Analog TV until...

...when?

When do low powered analog television stations have to go digital or get off the pot?

Wikipedia, if I read and understood it correctly, says there is no shut down date for low powered analog stations now. Another site I went to said it was Sept. 2015.



I'm confused, like, "What season is it Mr. Game Warden"? Wabbit season or duck season kind of confused, ya' know.

As far as Im aware the US stops broadcasting LPTV stations in NTSC sometime in Sept 2015.


Note: Some Canadian NTSC may still be available in border regions, but Im not aware of the specifics.

Well, when I first heard of digital TV I figured that my parents would lose reception since it was rumored that it would be UHF only. The end result is that they have better reception than they have ever had and 250% more channels. Plus, rather than me just getting Colorado Springs channels, I get all the Denver stations from Mount Morrison and Lookout Mountain. Digital Rocks!!! Hey, I pick up KMGH's low power KZCO (15 KW) @ 48 miles. Like I say, digital rocks!!!

DTV Transition and LPTV - Class A - Translator Stations | FCC.gov

The FCC has established September 1, 2015 date for the termination of all analog low power television service. After that date, analog television will no longer exist in the United States. Until that time, low power television stations may continue to operate their analog facilities.

OTOH, they could just change their minds at any time. Look how many times they changed the cutoff date in 2009! Gives 'em a sense of power.

R.

Tim,

There's no guarantee any existing analog translator (or transmitter) will ever update to digital. In spite of having been granted a CP (construction permit) to update to digital and change channels, a LP (low power) translator I relied upon that was only 38 miles away, K62FS went dark last New Years Day.

Since the right and left hands at the FCC don't seem to have a clue what they are doing, the parent station made the right choice considering the forthcoming spectrum auctions: would you build a replacement translator on any channel above 30? How about for channel 51?

Even if they could secure a low-UHF (new term) channel, in this economy it is anyone's guess who will follow through.

* Secondly, back at Dan ...

Digital Rocks!!! Hey, I pick up KMGH's low power KZCO (15 KW) @ 48 miles.

Kinda like my receiving K26IC-D (40 watts) @ 17 miles, split 4-ways (their Chief Engineer was astonished I received it). Okay, I cheat: its literally, line of sight from here to the their tower. They bumped their ERP to 900 watts a couple years ago and all I noticed was a signal strength increase. That's my preferred CBS source although I have two other options: a different translator or their main.

Jim

Originally Posted by Rickideemus

Look how many times they changed the cutoff date in 2009!

Once?

- Trip