Archive for October, 2008
IP-011 - Last Internet Pumpkin!
Tim in Beulaville wrote in about some reception problems, (not with us this time!) and replied back with several good Internet Pumpkins.
1- Most CECB’s for sale today, has a feature I mentioned about Mom’s box, to allow users to scan channels and only add new channels, without losing the original data. It’s extremely important if you use [...]
IP-010 Technikal Differcultys, pleeze stand bye
We do our best to avoid on air technical issues, but sometimes “it” happens. Something goes wrong and it can be very difficult to determine exactly what caused the problem.
In November, I’m going to share with you the details of how we are going to make the conversion to digital, as well as cable and [...]
IP-009 Analog Versus Digital
I was thinking of ways to compare analog to digital technology, and came up with this video parody of the Mac versus PC ads. I wrote the script in about 10 minutes, and sent it to my buddy Patrick Priest to play the DTV role. I will make sure the chroma key wall is flatly lit [...]
IP-008 Housecall
I noticed Dr. Vardy’s TV in the lobby at his Chiropractic Clinic was right on the digital cliff and needed a little help. He was using an old rod style antenna so we put it to better use and replaced it with a good amplified antenna designed to work in his situation. The TV is [...]
IP-007 Why?
America needs change. I’m Russell, and I approved this Internet Pumpkin message.
Change can be a double edged sword. It can be good, and it can be bad. Having been in Electronics for thirty muffled years, I’ve seen my fair share of change. In most cases, it’s been for the better. I remember the horizontal and vertical [...]
IP-006 I Need to Spend How Much?
Look, I’m and Engineer. I know how painful it is to fill up a vehicle just to get to work and when it takes over twenty dollars to fill up my lawn mower, things get extremely tight. That’s part of my message in all these posts. Start small, cheap, and move up when you can. [...]
IP-005 What is the “Digital Cliff”?
Reader Patricia wrote me to toss an Internet Pumpkin asking if I can explain the digital cliff she’s been hearing about, and exactly what causes it, and for that matter, what can be done to avoid it.
I’m no Graphic Artist, but I play one on TV, so maybe a picture will help visualize what happens. [...]
IP-004- What’s the point in having the box?
It’s the same programs on the box with maybe a few more channels, but nothing really new or different. It’s just something else to have to mess with.
OK, thanks for shooting your son in the foot, Mom!
I appreciate you tossing the Internet Pumpkin during October, anyway! I’ve been getting some great suggestions, so keep [...]
IP-003 Should I have a Rotor Outside?
Reader Paul tossed an Internet Pumpkin that he noticed the antennas in my videos had rotors, and wanted to know if it’s worth installing one.
In my opinion it is essential. The major networks are located in one place for a reason; to make it as simple for the viewers as possible to aim antennas. However, ION, PBS, [...]
IP-002 How does a UHF loop antenna work?
Reader Gene in Madison, WI tossed me a 300 pound pumpkin:
A.
Since TV transmissions are normally horizontally
polarized (and, I believe, a loop antenna is
polarized in the plane of its circle), how come the
standard vertical UHF loop that comes as part of
the usual “rabbit ears” indoor antenna gets anything
at all? I realize that I am so close [...]
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