Changes to County TV Channels

Bret Mills, Emery County Communication Specialist, reported to the Emery County Commissioners during the Aug. 5 meeting. Mills said that the transition of the TV channels to the lower frequencies is almost complete. There have been a few outages and poor reception but they are making the adjustments necessary for the move.
The Federal Communications Commission auctioned off the higher frequencies which required the US Congress to order users to move off those frequencies to lower ones. “These lower frequencies should make reception much better because the signals are stronger,” said Mills.
The translator on Horn Mountain serves not only Emery County, but Monticello, Blanding, Montezuma Creek and Mexican Hat areas. This change is one of several that will be coming in the next few years. By September of 2006, high definition television is mandated for the country. As soon as this current project is completed, Mills will begin work on the installation of the HDTV equipment. This will include a digital translator installation.
San Juan, Carbon, Duchesne and Emery counties are currently working to create a central hub for microwave installation. The microwave installations will carry the digital channels. The University of Utah is writing the grant to fund this microwave project.
Digital channels will have better reception, almost perfect, and will accommodate eight video feeds on one band, which means more channels may become available.
From the Horn Mountain site: channel 2 out of Salt Lake, formerly channel 52 now is channel 28; channel 4, formerly 54 is now channel 32; channel 5, formerly 56 is now channel 24; channel 7, formerly channel 60 is now channel 22; channel 11, formerly 62 is now channel 20; channel 13, formerly channel 58 is now channel 18; and channel 14, formerly 50 is now channel 16;
For Emery City: channel 29 is now channel 45; channel 31 is now channel 41; channel 33 is now channel 49; and channel 27 is now channel 47. All other channels will remain the same.
For the Green River Cedar Mountain site: channel 32 is now 36; channel 30 is now channel 38; and channel 28 is now channel 40. All other channels will stay the same.
Some interuptions in service and other problems with quality in reception and service are being worked on.
Mills stated that residents can expect some minor problems until the changeover is complete.
Mills also reported that the National Weather Service radio transmitter project has been awarded grants for installation.
The commissioners approved beginning the bid process for this installation.