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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

March 2010 RMT & Tsunami Warning Test

ARCSTV successfully received and retransmitted the March RMT at 0949 local time, March 24, 2010.  This exercise also served as the annual statewide tsunami warning communications test.  The test in the recording presented here was viewed at the APBI offices in Anchorage using a 3.0 meter C-band dish and a Scientific Atlanta D9223 receiver. The recording was made using a VHS tape recorder with audio source taken from the left channel of audio output #1.

This recording positively demonstrates the successful execution of the drill and delivery of the test material.  Below the recording is the printout from the Sage ENDEC confidence decoder at the APBI offices, showing that the test signal as delivered by ARCSTV was properly distributed and relay-capable.  The ARCSTV signal is available to any person or organization in possession of a properly installed and functioning C-band satellite antenna and an MPEG-II DVB satellite receiver.

ARCSTV's primary mission is to serve the residents of bush Alaska through a network of over 200 low-power analog television transmitters, but ARCSTV is also used by commercial and non-commercial broadcasters around the state as a monitored source for their EAS facilities.

 Sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air. 


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ARCS, Digital Television, and The Future


You have probably heard a lot about Digital Television and the upcoming February deadline when “all TV must be digital”. Well, not exactly. Even after February 2009, ARCS will still be “Analog” and your current TV will work just the same way it does now. You won’t need to make any changes to keep watching because ARCS is a “low-power” television system that is not required by the FCC to convert to digital at this time.

The FCC has required some 1,700 full-power stations nationwide to meet this conversion deadline. However there are nearly 7,000 low-power transmitters across the USA, just like ARCS, which are not yet required to convert. Most of these transmitters serve viewers in rural communities.

ARCS probably will convert to digital in the next three to five years, so eventually you will need to do something. One thing you can do right now is check out the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. Created by Congress, this program allows households to get up to two coupons, each worth $40, for use in obtaining a box that will convert over-the-air digital television signals for viewing on an analog television set. Even though you won’t need a converter to watch ARCS in the near term, you can still get your coupons, use them to purchase converters at the reduced cost, and then keep them for future use. You can find out more at http://www.dtv2009.gov/ or by calling toll free, 888-388-2009.

Meanwhile we continue to work with volunteers across the state, in more than 230 communities, to repair and maintain the ARCS system.

Would you like to help keep ARCS going in your community? Send an email to arcstv@gmail.com.