Have you bought your TV converter box yet?

If you still have the old-fashioned "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna, you have six months left.

That's when local broadcasters will end analog transmissions and you'll need to use a converter box to ensure that your older TV can translate the digital signal after Feb. 17, 2009.

If you don't want a converter box, you could buy a new TV or subscribe to cable or satellite.

But you only have six months left to decide.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin on Monday rolled out the government's last big push with a nationwide educational campaign to ensure all consumers are ready for the digital transition.

"It's important that we go out and help increase the overall public awareness," Martin said. "A year ago, 35 percent of those surveyed knew about the transition. Today it's about 85 percent."

During a news conference in Washington, D.C., Martin said he and other commissioners will visit 80 markets, including Chicago, between now and February to work with local stations, community leaders and others to ensure consumers know what to do.

An FCC commissioner will be in Chicago on Nov. 20, when a so-called "soft" test, or temporary shutdown of the analog signal, may be done to see how ready this market is for all-digital television broadcasting.

Broadcasters nationwide are participating in the massive DTV consumer education campaign, valued at more than $1 billion, the National Association of Broadcasters said.

The association will help to coordinate activities with stations to support the FCC tour, including the analog shut-off tests, which are the most effective ways for stations to help viewers determine whether they are ready to receive digital television signal, the group said.

Since early May, Las Vegas, Nev., Spokane, Wash., and other markets already have performed the test. It involves a 60-second shutdown of the analog signal. Local broadcast stations agree on the time and day for the test. That process is yet to be scheduled in Chicago.

"If you're at home and only have over-the-air broadcast stations, you'll suddenly see a slate come on your screen that says if you see this, then you only have analog," said association spokeswoman Shermaze Ingram. "It also will have an 800-number to call for more information. This is what people will see on their screens in February when the actual shutoff occurs."

The toll-free number goes to a phone bank at the local stations conducting the test to gauge how many people saw the message on their screen and offer them more information to those viewers.

The FCC's campaign also will include town hall meetings, workshops and round-table discussions to help consumers understand the transition.

The FCC and broadcasters primarily are targeting senior citizens, minorities, the low income, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas to ensure they are aware of what they need and if they can afford the transition.

For more than a year, the federal government and local broadcasters have been airing public service announcements and providing other information to consumers on how the old analog signal will end in February.

Those who subscribe to cable or satellite services do not need to take any action,

"People will continue to receive their TV channels in February just as they are today," said Comcast spokesman Rich Ruggerio. "It's the people with the rabbit ears and the rooftop antennas who need to make some decisions very soon."

TV: Don't worry if you've got cable, satellite

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html">FCC digital TV fact sheet </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>