Alex Batson wrote:


I think echos are doing me in. I have plenty of signal stregnth but it's
quite difficult getting my HDTV receiver to think it has enough signal to
build a picture. Let say I point to station "X", which is UHF. It's analog
signal is OK (some snow, but viewable, but with a few ghosts or echos..)
The same station X broadcasts HDTV from the same mast, but I can't get it.


8VSB digital transmissions can be received even in a strong multipath
environment; but there is a limit and also depend upon the receiver's
ability to handle multipath. It is not unusual to receive crystal clear
digital pictures even though the analog signal, close in frequency and
transmitted from the same tower site, is severely distorted by multipath.

Keep in mind that many digital TV broadcasters are operating under an
STA (special temporary authority) from the FCC. They are not running
full power and they often use a directional antenna mounted at a height
much lower then for their analog signal. One digital broadcaster in my
area, as an example, is running 130 watts ERP with their antenna at 89
feet. I guess that that qualifies for commercial TV QRP operation