Grant, MI (WZZM) - WZZM 13's tower in Grant sends a signal to every TV set in the viewing area.
Inside the site, engineers and contractors are hard at work preparing for the digital switch.
"We're converting this cabinet to digital for February 17th," said Chuck Mikowski, Vice President of Technology at WZZM.
For that to happen all three cabinets will be shut off. So, for one hour and a half starting at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday, the analog signal was turned off.
"If you think you passed and you get snow at 11:35 p.m. or no picture then you know you're watching analog because it's only affecting analog viewers with an off antenna," said Mikowski,
Once power was restored, only the remaining two cabinets will be sending the analog signal. Hired contractors are cutting copper pipes which eventually will be attached to the main cabinet. Those pipes will carry the digital signal to the antenna on the tower.
"We're on Channel 39 UHF for digital for right now," said Mikowski.
Those of you now watching on a digital TV are getting that signal from this UHF, transmitter which is temporary until the main transmitter cabinet gets its digital upgrade. Then, digital sets and analog sets with converter boxes will go back to channel 13 on a digital VHF signal.
"Why that's important is, on February 18th you need to re-scan for channels," said Mikowski.
After the transition, WZZM will remain on Channel 13.
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