I’ve Got The Low-Band DTV Blues…
Steve Stone
http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_c/TechTalk.html
banner chunk
HDTV TECH TALK: JUNE 2009
I�ve Got The Low-Band DTV Blues�
PETER PUTMAN, CTS
Did DTV channel 6 disappear on your converter box or digital TV after
June 12? Here�s why it may be �MIA��and what you may be able to do about it.
One of the more interesting stories that has developed following D-Day
(June 12) is the trouble that viewers are having in several large
markets with low-band TV channels � specifically, channel 6, which is
now digital in Albany, NY; Philadelphia, PA, New Haven, CT, and five
other TV markets.
There have also been reports of difficulty with stations on channel 7,
most notably WLS in Chicago and WABC in New York City. The situation
there is quite different, but we�ll take a quick look at it at the end
of this article.
THE OP-ED SECTION
First off, let it be said that the FCC�s decision to retain channels 2
through 6 in the DTV channel core was ill advised. These are some of the
oldest TV channels in existence and used to be the prime spots for a TV
station, since they were the lowest channel numbers on tuners.
But the frequencies in which these channels are located � specifically,
from 55 MHz to about 88 MHz, give or take several kilohertz � have long
been plagued with impulse noise, such as you�d get from noisy
fluorescent lamp ballast, brush motors, or any electronic equipment that
creates inductive voltage spikes.
To make matters worse, seasonal signal propagation enhancement, caused
by sporadic ionization of the ionosphere�s E-layer, can cause signals on
these frequencies to hop across the country and create co-channel
interference many thousands of miles away. Ham radio operators like
myself refer to this summertime phenomenon as �E-skip,� for short.
Here�s another reason why channels 2 through 6 should have been retired:
They require very large antennas for efficient reception. A full-wave
loop antenna for channel 2 (56 MHz) would measure 5.4 meters in length,
or about 17.5 feet! (Contrast that with a full-wave loop for UHF channel
42, which would be about 18 inches around.)
This makes it problematic to design an indoor antenna with any kind of
gain, short of adding an internal amplifier. Unless that amplifier�s
design is bullet-proof (and for normal Radio Shack prices, it usually
isn�t), the antenna system will be overwhelmed with noise and
interference from other nearby RF signals, such as FM radio stations.
THE CHANNEL SIX CONUNDRUM
But that�s water under the bridge now, and 40 stations have decided to
stay put on this not-so-valuable real estate. As a result, I�m getting
quite a few emails about some bizarre low-band VHF reception issues.
My favorite so far is from a television station monitoring service,
whose rooftop channel 5 antenna in West Virginia is being routinely
wiped out every day by fluorescent lights in the Ace Hardware below,
during normal store hours. (Not impossible to fix, but it will take some
detective work.)
Getting back to my home market of Philadelphia, there are plenty of
problems with reception of WPVI�s digital signal on channel 6. And it
became evident pretty quickly that WPVI was having these problems just
24 hours after shutting down their analog signal on channel 6.
Subsequently, WPVI and CBS affiliate WRGB in Schenectady, NY (also on
channel 6, and also experiencing reception issues) applied to the FCC
for an emergency authorization to go to higher power.
According to a news story in the June 22 issue of Broadcasting and
Cable magazine, ��The FCC granted the station (WPVI) a special temporary
authority (STA) to boost its transmission power on Ch. 6 from the
relatively low 7.5 kilowatts (kW) to 30.6 kW, the maximum power for the
northeastern �Zone 1� region of the U.S.�
Figure 1. WPVI�s DTV signal on VHF channel 6, seen at 1:00 PM on June 12.
Each of the sharp, rounded signals to its immediate right are FM radio
stations.
WPVI�s original digital signal on June 12 at 1 PM, as seen in Figure 1,
wasn�t too shabby to begin with, and I could receive it quite easily on
both my rooftop and attic antenna systems. It also came in nicely near
the southwest wall of my house, on both floors, while using Eviant�s T7
Card portable digital TV set.
But there are always devils in the details, and you can see them quite
clearly immediately to the right of WPVI�s flat-topped 8VSB carrier.
Those numerous rounded peaks are FM broadcast stations, the closest of
which is on 88.5 MHz (WXPN). Almost immediately adjacent is WRTI�s FM
operation on 90.1, followed by WHYY on 90.9, etc.
So, what�s the problem? Those FM stations are co-located at the
Roxborough TV tower farm, NW of Center City. And they present very
strong signals that can slip through the filters in NITA converter
boxes, resulting in interference to the channel 6 signal. What�s more,
FM and TV signals mixing in converter box receivers will produce sum and
difference frequencies that wind up right in a portion of the channel 6
spectrum.
So what�s likely happening is that closer-in TV viewers, who probably
don�t have really long rabbit ears (a full-wave loop @ 85 MHz measures
3.53 meters, or 11.6 feet) are trying to pull in a signal that�s
competing with strong, adjacent-channel signals from FM broadcasters.
Toss in the usual elevated noise floor from arc lamps, power
transformers, air conditioning compressors, and refrigerator motors, and
you have a sticky wicket indeed!
Figure 2. WPVI�s �boosted� DTV signal, as seen at 9:45 AM on June 22.
It�s about 6 dB stronger than before.
Figure 3. This wide view of the TV spectrum from channel 2 to channel 13
shows how strong WPVI�s new signal is, compared to WBPH-9 and WHYY-12
(far right).
WPVI�s Special Temporary Authorization (STA) from the FCC definitely
resulted in a stronger signal, as seen in Figure 2. And Figure 3, which
shows a wider view of all low-band and high-band VHF channels, plus the
FM band, reveals that WPVI�s broadcast is now the strongest TV signal
coming out of Philadelphia. (Notice the comparatively weaker signal from
WHYY-12, the 8VSB carrier to the far right.) But is WPVI even strong
enough now?
In both of my spectrum analyzer screen grabs, you may notice that the FM
radio station carriers get progressively weaker as the frequency
increases. That�s because I�m using an FM trap to try and attenuate
them. But that filter simply isn�t sharp enough to subdue WXPN, WRTY,
and WHYY without also affecting the strength of WPVI�s signal.
Only precision signal filters with multiple poles and what we call
�Hi-Q� sharp filter skirts can solve this problem. Except that filters
like that are VERY expensive to manufacture, and not something you�d put
into a $59 converter box or a $500 TV set.
The adjacent channel overload problem is compounded by the use of
circular signal polarization from FM stations. This is done among other
reasons so that their broadcast signals remain moderately stable in as
your drive around in your car. But that�s no help to the home TV viewer,
who may try to no avail to weaken the FM signals by positioning their TV
antenna horizontally or vertically.
Figure 4. A spectral view of WRGB-6 in Schenectady, NY, also �up against it�
with multiple strong FM stations in close proximity.
In case you think this is just a �big city� problem, look at Figure 4,
which shows the FM carrier immediately upstream from WRGB-6 in
Schenectady. Same problem � multiple strong FM stations that can play
havoc with converter boxes and integrated TV sets are located
immediately adjacent to WRGB�s 8VSB carrier. And similar complaints
about lost reception are coming into the chief engineer�s office up there.
OK, SO WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
Unfortunately, there isn�t any �one size fits all� fix to this problem.
But there are some things that may work.
Inline signal attenuators: First of all, ATSC signals will come through
at very low carrier-to-noise ratios, where analog NTSC signals won�t. It
stands to reason that viewers close to the TV antenna farms have more
than enough signal to begin with, so the counter-intuitive approach is
to add attenuators inline with the antenna leads.
This will result in a weaker signal on channel 6, but will also drag
down the levels of FM stations, too. Toss in an inexpensive FM notch
filter, and at some point the TV receiver or converter box may be able
to make better sense of the differences between the FM and channel 6
8VSB signals.
Of course, for this to work correctly, the attenuator should only be in
the VHF antenna line, because it�s also going to clip signals from every
TV station upstream from the filter, including high-band VHF and UHF.
The VHF antenna should also be horizontally polarized, and not
vertically polarized. That means flattening out those rabbit ears, or
using a bar antenna or folded dipole on the roof, or in the attic.
Eliminating noise: Another possible problem is broadband noise, as I
mentioned earlier. It�s worth checking out DTV reception problems with
as many of your home appliances and lights disconnected as possible, to
see if some �hash� isn�t getting into your system and creating
interference problems.
Such interference would manifest itself on the FM band (Surprise! FM
isn�t completely noise-free) as well. Any offending appliances should be
replaced or repaired, because they�re likely creating bigger
interference problems with other electronic devices in and nearby your home.
Using the wrong antenna: Of course, in more than a few cases, the
problem seems to be one of trying to receive VHF channel 6 with a UHF
antenna, which of course is akin to trolling for marlin with a Pocket
Fisherman.
Many folks don�t realize that WPVI is now relocated a long ways away
from its former position on UHF channel 64 (about 771 MHz), and that the
small UHF loop antenna that used to work so well to pick up Jim Gardner
and Action News is little more than a piece of decorative aluminum when
it comes to watching VHF TV channels.
So what�s needed is a pair of longer rabbit ears, or even better yet, a
folded dipole antenna that can be mounted on the side of a house, or in
the attic � or even on the roof. The size would be � the length of a
full-wave loop, or about 5 feet 9 inches. (5 feet is close enough for
government work.)
This folded loop can be made out of copper tape, aluminum, or stiff wire
� anything conductive. Even refrigerator drain hose (also copper) also
works. Simply solder the leads of a 300-ohm coaxial balun to the open
ends of the loop and run a piece of RG-6 to it, and you�re in business.
Here�s a link to a simple folded dipole design, made from TV ribbon wire
(twin lead). It�s scalable to any VHF channel.
Of course, you can also try a pair of conventional rabbit ears, but if
you�re close in to the TV station (10 miles or less), stay away from
amplified designs. They�ll only make the problem worse. On the other
hand, WRGB�s chief engineer reported at least one viewer had complained
about losing the signal on his rabbit ears antenna�30+ miles away. In
that case, the amplifier is a good idea, but a rooftop or attic antenna
is a lot more sensible.
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH�
The problems that have been reported with reception of VHF channel 7 in
New York City and Chicago appear to be arising from either improper
antenna selection, or elevated noise floors, a common problem in cities.
VHF signals have a tough time penetrating tall buildings, a task that
UHF signal seem to handle with more aplomb.
But once again, a UHF antenna is not even close to resonance at 180 MHz
(Channel 7). That�s about 1.67 meters, or 5.5 feet for a full-wave loop
antenna. The good news is, everyday rabbit ears will usually do the
trick here, but you�ll need to experiment with their polarization to see
what works best. Fortunately, there aren�t any pesky FM radio station
carriers lurking nearby.
What there IS, however, is lots of broadband noise. Figure 5 shows a
spectral view of analog channels 7 through 13 in New York City, about
3.5 miles northeast of the Empire State Building, inside a 3rd-floor
apartment where I�ve been researching an indoor TV antenna design.
Figure 5. Here�s a view of the TV spectrum from channel 7 through 13,
as seen from the upper reaches of Fifth Avenue in New York City.
Figure 6. Whoops! Adding a preamplifier didn�t make matters better;
it made them worse by elevating the noise floor.
So far, so good! But I wanted a little bit more separation between TV
carriers and noise for more reliable DTV reception and to feed multiple
TVs. So, I tested an inline preamplifier � with disastrous results.
Figure 6 shows that the amplifier boosted channels 7 through 13 by
almost 20 dB, but also kicked up the noise floor by the same amount �
basically accomplishing nothing.
Lesson learned? I�ll have to come up with most of the gain in the
antenna system, and try with different combinations of attenuators and
preamps to see how I can add some �active� gain to the system without
adding more noise and creating a new set of headaches.
I�ll be conducting more tests on channel 6 reception and also high-band
VHF stations during the summer to see what practical solutions myself
and others can come up with. Look for more coverage of this issue later
in the summer. In the meantime, email any questions and observations you
may have about �difficult� DTV stations, so we can share them with other
readers.
K. B.
<n2...@hotmail.com> posted:
>There have also been reports of difficulty with stations on channel 7,
>most notably WLS in Chicago and WABC in New York City.
<http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/jun/12/shift-digital-tv-era-dawns/>
KQTV-DT moved from ch. 53 to ch. 7, 1st comment seems to be
the best:
tigersfan June 12, 2009 at 7:22 a.m.
What's this switch to digital they are talking about? I
haven't heard anything about this.
---
Kirk Bayne
alt.video.digital-tv Home Page
<http://avdtv.tripod.com/avdtv.htm>