We’re Moving! (But only to serve you better! 😊)
KVCR / Empire PBS is having a new Television and Radio Tower built in connection with our recent participation in the FCC broadcast spectrum repack with the San Bernardino Community College District, and on March 25th, 2019, we will be moving to a new VHF channel—but once our viewers who watch us over-the-air re-scan their televisions, we will remain on Channel 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 and 24.4.
This is only a Test!
During our final construction and testing period, from February to March 2019, we may be intermittently operating at reduced power. We appreciate your patience during this transition period and we’re genuinely excited to have an enhanced capacity to reach you over-the-air, as our new Tower will be increasing in height from 150 feet to 345 feet!
Need help with your viewing issues?
Contact Empire PBS Program Manager at bholland@kvcr.org or at 909-384-4335.
What do viewers need to do?
If you have a Cable or Satellite connection – there is no action you need to take. Your provider should update your channels automatically. If you have Cable or Satellite, and are having trouble finding our channels, please call your provider.
The new channel configuration was needed because the FCC held a nationwide spectrum auction of television station bandwidths, to expand wireless services in order to meet the increasing needs for faster and higher capacity mobile broadband services. Empire PBS, a licensee of the San Bernardino Community College District, participated in the broadcast spectrum auction.
If you watch channel 24 on an over-the-air antenna, you needed to make some adjustments to your television and/or antenna.
If you have already scanned your television, but are having reception issues, here are some trouble-shooting techniques:
VHF/UHF TV Antenna Suggestions
In the Empire PBS coverage area, as of March 25th, you will need a VHF/UHF antenna in order to receive all of our programming.
If you are within a 60 mile range of Moreno Valley (or within range of our tower at KJHP in the Desert Cities) an indoor antenna is likely all you will need to receive our signal.
If you live farther away from these points, you may need to consider an outdoor antenna that is installed above your roof line.
It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all antenna.
Scanning Your Television
First, remember if you watch television over cable or satellite you don’t have to scan.
If you watch television over the air using an antenna you WILL need to SCAN. Typically, you use your remote to perform the scan. You can follow the steps in your owner’s manual or look online. Since the process is a little different for each brand of TV we have provided some of the top television manufacturers’ information on how to perform a scan. The process will vary depending on the model you have.
Why is it happening?
As a result of the FCC spectrum auction, the SBCCD board participated to move from our previous bandwidth. The FCC wanted more bandwidth for cellular companies and they came up with the idea of a reverse spectrum auction that would accomplish that goal.
What is changing?
Only our frequency—once you’ve rescanned, there should be no loss to any of our channels.
What do we need to do to receive programming?
Cable & Satellite --- If you access Empire PBS through Cable or Satellite, the provider will take care of everything and there should be no disruption.
Over-the-Air -- If you watch with an over-the-air antenna than you will need to scan, auto-tune or run the channel set-up. Some systems will do this automatically.
What do you mean, Scan?
Your television remote control will help you perform the scan - there should be a button titled "Settings", "Scan", "Setup", "Menu", or something similar. Once you find that menu, you will need to choose the option that will start a process where the television 'scans' the airwaves and stores the channel for each signal it is able to receive. Once started the television will seem to run through each channel (without you needing to use the channel up/down arrows on your remote) and will create and store an updated list. Your television screen will not show channel schedules or any other show while it is performing the scan. You will not be able to change or select a channel while the scan is being performed. If this is happening, then you are on the right track. Once the rescan iscomplete the television will default to the first channel that it found and will return full control of the television. Your scan will be complete. Try going to channel 24 and make sure you are receiving all four KVCR channels.
Do we need a different antenna?
If you receive our channels now you likely won't have to get a new antenna. If you use an antenna in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, you should just be able to scan and receive the realigned channels. If you are in an outlying area and watching with an antenna, you should scan your television. If you don't see the realigned channels, you may need a stronger antenna.
We have no relationship with antenna manufacturers, but from our experience and user reviews, we suggest a Mohu Leaf 30 or 65 or a Clear Stream 2 Max.
KVCR / Empire PBS is having a new Television and Radio Tower built in connection with our recent participation in the FCC broadcast spectrum repack with the San Bernardino Community College District, and on March 25th, 2019, we will be moving to a new VHF channel—but once our viewers who watch us over-the-air re-scan their televisions, we will remain on Channel 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 and 24.4.
This is only a Test!
During our final construction and testing period, from February to March 2019, we may be intermittently operating at reduced power. We appreciate your patience during this transition period and we’re genuinely excited to have an enhanced capacity to reach you over-the-air, as our new Tower will be increasing in height from 150 feet to 345 feet!
Need help with your viewing issues?
Contact Empire PBS Program Manager at bholland@kvcr.org or at 909-384-4335.
What do viewers need to do?
If you have a Cable or Satellite connection – there is no action you need to take. Your provider should update your channels automatically. If you have Cable or Satellite, and are having trouble finding our channels, please call your provider.
The new channel configuration was needed because the FCC held a nationwide spectrum auction of television station bandwidths, to expand wireless services in order to meet the increasing needs for faster and higher capacity mobile broadband services. Empire PBS, a licensee of the San Bernardino Community College District, participated in the broadcast spectrum auction.
If you watch channel 24 on an over-the-air antenna, you needed to make some adjustments to your television and/or antenna.
If you have already scanned your television, but are having reception issues, here are some trouble-shooting techniques:
- Assure your antenna is capable of receiving a VHF/UHF signal
- Channels 24.1, 24.2, 24.3, 24.4 will be only broadcast on VHF after March 25, 2019.
- Many antennas were designed to receive only UHF channels
- For best reception, have your antenna as high as possible in your house, close to a window
- Antenna should be aimed at our new tower on Box Springs Mountain in Moreno Valley.
- Using your television remote, perform a channel scan. Your television remote may use a different term if you cannot locate this function, contact your television manufacturer customer support.
- Each time you make an adjustment to your antenna placement you will need to scan and verify the correct channels were recognized by your television.
VHF/UHF TV Antenna Suggestions
In the Empire PBS coverage area, as of March 25th, you will need a VHF/UHF antenna in order to receive all of our programming.
If you are within a 60 mile range of Moreno Valley (or within range of our tower at KJHP in the Desert Cities) an indoor antenna is likely all you will need to receive our signal.
If you live farther away from these points, you may need to consider an outdoor antenna that is installed above your roof line.
It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all antenna.
Scanning Your Television
First, remember if you watch television over cable or satellite you don’t have to scan.
If you watch television over the air using an antenna you WILL need to SCAN. Typically, you use your remote to perform the scan. You can follow the steps in your owner’s manual or look online. Since the process is a little different for each brand of TV we have provided some of the top television manufacturers’ information on how to perform a scan. The process will vary depending on the model you have.
Why is it happening?
As a result of the FCC spectrum auction, the SBCCD board participated to move from our previous bandwidth. The FCC wanted more bandwidth for cellular companies and they came up with the idea of a reverse spectrum auction that would accomplish that goal.
What is changing?
Only our frequency—once you’ve rescanned, there should be no loss to any of our channels.
What do we need to do to receive programming?
Cable & Satellite --- If you access Empire PBS through Cable or Satellite, the provider will take care of everything and there should be no disruption.
Over-the-Air -- If you watch with an over-the-air antenna than you will need to scan, auto-tune or run the channel set-up. Some systems will do this automatically.
What do you mean, Scan?
Your television remote control will help you perform the scan - there should be a button titled "Settings", "Scan", "Setup", "Menu", or something similar. Once you find that menu, you will need to choose the option that will start a process where the television 'scans' the airwaves and stores the channel for each signal it is able to receive. Once started the television will seem to run through each channel (without you needing to use the channel up/down arrows on your remote) and will create and store an updated list. Your television screen will not show channel schedules or any other show while it is performing the scan. You will not be able to change or select a channel while the scan is being performed. If this is happening, then you are on the right track. Once the rescan iscomplete the television will default to the first channel that it found and will return full control of the television. Your scan will be complete. Try going to channel 24 and make sure you are receiving all four KVCR channels.
Do we need a different antenna?
If you receive our channels now you likely won't have to get a new antenna. If you use an antenna in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, you should just be able to scan and receive the realigned channels. If you are in an outlying area and watching with an antenna, you should scan your television. If you don't see the realigned channels, you may need a stronger antenna.
We have no relationship with antenna manufacturers, but from our experience and user reviews, we suggest a Mohu Leaf 30 or 65 or a Clear Stream 2 Max.