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ISHPEMING -- "Well, I just got my converter box in, but I don't know where to plug it in to," was the problem an Ishpeming resident posed Thursday night at the Michigan Association of Broadcaster's statewide video conference call.  And he's not alone--many people are still confused over what they need to do to be ready to go digital next February.

That was the reason for the conference call--a first for the MAB.  Nearly twenty locations across Michigan were linked to the main site in Lansing, where officials were available to answer questions. Local MAB engineers were also at the satellite locations to help.

Officials are afraid that, despite all of the digital television education that has been going on, some people are still going to be caught unaware on February 17, the last day analog signals will be transmitted.

"We'll still miss people," said Sonny Reschka, Chief Engineer for TV6.  "And there will be people in February that will wonder, 'What happened? I thought I was safe.'"

For people like Theresa Nelson, who attended the conference call, this lack of knowledge is an ongoing concern.  She chairs the Retired or Senior Volunteer Program and will be assisting the elderly and disabled with the conversion.

"Some don't even know that this is happening yet or understand why or that it really is going to happen on February 17th," said Nelson.

Those that attended the meeting got walked through the nuts and bolts of the transition, including the importance of antennas and how to install their converter boxes.  The on-site engineers were also encouraging them not to be afraid of the new technology.

"The converter box is essentially as hard to hook up as a VCR," Reschka said.

But, like any new technology, this digital transition is going to take time for people to catch on to.  The MAB is hopeful, however, that through the continued effort of broadcasters across the state, everyone will be on the same page come February.

For those who didn't have an opportunity to make it to the conference call, TV6 will be hosting a live call-in show on Thursday, October 30, at 8 p.m.  Engineers will be on-hand to answer questions from viewers regarding the transition.