Technical Support
- How to Get Channel 16 UHF on your TV Set
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Analog conversion to
digital broadcast information
- Helpful Hints about TV Reception
How
To Get Channel 16 UHF
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Special Note: Channel 19 is now Channel 16 TV
St. Michael Broadcasting has now moved to Channel 16. If you haven’t already done so, re-scan or auto-program your TV or converter box. EWTN appears on five sub-channels: 16.1 through 16.5. We will gradually replace the programming on these channels, leaving 16.2 the sole EWTN channel. If you are having trouble receiving the station, please call us at 612-724-2265 and leave a message. We will call you back.
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Channel 16 is a broadcast television channel that is not found on any cable system serving the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. Channel 16 broadcasts in the same UHF frequency range as Channels that are broadcasting "digial TV" and should be as easy to receive as any of these other stations received with an UHF antenna for digital TV reception. In some cases "rabbit ears" types of antennas or other similar antennas may work.
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When setting up your TV set, the following advice may be helpful.
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Most new TVs are shipped with the set in “Cable Mode”. Be sure to change it to the "Normal" or "Broadcast" mode. Accessing the menu does this. Consult the instruction manual for procedures. Once this is done, you should be able to get Channel 19.
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using the appropriate button on the remote control and the proper
setting on the TV set. Consult the instruction manual for procedures.
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Several factors will affect reception:
1. Geographical location (keep in mind, Channel 19 transmits from the IDS tower in Minneapolis)>
2. Location of your TV
(apartment building, 1st floor, 2nd floor, basement, etc.)
3. Side of apartment
building (north, east, south, or west)
4. Type and age of TV
5. Stucco home (This
type of home has wire mesh surrounding the woodwork and its "metal
cage" blocks the signal. A roof antenna will improve reception.)
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Newer TV sets usually have just one “screw-on jack” or “coaxial connection”. If you have more than one, attach to the one that says: UHF/VHF connection, or antenna. Older TV sets might have two screws, one for VHF and one for UHF. Also the set might have one screw-on (coaxial connection) and two screws for UHF. The screw-on connection would be for VHS and the two screws for UHF.
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The type of antenna used is very important. A "bowtie" antenna is recommended and can be purchased at any electronics dealer.
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Depending on your type of TV, an adapter for connection such as a "reverse balun" or "matching transformer" might be needed. You may also need a "combiner." Ask the clerk at the electronics store.
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If poor reception persists, an outside antenna will usually solve the problem, depending on your location.
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For questions regarding exterior antenna installation, contact Robin TV: 763-533-1566.
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Some stations now
are broadcasting in digital and all the full power
stations must convert to digital by June 12, 2009.
However, this does not apply to community TV stations
such as Ch. 19 which do not have to change immediately,
but we will be switching to DTV some time early in 2009.
Right now and for
the next few years there will be both analog and digital
TV signals. How does one get both signals?
The answer is with
an “Analog Pass-Through DTV Converter Box” which is
available from Radio Shack for $59.95 (model #15-150)
and a digital antenna (prices start at $16.95 and go up,
depending on the model). The converter box and digital
antenna are only for TV sets that ARE NOT ON CABLE. If
you are on cable, you do not need the converter box
since your cable company does the conversion for you.
With an analog TV
set, the converter box does it all for you. It will
receive either signal and give you a picture and sound
in either analog or digital format.
The government is
offering a $40 voucher to help pay for the boxes. They
allow two for each family. You can register for your
voucher by calling 1-888-388-2009. You can also get it
on the Internet by going to:
www.DTV2009.GOV. Helpful Hints about Digital UHF TV Reception
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