Thanks for the tips / suggestions guys. Neat web sites for related info.
I did contact the engineering dept at KOM0 channel 4 (Seattle ABC affiliate) who advised that their current
DTV (channel 4.1) broadcast antenna is positioned on the south face of their tower - effectively creating a signal null for me in here Northern Puget Sound. This condition won't change until after the February cutover date. At that time they will begin sending
DTV signal on their main omni antenna.
I'm using four (4) of the DISH TV
PAL (TV-40) receivers, which outwardly seem to have some pretty nice user features built in. Yes, they do have a very handy signal strength meter screen selection as part of the system setup section.
I have however discovered some quirks between them. As an experiment, I swapped them from room to room and now I find that each one has a different behavior - regarding which signals they will capture and when - despite rebooting them (have tried both the channel scan process and also removing the AC power). Seems they have a learning program as part of their internal programming that sometimes requires days to purge and relearn.
IN ONE ROOM THE RECEIVER WOULD CONTINUALLY FIND NEW CHANNELS, . . . but no so if I moved that same receiver into another room. Until I discovered this quirk it just about drove me nuts. I even checked the AC power here to see if there was any cause for concern. (121.2 V). Here's the latest mystery. The room farthest from my antenna, 75 feet away, will receive a single
DTV station that no other room will.
Did find a couple of good related web sites to look at which will assist you determining where your local
DTV stations are physically located so that you can aim your antenna properly. Cut and paste these into your browser:
Latitude/Longitude Position Finder
Broadcast Television Station Search
TV Fool - TV Signal Locater
NOTE: Make certain that you enter the "-" negative symbol just ahead of your longitude figure or the process will not complete.
I'd like to try the Terrestrial DB8 Antenna to see what kind of performance it might offer me, but will have to wait until payday - or take a second job. Kinda spendy. They are a departure from the directional yagi style - and appear to have a bigger wind load being flat panel mesh multi-bow tie design. The manufacturer claims they weigh in at 10 lbs !
The real burn is that I have an incredible analog signal now and can only hope that the
DTV (digital) signal will eventually equal or exceed that. Right now that is obviously not the case for me. I'm a bit apprehensive about this process because in the Seattle area, on average, we have approximately 226 days of clouds or rain per year.
I can't imagine the general population would ever find the patience (or household budget) to deal with such technical requirements, . . . the constant trial and error equipment adjustments, . . . and the need to research and experiment with various components to achieve a reasonable
DTV signal in their homes.
Let's hope this entire
DTV cutover process doesn't evolve into another Congressional Bail Out.
