Are you ready for digital tv

The deadline, June 12 is fast approaching for the national transition to digital television and the Federal Communications Commission says many in the area served by Joplin television stations aren't prepared. Thursday many of them will get a wake-up call when stations around the country perform 'soft tests', designed to alert viewers to what will happen when the transition takes place.

A press release from the FCC states that during the tests analog signals will be interrupted and viewers will be advised that unless they are prepared for the transition they will lose all signals on June 12 when all of the full-power stations in the country switch to digital broadcasts. The length of the interruptions will vary by station but will generally run between two and five minutes. Digital signals will not be affected by the tests.

KSN and KODE general manager John Hoffman said that KODE was already broadcasting full-power digital signals as well as analog signals so viewers could enjoy the benefits of digital television now but when the deadline falls only the digital will be available.

"KODE has already made the transition and is doing full-power digital broadcasting now along with the analog signals," Hoffman said. "When June 12 comes we'll drop the analog and only be doing digital."

KSN is also part of the same group as KODE but their situation is different, mainly as a result of storm damage to their broadcast tower May 8. The tower collapsed during the storm and fell on two houses and four vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured.

However that changes the timeline. Hoffman said the station should be on the air with a digital signal, although not at full strength, in 30 days.

"The standard definition signal will reach most of the market and the high definition signal should reach within 30 miles of Joplin," Hoffman said. "We hope to have full power within four months."

Hoffman noted the original date was Feb. 17 and said the stations had been keeping their watchers informed of the upcoming changes but some viewers haven't gotten ready yet.

"We have run a very comprehensive education program," Hoffman said. "Some people still aren't ready however. For some it might be they haven't gotten the coupons, some might not be able to afford it and some just wait until they are forced to change. They've got to be aware of it, we've tried to make everyone aware of it as others have. Sometimes you do all you can and, well, we'll just have to deal with the ones who aren't prepared."

The coupons Hoffman referred to are government issued coupons which reduce the price of analog-to-digital converter boxes available in many electronics stores. In Nevada the converter boxes are available at Radio Shack, in Vinyard's Farm and Home; and Wal-Mart. However Wal-Mart is the only store in the area to accept the coupons.

KOAM and KFJX are already transitioned to fully-digital signals and won't be affected by upcoming deadline.