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Antennas and Reception

Will I still need an antenna to receive DTV signals over-the-air?
I don't have an antenna. Will I still get reception after the transition?
Do I need to buy a new antenna?
If I currently receive your station in analog, will I be able to receive the digital signal as well?
I just hooked up my DTV set/TV converter box and I am unable to receive some or all stations in my area. What steps can I take to fix this problem?
I live in the city where my local TV transmitter is located and used to get clear analog signals, but I am unable to receive a digital signal or the signal freezes up. What is causing this?
I've heard that many TV translators will continue to broadcast in analog even after the switch to digital-only broadcasting. Will this be the case with any of the WPT translators?
How can I continue to watch translator and low-power TV stations that do not transition to all-digital?

Q. Will I still need an antenna to receive DTV signals over-the-air?

A. Yes, you will still need an antenna to receive free, over-the-air television. Reception of over-the-air digital TV requires the same type of equipment that currently works to provide good quality reception of analog TV signals. You do not need to purchase an antenna marketed as "digital ready" or "HD ready." 

It is recommended that you begin by connecting the antenna you use now to your new TV converter box or digital television. You may need to scan the channels several times and adjust the location of the antenna in order to pick up the over-the-air digital signals. You should receive all the stations in digital that you were watching in analog.

Q.I don't have an antenna. Will I still get reception after the transition?

A. Antennas can be indoor or outdoor. If you live in a home or apartment building, there may be an antenna on the roof or a master antenna distribution system to the building residents. If you subscribe to cable or satellite, then nothing will change after the switch to digital-only broadcasting, and you will continue getting reception as usual. However, if you don't subscribe to a pay TV service, then you are actually using an antenna but may not know it.

Q.Do I need to buy a new antenna?

A. Possibly. If you are having reception difficulties with your TV converter box or Digital TV, you may need to upgrade your antenna. If you currently use rabbit ears and cannot pick up a digital signal, a roof-top antenna may be required. As a general rule, you will need an outdoor antenna if you live more than 25 miles from your local transmitter site. For more information on types of antennas and which model may work best in your circumstance, visit www.antennaweb.org or inquire at your local consumer electronics retailer.

Q. If I currently receive your station in analog, will I be able to receive the digital signal as well?

A. If you currently receive a clean analog signal, chances are you will receive the digital signal without a problem. However, if you live on the fringe of a given station's coverage area and receive noisy or spotty analog reception, you may have some difficulties receiving the digital signal as well. With digital television, you either receive a signal or you don't. Some viewers may experience a weak signal that occasionally freezes up or exhibits "blocking." Often re-orienting the antenna will take care of this. In some cases, an upgrade in your antenna set-up may be required to get sufficient strength to receive a solid signal.

Q. I just hooked up my DTV set/TV converter box and I am unable to receive some or all stations in my area. What steps can I take to fix this problem?

A.

1. Perform a channel scan via the menu on your converter box or DTV set. This will allow the receiver to scan for all the channels available and store them into memory. 
2. Check to make sure the connections between your antenna and equipment are secure, and any cables for wear.
3. Try re-orienting the antenna. Sometimes just a slight adjustment is all that is necessary, whether you are using an indoor or outdoor antenna. If you can, move the antenna near a window facing the TV tower, or move the antenna to a higher location in the house.
4. If you are still unable to receive a DTV signal, make sure your antenna meets your reception needs. As a general rule, you may need to consider an attic or outdoor antenna if you are 25 miles or more from the transmitting site. Visit www.antennaweb.org for recommendations on outdoor antennas that will work best in your area.

Q. I live in the city where my local TV transmitter is located and used to get clear analog signals, but I am unable to receive a digital signal or the signal freezes up. What is causing this?

A. You may be experiencing "signal multipath," the same thing that causes "ghosting" in analog broadcasts. This occurs when your antenna receives two or more of the same signal in succession, usually the result of the original signal bouncing off a building or other structure. Usually re-aiming your antenna will take care of this problem.

Another possibility is that you're receiving too much signal for your DTV set or converter box to handle. If you are using an indoor antenna with a built-in amplifier, try shutting off or turning the amplifier to its lowest setting. If you are using an attic or outdoor antenna with an RF amplifier, try bypassing the amplifier.

Q. I've heard that many TV translators will continue to broadcast in analog even after the switch to digital-only broadcasting. Will this be the case with any of the WPT translators?

A. Translator and low-power TV stations are not required to go all-digital after the switch to digital-only broadcasting; however, all six of Wisconsin Public Television's translators will be converted to digital. This switch will take place in early November. If you watch one of our six translator signals, you will need a TV with a digital tuner or a TV converter box to view the digital broadcast starting in November.

Sister Bay (Channel 18) WPNE-TV
Bloomington (Channel 22) WHLA-TV
Webster (Channel 24) WHWC-TV
Fence (Channel 45) WHWC-TV
River Falls (Channel 47) WHWC-TV
Coloma (Channel 48) WHRM-TV

Q. How can I continue to watch translator and low-power TV stations that do not transition to all-digital?

A. To receive over-the-air, analog broadcasts from translator or low-power stations that do not make the transition to digital, you have several options. You can purchase a TV converter box that has an "analog pass-through feature," which has the capability of both picking up analog TV signals and converting Digital TV signals. If you have a TV converter box that does not have the analog pass-through feature, you can use an antenna splitter. This is a device that can send analog signals directly to your TV set or send digital signals to the TV converter box. The easiest way to watch both analog and digital programming is with a new TV set that has both an analog and digital tuner.