67 View Post

Isn't KTXA on the Richland North site?

No. Their ASRN is 1059733 (at 2133 Tar Road on the Ellis County line).

As always Trip's RabbitEars site comes the rescue with useful data:

http://www.rabbitears.info/oddsanden...r&asrn=1059733

For a brief period of time after the 12 JUN 2009 transition, KTXA (during its few weeks on RF-19) was on the Highway 67 site, near Cedar Hill High School. That's where KERA-TV is and will remain and where KTVT is for the next few days:

http://www.rabbitears.info/oddsanden...r&asrn=1047708
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post #6126 of 6926
1/14/11 at 1:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post

I can't be certain (since I'm doing this remotely from work to home) but the trio of stations using a common antenna at Richland South are all off as of this moment:

KDTN (RF-43)
KDTX (RF-45)
KTAQ (RF-46)

- Those three are at the ~1620' level on the tower.

I seem to recall that KDFI shares an antenna with Ion's KPXD. What I do discern is that KDFI (RF-36) is down from its usual 100% signal power and signal quality (now showing only 85% and 72%, respectively). Oddly KPXD (RF-42) is 100% for both of those readings.

- Those two are at the ~1627' level on the tower.

I thought there was just one common antenna that all of those stations are using. These antennas are usually more than 6 feet tall.

- Trip
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post #6127 of 6926
1/14/11 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nukeboy67 View Post

So, for not enough, they stay up there for 10 hours?! That's cold blooded.

I think he meant that, whatever it might be, they deserve more. Nothing cold-blooded about wishing for better compensation for the guys who take the greatest risks doing those things that are above the ability or comfort level of the "ordinary" person.
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post #6128 of 6926
1/14/11 at 1:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trip in VA View Post

I thought there was just one common antenna that all of those stations are using. These antennas are usually more than 6 feet tall.

And that's where real experts at the facilities could be so useful in this forum.

I based my presumption upon the FCC forms 301 and the make and model of the antennas specified for each station:

KDFI/KPXD: A-D Model A/CUK40671/1
KDTN/KDTX/KTAQ: RFS PHP-36C

I envy those fortunate folks over in the San Francisco thread. Detailed information about Sutro was provided there by those in the know. It's possible to visit that thread and know precisely where all the stations are located.
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post #6129 of 6926
1/14/11 at 1:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post
Here's the KTXA/KTVT antenna being put into place last month:
The video "has been removed by the user". Wonder why. It was very good.
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post #6130 of 6926
1/14/11 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bernie33 View Post
The video "has been removed by the user". Wonder why. It was very good.
Yep, too bad was very well done. Maybe it will show up on Erickson Air Crane's web site. They have some videos there like this one, not quite as breathtaking though...

http://www.ericksonaircrane.com/medi...ml#NevadaTower

I sent the Goliath video to a few ham radio guys who climb their amateur towers 50 to 160 ft or so, who would have enjoyed it.
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post #6131 of 6926
1/14/11 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post
And that's where real experts at the facilities could be so useful in this forum.

I based my presumption upon the FCC forms 301 and the make and model of the antennas specified for each station:

KDFI/KPXD: A-D Model A/CUK40671/1
KDTN/KDTX/KTAQ: RFS PHP-36C

I envy those fortunate folks over in the San Francisco thread. Detailed information about Sutro was provided there by those in the know. It's possible to visit that thread and know precisely where all the stations are located.
Wow, yeah, you're right. I hadn't noticed that.

And people laughed when I suggested including tower diagrams on RabbitEars. I still want to do it.

- Trip
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post #6132 of 6926
1/14/11 at 2:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post
I can't be certain (since I'm doing this remotely from work to home) but the trio of stations using a common antenna at Richland South are all off as of this moment:

KDTN (RF-43)
KDTX (RF-45)
KTAQ (RF-46)

- Those three are at the ~1620' level on the tower.

I seem to recall that KDFI shares an antenna with Ion's KPXD. What I do discern is that KDFI (RF-36) is down from its usual 100% signal power and signal quality (now showing only 85% and 72%, respectively). Oddly KPXD (RF-42) is 100% for both of those readings.

- Those two are at the ~1627' level on the tower.

And the two top-mounted facilities (KDAF RF-32 and KSTR RF-48) are both on, reading 100% for both signal power and quality.

As I posted a few entries back, it's a shame that aside from Johnny Stigler, no other engineer or tech posts here to keep we geeks better informed. The fortunate souls in Greensboro, New Orleans and Roanoke, among others, all have the benefit of participation from those really in the know.

In fairness, given the tight deadline compounded by the foul weather, I'd imagine that any broadcaster sited at Richland South likely has no time at present to join our discussion.

On the other hand, they may just think we're a bunch of nuts to even be interested in such things as towers, transmitters and OTA antennas! :-)
Thanks for the info. Are you saying that you are currently seeing a signal from KDFI? I'm showing 0 signal from them, but ION (KPXD) is showing a good signal (88 here).
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post #6133 of 6926
1/14/11 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by K5ING View Post
Are you saying that you are currently seeing a signal from KDFI? I'm showing 0 signal from them, but ION (KPXD) is showing a good signal (88 here).
As of 17:00 this date, here's what I'm showing for the stations on the Tar Road tower.

CALLS RF CHANNEL STRENGTH QUALITY
KDTN 43 0 0
KTXA 18 100 100
KDFI 36 84 77
KDAF 32 100 100
KDTX 45 0 0
KTAQ 46 0 0
KSTR 48 100 100
KPXD 42 100 100

My wild guess (since I'm not at home to find out for sure with the Sencore) is that KDFI is on their 11.2 kW facility since these readings are so far down from what I normally see.

And KPXD might be temporarily using their old site on the Sonsinger tower. Trip might know if this is even possible since it's no longer listed in the FCC database.

From afar, I'd wager that some tower work is going on beneath the candelabra which could explain why those facilities with antennas at lower elevations are either off or reduced power. That's all speculative guesswork on my part and likely anywhere from 0-99% accurate.

YMMV. Void where prohibited. Some of the chicks may be dead on delivery. Sex or breed not guaranteed. Not available in Nebraska.
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post #6134 of 6926
1/14/11 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post
As of 17:00 this date, here's what I'm showing for the stations on the Tar Road tower. [...]
Well...well...well. After carefully constructing the table in the prior post and running the disclaimer past the legal department, just mere minutes later, all of the facilities at Richland South are up and running at full strength (100%) and maximum quality (100%).

Here's KDFI as it now looks.
LL
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post #6135 of 6926
1/14/11 at 3:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by re_nelson View Post
And KPXD might be temporarily using their old site on the Sonsinger tower. Trip might know if this is even possible since it's no longer listed in the FCC database.
Quite possible, since the new facility is not yet licensed.

- Trip
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post #6136 of 6926
1/14/11 at 8:27pm
Quickly tuned to it on the satellite and it was working fine. Antennas at 100%.
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post #6137 of 6926
1/14/11 at 8:37pm
The video is back up. Looks like with a fixed typo in the intro.

Quite breathtaking!

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post #6138 of 6926
1/14/11 at 9:26pm
Thanks to JHBrandt for the tip on Radio-Info about KBOP/20 lighting up sometime today serving up yet another delicious dish of infomericials and religious programming (in English and Spanish). What a wonderful menu we are offered here in D/FW! :-)

There sure is a lot popping in the world of DTV over the next few days with the big changes involving KTVT, KTXA and KPFW. I've got to think that tower crews are in town and it was probably an opportune time to fire up KBOP. Can low power colleagues KPHK/28 and KNAV/22 be too far behind I wonder?
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post #6139 of 6926
1/16/11 at 3:49pm
I known about the 55 kW increase for weeks and I noticed today that my converter box tuned to WFAA pinged out at 94%. Did they upgrade?
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post #6140 of 6926
1/16/11 at 7:49pm
WFAA has been at 55Kw for several months. I just don't remember the date we bumped it up a notch.
JStigler
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post #6141 of 6926
1/16/11 at 7:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JStigler View Post

WFAA has been at 55Kw for several months. I just don't remember the date we bumped it up a notch.
JStigler

Then I guess it must be the weather. I haven't noticed a change in strength.
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post #6142 of 6926
1/16/11 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JStigler View Post

WFAA has been at 55Kw for several months. I just don't remember the date we bumped it up a notch.

It happened on Tuesday 20 APR 2010 and BDSTA-20100226AAU shows a status date of 15 APR 2010 of GRANTED.
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post #6143 of 6926
1/16/11 at 10:33pm
I was reading on the Radio-Info forums, KXAS-DT was to go off on Saturday. Now it's Monday and.... where's NonStop? They probably forgot or got too many emails about this change.
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post #6144 of 6926
1/17/11 at 2:57pm
It was supposed to be delayed until 12 Noon today --now their site just says "delayed due to weather". Any word??
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post #6145 of 6926
1/17/11 at 4:18pm
K31GL-D 31.3 "HOT TV" is not there tonight. I wonder what happened.
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post #6146 of 6926
1/17/11 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nukeboy67 View Post

I was reading on the Radio-Info forums, KXAS-DT was to go off on Saturday. Now it's Monday and.... where's NonStop? They probably forgot or got too many emails about this change.

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing! Although I'll miss the NBC5 radar, I still hate it when a new DTV channel is delayed!
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post #6147 of 6926
1/17/11 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wreck58 View Post

It was supposed to be delayed until 12 Noon today --now their site just says "delayed due to weather". Any word??

They still haven't switched, but KPFW is apparently off the air. Presumably they've vacated RF 29 so KTXA can go through with the switch.
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post #6148 of 6926
1/17/11 at 9:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ed_in_tx View Post

K31GL-D 31.3 "HOT TV" is not there tonight. I wonder what happened.

I was wondering the same thing. It's giving the same kind of signal that 31.5 had before actually broadcasting infomercials. There's a signal there, but no audio or video ("no service" on my converter).

I hope HOT-TV hasn't gone away. It was one of my favorite channels.
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post #6149 of 6926
1/17/11 at 11:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by K5ING View Post

I was wondering the same thing. It's giving the same kind of signal that 31.5 had before actually broadcasting infomercials. There's a signal there, but no audio or video ("no service" on my converter).

I hope HOT-TV hasn't gone away. It was one of my favorite channels.

Maybe this is a precursor. They might be fixing to flip to 33. A lot of stations have been turning on and switching since KTXA is going to switch. Maybe KHPK is fixing to turn it's signal too. Maybe the operators at "The Farm" might be asking everyone that has not turned on or switch to a different channel, to do it now while you still can maybe.
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post #6150 of 6926
1/18/11 at 9:08am
Got a reply back from "HOT", they had an equipment failure and will be back as soon as it's fixed.
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