Reception Help for 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. You must have a digital TV set, or 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 we 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 TV’s is required after WSIU-DT changed from digital UHF channel 40 to digital VHF channel 8 on Feb 3rd. Check your TV or converter box manual for instructions. If rescanning does not work then try Step #3.

Step #3 -- Reset
Some converter boxes or digital TV's 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#2). You may have to do this several times before it works. Lastly, if the above fails, you may be able to force a system reset by starting a channel scan and unplugging the TV or converter box while it is scanning. Wait five minutes, plug it back in, and then rescan for channels (step#2).

Antenna Information
(For WSIU- you must have a antenna capable of receiving VHF signals.)

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 this process again if needed.
• try placing the antenna closer to a window for better results
• be aware that aluminum siding may affect indoor antenna VHF reception

If using an Outdoor antenna:

• for best results, your antenna should be pointed at our transmitter located at near Du Quoin, IL
• if your cables are old they may be a problem- RG6 is the preferred type

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