Channel 13 – CTVBC-   is currently off the air.    Our transmitter was damaged during the widespread power outage on July 2nd.

We are working hard to restore service.      Since the transmitter is nearly 40 years old, spare parts are almost impossible to locate.     As a result, we will be installing a new power amplifier for Channel 13.     Hopefully, this will happen within the next 10 days or so.    Please be patient, we will be back !!

Good news.     We are finally switching Knowledge Network – Channel 18 to Digital.     This will allow us to add 3 additional channels and provide High Definition TV .     The additional channels are: CBC Vancouver, Family Channel and Discovery Channel .     These are the same channels currently being broadcast in the Smithers Area.

The change is expected to happen in the next few weeks.     New equipment needs to be installed and tested.

In order to receive our new digital channels;   you will need either a flat screen TV ( less than 10 years old ) or a digital adaptor box.      If  you are still using an old CRT (Tube) type TV,   the most economical choice is to purchase a Flat Screen TV.     Flat screen tvs continue to decrease in cost and increase in size.

If you have a Flat Screen TV, you will need to  do a new channel scan in order to receive our digital channels.     You will know we have gone digital when all you see on Channel 18 is snow.     We will also post a message on Channel 8.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email or telephone.

This message is directed at those viewers who are currently watching our digital channels in Smithers, or those who may be unaware of the existence of these channels.

This week we are changing all of our digital channels to full High Definition signals.     This will give higher resolution, sharper pictures and colour.

However, some older flat screen tvs may not be able to handle the improved signals.     If you currently cannot view Channels 203 (Family Channel) or Channel 202 (Discovery);  you have one of these tvs.       The best solution is to purchase a new flat screen TV;  this will protect you from any future changes to our TV signals.     Flat screen TVs have never been cheaper and are really a better option than the purchase of a digital convertor box.

To be sure whether your TV has this problem;  there is one step you can take before buying a new flat screen TV.       Do a channel scan on your TV and see if this brings back Channels 202 & 203.

If you have any questions, please read some of our other posts or contact us.    We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

PS.   Viewers in the Houston area can look forward to finally  being able to receive these same channels in the spring !

2019 Annual General Meeting

September 12th, 2019 – Thursday

The Old Church – King & First – Smithers

7:30 PM

Everyone is welcome to our Annual General Meeting – refreshments will be served.      If you want to learn how to receive our FREE LOCAL TV signals – information will be provided at the meeting or you can email or phone us.

The transmitter for CBC Radio 2 (88.1 – Stereo ) in the Smithers area is currently down for repairs, since mid December 2018.        We are currently waiting for repairs to be completed.     I do not have a firm date for this, but we hope to have it back on the air by the end of January.     Please be patient,   I know many people miss their morning dose of classical music (   Radio 2 is the first station I turn on each morning – so I feel your pain.)

The 2018 AGM will be held in Smithers this year.

Thursday –  September 20th – 2018

Old Church

Corner of First Avenue and King St.

Everyone is welcome, refreshments served.

If you have any interest in the Future of  Free

TV in this area;   please attend our AGM ( no prior membership

required. )

For more information you can call Richard at 250-847-2838

As viewers in Topley are aware,    Channel 11- CTV has been off the air for some months.     However,  we are returning Channel 11 to full operation as of Monday- September  17th   ( Snow permitting of course !).

We have been finally able to afford to purchase the new power amplifier required for the transmitter.      Since the required parts cost nearly $1000, we had to wait for our annual grant for 2018 from the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako.      This was not received until nearly the end of August.

We have recently revised and adopted a new constitution and bylaws to bring the Society in conformity with the new BC Society Act.

The new constitution can be read here:  HSRS Constitution 2018

The new Bylaws can be read here:  HSRS Bylaws 2018

We are currently experiencing difficulties with our Channel 18 transmitter in Houston.    This is due to transmitter damage resulting  from the unprecedented icing problems on our transmit antennas on the CBC Tower on Mt. Harry Davis.

This winter has been the worst year  in our history, for icing problems on our transmit antennas.

Unfortunately it will be a at least a week before we can make repairs.    The forthcoming warmer weather expected may help remove the ice ( as long as we don’t get more freezing rain on the mountain).

We apologize to our viewers for these problems and promise to get them fixed as soon as possible.

This week we began a soft launch for our HD digital channels being broadcast from our Hudson Bay site on Channel 20.      We have launched  The Knowledge Network and The Discovery Channel in HD.   For the next week or so, there may be brief interruptions in the signal while we try to tweek the transmitter settings for optimum performance.

Once this is done, we will launch The Family Channel and CBC Vancouver in HD.

Please be patient, the wait will be worth it !