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WFAA-DT power?

S

Scotpfv

Finally got a decent indoor antenna, can get every station listed for the DFW area (with only minor breakups on KLDT-DT and K31-DT. However, still nothing with WFAA-DT.

Anyone know if WFAA is running less than full power, or if my reception problem is due to the fact that they are on VHF as opposed to the other channels?
 
I suspect it's just the fact they're on VHF. WFAA is running their analog channel on reduced power, but the digital station is at full power.
When the switch happens in June, WFAA will move their DTV signal from 9 to 8 and KFWD will move its digital signal from 51 to 9.
 
Are you sure it's because WFAA-DT is on VHF, or is it because WFAA-DT is getting co-channel interference from KCEN-DT in Temple?

If it's the former, look for both stations to have bad reception come June. If it's the latter, WFAA-DT will improve, and KFWD-DT will begin to have problems.

I had heard that hi-VHF was optimal for DTV, followed by UHF. Lo-VHF? Great range, but susceptible to interference.
 
Scotpfv said:
Finally got a decent indoor antenna, can get every station listed for the DFW area (with only minor breakups on KLDT-DT and K31-DT. However, still nothing with WFAA-DT.
Click to expand...

Just curious; what kind of antenna did you end up with? I've seen a couple of kinds of decent indoor antennas but they were both UHF. For VHF, viewers are usually stuck with rabbit ears unless we can "roll our own."

I got decent VHF-Hi performance by scaling up the design of a "Double Bow" UHF antenna and using a 30" wide reflector screen. In the attic it got everything above channel 7 in Dallas (it sucks on 2-6 but that's OK for my purpose), and only lost one channel (31) when I relocated it atop our refrigerator for our emergency battery-powered TV and converter box. (I'm 30 miles from Cedar Hill.)

But few folks would go to that much effort, so I'm surprised there's not a similar design on the market. A commercial model would probably perform even better, and be less ugly to boot!
 
No, I've never heard anyone say hi VHF was optimal for DTV. UHF just seems to work better.
You're absolutely right about low VHF. Few stations (15?) have opted to stay there when the transition is finalized. 2-6 will be a very empty part of the dial.
 
tested said:
No, I've never heard anyone say hi VHF was optimal for DTV. UHF just seems to work better.
You're absolutely right about low VHF. Few stations (15?) have opted to stay there when the transition is finalized. 2-6 will be a very empty part of the dial.
Click to expand...

Broadcasters like upper-VHF. People receiving signals like UHF.

And the number of low-VHF stations is 41. I've heard rumors that more than one of those 41 are considering alternate channels.

- Trip
 
Got an RCA flat wing ant. from best buy at a discount as it was a display model. Folds out flat on top of your TV (or bookshelf, where I have it now, to be at a somewhat higher elevation).
The reception on stations broadcasting on UHF is superb. Even 31 and 54 come in with minimal break up.

The converter box still does not even pause on ch. 9 when scanning.

While just playing around, I tried hooking up an old pair of rabbit ears with a 75 ohm con. With that I got WFAA and sub-channels at 85% according to my DTV box, but nothing else scanned in.

I'll stick with the others channels and my ant on the bookcase.

So I guess Unless WFAA goes to a UHF signal I'll just have to do without.
 
Scotpfv said:
Got an RCA flat wing ant. from best buy at a discount as it was a display model. Folds out flat on top of your TV (or bookshelf, where I have it now, to be at a somewhat higher elevation).
The reception on stations broadcasting on UHF is superb. Even 31 and 54 come in with minimal break up.

While just playing around, I tried hooking up an old pair of rabbit ears with a 75 ohm con. With that I got WFAA and sub-channels at 85% according to my DTV box, but nothing else scanned in.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you just need to combine the two antennas. You can pick up a VHF/UHF combiner on the internet or at most electronics departments. Hook the rabbit ears to the VHF side, the RCA ant. to the UHF side, and the combined output to your converter box and you should be set.
 
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