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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

President Obama signed legislation today that will push back the DTV transition from Feb 17 to Jun 12, 2009.

Though the new Jun 12 transition date will allow viewers more time prepare, every station retains the right to shut off their analog signal on Feb 17. Check with your local broadcasters if you are unsure of their plans.

KETC/Channel 9 plans to keep broadcasting in both analog and digital past Feb 17, 2009. If a decision is made to turn off our analog signal before Jun 12, viewers should expect to see many announcements on-air and on our Web site, ketc.org.

If you have not yet requested your DTV converter box coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov to be placed on the waiting list.

If you’ve been watching KETC through a converter box or a digital TV that is not hooked up to cable or satellite, you might have noticed a change yesterday in your channel lineup.

KETC’s new channel assignments are:

9.1-KETC HD. Follows traditional Channel 9 schedule previously viewed on 9.3.

9.2-KETC Kids. 24 hours of children’s programming.

9.3-KETC World (formerly analog KETC). 24 hours of documentaries, science, history and public affairs programming.

9.4-KETC Create. 24 hours of “how-to,” craft and DIY programming.

Schedules for all four channels are available at www.ketc.org.

If you have questions or concerns about the switch to digital, join the FCC, local broadcasters, and government representatives for a live presentation, demonstration and Q & A today at Harris-Stowe State University.

The event begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Emerson Performance Center, located at 3026 Laclede Avenue in St. Louis.

This event is free and open to the public.

KETC/Channel 9 will shut off its analog signal for two five-minute tests tomorrow, January 14.

The first test will occur at 6:15 a.m. during Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa.

The second will occur at 6:25 p.m. during NewsHour.

Only TVs that are not ready for the DTV switch on Feb 17 will be affected. Tune in to either test tomorrow to find out if your TV is ready for DTV.