FTA recommended as an alternate during lost terrestrial reception

[sidha]

Notice it reads *receivers designed to receive unencrypted FTA; one can legally receive TV signals without subscription*. Refreshing to see the potential of FTA being promoted the way it should be, where it begs to be, in the USA -- given the recent negative attack from DN, for the confusion and intimidation that color of press tends to create in the eyes of potential FTA users. This article invites commentary.

Privatization of some TV translator sites to be explored

[...] Mosby passed out information at the meeting about "Free to Air Satellite" (abbreviated FTA receivers), which refers to satellite receivers that are designed to receive uncrypted FTA satellite transmissions. The literature says with these receivers one can legally receive TV signals without subscription. The handout included a list of free satellite stations one can watch without a subscription if they have the proper equipment (box and satellite antenna). Privatization of some TV translator sites to be explored | www.rgj.com | Reno Gazette-Journal

 

[rv1pop]

Good Read!

 

[sidha]

Another article is begging for some FTA user advice, to counteract the bias in the commentary.

Digital switch to leave some Lyon County residents without reception
December 12, 2008

[...] To convert these [translators] to digital would cost the county another $30,000. That proved too much for the county, which chose not to upgrade, thus leaving some residents without over-the-air reception.
“People expect the commission to work miracles,” said Commissioner Larry McPherson. “It would be very, very expensive to replace these translators.”
Virginia Johnson of Silver Springs receives her television signal over the air, and complains that the commissioners haven’t investigated the issue enough before deciding against the digital conversion.
“I am concerned that the public is having another means of current communication with the outside world taken away, without at least a thorough investigation of the potential public impact,” Johnson said.
Johnson said it would be cost-prohibitive for her to get cable television.
According to Nick Matesi, general manager of KOLO-TV, approximately 10 percent of households receive their television signal over the air, with cable and satellite making up the other 90 percent. KOLO and other local stations have been working to get their viewers to buy digital converter boxes to make sure their televisions are ready for the change.
But the numerous translators that relay signals to remote areas are another story.

“With digital, you are either going to get a better picture, or no picture,” Matesi said.

Digital switch to leave some Lyon County residents without reception | NevadaAppeal.com

 

[eurosport]

KOLO and other local stations have been working to get their viewers to buy digital converter boxes to make sure their televisions are ready for the change.
But the numerous translators that relay signals to remote areas are another story.

Wouldn't these translators be considered "LP" stations, and therefore be exempt from switching to digital?

 

[Mr Tony]

translator stations (those that legally have numbers & letters in the call sign), LP, Class A and -CA stations are not required to upgrade on 2/17/09 to digital. There will be a date down the road (2011 is what I've heard)

At our cabin there are a lot of translator stations nearby but some are upgrading to digital (flash cut) on 2/17/09