Channel 4-1 OTA Breakups

[bubbaridesfast]

In the last few weeks I have had problems with 4-1 OTA pixelations. When I check the signal strength it really fluctuates all over the place.

I have never had a problem with 4-1 since I first got HD OTA over 2 years ago. Other stations still all come in fine OTA.

I first thought no big deal and told my wife it's NBC or channel 4's equipment - nothing I could do about it but I haven't seen any one else mention problems -  maybe it is my equipment.

It's always possible my antenae shifted but aren't other channels transmitting from the same tower?

I need help, the wife is getting ****ed off and wants me to "fix it honey" which I will if I can.

[kjnorman]

I too have found that 4-1 can fluctuate all over the place.

The channel was rock solid for a while then all of a sudden reception "went south".

I found that if I move my attenna (it is in the attic) then I can get 4-1 solid, but then I lose my other channels - or I get my other channels great but 4-1 is shakey.

I'm in Whitefish bay though and I am almost a perfect right angle between the two main transmitters with my antenna pointing at neither one - 45 degrees adrift between the two.  My problems started in ernest when Bay Shore mall put up their large construction crane.   It is almost perfecly dead center between me and the transmitter and I am guessing is that it is causing some off axis reflections that are causing interference.  I note that my breakups come and go depending on where ther crane is moved.  Hopefully in the Fall as the new Towne Center approaches completion I'll get my stability bad.

Of course if there are other reasons why 4-1 jumps all over the place I would love to know.

[Joseph S]

I've noted breakups and little glitches even while in the high 90s. My signal for 4/28 doesn't fluctuate much at all. It's more than just signal, though that may be your case. There's also far more pixelation because of the multicast, especially on stuff like Las Vegas, SNL, Sports, Musical guests/Performances on Conan/Leno/Etc. It also seems that everytime they run up that "Trust" promo you can trust they'll be late flipping the switch.

[StarvingForHDTV]

It's also possible that a tree has grown enough in those 2 years to effect your signal.  Is your antenna pointed through the path of one or more trees?

[bubbaridesfast]

It's also possible that a tree has grown enough in those 2 years to effect your signal.  Is your antenna pointed through the path of one or more trees?

I wondered about that also, but that's why I was asking if other stations are also transmitting from the same tower. Can anyone answer that for me? I thought I remembered reading in the past that most were in the same location and I would suspect if others transmit from the same tower then if I was obstructed I would notice it on other channels.

I really hope it isn't a tree problem because I cut down everything I could reach myself when I put my antennae on a 10 foot mast strapped to my chimney to get FOX6 back in the low power days almost 2 years ago. I don't think I can trim anymore without calling in a pro, for what that would cost I could get locals via D*'s satellite much cheaper.

I was really hoping for confirmation from others experiencing similar glitches but with the limited response so far it must be my own problem. Although it's weird because it is so inconsistent, some days everything is OK.

It isn't necessarily NBC problem because it even happens on the local 5 or 6 o'clock news broadcasts. If 4 transmits from it's own location that is likely all the answer I need.

[bradsmainsite]

Here is what is happening.  There is an analog 28 from somewhere that is skipping in from out of state causing an analog video carrier spike right in the portion of the digital wave form.

I confirmed this today with my sencore digtal rf and spectrum analyzer meter.

There it was plain as day spikeing right out of digital channel 4's waveform causing
a degredation to the signal.

You will notice this from time to time during temp inversions and tropo ducting until analog is shut off :bang:

Could not get several channels from milwaukee today because of this :mad:

[bubbaridesfast]

Thanks, I guess we just have to put up with it. My poor wife will not be happy! :bang:

[Gilbert]

Here is what is happening.  There is an analog 28 from somewhere that is skipping in from out of state causing an analog video carrier spike right in the portion of the digital wave form.

I confirmed this today with my sencore digtal rf and spectrum analyzer meter.

There it was plain as day spikeing right out of digital channel 4's waveform causing
a degredation to the signal.

You will notice this from time to time during temp inversions and tropo ducting until analog is shut off :bang:

Could not get several channels from milwaukee today because of this :mad:

That would be WSJV-TV 28 out of Elkhart/South Bend, IN. It has been frequently
coming in here, some 60 miles west of Chicago.

[kjnorman]

I did a search for stations within 300 miles of us on the Broadcast Televison Station Search (link on home page) and found the following channels broadcasting on 28:

(Distance and direction from Whitefish Bay)

Digital

WYZZ-DT (Fox43) from Bloomington, IL (182 miles, 204 deg)
WYOW-DT (ABC) from Eagle River, WI (195 miles, 344 deg)

Analog

WFUM (PBS) from Flint, MI (225 miles, 95 deg)
WSJV (Fox28) from Elkart, IN (136 miles, 142 deg)
WFXA (Fox28) from Cedar Rapids, IA (224 miles, 256 deg)
WHWC (WPT) from Menomonie, WI (237 miles, 308 deg)

So I would guess that WSJV (Fox28) from Elkart, IN is the prime candidate as has already been mentioned, and I do not know how far realistically signals can bounce, but that that is a lot of choices with a couple of hundred miles or so.

Kerry