We have a Terk VHF/UHF antenna with signal amplifier, and Zinwell Converters with excellent reception for most other channels. (We also lost 9 at the same time).

There seems something utterly wrong with the curious fact that the signal problems disproportionately affect PBS stations in major metropolitan areas.

I find it difficult to believe that there are any mysteries regarding the physics and technology of broadcasting a bunch of digital TV signals, when we can have millions of mobile phones downloading and uploading videos, and do all kinds of other stunts at the same time. It’s 2009, for crying out loud. I don’t buy the ‘we have to figure this out’ bs.

I think the FCC has been asleep at the switch, and we have to realize that almost none of the stations have any vested interest in a good quality over-the-air signal, since they generate revenue through all the other delivery methods.

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Michael Copps, the FCC’s acting chairman, said, “There will be a period of adjustment as we all figure out how to make this new technology work in the real world.”

The DTV transition continues into its third week, with antenna and reception glitches plaguing viewers and stations with low VHF channel numbers mainly located in large Northeastern cities.

When the remaining 971 full-power television stations went digital on June 12, it was expected there would be sporadic problems throughout the country. That prediction turned out to be true. Only the locations were wrong. Rather than Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Dallas and Austin — the least prepared DTV cities — the most significant problems turned out to be in Northeastern urban areas.

In Philadelphia, for example, thousands of over-the-air viewers could not receive the signal of WPVI-TV, channel 6, an ABC O&O and the leading station in the market. There were also reception problems with WHYY-TV, channel 12, the public television station in Philadelphia. Similar problems occurred with stations in New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

In Chicago, WLS-TV, channel 7, another ABC O&O, and WBBM-TV, channel 2, had significant complaints of reception problems. In Washington, D.C., WUSA-TV, channel 9, and WJLA-TV, channel 7, disappeared from many viewers’ screens. In New York City, where nearly 11,000 viewers called with problems, many apartment dwellers lost reception due to improper master antennas on the roofs of their buildings.

FCC officials have held meetings to discuss a potential solution to the reception problems. In some cases, stations may have to increase power levels or add translators to extend the signal to more viewers. However, in cities like Philadelphia, the FCC is afraid to boost the signal of WPVI because it could lead to interference with FM radio stations in Philadelphia, or TV stations in other markets.

A key part of the problem is focused on the lower channel numbers in the VHF frequency band. More than 480 stations across the country are now airing broadcasts on VHF frequencies. Only 216 stations were operating on those frequencies before the transition.

This is the case in Philadelphia, where WPVI broadcasts on channel 6 in the VHF band, adjacent to many FM radio stations. WHYY broadcasts on channel 12. Other Philadelphia TV stations — the ones without trouble — broadcast in upper VHF or in the UHF band.

Similar reception problems were reported in the VHF bands in New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. It is now believed that the FCC inaccurately forecast the necessary signal strength for VHF in the lower channel range.

“We are looking at all available options to resolve these issues,” said Michael Copps, the FCC’s acting chairman. He said the commission is discussing issues with individual stations and has bolstered its staff in the problem areas.

Copps noted that transition continues and will go on for a long time. “The DTV transition is not a one-day affair,” he noted. “There will be a period of adjustment as we all figure out how to make this new technology work in the real world. Some consumers still need to get converter boxes. Others will have to move or adjust their antennas or perhaps even buy more powerful ones in order to receive the channels they should be receiving.”

On June 12, the day the analog shutdown occurred, New York City led with 11,000 callers, the largest number at the FCC call center. Number two was Chicago at 6526, followed by Los Angeles with 5473, Dallas-Fort Worth at 4329, and Philadelphia with 3749. The total number of calls last week was nearly 900,000. About 4000 staffers handled the calls, the FCC said.

About 28 percent of the calls concerned the operation of digital converter boxes that many viewers of over-the-air broadcasts needed to connect to their TV sets, while 26 percent reported not being able to receive specific stations and 23 percent with broader reception issues.

A key issue involved antennas. Viewers need combination UHF/VHF antennas to get all digital stations. Wally Grotophorst of Hamilton, VA, was a good example of the problem. On Friday, he lost the Washington-based ABC and CBS stations, channels 7 and 9, which he could pick up digitally before the transition.

That’s because those stations, like dozens of others, switched their digital signals from the UHF frequency band to the VHF band as they cut their analog signals. However, Grotophorst’s antenna, like many others branded as “digital” and sold over the past few years, was designed only for UHF reception. Grotophorst said the move to VHF spectrum was news to him, and the stations didn’t mention it in their educational materials.

In New York City, where many apartment buildings share a common master antenna on the roof, viewers discovered that only VHF antennas could receive channels 2 through 13. Before the transition, this didn’t mean much. On June 12, however, that changed when tenants could not pick up UHF stations.

The problem was compounded when most stores in New York City sold out of antennas quickly, leaving the city’s first shortage of TV antennas in decades.

A Time Warner cable technician, several hours late for an appointment last week, told one New York City apartment dweller that the cable provider has been swamped with new subscribers in the days since June 12. He said cable installers were working overtime to accommodate the influx of new cable subscribers.

Some DTV reception problems were resolved by having viewers “double rescan” their converter boxes in order to find the new digital TV channels, the FCC said. Volunteers discovered that simple scanning was sometimes not enough. Double rescanning can clear the box’s memory of saved channels. These earlier scans may have saved channel information that is now incorrect.

The FCC last week posted five steps to do a double rescan for a converter box or digital TV. First, the box must be disconnected from the antenna. Then the owner rescans the tuner without the antenna connected. After that, unplug the tuner from the electrical outlet for at least one minute. Finally, reconnect the antenna and power, and rescan again.

The FCC also warned that in addition to making sure one uses a VHF/UHF antenna, that the antenna must be located properly. Usually, that means it should not sit on top of the TV set, but by a window. If that doesn’t work, a rooftop antenna may be needed, the FCC said.

The commission also announced that 121 stations are providing analog nightlight service in 87 markets. The service, which provides DTV transition information and emergency news and weather, will remain in effect for 30 days after the transition.

The Nielsen Company said last week that 2.5 million households had no over-the-air television signal two days after the transition was complete. Though there were slight ratings declines during that time, Nielsen was reluctant to blame the DTV transition. It could be, the company said, the result of warmer weather or fewer major sports events on the air.

Apparently the scope of your coverage area has been gradually shrinking much to our dismay and disapointment. This deserves executive attention and communication to and for the benefit of former viewers/members such as ourselves. Please … establish a dedicated web page to explain these service reductions, both over-the-air and via subscription, and what if anything is being done by WNET and/or the FCC to remedy this predicament.

Some higher-end VCRs and related devices (e.g. Tivo) have the ability to control an external box via infrared (they include an emitter that you point at the infrared sensor of the external box). The feature was targetted at proprietary cable and satellite boxes, but depending on which converter box you got it might work there too.

But probably you won’t be able to do that. Most likely you’ll have to set the converter box in advance to the right channel (some of them are programmable to switch to particular channel on a particular date and time). As for the VCR, depending on which cable and jack you use, the channel to program on the VCR will either be “3″ or “AV” or “AUX”.

Comment:
…I have re-scanned several times…the first time was “the required” re-scan after 12:30pm on Friday, the 12th…I keep hoping; but still no Channel 13. How sad to lose the one station that truly enhances…I just wish they would email us or let us know on this website if a solution is in the works.

Answer: It would help us if we knew where you live and whether you are having difficulty receiving any of the other digital broadcast stations. Digital 13 is now at full power on back on 13 — digital VHF, not UHF. Your reception problem may be related to the kind of antenna you are using. This would be the case if you can now receive some digital broadcast stations (WNBC or WCBS, for example) but not Thirteen or WABC). WNBC and WCBS are on digital UHF frequencies while Thirteen and WABC are now on the digital VHF frequencies. A dual band (UHF/VHF) antenna is necessary to receive all the over the air digital broadcasters. There also appear to be some problems in some areas in our region with indoor reception, in general, for Thirteen and the other digital VHF stations. We’re looking into it to see what can be done at our end.

Comment:
I’ve had converter boxes installed for nearly a year. I -was- receiving 13.1, 13.2 & 13.3 until Friday – then they disappeared. Rescanned – nothing. Manually added the channels and searched for signal. It IS there, but so weak it is unusable. That seems unacceptable since I’m only in Central Queens! I can see the Empire State Building from here – isn’t that
where the PBS signal is originating??

Answer: Sounds as though your problem is an antenna issue — either the wrong kind (see above response) or perhaps not situated in the best reception location for the Thirteen signal that is now on the digital VHF frequency. You may want to try moving the antenna around and if possible closer to a window facing the Empire State Building.

Comment:
I added converter box in February, scanned and received channel 13 until now. I re-scanned on June 12, 13 and 14 and no longer pick up channel 13. What happened? Is there anything I can do?

Again, it would be helpful to know where you are located. It sounds as though you have an antenna problem. (See responses above.)

Comment:
Have an HDTV set, an HDTV rabbit ear antenna in New Jersey. Got 13 just fine up til now. Now Nothing before and after scanning. I do love NJN but it lacks some things 13 has (had) that were convenient for me. Come back beloved station.

Answer: Another possible antenna problem — please check to make sure that your rabbit ear antenna is a digital VHF antenna. Thirteen was on the UHF digital frequency up until last Friday, so it sounds as though your antenna is for digital UHF reception and not digital VHF reception. A dual band (UHF/VHF) antenna would be a good solution.

I heard that recording with a VCR must be done in “real time,” ie, only when the program is on the TV.