There's a pattern emerging here. I wish we could get an accurrate poll of exactly how many are predicted to receive digital signals vs how many can actually get them with a decent antenna.
My theory is that the whole prediction method is a scam and if it could somehow be proven, I think a case could be made for some rule changes.
I'm sure my area isn't the only one that receives false signal prediction information. I say false because I spent over $500 on an antenna, rotor and amp; it's at 800 ft above sea level; I have moutainess views to the east and south. I'm sure my conditions are a lot more optimal than most in terms of being able to receive digital OTA signals and I can't even get my meter to flicker for ABC, CBS or Fox - 2 of which I'm predicted to receive an "A" or "B" signal for from the "D"'s qualification site.
As an example of the "falseness" of the system, it lists me as getting a grade "A" signal for an ABC digital channel thats 70 miles away. I not only get no signal at all for their digital channel, I can't even get a watchable picture for their analog channel. That same analog channel is on my basic cable tier and it looks like crap there.
Now my local NBC (tower 50 miles away) just launched a digital station this Fall and I actually get a great signal from it and the Vermont PBS HD station at the same location. Yet neither of these stations are listed as my being able to get at "D"s site. In fact the antennaweb.org site still doesn't list the NBC station for my area even though I've emailed them about it 3 times.
Am I just one isolated situation that falls through the cracks or is this whole method of determing who is "served" and "unserved" a bunch of BS to keep people from getting the digital DNS.
Noteworthy is a response I recieved on another forum:
When SHVERA passed last Dec, the FCC supposedly had a year to come up with a system for determing the "digital white areas". Well apparently they are not and the same analog prediction system is going to continue to be used. This is the system that gives the results I'm ranting about above. To make it worse, the FCC has issued rules that basically eliminates the previous signal testing procedure used to "appeal" their erronuous disqualification methods.
Anyway, as usual I've rambled on here but my point is many of us are getting the "digital shaft" and I wish there was some way to expose and rectify this bull sh*t.
