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TV UHF DX?
- Thread starter kd8hho
- Start date
crainbebo said:
That's not correct. LPTV's can switch to digital but there are a number of them around the country which are still broadcasting in analog only. They didn't face the "drop-dead" date to switch to digital like the full-power stations, but eventually all low power stations will be required to either go digital or go off the air.
crainbebo said:
Not true.
LPTV stations are not required to switch to digital (*yet), but they may switch to digital if they wish.
* The FCC has announced that LPTV stations will be required to go digital eventually, but no date has been set. There was a report posted yesterday in another board on this site suggesting that a date will be set this spring, I haven't seen that anywhere official yet.
But yes, the station he saw was most probably WMUN-LP. They have applied for permission to switch from analog operation to digital, but the FCC hasn't acted on that application yet.
I was wondering about something and I'm sure someone here could answer this so I can be certain.
Aren't all the over the air HDTV channels now on UHF?
During the summer, I was finally sick of paying for cable because I don't care for most of what's on there anymore and figured I'm not paying for stuff I don't watch anyway.
So I got a good $30 dollar HDTV antenna which also has a little booster near the TV connection. It's a little flat square thing and I have it at the top shelf of the closet with the 75 OHM cable wire from it running along the floor board to the TV.
There's quite a selection aside from the main local stations, including two channels I really like, THIS and Retro TV.
Most of the time, the signal is good because I'm right in the city of Tampa but there are times when the signal breaks up and sometimes is lost all together and this is mainly during heavy rain.
The signal also gets knocked out for a second when there are lightning strikes nearby.
That's why I was wondering if these channels are on UHF because they seem to behave more like UHF than VHF.
Aren't all the over the air HDTV channels now on UHF?
During the summer, I was finally sick of paying for cable because I don't care for most of what's on there anymore and figured I'm not paying for stuff I don't watch anyway.
So I got a good $30 dollar HDTV antenna which also has a little booster near the TV connection. It's a little flat square thing and I have it at the top shelf of the closet with the 75 OHM cable wire from it running along the floor board to the TV.
There's quite a selection aside from the main local stations, including two channels I really like, THIS and Retro TV.
Most of the time, the signal is good because I'm right in the city of Tampa but there are times when the signal breaks up and sometimes is lost all together and this is mainly during heavy rain.
The signal also gets knocked out for a second when there are lightning strikes nearby.
That's why I was wondering if these channels are on UHF because they seem to behave more like UHF than VHF.
K
kenrayc
Guest
crainbebo said:
Most LPs in Fresno did go digital, One company Cocola Broadcasting had one full power station and about a dozen LP stations, KGMC 43 was the main full power, what they were able to do was for one was granted a LP to Full power upgrade on a second station KSDI on digital ch 44, and only added digital LP KJEO 32, what they did by using 5 Subchannels on the each of the 3 DTV channels created 15 channels for all stations and they shut down all but 2 analog stations(Azteca america and HSN) which those 2 stations are on digital as well, There's only 3 other analog LPs left TBN, 3Angels, and MTV 3.
gar fla said:
Nope. Unfortunately that's a pretty common misconception, even among those who sell antennas...
There are very few DTV stations on *low-band* VHF (what used to be channels 2-6), but even there there are some. There are quite a few on high-band. (what used to be channels 7-13)
The Tampa stations that were on VHF analog are still on VHF digital. (channels 3, 8, 10, and 13. All except 10 are on *different* VHF frequencies, but they're on VHF.) The ones that were UHF are still UHF. Tampa is somewhat unusual in that -- usually at least one VHF-low station (like channel 3) ended up on a UHF frequency.
If your flat antenna doesn't have any "ears" (like the old "rabbit ears"), it's not particularly effective for channels 3, 8, 10, and 13. You might find a model with ears will be more reliable on these channels.
Thank you for finally clearing this up!
The fact the antenna is small and flat made me assume all digital is UHF.
My friend near by has rabbit ears for her TV and extending them on the lower channels 3 through 13 didn't seem to make any difference in reception but then again, it doesn't have any booster either.
So a better antenna would help keep the signals steady during rain and lightning strikes?
The fact the antenna is small and flat made me assume all digital is UHF.
My friend near by has rabbit ears for her TV and extending them on the lower channels 3 through 13 didn't seem to make any difference in reception but then again, it doesn't have any booster either.
So a better antenna would help keep the signals steady during rain and lightning strikes?
gar fla said:
That's certainly a reasonable conclusion for a non-technical viewer to reach. If only it were true
Sometimes extending them isn't the answer. Some viewers have found they work better when they're *shorter*.
Basically, for an antenna to behave according to theory, there should be no electrically-conductive obstructions within about 1 wavelength. For the lowest frequency in use in the Tampa area, a wavelength is a bit less than 2 meters -- about 6 feet. Obviously, it's very rare to be able to place an indoor antenna 6 feet from any conductive objects! (heck, *you* are electrically-conductive...)
So really, for the most part you have to throw theory and engineering out the window when you're dealing with an indoor antenna. Try everything and keep what works.....
It might.
The problem could be that the amplifier in your antenna is making signals too strong, an unamplified antenna might work better. We generally don't recommend amplified antennas or boosters for viewers within 15 miles of a tower.
gar fla said:
In your case (where the booster is built-in to the antenna), it's possible simply unplugging the AC cord will make reception *worse*. Often, a booster won't pass any signals at all if you disconnect the power supply. On the other hand, you can't break anything permanently by simply unplugging the AC, so it's worth trying. If it makes things worse, you just plug it back in..
In cases where people have a booster separate from the antenna, it's worth trying disconnecting the booster from the antenna line -- disconnecting the line coming from teh antenna from the booster and connecting it directly to the TV. That will always pass signals.
F
FreddyE1977
Guest
jd said:
A good example is WBGN-LP in Pittsburgh. It switched to digital shortly after the full-power switch for two reasons.
- it's analog signal was on ch 59, which is in the part of the band they'd have to vacate anyway.
- Comcast booted them from their slot on the local cable system. Since LPTV's are not must-carry,
they quickly re-launched on Digital ch 16 (vacated by WQEX-TV) to try and salvage as much of their
local audience as they could.
Gar,
If you shceck the menu of your HDTV or converter box; go to settings, then manual tuning and that should show you the actual broadcast frequency.
Channel 3 is actually channel 13
Channel 8 is actually channel 7
Channel 10 is actually channel 10 as of 12 June (they were channel 24 until that time)
channel 13 is actually channel 12.
All the other Tampa Bay area channels (including WWSB Sarasota - with tower in Parrish) are UHF.
When channel 10 was broadcasting on channel 24, I could receive them, with my Radio Shack slightly amplified antenna that looks like a fly saucer with rabbit ears (and remote); now than channel 10 switched from 24 to 10, I can no longer receiver them; but RETRO and THIS plus the additional sub-channels on WEDU and WUSF more than make up for the lackluster CBS schedule. No CBS but 2 ABS affiliates, WFTS 28 and WWSB out of Sarasota/Parrish ( and btw, WWSB local news is still standard definition and not HD as are many other programs on other stations.
btw- placing your antenna closer to a window or even higher may help your reception; it did for me and of course, the sensitivity of your TV or converter box is also a factor.
drt
st. pete
If you shceck the menu of your HDTV or converter box; go to settings, then manual tuning and that should show you the actual broadcast frequency.
Channel 3 is actually channel 13
Channel 8 is actually channel 7
Channel 10 is actually channel 10 as of 12 June (they were channel 24 until that time)
channel 13 is actually channel 12.
All the other Tampa Bay area channels (including WWSB Sarasota - with tower in Parrish) are UHF.
When channel 10 was broadcasting on channel 24, I could receive them, with my Radio Shack slightly amplified antenna that looks like a fly saucer with rabbit ears (and remote); now than channel 10 switched from 24 to 10, I can no longer receiver them; but RETRO and THIS plus the additional sub-channels on WEDU and WUSF more than make up for the lackluster CBS schedule. No CBS but 2 ABS affiliates, WFTS 28 and WWSB out of Sarasota/Parrish ( and btw, WWSB local news is still standard definition and not HD as are many other programs on other stations.
btw- placing your antenna closer to a window or even higher may help your reception; it did for me and of course, the sensitivity of your TV or converter box is also a factor.
drt
st. pete
Lightning is a big problem for low band VHF digital as discovered by most of those that tried it early on. Durring the first big storm of the summer one low band HD thought their transmitter was off even though the remote control said everything was OK. The studios were fairly close to the transmitter but the off air HD signal was completely gone.
At least you could still see the tornado warnings through the lightning static with analog.
At least you could still see the tornado warnings through the lightning static with analog.
This happens to a lesser degree on 7-13 as well. Lightning brings HDTV to it's knees right when it's needed most. Unfortunately, they didn't bother testing what effect lightning has on it in their labs when they designed this. The problem is all but non existent on UHF.boiseengineer said:
Not to nit-pick, but I believe that a wavelength at channel 2 would be closer to 20 feet than 6 feet. A quarter wave at 100mhz is around 30", so around 50mhz it would be 5', making a full wave length somewhere near 20'.w9wi said:gar fla said:
That's certainly a reasonable conclusion for a non-technical viewer to reach. If only it were true
Sometimes extending them isn't the answer. Some viewers have found they work better when they're *shorter*.
Basically, for an antenna to behave according to theory, there should be no electrically-conductive obstructions within about 1 wavelength. For the lowest frequency in use in the Tampa area, a wavelength is a bit less than 2 meters -- about 6 feet. Obviously, it's very rare to be able to place an indoor antenna 6 feet from any conductive objects! (heck, *you* are electrically-conductive...)
So really, for the most part you have to throw theory and engineering out the window when you're dealing with an indoor antenna. Try everything and keep what works.....
It might.
The problem could be that the amplifier in your antenna is making signals too strong, an unamplified antenna might work better. We generally don't recommend amplified antennas or boosters for viewers within 15 miles of a tower.
An indoor antenna may cost you 10db of signal on VHF. 20db on UHF. In other words, an
outside antenna is a must for watching digital TV.
Stations that once had snow with analog are now crystal clear. I live 50 miles south of Indianapolis and
65 miles north of Louisville. Both these cities come in perfectly. Dayton and Cincinnati come
in when we have tropo.
It's not as easy to DX with this digital setup. But, when you get a station, it comes in clear.
What is the DX record for digital television?
outside antenna is a must for watching digital TV.
Stations that once had snow with analog are now crystal clear. I live 50 miles south of Indianapolis and
65 miles north of Louisville. Both these cities come in perfectly. Dayton and Cincinnati come
in when we have tropo.
It's not as easy to DX with this digital setup. But, when you get a station, it comes in clear.
What is the DX record for digital television?
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