An update on WISC-TV’s antenna project

May 20, 2020 5:00 AM

Site staff,

Posted: May 20, 2020 5:00 AM

Updated: May 21, 2020 12:57 PM

by Site staff

Statement from WISC-TV General Manager Tom Keeler:

On April 29, 2020, WISC-TV completed the tower project required by the Federal Communications Commission-mandated wireless industry spectrum auction. Our station went live from its new VHF antenna after many months of setbacks.

For some viewers, signal reception has improved. But, we are receiving feedback that reception problems still exist for other viewers who continue to rescan the digital spectrum and are unable to receive a stable over-the-air signal from WISC-TV. As we strive to rectify the continued reception problems, it is important we hear from any and all viewers whose reception is still a problem.

We are here to help you. If you are having trouble receiving our station, please fill out this form. We can then use this information in an application to ask the FCC for increased power. If you are unable to click on the form, please send us an email at antenna@wisctv.com and provide us your full name, address with city, phone number, type of antenna (inside, outside, flat panel digital or rabbit ears), as well as whether you receive an intermittent signal from WISC-TV or no signal at all.

Also, please understand that WISC-TV is now broadcasting on VHF Channel 11, which requires a combination VHF-UHF in-home, attic, or rooftop antenna design. If you live in a house with an indoor antenna, the placement inside your home is important and can come down to moving it around a few inches at a time or onto a bookshelf. Placement near a window will improve reception as well. Whichever is the case, a rescan is required each time you move it until WISC-TV and its digital channels 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 are listed in your channel lineup. Once that’s accomplished, you will no longer need to rescan, but possibly need to just move the inside antenna to a location where reception comes in without digital blocking of the picture.

In the coming weeks, we will be petitioning the FCC for an increase of our transmission power to fill in any coverage gaps that resulted from the government-mandated channel change.

We appreciate your patience as we work through the final stages of providing a clear signal to all television households in our designated coverage area as prescribed by the FCC. We are working hard to make sure every viewer in our area has access to our free over-the-air station and encourage you to reach out to us for help.

For information on how to rescan, visit tvanswers.org.