HDTV Repack

Due to sale of spectrum by the FCC, West Lane Translator, Inc. was required to change three of its channels on December 7th, 2017. The translators for KVAL, KMTR and KLSR were moved from channel 40, 43 and 51 respectively, to channel 24, 26 and 28. When this occurred, viewers “lost” these stations and needed to re-scan their televisions to “find” the new channels.

After this, nothing would look any different to you, the viewer. The three network stations once again appeared on the same channel selections as before (channels 13, 16, and 34). Much of this has to do with digital smoke and electronic mirrors, but that’s alright, you don’t have to understand it fully, few of us here really do either…

If you have an inquisitive mind, a fast internet connection and some spare time, you can gain a better understanding of why it was necessary to change three of our channels by reading the rather complete dissertation on Wikipedia.

In the Florence area, the spectrum was purchased at auction by T-Mobile. This has resulted in WLT, as well as one other TV translator (channel 48), engaging in this channel move. In order to complete the engineering studies and apply for new channel frequencies, we were required to cooperate with other broadcasters in Lane county to find interference-free schemes of channel assignment. It was quite a feat, and much gratitude is due to those who figured out this difficult frequency allotment puzzle.

WLT extends sincere appreciation to board and technical committee member Dennis Hunt and to OPB engineer Jon Kenneke for their efforts to quickly and completely make the channel change and recalibrate the necessary transmission equipment.