Calls are coming in to our in-house call center and the biggest question is rescanning. If you had a digital TV or converter box working with KCTS 9 before today, and now aren't getting us... it's because we switched digital channels from UHF 41 to VHF 9. (For the full story, click here.)
The solution's pretty simple, though: You use your remote to rescan your digital tuner. Generally, you follow four steps and they tend to be:
1. Menu button on remote
2. Channel
3. OK, channel scan, autoscan, add channels, terrestrial, autotuning -- these all mean about the same thing.
4. OK button or enter (if needed, some will start scanning on step 3).
I did it at home this morning and it seems to be working for a lot of our viewers--but if you still have trouble, you can call these numbers for more help:
FCC: 1.888.CALL.FCC (1.888.225.5322)
Local: 1.800.796.5548 or 1.877.429.1811
You can also download our DTV help PDF here (click "Download Converter box connection diagram (PDF)"). It has a grid on page 11 for common DTV converter box rescan steps to help you out.
Update--Monday, June 15: Thanks for all your comments! Replies are slow, as we're still taking calls here, so thanks in advance for your patience as we work to reply to you all.
Comments
Posted by Guest (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 9:38pm
Rescanning did the trick. I had been receiving KCTS's digital channels until the switch and was a little concerned when we "lost" the channels yesterday. I recanned using the digital tuner and it worked like a charm.
Thanks Daphne and KCTS crew!
Posted by dadair on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 1:20pm
Hi Guest,
I'm glad you were able to get channel 9 back. As for everyone else who is having a difficult time getting our signal, please call us and we'll be glad to troubleshoot your problem.
KCTS 9 helpline: 1.800.796.5548
FCC helpline: 1.888.225.5322
E-mail Us.
Daphne,
KCTS 9 Communications Specialist
Posted by Frisky Fried Grasshopper Eater (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 8:53pm
Like others posting here I have tried rescanning and fiddling with the rabbit ears, rescanning again several times. I was getting 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 just fine until the change to VHF. Why did you change when the rest of the local stations have all gone UHF and are enjoying having viewers actually see their broadcasts. Channel 11 also switched to VHF and they are suffering from a loss of viewership. I can no longer receive 11 also. I certainly will not be sending money to KCTS if I can't receive it! So long channel 9 until you switch back to viewer friendly UHF.
Posted by Karen (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 8:05pm
Lost 9-1,2 & 3, as well as 11 as soon as the switch happened. Living in Ballard, and since 95% of my tv viewing was PBS, I guess I'll be retiring from television viewing now! Anyone else in Ballard having the same difficulties? Have rescanned many times, changed antennae positions and unplugged to no avail...
Posted by jsoubeih on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 1:23pm
Hi Karen,
You may need to get a UHF/VHF band antenna to view 9-1, 9-2, 9-3, ch. 11 and 13. In any case, we need more information from you in order for us to guide you, so give us a call or e-mail us and we'll be happy to help.
KCTS 9 helpline: 1.800.796.5548
FCC helpline: 1.888.225.5322
E-mail Us.
Jabran
KCTS 9 Executive Director of Engineering
Posted by Guest 3 (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 7:00pm
No signal here either. Re-scanning didn't help. Other stations come in as well or better, but no channel 9.
Posted by jsoubeih on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 1:25pm
Hi Guest 3,
We need more information about where you live and your TV setup in order for us to help you, so give us a call or e-mail us.
KCTS 9 helpline: 1.800.796.5548
FCC helpline: 1.888.225.5322
E-mail Us.
Jabran
KCTS 9 Executive Director of Engineering
Posted by M. Moore (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 4:13pm
What is the issue that made KCTS move from UHF to VHF? Was it cost? If so, I hope that thought was given regarding how many viewers they were losing by making the change. Also, as one other post noted... why the lack of any public notification of this change in advance? Seems to me that KCTS was a ship in trouble before the switch. Now it has completely run aground.
Posted by Nik (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 6:42am
We live in Mukilteo and with a large radio shack VHF antenna, we used to receive KCTS fairly well. After the digital transition there is absoutely no signal.
I have tried rescanning on both my TVs, with no luck. I do not get any signal at all.
The digital signal is supposed to be at a lower strength than the analog, but should provide a similar coverage area. That is certainly not the case.
The broadcast signal is far too weak and should be boosted. Hopefully KCTS will ask for and get higher signal strength limits from the FCC.
We only watch KCTS and would not like to get cable for a single channel!
Posted by jsoubeih on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 1:27pm
Hi Nik,
We're going to need more information from you in order for us to help you, so give us a call or e-mail us. You live in Mukilteo so you are definitely within our signal range.
KCTS 9 helpline: 1.800.796.5548
FCC helpline: 1.888.225.5322
E-mail Us.
Jabran
KCTS 9 Executive Director of Engineering
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