Will It Snow in Quartzsite? RVing Mecca Loses TV Translator

When snowbird RVers return to Quartzsite this fall, will they be able to watch their favorite network television shows, “off the air,” if they don’t have satellite TV? We’ve been working this story for several months. Nearly all Phoenix-originated television (NBC, CBS, FOX, an independent station, and until recently, PBS) beamed its way into Quartzsite through a translator situated on Cunningham Peak, southwest of town. However, that translator, operated by Palo Verde Television (PVTV) will go dark on the 15th.

The translator was set up by volunteers back in 1955, primarily to serve the needs of TV watchers in Blythe, California’s Palo Verde Valley. For Quartzsiters, signal off “the back side” of the translator’s antenna had been enough to provide reasonable signal quality. When the FCC announced the change from analog to digital signal for TV stations, and the need for digital TVs or converter boxes, RVing Quartzsite writers began to research the story.

As we initially told readers, folks getting signals from translators would not need to get a digital TV or a converter box. Why so? Because the FCC is not mandating translators to switch to digital transmission. The fly in the ointment is in how a translator works. When set up back in 1955, and running right up to today, the PVTV translator with its receiving antenna situated high on Cunningham Peak picks up Phoenix signals. Those signals are then boosted and retransmitted on a different channel down to TV viewers. But when the big switch to digital signals begins sometime tomorrow, the translator station must have the ability to receive a digital signal.

Months ago we spoke with representatives from PVTV about the changeover, and their ability to get the equipment required for it. At the time the response was vague. Later, our PVTV representative simply stopped returning our phone calls. Now the news is out: The volunteer operated translator station hasn’t been able to make the jump. PVTV told a Blythe media outlet, “We’re not shutting down, we just don’t have the technology.” While the group will continue to maintain their equipment, if they can’t receive a digital signal and retransmit it, it seems to us they may as well be, “Shutting down.”

Does this mean Quartzsite RVers won’t get TV if they don’t have a satellite TV system? Not necessarily. The PBS affiliate station jumped the digital transition gun early. A couple of months ago, what had been Channel 33 on the PVTV translator went to “snow.” However, digital TV (and converter box) users will find the station relatively loud and clear in its new incarnation on 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4–four channels in the place of one. It seemed somewhat remarkable–the Public Broadcast signal is actually hitting Quartzsite directly from Phoenix. With that little miracle, it’s possible other Phoenix stations too, might be visible in QZ.

Yuma station owners tell us they’re hopeful that when they go to full power on their digital transmissions tomorrow or Saturday that TV reception in the Hi Jolly town will outstrip what analog signals currently reach there.

We’ll have to wait and see just what comes in ‘on the tube.’ But one thing is clear: With the Cunningham Peak translator out of the picture, you will need a digital capable TV, or a converter box for any TV signals that do manage to make the trip to Quartzsite.

photo: Cunningham Peak, R&T DeMaris