Low power DTV station status (WITI, WDJT).

[Dan Burgess]

I live about 93 miles south of the Milwaukee tower, in a suburb of Chicago, and I would like very much to receive Milwaukee DTV stations.

I'm a Cubs fan, so I'm patient by definition. I'm thinking long-term here, as being able to watch your stations (particularly Packers football games, as I am a Packers fan) over the upcoming years would be really sweet. Of course with the NFL season around the corner, this year would be nice, but that's not my goal.

Okay, so here is my question. From the information at 100kwatts.tmi.net, WITI is licensed for 980 kW of power but is broadcasting at 16.7kW under an STA from the FCC. (Someone mentioned that you can't receive it beyond their parking lot, pretty funny, but apparently not too much of an exaggeration.)

Also, WDJT is at 11.7kW but has been issued a Construction Permit for 1000kW.

Now, for the questions: Are these figures accurate, and if so, has anyone heard what the timetable is for these stations to go to full power?

And then does anyone know what the reception prospects would be for someone with a good rooftop antenna 93 miles away?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Tom Snyder]

According to Jim Hall, 58's GM, 58 will run at their reduced power until it "makes economic sense for them to go full power."

Not sure what that means, but it wouldn't surprise me if that didn't happen till the analog channel shuts down.

I can't believe that 6 is broadcasting at a higher power than 58. I know height makes a difference, but even at 200 feet, more than two or three people in the entire city should be able to get it.

There's a platform on the channel 6 tower, and rumor has it that it's there to install the digital antenna... we'll see.

[This message has been edited by Tom Snyder (edited 08-13-2002).]

[borghe]

I would say height makes a significant distance when 100kwatts has WDJT listed at 1056' and WITI listed at 125'.