Posted at: 10/23/2009 12:03 PM

ABC 6 Working To Resolve Reception Problems

KAAL TV, the ABC affiliate serving areas including Austin, Albert Lea and Rochester, Minnesota and Mason City, Iowa began airing exclusively on Channel 36, near Grand Meadow on October 9th as part of the nationwide transition to Digital TV. Since the switch, ABC 6 has heard from many viewers in the western part of our viewing area, Freeborn and Mower counties and portions of Iowa, who are experiencing difficulty receiving our signal. The majority of reception problems affect people using rabbit ears and antennas. ABC 6 Engineers are answering questions and trying to fix problems as quickly as possible. Every viewer call or e-mail is getting a personal response.

Over the next two weeks additional crews are being added to enable the ABC 6 Engineering team to work around the clock to finalize our transition to full power on the Grand Meadow tower. During this period, there may be a two-day period in which over-the-air viewers will experience further signal loss. In fact, some western area viewers may experience complete signal loss. To alleviate the issue of interrupting peak demand times, the maintenance will be scheduled on Saturday & Sunday, 10/31-11/1. Viewers receiving their signal via Direct TV and Dish should not be affected.

Chief Engineer Wendell Nelson commented on how important it is to get this message to viewers. "We are fully committed to resolving these problems as soon as possible. The entire ABC 6 Staff thanks viewers for their patience as we strive to bring everyone in the viewing area the best signal and picture quality that we possibly can."

ABC 6 recommends that all viewers who use an antenna follow these steps in order to receive the ABC 6 television signal. Unplug your converter box or digital TV, leave it unplugged for 15 to 20 minutes then plug in and rescan according to the directions that came with your converter box. Many viewers are reporting back to ABC 6 that this process works. Finally, re-aim your antenna to point toward Channel 36 near Grand Meadow.

For the latest information on how your area will be affected, visit the ABC 6 website at and click on DTV Update located right under the playback screen on the home page. If you still have questions, we encourage you to call ABC 6 at 507-437-6666 and leave contact information. Engineering staff will return your call.