Indian Wells Valley TV Booster, Inc.
P.O. Box 562
Ridgecrest, CA 92556-0562
760-375-0233
October 15, 2003
Dear Friends and Supporters of TV Booster:
The role played by the TV Booster in the life of the Indian Wells Valley used to be easy to describe and fulfill, but of late both have become difficult to do. When in the 1960s we supported the only broadcast TV signals available locally, we supplied seven channels and got all the support needed to keep that going. Now there are alternative sources (pre-recorded tape and DVDs, cable and several types of satellite service, and internet streaming video) and it is difficult to get valley residents to understand why they should support something that should be "free."
Providing the TV signals now is chancier, too, as the rules of the game seem to change faster than we can adapt. In the 1970s we replaced microwave television signals with broadcast UHF television signals from Laurel Mountain to comply with FCC regulations. That at least allowed us to add five more television signals (especially PBS). But now the FCC wants to take away 9 of your 12 UHF channels, and to convert over from regular TV broadcast to digital broadcasts too. But the FCC has not yet adopted rules permitting translation of digital television signals, which must be done before planning for the conversion can begin.
The one good thing in all this is that many digital television stations include a copy of the regular definition signal embedded in their high definition signal. This should make it possible to improve reception of certain stations like Fox-KTTV, supposing that the digital version of that station can be consistently pulled in at Laurel Mountain and that it has the embedded standard definition signal. When translation of digital broadcasts are authorized, we will also be able to provide a digital signal from Laurel Mountain and a regular television signal from "B" Mountain, given that the same suppositions above are satisfied. With luck, continued availability of volunteer workers, and support of the viewing public of the IWV, we should be able to get through challenging changes better than ever.
We mail this newsletter only once each year to get the lowest bulk mailing rate. So, if you have already sent a donation, we thank you for your support. Your donations are essential and are very much appreciated.
Ed Middlemiss
President
Please mark any name or address changes on the reverse side of this page, sending it and your contribution to IWV TV Booster, PO Box 562, Ridgecrest, CA 93556-0562. To save postage, we do not send a receipt unless you request one. Contributions are not tax-deductible.