I recently came across an article about volunteers in the Houston area who are installing DTV converter boxes for low-income senior citizens. Our hats are off to these volunteers. That's the picture we had in mind when we decided to publish our DTV Converter Guide. We urge community volunteer groups to download the guide and use it to help needy friends and neighbors set up their DTV converters. The guide covers what to look for and what to expect from a DTV converter. It includes converter hookup diagrams and tips on how to aim an antenna or install a new one.

Even though Crutchfield doesn't sell DTV converters, we are offering tech support by phone to Crutchfield customers who are helping others with DTV converter installations. Please download and read the guide mentioned above before calling our Product Support department at 1-800-955-9091.

Another example of volunteers helping with DTV converter installations is in Fairfax County, Virginia, where the county government is asking employees to volunteer to help senior citizens and the disabled. The Federal Communication Comission contracted with firefighters to help in Wilmington, N.C. and is looking to partner with other community groups to help people with limited mobility, according to an article in Broadcasting and Cable magazine. The FCC published a community outreach guide, aimed primarily at student volunteers.

What's happening in your community?

DTV transition recap
Anyone who receives local over-the-air broadcasts via antenna, will see their old analog TVs stop working on February 17, 2009*. Those who receive local stations via cable or satellite are not affected. To continue receiving local stations over the air, viewers have three options:

1. Install a digital-to-analog converter box on each of their analog TVs.
2. Subscribe to cable or satellite TV.
3. Purchase a new TV with a built-in digital tuner.

* A few low-power stations will continue analog broadcasting.