Arkansas Blog

I wish AETN would move their digital transmitter to Shinall Mountain with their temporary analog transmitter. They have a huge broadcast coverage hole with their current digital transmitter in Redfield. Next year, a lot of people are going to be surprised to learn that their fancy new TVs won't be able to receive AETN broadcasts in many areas without cable or satellite service. For some reason, AETN moved analog channel 2 to digital channel 5, and had to greatly reduce power to avoid interfering with stations in Fort Smith and Memphis. Why did they go to that channel? The old Channel 2 analog signal on the old KATV tower had much better reception in a wider area than the digital broadcast. The loss of AETN coverage in much of Central Arkansas almost qualifies as a scandal.

AB,

KETS's analog signal NEVER MOVED. The channel 2 *analog* transmitting antenna was on the old KATV tower. The digital antenna/transmitter for KETS (AETN--Little Rock) is on the KASN tower also at Redfield.

As for the channel 5 DTV assignment, it will be temporary until Feburary 2009, when the station moves to Channel 7 on full power DTV (KATV will transmit DTV on ch 22 as it did pre-tower collapse).. This will increase the coverage. Other AETN transmitters will also increase power. The reason for the patchwork of low power DTV transmitters is because of AETN's decision to go with VHF on all its locations except Jonesboro. The good news is that highband VHF (channels 7-13) is easier to receive with a smaller antenna than channels 2-6.

Here in NW Lincoln county (south of Pine Bluff), I can receive all the *current* Little Rock DTV's consistantly except for KWBF-DT. Too bad, I live too far away from KTBS-DT or WABG-DT for a backup ABC station on certain nights during basketball season. I do however receive a strong signal from KTVE-DT (NBC El Dorado/Monroe).

KETS never moved to CHANNEL 5 for analog.

Hate it when I'm driving along on my way to wherever and my reception of KUAR fizzles out like a dud firecracker. If this new placement of the transmitter (or whatever) fixes that problem well then good for us. Thanks, KATV.

(And don't you just love how Shinall was jazzed up to Chenal? Little Rock is so cool like that.)

Hugh, KUAR's power isn't the issue---its the height of the antenna. Getting it up on KATV's mast will help. KLRE is the one that would certainly benefit from a taller tower. Again, I could care less about the classical music on 90.5, but the news on 89.1 is the only real source of information on "local" radio. Too bad, KUAR won't air BBC World Service overnights like MPB Radio (the radio arm of Mississippi Public Broadcasting) does.