WWCP/WATM switcheroo
Johnstown-Altoona-State College: If you receive WWCP-TV over the air, you may have noticed that the station's signal suddenly disappeared from your digital TV or converter box this week.
After shutting down its analog signal on VHF channel 8, the station moved its digital signal from UHF channel 29 back to channel 8.
The switch happened Monday, a WWCP-TV employee tells us.
That's going to require you to rescan your TV or converter box. When you do, WWCP should pop back up on Channel 8.1 (and WATM, its sister station, will be back Channel 8.2).
Rescanning the digital tuner can usually be accomplished by pressing "Menu" on your remote control and following the instructions. (Look for a selection like "Channel Scan" or "Setup.")
At PBRTV's Mon Valley Bureau, we noticed that WWCP's digital signal on Channel 8 seems a little bit weaker than the signal on Channel 29.
So, you may need to adjust your antenna. And after you do that, adjust the TV's antenna. (Rimshot.)
Readers’ Forum
Um…some member of the M-V Bureau re-scanned the box and Channel 8 doesn’t come in at all now…
A Mon Valley Bureau Agent - February 26, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I only have digital off air, and I live outside Zelienople. I can not get WTAE digital signal. Or Channel 22. Everybody else comes in great (2,11,13,53 and 40 OK) and even 27 and 21 out of Yougstown. I know their tower is futher away, and a coworker in Saxonburg can’t get TAE either. Do you know what they are going to do about their weak signal??
Bryce - February 26, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I live just outside of downtown Pittsburgh in the North Hills. I can no longer get channels 8.1 or 8.2. I enjoyed watching the Channel 6 Johnstown news from time to time that was offered on 8.2. I’m disappointed with this change. Why change things when the signals were working well? I was able to recieve these stations with a small ‘rabbit ears’ antenna.
Joe - February 27, 2009 at 09:10 am
Joe:
Per the FCC’s website, it looks to me like the channel 8.1 and 8.2 signals are significantly lower power output.
If you like seeing channel 8, you should probably call the station and complain; unfortunately, their primary service area isn’t Pittsburgh, so unless you’ve been shopping at their advertisers, I’m not sure they care.
Agent:
You are an impostor, sir or madam. We have never seen you in the bureau, or in the dresser, either.
Jason Togyer - February 27, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Oh THAT M-V Bureau. Nevermind…I was thinking North Versailles.
The NVT Bureau Agent - February 27, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Hey Mr. O’Brien,
I live about a 1/2 mile from Mt. Oliver, and I would get both 8.1 & 8.2 channels on my converter box. I was a little disapointed when both channels were gone. I tried rescanning the box last night after reading the article. So far nothing’s changed. And I also noticed that WPXI’s 11.3 dissapeared too. I’m going to keep scanning everyday until I see WWCP’s DTV channels appear. Tanks for your time and keep up the good work.
P.S. Do you think that WBZW (B-94) will get back the WBZZ letters once it’s available? Thanks.
Joe B. - March 01, 2009 at 10:54 am
According to the FCC website, WTAE has filed an application for a low powered translator on DT 22. It’s placed right in the city instead of south of it like DT 51 is. With WPMY no longer using channel 22, the ‘TAE translator could help with reception problems in your area. Too bad it wasn’t full powered so that I could watch it at home near Cochranton. Oh well.
Tom Lavery (URL) - March 01, 2009 at 1:48 pm