HDTV Forum

kq6qv wrote:For a list of permanent channel numbers for all stations after 2009 see http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... -138A2.pdf .

This is good news for folks in Atlanta who own CM 4228 antennas. Looks like the lowest permanent channel is 10 which can already be received by the UHF 4228.

eliwhitney wrote:... Your tree will be a definite problem or challenge. If not sufficiently strong, those HD signals will not "lock" - we no longer have to fret about half pictures or snowy, ghosts, diagonals, etc., using digital --- it is all 100 % or just a blue / blank screen.

Operating more than 1 or possible 2 HDTVs from the signal provided by an outside antenna is possible, of course, but - it'll involve an antenna-mounted, good quality preamp of some sort. Whether or not it will support as many as you propose is up-for-debate.

I think that even with that big tree, there should be plenty of signal for the TVs without a pre-amp. The signals are all coming from a high location and only 9 miles away, so he should have a good signal from his antenna.

eliwhitney wrote:Since it is still actively being debated herein as to whether or not all future HD broadcasting will be strictly UHF, I prefer to suggest that one use a balanced antenna ( both spectrums ) instead. Although more "unsightly" atop one's roof than the other, these will be needed ... IF ... both happen to be used after Feb '09.

The FCC published the final list of assignments for the TV spectrum post February, 2009, a few months ago, and there are lots of stations assigned to channels 7 through 13, so the debate about digital broadcasting being UHF only is long over. There are few stations on channels 2 through 6. There are only 37 in the entire country on the low VHF channels due to the electrical interference that tends to wipe out digital signals. Thunderstorms are terrible for signals in that band, too. Channels 7 through 13 work fine though, and you'll be seeing lots of stations in that segment of the band.

Larry
SF

Hi larrykenny -
Thanks for your info.

But, that does seem to reconfirm my suggestion that strictly an UHF antenna might not be the best.

Although some may work below their designed frequencies, certainly there's still the "need" or advantage of a balanced antenna perhaps, such as that C.M. 3016 or other similar.
eli whitney

Head on over to Digital Connection and pick up an HDTV tuner card for your PC.

http://www.digitalconnection.com/

If your PC is a bit old by todays standards look at a hardware assisted tuner such as the MyHd, if you've a newer PC one of the less expensive tuner cards may work for you.

Eli Whitney... You're correct... there is still a need for VHF antennas, but many are finding that their UHF antennas are working fine for the higher VHF channels. The CM 4228, for example, does a fine job receiving channels 7 on up, if you're within 25 miles or so of the transmitter.

With few low band VHF stations, there is no long much of a need for those huge antennas needed to cover those frequencies. Some company... can't remember which one off hand... is now making a High VHF-UHF combination antenna that will work for channels 7 to 51.

Larry
SF

I'm still experimenting with this. I live in Florida (flat, flat, flat) and am 10 miles from the transmitters which are mostly above 400 ft. in height. I get a good HDTV signal using a 4-element bowtie antenna that I made with copper foil tape on a piece of cardboard, sitting about 6' above the ground in my living room.

I also have a home build PVR using a Hauppauge DV1600 tuner which has both ATSC and QAM tuners in it. I read on the GBPVR forum (http://forum.gbpvr.com/) that others are doing HD recordings with this setup, but the ATSC tuner in the DV1600 seems to be a bit "fussier" about the signal than the tuner in my Samsung television, so it has trouble locking on to the signal.

I've ordered a DB2 antenna which I will put in the attic - then will try recording OTA programs.

FWIW, there is another thread on this forum discussing problems receiving Clear QAM channels from Comcast - I am having similar troubles and have decided to concentrate on OTA for now.

Walt