[SBE] Ready to turn analog back on?

[A9xw at cs.com]

In a message dated 3/5/2008 11:41:14 AM Central Standard Time, 
gstewart at ctvn.org writes: 

> 

> We have 4 LPTV's and, at this time, we can't see how we can change them

> to digital by that date.

> 

There is no requirement to change LPTV to digital. No deadline, no bandplan, 
nothing. Likewise translators. In Chicago there are about a dozen scattered 
LPTVs but some are covering a large part of the market from the two main 
broadcast sites, Hancock and Sears. I'm 38 miles from the broadcast towers and can 
get the ch 23, 36 and other LPTV's fine, but not full power CBS 2, DTV3 but they 
are moving to RF channel 11. So does WTTW (11 analog, 47 DTV) turn off 11, 
CBS turn on 11, then swap back a day or so later while NBC 5 and ABC 7 not 
change channels?  If you are changing channels is your DTV set going to look for an 
analog channel and still find the DTV channel?  Does everyone have to hit 
RESCAN to find the "new" channels?  What if your DTV channel changes pre/post? 
Are the off air pickup points for Cable, Satellite (DBS) going to be ready? Are 
the cable subscribers with analog tiers going to lose your station but those 
paying extra for digital tier will still see you?  Will the new president want 
all the TV sets going black a month after taking office? 
Are the terrorists ready to strike a 12:01 knowing that a lot of people won't 
have any reception to know there is an emergency?  The latest data says 
double the number of people rely on OTA than was thought a few months ago.   Two 
stations in Indiana today lost their analog transmitter tubes (old age). One has 
decided to not get a new one but is inundated with phones calls from irate 
viewers. Their pitch, get a converter box now. Is this good or bad PR?  When the 
front office answers, "Reception" it might mean a whole lot different next 
year.  Will we have to set up "reception" phones to help consumers find their TV 
signals? 

Henry Ruhwiedel