What are the weakest markets in New England for digital TV as far as signal reception is concerned? I say it's the Providence market. Most if not all of the areas 7 TV stations have weak power and directional antennas, and virtually all of the stations cannot be received in the Boston area, only about 45 miles away (but the analog signals from Providence are pretty strong, for the most part). A close second has to be the Hartford-New Haven market, based on what I've seen on this board. The Boston market has more powerful DTV reception, and I have not heard of many problems with DTV reception in Portland, ME/Manchester, NH/and Burlington, VT - ironic considering the terrain in Northern New England. Any other observations?
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WEAKEST SIGNAL DTV MARKET
- Thread starter alg2468
- Start date
alg2468 said:
I would have to agree. A good amount of Providence DTV signals leave a lot to be desired. WPRI/13, WNAC/54 and WLWC/22 have fine signals here in the South of Boston area (in Whitman, MA). You can even pick them up with a highly directional antenna aiming toward Needham, away from Providence. As for WLNE/49, WJAR/51, WPXQ/17 and WSBE/21, even with the directional antenna aiming directly toward Rehoboth, MA (with an 18 db. amplifier), their signals are pretty dim, considering how strong they are on the analog side. I'm hoping they can improve their DTV signals, eventually. Since several of the Providence signals are no longer on the local cable system, it's important for the Providence DTV signals to equally cover the area they currently cover on analog.
I was under the assumption that those signals would get a boost before the all digital switch.
It's quite interesting that Peter George mentioned that WLNE/49, WJAR/51, and WSBE/21 have the weaker signals as thay all are located together on the WJAR tower. WSBE/21 is only at 50kw so I can understand the weak signal. WPXQ/17 is located in Richmond, RI in the soughwest part of the state, so I doubt even at full power it will be received with regularity in the Boston area. But WJAR/51 is at 968kw (about the same as Boston's WHDH, WBZ, and WCVB, which we can receive with regularity in the Providence area), so I would expect at that power it would give powerful coverage through the Boston area, and at 350 kw (same as WBPX/32 in Boston, again receiveable in Providence) , WLNE/49 should be giving a decent signal in the Boston area. I would suspect the signals are highly directional with a deep null to the northeast away from Boston.
Now I wonder if people in Central MA, Metro West and the Worcester area have trouble receiving the Providence stations?
Now I wonder if people in Central MA, Metro West and the Worcester area have trouble receiving the Providence stations?
N
necrat123
Guest
OK whoa whoa whoa... lets slow down for a second before jumping through hoops.
While I agree with your assertation about the digital signals being directional, I disagree with them all being at "weak power". Lets take it station by station.
WLNE-DT 49 (350kW @ 284 m). While this is not full power (1000kW) it is still well outside of the "weak" catagory.
WJAR-DT 51 (974kW @ 279 m). While directional, 1000kW is the full power for this HAAT, WJAR-DT is full power. Hands down.
WPRI-DT 13 (18kW @ 305m). Non directional. Full power (18kW) , non directional.
WSBE-DT 21 (50kW @ 268m). Directional. OK I agree this is a weak one.
WLWC-DT 22 (350kW @ 203m). See WLNE.
WNAC-DT 54 (1000kW @ 295m). Full power, but directional. No weak power here. And let me check, yup transmitter is at 100% right now with the full licensed TPO.
WPXQ-DT 17 (1000kW @ 228m) Directional, away from the water. Full power. This isn't a weakling either. The tower (which is in Hopkington, for the record.) is signifigantly south-west but provides decent market coverage.
I think the title of this post should be renamed as by definition of the licenses, only 1 out of the stations listed would be considered weak. 6 of the 7 are directional for now. After February 2009, WNAC-DT moves to 12, and goes non directional. It's signal will match WPRI-DT's. WJAR will raise to a top mount UHF antenna and still be directional to aim most of it's power into Rhode Island. To be honest, none of the Providence stations are even trying to get into Boston proper. The goal is to cover their own market.
If you want to seriously look at "weak" DTV markets for this area, the winner of that would go to Springfield, MA. Here is why. Let's look at that market's 3 stations.
WWLP-DT 11 (10kW @ 247m). A directional signal protecting WENH and WPIX. Even with the CP to go to 15.8kW, the signal is directional and not at the full 18kW @ 247m.
WGGB-DT 55 (500kW @ 301.5m). While this one's signal is stronger, it's also focused due north, aiming all RF energy to the areas north of the transmitter site (re: away from the bulk of the market population).
WGBY-DT 58 (50kW @ 294m). While only minorly directional, this is not full power by any means either. At 294m, and at full power, WGBY would be able to operate at 1000kW.
Just remember a lot of these stations are directional due to Canadian clearances and existing analog clearances. Post transition a lot have applied to modify and upgrade their facilities. I expect to see a medium improvement in a lot of cases once the transition finalizes.
While I agree with your assertation about the digital signals being directional, I disagree with them all being at "weak power". Lets take it station by station.
WLNE-DT 49 (350kW @ 284 m). While this is not full power (1000kW) it is still well outside of the "weak" catagory.
WJAR-DT 51 (974kW @ 279 m). While directional, 1000kW is the full power for this HAAT, WJAR-DT is full power. Hands down.
WPRI-DT 13 (18kW @ 305m). Non directional. Full power (18kW) , non directional.
WSBE-DT 21 (50kW @ 268m). Directional. OK I agree this is a weak one.
WLWC-DT 22 (350kW @ 203m). See WLNE.
WNAC-DT 54 (1000kW @ 295m). Full power, but directional. No weak power here. And let me check, yup transmitter is at 100% right now with the full licensed TPO.
WPXQ-DT 17 (1000kW @ 228m) Directional, away from the water. Full power. This isn't a weakling either. The tower (which is in Hopkington, for the record.) is signifigantly south-west but provides decent market coverage.
I think the title of this post should be renamed as by definition of the licenses, only 1 out of the stations listed would be considered weak. 6 of the 7 are directional for now. After February 2009, WNAC-DT moves to 12, and goes non directional. It's signal will match WPRI-DT's. WJAR will raise to a top mount UHF antenna and still be directional to aim most of it's power into Rhode Island. To be honest, none of the Providence stations are even trying to get into Boston proper. The goal is to cover their own market.
If you want to seriously look at "weak" DTV markets for this area, the winner of that would go to Springfield, MA. Here is why. Let's look at that market's 3 stations.
WWLP-DT 11 (10kW @ 247m). A directional signal protecting WENH and WPIX. Even with the CP to go to 15.8kW, the signal is directional and not at the full 18kW @ 247m.
WGGB-DT 55 (500kW @ 301.5m). While this one's signal is stronger, it's also focused due north, aiming all RF energy to the areas north of the transmitter site (re: away from the bulk of the market population).
WGBY-DT 58 (50kW @ 294m). While only minorly directional, this is not full power by any means either. At 294m, and at full power, WGBY would be able to operate at 1000kW.
Just remember a lot of these stations are directional due to Canadian clearances and existing analog clearances. Post transition a lot have applied to modify and upgrade their facilities. I expect to see a medium improvement in a lot of cases once the transition finalizes.
I doubt WGBY-DT 22 would be able to operate at 1000 kW because they have to worry about protecting WLWC-DT 22. The contours on those two stations already have a tiny bit of overlap in extreme northwestern Rhode Island, and WLWC-DT has an app in with the FCC to boost their power up from 350 kW to 440 kW, slightly increasing the overlap that already exists.
- Trip
- Trip
Here in Hartford/New Haven, the main problem isn't power in southern Hartford County...it's the directional aspect. How I'm doing in New Britain, to the southwest of Hartford:
WTNH-DT 10 (ABC) New Haven > Fair to good, tower in Hamden (south-southwest)
WTXX-DT 12 (CW) Waterboury > Good, tower in Farmington (northwest) @
WPXQ-DT 17 (ION) Block Island, RI > Poor, tower in Hopkinton, RI #
WTIC-DT 31 (FOX) Hartford > Good, tower in Farmington (northwest)
WFSB-DT 33 (CBS) Hartford > Fair to good, tower in Avon (north-northwest) *
WHPX-DT 34 (ION) New London > Poor, tower in Montville (southeast)
WVIT-DT 35 (NBC) New Britain > Good, tower in Farmington (northwest)
WCTX-DT 39 (MY) New Haven > Fair to good, tower in Hamden (south-southwest)
WEDH-DT 45 (PBS) Hartford > Excellent, tower in Farmington (northwest) +
WUVN-DT 46 (UNI) Hartford > Poor, tower in Avon (north-northwest)
@ WTXX-DT will move to channel 20 in February.
# WPXQ-DT only comes in some if I have my indoor rabbit ears oriented more towards the southeast.
* WFSB-DT is nulled to the southwest to protect New York City (WPIX-DT?)
+ WEDH-DT is nulled to the southwest to protect New York City (WABC-DT?)
WTNH-DT 10 (ABC) New Haven > Fair to good, tower in Hamden (south-southwest)
WTXX-DT 12 (CW) Waterboury > Good, tower in Farmington (northwest) @
WPXQ-DT 17 (ION) Block Island, RI > Poor, tower in Hopkinton, RI #
WTIC-DT 31 (FOX) Hartford > Good, tower in Farmington (northwest)
WFSB-DT 33 (CBS) Hartford > Fair to good, tower in Avon (north-northwest) *
WHPX-DT 34 (ION) New London > Poor, tower in Montville (southeast)
WVIT-DT 35 (NBC) New Britain > Good, tower in Farmington (northwest)
WCTX-DT 39 (MY) New Haven > Fair to good, tower in Hamden (south-southwest)
WEDH-DT 45 (PBS) Hartford > Excellent, tower in Farmington (northwest) +
WUVN-DT 46 (UNI) Hartford > Poor, tower in Avon (north-northwest)
@ WTXX-DT will move to channel 20 in February.
# WPXQ-DT only comes in some if I have my indoor rabbit ears oriented more towards the southeast.
* WFSB-DT is nulled to the southwest to protect New York City (WPIX-DT?)
+ WEDH-DT is nulled to the southwest to protect New York City (WABC-DT?)
I have a digital box and rabbit ears hooked up in Farmington. I can get WFSB, WUVN, WEDH, WVIT, and WTIC with no problems. WTXX is very weak but I can get it if the antenna is pointed just right. I have never been able to pick up even a trace of WTNH or WHPX, and WCTX I only pulled in once for about 10 seconds.
WOW! Look at the story I just found at WFSB-TV/DT of Hartford! A story about a survey, showing which TV markets have the most unprepared homes for the digital switchover. Look who ranked #2 on the list for most prepared: HARTFORD/NEW HAVEN 
http://www.wfsb.com/digital-tv/17957907/detail.html
http://www.wfsb.com/digital-tv/17957907/detail.html
OK, so it was too cold to go outside so I spent a few minutes with the FCC DB and Curves program...
And figured the 73.699 field strength of each New England major network affiliate (ABC/CBS/Fox/NBC & the major PBS) at 40km (24 miles) from their DTV tower. Then, figured how far that figure exceeds the FCC-mandated minimum city-of-license signal. And averaged it for each station in the market.
By that standard, the weakest market in New England is Springfield. Right now, pre-transition, the three DTV stations average 24dB stronger than city-of-license minimum at 40km. Bangor is not too far behind at 26dB. Post-transition the numbers change but Springfield and Bangor are still the two weakest markets at 20 and 22dB respectively. These latter figures are affected by the fact that there are LPTV major network affiliates in these markets. But if you factor out WFVX-LP and WSHM-LP they're still the two weakest markets, just in the opposite order. (Bangor 24dB, Springfield 25dB)
The best coverage, by a fair margin, is in Burlington, Vermont at 36dB above minimum pre-transition and 37dB post-transition.
These figures do not factor in directional antennas, partially because I'm lazy and partially because your location relative to the directional pattern determines whether the DA makes a particular station weak.
Just for the sake of comparison, I did a run in a less-crowded part of the country (Milwaukee) and arrived at a 32.7dB market average. That's almost precisely identical to Hartford.
And figured the 73.699 field strength of each New England major network affiliate (ABC/CBS/Fox/NBC & the major PBS) at 40km (24 miles) from their DTV tower. Then, figured how far that figure exceeds the FCC-mandated minimum city-of-license signal. And averaged it for each station in the market.
By that standard, the weakest market in New England is Springfield. Right now, pre-transition, the three DTV stations average 24dB stronger than city-of-license minimum at 40km. Bangor is not too far behind at 26dB. Post-transition the numbers change but Springfield and Bangor are still the two weakest markets at 20 and 22dB respectively. These latter figures are affected by the fact that there are LPTV major network affiliates in these markets. But if you factor out WFVX-LP and WSHM-LP they're still the two weakest markets, just in the opposite order. (Bangor 24dB, Springfield 25dB)
The best coverage, by a fair margin, is in Burlington, Vermont at 36dB above minimum pre-transition and 37dB post-transition.
These figures do not factor in directional antennas, partially because I'm lazy and partially because your location relative to the directional pattern determines whether the DA makes a particular station weak.
Just for the sake of comparison, I did a run in a less-crowded part of the country (Milwaukee) and arrived at a 32.7dB market average. That's almost precisely identical to Hartford.
alg2468 said:
I live in Central Mass, about 20 miles west of Worcester and can receive most Providence digital stations with fair regularity:
WPXQ-17 is by far the strongest and most consistent of the Providence stations
WPRI-13 is second and comes in most times
WNAC-54 is fairly strong, especially if I aim my rooftop antenna to the southeast
WLNE-49 is moderately strong and I basically need the antenna towards the southeast
WJAR-51 is okay, but doesn't come in all the time
WSBE-21 comes in now and then, but generally only if I aim to the southeast
WLWC-22 does not come in, but that is not surprising, considering I can receive analog WWLP, channel 22 from Springfield very strong
Overall, I am quite satisified with digital reception of Providence based stations. Ironically, I have more trouble receiving some Boston stations, but can receive Connecticut stations, especially Hartford based stations, with relative ease. Since I have line of sight to Mt. Tom in Holyoke, I can receive Springfield stations easily. I am hoping that once the digital transition is complete, and the analog stations are shut off, an improvement in reception of some stations that share channel numbers will occur. I do expect to lose a few of the weaker analog stations after the transition, but these are almost 100 miles away and generally will not be missed. The Providence market should continue to be strong in my area.
Ok, everyone seems to be doing a DTV reception report, so I'll add to this and do a rescan right now at 8:30am and see what I get on antenna config #1, my location is pretty much at the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown. (signals at 9% or less not included)
WFSB Hartford 88%, SNR 29dB
WUVN Hartford 89%, SNR 30dB
WTXX Waterbury 81%, SNR 26.6dB
WEDH Hartford 89%, SNR 29.8dB (are they ever going to do something with the sub channels?)
WVIT Hartford 88%, SNR 30.4dB
WGGB Springfield 74%, SNR 22.7dB
WTIC Hartford 92%, SNR 32.4dB
Now config #2 (note: this antenna was taken down recently and I haven't re-adjusted it fully yet, I'm hoping it will get WWLP & WGBY once it is and especially post 2/17/2009)
WFSB Hartford - Same readings
WTNH New Haven 60%, SNR 16dB
WWLP Springfield 47%, SNR 17.47dB (signal not strong enough)
WTXX Waterbury increases to 85%, SNR 28.9dB
WEDH Hartford decreases to 86%, SNR 28.8dB
WHPX New London 72%, SNR 22.5dB
WVIT Hartford decreases to 86%, SNR 28.8dB
WGGB Springfield 40%, SNR 17.4dB (signal not strong enough)
WGBY Springfield 16%, 16.77dB (signal not strong enough)
WTIC Hartford 88%, SNR 30.4dB
Analog on both antennas is pretty much the same with differences in ghosting on the closer locals
Config #1
WFSB
WTNH
WUVN
WTXX (poor quality, but visible)
WWLP
WEDH
WHPX
WVIT
WHCT (Slight snow, but better picture in color and quality than on Dish Network)
WGGB
WUTH (video only, no vertical lock on a 1 to 10 scale, 2)
WRNT
WRDM
WEDN (1 to 10 scale, 3)
WCTX (poor quality, too distorted)
WTIC
WSHM (1 to 10 scale, .5, but picture sync does lock)
Config #2
WFSB
WTNH
WUVN
WCDC (video only, no horizontal or vertical lock)
WTXX (poor quality, too distorted)
WWLP
WEDH
WHPX
WVIT
WHCT Hartford (a slight bit more snow than Dish, but without the noise lines and better color)
WGGB
WUTH (video only, no vertical lock, poorer signal than config #1, on the 1 to 10 scale, .5)
WRNT
WRDM
WEDN (1 to 10 scale, 6)
WCTX (poor quality, not as bad as WTXX)
WTIC
of course this changes at night and boston/providence and sometimes northern new england/eastern NY comes in
WFSB Hartford 88%, SNR 29dB
WUVN Hartford 89%, SNR 30dB
WTXX Waterbury 81%, SNR 26.6dB
WEDH Hartford 89%, SNR 29.8dB (are they ever going to do something with the sub channels?)
WVIT Hartford 88%, SNR 30.4dB
WGGB Springfield 74%, SNR 22.7dB
WTIC Hartford 92%, SNR 32.4dB
Now config #2 (note: this antenna was taken down recently and I haven't re-adjusted it fully yet, I'm hoping it will get WWLP & WGBY once it is and especially post 2/17/2009)
WFSB Hartford - Same readings
WTNH New Haven 60%, SNR 16dB
WWLP Springfield 47%, SNR 17.47dB (signal not strong enough)
WTXX Waterbury increases to 85%, SNR 28.9dB
WEDH Hartford decreases to 86%, SNR 28.8dB
WHPX New London 72%, SNR 22.5dB
WVIT Hartford decreases to 86%, SNR 28.8dB
WGGB Springfield 40%, SNR 17.4dB (signal not strong enough)
WGBY Springfield 16%, 16.77dB (signal not strong enough)
WTIC Hartford 88%, SNR 30.4dB
Analog on both antennas is pretty much the same with differences in ghosting on the closer locals
Config #1
WFSB
WTNH
WUVN
WTXX (poor quality, but visible)
WWLP
WEDH
WHPX
WVIT
WHCT (Slight snow, but better picture in color and quality than on Dish Network)
WGGB
WUTH (video only, no vertical lock on a 1 to 10 scale, 2)
WRNT
WRDM
WEDN (1 to 10 scale, 3)
WCTX (poor quality, too distorted)
WTIC
WSHM (1 to 10 scale, .5, but picture sync does lock)
Config #2
WFSB
WTNH
WUVN
WCDC (video only, no horizontal or vertical lock)
WTXX (poor quality, too distorted)
WWLP
WEDH
WHPX
WVIT
WHCT Hartford (a slight bit more snow than Dish, but without the noise lines and better color)
WGGB
WUTH (video only, no vertical lock, poorer signal than config #1, on the 1 to 10 scale, .5)
WRNT
WRDM
WEDN (1 to 10 scale, 6)
WCTX (poor quality, not as bad as WTXX)
WTIC
of course this changes at night and boston/providence and sometimes northern new england/eastern NY comes in
I've been able to get a pinch of WCDC as long as I can remember, I used to get it really well back in New Britain on Washington Street.
As this was daytime, the signal level was very very low, but you could see the bars from the edge of the screen bouncing around as they wouldn't lock. At night it does tend to come in sometimes clear enough to get the audio signal, which seems significantly lower. I anticipate totally losing WCDC post-transition.
As this was daytime, the signal level was very very low, but you could see the bars from the edge of the screen bouncing around as they wouldn't lock. At night it does tend to come in sometimes clear enough to get the audio signal, which seems significantly lower. I anticipate totally losing WCDC post-transition.
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