Ch6 un-id

[NN2E]

I'm hearing (signal too weak for picture) a Spanish language channel 6 (87.75) beaming 215 deg. (basically towards Memphis) It started out this morning with (I assume) a test pattern with 900 to 1000 cycle tone (which actually was copied better on 87.74). When it began programming I heard an ad talking about Houston (I doubt it's in Houston - propagation just wasn't right for that area) and another ad for the National Guard (kinda rules out Mexico). Also heard a few ads mentioning "hablo Espanol" so I'm guessing it's in a predominately English market. The signal was almost certainly tropo as it was too steady for E-skip. Was seeing (on DTV) the typical morning tropo out to 250 miles.
Doug's database shows a Spanish language WJMF-LP Jackson, MS APP to go to ch6 but, as I turn the antennas more towards Jackson the signal drops.
Any ideas?
73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

This just in...heard an ad (sounded local) mentioning an address on "Mount Moriah." I found a Mount Moriah road listed for Memphis.

[Jim Thomas]

Ed, this is another lptv 6 target that is now on the air testing. W26CX, Memphis TN, has moved from analog 26 to 6 and at this point, I can't find a reference in the FCC database for the new calls. I just talked to the engineer of the station, also in Memphis, via telephone. He told me they are currently testing and are broadcasting Spanish language network Multimedios Monterrey (MX), with local ad inserts.

I mentioned to him that you have been receiving their signal in Benton, KY. The engineer said he was impressed.

[NN2E]

Thanks for doing the research on this, Jim.
Maybe, for now, we should call it W062667CVCX-CA-LP. :-)
I'm sure they'll settle on a callsign someday.
73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[NN2E]

W15CH Memphis is running the same programming as ch 6 (W26CX).
73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[miklk1973]

I'm in Memphis and did not catch the station testing. It seems to be off right now but I will keep looking for it to pop back on.

Amazing catch!

I used to live on the 18 floor of an apt building facing SE and with a CM4228 on the floor behind my TV I could see W15CG Pontotoc, MS well enough to read the ID nearly always. This was 85 miles away.

Looks like your catch is just amazing at about 140 miles.


I also used to get great reception of WCFT at night from 186 miles away.

I wish I still lived that high up in the air.

[NN2E]

Hi, miklk1973.

Welcome to the forum.

I'm listening to W26CX (ch 6) as I type. It's not really strong enough to get a picture but I can hear it just fine. It usually gets much stronger late at night & early in the morning. Most of the Memphis DTVs are doing a pretty good job, right now.

Must have been nice to be up on the 18th floor. Wish I had that kind of antenna height. I've been thinking about taking a portable DTV up in an airplane to see what can be found. I guess I'll have to run it by the WTFDA officials to see if I can count stations received while aero-mobile. Maybe if I circle above the house I can count them in my current DTV log. It'll make for an interesting discussion, anyway. :-)

I've posted this idea in "The Chat Room." We can discuss it there.

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[NN2E]

A couple of days ago W26CX was running AMGTV.
This morning it appears to be the Worship Network.
Who knows what they'll be doing tomorrow. :-)
73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[miklk1973]

Unfortunately my car radio doesn't go down low enough to check it. I work just 3 or 4 miles from the TX site. I will try to get an antenna on an analog TV at home the next couple days and try to check the signal out there.

I live a few miles away near Downtown Memphis and have a lot of trouble maintaining a lock the 2 low power digitals that transmit from the same location.

[NN2E]

The W26CX multiple personality disorder continues...

The past couple of times I've checked on W26CX I've heard Southern Gospel music. I've listened to it for quite a while this morning and I think a new F-FM has emerged from the multitude of previous formats. They are currently running "Gravel Road Gospel." I've yet to hear an ID. I can't tell if there's any video ID as the picture isn't too good here. It probably doesn't help that I have to beam through a 100KW FM (WRIK at only 5 mi) to receive W26CX.

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[NN2E]

This morning I'm hearing "Your American Dreams," a marriage counseling program.

So, maybe, it hasn't become a F-FM.

I wouldn't be surprised, at all, if tomorrow I tuned in and found Inuit programming.

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[NN2E]

This station is the gift that keeps on giving...

The latest FCC data-dump now has the callsign WPGF-LP assigned to, what was, W26CX. I had them at zero offset. The FCC data shows plus offset. I can't check on it, right now, as my antennas are unhooked for the impending thunderstorms. I'll check on it later.

But wait, there's more...

I also found a CP for WPGF-LP to run 105.8 KW on channel 26...isn't that where it started out, in the first place?!

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[miklk1973]

This station is the gift that keeps on giving...

The latest FCC data-dump now has the callsign WPGF-LP assigned to, what was, W26CX. I had them at zero offset. The FCC data shows plus offset. I can't check on it, right now, as my antennas are unhooked for the impending thunderstorms. I'll check on it later.

But wait, there's more...

I also found a CP for WPGF-LP to run 105.8 KW on channel 26...isn't that where it started out, in the first place?!

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

It was there but was on 57 or 67 before that. I have lost track of all the shuffles.

I get nothing from it in midtown memphis on a radio with the fm band on it.

[NN2E]

Just checked on WPGF-LP and, contrary to what the FCC thinks, it's running zero offset.

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[miklk1973]

Hey Ed so 88.7 has become a radio station essentially.

the format formerly on 96.1 has relocated to ch 6 / 88.7.

It's now an AAA station call 87.7 The Pig. I can barely hear it at my house on a radio if i walk around. I'm in Midtown Memphis almost Downtown. My car radio doesn't tune 87.7.

[NN2E]

Strange mix of music....I'm hearing it well but not getting much picture.

"Channel six and eighty seven point seven, The Pig"

"Eighty seven point seven, The Pig!"

"Channel six and eighty seven point seven, The Pig, is WPGF LP, Memphis."

"Eighty seven oink seven, The Pig."

73, Ed NN2E
Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds

[miklk1973]

Hey Ed so 88.7 has become a radio station essentially.

the format formerly on 96.1 has relocated to ch 6 / 88.7.

It's now an AAA station call 87.7 The Pig. I can barely hear it at my house on a radio if i walk around. I'm in Midtown Memphis almost Downtown. My car radio doesn't tune 87.7.

Just noticed I typo'd the frequency a couple times. It's just not natural to type out 87.7.

The format has been on 3 frequencies here and never had any ads really. It's a bit strange and calling it AAA format is really only the closest match but not really right either.

[Frank Merrill]

I guess I'll have to run it by the WTFDA officials to see if I can count stations received while aero-mobile. Maybe if I circle above the house I can count them in my current DTV log.

Now, you won't be able to do that if you sell your plane, will you? :p

Does anybody have a (near)-definitive list of those Franken-FM's on Channel 6?

[miklk1973]

Now, you won't be able to do that if you sell your plane, will you? :p

Does anybody have a (near)-definitive list of those Franken-FM's on Channel 6?


http://www.wtfda.info/showthread.php?p=14973#post14973


Here is what I could find so far Frank.. I am sure there are undiscovered others out there.

[Frank Merrill]

Germane to the question, though, yes I'd think you can count stations from a plane...as long as the direct air distance from the plane to your QTH isn't more than 25 miles. I don't think the WTFDA rules say anything about altitude...it's no different than being able to erect an 8,000-foot tower which is impractical but allowable...and if you fly directly above your favorite Channel 36, it's pretty much GONE!! Of course it's probably best to use a helicopter because you can stay in one spot, LOL.

And thanks for the link to the Franken-FM thread, by the way - I have been watching it.

I fully expect there will be many more of these to come, as they've devised a way to get yet another radio station on the air, even in some markets thought to be tapped out on available spectrum many years ago...such as the one they put on in New York City.