Any idea what's going on with 2.1 and its subchannels? Sometimes signal strenth is excellent. Other times the picture keeps breaking up. Other times nothing at all. This is with a roof UHF/VHF antenna. The other channels are consistent. But on 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 the signal is completely undependable. Are they having some kind of problem? Anybody else experience this?
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What's the Problem with KJWPDT ME TV2?
- Thread starter Oscar Madison
- Start date
U
Unregistered
Guest
Since you're not getting sub-channel 2.4, my guess is you need a digital tuner or a new antenna.
I do get 2.4. I just don't watch it. Also 2.5, which doesn't seem to have anything on it. I was wondering if splitting the channel five ways could be part of the problem.
Adding subchannels may decrease the quality of the picture slightly. That's why CBS didn't start using subchannels on its stations till recently. But I don't think picture quality is your problem. Most people wouldn't notice the difference. Yours seems more a problem of reception.
Let's remember that Channel 2 is a VHF channel. With digital television, reception for VHF is not as good as UHF, the exact opposite of analog days. Channel 2 might be the worst channel of all. Almost no other station in the U.S. is using it. Those digital stations still in the VHF band are mostly between Channel 7 and 13.
The owners of KJWP wanted Channel 2 for its placement on cable systems, not because it's a good channel to transmit TV signals over the air. You may improve reception by making sure your antenna is pointed EXACTLY at the transmitter. Even being off by a few degrees makes a difference. And while you're getting the Philly UHF stations well (including ones that still use their VHF channel number even though they are really on a UHF channel), you're not going to get the same reliable reception from a VHF signal, especially at Channel 2.
Let's remember that Channel 2 is a VHF channel. With digital television, reception for VHF is not as good as UHF, the exact opposite of analog days. Channel 2 might be the worst channel of all. Almost no other station in the U.S. is using it. Those digital stations still in the VHF band are mostly between Channel 7 and 13.
The owners of KJWP wanted Channel 2 for its placement on cable systems, not because it's a good channel to transmit TV signals over the air. You may improve reception by making sure your antenna is pointed EXACTLY at the transmitter. Even being off by a few degrees makes a difference. And while you're getting the Philly UHF stations well (including ones that still use their VHF channel number even though they are really on a UHF channel), you're not going to get the same reliable reception from a VHF signal, especially at Channel 2.
I am using a Clear Stream 2V aimed at Roxborough. It works fine for 6ABC and 12PBS, which are also on VHF.
If I couldn't get KJWP at all, it would be one thing. The problem is sometimes it's fine, sometimes spotty and other times not there at all. This does not occur with the other VHF stations, or the UHF stations.
If I couldn't get KJWP at all, it would be one thing. The problem is sometimes it's fine, sometimes spotty and other times not there at all. This does not occur with the other VHF stations, or the UHF stations.
My guess is 6 and 12 are more powerful. And they're higher on the VHF dial.
At my summer home, we get the local Ion station perfectly sometimes, not at all sometimes. And Ion has six channels. We also get a secondary ABC station perfectly sometimes, not at other times. And I know when I don't have the antenna pointed perfectly, the primary ABC station drops in and out. And they're on a VHF channel.
Digital TV isn't perfect. But overall, we're getting better pictures and sound on more stations, even though a few others were either lost or have problems.
At my summer home, we get the local Ion station perfectly sometimes, not at all sometimes. And Ion has six channels. We also get a secondary ABC station perfectly sometimes, not at other times. And I know when I don't have the antenna pointed perfectly, the primary ABC station drops in and out. And they're on a VHF channel.
Digital TV isn't perfect. But overall, we're getting better pictures and sound on more stations, even though a few others were either lost or have problems.
K
K.M. Richards
Guest
And after all the drama surrounding KJWP ... moving it across the country via a FCC loophole, signal issues, etc., they've now filed to sell it to the owners of WFMZ-TV in Allentown:
https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...ext=25&appn=101717133&formid=314&fac_num=1283
https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...ext=25&appn=101717133&formid=314&fac_num=1283
Just KJWP or is WJLP in NYC being sold to them also? Disney or Fox weren't interested in purchasing KJWP to create a duopoly?
K
K.M. Richards
Guest
I get my notifications via the FCC's Daily Digest and only KJWP was listed as a Form 314 filing (application for assignment of license) yesterday. That doesn't mean PMCM TV isn't negotiating to sell WJLP, only that no paperwork has been filed to do so at this time.
K
K.M. Richards
Guest
I think a lot of us guessed as much when they affiliated both with MeTV. Outside of those two markets, there are only about a dozen ".1" MeTV affiliates other than LPTVs, one of which -- KVME/20 Bishop CA -- actually simulcasts Los Angeles affiliate KDOC/56.3 as a means of getting it onto DirecTV in that market. None of the rest are in major markets.
So once Maranatha Broadcasting takes over, MeTV is regulated back to a digital subchannel again like when it was on channel 69. The question is, is it a digital subchannel of channel 2 or does it move back to 69? Does Maranatha have enough programming for 2 independent stations in the market? Do they produce a local newscast on KJWP that targets Philly/Wilmington?
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K.M. Richards
Guest
Those are all good questions to ask under the circumstances, but short of a crystal ball, I think it's too early to attempt any real definitive answers or speculation.
Re-ordering your questions, here's how I think the answer will probably shake out:
If Maranatha has enough programming -- or can acquire more -- to run two full indies, that's the scenario that would bring in the most revenue so the odds would be highly in favor of that approach. If the numbers don't pencil out, they may leave MeTV on channel 2 and sell commercials in combination with WFMZ.
Given that they were the MeTV affiliate before KJWP moved in, they probably would have flexibility with Weigel as to where the network ended up if it doesn't stay where it is. It's practically a coin flip as to whether it would land on 2.2 or 69.2, but I doubt Philly would be left without it somewhere "on the dial".
Last I knew, KJWP was running MeTV 24/7 with no local programming, news or otherwise. I'm not even sure they can originate programming from anywhere but the transmitter site. Perhaps someone local with knowledge of that can weigh in.
WFMZ has replaced ME with H&I (heroes and icons), another oldies channel from the same company. WFMZ continues run oldies channel RTC (Retro TV).
KJWP also has three sub-channels currently operating.
Doesn't seem to be any shortage of "networks" they could pick up. Really no reason to move ME back to one of their 69.* sub-channels. But if they did, the most like move would be to move H&I to 2.1.
WFMZ already does three distinct news packages (Lehigh, Berks and Spanish-language). Adding a Wilmington news package would seem consistent with their operating approach. There might be a sticking point in their sharing arrangement with 6ABC; Wilmington may be a little too close for ABC's comfort. People in Wilmington keep saying they want their own local TV news but they don't seem to have supported it when they had it (WHYY-TV, Comcast). If they did do news for Wilmington, would they keep Scary Larry, who is sort of tainted goods at this point. Maybe Larry and Dawn might draw curiosity seekers; keeping them would be another matter. Cheaper alternative would be to put crews in Wilmington but do the news from Allentown.
KJWP also has three sub-channels currently operating.
Doesn't seem to be any shortage of "networks" they could pick up. Really no reason to move ME back to one of their 69.* sub-channels. But if they did, the most like move would be to move H&I to 2.1.
WFMZ already does three distinct news packages (Lehigh, Berks and Spanish-language). Adding a Wilmington news package would seem consistent with their operating approach. There might be a sticking point in their sharing arrangement with 6ABC; Wilmington may be a little too close for ABC's comfort. People in Wilmington keep saying they want their own local TV news but they don't seem to have supported it when they had it (WHYY-TV, Comcast). If they did do news for Wilmington, would they keep Scary Larry, who is sort of tainted goods at this point. Maybe Larry and Dawn might draw curiosity seekers; keeping them would be another matter. Cheaper alternative would be to put crews in Wilmington but do the news from Allentown.
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