Friday, February 13, 2009

Need Help Receiving WSIU-TV Over-The-Air?

WSIU TV Carbondale ceased broadcasting analog over-the-air television on January 29, 2009 and is now broadcasting digital only. If you are having problems receiving WSIU over-the-air since February 3, 2009, the following guide will help you troubleshoot your WSIU DT digital 8 reception problems. These instructions are for WSIU DT Carbondale only. There have been no changes made to the WUSI DT Olney channel and WUSI DT remains as a UHF channel. Your ability to receive WUSI DT is the same now as it was before the analog shutoff. You must have a digital TV set or an analog TV connected to a digital converter box.

Step #1 - Antennas

You must now have a VHF antenna for WSIU DT. Prior to February 3, WSIU DT broadcast on UHF channel 40. Channel 40 was loaned to us by the government during the DTV transition over the past two years while we still broadcast on analog 8 (which ended on 1/29/09) On February 3, 2009, WSIU DT changed digital channels from UHF channel 40 to the original vacated VHF channel 8. Check the antenna information section below for more information.
Step #2 - Channel Scan

Rescanning of converter boxes or digital TVs is required after WSIU DT changed from digital UHF channel 40 to VHF channel 8. Check you TV or converter box manual for instructions. If rescanning does not work, then try step #3.


Step #3 - Reset

Some converter boxes or digital TVs will need to be reset (by button, menu, or powering down for a few minutes) to erase all previous WSIU information and allow the rescan to work properly. Unplug the digital TV or converter box for a few minutes, plug it back in and then do a channel scan again (Step #1). You may have to do this several times before it works.


Antenna Information

If using an Indoor Antenna:
  • Be sure to extend the "rabbit ears"
  • Rotate the antenna a quarter turn and rescan again if you are unsuccessful finding WSIU DT the first time. Repeat the process again if needed.
  • Try placing the antenna closer to a window for better results.
  • Be aware that aluminum siding may affect indoor VHF reception

If using an Outdoor Antenna:
  • For best results, your antenna should be pointed at our transmitter, loated near DuQuoin, IL

You may find some indoor antennas work better than others. Also, beware of antennas which are advertised as "HDTV Ready" It is important that the antenna is designed to receive VHF television channels. The antenna that you previously used to receive analog channel 8 is ideal.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I have Made no changes to my setup and I can no longer receive Channel 8 digital broadcast on channel 40.
Since February 1 my television no longer locks in on a digital signal, has the broadcast antenna moved or the power been reduced on the transmitter?

I use a DB8 high gain Digital antenna with amplifier and can receive digital broadcasts of Channels 6, 12, 23 and 49 (some reception problems are noted on Channel 6 during particular times of the day)

Roger Suski said...

Wolfs, if you are still looking for WSIU Public Television on Channel 40, you won't find it - we've moved back to the VHF band, RF 8 digital. Try rescanning your television or set-top box. If you live particularly close to a radio transmitter in the lower range of the FM band, you may need to employ a trap. But, try rescanning (tip on this blog) and see if that doesn't resolve your problem. If not, please call 618-453-6156

PS89 said...

Wolfs,

Unfortunately, the DB8 is ill-suited for receiving VHF channel 8.

Sorry, but you have the wrong antenna for the job.

Unknown said...

Ah, so they stopped the digital broadcasts?

I have rescanned 4 times and cannot get a digital signal. my tuner is digital only.

Roger Suski said...

No, the digital broadcasts have moved from RF40 to RF 8.

Unknown said...

I KNOW FOR FACT A MOVING TRAIN WILL AFFECT PICTURE BUT NOT SIGNEL