If WKTV analog channel 2 were to go off-the-air today, do you have the ability to receive our digital channel? Our analog channel 2 antenna is 50 years old. Exposed to all kinds of Upstate NY weather, 1,000 feet in the air on top of a hill, things are bound to be brittle and in poor condition. We've maintained it pretty well over the years at significant costs for each repair. With February looming around the corner, we probably won't invest in any major repairs if something should go wrong. The analog transmitter is over 20 years old and it's two output tubes cost in excess of $10k each. The average tube life is two years and we're past that. So if a tube fails now, we're not likely to invest over $10k to get us through a few months.

So if we had a costly failure today, what would you do? If you are watching our digital channel 2.1 over-the-air, you're all set. If you're watching us on Time Warner Cable, you're OK too. If you're watching us on channel 2 analog over-the-air, you might want to consider doing something now. You will have to on 2/17/09 anyways when the FCC will require us to turn-off our analog channel. So why not make the change to digital now?

You will need a digital TV or a converter box. Rebate coupons are still available from the federal government, up to two per household, for the converter boxes. See the DTV section of our website for details on how to obtain one. BEWARE: NOT ALL CONVERTER BOXES ARE ALIKE. I usually won't use this forum to slam a manufacturer, but I need to here. IN MOST CASES, THE MAGNAVOX CONVERTER BOXES DO NOT WORK. I'm telling you this because the major store in this area that sells this box will not give you your rebate coupon (or it's equivalent in cash) back to you if you return the box when it doesn't work for you. If you call Magnavox, they will tell you that they get many complaints, but stations aren't at full power and they should wait a few months and try again. In fact, very few stations are still at low power. WKTV has been at full power with digital for over two years.

The best chip-set for reception is made by LG and is available in the Zenith and Insignia converter boxes. They are both available locally. They cost a few bucks more than the Magnavox box, but well worth it. I have a Zenith box in my office with an antenna on the WKTV roof on Smith Hill. I receive Albany, Utica and Syracuse digital channels. You may not be able to see Albany, but with a good antenna, Utica and Syracuse will come in great.

We field phone calls and emails every day. Feel free to email with any comments or questoins about reception. engineering@wktv.com

Prepare now. You never know when analog channel 2 will go dark.