I need to know a zipcode where ATSC channels 2, 3 or 4 are being used?

Chicago is using Ch 3 for WBBM-DT. It is a CBS O&O. Zips include 60618,60659,60641 just to name a few of the dozens in the area.

Thank you very much.

I was under the impression that channels 2-6 (VHF low band) were going to be phased out and the frequencies auctioned off. All ATSC channels were from 7 on up with most being in the UHF spectrum.
I do note that WBBM-DT appears to be broadcasting on channel 3, so what gives?

What gives? We in the Second City just like to be different. :-)

What gives?

I read somewhere that in many areas the stations were unable to erect the towers that were needed for HD, so the FCC has allowed for HD broadcast in those frequencies that WILL be taken at a future date.

In additon, some areas have stations that have have the offset set up in such a way as to allow for channels 2-1 through 13-1 to be entered on the tuner, giving the appearance of still being in the analog frequency.

That is the case here in Chicago. All the HD channel occupy the UHF band except CBS, Ch 3, although it is entered 2.1 on the receiver.

Some stations are on a temporary DTV channel until the analog channels are vacated. Once the analog channels are vacated, those "temporary" DTV channels will move into the vacated ones, freeing up the "temporary" channels.

Confused?

Me too

There is a lot of confusion on this subject out there. But 'the plan' according to several sources, is to let broadcasters return to their original frequencies once NTSC broadcasting ends. In order to start broadcasting, most stations have taken temporary frequencies in the UHF band(because there were unused frequencies, and they had to continue their NTSC broadcasts on their current frequencies). Once NTSC broadcasting ends, Channel 3, for instance, instead of broadcasting on UHF 17, and remapping to 3.1, could actually return to the frequencies that they are using now for their NTSC broadcasts, and broadcast their digital signal from that frequency range, and Channel 3 will really be channel 3 again.

The auctioning of frequencies, is said to be for the upper UHF frequencies, as many of them will be freed once broadcasters move back to their NTSC frequencies.

So, in the migration to HDTV, don't throw out those VHF antennas, you'll be needing them.

....jc