Several television stations throughout Oregon made the switch to digital today.

Analog television customers will lose reception on Eugene stations KEZI and KLSR if they don't have a digital TV or haven't installed a converter box.

Congress has passed legislation to push back the deadline for the change to the digital format to June 12, but left the door open for stations to keep the Feb. 17 date.

The two Eugene stations, along with others in Pendleton and Medford, are among 641 stations across the country that are meeting today's deadline.

Mark Metzger, general manager at KLSR Fox TV in Eugene, said the switch was going smoothly so far.

"We felt the public has been thoroughly notified. We have had very few calls with problems. The calls we have had deal with people who just haven't programmed their converter boxes," Metzger said.

He noted that the station felt that sticking to the original date was the right thing to do to avoid confusion.

"It's what we have been telling people all along and what we have aggressively advertised for," Metzger said.

KLSR has set up a kiosk in its lobby with technicians on hand to help people with converter box issues.

Eugene ABC affiliate KEZI had several calls from people with reception issues, according to station engineer Dick Jenkins.

"Most just got their boxes out for the first time and needed instruction. Others had antenna issues. Sometimes they just need a better antenna," he said.

The original deadline was pushed back to June after federal funding ran out for coupons to subsidize converter boxes. The delay provides the coupon program a chance to catch up. The stimulus bill President Obama signed today contains $650 million in additional funding, which is expected to help the National Telecommunications and Information Administration clear its coupon backlog.

Two other Eugene stations, KMTR and KVAL are still sending analog signals. Most Portland stations also are delaying the switch.

Metzger said that is a good thing since it allows those who have not made the switch to keep getting some reception.

People with reception problems can get help by calling KSLR at (541) 870-6857 or KEZI at (541) 485-5611.

In Oregon

Eugene: KEZI (ABC), KLSR-TV (Fox), Medford-Klamath Falls: KBLN, KDKF (ABC), KOTI (NBC), KDRV (ABC), KMVU (Fox), KOBI (NBC), KSYS (PBS); Pendleton: KFFX-TV (Fox)