why does hd broadcast signal vary?

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv,alt.video.digital-tv (More info?)

Variation is the nature of all wireless communication. The degree of
variation basically depends on the channel frequency, the distance to
the broadcast towers, the terrain and your antenna. If your antenna is
indoor, the building loss may be significant. I measured the signal
strength between indoor and outdoor, using the same antenna, at my
house. The loss inside the house was 20 db (100 times) weaker then
outside for UHF TV. Lower channel numbers may experience interference to
a much greater degree then the higher numbered channels. Noise can
interfere with the signal and increase the error rate, there by reducing
your signal reading. Also on lower channels there is a real possibility
of receiving TV from distant cities, typically caused by an ionized
layer in the atmosphere known as "E skip". I am located only about 15
miles from the ESB in NYC and many times, in the spring, interference on
channel 2 (analog) can be severe enough to disrupt viewing. Being an
amateur radio operator, I got the blame. "Hey what are you doing to the
TV? You are screwing it all up!".

Mango wrote:
> I get most ota stations just find. All the towers eminate from the same
> area, yet one cbs constantly is in and out. Many times the signal strength
> is 30 whereas everyone else's is in the 60's or higher.
>
> What can consumers do to get the station to up the signal?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mango
>
> an
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.676 / Virus Database: 438 - Release Date: 5/3/2004
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv,alt.video.digital-tv (More info?)

"Mango" <Mango_masher@puny.com> wrote in message
news:2gljivF4eq9hU1@uni-berlin.de...
> I get most ota stations just find. All the towers eminate from the same
> area, yet one cbs constantly is in and out. Many times the signal
strength
> is 30 whereas everyone else's is in the 60's or higher.

Is your CBS affiliate perhaps broadcasting in the VHF band, as WBBM in
Chicago does? WBBM-DT is definitely problematic, especially if your antenna
is tuned for UHF instead.