Stations in the Future

[KCJ]

Looking at the FCC data base, things look good for local HDTV in Columbus. I see two new stations ch 35 and 47 to be added and it looks like 17-19-23-43-48(25) will eventuality will go to more power (17) :D or be switching to HD and more power.:hdlove:. When these changes accure looks like we could see 14 channels NOT includeing the sub channels. Does anyone know about ch8 WGCT-CA and if they will be on the air soon. Also Ch 42 WXCB-CD in delaware, I traveled to Delaware with my portable HD and found no signal, but I did get the Marion station. Thank Kirk


http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=OH&call=&arn=&city=columbus&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

[gsb]

There was a New York Times article over the weekend hinting that broadcast TV's days may be numbered: Effort to Widen U.S. Internet Access Sets Up Battle (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/business/media/13fcc.html?hp)

It's a bit cryptic, and I haven't tried to hunt down details, but it says:

"In total, the FCC is hoping to free up roughly 500 megahertz of spectrum, much of which would come from television broadcasters, which would be compensated if Congress acts.

"The proposal already faces resistance from the TV industry. Stations say they still serve a valuable public service, especially during emergencies, and say the FCC proposals could cause gaps in signal coverage.

"But FCC officials assert that the spectrum changes are necessary given a looming spectrum shortage."

[Mac]

Kirk, I spoke with the COACB folks concerning channel 8 before Christmas, and supposedly the station was to be digital and back on the air around the first of the year pending FCC word.......obviously they are not on the air, and on their website they are asking for $30,000 to put the station on the air here. The dot 4 channel will be a mixture of religious and family friendly programming, with the other 3 subchannels all religion.

Guardian's dot 2 network is still supposedly in the works-----now their target debut time is April-June, but with all the delays they have had, this target time may also be missed. And i don't know what subchannel they could wind up on......when the original date of December 2008 was first announced. I heard that Channel 10 was interested in adding it, but with all the delays Guardian has experienced (maybe they are waiting to see when/if the economy will get better?), they passed and chose to run Accuweather on 10.2 instead.

[hdtvnewbie]

Looking at the FCC data base, things look good for local HDTV in Columbus. I see two new stations ch 35 and 47 to be added and it looks like 17-19-23-43-48(25) will eventuality will go to more power (17) :D or be switching to HD and more power.:hdlove:. When these changes accure looks like we could see 14 channels NOT includeing the sub channels. Does anyone know about ch8 WGCT-CA and if they will be on the air soon. Also Ch 42 WXCB-CD in delaware, I traveled to Delaware with my portable HD and found no signal, but I did get the Marion station. Thank Kirk


http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=OH&call=&arn=&city=columbus&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

What's so great about having endless religious infomercial channels on lptv stations?

[KCJ]

Low power tv isn't all religious or info comercials. 17-1 has sports and I like the sub channels like retro tv, my tv and this tv . The smaller stations also let some local talent be showcased and give a different voice for local people to be heard vs the big stations. Low power TV also covers such a wider area vs low power fm or am. Kirk

[festivus]

I would like to see the CBS station in Lima (WLMO) increase power. From this site it doesn't look like it is. I'm in Delaware county and I would love to be able to pull in that station when WBNS decides to not show the NFL game that I would like to see.

[Thombil]

I use to live near Lima. The CBS station is a pretty bare bones operation I think.

Also it is tough to get any signal because of the height of the terrain around Bellefontaine. Not sure but I think the tower is actually closer to Wapak then Lima. If you are north of Delaware it might work. I was west of Lima about 15 miles and never had much luck getting the Columbus analog signals with a 30 ft. tower.

[festivus]

Yes, I've heard the same thing. Hills around Bellefontaine cause issues.

[willcail]

I notice that WCPX LP48 analog signal have been off the air for several days now. Their website is down with a simple message about returing soon. Does anyone know the status of the following LP TV stations?

WCPX LP48 is listed at the at the rabbitears.info site as a digital station. what are their current plans?

WGCT CA have a CP MOD is listed on the same site. Does anyone know about that?

WCLL CA is listed as a DTV as well on the same site any word?

WCSN LD 32.2-32.4 is color bars and no longer displaying the for rent sign.

How soon WSYX DT will move their digital signal to 48?

[Mac]

WGCT/COACB channel 8 is on the air and have been since last Friday. They have 4 subchannels......mostly religious, but on the .4 channel, they have afternoon and Saturday morning non religious programming. When you tune/scan in to channel 8, the signal will show up as channel 39 COACB....not sure how much wattage they are putting out or where the tower is, but here on the east side, I have to wedge my Terk TV5 a certain way to pick up their signal.

Channel 6 will probably wait until June to move from 13 to 48---sweep week is in May and they must think enough about the over the air viewer to not move the frequency until after then.

Obviously 32.1 is a simulcast of Azteca America as analog 48 is (was?)....

WCLL/Daystar has a CP for digital 35...if you want to watch Daystar digital in the meantime, it is on the .3 subchannel for the above WGCT/COACB configuration.

The one I'd like to see move is GTN analog 23......I visited their HQ's a few weeks ago, they are still unsure after a year and a half delay when the .2 network will debut, let alone going digital for their local station here in town. Maybe they seem happy to sit on the $15 mil they got from the Crouch's (TBN).

[hdtvnewbie]

WDEM 17 appears to have dumped all local programming. They are basically airing Universal Sports on 17.1, Mexican on 17.2 and America One (which is also basically sports) on 17.3

What a waste of spectrum!

Isn't there a movie channel, or a news channel someone can throw on one of these wasted signals?

WGCT/COACB channel 8 is on the air and have been since last Friday. They have 4 subchannels......mostly religious, but on the .4 channel, they have afternoon and Saturday morning non religious programming. When you tune/scan in to channel 8, the signal will show up as channel 39 COACB....not sure how much wattage they are putting out or where the tower is, but here on the east side, I have to wedge my Terk TV5 a certain way to pick up their signal.

Channel 6 will probably wait until June to move from 13 to 48---sweep week is in May and they must think enough about the over the air viewer to not move the frequency until after then.

Obviously 32.1 is a simulcast of Azteca America as analog 48 is (was?)....

WCLL/Daystar has a CP for digital 35...if you want to watch Daystar digital in the meantime, it is on the .3 subchannel for the above WGCT/COACB configuration.

The one I'd like to see move is GTN analog 23......I visited their HQ's a few weeks ago, they are still unsure after a year and a half delay when the .2 network will debut, let alone going digital for their local station here in town. Maybe they seem happy to sit on the $15 mil they got from the Crouch's (TBN).

[Mac]

I made a trip (on bike even!) to WDEM channel 17 this morning. I spoke to Elaine the GM as well as other staffers (very nice folks).

Hopefully in June, they will have the 1 and 3 streams on the cable systems, as well as possibly boosting the power for the over the air with a less directional signal. They are also working on more local programming, one of which is a weekly Columbus Clippers highlights show.

So it seems they are planning on bringing back the more "local " aspect to the .3 channel----but it takes viewers to let them know how they are doing and it takes local advertisers to come on board to be able to do the local shows.

[hdtvnewbie]

I made a trip (on bike even!) to WDEM channel 17 this morning. I spoke to Elaine the GM as well as other staffers (very nice folks).

Hopefully in June, they will have the 1 and 3 streams on the cable systems, as well as possibly boosting the power for the over the air with a less directional signal. They are also working on more local programming, one of which is a weekly Columbus Clippers highlights show.

So it seems they are planning on bringing back the more "local " aspect to the .3 channel----but it takes viewers to let them know how they are doing and it takes local advertisers to come on board to be able to do the local shows.
I'm surprised they can afford staffers. How does this work financially? Does Universal, Tierra and America One pay money to be on their channel?

What they really need is a 17.4 with local programming or even just reruns, movies and traditional independent station fare.

[hdtvnewbie]

Hey, thanks for the info! Not really a big fan of Christian infomercial channels, but the geek in me thinks it's cool to be able to pull in a crystal clear picture on that formerly awful signal. I miss the W08BV days when they had awesome reruns ... if they only had digital back then ...

Interesting that the virtual channel reads Channel 39. Is this legal? Aren't they supposed to use Channel 8?

GTN23 is the only worthy station in lowpower-ville. I concur that they should go digital fast, though they are part of WOW's unencrypted QAM service. I wish they would start showing original Star Trek reruns again.

WGCT/COACB channel 8 is on the air and have been since last Friday. They have 4 subchannels......mostly religious, but on the .4 channel, they have afternoon and Saturday morning non religious programming. When you tune/scan in to channel 8, the signal will show up as channel 39 COACB....not sure how much wattage they are putting out or where the tower is, but here on the east side, I have to wedge my Terk TV5 a certain way to pick up their signal.

Channel 6 will probably wait until June to move from 13 to 48---sweep week is in May and they must think enough about the over the air viewer to not move the frequency until after then.

Obviously 32.1 is a simulcast of Azteca America as analog 48 is (was?)....

WCLL/Daystar has a CP for digital 35...if you want to watch Daystar digital in the meantime, it is on the .3 subchannel for the above WGCT/COACB configuration.

The one I'd like to see move is GTN analog 23......I visited their HQ's a few weeks ago, they are still unsure after a year and a half delay when the .2 network will debut, let alone going digital for their local station here in town. Maybe they seem happy to sit on the $15 mil they got from the Crouch's (TBN).

[hdtvnewbie]

I had a little bit of insomnia last night and was pleasantly surprised to find that Channel 39 (ex-Channel 8) is not all Christian infomercials. Channel 39.2 (8.2) was showing old movies last night.

[willcail]

Hdtvnewbie if its possible can you give tips on how to pick up VHF8? I live in the downtown east side Columbus and about a mile from the tower. Any help? I have the station store in my HDTV tuner and was able to pick it up for a few moments.

[Mac]

According to Trip Erricson's Rabbit Ears.info site, this might be why you are having trouble picking the station up...at .12 and only a 7 mile contour, it is a VERY WEAK digital signal



<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap">Channel 8 (http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1351894) http://www.rabbitears.info/includes/exists.png (http://www.rabbitears.info/contour.php?appid=1351894&map=Y) COLUMBUS, OH (FCC http://www.rabbitears.info/external.png (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DC1351894.html)) (<A href="http://www.rabbitears.info/coverage.php?appid=1351894"><ACRONYM title="Social Coverage Map">SCM</ACRONYM>)</TD><TD vAlign=top rowSpan=4 width="100%" align=left><A href="http://www.rabbitears.info/oddsandends.php?request=ant_pat&ant_id=97376&rotation=0&erp=0.12" target=_new><ACRONYM title="Directional Pattern">http://www.rabbitears.info/antimages/97376_0.gif</ACRONYM></TD><TD vAlign=top rowSpan=5 width=0 align=right> </TD></TR><TR><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 0.7em" height=0>BMPDVA‑20100104AAE</TD></TR><TR><TD><ACRONYM title="Effective Rated Power">0.12 kW</ACRONYM> <ACRONYM title="Composite Directional Antenna">CA</ACRONYM> ( ) (7 Mile Contour)</TD></TR><TR><TD>(0.1 kW <ACRONYM title="Transmitter Power Output">TPO</ACRONYM> + 0.79 dB <ACRONYM title="Gain in the antenna system">gain</ACRONYM> = 0.12 kW <ACRONYM title="Effective Rated Power">ERP</ACRONYM>)</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD>226' <ACRONYM title="Height Above Ground Level">AGL</ACRONYM> (1017006 (http://www.rabbitears.info/oddsandends.php?request=tower&asrn=1017006))</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD colSpan=3>N 40° 1' 52" (http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=PlanetEye&params=40_1_52_N_82_58_29.6_W_type:landmark_region :US) (40.031), W 82° 58' 29.6" (http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=PlanetEye&params=40_1_52_N_82_58_29.6_W_type:landmark_region :US) (-82.975) (<ACRONYM title="Available Channel Search">S (http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=channel&latitude=40.031&longitude=-82.975)</ACRONYM>) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[KCJ]

Hello just made me antenna for ch 8 and it is working on all channels out here in Gahnna. Picking up 4,6,10,17,19,23,32,39,43,51,53. I have a dipole antenna made from a piece of 1x2 board about 8 inches long. Each antenna element which I made from 1/4 inch aluminum rods about 14.5 inches, one connects to the center and the other to the shield. The trick is to find a "hot" spot and to mount it there. Mine is up about 13ft mounted on a South facing window seal at a tilted angle. It can be adjusted with your signal strenght meter on your set. Good luck, Mine is out preforming a yagi, corner reflector and a screen reflector I have tried on UHF, just because of the position its mounted. I built a 3 element yagi for ch 8 but the simple dipole works best on all channels. Be carefull of your connections, one bad one will kill the whole thing. Hope this is a helps. Kirk

[Mac]

Kirk I'm an exit or so down from you off 270-----do you have any pictures,video, schematics,etc....of your antenna that you can share with us on the board?

[KCJ]

I'll try taking a digital photo Sunday. The two elements are stuck in the side of the 1x2 board, one on each side in far enough to secure them with a screw in each element and then solder the coax to the elements, just make sure they don't short and touch each other by puting them in the hole two far. You can look up a vhf dipole antenna on google under amature radio antennas, and then adjust the elements for ch 8 183 mhz/2808 = 15.344 inches per element.( I used 14.5 inches with the bit of coax adding the extra fraction of an inch). You can also use coat hanger wire, but it will rust. Kirk

[hdtvnewbie]

Kirk I'm an exit or so down from you off 270-----do you have any pictures,video, schematics,etc....of your antenna that you can share with us on the board?Here is a YouTube video on how to build your own antenna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHjiBFiVeRQ&feature=related

[hdtvnewbie]

Kirk I'm an exit or so down from you off 270-----do you have any pictures,video, schematics,etc....of your antenna that you can share with us on the board?

That's basically where I am.

[hdtvnewbie]

Hdtvnewbie if its possible can you give tips on how to pick up VHF8? I live in the downtown east side Columbus and about a mile from the tower. Any help? I have the station store in my HDTV tuner and was able to pick it up for a few moments.

Last couple of times tuning in have been tough-could be tropos. I'm guessing there's interference from either Cleveland or Lima. Besides, my outdoor antenna is pointed toward Dayton and I'm too lazy to change the direction. No offense, but you're not missing much. It's mostly Christian crap except the public domain movies shown at 2 in the morning.

Why can't someone put together a channel just showing old movies and TV shows? It' would be a lot better than most of what's on TV today.

[KCJ]

Attached are three files( 1 pdf and 2 jpeg) the photo of the antenna from the top is not to clear because of the window screen. Also at the antenna I have a preamp and a signal splitter, The amplifier helps a bit when I adding more than one outlet. The amps are very iffy, I tried three I had laying around before I found one the inproved the signal. Some times they do more harm than good. Hope this diagram makes since. Here is another link to dipole antennas, remember the lenght of the antenna is divided by 2 for each element. http://www.kyes.com/antenna/rabbitear.html Have fun Kirk

[willcail]

The issue is that I'm within the seven mile radius of WGCT CA. I've have an antenna that have a 40 mile radius. I'm looking at this radio shack antenna that have "digital gain" control and have a fifty mile range indoor amplified antenna.

The first time I was able to pickup WGCT CA was using my old jensen rabbit ears antenna that cost 13 dollars.

BTW here is WDEM CA new website http://wdemtv.com/.

[willcail]

Does anyone know new news about the following:

WDEM CD ERP. It appears that where I'm living no longer comes in 24-7. There are hours in the days that I'm not receving thier signal.

WCPX LP48. There website is still down and they still not broadcasting a digital signal on UHF25.

WSYX DT. Any word on them moving to UHF48 yet?

WTTE DT When will TheCoolTV start to broadcast on 28.2?

[KCJ]

I have noticed 17's signal goes from 8 0f 10 bars to 0 then back. Its almost like a loose cable or a high swr that shuts off their signal. Has anyone noticed ch8/ 39 signal is almost nonexistant. I was showing 2-3 bars then they did something, went to 3-4. Now its 0-1, mostly 0. Thanks Kirk

[willcail]

The funny thing is that there are times that I don't need the amp to pick up WDEM CD. There other times I need it to pick up said station. They do have a CP to go back to their old ERP during the analog years.

Does anyone tell me what time of day to scan for WGCT CA? For example late night is when I can pick up WHIZ DT.

[gabigley1]

Obviously 32.1 is a simulcast of Azteca America as analog 48 is (was?)....


The one I'd like to see move is GTN analog 23......I visited their HQ's a few weeks ago, they are still unsure after a year and a half delay when the .2 network will debut, let alone going digital for their local station here in town. Maybe they seem happy to sit on the $15 mil they got from the Crouch's (TBN).

GTN is in 23.1 and Azteca America is on 23.2. They signed on their digital
signal last Friday.

[dweber]

Tonight I had to rescan my Sony TV and was surprised to find 2 more channels GTN 23.1 and 23.2. Where is the tower located and what power do they transmit with?

I am located between Marysville and Plain City.