Network Technical Services maintains radio and television transmitters, microwave relay stations and towers and remote control systems for transmitters.

Radio Technical Services oversees and maintains radio studio audio switching, digital audio tape machines, CD players and other equipment for Radio. Equipment used by the Radio Reading Service of Mississippi (RRSM) is also maintained.

Field Services Technical Services assists schools with television and satellite television reception and other equipment associated with distance learning and the utilization of ional television in the classroom.

Programming originates at master controls in Jackson and travels to the digital microwave system which carries it to all eight transmitter sites via ten microwave relay stations. At each site the signal is amplified through a high power transmitter and travels up towers ranging from 500 to 1500 feet in height to the antenna.

One of the biggest challenges facing technical services is the conversion to digital broadcasting. DTV will produce higher quality pictures and sound through high definition television or HDTV. Data broadcasting allows a portion of the DTV signal to carry computer data directly to personal computers via DTV receivers. Multicasting provides up to four channels of distance learning or conventional programming from one digital transmitter.

Either a set-top converter box or a DTV receiver is needed to watch digital programming. The set-top box converts the digital broadcast to a signal that can be viewed on a conventional television, while a DTV receiver permits viewing of analog or digital television directly.

The existing analog service will continue for several years until the FCC determines that 85% of television households have DTV receivers or set-top converter boxes. This will allow consumers to continue to use their existing televisions and purchase DTV receivers in the future.