FCC Repacking
May 14, 2019
Change is coming
to Northern Michigan antenna tv, due to the FCC Repack. Starting in September 2019, you will need to be prepared to rescan for over-the-air TV channels. This does not require any new equipment or direction change of your antenna.
From the FCC website:
"On March 29, 2016, the FCC commenced the first-ever “incentive auction” designed to repurpose spectrum for new uses. Authorized by Congress in 2012, the auction used market forces to align the use of broadcast airwaves with 21st century consumer demands for video and broadband services.
"On March 29, 2016, the FCC commenced the first-ever “incentive auction” designed to repurpose spectrum for new uses. Authorized by Congress in 2012, the auction used market forces to align the use of broadcast airwaves with 21st century consumer demands for video and broadband services.
The auction preserves a robust broadcast TV industry while enabling stations to generate additional revenues that they can invest into programming and services to the communities they serve. And by making valuable “low-band” airwaves available for wireless broadband, the incentive auction will benefit consumers by easing congestion on wireless networks, laying the groundwork for “fifth generation” (5G) wireless services and applications, and spurring job creation and economic growth."
Below are the following local over-the-air channels the FCC has announced to be affected. During the repacking dates, you may lose some channels and need to rescan for them with your TV's tuner. Some TVs will do this on their own, others will not. This can be done by choosing "Scan" or "Autoscan" in your TV's settings menu. For further assistance with rescanning for channels, please see the user manual/support page of your TV's manufacturer.
Below are the following local over-the-air channels the FCC has announced to be affected. During the repacking dates, you may lose some channels and need to rescan for them with your TV's tuner. Some TVs will do this on their own, others will not. This can be done by choosing "Scan" or "Autoscan" in your TV's settings menu. For further assistance with rescanning for channels, please see the user manual/support page of your TV's manufacturer.
| WFUP FOX
City: VANDERBILT, MI RF Channel: 45 RX Strength: 93 dbuV/m Tower Distance: 27 mi; Direction: 113° Repacked Channel: 21 Repacking Dates: 9/7/2019 to 10/18/2019 |
WPBN NBC
City: KALKASKA, MI RF Channel: 47 RX Strength: 85 dbuV/m Tower Distance: 41 mi; Direction: 167° Repacked Channel: 35 Repacking Dates: 9/7/2019 to 10/18/2019 |
| WCMV PBS
City: KALKASKA, MI RF Channel: 17 RX Strength: 83 dbuV/m Tower Distance: 41 mi; Direction: 167° Repacked Channel: 34 Repacking Dates: 9/7/2019 to 10/18/2019 |
WTOM NBC
City of License: CHEBOYGAN, MI RF Channel: 35 RX Strength: 77 dbuV/m Tower Distance: 36 mi; Direction: 56° Repacked Channel: 16 Repacking Dates: 9/7/2019 to 10/18/2019 |