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Awaiting rebuild,wBz-Tv will use temporary digital facilities
With less than a month remaining before the FCC's May 1
on-air deadline, CBS affiliate WBZ-Tv is in the midst of a major upgrade that includes a rebuild of its antenna tower and construction of a new transmitter building.
The $10 million construction project includes an upgrade of wBz's tower and a new transmitter building at the base of the tower which will accommodate digital transmitters for the station and the tower's tenants-ABC affiliate wcvB-Tv and PBS affiliates wGBH-rv and wGBX-Tv.
The project involves lopping 250 feet off the top of wBz's existing tower and replacing it with a stronger structure that will add 350 feet and support the additional weight of the digital antennas. The final height of the tower will be close to 1,300 feet from the ground.
"It's a monumental undertaking," says wBz Director of Broadcast Operations and Engineering Bob Hess, who adds that at least one other undisclosed station in the market is interested in locating its digital antenna on the refurbished tower.
While the entire facility won't be completed until August, Hess maintains that...