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On February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100 percent digital broadcasting. Analog television sets receiving over-the-air broadcasts using an antenna will no longer work after February 17, 2009. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay-TV service will need to take action before the deadline to ensure that they will be able to receive broadcast television.

Consumers have a variety of options. If you’re not sure what to do, take a quick quiz to help you figure out what to do at www.DTVTransition.org. The main choices are:
• Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box.
• Connect to cable, satellite, or other pay service.
• Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

A TV converter box is a product that plugs into your analog TV and, along with your antenna, will keep your analog set working after February 17, 2009. A TV converter box is a one-time purchase and is expected to cost between $50 and $70. A TV connected to cable, satellite, or other pay-TV service does not require a TV converter box.

To help defray the costs of the converter boxes, Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, which can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes. If you want to obtain these coupons, you can visit the coupon website at www.dtv2009.gov, call 1-888-DTV-2009, or download the application form at https://www.dtv2009.gov/docs/Coupon_Program_App_en.pdf, and mail it to PO Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000.

The application form for the coupons asks you to provide a residential address. For those RVers who are full-timers and use mail services for their mail, the application for the coupons must be filled out correctly to ensure that you will qualify for and receive the coupons. Below is an example of how to fill out the application if you are using the Escapees Mail Service. In essence, you must first certify that you cannot receive postal mail at your residence, and then provide your correct mailing address.



Be aware that these coupons expire 90 days after you receive them, so don’t order them until you are sure that you want to purchase a converter box. The boxes should be available starting early this year in most stores that sell televisions.