NOT FOUND: thedidgitalswitch.jpg.jpgWe’ve seen the campaigns on TV. We’ve heard it on the radio, and tried navigating through all the converter box coupons, cable, satellite and dish registration cost breakdowns and question/answer sessions on the web.

Basically the issue is this: If you DON’T have cable – you may not be ready.

This may not have been a huge issue before. MOST people have Comcast, Dish Network, or even get cable service from their cell or basic phone service provider. But with the economy being what it is for so many costs have needed to be slashed, luxuries lived without and that means eliminating extras like cable.

If you and your household have pulled the plug on basic cable – then you may not have TV at all. Here’s one exception…
You have a brand new TV. The latest of television sets purchased within the past year are DTV ready.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke says that if you are in an area too far from the digital transmission sites then you may need a booster antenna on top of the TV set or on the roof. This item, also known as an aerial amplifier can work whether you’re in a remote area of the foothills or in the city as a means to avoid the cable bill. If you have a booster – it will assist in the process. You simply attach them to where your DTV antenna is located.

HOWEVER…tracking them down took me a little while on the Google yellow pages. I called Radio Shack. They don’t have any. I called Best Buy…the phone rang far too long and after the automated recording – no one picked up. Fry’s – no answer and it didn’t even go to the recording. This means they may have them but I didn’t have time to be placed on hold. Finally I called a place called Metro Electronics and they were able to refer me.

According to ‘Brad’ at HFE Electronics a booster box with a UHF VHF frequency (common among cell phone and analog TV signal boosters) works with the digital signal. Good news! HFE carries a “wide variety” of booster boxes. What’s more, the store is in our area located at Auburn Blvd. and College Oaks near American River College. They average about 24 dollars in price. Here’s the number: 338-2545

I found one on Ebay for 33 dollars from Skywalker. Model no. SKY38320. The prices I found on similar products varied from 30 dollars to 65 dollars. Just make sure this is for the Digital TV. From my research you hook this up to your digital TV antenna.

So it could pay to shop local. But if you plan on heading to the major retailers, or any retailer for that matter – call first and let them know what you’re looking for.