KUAC TV off the air in September

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
09/09/09

Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, KUAC TV will be off the air until Sept. 25 in order to complete the final step in the DTV rechannelization project.

The last phase of the project will upgrade KUAC’s over-the-air digital coverage area, improve the digital signal’s ability follow the terrain and increase consistency. KUAC TV started the final construction phase of this project in August. The project will move, or rechannel, KUAC TV’s digital signal from UHF 24 to VHF 9.

The projects will affect viewers who watch AlaskaOne over-the-air in Fairbanks via rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna, as well as Fairbanks viewers who use DIRECTV or DISHNET.

"For some, this will be a minor inconvenience, for others it will be a major disappointment," said UAF Vice Chancellor Jake Poole, interim general manager at KUAC. "It is our hope that the inconvenience of two weeks without AlaskaOne will be worth it when we come back on the air with a stronger, more reliable signal, especially for those in areas where our current UHF digital signal just can’t reach."

Viewers who receive the AlaskaOne signal via cable or from one of our AlaskaOne partners (KTOO, KYUK, or cable providers that serve other parts of the state), will still be able to enjoy AlaskaOne programming during these two weeks in September.

The construction phase of the project began in August as the KUAC TV tower in Fairbanks was reinforced in preparation for the placement of a larger, stronger antenna in an attempt to replicate KUAC TV’s old analog Channel 9 coverage area. During the last week of August and first week of September, the electrical service was upgraded at the KUAC TV tower to accommodate the new digital transmitter. In order to complete the project, KUAC TV will turn off the transmitter on Sept. 14 and crews will replace and upgrade the digital antenna and transmitter.

The work is scheduled to be completed on Sept. 25. In order to receive the new signal after Sept. 25, over-the-air viewers should re-scan their digital tuners.

"The project will not resolve everyone’s over the air reception problems," said Poole. "If you received a sub-par analog signal prior to the digital television conversion, it is unlikely this project will resolve your reception issues."

For tips and frequently asked questions about getting the best signal possible, visit www.alaskaone.org.

CONTACT: Gretchen Gordon, KUAC development and outreach director, at 907-474-1891 or gretchen@kuac.org.

GG/9-9-09/039-10