WHAT IS THE MOST DISTANT TV SIGNAL YOU EVER TUNED IN?

[dhett]

The reason why I say you can't really pick up KOAA 5/30 and KTSC 8/15 from the heart of Denver is because both stations are on UHF (KOAA on 30, KTSC on 15) in Colorado Springs, but they're on VHF down in Pueblo (KOAA on 5, KTSC on 8). Plus, KTSC is a part of Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting, which is run out of KRMA 6 here in Denver, so what you see on KTSC 8/15, you see on KRMA 6 anyway.KXRM 21 and KXTU 57 are just too far south for anyone in Denver (again unless you live in the southern suburbs of the city) to pick up (Someone correct me on this, but I do believe their tower is atop Cheyenne Mountain if I'm not mistaken)This is all because there are UHFs here in Denver that (essentially) block KTSC, KXRM and KOAA from coming in. They are...KTFD 14 (TeleFutura)KTVD 20 (UPN - Soon to be [expectantly, though not yet officially] MyNetwork TV)KDVR 31 (FOX)

That, plus the fact that 30 and 15 wouldn't even come in in Denver, even if there were no local channels surrounding them -- KOAA and KTSC's CS signals are both low-powered (K30AA and K15ED / K15GL, respectively).

No surprise about KOAA and KXRM, but I am mildly surprised that you cannot pick up KTSC from Denver. KTSC, KKTV, KRDO and KXRM all broadcast from Cheyenne Mtn, as do KOAA translator K30AA (ch 30) and LP station KXTU (ch 57). All 3 of the VHF stations have a predicted coverage that should reach the heart of Denver, although actual results may vary. KXRM is a 1000kW UHF station, so they wouldn't reach Denver (although they probably would if running at the max allowed 5000kW.)KOAA has their analog broadcast location just N of Pueblo, so yes, you shouldn't be able to pick it up from Denver. Their DTV transmitter is being built on Cheyenne Mtn though, so you should be able to pick that up from the southernmost suburbs of Denver when they come online, but still probably not from downtown. K30AA and KXTU are LPTV stations, so their predicted coverage doesn't even reach Castle Rock (although actual coverage might).I'm not sure why you would pick up KTSC on ch 15 in Colorado Springs, as KTSC's main transmitter on ch 8 is there. Also, neither ch 15 translator serves Colorado Springs; K15ED serves Pitkin in Gunnison County, while K15GL serves Trinidad, according to the FCC website.Having Denver-area stations on chs 14, 20 and 31 has no bearing on whether or not you could pick up 15, 21 or 30. In Phoenix, we have full-power stations on 15 and 45, yet I can usually pick up full-power ch 46 and LPTV ch 14 from Tucson as well. I live about 95 miles from the origin of both Tucson stations and am just using a 15-year-old 20" Zenith TV with a cheap pair of rabbit ears and a $20 5" portable TV.

 

[SpongeBobEHS98]

I live in Cincinnati, OH.About 8-10 years ago I picked up WFOR-TV out of Miami, FL. I saw part of their 5 PM newscast, including the weather segment.The reception was somewhat snowy, about the same quality as the Dayton, OH VHF stations here in Cincinnati.

 

[Tim-In-Houston]

Growing up in Southern Illinois, I would regularly pick up distant market signals, especially late at night or soemtime during inclement weather.I remember picking up WDRB-41-Fox/Louisville on a more ore less regular basisWAAY-31-ABC/Huntsville, WCPO-9-at the time CBS, later ABC/Cincinnati (after the local PBS station WNIN--Evansville signed off. This would occasionally compete with the signal from St. Louis' PBS station KETC)WKEF-22-at the time NBC, now ABC/Dayton, OH

 

[EnbyCee]

In the south suburbs of Chicago in 2004 on a rooftop antenna, I picked up WSKY from Kitty Hawk, NC and WOAI from San Antonio on channel 4. Unfortunately I don't have a rooftop antenna where I live now in northwest Ohio.

 

[dhett]

Just today: KETS 2 Little Rock AR from Phoenix AZ - approx. 1150 mi.

 

[dhett]

Just today: KETS 2 Little Rock AR from Phoenix AZ - approx. 1150 mi.

Also today: KJRH 2 Tulsa OK - approx. 965 mi.

 

[KML0224]

Just today: KETS 2 Little Rock AR from Phoenix AZ - approx. 1150 mi.

Also today: KJRH 2 Tulsa OK - approx. 965 mi.

I once picked up KJRH-TV (NBC) here in central Connecticut back in 1992. It's possibly the furthest e-skip TV signal I've ever received.

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

The reason why I say you can't really pick up KOAA 5/30 and KTSC 8/15 from the heart of Denver is because both stations are on UHF (KOAA on 30, KTSC on 15) in Colorado Springs, but they're on VHF down in Pueblo (KOAA on 5, KTSC on 8). Plus, KTSC is a part of Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting, which is run out of KRMA 6 here in Denver, so what you see on KTSC 8/15, you see on KRMA 6 anyway.

No surprise about KOAA and KXRM, but I am mildly surprised that you cannot pick up KTSC from Denver. KTSC, KKTV, KRDO and KXRM all broadcast from Cheyenne Mtn, as do KOAA translator K30AA (ch 30) and LP station KXTU (ch 57).

If you're referring to the VHF side of KTSC, there are two reasons why it can't be picked up (even in the 'burbs I would dare say). They are...1). KMGH 7 (ABC)2). KUSA 9 (NBC)Both of which are rather powerful stations compared to KTSC. Add this to the fact that KTSC is atop Cheyenne Mountain (where you're lucky if you get KKTV 11, let alone anything else up there), and that just compounds things.Plus, having traveled through the area, I can personally attest to the fact that 15 is easier to receive OTA in Colorado Springs than 8 is. Colorado Springs BTW is NORTH of Pueblo (where the station's studios are), but is south of Denver. In Pueblo, 8 is easier to receive OTA than 15 is.But since KTSC is with KRMA 6 here in Denver most of the time, DXing this station would almost be pointless anyway.Cheers Pat

 

[desertv]

Just today: KETS 2 Little Rock AR from Phoenix AZ - approx. 1150 mi.Back in the 70s we got the NBC affiliate from Little Rock on Phoenix TV briefly....which may have been just a switching error because the LR station and the PHX NBC affiliate were both owned by Combined Communications.Also KVOA-4 from Tucson would frequently show up on PHX screens with varying amounts of snow.

 

[dhett]

If you're referring to the VHF side of KTSC, there are two reasons why it can't be picked up (even in the 'burbs I would dare say). They are...1). KMGH 7 (ABC)2). KUSA 9 (NBC)Both of which are rather powerful stations compared to KTSC. Add this to the fact that KTSC is atop Cheyenne Mountain (where you're lucky if you get KKTV 11, let alone anything else up there), and that just compounds things.Plus, having traveled through the area, I can personally attest to the fact that 15 is easier to receive OTA in Colorado Springs than 8 is. Colorado Springs BTW is NORTH of Pueblo (where the station's studios are), but is south of Denver. In Pueblo, 8 is easier to receive OTA than 15 is.But since KTSC is with KRMA 6 here in Denver most of the time, DXing this station would almost be pointless anyway.

You have me completely puzzled. Consider:

• KTSC only has a VHF side, on channel 8. Any other channels you get their programming on are translators.
• According to the FCC, there is no channel 15, either analog or digital, within 100 miles of Colorado Springs. You shouldn't be able to receive any channel 15 OTA anywhere within 75 miles of Colorado Springs.
• I know where Colorado Springs and Pueblo are; I also know that Trinidad is south of Pueblo, and is location of the closest channel 15 to Colorado Springs. That LPTV station, K15GL, the only channel 15 in the state that is owned by Rocky Mtn Public Broadcasting Network.
• Downtown Denver is only 75 mi. by air from the KTSC transmitter site on Cheyenne Mtn., well within range of any VHF station operating at full authorized strength (316 kW for upper-VHF). KTSC only operates at 234 kW, but KKTV operates from the same location at the same power level, 234 kW.
• As long as you have your antenna pointed correctly, I'm not sure why KMGH and KUSA would be relevant as to whether or not you can pick up KTSC. Again, I'll cite my own experience in Phoenix. I'm closer to the broadcast locations here than downtown Denver is to theirs, and I'm farther from Tucson's broadcast locations than downtown Denver is to Colorado Springs'. Nevertheless, although the picture is very snowy, I can receive channel 4 from Tucson in spite of channels 3 and 5 here and can receive channel 9 from there in spite of channels 8 and 10 here. The Tucson stations each operate at 1/3 the power of their Phoenix adjacents.
• The studio location is irrelevant; the transmitter location is what matters. While KTSC's studio is in Pueblo, their transmitter is in Colorado Springs.
• KTSC's own website says that the channel 8 broadcast antenna provides city-grade service to both Colorado Springs and Pueblo, so your report of receiving channel 15 clearer than channel 8 in Colorado Springs makes no sense.

Anyway, I've belabored this point long enough, so this is all I'll say on the subject.

 

[FreddyE1977]

I lived about 15 miles from Flint, Michigan, and picked up Channel 3 from Bryan/College Station, Texas on aroof antenna. Was extremely clear, strong picture. When surfaces were calm on the Great Lakes, it seemed likeyou could get some extremely impressive skips on TV and FM.Best I ever got with indoor antennas were some UHF channels out of Michigan and Toronto while living in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

[apeman33]

When I was living in Garden City, KS, I picked up what is now KSNT, 27, Topeka with rabbit ears.Since I've moved to southeast Kansas, most of my DXing has come through the cable system:* - On the rare occasions that KOAM, 7, Pittsburg signs off, KHQA, 7, Hannibal, MO comes in.* - When KCPT, 19, Kansas City signs off, the WB station from Tulsa comes through.* - Sometimes, KSNF, 16, will get blown out by a St. Joseph, MO, religious station, KTAJ.* - There used to be times in KSHB, 41, would get blown out by Tulsa's UPN station.* - One time, KODE, 12, was overtaken for a short period of time by KWCH, Wichita.* - KCWE, 29, was once overridden by KHOG, 29, Fayetteville, AR.* - It can get interesting with KTWU, Topeka. It's on Ch. 11 in Topeka but a translator near Iola captures the signal and sends it out on Ch. 30. Sometimes, if KTWU signs off, the translator grabs KGIN, 11, Grand Island. Sometimes the cable system grabs St. Louis' Ch. 30 instead of the translator.Ape.

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

If you're referring to the VHF side of KTSC, there are two reasons why it can't be picked up (even in the 'burbs I would dare say). They are...1). KMGH 7 (ABC)2). KUSA 9 (NBC)Both of which are rather powerful stations compared to KTSC. Add this to the fact that KTSC is atop Cheyenne Mountain (where you're lucky if you get KKTV 11, let alone anything else up there), and that just compounds things.Plus, having traveled through the area, I can personally attest to the fact that 15 is easier to receive OTA in Colorado Springs than 8 is. Colorado Springs BTW is NORTH of Pueblo (where the station's studios are), but is south of Denver. In Pueblo, 8 is easier to receive OTA than 15 is.But since KTSC is with KRMA 6 here in Denver most of the time, DXing this station would almost be pointless anyway.

You have me completely puzzled. Consider:

• KTSC only has a VHF side, on channel 8. Any other channels you get their programming on are translators.
• According to the FCC, there is no channel 15, either analog or digital, within 100 miles of Colorado Springs. You shouldn't be able to receive any channel 15 OTA anywhere within 75 miles of Colorado Springs.
• I know where Colorado Springs and Pueblo are; I also know that Trinidad is south of Pueblo, and is location of the closest channel 15 to Colorado Springs. That LPTV station, K15GL, the only channel 15 in the state that is owned by Rocky Mtn Public Broadcasting Network.

And it has to be atop Cheyenne Mountain as it's got a pretty strong signal.

• Downtown Denver is only 75 mi. by air from the KTSC transmitter site on Cheyenne Mtn., well within range of any VHF station operating at full authorized strength (316 kW for upper-VHF). KTSC only operates at 234 kW, but KKTV operates from the same location at the same power level, 234 kW.

But KTSC's VHF antenna has got to be pointed south and east otherwise people in Colorado Springs would be able to receive KTSC on Channel 8 instead of Channel 15.

• As long as you have your antenna pointed correctly, I'm not sure why KMGH and KUSA would be relevant as to whether or not you can pick up KTSC.

  It is when you consider that KMGH is on 7 and KUSA is on 9. Given that, where do you think that leaves KTSC?

  Again, I'll cite my own experience in Phoenix. I'm closer to the broadcast locations here than downtown Denver is to theirs, and I'm farther from Tucson's broadcast locations than downtown Denver is to Colorado Springs'. Nevertheless, although the picture is very snowy, I can receive channel 4 from Tucson in spite of channels 3 and 5 here and can receive channel 9 from there in spite of channels 8 and 10 here. The Tucson stations each operate at 1/3 the power of their Phoenix adjacents.

You have to keep in mind that there are no mountains blocking KVOA from propogating into Phoneix like the Colorado Springs stations do when it comes to propogating into Denver. You've got nothing but flat land. That's a big difference.

• KTSC's own website says that the channel 8 broadcast antenna provides city-grade service to both Colorado Springs and Pueblo, so your report of receiving channel 15 clearer than channel 8 in Colorado Springs makes no sense.

It could be that they found a way to pipe Channel 8 into Colorado Springs since the last time I was in Colorado Springs too. When I went through Colorado Springs last time, it was the Summer of 1999.

Anyway, I've belabored this point long enough, so this is all I'll say on the subject.

True. It's a nit-picking point. *Heheheh!*Cheers [/list]

 

[bpatrick]

I've mentioned this before, but one night back in the '80sa line of thunderstorms and tornadoes stretched from theSouth back into the Midwest. That night, in Greenville, SC,I picked up KTVI/2 St. Louis (ABC then, Fox now); KSNW/3Wichita (NBC); and KCTV/5 Kansas City (CBS). Remarkablethat I could get all of the Big Three--this was before Fox.I also picked up WSFA/12 (NBC) Montgomery, AL, on a clearfall night; unusual because normally I would pick up WRDW(CBS) Augusta, GA on Channel 12.

 

[Tim L]

from here in Canton, Ohio I have received 2, 4, 7, and 11 out of Little Rock..Other times I've gotten channel 2 out of Houston and Miami. More regularly have gotten Pittsburgh, Detroit (both vhf-uhf), Erie, Pa. and Channel 10 in London, Ontario and Columbus, Ohio Also 11, 13 in Toledo

 

[stdjsb25]

On some nights, I was able to recieve stations from as far away as Baton Rouge from my home in Frankston, TX, and at my grandparents' house, I could get stations in Arizona at one point.

With my rabbit ears, I can't recieve much....I've gotten a couple of DFW stations, and KTBS from Shreveport with my rabbit ears, but utterly snowy and for short periods of time.

 

[kc0ltv]

From the Duluth, MN area:

Via E-Skip, KTVN 2, Reno, NV, 1,470 miles. Saw it more than once, but only saw a blurry logo so there's a slight possibility I didn't log it. If that's not my farthest, then it'd be WESH-2 Daytona Beach, FL at 1,366 miles, which I've seen several times.

On UHF, my farthest are KSPR and KDEB (now KSFX) Springfield, MO, at 663 miles. I've seen Springfield on UHF about five or six times, first in 2000 and last in 2007 (tentatively). I have no idea why it is so common (for such a distance). It's always annoyed me that I haven't been able to see Arkansas (just a little bit farther) or western Kentucky (about the same distance). Cleveland I've seen 2 or 3 times at 643 miles.

With rabbit ears, my longest is WKBD - 50 Detroit, MI at 531 miles, back on July 22, 1999. You better believe I was excited.

Longest DTV is WRTV from Indianapolis at 564 miles during the early hours of July 16, 2006. In fact, my 12 longest DTV's were logged either on July 16th or
July 17th, 2006. I have never had a night like that since.

Of low-power stations, it would be WYMS-LP in South Bend, IN, which isn't that low power, running 131 kW.

 

[MW_FM_DT_DXer]

From Mesa, Arizona (Phoenix area):
The most distant analogue TV station I have received is KTVI, St Louis (Fox 2) via E-skip; I got HDTV just over a year ago, and I have not received any DT stations other than line-of-sight ones.

 

[dhett]

Depending on where you are in Mesa, you might be able to get KUAT (6.x / RF 30), KMSB (11.x / RF 25) and KTTU (18.x / RF 19) from Tucson. I've been able to pick them up from near Fiesta Mall. Especially KUAT - 667.5 kW from about 8000' AMSL.

 

[w9wi]

Hi everyone:Just an addendum to my firIs is however rather uncommon to pick up KOAA 5/30, KTSC 8/15 (More on this in a moment), KXRM 21, and KXTU 57 from the heart of Denver though (But you can get 'em if you live in the right spot in the southern suburbs of the city).The reason why I say you can't really pick up KOAA 5/30 and KTSC 8/15 from the heart of Denver is because both stations are on UHF (KOAA on 30, KTSC on 15) in Colorado Springs, but they're on VHF down in Pueblo (KOAA on 5, KTSC on 8).

Is it *still* difficult to receive KTSC in Denver?

KOAA's main (ch. 5) transmitter is still well south of Colorado Springs and a lot lower than KKTV & KRDO. For many years, KTSC's analog was down there too; it hasn't been up with KKTV & KRDO for very long.

(I should note that KOAA's *digital* transmitter is at the same site as channels 8, 11, and 13. As is KTSC's *temporary* digital rig - though ironically, it looks like they plan to move their *permanent* DTV operation back down to the south-of-town site!)

As Dave Hett says, I'm having trouble parsing the UHF-15 assignment for KTSC. My database lists two channel 15s carrying KTSC but one is in Trinidad, near the New Mexico border, and the other one is in Pitkin, way west of Colorado Springs. (and yes, the listed geographic coordinates are near the towns in question)

I'm betting 15 is their channel *on cable*. (their rmpbs.org webserver is down right now so I can't look it up. I note a link on tvjobs.com pulled up by Google shows them as "8/15": http://msi.tvjobs.com/cgi-bin/display.cgi?Id=556&Z=)

KXRM's antenna is somewhat lower (~250') than KKTV & KTSC's and about 70' lower than KRDO's, that might account in part for the poorer reception. (maybe it doesn't clear Castle Rock?) It's also UHF and if your antenna is poorer that might not cut it.

KXTU holds a low-power license and operates at only 135kw. (from the same tower as KXRM. I believe the stations are co-owned.)

Again as Dave says, adjacent-channel locals really shouldn't affect your ability to receive high-band VHF signals. Unless you're right under the towers - but if you're in midtown Denver, you *aren't* right under the towers.