This thread carries on from the previous CHCH, CHEK, Corus, Zoomer, Pattison, Independents: DTV Transition Status (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=129678) thread, which is now closed.

Has anyone else noticed how the audio stream from the main Hamilton CHCH transmitter (channel 11.1) now seems really tinny or hollow? It kind of sounds like you're listening with a long piece of pipe coupled to your ears. It does not sound like this on Bell TV's channel 218; I presume they have a direct fibre feed from CHCH.

Maybe nobody's made mention of it since so few people can actually receive the DTV channel anymore on VHF? ;)

I just called CHCH and was told "they are going to be looking for more power" from the switchboard operator.

I assume that they need to apply to the CRTC and the FCC to boost power.
If so, shouldn't we be able to check the validity of this online?

CHCH will have to conduct an engineering analysis in order to gauge how much power to ask for and reach interference agreements, if required, with other broadcasters before filing anything.

CHCH was @ 60kw digital on RF18 and are now @ 6kw on RF11.
They had 325kw on RF11 when they were broadcasting in analog.
Do they still need to do a study?

Yes, any change in parameters requires an Engineering Brief to be submitted to Industry Canada to change the broadcasting certificate.

In addition, the application to the CRTC for an amended broadcasting license will usually need proof that the intended market area is not covered properly by the current parameters, and that the station is sufferring economically because of it.

If so, shouldn't we be able to check the validity of this online?

Eventually. It takes time. As Dave says, the Engineering Briefs will have to be completed before anything can be filed with Industry Canada or the CRTC.

And just because something has been filed, does not necessarily mean that it is publicly available yet.

I assume that this will take months not weeks.
I hope they are applying for more power.

Is there a CRTC/IC mechanism that allows for "emergency" power boosts on short notice, as has been done by the FCC?

Urgent requests still require some sort of analysis to justify them. The applicant also has to show either that they will not create problems for others, or that they have coordinated with potentially affected parties and all agree to accept whatever interference results. The example filing I have been citing from WUSA, Washington, DC, included an interference agreement between them and two other stations. The agreement was easily reached because all parties realized that the level of interference was way overstated (cash also helps.)

This is a rare, but not unique, situation in broadcast allocation management. Prior to the mid 60s, the rules for FM allocations in the US produced stations too close together for the ERPs used.

We live in a world of studies, Frank. Maybe they'll do a study to see if a study is needed.

Schmerpy, if your reception of some other station suddenly deteriorated because Global was not forced to prove they wouldn't unacceptably interfere with your other desired station, you might feel differently about the need for proper studies.

But the proposition doesn't make sense. CHCH always operated on Channel 11 with 325kW power. To suggest that going from 6kW to, say, 50kW will now cause problems doesn't make sense. I don't think any new stations broadcasting on Channel 11 have popped up within 100 miles.

The need for studies is sometimes defeated with simple logic, but there are those who always seem to be on a mission to prove the obvious.

The rules have changed since the original VHF allocations were made. Back then, most VHF-Hi stations went for the maximum (325 in the Canada, 316 in the US), whereas now, you have to prove your coverage area, and IC won't let you exceed a 90 km or so radius.

WBRE RF 11 WILKES-BARRE PA 30. kW
WPCW RF 11 JEANNETTE PA 30. kW

Based on FCC data these are the closest RF 11s and both are 5X the power of CHCH.

You also have to worry about CKVR/WHEC/CFPL on 10 and WICU/CHEX on 12.

- Trip

The need for studies is sometimes defeated with simple logic, but there are those who always seem to be on a mission to prove the obvious.
The analysis won't be terribly complex, but there has to be rigor to the process.

Actually I'm right in between from back to front of WHEC and CKVR. I've actually been able to aim at both WHEC and CKVR and recieve them independently at the same time. CKVR is very strong at my location when I'm aimed right at their location.

I have a question for those in the Toronto area who get CHCH. For the DTV signal, do you get proper HD?

Here in Ottawa the signal is zoomed in and cut off.

I'm wondering if they'll fix this sometime soon. Every other channel broadcasts a proper widescreen HD signal.

CHCH Hamilton's signal is proper 16x9 1080i. Nothing is cut off.