Listed below are frequently asked engineering questions about FOX5. If your question is not answered below, fill out the form to the left and a member of our engineering department will respond to your inquiry.

1) The engineering department's most often asked question is "What is that annoying tone I hear on my TV that I can't get rid of?".

At this time, the 1 kc tone is coming from our Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). SAP is used by television stations to carry second language audio (in Spanish where/when available). Currently, KVVU-TV/DT has one source for SAP and that originates from the FOX network (national satellite feed). When there is no FOX national programming, the tone can be heard. When a FOX programming has SAP, it will be indicated on the lower left of your television screen at the beginning of the program. As the KVVU-TV/DT technical infrastructure upgrades, there will be more programs available for SAP.

Most TV remotes will have either a STEREO button or a MTS (Multi-Television-Sound) button. On some older sets, this can be done right at the TV set. The selections with this button are usually the following: "STEREO" or "MAIN", "SAP", and "MONO". To disable the SAP channel from being heard, this must be set to either "MAIN" OR "STEREO".

2) Where are the KVVU transmitters located?

The KVVU transmitters are located on Black Mountain. The Channel 5 analog tower is 362 HAAT with 100 Kw of power. Our new Channel 9 digital tower is at 384 HAAT with 86 Kw of power. Both towers are at 149 degrees on your compass orientation. A great resource to use is the www.Antennaweb.org site.

3) Where's my FOX HDTV?

Glad you asked! Recently KVVU-DT added our HD service (Channel 5.1 on your digital tuner) which will have the FOX network in HD 720p format. Our standard definition service (SD) is on our 5.2 service in 4:3 format. At this time, analog Channel 5 and our digital Channel 9 have the same programming. As the transition to digital television continues, this will change. Check the Consumer Electronics web site for updates regarding HDTV. If you have COX Digital Cable, the channel number is 735.

4) What is the Satellite Waiver Process? Do I qualify?

Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act Information In 1999, Congress made changes to the Satellite Home Viewer Act or SHVA that gave clarification as to who should or should not receive a distant network signal. According to FCC rules in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, the only people that qualify to receive distant network signals are people that cannot pick up the local station and is based on signal strength. These viewers are considered unserved households. Households that receive an adequate signal are considered served households are not eligible to receive distant network signals. Note: This is not based on whether you have or have not the proper outside antenna to receive the local signal.

If you are in the local viewing area and believe that you are an unserved household, you must have verification of signal level certified by a qualified technician, following FCC guidelines before you can receive a distant network signal. You can request this procedure from your satellite provider, if you feel you qualify. It is your satellite service provider's final determination as to whether or not they may lawfully provide you a distant network signal based on this test. Please understand that these tests are done with an outside antenna. Federal rules state that you cannot be denied the opportunity to use an outside antenna to pickup your local TV stations - and if a satellite dish is allowed, then an outside antenna is allowed, since a satellite dish is an antenna. As required under federal rules, all waiver requests must go through your satellite service provider.

Waivers will not be granted where there is cable service available or local to local satellite service is available.