Whats going up?

[Talos4]

From my office I have a clear view of all the TV towers, (well actually I have to stand up and look further to the left for Lincoln park) anyway, Today I noticed a new antenna hanging off the community tower.

Couldn't see it yesterday due to the fog.  Anyone have an idea of who's antenna this may be?

[Tom Snyder]

Can you tell what kind of antenna is it? TV, FM, communication?

[oflaherty]

I didn't notice it until today. I'm told it's the digital antenna for one of the Sinclair stations..but I'm not sure if it's for 18 or 24. And yes it's mounted on the bottom of one of the existing antennas.
The other digital Sinclair antenna and the Pax digital antenna are still on the ground, ready to go up on the third branch of that candelabra.
I also hear that after full power testing, the expensive full power tubes will be removed and both Sinclair stations will operate at low power.
---
Sean at TMJ

[Tom Snyder]

Working on New Year's Eve, Sean? Bummer... well Happy New Year!  

So any idea on WHAT power level... WITI-power or WDJT-power?

[Gregg Lengling]

It sounds strange that they would pull the IOT's but then again electricty isn't cheap nowadays..but compared to the rent on the tower what the heck...but who cares I have a big feeling that for months it will be nothing but simulcast 480i....I really was hoping that I'd get to see Enterprise in HD but I guess I'll have to wait another 3 years.

[oflaherty]

I don't know what power level they will be. I hope it's at least like Channel 58.
I don't have any official information.. all I know is just what I hear around the station.
---
Sean at TMJ

[Joseph S]

 

I also hear that after full power testing, the expensive full power tubes will be removed and both Sinclair stations will operate at low power.

but they told us, the FCC, and the world, that ATSC doesn't work at low power. Is Sinclair out to prove the world that producing lower power crappy upconverts is the way to go?  

[Talos4]

 

Originally posted by Tom Snyder:
Can you tell what kind of antenna is it? TV, FM, communication?

From my vantage point the new antenna looks to be about 2/3 of the size of the stick above it.  That would lead me to believe it's a lower power setup.  

[Gregg Lengling]

Not necessarily....the top antennas are both duals....they have 2 stations on each..they are actually stacked antennas....


------------------
Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
(Built in DTC100 w/Directv)
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
glengling@ameritech.net

[Talos4]

Well now it's what's gone up.  Another new element has magically appeared today.  This one is on the top of the one vacant space on the candelabra.

If these are for Sinclair, wouldn't the elements be mounted on their own tower(wcgv?)
and avoid having to pay rent on another tower?

[Gregg Lengling]

No their tower doesn't have the structural strength for more antennas...rumors I heard was they were going on the community tower...so that may be theirs.

[oflaherty]

The big yellow thing on the eastern most leg of the candelabra is a "gin pole." It was used to hoist the new "stacked" antenna into place on Monday 1/6.
One of the stacked antennas is for PAX digital.. the other half is for one of the digital Sinclair stations.
The other Sinclair digital antenna is already on the bottom of the western leg.  But I still don't know which antenna goes with which station.
---
Sean at TMJ

[Talos4]

Thanks Sean, the "gin pole" was going to be my next question.

It sure is fascinating watching someone hanging off the array tightening bolts.

[kjnorman]

Sean,

I was wondering, once the antenna is in place, is there any rough time line until a station can actually broadcast digital?

[oflaherty]

I don't know how soon the three stations will be on the air.
I heard the Sinclair transmitters are in place on the second floor of the transmitter building at the base of the tower, but I don't know much of the work has been done to run the transmission lines up the tower.
---
Sean at TMJ