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.

Need DTV Help?

Do you need in-home assistance with installing your DTV converter box? The following Federal Communications Commission contractors and partner organizations may be able to assist you free of charge:

Apollo Industries, LLC: 800-504-5677, ApolloTV@inbox.com. This company will provide this free service to local consumers in Missouri.

G2 Communications: 314-599-3999. This company will provide this free service to local consumers in the Missouri and Illinois areas.

The St. Louis Fire Department and KETC/Channel 9 are still working together to provide in-home installation within the City of St. Louis. For help from the St. Louis Fire Department, consumers can call (314) 512-9617.

The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging is also providing help for consumers with converter box questions. For seniors and disabled individuals over the age of 18 who would like help from the St. Louis AAA, consumers can call (314) 612-5918.

Green Planet Construction: 888-508-1115. This company will provide this free service to local consumers in Missouri and Illinois.

KMAD Business Service, Inc: 866-932-2758. This company will provide this free service to local consumers in Missouri and Illinois.

AVO General Services, LLC: 888-652-9128. This company will provide this free service to local consumers in Missouri and Illinois.

Best Buy Co., Inc.: 277-229-3389. This company will provide this free service to local consumers in Missouri and Illinois.

DTV Walk-In Help Center in Warrenton

If you’re having DTV trouble and live near Warrenton, MO, be sure to drop by Radio Shack at 523 Anwijo Way on Sunday, May 21 for DTV assistance. Reps from the FCC will be on hand all day to take any questions you may have.

DTV Walk-In Help Centers

Having DTV trouble? Stop by either of these help centers and have your questions answered by FCC representatives:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
WHAT:
Walk-in DTV Help Center
WHERE:
BENLD PUBLIC LIBRARY
308 E. Central, Benld, MO 62009
WHEN:
11AM-1PM
LOCAL SITE CONTACT:
217-835-4045

——————————————–

THURSDAY, MAY 21

WHAT:
Walk-in DTV Help Center
WHERE:
RADIO SHACK
523 Anwijo Way, Warrenton, MO 63383
LOCAL SITE CONTACT:
636-456-1222

KETC will shut off its analog signal for DTV tests.

In cooperation with the F.C.C, we will participate in the national analog shut-off tests on Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.  The tests will last 5 minutes.  Sets receiving a digital signal will have no interruption; those that do not will see a graphic telling them how to prepare for DTV.

 

We will also take part in the St. Louis market-wide tests on Thursday, May 28 at 5:25 p.m. and Friday, June 5 at 12:25 p.m. 

If you’re uncertain whether or not you are prepared for the June 12 transition, tune in for any of these DTV tests on Channel 9.

 

We pull the plug on our analog transmitter June 12 at 23:59:59.

Know of DTV resources?

KETC/Channel 9 would like to identify any organizations, volunteer and/or student groups who offer DTV resources in the metro area.

Through our partnership with the St. Louis City Fire Department, KETC has been able to provide resources for many city residents. Our intent is to connect people living outside of the city limits to the help they need to make a successful transition to digital television.

If you know of or are part of any group that assists with converter box installation, antenna adjustments or other DTV related services, please e-mail asmith@ketc.org or leave a comment on this blog post.

Applications being accepted for replacement coupons

The NTIA’s converter box coupon program is now accepting applications for replacement coupons. If your coupons were lost or expired before you could redeem them, visit www.dtv2009.gov and apply for up to two replacements.

Every household receiving free over-the-air television is entitled to two coupons.  Request your replacement coupons now to ensure they arrive by the full analog shut-off on June 12, 2009.