05/21/2024
Why can't I receive ch4 on my antenna? (WARNING, this is going to be long winded)
I get this email and calls daily about this, so let's try to explain some of the issues.
First off, most of the new "HD" antennas do not even cover the frequency WHBF broadcasts on. We are a "Low VHF" station broadcasting at 69Mhz. Several "HD" antennas are UHF only, most are VHF/UHF, but the only cover "High VHF".
Low VHF 54-88Mhz
FM Radio 88-108Mhz
Aircraft, Ham Radio and Marine Radio 118-173Mhz
High VHF 174-216Mhz
UHF 470-602Mhz
There should be a frequency range listed on the antenna you are buying, some show it on the box, some have a label on the antenna, some you need to look up on the manufacture website.
54-602Mhz will receive all broadcast channels ( the numbers might show less than 54 and greater than 602 to make it look more impressive, but 54-88, 174-216, and 470-602Mhz are the range for all US based TV broadcasts)
174-602Mhz, will get every station, except WHBF in the QC area.
Before the HD conversion in 2009, we were almost all VHF stations, but we all had to add UHF stations to broadcast both analog and HD, several stations retained their UHF signal and shut down the VHF stations once HD took over, the owners of WHBF at that time decided to retain their VHF station, this is why we are still a Low VHF station, several stations around the country did this, we just happen to be the only one in this market that did so.
Before you ask, no, we can't just switch to UHF, this requires several studies to be done, permission from the FCC, new antenna and new transmitter. Millions of dollars and a few years of government paperwork. This is why we also broadcast WHBF on 26.4
Long story short, if the antenna you are looking at does not list the frequencies covered, it is most likely UHF only, if it lists VHF/UHF, most likely is High VHF/UHF, especially if it includes FM blocking, that means it will block any frequency under 174Mhz.
Antennas that are FM/VHF/UHF are likely to cover Low VHF frequencies but be sure to find the frequency covered on the antenna before you buy it, especially before you climb on the roof or up in the attic to install it and then find out it doesn't work.
Feel free to message us for antenna recommendations. I am happy to share what types we use with you and tips to make sure you can view us.
