Maurice watches TV at Safety Cab headquarters, a Gainesville taxi company, in between dispatching drivers.
He picks up three, sometimes four, channels through the antenna that sits on top of the set.
But by June 12 there won't be any signal.
Today would have been the initial date for the transition from analog to digital, but the mandatory switch was pushed back three months. Networks can switch today if they choose, requiring people who want to continue to watch their old TVs to buy a converter or switch to cable.
The least expensive converter on Radio Shack's Web site is $60. To help with the switch, the Bush administration set up a $40 coupon program, but the program, which ran out of money, has a waiting list now millions long.
The switch from analog to digital signal will free up parts of the broadcast spectrum, some of which will be auctioned to wireless Internet companies, according to a government Web site. Emergency services will also use the new space to communicate.
"The switch will provide a uniformity of quality," said Mike Giampietro, general manager at Cox Communications.
But Maurice, who did not give a last name, is skeptical of the switch.
"They say they're doing us a favor," Maurice said. "But it's really about the money."
Safety Cab may get cable, but they probably won't buy the digital converter, he said.
Ian Isom, a Radio Shack employee, sells five to six units a day.
"We keep selling out of them and they keep sending us more," he said.
After today, no channels will be allowed to switch from analog to digital until March 13, which will give the Federal Communications Commission time to fix any problems.
"This has actually been really well thought out," Isom said.
Some channels, such as the local Public Broadcasting System, will wait until June 12 to switch to analog.
"Fifteen percent of our donators receive us through over-the-air signal," said Larry Dankner, general manager of WRUF. "We're trying to maintain universal service."
