CHANDLER -- Beginning today and through July 12, Pioneer Public Television will be replacing the entire digital transmission line on its tower near Chandler (KSMN-TV). The work will take several days to complete and will interrupt broadcasting on Pioneer's analog and digital channels transmitted from the Chandler tower. Broadcasting on Pioneer's channels transmitted from Appleton and Fergus Falls towers will not be affected.
"Our KSMN tower near Chandler is 1,000 feet tall, and we have to replace the digital transmission line on the entire length," said Pioneer General Manager Les Heen. "The line is defective, so we need to replace it to keep a high-quality service to our viewers who receive signals from KSMN."
The exact hours for this repair work will depend on weather and other factors. During daylight hours while the transmission line is being replaced, Pioneer's traditional analog channel (over-the-air Channel 20) will be off the air for brief periods. Pioneer's digital channels (over-the-air Channels 20-1 to 20-4) will be turned off when the work begins and will remain off the air until the work is completed.
Pioneer is also preparing for the end of full-power analog TV broadcasting on February 17, 2009. After that date, by federal law, full-power stations such as KSMN will be allowed to broadcast on digital transmitters only.
For more information, about the digital transition or Pioneer programs, contact Pioneer at 1-800-726-3178, or visit the Pioneer Web site at www.pioneer.org .
