Digital TV reception

[M. Casey]

I don't know if the any of the other transmission methods are better. But 
now, it's a mute point. The present OTA system works very well, IF you are 
near the transmitter. The BIG problem is that the stations' power limits 
were cut down so far that many suburban, rural, and even urban areas cannot 
get a reliable signal. Many cannot get any signal, yet were able to with 
analog.
Moving most of the stations to UHF was Fair to OK for folks in the cities, 
but left many rural areas without over the air service. UHF and VHF TV 
reception arguments in 2013 are much the same they were in 1963.
The Channel 7/42  fiasco was a good example. 15,800 watts on digital in no 
way replicates 316,000 in analog. A couple of Hiband VHF stations in the LA 
market are now up to over 100kw on digital. And, that amount of power still 
does not make up for the difference to the previous analog power limit. The 
FCC should  encourage the remaining VHF, and UHF stations go up to higher 
power using, if needed, directional antennas, AND, importantly, increase the 
amount of allowed co-channel interference.
The other issue with OTA TV is an education issue with the general public. 
Many still think that, since the change to digital, they cannot recieve 
over-the-air at all anymore. Of course, nothing could be further from the 
truth. Owing mostly to the additional sub-channels, most urban viewers are 
able to recieve more channels than they had with analog, and with a far 
better picture quality than standard cable or satellite.

Mark Casey


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <TVNETDUDE@aol.com>
To: <boston-radio-interest@lists.BostonRadio.org>; <joe@attorneyross.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 9:02 PM
Subject: Re: Time Warner Cable shuts off CBS


The US chose the wrong method of transmission. One of the reasons people
don't watch OTA TV and why the CEA wants to take it off the air.


>>Not here in Brookline.  There are constant fadeouts, and  sometimes you
have to stand there and hold the antenna in a particular  position in
order to get the signal.<<