If you get your TV programs using an antenna then on February 17 traditional analog TV channels go off the air. If you have cable or satellite dish services then this doesn't apply.

Judging by the number of people I've seen hauling big screen TVs out of Best Buy, Fry's and other retailers maybe everyone in Mountain View already has a digital TV. If you don't have a new high definition digital TV (HDTV) then you can buy a converter box to plug into your old TV.

The government is helping out by giving each household up to two $40 coupons for converter boxes that you can buy from participating electronics stores, such as Best Buy or Wal-Mart. The coupons are plastic cards and are mailed to participating households.

To get one or two coupons go to www.DTV2009.gov (Web Link) or call 1-888-DTV-2009 or mail in an application form from the website.

Deaf or hard of hearing callers may dial 1-877-530-2634 (English/TTY) or 1-866-495-1161 (Spanish/TTY). TTY Service is available from 9 AM - 9 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday.

You have until the end of March 2009 to get your coupons - so don't forget.