We have been fielding a lot of calls and e-mails regarding the DTV transition and viewers not receiving KCTS 9. If you haven't re-scanned your DTV converter box or digital TV since Friday, June 12, please do so immediately.
KCTS 9, along with KSTW (11) and KCPQ (13) transitioned from their pre-transition UHF channel assignment to their VHF channel for DTV transmission. KING, KIRO, KOMO, and KONG all remained on their UHF DTV channels. This means you may have received our DTV signal on UHF 41 in the past but can't receive it now that we are on VHF channel 9. If this is the case, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have an all-band VHF/UHF antenna. There is no guarantee that what works for one person will work for everyone because there are so many variables, but I'm going to give some general guidelines here in this space.
For all of the below suggestions you will need to try adjusting your antenna to increase signal strength. Some converter boxes will let you see a signal strength on a channel it didn't find using the meter. Other boxes require you to adjust the antenna and then perform a full scan or partial scan to find the channel before you can call up the signal strength. Other boxes allow you to manually add a channel using the RF channel, our RF channel is 9. Once you can bring up the signal strength make adjustments to the antenna in one direction or the other with small changes and let the signal strength meter respond. Indoor antennas with rabbit ears may work best if they are about 20 inches long. Also, try closing the rabbit ears down all the way or about 6 inches long to see if that works. Try turning the antenna 90 degrees again while watching the signal strength.
If you are within 5 miles of our Capitol Hill (Seattle) transmitter you should be able to receive KCTS 9 with a non-amplified VHF/UHF indoor antenna. We have talked to some people that have had trouble using an amplified VHF/UHF antenna. The problem here is that the amplifier gets overloaded by the signal if you are really close to our transmitter - which is located at 18th and Madison. If you are on Capitol Hill and live really close to the transmitter tower, you may find a straightened paper clip to work best as an antenna.
If you live farther than five miles from our transmitter, or if a non-amplified antenna doesn't work for you, the first thing to try is a VHF/UHF amplified antenna. Again, follow the instructions for re-scanning or adding the channel manually to view the signal strength to maximize the signal by adjusting the antenna. Amplified indoor antennas top out at about 15-20 miles from the transmitter, which again, is located on Capitol Hill near downtown Seattle. The amplified indoor antenna's range is only an estimate and other factors can cause problems with its reach as well. You can also try adding an extension to the antenna coax so you can move the antenna around the room. If you have a balcony or window, try placing the antenna outside as a test. Lastly, if you have an amplified antenna be sure it is plugged into the wall for power.
There are some antennas being sold as "HDTV" antennas that have VHF/UHF amplifiers but the antenna is designed for UHF. These have been marketed by different companies and sometimes mislead consumers that it is a VHF antenna.
A true VHF/UHF indoor antenna will have two extendable elements often referred to as "rabbit ears". These antennas are similar to your old "rabbit ears" but they have a UHF antenna as well that is usually round in shape. The knob that some antennas have usually only adjusts the UHF antenna.
If you have tried an amplified antenna and it didn't work by adjusting it and moving its location, then you probably need an outdoor antenna. The size of the outdoor antenna determines how far away it can receive a signal. www.antennaweb.org and www.tvfool.com are good resources to help determine what size of antenna you need. If you have an outdoor antenna and is not working you may try an antenna pre-amplifier (more info in next paragraph) or a bigger outdoor antenna. We are the lowest frequency station in Seattle since KING, KIRO and KOMO are all on UHF. You really only need an antenna that can receive channels 7-69. This is also labeled as high VHF thru UHF. WINEGARD makes several antennas that can be acquired online that are high VHF thru UHF. This link has pictures of different types of antennas. Beware of the UHF-only outdoor antennas as they don't work very well at all for channels 9 and 11.
Another option to increase the signal for outdoor antennas is to use an antenna pre-amplifier. This is a two piece device -- the amplifier goes just below the antenna on the antenna mount and the power supply device is installed in the house. Be sure to install both devices and plug the power supply into an outlet. If you have multiple splitters in your antenna feed, try removing them as a test. Also, if you have a splitter with multiple unused outputs, replace it with a splitter that has only the number of you outputs you need, maybe two or four. Each splitter reduces the signal to each TV and the more outputs a splitter has the more it reduces the signal.
If you need help installing an outdoor antenna or adjusting an indoor antenna the federal government has contracted with Installs Inc. They can be contacted at 1-800-582-4250 or dtvhelp.install.com.
If you still can't receive ch. 9, we would like you to complete one of our TV Reception forms for over-the-air antenna viewers. The FCC would also like consumers to contact them with reception issues at 1-888-225-5322 or fill out this FCC form.
At this time, KCTS 9 has no plans of adding translators or repeaters and we are operating at our full licensed power. We also will not be moving back to UHF channel 41. We are not authorized by the FCC to operate on channel 41.
Comments
Posted by Guest (not verified) on Sun, 06/28/2009 - 4:48pm
I sent a note about our mixed reception. You are a PUBLIC station and yet your are disregarding the reception problems of your public. If I can't receive your station, I don't need to send in money.
Posted by Norm (not verified) on Sun, 06/28/2009 - 9:41am
Kudo's to Jabran Soubeih for the clear explanation of why we aren't getting channels 9 & 11 anymore. Great job!
It truly is unfortunate for all of us to lose KCTS 9, though. Both my mother and my wife's mother enjoyed PBS and Create. But, being on limited income they can't afford to spend the nearly $200 for the Winegard recommended antennas. And, who wants a 14 foot long antenna on their roof anyway.
It may be too late, but KCTS 9 should reconsider the UHF potential and take whatever steps necessary to migrate back.
You've already lost your viewers. You need to do what you can to get them back.
Posted by Guest (not verified) on Sun, 06/28/2009 - 1:24am
Prior to the transition KCTS was the strongest signal we received. Since the conversion, KCTS is off the air and all the other channels continue to work along with some new ones.
KCTS bochted this conversion. Come on. To convert back to VHF and transmit at half power as part of the transition.... Now unable to serve your membership.
Posted by corrine rudd (not verified) on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 7:34pm
apparently, having channel 9 will no longer be and option, unless you want to give cable all of your money
Posted by dvisser (not verified) on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 5:47pm
I'm having the same issues that "TwoStepsBack" is having. Prior to June 12th I had great reception for all three KCTS stations. Now I don't get any of them. 9.1:"Channel Not Available"; 9.2: "Channel Not Available"; 9.3 doesn't even register. I have been scanning my box daily, but still no luck.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I just renewed my membership the first part of June.
Posted by Guest (not verified) on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 5:42pm
Was getting 9 before today, Friday, 6/26/09, but it went away today. Nothing, nil, nada, zip.
Conditions? Wind? Star position? Who knows. Its digital on VHF. BAD DECISION!
RLG
Posted by twostepsback (not verified) on Wed, 06/24/2009 - 8:43am
Technology is created by humankind to serve us,and improve our lot on this planet, Right?
Reception on channel 9 used to be great back before June 12th. It was about the only station we watched. Now we all we get is "No Signal". For months we all took notes as we watched the quick and easy info piece on how to set up the converter boxes so that a chimpanzee could do it, and then you did some kind of a last minute switch to VHS without explaining that, by the way most of you won't be getting our station anymore anyway. What were you thinking? This is going to ruin your pledge income. Are you getting big financial support from Comcast??
Now I guess rinky dink channel 28 will have to do since it comes in just fine. aargh....
Posted by corrine rudd (not verified) on Fri, 06/26/2009 - 7:27pm
Same here, channel 9 was about the only channel my husband and I watch, we have had the converter box for a couple of months, and channel 9 came in wonderful. Then the switch, 2 days no channel 9. then it came in, and now no signal. I am so disappointed, I mess with the antenna, i rescan the menu and nothing. Is everyone else having the same problem?
Posted by Guest (not verified) on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:45pm
In contrast to most posters, I am very happy about the transition. I live in the Gig Harbor area and never have been able to pick up any UHF signals. I use Dish and they don't transmit the digital signal, only standard definition, which is poor. I have a VHF/UHF antenna in addition to Dish, so I decided to do a scan and voila, I now have PBS in HD. I just watched Frontline/World in HD for the first time. Thank you!!
Posted by Frank (not verified) on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 9:57pm
Did a lot of prep work ($)to get ready for air-digital here on the shadow side of Hiway 16 in Olalla. Was very surprised and happy to go from 11 analog stations on my antenna to 29 digital. The ONLY station I don't get anymore is KCTS.
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