June and July in VHF
By Trip Ericson on Sunday, July 25 2010, 16:20 - VHF Nightmares - Permalink
Due to my limited time related to summer classes, I've been putting off the typical updates of the VHF Nightmares. That said, it's no major loss, since there have been only four in the last two months. I've brought the page up to date, and here they are:
- WJLA-7 and WUSA-9 have both filed to make their 52 kW power increases permanent, but with antennas that are now elliptically polarized instead of horizontal.
- WUOA-6 is licensed for 26 kW and has an STA for 31.5 kW, but has filed for a permanent power increase to 45 kW, the highest power level allowed on low-VHF.
- KTTC-10 has filed to increase power from 33.7 kW to 43.1 kW.
Nothing too exciting here, but at least now it's up to date once again.
Comments
In your ample free time, Trip... :-)
...how about a brief history for those of us new to RabbitEars (I've only been around post DTV transition) concerning how "VHF Nightmares" came to be?
1). Was it added only after the problems with VHF became widespread after 12 JUN 2009 or did it predate that big event?
2). Why was the name "Nightmares" used in the title? This is a provocative word of course. Was that intentional to call attention to the issues involving widespread VHF reception?
3). Did the problems in your area with WBRA on RF-3 serve as an impetus for "VHF NIghtmares"?
I've heard that WSYX DT supposed to make their move to UHF 48 by 08.30.2010. hdcolumbus.net have more info.
1) It was added after June 12.
2) It was used because that's basically how I viewed it. VHF had/has terrible problems with low power levels, electrical interference, and poor building penetration. I think I remember saying in the weeks leading to the transition that "VHF is going to be a nightmare" though I could be wrong.
3) WBRA led me to the understanding that low-VHF stations would be a mess. It certainly helped, but on its own wouldn't have caused creation of such a page. The complaints about WABC/WPIX/WNET, WLS/WBBM, WHDH, WGHP, WJW/WOIO, etc were the real reason for the page, since those stations were all on "beachfront property" as many had said pre-transition.
Does that answer your questions? =)