Public Service Announcement for Harlem Residents

Get Ready For :
DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION - February 17, 2009

Federal Coupon worth $40 each for 2 digital to analog converter boxes!!
Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). More information can be found atwww.DTV2009.gov. Read below for additional understanding.
What's UP!! The Transition to Digital:

TV stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming today, although most will continue to provide analog programming through February 17, 2009. At that point, full-power TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses.

The Federal Communications Commission 's digital tuner rule specifies that as of March 1, 2007, all new TVs must include digital tuners. This rule prohibits the manufacture, import, or interstate shipment of any device containing an analog tuner, unless it also contains a digital tuner. Despite this prohibition on manufacture and shipment, retailers may continue to sell analog-only devices from existing inventory. As a result, at the point of sale, many consumers may not be aware that this equipment will not be able to receive over-the-air-television signals after February 17, 2009.

According to the FCCDigital Television (DTV)is an advanced broadcasting technology that will transform your television viewing experience. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, called multicasting, and interactive capabilities. Converting to DTV also will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. Those portions of the spectrum can then be used for other important services, such as public and safety services (police and fire departments, emergency rescue), and advanced wireless services.

The US government says it is switching to digital to:

What Does This Mean To You?

If all of your TVs are hooked up to cable or satellite, you will continue to get your TV after the switch. Just check with your cable or satellite company to be sure.

If you have a digital TV, you are ready for the switch. (If your TV is more than 10 years old it probably is not digital. If it is less than 10 years old, ask the manufacturer if your TV is "analog-only.")

If you have an analog-only TV with a roof top antenna or "rabbit ears," you will not be able to watch most TV stations after February 17, 2009 unless you get a "converter box."

Cable and Satellite TV

Cable subscribers may need new DTV equipment to view DTV programming in digital format. You should ask your cable provider what you will need and when.

Satellite subscribers may need new DTV equipment to receive and view high definition digital programming. You should ask your satellite company what you will need and when.

Converter Box?

The converter box will attach to your TV and let you go on getting free TV.With the converter box you can get a better picture and more channels. The antenna you have 

should work with the box.You can buy a converter box at a retail store. The boxes will cost $40 to $70.

You can get two $40 coupons per household from the US Government to help you pay for up to two boxes. (One coupon per box only. Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing.)

Converter Box Coupon Program

Between Jan. 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). More information can be found at
www.DTV2009.gov.

Outside Antennas and "Rabbit Ears"

Consumers who rely on antennas (including outside antennas and "rabbit ears") to receive over-the-air broadcast signals on TV sets having only analog tuners will need to obtain separate digital-to-analog set-top converter boxes to watch over-the-air TV. These boxes receive digital signals and convert them into analog format for display on analog TVs. Analog sets connected to such converter boxes will display digital broadcasts, but not necessarily in the full, original digital quality.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CONVERTERS AND COUPONS
CALL 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY) Or Go To: http://www.dtv.gov/

Communtiy Information

Harlem Tenants Council
21 West 130th Street
New York, N.Y. 10037
1-800-546-1133
info@harlemtenantscouncil.org

Housing is a basic human right!
October 30, 2008  FAA  (Federal Aviaton Association) Hiring Notice
If you have are a young adult between the ages of 18-31 with a high school diploma, the Federal Aviation Association is taking applications for air traffic controller school. We all have kids and know kids in the right age group (under 31) and with some effort they could reach a salary of over $100,000 with benefits in about 3 years! . You need only a high school diploma to apply and credit is given for college on the exam. They need to go to http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/ for details and to fill out the application immediately - even if they don't know if! they'd want to attend immediately - it's the federal government and it may take them months to call.

The key is to apply NOW .
There will be a lot of retirements coming up rather quickly and they need! to line up training to accommodate these openings. It's my understanding that the FAA rarely has an open application such as this and that the jobs are coveted. The person who shared this has a 28 year old daughter who is well into 6 figures and has plenty of time for travel/recreation and has started another career on the side. This is a great opportunity and it should be noted that choosing a site like Anchorage or Indianapolis to train is a likely acceptance into the training program - after-which you can transfer anywhere in the country that has a tower. Please pass this information on!