WGBH damage Update

[Blackroc]

Update, April 13, 8:30 p.m.

The over-the-air Channel 2 signal is continuing to experience reduced strength due to the mechanical situation at the Needham Tower. Unfortunately, the damage is significant and will require a multi-step repair process being performed by the tower owner and is out of our control as a tenant.

At this point, the signal is not expected to be restored to full strength through the coming week. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our viewers and will update this situation as more information becomes available.

 

[Uncle Kaimbridge]

Update, April 13, 8:30 p.m.

The over-the-air Channel 2 signal is continuing to experience reduced strength due to the mechanical situation at the Needham Tower. Unfortunately, the damage is significant and will require a multi-step repair process being performed by the tower owner and is out of our control as a tenant.

At this point, the signal is not expected to be restored to full strength through the coming week. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our viewers and will update this situation as more information becomes available.

Remember, back in July, WGBX:44-43 was testing its HD signal on “44.5” (RF Ch.43.6?) before moving the HD to “44.1” (RF Ch.43.7?)?
While RF Ch.19 is ailing, couldn’t they just remap RF Ch.43.__ to “2.1”?

Relatedly, given their current situation, does this mean the shift of “World” to “2.2” is being put on hold?

 

[necrat123]

Remember, back in July, WGBX:44-43 was testing its HD signal on “44.5” (RF Ch.43.6?) before moving the HD to “44.1” (RF Ch.43.7?)?
While RF Ch.19 is ailing, couldn’t they just remap RF Ch.43.__ to “2.1”?

Relatedly, given their current situation, does this mean the shift of “World” to “2.2” is being put on hold?

Technically it is possible but it would be a disaster. They would be better of putting WGBH on "2.3" or "44.5". The real "2.1" is still on the air, at much lower power. If you put a 2nd "2.1" on the air, it will screw up a lot of the receivers.

 

[DTV-Chief]

Remember, back in July, WGBX:44-43 was testing its HD signal on “44.5” (RF Ch.43.6?) before moving the HD to “44.1” (RF Ch.43.7?)?
While RF Ch.19 is ailing, couldn’t they just remap RF Ch.43.__ to “2.1”?

Relatedly, given their current situation, does this mean the shift of “World” to “2.2” is being put on hold?

Technically it is possible but it would be a disaster. They would be better of putting WGBH on "2.3" or "44.5". The real "2.1" is still on the air, at much lower power. If you put a 2nd "2.1" on the air, it will screw up a lot of the receivers.

Last year when the WEAU tower collapsed, they worked a deal with the ABC in town to put their NBC onto a subchannel while rebuilding. They were 18.2 while they built a temporary 13.1 on RF13 and you could get WEAU by tuning to either. Then WEAU rebuilt their lost tower on UHF 38 which broadcast a duplicate 13.1 like WLS in Chicago simulcasting 7.1 and 7.2 on both RF7 and RF44. Didn't they simulcast ch.7 in Boston on both RF7 and RF42 for a while??

 

[w9wi]

WTVF here in Nashville operates on RF5 and has a Digital Replacement Translator on RF50 on the same tower. They broadcast an identical bitstream -- my bet is the data out of the STL is simply sent through a DA to both transmitters.

Viewers in a large part of the city of Nashville (and in many surrounding areas, like where I live) receive both transmitters.

I'm not aware of any significant problems. Most of my receivers have two WTVFs -- both come up as 5.1/5.2/5.3, you can watch either one.

 

[Uncle Kaimbridge]

Remember, back in July, WGBX:44-43 was testing its HD signal on “44.5” (RF Ch.43.6?) before moving the HD to “44.1” (RF Ch.43.7?)?
While RF Ch.19 is ailing, couldn’t they just remap RF Ch.43.__ to “2.1”?

Relatedly, given their current situation, does this mean the shift of “World” to “2.2” is being put on hold?

Technically it is possible but it would be a disaster. They would be better of putting WGBH on "2.3" or "44.5". The real "2.1" is still on the air, at much lower power. If you put a 2nd "2.1" on the air, it will screw up a lot of the receivers.

No, I realize that would be hairy. What I’m saying is, while the others are using (RF) Ch.19’s antenna, shut off 19’s xmtr and run “2.1” (exclusively) on RF Ch.43.__: Given the circumstances, I would think this would qualify as a special situation.

 

[necrat123]

Remember, back in July, WGBX:44-43 was testing its HD signal on “44.5” (RF Ch.43.6?) before moving the HD to “44.1” (RF Ch.43.7?)?
While RF Ch.19 is ailing, couldn’t they just remap RF Ch.43.__ to “2.1”?

Relatedly, given their current situation, does this mean the shift of “World” to “2.2” is being put on hold?

Technically it is possible but it would be a disaster. They would be better of putting WGBH on "2.3" or "44.5". The real "2.1" is still on the air, at much lower power. If you put a 2nd "2.1" on the air, it will screw up a lot of the receivers.

No, I realize that would be hairy. What I’m saying is, while the others are using (RF) Ch.19’s antenna, shut off 19’s xmtr and run “2.1” (exclusively) on RF Ch.43.__: Given the circumstances, I would think this would qualify as a special situation.

I got you now. If they shut off the 19 transmitter, I agree it's a decent idea.
The other question is, how long are the repairs going to actually take to finish?

If it is over 30 days, or expected to be, I expect to see a whole slew of STA apps get filed suddenly.
(I am kind of suprised they haven't filed any yet, as a "CYA" thing).

All the stations now have some sort of "master backup" lower down the tower, that they are switching to, so work can be done on the main antenna.

 

[Schuyler]

..... Didn't they simulcast ch.7 in Boston on both RF7 and RF42 for a while??

Yes. And I wish they still did because I was one of apparently a handful of OTA viewers who had better reception on RF7 than the present RF42. But RF7 was gone within a few weeks of the transition.

 

[Uncle Kaimbridge]

Remember, back in July, WGBX:44-43 was testing its HD signal on “44.5” (RF Ch.43.6?) before moving the HD to “44.1” (RF Ch.43.7?)?
While RF Ch.19 is ailing, couldn’t they just remap RF Ch.43.__ to “2.1”?

Relatedly, given their current situation, does this mean the shift of “World” to “2.2” is being put on hold?

I don’t know if it was just a coincidence or not, but WLVI:56-41 was noted off-air yesterday around 4:30pm (I know they were off a couple of weeks ago to work on their feedline/antenna). They were back on by 8pm, at which time I noted WGBH:2-19 appeared back to full(?) power and “World” was on 2.2, a couple of seconds behind 44.2, which is still on.
Did 'GBH arrange to go on 'LVI’s stick?

 

[channel99]

Updated info on WGBH web site -currently there is link to this on the main page, under "Featured".

April 18, 2012

On April 8 there was a major failure in the combined transmission antenna at the Needham tower site that affected WGBH 2, WGBX 44—our multicast services World, Create, and Kids—as well as WBZ, WCVB, and WSBK, which all share the transmitter. Crews were immediately dispatched to the tower and they made emergency repairs, which allowed these stations to return to the air, though at a diminished broadcast coverage area for both Channel 44 and Channel 2 and for some cable subscribers.

As of Wednesday, April 18, the upper antenna must be removed due to the extensive damage to the components. The parts needed must be manufactured, installed, and then tested for a complete repair to be accomplished, which may take up to a month.

The repair effort requires careful coordination between all affected stations, the tower owner, and the tower crew. And because the tower is 1,200 feet high, the work is dangerous and complex.

We understand how frustrating it is to be without the WGBH service, but we are doing everything possible to see that repairs are made as quickly as possible, with consideration for the safety of the work crews.

If you are not currently able to receive one or more of the stations, please try rescanning your channels, which may allow you to reacquire the signal if you are within the broadcast range. We'll update our website as soon as more details come in from the tower site.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and support.

Below this, some viewer posts express dissatisfaction about the limited info that had been provided.