The last day of analog television broadcasts was June 12, 2009. Sutro Tower stations now only transmit digital signals. To learn more about the national transition to digital television, and whether you will be impacted, visit the following sites:
Federal Communications Comm.
www.dtv.gov
National Assoc. of Broadcasters
www.dtvanswers.com
TV Converter Box Program
www.dtv2009.gov
DTV Transition Coalition
www.dtvtransition.org
The Federal Communications Commission delayed the last day traditional analog television transmission until June 12, 2009. All television stations in the United States are broadcasting now only in the digital format, including the eleven television stations at Sutro Tower. For more information on the national transition to digital TV, go to www.dtvanswers.com
Viewers who rely on off-air reception (no cable or satellite) need a television receiver with a digital tuner or a converter box to convert the digital signal to analog for viewing on an older analog only television. A new TV antenna may also be necessary for digital reception. Digital TV from Sutro Tower is broadcast on both VHF and UHF channels.
For more information and assistance on digital conversion go to www.dtv.gov or call 888-388-2009.
The Sutro Tower digital antennas are currently located at the top of the transmission tower. There is now a back-up facility for digital transmission should maintenance be required on the primary antenna.
The new digital auxiliary antenna is installed between the 380 ft. and 560 ft. elevation on the tower. It consists of two identical antennas each serving 5 stations. A third back-up antenna has been installed for KGO at the 180 ft. level.
The existing analog antennas at the top of the tower have been removed. Analog TV is no longer broadcast from Sutro Tower.
The existing interim digital antenna has been removed.
The tower structure has been reinforced in selected location to accommodate the new antennas and to upgrade the structure to current wind and seismic codes for essential facilities.
Work that began in mid-January 2009 was completed in early November 2009.
Sequence of work was as follows:
- Reinforce tower to accommodate new digital auxiliary antennas--Complete
- Construct roof top equipment enclosure--Complete
- Install digital auxiliary antennas--Complete
- Reinforce tower to accommodate new digital main antennas--Complete
- Remove old KGO, KBCW, and KOFY analog antennas from South mast--Complete
- Install new KGO and KBCW digital antnenas on South mast--Complete
- Remove old KTVU, KRON, and KPIX antennas from West mast--Complete
- Install new lattice tower to 918 feet on West Mast--Complete
- Install new KTVU, KRON, and KPIX digital antenna on West mast--Complete
- Install new KOFY digital antenna on West mast--Complete
- Remove old KQED, KMTP, KFSF, and KOIT analog antennas from North mast--Complete
- Remove old North mast support down to 792 feet--Complete
- Install new KQED, KMTP, KCNS, and KCSM digital antenna to top of new North mast--Complete
- Install new KFSF digital antenna on side of new North mast--Complete
- Re-install KOIT (FM) antnena on side of North mast--Complete
- Test and begin operation of new digital antennas for all stations--Completed 10/21/09
- Each station makes adjustments to power levels and other technical parameters.--Beginning 10/20/09
Project to install new digital antennas and remove analog antennas is now complete!
Contact individual stations for reception issues.