WYTV now at full power
Youngstown: While neither WKBN or WYTV started with local HD newscasts as of yet, WYTV DT 36 has been testing their full powered digital signal. The station is coming in quite well here near Cochranton with readings up to 80%, which is a lot more than I expected. That equals what I get from WFMJ DT 20 while WKBN is near 100% with their power & much higher antenna. WYTV's power increase will benefit more viewers with antennas in the Mahoning Valley as well as those who may have a hard time getting WTAE's low powered translator on DT 22 north of Pittsburgh in Butler county. Feel free to share how well the station comes in at your location.Readers’ Forum
By looking at the Rabbit Ears link, and looking at the station license and service contour map, it appears as if the service area will not go much past Butler or Grove City PA. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-..
The only good thing I can say about it is that there will not be any co channel interference to the east from any of the stations in the Erie, Pittsburgh or Johnstown markets.
Even by trying to trick the TV fool site into believing that a person had a 500’ antenna on the highest point south of Punxsutawney, the report said that it is too weak to ever be expected to reach 86.5 miles away, even though WKYC does come in during the summer months with tropo reception – 144 miles away!
Jerry - April 22, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Jerry: That map was for WYTV at 50kw. Here is their map at 1000kw which covers more territory including the areas you mentioned. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-...
Tom Lavery (URL) - April 22, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I just wanted to let you know that since WYTV increased its power it is being received at my location in Cranberry Twp (Butler County — Where I79 and the turnpike cross) with an indoor antenna. Adjustment of the antenna is critical for 33-1 and its sub channels. It is not as strong as WKBN, WFMJ or WNEO at this location but still good for an indoor antenna. I was not able to receive it until the power was increased.
Frank - April 23, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Good to hear Frank. I too have to have my outdoor antenna pointed at Youngstown for a solid picture but the same is true with WFMJ. I sort of wished they would have moved the antenna onto WKBN’s tower where ‘KBN’s digital antenna was before it was moved to the top. WYTV might have covered the same ground as WKBN. Still it’s a lot better that WYTV has a larger viewing area now.
Tom Lavery (URL) - April 23, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Everyone should see at least a little improvement from WYTV. They increased their height by 100 feet or so, which helps with line of sight, and then even though their directional antenna only puts 1000 kW to the northwest, even in its weakest direction they’re putting out 80 kW, which is greater than the 50 kW they had before.
Trip Ericson (URL) - April 24, 2010 at 4:12 pm