Digital Dialog

As the Dust Settles...

It has been a very busy 49 days for me.  Beginning the week after Thanksgiving, I have been busy with the preparation of Oahu's final digital transmission system which is due to be activated on February 18.  In addition to Oahu, the Maui digital system was being prepared for its debut on January 15, the Kauai analog translator system needed to be modified to work with a digital signal and the Big Island translator system required major changes to keep operating in analog.

So how do I feel the transition went?  It was pretty much what I expected, except for the Big Island...more on that later.  We knew that the move of our Oahu transmitter from the KGMB tower to Palehua (above Makakilo) was going to cause a lot of people who could once get us to lose our signal and a lot of people who could not receive us to start getting a signal.  In addition, the temporary UHF channel we are licensed to use by the FCC would not be something most people are used to receiving.  But come this February 18, we will be returning to our beloved Channel 11 frequency and should make it more familiar to rereceive.

The Maui transition went off without a hitch.  At noon on January 15, we shutdown the analog transmitter, which was broadcasting on Channel 10, and switched on the digital transmitter, also broadcasting on Channel 10.  This momentous occasion was over 20 years in the making.  After many Public Hearings, meetings with special interest groups, propagation studies, site surveys, and governmental processes, the site at Ulupalakua Ranch was finally agreed upon by all.  All the broadcasters were aware of the loss of coverage on Maui, Molokai, Oahu and the Big Island, but due to the loss of a lease at the summit of Haleakala and the subsequent move to Ulupalakua Ranch, the loss of coverage would have happened even if we continued with analog broadcasts.  So in the end, our coverage ended up being pretty much what was predicted.

Kauai's translator system, though still analog, had to receive the KHET digital signal and convert it to analog to keep the system going.  This was done without notice in early January.  We will begin transitioning Kauai over to digital once we have completed the Oahu digital change mentioned above, and/or when the existing translators require replacement.

For the Big Island, please read my next entry.

Overall, the dust is settling on the transition of our full-power transmitters, but I am just starting to build the digital translator system...on both Kauai and the Big Island...anyone seen the Sawzall?

It's still raining (figuratively)

Well it's been over a week since the storm hit Hawaii and took out the telephone lines servicing our digital transmitter and still no service.  I somewhat understand what Hawaiian Telcom repair crews are going through.  When I left my site today, it was pouring rain.  But as soon as I came out of the forest...it was sunny and dry!  It makes it hard to repair a line when its raining in a dense forest.

I can only hopethat they find and fix the problem soon, because I realize many of you are missing many of your favorite programs.  For others who are trying to set-up their DTV Converter Boxes, our signal will be missing from the scan and you'll have to rescan once we're back-up.

The $40 Coupon

I was recently on a panel to discuss the Hawaii Digital transition and the majority of the questions were about the government's $40 coupon program to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box.  Here are the major points you need to know:

If you have a cable or satellite service you need to do NOTHING!  TV will be the same for you;

Most of Hawaii is going digital-only TV broadcasting on January 15, 2009 at Noon;

You can go online at: www.DTV2009.gov to request up to two (2) $40 coupons;

The coupons cannot be combined...one coupon, one box...two coupons, two boxes...

The coupons have an expiration date tied to Eastern Standard Time...do not wait to use it;

The coupons are good for three (3) months from the time of mailing;

Buy a converter box with analog pass through;

You will need an antenna to attach to the converter box;

Buying a converter box will not guaranteee your reception of all or any DTV signals;

Depending upon where you live, you may need an outdoor antenna and additional equipment to receive DTV signals;

IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME OR YOU CAN CALL THE FCC'S LOCAL OFFICE AT 541-3288 OR GO ONLINE AT : hawaiidtvtransition@fcc.gov

Digital Converter Boxes

Here is the weak point in the digital transition.  I feel that not enough information is being relayed to the consumer by the government, the broadcasters and the retailers...but buy the Digital Converter Box with Analog Pass-Through...

I recently spoke with a viewer who purchased a converter box, hooked it up and then called me to say " I'm not getting digital television".  I proceeded to ask many questions and in the end the misunderstanding was that they thought by connecting a digital conversion box to their television, it would get all the digital stations...much like a cable digital box.

Unfortunately the digital conversion box is only a channel tuner that takes in the new over-the-air digital television signals and changes it so that your old television can display the picture.  It has nothing to do with cable or satellite signals...it is only used for OVER-THE-AIR digital siganls.

Now the second part to the equation is what I just wrote about earlier...the ANTENNA!  You are going to need one.  No ifs, ands or buts.  Whether it is an indoor antenna or an outdoor antenna, you are going to need one.  There is another web site that can give you an idea of what type of antenna you'll need, it's:  www.tvfool.com

Now here is my disclaimer...you may need a signal amplifier or an antenna rotor or a "smart" antenna...but none of this will guarantee reception of all your favorite TV channels.  Reception of over-the-air signals can be affected by mountains, buildings, trees, weather, bodies of water, traffic, location and a bunch of other factors I can only imagine.

Digital Converter Boxes are not the "magic" bullet that some believe it to be...but if you try hard enough, it can extend the life of that analog set long enough to make up for all the money spent on antennas, amplifiers, splitters, cables, etc....