(IRN) - If you're using rabbit ears to pull in an over-the-air television signal, a couple of federal officials hope you'll act soon—if you haven't already—to get ready for digital TV.
 
As of mid-February, over-the-air signals will be unavailable unless you buy a converter box.  Brian Danza, special assistant with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, cites estimates that 11 to 15  million households are currently using over-the-air signals. 

He says about 21 million people have received $40 coupons being offered by the federal government, which should pay for at least most of the cost of a converter box. He says most sell for between $40 and $70 dollars.
 
But those coupons only last for 90 days.  Danza says so far, of the coupons that were sent out more than 90-days ago, more than half, or 55 percent, expired.  He says that still a high return rate, given what electronic stores see with their coupon or rebate programs.
 
U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Collinsville), who pushed for the $1.5 billion dollar rebate program, says he's not surprised at how many people let the coupons expire.  He says the attraction may be too good to pass up.  He said people probably think, "By golly, if the government's going to give me two coupons for $80, I'm going to get those coupons and I'll figure out if need them later on."
 
Shimkus says he bought two converters at just under 50 dollars apiece, using two $40 coupons.  He says he's seeing a clearer picture than he's ever seen, and hopes local stations use the four channel options that they're being given through digital TV, rather than the one they've had with analog signals.
 
To register for a coupon or two (which is the limit), call 1-888-DTV-2009, or go to www.DTV2009-dot-gov