TechnoBabble

What does a HD transmitter look like?

HHHMMM. I had a person ask me that question several days ago. I have never really thought about it. A transmitter is a transmitter is a transmitter. They look basically the same. It would be like asking what is the difference between a sedan and a sports car. Nothing really expect appearances. But then if you have never seen a transmitter, you would have no point of reference. With the day coming quickly when full power TV stations will no longer broadcast analog signals, it seems people are interested in what makes a TV station tick.

So, getting back to what does a HD transmitter look like, I present two pictures for you. One is our channel 8 analog transmitter, the other is our HD channel 35 transmitter. You tell me which one is which?

Other than the color and the appearance, you can't tell the difference. They both do the same thing, convert pictures into radio waves to be transmitted to your TV.

The top picture is our channel 8 transmitter. The bottom is our HD channel 35 transmitter. Either transmitter can be an analog or digital transmitter, it just depends on how it is configured. After February 17, 2009, the channel 8 transmitter that is now an analog transmitter will be converted to digital on channel 8. It will look the same as it does now just not so many cabinets. We will be moving 3 cabinets to our auxiliary tower to power the auxiliary antenna. The HD channel 35 transmitter will remain a digital transmitter but will go to a sister station where it will become a HD transmitter on a different channel since we will not be broadcasting any signal on channel 35 past February 17, 2009.

Sorry it isn't more glamorous than it is, but this is a case when it is NOT "better to look good than to feel good!"