I’m on the west side of Manhattan and recently set up a Tablo 4. After testing various zip codes I seem to be having the best luck overall with 10007, but I haven’t seen either of our PBS affiliates (13 and 21) come up once in any of my attempts. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I used the ZIP code for Newark
Thanks – was there a particular one that worked best?
I’m using 07101
I live in central NJ, and 10012, gave me 13 and 21 fine
Just curious how you were able to use that zoo if you’re in central NJ. This is what I get any time I try to use a zip that’s greater than a certain distance from me
Try setting your location manually by first diabling access to your location by the TabloTV app.
If you disable access to your location, it won’t let you update your location in the app. This is the case with both iOS and Android.
Thanks, I just tried that – still no luck.
Is it possible that your Tablo is not picking them up from the antenna and this is not a guide issue? When you do a channel scan, do they show up in the list? If they do not, your antenna isn’t picking them up.
That’s correct - they don’t show up in the list. I assume I should be seeing a 13.1 and a 21.1 in the list, even if they’re misidentified as something other than WNET and WLIW. But they don’t show up. It’s especially weird since channels 2, 4, 5, 7, and 11 all come through just fine and I believe the 13 transmitter is in the same location (at the WTC).
Yes but they transmit on VHF channel 12. Channel 12 RF is much harder to receive and I’ve had trouble with my antenna with it. VHF signals are more prone to interference and transmit at lower power than UHF channels. And all likelihood your antenna is not seeing it at all. Do you have another device with a tuner like a TV that you can hook up to antenna in that same spot?
I hadn’t thought of UHF vs VHF. Are you sure that your antenna is designed to pick up both? Not all are.
I bought a Tablo tuner + antenna bundle, so it’s the antenna that came with that.
Check out Antenna Man’s review in the videos.
https://www.amazon.com/Circular-Tabletop-Compatible-SDV8201B-27/dp/B07BLNWZHS
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We had one of these in the 60’s. I bet something like this would still work pretty good. I’m kind of surprised these aren’t being snatched up and repurposed for today. Or something like this.
I did not have good results with this antenna. You need a larger antenna with those dipole elements to get low VHF unless you’re really cost to the tower.
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Thanks - is there one you would recommend?
Channels 13 (WNET) & 21 (WLIW) both broadcast in the UHF band. Also, you don’t want to confuse VHF (which is low) with Lo-VHF which is very low, broadcasting on the old channel 2-6 frequencies. Also, don’t confuse the channel names with the actual channel they broadcast on. For instance, CBS in New York is still channel 2, but the actually broadcast on the frequency of channel 36.
While there are some stations in the New York market that broadcast in VHF, I don’t think that there are any that truly use Lo-VHF (except maybe WJLP in some areas). Having a good antenna that will pick up both UHF and VHF is a good idea, but I would not recommend going to the trouble and expense of getting an antenna that includes Lo-VHF. They are pricey, and physically big and cumbersome.
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Last I looked channel 13 and 21 both broadcast on rf channel 12. That is hi VHF not UHF right? I’ve had trouble picking that up with UHF elements. I’ve had much better results with VHF elements on the antenna.