KSKC digital switch delayed

PABLO — KSKC, the Pablo based public television station has announced that the shutdown of analog and startup of their digital broadcasts will most likely take place in July. The station had hoped to make the transition in mid June. Tower crews were on site in late May to mount new antennas needed for the new transmitters and completed their work. However, transmitter setup crews are in high demand. The crew that was expected in mid June has had to reschedule for July due to stations that are required to switch. KSKC is not mandated to make the change in June, but due to antiquated equipment, they had hoped to transition about the same time as the major network stations. Frank Tyro, KSKC director said, “it’s a mixed bag. This gives us more time to get ready with the electronic program guide and our new way of operating, but it is a bit of a letdown.”

On June 12, most viewers will see a big change in their choices. If viewers watch the major network stations on their primary channels, they will need to do a rescan on their TV sets or converter boxes. This is because most stations will be changing their broadcast channels on June 12 and increase power. If you receive stations from translators, most viewers will see no change. The greatest problem will be for those who watch stations that are a mix of analog and digital. Set top box coupons will be available until July 30, so if viewers need them, the time is now to apply. www.dtv.gov has information about the transition, www.dtv2009.gov is the website for the converter box program and 888-DTV-2009 is the phone number for requesting a converter coupon if you don’t have Internet access. The coupons are worth $40 toward the purchase of a converter box. The boxes retail for $40-$60 and are available from most electronic retailers.

When KSKC shuts down analog and begins broadcasting in digital, digital TV’s and converter boxes will need to rescan their channels. KSKC’s analog channels 25 from Ronan and 28 from St. Ignatius will cease operation. Channel 27 on Jette will become the stations primary digital channel at a higher power level. Channel 42 digital will operate from Moiese Hill west of Charlo and provide service to Round Butte parts of Ronan, Charlo and St. Ignatius. Channel 48 will move to the hill between St. Ignatius and Arlee and provide digital service for those two communities. Tyro explained, “we wanted to get higher elevation for digital broadcast and these new sites provided us the best overall coverage for our area.” Channel 20 from Jette may be moved to a new site if all clearances are obtained. “This may allow us to reach viewers who have been unable to receive us in the past and we are hopeful everything will fall into place,” Tyro commented.