Milwaukee HDTV User Group

General Forums => Milwaukee Broadcast Engineers => Topic started by: Jimboy on Friday Nov 30, 2007, 09:17:18 PM

Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: Jimboy on Friday Nov 30, 2007, 09:17:18 PM
Looks like WMLW is up & running on channel 13 (OTA). Currently SD 480i. Anyone else picking this up?
I currently receive all Milwaukee locals at or near 100% on my signal meter. This new channel comes in around 41%.    Dan Dyer? Any insight?
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: SRW1000 on Friday Nov 30, 2007, 10:50:02 PM
That's cool.  Does this mean that 58.2 will disappear soon?  Maybe we'll get to see some football in full HD glory?

It coming in here at about 68% with a SNR of around 19.  Not quite strong enough to come in without breakups.

Scott
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: gparris on Saturday Dec 01, 2007, 11:02:11 AM
TWC's channel 507 is how we "southern TWC subs" get this channel and it's definitely not HD.

So maybe it will get re-assigned out of the 500's
(in the TWC HD section of the guide/numbering sequence)
- so the unknowing subscriber will know with certainty, that it is not HD.:p

(But then again, I get some folks that think channel 4 is HD with out going to TWC channel 504, too...ouch!:eek: )
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: TheSpecialist on Saturday Dec 01, 2007, 11:48:21 AM
I'm getting a signal strength in the mid to upper 70's here in Fox Point using an attic mounted antenna.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: jjallou on Saturday Dec 01, 2007, 12:42:47 PM
Just tried tuning this channel in. Seems to be the same thing as 58-2 with the exception OF BEING REALLY, REALLY LOUD! With some distortion as well. How many 9 volts are they using for this transmitter? I barely get 35% signal and it keeps dropping out. Channel 13 is VHF? Right? I don't have any issues with channel 8 (10-1...etc.) what gives.  Out in Franklin. :eek:
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: hggeorge on Saturday Dec 01, 2007, 03:11:22 PM
I'm picking it up in Howards Grove with a weak signal and picture break up at times.  Must be transmitting with the exciter only?  

George Menart K9GM
Howards Grove, WI
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: LoadStar on Saturday Dec 01, 2007, 09:26:42 PM
Quote from: gparris;42781TWC's channel 507 is how we "southern TWC subs" get this channel and it's definitely not HD.

So maybe it will get re-assigned out of the 500's
(in the TWC HD section of the guide/numbering sequence)
- so the unknowing subscriber will know with certainty, that it is not HD.:p

(But then again, I get some folks that think channel 4 is HD with out going to TWC channel 504, too...ouch!:eek: )

I maintain that 507 is where the digital version of WMLW belongs, grouped right next to all the other digital OTA broadcast stations. There would be no other place in the numbering sequence for it to go.

And as I argued the last time, there are no "HD" OTA stations, there are just Digital OTA stations. Some of the digital OTA stations happen to carry HD programs.

(Also, what about the 10-1 through 10-7 MPTV SD digital stations that are, IMHO, correctly in the 500 range?)
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: gparris on Sunday Dec 02, 2007, 09:02:38 AM
Quote from: LoadStar;42820I maintain that 507 is where the digital version of WMLW belongs, grouped right next to all the other digital OTA broadcast stations. There would be no other place in the numbering sequence for it to go.

And as I argued the last time, there are no "HD" OTA stations, there are just Digital OTA stations. Some of the digital OTA stations happen to carry HD programs.

(Also, what about the 10-1 through 10-7 MPTV SD digital stations that are, IMHO, correctly in the 500 range?)

If so, the compromise would be that WLMW be placed with the other digital stations that are not broadcasting in HD, give it the channel number 557 so it retains the "7" numbering and isn't confused with anything HD, agreed.;)
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: techboy on Sunday Dec 02, 2007, 09:47:47 AM
Ch 13 is licensed as low power.  Not sure what the EFP is, but expect that antenna height and power would be spec'd to serve an area of about 30 mile radius.  It's more about getting a media outlet carried by cable than maintening an OTA presense.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: jjallou on Monday Dec 03, 2007, 02:33:26 PM
It's kinda weird how this channel has a program guide even though all it says is "WMLW Means Milwaukee". When on earth will 58-1 & 58-2 ever say anything? I can't remember the last time I saw any guide info for those channels!
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: Jimboy on Thursday Dec 06, 2007, 07:14:02 PM
Somewhat related to WMLW-LD, the low power 63-1 was turned on some time today. My receiver locked to it and now has the channel in memory but currently a no signal status. 63-1 is broadcast on OTA channel 17.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: Gilbert on Friday Dec 07, 2007, 10:57:47 AM
VHF low-power digital stations are restricted to 300 watts ERP. UHF low-powers are restricted to 15 kilowatts. But, due to the high band crowding, most low-power UHFs have to go lower than that now.

For the record: WYTU-LD broadcasts physically on channel 17, resolves to 63-1, with 1,600 watts of power, pretty much what the old FOX temporary power was.

WMLW-LD broadcasts physically on channel 13, resolves to 41-1, and broadcasts with 300 watts.

As a comparison, WMVS-DT on channel 8 (resolves to 10.1-8) broadcasts with 30,000 watts, and the ABC/FOX/NBC/CBS essentially or do broadcast at 1 million watts. With channels 13 and 17 out of Rockford and 17 out of Michigan at full power, they will not be easy to get. I've been recommending big antennas to suburban dwellers in Chicago when our low-power digitals sign on so that they can get them.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: bradsmainsite on Wednesday Dec 12, 2007, 07:54:42 AM
Gilbert,

After the transition will these power levels increase or stay the same seeing the  interference issue with analog will be eliminated?
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: Gilbert on Thursday Dec 13, 2007, 06:29:48 PM
Quote from: bradsmainsite;43015Gilbert,

After the transition will these power levels increase or stay the same seeing the  interference issue with analog will be eliminated?

For 13, no...the highest power a low-power DTV station can run on channels 2-13 is 300 watts. For 17...they squeezed it between two analog 17's in Rockford and Grand Rapids. When they go away, they might be able to go 15 kilowatts, the highest you can for for UHF low-power stations.

Let me say this: 300 watts, IMO, is too low for VHF due to noise, even on channels 7-13, to go anywhere effectively. 13's signal is poor probably because of analog low-power 13 in Chicago pointing north, and Rockford and Grand Rapids, both full-power 13s. Analog and digital signals don't mix well at all...

Now, for 17...if they can go 1300' at 15 kw, they'll go out 50 miles with a ChannelMaster 4228 or the infamous XG-91. WCIU-DT in Chicago was 15 kw on channel 27, and I locked them 60 miles west in a river valley with my 4228 in my attic!
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: bradsmainsite on Thursday Dec 13, 2007, 10:39:53 PM
Thanks for the info Gil.

I do occasionally get 13 (41-1) up here, but not with any consistancy though.  According to the FCC contour map the signal drops off at about the middle of Ozaukee county.

This will affect those who like to watch the WIAA state games around here on 41 especially when 58 pulls the plug on them on 58-2.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: John L on Tuesday Dec 18, 2007, 10:01:00 PM
Quote from: Jimboy;42905Somewhat related to WMLW-LD, the low power 63-1 was turned on some time today. My receiver locked to it and now has the channel in memory but currently a no signal status. 63-1 is broadcast on OTA channel 17.


Jimboy...

Right next door to your analog ch. 18.  I haven't been able to get WYTU-LD. Not sure if its because the receiver is getting confused with analog 18 or not.  Not too worried about it anyways since I can't understand spanish.  Besides after February 2009 it may come in once ch. 18 analog goes off the air for good. Shouldn't be a problem in case you move DTV 61 to 18.

Speaking of which, I was talking to a engineer from ch. 7 in Omaha, Neb at the WTFDA Convention that he intends to convert the analog transmitter to digital. IS that something you might do with ch. 18's analog transmitter, or would it be too old?

 Cause I know WVTV-18 has been at that tower since 1980...so thats 27 years ago. I'm sure since then you have replaced the transmitter. Actually its my understanding you have 2 analog transmitters, but one is a backup and has limited features like no stereo signal.  heh! (Usually noted Tuesday early mornings)

-John L.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: Jimboy on Wednesday Dec 19, 2007, 08:20:24 AM
Quote from: John L;43188Jimboy...

Right next door to your analog ch. 18.  I haven't been able to get WYTU-LD. Not sure if its because the receiver is getting confused with analog 18 or not.  Not too worried about it anyways since I can't understand spanish.  Besides after February 2009 it may come in once ch. 18 analog goes off the air for good. Shouldn't be a problem in case you move DTV 61 to 18.

Speaking of which, I was talking to a engineer from ch. 7 in Omaha, Neb at the WTFDA Convention that he intends to convert the analog transmitter to digital. IS that something you might do with ch. 18's analog transmitter, or would it be too old?

 Cause I know WVTV-18 has been at that tower since 1980...so thats 27 years ago. I'm sure since then you have replaced the transmitter. Actually its my understanding you have 2 analog transmitters, but one is a backup and has limited features like no stereo signal.  heh! (Usually noted Tuesday early mornings)

-John L.

Channel 61 "is" moving to channel 18. Channel 61 is outside the core digital spectrum.

Old RCA & GE analog transmitters don't make good digital transmitters. We are still using them for analog service however. The GE (currently a backup) has been used since 1968!
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: John L on Thursday Dec 20, 2007, 07:40:48 AM
Quote from: Jimboy;43192Channel 61 "is" moving to channel 18. Channel 61 is outside the core digital spectrum.

Old RCA & GE analog transmitters don't make good digital transmitters. We are still using them for analog service however. The GE (currently a backup) has been used since 1968!

Besides being on the old tower, I assume that tower which has been up since 1980, will be taken down and dismantled in summer of 2009 since the new digital tower is right near it.

-John L.
Title: Wmlw 41-1
Post by: Jimboy on Thursday Dec 20, 2007, 02:58:07 PM
Quote from: John L;43225Besides being on the old tower, I assume that tower which has been up since 1980, will be taken down and dismantled in summer of 2009 since the new digital tower is right near it.

-John L.

I doubt it. It could make an excellent DTV back-up site for us and MPTV (who still has their old analog stuff on it). The channel 24 tower on Holton on the other hand.........