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Low Power Television Station Search Tool
WHAT: The Low Power Television Station Search Tool (LPTVS) is a web-based search engine to help over-the-air television households and retailers determine the location of Class A, LPTV and TV Translator stations in their areas.
WHY:
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Congress has mandated that full-power television stations transition to digital broadcasts on June 12, 2009. At that time, the DTV transition will end, and full-power stations will shut off analog broadcasts and transmit signals solely in digital.
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However, there are over 7,100 Class A, LPTV and TV Translator stations broadcasting in the U.S., and the mandatory digital transition deadline does not apply to these stations. Thus, many low power stations may continue to broadcast in analog after the June 12, 2009 deadline.
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If you have an analog-only television that receives free over-the-air programming (with a roof-top antenna or "rabbit ears" on the TV), you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box in order to watch digital broadcast television on that analog television set.
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If you also wish to continue watching analog LPTV, Class A, or TV translator stations, you should purchase a converter box with "analog pass-through" capability, which allows analog broadcast signals to pass through the converter box to be tuned by your analog TV.
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If you purchase a digital-to-analog converter box without analog pass-through capability, you may have to connect an antenna switch or a signal "splitter" to bypass the box if you wish to view analog TV broadcasts. Check with the manufacturer of the digital-to-analog converter box and your retailer if you need instructions on how to connect the box to view broadcasts from both analog and digital stations.
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Using this search tool should assist you in determining the low power stations in your area so you can purchase the appropriate converter box.
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Each U.S. household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of two digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering the coupon program. More information can be found at
www.dtv2009.gov, or by calling 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
HOW: Enter your five digit zip code and click the submit button
to receive a list of any Class A, LPTV or TV Translator stations within a
20-mile radius of that zip code. Please note that the results reflect
stations that may serve your household, and are not based on the actual
service areas of the individual stations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information on the DTV Transition, go to:
www.dtv.gov.
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Federal Communications Commission