Discussions

Is anyone else having problems receiving a signal from the CKND transmitter in Brandon? We used to receive a very clear HD signal using rabbit ears indoors. Then, last Thursday, the signal dropped right off and we can't receive it anymore.

same problem

The transmitter is not in Brandon, but near Basswood on the Yellowhead Hwy west of Minnedosa. Our reception is great. But we're using an outdoor type antenna in the attic.

For curiosity, I just checked the 'over the air'. Global comes in perfect with my indoor rabbit ears. CTV as usual barely comes in.

a long time since I've heard CKND call letters used. Guessing the transmitter is still called that after CKND TV switched to Global.

very strong signal arriving at my house in the hills.  
 
what part of the city are you located?

There was no signal transmitted for the last several days over the air. It was fixed sometime Monday (today)

Trevor B said "a long time since I've heard CKND call letters used. Guessing the transmitter is still called that after CKND TV switched to Global. "

All of the TV and radio stations still need to have official call letters, they just prefer to use their "brand" when referring to themselves, especially national brands like Global, CTV, City, or even CBC.  
 
Global is still CKND, CTV is CKY, City is CHMI, and CBC is CBWT.

It's been years since I've watched that channel over the air, but it was almost always problematic for us too. Likely the distance coupled with the fact that the city straddles a valley.

Thank to everyone for your comments! Based on the report from HammerHead yesterday, I emailed Global Winnipeg about the problem with their CKND-TV-2 transmitter. Here is the reply I received this morning.  
 
"Thank you for contacting Global News on May 21st. Sorry, yes we were having problems with our transmitter in Minnedosa but as of this morning everything should be up and running. Sorry for the inconvenience."  
 
I can now receive this channel in crystal clear HD with our rabbit ears again.

Are Global and CTV the only over the air channels that can be received in Brandon?

myname said "Thank to everyone for your comments! Based on the report from HammerHead yesterday, I emailed Global Winnipeg about the problem with their CKND-TV-2 transmitter. Here is the reply I received this morning.     "Thank you for contacting Global News on May 21st. Sorry, yes we were having problems with our transmitter in Minnedosa but as of this morning everything should be up and running. Sorry for the inconvenience."     I can now receive this channel in crystal clear HD with our rabbit ears again. "

Now if only CTV would start broadcasting their feed in HD, but they never will, it's more likely that the tower south of Brandon will be torn than them switching to HD in Westman.

Yes, Global and CTV are the only channels I have been able to receive in Brandon. Global is a digital HD channel broadcast in 1080i resolution. CTV is an analog Standard Definition channel.  
 
I use an HDHomerun tuner with Plex as a nice DVR system, but that only works with digital channels. Works great with Global, but that's currently the only digital over the air channel in Brandon. I'm glad it's working again.

CL said "    myname said "Thank to everyone for your comments! Based on the report from HammerHead yesterday, I emailed Global Winnipeg about the problem with their CKND-TV-2 transmitter. Here is the reply I received this morning.     "Thank you for contacting Global News on May 21st. Sorry, yes we were having problems with our transmitter in Minnedosa but as of this morning everything should be up and running. Sorry for the inconvenience."     I can now receive this channel in crystal clear HD with our rabbit ears again. " Now if only CTV would start broadcasting their feed in HD, but they never will, it's more likely that the tower south of Brandon will be torn than them switching to HD in Westman. "

That tower is also home to CBC radio 97.9, 99.5, 92.7, Bob FM 96.1, and 101.1 The Farm: the tower won't be torn down anyday soon  
 
CTV is shooting themselves in the foot: that old analog transmitter probably costs more to keep the tube filaments hot(100's KW wasted as heat) plus parts, than a new digital tx would in efficiency by a large margin!

The CKND-TV-2 tower near Basswood was originally the KCND located in Pembina ND. When Canwest Broadcasting bought KCND to create CKND in the mid 70's they dismantled the tower and moved it to its current location. The tower has a broadcasting power of 100 kW, and a height of 396.2 m (1300 ft).