WJBK signal strength?

[MWmetalhead]

I can't get WJBK either way. 4, 7, 20 and 56 are my best catches. I must have a UHF antenna.

If you are using an indoor antenna, you are definitely too far away to pick up WJBK.

If you are using an outdoor antenna, there could be any number of factors in play.

WJBK of the major network affiliates delivers the weakest predicted signal to Washtenaw and Livingston Counties by far.

[Tvguy]

Long ago Tim Redmond decided to take the WXYZ Ch 7 frequency because he thought it had such a great coverage but he is not an RF Engineer and he had no idea that all of the other broadcasters were going over to UHF not VHF and now WJBK is limited to 27Kw on channel 7. So they are actually a low power VHF station.

[MWmetalhead]

It certainly worked a lot better in the analog era at 316 kW omni.

Not only is the present day digital signal a puny 27 kW, it is a directional 27 kW, meaning some azimuths receive far less juice in order to protect WOOD-TV (who has been broadcasting a DTV signal on RF channel 7 since the late 1990s).

WJBK's analog signal stunk for many viewers, too. RF channel 2's wide wavelength required a lengthy antenna for clear reception. It also was prone to electrical interference. In contrast, channels 4 and 7 were nearly effortless to receive cleanly. When I lived in Ann Arbor many years ago, I was surprised by how much better channel 4 looked via antenna versus channel 2.

[tivoking]

I could never get WJBK with a standard digital home antenna, ever, right south of Hall Rd in Macomb County, in two different locations. It would still blank out or pixelate closer to Metro Parkway at a friends house. Does Xfinity still offer local TV channels for $12.99 a month? Probably $19.99 now.

[MWmetalhead]

I believe they do for $20 a month, but after layering on all the B.S. equipment fees and taxes, it wouldn't surprise me if the real price is significantly higher.

[syntheticexctasy]

not to gloat, but here in petersburg i've had WJBK in solid for weeks, pointing in almost any direction. thought it was kind of odd actually (i've only lived here since july)

[Scooter]

For the past week WJBK must have been in low power mode as we could not receive it on our Tablo. I didn't change anything and its back today.

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[Round Six]

For the past week WJBK must have been in low power mode as we could not receive it on our Tablo. I didn't change anything and its back today.

Myself, I'm pondering if the station isn't changing power. Just propagation. It's VHF. Just like 2 meter ham radio. Some days I can hear the Clarkston and L'Anse Cruise repeaters great. Sometimes mostly static. I know they're not adjusting their power.

[MWmetalhead]

A week ago, Fox 2's signal was unusually finicky at my house, and I am not far at all from the tower.

[kc8yqq]

For me from Jackson, I rarely get WJBK this time of year. WADL is much more difficult to receive than WJBK. I rarely get WOOD-TV also.

[Scooter]

WJBK is back to a weak signal today. Unwatchable.

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[syntheticexctasy]

Still perfectly fine here in Petersburg - I can still point my outdoor antenna in almost any direction and still get a watchable signal.

[MWmetalhead]

The directional pattern may be out of whack, whereby some azimuths may be receiving less signal than they should.

Glad to hear areas to the south are still able to pick up a reliable signal.

[syntheticexctasy]

The directional pattern may be out of whack, whereby some azimuths may be receiving less signal than they should.

Glad to hear areas to the south are still able to pick up a reliable signal.

WJBK is actually the most reliable of the Detroit stations here - I'm guessing it's because it's good ol' VHF, and I have a relatively low noise floor here.

Everything on UHF out of Detroit I have to point at to get a reliable signal. No reliable reception of WADL, CBET, or CICO though. Pretty sure my antenna's UHF section is weak.

[Jack5o2soco]

My memory has faded. Did we have these problems with analog reception?

No problems back then