New User in Racine

[ReesR]

Greetings fellow HD'ers.

I thought I would share some comments after the first 24 hours of using my new receiver.  First of all, I was scared to death not knowing if my Sony KD-34XBR2 would fill the shoes of my old 14 year old Sony rear projection tv.  I am happy to say that it's smaller size has not provided any disappointments.  The picture is dazzling.  The sound isn't bad either.  The technology has so much promise.  However, having said that, I was truly disappointed in what I discovered in the way of local station participation once I had the new box plugged in.

After setting up an automatic scan of channel programming to get a current list of stations to view, I was at first confused why CBS-58 didn't show up in the list.  So, I looked up the info on where it was supposed to be and went there manually.  Still nothing.  Not knowing anyone else in Racine who has HDTV I was stuck.  So, I called the Chief Engineer of CBS58 and finally discovered that they are running low power.  Dang.  Spending this kind of cash and then discover that not only CBS58 but many other stations in the area are not doing their part.  They might be in compliance with the letter of the FCC rules (that they are on the air) but certainly not the intent or spirit of those rules.

I wish CBS58 would put a disclaimer on their promotion on Ch 58 that they are now transmitting HDTV by telling people their coverage area is not the same on digital as their analog counter part.  The odd thing is I can get almost all Chicago stations except for CBS.  So, I guess CBS looses this round.

By the way, I got my receiver after stumbling across this site and reading a letter from Jim Hall of CBS58 promoting HD Net.  I was honestly looking forward to seeing HD Net in addition to the primetime programming from CBS.  CBS seems to be taking the lead so far.  However, it appears that any lead it takes is conditional on whether or not full power is used by the local affiliate.  

I must say though, the Sony receiver is really a wonderful piece of technology.  I feel so lucky to be able to use something this well engineered.

I truly apologize for unloading.  If anyone has more positive suggestions for me I will certainly entertain them.  Is there any way to find out who else is in the same situation I find myself in?  There is strength in numbers.  Has anyone attempted to involve our federal representatives?  Or call the FCC to complain about the tactic of using lower power?

Signed,

Disappointed in Racine

Rees Roberts
Racine, WI
reesr@wi.net

[Tom Snyder]

The $64 question is this: What kind of antenna are you using? I'm up in Germantown, and I'd bet I'm no further away from 58's antenna than you are and I can get it... without a rooftop antenna...

[Gregg Lengling]

Welcome Rees I think your name sounds familiar....are you an active ham?


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

[ReesR]

For Tom Snyder:

I did a measurement using my Garmin Mapsource mapping software and came up with the following:

Germantown to Shorewood 15 miles
Racine to Shorewood 25 miles

The antenna I am using is a bi-directional yagi made for this area.  It is located about 30 feet above ground.  I do receive Chicago channels 2,7,9,11,20,32,44 etc analog just fine.  I receive all digital stations in Chicago except for channel 3 (CBS).  My guess is the Sears Tower might be obstructing my ability to receive that station.

CBS58 Chief Engineer says that with their effective radiated power of only 13 kilowatts I would never receive them without special tuned antennas, filters and amplifiers.

I suspect it is that extra 10 miles that is the difference between our being able to receive the signal.

I appreciate the feedback though.

Rees in Racine
Sony KD-34XBR2

[ReesR]

For Gregg Lengling:

Greetings:

Hmmmm... looks like we might know each other?  Yes, I am a ham radio operator.  Call sign K9UUT.  Do I assume correctly that you are a ham too?

Rees in Racine
Sony KD-34XBR2

[Gregg Lengling]

Yeah now I remember your call after seeing it.  I used to be on the road a lot in the 70's and 80's so I was on the air alot and did a lot of work in Racine and Kenosha Counties.  My call is W9DHI, I own a 2-way radio company in Milwaukee and at one time owned an Organ Repair Company.  You might recall either...good to hear from you.


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

[Paul Bethke]

Hi Rees, and welcome.

I'm not sure what your Garmin software will say about Oconomowoc, but here the CBS58 suite comes in at 93-100 signal strength at all times! Perhaps they are transmitting directionally. ??

Hope it helps...Paul

[ReesR]

Hi Paul and thanks.

Yes, that is very interesting.

Oconomowoc to Shorewood is 31.5 miles.

May I ask what kind of receiver and antenna your using?

[Paul Bethke]

Sure. I have a Hughes E86 receiver, and a rooftop antenna - one of the larger Radio Shack models I think. 190?

[rnelson]

Interesting,  I was wondering if you rember my dad (WB9QMX) or my mother (KA9AAH)??

Roy

 

Originally posted by lummox:
Yeah now I remember your call after seeing it.  I used to be on the road a lot in the 70's and 80's so I was on the air alot and did a lot of work in Racine and Kenosha Counties.  My call is W9DHI, I own a 2-way radio company in Milwaukee and at one time owned an Organ Repair Company.  You might recall either...good to hear from you.

[Gregg Lengling]

The QMX call sounds familiar but I can't place it at this time

[rnelson]

My dad's name was Harold.  He was a member of the 25 Year Ham Radio Operators and worked out of Silver Lake.

 

Originally posted by lummox:
The QMX call sounds familiar but I can't place it at this time