Central Illinois entered the digital TV era with WAND. Interestingly enough, WAND, formerly WTVP was the first TV station to sign on the air in 1953! The last of the big 4 stations to go on the air with a full power digital high definition signal was WCIA. WCFN, WCIA's former translator has yet to go on the air with a full power signal. But.....the digital future is now.....it's free and on the air now! Here's the updated information on where your local TV stations will end up once analog broadcasting ends in February of 2009.
NEW NEW NEW 7/28/08, Technical information is included now with each station, listing effective radiated power, antenna height, transmiter/tower location, coverage area in square kilometers and population served.
| NTSC
Ch |
DTV
Ch |
Call
Letters |
HD
y/n/? |
Comments |
| 3 49 |
48 53 |
WCIA/WCFN WCFN/WCIA |
y y |
Champaign,
IL-WCIA-DT was the last of the central Illinois stations to broadcast
with a full power digital signal on March 23, 2007. WCIA-DT,
3.1 is the digital/high definition signal for WCIA. Audio-5.1:
The 5.1 audio is on, no matter what the program material
is. This gives you an echo on
non-5.1 material. The program guide on both 3.1 and 3.2 is
operational. A 16:9 video signal is High-Def, otherwise
it's upconverted 4:3. WCIA-DT, 3.2 is WCFN in a low definition quality, somewhat sub-par looking somewhat less than low-speed VHS video quality. WCIA-DT is on channel 48 and broadcasts from a side mounted antenna about 2/3rds up the tower at 241 meters, at 1000 kw. The transmitter site is near Seymour, Illinois west of Champaign along Illinois Rt. 10. This would give WCIA-DT a coverage area somewhat less than it's analog signal. According to reports, at the end of the analog signal term(February 17, 2009), WCIA will no longer be on channel 3, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 48, thus ending WCIA's commercial station monopoly as a VHF broadcaster in the market. It will probably continue to broadcast a WCIA/WCFN combo signal. Springfield, IL-WCFN-DT is still operating at relatively low power on Channel 53 from it's short tower site north of Rochester, Illinois in Sangamon County. WCFN-DT is at 53.1 with WCIA's digital signal being broadcast on 53.2(on displays, it will probably show 49.1 and 49.2.) It also broadcasts the HD signal of WCIA-DT. Cable systems picking up WCIA from this signal also will experience letterboxed video on HD programming as it's being downconverted to standard def for local cable distribution. Comcast Cable in Springfield is receiving WCIA's and WCFN's signal via fiber optic cable from Champaign and viewers experience a perfect signal, as it's not necessary for the cable to recieve the signals off-the-air. At the end of the analog signal term(on February 17, 2009), it's been reported that WCFN will become Channel 13, as no TV stations will operate analog or digital signals above channel 51. It will probably continue to broadcast a WCFN/WCIA combo signal. TECHNICAL INFO: WCIA-DT, ERP: 1000kW, HAAT: 245 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 400621, Longitude: 882700, Coverage Area: 23439 sq km, Population: 761,000 TECHNICAL INFO: WCFN-DT(Channel 13)-ERP: 5.08kW, HAAT: 183 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 394727, Longitute: 893053, Coverage Area: 19180 sq km, Population: 552,000 thanks to Rich Freimuth for select WCFN information |
| 12 |
9 |
WILL |
y |
Urbana,
IL-WILL-DT went on the air in September 2005. The main channel
12.1 is a
High Definition video signal separate from the standard WILL
signal. Also in 5.1 audio. Channel 12.2 is an upconverted
simulcast of it's analog signal. WILL-DT is broadcasting at
full power and of
excellent quality. Program guide available. (12.1) High Def
PBS, (12.2) WILL Analog channel, (12.-3) WILL-TV offers
instructional craft television. WILL-DT is on channel 9 and broadcasts from an antenna at 301 meters, at 30 kw. The transmitter site is north of the Allerton Park area along I-72 west of Monticello, Illinois. At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WILL will no longer be on channel 12, and will remain on it's digital channel 9. This will probably cause some reception problems for them, as they will be the only station in the market broadcasting on VHF. This will require those in the fringe areas, with what will eventually be the predominant UHF antenna to purchase an upper band VHF antenna to receive all channels in the market. TECHNICAL INFO: WILL-DT, ERP: 30kW, HAAT: 302 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 400218, Longitude: 884010, Coverage Area: 30142 sq km, Population: 1, 063,000 |
| 5 |
41 |
WICD |
y |
Champaign,
IL-WICD is at full power and offering ABC in Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV. Also 5.1 Audio
on program material which is 5.1, otherwise it's 2 channel stereo or
mono. Program guide available and working. The station
switches between
regular 2 channel stereo and 5.1 multichannel audio when program
material determines which is appropiate. WICD-DT is on channel 41 and broadcasts from an antenna side mounted on the tower at 378 meters, at 950 kw. The transmitter site is between Homer and Fithian, Illinois south of I-74. The coverage area of WICD-DT is larger than it's analog coverage area, and is one of the largest in the market. At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009),WICD will no longer be channel 15, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 41. TECHNICAL INFO: WICD-DT, ERP: 950 kW, HAAT: 375 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 400411, Longitude: 875445, Coverage Area: 28692 sq km, Population: 921,000 |
| 17 |
18 |
WAND |
y |
Decatur,
IL- WAND-DT was the first to bring
HDTV to central Illinois. Regular video will be seen
at regular 4:3 aspect radio. NBC HDTV will be at 16:9
aspect.
Full power at max
height Also broadcasts a second video channel (17-2) with local
weather
info. Program guide available and working. The
station switches between regular 2 channel stereo and 5.1 multichannel
audio when program material determines which is appropiate. WAND-DT is on channel 18 and broadcasts from a side mounted antenna just below the top analog antenna mast at 371 meters, at 350 kw. The transmiter site is located near Argenta-Oreana, Illinois and is the northern most tower on the west side of I-72. The one to the immediate south is WBUI. The former WBUI tower is located a few miles west-northwest of their current site. At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WAND will no longer be channel 17, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 18. It's unknown what will become of WAND's translator in Danville which currently operates analog on channel 31. Since it is a low power TV station, it could very well remain as an analog signal after the Feburary 2009 switch over, as with the other low power TV signals in the area. TECHNICAL INFO: WAND-DT, 350 kW, 375 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 395707, Longitude: 884955, Area: 25571 sq km, Population 913,000 |
| 18 |
11 |
WLFI |
y |
Lafayette,
IN-Broadcasts an HDTV
CBS signal, full power at max height. Regular video seen at 4:3
aspect ratio, HDTV will be seen at 16:9 aspect ratio. Also
broadcasts a second video channel (18-2) with local weather info.
Program
guide available. WLFI-DT is on channel 11 and broadcasts at 205 meters, at 30 kw. The transmitter site is located near Rossville, Indiana. It's coverage area is larger than it's analog coverage area. At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WLFI will no longer be on UHF channel 18, but will remain on it's digital VHF broadcast channel 11. TECHNICAL INFO: WLFI-DT, ERP: 30 kW, HAAT: 214 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 402320, Longitude: 863646, Area: 26854 sq km, Population: 2,022,000(high population because of coverage area over part of Indianapolis). NOTE: I haven't been able to receive WLFI-DT for quite some time, because my antenna rotor is locked up. If someone could send me an update on WLFI, I'd appreciate it! |
| 20 |
42 |
WICS |
y |
Springfield,
IL-WICS is at full power and offering ABC in Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV. Audio is
5.1. Program guide available. WICS-DT is on channel 42 and broadcasts at 398 meters, at 950 kw. The transmitter site is located near Mechanicsburg, Illinois a few miles south of I-72 east of Springfield. It is the western most tall tower in the area. The one to the east is that of WRSP. The other shorter towers are that of WCFN and WUIS(FM). At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WICS will no longer be on channel 20, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 42. TECHNICAL INFO: WICS-DT, ERP: 950 kW, HAAT: 402 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 394815, Longitude: 892740, Area: 29924 sq km, Population: 963,000 |
| 23 |
22 |
WBUI |
y |
Decatur,
IL-Broadcasts a digital signal full time. Regular video will be
seen at 4:3 aspect ratio. CW's hi def is at 16:9 aspect ratio.
Full
power at max hieight. Program guide available. 23.1
is a digital up-converted and high definition video signal, while 23.2
is a re-broadcast of it's analog signal. Audio is at 5.1
constantly which gives an echo effect on 2 channel stereo or mono. WBUI-DT is on channel 22 and broadcasts from a duel channel antenna at the mast at 401 meters, at 253 kw. The transmiter site is located near Argenta-Oreana, Illinois and is the southern most tower on the west side of I-72. The one to the immediate north is WAND. The former WBUI tower is located a few miles west-northwest of their current site. At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WBUI will no longer be on channel 23, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 22. TECHNICAL INFO: WBUI-DT, ERP: 253 kW, HAAT: 401 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 395656, Longitude: 885012, Area: 25397 sq k, Population: 918,000 |
| 27 |
26 |
WCCU |
y |
Urbana,
IL-WCCU is now at full power and offering FOX in
Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV.
27-2 is secondary language offering of regular programming. January 21, 2008-Gocom Media(owners of WRSP/WCCU/WBUI) has announced that the digital signal of WCCU is now separate from that of WRSP. That means that local news/commericals for WCCU will now be on 27.1. The audio signal is still 2.0 stereo, as the equipment for 5.1 surround has not been installed. The program guide is not operating. WCCU-DT is on channel 26 and broadcasts from a duel channel antenna at the mast at 125 meters, at 507 kw. The transmitter site is located a couple of miles east of Penfield, Illinois along U.S. 136 in Vermilion County. At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WCCU will no longer be on channel 27, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 26. TECHNI|CAL INFO: WCCU-DT, ERP: 507 kW, 138 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 401846, Longitude: 875500, Area: 15153 sq km, Population: 385,000 |
| 55 |
44 |
WRSP |
y |
Springfield,
IL-WRSP is now at full power and offering FOX in
Hi-Def.
Non-HD programming is broadcast with upconverted video regular 4:3
aspect ratio. If
you receive a 16:9 aspect picture it will be HDTV. Also 5.1 Audio
available. Program guide available.
55-2 is secondary language offering of regular programming. WRSP-DT is on channel 44 and broadcasts at 407 meters, at 335 kw. The transmitter site is located near Mechanicsburg, Illinois a few miles south of I-72 east of Springfield. It is the eastern most tall tower in the area. The one to the west is that of WICS. The other shorter towers are that of WCFN and WUIS(FM). At the end of the analog broadcast term(February 17, 2009), WRSP will no longer be on channel 55, but will remain on it's digital broadcast channel 44. TECHNICAL INFO: WRSP-DT, ERP: 335 kW, 416 m, Latitude(DDMMSS): 394757, Longitude: 892646, Area: 28977 sq km, Population: 881,000 |
| So far, there are no Central Illinois TV stations
broadcasting anything locally in Hi Def. All Hi- Def programming
is coming from their respective networks only. Some of the stations broadcast a 5.1 audio signal, in spite of the lack of actual 5.1 audio program sources. This will give anyone listenting with a 5.1 audio system an "echo" effect. This is simply a lazy way of giving viewers 5.1 audio without actually doing the audio switching from mono or 2-channel stereo to actual 5.1 audio. If you experience this annoying audio situation, contact the local station and tell them! Some stations omit the program guide from it's signal. Sometimes it's intentional, sometimes because of equipment problems, sometimes there is a break somewhere in the data stream to get the information attached to the station's signal. If you don't received a program guide, the problem could either be at the station, or with your receiving equipment, espcially if you receive your DTV siganls through a cable system. Please report any problems you have to the station, then if the station is not having problems, report it to your cable system. |
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| Stations in red are the
most dependable
to be received from anywhere in the Springfield, Decatur,
Champaign-Urbana, Danville market. Digital TV Links: DIGITAL TV FACTS answers all of your questions on the Digital Transition from Analog TV. Be sure and check this one out for answers!  How Digital Television Works. PBS Digital TV: A Cringely Crash Course FCC: Digital Television DTV, Digital Televsion from the FCC Digital TV Could Bring Unpleasant Surprises Read the latest on line conversation about your local DTV stations at www.avsforum.com |