WVTV Digital

[Cheese!]

Here in watertown we can usally get clear reception of Milwaukee and Madison Stations. No since I hate sinclair so very very much (because they ruin good stations such as "Super 18"), I useally choose to watch the CW over WBUW 57, but I have a question. I can clearly get WVTV's analog signal but their digital signal useally only comes in like from 5-10%. Even though I could care less about 18 will they fix their signal to provide a viewable picture outside Milwaukee county?

[troyriley]

From what I've been able to figure out, WVTV's digital signal is not yet at full power, but still reaches well beyond Milwaukee County. I'm 46 miles away at the IL state line and my signal strength on digital 18 is in the 90's. 10 miles to the south in Johnsburg though, my parents have trouble with digital 18, but receive analog 18 crystal clear. WVTV's digital signal is now on channel 61, but it will be at full power on February 17 when it moves to 18, and should be much better.

[Jimboy]

I "hate" to inform you but WVTV is currently running at full power of 850kw erp. Ease of reception tends to drop off at higher UHF frequencies (like channel 61) so a proper receiving system, installed correctly, and in good working order is necessary. Of course that holds true for any channel. We didn't ask for channel 61, but it's on at full power and working as designed.

[troyriley]

I "hate" to inform you but WVTV is currently running at full power of 850kw erp. Ease of reception tends to drop off at higher UHF frequencies (like channel 61) so a proper receiving system, installed correctly, and in good working order is necessary. Of course that holds true for any channel. We didn't ask for channel 61, but it's on at full power and working as designed.

Is the signal on 61 directional at all? It's strange that my parents at 55 miles away can receive 58 analog (just 3 channels down) crystal clear, but WVTV-DT is so problematic. Granted, 58 is analog and I believe has a higher tower, but I would think if you can receive full-power analog stations clearly, you should be able to get a full-power digital station as well.

Also, is WVTV's digital transmitter at the top of the tower? I've heard some digital transmitters are lower on the tower and it's analog transmitter is on the top of the tower until the analog shut-off.

[Jimboy]

Is the signal on 61 directional at all?

Also, is WVTV's digital transmitter at the top of the tower? I've heard some digital transmitters are lower on the tower and it's analog transmitter is on the top of the tower until the analog shut-off.

Directional...Yes.   The fish in Lake Michigan don't watch much tv so it doesn't make sense to throw a lot of signal in that direction.

The transmitter is located in the building at the bottom of the tower. The DTV antenna is just below PBS's on the DTV Tower. Our analog is on the adjacent WVTV tower.

[hggeorge]

JimBoy, your signal into Howards Grove north west of Sheboygan is excellent.  The antenna is a Channel Master CM 3671 Crossfire on a 30 foot tower.  All Milwaukee and Green Bay signals very strong.  For OTA it's all about the antenna setup.  

George Menart K9GM
Howards Grove

[John L]

I "hate" to inform you but WVTV is currently running at full power of 850kw erp. Ease of reception tends to drop off at higher UHF frequencies (like channel 61) so a proper receiving system, installed correctly, and in good working order is necessary. Of course that holds true for any channel. We didn't ask for channel 61, but it's on at full power and working as designed.

Moving from ch. 61 to ch. 18 in February should show a big improvement in itself. Like you said Jimboy "Ease of reception tends to drop off at higher UHF frequencies".

-John L.

[techguy1975]

Directional...Yes.   The fish in Lake Michigan don't watch much tv so it doesn't make sense to throw a lot of signal in that direction.

The transmitter is located in the building at the bottom of the tower. The DTV antenna is just below PBS's on the DTV Tower. Our analog is on the adjacent WVTV tower.

:rofl:  Love that answer! So, the antenna is pretty close to the top, isn't PBS's antenna on that crown at the top?

[Jimboy]

:rofl:  Love that answer! So, the antenna is pretty close to the top, isn't PBS's antenna on that crown at the top?

The top three spots hold 4 MPTV antennas, WCGV, & WPXE.
WVTV & Mediaflo hang down under the MPTV locations. WVCY & Bustos Media are side mounted. Bunch of radio stations as well. All the particulars are available on the FCC website.