OTA TV

[Kenney]

Local stations, Engineering Tom. Nobody answered on the weekend. They and their sponsors are the only ones who care, and not much.

[macuu222]

Typical run around. I think the cable and dish companies are behind this lack of signal strength to reach communities south of Hilo to get more people to sign up.This all happened immediately after the power outage on Saturday. That or the guy that fixes problems with the transmitters lives on Oahu and flies to the Big Island only once a month.

quote:

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Originally posted by Aaron S

I forwarded this letter to the editor KGMB/KHNL's engineering department. I wanted to let them know that certain east Hawaii TV viewers have encountered TV signal issues.

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/sect...uly-9.html

This was the response I received from KHNL/KGMB's engineering department:

"To the best of my knowledge, our Hilo transmitters are working fine. If they weren't, I would be receiving many phone calls or e-mails from Hilo viewers. However, viewers who live in Hawaiian Paradise Park and other areas far south of Hilo, may have difficulty receiving some of the signals from not only our stations but others as well due to the fact that many transmitters are not very high in elevation. As an example, our transmitter for KHNL (NBC) and KGMB (CBS) is located on top of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel which is only an eight-story building.

According to our Hilo transmitter engineer, due to the change in elevation going south of Hilo and the fact that there is a large hillside in between, may cause reception problems for our digital TV transmission. Other viewers who live south of Hilo have called and stated that many months ago they were receiving our signals fine, then it started to pixilize, then was no longer receivable, and assumed it was our transmitters. In this situation, our transmitter engineer stated that there may be trees on that large hillside that have gradually grown to such a height that it also blocks our digital signal, which explains why the signal loss was gradual despite our transmitters operating normally. The one solution would be for viewers to raise the height of their outdoor antenna. I've spoken to viewers who have their antennas up to 35 feet in height and receive our signals fine but that may not apply to everyone, it just depends on where you are located and the terrain between you and Hilo town, but it's always worth a try.

As far as the number of "infomercials" that air on any given day, that may be more of a Programming issue over which I have no control since I am in the Engineering department but I will pass the feedback on to the appropriate people.

I hope this information helps."

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[Kenney]

Reminds me of Amazon's pushing us into prime. Pre pay for shipping or cable and they might listen to your complaint. Otherwise, suck it up.

[kalakoa]

Just stream your favorite T V shows over the internet -- problem solved!

[Kenney]

Yes. Love U Tube. Can get most everything. Some major network shows make you wait a week, but we'll live. Back in the olden days here in HPP we used to only get CBS on a 12 v. B & W running off the car battery, with a coat hanger antenna. We've got it made in the shade in comparison.

[Kenney]

I just got a response from KITV's news director. He says they are
aware of the problem, but don't know what's causing it.
They are Sending Engineers to Hilo today to look into it.

[Gus]

Someone said they lost 13 (nbc,cbs). I have not had an issue there as their engineer said in his letter. The problems for me are 4-1,2, 9-1, 11-1,2.

[Gus]

I just called KHON (football just around the corner, island time). Any way they said they know they're off the air, they know they are not the only station with the problem, and they are "working frantically" to get back on the air.

[H22]

quote:

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Originally posted by macuu222
That or the guy that fixes problems with the transmitters lives on Oahu and flies to the Big Island only once a month.

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I'm actually studying for my Broadcast Engineer certification exam for this very reason. Even the big markets have a shortage of engineers, let alone remote places like The Big Island. 90% of the current engineer roster is set to retire in 10 years or less with demand on spectrum increasing in a big way.

[H22]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenney

Local stations, Engineering Tom. Nobody answered on the weekend. They and their sponsors are the only ones who care, and not much.

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Cable penetration on Oahu and Maui is greater than 90%. Much different story in Puna.

I think Channel 6 in Kailua-Kona is the only station that has a business model dependent on Big Island advertising (for now, anyway). Some new local OTA offerings are on the way, I promise, but delay after delay keeps a launch date just out of arm's reach.