pic: Al Kills Analog

[Andrew Schreiber]

For some reason I always feel depressed when old technology is removed (disabled) for new technology.

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

For some reason I always feel depressed when old technology is removed (disabled) for new technology.

In this case, it wasn't removed or disabled. It was brought back on the air 6 hours later on RF channel 12 for WBBM-DT.

[MrForbes]

Students take note: analog meters, thumbwheels, illuminated pushbutton switches, mechanical time counters, seven segment LEDs....all kinds of neat 70s stuff! too bad there aren't any nixies

We lost a station with the transition. One of the Tucson stations had been transmitting digital on Channel 35 and analog on Channel 9, and decided to turn off 35 and go digital on 9...which is VHF...and we have a UHF antenna, and they're far away. Oh well.

[IKE]

Video killed the Radio Star, and now Al kills Analog. What is this world coming to? When will the murders stop....

Congrats Al. That is really cool. Was it really just pressing a button?

[gburlison]

Originally Posted by squirrel

We lost a station with the transition. One of the Tucson stations had been transmitting digital on Channel 35 and analog on Channel 9, and decided to turn off 35 and go digital on 9...which is VHF...and we have a UHF antenna, and they're far away. Oh well.

Well you are in the coverage area for channel 9, you just need to get a VHF antenna. But you probably new that already.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Yes, it was just pressing the button for the last and final time. Button kills the 50 volt, 800 amp power supply. The next time that transmitter comes back on, it will have been converted to a digital linear amp capable of 18kW but only licensed for 1800 Watts. The transmitter is not that old, early 90's, all solid state power Motorola FET design made in Missasauga, Ontario.

[KelliV]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Yes, it was just pressing the button for the last and final time.

It's awesome that you got to do this. The switch has been the biggest buzz in our TV department since the finale of Lost. You're lucky to be a part of the end of an era. Yet another reason that you are the most influential mentor I have ever had.

-Kelli