Transmitter causes Cable One problem

[cablewithaview]

For the past several weeks, Cable One customers have experienced erratic reception with the cable provider's NBC affiliate, WPMI Channel 15 of Mobile.

As many Cable One customers recall, Cable One switched NBC affiliates in December due to a poor signal from the New Orleans affiliate, WDSU, caused by Hurricane Katrina damage to a tower.

"They(WPMI) are having transmitter problems," said Scott Randall, Cable One general manager for Biloxi and Ocean Springs. "We did an upgrade to our equipment this morning, thinking it would help."

Tim Reid, director of engineering for WPMI, said the problem lies in the distance from WPMI's transmitter to Cable One's receiver, which is about 65 miles, so in certain weather conditions, the quality of the signal can fluctuate.

"We're operating at the maximum the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) will allow, and we are working with them (Cable One) to figure out a solution," Reid said.

An option the two companies are considering is to get a direct fiber-optic link between the transmitter and receiver, Reid said.


The Sun Herald | 02/28/2007 | Transmitter causes Cable One problem