1. Where can I get information and how do I apply for a Digital Distribution Fund Round 12b grant?
Go to PBS Connect. On the left side of the home page click on "ENGINEER COMPUTE." At the bottom of the page (you may need to scroll down) 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-Priority Two grant application for digital master control and redundancy equipment? Should I reapply in Round 12b?
DDF Round 12b will only accept applications for equipment essential to meet the FCC analog shutoff deadline of February 17, 2009, maximization equipment and expenses or other qualified projects (see Guidelines). All DDF Round 11-Priority Two applications for digital master control and redundancy equipment remain pending. Questions regarding Round 11-Priority Two applications should be addressed to Tracy Locke-Kitt, Digital Grants Coordinator, CPB.
3. Can my station apply for Round 12b funds to assist in funding my facility's maximization?
Applications for maximized facilities from applicants who have applied to the FCC, or intend to apply to the FCC prior to contract execution, to maximize their DTV facilities will be eligible. Applicants must demonstrate that they have applied to the FCC to maximize their facilities or have been granted a FCC Construction Permit for the maximized facility at the time of contract execution.
Alternatively, certain qualified projects may be eligible for Round 12b application (see Guidelines 1MB PDF File).
4. Will there be another DDF grant round in the future? Will master control again be funded?
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 12b. 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 12b application?
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 12b?
ATSC encoders can be included in Round 12b 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 12b 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.
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 12b.