If you rely on an antenna to receive free, over-the-air TV and you’re not getting all your channels it may be for good reason, and rest assured, good TV comes to those who wait. As part of the spectrum repack, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – the agency that governs the public airwaves – was authorized by Congress to auction off broadcast TV frequencies to make more channels available for wireless services. As a result of the auction, the FCC is requiring nearly 1,000 TV stations to change frequencies and when those stations change frequencies, viewers in the affected communities must rescan their TVs to continue to get their local channels. To date, approximately 85 percent of these stations have transitioned.
For the vast majority of TV stations and millions of viewers, the frequency transition brings very little, if any, interruption in service, with the station operating at full power both before and after the frequency change. However, some stations must operate at reduced power for a period of time in order to successfully complete their transition. It could be because new transmitting equipment hasn’t arrived yet or the tower needs to be rebuilt to accommodate a new antenna.
It’s important to note that there are a limited number of workers who are trained to perform antenna, transmitter and tower work, so resources can quickly become strained. And, the COVID-19 pandemic has strained the already limited resources of tower crews. Let’s also not forget about Mother Nature and the delays weather can cause for work conducted on towers thousands of feet in the air.
As a result, it could be weeks or even months during which local channel reception may be compromised. Contact the station directly to confirm if it is operating at reduced power and their timetable for getting back to full power. If you’ve confirmed that your station is currently operating at full power, then it’s time to review the fundamentals of using an antenna to ensure the issue is not on your end.
- Make sure you perform the TV rescan AFTER your local TV stations change frequencies. You can find out if and when your local stations will be transitioning by clicking here. Make sure to also sign up for text and email alerts to know when you have to rescan your TV.
- Be sure your TV is set to the “antenna” input.
- Check all antenna cable connections to ensure they are tight and in good condition. Screw- or twist-type “F” connectors are the best option for all connections.
- Select Scan or Autotune from your TV or converter box control menu to start the scanning process. Your TV will do the rest. This process usually takes a few minutes to complete.
- Consider adjusting your antenna or getting a stronger one. If you are using an indoor antenna, consider moving it near a window that faces in the direction of the station’s transmitter site or raise the antenna, either outdoors or in an attic. You can find more tips and tricks here.
TVAnswers.org is your resource to provide simple instructions for rescanning and to help you stay up to date on the status of stations in your area. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.