Regional viewers hit TV hotline

IN THE four months since digital television became the only option for Fraser Coast viewers, almost 250 calls have poured in to a national hotline to complain about patchy reception.

Fraser Coast and Wide Bay homes were among more than 500,000 Queensland households whose analog television was switched off permanently on December 6.

Since the change, more than 1600 phone calls from Wide Bay have been made to the Digital Ready Information Line with reception and the best way to tune in to digital TV channels the hot topic for 248 callers.

Fraser Coast Chronicle readers yesterday said suburbs such as Urangan, Craignish and Booral had major reception issues.

On the Chronicle Facebook site, Urangan resident Sandy Taylor commented that the digital signal at his home was unreliable and was often interrupted.

Julieanne Rasmussen from Craignish said the suburb had most reception issues after dark while Booral resident Aus Posers said he had major issues every time it was raining or windy.

The digital switchover taskforce spokeswoman said common issues that might affect reception included unnecessary amplifiers or boosters.

"Boosters may be needed by viewers who are some distance from a transmitter; those that live in a good coverage area should not need boosters," she said.

Hervey Bay and Maryborough are listed as good coverage areas.

The spokeswoman said weather could cause the picture to "freeze" or drop out.

She said ABC and SBS services in regional areas were often the most affected in bad weather.

"Bad weather like heavy rain and high winds can sometimes affect the quality of digital TV signals," the taskforce spokeswoman said.

Visit digitalready.gov.au for a list of reception tips.