| KAKE adds a new digital TV translator on UHF Channel 21 near WichitaKAKE Blog Listing | ||||
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In addition to our full-power digital signal on VHF Channel 10, as of 11:15am March 4, 2010, we are now broadcasting a low-power digital translator on UHF Channel 21. Both originate from the same tower near Colwich, just northwest of Wichita. The goal is to help viewers across Metro Wichita, and part of South Central Kansas, using small UHF indoor antennas. UHF frequencies have smaller wavelengths, compared to VHF. “Set-top” antennas are physically small, which makes capturing the longer wavelength VHF signals more difficult. Some manufacturers try to compensate by including an amplifier. These amps, of varying quality, also boost any reflected signals and other noise, sometimes making reception of VHF digital television more difficult, if not impossible. Remember, a proper “full-size” non-amplified antenna, mounted in the attic or outdoors will always outperform even the best indoor set-top. You might remember that KAKE-DT was on UHF Channel 21, until the end of full-power analog TV, and “moved” to VHF Channel 10. However, this new low-power signal is 15kW ERP, which is the maximum power allowed by the FCC for a translator station. So, the coverage area will be smaller than the “old” full-power Channel 21 digital signal, which was 850kW ERP. Still, if you were able to watch KAKE-DT, via antenna, on Channel 21 before February 17, 2009 and have trouble receiving us on Channel 10…give us a try on Channel 21 again. In your DTV’s or converter box’s setup menu, you can “scan” for new channels, or add channel 21 manually. One thing that may be a tad confusing, since it’s a translator…it will have the Virtual Channel (PSIP) 10.1, just like KAKE. So, if you can pull-in both our VHF Channel 10 and UHF Channel 21 signals you’ll have two 10.1s appear in your channel list. Yeah…silly, I know. I could devote another blog on why I’m not a fan of PSIP’s virtual channel numbers. But, I digress. Some DTVs and converter boxes may have trouble dealing with two 10.1s. You may need to delete the existing entry before you scan, or manually enter channel 21. For example, I have a DTVpal converter box, and it renamed the channel 10 signal as 71.1, while the channel 21 signal became 10.1. While my Samsung HDTV has two 10.1s, the first is channel 10, the second is channel 21. Your experiences may vary, too. Please share your results, and include your location, antenna type, and DTV/converter box information. Good luck! |
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If OTA is important to you, I recommend investing in a rooftop, or attic mounted, UHF/VHF antenna.
However, can you delete both 10.1s…then instead of rescanning, simply manually add either RF channel 10, or 21, whichever provides you with a better signal?
Being in Hillsboro, I assume the reason your antennas are 30° apart, is that one is pointed toward Buhler, and the other toward Colwich.
There are two VHF signals broadcasting from near Buhler (KPTS 8.1 – RF channel 8 and KSCW 33.1 – RF channel 12), and one from Colwich (that’s us KAKE 10.1 – RF channel 10). While one UHF signal (KWCH 12.1 – RF channel 19) originates from near Buhler, four from near Colwich (KSNW 3.1 – RF channel 45, KAKE 10.1 – RF channel 21, KSAS 24.1 – RF channel 26, KDCU 31.1 – RF channel 31), one radiates from near Halstead and is only 7° clockwise from Colwich (KMTW 36.1 – RF channel 35).
Furthermore, you are feeding more than one tuner. A mast-mounted preamp will not only boost your signals, but also act as a distribution amp for multiple tuners. I personally use and recommend the Channel Master 7777. It has separate inputs for UHF and VHF antennas. Remember using a combiner introduces a 0.5dB, or greater loss.
Please let me know if any of this helps.
Jeff: As soon as we have a firm date, I will have a new blog posting about it.