-=> Quoting Phil Marlowe to Mike Ross <=-

 PM> The reception I got from the U.S. in winter
 PM> was as sharp and crisp as the local channel 12,
 PM> ie excellent. Now I can't even bring up a blurry
 PM> picture -- just a blank screen.
 PM> 
 PM> I'm guessing but I don't think height and location
 PM> would be a factor, since they haven't changed? And
 PM> different TV sets in different rooms all worked
 PM> equally well -- in the winter.

Height *can* be a factor. See below.
 
 PM> This summer thing is definitely a puzzle. I wonder
 PM> if the stations themselves are aware of it?
 PM> 
 PM> Couldn't be the mountain, since I'm clear to the
 PM> border. Plus, as I said, excellent reception in
 PM> winter....
 PM> 
 PM> Temperature? Humidity? Density of the air?...

I and a friend are studying for a ham ticket. Yes, temp & humdity *can*
make a difference. With the right combo., you can get a "duct" that
caries the signal places it wouldn't otherwise go.

 PM> You say it's better at night.  But these stations
 PM> go off the air pretty early. Or do you mean after dark?

After dark. The Ionosphere (and other things) act differently after the
sun goes down.,

Basicly, under the right atmospheric conditions, you can get a signal
to bend around the curve of the earth. 

So to get the signal when conditions *aren't* right, you need to have
an antenna high enough to be in "line of sight" of the station's
antenna.

How far away are these stations? Any idea where their *transmitters* are?


--- FMailX 1.60