Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., understands that a converter box alone is not sufficient for DTV reception. In many cases, especially in rural, hilly or mountainous areas, an outdoor antenna will be required.
As the Vermont Senator recently told Bob Fernandez from The Philadelphia Inquirer, "If you're 80 years old, you will not be going up on your roof in a Vermont winter."
In response, Sanders has introduced Bill S.3740, which would create a $75 million coupon program. The coupons could be applied to the cost to install a digital-to-analog converter box; the purchase of an indoor or outdoor antenna or both if needed to facilitate the reception of DTV signals; the cost to install any of these antennas; or the cost to install any other equipment needed to receive basic television service.
The last item refers to what the bill calls “Basic Broadcast Television Service,” a basic cable or satellite service carrying, at a minimum, the “over-the-air signal of any non-subscription television broadcast station within the local market.”
For more information on the proposed coupon program, search for S.3740 on thomas.loc.gov. Type in “S.3740” in the box under “Search Bill Text” and select “Bill Number” to view the complete bill.
Read more of Doug Lung's RF Reporthere.
