WITI tower getting close.

[Gregg Lengling]

The work on the FOX6 tower is getting close to completion.  Just talked with someone in the know (not my usual deep throat source).  They will also be moving the 6 standby antenna from 400 feet to 800 feet now that the tower can handle the load.

Watch this site for further developments!:guitar:

[Todd Wiedemann]

They will also be moving the 6 standby antenna from 400 feet to 800 feet

[/SIZE] So, does this really mean anything ?? How much difference will this really make to us ?

[Bent_MG]

It looks like the main difference will be that we'll all have to sit in a different parking lot below the tower to pick up the signal until they boost the power!

[Gregg Lengling]

Actually I'm still waiting for a reply on the DTV antenna.  The standby antenna is only for use when the main antenna and feedlines (yes 2 feedlines...years ago 6 had 6 feedlines to their antenna) are being serviced.  This gives them better coverage on analog when on the backup antenna for maint.

I'll let you know when I find out where and when the DTV antenna is going up.  By the way my source said it was a ton of fun removing the light system from the legs.

[Tom Snyder]

400 feet makes a ton of difference!  

When my organization was doing the engineering for a new FM station on 88.1  (ultimately awarded instead to Family Stations) we saw how important height is.  

We originally proposed a Class A FM...  6,000 watts at 300 feet.  WITI's engineering staff agreed to allow Class A coverage, but only if we used technology to use the actual TV6 antenna to co-broadcast the FM signal.  To go up to that height (1000 feet), and maintain the same coverage contours, we only needed 170 watts!!!

The big question here is how high are they going to put the Digital antenna? Even at low wattage, if it goes up high enough, more of us  should be able to get a signal.

What is the height and power of 58's digital antenna?

[Gregg Lengling]

Yes I knew all about that with the FM station...Anyhow I not sure exactly but it looks like WDJT's antenna is near 1000'.

I have no idea how high channel 6's digital will be.  The crew doing the work on the tower and the move of the standby antenna, DO NOT have a contract to install the DTV antenna and they really don't know anything about it.  Imagine that....

Doesn't really make sense you would think they would use the same contractor as they are already rigged at the site.  By the way the contractor is Mid Atlantic.....

This is starting to stink or at least smell funny.....I wouldn't be suprised that at the last minute they ask Mid Atlantic to put it up or just don't do it til next year.  If they wait until next year I will be the first one filing a complaint with the FCC.  They can no longer use the tower isn't ready for it excuse, if they move the standby.

:bang:

[foxeng]

After checking the FCC's on line records, it would appear the FCC hasn't given WITI permission to move the DTV antenna yet. Their authorization for the STA isn't at their analog site. The FCC gets real picky about people putting up unauthorizied antennas. At this point if WITI moved the DTV antenna, they would be in violation. This may be the reason it hasn't moved yet.

I haven't talked to anyone there in over 2 months, but I do know they were getting ready to do something related to moving DTV, but with no FCC permission, they have to wait and the FCC has been known to take it's time for no real reason. Example; up to now when my station has applied for a renewal of our DTV STA (every 6 months), it has taken 3 days. This last time (last month) it took a month. Go figure.

[Gregg Lengling]

Yeah an unfortunately they can't plan ahead and put the antenna and feedline up (well maybe the new feedline) because I guess they plan on using the antenna they are on now.  Otherwise they could have it all ready to go and just move the transmitter when authorized.  But in this case once they get the okay we'll have to wait for them to move everything, which could take time due to wx and scheduling.  Definitely not proper planning, when they do move the whole DTV will have to be off the air for the duration.

[borghe]

well, it may not excuse their slowness in the past, but at least it looks like they really are trying to proceed now... hopefully the FCC will approve the DTV antenna move soon.

I also really do give Fox6 credit for carrying fox widescreen from shortly (a few months) after putting up their (weak) digital signal.. more credit than I certainly give to WVTV (and now WCGV) for putting up a DTV signal with no immediate plans to carry their respective networks' HD feeds.

I actually have faith that WITI will carry Fox's HD signal realtively soon after it goes up..

Man I can't wait for 1-3 years from now when all of these growing pains are behind us. :rolleyes:

[FreQi]

Originally posted by Tom Snyder
I emailed Earl Arbuckle, a Fox Corporate Engineer, about when the antenna gets moved to the main tower... Here's his reply:


Tom,

Can't give you a date, but I can say the tower work is going much better this season.  When you see the tower getting painted, you'll know we're close.


I asked for some clarification on whether that means still this Fall, or next spring... I'll post his reply.

In case no one's noticed, the tower has been solid white for about a week and a half now.

[Talos4]

Yeah I noticed that, I've been watching the towers elevator moving quite a bit in thte last 2 weeks.

Drove by there monday and there's several guy's wandering around covered in white paint.

I going to assume that's either primer or we'll start seeing red for a reason other than coat hanger broadcasting real soon.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by Talos4
Yeah I noticed that, I've been watching the towers elevator moving quite a bit in thte last 2 weeks.

Drove by there monday and there's several guy's wandering around covered in white paint.

I going to assume that's either primer or we'll start seeing red for a reason other than coat hanger broadcasting real soon.

Maybe that's the real[/u] reason behind the reinforcement project...  the tower couldn't handle the additional paint load.

[Sidewinder]

I pass the TV6 tower several times a day and have been noting the progress throughout the year.  They really have it torn apart at the base right now, and sometimes even close Estabrook drive.  

Anyway, I was fascinated to see the article about the TOWER OF LIGHT which used to be a Northside landmark.  That helps expain the strange looking 6 on the side (now missing).  I'd love to see that all lit up again, but as a resident of Shorewood I can tell you if they griped about light pollution in the 70s, that was nothing compared to what the Village People would have to say about it today!!  :rolleyes: