The University of Nebraska’s KUON-TV/12 (Lincoln) is the latest in a series of stations seeking a frequency change from VHF to UHF to alleviate indoor reception problems.
KUON, which is the flagship station of Nebraska Public Media’s PBS network, tells the FCC that it has had a “long history of dealing with severe reception problems especially after the analog to digital conversion” and submitted dozens of viewer complaints as part of its application.
It currently transmits with 75kW on channel 12 and is seeking approval to use 650kW on channel 27.
Though KUON’s transmitter is midway between Lincoln and Omaha, the application specifies that the station is concerned with viewer reception in Lincoln itself. Omaha is served by a separate Nebraska Public Media station, KYNE-TV/26.1, which already transmits on UHF.
Issues with reception of VHF digital TV reception have been well-documented in the industry, especially for users of indoor antennas. Smaller, modern antenna designs that fill store shelves often do not have the long “rabbit ear” elements necessary for reliable VHF reception.
NBC affiliate KSNB-TV/4.1 (York-Lincoln) is among many stations nationwide that have moved from VHF to UHF frequencies, completing a relocation to RF channel 24 earlier this year. Similar moves have also been made within the past year by stations in Minneapolis and Green Bay.
Lincoln has two other stations transmitting on VHF frequencies, ABC affiliate KLKN/8.1 and CBS affiliate KOLN-TV/10.1. However, both stations relay their programming on low-power UHF signals in the capital city.
In contrast, nearby Omaha is an all-UHF market.
A move by KUON to channel 27 would force low-power TV station KFDY-LD/27 (Lincoln) to change channels.