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Old 03-17-2014, 07:14 PM
 
13 posts, read 26,343 times
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Whoops, forgot the info you asked about: WPVI-DT (6.1) -80.8dBm 2 Edge, 37.2 miles. Other than the antenna we also use Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime. I'll have to check out the WB Archive thing.

And here's a link to the full list:

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...46aeb28bf91a11

Bruce

Last edited by Bruce Rosenberger; 03-17-2014 at 07:43 PM.. Reason: Link added
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Old 03-18-2014, 07:39 PM
 
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbv9FLzQyxk

A video podcast I did last year about my first antenna...

Bruce
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Old 03-18-2014, 09:36 PM
 
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Simple TV single tuner for $73 (used to be $300). This device allows you to send antenna TV over the internet to another user with a ROKU. You can add a third party hard disk for DVR capabilities for another $100.

These single tuner simpletv 's are not being produced anymore, but the double tuner versions sell for $400. Note: You must purchase the service to be able to send the signal over the internet (the lifetime purchase is better deal).

If you get too frustrated with antennas, and you have a good friend in a big city (like Quakertown, or even better Soudertown) where they have clear line of sight to the broadcast towers) then he can send you his signal. If he is well positioned enough, he could put the antenna in his attic, and run an ethernet line to his router so that it is not even a nuisance to him.

Elevation files from Google Earth can give you an idea of the terrain you are trying to clear,
Attached Thumbnails
Does anyone use an antenna in Lehigh Valley-sample-elevation-profile.jpg  
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Old 03-20-2014, 07:58 PM
 
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We were actually comfortable with Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime and the ocassional torrent download. The antenna is just fun to play with and see what I can get. One of the folks here was kind enough to explain that I don't seem to be getting the VHF channels. The antenna claims to pick up VHF, but it apparently does not pick it up as well as it does the UHF.

Of course we're not saying we don't use the antenna! Sitting here watching American Idol right now.

Bruce
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Old 03-20-2014, 09:10 PM
 
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VHF channels #2-#13 were added for television from 1941-1945. The All-Channel Receiver Act of 1962 required all televisions sold in the USA to be able to receive UHF channels. Before the TV's became widely available, most UHF stations went bankrupt for lack of viewers.

WPVI (ABC Philadelphia) began transmitting on September 13, 1947 as Dumont, and was ABC's first affiliate on April 19, 1948. Prior to April 27, 1971 it was called WFIL.

It originally transmitted from a 600-foot tower, but in 1957 it moved to a new 1,100-foot tower, which it co-owned with NBC-owned WRCV-TV (channel 3, now KYW-TV). The new tower added much of Delaware and the Lehigh Valley to the station's city-grade coverage.

From 1997–2009 ABC was transmitting digitally under UHF channel 64, even though that was transparent to most people. After 2009 it returned to VHF channel 6 for digital broadcasts as Fcc sold the higher UHF frequencies to cell companies and other uses. WPVI is the only major Philadelphia station still broadcasting on VHF.

WPVI, switched its digital signal to channel 6 on June 12, 2009 and got thousands of calls per day from viewers who couldn't find the station on their sets any more.Within a week, WPVI got emergency permission from the FCC to quadruple its transmission power. The power increase helped WVPI punch through to a lot of viewers, but the station still gets calls every day.

Information on the website is mostly simplistic, and not much help. It basically tells you to rescan
DTV Transition Help for over-the-air digital television consumers | 6abc.com

Fortunately there are very few sports on ABC. Most of the shows are available on the website although they are delayed a week.
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Old 03-24-2014, 07:46 PM
 
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I decided to post my experiments with the antenna in a blog. Good news today!

Professor Bruce!

Best,

Bruce
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Old 03-24-2014, 09:50 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Rosenberger View Post
I decided to post my experiments with the antenna in a blog. Good news today!
If you are going to post your results, you may want to post your expectations (ranked using Fcc website or tvfool)

Sample Expectations FCC Digital TV signal

Strong Signal WBPH IND 60-1 Hi-V (-19 dBm)
Strong Signal WLVT PBS 39-1 UHF (-33 dBm)
Strong Signal WFMZ IND 69-1 UHF (-34 dBm)
Weak Signal WPVI ABC 6-1 Lo-V - Philadelphia (-78 dBm)
Weak Signal WBRE NBC 28-1 Hi-V - Scranton (-81 dBm)
Weak Signal WYOU CBS 22-1 Hi-V - Scranton (-82 dBm)
Weak Signal WNEP ABC 16-1 UHF - Scranton (-84 dBm)
Weak Signal WVIA PBS 44-1 UHF - Scranton (-85 dBm)
Weak Signal WOLF FOX 56-1 UHF - Scranton (-86 dBm)
No Signal KYW CBS 3-1 UHF (-90 dBm)
No Signal WPHL MYTV 17-1 UHF
No Signal WCAU NBC 10-1 UHF
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Old 03-25-2014, 01:53 PM
 
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Default Rush to antennas?

Traditional estimates put out by Nielsen and census department were as follows
Millions
132.5 housing units
17.2 vacant
115.2 households
1.1 no TV
114.2 TV households
68.3 wired cable
35.5 alternative (satellite)
11.1 antenna


Newer estimates are
54.4 wired cable

Some people think as many as 14 million households have switched to antenna, which they supplement with Netflix, and Hulu. Others think that millions of those are not even bothering with an antenna, and simply watching digital video.

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Old 04-05-2014, 08:18 PM
 
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Channel 6 uses a VHF signal from the antenna farm in Roxborough and I can't receive it, even though it's less than 20 miles away. Now MeTV, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to transmit an even lower frequency signal (2.1) from the same place. Naturally, I receive nothing.
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Old 04-07-2014, 02:51 PM
 
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Default Products of minimal value

Two heavily hyped products of marginal value are being sold to people frustrated with TV reception (like Lehigh Valley residents).

1) Rabbit TV is a service that does little more than find websites where video on demand is being shown. You don't need a service as you can find these websites with a browser.
2) Clear TV is a heavily hyped antenna. It isn't a bad antenna, just overpriced. They seem to aim their advertising at people who are unfamiliar with antennas. As many people have had cable TV for over 40 years, some people have never seen an antenna. If they are familiar with rabbit ears or rooftop antennas, they don't recognize modern square antennas.

A third product, Magic Jack is a good cost effective way to add phone service. I would only recommend it as a backup line. As many people use their cell phones primarily, Magic Jack is an inexpensive way to use your wi-fi to add another line to your house. You can re-use your old phones. As it does need to be re-booted once in a while, for safety sake you should not be 100% dependent on your Magic Jack.

Aero TV is going to argue their case before the Supreme Court on 22 April. A decision by the SCOTUS is expected in June. If they win, they should introduce into Philadelphia (and Lehigh Valley) soon afterwards. It is a good way to get the Philadelphia stations for $8/month and have a 20 hour DVR service.
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