From The Inbox

From The Inbox

Topic Author: Justin Manship

Posted: Jul 25, 2008

Replies Posted: 15 comments

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From The Inbox

It's been a while since I took the time to answer viewer e-mail here in the Corner, so let's do a little catching up. Our first e-mail is from Roger in Morgantown...

Dear Chris, I notice each night the weather segment shows the high and low years for temperature extremes for our area. Is it possible to get the listing of the record highs and lows for each day throughout the year?

I recently bought a copy of the Jerry Hill book about Kentucky weather. (I worked for Mr. Hill as part of work/study at the University of Kentucky about 1970. The job was recording the daily weather station charts from the University farm. My degree was in agriculture though.)

The tables in the book I found humorous were the monthly record highs and lows across the state. It turns out that 67% of the record daily lows for each month have occured since the year of my birth in 1951. What's really neat is that 83% of the record daily highs for each month occured before 1951. (tables A8,A9 pp. 170-171). That points toward Kentucky cooling! Forget global warming, I'm staying here.

I've noticed for some time that the daily record highs seem to be 1925 or berfore.

Best wishes, Roger Southerland Morgantown

Roger...A great resource to find daily climate data in almost every city or town in the country can be found from the National Climatic Data Center. When you go there, you can pick the daily high (maximum), low (minimum) and other data you need to fill your curiosity. The link to the NCDC website is http://www7.ncdc.noaa.gov/CDO/normals

Next we hear from Janice in Glasgow... I hear a lot about "the digital conversion" but I don't quite understand what it's all about. I've been told I won't be able to pick up Channel 13 anymore after February 17th of next year. I can't do without WBKO so what am I supposed to do?

Janice Glasgow

Well Janice, this subject has a lot of people confused and even upset. WBKO is not going off the air but will soon be changing the way we broadcast our signal. Since we began in 1962, WBKO has been broadcasting an "analog" signal on VHF channel 13. Starting February 17, 2009, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has mandated that every broadcast TV station (not just WBKO) must convert their broadcast signal to "digital" which will provide a much cleaner picture and better quality sound.

For us, this means we also will need to replace the antenna that sits atop our broadcast tower in Richardsville. For that reason, we are now working toward making the transition to the new digital signal earlier than the February 17th deadline. There will be a period of time later this year in which we will permanantly cease broadcasting on our regular or "analog" channel 13 signal that you now receive. If you receive us on Insight Cable, your signal will not be interrupted. We are working right now with other cable systems in our viewing area to make sure they are able to pick up our current digital signal so they can continue broadcasting us through your cable box and into your TV. When the new digital transmitter and antenna are installed, you will then be able to see WBKO at DIGITAL channel 13 using either a converter box hooked to the TV you now own or by purchasing a new Digital-ready TV set. If you currently watch WBKO through a local cable system, you won't have to do anything in order to pick up our new digital signal.

Once the conversion takes place, if you own a regular (analog) TV set, you will no longer see WBKO when you go to channel 13. In fact, you won't see any other channel either. It will all be static. That is why you must purchase either a digital converter box for your current TV or buy a digital TV set.

There is a great website that has been designed to answer all of your digital TV questions and where you can also apply for a DTV converter box coupon to help you out. The website is DTVanswers.com DTVanswers.com.

Stay connected here at WBKO.com for more information about our eventual conversion to digital television and what it means to you. And keep those e-mails coming! CA

Posted by: James Lindsey Location: Glasgow
I bought a weather alert radio but wasnt able to stay and get it programmed... can i bring it by WBKO to get it programmed?.. TY .. jimmie

Posted by: John Location: Glasgow
Are you still doing theA llen challenge on your own? If so, how's it going? Any tips you would like to share?

Posted by: Sam Location: glasgow,ky
Why during the weather you never show Barren River Lake??? Also what has happened to all of the older news people, it seems like you all change every month, just when we get use to one, they are gone and someone new is on.

Posted by: David Location: Bowling Green,Warren County
I too am a subcriber of Direct TV and have lived at same address for 8yrs now..And was wondering if WBKO could contact ABC and give Direct TV access to air them so the Direct Tv Subcribers could continue to watch WBKO when it goes digital... I once asked and paid more to receive CBS but not from the local air wave that we get it, had to get what they call a wavier from CBS in New York and California... I have yet to understand why the cable has permission from the ABC,CBS and other afflacitions but yet they don't allow Direct TV to get them for all its subscribers,and also for that fact why cable isn't in all areas not just limited to certain part of BG and Warren County. Signed a Resident of Girkin Boiling Spring Rd. David D. sane address for

Posted by: Lee Location: Bowling Green
Why is it that when oil goes up $1.00 per barrel, gas goes up .29 and when oil goes down $6.00 per barrel, we get .01 reduction in gas prices. It would be nice to have someone in the gas business that was honest. Not the get rich crooks we have here in B.G. All of the surronding towns gas is always cheaper than ours.

Posted by: Judith Location: Green Co.
Chris,I have a question. We have kept our antenna so we could watch WBKO why aren't you all on satellite? I guess we will have to get a box to cont. watching? Any news in that area? Judith

Posted by: Lee Location: Bowling Green
I never got a response from my comment about the dumb airplane , that took up our kids soccer practice field. Maybe we can look for all the tanks and other artillery from the war, and take up all the ball fields too.How much does it cost the tax payers to furnish all those lights around it? And I hear we are going to get another one.Airplanes belong at the Airport, not in our county parks.

Posted by: J.W. highbaugh Location: Cave city
I thought it was neat when ya'll would spot light some towns in the area.JWH Cave city cemetary

Posted by: JACQUEL Location: FRANKLIN
You have a lot of information on the analog/digital subject but my question is why WBKO isn't available to Direct TV satellite customers. I live in rural Simpson County and cable isn't available but I would still like to watch local news and weather.

Posted by: Edward Location: Anneta
Hello Chris.For couple of weeks now I've noticed that your town ticker has not been shown some towns .could you please explain why.Also my favorite part of the week is LITTLE FRIDAY.Thank you for a job well done.Edward E.Samac

Posted by: Al Location: Franklin
Dear Chris, What's become of WBKO's radar? I never see it scanning anymore. Also, when the dtv transition is complete at WBKO, will you be broadcasting in 1080 HD?

Posted by: diana Location: cave city,ky
dear chris, my main concern with the new broadcasting change is --what happens if our satellite(s) are attacked by whomever?? how do we get our information from the government on what's going on and what we should do, ect. this has been weighing on my mind since all the terrorist attacks in the past decade. has anyone else brought this up? my personal thought--switch to digital but keep the antennas up and ready for the unexpected. can you imagine the u.s. without a way to communicate?? scary huh!

Posted by: Dewayne Location: Bowling Green
I think that this campaign season has been more over shadowed by the news media than the candidates thus this far. This is a very critical time in American history and we should be more focused on the candidate's messages verses the media jargon.I feel at this point Barrack Obama is course for success as he is staying the most consistent in his message. John McCain is all over the map with being inconsistent with his message. We as American are indeed ready for a change in traditional politics.That's why I'll be voting for Barrack Obama in November.

Posted by: Bonnie Location: Auburn KY
I just want to congratulate you on your 20 years of service at WBKO. As an early riser, I've watched AM Kentucky for many years. You and I grew up in the same era, and I have noticed we think alike in many ways, especially in your position on many topics that viewers today deem "important". LOL! I think this is the reason I have such confidence in your reporting. When my husband was working third shift during the spring and early summer, the weather team at WBKO played an important part in keeping my teenage daughter and I safe during the periods of severe weather. She is very scared of storms, especially when her father isn't home. Teenagers don't always trust information coming from adults, but whenever I said "Chris Allen says..." she listened and became calmer. Anyone who has that effect on a young person in a time of crisis has my utmost respect! I'm not a person who is easily impressed by celebrities, local or otherwise, but I think you are a great asset to all viewers.

Posted by: Jay Location: Bowling Green
The sports media is still on Kenny Perry for not playing in the British Open. The problem is that they don't recognize or understand character and integrity because the have none themselves. If they give their word it's a maybe. If Kenny gives his you can take it to the bank.