TV Technical Profile: WAIQ

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Channel:

27

Programming:

26.1 - PBS, APT

26.2 - PBS Kids

26.3 - Create
26.4 - World Channel

Transmitter Location:

[map] [bird's eye] [street view: view 1 | view 2 | view 3] Just south of where Columbus Street and Upper Wetumpka Road come together near Oakwood Cemetery.  Visible from Hank Williams' grave site.

Power (ERP):

600 kW

Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT):

586 feet
580 feet (CP)

Antenna:

Omnidirectional

Other Information:

41 dBu protected contour map, from the FCC.

[FCC]
[FCCdata]
[RabbitEars.info]

[Wikipedia]
[Facebook]
[Studios] from across the street

[Tower] from the cemetery across the street

[Tower] closeup
[Picture] Snapshot of network ID for -.1 APT/PBS channel
[Picture] Snapshot of network ID for -.2 PBS World channel
[Picture] Snapshot of network ID for -.3 PBS Create channel

[Studio] A Google Photo of the APT main studios in Montgomery.
mDTV - active

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History:

Came on the air on December 18, 1962 as part of the Alabama Public Television network. All the network's call letters end in IQ -- this one "A" was originally for Andalusia, where WDIQ is now. The "A" was moved to Montgomery for unknown reasons, probably to create the network's alphabet lineup from WAIQ to WIIQ. WAIQ was APT's first digital station to hit the air. It was originally on channel 14, but was moved after persuasion from WSFA (allegedly reportedly) to channel 27.

 

Along with the rest of the APT network, shut down analog operations on February 17^th, 2009.  Due to budget cuts, at the start of October, 2012, all APT stations dropped iQ for PBS' World channel.  Starting in October 2015, the network began only airing PBS World during the second half of the day due to concerns over adult programming appearing during hours when children may be watching.  A planned update for late 2015 or early 2016 to the switching equipment at the main studio will allow the station to cut out individual shows and insert child-friendly programming.

In September 2023, the station received a permit to swap out their antenna, moving from one with horizontal polarization to one with elliptical polarization.  The change won't affect coverage or power but will result in a decrease of approximately 6 feet of antenna HAAT (Height Above Average Terrain).