To receive Free Over the Air Digital TV you need an antenna.
Yes.. antennas are back.
Unlike analog transmission, digital is "go" - "no go". When the receiver locks in, the picture is a perfect reproduction of what is sent.
Unlike analog, a DTV station can have more than one program. KYES-DT has three standard definition television and 2 audio programs.
To receive broadcast digital you need a DTV receiver, built into the TV or a separate set top box(STB-converter box). The least expensive STB cost less than $50.
An STB has analog RF, video, audio and possibly component outputs. The video output can be set to "normal" NTSC, which works with any TV having a video or "game' input. Also, video can be set High Definition to work with HDTV monitors.
If you own an HD monitor, it may already have a built in DTV receiver. If so, all you have to do is connect an antenna and adjust the antenna for maximum signal. Note: some built in receivers do not have a signal strength bar display... very bad.
To receive radio waves you need an antenna and you must adjust it to get enough signal. To receive KYES-DT you probably need to point a UHF outdoor antenna at our transmitter on the Hillside. Maybe not. Maybe rabbit ears will do, but probably not. Maybe your old outdoor antenna will do, but probably not. Try easy and inexpensive antennas first. Then try an outdoor antenna. If you install an antenna make it an all band with remote antenna rotator.*
For more information click on one of these links.
KYES-DT main page.
U. S. Government DTV page.
More about Antennas than you want to know.
Home Page.
Anchorage DTV stations on the air at this time [updated 11/28/08](October 18, 2005)
KAKM-DT RF Channel 8 - PBS-HD (7.1) and SD simulcast (7.2) of analog program, +360 North (7.3).
KTUU-DT RF Channel 10 - HD simulcast (2.1) and SD simulcast (2.2) of analog programs.
KIMO-DT RF Channel 12 - SD simulcast.
KTBY-DT RF Channel 20 - HD simulcast.
KYES-DT RF Channel 22.1 (Virtual Channel 5-1)(Kyes Analog Simulcast)
KYES-DT RF Channel 22.2 (Virtual Channel 5-1)(Retro TV)
KYES-DT RF Channel 22.3 (Virtual Channel 5-1)(Wealth TV)
[please note KYES plans to begin simulcast DTV on RF channels 5 (Eagle River) and 18 (Mount Susitna) in the near future]
-> Audio 5-50 KUDO-AM in hi-fi FM quality
-> Audio 5-51 KWMD
KTVA-DT Channel 28 (Virtual Channel 11-1)(KTVA-TV as seen on channel 11 simulcast)
KDMD-DT RF Channel 32 (Ion and Telemundo - 32.1 and 32.3)
* Note: In some areas of Anchorage, an outdoor antenna may not work well due to very strong FM signals.