VHF-HI (7+)
and UHF up to 52
are the channels that will be used. The top and bottom frequency ranges are being reused for other things.

4221's aren't great at VHF-hi, but if the channel is strong enough, you will probably still keep it.
4228's are much better at VHF-hi because they're wider and can pick it up more. Again, if the channel's strong you will probably still keep it. (fuzzy analogue channel on 7 now may very well result in a lock on digital after the transition)

I thought that channels were staying where they were, and part of the whole DTV move was to repurpose the VHF band for something else. I don't believe that channels will be moving back down to their VHF equivalent.


Close but not quite correct. It is the 700 MHz band (channels 52-69) that is being freed up for other purposes. Also VHF-LO (Channels 2-6) is not very desirable for digital broadcasting so only 37 stations in the entire USA will continue to use VHF-LO. However, VHF-HI (channels 7-13) is very desirable so most stations currently on VHF-HI will revert to their original channel (though there are some exceptions). Most stations originally on UHF will stay with their new allocated channel, unless it is in the 700 MHz band, in which case they will either revert to their old channel or get a new one.

Thanks for the further clarification, roger1818. I knew that not all UHF digital channels would revert to VHF. Good to know the Buffalo area isn't one of them. My 4221 will live a while longer! :)

The freeing up of 700 MHz was done in response to interference issues between Nextel services and public safety departments (i.e., police, fire, etc.) using 800 MHz trunked radio systems.

I remember when 800 MHz (channels 70-79) was relinquished for cellular telephone services back in the early 80's.

All things being relatively equal (standard OTA equip: e.g., CM 4221, 4228, RG 6, amp for over 100', etc...), do people in the golden horseshoe/TO stand a better chance to get southern BUF channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) when they are in analouge or when they are digital? Has anyone done a comparison of reception results- analgoue vs. digital?

All things being relatively equal (standard OTA equip: e.g., CM 4221, 4228, RG 6, amp for over 100', etc...), do people in the golden horseshoe/TO stand a better chance to get southern BUF channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) when they are in analouge or when they are digital? Has anyone done a comparison of reception results- analgoue vs. digital?
None of the analog Buffalo channels is watchable for me...when I scan, I get 49 but not 49.1, same goes for CHCH...OTOH, I get 4.1 & 7.1 but not the respective analog station on the scan.

I'm the opposite - I can see the analog channels (albeit fuzzy) but can't lock on the digital (ABC sometimes, MyTV all the time in winter)
I'm not pointed right to get E! and CTS, so don't try :p

The problem with asking questions like that is that ATSC chipsets really vary. One may lock with half the signal that another requires, meaning someone with that better chipset may get a digital picture when the analog is too degraded to watch.

My only hope is that they increase power after the switch so that more people can reliably watch their channels. I mean, cmon, they WILL be saving like 8.76GW of power a year (in some cases), whats a couple more kW going to hurt? ;)

I don't have a VHF antenna, but the 4228 does pretty well with the high VHF and all UHF.
Where I can compare, ch 7 up, ALL my digital channels come in much, much better the the equivalent analog. Rather than snowy ghosts, i get crystal clear video.
The higher uhf's are my lowest levels. CH 64, 65 & 66 are all about 62 to 68% Thats because the gain is lower on the 4228 at high channels, the splitter and cable losses are greater and the distribution amp isn't as good at high freq. My hope is that all the high Toronto stations will be moved below ch52.

P.S. I don't expect any stations in this area to increase power. The hope is that reception will improve once all the high power analogs go away. Then the AGC circuit in most tuners will work to bring up levels of the low power digitals.

P.S. I don't expect any stations in this area to increase power. The hope is that reception will improve once all the high power analogs go away. Then the AGC circuit in most tuners will work to bring up levels of the low power digitals.

Really? Can we expect somewhat better digital performance once the analog shutdown happens? Will we need to wait for the Canadian shutdown, or will the US shutdown also give us some improvement?

Really? Can we expect somewhat better digital performance once the analog shutdown happens? Will we need to wait for the Canadian shutdown, or will the US shutdown also give us some improvement?
Depending on where you are and your antenna setup, you may not see any improvement untill the canadian analog shutdown.

...do people in the golden horseshoe/TO stand a better chance to get southern BUF channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) when they are in analouge or when they are digital? I've moved a recent post of yours and some replies into this thread that has been discussing your topic for quite some time - look through it and let us know if you have further questions. :)

All things being relatively equal (standard OTA equip: e.g., CM 4221, 4228, RG 6, amp for over 100', etc...), do people in the golden horseshoe/TO stand a better chance to get southern BUF channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) when they are in analouge or when they are digital? Has anyone done a comparison of reception results- analgoue vs. digital?
I just did a quick test of CW, PBS & Fox analog versus digital. I get all three analog signals with a minor amount of snow and I can lock on to all three digital stations.

Will OTA digital transmission change after Feb 17? E.g., Take the higher position on the transmission tower, increase power output, adjust directionality, etc. This information would be useful to those planning to get OTA gear, e.g., antenna size, amp, rotor, etc.

(this may have been covered in a previous thread, please direct if so, thank you stampeder.)

i've read elswhere that ABC buffalo has applied for an increase in it's ERP from 358kw to 723kw. i'd like to see an increase in ERP across the board but that's just me being hopeful. Although how else can they be sure that once analog goes down, they can still service the same geographical area reliably? Digital signals drop off quicker than analog and we all know that if it's not enough signal being recieved your picture is just not there.

I think antenna height makes more of a difference than ERP. When WPXJ reduced their power by half, it made no difference in the PQ that I receive from them.

For you, perhaps, but someone on the very edge of their coverage area would probably have seen a drop-off

That's currently my problem with NBC and WNYO Buffalo. I'm right on the edge it seems. If only they tx a little more. I can't go any higher with my current set-up. I guess i'll wait and see like everyone else what happens in Feb. I wonder how long it takes the FCC to review and approve a ERP increase.

all my southern digital buffalo channels (nbc, abc, cbs, rtn) come in great, and are further away from me (Hamilton) than the grand island digital channels. for the grand island channels, pbs and wnlo come in great for digital, but wutv (29) and wnyo (49) do not come in for digitial (cm 4221 mast mounted above roof line) , some reception in analog. it would be great if power and/or direction of the transmission signal were improved for southern ontario. you would think with having canadian ads on 29/49 that the higher ups would improve the signal which would improve viewership and potentially improve ad revenue, maybe something will happen after feb 17.

goforit Industry Canada has been blocking all attempts by WNYO and WUTV to improve their signal north.

Does any one know if/when TVO (Channel 19) is going to start up DTV on Channel 51? I can get all the other Toronto channels to some extent, but have seen nothing on that channel. I note from the latest government document that they are allocated 106KW ERP, which should be good signal when it starts.
harryw

harrw, if you look earlier in this as well as the other Toronto conversation, you will note that there has been extensive discussion of CICA-DT and when it will be happening. The simple answer is do not hold your breath, as they have 1) not yet applied for use of the station even though it has been assigned, 2) began to distribute an HD feed to the BDUs which tends to happen in Canada before the OTA signal is available and 3) they have a special exemption for having to launch a -DT in the near future...