KCPQ now also available as sub-channel of KMYQ
In order to better serve Seattle & Eastside residents using indoor antennas, KCPQ (Q13 FOX, Channel 13-1) can now be seen as a digital sub-channel 22-2, on KMYQ (MyQ2, Channel 22-1). After the DTV transition on June 12, many viewers experienced problems receiving KCPQ's digital signal from Gold Mountain in Bremerton. KCPQ programming now appears in 16 x 9 standard definition as sub-channel 22-2 on KMYQ transmitting from Seattle's Capitol Hill.
Viewers who currently receive KMYQ on digital channel 22.1 may need to re-scan their tuners to view the new KCPQ sub-channel, but should first try tuning digital receivers or converter boxes to 22.2.
Viewers may email questions and comments to askus@q13fox.com.
Questions about the DTV transition?
ARE YOU HAVING PROBLEMS RECEIVING OUR DIGITAL SIGNALS?
If you lost reception of Q13 FOX or MyQ2 after the transition to all-digital broadcasting, here's what you need to know:
RESCANNING
Q13 FOX has moved the position of our digital signal from channel 18 to channel 13. If you receive Q13 FOX over the air and have digital equipment, you will need to rescan your receiver. By rescanning, your TV set or converter box will find all the channels available in your area. As mentioned in the FCC Public Notice of June 15, 2009 you may find it necessary to "double scan" the receiver to fully release the old channels in memory and add the new channels.
Also, there have been reports that some digital tuner cards used in computers to receive digital television do not receive, or tune in VHF channels without a "patch" or software upgrade. If your tuner card requires an update, you would need to go to the card or computer manufacturer's website for support.
THE TRANSITION
The transition from analog to exclusively digital TV broadcasting happened on June 12, 2009 as mandated by Congress. By law, full-power broadcast stations in the United States are now only broadcasting digital signals. The traditional analog signals were shut down and the bandwidth will be redistributed for other uses, such as public safety.
PICKING UP Q13 FOX OR MYQ2 BY ANTENNA
With the digital transition complete, Q13 FOX continues to broadcast on Channel 13 from Gold Mountain in Bremerton. MyQ2 and most of the other Seattle TV stations continue to provide over-the-air signals from either Queen Anne Hill or Capitol Hill in Seattle. The difference in transmission location for Q13 FOX creates a special challenge for those who want to receive us via an antenna. (You may also need a digital-to-analog converter box. Scroll down for more information about converter boxes.)
A typical wide-band antenna is capable of receiving VHF and UHF signals. Q13 FOX broadcasts a VHF signal and MyQ2 broadcasts UHF. To receive any over-the-air, free television, two conditions must be met.
1. The antenna must be high enough to clear average terrain between you and the transmitter.
2. The antenna must be pointed at the signal source.
Because Q13 FOX broadcasts from a different location than other stations, adjusting the antenna orientation or an additional antenna is required. Adjusting orientation may not be preferred because that action would be necessary any time you wish to view Q13 FOX. A simpler solution may be to install two antennas working in tandem. The ideal antenna system in our area would have one pointed toward Seattle to receive most stations and another pointed toward Bremerton to receive Q13 FOX.
Any antenna must have a good line of sight to the transmission source in order to receive a good signal. If you believe your antenna is pointed correctly and you are not receiving a good picture, it is likely that terrain is blocking the signal and you should try to go higher with the antenna. You might consider hiring a TV antenna installer who can not only safely extend your antenna, but also can measure the signal strength and recommend solutions for receiving a better picture.
Finally, when choosing an antenna to receive DTV, it is important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as an "HD antenna." Any antenna designed to receive a television signal will receive DTV signals including HDTV. The tuner on your television decodes the signal, which is why older analog TVs without a digital tuner will require a converter box to display a picture. To experience the higher-quality picture and sound of HD television, you need a TV set that has HD capability.
WHY THE SWITCH TO DTV?
Digital television (DTV) is a broadcasting technology that delivers dramatically clearer pictures and CD-quality sound. This more efficient technology also allows for broadcasters to send out multiple channels of free programming simultaneously, also known as "multicasting." DTV can also be used to provide data services, such as significantly enhanced closed captioning, that were not possible with analog technology.
WHO'S AFFECTED?
If you want to watch television over the air by using a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears on a TV set with an analog tuner, you'll need a DTV converter box. Viewers who subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service should continue to get these channels and don't need a converter box.
Television viewers who rely on over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets have three options.
* Purchase and install a DTV converter box
* Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; or
* Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider
Note: All TVs made after March 1, 2007, by law, must have a digital tuner. If you aren't sure if your TV has a digital tuner, refer to your manual or the TV's manufacturer.
WHAT IS A DTV CONVERTER BOX?
If your television isn't digital-ready, you will need to purchase an easy-to-install DTV converter box that plugs into your analog TV set and converts the digital signal into analog, making it viewable on your TV. TV converter box models must meet technical and performance standards determined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in order to qualify for the Coupon Program. A list of eligible makes and models for purchase with the coupon can be found by visiting https://www.dtv2009.gov/Boxes.aspx.
WHERE CAN I GET A CONVERTER BOX COUPON?
The NTIA is issuing up to two converter box coupons (valued at $40 each) to U.S. households to help offset the cost of the converter box. Your household can apply for up to two coupons until July 31, 2009. Coupons must be redeemed within three months of receipt. For an instructional video on how to hook up your converter box, please visit http://www.dtvanswers.com/dtv_boxhookup.html.
Get your coupons and learn more about the DTV transition at www.dtv2009.gov and www.dtvtransition.org.
LOW POWER STATIONS/TRANSLATORS
Congress mandated that full-power TV stations transition to digital-only broadcasts by June 12, 2009. The majority of TV broadcast stations are full-power stations, but there are other categories of TV stations including low-power stations and TV translator stations. Although there is currently no deadline for these stations to convert to digital broadcasting, you may live in a community where some channels have converted to digital.
WHAT IS A TV TRANSLATOR?
A TV translator station rebroadcasts the programs of a full-power TV broadcast station. Translator stations typically serve communities that cannot receive the signals of free, over-the-air TV stations because they are too far away from a full-power TV station or because of geography (such as uneven terrain or mountains). Many of the 4,700 licensed TV translator stations operate in mountainous or remote areas of the country.
COMMUNITIES AFFECTED
In Aberdeen, Centralia, Chelan, Ellensburg, Everett, and Wenatchee, TV translator stations will continue to broadcast in analog. If you live in one of these communities, your television viewing is unaffected by the DTV transition. However, as these low-power TV stations go digital in the future, you will need to take steps to prepare for DTV. If you do purchase a DTV converter box, and live in one of these communities, be sure that it has "analog pass-through capability" to continue reception of the analog channels.