CH 58 SIGNAL STRENGTH

[Gregg Lengling]

Has anyone notice that 1-1 seems to be way down in signal strength.  I'm not getting a lock 100% of the time anymore.

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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net

[JohnRacine]

CBS is no longer watchable down here in Racine.  The signal is so weak that it barely registers on the meter.  It's been that way for a few days now.

[Rafiki]

I have noticed it. My numbers here in Jackson go from the 20's to the high 70's. Sometimes I get so frustrated because I'll be watching a program and then loose the program part way through. Also 1-1 now comes in on 46-2.  4-1 strength is stable in the 80's.  Sure would like to know what's up.

Michael with
57" widescreen Sony
and DirecTv.

[ReesR]

Michael:

Your right.  Channel 58 does show up on digital channel 46.  However, each broadcaster can "assign" or "map" any channel it wants to that will be seen by the viewer.  Hence, unlike every other station I am aware of, they decided to use channel 1 instead of ch46.

The only problem is when I do an automatic scan of stations it starts with channel 2.  It never shows up in the list of current stations unless I manually add it.  (I wonder if they knew that when they decided to do that?)

Does anyone else notice this?

As a past broadcast engineer and amateur radio operator, it is quite well known summer signals are better than during the winter.  I don't look forward to winter.  Both VHF and UHF signals will decline as winter overtakes us.  That is not an opinion but a regular and normal occurance.

The past few days were less humid and were cooler as well.  Signals are down during these times as expected.  Until Channel 58 finally decides that they will broadcast full power, this is what we will have to expect.  Especially if you live north or south of channel 58.  This is because they have a directional antenna which is pointed west.  Hence anyone living to the west will receive a better signal than anyone living north or south of Milwaukee.

Hope this helps.

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Rees Roberts
Racine, WI
reesr@wi.net

HDTV Receiver:  Sony KD-34XBR2
Bi-directional Yagi Antenna at 30 feet

[Kevin Arnold]

My understanding of the choice of mapping channel 1 instead of 58 is that 58 is one of those frequencies which will be auctioned off in the distant future. Instead of spending money promoting digital 58 they were probably looking at something that wouldn't change. Since no one has "1" that's where they went.

[ReesR]

You learn something every day.

One thing, however.  Won't all the analog channels be auctioned off in some distant future?  Couldn't those who are on analog vhf, for example, have chosen a different virtual channel for the same logical reasons?

Just being curious.

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Rees Roberts
Racine, WI
reesr@wi.net

HDTV Receiver:  Sony KD-34XBR2
Bi-directional Yagi Antenna at 30 feet

[Gregg Lengling]

Only the channels above 51 will be auctioned off for future wireless services.  Eventually the current analogue assingments will all be cancelled and only Digital assignments will remain.  These will be between channel 2 and channel 51 (RF wise).  The stations were given DTV assingments with the understanding that when a coverage threshold is reached in the future the analogue systems will be shut down.  Prior to that time the licensees will have to choose whether they want to keep their current DTV assingment or move their DTV to their old analogue assingment.

The FCC hoped this would happen by 2006 but I think 2015 would be a better bet.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net

[Matt Heebner]

2015....maybe.....but I think 5-10 billion dollars in the govenment hands will speed any lingering analog broadcasters  

Matt

[Gregg Lengling]

Don't count on that Matt I'm in that industry and the auctions aren't going to bring that kind of money anymore.  Just look at all the companies that bought freqs. at 1.8 to 1.9 gigs for PCS service that went bankrupt.  Also remember one of the biggest lobbies in Washinton is the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) and they will do everything to hold onto their FREE frequencies as long as possible.  Even the FCC is starting to state that the DTV transition is not going to happen overnight, but more like a 15 to 25 year time frame.  I read trade magazines with all the pertinent interviews and information on a daily basis.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net