Passport
Recent WHA-TV Viewing Area Reception Issues
April 18, 2013 Leave a Comment
We heard a lot about frustrating reception difficulties during this past week in our WHA-TV viewing area and we’ve talked to our engineers to find out what happened. Despite the 39 degree temperatures on the ground, it was actually much colder at the top of our WHA-TV tower at 1,400 feet where the falling rain covered the transmitter with thick ice. This ice cover forced us to significantly reduce the transmitter power. Eventually we had to revert back to our standby antenna just to stay on the air. This emergency backup unfortunately limits our Madison-area signal — especially to the west. Our chief engineer even said he has never seen it this bad — workers had to take hard hats to the site to protect themselves from falling ice!
We apologize for the inconvenience this situation has caused for our viewers and we thank you for your patience as we worked to fix the situation. If you are still having trouble receiving Wisconsin Public Television over the air, please try rescanning your local channels via the setup menus in your television, digital converter box or cable or satellite receivers. If you have further questions about any reception difficulties you might be experiencing, please contact WPT’s Audience Services department at [email protected].
Thank you for watching!
Wisconsin Public Television Wisconsin Public Television Program PBS public television
Jeff Aulik says:
We have been having reception problems with WHA the last few weeks. Other Madison stations come in fine. Have there been any problems or changes to your signal or broadcast pattern up there that would affect Rockford?
Alyssa Beno says:
Jeff, we’re sorry to hear about the issues you’ve been having with reception. Please contact Audience Services at 800-422-9707 for assistance. We appreciate you reaching out.
Sally Lehman says:
As a supporter and sustainer for many years, and who views PBS Wisconsin as my most watched and trusted source of news, information and entertainment, I have been very upset by the problematic reception over the last few weeks. I spent 1 1/2 hrs on the phone yesterday with my service provider trying to figure out the problem. After reboots and other “fixes” they said they found no problems and I should contact the station. I finally found your site and explanation for the problem!
Thank you for speaking publicly to the problem. I look forward to continuing my devotion to PBS for years to come! My confidence is restored.
Alyssa Beno says:
Sally, we’re sorry to hear about the issues you’ve been having with reception. Please know you can contact Audience Services at 800-422-9707 for assistance. We appreciate you reaching out. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Kenneth R Kelleher says:
Just talked to ATT U-Verse about WHAHD reception and recordings being unwatchable due to jumping and skipping back and forth past several days to weeks or so. NO other channels give the same problem.
No WPT is a problem for me. ATT “says” they will contact WPT.
Meanwhile I watch National Geographic….
Magdalena Hauner says:
Hello,
I am a PBS Wisconsin viewer and supporter living in Madison. In the last 3 days or so the channel’s reception has been disrupted by frequent sound gaps. Sometimes only every fifth word can be heard. I have stopped watching the channel because of this.
No other channel on my TV has a problem.
Hope you can help.
Magdalena
Alyssa Beno says:
Hi Magdalena – we’re sorry to hear you’ve been having trouble with your reception. Please contact Audience Services at 800-422-9707. They’ll be able to help you.
Martha E. Gaines says:
Same problem here on the east side of Madison. What’s up with this?
kate gillette says:
Thank you for this info we appreciate your hard work Programing is wonderful!
ART says:
MY MOTHER WORK 35 YEARS FOR UNIVERISTY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON, I WORK FOR UNIVERISTY OF WISCONSIN MADISON, NOW RETIRED, I LIKE TO WATCH WHA TV PROGRAMS ON INTERNET, IS THS POSSIBLE.
WHA TV AND RADIO SHOULD ALL BE ON INTERNET. ART HAMM