WLIO & WOHL Technology Blog Page
http://www.wlio.net/index.php
DirecTV Customers Loose ABC and CBS Lima
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100308-171220
DirecTV gets their data from a company called AntennaWeb.org. AntennaWeb.org has errors in their database which they refuse to correct, and these errors are being passed on to DirecTV, which in turn passes them on to their customers.
The result is that when a viewer tries to get ABC or CBS Lima, the satellite box does not authorize the signal.
I have tried calling AntennaWeb.org, as well as sent them e-mails, and a FAX to try to fix the issue, but they have not responded, and the corrections are still not in place as of Monday, 8 March 2010 at 5:00PM.
There is nothing further we can do. The only recommendation I can make is to call DirecTV support. You might as well ask that they credit you for one month of service since they are not being too cooperative in restoring our stations. There is also a Contact Us link on AntennaWeb.org you can try, but they have not returned any of contacts with them.
Fred Vobbe WOHL Engineering]]>FREE TV COULD MAKE COMEBACK
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100227-132201
Retransmission tussle could benefit those with rabbit ears By PETER CARANICAS - VARIETY MAGAZINE Posted: Fri., Feb. 19, 2010, 10:00am PT
As the tussle over retransmission consent fees continues to play out between broadcasters and the cable biz, one factor that's been largely overlooked is the easy availability of free over-the-air TV via rooftop or indoor rabbit-ear antennas.
When Time Warner Cable and Fox engaged in their public ad blitz and brinksmanship in December, with the cable guys threatening to throw the broadcast bums off the air if they didn't stop demanding excessive fees for the right to retransmit the Fox package of services, no one bothered to inform consumers that much of the Fox programming -- including the ever-popular "American Idol" -- is available for free to almost anyone who purchases a cheap indoor antenna (prices range from $4.99 and up at Radio Shack).
That's the only way nearly 10% of U.S. households receive "Idol" and countless other broadcast shows, according to Nielsen. The other 90% get them via cable or satellite.
But two things are happening that could help "free" over-the-air TV stage a comeback.
First, the cost of cable continues to rise, spurred in part -- say cable operators -- by the very retransmission fees that broadcasters are now charging cable systems to carry their signals.
"Every time our contracts with TV program providers come up for renewal… we face price increases," Time Warner Cable declared on its RollOverOrGetTough.com website mounted to spin its side of the story during the year-end skirmish with Fox. "Sometimes we can avoid passing them on to you. Sometimes we can't."
The second factor working in favor of over-the-air TV is the government-mandated transition to digital broadcasting last June. The technology has allowed local broadcasters to offer viewers stronger, clearer signals and multiple new services that could eventually challenge cable's channel cornucopia.
"The phenomenon of cutting the cable cord will only grow," says National Assn. of Broadcasters exec veep Dennis Wharton. "Add to that the lingering recession and there's opportunity for a renaissance in over-the-air broadcasting."
Seven months after the digital switchover, many large-to-mid-market broadcasters have adopted the strategy of using a large portion of their spectrum to beam their main channel in high definition and the balance to carry two or three standard-definition "multicast" subchannels offering such fare as 24-hour weather, lifestyle or syndicated programming.
Other broadcasters have opted to slice their digital spectrum into eight -- or sometimes even more -- standard-def subchannels. For example, Los Angeles station KSCI, which brands itself as LA 18, broadcasts programming to the area's burgeoning Asian population on subchannels 18.1 through 18.8.
"We decided the best use of the spectrum was to not broadcast in HD but to provide a suite of Asian-language channels," says Peter Mathes, a former Chris-Craft Television exec who is now CEO of privately held parent company Asian Media Group. LA 18 programs and sells time on two of the channels and leases out the other six for a flat fee while keeping some of their advertising inventory.
"The digital spectrum is what allowed us to offer all the channels," says Mathes. "Anecdotally we hear stories that at least within the Asian communities many people have left cable and satellite because they've got such an abundance of over-the-air channels right now."
"There's a lot of stuff available over the air," concurs Paul Karpowicz, prexy of Meredith Local Media Group, which owns 12 stations in mid-sized markets including Atlanta, Kansas City, Mo., and Las Vegas. "As more viewers look at their cable bills they'll say, 'You know, what if I get a good antenna and try that for a while?' "
But others question whether the abandonment of cable for over-the-air reception will ever amount to more than a trickle -- even with cable fees continuing to rise.
"I don't ever see that becoming so widespread that there's a dramatic change in the economics of the industry," says one exec from a Big Four network. "Just because it's available to consumers, it doesn't mean they'll do it. They watch broadcast more than any of the cable channels, but they still want to be able to get ESPN, the Fox regional sports networks, and the general-entertainment (cable) channels that are doing original programming."
"Most people are willing to pay for a subscription-based service, in part because they
like choice beyond local broadcast stations," says Barry Faber, exec veep and general counsel at Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns nearly 60 TV stations and is known for its aggressive stance in retrans negotiations with cablers. "But if it doesn't include the broadcast stations, it's not a service they want to buy."
While large-scale abandonment of wired TV for over-the-air reception may be cable's worst-case scenario, it would be no picnic for broadcasters, either. After all, they're only starting to get used to the dual revenue stream of advertisers buying time and cablers paying retrans coin. Market research firm SNL Kagan predicts that such fees will grow substantially in the next few years to approach $2 billion by 2013.
Maybe that's why no one ever seems to bring up the over-the-air option whenever there's a public debate over the high cost of cable.
"When you look at the percentage of people who get their TV service from cable, clearly that's where we have to be," says Meredith's Karpowicz. "We absolutely want to be carried on cable. All we're asking for in our retrans discussions is a fair exchange for the value we bring to the cable system."
Read the full article by clicking the RELATED link ---------------------- Fred's Note: While I agree with the idea that Free TV is making a comeback, I really don't feel comfortable with "indoor antennas". Since WLIO and WOHL started transmitting digitally, 95% of all viewer complains are due to INFERIOR indoor antennas. Now, I understand that people want something cheap, but when you go on the cheap, expect cheap results. And unfortunately, when you watch the Olympics and the picture freezes and pixilates, you get the results that indoor antennas give you.
If you don't want to get mad, and don't want your TV viewing ruined, the solution is a medium size outdoor antenna. Get the antenna out in the open, and positioned towards the station and you won't have problems. ]]>Chuck Norris Webbot
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100222-111043
If you haven't changed the default password on your home router, you may be in for an unwanted visit from Chuck Norris -- the Chuck Norris botnet, that is.
Discovered by Czech researchers, the botnet has been spreading by taking advantage of poorly configured routers and DSL modems, according to Jan Vykopal, the head of the network security department with Masaryk University's Institute of Computer Science in Brno, Czech Republic.
Click on RELATED below to her the whole story.]]>Comcast/NBC
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100204-161057
Comcast and NBCU reaffirm commitment to broadcast TV
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker used appearances before the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet to insist that cable giant Comcast is firmly committed to broadcast television if it is permitted to acquire control of NBCU.
In fact, they insisted, the deal will help to preserve the broadcast TV business.]]>TiVo’s request for Waiver
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100202-123209
MEDIA BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON TIVO’S REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF THE IEEE-1394 OUTPUT REQUIREMENT CS Docket No. 97-80 / CSR-8252-Z Comment Date: February 22, 2010 Reply Comment Date: March 4, 2010
TiVo Inc. (“TiVo”) has filed a request pursuant to Sections 1.3, 76.7, and 76.1207 of the Commission’s rules1 for waiver of part of Section 76.640(b)(4) of the Commission’s rules.
Section 76.640(b)(4) requires cable operators to include a DVI or HDMI interface and an IEEE 1394 interface on all high definition set-top boxes (“STBs”) that they acquire for distribution to customers.
TiVo seeks waiver of this rule with respect to the IEEE 1394 interface requirement on behalf of cable operators who wish to deploy the TiVo high definition digital video recorders (“HD DVR”) models sold at retail.
TiVo states that, at the time the regulation was adopted, the IEEE 1394 interface was the only digital video interface available for consumer devices that supported recording devices and networking.
TiVo asserts that since the time the regulation was adopted, the cable industry has moved away from the IEEE 1394 connection to widely deployed Internet protocol (“IP”) technologies. TiVo argues that the IEEE 1394 interface requirement was implemented to ensure leased devices would interoperate with consumer purchased equipment.
Consequently, TiVo argues that its HD DVR already meets this core objective by including home networking compatibility with products its consumers use most, IP-enabled devices.
TiVo argues that a waiver will advance choice and competition in cable navigation devices. TiVo explains that its value to cable operators is through offering a popular retail product for use as a leased set-top box with no hardware modification, available at a lower cost.
TiVo argues without a waiver, the cost of adding an IEEE 1394 port would make the TiVo HD DVR less cost-competitive against the HD DVRs that cable operators currently lease and thus reduce competition. Further, TiVo argues that adding the IEEE 1394 port would delay the introduction of competition into the cable set-top market with no resulting benefit to the cable operator or consumers.
TiVo explains that its requested waiver is justified because cable operators can continue to deploy devices to subscribers who request a set-top box with an IEEE 1394 interface. Consequently, TiVo argues a waiver of the IEEE 1394 interface requirement would cause no harm to other interested parties. We seek comment on TiVo’s request.
This proceeding will be treated as “permit but disclose” for purposes of the Commission’s ex parte rules. As a result of the permit-but-disclose status of this proceeding, ex parte presentations will be governed by the procedures set forth in Section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules applicable to nonrestricted proceedings. Comments and oppositions are due February 22, 2010. Petitioner’s reply is due March 4, 2010. All filings must be submitted in CS Docket No. 97-80 and CSR-8252-Z.
Pleadings sent via e-mail to the Commission will be considered informal and will not be part of the official record. Interested parties will have access to comments online through the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), and therefore we waive the requirements of Sections 76.7(b)(1) and 76.7(c)(1) that comments and oppositions be served on interested parties.
Comments may be filed using: (1) (ECFS), (2) the Federal Government’s e-Rulemaking Portal, or (3) by filing paper copies.
Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ or the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Filers should follow the instructions provided on the website for submitting comments.
For ECFS filers, in completing the transmittal screen, filers should include their full name, U.S. Postal service mailing address, and the applicable docket number: CS Docket No. 97-80. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions, filers should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and include the following words in the body of the message: “get form”.
A sample form and instructions will be sent in response. Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
Effective December 28, 2009, all hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th St., SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. The filing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to
445 12th Street, SW, Washington DC 20554.
One copy of each pleading must be sent to Brendan Murray, Media Bureau, Room 4-A737, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 or Brendan.Murray@fcc.gov.
Copies of the Waiver Request and any subsequently filed documents in this matter are also available for inspection in the Commission’s Reference Information Center:
Alternate formats of this Public Notice (computer diskette, large print, audio recording, or Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 or (202) 418-7365 (TTY).
For further information, contact Brendan Murray of the Media Bureau, (202) 418-2120. Press inquiries should be directed to Janice Wise, (202) 418-8165 or Janice.Wise@fcc.gov.
TTY: (202) 418-7172 or (888) 835-5322. ]]>New Station
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100128-151512
DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATIONS FOR ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
CENTRAL OHIO ASSOICATION OF CHRISTAIN BROADCASTERS Construction permit for a new station for KENTON, OH on channel 49 in Kenton OH.
(click related for FCC document)]]>Are Antennas MOOT?
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100125-133438
Some people are doing this because of economics. Others because of service issues. In the case of satellite, it's because satellite is offering only local stations in SD rather than HD.
And for those in Logan, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Mercer, Paulding, Shelby, Van Wert, Wood, & Wyandot there is another issue. Cable systems have dropped WLIO and your hometown stations after several decades of providing us to viewers. Satellite companies will not provide us. So if you want your hometown stations, an antenna is it!
Think this is just something happening around Lima? The following is from a news story in Los Angeles CA.
Southern Californians are rediscovering over-the-air television. Ethnic communities are most actively adopting broadcast TV, according to the Los Angeles (CA) Times. Around 20,0000 Asian-American homes in Southern California switched to over-the-air TV last year (2009). Around 8,000 African-American homes switched to free reception. Among all demographics, Latinos have the highest reliance ib over-the-air reception in Southern California, with around 440,000 homes, about one-fourth of the TV households in that demographic, using rabbit-ears, Yagi, or other types of antennas
The Los Angeles market, the second largest in the United States, has some 70 over-the-air channels, many of them with Asian, or Spanish language content. Not all 70 come in across the entire market, but enough to induce Orange County resident Mike Mahan, who told the Times, he was tired of paying for channels he never watched.
Richard Schneider of Antennas Direct in St. Louis, told the Times his sales have gone "through the roof." Sales tripled since the DTV transition, he said. Antennas Direct now sells around 100,000 units each month.
]]>Antenna Hacking
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry100104-141602
I found this information interesting and thought I'd pass it along. While it's currently 18 degrees F. in Indy, I can read and dream about the next antenna project. Enjoy and Happy New Year to all DXers!
Steve Indianapolis, IN]]>NFL Game Chart
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091202-172522
http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/]]>Digital-TV coupons expire; 54 percent used
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091116-082756
Quietly, almost imperceptibly, the last of the government-issued coupons toward the purchase of a digital television converter box expired Monday.
After months of hand-wringing over the switch to all-digital TV signals and cries from Congress and the White House to delay the transition by four months because the country was unprepared, Americans managed to redeem just over half of the 64.1 million coupons that were distributed, federal records show.
On Monday, the final 200,000 coupons mailed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in mid-August weren't worth the plastic they were printed on, hitting the 90-day expiration date.
"The DTV coupon program was a tremendous success," NTIA Administrator Lawrence Strickling said. "It educated millions of Americans about how to prepare for the transition and helped millions of households with the cost of purchasing a converter box."
Colorado ranked among the top states, with a 56 percent redemption rate — roughly 502,000 coupons of 896,000 issued, records show.
Redemption rates are somewhat misleading, as the agency counts coupons redistributed to a different consumer after they had expired unused.
The agency did not know how many coupon requests came in after the deadline in August. Also unclear is the number of households that still haven't upgraded for the transition.
With about $1.8 billion in funding to help Americans ready for the transition by offering $40 toward the purchase of a converter box, more than $500 million remained unused, according to rough estimates.
Some states had poor redemption rates — Hawaii ranked lowest at 40 percent — while Iowans were tops, with a 64 percent redemption rate.
Barring any congressional mandate, unused funds will return to the general fund. People still in need of converter boxes will be on their own.
Store shelves are largely devoid of the boxes, leaving anyone with an analog TV set with few choices.
"Sales have dramatically dropped since the spring," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien said. "We'll have a few converter boxes at the stores and some online, but the big need has largely passed."
The coupon program ran through a variety of problems, the worst when coupons expired and consumers weren't allowed to acquire replacements. That changed in March when consumers were allowed to reapply.
A coupon-request backlog spurred Congress to move a Feb. 17 date for stations to go digital to June 12.
]]>WLIO - Far and Wide (DX)
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091116-080504
I was pleased to get this E-mail from a member of the Worldwide TV FM DX Association, or WTFDA for short. Mike is an accomplished DXer with many receptions to his credit. Here is a copy of his post to me.
- - - -
We have a local LP-DTV on ch 8 that makes it tough to get WLIO. Before June 12 we had a full power analog on ch 8, WISH-TV. However, after the transition and before WIIH-DT 8 signed on I was able to pick up WLIO-DT 8 on August 3rd in the morning.
The distance is a respectable 125 miles from your xmitter to my antenna. I have attached the screen shot taken by my camera.
At that time WLIO did not have the call letters in the PSIP.
Also attached is how WLIO analog channel 35 looked in Indianapolis before the shutdown.
Mike Glass Indianapolis Digital - Zenith DTT900, RCA ATSC11 Analog - Samsung 12" Low Band - Winegard HD7084P at 30' AGL High Band - pair F1922-5/12s at 35' AGL UHF - pair 91XGs at 40' AGL Misc - Icom PCR-100 Current count - 203 analog, 153 digital ]]>Chalk one up for the "little guy"
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091115-193517
CONDO RESIDENTS WIN DECLARATORY RULING TO KEEP TV ANTENNA
In an October 30th ruling, the FCC granted Constance and Daniel Lane of Palantine, Illinois a Declaratory Ruling permitting them to put up a rooftop TV antenna. This, after the board of their homeowners association told them they could not do so.
Constance and Daniel Lane had installed a television antenna on the roof of their town-home. In their petition to the FCC they had sated that they own the deeded town-home with exclusive use of their roof .
Their homeowners association does not dispute this assertion. However, the association’s rules require that antennas must be installed in the attic of a town-home and any deviation from this requirement must be approved by the Board of Directors.
But an exception in this rule exists where an owner cannot get an usable signal with an antenna in the attic. The Lane's allege that they cannot get an acceptable quality air signal in their attic and that therefore they have installed a roof mounted antenna.
In their petition to the FCC the Lane's stated that the Association was imposing continuing fines with respect to this installation. Because of this they requested the Commission to prohibit the association from enforcing its rule. The homeowners association was aware that the Lanes had taken the matter to the FCC but never filed any response.
In granting the Lane's petition the FCC weighed heavily on its own Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule. This is the 1996 law which prohibits governmental and private restrictions that impair the ability of antenna users to install, maintain, or use over-the-air reception devices. It applies to satellite antennas that are one meter or less in diameter and, as in the Lane's case, to antennas designed to receive over the air television broadcast signals.
In granting the Lane's the request the FCC noted that by declining to oppose the petition, the homeowners association has failed to carry its burden. It therefore concluded that the Lane's antenna installation on their roof is permissible under the Commission’s Rule as well as the homeowners association’s rules.
Its unknown if the homeowners association plans to file an appeal.
(Source: FCC) ]]>11 Nov 2009 - 7:00P Off Air
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091111-210413
Fred Vobbe, VP/CO WLIO & WOHL-CD Lima]]>Since DTV Switch, ABC Reaching Fewer Households
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091110-162549
Via Shoptalk.
ABC has a 1% problem.
Alphabet execs are trying to figure out why, according to Nielsen, their network can now be found in just 97% of U.S. TV households -- below CBS, NBC and even Fox.
All four major networks lost a bit of their nationwide coverage following the digital TV transition. Before the summer switchover, the nets' programs regularly cleared 99% of the country -- which pretty much reps everyone but a few really rural pockets of the country.
After the switchover, with a few TV owners opting not to convert to digital, that number dropped for everyone -- but while CBS, NBC and Fox eventually recovered to 98% coverage, ABC still hasn't. And no one seems to know why.
"It's bizarre," said ABC research chief Charles Kennedy. "Normally people don't get too excited about a 1% change... (and) we're not crying over spilled milk here, but there's a little more milk we could be lapping up. That's an extra 1% that is not being monetized by us."
What is ironic about this is that since moving ABC from analog channel 18 to digital channel 35.1, we have seen a 32% increase in over the air viewership. ]]>As Many Move to UHF, Alaska Station Does Reverse
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091102-131215
Broadcasting & Cable
After full-power broadcasters ceased analog operations on June 12 and settled into their final digital TV (DTV) assignments, one of the early findings was that stations with VHF channel assignments were experiencing far more reception problems than their UHF counterparts.
Reception issues were particularly prevalent in Eastern cities like Philadelphia and New York, where the number of stations in close proximity meant that VHF stations had to curtail their power to avoid interference and were often left with signals unable to penetrate into apartment buildings for reception on small indoor antennas.
The FCC has since granted power increases to a number of VHF stations, and let others switch their digital assignments to available slots in the UHF band.
Raycom Media, for example, has switched WLOX, its Biloxi, Miss. station, from VHF to UHF operation, and plans to do the same at its Jackson, Miss., station, WLBT, next month. And WCPO Cincinnati wants to move from its current VHF Ch. 10 assignment to UHF Ch. 22, even though the Scripps Television station has already received a power increase.
"We're still finding areas where the digital signal is not acceptable and is not being received at all," says Mike Doback, VP of engineering for Scripps.
But at least one station, KUAC Fairbanks, Alaska, decided to move in the other direction to solve its reception problems.
Click RELATED for more]]>Kids Do The Darnest Things
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091102-084230
KIDS SHOW US HOW TO BUILD A UHF DTV RECEIVING ANTENNA
Naomi and Noah Miller, the children of FCC OET attorney James Miller, show us how to make our very own zig-zag-style UHF DTV receiving antenna with readily available parts. No preamplifier, no spurs, no Irma Frausto roblem. One clean design. U-Tube video:
http://tinyurl.com/ZigZag-NoPreamp]]>A Collective Sigh
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091029-154026
Today I received a call from a business person in the 1500 block of Neubrecht Road. She was mad at the fact that channel 8 on her TV keeps cutting in and out on her TV. For those of you that don't know where this is at, it's roughly 2.5 miles east of our transmitter. Her voicemail stated that we (WLIO) needed to "get it together".
I called her back and tried asking some questions. She said she didn't have an indoor antenna, but her brother who is an electronic genius installed the antenna. I asked if she knew the model of the antenna. The answer was no. I asked if it was a UHF only antenna, and I explained that VHF signals are not often received on UHF antennas. In sort of an indignant voice she said "I don't think my brother would have gotten the wrong antenna." In the end there was nothing I could do because she was convinced it was our fault.
I tried to explain there are people in Findlay, B.G. and Sidney watching us with no problem, and she is the only person who complained. That, to me, would want me to check my antenna system. But I don't think she wanted to listen. This is sad because in 99% of the reception cases, by going over what is happening, we can resolve reception problems. This is where the collective sigh comes in.
The irony is, a friend and I were thinking of contacting their company for some work on one of our custom projects. Judging from the conversation, I don't think that's going to happen now. Cue Homer - "DOH!"]]>WFUM TV (Flint MI) Sold
http://www.wlio.net/index.php?entry=entry091028-072500
WFUM TV in Flint for no more than $1 million.
The television station, currently owned and operated by the University of Michigan, would broadcast from Bay City to the metro Detroit area, Interim University President Kathy Wilbur said the board viewed it as an opportunity to significantly expand the university’s coverage into critical areas such as southeast Michigan.
“It allows us to expand academic programs on the behalf of CMU, especially through Prof Ed,” Wilbur said. “We’re so focused on our enrollment question and retention question, this gives us another avenue in which to pursue that.”
The Board met in special session today in the President’s Conference Room in the Bovee University Center to discuss the television station.
A purchase and interim management agreement will now be drafted so CMU can take over the station as soon as possible.
“This is very common in the broadcast world because of the normal delays in getting approval for a change in ownership through the FCC,” said Ed Grant, general manager for CMU Public Broadcasting.
WFUM is presently owned by the University of Michigan with a transmitter located in Goodrich MI, and has an application to move to channel 28 with 500,000 watts with an antenna at 258 meters (846 feet). The station is likely going to remain an PBS station under Central Michigan University ownership. Goodrich is WNW of Detroit, between Flint and Detroit. One change that probably will happen is a call sign change to better reflect the new ownership.
The cabinet on the left is the eight power amplifiers that generate 4,230 watts of power. The power then goes up to the antennas where it's amplified to the 27,500 watts ERP. On the right you see the dual exciters and the controllers.
Fred sez: I think there is a lot of benefit to handheld DTV, but the one thing that bothers me is how soon will it be till we see someone driving down the road watching TV. And you thought cellphones were a distraction?]]>
Today I received a call from a business person in the 1500 block of Neubrecht Road. She was mad at the fact that channel 8 on her TV keeps cutting in and out on her TV. For those of you that don't know where this is at, it's roughly 2.5 miles east of our transmitter. Her voicemail stated that we (WLIO) needed to "get it together".
