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.

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.

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.

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.

Channel 9 will shut off analog signal tomorrow

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.

KETC holds multiple DTV soft tests this month

KETC/Channel 9 will pull back its analog signal in a series of DTV soft tests this month. Each test will last five minutes, allowing viewers time to check that every TV in their home is DTV-ready.

If you currently receive your TV signals over-the-air, tune in to KETC/Channel 9 to be sure you’re ready for February 17’s analog shut-off.

The first soft tests will occur on Wednesday, Jan 14, at 6:10 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Cable and satellite customers will not be affected by the soft tests.

Check back for dates and times of future tests.

Recycling your old TV

February’s DTV transition has prompted some viewers to buy new digital television sets. But what should you do with your old one? Before setting it out on the curb with the rest of the trash, consider recycling your electronics.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, illegally dumping or improperly disposing of your electronics poses a “serious risk to the environment.” Many agencies will recycle your electronics for free.

Visit www.mygreenelectronics.org to find a map of all the recycling centers in your zipcode.

request your coupons by today to receive them by Feb 17!

If you plan to receive television over-the-air after February 17, make sure to request your $40 converter box coupon by today, December 31. The coupons can take up to six weeks to arrive. The FCC recommends requesting your coupons no later than today to receive them in time for the digital transition.

Request yours online at www.dtv2009.gov or call (888) 388-2009.

KETC soft test and satellite service

If you subscribe to satellite and tuned into KETC on Wednesday, Dec 17 at 6:25 p.m., you might have seen a message that read “This TV is not ready for DTV.”

This message was shown in error. If you have a TV currently receiving satellite signals, your TV is ready for the February 17 digital transition.

If you subscribe to any pay service such as cable or satellite, you will not need to take any action to continue receiving TV signals.