[mythtv-users] Obama Recommends Delay in Digital TV Switch

[Jeff Walther]

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> Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:52:14 -0700
> From: Brian Wood <beww at beww.org>

> Jeff Walther wrote:

>> However, Fox and CW just drop out.   They have episodes where the
>> digital
>> converter box reports that there is no signal.   I can be going along
>> watching (box says about 65% signal strength, whatever that means) and
>> suddenly there's no signal.

>> The fact
>> that
>> the signal indicator drops from good to 0, makes me doubt that the
>> problem
>> is on my end, but again, I don't know what that indicator is actually
>> measuring.
>>
>> The two problem stations appear to share a mast...
>
> They may have to shut down when people are working on the mast, or
> anywhere near it.

That would explain the times when they appear to be off the air for a
minute or more.  However, it wouldn't explain the times when the signal is
more or less stuttering.  Gone for a moment, back, gone for several
seconds, back, etc.   Which does kind of resemble the timing of a wind
blown tree.   Unless someone is dozing off in the control room and rocking
 back and forth--leaning on the switch, reclining away, leaning on the
switch...

To further cloud matters, I may be misremembering, but it seems when I
first hooked things up, I did not have such problems with the CW.   I know
I didn't with Fox until more recently.

> UHF transmitters tend to need more maintenance than VHF rigs.

In Austin, CW is on UHF (54) and Fox is on VHF (7).

> Some
> stations do not yet have backup transmitters due to a lack of room, many
> plan to install backup UHF rigs when they free up space by eliminating
> the VHF analog transmitters.

I hope they fix it, but I can always give up the shows on those channels
(or any channel) if necessary.  I gave up cable because of the poor value.
 It will be a little amusing if free broadcasts also have too low of a
value to watch.  :-)

Do you think they would be amenable to a call or email?  The thing I have
not done, which seems kind of obvious is to contact them and ask, "Hey, is
this problem at your end or my end?"

Jeff Walther