
From WRAL-TV Chief Engineer Pete Sockett: On July 10, 2019, CBC put up a new side-mount antenna for WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV. In Sept, we will start broadcasting from it while we replace the antennas on the top of the tower!!
By now WRAL-TV viewers know about the Rescan Day on September 11, 2019, originally slated for September 6 but postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. (To continue receiving the signal for WRAL-TV and FOX 50, viewers watching via antenna need to rescan their television sets.). But behind the scenes at CBC, preparing for the rescan has involved much more.
Capcom sat down with WRAL-TV Transmitter Supervisor Matt Brandes to find out what CBC had to do to prepare for the big day.
Basically, every major station in our market has to change channels to clear the spectrum that Congress sold to the wireless folks, explained Brandes.
He continued, All of the stations except for WTVD in our market are in Phase 5. Phase 5 has a target date of September 6, 2019 [which got bumped to Sept 11 due to the weather]. On that day everybody is supposed to be on their new channel.
Brandes outlined the channel changes that will be happening, which he called the dance :
WRAL is going from channel 48 to channel 17,
WRAZ is going from channel 49 to channel 15,
WNCN is going from channel 17 to channel 8,
WLFL is going from channel 27 to channel 18,
WRDC is going from channel 28 to channel 14.
He noted, These are all physical channels, they will all still display the original analog channel on your TV like they do now.
In order to make the change happen for WRAL-TV and FOX 50, CBC decided to put up interim antennas on the new channels. New interim side-mounted antennas were placed at the WRAL-TV Transmitter in Auburn, NC.
Brandes gave the technical details to Capcom:
That antenna is 65 feet long and weighs about 3,000 lbs. These interim antennas are not quite at the top of the tower. When the time comes we will turn the new channels at about 1700 on and turn off the old channels at the tower top. Once there are no stations operating from the tower top we will remove all of the old main antennas on top and install new ones. Then the interim antennas will become our aux or backup antennas.
Its not certain yet but we may be using a helicopter to do the tower top antennas. Some of the tower top antennas can weigh between 10,000 and 20,000 lbs which is close to the capacity of a lifting helicopter.
On top of all that, our transmitters cant be re-tuned to the new channels and there wasnt room in the old building for both the new and old ones so we have built another wing at the DTV site and are installing 2 new transmitters.
WRAL-TV produced a video for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) back at the beginning of the process, which explains. (NOTE: Brandes is that guy waving on top of the tower in the video):
Brandes and the engineering team at WRAL-TV have spent the past two to three years working on and preparing for the rescan change.
Capcom: Rescan Your Channels on Sept. 11
Find instructions on how to rescan as well as contact information in case you have trouble HERE
Thanks to WRAL-TVs Pete Sockett & Matt Brandes for these capcom photos.
From WRAL-TV Chief Engineer Pete Sockett: On July 10, 2019, CBC put up a new side-mount antenna for WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV. In Sept, we will start broadcasting from it while we replace the antennas on the top of the tower!!
From WRAL-TV Chief Engineer Pete Sockett: On July 10, 2019, CBC put up a new side-mount antenna for WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV. In Sept, we will start broadcasting from it while we replace the antennas on the top of the tower!!
CBC built another wing at the DTV Transmitter site and installed 2 new transmitters to handle the new channels to which WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV will be tuned on September 11, 2019.
A lunch pow wow before the new antenna goes on the tower at the WRAL-TV Transmitter site on July 10, 2019: WRAL-TV Producer Scott Reid (left), _______, WRAL-TV Chief Engineer Pete Sockett & Corp President & COO Jimmy Goodmon.
CBC built another wing at the DTV Transmitter site and installed 2 new transmitters to handle the new channels to which WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV will be tuned on September 11, 2019. Here is the transmitter supporting WRAZ-TV.
CBC built another wing at the DTV Transmitter site and installed 2 new transmitters to handle the new channels to which WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV will be tuned on September 11, 2019.
CBC built another wing at the DTV Transmitter site and installed 2 new transmitters to handle the new channels to which WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV will be tuned on September 11, 2019.
The line for the new antenna goes up at the WRAL-TV Transmitter site in Auburn, NC. New antenna were necessary for the new channels for WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV for the FCC rescan on September 11, 2019.
From WRAL-TV Chief Engineer Pete Sockett: On July 10, 2019, CBC put up a new side-mount antenna for WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV. In Sept, we will start broadcasting from it while we replace the antennas on the top of the tower!!
From WRAL-TV Chief Engineer Pete Sockett: On July 10, 2019, CBC put up a new side-mount antenna for WRAL-TV and WRAZ-TV. In Sept, we will start broadcasting from it while we replace the antennas on the top of the tower!!
Most recent headlines
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
04/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...
04/07/2025
The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a ...
04/07/2025
Introducing CVP Auctions: Trusted Tech, At Auction-Only Prices
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
A New Destination for Film and Broadcast Gear at U...
04/07/2025
Unveiling China's Ecological Wonders with URSA Mini Pro 12K
Brie Clayton July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Nature Documentaries Freeze Epic Momentsin Extrem...
04/07/2025
Create Any Planet in After Effects
Graham Quince July 4, 2025
0 Comments
The Advanced 3D renderer in After Effects makes it really easy to import 3D o...
04/07/2025
Custom Gradient Colorize for Resolve Fusion
Simon Ubsdell July 4, 2025
0 Comments
Digging into the theory of the gradient colorize process to build ou...
04/07/2025
Watching live sports on TV these days is a delicate balance for broadcasters how much information is too much?...
04/07/2025
WASHINGTON As Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr works to achieve his goal of a very busy, productive summer at the FCC, the agency has rele...
04/07/2025
Other World Computing Launches OWC Guardian USB-C Hardware-Encrypted Portable SS...
04/07/2025
CANAL Brings MotoGP to Vision Pro with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive
Brie Clayton July 3, 2025
0 Comments
Experience MotoGP like never before as CA...
04/07/2025
Friday 4 July 2025
Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Od5WpvWmDr8
Further...
04/07/2025
The Pitch comes to RT Radio 1 airwaves this Sunday at 7pm. The Pitch is a brand...
03/07/2025
For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...
03/07/2025
One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit!
Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit!
Our i...
03/07/2025
The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...
03/07/2025
What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London!
We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography.
A huge thank ...
03/07/2025
ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode
Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...
03/07/2025
To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...
03/07/2025
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....
03/07/2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...
03/07/2025
As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, TV Tech's ...
03/07/2025
Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...
03/07/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....
03/07/2025
WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...
03/07/2025
PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....
03/07/2025
Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...
03/07/2025
For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...
03/07/2025
Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...
03/07/2025
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...
03/07/2025
Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...
03/07/2025
Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...
03/07/2025
nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...
03/07/2025
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...
03/07/2025
Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...
03/07/2025
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...
03/07/2025
Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...
03/07/2025
Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...
03/07/2025
Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...
03/07/2025
Back to All News
Get Ready for Even More Action! Netflix Has Confirmed the Thir...
03/07/2025
Back to All News
Get ready for even more action! Netflix has confirmed the thir...
03/07/2025
In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...
03/07/2025
** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...
03/07/2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...
03/07/2025
The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025
Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...
03/07/2025
The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...
02/07/2025
Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...