WWJ-TV has changed its on-air branding from 'WWJ-TV, CBS Detroit' to 'CBS 62'.

Doesn't make sense to me why they would make this change. It started on-air yesterday.

Here's the explanation for going to CBS 62...

http://wikibin.org/articles/cbs-mandate.html

I still don't think CBEFT is in the post transition plans. They worded their response as such because they don't want to outright tell the CRTC they are not converting (even though they did before). Just a guess though...

Information from their application documents:
The station will stay on Channel 34, using a directional pattern with a maximum ERP of 621 watts @ antenna height of 56 metres. This actually improves their coverage versus their current analog operation whose maximum ERP is about 3 kW.
There is also something in the supplementary brief about proposed multiplexing of francophone and third-language programming.

Full CRTC documentation here:
https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/DocWebBroker/OpenDocument.aspx?AppNo=201202200

Again, a great idea for the service IF they could somehow get their contour to cover more of Essex Co...

WHNE-LD has been granted a construction permit to move to channel 20 from Oak Park. There is a null towards Windsor, but the immediate part of the city should be able to receive it fine.

any pictures of the new contours? and idea for ETA on move... and they will have to sort out their PSIP situation... 20 is already in use with WMYD, and 26 is being used by CHWI.

As a side, anyone know whats up with ION and their move to RF 50?

The proposed contour according to the FCC:

http://maps.google.com/?q=http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/contourplot.kml?gmap=2%26appid=1434954%26call=WHNE-LD%26freq=0.0%26contour=51%26city=FLINT%26state=MI.kml


Good question on the PSIP. They may do 26 because CHWI is barely receivable this side of the border. Even with my large antenna, I only occasionally lock it in. In fact, 16 gives me a better picture than 26.

20 is obviously not available, so WHNE may have to use WMYD's RF channel of 21. Personally, I'd like to see them use a different number in the high end of the old UHF dial, something like 60 or 64 or 68... something like that.

Ya, looks like if you live along the riverside on both sides of the boarder your going get the signal. The same goes for CHWI though on RF 26. Having 2x stations using 26 would be slightly problematic. I agree, there would be a lot of free space in the 52+ range, and there is also PSIP 1 open, and no station in the area seems to use #3 either.

Any idea on ETA for this move?

The old UHF allotments in Detroit/Windsor markets were for the most part either six or a multiple of six channels apart. The lone exceptions were the Ann Arbor allotments (channels 31 and the never built 58), Port Huron's never built 46, and CBEFT on channel 78, and later 54. Though it means little if anything to the general public, a hobbyist like myself would love this pattern to continue. I feel that using a PSIP of 68 best accomplishes this. However, something tells me they'll stick with 26, causing major problems in Windsor and them immediate downriver Detroit suburbs.

No clue on when exactly it will be built... but I'll see what I can find out. I'm sure they'll try and do it as soon as possible.

Looks like it will not be possible to get WHNE down here. Just about nothing sent in this direction. I wonder what needs protecting with the southeast null or if it was just to get the app approved quicker.

WLPC also has a new application. Requesting 15kw up from the current 2.34kw.

WLPC could for sure use a bit of a boost... I basically have LOS to their transmitter and unless I rotate my antenna right at it, I get nothing...

The FCC's website is not showing the proper pattern for the WLPC application. From reading, it appears they will use the same or a similar heavily directional pattern, just with more power. They must protect WKAR in East Lansing.

Ah. I see that TVQuery has not been updated. This (https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101493629&formid=346&fac_num=168471) is what was filed by the applicants in CDBS, which is the primary source for FCC documentation. You are correct in that they are applying to crank up their existing operations on ch. 40 to the maximum 15 kW ERP. The power will only be delivered over a very small range of azimuth, though.

I think the discrepancy comes from the status of the latest application - "Accepted for filing."

It is indeed the exact same pattern as before. I know the null to the south is to limit the signal on Canadian soil. The northeast null may be because WADL is on RF 39 and they don't want any issues there.

My money (or lack thereof) says they'll be extended. I do wonder though, since Windsor has the highest OTA viewship percentagewise in the region, if not all of Canada, will there be a large number of complaints if CBEFT goes dark? Is the French population of the area really that large?

WADL's main channel is now broadcasting in HD today. They also added another SD sub channel on 38-4 that is currently broadcasting the same content as 38-1. Anybody know what is slated for the 38-4 position?

Can't check the 1080i quality really close right now but I guess it would look similar to WDWO TCT HD channel where there are also three other 480i sub channels.

^^^
To my knowledge, there has been no announcements from the CBC. Nor have I seen any applications on the CRTC website.

Here's what we know:

1) The CBC is on record as seeing OTA as a low-priority.
2) The OTA distribution network for CBC has been described as "antiquated".
3) The CBC has just been handed a significant cut to their budget.

My opinion--and this is purely speculation based on the above--is that the London, Kitchener and other analog CBC transmitters will go dark come their August license expiry.

It's entirely possible that the federal government will take pity on them and extend their licenses.

Either way, I don't see more digital over-the-air transmitter deployments in the near future for the CBC (to replace existing post-transition analog stations).
Here ya go. http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/site/budget/en 17 weeks from today they'll be gone.

My money (or lack thereof) says they'll be extended. I do wonder though, since Windsor has the highest OTA viewship percentagewise in the region, if not all of Canada, will there be a large number of complaints if CBEFT goes dark? Is the French population of the area really that large?
For what it is worth, Windsor has about 9% of its population that speaks French, per http://www.city-data.com/canada/Windsor-City.html

Leamington, which is also served by the same transmitter, accounts for 5% of its population, per http://www.city-data.com/canada/Leamington.html

I am told by many at work that there are some strong french language communities out in Belle River, Lakeshore, basically that stretch north of the 401 and south of Lake St. Clair. Also, given the proximity of CBEFT to the US boarder and its ERP, I think it would be foolish to shut down RF 35. If they were to crank the juice on CBEFT, or CBLFT-10 for that matter, it could cover all of Windsor-Essex and Chatham, killing two birds with one stone. But, unless there is a ground swell locally, I think the days are doomed.

Considering CBEFT has no local programming at all, and I don't think they even have local advertising, it's obvious Radio-Canada does not care about this transmitter.

I wonder... if they do give up 35, would CHWI apply to move 16 or 26 there and boost power? Maybe CHCH or someone else sets up a repeater?