1. Where can I get information and how do I apply for a Digital Distribution Fund Round 12 grant?
A: Go to PBS Connect. Under "Featured Services," click on "Digital Conversion Grants." Guidelines explaining equipment available for the current grant round, application instructions and all other information is available through links on the Grants home page.
2. What is the status of my DDF Round 11 grant application for digital master control and redundancy equipment? Should I reapply in Round 12?
A: DDF Round 12 will only accept applications for equipment essential to meet the FCC analog shutoff deadline of February 17, 2009. All DDF Round 11 applications for digital master control and redundancy equipment remain pending. Questions regarding Round 11 applications should be addressed to Michelle Ranger, Digital Grants Manager, CPB, mranger@cpb.org.
3. My station recently applied to "maximize" our DTV transmission facility per the FCC Public Notice informing full power stations that, ". . . we will lift the freeze on the filing of maximization applications. . . [and] . . . the freeze on the filing of petitions for rulemaking to allow requests for channel substitutions to the DTV Table." Can my station apply for Round 12 funds to assist in funding my facility maximization or channel change?
A: Only applications for DDF matching funds to assist with equipment purchases for remaining needs to meet the FCC analog shutoff deadline of February 17, 2009 will be eligible in Round 12. If your maximization or channel change application may be required to meet the February 17, 2009 deadline, contact Lew Zager, lzager@pbs.org, 703-739-3988 to discuss your situation and potential eligibility.
4. Will there be another DDF grant round in the future? Will master control again be funded?
A: As you may know, Congress authorized FY 08 funding in support of the digital conversion. As in the past, CPB, in consultation with stations and the Digital Consultation Panel, has determined which digital funding initiatives will be funded through DDF Round 12. It is not currently known whether Congress will authorize additional funding for FY 09.
5. Can the new Nielsen NAVE encoders be included in a DDF Round 12 application?
A: No, the encoders cannot, but options to NAVE encoders such as EIA-708 captioning and TSID insertion may be considered if the equipment need is essential to meet the FCC analog shutoff deadline of February 17, 2009.
6. Do ATSC encoders qualify under DDF Round 12?
A: ATSC encoders can be included in Round 12 applications to the extent the equipment is critical to meeting minimum FCC requirements to meet the FCC analog shutoff deadline of February 17, 2009. Round 12 applications that include ATSC encoders will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for eligibility of the encoders. If a station cannot provide a service that meets minimum FCC requirements for DTV transmission without purchase or upgrade of an encoder, the encoder will likely qualify.
7. Would a replacement STL qualify? In our case, our station needs to install a microwave STL to replace our current method of using an off-air signal as an STL.
A: If the applicant can demonstrate that the current STL cannot reliably keep its DTV signal on the air, it may qualify. If the requested STL is to enhance service, it would not be eligible for DDF Round 12.