FCC, area broadcasters sponsor DTV clinics

With the June 12 deadline for transition from an analog to digital signal only days away, the Federal Communications Commission in cooperation with area broadcasters will sponsor DTV clinics in Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Ill., and Paducah, Ky. FCC representatives will be on hand to answer questions, demonstrate how to hook up a DTV converter box and pass out literature.

The first clinic will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark Ave.

The McCracken County Public Library, 555 Washington St. in Paducah, will host the second clinic. It will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The final clinic will take place from noon to 8 p.m. every day through June 19 at the Carbondale Public Library, 405 West Main St.

Just after midnight Friday, KFVS12 in Cape Girardeau and other stations throughout the United States will begin transferring from their digital signal from UHF channel 57 to VHF channel 12. If things go as planned, the digital signal should be back on the air by 3 a.m. Friday, according to KFVS12 marketing director Paul Keener.

"We are one of a few stations that are actually changing frequencies at the same time that we shut down the analog signal," said Keener. "That's why, for all antenna viewers, it is essential that they remember to perform a channel re-scan function on their converter boxes or digital receivers as soon as they can after the transition."

Keener said viewers with digital signal problems after the switch should call KFVS12 toll-free at 1-877-294-4422.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

310 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO