Antenna Suggestion? (Homer, La.)

[homertiger]

I typed in my Zip(71040) and this is what AW gave me for digital stations.
* red - uhf KPXJ-DT 21.1 UPN MINDEN LA TBD 257° 18.3 21
* violet - uhf KYPX-DT 49 i EL DORADO AR TBD 29° 39.6 49
* violet - uhf KTBS-DT 3.1 ABC SHREVEPORT LA 259° 50.6 28

What about these stations?
uhf KSLA-DT 12.1 CBS SHREVEPORT LA
uhf KMSS-DT 34.1 FOX SHREVEPORT LA
uhf KSHV-DT 45.1 WB SHREVEPORT LA
uhf KLTS-DT 24.1 PBS SHREVEPORT LA
uhf KTAL-DT 6.1 NBC TEXARKANA TX
uhf KMCT-DT 39.1 IND WEST MONROE LA
vhf KNOE-DT 7.1 CBS MONROE LA
uhf KAQY-DT 57.1 ABC COLUMBIA LA
uhf KARD-DT 36.1 FOX WEST MONROE LA
What's the problem?
I was going to put up a CM 4228, but I am not going to do that for only 3 stations.......

[Ratman]

You actually only have KTBS showing up. The others are TBD'ed.

So with that...
at 50 miles, you better be ready for a challenge. Assumming that you want all of the Shreveport channels, you'll need a 4228 (or a similar high gain antenna) as high as you can get it. You probably will need to add a preamp too.

[homertiger]

I can pick up almost all (SD version) of the stations I listed above with a set of rabbit ears inside. The signals are not clear put I can watch the programs none the less. Does this mean I should be able to pick up the DT stations with the 4228?

[kevinw]

Most likely BUT the digital are UHF an the anaolg are VHF. VHF should be easier to get. I think the 4228 with an amp will get what you want.

[homertiger]

What are my chances of getting these?
uhf KMSS-DT 34.1 FOX 55 miles
uhf KSLA-DT 12.1 CBS 54 miles
uhf KSHV-DT 45.1 WB 55 miles
uhf KTAL-DT 6.1 NBC 59 miles
vhf KNOE-DT 7.1 CBS 67 miles
uhf KARD-DT 36.1 FOX 67 miles

[Ratman]

The same as the others.

Get the antenna as high as possible. Get a pre-amp. You may also need a rotor if they are in different directions. And... any further and you'll need a tower.

[homertiger]

Back to my original question. Why does antennaweb list KTBS-DT and not the other DT stations that are the same distance?

[Ratman]

Perhaps because of:
distance
terrain
low transmitter power
radiation patterns
elevation
etc... etc...

[homertiger]

low transmitter power: How do you check this?
radiation patterns: What the hell is that?
elevation: How do you check that?

[Ratman]

Radiation pattern is the effective direction/distance a x-mitted signal is distributed. Sometimes it's a straight line, fiqure 8, circle, etc.

As for the other questions, the 'sticky thread' at the top of this forum has some references:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=7813

Also... www.fcc.gov

[rochmndx]

Check out http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html

AntennaWeb has been known to predict wrongly on DTV channels, although the analog channels are usually accurate. I don't know why this is, but most DTV stations aren't predicted after about 40 miles in our area, and yet people 70-75 miles have no trouble recieveing them. I would say that you should be able to get those channels.

[Ratman]

Antennaweb is a useful 'guideline' and is by no means 100%. Most DTV stations are 'predicted' mainly because nost Digital channels are UHF. UHF does not 'travel' as far as VHF. Also, many digital channels are running a low power (only to comply with the FCC).

Anyone that gets UHF/digital channels at ~70 miles are fortunate only due to tower height, terrain, power, elevation etc.

Average 'rule of thumb' would be 50 miles.

I would say he also could get those channels. But it depends on all of the caveats stated above, monetary investment and persistence.

What recommendations/suggestions can you provide to get this guy started?

[Jim5506]

Here is your 100 mile digital profile from http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp.
Digital Television Stations (including Special Temporary Authority)
Logo Station Channel Status DTV Facility City Licensee Direction Distance ERP / HAAT Transmitter Antenna Transmitter Location

KYPX-DT
App: 1058230
Fac: 86534
4/18/2005 49 (49) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2013
LICEN CAMDEN, AR ARKANSAS 49, INC. 26.7° 39.1 mi 70 kW
600 ft

KLTS-DT
PBS
App: 610522
Fac: 38591
11/2/2004 25 (24) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 260.9° 52.6 mi 57 kW
846 ft

KMCT-DT
IND
App: 600830
Fac: 38584
4/19/2002 38 (39) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2013 Construction Permit
LICEN WEST MONROE, LA LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING, INC. 107.7° 54.48 mi 8.1 kW
279 ft

KLTM-DT
PBS
App: 1007980
Fac: 38589
11/1/2004 19 (13) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN MONROE, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 105.4° 56.57 mi 6.7 kW
505 ft

KTAL-DT
NBC
App: 666111
Fac: 35648
6/5/2003 15 (6) Temporary Authority
Expires 8/1/2006 Application
LICEN TEXARKANA, TX NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. 277.1° 57.39 mi 15 kW
1460 ft

KETG-DT
PBS
App: 997048
Fac: 2768
8/2/2004 13 (9) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN ARKADELPHIA, AR ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION 354.5° 78.39 mi 7.3 kW
1048 ft

KLPA-DT
PBS
App: 710963
Fac: 38590
8/11/2004 26 (25) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN ALEXANDRIA, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 159.2° 88.18 mi 76 kW
1355 ft

KFXK-DT
FOX
App: 660025
Fac: 70917
5/6/2003 31 (51) Temporary Authority
Expires 8/1/2006 Construction Permit
LICEN LONGVIEW, TX WARWICK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 255.5° 100.68 mi 0.25 kW
89 ft


Analog Television Stations
Logo Station Channel Status DTV Facility City Licensee Direction Distance ERP / HAAT Transmitter Antenna Transmitter Location

KKYK-TV
App: 496815
Fac: 86534
49 Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013
LICEN CAMDEN, AR ARKANSAS 49, INC. 26.7° 39.18 mi 3020 kW
574 ft

KLTS-TV
PBS
App: 3783
Fac: 38591
12/16/2002 24 Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 260.9° 52.58 mi 1620 kW
1070 ft

KMCT-TV
IND
App: 89235
Fac: 38584
3/25/1994 39 Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Construction Permit
LICEN WEST MONROE, LA LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING, INC. 107.7° 54.51 mi 562 kW
499 ft

KTAL-TV
NBC
App: 304797
Fac: 35648
12/4/1981 6 Licensed
Expires 8/1/2006 Application
LICEN TEXARKANA, TX NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. 277.1° 57.41 mi 100 kW
1581 ft

KLTM-TV
PBS
App: 277045
Fac: 38589
10/29/2004 13 Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN MONROE, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 123.3° 68.65 mi 316 kW
1785 ft

KETG
PBS
App: 301048
Fac: 2768
7/28/2004 9 Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN ARKADELPHIA, AR ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION 354.5° 78.37 mi 316 kW
1070 ft

KLPA-TV
PBS
App: 58836
Fac: 38590
8/6/2004 25 Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN ALEXANDRIA, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 159.2° 88.15 mi 2040 kW
1362 ft

KCEB
App: 672093
Fac: 83913
12/3/2003 54 Licensed
Expires 8/1/2006
LICEN LONGVIEW, TX ESTES BROADCASTING, INC. 261.6° 104.88 mi 5000 kW
829 ft

[Ratman]

LOL... no 'flamethrowers' there!

Looks like Cable or satellite may be in order.

[homertiger]

Thanks Jim! I tried that site too but why did they not list these stations?
uhf KSLA-DT 12.1 CBS SHREVEPORT LA 50 miles
uhf KMSS-DT 34.1 FOX SHREVEPORT LA 50 miles
uhf KSHV-DT 45.1 WB SHREVEPORT LA 50 miles
uhf KTBS-DT 3.1 ABC SHREVEPORT LA 50 miles
vhf KNOE-DT 7.1 CBS MONROE LA
uhf KAQY-DT 57.1 ABC COLUMBIA LA
uhf KARD-DT 36.1 FOX WEST MONROE LA

[Ratman]

http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/la/tv.asp?m=shr
http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/la/tv.asp?m=mon

I found most of them...


KNOE-DT
CBS
App: 600603
Fac: 48975
10/19/2004 7 (8) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN MONROE, LA NOE CORP., LLC 138.6° 70.58 mi 1 kW
1699 ft

KNOE-DT
CBS
App: 1043245
Fac: 48975
3/15/2005 7 (8) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN MONROE, LA NOE CORP., LLC 138.6° 70.58 mi 17 kW
1699 ft

KETZ-DT
App: 1038213
Fac: 92872
3/30/2005 12 (30) Construction Permit Modification
Expires 6/11/2006
CPOFF EL DORADO, AR ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION 80.6° 51.91 mi 10 kW
1765 ft

KETG-DT
PBS
App: 997048
Fac: 2768
8/2/2004 13 (9) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN ARKADELPHIA, AR ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION COMMISSION 10.8° 77.15 mi 7.3 kW
1048 ft

KTAL-DT
NBC
App: 666111
Fac: 35648
6/5/2003 15 (6) Temporary Authority
Expires 8/1/2006 Application
LICEN TEXARKANA, TX NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. 291.5° 55.68 mi 15 kW
1460 ft

KTAL-DT
NBC
App: 1069143
Fac: 35648
15 (6) Construction Permit Modification
Expires 4/13/2006
Lic Expires 8/1/2006 Application
LICEN TEXARKANA, TX NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. 291.5° 55.68 mi 1000 kW
1517 ft

KSLA-DT
CBS
App: 601144
Fac: 70482
17 (12) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA KSLA LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, LLC 274.5° 51.66 mi 175 kW
1699 ft

KLTM-DT
PBS
App: 1007980
Fac: 38589
11/1/2004 19 (13) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN MONROE, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 121.2° 58.4 mi 6.7 kW
505 ft

KPXJ
App: 994088
Fac: 81507
21 (21) Construction Permit
Expires 6/14/2007
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN MINDEN, LA MINDEN TELEVISION COMPANY, LLC 275.3° 51.54 mi 1000 kW
1647 ft

KLTS-DT
PBS
App: 610522
Fac: 38591
11/2/2004 25 (24) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 274.7° 51.22 mi 57 kW
846 ft

KLPA-DT
PBS
App: 710963
Fac: 38590
8/11/2004 26 (25) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2013 Licensed
LICEN ALEXANDRIA, LA LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY 173.8° 89.78 mi 76 kW
1355 ft

KTVE-DT
App: 1049549
Fac: 35692
3/7/2005 27 (10) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2005 Application
LICEN EL DORADO, AR PIEDMONT TELEVISION OF MONROE/EL DORADO LICENSE LLC 50.9° 36.75 mi 1.36 kW
250 ft

KTVE-DT
App: 429561
Fac: 35692
4/7/2000 27 (10) Construction Permit
Expires 9/15/2005
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Application
LICEN EL DORADO, AR PIEDMONT TELEVISION OF MONROE/EL DORADO LICENSE LLC 80.6° 51.91 mi 822.8 kW
1909 ft

KTBS-DT
ABC
App: 615663
Fac: 35652
28 (3) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA KTBS, INC. 275.3° 51.54 mi 1000 kW
1847 ft

KFXK-DT
FOX
App: 660025
Fac: 70917
5/6/2003 31 (51) Temporary Authority
Expires 8/1/2006 Construction Permit
LICEN LONGVIEW, TX WARWICK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. 269.9° 99.43 mi 0.25 kW
89 ft

KLAX-DT
ABC
App: 556329
Fac: 52907
5/3/2001 32 (31) Construction Permit
Expires 7/7/2003
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN ALEXANDRIA, LA POLLACK/BELZ COMMUNICATIONS CO., INC 173.9° 89.76 mi 50 kW
1093 ft

KMSS-DT
App: 696070
Fac: 12525
10/24/2003 34 (33) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA COMCORP OF TEXAS LICENSE CORP. 256.9° 48.31 mi 1 kW
138 ft

KMSS-DT
App: 421284
Fac: 12525
34 (33) Construction Permit
Expires 10/1/2003
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA COMCORP OF TEXAS LICENSE CORP. 273.8° 51.74 mi 1000 kW
1808 ft

KARD-DT
FOX
App: 625216
Fac: 3658
2/4/2003 36 (14) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN WEST MONROE, LA NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. 124.2° 54.82 mi 1.02 kW
164 ft

KARD-DT
FOX
App: 421277
Fac: 3658
36 (14) Construction Permit
Expires 7/9/2003
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN WEST MONROE, LA NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. 146.2° 70.33 mi 1000 kW
1870 ft

KMCT-DT
IND
App: 498158
Fac: 38584
8/31/2000 38 (39) Construction Permit
Expires 5/1/2002
Lic Expires 6/1/2013 Construction Permit
LICEN WEST MONROE, LA LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING, INC. 123.5° 56.34 mi 1000 kW
505 ft

KMCT-DT
IND
App: 600830
Fac: 38584
4/19/2002 38 (39) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2013 Construction Permit
LICEN WEST MONROE, LA LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING, INC. 123.5° 56.34 mi 8.1 kW
279 ft

KSHV-DT
App: 625844
Fac: 73706
2/4/2003 44 (45) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA WHITE KNIGHT BROADCASTING OF SHREVEPORT LIC. CORP. 256.9° 48.3 mi 1 kW
138 ft

KSHV
App: 497358
Fac: 73706
44 (45) Construction Permit
Expires 5/1/2002
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA WHITE KNIGHT BROADCASTING OF SHREVEPORT LIC. CORP. 273.8° 51.72 mi 500 kW
1657 ft

KYPX-DT
App: 1058230
Fac: 86534
4/18/2005 49 (49) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2013
LICEN CAMDEN, AR ARKANSAS 49, INC. 44.8° 38.87 mi 70 kW
600 ft

KYPX-DT
App: 1053416
Fac: 86534
49 (49) Construction Permit
Expires 4/18/2008
Lic Expires 6/1/2013
LICEN CAMDEN, AR ARKANSAS 49, INC. 44.8° 38.87 mi 1000 kW
600 ft

KAQY-DT
App: 424186
Fac: 52046
57 (11) Construction Permit
Expires 6/1/2003
Lic Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN COLUMBIA, LA MONROE BROADCASTING, INC. 146.2° 70.33 mi 1000 kW
1706 ft

KAQY-DT
App: 617504
Fac: 52046
11/5/2002 57 (11) Temporary Authority
Expires 6/1/2005 Construction Permit
LICEN COLUMBIA, LA MONROE BROADCASTING, INC. 146.9° 77.16 mi 2 kW
394 ft

[homertiger]

Thanks Ratman. I think I understand now. It looks like KTBS and KSLA are the only DT stations at full power but the rest should be coming soon?
One more question :) How does KW affect the reception? KLSA=175kw
KTBS=1000kw

KSLA-DT
CBS
App: 601144
Fac: 70482
17 (12) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA KSLA LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, LLC 274.5° 51.66 mi 175 kW 1699 ft

KTBS-DT
ABC
App: 615663
Fac: 35652
28 (3) Licensed
Expires 6/1/2005 Licensed
LICEN SHREVEPORT, LA KTBS, INC. 275.3° 51.54 mi 1000 kW
1847 ft

[Ratman]

How does KW affect the reception?

What's the difference between a 5 watt and a 100 watt lightbulb? :whistle:

[mac_bridger]

One more question :) How does KW affect the reception?
KLSA=175kw
KTBS=1000kw

kw determines the power put into the signal. Its difficult to explain how power figures into signal strength as it isn't a direct measurement. A 100 kw signal is not 100 times stronger than a 1 kw signal. It works more on an incremental scale.

So its more like... 10 kw is twice as strong as 1 kw, and 100 kw is 3 times as strong as 1 kw. This is just from the top of my brain, and is not meant to be exact, just an example. I'll have to dig up some figures after I've had some sleep.

But in general, the more kw, the stronger the signal. (There are exceptions to that, but I wont go into it now.)

[Ratman]

... the more kw, the stronger the signal.

That's it in a nutshell.

What's easier to see from a mile away, a flashlight or a spotlight?