By a mandate of the Federal Communication Commission in Title III - Digital Television
Transition and Public Safety Act, television stations will stop broadcasting with an
analog signal and change to a digital signal. This transition will take place at midnight
on February 17, 2009. After that time, anyone using an analog set that has not prepared
will not be able to view television.
Our agency was contacted by a public relations firm on behalf of the FCC and the
Department Of Health And Social Services to be of assistance in an effort to inform the
general public about the forthcoming transition. Our agency serves many people of Horry,
Georgetown and Williamsburg counties that are below or near the poverty level, people who
are most likely to be impacted by the change over.
What does that mean? Basically, if
you still use "rabbit ears" to get a few local stations then you need to prepare
for the change. If you have cable or satellite television you should be fine as you are
now. If you have a new TV with a built in digital tuner, you will be fine.
Why are they doing this? The analog
broadcast uses a frequency that can be used by others. Part of that frequency will
be reserved for police, fire departments and other emergency services. There are
times when more communication is very important. The move from analog to digital
will make room for improved communications during a fire or flood, hurricane or tornado,
or any situation where officials need to be in close touch with each other.
What should you do if you are one of the households that
will be affected? You need to get a digital to analog converter for
each of your TV sets. A recent check showed a model available at a large, very common
retailer, for less than 50.00. And this is something you should make note of: The federal
government has a program that will give each household two 40.00 coupons to offset the
price of the converters.
Waccamaw EOC will host a presentation on Wednesday, April 9th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm to
explain more about this transition, and to answer any questions you might have. The
location will be at the Burroughs & Chapin Auditorium at Horry Georgetown Technical
College at the Conway campus. The auditorium is located in Building 1100. The
most convenient parking is in the lot nearest the fire department. That's on the
Myrtle Beach side of the campus. Click
here for a map of the campus. This presentation is for anyone interested in the
transition and is free of charge. The same presentation is being planned for
Georgetown and Kingstree, but no dates have been set for those counties yet.
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