Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 17

Sunday, January 8, 1995 The Arizona Republic A19 3s A -1 V' Vr-N I wise1! Z3 15 Antenna dance not likely to bring in Channe of VHF television. It used to be much worse, back in the days when there was nothing but wrestling and roller derby on. "I don't think anybody under the age of 49 years old has a problem with UHF television. The people with reception problems are 50-plus. Those people grew up with channels 3 through 13." Ironically, Ramona Gettings gets a perfect picture from Channel 45.

No big surprise, but when engineers at local UHF stations are contacted by a citizen complaining about reception problems, they generally suggest that the caller get a better antenna. And they don't mean the wire-loop Rooftop or attic-mounted antennas are generally the best bets to improve a poor UHF picture, the experts say. And as a last resort for some there's always cable TV. "I can afford it, but I'm sorry, I just don't go that route," Oettings said. "I will go to my grave without cable." UHF antennaes traditionally attached to the rear of portable TV sett.

If you've already got a wire loop, fiddling with it may help. But an anonymous Valley TV techie warns that "the Watusi approach" grabbing the antenna and performing gyrations works best on channels 3 through 13. UDLELOTUDlflUES am Hand-Crafted Custom Full Partials All Your Dental Needs FREE Consultation Comfortable Fitl Natural Look! Your tnends wont know the difference. Denture Lab on Premises Bridges Repaired Sleep Available Porcelain Crowns Extraction J25 up Removable Gold Crowns Partial $125 up Ji 4 a 'A 4 A. Some viewers lose ABC in network's move to UHF By Dave Walker Republic TV WrIUr Ramona Oettings is mad at ABC.

How mad? "In my opinion, ABC has tied a concrete block onto their ankle and jumped in the water and bubbles are coming up," she said. That mad. But not at NYPD Blue's blue language, Roseannc's same-sex smooches or even Ted Koppel's hair. She's mad that the network is moving Monday to KNXV-TV (Channel 15) from KTVK-TV (Channel 3). A resident of the Moon Valley area, which is blocked by mountains from lineof-sight contact with Channel 15's South Mountain transmitter, Gettings can't get Channel 13 no matter how hard she tries.

And she has tried. A self-described "ex-Army wife" who "specializes in do-it-yourself," Gettings has spent en estimated $350 on rooftop antennas and signal-boosting gizmos in preparation for ABC's move. "I've become an expert at this, honey," said Gettings, whose favorite ABC shows include NYPD Blue, Roseanne, Ellen, and occasionally Nightline. Channel 3's signals, like those of channels 4 through 13, move through the air via very high frequency, or VHP, waves. Channel 1 5 viewers, like viewers of channels 14 through 69, get their pictures via ultrahigh frequency, or UHF, waves.

Because UHF waves dissipate more rapidly than VHP, the Federal Communications Commission allows UHF stations to broadcast using more wattage than their competitors at lower dial positions. Still, big buildings and mountains tend to block some viewers from good UHF reception. Ramona Gettings believes it, and so does Channel 3. In August, the station petitioned the FCC to revoke Channel 15' broadcast license and halt the ABC move basing its case, in part, on research that shows a significant difference in viewers reached by the two stations. Though FCC action is still pending, Channel 3 cites an engineering study in its petition that found Channel 15's signal to reach 8,380 fewer Maricopa County viewers than Channel 3's.

The disparity increases in outlying areas, the study said. "This is a perception thing" said Bob Furlong, general manager at Channel 45. "UHF television has always been looked at as a stepsister WW i Is your mouth red Irrttaiad? Our special, soft base material allows the denture to lit comfortably In your mouth QhvaD Dr. Gerard, D.D.S. CZMEL WWW I Arizona Denture Center Arizona Dental Clinic 3311 E.Thomas, Phoenix OSS-S1 11 10OO1 W.

Sun City Iniunnc Union Plant Wftlcnmc Happy Neat Year. Since 1984, ASU West has provided Innovative education, responding to the diverse needs of our students and the community. ASU West now proudly offers over more than 28 quality undergraduate and graduate degrees, a full-service campus and state-of-the-art facilities, plus the convenience of day, evening and weekend classes. Discover how ASU West can help you prepare for the challenges of tomorrow's world.Jodayl The Closet factory Closet. We come to your home.

We measure, we advise, we show you a dazzling array of finishes and options, and we quickly explain why we make the finest custom closets in trie country. Then we go back to the factory, make the entire construction from scratch, down to the lucite jewelry drawer if desired. And install it. On time. On budget.

Sparkling clean and ready to use. Make 1995 your Year of the Closet. Call us now. 1" KHfnl UJ! Channel changes end at last tmm, from page A 1 3 WES You know that New Year's resolution? The one about getting organized? The one you make every year? This year, let us build it for you. Arizona State University West 47th Ave.

Thunderblrd Phoenix i mam mam mam mam mmt mam mam mam mm mum mam mam mam mam a Any Closet In January. Call for free in-home consultation. EjJ fl ta I NETWORK LINEUP The local network lineup at It will stand Monday: ABC, the network of Homo Improvement, General Hospital and NYPD Blue, will reside at KNXVTV (Channel 15). CBS, the network of 60 Minutes, Murphy Brown and Late Show With David letter man, la carried by KPHO-TV (Channel 5). Fox, the network of Beverly Hills 90210, The Files and The Simpsons, It carried by KSA2-TV (Channel 10).

NBC, the network of Today, ER and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Is unaffected by the networks' flip-flop and remains at KPNX-TV (Channel 12). PBS, the network of Frontline, the MacNellLehrer NewsHour and Sesame Street, is also unaffected and remains at KAET-TV (Channel 8). Warner Bros. Television, a new network, will arrive Wednesday at KTVK-TV (Channel 3). The United Paramount Network, another new network, arrives Jan.

16 at Independent KUTP-TV (Channel 45). Sr East Valley 998-2070 West Valley 253-2102 Ojj to vd wit ny otto putrntom or (At. CtHBBHBBHHH IDBBBlS race. Now, let's go back to work, thankful that we're apart of Entering an era of forced independence, Channel 3 plans to make a little more noise. Among other aggressive gambits, the station has expanded its news department and stocked up on popular but costly syndicated programming, including Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Star Trek: The Next Generation, which will run in prime time.

Last week, wall-to-wall radio and television ads starring the host of a defunct game show called Studs trumpeted Channel 3's new mantra: "Change can be good." "Our position is, it's an adventure," said Bill Miller, Channel 3's general manager. "No one else has walked the path we're taking. It sounds corny, but it's true." The first of the local network dominoes fell in May, when multimedia entrepreneur Rupert Murdoch grabbed a dozen Big Three affiliates around the country for his own Fox network. One of them, KSAZ-TV (Channel 10), had been Phoenix's CBS affiliate I ft: iHt since the mid-1950s. In the months since, CBS has relocated to former independent KPHO-TV (Channel 5); sexy, sly Fox has crashed through the front door at staid CBS' former home; and innovative new local newscasts, filled with lots of fresh faces, have crowded the airwaves.

Not surprisingly, KPNX-TV (Channel 12), the only commercial network affiliate unaffected by the Sec NETWORK, pageA20 I a If you're eligible for Medicare, or will be In the next six months, you're probably looking at the many available health care options. You may be considering managed care but still CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT A SEMINAR OR TO RECEIVE A FREE BROCHURE your area. To reserve your seat or receive our brochure. "Advice From Your Elders on Life, Living and Health Care," call today. FINAL REDUCTION jj coverage I need and still remain so affordable?" At Humana, we'd like to help.

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