KCET Signal Disruption/New Antenna
On May 7, we upgraded our broadcast antenna, and as a result, some viewers may see a change in signal reception. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Below are some steps you can take to restore your signal.
If you are currently without broadcast service, please know that our streaming services are still available at kcet.org and on the PBS App as well.
Why is this happening?
We are replacing our aging antennas. The main antenna has been in service since 1979. It was optimized for the original NTSC Analog standard that was in use since 1941. It’s been a great antenna that has served us well, but it’s not capable of supporting ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV (which you can read more about below).
If you have trouble receiving the KCET signal on your antenna, you can adjust your antennas' position. Here is how:
This process described below is something that we always encourage viewers to do before they run a channel scan. A channel scan is a way to update channel information stored in the receiver or if certain channels go away for unknown reasons that antenna adjustments can’t resolve. Viewers may also find that running a channel scan after fine tuning their antenna may allow them to receive new channels they might not have been able to receive prior.
(A) If the antenna is indoor, one person can use the same process as he/she can look at the signal strength meter at the same time the antenna is being adjusted.
(B) If the antenna is rooftop-mounted, this is better done with 2 persons, one safely at the antenna and the other at the TV set. Please use the utmost caution and we recommend consulting a professional before attempting to do so yourself.
- Tune the TV to 28.1 and leave it at 28.1
- Turn on the "signal strength" meter on the TV's tuner and use this as a guide to adjust antenna's position. (This is normally found in the "Setup" or "Maintenance" sections in the TV's menu"
- If viewers currently not receiving 28, this meter's indicator probably hoovers between 0 - 40%.
- Ask the person at the antenna to start turning the antenna (though bolted down at the roof, usually there should be enough slack to turn. Viewers don't have to unbolt anything)
- As the antenna is being turned, say clockwise, if the meter's level indicator decreases, turn it the other way, counterclockwise.
- At some point, the indicator would max out and start decreasing. This is the best position for this particular channel, or 28 in this case.
- Leave the antenna at this position and cycle through all other channels which viewers watch regularly.
- As you can see, as the antenna is tuned to a channel, other channels might be knocked off during the process.
- 9. Viewers need to do the same for any channels that were lost. As they go through this process, they will soon find the best position for the antenna where they can receive most of the channels they watch regularly at an acceptable signal strength. To have a stable signal of a channel, the minimum signal strength level of that channel when tuned to should be at least 70% or better.
- IF NECESSARY – Try a channel scan. Please keep in mind that no channel scan or rescan should be needed as there is no frequency change. This usually takes a long time and leaves viewers more frustrated if it does not help.
WHY are you moving your antenna?
We are not changing our antenna location. We are replacing aging antennas. The main antenna has been in service since 1979. It was optimized for the original NTSC Analog standard that was in use since 1941. It’s been a great antenna that has served us well, but it’s not capable of supporting ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV (which you can read more about below).
WHAT is NextGen TV and why is this change necessary?
Next Gen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0, offers 4K ultra high definition video quality, theater-like sound, mobile reception and innovative new features to enhance and expand your broadcast viewing experience. Next Gen TV lets local TV stations better personalize their broadcasts with information and interactive features so you can get the content and features most relevant to you. For broadcasters, this means a more compelling and interactive way to tell our stories, whether it is breaking news or your favorite drama or documentary program.
This broadcast technology can also enable warnings about impending storms and alerting you to other emergencies, with targeted public announcements that are interactive and mobile as we live up to our commitment to inform our community on regional news. Here are some great resources for anyone wanting to learn more: https://www.atsc.org/nextgen-tv/ and https://www.nab.org/innovation/nextgentv.asp (The NAB -National Association of Broadcasters- is a both nationally and globally recognized authority on the broadcast industry.
NOTE: The current work to prepare KCET for this new standard, will not affect viewer’s ability to continue receiving your Over the Air Television using the current DTV ATSC 1.0 standard. We are NOT changing to ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV at this time. The timeline for adoption of ATSC 3.0/NextGen TV in the Los Angeles Market is yet to be determined.
