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Chicago, IL - OTA - Page 6

post #151 of 11585
3/24/07 at 1:46pm
Gilbert -

What is this "analog channel 6" you mentioned in the "sticky" thread that we are supposed to soon be getting in our area?

And why in the world would a new station spend all that money to start out on analog when they'll just have to switch over to digital so soon?
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post #152 of 11585
3/24/07 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

Gilbert -

What is this "analog channel 6" you mentioned in the "sticky" thread that we are supposed to soon be getting in our area?

That would be the old analog channel 55 that displayed infomercials, some music videos, and was a simulcast of a low-power station (I think) in Los Angeles.

Quote:
And why in the world would a new station spend all that money to start out on analog when they'll just have to switch over to digital so soon?

$$$$. The company who owns those analog channels (55/61, soon to be 6/61)
are applying for digital channels, so that they can sell the channels to another buyer. They're just placeholders for the next guy and they're just running the cheapest programs possible to keep the thing official with the FCC. I saw an article somewhere where they wanted something like $10 million plus for those analog and digital LP's.

I would love to know how "far" analog channel 6 gets at 3 kw. We'll soon find out.
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post #153 of 11585
3/24/07 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

I would love to know how "far" analog channel 6 gets at 3 kw. We'll soon find out.

Is the signal coming from downtown?
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post #154 of 11585
3/24/07 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

Is the signal coming from downtown?

Yepppppers. From the Hancock.
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post #155 of 11585
3/25/07 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
This is the third or fourth time in a row that WMAQ isn't showing the NHL in HD/widescreen. Granted, I can get that from Rockford's WREX (and am doing so), but I wonder if they know about this...especially since this is coming straight from New York and not in WMAQ's control, IIRC.

Somebody nudge the guy at 30 Rock to throw the switch!

Edit: interesting that they are showing the NewYork game on analog, and the Boston game on digital, when it should be the other way around. WREX is doing the exact same thing, but the Boston game is in HD.

Edit: Now all channels are showing the NY game in the third period, but it is in SD (as NBC said it would be).
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post #156 of 11585
3/25/07 at 3:04pm
I believe this game was in HD as I watched pat of it on D* channel 82 and it looked real good. Our local NBC is a friggin joke. At least golf was n HD.
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post #157 of 11585
3/26/07 at 3:53am
Since a few people have expressed additional interest in transmitter coverage maps, I'd like to direct readers of this thread to this post in the OTA Software Tools thread.

A careful review of the data would be appreciated since the people here know much more about the local transmitters than I do.


Best regards,
Andy
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post #158 of 11585
3/26/07 at 7:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralphyboy View Post

I believe this game was in HD as I watched pat of it on D* channel 82 and it looked real good. Our local NBC is a friggin joke. At least golf was n HD.

2nd that!
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post #159 of 11585
3/26/07 at 9:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by (l)user View Post

No comments? I spent a year trying different (indoor) antennas and finally gave up. Then bought a new TV and then a new antenna just for that (50in plasma) and... eureka! Here it is: CBS in all its glory....

Can anyone try this small indoor antenna (Terk TV-5) and let me know if I just got lucky or is this thing is really good at pulling VHF?

I have this antenna in Schaumburg. Useless for WBBM, the analog signal is unwatchable. I could get it to lock individual strong UHF HD signals, but not consistently, and only by moving it to ridiculous positions around the room. Only way I've received WBBM HD is by use of the infamous L-tenna folded dipole which I posted on in the old thread.

Finally stuck a high-gain UHF antenna on the chimney via some RG-6. This gets me everything but WBBM, which since I don't watch CSI I only care about when there is an AFC NFL game.

When cutover happens, I'll probably put a VHF-HI antenna up on the pole with the UHF antenna. Or maybe by then AT&T will be delivering the dirt-cheap HD they keep telling me about in all those ads ...bu ha hahah.....
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post #160 of 11585
3/27/07 at 3:24pm
"The First Emperor" from the Metropolitan Opera is listed for WTTWD 11-1 on Wednesday 3/28 at 7:00 pm. Shot live in 1080i. Full info at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/...t/emperor.html
Directed by Zhang Yimou (of House of Flying Daggers fame). Music by Tan Dun (Hero, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Give it a try...
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post #161 of 11585
3/28/07 at 10:24am
Hi all, first post, noob, learning but not bright, please be kind

According to antennaweb, I am located 49 deg 0.4 miles from the Sears Tower (line of sight out my balcony) and 32 deg 1.9 miles from the Hancock (the entire loop in the way).

Not knowing any better, it seems like I am close and should get a strong clear signal.

But I got an antenna from Radio Shack, can't recall model off-hand but could get it once I'm home, and I basically got one very weak signal for ABC 7 and the rest static.

Do you think I should consider a different antenna?

Or maybe my setup was wrong? (I just tried to point it in different directions and run some cheap cable so I could place it near the wall facing the Sears tower.)

Or is it just hard to get a good signal that close to the city?

Please help, my stupid building only gets Dish, but doesn't support any local HD channels!
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post #162 of 11585
3/28/07 at 11:04am
Are you trying to receive digital or analog channels? You shouldn't be seeing static when using a digital tuner. Also, is the antenna UHF, VHF, or both? Uni- or omni-directional?
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post #163 of 11585
3/28/07 at 11:53am
Thanks for the replies.

The antenna's box says it receives UHF,VHF,FM,HD.

Perhaps I am just not using the antenna correctly if I am not supposed to be seeing static. I was just trying to flip through channels after connecting it to my TV.

The cable is an old one, I highly doubt it is up to any kind of a newer standard. Should I be able to keep the antenna close to the TV and receive a good signal given my location?

I'll fiddle around some more and post the antenna specs after I get home.
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post #164 of 11585
3/28/07 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by R Johnson View Post

"The First Emperor" from the Metropolitan Opera is listed for WTTWD 11-1 on Wednesday 3/28 at 7:00 pm. Shot live in 1080i. Full info at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/...t/emperor.html
Directed by Zhang Yimou (of House of Flying Daggers fame). Music by Tan Dun (Hero, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

Give it a try...

Did you know that WTTW Digital will downrez the broadcast to 720p and bit starve the signal with their three additional subchannels?
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post #165 of 11585
3/28/07 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moxie1617 View Post

Did you know that WTTW Digital will downrez the broadcast to 720p and bit starve the signal with their three additional subchannels?

I'm well aware of that. But based on viewing the two previous Met Opera broadcasts on my 720p projector, I expect this to look quite good. (And significantly better than at the movie theaters.) If you get a chance to see a bit of the show, I'd be interested in your opinion.
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post #166 of 11585
3/28/07 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeeky View Post

Perhaps I am just not using the antenna correctly if I am not supposed to be seeing static. I was just trying to flip through channels after connecting it to my TV.

After you hooked up the antenna did you do a channel scan for ATSC (digital) stations? Usually ATSC tuners require that you do a scan for available stations before you can tune them in.
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post #167 of 11585
3/28/07 at 3:47pm
Another curse at WTTW. I've been trying to record "Southwest Suburbs: Birthplace of Chicago" but it's pledge time. The start and end times they have listed are wrong because of this. The first try the end got cut off, tried again for today and I see the beginning got cut off. Can't y'all plan ahead how long you are going to blather and post the times correctly? Not to mention I'm not going to give them any money as long as they keep degrading 11.1 to make room for more stupid subchannels.
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post #168 of 11585
3/28/07 at 4:18pm
i was able to finally nail it down (southwest suburbs on wttw) today by looking at the schedule on wttw.com and padding the heck out of it. i, too, think it is a little underhanded of them to purposely misstate program times so that people cannot record them.

oh ya, not only did i capture it, but i edited out all the pledge pitches in between.

note to wttw: welcome to the 21st century folks, find a new way to raise money.
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post #169 of 11585
4/1/07 at 9:48am
No Joke! Channel 5 is finally showing the NHL in HD!

Looks like the equipment they have been waiting for all season is up and running. Just in time for the playoffs.

There's nothing like hockey in HD.
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post #170 of 11585
4/1/07 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks to Andy Lee for updating the Longley-Rice maps for the Chicago area, and for a file showing where all the analog and digital low and full power stations broadcast from exactly. I updated the posts at the start of this thread to show you how and where you can download it for Google Earth. It is WAY cool!

Thanks again, Andy!
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post #171 of 11585
4/2/07 at 7:59pm
So I bought a new (bigger) antenna a couple weeks ago to try and get a better signal for CBS. I still had no luck with it despite a better and more consistent signal. (probably still only about 20%). I accepted the fact that I probably still needed to add a preamp. I never got around to it and tonight decided to check if I could lock into the game (remembering posts about signal boost during the SuperBowl).

It would appear that either there's some really interesting tropo going on during major sporting events, or someone flipped a switch. We'll see when this ends. Granted, I'm getting a lot of pixellation and audio drops, but this is the first time I've ever even been able to receive a signal for CBS. Looks excellent when I get it.

Can someone confirm this or maybe explain what CBS is doing? I'd love to know as it may help me tune it in all the time (maybe just a preamp or FM trap will help?).
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post #172 of 11585
4/2/07 at 8:06pm
Quick question.

I own a sharp 1080p set. I noticed that dancing with the stars (720p) looks a fair bit worse than Leno & Conan (1080i) .

Am I crazy, or is there something up?
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post #173 of 11585
4/2/07 at 9:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mk1277 View Post

So I bought a new (bigger) antenna a couple weeks ago to try and get a better signal for CBS. I still had no luck with it despite a better and more consistent signal. (probably still only about 20%). I accepted the fact that I probably still needed to add a preamp. I never got around to it and tonight decided to check if I could lock into the game (remembering posts about signal boost during the SuperBowl).

It would appear that either there's some really interesting tropo going on during major sporting events, or someone flipped a switch. We'll see when this ends. Granted, I'm getting a lot of pixellation and audio drops, but this is the first time I've ever even been able to receive a signal for CBS. Looks excellent when I get it.

Can someone confirm this or maybe explain what CBS is doing? I'd love to know as it may help me tune it in all the time (maybe just a preamp or FM trap will help?).

You are correct with the tropo. I am getting Madison, Milwaukee and South Bend tonight. And...gasp, I am locking PSIP on WBBM...with a large VHF antenna...indoors!

On an unrelated subject...WSNS-DT has been off the air for over 24 hours now...forgot to mention that.
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post #174 of 11585
4/3/07 at 5:37am
Quote:


You are correct with the tropo.

Yeah, turned on the TV this AM and CBS is gone. Have to say that the absence of subchannels really makes a difference. What a picture they had for the game last night!

FWIW, my signal stays at about 60-65% on all UHF and only about 15% on CBS (antenna in attic about 38 miles out). Occasionally CBS will jump to about 60%, but drops faster than the tuner can pick it up. I noticed last night that it was about 65% when I was getting a good picture. At its worst, it stayed at about 15-20% with really bad pixellation - basically unwatchable.

So Sebenste, do you think that a preamp will solve my CBS problems forever? I know that you've posted recommended models before on this board. Not sure if there's one powerful enough to really help me. As usual, thanks in advance for your time/advise.
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post #175 of 11585
4/3/07 at 7:10am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mk1277 View Post

Yeah, turned on the TV this AM and CBS is gone. Have to say that the absence of subchannels really makes a difference. What a picture they had for the game last night!

FWIW, my signal stays at about 60-65% on all UHF and only about 15% on CBS (antenna in attic about 38 miles out). Occasionally CBS will jump to about 60%, but drops faster than the tuner can pick it up. I noticed last night that it was about 65% when I was getting a good picture. At its worst, it stayed at about 15-20% with really bad pixellation - basically unwatchable.

So Sebenste, do you think that a preamp will solve my CBS problems forever? I know that you've posted recommended models before on this board. Not sure if there's one powerful enough to really help me. As usual, thanks in advance for your time/advise.

Hey MJ,

What antenna are you using, brand/model? Also, is there an amplifier or preamplifier on there now? I need to know that first. Thanks!
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post #176 of 11585
4/3/07 at 7:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Hey MJ,

What antenna are you using, brand/model? Also, is there an amplifier or preamplifier on there now? I need to know that first. Thanks!


Hiya. The antenna is a Philips SDV9011K/17 (or MANT901). I know I didn't get a Winegard or CM - don't laugh. There is no preamp/amp on the line right now. I noticed a considerable increase in the stability of my signal over my old (and small) Winegard (see the old thread around SuperBowl time).

I don't have the full dimensions of the antenna, but it's boom is about twice my old one and it has 51 elements. I grabbed the Philips while I was at Menard's. If I lived closer to Arlington Heights, I'd go to Tri-State but I'm out in Plainfield so I went with this for convenience.
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post #177 of 11585
4/3/07 at 8:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mk1277 View Post

Hiya. The antenna is a Philips SDV9011K/17 (or MANT901). I know I didn't get a Winegard or CM - don't laugh. There is no preamp/amp on the line right now. I noticed a considerable increase in the stability of my signal over my old (and small) Winegard (see the old thread around SuperBowl time).

Hi MK (I'll get the initials right one of these days. I'm not a morning person! )

Quote:


I don't have the full dimensions of the antenna, but it's boom is about twice my old one and it has 51 elements. I grabbed the Philips while I was at Menard's. If I lived closer to Arlington Heights, I'd go to Tri-State but I'm out in Plainfield so I went with this for convenience.

Well...two things.

One, I haven't had any experience with this antenna, and two, the design looks pretty good. BUT...

The antenna elements don't appear long enough to support getting WBBM well. You could try a decent preamplifier...but be advised you could overload the UHF stations and cause problems. Unfortunately, because the FCC didn't make it convenient for us to get WBBM on channel 3, you can't have convenience with this problem, either. If you are only getting 10% or 20% signal, a ChannelMaster 7777 preamp might help...or it might not. You really need one of the antennas listed on my post near the top of the thread for you to have a reasonable chance. You can try that preamp, but I give it, or any preamp, less than a 50% chance to work. The only thing I would suggest is tune to channel 3
on your DTV tuner and readjust or move your antenna for the best possible reception, and if at all possible, get it outdoors. If you still can't get higher than 20% for a signal, return the antenna, and either get one of the antennas known to work at that distance and swallow the $10 in gas and tolls, or order them online. Sorry.
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post #178 of 11585
4/3/07 at 8:29am
Haven't seen this mentioned: NBC Nightly News is now in HD.
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post #179 of 11585
4/3/07 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebenste View Post

Hi MK (I'll get the initials right one of these days. I'm not a morning person! )



Well...two things.

One, I haven't had any experience with this antenna, and two, the design looks pretty good. BUT...

The antenna elements don't appear long enough to support getting WBBM well. You could try a decent preamplifier...but be advised you could overload the UHF stations and cause problems. Unfortunately, because the FCC didn't make it convenient for us to get WBBM on channel 3, you can't have convenience with this problem, either. If you are only getting 10% or 20% signal, a ChannelMaster 7777 preamp might help...or it might not. You really need one of the antennas listed on my post near the top of the thread for you to have a reasonable chance. You can try that preamp, but I give it, or any preamp, less than a 50% chance to work. The only thing I would suggest is tune to channel 3
on your DTV tuner and readjust or move your antenna for the best possible reception, and if at all possible, get it outdoors. If you still can't get higher than 20% for a signal, return the antenna, and either get one of the antennas known to work at that distance and swallow the $10 in gas and tolls, or order them online. Sorry.

Hey Sebenste. No problem. I knew that I was kinda going on the low end with this one and should have gone for the sure thing with those other antennas. FWIW, the longest elements are 51" in each direction (so 102" tip to tip). I'll look into the preamp or maybe I can add a couple of longer elements? Just a thought since the last 4 elements are easily removed with a nut and bolt. Personally, I think my biggest problem is that I have it in the attic. The VHF elements are WELL into the attic space and away from the outside wall due to the size. I have the antenna oriented with a compass according to antennaweb, but maybe there's a sweet spot somewhere. As an aside, antenna started picking up the signal again this AM. Still not really watchable, but oh so close.

Thanks as always.
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post #180 of 11585
4/3/07 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mk1277 View Post

Hey Sebenste. No problem. I knew that I was kinda going on the low end with this one and should have gone for the sure thing with those other antennas. FWIW, the longest elements are 51" in each direction (so 102" tip to tip). I'll look into the preamp or maybe I can add a couple of longer elements? Just a thought since the last 4 elements are easily removed with a nut and bolt. Personally, I think my biggest problem is that I have it in the attic. The VHF elements are WELL into the attic space and away from the outside wall due to the size. I have the antenna oriented with a compass according to antennaweb, but maybe there's a sweet spot somewhere. As an aside, antenna started picking up the signal again this AM. Still not really watchable, but oh so close.

Thanks as always.

Nah, don't mess with the elements, or it will make reception worse. Try the preamp, and see if it does the trick, but make sure you can return it. The chances for success here don't sound good with that antenna, but if you're willing to gamble...and yes, I understand. My VHF antenna in my attic has the longest rods on the west side of my townhome, which doesn't help me. But, to be honest, it doesn't matter because of my distance to WBBM anyway.
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