About 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the KAFT analog 13 transmitter was shutdown as part of the DTV Transition. Most over-the-air viewers in northwest Arkansas should be able to receive the KAFT digital signal provided that they use a digital converter box with their analog TV or with a new digital TV with tuner. Some viewers may need to raise the height of their outdoor antenna to receive a reliable signal. AETN is in the process of adding equipment to increase the KAFT digital broadcast power and coverage area. This should be completed by the end of 2009.
About 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the KEMV analog 6 transmitter was shutdown as part of the DTV Transition. Most over-the-air viewers in north central Arkansas should be able to receive the KEMV digital signal provided that they use a digital converter box with their analog TV or with a new digital TV with tuner. Some viewers may need to raise the height of their outdoor antenna to receive a reliable signal. AETN is in the process of adding equipment to increase the KEVM digital broadcast power and coverage area. This should be completed by the end of 2009.
About 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the KETG analog 9 transmitter was shutdown as part of the DTV Transition. Most over-the-air viewers in southeast Arkansas should be able to receive the KETG digital signal provided that they use a digital converter box with their analog TV or with a new digital TV with tuner. Some viewers may need to raise the height of their outdoor antenna to receive a reliable signal. AETN is in the process of adding equipment to increase the KETG digital broadcast power and coverage area. This should be completed by the end of 2009.
KETS/Little Rock resumed broadcast of its digital channel about 1:00 p.m. on June 12, 2009. However, AETN was not able to do sufficient prior testing at the KETS site because KATV-ABC in Little Rock was still operating their analog channel prior to the June 12 analog shutdown using the same frequency as the new KETS digital signal. AETN engineers began working on Monday morning, June 15 to determine and correct the problem with the transmitter shutting down when it was brought up to full power. Work to eliminate several possible causes has occured at different times since then. Currently, while not back to full power, KETS is operating at about 75% power (but still 15 times higher power than the low-power back-up transmitter). Work will continue on the main transmitter/antenna system until the problem can be isolated and corrected. There is the possibility that there may be occasions when KETS is off the air for a short time while testing and work is done to resolve the problem. While at this slightly reduced power, most over-the-air viewers, cable companies and satellite providers in central Arkansas may still be able to receive a reliable signal from KETS, but some may not. AETN thanks you for your understanding and asks for your patience as we work on correcting this problem.
KETZ/El Dorado resumed broadcast of its digital channel about 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2009 and reports are that all is working well with a strong signal from this area. AETN thanks you for your past patience.
Starting April 1, 2009, viewers of KEMV in north Arkansas and KETG in southwest Arkansas, who in the past, received a snowy analog picture from AETN may have no reception after June 12. Viewers in Boone, Fulton, Howard, Little River, Miller, Newton, Pope, and Sevier counties or in southern Missouri may not receive an over-the-air signal from AETN. Reception within AETN's broadcast areas may be obstructed by hills, buildings or electrical lines resulting in picture or audio problems. While work is underway to increase the broadcast power and coverage area of these two transmitters, viewers may still need an outside antenna or to raise the height of their existing antenna. All viewers should be sure that their antenna or "rabbit-ears" are designed for both VHF and UHF. For more information, contact the FCC's Call Center (1-888-CALL-FCC), the TTY number (1-888-TELL-FCC) or go online to www.dtv.gov/maps for the online digital reception mapping tool. Or viewers may contact AETN (1-800-662-2386) or visit online at www.aetn.org/dtv or go to www.dtv.gov/dtv_made_easy.pdf for an easy to read "DTV Made Easy" booklet.
A. KETS/Little Rock resumed broadcast of its digital channel about 1:00 p.m. on June 12, 2009. Problems developed with keeping the transmitter at full power. AETN engineers have been working since then to determine and correct the problem. KETS will be at slightly reduced broadcast power until the actual problem(s) is determined and resolved. Most over-the-air viewers, cable companies and satellite providers in central Arkansas may still be able to receive a reliable signal from KETS, but some may not. AETN thanks you for your patience as we work on correcting this problem.
A. No. Now that the analog shutdown date has come and gone, all full-power analog broadcast stations in the United States have been shut down except for a few that will serve as "night-light" stations for another month. Thus, AETN shut down its remaining analog broadcast service from KAFT/Fayetteville in northwest Arkansas, KEMV/Mountain View in north central Arkansas, and KETG/Arkadelphia in southwest Arkansas on the morning of June 12, 1009. Viewers who rely on an antenna or rabbit ears and who have not done so must connect a digital converter box to any analog TV they wish to use or purchase a new digital TV with tuner to enjoy free, over-the-air television.
A. As of midnight, June 12, 2009 except for KETS/Little Rock (see note above), AETN is broadcasting at the fullest power allowed at KAFT/Fayetteville in northwest Arkansas, KEMV/Mountain View in north central Arkansas, KETG/Arkadelphia in southwest Arkansas, KETZ/El Dorado in south Arkansas and KTEJ/Jonesboro in northeast Arkansas. Any problems that may occur should only be weather-related or due to temporary technical problems because of equipment failure.
Work is being done at KAFT, KEMV and KETG to increase the broadcast power and coverage area. This work should be completed between the end of 2009 and mid-2010.
A. The basic reason, currently, is that KETS is at slightly reduced power until technical corrections can be made. Other than that, it is possible that some cable or satellite companies have not made changes in their equipment to again receive AETN or that they cannot receive a reliable signal due to the lower broadcast power level. Viewers may wish to contact their provider to find out the situation and when that will be remedied. It is also possible that some viewers and cable companies have their antennas sitting where they receive too much interference or are sitting too far away to receive a reliable signal. These areas are known as "dead-spots". The only remedy at this time is to eliminate anything that might interfere with reception or to raise the height of the antenna. Viewers are reminded to re-scan their convertor box or digital TV regularly after any adjustment. And, some viewers may need to "double rescan" -- see this section under "DTV Information".
A. Where you live may also affect whether you receive the new digital signal. Such things as hills, tall buildings and structures, high-power electrical lines, storms, dense foliage, and even interior venetian blinds or large appliances can affect the reliability and quality of the signal. Viewers who used to rely on rabbit-ears or antennas in their attic may need to have an antenna on the roof of their home or on a tall pole beside their house.
Viewers who rely on over-the-air digital reception are encouraged to regularly rescan their channels especially on Saturday, June 13, 2009 (and for weeks to follow) as stations are changing frequencies and/or increasing their broadcast power that may allow viewers to receive them for the first time or with a consistent signal. For an easy to read booklet called "DTV Made Easy", go online to download a copy at www.dtv.gov/dtv_made_easy.pdf.
Viewers who are not connected to cable or satellite and who wish to continue to use their analog TV sets will need a digital-to-analog converter box for each analog TV they wish to use. A coupon to help purchase a DTV converter box can be obtained while supplies last until July 31, 2009 at www.dtv2009.gov, or call 1-888-DTV-2009.
*** Coupon Availability and Replacement Coupons. Eligible households may continue to apply or re-apply for TV converter box coupons. Applications for coupons are accepted online at www.DTV2009.gov, by phone at 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009), by mail and by fax. Mailed applications must be post-marked no later than July 31, 2009. Online, phone and fax applications must be submitted by 12:00 midnight Eastern Time (11:00 p.m. Central Time). Please understand that it typically takes nine (9) business days to process and mail coupons. Consumers who have applied for coupons, but not yet received them, may check the status of their request on www.DTV2009.gov by selecting “Check Your Application Status”.
*** Appeals for Denied Coupon Applications. If consumers apply for coupons through the Web site and the application is denied, there is a link within the denial message to appeal. Appealing via the Web site is the quickest way for the Coupon Program to process and respond to appeals. Consumers may also appeal online at https://www.dtv2009.gov/Appeal.aspx. If consumers wish to provide additional detail beyond the space provided, they may submit their appeal in writing or by e-mail.
Web site and e-mail based appeals are processed in approximately five business days. Paper-based appeals (mail and fax) take 2 to 3 weeks to process. The Coupon Program will accept appeals until July 31, 2009. Please note that if a household has two unredeemed coupons that have not yet expired, or a household has already redeemed two coupons, the appeal will be denied. Mailed appeals must be post-marked no later than July 31, 2009. Online, phone and fax appeals must be submitted by 12:00 midnight Eastern Time (11:00 p.m. Central Time), July 31, 2009. If a consumer’s appeal is approved, the Coupon Program will mail the requested coupon(s) directly to their household, which serves as notification that they appeal was approved. If a consumer’s appeal is denied, the Coupon Program will send the appeal outcome notification to the provided e-mail (if provided) or mailing address (if e-mail address not provided).
*** Coupons Expiration Date and Online and Phone TV Converter Box Ordering Options. Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed. The expiration date is printed on the coupon. Even though the last day to apply for coupons is July 31, 2009, consumers can use their coupons at participating retailers until they expire. Converter boxes can be purchased at most national retail stores and some local retailers. A list of retailers will be included in the envelope containing the coupon. Consumers should call ahead to area retail stores to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day they plan to shop. To find a participating retailer in their area, consumers can go to www.DTV2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx. Coupon-eligible converter boxes also may be purchased online or by telephone and shipped directly to consumers’ homes.