Bob_Grip's Blog

Don't delay, apply today.  That's a good slogan to remember when it comes to applying for a $40 coupon to pay for a digital TV converter box. There's a built-in delay between the time you apply for the credit and the time that it's issued.  If you wait until January, you may not receive your credit before the analog TV signal you're watching now, goes off the air.

Keep in mind, this only applies if you watch TV on an older TV that uses a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears.  If you have a new TV or have cable or satellite TV, you don't need a converter box.

Recently, a station in Tucson, Arizona suffered an equipment failure that took its analog TV signal off the air prematurely.  It prompted a number of viewer comments that included the following:

Comment:    I will never buy a DTV box because I will never give you any more money. You just want to take money from us.

My Answer:    We don't get any money from the sale of the DTV boxes.  We will continue to give our signal away for free.        

Comment:    This is just another way to get my hard earned money.
My Answer:    The Government is taking away the frequencies we currently use, that's why it's paying the lion's share of the cost of a converter box.

Comment:    Why are you shoving technology down our throats?
My Answer:    It's actually a better way of broadcasting.  The signals are clearer and the sound is better.

Comment:    My existing TV works just fine why should I change?
My Answer:    Your existing TV will still play all your VHS or DVDs. Come February, it won't pick up any over-the-air broadcasts unless you have cable, satellite or a converter box.

Comment:    Why are you forcing me to change before February 2009?
My Answer:    You are not being forced to change before February, but you can enjoy a better quality signal right now.  Besides, if you wait until the last minute, you may have to pay full price for a converter box.

Comment:    Why is your station in a different location so I cannot receive it?
My Answer:    The digital channel number is different.  We are digital channel 9 for example.  But you don't have to worry about that. A new TV or converter box will do the work for you.

Comment:    It is my God given right to receive free TV. We the people own the airwaves not the TV stations. I demand you turn my TV back on!
My Answer:    We will continue to supply a free TV signal, but you will have to buy a converter box, a new TV or subscribe to cable or satellite TV to receive it.

Keep in mind, the digital transmission requires a good antenna to receive it.  A pair of rabbit ears may not be good enough to provide a strong enough signal to the converter box or new TV.

Also, since many of the digital signals are broadcast on UHF frequencies, a "bow tie" antenna may work best.