You've heard the commercial, you've heard the warnings: Get a converter box or you won't be able to watch free analog. The upcoming federally mandated TV conversion from analog to digital may cause some residents to not be able to see TV at all.

Next week on January 12th, KOLO 8 News Now will turn off our analog broadcast signal. Unfortunately, for some folks, they're going to be left in the dark, even with a converter box.

The converter boxes are meant to translate the digital signal back to analog so older TV''s can continue getting free television. The problem is, in some rural areas, such as Lyon County, the equipment used to transmit TV signals is about to become obsolete.

Virginia Johnson of Silver Springs has been getting free off-air television for more than 20 years. Until now, she says she never thought about paying for cable or satellite.

"Haven't had to. Plain and simple. The antennae is right on the hill and we receive five channels perfectly clear, plus five others that are fuzzy, but they're acceptable," said Johnson.

But Virginia's free TV isn't really free. The county owns, and maintains the equipment that distributes KOLO 8's signal. And on January 12th, that equipment will be obsolete, and will no longer provide free TV to county residents.

County Commissioners looked at upgrading the equipment, but said they couldn't afford it.

"They tell me it would have cost another $30,000 to put those in place. (Do you have that kind of money in the county?) No. We're broke, just like everyone else is," said County Commissioner, Larry McPherson.

Facilities Manager Jack Mosby says what this means is, those two pieces of equipment, placed up high on peaks surrounding the rural countryside...will be dead come January 12th.

He says for residents of Mason and Smith Valleys, as well as some parts of Dayton, may not be able to receive a signal after the changeover date, even if they install a converter box.

County commissioners say the issue should only affect a handful of people since most customers of Lyon County already subscribe to cable or satellite. He says in the long run, the conversion will be cheaper for everyone.

"It's going to be a lot easier for taxpayers. A lot less money we'll have to put out because we'll just shut those down," said Mosby.

But Johnson says she's not convinced. She thinks the County hasn't done enough research to be sure the effects won't be widespread.

"We'll find out when the signal goes away exactly what will happen," said Johnson.

Mosby says there is a solution for people in the pockets of Lyon County that can't get a digital signal. He says they'll need to purchase a "free to air satellite receiver" and a dish. He says that way, you can still get the free channels, like KOLO 8, without having to pay.

If you're still confused, you can also call the Lyon County Facilities Manager at 463-6551, and dial extension 12.