Come Feb. 17, all broadcasters will switch off their analog television signals. If you are not prepared by then, the only thing you will see on your screen is snow.

Not only is the state and the Salt Lake television market the most unprepared in America to deal with the conversion to digital television next February, but Utahns haven't taken advantage of a new federal program that helps pay for the cost of making the change, according to the U.S. Dept. of Commerce.

Over 23 percent of homes in Salt Lake City only receive television over the air on analog TVs, according to Nielsen Media Research. Even more throughout the state, 27.4 percent, are analog only, according to the National Association of Broadcasters. They all need to make the switch.

Now, the Commerce department has revealed that not many Utahns are applying for federal coupons that help defer the cost of getting a digital converter box.

Here are the basic rules to know about whether you need to act and make the switch to digital TV.

Who needs to make the switch to digital TV?

Nearly all analog TVs made more than three or four years ago likely only receive an analog signal and need to make the switch. If your set is that old, there a number of ways to make the conversion so you can get a digital signal:

» If you already have cable or satellite TV, do nothing. Even if you are hooked up to just analog cable, you don't have to do a thing. The cable company will make the switch on its end.

» Buy a new digital TV. They don't make analog televisions anymore. If you buy a new TV that's 19 inches or bigger it will be a digital one.

» Get a converter box. This set top box converts the digital signal from outside into an analog signal so it can be viewed on your old analog set.

How to get a digital converter box » The boxes are available at most stores, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack and Wal-Mart. Prices start at $49.99.

To help pay for the cost, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce has a coupon program online and via telephone that pays $40 of it. Each household can receive up to two coupons, and each can only be used for one box. Go to www.dtv2009.gov or call 888-DTV-2009 to apply.

The coupon, which looks and works like a credit card is mailed. Customers then use it at the store during purchase. The coupons have a 90-day expiration date.

All households, and homes with just P.O. boxes, are eligible, and after Oct. 20, residents in nursing homes will be too.

How to hook up the box » Of course, all converter boxes have instructions. But if those seem intimidating, the Consumer Electronics Association has a quick-start guide (go to www.digitaltips.org) as well as the Federal Communications Commission (linked from www.dtv2009.gov).

The Department of Commerce is looking at other projects to help customers - particularly the elderly - to hook up converter boxes, including using firefighters during home fire safety inspections as well as Boy Scout troops and community volunteers.

The government also has started a new education campaign, "Apply, Buy and Try," to urge TV fans to act now.

Tony Wilhelm, who heads the coupon program for the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, says consumers who need to make the switch must act quickly and give themselves at least six weeks before the Feb. 17 deadline.

"You have to start hitting people over the head with this," he said. "People need to act, and we need to find the most creative ways to get their attention. People can't wait."