POST 2009 Actual Channel instead of Virtual Channel

[e-dawg]

What Post DTV 2009 are showing the actual channel instead of the virtual channel? I know these stations are showing the actual channel instead of virtual channel. Is this legal? I know some tv stations tried to run the actual channel instead of the virtual channel, but FCC said "NO!". I know KCSM did tried 43.1, but they switch back to 60.1.

KVIQ - Eureka shows 17.1 instead of 6.1
KBVU - Eureka shows 28.1 instead of 29.1
KCVU - Paradise/Chico shows 20.1 instead of 30.1
KPST - Seattle shows 44.1 instead of 45.1
KWDK - Tacoma/Seattle shows 42.1 instead of 56.1
WNVC - Fairfax/Washington shows 30.1 instead of 53.1
WNVT - Goldenvien/Washington 30.5 instead of 56.1

Any others?

 

[Sammi Brie]

All the 3ABN-owned digital stations map to 73.x (should be 8.x).

KAZT-CA maps to 7.x like its parent station (which is outside the Phoenix metro area but in the market).

 

[quadraphonic]

Did the FCC say "No" when stations wanted to go by their new numbers?
Seems like the stations back then had the option, and some that were looking for a new start or had a better-sounding-for-marketing number tried it. But it was more complicated and confusing for viewers [oh man, now we gotta remember ANOTHER number? ???] than it should have been [it would have only affected OTA viewers anyway], so most of those went back to their original number.

 

[Sammi Brie]

Did the FCC say "No" when stations wanted to go by their new numbers?
Seems like the stations back then had the option, and some that were looking for a new start or had a better-sounding-for-marketing number tried it. But it was more complicated and confusing for viewers [oh man, now we gotta remember ANOTHER number? ???] than it should have been [it would have only affected OTA viewers anyway], so most of those went back to their original number.

It's actually in the ATSC standards which the FCC codified.

Also: if a station on RF channel X maps to Y.x, a station on RF channel Y must map to X.x.

 

[quadraphonic]

Dang.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

WLIO/Lima OH, the NBC affiliate in the market, maps to its RF channel 8. It was analog 35.

To further confuse matters, a low-power station now co-owned by WLIO went digital on 35, and maps to 35.

Between WLIO and its subchannel, and the new WOHL-CD 35 and its subchannel, the four major networks air in Lima in digital format.

 

[EricStein]

KAIL Fresno, CA goes by 7.x, instead of its old analog number, 53.
WOAY-TV Oak Hill, WV is now 50.x, not 4.x

 

[dave73]

While WYIN Gary Indiana maps to 56.1 - 56.4, they do their station identifications with WYIN DT17 Gary/Merrillville. For 56.3 (Lakeshore Kids, which is PBS Kids Go programming), the station identification is WYIN 17.3 Gary/Merrillville (physical channel is actually 17.5)

 

[Poledo]

WPAN in Fort Walton Beach (Mobile, Alabama market) is using it's actual channel number 40-1. They were analog on 53. This is a rather insignificant station as it time shifts programs from the local Cable Access channel, BLAB-TV, and broadcast them to OTA viewers and gets "must carry" on Dish/Directv/U-Verse and many outlying smaller cable systems spread over a rather large geographic market.

 

[flytrap]

I've never liked these "fake" channel numbers anyway. I would rather know the actual channel numbers. Some converter boxes and TV sets let you type the channel number directly into the remote. If you do this before you have run the scan it will tune to the "real" number and you won't get the station. It also helps when buying an antenna. especially if you are in a fringe area. For instance our local channel 3 is acutally on channel 30. If I'm looking for the best VHF antenna for channel 3, it won't work because the station is really on UHF. This is the main reason why people have been having fits trying to pick up local over the air TV especially VHF. Most of the time it's not the stations fault you can't pick it up. If your trying to pick up VHF and you have one of those little square or round "digital" antennas that are so hot these days, you won't pick up squat on VHF unless your 10 or 15 miles from the station. If you want to watch over the air, you need a "real" outside antenna.
I don't see why it would be a problem changing the channel numbers. all they would have to do is change the station ID, logo, the numbers on the microphones and the sign out front. and maybe get some new decals for the truck. Not cheap, but not that big of a deal. Of course you'd have to explain why the numbers were differnt to the old people because their heads would explode if the Price is Right and Matlock came on the wrong channel number. Most of the old folks that have cable still can't figure out why channel "12" comes out on "13".

 

[dhett]

All the 3ABN-owned digital stations map to 73.x (should be 8.x).

KAZT-CA maps to 7.x like its parent station (which is outside the Phoenix metro area but in the market).

Both instances are compliant with FCC regulations.

I don't believe that the FCC puts a priority on enforcing regulations against LPTV stations. KEJR analog was on channel 43, but KEJR digital maps to channel 40, its actual RF channel.

 

[dhett]

I've never liked these "fake" channel numbers anyway. I would rather know the actual channel numbers.

Even your "actual" channel number is an artificial designation. Using channel 3 that you cited, it moved from 60 - 66 MHz to 566 - 572 MHz. Or if you truly want the actual number, 566.309440559 MHz.

So basically, since "channel 30" is just a shorter, easier way of giving the frequency, there's really no difference in calling it channel 30 or channel 3. Virtual channel numbers, convoluted as they are sometimes, actually make things easier. For instance, here in Phoenix, KPHE-LP broadcast in analog on channel 44. They opened a digital companion channel on RF channel 16, then later shut down the analog signal. They can still brand and send out PSIP as channel 44. In a short while, they will be moving to RF channel 31, due to interference from full power stations on RF channels 15 and 17. They will still keep the channel 44 brand and PSIP, and the change will be fairly transparent, other than rescanning for the channel.

 

[tripinva]

WPAN in Fort Walton Beach (Mobile, Alabama market) is using it's actual channel number 40-1. They were analog on 53. This is a rather insignificant station as it time shifts programs from the local Cable Access channel, BLAB-TV, and broadcast them to OTA viewers and gets "must carry" on Dish/Directv/U-Verse and many outlying smaller cable systems spread over a rather large geographic market.

WPAN isn't mapping at all, which is a violation of FCC rules. They're not actively choosing to map to 40-1, they're simply not sending any mapping data.

- Trip

 

[vchimpanzee]

I haven't tried it lately on Wall-E, but WLXI Greensboro, NC supposedly uses channel 43, its real channel number, rather than 61, which was its analog number (and also where the call letters came from).

On a related topic, since antennas were mentioned, I saw a newspaper article that said powered antennas don't do anything to help you pick up a weak signal. They just get the signal t the TV if there's a long cord. I don't think that's correct. I read somewhere if you're a long way from the towers you'd better have at least 30 dB. Converter box no.1 has 45 dB, but Sears didn't have but one and I bought Wall-E, as I call it, from Radio Shack. It was their strongest other than an outdoor antenna I didn't want to spend that much on. But it's only 25 dB and doesn't give me nearly the results of the other antenna. The location may be a factor, though. I certainly pick up more stations with Wall-E under ideal conditions, and I can change the direction.