ROAD TRIP REPORT - DTV Report from Central FLA

[John Bolduc]

On vacation in Florida, report from Mom's house.
Location
Haines City
Almost half way between "Cities" Orlando and Tampa, a little closer to Orlando, and a little south of a straight line between the two.

In reality, closer to Tampa TV transmitters than Orlando. 

Antenna point towards Orlando Transmitter site.  Tampa was received almost directly off the backside. Antenna direction never adjusted.

Gainesville 5-DT and 20-DT came in just fine. No sign of Jacskonville, Miami or Fort Meyers.



On modest, old, beating up, outdoor TV antenna received 37 Main Digital TV Stations, accounting for a total of 66 sub-channels (Main+sub).

Rabbit ear/UHF loop antenna indoor results far less promising results.
25 Main channels during four scans with antenna reoriented each scan.
At any one time, approximately 1/2 of any of the channels would come in without readjusting.


On the analog side, the most fringe of stations, Gainesville analog 5 was coming in okay, good enough for a non radio/TV nut to watch.  Jacksonville analog 4 was coming in fair.


With all this said, later in the evening an tropo opening on 2 meters amateur radio allowed me to hear repeaters in Tallashasee, and Dotham Georgia.

So I don't reaaly know if my DTV result would be considered typical or not. I do think the tropo opening had started, but was not anywhere near its best when I when doing the DTV searches.

John B
Haines City
Key West
Miami Beach
and soon
Myrtle Beach in spite of the fires.