It's less than a year until full power TV stations including KGW go digital next February. Analog signals will be turned off for good.

The government is auctioning off those signals for other communications needs.

But low power TV stations are exempt from going digital for now. It means their viewers will not be able to receive their signals using a DTV converter box.

It has some LPTV operators worried their days could be numbered.

 More: LPTV FAQ

"Since we don't have any meaningful access to multi-channel services, as an example cable or satellite we rely on that over the air viewer," said Greg Herman, President of Watch TV a string of fifteen analog low power stations around Oregon.

Herman is also Vice president of technology for the Community Broadcasters Association. It represents some 2600 low power stations nationwide. The stations broadcast in analog and aren't required to make the digital switch next year.

At issue are the DTV converter boxes themselves. They only convert digital signals to analog and not the other way around.

"For the government to spend tax dollars to build boxes that are not easily backward compatible with the NTSC format seems patently absurd to us," said Herman.

The government is offering households who receive over the air signals as a primary source of TV two $40 coupons towards the purchase of a digital converter box.

The LPTV industry is asking the government to require DTV converter box makers to include what's called a pass through so that it would receive both digital and analog signals. Only a few manufacturers are making such a box.

All Portland broadcasters rely on LPTV stations to rebroadcast their signals. KGW has 25 in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

"They're usually in small communities, rural communities that don't have the ability to receive directly a full power channel". said Eric Dausman, Vice President of Engineering for KGW.

"We're recommending that if you're in an area that uses one of our low power stations you should get one that has a pass through," said Dausman

He say it will be a while before dual DTV boxes are available on a large scale. Without them It could signal the beginning of the end for some LPTVstations.

"If we can't get it done right, it will choke us off, maybe to the point of terminating us".said Herman.

The coupons are available by applying online or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009. We've got a link right here on this website under DTV.

And if you watch channel 8 on an LPTV station, it's recommened you take advantage of getting the coupons and a DTV box now for when those stations do go digital in the future.