[classicradio]

I'm finding it hard to type over the noise of the raster on my CTC-7. I feel like adjusting the channel knob, but I know I won't find much on.

Many (but not all) of Chicago and Milwaukee's TV stations choose 12 noon to shut down analog transmissions today. I was lucky enough to come home for lunch and watch the end of a broadcast era on my CTC-7. I was disappointed to find no real recognition of the change on many Chicago stations. I was however able to pick up WISN 12 out of Milwaukee, which put on a nice compilation of great moments of their broadcast history since 1954. It was somehow fitting because I purchased this TV in Milwaukee and I'm sure that it wasn't the first time some of those historic images were scanned across the screen.

As predicted, at 12 noon, WISN flashed their old WTVW test pattern, displayed a brief message Channel 12 1954-2009, and flipped the switch.

For the many people who are welcoming digital TV today, I was glad to have the opportunity to join the few who chose to look back and say goodbye to an old friend.