Wcgv-dt

[AA9VI]

What's up with WCGV-DT's signal?  I remember it being one of the best 3 from the summer of '07 through the summer of '08 from my location in Northbrook, IL.  Some time this past fall, it began to be one of the worst.   There was a nice band opening last night and I pulled in all of the Milwaukee full powered digital stations except WCGV.  EVEN..... EVEN WISN-DT was coming in without any issues, which is a rarity because we have some psycho low powered analog on channel 34 here. WCGV's analog signal was even coming in pretty well.

Is something going on with the digital system?  I looked at my analog 25, just for reference and there wasn't any bleed over from WCIU-26.  So, I find it hard to believe there was interference preventing the digital lock.  I also checked this signal on 3 different tuners.  Same thing.

The whole thing just mystifies me.  It used to be such a reliable digital signal from where I am now it's a rarity. Can anyone speculate why?

[Jimboy]

WCGV's analog signal was even coming in pretty well.

 Can anyone speculate why?

We haven't changed anything on our end.  From your comment it sounds like you are having an issue with analog 24 as well. Has anything changed on your receiving antenna/system? Cabling? Possible corrosion?

[AA9VI]

We haven't changed anything on our end.  From your comment it sounds like you are having an issue with analog 24 as well. Has anything changed on your receiving antenna/system? Cabling? Possible corrosion?

I don't usually get the analog station very well at all so I knew conditions were exceptional last night.  I would have thought the same as you regarding an antenna system issue, but all the others were coming in so well.  Why do I have just one DT signal that has an issue? I didn't get DT-25 at all. The others were a solid lock except for WTMJ and WMVS which had some minor pixelizing.  I usually don't get WMVS due to analog 7 and 9 here killing it. WMVT and WDJT are the most reliable from my place.  They are nearly 100% lock 24/7.

This is going to be a challenge to track down.

[troyriley]

The only thing I've been able to figure out is that there's a low powered translator station broadcasting on RF 25 - W25DW, licensed to Arbury Hills, IL. It seems to be broadcasting from downtown Chicago. It's directed to the southwest, but TVfool does show that there is a weak signal reaching Northbrook. From what I can tell with the FCC information, it looks like it went on the air in the summer of '08, which would explain why you had good reception of WCGV-DT until then. Here's the FCC link - http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

[John L]

The only thing I've been able to figure out is that there's a low powered translator station broadcasting on RF 25 - W25DW, licensed to Arbury Hills, IL. It seems to be broadcasting from downtown Chicago. It's directed to the southwest, but TVfool does show that there is a weak signal reaching Northbrook. From what I can tell with the FCC information, it looks like it went on the air in the summer of '08, which would explain why you had good reception of WCGV-DT until then. Here's the FCC link - http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

That is most likely the issue as to why he has trouble getting WCGV-DT.  I can't figure out why the FCC is still approving analog LPTV?  They also should be made to go digital.  Maybe he should complain to the FCC about this issue so that they can make the LPTV change to another channel or something.

-John L.

[AA9VI]

The only thing I've been able to figure out is that there's a low powered translator station broadcasting on RF 25 - W25DW, licensed to Arbury Hills, IL. It seems to be broadcasting from downtown Chicago. It's directed to the southwest, but TVfool does show that there is a weak signal reaching Northbrook. From what I can tell with the FCC information, it looks like it went on the air in the summer of '08, which would explain why you had good reception of WCGV-DT until then. Here's the FCC link - http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

I can't find that station on the FCC database link you sent.  I have my own list of stations from the FCC:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=2&dist=175&dlat2=42&mlat2=7&slat2=27&dlon2=87&mlon2=47&slon2=13&size=9

I don't see any potential problem except a Rockford station and I can't get any of them.  I did once see a Home Shopping Network affiliate on that channel.

I am getting WCGV on my HDTV tuner now, albeit pretty poorly, and weaker than about 5 other Milwaukee stations (WMVT, WDJT, WTMH, WITI, and the PAX affilaite).

[troyriley]

Hmm, that station was listed on the FCC TV query a few days ago. Maybe it's gone now and that's why you're getting WCGV??? Since I can't find it on the FCC site, I checked TV fool and it's listed on there if you select "only analog"...

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dd130bb6418

The Rockford station wouldn't be the culprit. I also found low power stations in South Bend and Holland, MI on 25 (which show up on your report), but that's still far enough away. The nearest full power stations I can find are in Saginaw and Peoria, still pretty far away.

[AA9VI]

Well, good work guys.  I think you're right.  I hope WCGV notices this and does not have many other viewers impacted.  Putting this translator and future LD station on RF 25 was a BAD move.  Their antenna is not as directional as they claim.  Is there anything that WCGV can do, file a complaint?  I know I'm right on the edge of the grade B coverage contour, but I am being impacted by this station.

Here is the FCC filing for this station:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

[John L]

Well, good work guys.  I think you're right.  I hope WCGV notices this and does not have many other viewers impacted.  Putting this translator and future LD station on RF 25 was a BAD move.  Their antenna is not as directional as they claim.  Is there anything that WCGV can do, file a complaint?  I know I'm right on the edge of the grade B coverage contour, but I am being impacted by this station.

Here is the FCC filing for this station:
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=61692

You might see an improvement tomorrow as WCGV-TV analog on Ch. 24 will be going off the air later this evening for good.   There are plans for a LPTV in Milwaukee to broadcast in analog on ch. 24.  WMLW-CA is talking about moving from 41 to 24.

WEEK-TV ch. 25 analog shut down yesterday, however their Digital was on ch. 57, but they now moved their Digital to ch. 25. So now they are broadcasting on ch. 25 in digital.  WEEK-DT is located in Peoria, IL. Thou Peoria is quite far away from you so they should not be a problem except tropo conditions that usually happen during the summer.

-John L.

[AA9VI]

Hey Jimboy, I filed a complaint with the FCC regarding the interference from W25DW that interferes with reception of WCGV-DT.  I even received a USPS letter confirming the complaint. What else can be done to get this interfering channel to either drop power or change frequency?  I'm right on the edge of your grade B according to the FCC site. This sucks.

[Jimboy]

What is the make/model of your receiving antenna?
Thanks.

[AA9VI]

Antenna: Radio Shack VU-160
Preamp: Winegard AP8700
Coax: RG6QS
Tuners: DirecTV H20, DirecTV HR20, Hitachi 42HDT79, Zenith DTT901

[AA9VI]

Antenna: Radio Shack VU-160
Preamp: Winegard AP8700
Coax: RG6QS
Tuners: DirecTV H20, DirecTV HR20, Hitachi 42HDT79, Zenith DTT901

FYI, WDJT and WMVT come in stellar.  As I mentioned, the problems started last summer.  Pull up W25DW's FCC info and they signed on in July.  I used to get WCGV as good as the other 2 before then.

[AA9VI]

Here is the W25DW analog in action:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80&q=call%3dW25DW%26type%3dA

here is the digital pattern:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80&q=call%3dW25DW%26type%3dD

now we can all see why this signal is an issue.  digital looks even like more of a problem than analog!
right now they are in analog.

I wonder if they go digital, like their app says, then the interference will be minimized by them using a different part of the spectrum on RF25 than WCGV.  sort of like the analog systems had with offset to minimize interference.  

Thoughts?

[Jimboy]

Antenna: Radio Shack VU-160
Preamp: Winegard AP8700
Coax: RG6QS
Tuners: DirecTV H20, DirecTV HR20, Hitachi 42HDT79, Zenith DTT901

Been trying to find the specs on the antenna. Since it's discontinued all I could find is the install guide in Spanish on the Radio Shack site (vintage 1992). Any idea what the gain factor and front to back ratio is? Granted you now have interference but it all comes down to how well the antenna is capturing the signal in the direction you have it pointed and rejecting what's behind it.