Question about TV Fool

[MR5229]

Does anybody know how accurate the tv coverage maps are on tvfool.com? I sometimes try to use the TV coverage map to approximate the coverage for a FM station that's near or on the same transmitter site. I figure the maps should be similar for FM vs. TV. I definitely know the power output is different for each station and propagation is different for UHF vs. FM. However I try to figure it out by looking at the coverage map for a high VHF RF station, not a UHF RF station. Not sure however if that would be accurate enough.

 

[ercjncpr]

They are only generally accurate. A lot of the channels that TV Fool says I should get, I do not, or I get them sporadically. This is due to obstructions in my local neighborhood and my mobile home's construction. Anyone using TV Fool, should take those kinds of factors into account.

 

[w9wi]

Does anybody know how accurate the tv coverage maps are on tvfool.com? I sometimes try to use the TV coverage map to approximate the coverage for a FM station that's near or on the same transmitter site. I figure the maps should be similar for FM vs. TV. I definitely know the power output is different for each station and propagation is different for UHF vs. FM. However I try to figure it out by looking at the coverage map for a high VHF RF station, not a UHF RF station. Not sure however if that would be accurate enough.

You can get a more accurate map from the FCC.

- http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/fmq.html
- Use the search page to find the station you want. (usually easiest to use the call letters)
- On the results page, you'll see one or more technical facility records. Click on the call letters of the one you want. (if the same set of calls appears more than once, it doesn't matter which one you click on)
- The next page (confusingly, also titled "FM Query Results") will contain the technical details on the station. If it has a backup transmitter, and/or a recent change in facilities, there will be more than one record. You want the one where the "Service Designation" is FM; the status is "Licensed"; and where the "CDBS Application ID" number is the highest. (this is the newest set of facilities)
- Click on the "Service Contour Map" link.

The resulting map shows where the FCC's procedures believe this station will provide interference-protected service. It doesn't take terrain into account, so it will be inaccurate in hilly territory. And of course the coverage of a station depends greatly on the quality of the *receiver* (and receiving antenna) so do not take these maps as absolute gospel.

But they will be a LOT more accurate than anything you can estimate from TV facilities.

 

[MR5229]

The resulting map shows where the FCC's procedures believe this station will provide interference-protected service. It doesn't take terrain into account, so it will be inaccurate in hilly territory. And of course the coverage of a station depends greatly on the quality of the *receiver* (and receiving antenna) so do not take these maps as absolute gospel.

[/quote]

I live in the SF Bay Area, so the hilly terrain does make a difference over here.

 

[w9wi]

I live in the SF Bay Area, so the hilly terrain does make a difference over here.

I'm pretty sure TV Fool's maps don't take terrain into account either.

 

[KyDXIn]

They are only generally accurate. A lot of the channels that TV Fool says I should get, I do not, or I get them sporadically. This is due to obstructions in my local neighborhood and my mobile home's construction. Anyone using TV Fool, should take those kinds of factors into account.

Why don't you use www.fmfool.com?