Central Illinois entered the digital TV era with WAND.
WAND was also the first commercial station in the market to broadcast
it's local news in HD. Interestingly enough, WAND, formerly WTVP
was the first TV station to
sign on the air in 1953! The last of the big 4 stations to go on
the air with a
full power digital high definition signal was WCIA.
To see how the switch to digital TV is affecting the
coverage areas of the central Illinois TV stations.....click
here.
HOW
TO RECEIVE WICD 15.1 (WILL 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, or THIS-TV 23.2) with your
HD DISH or HD DIRECT RECEIVER
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If it's occurred once, it's happened literally hundreds of times over
the last few years....”Gee, I would watch your station, but it's not on
DISH(or DIRECT).”
Some of these people have antennas they had used for years already in
place
at their home but still they are totally confused about how these so
called relics of the past work. So I explain to them what they
need in order to receive WICD on their TVs. In order to
save everyone's time, I have now included detailed instructions on my
website.
First, you have to have a DIGITAL HIGH
DEFINITION SATELLITE RECIEVER in order to get this to
work. An older ANALOG receiver will NOT bring in the signal of
WICD or any of the sub channels of WILL-TV, or WBUI.
NOTE:
There are some DIRECT TV DVR receivers which DO NOT have this
capability, without the purchase of an "add-on" box which allows the
reciever to bring in local off-the-air TV signals. I've been told
the purchase price of the box is around $50.00. In my opinion,
this is a total rip off! In fact, I have a family member who is a
subscriber to DIRECT and from what I see with that set up, I feel that
DISH is a much better, more user friendly and depending on your package
you might consider, it's would bring you much more value. I would
recommend DISH over DIRECT any day, any where!!
If you have an outside elevated antenna making this work within the
coverage area is probably a certainty. You will receive not only
WICD's signal, but also the sub-channels of WILL-TV and WBUI-TV if your
located in the coverage area of each station. Keep in mind,
though, reception will depend on your antenna, where it is placed and
your distance from any of the transmitter points.
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Shown here is the area which will work best for receiving WICD with a
set top antenna. Any area outside the red circle will probably
need some kind of an outdoor elevated antenna. The blue
circle shows the coverage area of WICD. Click on the map at left
for a larger view.
TIP:
If you choose to try
a set top antenna first, be sure and keep the packaging intact as well
as your receipts so you can return it to the store if your reception is
not good enough. Try your reception test during the daytime, as
night time signals sometimes go further. The idea is, if you get
reception during the worst time of the day for reception- you'll get it
anytime.
If you plan on installing an outdoor elevated antenna you don't need to
go to extremes. Menards offers a single mast roof mount and a
mast. Today's TV antennas are not the large sprawling mass of
metal they used to be. For your antenna I would recommend going
to SOLID SIGNAL and mail
ordering an appropriate antenna. Be sure and use RG-6 coaxial
cable. You can purchase that at Menards, Radio Shack or any
number of locations. Keep in mind you will only need a UHF
antenna to receive all of the local channels except WCFN and
WILL. WILL is on a VHF channel 9 and WCFN is on VHF channel
13. If you want to receive WILL and WCFN directly you will
probably need to purchase an upper channel VHF/UHF combination
antenna.
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OPTIONAL:
If you plan on receiving more than WICD, you might also need an antenna
rotor....or another antenna pointing at one or more of the other
stations you want to receive, with cables fed into a combiner. It
all depends where you live in the coverage area. For locations of
each transmitter site see below.
TIP:
With an outdoor
antenna try not to utilize any booster amplifier other than a
mast/antenna pre-amp with power supply. Any additional amplifiers
may actually decrease your ability to receive some signals.
TIP:
If you utilize a
battery operated TV for emergency reception during storms or power
outages the use of an amplifier will eliminate your ability to tune in
TV signals. Also, an amplified(or AC powered) set top antenna
will also eliminate your ability to tune in TV signals.
Here's your instructions:
If your satellite receiver is outputting a High Definition signal to
your TV, via any of the required cables(the 3 color cables or the HDMI
cable), all you need to do is connect the coax from your antenna or set
top antenna to the rear of the satellite receiver labeled “Antenna
input.”
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Shown is the antenna input on the rear of a DISH HD receiver. The
white coax is the outdoor antenna attached.
Have your Satellite Receiver scan for local TV channels. When
it's completed it will list the local channels not included with your
local digital TV package along with those which are included.
You might notice you have more than one version of some channels.
That's because it is receiving one version from your antenna(or set top
antenna) and the other from your satellite provider(either DISH or
DIRECT). If having more than one version bothers you, you can
remove one or the other from your “favorite” channels listing.
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Above is how the DIRECT TV channel
grid will look with
your local
stations available with an antenna combined with the local stations
available through
DIRECT. The darker colored backgrounds
are stations
received from the antenna,
the lighter
blue stations are from DIRECT.
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Above
is how the DISH channel grid will look with
your local stations available with an antenna combined with the local
stations
available through DISH. The yellow colored backgrounds
are stations received from the antenna,
the white backgrounds are from DISH.
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In east central Illinois you have a number of stations available to
you. They are:
Pink color=available on DISH/DIRECT TV local service and on antenna
Yellow color=available only with an antenna. This listing does
not include the use of translators used by WAND to cover the market.
Channel
number-call letters-network service
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Local
serivice
of DISH/DIRECT
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Antenna
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City of
License
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03.1-WCIA-DT
CBS
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yes
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yes
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Champaign,
IL
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03.2-WCFN-DT
MyTV
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yes
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yes
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Springfield,
IL
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12.1-WILL-DT
PBS
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yes
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yes
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Urbana,
IL
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12.2-WILL-DT
PBS-World
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no
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yes
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Urbana,
IL
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12.3-WILL-DT
Create
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no
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yes
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Urbana,
IL
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15.1-WICD-DT
ABC
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no
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yes
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Champaign,
IL
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15.2-WICD-DT
My Cool TV (coming soon)
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no
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yes
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Champaign,
IL
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17.1-WAND-DT
NBC
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yes
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yes
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Decatur,
IL
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17.2-WAND-DT
Local Weather
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no
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yes
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Decatur,
IL
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18.1-WLFI-DT
CBS
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no
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yes
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Lafayette,
IN
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18.2-WLFI-DT
Local Weather
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no
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yes
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Lafayette,
IN
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20.1-WICS-DT
ABC
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yes
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yes
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Springfield,
IL
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20.2-WICS-DT
My Cool TV (coming soon)
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no
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yes
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Springfield,
IL
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23.1-WBUI-DT
CW
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yes
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yes
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Decatur,
IL
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23.2-WBUI-DT
THIS TV
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no
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yes
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Decatur,
IL
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27.1-WCCU-DT
FOX
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no
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yes
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Urbana,
IL
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55.1-WRSP-DT
FOX
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yes
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yes
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Springfield,
IL
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The program information for both off-the-air and DISH or DIRECT
provided local channels should both include program information.
TIP: If you're
satisfied with
the reception on your local stations from your antenna or set top
antenna from the stations you watch.....you can save yourself $5.00 a
month from your satellite TV provider by cancelling your local TV
station service.
You'll notice that the receiver for DISH will also
show the signal strength of the off air digital channel. At left,
WICD is shown at a signal strength of 100.
TIP: The signal
strength metering feature of the DISH receiver is another tipping point
which should help make your decision to go with DISH as your
satellite TV provider.....but only if you can receive ALL LOCAL
CHANNELS!!
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At right is the outdoor elevated antenna I
use. It's a Winegard HD 7698 VHF/UHF HD 769 TV antenna.
It's available for around $125 at SOLID SIGNAL. I highly
recommend it. From my location in the far northeastern section of
the market, I receive all but the Springfield stations. I also
use a channel master pre-amp/power supply(which is about 10 years old).
The antenna is mounted on my roof and I also use a Phillips antenna
rotor(available at Menards for about $80).
One
of the most often asked questions I receive is "What is better DISH or
DIRECT?" I think I've already answered that question above, but
if you skipped over it, my answer is......DISH. If you get a
HD-DVR or HD receiver(s) you have the best. DISH will install one
pizza pan size antenna. The recievers are more user friendly plus
you've got the benefit of adding off-the-air stations via your own
antenna or rabbit ears, without having to purchase another add on
box. The only thing I ask, is that you tell them that they do not
offer ALL OF THE LOCAL STATIONS in the
Spfld-Decatur-Champaign-Urbana-Danville market. They DO NOT OFFER
WICD to east central Illinois viewers. Make sure they offer you
an antenna alternative. If they say they can't, have them call
me. I'll explain it to them! Some of the installers are
less than knowledgable on this this subject.
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NTSC
Ch
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DTV
Ch
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Call
Letters
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HD
y/n/?
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Comments
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3
49
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48
13
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WCIA/WCFN
WCFN/WCIA
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y
y
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Champaign,
IL-WCIA-DT was the
last of the central Illinois stations to broadcast
with a full power digital signal on March 23, 2007. WCIA-DT,
3.1 is the digital/high definition signal for WCIA. Audio-5.1:
The 5.1 audio is on, no matter what the program material
is. This gives you an echo on
non-5.1 material. The program guide on both 3.1 and 3.2 is
operational. A 16:9 video signal is High-Def, otherwise
it's upconverted 4:3.
WCIA-DT is on channel 48 and broadcasts from a side
mounted antenna
about 2/3rds up the tower at 241 meters, at 1000 kw. The
transmitter site is near Seymour, Illinois west of Champaign along
Illinois Rt. 10. This would give WCIA-DT a coverage area
somewhat less than it's analog signal.
Springfield, IL- WCFN is now on VHF Channel 13. It's channel is
designated 49.1(WCFN) and 49.2(WCIA) and is broadcasting from it's
tower near Rochester, Illinois.
TECHNICAL INFO: WCIA-DT,
ERP: 1000kW, HAAT: 245 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 400621, Longitude: 882700, Coverage Area: 23439 sq km, Population:
761,000
TECHNICAL INFO: WCFN-DT(Channel 13)-ERP: 5.08kW, HAAT: 183 m,
Latitude(DDMMSS): 394727, Longitute: 893053, Coverage Area: 19180 sq
km, Population: 552,000
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12
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9
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WILL
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y
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Urbana,
IL-WILL- WILL-DT
went on the air in
September 2005 with the shut off of WILL-TV on the last day of March,
2009. WILL-DT is broadcasting at VHF channel 9 with
three video channels. Program guide available. (12.1) High
Def
PBS, (12.2) WILL Analog channel, (12.-3) WILL-TV offers
instructional craft television.
WILL-DT is on channel 9 and broadcasts from an antenna at 301 meters,
at 30 kw. The transmitter site is north of the Allerton Park area
along I-72 west of Monticello, Illinois.
The decision to remain on a VHF channel could cause some reception
problems for some viewers, as
they will be the only station in east central Illinois broadcasting on
VHF(The other station being WCFN-DT in Springfield).
This will require those in the fringe areas, with what will eventually
be the predominant UHF antenna to purchase an upper band VHF antenna to
receive all channels in the market.
TECHNICAL INFO: WILL-DT,
ERP: 30kW, HAAT: 302 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 400218, Longitude: 884010,
Coverage Area: 30142 sq km, Population: 1, 063,000
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5
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41
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WICD
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y
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Champaign,
IL-WICD is at full power and offering ABC in Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV. Also 5.1 Audio
on program material which is 5.1, otherwise it's 2 channel stereo or
mono. Program guide available and working. The station
switches between
regular 2 channel stereo and 5.1 multichannel audio when program
material determines which is appropiate.
WICD-DT is on channel 41 and broadcasts from an antenna side mounted on
the tower at 378 meters, at 950 kw. The transmitter site is
between Homer and Fithian, Illinois south of I-74. The
coverage area of WICD-DT is considerably larger than it's old analog
coverage
area, and has one of the largest coverage areas in the market.
COMING SOON: 15.2 The COOL TV. "fueling your
burning desire for music on TV.
Be watching for it! Coming in July 2010!
TECHNICAL INFO: WICD-DT,
ERP: 950 kW, HAAT: 375 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 400411, Longitude: 875445,
Coverage Area: 28692 sq km, Population: 921,000
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17
17
17
17
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18
31
46
40
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WAND
W31BX-DT
W46ER-DT
W40CV-DT
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y
y
y
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Decatur,
IL- WAND-DT was the first to bring
HDTV to central Illinois. Regular video will be seen
at regular 4:3 aspect radio. NBC HDTV will be at 16:9
aspect. Also broadcasts a second video channel (17-2) with
local
weather
info with many elements provided by Accuweather. Program guide
available and working. The
station switches between regular 2 channel stereo and 5.1 multichannel
audio when program material determines which is appropiate.
WAND-DT is on channel 18 and broadcasts from a side mounted antenna
just below the top analog antenna mast at 371 meters, at 350 kw.
The transmiter site is located near Argenta-Oreana, Illinois and is the
northern most tower on the west side of I-72. The one to the
immediate south is WBUI.
TECHNICAL INFO: WAND-DT,
350kw, 375 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 395707, Longitude: 884955, Area 25571
sq km, Population 913,000.
Danville, IL W-31-BX-DT is now at channel 31 and rebroadcasts a
digital
signal at 3000 watts from atop Breeze Tower in downtown Danville.
It completely rebroadcasts WAND(DT), 17.1 and 17.2 within a radius of
15-20 miles from downtown Danville.
TECHNICAL INFO: W31BX--DT,
3 kW, ---- m, Latitude(DDMMSS): -------, Longitude: ----------, Area:
unknown
sq km, Population unknown
MAY NOT BE ON THE
AIR YET.....Effingham-IL W-46-ER-DT is now at channel 46
and rebroadcasts a digital signal at 15,000 watts from an antenna
around 300 feet above average terrain from the Altamont area to
Effingham. It will re-broadcast WAND(DT), 17.1 and 17.2 with a
radius of 20-25 miles from it's transmitter location.
TECHNICAL INFO:
W46ER-DT, 15KW, 295 feet, Latitude(DDMMSS): 390567, Longitude:
8834506, Area unknown, Population unknown.
MAY
NOT BE ON THE AIR YET....Jacksonville-IL W-40-CV-DT is now at
channel 40 and rebroadcast a
digital signal at 15,000 watts from an antenna around 300 feet above
average terrain from a location in Jacksonville. It will
re-broadcast WAND(DT), 17.1 and 17.2 with a radius of 20-25 miles from
it's transmitter location.
TECHNICAL INFO: W40CV-DT,
15KW, 295 feet, Latitude(DDMMSS): 394318, Longitude 901145, Area
unknown,
Population unknown.
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18
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11
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WLFI
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y
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Lafayette,
IN-WLFI-DT is
broadcasting on VHF channel 11. Regular video seen at 4:3
aspect ratio, HDTV is seen at 16:9 aspect ratio. Also
broadcasts a second video channel (18-2) with local weather radar
info. Program
guide available.
WLFI-DT is on channel 11 and broadcasts at 205 meters, at 30 kw.
The transmitter site is located near Rossville, Indiana.
TECHNICAL INFO: WLFI-DT,
ERP: 30 kW, HAAT: 214 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 402320, Longitude: 863646,
Area: 26854 sq km, Population: 2,022,000(high population because of
coverage area over part of Indianapolis).
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20
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42
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WICS
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y
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Springfield,
IL-WICS is at full power and offering ABC in Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV. Audio is
5.1. Program guide available.
WICS-DT is on channel 42 and broadcasts at 398 meters, at 950 kw.
The transmitter site is located near Mechanicsburg, Illinois a few
miles south of I-72 east of Springfield. The one to the east is
that of
WRSP. The other shorter towers are that of WCFN and WUIS(FM).
COMING
SOON: 15.2 The COOL TV.
"fueling your
burning desire for music on TV.
Be watching for it! Coming in July 2010!
TECHNICAL INFO: WICS-DT,
ERP: 950 kW, HAAT: 402 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 394815, Longitude: 892740,
Area: 29924 sq km, Population: 963,000
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23
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22
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WBUI
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y
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Decatur,
IL-Broadcasts a digital signal full time. Regular video will be
seen at 4:3 aspect ratio. CW's hi def is at 16:9 aspect ratio.
Full
power at max hieight. Program guide available. 23.1
is a digital up-converted and high definition video signal, while 23.2
is a re-broadcast of it's analog signal. Audio is at 5.1
constantly which gives an echo effect on 2 channel stereo or mono.
WBUI-DT is on channel 22 and
broadcasts from a duel channel antenna at the mast at 401 meters,
at 253 kw. The transmiter site is located near Argenta-Oreana,
Illinois and is the southern most tower on the west side of I-72.
The
one to the immediate north is WAND. The old WBUI tower is
located a
few miles west-northwest of their current site.
TECHNICAL INFO: WBUI-DT,
ERP: 253 kW, HAAT: 401 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 395656, Longitude: 885012,
Area: 25397 sq k, Population: 918,000
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27
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26
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WCCU
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y
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Urbana,
IL-WCCU is now at full power and offering FOX in
Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV.
27-2 is secondary language offering of regular programming.
WCCU-DT is on
channel 26 and broadcasts from a duel channel antenna at
the mast at 125 meters, at 507 kw. The transmitter site is
located a couple of miles east of Penfield, Illinois along U.S. 136 in
Vermilion County.
TECHNI|CAL INFO:
WCCU-DT, ERP: 507 kW, 138 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 401846, Longitude:
875500, Area: 15153 sq km, Population: 385,000
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55
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44
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WRSP
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y
|
Springfield,
IL-WRSP is now at full power and offering FOX in
Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV. Also 5.1 Audio
available. Program guide available.
55-2 is secondary language offering of regular programming.
WRSP-DT is on channel 44 and
broadcasts at 407 meters,
at 335 kw. The transmitter site is located near Mechanicsburg,
Illinois a few miles south of I-72 east of Springfield. It is the
eastern most tall tower in the area. The one to the west is that
of WICS. The other shorter towers are that of WCFN and WUIS(FM).
TECHNICAL INFO: WRSP-DT,
ERP: 335 kW, 416 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 394757, Longitude: 892646, Area:
28977 sq km, Population: 881,000
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Some
of the stations
broadcast a 5.1 audio signal, in spite of the lack of actual 5.1 audio
program sources. This will give anyone listenting with a 5.1
audio system an "echo" effect. This is simply a lazy way of
giving viewers 5.1 audio without actually doing the audio switching
from mono or 2-channel stereo to actual 5.1 audio. If you
experience this annoying audio situation, contact the local station and
tell them!
Some
stations omit the program guide from it's signal. Sometimes
it's intentional, sometimes because of equipment problems,
sometimes there is a
break somewhere in the data stream to get the information attached to
the station's signal. If you don't received a program guide, the
problem could either be at the station, or with your receiving
equipment, espcially if you receive your DTV siganls through a cable
system. Please report any problems you have to the station, then
if the station is not having problems, report it to your cable system.
Keep in mind, problems specific to digital broadcasting will continue
as stations are using a mixture of analog and digital equipment with
switching. A common
problem is the synch problems of audio and video. Give it
time....stations will continue to make improvements over time with the
addition of digital control boards which will eliminate the
synchronization problem of switching between digital hi-def and
standard def analog sources.
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Stations in red are the
most dependable
to be received from anywhere in the Springfield, Decatur,
Champaign-Urbana, Danville market.
Digital TV Links:
DIGITAL TV FACTS answers all of
your questions on the Digital Transition from Analog TV. Be sure
and check this one out for answers!
How Digital
Television Works.
PBS Digital
TV: A Cringely Crash Course
FCC:
Digital Television
DTV, Digital Televsion from
the FCC
Digital TV
Could Bring Unpleasant Surprises
TV Fool
WHAT DIGITAL TV CONVERTER BOX WILL WORK
BEST FOR YOU....?????
CHECK THEM ALL OUT AT Digital To Analog TV
Converter Reviews, Ratings, and Comparisons
Read the latest on line
conversation about your local DTV stations at www.avsforum.com
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