Deadline to Apply For TV Converter Box Coupons

The coupon application deadline is fast approaching. If you are still not DTV-ready, it’s not too late. Help is still available, but you must take action immediately. Eligible households may continue to apply or re-apply for TV converter box coupons. Applications for coupons are accepted online, by phone at 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009), by mail and by fax. Mailed applications must be post-marked no later than midnight on July 31, 2009. It typically takes nine business days to process and mail coupons. If you have applied for coupons, but not yet received them, check the status of your request on www.DTV2009.gov by selecting Check Your Application Status.

Appeals for Denied Coupon Applications.
The last day to file an appeal is midnight on July 31, 2009. If you apply for coupons through the Web site, and the application is denied, there is a link within the denial message to appeal. Filing an appeal via the Web site is the quickest way for the Coupon Program to process and respond to appeals. If you wish to provide additional detail beyond the space provided, you may submit your appeal in writing or by e-mail.

Coupons Can Be Used Until They Expire.
Even though the last day to apply for coupons is July 31, 2009, you can use your coupons at participating retailers until they expire. Call ahead to area retail stores to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day you plan to shop. Coupon-eligible converter boxes also may be purchased online or by telephone and shipped directly to your home.

Once again, we greatly appreciate your continued efforts to reach consumers who are still not DTV-ready. During these final days for consumers to apply for a TV converter box coupon or file an appeal, will you please spread the word and help ensure that people who need help purchasing their converter boxes are able to receive it? Your efforts will make it possible for them to experience the benefits of the digital TV transition.

Converter Box Coupon Update

Coupon Availability and Replacement Coupons.

Eligible households may continue to apply or re-apply for TV converter box coupons. Applications for coupons are accepted online, by phone at 1-888-388-2009 (1-888-DTV-2009), by mail and by fax. Mailed applications must be post-marked no later than July 31, 2009. Online, phone and fax applications must be submitted by 12 midnight Eastern Time.

It typically takes nine business days to process and mail coupons. If you have applied for coupons, but not yet received them, you may check the status of their by selecting Check Your Application Status.

Appeals for Denied Coupon Applications.

If you have applied for coupons through the Web site and the application is denied, there is a link within the denial message to appeal. Appealing via the Web site is the quickest way for the Coupon Program to process and respond to appeals. You may also appeal by clicking here. If you wish to provide additional detail beyond the space provided, they may submit their appeal in writing or by e-mail.

Coupons Expiration Date and Online and Phone TV Converter Box Ordering Options.

Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed. The expiration date is printed on the coupon. Even though the last day to apply for coupons is July 31, 2009, consumers can use their coupons at participating retailers until they expire. Converter boxes can be purchased at most national retail stores and some local retailers.
A list of retailers will be included in the envelope containing the coupon. You should call ahead to area retail stores to confirm availability of coupon-eligible converter boxes on the day they plan to shop. To find a participating retailer in your area, go to www.DTV2009.gov/VendorSearch.aspx. Coupon-eligible converter boxes also may be purchased online or by telephone and shipped directly to your home.

Two FCC Tips for Better Reception

“Double Re-scan” Converter Boxes and Digital TVs

As TV stations continue making changes to their signals, the FCC is encouraging converter box and digital TV users who still may be having trouble receiving a digital channel to “double re-scan,” which means clearing out the converter box or TV’s memory by unplugging the antenna, re-scanning the device without the antenna attached in order to clear out the memory, unplugging the box or digital TV, reconnecting the antenna to the device and plugging the unit back in, and then re-scanning. Note that “Double .Re-Scanning” is a more thorough process than simple “Scanning or Re-scanning.”

Double-Check and Relocate Antennas.

To receive the most channels, it is important for consumers to have a “VHF/UHF” antenna and to make sure they place it in a location that allows for the best reception. Click here to read the full FCC consumer advisory.

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Reception Help for WSIU TV Over-The-Air

WSIU-TV Carbondale ceased broadcasting analog over-the-air television on January 29, 2009 and is now broadcasting digital only. If you are having problems receiving WSIU over the air since February 3, 2009, the following guide will help you troubleshoot your WSIU-DT digital 8 reception problems. These instructions are for WSIU-DT Carbondale only. You must have a digital TV set, or analog TV connected to a digital converter box.

Step #1 -- Antennas
You must now have a VHF antenna for WSIU-DT. Prior to February 3, WSIU-DT broadcast on UHF channel 40. Channel 40 was loaned to us by the government during the DTV transition over the past two years while we still broadcast on analog 8 (which we ended on 1/29/09). On February 3, 2009, WSIU-DT changed digital channels from UHF channel 40 to the original vacated VHF channel 8. Check the antenna information section below for more information.

Step #2 -- Channel Scan
Rescanning of converter boxes or digital TV’s is required after WSIU-DT changed from digital UHF channel 40 to digital VHF channel 8 on Feb 3rd. Check your TV or converter box manual for instructions. If rescanning does not work then try Step #3.

Step #3 -- Reset
Some converter boxes or digital TV's will need to be reset (by button, menu, or powering down for a few minutes) to erase all previous WSIU information and allow the rescan to work properly. Unplug the digital TV or converter box for a few minutes, plug it back in and then do a channel scan again (step#2). You may have to do this several times before it works. Lastly, if the above fails, you may be able to force a system reset by starting a channel scan and unplugging the TV or converter box while it is scanning. Wait five minutes, plug it back in, and then rescan for channels (step#2).

Antenna Information
(For WSIU- you must have a antenna capable of receiving VHF signals.)

If using an Indoor antenna:

• be sure to extend the “rabbit ears”
• rotate the antenna a quarter turn and rescan again if you are unsuccessful finding WSIU-DT the first time. Repeat this process again if needed.
• try placing the antenna closer to a window for better results
• be aware that aluminum siding may affect indoor antenna VHF reception

If using an Outdoor antenna:

• for best results, your antenna should be pointed at our transmitter located at near Du Quoin, IL
• if your cables are old they may be a problem- RG6 is the preferred type

You may find some indoor antennas work better than others. Also beware of antenna which are advertised as “HDTV Ready”. Sometimes they are UHF only. It is important that the antenna is designed to receive VHF television channels also. The antenna that you previously used to receive analog channel 8 is ideal.

DTV Converter Box Coupons Update

NTIA has made several improvements to the TV Converter Box Coupon Program that will help consumers prepare for the shut off of analog broadcasts by June 12, 2009, and has additional improvements planned for the coming weeks. These changes are a result of the DTV Delay Act and made possible through funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009.


The following Program updates are effective immediately:

• Coupon Waiting List and Distribution. NTIA is processing approved coupon applications that were placed on a waiting list beginning in January 2009. Consumers who had been notified they were approved for coupons but placed on a waiting list due to a lack of program funds will be issued coupons. (Consumers can use the automatically-generated reference number they received at the time of application to check the status of their request on this Web site.)

• New Coupon Applications. Consumers who apply for a coupon and are approved after the waiting list is eliminated will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. If the Program experiences high demand, it may be necessary for NTIA to once again place applicants on a waiting list. Should this happen NTIA may distribute coupons to over-the-air only households first to ensure as many U.S. households as possible have at least one working television after their local TV stations complete the transition to digital by June 12, 2009.

• Requested Coupons Mailed via First-Class Mail. The TV Converter Box Coupon Program is mailing coupons via first-class mail. Consumers will receive coupons more quickly.

• Application Deadline. Consumers should act now to prepare for the end of analog broadcasts in their local viewing area. The Program will accept coupon applications until July 31, 2009 if funds are available to fill those requests.

• Expired Coupons- In addition to these immediate improvements, NTIA is moving quickly to modify the Program processes to begin accepting applications from consumers whose coupons expired without being redeemed. The Web site will be updated to indicate when applications for replacement coupons will be accepted. At this time, consumers who try to reapply for a coupon which has expired or was lost or stolen will be denied. Consumers should check the Web site to learn when the Coupon Program can accept requests to replace coupons which are lost, stolen or expired.

DTV Help Guides

With less than two months to go until the final digital television transition cutoff date (we hope), converter box maker Zenith has introduced an online connection guide to help users get their set-top boxes set up correctly in time for the switch.

The site -- accessible at www.ConnectYourBox.com and www.ConecteSuConvertidor.com -- features step-by-step set up instructions for connecting a box to a TV, along with troubleshooting information and a FAQ. The site also includes links to other DTV-related resources like AntennaWeb.org for help with signal reception, antenna compatibility and other issues.

WSIU TV Increases Power

WSIU TV (Digital RF 8) has increased its power to its fully-licensed power of 53kW and will remain at that power level until further notice. Viewers that have had reception problems in the past few weeks may want to use this opportunity to rescan their converter boxes and/or digital televisions to see if they can now receive WSIU TV.