Philly Area OTA

[Weezknight]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any clue as to why one of my DTV stations will not come in. Here are the stats from Antennaweb:

WPVI-DT 6.1 ABC PHILADELPHIA PA 179° 19.3
WPHL-DT 17.1 MNT PHILADELPHIA PA 178° 19.4
WTVE-DT 51.1 IND READING PA 284° 20.1
WTXF-DT 29.1 FOX PHILADELPHIA PA 178° 18.2
WYBE-DT 34.1 PBS PHILADELPHIA PA 178° 19.4
WGTW-DT 48.1 TBN BURLINGTON NJ 178° 19.4
WPPX-DT 61.1 ION WILMINGTON DE 178° 19.4
KYW-DT 3.1 CBS PHILADELPHIA PA 179° 19.3
WCAU-DT 10.1 NBC PHILADELPHIA PA 178° 19.4
WHYY-DT 12.1 PBS WILMINGTON DE 179° 19.3
WPSG-DT 57.1 CW PHILADELPHIA PA 178° 19.4

I currently pull in ALL of these stations routinely at 75% to 95% except for WHYY-DT 12.1. I'm wondering why this would be? Channel 6.1 is broadcasting from the same exact place and I get that perfect, but 12.1 will not come in no matter what I do. Is it something to do with WHYY's transmitter?

 

[Derwin0]

I currently pull in ALL of these stations routinely at 75% to 95% except for WHYY-DT 12.1. I'm wondering why this would be? Channel 6.1 is broadcasting from the same exact place and I get that perfect, but 12.1 will not come in no matter what I do. Is it something to do with WHYY's transmitter?

Different power levels on the transmitters.

 

[Tower Guy]

12.1 will not come in no matter what I do. Is it something to do with WHYY's transmitter?

Not only is it lower power, it's directional with even less power in your direction.

from NorthEast Radio Watch by Scott Fybush

Though it's not reflected anywhere on the FCC's website that we can find, Philadelphia's WHYY (Channel 12) has quietly moved its DTV signal to a different channel. The PBS outlet, licensed across the border in Wilmington, DELAWARE, was on channel 55, the frequency that Qualcomm has been clearing out nationwide for its new MediaFLO service.

Now WHYY-DT has moved from 55 to 50, under experimental authority. It's using 50 kW, instead of the licensed 87 kW on channel 55, with a deeper directional null to protect WNJN (Channel 50) in Montclair, NJ.

 

[Weezknight]

Not only is it lower power, it's directional with even less power in your direction.

Thanks for the information. At least I know why I can't reel it in. Hopefully they'll do something about it since, from what I've read, they have some really good stuff in HD.

 

[cbpa]

I had an issue with that also. I was trying to get your list and WFMZ but couldn't work it out with the large shift in directions. I was using an indoor, small rectangular ant. from Radio Shack. I ended up getting the larger, circular indoor/outdoor ant. from Radio Shack to try for all stations. Unfortunately, the shift was still too large to get WFMZ but I was able to get 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 with no problem.

I keep the larger ant. hooked-up to the TV and the smaller hooked-up to the dvr (when I want to see WFMZ) - combining the ant. didn't work and I didn't want to take the time to overcome phase issues.

WHYY is excellent in HD - good luck.