Don’t forget the double rescan

We’ve had some calls come in from people who haven’t received KETC/Channel 9 since we worked on our broadcast tower. The majority of these reception problems were resolved by using the “double rescan” procedure. It only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:

1. Disconnect your antenna from your TV or converter box. Perform a full channel scan while it is disconnected. This should yield zero channels.

2. Reconnect your antenna to your TV or converter box. Perform a full scan once more. This should bring all available channels back.

You can also try inputting channel 39 (instead of 9), which is where our digital signals are sent. If these options don’t work for you, make sure your antenna is positioned correctly by consulting www.antennaweb.org.

Update: Tower Work is complete

KETC completed work on its tower on Saturday, August 1 at approximately 3:30 a.m. The broadcast tower, located at Highway 55 and Butler Hill Rd., is now operating at full FCC-licensed power and height.

Channel 9’s Effective Radiated Power (ERP) was increased from 124.6 kW to 142.5 kW and its digital antenna height was increased by approximately 100 ft.

Over-the-air viewers should rescan their digital televisions and/or converter boxes if they are still without Channel 9. If you prefer to manually add KETC to your existing channels, you can do so by entering “39″ into your remote control.

Some antenna adjustment might also be necessary. Please note that KETC’s tower is located at Highway 55 and Butler Hill Rd.–more southerly than most other broadcasting facilities in the region. The FCC’s coverage maps can tell you more about antenna position and signal strength in your specific area.

If you have a question, please contact letters@ketc.org or Channel 9’s digital hotline at (314) 512-9617. To help us better answer your questions, please include your address with zip code.

UPDATE – KETC To Sign Off Friday, July 31, 11:30 p.m., 2009, for Continuing Transmitter Work

UPDATE – KETC will now sign off FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009, 11:30 P.M.

Due to continuing work to the KETC transmitter tower, KETC will sign off Friday night, July 31, 2009, at 11:30 p.m. KETC will be back on the air no later than 6:00 a.m., Saturday, August 1, 2009.

Only over-the-air viewers will be affected; if you receive KETC via cable or a satellite provider you will experience no change in your service.

Expect signal interruption during tower work

If you do not subscribe to cable or satellite and rely on over-the-air signals to watch KETC/Channel 9, you might experience reception dropouts over the next several days as changes are made to the broadcast tower.

The work, scheduled to start this evening, requires KETC decrease transmitting power significantly for up to four days. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please check back for more updates.

KETC to Sign Off Briefly on Sunday, July 26, 2009, for Transmitter Work

Due to work being done to the KETC transmitter tower, KETC will sign off Sunday night, July 26, 2009, at 10:30 p.m. KETC will be back on the air no later than 6:00 a.m., Monday, July 27, 2009.

Only over-the-air viewers will be affected; if you receive KETC via cable or a satellite provider you will experience no change in your service.

Last day to apply for coupons is July 31

If you’re still not DTV-ready, it’s not too late. Converter box coupons are still available, but you must request them by midnight on July 31, 2009.

The fastest way to apply is online at www.dtv2009.gov. You may also call the toll free hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009.

Don’t wait any longer. Every household that relies on over-the-air signals to get TV is eligible for up to two coupons, good for $40 off the purchase of a converter box.

For more information, visit www.dtv2009.gov or call KETC’s Digital Television Hotline at (314) 512-9617.

Trade in your unexpired coupon for a free converter box

If you have a valid UNEXPIRED DTV converter box coupon, trade them in for a FREE converter box on July 16 and 17.

The FCC, DISH Network and G2 Communications are working together to help those in the St. Louis area who have not yet made the switch to DTV.

Bring your valid unexpired coupon(s) to either location listed below on July 16 and 17 to receive a converter box free of charge.

Those who sign up for G2’s free converter box installation service will also receive a complimentary indoor antenna at the time of installation.

DTV Coupon-for-Converter Box Locations:

July 16, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
East St. Louis City Hall Rotunda, 301 River Park Drive, East St. Louis, IL 62203

July 17, 2009, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis
4631 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108

Have questions? Contact the FCC’s consumer call center at (888)-CALL-FCC, or G2 Communications at 800-536-8372.

Reception trouble? Try the “double rescan”.

If you’re experiencing difficulty with one or more digital stations, the FCC recommends trying a “double rescan”:

If you are using a converter box or digital television connected to an antenna, simply disconnect the antenna from the box or TV and scan for digital channels. Once the scan is completed, reconnect your antenna and scan for digital channels again.

This process clears the memory of your digital tuner so it can accurately identify the digital stations in your area.

Important Information about KETC’s Transmission Radius

Due to a slight change in the transmission radius of KETC, small portions of our current audience may not receive KETC over the air after June 12. To reduce the impact in these areas, we are making improvements to our transmission facility. This work will be completed by August 18.

The Missouri counties with areas on the outside edge of our current reach that may experience some loss of KETC are Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Sainte Genevieve, St. Francois, Warren and Washington.

The Illinois counties with areas on the outside edge of our current reach that may experience some loss of KETC are Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jackson, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Perry, Randolph and Washington.

Also, some viewers who are located in areas with hills or tall buildings may lose the ability to receive KETC over the air.

Check your reception capabilities by visiting the FCC’s online mapping tool at: www.dtv.gov/maps.

Additional detailed information is available by calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC or Channel 9’s DTV hotline at 314-512-9617.

KETC Will Shut Off Analog Signal at 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2009

KETC will shut off it’s analog broadcast signal at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2009. From that point forward the only way to receive KETC over the air will be with either a digital television or an analog television equipped with a digital converter box.

If you received KETC via cable or satellite there will be no change to your service.

You can find more information about DTV at: www.dtv.gov, by calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC or Channel 9’s DTV hotline at 314-512-9617.