IMPORTANT NOTICE:  IF YOU RECEIVE WLUK's DIGITAL SIGNAL OVER-THE-AIR, YOU WILL NEED TO RESCAN AND POSSIBLY RESET YOUR CONVERTER BOX

RESCANNING YOUR DTV OR CONVERTER BOX
WLUK's over-the-air digital signal has moved from channel 51 to 11.1 Whether you are installing a new digital television or hooking up a converter box to your old standard-definition TV, you will need to scan for available channels to ensure that you receive all the digital stations in your area.

On most digital televisions and some converter boxes, you will need to use the onscreen menu to navigate to a "setup" or "channel" page where you will be able to search for channels. Please note that each digital tv and converter box are different, so consult your owner's manual for this information.

Many converter boxes have simplified this process by automatically bringing up a "setup wizard" the first time you power up. Follow the instructions for settings and adjustments, including a channel scan.

Once the scan is complete
You should see a list of local stations that have been detected. Flip through your channels to see what's available.

Amplified antennas
If you are attempting to strengthen our signal with an indoor amplified antenna, the signal may be too strong which can cause your digital converter box or HDTV to interpret it as "no signal." Performing a rescan will subsequently not lock on to our signal. We have heard from viewers that after they turn off the amplification, WLUK has come in crystal clear. We found a great Phillips antenna with adjustable amplification for $19.95 at WAL-MART that has worked just fine. If you have an amplified VHF antenna, turn off the amplification and try rescanning again. Hopefully this will resolve your issue.

Rescan if you don't receive all local channels on the first try
Some DTV over the air broadcasts can be harder to pull in than analog signals. If you have so-so reception right now including snow and static, you might not get any picture at all with digital.

IF, AFTER RESCANNING, YOU STILL DON'T SEE WLUK's SIGNAL ON CH. 11.1, YOU WILL NEED TO RESET YOUR CONVERTER BOX
On some boxes this is a menu setting. On other models there is a button on the back that you have to press; usually with a paper clip that has been straightened out so you can reach into the small hole and reset the button.

If you receive WLUK through cable, satellite or phone service, no action is needed.

IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING THE DIGITAL TRANSITION YOU CAN CALL THE FCC HOTLINE AT 1-888-225-5322

What is DTV? Digital television (DTV) is an innovative new type of over-the-air broadcasting technology that enables TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound quality. DTV is more efficient and more flexible than the traditional broadcast technology known as analog. For example, DTV makes it possible for stations to broadcast multiple channels of free programming simultaneously (called multicasting), instead of broadcasting only one channel at a time. DTV technology can also be used to provide future interactive video and data services that are not possible with analog technology. What is analog television? Analog television service is the traditional method of transmitting television signals. Analog transmission has been the standard broadcast technology since the inception of television. Analog is not as efficient as digital television: it uses up much more of the valuable spectrum than digital, and TV stations can only transmit one channel of programming with an analog signal versus up to four or more programs with a digital signal in the same amount of spectrum. Analog is also susceptible to interference and “snow” that make a picture less clear. What is the DTV transition? The DTV transition is the switchover from analog (the traditional method of transmitting television signals) to exclusively digital broadcasting of free television programming. The transition from analog to digital television represents the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced. The DTV transition was supposed to be completed on June 12, 2009, as set by Congress, but has since been delayed to June 12. Television stations have been preparing for the transition from analog to DTV since the late 1990s, when they began building digital facilities and airing digital channels alongside regular analog broadcasts. Today, 1,624 out of 1,762 full power television stations nationwide offer digital programming. What equipment do I need? If you currently receive free over-the-air television programming on an analog television set, you will need a DTV converter box to continue to receive television service after June 12, 2009. DTV converter boxes have been available as of early 2008. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will be issuing up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households starting in early 2008. Information about the DTV converter box coupon program is available at www.ntia.doc.gov. For a list of converter box retailers in Wisconsin, click here. What is a DTV converter box? A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box.

Why the switch? DTV is a more flexible and efficient technology than the current analog system. The switch to digital broadcasting will enable television stations to offer dramatically clearer pictures, better sound quality and more programming choices. Under legislation passed by Congress – the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 – over-the-air broadcast television stations are required to turn off their analog channels on June 12, 2009, and continue broadcasting exclusively in the digital format. Since digital television is more efficient than analog television, the analog turn-off will also free up parts of the airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for future innovative services by entrepreneurs. What are the benefits of DTV? Digital television allows TV stations to offer a number of new and better services. In addition to providing dramatically better pictures and sound quality, DTV also enables TV stations to provide several channels of television programming at once. This is known as “multicasting.” DTV can also be used to provide data services (such as significantly enhanced closed captioning) that are not possible with analog technology. How do I switch? You can prepare for the transition to digital television by following one of three simple steps: Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set. The DTV converter box, sometimes referred to as a set-top box, is an electronic device that makes the new digital signal viewable on an older “analog” television set. DTV converter boxes will be available for purchase as of early 2008, and are expected to cost between $50 and $70. To help consumers cover the cost of the converter box, the federal government has offered up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households beginning in early 2008. Each coupon may be used toward the purchase of a single DTV converter box and the coupon program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) www.ntia.doc.gov. You will still need an over-the-air antenna in addition to the converter box to receive a digital signal on your analog television set. Your current antenna should work the same as before. Click here to find out how to get your own converter box. Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. Another option you may choose is to upgrade to a new television set with a built-in digital tuner. As with older sets, you will need an over-the-air antenna that provides quality reception of over-the-air analog television signals to pick up free digital broadcast programming from local stations. Before deciding to purchase a new digital TV, you should make sure your current TV doesn’t already have a built-in digital tuner. Most sets sold in the last few years that are larger than 27 inches will likely have a digital tuner. To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer 's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number. Can I recycle my TV? Yes. For more information about how to recycle your television and other electronics, visit mygreenelectronics.com. Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider. All of these services will allow you to receive digital television signals on your analog television set. No additional equipment is required if you decide to go this route. However, be sure to check that the pay service you choose carries all of the program services provided by the local broadcast stations. Who's affected? Consumers who receive over-the-air television signals through antennas on television sets that are equipped with analog tuners – and who do not subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider – will be affected by the transition. At least 19.6 million households receive over-the-air signals exclusively in their homes, and 14.9 million households have secondary over-the-air television sets in their bedrooms or kitchens. Overall, nearly 70 million television sets are at risk of losing their signals on June 12, 2009, if consumers do not make the easy transition to DTV. Consumers who receive free, over-the-air broadcasting on analog sets will have three options for continuing their television service: Purchase a DTV converter box that will convert the digital signal into analog for an existing television set; Purchase a new television set with a built-in digital tuner; or Subscribe to cable, satellite or a telephone company television service provider if all desired local broadcast stations are carried by that service. Converter Box Details A DTV converter box is an easy-to-install electronic device that hooks up to your analog television set and over-the-air antenna and converts the digital television signal into analog, making it viewable on your analog TV. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will issue up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box. When can I obtain a DTV converter box? DTV converter boxes that transform digital television signals to analog are available for purchase at electronics retailers, as of February, 2008. These converter boxes will allow consumers to maintain their free, over-the-air television service even on older analog TVs. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is issuing up to two converter box coupons valued at $40 each to households to help defray the cost of the converter box. Where can I purchase a DTV converter box? DTV converter boxes that make digital broadcast signals viewable on analog television sets will be available for purchase at electronics retailers in February of 2008. Each box is expected to cost between $40 and $70. Households can also request up to two $40 coupons from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTI A) that can be used toward the purchase of converter boxes. For a list of converter box retailers in Wisconsin, click here. When can I get a coupon for a DTV converter box? The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued coupons for DTV converter boxes as of February, 2008. Households will be able to apply for up to two coupons, which must be redeemed within three months of receipt. The coupons cannot be combined to purchase a single converter box, nor can they be used toward the purchase of other products. How do I sign up for the DTV converter box coupon program? Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. For more information about the converter box coupon program, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit dtv2009.gov . How do I know if I have an analog or digital television set? To check whether your TV set can receive over-the-air digital broadcast signals, take a look at your owner's manual or look on the set for an indication that it has a built-in Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) tuner. You can also go to the manufacturer's Web site and check the capabilities of the set by manufacturer model number. Will I need a special antenna to receive DTV over the air? If you currently use an indoor or rooftop antenna to receive over-the-air analog broadcast television signals and you have good or excellent reception quality, the same antenna should be able to provide you with reception of digital television broadcast signals. For more information about using an antenna to receive local television broadcast channels, visit www.antennaweb.org. Will I be able to continue to use my existing VCR with a DTV converter box for timed recordings? Yes, but after the digital transition, you won't be be able to pick up over-the-air programs for recording from the tuner in the VCR, so the input to the VCR must be connected to the output of the DTV converter box. The tuner in the DTV converter box will need to be set to the desired channel to be recorded prior to the start of each recording period programmed into the VCR. Tips on Receiving FOX 11's Digital Signal Will I need an outdoor antenna to receive FOX 11's digital signal over the air? The answer depends on where you live. Most households that live within 20 miles of FOX 11’s transmitter should be able to get a digital signal with an inexpensive indoor set top antenna. If you live further away or in a challenging geographic area you may need an outdoor rooftop antenna. There is one important thing to remember when purchasing an antenna. You will need a combination antenna that receives both VHS and UHF. On or before June 12, 2009, FOX 11 will be transmitting its digital signal on Channel 11 which is a VHF Channel. FOX 11 currently broadcasts their signal on Channel 51 which is a UHF channel. Will FOX 11’s digital signal be better or worse on June 12, 2009? FOX 11 is currently broadcasting its digital signal at full FCC allocated power from a tower in Southern Brown County. Engineers are currently preparing to broadcast a digital signal from FOX 11’s analog tower on Scray’s Hill. On or before June 12, 2009, the digital signal will only come from the Scray’s Hill location and move from Channel 51 to Channel 11. That means people in fringe areas, a distance from the tower, may have a better chance to receive the digital signal over the air. The VHF signal also penetrates walls better and could improve the signal to people using indoor set top antennas.