KTUL digital signal

[sauerkraut]

Not all converter boxes are equal I have been told, some work better than others and pull in the digital signal's better. I have a Zenwell box (or it's some such name) it is one of the kinds recomended by the government and it seems to work OK- it has analog pass thru and it seems we have 3 low power analog stations in our area one station is all Spanish. Just for giggles I ran the TV on analog after the change over just to see if it pulled in anything and it got 3 low power stations with just the set top attenna and those stations come thru the converter box too... I guess it'll take time for everyone to get the kinks worked out of it.

[nathanm]

If a big antenna is not an option for you, consider an amplifier between the antenna you have and the converter.
I have found that the most common converter boxes have very little sensitivity (perhaps to keep the cost down) and need much more signal than a decent new TV with a good built-in tuner.

Just be aware that older chipsets don't handle overload as well as newer ones do, so you need to have the ability to switch off the amplification for watching closer stations.

Edited to add: I just realized that I can also receive KFSM-DT during daylight hours. Apparently at night there's too much interference from other stations. Sad that I still can't get KTUL-DT. The amplified signal strength is reasonable, so there either must be too much noise or too much multipath interference.

[TheTed]

Anybody having issues with KOTV? I've never had a problem, always had strong signal strength. But late last night and then again this afternoon I just stopped getting any signal at all from KOTV after having a very strong signal a few hours earlier. None of my other channels are affected.

[Wrinkle]

Anybody having issues with KOTV? I've never had a problem, always had strong signal strength. But late last night and then again this afternoon I just stopped getting any signal at all from KOTV after having a very strong signal a few hours earlier. None of my other channels are affected.

I also dropped KOTV for about 2 hrs today (Sun, 12:00-2:00 approx). Missed all the infomercials, came back just in time for the Golf match. Presume they were working on the system since all three channels were down. (6-1, 6-2 & 6-3).

[sauerkraut]

If the pick-up is always poor you may have to invest in a power antenna. I use just a cheap set of ear tops and I get fair pickup, yes, it breaks up now & then and I get "signal lost", but if I had a better antenna it should work half way decent. I also pick up stations that say "not in use" the signal strongness is around 70% and the red line goes up to 100% after a bit. Calling the station may help too, maybe they have some advice.

[Steve]

Anybody having issues with KOTV? I've never had a problem, always had strong signal strength. But late last night and then again this afternoon I just stopped getting any signal at all from KOTV after having a very strong signal a few hours earlier. None of my other channels are affected.

Same thing here.  All the 6.X channels would go black for 30 minutes or so, come back for a few minutes, then go black again.  My 19.1 signal (also broadcast on 6.2) never went away.  This has happened multiple times since I started using a converter box over a year ago.
Since using a converter box for over a year, I have found the optimal placement for the equipment and antennas in my home.  Today when I tune in Ch 6 and watch the signal strength meter on my TV screen, Ch 6 swings wildly from 25 to 95, with the picture and sound cutting out, pixelating, and sometimes totally disappearing.  It has to be a problem with their transmission equipment and not my receiving end.  Seems to be worse during bad weather and on very windy days.

[Hoss]

If the pick-up is always poor you may have to invest in a power antenna. I use just a cheap set of ear tops and I get fair pickup, yes, it breaks up now & then and I get "signal lost", but if I had a better antenna it should work half way decent. I also pick up stations that say "not in use" the signal strongness is around 70% and the red line goes up to 100% after a bit. Calling the station may help too, maybe they have some advice.

Power antennas are worthless.  I built an antenna using 12 gauge Romex, a 36 inch section of 1x4, some screws and washers and a Balun

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/762088/coat_hanger_hdtv_antenna_better_than_store_bought_amazing/

Replace the coathangers with Romex...it's easier to bend and handles moisture better.

[PonderInc]

I am looking at dropping my Cox cable...but, keeping my internet.  Anyone done this?  I live downtown in a house with plaster walls...not sure if I should get an outdoor antenna.  If I do, will that feed to all 6 rooms with a clear picture?  We usually only use one TV at a time.

I did this.  (Cancelled the cable, but kept the Cox internet.)  The funny thing was that they cancelled the cable, and quit charging us, but never sent anyone out to climb up the pole and put the filter on.  Since I assumed we didn't have it, I never bothered to check.  Several months after cancelling the cable I realized that we still had cable!  It was great until I called about an internet problem.  They asked if we had cable, and, like an idiot, I said, "well, we had it turned off, but we still get it."  The tech had to climb the pole and install the filter.  So sad.  It was good while it lasted!

[PonderInc]

I picked up a microsoft wireless mouse and keyboard set about a year ago and love it. I'll look when I get home and post you a link if your interested

I am interested!  We bought a wireless mouse, but it only works if you're within 5 feet of the pc.  I need something that will work from about 10-12 feet away.

[brianh]

I use a playstation 3 bluetooth remote with a media center front end.  I had to pick up a bluetooth dongle to use that though.

[custosnox]

I am interested!  We bought a wireless mouse, but it only works if you're within 5 feet of the pc.  I need something that will work from about 10-12 feet away.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109034

I have this set up on mine.  I lay in bed about 10 feet away and use the keyboard (has the media shortcuts on it) to control things when I watch movies.  Talk about never loosing the remote.  The biggest trick to these though (and all RF keyboards/mice) is place the receiver away from other electronic devices.  Speakers, the tower, and even the monitor will interfere with these, so make sure you have at least a couple of feet between the receiver and these other devices.

[Danny]

well, nothing has changed for me after rescanning, except for maybe picking up a few more christian channels, and just how many chritian channels do we really need?

I still get no channel 8, my apartment faces north, so a dish is out, my issues with Cox prevent me from cable, so until I move, i guess im screwed.

[Steve]

well, nothing has changed for me after rescanning, except for maybe picking up a few more christian channels, and just how many chritian channels do we really need?

I still get no channel 8, my apartment faces north, so a dish is out, my issues with Cox prevent me from cable, so until I move, i guess im screwed.

Strange.  I live at 26th & Yale.  On my large TV in the den on the southwest corner of my house, I pick up all Ch 8 signals strong and clear at a level of about 75-80 out of 100.  But on my little bedroom TV on the north end of the house, I only get a poor unwatchable picture on Ch 8.

If that is all you are lacking, I wouldn't be too upset.  There ain't much I ever watch on Ch 8 anyway, and on the weekends all they show are infomercials.

[Danny]

Strange.  I live at 26th & Yale.  On my large TV in the den on the southwest corner of my house, I pick up all Ch 8 signals strong and clear at a level of about 75-80 out of 100.  But on my little bedroom TV on the north end of the house, I only get a poor unwatchable picture on Ch 8.

If that is all you are lacking, I wouldn't be too upset.  There ain't much I ever watch on Ch 8 anyway, and on the weekends all they show are infomercials.

Yeah, I really only watch Lost, so for now its not a major issue, but why can i get EVERY other station, including the hundred christian channels that probably broadcast from a closet using chicken wire and a car antenna, but an ABC affiliate who cannot get their signal inside of Tulsa? there is no excuse for that.

ill watch Lost on the internet and write off any other show on there.

[brianh]

It's not like you actually get to watch LOST on KTUL anyway, Frank Mitchell cuts into the program for an hour + if there is even a hint that a thunderstorm warning may be coming up.