Channel 6 FACTS

[Tom Snyder]

Had a great conversation yesterday with Chuck Steinmetz, WITI's GM.

Here's the story:

The transmitter is installed

The building modifications are moving along

The new permanent antenna is exepcted to arrive in the next 1 to 2 weeks

If everything that can go right does go right, WITI's digital signal SHOULD be at 1 Million watts by August 10th or 11th.

Chuck was understandably reluctant to set a specific date because so much can go wrong.  We all know by experience that any one thing could cause a 1 to 2 week delay.. several problems equals more delay...

But the last few puzzle piece are falling into place... and I'm thinking that even with a few unexpected glitches, everyone in SE Wisconsin should be able to watch the Sept 11th Packer Regular Season Opener OTA in HD ...

And what else really matters?  :cool:

[Joseph S]

And what else really matters?  :cool:  

That the Wiz doesn't butcher the 9/8 Raiders @ Pats season opener like they did to so many games last year.

This 1 million Watts is a nice scam. Any better than the others' current 1000KW? They still don't have the authority this. I don't see what is gained by Chuck Steinmetz being secretive other than the fact that he thought it would be similar to the other cases where what he told many of us turned out to be false.

[GBK]

That the Wiz doesn't butcher the 9/8 Raiders @ Pats season opener like they did to so many games last year.

This 1 million Watts is a nice scam. Any better than the others' current 1000KW? They still don't have the authority this. I don't see what is gained by Chuck Steinmetz being secretive other than the fact that he thought it would be similar to the other cases where what he told many of us turned out to be false.

how exactly is he secretive?  If all goes well we'll have the full power by the 11th or there about. if not we won't.  I don't know how you can set a drop dead deadline when you don't have all the equipment in and don't have any idea that it works when it gets here.

[Joseph S]

how exactly is he secretive?

Not now, but in the past 9 months.

[GBK]

I agree they weren't very forthcoming with info.. most of what we know comes from foxeng who isn't even in this area.  Shame on Fox 6 for that. but at this point all we can do is let them do their job and whine when they do it wrong     Btw thanks for the info Tom it's good news better late then never.

[foxeng]

I agree they weren't very forthcoming with info.. most of what we know comes from foxeng who isn't even in this area.

Everything I have said is available on line in public. I haven't revealed any trade secrets here. It has been months since I have talked to anyone from WITI. I did know of their tower situation a WHOLE lot longer than you guys, but most of my info comes from looking at the public data and analysed it for what it was, something many on here haven't (or will not do) done. No smoke and mirrors on that.

I am truly happy that you guys are about to have near full power FOX. I am not quite as close as WITI, but I see the end in the next couple of months myself. I know you guys get upset when things don't go the way you think they should and yeah, stations are not as forthcoming as you would like them to be, but stations do what they do for profit and things drive that.

[GBK]

a lot of people here are very new to the HD side of things I guess most of them don't know where to find that info or don't want to look thru a bunch of technical stuff to find it.  I think most of us here compare Fox 6 to the other stations on this forum that do give us some info.. (ie. we're working on it, we have equipment coming in etc.) personally I don't mind waiting but would like to know that there are people that are trying to get us all to HD.

We all appreciate the info we get from you (foxeng).  It wouldn't take much for Fox 6 to do the same.

[Stanley Kritzik]

Well, I sailed thru the last Packer season with "Searching for signal on antenna" messages from Tivo, and similar results on the occasional appearance of the Pack on 58-1.  It looks as though this year, all will be well.

Now, we need the Green and Gold to WIN!

Thanks for getting us the info, so while you're at it, can you find out why 10-1 and 36-1 delay their programs by three hours, vs. what they put out on 10 and 36?  It turns the "Jim Leher Evening News" into the "Jim Leher Night-time News".  MPTS doesn't care to respond to listener comments, by the way.  I've asked and suggested without getting a reply.  What are they going to do when the analog channels go away, if they don't fix it now?


Stan

[Tom Snyder]

Karen Copper from MPTV has always pretty good at communicating with us... but now that you mention it, it has been a LONG time since we've heard from her.

I'll see what I can find out.

[packeron]

:confused: I just returned to Directv from Cable and just started using OTA for my local HD recpetion (I couldn't go without Sunday Ticket).  I have a few (I hope not uninformed questions).  I notice 12-1 comes in most of the time, but 58-1 and 4-1 are much better in the evening, is that normal?  Where is the new tower for 6 (6-1) located and when they go to high power will there be interference with any other stations?  I live in Brown Deer (about 1/2 mile from TV 6) and will that have any effect on reception.  One final question is that whether an amplifier like the ones they sell at Radio Shack help with signal strength?

[Tom Snyder]

Just got this email from Chuck:

FYI - for the record, as you know there is some history between you and
I on this issue.  One reason we don't always have updates is because
many times we don't have any new info to give.  And the times that I
have updated you the reaction has been, well, let's just call it
'strong'.  I understand that your group is frustrated - it's frustrating
to us as well, but we've worked on the tower for over three years and
there was physically no way to make that work go any faster.  As I said
from day one, safety is and was a critical element of the project along
w/ weather conditions, tower designs, structural analysis, etc, etc.  
Also, our tower is one of the more complicated towers in the country as
it is free standing and over 1000'.

That being said, I can already tell you that the dates you posted (mid
August) are going to be tough to hit because of an issue we are having
w/ a few parts (which came up after we spoke Tuesday).  The details
don't matter, but this is an example of how this target keeps moving on
us.  I hate to put out a date and then miss it - and this project has
easily been the most complex project I have been involved w/ in my 18
year broadcasting career.

I know some of you guys may not agree with me, but I think Chuck is one of the good guys.

[Steve Mann]

I know some of you guys may not agree with me, but I think Chuck is one of the good guys.

I would certainly agree with you, Tom. I think some folks just don't understand the complexity involved with a project of this type. I was in the CATV construction industry for over 11 years, awhile back. We would build and rebuilt entire CATV plants nationwide. All the way from headend to the house. There are a myriad of factors that must be taken into account for projects of this magnitude. Same for the digital conversion going on a these stations.

Most folks are only worried about one thing, what they see on their screens. Many don't understand what it takes to bring it there.

[GBK]

I think there is a lot of us that know that this is not a easy project.  I understand that a specific date is usually unrealistic.  Let's agree that if there isn't anyone to give the correct information the "emotions" get in the way and a huge rant starts off... I'm not immune to it I try to keep myself in check but that doesn't always work    We all essentially try to get to the best possible scenario fully available HD/Digital all the time

[Steve Mann]

... Let's agree that if there isn't anyone to give the correct information the "emotions" get in the way and a huge rant starts off...

I can agree with this also. Communication is always desirable. If things don't go as planned, it will certainly help if that information is passed on. However, there are good reasons while some times that is just not possible, feasible or good business.

[Nels Harvey]

Thanks for getting us the info, so while you're at it, can you find out why 10-1 and 36-1 delay their programs by three hours, vs. what they put out on 10 and 36?  It turns the "Jim Leher Evening News" into the "Jim Leher Night-time News".  MPTS doesn't care to respond to listener comments, by the way.  I've asked and suggested without getting a reply.  What are they going to do when the analog channels go away, if they don't fix it now?


Stan

I know the Ch. 10/36 guys are monitoring this discussion board, and are aware of the complaints.  Since the Ch. 36 HDTV (Ch. 35)  is on all day and night, and not carrying the Ch. 36 analog signals, permission was granted by the FCC for the 36 signals to be carried on the Ch. 10 digital (Ch. channel.  The Ch. 10/36 executive decision to delay the Ch. 10 and Ch. 36 signals by three hours apparently satisfies the FCC.  By splitting the digital channel further, it gives the opportunity to display the kids Channel from the satellite, as well as the PBS-University channel  Weather radar, with WFMT audio, program announcements and Sullivan weather are also displayed, and considered a public service.

When the final analog days come and pass, don't think the whole world will turn to high definition.  What Ch. 10/36 is doing now will become very common, as the TV stations find a new revenue stream potential.  Does anyone really believe As the World Turns, or the Bold and the Beautiful are going to go high definition?  Are Ch. 55, or Ch. 58, going to drop those extra channels they are using now?  I really don't think so.  Not if there is money to be made!

Nels....