Bay Area Stations Conducting Soft Analog Shut Off Test

Bay Area (CA) television broadcasters will conduct a soft analog shut-off test Oct 21, involving 18 stations from Santa Rosa to Monterey. The test will consist of signal tones followed by a graphic that will say "ready" for viewers who can receive a digital signal --digital TVs, converter boxes or cable -- and a "not ready" for viewers of an analog over-the-air signal. Viewers will be directed to the www.dtv.gov Web site for more information. San Francisco has about 200,000 over-the-air only households -- compared to 1,000 to 20,000 in Wilmington. It also has hilly terrain that could prove a reception challenge for some viewers.