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DTV UpdateKSWB-DT Ready to Sign-onGary Stigall, CSTE (June 7, 2000) San Diego's "Double-You-Be" is ready to air a digital signal, except for one hitch—their channel is occupied. KBNT-LP, San Diego's Univision outlet atop Mt. Palomar was allotted channel 19 for low power TV years ago. With DTV reallocations over a year ago, the FCC gave channel 19 to KSWB. For its part, Entravision, parent of KBNT-LP and operator of XHUPN, promptly filed for relief under a provision of the FCC rules allowing low power outlets to find an alternative channel if it meets separation requirements. Philip Wilkinson, local General Manager, says they filed to move to channel 20 on Mt. Palomar and received a construction permit from the FCC. In order to alleviate interference farther south from adjacent-channel KSWB, they also filed, and received approval, for channel 53 on Mt. San Miguel. The only event keeping them off the air is coordination with Mexico. The Mexican SCT (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes) has yet to nod to the two new channels. Meanwhile, according to Wilkinson, KSWB has agreed not to sign-on till at least June 15. If they do sign on before Mexico releases the new channels, KBNT still has coverage on cable, in the La Jolla area from KNSD-LP on channel 62, and in Barrio Logan and National City from the KSON tower on K17DI, channel 17. This winter, KSWB(TV) Chief Engineer John Weigand says they installed a Harris Diamond-series 5 kW transmitter with a temporary antenna. They proofed the new Mt. San Miguel transmitter in February. Weigand has applied for eventual full power at 312 kW. Like sister Tribune station KTLA to the north, they are using a Faroudja upconverter and NDS HDTV encoder. Weigand says that Warner Brothers currently has no HDTV service, but that they are gearing up to provide it sometime this winter. |
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