If you watch television by using an indoor or outdoor antenna, you will no longer get any television signal after February 19th, 2009. The U.S. Congress voted to convert all television broadcast signals to digital in order to allow more broadcasting frequencies for new technologies and emergency agencies.

If you already have cable or satellite, you are fine - you don't have to worry about this conversion.

HOWEVER - if you use either an indoor (aka "rabbit ears") antenna or outside antenna to receive your television programs, you MUST have a TV converter box.

The Government is sponsoring a FREE coupon program (that is, they will give you a coupon worth $40 toward a special converter box) - but you need to act QUICKLY!!!

The site to visit is: https://www.mydtv2009.gov/

You may apply for up to 2 coupons worth approximately $40 each. You may apply for the coupons online at the above link, or you may download the application by clicking here. https://www.mydtv2009.gov/docs/Coupon_Program_App_en.pdf

Allow up to 3 months to receive your coupons - so the sooner - the better!!!

Sample Coupon:

You may read more at: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/

So what is the final cost? I went shopping (by phone) over the 1st weekend in May, calling the various vendors the government document said were in my area. This is part of the same paperwork containing the $40 coupon(s).

I found most places were selling the converters for $60.00 (ok, $59.99) but did find one place that sold it for $50.00 ($49.99). My total cost with the $40 coupon? $13.97.

When you get your coupons, trying calling around. There are at least three different converter units available - all for the same price.